Summary
- • Only 4.8% of film directors from 2007 to 2017 were women of color.
- • In 2019, only 22% of the 200 top-grossing films were directed by women.
- • Between 2012 and 2018, only 21.6% of all series regulars on broadcast scripted television were people of color.
- • Women made up only 35% of major characters in family films in 2016.
- • In the 2018-2019 TV season, 22.5% of broadcast scripted series regulars were LGBTQ.
- • In 2019, just 33.1% of lead roles went to actors of color.
- • LGBTQ representation in major studio films has remained stagnant, with only 12.8% of films featuring an LGBTQ character in 2019.
- • In 2019, only 3.8% of speaking characters in the top 100 films were depicted with a disability.
- • Women made up only 32% of top-grossing films' producers in 2019.
- • In 2018, 77% of all TV network presidents were white, and nearly 72% were male.
- • Out of 3,817 episodic directors working in the 2017-2018 season, only 17.3% were women.
- • In 2018, people of color were poorly represented with only 21.7% of lead roles in top films.
- • Women of color represented just 6.4% of all film directors from 2007 to 2017.
- • In 2018, only 2.6% of broadcast scripted series regular characters had a disability.
- • LGBTQ characters represented only 18.2% of all series regular characters on streaming programs in 2019.
Lights, camera, inequality! The entertainment industry prides itself on creating captivating stories for all to enjoy, yet behind the scenes, the numbers tell a different tale. From directors to producers, to on-screen representation, the statistics paint a stark reality. With women of color directing a mere 4.8% of films over a decade and LGBTQ characters struggling for visibility, its clear that diversity in Hollywood isnt just an Oscar-night trend, its a dire need. Lets delve into the harsh truths and glimmers of hope shaping the reel world we all love to escape to.
Ethnic Diversity in Media
- Between 2012 and 2018, only 21.6% of all series regulars on broadcast scripted television were people of color.
- In 2019, just 33.1% of lead roles went to actors of color.
- In 2018, people of color were poorly represented with only 21.7% of lead roles in top films.
- Minority-led films made up 46% of the total number of films released in 2019.
- In 2019, only 33.6% of speaking characters in the top 100 films were from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups.
- Asian actors made up only 3.4% of film leads in the top 100 movies of 2019.
- Asian actors accounted for only 7.6% of the top 500 films' leads from 2007 to 2019.
- Only 32.7% of film leads in the top 100 movies of 2019 were people of color.
- In 2019, 13.9% of film leads in the top 100 movies were black actors, a slight increase from the previous year.
- The representation of women of color composers in the top 500 films has remained below 1% from 2007 to 2019.
Interpretation
In an industry that should be all about portraying the diverse tapestry of humanity, these statistics paint a less-than-colorful picture. From underrepresented racial/ethnic groups fighting for every speaking role to the shockingly low 3.4% of Asian actors leading the charge on the silver screen, it's clear that the entertainment world still has some serious shades of gray to address. While the increase in black actors securing lead roles is a small ray of hope in an otherwise dim landscape, the reality remains that women of color composers are still marching to their own, barely heard beat. As moviegoers clamor for stories that truly reflect the world we live in, it's time for the industry to step up its diversity game and bring some much-needed color to the big screen.
Gender Representation in Film and TV
- Only 4.8% of film directors from 2007 to 2017 were women of color.
- In 2019, only 22% of the 200 top-grossing films were directed by women.
- Women made up only 35% of major characters in family films in 2016.
- Women made up only 32% of top-grossing films' producers in 2019.
- Out of 3,817 episodic directors working in the 2017-2018 season, only 17.3% were women.
- Women of color represented just 6.4% of all film directors from 2007 to 2017.
- Women comprised just 24% of individuals working in key behind-the-scenes roles (directors, writers, and producers) on broadcast scripted programs.
- From 2014 to 2017, 9.8% of directors of the 1,100 top films were women.
- In 2019, 18.6% of the top films featured a female lead or co-lead.
- In 2019, only 6.2% of all directors of the 100 top films were women of color.
- In 2019, 7.1% of directors of the top 100 films were women.
- The presence of female film editors declined by 1.3% from 2018 to 2019.
- From 2008 to 2018, women made up only 18% of all narrative film directors.
- In 2019, 16.8% of directors were women across 100 top-grossing films.
- Women made up 476 out of 1,135 directors of the top 1,200 films from 2007 to 2019.
Interpretation
These statistics paint a stark picture of the uphill battle faced by women, especially women of color, in the entertainment industry. From the director's chair to behind-the scenes roles, the numbers reveal a systemic imbalance that urgently needs to be addressed. While the glitz and glamour of Hollywood may dazzle on the surface, the lack of diversity and representation in key positions is not just a creative loss but a societal injustice. It's time to rewrite the script and ensure that all voices are not just heard, but given the platform they deserve.
LGBTQ+ Representation in Entertainment
- In the 2018-2019 TV season, 22.5% of broadcast scripted series regulars were LGBTQ.
- LGBTQ representation in major studio films has remained stagnant, with only 12.8% of films featuring an LGBTQ character in 2019.
- LGBTQ characters represented only 18.2% of all series regular characters on streaming programs in 2019.
- LGBTQ characters appeared in 10.2% of films from major studios in 2019, down from 18.2% in 2018.
- LGBTQ characters on cable television had a record-high representation of 10.2% in the 2018-2019 TV season.
- In 2018-2019, 23.1% of series regular characters on streaming programs were LGBTQ.
- LGBTQ characters across broadcast, cable, and streaming originals experienced a 1.4% increase from 2018 to 2019.
- LGBTQ characters represented 10.2% of total series regular characters across all platforms in the 2018-2019 TV season.
- LGBTQ characters represented 8.8% of all series regulars on broadcast TV in the 2018-2019 season, an increase from the previous year.
Interpretation
In the ongoing saga of LGBTQ representation in the entertainment industry, the numbers paint a portrait both promising and puzzling. As scripted series embrace diversity with more rainbow hues, major studio films seem to be stuck in a black-and-white reality of tokenism. The streaming world, being the cool kid on the block, shows a fluctuating commitment to LGBTQ characters, perhaps too busy binging on complexity to settle on consistency. Cable TV, surprisingly breaking records like an Olympic sprinter in heels, manages to shine brighter in the inclusive spotlight. Despite the statistics resembling a rollercoaster ride of progress and regress, one thing is clear: the LGBTQ community is refusing to be edited out of the script, demanding not just a supporting role but a starring one in the showbiz narrative of equality.
Leadership and Decision-Making Roles in Media
- In 2018, 77% of all TV network presidents were white, and nearly 72% were male.
- Women held 17% of all CEO roles within media and entertainment companies in 2019.
Interpretation
Despite boasting about promoting diversity, the entertainment industry continues to resemble a stale rerun of a show about white, male dominance. With TV network presidents looking as diverse as a black-and-white movie reel and female CEOs a rare sighting in a sea of suits, it’s clear that the industry still has a lot of channel surfing to do before achieving genuine inclusivity. As the credits continue to roll on this lackluster representation, it's evident that the casting directors behind the scenes need to start rewriting the script for a more diverse and equitable future.
People with Disabilities in the Industry
- In 2019, only 3.8% of speaking characters in the top 100 films were depicted with a disability.
- In 2018, only 2.6% of broadcast scripted series regular characters had a disability.
- Individuals with disabilities were absent from 93% of the 2017 film releases examined for representation.
- There were only 3 disabled series regular characters on broadcast TV during the 2018-2019 season, making up 0.9% of characters overall.
Interpretation
These statistics paint a bleak picture of the entertainment industry's commitment to diversity and inclusion. It seems that disability representation is still an afterthought, with disabled characters largely absent from films and TV shows. It's time for the industry to recognize that diversity goes beyond race and gender, and to truly reflect the world we live in, we need to see more characters with disabilities on screen. After all, representation is not just about ticking boxes, it's about telling authentic stories that resonate with all audiences.