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In%The%%Writers%Room% !! Race in the Writers’ Room A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of the Westphal School of Art & Design Drexel University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE in TELEVISION MANAGEMENT by Lateefa Smith November 30, 2018 !! Table of Contents ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................1 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION .................................................................................2 Introduction .............................................................................................................2 Statement of the Problem ........................................................................................2 Background and Need .............................................................................................2 Purpose of the Study................................................................................................3 Research Questions .................................................................................................4 Significance to the Field..........................................................................................4 Definition of Terms.................................................................................................5 Limitations..............................................................................................................5 Ethical Considerations............................................................................................6 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW .....................................................................8 CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY...........................................................................27 Introduction .............................................................................................................27 Research Strategy.....................................................................................................27 Research Method……..............................................................................................27 Data Collection Method and Tools...........................................................................28 Sample Questions ....................................................................................................28 Sample Selection......................................................................................................30 Research Process......................................................................................................30 Data Analysis...........................................................................................................31 Ethical Consideration...............................................................................................31 Research Limitations................................................................................................31 CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS...........................................................................................33 Data Analysis………………..................................................................................33 Research Instrument Results ..................................................................................35 Questionnaire Results…..........................................................................................37 Study Results….......................................................................................................40 CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION....................................................................................41 !! Discussion.............................................................................................................42 Limitations.............................................................................................................43 Recommendations for Future Leaders...................................................................44 LIST OF REFERENCES ...................................................................................................46 APPENDIXES....................................................................................................................50 Appendix A: Color of Change Project 2017…………........................................50 Appendix B: Writers Guild of America Membership by Race............................51 Appendix C: Writers by Race on Dramas & Comedies ......................................52 Appendix D: Writers by Race on Dramas & Comedies ......................................56 Appendix E: Full Interview Questions and Recipients ........................................60 ! 1! ! Abstract The purpose of this study is to research the proposition that diversifying the writers’ room on television comedies and dramas could increase the accuracy of the characteristics portrayed through African American characters. The data found comes from television show data reports, peer reviewed journals, The Writer’s Guild of America and questionnaires completed by film and television executives, staff writers and other employees. This study will discuss diversity in the hiring of writers and if the success of a show depends on the number of writers of color. Also exploring the necessity of the diversity programs put into place by networks and if they are beneficial to the African American writer’s experience in the writers’ room of a television show. ! 2! ! Chapter 1: Introduction Statement of the Problem Absence of diversity in the writers’ room is contributing to the stereotypical portrayal of African American characters in television dramas and comedies. In the 1970s and 1980s most shows had one “token” African American writer or none at all. Present day, there are shows with more than four African American writers’ but there has never been a show with an all-African American writing staff according to the Color of Change report (Hunt 2017). The depiction of the African American experience on television could be dependent on the diversity within the writing staff on a show. Background and Need As a result of the exclusion of African American writers, African American stereotypes drive inaccurate and unfair character portrayals of people with dark skin. Many studies show inaccurate portrayals of people of color can lead to a negative perception of black people and the black communities. If African Americans are not portrayed as doctors, lawyers, police, teachers or lawmakers, then it is assumed this does not exist in actual African American communities. Research shows diversity behind the scenes has been problematic, and the NAACP believes the misrepresentation of African Americans in television stems from the lack of power people of color have in Hollywood. This study is intended to help television managers, as well as educators and future students in the film and television industry, make better decisions during all stages of the show creation process, starting with character development. The research will demonstrate ! 3! ! the relationship between the personas of television characters and the diversity of show writers. Purpose of the Study The purpose of this study is to determine if diversifying the writers’ room on television comedies and dramas will amplify the authenticity of the characteristics portrayed through African American characters. Through research, this study will analyze African American shows that were successful because of African American writer (s) and similarly cast shows that did not experience success. The study will explore how the lack of diversity behind the scenes impacts a show’s outcome and why there is a need for inclusion beyond the industry’s current practices. ! 4! ! Research Questions 1. Is the misrepresentation of African Americans in TV a result of the diversity shortage in Network hiring?! 2. Is there a lack of leadership to support African American writers on a television production? ! 3. Can a white writer successfully tell the story of an African American character? a. Does the voice of the character need to be of an African American writer in order to portray the character? 4. Is the hiring process for writers diverse? 5. Are diversity programs beneficial to closing the diversity gap in Hollywood? Significance to the Field Inclusivity in Hollywood is long over due. African Americans are no longer the minority, as measured by the US population, so the need for more diverse voices and minds when creating programming is necessary. In America, the black man and woman are continuously attacked and belittled by many people of authority and white privilege. The black ‘story’ has been a successful moneymaker in television since the show, Good Times, but when asked for more positive portrayals and success stories of our characters, roles change, people are fired, and shows are taken off the air. Norman Lear fired John Amos, who played James Evans Sr., after Amos spoke up about his dislike for the ‘shucking and jiving’ being done by the show’s main character James ‘JJ’ Evans Junior (Callahan 2015). It has been said A Different World was taken off the air because NBC did not like the show’s episode focusing on Rodney King and the LA riots. An article from Complex discusses the Los Angeles Riot episode on A Different World and the talks of why the show ! 5! ! was cancelled by NBC. “For those who remember, the sixth season of A Different World would be its last; there was always talk about what caused NBC to cancel the program, and on a 2015 episode of
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