selysrivera

Contributing writer for The Artifice.

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    Latest Topics

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    The Perpetuating Whiteness in Today's Films

    I am constantly baffled at the still perpetuating amount of Caucasian actors and the lack of diversity in today's film industry. This can range anywhere from the newest comedies, like "The Intern," to action movies like "Jurassic World," to superhero movies like "The Avengers." There may be one or two characters of another ethnicity, such as one African-American or one Indian, but the majority of the characters, especially the main characters, remain to be white.

    Why do you think that is? In the 21st century world that we are supposed to be living in, where racism and discrimination are frowned upon, why is there still a permanence, a continuity, and a focus on almost all Caucasian casts in the film industry? What is it about Hollywood that still lacks diversity? Is it the still perpetuating white privilege of society that elevates Caucasian opportunities, but diminishes that of other ethnicities?

    • I think some reasons might include the following. 1. Minorities are.... minorities because there are less of them. So just that fact alone would mean that I would expect to see more white actors than other cultures. 2. People like to watch characters they relate to. So a white girl living in the suburbs probably wants to watch some white girl living in the suburbs. And so Hollywood gives us some white girl in the suburbs part 2. But maybe the article could comment on this. Is it really true? Or does Hollywood just assume that of us? And if it is true, how can we change the way people think so that they can relate to actors of all ethnicities and not have it detract from the way they view a film? – Tatijana 9 years ago
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    • I like that last point, about whether or not it's really true or if it's just the way Hollywood sees society. This could make for a very interesting article if delved in deep enough. – selysrivera 9 years ago
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    • I don't read comics but "The Avengers" is based on a source material and Sgt. Fury is Samuel L Jackson. I think you need to differentiate films that are original versus films based off another work. Otherwise, this topic seems like it brings up good points! – Connor 9 years ago
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    • Also, keep in mind that a lot of film ideas are taken from previous sources and the film industry consciously makes the decision to grossly misrepresent characters that are already POC in their original works. A good example of this would be Tiger Lily from the movie "Pan". – Rachel 9 years ago
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    • Money, honey! At the end of the day, producers feel they will get top dollar because people will pay to see White actors. – Munjeera 9 years ago
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    • There is at least one article currently pending which talks about diversity (or a lack thereof in films) and several articles on this site which talk about whiteness in different media already published. How is this topic any different? – Christen Mandracchia 9 years ago
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    Latest Comments

    This was taken from a note I left and I think you did a fantastic job in analyzing this topic. I definitely believe diversity is key because you are right, “Hollywood is an industry that reaches out to countries all over the world.” Great job. This surely needs to be noticed.

    Whitewashing of Asian Characters in Hollywood Anime/Manga Adaptations

    “Instead of thinking of the term to mean something else is blocking us, we need to start thinking that it is ourselves, as writers, who have created these imaginary blockades.”

    I relate to this on so many levels. Every time I get writer’s block, I feel sick. Literally. It’s one of the worst feelings in the world. I realized though, like you said, that it wasn’t anything else that was blocking me. It was me. If I wanted to get out of writer’s block so much, that’s just what I needed to do. I needed to take action. I needed to get out.

    So I did. Literally. I applied for a missionary internship and I got out of my hometown. I met new people. I explored. I traveled. I saw beauty and nature. And guess what happened? I was writing again. The block was gone. I was free once more.

    Now I’m not saying everyone has to necessarily do something as drastic as what I did, but it’s the same concept that you’re talking about. We as writers need to get past our own writer’s block because, ultimately, we are the ones creating them. We are the ones holding ourselves back as writers. Only we can change that and get working again.

    So do whatever it is you need to do. This article gives some good advice on how to get writing again, but just do it. Never stop writing.

    Attention Writers: The Myth of Writer's Block

    This is a great idea! I never thought about visiting places from my favorite literary works, but I agree it is kind of mind blowing. I just went on a school trip to England last month and when we explored Bath, all I could think about was Jane Austen’s “Northanger Abbey.” It was really exciting. I definitely plan on exploring like this again, perhaps to a few of the places on this list!

    Literature Places You Should Visit

    I heard a professor once say that he did not understand why people compared books and their movie adaptations so much when they are really two different medias. In a way, I agree. I don’t believe books need to be literally, word for word, plot and all, copy and pasted onto the screen. However, I do admit that I get bothered when films leave out key characters, scenes, and/or lines that are essential to the overall meaning of the book. In addition, it bothers me when directors make changes without any reason.

    For example, I remember the movie adaptation of “Dear John.” The director changed the relationship between Tim and Alan, who were brothers in the book and became father and son in the movie. Why? There was literally no reason to do that. Sure, it was not essential to the overall meaning, but it seemed pointless. Then there are movies like the Harry Potter series, which combine scenes for the sake of time and do so successfully without altering the main meaning of the story.

    Anyways, it’s a thin line to walk, but I still enjoy movie adaptations of books. Unfortunately, I’ll still always be that person in the audience mumbling to herself, “That’s not how it went in the book.”

    How 'By the Book' Should Literary Adaptations Be?