Black filmmakers and executives get honest about their experiences in Hollywood
LOS ANGELES - After George Floyd's killing in the custody of Minneapolis police last month, Hollywood entertainment companies sent out a flurry of statements supporting the Black Lives Matter movement's fight against police brutality and systemic racism.
Studios, music labels and streaming services promised donations to antiracist nonprofits and declared their commitment to diversity. Internal memos called for reflection on the industry's poor record of inclusion and diversity.
Still, the entertainment industry's long history of failures when it comes to race continues to weigh on the minds of many of the black filmmakers, executives and others interviewed by The Times. Many note the stark absence of black executives in studios' ranks. The Writers Guild of America West's Committee of Black Writers on Friday published an open letter to studios demanding that actions follow words.
The Times interviewed nearly two dozen black entertainment industry professionals, spanning directors, producers, writers, designers, agents and executives. They discussed systemic racism in Hollywood, what needs to change and their frustration with years of talk and little action.
"This conversation needed to happen for a long time about racism and race in our industry," said Cynthia Erivo, the actor, singer and songwriter who was nominated for two Oscars for 2019's "Harriet." "It feels like for the first time people are listening."
How the attention to racism and police brutality is challenging Hollywood
Will Packer, producer, "Girls Trip," "Night School": I, like many people in the business, have been contacted by my white colleagues and peers, reaching out to say, "Where do we go from here?" I welcome that. We've been here and
