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Rewatched Scott Pilgrim last night (still very fun) and it got me thinking.
The top working comedy directors need to be encouraged to cast people of color as their leads.
I don’t mean tell a story about race. I mean, tell the same story but cast a non-white actor
Rewatched Scott Pilgrim last night (still very fun) and it got me thinking.
The top working comedy directors need to be encouraged to cast people of color as their leads.
I don’t mean tell a story about race. I mean, tell the same story but cast a non-white actor
Yes, absolutely, the best solution is to hire more people of color to DIRECT and spread diversity in front of and behind the camera.
But that’s not what I’m talking about here. I’m talking about the comedy directors who have the industry weight to get a movie greenlit tomorrow.
But that’s not what I’m talking about here. I’m talking about the comedy directors who have the industry weight to get a movie greenlit tomorrow.
Judd Apatow. Edgar Wright. Adam McKay. Paul Feig.
And if you’re thinking these dudes are white so they can’t really direct non-white comedy, that’s my point. Plenty of stories don’t have an inherent race.
You think Donald Glover couldn’t have pulled off Baby Driver?
And if you’re thinking these dudes are white so they can’t really direct non-white comedy, that’s my point. Plenty of stories don’t have an inherent race.
You think Donald Glover couldn’t have pulled off Baby Driver?
Imagine Wes Anderson directing a “one last bank heist” movie with Idris Elba and Benecio Del Toro.
Priyanka Chopra and Mindy Kaling in Paul Feig’s “Substitute Spy.”
Judd Apatow directing Dave Chapelle in a movie about the world’s top comedian losing his mind.
Priyanka Chopra and Mindy Kaling in Paul Feig’s “Substitute Spy.”
Judd Apatow directing Dave Chapelle in a movie about the world’s top comedian losing his mind.
AGAIN, I’ll say that hiring BIPOC at the top is probably more important, but why not both?
And to be clear, what I don’t want to see is a white director trying to make the next Barber Shop. And I don’t want script rewrites where the lead now says “das what I’m talking bout.”
And to be clear, what I don’t want to see is a white director trying to make the next Barber Shop. And I don’t want script rewrites where the lead now says “das what I’m talking bout.”
I have lots of respect for these directors and don’t blame them for their previous castings. But speaking as someone who has felt underrepresented in more ways than one, having the rare character that looks like me showing up on screen and leading with their race, rather than
with their talent. It’s a bummer.
So, just a polite request. A gentle nudge.
@edgarwright @JuddApatow @paulfeig @ThatKevinSmith @GhostPanther
Fall in love with your next story idea, then put people of color in the lead roles. Not even every time.
But try it. You may like it.
So, just a polite request. A gentle nudge.
@edgarwright @JuddApatow @paulfeig @ThatKevinSmith @GhostPanther
Fall in love with your next story idea, then put people of color in the lead roles. Not even every time.
But try it. You may like it.
Just adding something based on a conversation I just had:
Can casting people of color in roles that weren’t written *for* people of color lead to some awkward moments, or accidentally insensitive characteristics? 100%! YES!
But...
Roads are always bumpy before they’re paved.
Can casting people of color in roles that weren’t written *for* people of color lead to some awkward moments, or accidentally insensitive characteristics? 100%! YES!
But...
Roads are always bumpy before they’re paved.
