This year’s Hollywood Diversity Report confirms the film industry has continued to fall short in its representation of the United States’ population. Data shows the film industry disproportionately underrepresented women and people of color throughout both film and television, despite evidence that diversity sells. The Hollywood Diversity Report, released by the UCLA Institute for Research […]
Author Archives: Olivia Mazzucato
Reel Representation: Fantasy films often don’t include people of color within their worlds
Fantasy films are vehicles to gorgeous, vibrant magical worlds. But those worlds aren’t all that beautiful when they’re built to exclude you. Growing up, I fell in love with “The Lord of the Rings.” But as a young biracial girl, I knew that I didn’t belong in Middle-earth’s mystical provinces and kingdoms – there […]
Reel Representation: #OscarsSoWhite campaign must include all underrepresented racial groups
This post was updated Feb. 27 at 4:32 p.m. It’s awards season, which means it’s also the season of naive think pieces questioning whether the era of #OscarsSoWhite has passed. The answer is, of course not. The Oscars were first criticized for their slate of all-white acting nominees in 2015. And over the last four […]
Reel Representation: ‘Annihilation’ features actresses of color, but struggles with whitewashing
My heart dropped when I saw the words “whitewashing” and “controversy” appear in a headline about the upcoming film “Annihilation.” I’ve been excited for the film ever since its trailer dropped in December. The movie features an all-female scientific team exploring a mysterious environmental disaster zone, with two of the main characters played by Gina […]
Screenwriter uses emotional films to spread message about marriage equality
Dustin Lance Black promised LGBTQ children that they would soon have full, equal federal rights on the stage of the 2009 Academy Awards. After receiving the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for his film, “Milk,” the UCLA alumnus stepped away from film to work as an activist, bringing cases of marriage equality to federal courts. […]
Reel Representation: People of color’s experiences enhance ‘Black Panther’s’ storytelling
I’ve watched the “Black Panther” teaser trailer close to 30 times. When the trailer was released last summer, everything about it captivated me – from the fast-paced editing which is in time with the music to the vibrant production design that lit up the screen. But what captured my attention most was the breathtaking number […]
Q&A: UCLA Extension alum talks journey to becoming Hollywood screenwriter
Dorothy Blyskal’s first job in the film industry was working as a production assistant on Clint Eastwood’s 2016 film “Sully.” Now, the UCLA Extension alumna is the screenwriter for Eastwood’s latest film, “The 15:17 to Paris,” which will be in wide release Friday. On Blyskal’s last job as a production secretary for reshoots of “Logan,” […]