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Not a hot take:
Talking to studios and pitching ideas/ just get to know people is very fun. However, there's always a point where I have to hold my breath and ask what they think of LGBT+ characters in media and if they support them being in their movies/ tv shows.
Talking to studios and pitching ideas/ just get to know people is very fun. However, there's always a point where I have to hold my breath and ask what they think of LGBT+ characters in media and if they support them being in their movies/ tv shows.
It can get embarrassing for them because you can tell most of the time that's a 'no' but they don't want to outright say it. A lot of times they say it's ok so long as they're not a core character.**
This is when I know who I want to work for/ not work for.
This is when I know who I want to work for/ not work for.
** Not to say I HAVE TO make a story about the LGBT+ experience, but it says a lot about a studio when they make a face and give you a big *BUT*. These are their true colors. The excuse of taking a small step at a time in order to have social progress is bullshit.
If you're hiring a gay woman only for woke points but refuse to tell stories of people like her, that's extremely questionable.
There are studios out there who will work with you and do their best to push for representation in an otherwise narrow-minded industry.
There are studios out there who will work with you and do their best to push for representation in an otherwise narrow-minded industry.
There are studios I have spoken to that will, no questions asked, happily represent LGBT+ community. Initially, I felt grateful and relieved, but more and more I realized I shouldn't because my existence isn't an issue to discuss further down the line.
I have been given the excuse that they only make family movies and I'm baffled by this. Do they think of me and my wife only in terms of mature content? I should have asked what they meant by that but I was so blindsided I couldn't think.
If you ask me to make a story about an LGBT+ character, do not expect me to tell a tired idea of the tragedies we experience. We also have love stories, success stories, adventure stories, fantasy, sci-fi, etc - heck being LGBT+ isn't about being LGBT+. It's about being human.
We have to have these conversations. Don't hire diversity only when you're telling diverse stories. Hire diversity for every story. Diverse points of view will enrich your production and give it more heart.
Anyway, this is just something I noticed more and more in my own experience being a creator. I have known this happened from other's perspectives. This is just mine. This isn't something to be angry about or riot but rather to take positive action on. That's how you make progress
And another thing! Support LGBT+ creators if you like their content/ you want to push for more diverse creators and not just say you do.
Anyway The End.
Anyway The End.
