The big talent agencies violate the civil rights laws

[SBScript]

[quote=sc111;500986]

Originally Posted by odocoileus

But in the case of gender I have found two studies - one by the WGA and one by the UK film industry that shows you're wrong.

Women go to film school (writers, directors, editors, stage designers), in virtually equal numbers as men.

This shows their interest in film is equal.

Yet on both sides of the pond women working in these disciplines average 15%-18%.

I repeat -- when an industry discriminates against women, they also discriminate against minorities.

I'd like to see some numbers on women on the creative side, i.e., development execs, high level studio personnel, independent producers, agents, and managers, and how that has changed in the last ten years.

[NYNEX]

Part of the issue is that you guys cannot concieve that I am concerned about others BESIDES myself. I am concerned that women and minorites in GENERAL are LOCKED out from the industry, in large part because of the referral process.

If I was to somehow break in, but by and large the industry is still locked out to non whites and women, I would still not be happy, and I would still do what I'm doing because I am doing what I believe is right for the benefit of whole GROUPS of people.

[SBScript]

Originally Posted by NYNEX

So guys, when the WGA report says that there's widespread exclusion of women and minorities as far as screenwriters go, do you accuse the WGA of LYING? The same insitution most of you so eagerly supported during the WGA strike?

But when the same institution comes out with information you don't like, it's totally okay to ignore it.

Do you think that women and minorities are writing middle of the road, commercial, genre fare to the same extent that white men are? I sort of doubt it, though I could be wrong. And, if you're not writing material with a shot in the market because it isn't what you're interested in, then don't be surprised when the market has no interest in purchasing your material.

For example, I met with a female horror/thriller writer a while back. Do you know how many of those there are out there? Almost none! We get a lot of horror and genre stuff and it's almost all written by white guys. Can I tell you how excited I was to read her stuff, how much I loved her "take" on genre material, and how badly I wanted to work with her? Oh, yeah, she was just ramping up pre-pro on her first studio film (as a writer/director) at the time and, guess what guys, I suspect she will be working for a long time!!

So, my advice to all you women and minorities out there--write for the market. If it's good, you will sell it.

If you are writing genre stuff (Nynex) and you can't even get a read--then it's not because of some draconian or even unspoken racism or civil rights issue--it's because you're not writing stuff that people want to read!

[umo]

Whoa! This thread is still pumping? Nah, it's oozing. Time to pump it up again.

NY, if you could stomach the argument this long, then hold on, cause there's a twist to this thriller...

You all know I'm one of those oppressed minorities--Female Latina. And I've got news for you: I milk it for all I can get.

I GET READ JUST BECAUSE I'M LATINA. That's right, folks.

The writer must use every tool in the arsenal to sell the script. But you must convince someone to read your script first.

And I have been told specifically, that my minority status and/or the minority-themed script is what interests them.

So there ya' go. May the heads explode!

P.M. me if you'd like help drafting a query in Spanglish.

Andale! Andale!

[NYNEX]

Originally Posted by SBScript

D
If you are writing genre stuff (Nynex) and you can't even get a read--then it's not because of some draconian or even unspoken racism or civil rights issue--it's because you're not writing stuff that people want to read!

You complete contradict yourself. You and Jeff, upon finding out I went to an Ivy League School, told me I should be able to work their network, and I replied I went once and upon not meeting anyone worthwhile, never attended again.

So then, you and Jeff told me right there you do indeed believe it depends on who you know, or else, why should I persistently go to my Ivy League network?

The problem is, minorities are DISPROPORTIONATELY underrepresented in Ivy League Schools. Of course, there are SOME, I attended myself. But compared to the overall population, we're underrepresented (partially because of economic reasons, and that's whole other discussion).

But back to what you said, if the film industry was totally a meritocracy, you never would have mentioned networking.

Now, upon seeing my last post, you basically say women and minorities don't even have the brains to write commercial scripts.

Wonderful, man.

Note SBS doesn't give women and minorities a concrete way of getting read, other than a vague if it's good it will get read. Yes, I guess if I type up a good script, it's going to fly off my computer and by magic land in the hands of some important industry person.

The issue you can't stand to deal with is the big three agencies and the studios are LOCKED out to newcomers, and those already in are white males, and there's little to NO chance for women and minorities to break in. After all, the OFFICIAL POLICY is no UNSOLICTED submissions, PERIOD!

[SBScript]

Originally Posted by NYNEX

Part of the issue is that you guys cannot concieve that I am concerned about others BESIDES myself. I am concerned that women and minorites in GENERAL are LOCKED out from the industry, in large part because of the referral process.

If I was to somehow break in, but by and large the industry is still locked out to non whites and women, I would still not be happy, and I would still do what I'm doing because I am doing what I believe is right for the benefit of whole GROUPS of people.

I think that, if you had any hustle, and you had some talent, and you were writing in a reasonably commercial way, you would have had a different experience and therefore wouldn't have come to the conclusion that you were part of a class of writers being "discriminated against". You didn't end up filing this complaint because you, years ago, came to the conclusion that agencies were "discriminatory", you did so because you feel you have been locked out. Of course, it sounds so much better if you're striking a blow for liberty and justice. Again, if you write a script that is considered marketable and commercial, no one will give a sh!t what color or gender you are.

Now, I will say this. I happen to agree that there is a certain level of discrimination on the development and production side, not towards writers, but towards those who would like to work in those arenas. Simply, people tend to want to work with people they are comfortable with, i.e., people who feel familiar. So, subconscious (and sometimes conscious) discrimination ensues. This is not specific to the film industry, but it is an unfortunate facet of human experience that is globally true, not just in Hollywood.

[NYNEX]

Originally Posted by umo

Whoa! This thread is still pumping? Nah, it's oozing. Time to pump it up again.

NY, if you could stomach the argument this long, then hold on, cause there's a twist to this thriller...

You all know I'm one of those oppressed minorities--Female Latina. And I've got news for you: I milk it for all I can get.

I GET READ JUST BECAUSE I'M LATINA. That's right, folks.
.

Andale! Andale!

And how is this relevant to the overall statistics in the Writers Guild Report, and how is this relevant overall to the industry as awhole?

And by the way, you got read, you didn't say by who, and I gather your script wasn't purchased nor did you get representation.

[NYNEX]

Originally Posted by SBScript

I think that, if you had any hustle, and you had some talent, and you were writing in a reasonably commercial way, you would have had a different experience and therefore wouldn't have come to the conclusion that you were part of a class of writers being "discriminated against". You didn't end up filing this complaint because you, years ago, came to the conclusion that agencies were "discriminatory", you did so because you feel you have been locked out. Of course, it sounds so much better if you're striking a blow for liberty and justice. Again, if you write a script that is considered marketable and commercial, no one will give a sh!t what color or gender you are.
\.

But you still haven't said how said script is going to be read, if when I call the AGENCY or the STUDIO I'm told that there's NO UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONS!

And since you've gone out and said people feel comfortable with whom they feel comfortable with, then that certainly would color networking, wouldn't it? And yes, that would mean some people, because of what they are, would fit in certain social circles FAR better than others, proving my point.

[umo]

Originally Posted by NYNEX

And how is this relevant to the overall statistics in the Writers Guild Report, and how is this relevant overall to the industry as awhole?

And by the way, you got read, you didn't say by who, and I gather your script wasn't purchased nor did you get representation.

NY, my militant amigo,

Aren't you filing a complaint because of the need for a referral to the big agencies? So you can get a read?

Or are you now filing a complaint demanding they buy every single mierda script from a minority?

If so, cool. I'll jump on that one. They'd have to buy every single piece of mierda I write.

Andale! Andale!

[odocoileus]

Originally Posted by umo

Whoa! This thread is still pumping? Nah, it's oozing. Time to pump it up again.

NY, if you could stomach the argument this long, then hold on, cause there's a twist to this thriller...

You all know I'm one of those oppressed minorities--Female Latina. And I've got news for you: I milk it for all I can get.

I GET READ JUST BECAUSE I'M LATINA. That's right, folks.

The writer must use every tool in the arsenal to sell the script. But you must convince someone to read your script first.

And I have been told specifically, that my minority status and/or the minority-themed script is what interests them.

So there ya' go. May the heads explode!

P.M. me if you'd like help drafting a query in Spanglish.

Andale! Andale!

Great.

Does this get me any closer to spending my days by Shonda Rhimes' pool, mixing drinks?

I don't think so.