Barriers to Diversity in Film – A Research Review – Aug 07

• A study of on-screen representation in Canada found that men
were more likely than women to be shown ‘on the job’ while
female characters were more likely to be seen dating or talking
about romance.
• US studies have found that if women are involved in writing,
production and directing, they create more female characters.
• People from minority ethnic groups feel they are both under-
represented and negatively stereotyped in British films and wish
to see films more closely related to the day-to-day lives of
ordinary African Caribbeans and South Asians.
• Muslims are often stereotyped and many feel this has
repercussions in their daily lives.
• Black-owned companies are more likely to invest in their
communities and provide work to minority ethnic professionals.
• A Swedish study found that elderly people were under-
represented in film and presented in stereotyped ways. They
were shown to be healthy, rich, lively and either sexually inactive
or inept.
• Disabled people are under-represented as actors or filmmakers
in the UK and there are few portrayals of disability as an
ordinary, everyday phenomenon. When they do appear, disabled
people are often portrayed as criminals or freaks. They are also
generally shown as asexual, while mentally ill people are often
portrayed as violent.
C:\Documents and Settings\mcorless\Desktop\Intranet\Barriers to Diversity in Film_DS_RB 20 Aug
07.doc
143