And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1998 09:20:40 EST From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Return-path: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Screen Actors Guild Releases Commissioned Report:... Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1998 09:31:06 EST Screen Actors Guild Releases Commissioned Report: Minorities and Women Still Underrepresented on Television SAG Cites Efforts to Improve Employment Opportunities for All Performers LOS ANGELES, Dec. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The Screen Actors Guild, the 95,000 member union representing performers nationwide, today issued a commissioned report showing that prime time and daytime television significantly underrepresented large segments of the United States population, including women, Latino/Hispanics, Asian Pacific Americans, Native American Indians, the disabled and seniors. The report, titled Casting the American Scene, was authored by Dr. George Gerbner, Bell Atlantic Professor of Telecommunications, Temple University. It follows two earlier studies (1979 and 1994) conducted by Gerbner on behalf of the Guild that found similar results. The current report examined 6,882 characters who appeared in 440 prime time episodes of dramatic programs during 1994-1997. It also analyzed 2,137 characters in 205 episodes on daytime television over the same period. Among the report's other findings: -- Despite slight progress toward more equitable representation, roles for men still outnumber those for women. -- Latino/Hispanics are the most underrepresented ethnic group on television. Asian Pacific Americans and Native American Indians are also significantly underrepresented. -- Seniors of both genders are greatly underrepresented and seem to be vanishing, instead of increasing as in real life. -- African Americans are present in television in numbers generally equivalent to their percentage of the U.S. population. -- Women age faster than men, and as they age they become more evil. -- Television characters in the 1990s are healthier and wealthier than in -- the 1980's. -- Performers with disabilities still do not play "normal" roles and these performers are seen less often on television than they were in the past. The Guild today also released its own 1997 casting data, culled from its contracts with production companies signatory to the Guild's Theatrical and Television contracts. The figures, which look at television and film productions, closely track the findings of the report prepared by Gerbner. For instance, SAG's data shows that with one notable exception -- African American men -- minorities, women and seniors continue to be significantly underrepresented in U.S. television and film. The Guild's figures also show that Latino/Hispanics and Asian Pacific Americans are more likely to be cast in supporting roles rather than leads. "The Screen Actors Guild is dedicated to improving job opportunities for groups that have traditionally been underrepresented on television and in films," explained Guild President Richard Masur. "Part of that effort is educating our industry about the differences between the fictional world created for television and film and the real world audience that watches those fictional creations." Masur said the amount of roles going to African Americans was encouraging but cautioned against reading too much into the Guild's numbers or the report's findings: "This report tells us a great deal about the overall number of cast members who are of a particular ethnicity or gender and their age. It tells us very little about the types of roles being offered to minority actors or the compensation they receive for their performance." Masur cited a number of programs SAG has undertaken in its effort to address the inequities in casting: -- Over the past year, the Guild issued a series of talent directories aimed at promoting performers of color and performers with disabilities. They include separate ethnic directories listing African American performers, Latino/Hispanic performers, Asian Pacific American performers, Native American Indian performers as well as a directory for Performers with Disabilities and stunt performers of color. -- Last summer, in an effort to encourage non-traditional casting of Native American Indian performers, the Guild distributed 400 videos to key producers and casting agents showing Native American Indian involvement and character portrayal (both accurate and stereotyped) in film and television. -- Next month, SAG will announce the American Scene Award, given annually to an individual, production or series that reflects on the screen the diversity of the American scene as it exists in real life. Past winners include director John Sayles (Lone Star) and two award-winning television series, Northern Exposure and Star Trek. According to SAG's Executive Administrator for Affirmative Action, Dr. Patricia Heisser Mctoyer, the Guild, in conjunction with a nationally-known public policy institute, will shortly announce a major initiative aimed at promoting the employment of Latino/Hispanics in film and television. "While we have made some strides -- particularly in the employment of African American performers -- today's report shows just how far we have to go before Hollywood's vision matches the actual diversity of the American scene," Heisser Mctoyer added. SOURCE The Screen Actors Guild CO: Screen Actors Guild ST: California IN: ENT SU: 12/21/98 09:30 EST http://www.prnewswire.com <<<<=-=-=FREE LEONARD PELTIER=-=-=>>>> If you think you are too small to make a difference; try sleeping in a closed room with a mosquito.... African Proverb <<<<=-=http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ =-=>>>> IF it says: "PASS THIS TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW...." 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