The USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative expands its research focus from analyzing demographic diversity (e.g., gender, race/ethnicity, disability, sexuality, and age) to address how entertainment storytelling addresses current issues, including reproductive health, voting, and gun violence. .
“With restrictions on reproductive rights, it is necessary not only to find legal solutions to protect marginalized communities, but also to educate and inform the public about these communities,” said Stacey L. Smith, founder of AI2, in a statement. “Entertainment has a unique opportunity to reach audiences and provide that education. Our aim is to explore how many opportunities there are to use storytelling as a tool to expand the conversation and create meaningful attitudes and policies.”
As with previous AI2 studies, the initiative intends to include suggested solutions and best practices for storytellers and content creators as part of this work. He is already proposing one such solution: the new AI2 Accelerator, which will fund university filmmakers who want to tell stories about reproductive rights. Funded by several members of the gender equality philanthropic group Women Moving Millions, at least three students will receive a $25,000 grant to develop a screenplay and produce their project.
“Through this Accelerator program, we look forward to supporting storytellers as they address some of the most pressing issues facing their generation,” Psquared Charitable Foundation President Monika Parekh said in a statement. “Using the power of entertainment, these students can shape the hearts and minds of their peers and wider audiences in ways that influence culture and decision making.”
More details will be released this fall on the new Accelerator, which joins AI2’s Snap Originals Annenberg Inclusion Award and its original Accelerator program, each with a $25,000 grant, announced earlier this year.
“The entertainment community plays a critical role in educating people about their sexual and reproductive health and rights, including abortion,” Planned Parenthood Federation of America national director of arts and entertainment Karen Spruch said in a statement. “With the reversal of Roe v. Wade and the threat to birth control, LGBTQ+ and other rights, this new research project from the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative is an invaluable tool for providing the public with an accurate medical and legislative narrative on these issues. And, most importantly, it tracks progress. As we fight for every person’s right to bodily autonomy, working with the initiative and its supporters will be essential in changing the culture to achieve this goal.”
AI2 reached out to several prominent figures who agreed to support the new study and help spread the word once the report was published. They include Meryl Streep, Scarlett Johansson, Kerry Washington, Tessa Thompson, Amy Schumer, Gemma Chan, Eva Longoria, Rosario Dawson and Jamila Jamil, as well as Universal Music Publishing Group President and CEO Jody Gerson, Director of Content and Ad for Spotify, Dawn . . Ostroff, U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro, Former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Chairman and CEO of Capitol Music Group Michele Jubellier, Co-Founder and Chairman of M88 Philip Sun, Chair of the Independent Film Council Brenda Robinson, Chairs of Rogers & Cowan PMK Cindy Berger and Alan Nyerob, participating CEO David Lind and Hillman Grad Productions CEO Rishi Rajan.
Source: Hollywood Reporter
Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.
