WarnerMedia — the conglomerate made up of Warner Bros., HBO, Turner, and their assets — is adopting a company-wide policy that commits to diversity and inclusion on- and off-screen. According to a press release, the policy is going into effect as of this week with the first film to fall under the new system, Michael B. Jordan-starrer “Just Mercy,” kicking off production.
“It is essential that our content and creative partners reflect the diversity of our society and the world around us,” the policy reads. “Together with other production companies, networks, guilds, unions, talent agencies, and others in the industry, we all must ensure there is greater inclusion of women, people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, those with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups in greater numbers both in front of and behind the camera.”
In order to make this proposed inclusion a reality, WarnerMedia has vowed to work with directors and producers who are also passionate about greater diversity in show business. WarnerMedia has also promised to collaborate with company writers, producers, and directors in the early stages of each project “to create a plan for implementing this commitment to diversity and inclusion … with the goal of providing opportunities for individuals from under-represented groups at all levels.” The company will also publish annual reports on the progress it’s made in including women, POC, and other marginalized communities in its productions.
“Inclusivity has always been a no-brainer for me, especially as a black man in this business. It wasn’t until Frances McDormand spoke the two words that set the industry on fire — inclusion rider — that I realized we could standardize this practice,” said Jordan, one of the first people to publicly adopt the diversity contract clause. “The WarnerMedia family has introduced an approach that accomplishes our shared objectives, and I applaud them for taking this enormous step forward.” He added, “This is a legacy-bearing moment.”
WarnerMedia’s new policy isn’t coming a moment too soon. Despite the renewed talks of equality, diversity, and inclusion, a recent study from Professor Stacy L. Smith and the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative found that white men still dominate the screen in popular films — and the numbers are not improving for any other demographic. “In prior years, I have referred to these findings as the ‘epidemic of invisibility’ in film,” Smith explained. “After witnessing little change in these numbers, it is clear that Hollywood must do more to ensure that marginalized groups are a part of the fabric of storytelling.”
Let’s hope WarnerMedia’s pledge of greater inclusion does just that.
Read the full inclusion and diversity policy below, courtesy of WarnerMedia.
WarnerMedia companies, Warner Bros., HBO, and Turner, have long been committed to diversity and inclusion as moral and business imperatives. It is essential that our content and creative partners reflect the diversity of our society and the world around us. Together with other production companies, networks, guilds, unions, talent agencies and others in the industry, we all must ensure there is greater inclusion of women, people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, those with disabilities and other underrepresented groups in greater numbers both in front of and behind the camera.
For our part, WarnerMedia pledges to use our best efforts to ensure that diverse actors and crew members are considered for film, television and other projects, and to work with directors and producers who also seek to promote greater diversity and inclusion in our industry. To that end, in the early stages of the production process, we will engage with our writers, producers and directors to create a plan for implementing this commitment to diversity and inclusion on our projects, with the goal of providing opportunities for individuals from under-represented groups at all levels. And, we will issue an annual report on our progress.
The companies of WarnerMedia have a historic and proven commitment to diversity and inclusion. But there is much more we can do, and we believe real progress can be made in the industry. We will work with our partners in the entertainment community to make this commitment a reality.
