​I have discovered that Hollywood has been casting stories in ways that make people think about watching the movie in the theaters. A quick idea for you to digest: It isn’t easy when Hollywood casts actors with every other nationality, but the nationality that the story requires. What do I mean? Let me preface this blog post with the idea that I wish to be positive about this…

Some of the roles offered to Asian-Americans are small, and can be stereotyped. Now, isn't that out of place? It has become obvious, and obvious enough to deter people from watching the film. I am an ethical man, and if the story supports an Asian lead character then I believe it should be cast that way. They should cast an Asian for the lead. It isn’t rocket science. It is really quite simple. It is really ethical in nature and honors the story as well as the culture. This issue is growing at a exponential rate when stories that have an original Asian characters end up going to a caucasian actor. We all need to shine, and all cultures deserve fairness and equality.

Related Blog Post: Act Your Age! Fuck Ageism!

I personally can layout tons of movies where this whitewashing is rampant. It is more than one culture. Studios need to be more diverse.  I feel we need an organization that is a Non-profit that can provide agencies and studios with a seal of approval with cultural ethics and standards. The motives of money is a far cry from story originality as well as adhering to traditional story, novel, and comic book characters.  The film Kung Fu for example was washed over with David Carradine in the 1970s. It was completely against the original version Bruce Lee had in mind. 

The modern day version Japanese anime adapted classic titled “Ghost in the Shell.” was far away from the original source idea, and was designed to make Ms. Johansson look more Asian. This isn’t just happening to Asians, it is happening to many other cultures as well. Cast what the character is! Do what it says on the tin! I write several screenplays with Asian characters (I have a few) and I feel strongly about seeing it done ethically.

I believe in working with people that are: ethical and professional. I do believe in standing by my ethics. I prefer to make a difference with my work. I will write a script that is truthful, culturally sound, and that ethically supports roles in Hollywood. If you are a studio who is adapting a character that is Asian, then I am sure you can spend a little bit of time casting more accurately. It is not rocket science. 

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I believe that their are many executives that are honestly making an effort, and some studios have even created diversity teams to figure out their numbers and a good amount of Hollywood companies still don’t give a hoot at all. Some are convinced they don’t need diversity at all. It is diversity that makes a good team. Years of good solid research from psychologists and sociologists can show us that diverse teams (those teams with the diverse amount of race, ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation) are way more innovative.

I do support John Cho, #STARRINGJOHNCHO. I feel he is fighting for something beautiful. All cultures deserve a chance. All disabilities deserve a chance. Of course we have to work hard! Of course we have to go through the proper channels. It should never be handed over on a silver platter. We all have to earn our way. Can we rise up to the challenge of finding someone appropriate for an Asian role? Can we make someone a star? It happens in other studios. I suppose the fear of large scale money loss can impose ideas on a studio and “force their hands.” Fear of loss can do weird things to people!

From the “Power Rangers” reboot all the way to “Ghost in the Shell.” The writing is on the wall. I believe in pressing forward and every culture deserves a shot. I will write any story for any Asian lead, and I will stand behind the actor who wants that role.

Peter Pan’s origins had strong controversy. The film-makers made their own bed and are dealing with  it. It started with Rooney Mara, a caucasian actress that had been cast for “Tiger Lily”, a character widely known as Native American. I would love more organizations to come forward and make a “Seal of approval” for Ethical guidelines in Hollywood. Corporate America is on board. Hollywood could get on board and find that it may do better as a result. If you don’t get on the band wagon of diversity, you could have trouble with shareholders. Corporate america has learned from shareholders pulling out. Studios should cast an accurate net, and be accurate with your story. If you don’t cast that way then shareholders will cast their attention elsewhere.

See you next week! Until then find me on Twitter @screenwriterml

P.S Click here and read this blog post if you are looking to be a more productive writer.

An important bill was passed in California (click for details) requesting sites like IMDb Pro to remove an actor's age from the sites pull down menu if the actor desires to remove it. I believe age discrimination is a massive issue in Hollywood. This is directly toward actors/actresses  and screenwriters whose job opportunities and wages begin to dwindle even in their early career.

I am 44 years old and I am a screenwriter. I am going to say this “FUCK AGEISM!”  Yes, say that loud and proud. I should make a badge that says it. Ageism in Hollywood is a travesty. I have many screenwriter friends that are talented and in their 60’s. I am friends with actors and actresses in their late 50 and 60s.

Across the minefield of Hollywood, Joe Eszterhas at age 72 is an established screenwriter (click for Wikipedia), and is well known for Basic Instinct. I feel he is someone who is a pioneer in the script game. I feel he holds outstanding ethics and practices. I could careless about his age. I care about his quality. His quality stands out! His quality has stood the test of time. That is timeless, and very different from ageism.

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This man stood up to a giant and took an ethical stand against the agencies president Michael Ovitz. Creative Artists Agency (CAA Website) is considered one the most powerful talent agencies in Hollywood. I give Joe credit as he is a prolific writer who has been up against the titans of Hollywood. I also give him credit for writing into his 70’s. The stance Joe took has nothing to do with age, and all to do with ethics. I applaud him for that. I am ethical in nature, so I can relate.

There is a mounting pressure in Hollywood to be ageless. There is pressure to defy gravity (plastic surgery), and age. There is a pressure to fall into the Hollywood arrogance that will no longer last going forward. These societal attitudes will change! They must change!  It will happen, and by demand.  There is a strong prejudicial bias about what older actresses can, and can not do. These amazing Women often feel forced to constantly improve upon themselves so they can be seen with different perception. I feel ageism is damaging to those good quality female actresses.  If you have read my last article on inclusion then you understand why I feel strongly about this topic. Click here for the last article.

Ethics are making there way to Hollywood by way of corporate America. Take a good look America. Take a good look at actresses like Jane Fonda, Sophia Loren, and Lily Tomlin. Time is running out because corporate America is influencing Hollywood. They are all beautiful in their own right, and in their own nature. Yes, I'll say it again, I am 44, but I’m tired. I’m tired of the Bullcrap. I think the Bull is even tired… Now, let’s get something straight. Anyone! I mean anyone can forge their way to success. The beauty of age lends itself to experience. People of all ages can break into Hollywood with their knowledge, and experience that may benefit a particular project. 

At 44, I can and will break down the doors of Hollywood. Allow me to tell you a little story. It is a true story about my friend, and we will call him “John.” John lived in California and was in his late 60’s. John had a screenplay, and came to me for business advice. It was a horror script. It was his only script. I asked John if it was copyrighted and protected. The answer was “Yes.” I told him “Get your work out there then!”

John was always nervous about his writing, and it never made sense to me why. It really is a damn numbers game! You must have an arsenal of screenplays, not the fly-by-night-one-off script that you think might get you a million bucks. People do get lucky; however, I personally believe in the law of averages and hard work. So a few weeks went by, and I hadn’t heard from John.

Then one day I got a call from my friend “Doug.” Doug asked “Have you heard from John?” I replied “No.”  Weeks went by and we finally got worried, then made some calls to Los Angeles. We called his landlord, and we called a few other people. We discovered that John passed away in his apartment of a bad stroke. His dream never saw the light of day, not due to lack of talent, but because he was afraid. I sensed his feeling of nervousness that he had of putting himself out there. 

I felt as if John’s dreams were all standing around his bed asking him for the life they deserve. The life of a dream come true! Don’t let your dreams die. Oh, and the script John put together? It came into my hands. Ethically, I feel that the script should never see the light of day. It was his work. Instead, I decided to write another script and dedicate it to John. 

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Don’t let age stop you! Ageism is prejudicial, nonsensical, and will be gone very soon. Keep fighting for 100% inclusion in Hollywood. 

Support organizations that celebrate people for who they are. Don’t let age hold you back. Don’t let any one executive, agent, producer or casting director, make you feel like you are washed up. You are an actor/actress or screenwriter with pride. Play the damn parts! Keep pushing your script! Keep on going and fight the good fight!

One last thing… FUCK Ageism!

See you next week! Until then find me on Twitter @screenwriterml