Glee creator Ryan Murphy commits to diverse directing team by end of 2016
Glee co-creator Ryan Murphy has said he plans to diversify his team of directors by the end of this year.
Murphy, who co-created Glee, who also created Scream Queens and American Horror Story, said: “I personally can do better.
Speaking to the Hollywood Reporter, he referred to a speech by former publicist Nanci Ryder, who said: “People in power, you have a position and responsibility to change the industry”.
Murphy said: “I thought, ‘She’s right.'”
He has now committed to having 50 percent of directors positions on his shows filled by women, LGBT people or people of colour by the end of this year.
TV directing jobs across the US are estimated only to be filled by 16 to 18 percent of minorities.
“The industry has always been about, you come to us,” Murphy said. “There’s not a lot of effort and inclusion, and I’m saying, ‘No, we’re going to go to you.'”
Murphy also plans to tackle a lack of opportunity in Hollywood through other measures such as outreach at colleges and universities, and through mentoring schemes, internships and shadowing.
