Ability Or Diversity?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2684301/Films-tick-boxes-diversity-win-funds-BFI-sets-targets-number-female-gay-ethnic-minority-actors-crew.html

1. On-screen diversity: diverse subject matter, at least one lead character positively reflecting diversity, at least 30 per cent of supporting and background characters positively reflecting diversity

2. Off-screen diversity: diverse key creatives (director, screenwriter, composer, cinematographer), at least two Heads of Department from diverse backgrounds, production crew and production company staff (both with a range of targets across different diverse groups)

3. Creating opportunities and promoting social mobility: paid internships and employment opportunities for new entrants from diverse backgrounds, training placements for people from diverse backgrounds

/// Once the system takes effect in September, budding filmmakers must satisfy at least two out of the three categories before they can be eligible for funds. ///

[New Judge]

Let's hope they don't bother, get a loan from Barclays and hire who they like.

[boxtops]

Oh well, it's an admirable objective but I can see it having the opposite effect.......

[Zeuhl]

Under the new rules, Producers of TV chat shows will need to employ at least one heterosexual person in the team.

[sp1814]

As long as it means we won't be faced with such national embarrassments such as 'Sex Lives of the Potato Men', 'The Harry Hill Movie', 'Ali G In Da House'...

[sp1814]

Zeuhl

That's just a rumour.

[AB Editor]

Much like the arts council, the BFI is well known for quite stupidly trying to "regulate" their particular art form. So they're right on track as far as I can see :)

[ludwig]

I've always maintained that there should have been more black characters in the Merchant Ivory EM Forster adaptations

[DaisyNonna]

This is censorship!

[woofgang]

Interesting....As I retired from the NHS, there was work going on there to level the recruitment playing field. This was done by removing all vestige of identification of gender and ethnicity from application forms apart from GOQ posts. I could see the point of that because then what is concentrated on is qualifications, experience and so on. Its only when you get to shortlist that you find out who the applicants are. It was still possible to sieve out people who would not fit the job requirements by things like holding a clean UK driving licence.
If you are going to take hiring action, this seems to me like a better way of doing it.

[dave50]

No doubt they will make crap films that nobody wants to see but as long as it satisfies the diversity fanatics it won't matter.