WGA West’s Middle Eastern Writers Committee Urges Hollywood To Be More Inclusive, Less Stereotypical
Members of the WGA West’s Middle Eastern Writers Committee are urging the film and television industry to be more inclusive and less stereotypical in its storytelling.
“Reach out to us. Get to know our work. And most of all, take more chances on us to both tell our own stories and contribute to the ones being crafted in writers rooms all over town,” they wrote Monday in an open letter to the industry. But they noted: “How can we get in the rooms to tell other stories if we’re not even being hired to tell our own?”
The group said they formed the committee “primarily on the basis of one disappointing fact. As reported in the Wgaw Inclusion Report of 2020, Middle Eastern writers are dead last, making up only 0.3% of employed writers. You read that right. 0.3%. That’s pretty close to 0%. Because of this, we find ourselves at a cultural inflection point,...
“Reach out to us. Get to know our work. And most of all, take more chances on us to both tell our own stories and contribute to the ones being crafted in writers rooms all over town,” they wrote Monday in an open letter to the industry. But they noted: “How can we get in the rooms to tell other stories if we’re not even being hired to tell our own?”
The group said they formed the committee “primarily on the basis of one disappointing fact. As reported in the Wgaw Inclusion Report of 2020, Middle Eastern writers are dead last, making up only 0.3% of employed writers. You read that right. 0.3%. That’s pretty close to 0%. Because of this, we find ourselves at a cultural inflection point,...
- 8/30/2021
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
ABC is taking a second stab at developing a sitcom starring vehicle for comedian Gabriel Iglesias. The network has a new half-hour project in development, starring Iglesias, from Ryan Seacrest Productions and CBS Television Studios. This is not a spec sale; the pitch was bought by ABC late last year and the script will be is in consideration for this pilot cycle. Last year, Iglesias starred in the ABC multi-camera comedy pilot The Fluffy Shop. Written by Taylor Hamra (Nash…...
- 1/24/2017
- Deadline TV
ABC has put into development a Gabriel Iglesias comedy from executive producer Ryan Seacrest, TheWrap has learned. Written by “Nashville” and “Life Unexpected” alum Taylor Hamra, the untitled comedy follows a commitment-phobe bachelor as he reconnects with his friend who has just broken up with the woman he has been with since pre-school. Iglesias is attached to star as well as executive produce the project alongside Hamra and Seacrest, as well as Nina Wass and Andrea Shay of Ryan Seacrest Productions. Also Read: Pilot Season 2017: TheWrap's Complete Guide The comedy hails from CBS Television Studios. Joe Meloche, Jay Lavender,...
- 1/24/2017
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
In one of the first big broadcast TV sales for Amy Pascal’s Pascal Pictures, ABC has nabbed American Heritage with a script commitment plus significant penalty that often qualifies as a put pilot. The multi-generational soap, written by Nashville co-executive producer Taylor Hamra, hails from Sony Pictures TV via Pascal Pictures’ overall deal with parent Sony Pictures Entertainment. American Heritage is about two families of vastly different cultures who suddenly collide…...
- 9/8/2016
- Deadline TV
Recently, ABC released the new,official synopsis/spoilers for their upcoming "Nashville" episode 6 of season 4. The episode is entitled, "Please Help Me, I'm Fallin," and it turns out that we're going to see some very shocking and high drama stuff go down when a video goes viral, showing crazy Juliette brawling with a fan, and more! In the new, 6th episode press release: Juliette Has A Fistfight With An Aggressive Fan And The Video Goes Viral, On "Nashville" October 28. Press release number 2: Juliette will get into a brawl with a fan that goes viral, but Jeff is going to see damage control as an opening for his own career. Maddie is going to be grounded and will miss Colt who is on tour with his dad. Markus will butt heads with Rayna over his sound, and the two will consider whether they can continue working together. Guest stars feature: Oliver Hudson as Jeff Fordham,...
- 10/21/2015
- by Eric
- OnTheFlix
Recently, ABC released the new,official synopsis/spoilers for their upcoming "Nashville" episode 16 of season 3. The episode is entitled, "I Can't Keep Away From You," and it turns out that we're going to see some very drama-filled and emotional stuff as Rayna attempts to get encourage Deacon to battle his illness. However, she just causes Deacon to get frustrated. Scarlett runs into performance problems, and more! In the new, 16th episode press release: Rayna Promises To Help Deacon Battle His Illness And Sadie Faces Her Past Head On. Press release number 2: Rayna is going to refuse to let Deacon wallow in his condition, but her support will only frustrate him and push him away. In the meantime, Avery, Gunnar and Scarlett will be opening for Rascal Flatts on tour, but when her past public meltdown haunts her on social media, Scarlett will become wary of performing again. Meanwhile, Jeff...
- 3/29/2015
- by Derek
- OnTheFlix
Recently, TNT served up the new, official synopsis/spoilers for their upcoming "Dallas" episode 12 of season 3. The episode is entitled, "Victims Of Love," and it sounds like things will very interesting and dramatic as lives will hang in the balance, everyone scrambles to get ownership of Ewing Global shares, and more. In the new,12th episode press release: As Ewing Global goes public, twists and turns are going to abound while everyone scrambles to claim ownership. Pamela will struggle with what to do now that she knows Cliff didn't really kill J.R., and Bobby is going to seek the aid of an old flame ,Tracey McKay (guest star Melinda Clarke), to help get back control of the company. Meanwhile, Judith and Ryland will work to fix their own problems with the cartel, which will end up putting lives in the balance and aligning the Rylands and Ewings in a way no one ever expected.
- 9/1/2014
- by Chris
- OnTheFlix
Luke Greenfield's film credits are kind of all over the place. The writer-director should be best known for his underrated 2004 cult hit The Girl Next Door, starring Elisha Cuthbert, Emile Hirsch and Timothy Olyphant, but it's hard to overlook his first feature, The Animal, or his latest, Something Borrowed. In the middle of a story about Greenfield signing a new network deal at ABC, having directed the pilot for the their upcoming comedy Prairie Dogs, two new feature film projects emerged as also on tap for the filmmaker and his WideAwake production company. Variety reports that Greenfield is developing two movies including new dramedy called The Last Bachelor and an untitled action-comedy at 20th Century Fox. Co-written by the director and Nicholas Thomas, Taylor Hamra and Jesse Sweet, The Last Bacheloris about a 30-something man who puts his life on pause in order to find the one. When the...
- 8/1/2012
- cinemablend.com
Dallas writer Taylor Hamra wasn't kidding in his exclusive interview with TV Fanatic: Fans definitely need to buckle up for the remainder of this season.
"Collateral Damage" delivered on that promise by giving viewers plenty of new twists, as well as more time with some old favorites.
First off, how far does the thought behind a fruit basket go when you have to throw up in the recipient's bathroom. I think Rebecca may need to send Elena another apology gift.
But I'm still not understanding why the nose bleeds led Elena to believe Rebecca was pregnant. Pregnancy has lots of strange symptoms but show me someone with nose bleeds and nausea and I'd guess that they're very ill, not pregnant.
I was surprised that Elena told Christopher about the baby, although it was certainly the quickest way to get him off her back. And what's up with Chris? One week...
"Collateral Damage" delivered on that promise by giving viewers plenty of new twists, as well as more time with some old favorites.
First off, how far does the thought behind a fruit basket go when you have to throw up in the recipient's bathroom. I think Rebecca may need to send Elena another apology gift.
But I'm still not understanding why the nose bleeds led Elena to believe Rebecca was pregnant. Pregnancy has lots of strange symptoms but show me someone with nose bleeds and nausea and I'd guess that they're very ill, not pregnant.
I was surprised that Elena told Christopher about the baby, although it was certainly the quickest way to get him off her back. And what's up with Chris? One week...
- 7/19/2012
- by christine@tvfanatic.com (Christine Orlando)
- TVfanatic
The creators of the new Dallas made it clear from the outset: this isn't a reboot of the original series. It's simply a continuation of the story. Dallas has all the characters we've always loved, perhaps a little older but thankfully not much wiser.
As a huge fan of that original, I was thrilled to speak with Taylor Hamra, one of the writer's of TNT's new hit series. Among the topics we touched on:
How this creative team has successfully continued the epic story of such an iconic show and the pitfalls of having such a dynamic cast of characters from which to choose...
-------------------------------------------
Congratulations on the early season 2 pickup. I know fans are very excited. Were you a fan of the original Dallas and have you watched all of those episode.
Taylor: I have not but I would say that collectively in the writer's room, they have all been seen.
As a huge fan of that original, I was thrilled to speak with Taylor Hamra, one of the writer's of TNT's new hit series. Among the topics we touched on:
How this creative team has successfully continued the epic story of such an iconic show and the pitfalls of having such a dynamic cast of characters from which to choose...
-------------------------------------------
Congratulations on the early season 2 pickup. I know fans are very excited. Were you a fan of the original Dallas and have you watched all of those episode.
Taylor: I have not but I would say that collectively in the writer's room, they have all been seen.
- 7/17/2012
- by christine@tvfanatic.com (Christine Orlando)
- TVfanatic
The CW isn't yet calling the two-hour episode of Life Unexpected on January 18 a series finale, but that's what most people are suspecting it is. The CW warns that it will be an emotional episode. Below are promo photos and a synopsis for the episode.
Two-hour Season Finale — Baze (Kristoffer Polaha) considers buying a house and planning a future with Emma (guest star Emma Caulfield), not realizing the devastating secret she is hiding about her romantic past with his father.
Sensing that Eric (guest star Shaun Sipos) is once again pulling away from their relationship, Lux (Britt Robertson) plans a romantic dinner for the two of them, but is surprised when Baze and Cate (Shiri Appleby) show up at the door.
Kerr Smith and Austin Basis also star. Howie Duetch directed the episode written by Liz Tigelaar & Taylor Hamra.
Life Unexpected
◄ Back Next ► Picture 1 of 11
"Affair Remembered" --- Pictured(L-r) Kris Polaha as Baze,...
Two-hour Season Finale — Baze (Kristoffer Polaha) considers buying a house and planning a future with Emma (guest star Emma Caulfield), not realizing the devastating secret she is hiding about her romantic past with his father.
Sensing that Eric (guest star Shaun Sipos) is once again pulling away from their relationship, Lux (Britt Robertson) plans a romantic dinner for the two of them, but is surprised when Baze and Cate (Shiri Appleby) show up at the door.
Kerr Smith and Austin Basis also star. Howie Duetch directed the episode written by Liz Tigelaar & Taylor Hamra.
Life Unexpected
◄ Back Next ► Picture 1 of 11
"Affair Remembered" --- Pictured(L-r) Kris Polaha as Baze,...
- 1/7/2011
- by Clarissa
- TVovermind.com
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