Actor Jodie Turner-Smith, known for her performance on projects such as Queen & Slim's, expressed a desire to see more women and women of color behind the scenes in Hollywood.
Speaking at Kering’s Women in Motion, Turner-Smith talked about using her position in the industry to give others opportunities. "I want to make my life about not only working with incredible directors, but working with women, working with women of color, using the opportunities that I have to give opportunities to people where the industry is being gate-kept to them or [who] are not being given the level of respect they deserve when they are extremely talented."
The actor continued by highlighting the attitudes prevalent across the film industry. "People use the excuse, 'Well, there aren't that many female directors.'" Turner-Smith explained, "The reality is there are very many talented female directors but, again, when you don't have the opportunity and you're not given the opportunity, then that door isn't opened for you and so then it's like, suddenly, 'Oh where are they?' But they haven't been allowed in."
Even then, there are moments throughout filmmaking during which it is clear that the industry does not know how to accommodate diversity. "When you make casting choices and you hire actors of color in something, you have to hire people who know how to do their make-up, who know how to do their hair, who know how to light them properly," the actor explained.
She went on to highlight the issues related to writing as well, stating, "So many times, it’s like, we are going to tell a story that involves Black people, but there are no Black people in the writers' room, there are no women in the writers' room." Diving deeper into her personal experiences during this moment in Hollywood. Turner-Smith stated, "I think as a Black artist in this moment in time, I definitely want to be part of showing people a world that looks different than what they have historically been allowed to see."
Source: Variety
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