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
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This week's Castle is a Shakespeare-tinged affair, featuring Firefly's Jewel Staite as a special guest star...
This review contains spoilers
8.20: Much Ado About Murder
Much Ado About Murder. The title alone pulled me in simply because, well, I’m a scholar of Shakespeare and the Renaissance and I think Joss Whedon’s Much Ado About Nothing, in which Nathan Fillion played Dogberry, showed us that the man can legitimately pull off the Bard. Add to that the allure of former Firefly shipmate Jewel Staite showing up, and, boy-howdy, I’m in.
Did the episode actually live up to my hopes? Sorta. But certainly not the way I expected it to.
For starters, it was actually pretty light on the Shakespeare, all things considered. The plot revolves around the murder of an actor, who himself is potentially on the point of murdering Shakespeare. The episode opens with the performer,...
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This week's Castle is a Shakespeare-tinged affair, featuring Firefly's Jewel Staite as a special guest star...
This review contains spoilers
8.20: Much Ado About Murder
Much Ado About Murder. The title alone pulled me in simply because, well, I’m a scholar of Shakespeare and the Renaissance and I think Joss Whedon’s Much Ado About Nothing, in which Nathan Fillion played Dogberry, showed us that the man can legitimately pull off the Bard. Add to that the allure of former Firefly shipmate Jewel Staite showing up, and, boy-howdy, I’m in.
Did the episode actually live up to my hopes? Sorta. But certainly not the way I expected it to.
For starters, it was actually pretty light on the Shakespeare, all things considered. The plot revolves around the murder of an actor, who himself is potentially on the point of murdering Shakespeare. The episode opens with the performer,...
- 5/9/2016
- Den of Geek
Recently, ABC released the new,official synopsis/spoilers for their upcoming "Castle" episode 8 of season 8. The episode is entitled, "Mr. & Mrs. Castle," and it turns out that we're going to see some very intense and high drama stuff go down as Beckett and Castle find themselves stuck on a boat with a killer in their latest investigation, and more! In the new, 8th episode press release: Castle & Beckett Set Sail With A Murderer! On ABC's "Castle." Press release number 2: Castle and Beckett will investigate the murder of a cruise ship entertainer, only to find themselves trapped at sea with the killer. Guest stars feature: Sunkrish Bala as Vikram Singh, Arye Gross as M.E. Perlmutter and Kristoffer Polaha as Caleb Brown. The episode was written by Christine Roum ,and it was directed by Jeff Bleckner. Episode 8 is set to air on Monday night, November 23rd at 9pm central time on ABC.
- 11/16/2015
- by Andre Braddox
- OnTheFlix
Recently, ABC released this new, 2nd sneak peek/spoiler clip (below) for their upcoming "Castle" episode 9 of season 7, and it appears to be quite interesting as Castle is spotted, having to struggle with the decision of participating in some dangerous activities and the dreaded peer pressure from his new gang, and more. The episode is titled, "Last Action Hero.” The official plotline for episode 9, reads like this: "The star of Castle’s favorite ‘80’s action movie is mysteriously killed, prompting Castle and Beckett to look deeper into the victim’s secret past and pursue his killer with help from a team of aging action heroes." The episode was written by Christine Roum ,and it was directed by Paul Holahan. Episode 9 is set to air this Monday night, December 1st at 9pm central time on ABC.
- 11/29/2014
- by Megan
- OnTheFlix
Last night, ABC dropped the new promo/spoiler clip (below) for their upcoming "Castle" episode 9 of season 7, and it appears to be quite lively and wild as Castle is seen, running around on a movie set, filming his own action flick. He's very ecstatic about it too! The episode is titled, "Last Action Hero.” In the new, 9th episode official plotline: The star of Castle’s favorite ‘80’s action movie is mysteriously killed, prompting Castle and Beckett to look deeper into the victim’s secret past and pursue his killer with help from a team of aging action heroes. Guests stars feature: Krista Allen as Naomi Duvray and Ted McGinley as Brock Harmon. The episode was written by Christine Roum ,and it was directed by Paul Holahan. Episode 9 is scheduled to air on Monday night, December 1st at 9pm central time on ABC.
- 11/25/2014
- by Chris
- OnTheFlix
Recently, ABC released the new,official synopsis/spoilers for their upcoming "Castle" episode 9 of season 7. The episode is entitled, "Last Action Hero, " and it turns out that we'll see Castle and Beckett look to old action heroes to assist them with their latest homicide case, and more. In the new,9th episode press release: When the star of Castle’s favorite ‘80’s action movie is mysteriously murdered, Castle and Beckett will delve into the victim’s secret past and pursue his killer with help from a team of aging action heroes. Guests stars feature: Krista Allen as Naomi Duvray and Ted McGinley as Brock Harmon. The episode was written by Christine Roum ,and it was directed by Paul Holahan. Episode 9 is set to air on Monday night, December 1st at 9pm central time on ABC.
- 11/24/2014
- by Andre
- OnTheFlix
New Castle season 6,episode 6 intense spoilers & clips hit the net. Last night,ABC dropped the new spoilers and sneak peek/spoiler clip (below) for their upcoming "Castle" episode 6 of season 6. The episode is entitled, "Get A Clue, " and it appears that it will get pretty wild and crazy as Castle engages in an action-filled sword fight, killer monks arrive on the scene, and more! In the new "Get A Clue" episode, Castle will be certain that a woman's ritualistic murder is tied to a "Da Vinci Code" type conspiracy. Castle and Beckett will end up, investigating the bizarre murder of a young woman who was found ritually posed. When the team finds a collection of strange symbols in her apartment and the prime suspect turns out to be a mysterious monk, Castle will become convinced that they’ve stumbled onto a “Da Vinci Code” style conspiracy. In the meantime, Castle...
- 10/22/2013
- by Eric
- OnTheFlix
New Castle season 6,episode 6 official spoilers,plotline revealed by ABC. Recently, ABC released the new, official,synopsis/spoilers for their upcoming "Castle" episode 6 of season 6. The episode is entitled, "Get A Clue," and it sounds like it'll be pretty intriguing as Beckett and Castle investigate a very bizarre ,ritualistic-style murder, and more. In the new,6th episode press release: Castle is going to be certain a woman's ritualistic murder is tied to a "Da Vinci Code" type conspiracy. Press release number 2: Castle and Beckett will investigate the bizarre murder of a young woman who was found ritually posed. When the team finds a collection of strange symbols in her apartment and the prime suspect turns out to be a mysterious monk, Castle will become convinced they’ve stumbled onto a “Da Vinci Code” style conspiracy. Meanwhile, Castle will try to come to grips with the fact that Alexis and Pi have moved in together.
- 10/21/2013
- by Chris
- OnTheFlix
In this brand new edition of the official V podcast, hosted by Scott Wolf, production designer Steve Geaghan reveals the development of Anna's fangs and Logan Huffman gives us a tour of Tyler's bedroom.
In tomorrow night's new episode of V ("We Can't Win"), Chad and Anna are in Geneva, Switzerland for the U.N. Energy Summit, where Anna is going to present a gift of technology to the world. Meanwhile, Erica learns that the V Task Force is investigating The Fifth Column, and Valerie goes on the run, knowing something is different about her baby and not sure she can trust Ryan.
V stars Elizabeth Mitchell as Erica Evans, Morris Chestnut as Ryan Nichols, Joel Gretsch as Father Jack, Lourdes Benedicto as Valerie, Logan Huffman as Tyler Evans, Laura Vandervoort as Lisa, with Morena Baccarin as Anna and Scott Wolf as Chad Decker.
Guest cast: Mark Hildreth as Joshua,...
In tomorrow night's new episode of V ("We Can't Win"), Chad and Anna are in Geneva, Switzerland for the U.N. Energy Summit, where Anna is going to present a gift of technology to the world. Meanwhile, Erica learns that the V Task Force is investigating The Fifth Column, and Valerie goes on the run, knowing something is different about her baby and not sure she can trust Ryan.
V stars Elizabeth Mitchell as Erica Evans, Morris Chestnut as Ryan Nichols, Joel Gretsch as Father Jack, Lourdes Benedicto as Valerie, Logan Huffman as Tyler Evans, Laura Vandervoort as Lisa, with Morena Baccarin as Anna and Scott Wolf as Chad Decker.
Guest cast: Mark Hildreth as Joshua,...
- 4/19/2010
- by Jo Garfein
- TVovermind.com
We Can't Win is the April 20 episode of ABC's Vancouver-lensed alien TV series V, written by Christine Roum/Cameron Litvack and directed by David Barrett: "...'Chad' and 'Anna' are in Geneva, Switzerland for the U.N. Energy Summit, where Anna is going to present a gift of technology to the world. Meanwhile, 'Erica' learns that the 'V Task Force' is investigating 'The Fifth Column' and 'Valerie' goes on the run, knowing that something is very different about her baby..." V stars Elizabeth Mitchell as 'Erica Evans', Morris Chestnut as 'Ryan Nichols', Joel Gretsch as 'Father Jack', Lourdes Benedicto as 'Valerie', Logan Huffman as 'Tyler Evans', Laura Vandervoort as 'Lisa', Morena Baccarin as 'Anna' and Scott Wolf as 'Chad Decker'.
- 4/12/2010
- HollywoodNorthReport.com
"We Can't Win" is the April 20 episode of ABC's Vancouver-lensed alien TV series "V", written by Christine Roum/Cameron Litvack and directed by David Barrett:
"...'Chad' and 'Anna' are in Geneva, Switzerland for the U.N. Energy Summit, where Anna is going to present a gift of technology to the world. Meanwhile, 'Erica' learns that the 'V Task Force' is investigating 'The Fifth Column' and 'Valerie' goes on the run, knowing that something is very different about her baby..."
"V" stars Elizabeth Mitchell as 'Erica Evans', Morris Chestnut as 'Ryan Nichols', Joel Gretsch as 'Father Jack', Lourdes Benedicto as 'Valerie', Logan Huffman as 'Tyler Evans', Laura Vandervoort as 'Lisa', Morena Baccarin as 'Anna' and Scott Wolf as 'Chad Decker'.
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "V"...
"...'Chad' and 'Anna' are in Geneva, Switzerland for the U.N. Energy Summit, where Anna is going to present a gift of technology to the world. Meanwhile, 'Erica' learns that the 'V Task Force' is investigating 'The Fifth Column' and 'Valerie' goes on the run, knowing that something is very different about her baby..."
"V" stars Elizabeth Mitchell as 'Erica Evans', Morris Chestnut as 'Ryan Nichols', Joel Gretsch as 'Father Jack', Lourdes Benedicto as 'Valerie', Logan Huffman as 'Tyler Evans', Laura Vandervoort as 'Lisa', Morena Baccarin as 'Anna' and Scott Wolf as 'Chad Decker'.
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "V"...
- 4/11/2010
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
With a title like "We Can't Win," we know that something's going to drastically change in the eighth episode of V. The episode will not only contain the first meeting of two of our main characters, but it will also feature Chad, Anna, and several other Vs doing something that looks important. That something important is the U.N. energy summit, where Anna is "going to present a gift of technology to the world." Knowing the Vs like we do, that can't be good. It's probably a power grab. Here's the press release for episode eight, "We Can't Win," followed by a gallery of promotional photos. This will also be the first episode in a while not to feature Georgie — which doesn't sound good for his character in next week's episode, "John May." It sounds very, very, bad…
Chad And Anna Go To Switzerland For The U.N. Energy Summit,...
Chad And Anna Go To Switzerland For The U.N. Energy Summit,...
- 4/11/2010
- by Sam McPherson
- TVovermind.com
What did you think of last night's episode of ABC's V, the series' third? Head over to the Los Angeles Times/Show Tracker site to read my take on last night's episode ("A Bright New Day"), written by Diego Gutierrez and Christine Roum, and discuss just what you thought of this week's installment. Personally, I thought it was a huge step up in terms of quality over last week's slightly lackluster installment and ramped up the tension and drama while also giving us some very intriguing plot twists... which I won't reveal here. Would be curious to know what people thought, especially if you were at all on the fence about V after last week. So talk back either here or at the La Times! Next week on the fall finale of V ("It's Only the Beginning"), Erica works with the Fifth Column to uncover a biological threat they suspect...
- 11/18/2009
- by Jace
- Televisionary
Episode Title: "A Bright New Day"
Written By: Diego Gutierrez & Christine Roum
Synopsis: Certain Visitors — including apparent leader and spokesperson Anna (Morena Baccarin) — are allowed access to United States soil, thanks in large to positive publicity on the part of newsman Chad Decker (Scott Wolf). But a potential assassination plot requires FBI agent Erica Evans (Elizabeth Mitchell) to protect the Visitors on their first visit, despite knowing their true intentions. To make matters worse, Erica's son Tyler (Logan Huffman) is getting closer to the Visitor known as Lisa (Laura Vandervoort), who winds up having surprising secrets of her own. Elsewhere, renegade alien Ryan Nichols (Morris Chestnut) attempts to reassemble a group of like-minded Visitors known as the Fifth Column.
Security Breach: There were so many double-crosses and back-stabbings in this episode that it's hard to keep track — from the would-be assassin secretly working for the Visitors to the shady Cyrus...
Written By: Diego Gutierrez & Christine Roum
Synopsis: Certain Visitors — including apparent leader and spokesperson Anna (Morena Baccarin) — are allowed access to United States soil, thanks in large to positive publicity on the part of newsman Chad Decker (Scott Wolf). But a potential assassination plot requires FBI agent Erica Evans (Elizabeth Mitchell) to protect the Visitors on their first visit, despite knowing their true intentions. To make matters worse, Erica's son Tyler (Logan Huffman) is getting closer to the Visitor known as Lisa (Laura Vandervoort), who winds up having surprising secrets of her own. Elsewhere, renegade alien Ryan Nichols (Morris Chestnut) attempts to reassemble a group of like-minded Visitors known as the Fifth Column.
Security Breach: There were so many double-crosses and back-stabbings in this episode that it's hard to keep track — from the would-be assassin secretly working for the Visitors to the shady Cyrus...
- 11/18/2009
- by Josh Wigler
- MTV Movies Blog
"The Invisible" is a remake of a 2002 Swedish film, which is itself an adaptation of a novel, so perhaps this is a case of a story getting too many generations removed from its source material.
There's a clever idea here for a fantasy-thriller, in which a bright high-schooler on the verge of graduation finds himself a ghost in his own life. This should open the way for the kid to see his life and the lives of others for what they truly are rather than what he imagines them to be. But the drama never comes together in a smart, meaningful way; indeed, most revelations border on the banal. And thriller elements come up empty since the youngster -- and audience -- knows who "killed" him.
The film is not as bad as the Walt Disney Co. apparently thinks. (The studio declined to screen the film for critics before it opened Friday.) But it's not very good, either. The film could appeal to young audiences but won't cross over to slightly older audiences because it lacks the crisp imagination of those other out-of-body movies "The Sixth Sense" and "Ghost".
The film establishes Nick (Justin Chatwin, very good), an intelligent, sensitive yet troubled youth. He lives with his mother Marcia Gay Harden) in a starkly modern suburban Seattle home. She has been cold and indifferent to him since the death of his father several years before, refusing even to consider his desire for a writing career.
Meanwhile, best friend Pete (Chris Marquette) gets stolen goods from school tough girl Annie (Margarita Levieva in a terrific first starring role). An intriguing dynamic exists between Nick and Annie, a mix of mutual attraction and disdain. Then Annie mistakenly -- and illogically -- believes Nick ratted her out to police in a smash-and-grab robbery. She and her bully companions drag Nick into the woods one night for a beating that leaves him lifeless.
The next morning, apparently unharmed, Nick returns to school. But no one sees or hears him, and he discovers there is a manhunt for him. He figures he must be a ghost. Then an incident with a dying bird causes him to realize he is not completely dead yet: His body is suspended in a kind of limbo, but unless it is soon discovered, he will die for real.
As he materializes invisibly in his mother's home, Annie's hangouts and Pete's frightened life, he sees what has eluded his living self. This is especially true of Annie, who is as invisible metaphorically to people as Nick is physically. Yet writers Mick Davis and Christine Roum and director David S. Goyer don't allow these revelations to have much dramatic impact.
Then there is the foolishness: Although he knows no one can hear him, Nick somehow thinks that if he screams they will. In scene after scene. Nor is there any real motive for Pete, as much a victim of the bullies as Nick, to participate in their cover-up. The relationships among Annie, her dad (Mark Houghton), her dead-end, ex-con boyfriend (Alex O'Loughlin) and the lead police detective Callum Keith Rennie) all reek of contrivance. Finally, the dialogue often falls short. "Oh my God, this is a nightmare" doesn't really express what a person must feel upon discovering he is dead.
Tech credits are decent, but the feeling persists that this one got away.
THE INVISIBLE
Buena Vista Pictures
Hollywood Pictures and Spyglass Entertainment present a Birnbaum/Barber/Macariedelstein production in association with Sonet Film Ab
Credits:
Director: David S. Goyer
Screenwriters: Mick Davis, Christine Roum
Based on a novel by Mats Wahl and the Swedish film
Producers: Roger Birnbaum, Gary Barber, Jonathan Glickman, Neal Edelstein, Mike Macari
Executive producers: William S. Beasley, Peter Possne
Director of photography: Gabriel Beristain
Production designer: Carlos Barbosa
Music: Marco Baltrami
Co-producers: Erin Stam, Rebekah Rudd
Costume designer: Tish Monaghan
Editor: Conrad Smart
Cast:
Nick Powell: Justin Chatwin
Annie Newton: Margarita Levieva
Diane Powell: Marcia Gay Harden
Pete Egan: Chris Marquette
Detective Larson: Callum Keith Rennie
Detective Tunney: Michelle Harrison
Running time -- 101 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
There's a clever idea here for a fantasy-thriller, in which a bright high-schooler on the verge of graduation finds himself a ghost in his own life. This should open the way for the kid to see his life and the lives of others for what they truly are rather than what he imagines them to be. But the drama never comes together in a smart, meaningful way; indeed, most revelations border on the banal. And thriller elements come up empty since the youngster -- and audience -- knows who "killed" him.
The film is not as bad as the Walt Disney Co. apparently thinks. (The studio declined to screen the film for critics before it opened Friday.) But it's not very good, either. The film could appeal to young audiences but won't cross over to slightly older audiences because it lacks the crisp imagination of those other out-of-body movies "The Sixth Sense" and "Ghost".
The film establishes Nick (Justin Chatwin, very good), an intelligent, sensitive yet troubled youth. He lives with his mother Marcia Gay Harden) in a starkly modern suburban Seattle home. She has been cold and indifferent to him since the death of his father several years before, refusing even to consider his desire for a writing career.
Meanwhile, best friend Pete (Chris Marquette) gets stolen goods from school tough girl Annie (Margarita Levieva in a terrific first starring role). An intriguing dynamic exists between Nick and Annie, a mix of mutual attraction and disdain. Then Annie mistakenly -- and illogically -- believes Nick ratted her out to police in a smash-and-grab robbery. She and her bully companions drag Nick into the woods one night for a beating that leaves him lifeless.
The next morning, apparently unharmed, Nick returns to school. But no one sees or hears him, and he discovers there is a manhunt for him. He figures he must be a ghost. Then an incident with a dying bird causes him to realize he is not completely dead yet: His body is suspended in a kind of limbo, but unless it is soon discovered, he will die for real.
As he materializes invisibly in his mother's home, Annie's hangouts and Pete's frightened life, he sees what has eluded his living self. This is especially true of Annie, who is as invisible metaphorically to people as Nick is physically. Yet writers Mick Davis and Christine Roum and director David S. Goyer don't allow these revelations to have much dramatic impact.
Then there is the foolishness: Although he knows no one can hear him, Nick somehow thinks that if he screams they will. In scene after scene. Nor is there any real motive for Pete, as much a victim of the bullies as Nick, to participate in their cover-up. The relationships among Annie, her dad (Mark Houghton), her dead-end, ex-con boyfriend (Alex O'Loughlin) and the lead police detective Callum Keith Rennie) all reek of contrivance. Finally, the dialogue often falls short. "Oh my God, this is a nightmare" doesn't really express what a person must feel upon discovering he is dead.
Tech credits are decent, but the feeling persists that this one got away.
THE INVISIBLE
Buena Vista Pictures
Hollywood Pictures and Spyglass Entertainment present a Birnbaum/Barber/Macariedelstein production in association with Sonet Film Ab
Credits:
Director: David S. Goyer
Screenwriters: Mick Davis, Christine Roum
Based on a novel by Mats Wahl and the Swedish film
Producers: Roger Birnbaum, Gary Barber, Jonathan Glickman, Neal Edelstein, Mike Macari
Executive producers: William S. Beasley, Peter Possne
Director of photography: Gabriel Beristain
Production designer: Carlos Barbosa
Music: Marco Baltrami
Co-producers: Erin Stam, Rebekah Rudd
Costume designer: Tish Monaghan
Editor: Conrad Smart
Cast:
Nick Powell: Justin Chatwin
Annie Newton: Margarita Levieva
Diane Powell: Marcia Gay Harden
Pete Egan: Chris Marquette
Detective Larson: Callum Keith Rennie
Detective Tunney: Michelle Harrison
Running time -- 101 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
- 4/30/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Touchstone Pictures has embraced The Invisible, Spyglass Entertainment's supernatural thriller being directed by David Goyer. Spyglass is going full-steam ahead on Invisible, which originally was set up at DreamWorks in November, with shooting scheduled to start at the end of September in Vancouver. The story follows a teenager who, after being attacked and left for dead, finds himself in limbo, invisible to the living and racing against time to find his body before he truly perishes. The only living person who might be able to save him is his attacker, a troubled girl who is on the run from the law. The screenplay was written by Mick Davis, with additional writing by Christine Roum.
- 6/26/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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