If you are engaging a performer from a specific community or wish to expand your knowledge of the unique challenges that people from historically marginalized communities working in the film and television industry face, below is a list of resources.
For Producers and Filmmakers preparing to work with folks from specific communities, we encourage you to utilize these resources and take them into consideration during all phases of production.
To view the below information in a searchable table format, please click here.
Disclaimer: Resources linked are for informational purposes only, and do not necessarily reflect those of ACTRA. ACTRA assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of these resources. The information shared within this database is provided by ACTRA on an ‘as is” basis with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, suitability or timeliness. Please consult with professional advisors familiar with your particular situation for advice concerning specific matters before making any decisions.
The Deaf Artists & Theatres Toolkit (DATT) serves as a resource and guide to increase innovative collaborations between professional theatre companies and Deaf artists as well as to increase engagement with Deaf audiences.
Tips for Auditioning Deaf Performers: The guide was designed by ACTRA’s National Diversity & Inclusion Committee to help casting professionals audition deaf actors, eliminate barriers, and promote an inclusive work environment. Interpreting in the screen-based media industry requires more than just knowledge of Sign Language.
Working with Queer Performers: Developed by outACTRAto, this document contains guidelines for our industry intended to encourage a change in the way screenwriters, agents, casting agents, directors, producers and productions treat queer performers.
The Being Seen: Children’s Media Report by the Black Screen Office looks specifically at the insights of children and youth, their parents, and creators and producers of children’s media who also belong to the target communities.
The Being Seen: People of Colour Community Report by the Black Screen Office looks at the perspectives of people who identify as being from the South Asian, East Asian and Southeast Asian, West Asian and Latinx and Brazilian communities.
The Being Seen: People with Disabilities Report by the Black Screen Office digs into the responses from consultations and interviews that were unique to those who identify as members of the People with Disabilities communities, namely: stereotypes; consequences of poor representation; and what they want to see more of.
The Being Seen: The Black Communities Report by the Black Screen Office provides guidance in creating and commissioning more authentic and representative screen-based content that engages with Black community(ies).
The Blueprint for Muslim Inclusion by Pillars Fund serves as a companion piece to the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative study Missing & Maligned: The Reality of Muslims in Popular Global Movies and draws from the real opportunity to engage Muslim communities further, unearth incredible stories, and ensure Muslims feel seen and empowered to tell their tales.
Inclusion Playbook: This playbook by Amazon Studios is designed to minimize and disrupt biases. You will learn to: Make inclusive decisions about authentic storytelling and hiring; know where to go for help; identify criteria for making informed and consistent creative choices; and foster curiosity and ask questions to disrupt the status quo.
Media Reference Guide: Discussing Trans and Gender Diverse People: These documents by The 519 provide a guideline for media, and outline how to share information and stories about trans and gender-diverse people in an accurate and respectful way. It also provides examples of disrespectful and dehumanizing language that should be avoided.
The #HerFrameMatters Protocol GuidelineThis guideline aims to improve the working conditions of Black, Indigenous, and Women of Colour in the Canadian screen industries, and to create more authentic and nuanced women characters on screen. Each section highlights key issues that Reelworld identified through their #HerFrameMatters Research Study and provides direction on how to address the unequal and unfair realities faced by Black, Indigenous, and Women of Colour.
Research Studies & Reports
Being Heard: Black Canadians in the Canadian Screen Industries provides evidence-based recommendations for creatives, employers, and the sector to create long-term, sustainable transformation that addresses anti-Black biases and exclusionary practices, and builds toward a stronger, more diverse and equitable sector workforce.
Changing the Narrative Report: Reelworld Film Festival and Reelworld Screen Institute commissioned Communications MDR to measure and benchmark employment conditions of Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) in Canada and the extent to which they participate equitably in Canada’s screen-based production sector.
The “Cost” of Accommodations Report by Inevitable Foundation examines the real consequences for disabled talent when their accommodation needs go unmet and demystifies the true financial cost (USD) of accommodations by creating the first set of budget templates and accommodation benchmarks for the industry.
Diversity On Screen Audit Report of Canadian Broadcasters 2022: This cross-sectional study by Vancouver Asian Film Festival, Racial Equity Screen Office and Elimin8Hate examines Asian (including East Asian, Southeast Asian and South Asian) representation in scripted and unscripted programming on Canada’s major private and public broadcasters.
Report on Indigenous Eligibility in Screen Sector: This report analyzes and explores considerations for eligibility, including definitions, and criteria needed to identify Indigenous applicants for the purposes of Indigenous-specific funding and support, and to develop policy recommendations and a framework for Indigenous-specific funding.
Women in View: On Screen Report: The 6th On Screen Report finds that gender equity initiatives had a strong impact. Building on past reports, WIVO21 documents women’s employment in Canada’s publicly funded screen-based media from 2018 to 2019.
Census Reports & Statistics
Being Counted: Canadian Race-based Audience Survey by the Black Screen Office paints a vivid picture of how Canada’s screen industries can better capture the attention of Black, Indigenous and People of Colour audiences and what is left off the table by ignoring them.
DGC 2023 Census: Members of the Directors Guild of Canada (DGC) voluntarily self-identified on a broad range of demographic characteristics including age, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation and disability status, covering creative and logistical positions in all areas of direction, design, locations, accounting, production and editing.
Ontario ACTRA 2017 Census: A census commissioned by ACTRA Toronto and ACTRA Ottawa with funding provided by Ontario Creates shows that the average earnings of Ontario ACTRA screen performers are not only substantially lower than Ontario workers in all industries, they are also significantly lower than other Ontario workers in the arts, entertainment and recreation industry.
UBCP/ACTRA 2021 Member Census provides insight into members’ experiences working in the recorded media industry. The data will be used to strengthen UBCP/ACTRA’s advocacy efforts and ensure its work reflects the diverse needs of its membership.
Writers Guild of Canada (WGC) 2023 Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Report: The WGC has released a new Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Report with 2020 data. The report provides membership data from 2017 to 2020, and includes contract data from 62 live-action and animated series that started production in 2020, in addition to the 280 series previously covered in the period from 2017 to 2019.
Terminology Guides
Canadian Association of the Deaf: Terminology. The issue: What are the “proper” terms and definition to be used in regard to deafness? CAD-ASC’s position: The Deaf, the deafened, and the hard of hearing are all very distinct groups. Using the proper terminology shows respect for their differences.
Terminology Reform (Grip & Lighting): This bulletin from NABET 700-M Unifor highlights terminology used regularly on set primarily in the Grip and Lighting Departments, terms that should be immediately removed from set vocabulary due to their discriminatory origins and/or implications.
Educational Resources
Accent Bias: Voices are more than just sounds; they’re auditory “faces” that can give clues to who we are. But are these clues always accurate? How might accents skew our decision-making?
Stop Race-Based Hate is an anti-racism resource designed to build a more anti-racist community. This tool is meant to be an educational, empowering and accessible anti-racist resource that helps people find the words to speak out against racism. By Linda Hoang, Carmen Cheng, Jessie Cayabo, Kick Point
Pledges
Call for Equity: In June 2020, People of Colour in Advertising and Marketing (POCAM) published The Call for Equity: 15 demands to create justice, equity and inclusion in the industry for the Black, Indigenous and PoC professionals.
Dear Everybody: Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital’s Dear Everybody campaign is a national movement to end stigma and eliminate bias against people with disability. In a society that predominantly favours those who don’t live with a disability, it’s important we start talking about it to pave the way for a more inclusive and accessible world for all.
