UPDATED Presentation Script- Small Scale Research

                                                       
                                                                Presentation Script

PRESENTER       Good morning everyone, I'd like to welcome you all here today for my presentation. A reflection on 'whitewashing'. A term that perhaps not everyone has heard but a concept you will all be familiar with. Have you ever read a book, which has then been made into a film? A popular choice for a lot of film makers. Have you ever sat down to watch that film only to notice the character in the book you fell in love with or hated, doesn't quite look how the book portrayed them? Today I am specifically going to look at the change of race, particularly hiring white actors for other racial roles.

PROJECTOR          Change slide (Image of Mr Yunioshi )

PRESENTER         Some of you may recognise this famous character 'Mr Yunioshi' from 'Breakfast At Tiffany's'.  (Item 1) Played by Mickey Rooney, who actually looks like this.

PROJECTOR          Next picture (Image of Mickey Rooney)

PRESENTER          So definitely quite a difference. In trying to create the Japanese character, film makers used facial prosthetics such as taped eyelids, buck teeth and mocking accent.

PROJECTOR          Change slide (Image of film poster for Annie 2014)

PRESENTER       The 2014 remake of Annie (Item 2) sparked much controversy in the media. All because Annie no longer looks likes

PROJECTOR         Next picture (Image of the 'classic' Annie)

PRESENTER         This. Some couldn't believe that Annie was no longer a little white girl with ginger hair. Instead, this remake features Quvenzhane Wallis, a little black girl playing Annie. (Item 8)

PROJECTOR          Change slide (Image from World Trade Centre)

PRESENTER          Here the man upfront plays Marine Sergeant Jason Thomas who rescued people from the World Trade buildings after the 9/11 attack.

PROJECTOR         Next picture (Jason Thomas)

PRESENTER          Here is the real Marine Sergeant Jason Thomas. Now although Oliver Stone was not aware of Jason Thomas's race whilst casting for the film, it reinforces the stereotype that a 'hero' must be a white man. This was in fact not the case. (Item 3)

PROJECTOR         Change slide (quote)

PRESENTER         "The practice of casting white actors in non-white roles is still prevalent in Hollywood- despite widespread condemnation and protest." A quote from the BBC in 2015.  (Item 10) The past years has seen a huge revolution for racial equality, however unfortunately we have not fully achieved this. 

PROJECTOR           Change slide (picture of article)

PRESENTER            Asian-American actors such as Constance Wu and many more are 'fighting for visibility' (Item 7)  Nowadays although less frequent, it is alarming that actors have to do this to get a role and make a living.

PROJECTOR            Change slide (why is whitewashing still happening?)

PRESENTER             But why is it that 'whitewashing' is still prevalent in the film industry? Well we can't know an definite answer but there are many possible suggestions as to why.

PROJECTOR           Transaction (lack of non-white actors)

PRESENTER           Perhaps the main reason for this many years ago was due to the lack of non-white actors in America. Film directors may have found it easier to cast white actors rather than searching for a longer time for other ethnic characters.

PROJECTOR          Transaction (racism)

PRESENTER          Or a taboo that many film makers don't like to talk about, racism. Is it that some directors are bias in their decision to hire white actors, do they believe white people are better actors? This idea will always inevitably be denied, despite maybe not being the truth.

PROJECTOR         Transaction (feeding desires of the audience)

PRESENTER         Another possibility is that are filmmakers just feeding the desires of the audience. Is it them who subconsciously would rather see Bruce Willis on the screen than Denzel Washington? If so, can filmmakers actually be criticised for giving the audience what they want?

PROJECTOR         Change slide (what have we learnt?)

PRESENTER          A reflection on 'whitewashing'. This presentation only gave a short overview of a huge and important topic, but we have learnt cases in which it has happened, how it is still happening today and some possible reasons as to why. A final comment that should not be dismissed- 'whitewashing' is not as prevalent in todays industry. 

PROJECTOR         Change slide (picture of Denzel Washington and Halle Berry)

PRESENTER         The fact it is less common shows development and improvement. Take Denzel Washington and Halle Berry being amongst some of first African-American actors to win Best Actor/Actress at the Oscars. (Item 11) 

PROJECTOR         Change slide (thank you)

PRESENTER         Let's hope that if I were to present this topic again in years to come, I will be able to say 'whitewashing' is no longer a problem. Thank you all for listening, have a good day.

UPDATED Annotated Catalogue

Reflection on 'white washing' using white actors to play other racial roles

FILMS

Item 1:       Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961, Dir. Blake Edwards, Production Com. Jurow-Shepherd, USA) This film is useful as it casted Mickey Rooney a White man as 'Mr. Yunioshi' an Asian man. To do this they used facial prosthetics such as taped eye lids, bucked teeth and imitated accent. This is a clear use of 'whitewashing' within the film.

Item 2:       Annie (new) (2014, Dir. Will Gluck, Production Com. Marcy Media, USA) As a third remake of the film 'Annie' which originated as poems and a book, featuring a little white girl with ginger hair. The 2014 remake featured a little black girl which evoked some controversy in the media with people disagreeing with the change of race of a well renowned character.

Item 3:       World Trade Centre (2006, Dir. Oliver Stone, Production Com. Paramount Pictures, USA) The true story of the 9/11 attacks in New York City. A part of the film tells the true story of United States Marine Jason Thomas who rescued people in the aftermath of the attacks. In the film he is played by a white actor, however after casting it was found out that Jason Thomas was a black man, which caused controversy with people thinking they did not want to portray a black man as a hero.

BOOKS

Item 4:         The Columbia Companion to American History on Film (page 228) 'Beyond Yellowface and the Birth of New Stereotypes'. This chapter in the book features historical use of 'whitewashing' and the reasons behind why directors did not want to hire Asian actors.


INTERNET

Item 5:        Asian American Perspective On Mickey Rooney's Yellow-Face Portrayal on "Breakfast At Tiffany's" 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAafI9w7CY8
A documentary of Asian American's discussing their opinions on the Mr Yunioshi character, expressing offence and shock towards the portrayal of their culture.

Item 6:        'Breakfast At Tiffany's' protest is misguided: Let's deal openly with the films Asian stereotypes. http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/breakfast-tiffany-protest-misguided-deal-openly-film-asian-stereotypes-article-1.162241 This article tells of how an Asian family moved to America and upon watching 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' they realised their new life in America would not be easy due to their ethnicity.

Item 7:         Asian American Actors Are Fighting For Visibility. They Will Not Be Ignored.  http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/29/movies/asian-american-actors-are-fighting-for-visibility-they-will-not-be-ignored.html?_r=0
This article speaks of how Asian American actors struggled to get acting jobs and how they are taking a stand.

Item 8:         Annie remake: Casting of black lead provokes negative Twitter posts.
https://www.theguardian.com/film/shortcuts/2014/mar/09/annie-remale-casting-black-lead-negative-comments-twitter
An article on how the release of information about the new remake of the film Annie lead to a series of negative and racist comments as they believe the character 'Annie' should not be black.

Item 9:         'WTC' casting error draws flak from African-Americans.
http://www.post-gazette.com/ae/movies/2006/08/16/WTC-casting-error-draws-flak-from-African-Americans/stories/200608160233
From the error of casting a white actor for Marine Sgt. Thomas when in fact he is black. This questions the idea that our immediate assumption is that hero's are white.

Item 10:         When white actors play other. 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/culture/story/20151006-when-white-actors-play-other-races
Discussion of many films which have used 'whitewashing' and how societies racism plays a partial role towards this.

Item 11:         Halle Berry, Denzel Washington triumph at the Oscars.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/halle-berry-denzel-washington-triumph-at-oscars
Halle Berry was first African-American performer to win Best Actress. Denzel Washington was second African-American man to win Best Actor.

Item 12:        A peek behind the curtain: views of a racist filmmaker.
https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2009/10/09/peek-behind-curtain-views-racist-filmmaker
An article discussing filmmaker Craig Bodeker who is openly racist in his views.


REJECTED ITEMS

Exodus: Kings and Gods
Casting Joel Edgerton, a small named Australian actor as Ramesses II. A white actor cast for an Egyptian role. This film may not have been suitable due to the producer Ridley Scott explaining he could not finance a diverse cast.

Oliver Stone's 'Trade Centre' recall
This article discusses the frequent casting of white actors with reference to Oliver Stone's World Trade Centre. However the writer takes a more humorous tone to the article, not portraying the seriousness of the topic.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5689104

'Doctor Strange' Director Addresses Whitewashing Controversy
Scott Derrickson tells of how his casting of Tilda Swinton for the character of Ancient One in Doctor Strange, as the script had been written for her playing the character, and would have had to be rewritten if anyone else played Ancient One. This was not suitable for my investigation as the main reason for the casting was the need to the specific actress rather than ethnicity.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/doctor-strange-director-whitewashing-controversy-938051

Chungking Express as a New Wave

From the opening sequences, what evidence is there of the film as a "new wave" product?

A new wave film is one which breaks away from the conventions of mainstream movement which pre-existed it. They are usually associated with the film movement of a country, for example Chungking Express is a definitive example of a Hong Kong new wave film. They are restricted to a time limit of a few years before it becomes too common.

• Opening scene goes from a chaotic chase to scene to around 30 seconds of chimneys, clouds and upper buildings, and then cuts back to the chase. This is not typical of a mainstream films and these shots are representative of the film language being emphasised over the script. The chimneys reflect that outside of the busyness of the city, lives do go on as normal.
• Unknown/less known actors
• Exclusively natural, on location, with no artificial studio work-can hear sounds of planes
• Filmed all on a hand-held camera-mistakes and shakiness 

Chunking Express and City of God opening sequence

How do the opening sequences of Chungking Express and City of God communicate some of the key messages of the film, refer to micro elements in your response.

Chungking Express:

One key message shown in the opening sequence is time. This is particularly important for Hong Kong due to them being a part of British Rule, however in 1997 Hong Kong was to be handed back to Chinese Rule. The film is set a few years before the handover, therefore hints at the worry for this event. This is shown through the mise-en-scene where a calendar and a clock are shown, suggesting an awareness and a countdown. Time is also shown through the editing in which the opening shots were filmed, then sped up, frames were taken out and then the sequence was slowed down. This created a blurred effect suggesting a very disjointed passage of time, showing time does not move the same for everyone. Scenes differ in pace, for example, Cop 223 is shown waiting for his food, where in another scene, the women in blonde wig, is counting american money in a fast paced sequence.

Globalisation is a frequently used message in the opening sequences. There is lots of global branding such as Coca Cola signs in English, showing the international success. Also, globalisation is shown through the sound with the variety of music types from Western to Oriental techno. Western culture is widely shown, particularly with the women in a blonde wig. Her costume and makeup was specifically chosen as part of the mise-en-scene in order to make her seem Westernised with blonde hair and lighter skin, typical of Western culture.

City of God:

One key message shown is hopelessness. This is shown in the opening sequences through the change of the mise-en-scene from the the opening in the modern Favela to the flashback in the Sixties. The drastic change between the two time periods shows a decline in society. The Favela in the sixties is open spaced with bright sunlight and rows of prefabs, whereas in the modern story, everything has been built upon and replaced, possibly due to damage by shootings. The modern Favela is densely packed with busy streets and high rise homes, held together with sheets of metal. The change is society is also shown through the sound where in the sixties not a lot of music is used, perhaps suggesting the calm serenity of the Favela then. This opposes to the modern Favela where loud, fast-paced music is played over the actions of preparing the chickens. As well as this, there is immediate sounds of a knife being sharpened, representing the violence and crime which frequently takes place. The deterioration of society shows a hopelessness for the people of the Favela, as the livelihood there is getting worse with crime and violence.

Small Scale Research Project

Reflection on 'white washing' using white actors to play other racial roles

FILMS

Item 1:       Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961, Dir. Blake Edwards, Production Com. Jurow-Shepherd, USA) This film is useful as it casted Mickey Rooney a White man as 'Mr. Yunioshi' an Asian man. To do this they used facial prosthetics such as taped eye lids, bucked teeth and imitated accent. This is a clear use of 'whitewashing' within the film.

Item 2:       Annie (new) (2014, Dir. Will Gluck, Production Com. Marcy Media, USA) As a third remake of the film 'Annie' which originated as poems and a book, featuring a little white girl with ginger hair. The 2014 remake featured a little black girl which evoked some controversy in the media with people disagreeing with the change of race of a well renowned character.

Item 3:       World Trade Centre (2006, Dir. Oliver Stone, Production Com. Paramount Pictures, USA) The true story of the 9/11 attacks in New York City. A part of the film tells the true story of United States Marine Jason Thomas who rescued people in the aftermath of the attacks. In the film he is played by a white actor, however after casting it was found out that Jason Thomas was a black man, which caused controversy with people thinking they did not want to portray a black man as a hero.

BOOKS

Item 4:         The Columbia Companion to American History on Film (page 228) 'Beyond Yellowface and the Birth of New Stereotypes'. This chapter in the book features historical use of 'whitewashing' and the reasons behind why directors did not want to hire Asian actors.


INTERNET

Item 5:        Asian American Perspective On Mickey Rooney's Yellow-Face Portrayal on "Breakfast At Tiffany's" 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAafI9w7CY8
A documentary of Asian American's discussing their opinions on the Mr Yunioshi character, expressing offence and shock towards the portrayal of their culture.

Item 6:        'Breakfast At Tiffany's' protest is misguided: Let's deal openly with the films Asian stereotypes. http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/breakfast-tiffany-protest-misguided-deal-openly-film-asian-stereotypes-article-1.162241 This article tells of how an Asian family moved to America and upon watching 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' they realised their new life in America would not be easy due to their ethnicity.

Item 7:         Asian American Actors Are Fighting For Visibility. They Will Not Be Ignored.  http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/29/movies/asian-american-actors-are-fighting-for-visibility-they-will-not-be-ignored.html?_r=0
This article speaks of how Asian American actors struggled to get acting jobs and how they are taking a stand.

Item 8:         Annie remake: Casting of black lead provokes negative Twitter posts.
https://www.theguardian.com/film/shortcuts/2014/mar/09/annie-remale-casting-black-lead-negative-comments-twitter
An article on how the release of information about the new remake of the film Annie lead to a series of negative and racist comments as they believe the character 'Annie' should not be black.

Item 9:         'WTC' casting error draws flak from African-Americans.
http://www.post-gazette.com/ae/movies/2006/08/16/WTC-casting-error-draws-flak-from-African-Americans/stories/200608160233
From the error of casting a white actor for Marine Sgt. Thomas when in fact he is black. This questions the idea that our immediate assumption is that hero's are white.

Item 10:         When white actors play other.  
http://www.bbc.co.uk/culture/story/20151006-when-white-actors-play-other-races
Discussion of many films which have used 'whitewashing' and how societies racism plays a partial role towards this.

Item 11:         Halle Berry, Denzel Washington triumph at the Oscars.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/halle-berry-denzel-washington-triumph-at-oscars
Halle Berry was first African-American performer to win Best Actress. Denzel Washington was second African-American man to win Best Actor.

REJECTED ITEMS

Exodus: Kings and Gods
Casting Joel Edgerton, a small named Australian actor as Ramesses II. A white actor cast for an Egyptian role. This film may not have been suitable due to the producer Ridley Scott explaining he could not finance a diverse cast.

Oliver Stone's 'Trade Centre' recall
This article discusses the frequent casting of white actors with reference to Oliver Stone's World Trade Centre. However the writer takes a more humorous tone to the article, not portraying the seriousness of the topic.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5689104

'Doctor Strange' Director Addresses Whitewashing Controversy
Scott Derrickson tells of how his casting of Tilda Swinton for the character of Ancient One in Doctor Strange, as the script had been written for her playing the character, and would have had to be rewritten if anyone else played Ancient One. This was not suitable for my investigation as the main reason for the casting was the need to the specific actress rather than ethnicity.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/doctor-strange-director-whitewashing-controversy-938051