Script for documentary
- 1. Script opening sequence Josh: Have you ever wondered like I have, why there aren’t more Lesbian, Gay, Transgender and Bisexual characters on TV and in film? Whether LGBT characters are presented as stereotypical and different to their heterosexual counterparts? Why stories about the LGBT community tend to revolve exclusively around their sexual orientation and gender identity? Why these characters aren’t even played by LGBT actors? Hi, I’m Josh Phipps, and I’ve been studying media for two years and these are just some of the questions I’ve come up with during my studies. In this film, I will be investigating the extent to which these groups ARE underrepresented, and the effects this has on viewers and society. title sequence Voiceover: LGBT Representation in the media, what is the truth transition Voiceover: Can you name any films or TV series with LGBT characters in? Student vox pops Voiceover: Can you name any LGBT actors? Voiceover: GLAADS “where we are on TV” report for 2016, found that: of the 895 series, regular characters expected to appear on
- 2. broadcast prime time programming, in the coming year, only 43, or 4.8% were identified as LGBT. This is the highest percentage of LGBT series regulars, GLAAD has ever found. There were an additional 28 recurring LGBT characters. Do you think this is enough? Josh: Through our research, we’ve discovered that the majority of portrayals of LGBT characters are negative. We’ve come to Solihull Sixth Form College, and are speaking to assistant principal Sonia Wood, who specialises in diversity and equality to see what her opinion is on the matter, and how colleges are trying to eradicate this issue. Josh: What is your opinion of the LGBT community in media such as Television and Film Sonia Wood Speaking Archival footage Voiceover: Do you think that LGBT characters are underrepresented in the media? If so, why? student vox pops archival footage Julie maitland interview Josh: I totally agree with what Julie was saying about the media, they do get it wrong quite frequently, with little retribution. In addition, the forum she mentioned sounded like a great way for students to express
- 3. themselves and their opinions freely, another thing which I didn’t realise existed. Voiceover: If this topic isn’t considered taboo anymore, why is the representation still not accurate. Many LGBT characters are still used as a token persona in a narrative, with stereotypical attributes and mannerisms. I think this needs to change. Josh: Later in the programme, I will be speaking to media expert Molly Waterhouse, who has first-hand experience in the music industry. She will be telling me about what issues she’s faced due to her sexuality. Make sure you stay tuned.