Producer Ryan Murphy is behind Half, an initiative within Ryan Murphy Television that aims to make Hollywood more inclusive by creating more opportunities for women and minorities behind the camera.
Less than one year after launching Half, Ryan Murphy Television’s director slate hired 60% women directors, and 94% met the minority requirement.
In collaboration with FX Networks and its chief, John Landgraf, the director slate increased from 12% female/diverse directors in 2015 to 51% in 2016 for the network.
“I love looking around my company and empowering inclusion in all departments,” Murphy said. “I recently led a production meeting and was proud to see that more than half of the people sitting at the table were women and minorities. That’s the way it should be.”
Murphy’s productions include American Crime Story, American Horror Story and Feud.
Related: More coverage of TV industry public service initiatives
Half launched a Directing Mentorship Program in which every director on every Ryan Murphy Television production mentors emerging directors through pre-production to post-production, along with offering a significant stipend for their commitment.
The Directing Mentorship Program had 29 participants in 2016 and has added 30 participants in 2017, providing more than $200,000 in financial aid to help cover travel, lodging and daycare for working mothers. Three participants in the Directing Program became first time episodic directors.
Related: Murphy Produces 'Scream Queens' Flood PSA
Half also has collaborated with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti to create an internship program for under-represented youth in conjunction with the California Film Commission. Murphy joined Garcetti’s Advisory Board on the Entertainment Inclusion Fund.
Read more at broadcastingcable.com.
