All articles tagged with #issa rae
HBO has ordered a half-hour comedy pilot from Issa Rae for a male-friendship story set in the high-stakes Las Vegas boxing world, with Prentice Penny as showrunner and Rae as writer-executive producer.
Issa Rae says Hollywood is in an identity crisis and the DEI push has shifted into a negative term, with fewer investments and a pivot toward social-media creators; she notes that women of color still face barriers getting projects greenlit and that execs fear jeopardizing their jobs, prompting marketers to frame shows around class rather than race. Rae, who built Insecure from Awkward Black Girl and recently signed a three-year Paramount first-look deal, argues that representation has regressed even as she remains committed to telling stories that center underrepresented voices.
Issa Rae says Hollywood is in an identity crisis and that DEI has become a 'bad word,' noting stalled progress in representation and urging smarter pitching by framing projects around universal themes like class; she recalls being pitched a full retooling of Awkward Black Girl with a new cast and says some color executives can’t cosign her stance.
Tribeca Festival announces its television lineup for the 2024 festival, featuring new docuseries with Issa Rae and Dave Eggers, and projects from Dakota Fanning, Jake Gyllenhaal, and J.J. Abrams. The lineup includes premieres such as Hulu’s "Mastermind: To Think Like A Killer," MGM+’s "Hollywood Black," and Apple TV+’s "Presumed Innocent," as well as returning series like AMC’s "The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol" and HBO’s "My Brilliant Friend." The festival also features docuseries like ESPN’s "In the Arena: Serena Williams" and MSNBC’s "The Turning Point: To Be Destroyed," and has selected seven programs for its 2024 NOW showcase.
In a Time magazine cover story, actress Issa Rae expresses concern for the future of Hollywood, criticizing executives for their lack of creativity and commitment to diversity initiatives. She believes that Hollywood is at the mercy of Wall Street and that executives are making decisions about creative projects despite lacking creative insight. Rae's comments come after the cancellation of her show "Rap Sh!t" and a tough year in 2023, leading her to consider alternative avenues for her future as a creator. She emphasizes the impact of executive decisions on diversity and representation in the industry, highlighting the regression of racial and gender diversity in theatrical films.
Issa Rae criticizes Hollywood for prioritizing financial safety over creativity and diversity, citing the cancellation of her TV series Rap Sh!t as an example. Despite setbacks, she remains determined to push for more inclusive and edgy content, while also developing new projects for HBO and working on a studio campus in South L.A. She warns that the industry's shift towards financial considerations is jeopardizing its promises of diversity and representation, and believes that conglomerate leaders should stick to financial decisions rather than creative ones.
Issa Rae criticizes Hollywood for pulling back on investing in inclusive stories, citing the cancellation of Black shows and the firing of diversity executives. Despite feeling secure in her partnership with HBO, Rae is reevaluating the feasibility of "smaller, quieter projects" as Hollywood studios seem to be turning their backs on them at a greater frequency. She expresses frustration with the lack of creative decision-makers in the industry and the shifting landscape of streaming services competing with each other.
Issa Rae criticizes the entertainment industry for prioritizing Black stories less, citing the cancellation of several Black-led TV shows and the dismissal of diversity executives. Despite her pessimism about the industry's future, Rae is determined to be more independent in her work and is currently working on new projects. She believes that white audiences tend to reward traumatizing depictions of Blackness and is focused on telling diverse stories.
Issa Rae expresses concern over the changing TV landscape, noting the cancellation of many Black shows and the decreasing priority of diverse stories. She emphasizes the importance of independence and accountability in the industry, considering a transition towards service in the future.
Issa Rae expresses frustration with the industry's prioritization of Black stories, citing recent cancellations of Black shows and executive turnovers. She discusses considering independent avenues for future projects and emphasizes the need for diverse representations of Blackness in media. Despite industry challenges, Rae remains inspired and focused on developing new projects that align with her vision for storytelling.
Barbie star Issa Rae revealed that shooting the Dua Lipa dance scene in the blockbuster film was the "worst day of her life," as she had to learn the choreography overnight without the song's lyrics. Despite the challenging experience, she believes music elevates storytelling in movies and TV shows. At the Critics Choice Awards, Barbie won Best Comedy, prompting host Chelsea Handler to demand an on-air moment for the film, leading to impromptu speeches from stars Margot Robbie and director Greta Gerwig.
Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani will announce the nominees for the 2024 Screen Actors Guild Awards on Jan. 10 via Instagram Live on the SAG Awards and Netflix accounts, continuing the tradition of exclusively announcing nominations on social media. The 30th annual SAG Awards will be streamed live on Netflix on Feb. 24, with SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher introducing the nominations morning.
Actresses Issa Rae, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Erika Alexander, known for their roles in shows like "Insecure," "Girlfriends," and "Living Single," come together in the film "American Fiction," which explores themes of Black family dynamics, racism, and conforming to societal expectations. The actresses discuss the importance of portraying complex, whole characters and the impact their previous TV roles have had on Black sisterhood. The film is seen as a masterpiece in the tradition of Black storytelling.
In the film "American Fiction," based on Percival Everett's novel "Erasure," the protagonist, Monk, confronts the author of a bestselling book he despises. The film's writer-director, Cord Jefferson, wanted to explore the complexities of their encounter, challenging the notion of a clear hero and villain. The confrontation serves as a transformative moment for Monk, but even Jefferson admits to being unsure of whose side he is on by the end.
During a chat at CultureCon, interviewer Glenda McNeal mispronounced Issa Rae's name, prompting a disapproving audience to correct her. McNeal tried to diffuse the situation by joking about her own racial background, but not everyone was appeased. McNeal eventually pronounced Rae's name correctly, and the crowd cheered. This incident highlights the ongoing issue of mispronouncing Rae's name, which she has previously expressed dislike for.