You may be familiar with the concept of sensitivity readers/consultants -- sometimes called “own voices” or “lived experiences” readers/consultants -- and their increasing place in the film and television industry. Typically film professionals, sensitivity readers work with and/or on a crew or in a writers’ room
to help a production be more culturally sensitive. They are often from a group that experiences systemic marginalization and, traditionally, have not been respectfully represented in media. Sometimes, however, they are diversity professionals with
an interest in film and TV who want to do what they can to make it more inclusive.
You’re going to act as a sensitivity reader for a film that has already been released. In this scenario, you’re preparing materials for a remake of a popular film for a new generation -- a re-envision of Shaft (1970), analyzing its use of black people and the black-power movement, as well as themes of masculinity and classism; how each are used as story elements and how they relate to and represent their real counterparts.
The project will have two main parts. First, you’ll explain the ideological position the film currently takes--noting whether or not that position seems intentional -- and the effects it can have on the audience, both in and outside the group portrayed. To help you do this, you should detail the areas/moments in which this film suffers from a lack of accurate/sensitive representation. Then,
you’ll provide your revisions. How could they fix this? Our goal is to show that most films don’t need to be completely thrown out, though some may require more work than others.
Sample Solution