At Amazon MGM Studios we embolden audiences to leave the everyday behind and escape into a universe with unlimited possibilities.
At Amazon MGM Studios we embolden audiences to leave theeveryday behind and escape into a universe with
unlimited possibilities.
We work hand-in-hand with visionary creators to craft bold,
imaginative storytelling that open doors to new worlds.
Our pathway programs strive to develop the next generation of underrepresented talent and we have built cross-industry partnerships that help amplify our inclusive content. Through our Customer and Content Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility team we offer a number of assets to our internal teams and production partners, most notably The Inclusion Playbook.
Amazon MGM Studios has long prioritized telling innovative and inclusive stories from a diverse range of creative talent. We see inclusion as a growth strategy for making Prime Video the world’s premiere entertainment destination for our global customers. With the 2021 launch of Amazon MGM Studios’ inclusion resources, we made a commitment to innovate on existing practices and transform the film and entertainment industry.
“Amazon MGM Studios is committed to being a thought and action leader in the transformation of our industry. We know how much work there is to be done to improve representation both on camera and behind the scenes, and it starts at home, with us. Our inclusion resources, pathway programs and initiatives provide a path toward a more equitable future, both on- and off-camera.”
-Jen Salke
Head of Amazon MGM Studios
Inclusion Playbook
The Inclusion Playbook provides practical guidance and assets to help craft and produce narratives that will resonate with our global audience. It also identifies conscious and unconscious biases, which can build barriers and create inequities during the lifecycle of a movie or series.
Our key focus areas include:
Shoniqua Shandai (Angie), Meagan Good (Camille), Grace Byers (Quinn), Jerrie Johnson (Tye), Harlem, Amazon Original Series
Telling Inclusive Stories
The Inclusion Playbook provides guidance for telling inclusive stories and going beyond:
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Stereotypes
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Tokenization
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Depictions of culture that miss important nuances or rely on tropes
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Dialogue that may perpetuate racism, sexism, homophobia, or discrimination against any group
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Portrayal of one-dimensional characters and themes that don’t recognize intersectionality as part of our customers’ lived experiences
Above: We provide access to our research and consultant partners, who are dedicated to advancing authenticity on-screen.
Karl Urban (Billy Butcher), Jack Quaid (Hughie Campbell), Karen Fukuhara (Kimiko), Tomer Capone (Frenchie), Laz Alonso (Mother’s Milk), The Boys, Amazon Original Series
Sourcing Historically Excluded Talent
Amazon MGM Studios makes concerted efforts to attract and work with talent from historically excluded communities, while developing strategies to foster inclusion on set. Audiences are captivated by compelling storytelling that propels them in to new worlds. Creating an inclusive environment both on-screen and behind the camera is a key ingredient for creating this content successfully.
On-screen
An important part of our storytelling is on-screen representation. Shows like The Summer I Turned Pretty, The Boys, Swarm, With Love, Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power and many more have been leading examples of inclusion on-screen and have been some of the most loved shows by customers.
The ability to see ourselves reflected in film helps us make sense of the world around us and our place within it. It can shape our perceptions, attitudes, and views — not only about ourselves and those around us, but also those who are different.
Behind-the-camera
Our behind-the-camera talent is critical in bringing authentic storytelling to life. Having diverse representation behind-the-camera is essential for inclusive storytelling. Creatives from historically excluded groups bring in lived experiences that often times challenge stereotypes and ensure genuine representation, which leads to a richer and more diverse entertainment landscape that resonates with our global audience.
We also have structured pathway programs that support individuals from historically excluded communities at all career stages — from entry level to experienced professionals.
We support primary, secondary, and post-secondary education initiatives to prepare today’s students for entertainment industry careers. For experienced professionals, we increase access and build intentional pathways to the entertainment industry and Amazon MGM Studios.
Above: Youth Cinema Project Highlights
Wayne Che Yip (Director/Co-Executive Producer), Cynthia Addai-Robinson (Queen Regent Míriel)
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Amazon Original Series
Creating an Inclusive Production Environment
Amazon MGM Studios is a home for talent, we know that our set and post-production environment can influence the outcome of the content we produce. We aim to foster a culture that is open, inclusive, and respectful of our creatives, cast, and crew.
The Inclusion Playbook provides resources for: Emotional wellness support, Talent sourcing for historically excluded groups, DEIA training and support, and Accessibility training and support.
Commitment to High Standards
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility require intentional, measurable processes to produce meaningful and sustainable results. The Inclusion Playbook provides resources for setting aspirational production goals and tracking progress toward DEIA outcomes, including increasing representation on-screen and behind-the-camera, inclusive storytelling, and creating a more inclusive production environment.
Our commitment to hold ourselves to a high standard of representation, both on-screen and behind-the-camera, is meant to be constructive.
In 2023, we released results of our inclusion efforts over the past several years, measuring progress against US census data. We are proud of our progress; however, remain steadfast to our commitment to continually raise the bar for customers around the world.
