Shonda Rhimes the creator of Greys Anatomy

The Genius of Shonda Rhimes

The Genius of Shonda Rhimes

Shonda Rhimes World
Shonda’s World

Shonda Rhimes is the brains behind hit series Grey’s Anatomy, How to get away with murder and Scandal. These series have had people glued to their screens to know what happens next. They have been highly ranked and they have introduced new A-listers like Kerry Washington. Her inspiration came after she adopted her first child. Shonda had to stay at home with the new child. During all that time she watched lots of TV programs with similar themes. The ideas for Grey’s Anatomy were born—the show about a group of sexy doctors who work hard to save lives and live their lives.

Shonda Rhimes
Shonda owns Hollywood from a talent perspective

The show included doctors performing surgeries on the patients. The more interesting part of the show was how the doctors handled their professionalism and lives. The pressures of work to save the lives of their patients while getting along with each other takes the drama to another level. The doctors also handle their challenges pertaining their personal lives, race, age and society norms. It is set up to deal with relevant matters that many people face. This is the reason the show captured the hearts of many in the world.

Its a Scandal
Its Scandal

The Scandal first appeared on TV in 2012. This was after Shonda had taken time off work to take care of her second adopted kid. The lead role is Olivia Pope, who is a fixer, handles problems for high-end clients. The needs of the clients vary and require a delicate touch. She is also a black unmarried woman who can pay her bills and stands strong for what she believes in. The show pushes vary acceptable society norms and believes like shaming of black independent women. In addition, Olivia Pope has an illicit affair with the president, the first lady decides to run for the presidency and the political deals made at the state house behind closed doors.

Viola Davis
Viola Davis

How to get away with murder is a legal drama with the star being Viola Davis. Viola is a lawyer as well as a professor. She defends criminals and her students use the knowledge they have to hide a murder. It is exciting and thrilling at the same time.

Over the past few years, producers in Hollywood have tried unsuccessfully to emulate Shonda’s scriptwriting style and production. She has the Midas touch when it comes to script writing and producing. In addition, she is the first black woman to create and be an executive for her scripts. Here are some of the matters that make Shonda’s work stand out.

Black Women with Power

In America, a black woman is neglected, has no say and basically is the most oppressed person. Shonda Rhimes, in a genius way, gives black women power in a show. She gives them a voice and power such that they cannot be ignored. The shows remind black women how strong they are and to never give up.

Shonda Rhimes the creator of Greys Anatomy
Shonda Rhimes the creator of Greys Anatomy

Sexuality

Women are expected to be virtuous at all times. This is interpreted by the society to mean that women cannot enjoy sex as men do. In all her shows, Shonda has shown in a genius manner that women care about sex. That a woman can freely choose a sexual partner without being labeled a slut. A majority of Hollywood producers cast roles of sexually active women as promiscuous and shameful. This is where Shonda brings out the point that women can embrace being sexual beings like men.

Sandra Oh
Sandra Oh original cast member of Greys Anatomy

Poor Political Decisions

In the political drama Scandal, some decisions were made to benefit business men and not the general public. In Season 6, Kelly Grant has to stand for hours to defend the reason why girls should get free tampons. This was after a vote was to be cast to cut the funding for tampons in favor of investment.

Relationships and Communication

This has been captured perfectly in all the three series. Relationships are complicated due to a lot of external factors. Each person should know how far they are willing to go for a relationship. Poor communication can result to assumption and later a poor attitude towards each other in a relationship. In the shows we see characters make mistakes and amends in their relationships. You learn that at the end of the day, no one is an island. Everyone needs somebody to hold.

Shonda Rhimes
Shonda Rhimes

Shonda Rhimes is a production genius. She writes the scripts and produces the shows. Her company, Shondaland, has partnered with ABC for a long time. The hit shows are as a result of venturing into uncharted waters of politics, sexuality, and racism. Without a doubt, she has worked hard to questions society norms that have been upheld for centuries. This truly makes her unique. It takes pure talent to combine entertainment and serious matters into sensational TV productions.

 

Straight Outta Compton

The History and Mystery of the Hollywood Casting Couch

Crystal Liu Goes to War Against Hollywood Casting Couch
Crystal Liu Goes to War Against Hollywood Casting Couch

For years, the topic of cultural diversity and representation in Hollywood hasn’t been receiving the coverage it deserves. Despite the subject being motive, most firms in the entertainment industry hardly discuss it or acknowledge its existence. Media outlets and other entertainment stakeholders that are covering society’s culture sections are however changing this. Using technology, there has been the creation of interactive social channels that provide the much-needed platform to discuss cultural diversity and representation in Hollywood.

Crystal Liu is a Real World Warrior
Crystal Liu is a Real World Warrior

In February 2016, the Guardian made a publication discussing the issue of African American representation in the American film industry. One thing that stood out in the article is how the entire movie industry was losing tons of revenue. The undervaluing of the African American audience is one half of the problem while the disregard of cultural diversity is the other.

Matt Damon in Great Wall
Matt Damon in Great Wall

Vox online magazine also made a publication on the issue of cultural diversity when discussing the casting of Matt Damon in the show The Great Wall. Looking at The Great Wall, the Hollywood whitewashing controversy becomes a reality that needs to be addressed. Thankfully, film giants such as Disney are setting the example to eradicate the whitewashing trend.

Crystal Liu
Crystal Liu

As per the article published in the Los Angeles Times dated November 29th, 2017, Disney is set to cast Liu Yifei as the lead character in the live action Mulan. Liu Yifei is also going by the name Crystal Liu, she is a native of China. At 30, Liu is both an established singer, model and actress.

Liu Yifei
Liu Yifei

Disney has set the release for the epic Mulan movie to be in 2019. Crystal Liu will be playing the role of a legendary Chinese warrior in the film. Looking at Disney’s press release, prominent figures in the showbiz industry will be directing Mulan. Some of the directors will include Niki Caro who is behind both The Whale Rider and North Country.

Crystal Liu Survived Traitorus Great Wall of Hollywood Cultural Exclusion
Crystal Liu Survived Traitorous Great Wall of Hollywood Cultural Exclusion

Niki is at the helm of Mulan’s production. She will be working with Jason Reed, Jake Weiner and Chris Bender who have been in charge of various productions. Finally, Bill Kong, the producer of the Hidden Dragon will be Mulan’s executive producer.

The casting of Crystal Liu in Mulan is perhaps one of the biggest wins this year when it comes to addressing cultural diversity in Hollywood movies. Unlike The Great Wall, which used Matt Damon as one of the lead characters in a show revolving around the Chinese culture, Mulan is taking a different approach by using a native from China in the production of the live epic action film.

Crystal Liu as Mulan
Crystal Liu as Mulan

Some of the films Crystal Liu has featured in include The Forbidden Kingdom in which she starred alongside Jackie Chan. Liu also played a starring role in Outcast alongside Nicholas Cage. According to credible sources familiar with the Mulan’s cast selection process, more than a thousand individuals went through the vetting process before Disney settled on Crystal Liu making her a  real world warrior for cultural diversity.

Crystal Liu is a Real World Warrior
Crystal Liu is a Real World Warrior

Other production companies are set to make similar decisions when selecting their star roles; this will not only address the issue of cultural diversity and representation but improve Hollywood’s controversy-ridden image.