Cuvier Studios

We are a film studio dedicated to representing the under represented - globally.

[cuvierstudios]

Strong Truths is our publishing company dedicated to disparate writers and artists between the ages of 13-35, joining together to publish collaborative artistic literature books.

This is where it all started and where we continue to embrace differences, youth and struggle as well as encourage young writers to grasp the opportunity of publishing their own book with Strong Truths.

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[wnq-writers]

Don’t let anyone command who you are by forcing you to live according to their expectations. Your life is not theirs to try to write. Be your own author.

Gene Cuvier  (via wnq-writers)

[cuvierstudios]

A young girl killed her self a few years ago after going through court to prove her case of rape against Nate Parker and his friend Jean Celestin which occurred 17 years ago.

I am quite pleased Amy Ziering (producer of Hunting Ground about the large scale sexual assault on college campuses) wrote an article for Hollywood Reporter in regards to the director and Actor Nate Parker and Jean Celestin who both went to court for the rape of a young girl 17 years ago. They both are set to release their film this year at festivals. Many are worried about the effect this will have on the film. Which is a concern as the movie has a story to tell but with Nate Parker making statements like:

"I will not relive that period of my life every time I go under the microscope." —Nate Parker

When the victim couldn’t help but relive that period of her life over and over. Troubling as well is I read he will be doing a tour of college campuses, thankfully this is rumored to be under reevaluation due to the current news. [Variety]

But instead we also read:  “Fox Searchlight is aware of the incident that occurred while Nate Parker was at Penn State. We also know that he was found innocent and cleared of all charges. We stand behind Nate and are proud to help bring this important and powerful story to the screen.” [Variety]

Now, I understand money is involved and the movie that is set to release is an important story to share. But there are two stories that need to be told here. Both stories should be told, but instead they are scrambling to make sure the film isn't affected. When the best way to do that, is to tell both stories.

This is what we have to read all the time. There is always support behind the accused rapists, they immediately doubt the victim or rehash that the accused was never convicted. Just like Amy Ziering says it doesn't mean they are not innocent, especially in this case.

This girls life could have been saved if she didn't have to carry the weight of her accusers walking free and of her being the only one suffering after she was attacked. To think how many others are out there just like her because there are men just like these two who, attack, lie, torment and walk free. If you are struggling, please get help, please hold on to your life so we can tell your story.

Knowing the sufferings of rape victims, how this rape survivor lived and how she took her life, shows her struggling with surviving through such a violent attack, that is proof all on it’s own. Her article is amazingly eyeopening and if you would like to read even more, click the link below.

New York Times

[cuvierstudios]

Constance Wu, why her voice is so important.

Although other actors have spoken out about diversity, Constance Wu is a new voice to hear and one that is spreading beautifully through social media.

In order to make people listen, Constance Wu is one of those within the industry who are not backing down even when it is incredibly difficult to speak up about representation in Hollywood. Wu's voice is incredibly important.

Can we all at least agree that hero-bias & "but it's really hard to finance" are no longer excuses for racism? TRY pic.twitter.com/mvNet5PrtH

— Constance Wu (@ConstanceWu) July 29, 2016

"It's point out the repeatedly implied racist notion that white people are superior to POC and that POC need salvation from our own color via white strength...We don't need salvation. We like our color...and our culture and our strengths and our own stories....we don't need you to save us from anything. And we're rrrreally starting to get sick of you telling us, explicitly or implicitly, that we do."

This is exactly it, now this is a part of why her voice is important as what she says it true and can even span beyond race, the able-bodied needs to save the disabled one, the man needs to save the woman. The ideas are all the same the one who believes they are superior saves the one they believe to be inferior.

Her last statement says it all:

"Because you WERE that nerdy white kid who felt unloved. And seeing pictures of it in Hollywood's stories made it feel possible. That's why it moved you, that's why it was a great story. Hollywood is supposed to be about making great stories. So make them."

This is it right here, representation of different experiences are what inspire us, when we find our story on screen. Stories of what is classified as 'other' are not being made. Movies are such a powerful medium, they know this, and their choices for films such as The Great Wall and Ghost In a Shell, are influenced by racism.

"This is not what 'our heroes...look like... They look like Malala, Ghandi, Mandela. Your big sister..."

Now I personally hear her whole heartedly, but I, to this day, do not believe that the industry will change any time soon, it is so slow as expected. I think with anything, the only way to make people change, is when they feel they may lose something. It's time to create a little competition.

Now regardless of what field you are in, Wu shows you what it means to be who you are and within your fear, raising your voice and sharing the honest truth of our world or your own experiences. As when you do this, others who have thought the same thing, felt it or experienced it, will hear it and stand beside you the same way many are standing beside Constance Wu. I am standing beside Constance Wu. Now, she can't see me, she's never met me and this is where the power starts, as I have been dreaming of creating the stories she's asking to be made.

It is important to hear an actress in the industry state this when you know she will and has received backlash for her statements. Somewhere down the line I believe Wu and I will meet. But until then I'm working on writing scripts and building my own  film studio to make what others haven't and what others refuse to create. So when the next actress or actor has the same feeling as Wu, they'll walk through my doors, dial my phone number, send me an email and we can make the character they dream to play.

Be sure to check out her interview with Vulture.

Photo: Hypebae

[hollands-vvv-deactivated2018031]

Arden talking about the recent whitewashing of Death Note.

[cuvierstudios]

*all minorities nodding*

[cuvierstudios]

When I speak of diverse characters. Men fall within this category.

When I speak of diverse characters, I also feel men fall within this category. In film, there are endless portrayals of the alpha male and what it means to be a man. Personally, I think being a great man means being a good person and to do this means withstanding scrutiny. Even from women. When I mentioned my difficulty being a woman to a male friend of mine, he said he understood. As he felt the same trying to deal with what he is supposed to be as man. He said “If you can’t grill a good burger, you’re not a real man, if you like clothes and your apartment clean, you’re gay. If you don’t drink, beer or whiskey or any other ‘manly’ drink you’re a wuss. if you’re still a virgin you’re not a man. If you respect women you’re whipped,” He went on like this for a while. The rules are just as suffocating as the ones I am familiar with as a woman.

I recently read an articled by David Greenwald titled Dear Men: Toxic Masculinity Is Imprisoning Us, and It’s Time to Set Ourselves Free

"...at every turn, the masculine path was clearly set in front of me. Strength, anger, endurance, violence, stoicism. This is for boys, this is for girls. Don’t dress like this, don’t watch this, don’t listen to this. Don’t, don’t, don’t.

What could possibly happen, dudes? Could it be that we might experience a wider view of the human experience? Could it be that women are people and sensitivity is a universal quality?”

Watching friends and even family members try to live the ideal ‘what it is to be a man’ lifestyle, I find it painful to watch and honestly I occasionally feel they choose and are forced live bland lives.

The effort to define manhood is a source of artificial strength, a buttress against crumbling walls. Men who aspire to such stereotypes are searching for a safe and simple path, the same way people turn toward religion or any form of dogma.

I entirely agree with Greenwald, men need the same liberation as women, to be freed from the ideals of what a man should be.

I know that men are just as trapped and just as much in need of liberation. That is, if they can face their fears of anything coded as feminine, gay, or merely different.

Aren’t men supposed to be brave?

Men don’t have to be anything. You just have to be you. Fuck defining that.

You can read the full article here. his twitter @davidegreenwald

[promptsonpaper]

“You can live in a thousand different worlds if you just pay attention to how other people see things”

[leeandlow]

Two years ago, Anja Busse, then 11, created a video andonline petition urging popular toymaker American Girl to add a little something to its lineup of toy offerings.

Three months earlier, Anja had been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease that causes the body to stop producing insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugars. Without replacing insulin, either via multiple daily injections or an insulin pump, a Type 1 diabetic like Anja will die.

The new American Girl Diabetes Care Kit includes all the things a Type 1 diabetic needs: a blood sugar monitor, lancing device, insulin pump, insulin pen, medical bracelet, glucose tablets, log book, ID card, stickers, and carrying case.

This isn’t the first time American Girl has made an effort to create toys for kids facing differences or challenges.

They’ve made several accessories, like a hearing aid and arm crutches, and even a lunch kit for kids with food allergies.

[cuvierstudios]

The only way I will rest in peace is if one day transgender people aren't treated the way I was, they're treated like humans, with valid feelings and human rights. Gender needs to be taught about in schools, the earlier the better. My death needs to mean something. My death needs to be counted in the number of transgender people who commit suicide this year. I want someone to look at that number and say 'that's f***ed up' and fix it. Fix society. Please. Goodbye, (Leelah) Josh Alcorn

Leelah Alcorn

[cuvierstudios]

I meet Jerry Strang on the 15-minute walk from the Northern Store to Pikangikum’s only hotel. Within 90 seconds, the rail-thin man in knee-high insulated boots is telling me unprompted how he lost his wife, a girlfriend and his boy to suicide. “I guess I got him mad,” Strang says. “He hung himself in the clubhouse he built. He was a carpenter like me, always used to steal my nails.” He’d like to meet someone else, but is afraid of the consequences. Then Jerry turns to me and smiles. “My sister says I’m cursed, you know?”

“Canada Home To The Suicide Capital of The World by Martin Partriquin 

[tubooks]

STAR WARS IN PERSPECTIVE: THE DIVERSITY GAP IN SCI-FI MOVIES

In honor of tonight’s release of Star Wars: Episode VII, we thought we’d revisit our Diversity Gap Study on sci-fi and fantasy blockbusters. Star Wars is shaping up to be not only one of the biggest movies of the year but also potentially one of the biggest movies of all time, with ticket sales already shattering records.

For Star Wars fans, there is much to celebrate. And for fans of diversity in Hollywood, even more so: the film features British-Nigerian actor John Boyega as one of the leads. Boyega has been getting a lot of buzz since his role was announced (along with some racist comments from the Dark Side – par for the course when it comes to diverse casting of franchises, it seems), and is joined by Guatamalan-American actor Oscar Isaac, who also plays a major role. Lupita N’yongo will also star as an alien pirate, though we won’t see her face.

Director JJ Abrams acknowledged the importance of casting diversely, telling 60 Minutes, “When we started casting the movie, it felt incredibly important to me that the movie look like the world in which this movie is being released.”

Given some of the great diversity in TV and films over the last year, the casting of Star Wars may not seem revolutionary. But historically, in the context of the top-grossing sci-fi movies of all time, it is still huge. Take a look:

Here are some key statistics based on the top 100 domestic grossing sci-fi and fantasy movies:

• 8% of films star a protagonist of color • Of the 8 protagonists of color, all are men; 6 are played by Will Smith and 1 is a cartoon character (Aladdin) • 0% of protagonists are women of color and just 14% of protagonists are women • 0% of protagonists are LGBTQ • 2% of protagonists are people with a disability

If Star Wars becomes one of the top-grossing movies in this genre of all time–which it is certainly on track to do–it could put a dent in some of these numbers. And just as importantly, it will give Hollywood yet more proof that audiences are ready and willing to see great blockbusters with diverse leads. Star Wars, all we can say is: May the force be with you.

[cuvierstudios]

0%!! Women of Color, LGBT! 14% women, 2% People With A Disability 8% people of color! (six are one of the same actor, the other a cartoon) these numbers are too low for the population filled with diverse people! It also reflects the causes of lack of information and understanding of people who are not like yourself.

[richincolor]

The game has always been rigged: who gets to speak, whose voices get the platforms to amplify their truths, propositions, and realities has always been determined by a violent hierarchical ranking. To pretend that somehow publishing is built on simply locating and advancing the “best voices” is to pretend that the literary world is somehow removed from a country that ranks and others and decimates entire populations—so too does the literary world, which is made up of this same country’s citizens.

Amy King in

Equity in Publishing: What Should Editors Be Doing?

(via

richincolor

)

Exactly.

[theweekmagazine]

Women starred in just 12 percent of Hollywood movies in 2014, study finds

[can-bot]

“If you’re a poor kid, or you can’t afford to work for free, and people are saying you should work for free, that’s going to favor kids who can do that, whose parents can pay their bills for years. It probably has an impact on how diverse the film industry is,” Williams said.

John Williams, the founder of non-profit Reel Works Teen Filmmaking, which mentors underprivileged youth to prepare them for work in the film industry, said he thinks that the practice is skewing the entire industry away from equal representation. (via

can-bot

)

[cuvierstudios]

Creator Gene Cuvier discusses why she writes diverse characters and why it is so important!

[cuvierstudios]

click it!

[cuvierstudios]

click it!