Emerging Content Creators Inclusion Initiative (ECCII)

County of Los Angeles

The ECCII program seeks to address the lack of diversity in the entertainment ecosystem by providing the necessary resources and tools to succeed, thus increasing the number of opportunities for emerging artists. ECCII strives to solve the gaps in representation and positions of power and creativity within the media world because only “2% of television show writers are Latino,” (NALIP Latino Media Gap Report, 2015). In addition to the lack of Latinx writers in the industry, “only 1 out of 1,335 directors was Latina” (USC Annenberg Latinos in Film, 2019). In the county of Los Angeles, the Latinx community makes up 48.6% of the population (Census.gov). Angelenos grow up and live around the hub of entertainment, however it is extremely difficult for them to break into the industry. The diversity of Angelenos and creatives behind the screen need to reflect one another so characters on the screen exhibit the genuine intricacies of an intersectional experience.

NALIP’s Emerging Content Creators Inclusion Initiative (ECCII) aims to support emerging creatives through forums, networking, mentorships, summer programs, and workshops. This initiative targets diverse creators who wish to enter the entertainment and media sphere, but do not have the appropriate resources at their disposal. ECCII provides recipients not only receive a scholarship pass to one of our three core events, but the recipient attends an Emerging Content Creators Workshop, a round table mentorship session, and the opportunity to connect with peers. These unique elements of ECCII ensure that recipients are given the key tools to succeed by asking, learning, and networking. The Emerging Content Creators Workshop allows the emerging creators to listen to established industry professionals from their perspective of strategically breaking into media and entertainment. The mentorship roundtables provide the ECCII recipients the space to connect with vetted mentors and like-minded colleagues. Most importantly, emerging creators are given opportunities to build community and create connections through their cohort. The 3 key elements, mentioned above, empower recipients to gather information, follow up, and put it into action with their colleagues. While bandwidth is limited to only facilitating ECCII during our events, we hope to expand into a year-long initiative and reach young creatives nationwide.

Expand existing project, program, or initiative

Many creators rely on gigs and events to promote their projects and network, however the pandemic suppressed many creator’s potential opportunities. The Emerging Content Creators Initiative will make measurable progress towards making Los Angeles the best place to create and grow by increasing the resources and guidance available to emerging creatives. In order for emerging creators to succeed, they must know how and where to start in this industry. ECCII breaks the barrier and allows emerging creators to understand and demystify the entertainment ecosystem by offering the resources and connections to establish themselves in the entertainment industry. This program will be offered throughout Los Angeles and its extremities to create an accessible point of entry for emerging creators. The Emerging Content Creators Inclusion Initiative will become a focal point within NALIP’s annual events, social media, newsletter, and beyond to enhance, engage, and advance the initiative’s mission.

Through the Emerging Content Creators Inclusion Initiative, NALIP aims to provide more programs for emerging creators outside of the event cycle. NALIP keeps track of recipients, their development, inspires them to pursue creative endeavors within graduate school, specific programs (directing, writing), or start their career at a studio/network. NALIP measures success through the number of participants in the program, number of industry partner mentorship opportunities offered, percent of recipients who report gaining knowledge about issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the media and entertainment sphere. Further, NALIP tracks the number of recipients who go on to attain internships and jobs in the industry as well as; projects funded, execution and engagement. ECCII surveys participants, partners, employers, and mentors before and after the program, and plans conduct a follow-up survey 6 months after and 2 years after the program ends.

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