Good films, television, and live performances rely on a whole community of incredibly talented artists to create magical moments that audiences adore. As the stories and experiences the industry develops become more heterogeneous, it is imperative that the artisans crafting the experiences are equally as diverse.
While their roles are not often as publicized or flashy as some of their peers, the entertainment industry is host to some of the most exceptional artisans in the world. And while the call for a new kind of storytelling is finally reaching the ears of decisionmakers, it is important to build a new era from the ground up. We need costumes, dance, musical orchestration, and visual palettes that enhance these new experiences in a way that is authentic and compelling. As more artisans of color begin working on sets and in concert halls, more resonant and truthful experiences can be shared.
We’d like to call out a few of the many exceptional Black technicians who are helping to craft a new aesthetic for the arts. These talented craftspeople work behind the scenes, lending their exceptional skills to large and small projects that move our culture. And as we all demand more diverse stories, we need their inspiring perspectives and creativity to bring stories and experiences to life.
Ruth E. Carter, Costume Designer
With over 40 film and television credits to her name, Ruth E. Carter is a costume designer who has mastered the look of multiple periods and genres. In a film career that's spanned 30 years, Carter has worked with everyone from Spike Lee to Marvel Studios, winning an Oscar for her work on Black Panther. In fact, she is the first African American to win an Academy Award in the “Best Costume Design” category. She is a giant in her field and has recently joined the Boston Arts Academy Foundation’s Board of Directors, serving the community in which she was born.
Bradford Young, Cinematographer
Every good director needs the help of a talented cinematographer to tell their story, and there are few better modern camera masters than Bradford Young. With his work on complicated dramas like Selma and A Most Violent Year to more fantastical fare like Arrival and Solo: A Star Wars Story, Young has proven he is a talented craftsman with a keen eye. With Arrival, he became the first Black cinematographer to be nominated for an Academy Award. He’s also won cinematography awards at the Sundance Film Festival for a collection of projects, including Pariah, Ain’t Them Bodies Saints, and Mother of George.
Mia Neal and Jamika Wilson, Hair and Makeup
While it may feel like bending the rules two put two people in this final slot, it is absolutely necessary for this team of hair and makeup masters. Last year, hair department head Mia Neal and hairstylist Jamika Wilson became the first Black women to win Academy Awards for their work on the film Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, starring Viola Davis and the late Chadwick Boseman. The “Best Makeup and Hairstyling” winners won that Oscar for incredibly thoughtful work, which included staying true to the title character’s experiences by creating authentic pieces like horse-hair wigs. In a testament to the team’s craftsmanship, they opted to give audiences the same experience of watching Viola’s “Rainey” as twentieth century audiences would have had watching the actual singer. This has led to no shortage of commentary on Davis’ “unsightly” image in the film, but that is (of course) the point—and the mark of true artistry from two extremely talented professionals. As Neal pointed out, "Rainey didn't wish to be aesthetically pleasing or socially acceptable.”
