User:Bknight18/Black women filmmakers

Michaela Coel, a British writer, director, actress, singer and performative actress. In 2009, she was the first Black woman in five years to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Coel’s career began in theatre, releasing a performative album in 2009. She later performed in the hit play Chewing Gum Dreams in 2013. She became the main character of the show Chewing Gum (2015-2017), where she wrote six episodes of the series. She also starred as the protagonist in Netflix series Black Earth Rising, which did not get renewed for a season two. At this point, Coel had won a Bafta for her debut series, Chewing Gum. Michaela Coel made noise as a writer and director in 2020 with I May Destroy You where she also starred as the main character. Michaela Coel made a risky decision by turning down a $1M deal with Netflix. The deal fell through when she asked for a percentage of her copyright to the show. Coel said she felt “incredibly empowered” because she was turning down a once in a lifetime deal, a deal that others often dream of as a first time director. The show I May Destroy You is twelve episodes that recounts Coel’s personal experience with being sexually assaulted. The show takes it's audience on very highs and lows, protagonist Arabella is relatable, unique and inspiring. She turned her trauma into a cultural piece, making herself a trendsetter and taking her career to new heights.

Michaela Coel is one of many modern day creators that have committed changing the type of stories that are being told. The is because who is telling these stories are changing, Black creators come from a diverse number of backgrounds and this allows for diverse stories to be told. Black woman filmmakers are making noise to display the different backgrounds and experiences of characters that aren't predominantly white. Black creators have rocketed to the top of the industry in the last decade compared to where Black creators started in the past. We have cam a long way from Black face and other racist stereotypes that are commonly been used in the media. Popular creators of diverse backgrounds are shaping the way other creators tell stories. Black woman creators are the underdogs of the industry as most women have a issue making it in a industry powered by men. Our modern day Black woman creators are using their career to break barriers. This has created path for other stories to be told by up and coming Black creators. Creators like Michaela Coel, Issa Rae, Regina King dare writers, directors and producers that are truly expanding the industry. Not only in film but in television. These women's career highlight some of the best movie or television deals any up and coming creator could dream of.