USC’s Annenberg Inclusion Initiative Launches New Focus On Reproductive Health And Political Storytelling Onscreen

When “Fast Times At Ridgemont High” first hit big screens back in 1982, it immediately set itself apart from other coming-of-age teen comedies of the era. While others were marked by decidedly misogynist undertones and less-than-savory views on rape and sexual assault, the beloved 80’s classic offered a refreshingly authentic portrayal of female sexuality, one that included a realistic depiction of abortion. Rather than craft a sensationalized scandal or moralizing narrative around 15-year-old Stacy’s decision to terminate her pregnancy after losing her virginity to a classmate, director Amy Heckerling presents the abortion as a quiet, matter-of-fact part of life. It’s seen entirely as a woman’s choice but one for which her partner—however young and dumb—does share financial and emotional responsibility.

“Fast Times” not only served as a watershed moment for Hollywood’s handling of abortion, which had previously been treated as a highly dramatized and judgement-ridden subject, but it also set a new standard for the way reproductive health is portrayed onscreen. In the 40 years since, however, abortion has remained taboo in film and television, and representations of it and other political issues are often inaccurate and misleading. The USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, a leading think tank known for its critical study of diversity and inclusion in entertainment, has taken note of this trend and in an effort to combat it, has launched a new focus on the industry’s depictions of a range of hot-button topics.

When the Supreme Court announced it would overturn Roe v. Wade in late June, many wondered how the decision would impact future generations of Americans. But Dr. Stacy L. Smith, founder of the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, was concerned about a very specific element of that future: how abortion and other reproductive rights would be depicted in entertainment in light of the ruling. “I wanted to respond from my expertise and insight: with research and advocacy,” she recalls. “We know that entertainment can influence attitudes, perceptions, and beliefs—for example, ‘Will & Grace’ and ‘The Ellen Show’ were instrumental in shifting attitudes toward marriage equality. Stories about reproductive health and rights can play a similar role.”

So, together with her colleagues, Dr. Smith launched a new focus for the Initiative, one that will examine when and how issues related to reproductive health, marriage equality, interracial relationships, voting, and gun violence appear in film and television and how accurate their portrayals are. The goal, she explains, is to highlight how many opportunities there are to use storytelling as a tool to expand the conversation around these topics and create tangible change in both policy and attitude.

In its study of reproductive health onscreen, the Initiative has joined forces with Caren Spruch, the National Director of Arts & Entertainment Engagement at Planned Parenthood and an expert on reproductive rights in storytelling. It has also received support from a long list of notable celebrities, including Meryl Streep, Scarlett Johansson, Kerry Washington, Amy Schumer, Laura Dern, and Tessa Thompson.

But the Initiative isn’t stopping at research alone; in addition to sharing its findings, it hopes to offer a solution. So, alongside this new focus, it will launch a Reproductive Rights Accelerator program, funded by several members of Women Moving Millions, to award students $25,000 to tell stories about reproductive rights. “We want to illuminate opportunities that exist to tell more nuanced and authentic storytelling […] and highlight all of the places that have been missed opportunities,” Dr. Smith says. “Storytellers may have more chances than they realize to include these topics into their work, and we’re excited to work collaboratively with them on how to accomplish this.”

Furthermore, the Initiative plans to develop and provide a set of evidence-driven best practices for content creators across every facet of entertainment, and it will use this perspective to guide the next generation of creators within the confines of USC. “With Roe v. Wade overturned and birth control, LGBQT+, and other rights threatened, this new Annenberg Inclusion Initiative research project will provide an invaluable tool to ensure audiences are reached with medically and legislatively accurate storytelling about these issues” Spruch adds. “And importantly, it will track the progress made.”