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1910
Through the 1910s and 1920s, many characters in movies with African American characters were played by White actors in blackface costumes. Blackface was a form of stage
makeup that consisted of using black material on their face, as well as accentuating their lips and hair, this form of racism was used in this period to "imitate social assumptions regarding "African" physical features. -
1920
By the 1920s, new forms of media were made to depict African American people. "All-colored cast" films were made to create a positive depiction of African Americans, and the form of media, later called "Race films" were produced and marketed towards African American audiences, aiming to showcase Black actors as the protagonists in these films. The protagonists would play characters in Western-style films, "including dramatic and romantic features". -
1930
In the 1930s, the roles of African Americans in film reflected their perception at the time, and they were given roles such as maids, butlers, drivers and labourers. -
1940
In the 40s, there was a shift noticed in the way Black characters were written and portrayed in mainstream films. One factor of this was the involvement of the Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), which pushed huge movie corporations such as Hollywood to improve the "portrayals of Africans in film by decreasing the reliance on traditional stereotypes". -
1950
Through the beginning of the 1950s, and the start of the Civil Rights Movement, a large shift was made in the African American's depiction in large-scale products, and larger all-black cast movies began to be introduced in the film industry. -
1960
By the '60s, greater cast integration and character development became prominent and marked a significant change in the depiction of Black characters in film productions. -
1970
By the turn of the next decade, the variety of opportunities open to Black actors, directors, writers and producers continued to expand and develop, as now a huge variety of films contained Black characters, ranging from all genres of film as well as documentaries. This era also marked the introduction of the depiction of many different Black communities. -
1980
In the 1980s, black actors in movies began to play more diverse and meaningful roles. Famous stars like Eddie Murphy and Whoopi Goldberg showed deeper sides to their characters, talking about important issues like racism. Comedy films with black actors became popular, bringing fun and thoughtful stories to the screen. Independent filmmakers also helped by giving more chances to black actors, making movies more varied. -
1990
In the 1990s, black actors in film saw more varied roles and greater recognition. They brought depth to their characters and addressed important social issues. Comedy remained popular, and independent filmmakers continued to offer diverse opportunities. Despite challenges, it was another step forward for black actors in the industry. -
2000+
Since the 2000s, black actors in film have seen increased diversity in roles and greater acknowledgment. They've portrayed multifaceted characters and addressed significant social issues. Comedy remains a strong genre, and independent filmmakers continue to provide varied opportunities. The racial imbalance that separated Black film makes, actors and producers have almost closed, as the progression of equality and fair treatment.