Damon Lindelof is acknowledging his past failures as showrunner and co-creator of the mega-popular ABC series, Lost.
The series, which ended in 2010, has long been criticized by crew and cast members for the racist and toxic environment that emerged in the writers’ room.
An excerpt from Maureen Ryan’s forthcoming book “Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood” was published on vanity fairand that’s where Damon reflects on the allegations, admitting that he failed as a leader on the show.
Keep reading to know more…
Damon says that his “fundamental inexperience as a manager and boss, my role as someone who was supposed to model a climate of creative danger and risk-taking, but provide safety and comfort within the creative process, I failed in that effort.”
He then told the author (who conducted the interview in 2021) that he planned to have “one or two [writers] who don’t look or think exactly like me, then, then I’m fine. I realized that that was even worse.”
“For those specific individuals, forget about the ethics or morality involved in that decision, but just talking about the human effect of being the only woman or the only person of color and how you are treated and differentiated, I was a part of that. , thousand percent.”
Damon continued: “The way I conduct myself and the way I treat other humans that I am responsible for and a manager is a byproduct of all the mistakes that have been made… I have evolved and grown significantly, and I shouldn’t have to. do it. They have a cost and the trauma of the people I hurt Lost.”
He then referenced comments from Harold Perrineau on the series, who discussed the circumstances surrounding his firing from the series in the season four finale.
“That was what was always difficult. Every time you mention race, everyone’s hair burns off and they’re like, ‘I’m not a racist!’” Harold shared with Maureen in the book. “It’s like, ‘Nope. Just because I say I’m black doesn’t mean I’m calling you a racist. I speak to you from my perspective. I am being very clear that I am not trying to burden you with my trauma, but I am trying to talk to you about how I feel. So can we do that? Can we have that conversation? […] But I felt like they were suddenly mad at me.”
Harold says that upon reading the season 4 finale script, he was “fucked up about it” and was very “how dare you” to ask what’s written in the script.
Both Damon and executive producer Carlton Cuse say they are “heartbroken” by Harold’s comments.
“It breaks my heart to hear it. It’s deeply upsetting to know that there were people who had such bad experiences,” says Carlton. “I didn’t know people felt that way. No one has ever complained to me, nor have I heard of anyone who has complained to ABC Studios. I wish I had known. I would have done what I could to make changes.”
However, Damon noted that the complaints go beyond Harold and that “all of the actors expressed some degree of disappointment that they weren’t being used enough. That was an integral part of an ensemble show, but obviously there was a disproportionate amount of focus on Jack, Kate, Locke and Sawyer, the white characters. Harold was absolutely right to point that out. It’s one of the things I’ve deeply regretted in the two decades since.”
“I feel like Harold was legitimately and professionally conveying his concerns about his character and how significant it was that Michael and Walt, with the exception of Rose, were really the only black characters on the show.”
He then concluded: “I deeply regret that someone in Lost You should listen to them. They are very insensitive, inappropriate and offensive.”
“It is not for me to say what kind of person I am. But I will say this: I would change all the people who told you that I have talent; I’d rather they say I’m talentless but decent than a talented monster.”
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn