ABOUT
Steven Canals, the Emmy-nominated and Peabody Award-winning co-creator, executive producer, director and writer of the RMTV/FX drama series, POSE
Steven directed his first episode of television on POSE and has continued to direct, write and produce television, along with mentoring for the Half Initiative.
Providing mentorship and education to produce
a more inclusive entertainment industry
Launched in 2016, Ryan Murphy set out to ensure that at least half of the director positions on his shows were filled by women. Less than one year after launching Half, Ryan Murphy’s director slate hired 60% women directors and 90% met its women, minorities, BIPOC and/or LGBTQ+ requirement.
24 Directors were first-time directors for a Ryan Murphy Production since 2016,
64% women, 50% LGBTQ+, 42% BIPOC.
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Hiring Goals
We believe diversity fosters creativity. We value the importance of inclusion and equal opportunity by ensuring underrepresented groups are considered for all positions on Ryan Murphy Productions, and continue to be conscious of hiring with parity in mind.
"I couldn't be prouder of Alayna Bell-Price or more appreciative of the objective of the Half Initiative. Alayna assisted a wonderful mentor, Helen Huang, in season 1 of 9-1-1 on Fox. And with patience, perseverance and her eye on the prize, the expertise of this young woman was recognized and she received what we all desire...
a chance to deliver on her collective dreams. When the opportunity presented itself, Alayna was more than prepared to meet the moment before her as a costume designer."
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- Angela Bassett on Alayna Bell-Price, Costume Designer, 9-1-1
Angela Bassett
Alayna Bell-Price
Signature Educational Programs
Concurrent with the hiring goals, the Half Initiative provides an educational Director Shadowing Program in which directors on every Ryan Murphy Television production mentors emerging and mid-career women, BIPOC and minority directors through one full episode.
In 2021, Half launched the summer Production Assistant (PA) Intensive program which creates an educational opportunity for emerging talent to learn how to be an episodic PA by training alongside PAs on a Ryan Murphy production; supporting and shadowing the crew at all levels of production with a mission to provide them with a skill set to become a viable hire in the world of television production.
"This program shines a light on what is possible in this amazing business,
and I hope it also gives wings to the ideas trapped in the minds of mentees.
I have loved being a part of this program, and
I cherish all of my mentees as friends and fellow storytellers!
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- Jen Lynch, director and mentor to Half mentees
9-1-1, 9-1-1 Lonestar, Ratched, American Horror Story, Monster, The Watcher