Older Adults Want More Movies and TV With Characters Their Age, Says AARP Study (EXCLUSIVE)

variety.com:

Marc Malkin Senior Editor, Culture and Events AARP is urging Hollywood to age up. A new study released Friday by the organization finds that most adults age 50 and older are more likely to support movies and TV programs that included characters similar to them in age and life experiences.

Results of the study, “Breaking Stereotypes: The Push for Real Representation of Older Adults in Movies and Television,” were released ahead of AARP’s Movie for Grownups Awards gala, which takes place Saturday in Beverly Hills. “The results of this survey demonstrate what we have suspected since we started the Movies for Grownups Awards program – that older adults care deeply about seeing their experiences accurately reflected on screen,” Heather Nawrocki, vice president of AARP Movies for Grownups, said in a statement. “Likewise, the studios and storytellers who are able to capture the experiences and perspectives of older adults benefit from the significant buying power and loyalty of this age group.” AARP’s new study of 1,010 adults age 50 and older identifies several barriers to improved and accurate portrayals of older actors in movies or TV.

Respondents’ perceptions that audiences prefer younger actors is reported by over half (52%) as a major barrier to increased 50-plus representation on screen.

In addition, more than two-in-five respondents believe that industry bias (42%) and limited opportunities for older actors (46%) are significant obstacles to achieving this.