Photo: AP
In 2012, Peter Ramsey became the first Black director of a major animated film when he directed Dreamworks’ “Rise of the Guardians.” Last night, he won his first Golden Globe for “Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse,” a film that he co-directed alongside Bob Persichetti and Rodney Rothman. This also marks the first Golden Globes for Sony Pictures.
Photo: NBC Universal/Getty Images
During his acceptance speech, Ramsey began to stress the importance of the film’s diversity, by crowning a new Spiderman who was both African American and Puerto Rican. While his speech was cut short, the same sentiment that echoed throughout the film were the same remarks that he used to wrap up.
“Anybody can be behind the mask. We’re counting on you! You can do it!”
Thankfully, he was able to expound on what he was trying to express to members of the press once he was backstage.
“We all felt deeply the idea that anyone can have this kind of experience. Anyone can share in this myth, be in this kind of legend, be this kind of hero,” Ramsey said.
Since its debut, newsfeeds have been inundated with parents, aunties, uncles, friends and fans detailing various reactions to seeing someone on screen who looked like them.
Saw #Spiderverse AGAIN last night, this time, w/ family.
Some areas that got me, REALLY got me this time, bringing tears. The highlight was later that night, my son said he wanted to be Spider-Man, like Miles! He already knew Spider-Man.. But now, he can indentify a bit more.
advertisement— Frank E. Abney III (@iFrankAbney) December 16, 2018
@JoeQuesada joe I took my kid to see enter the Spider verse , seeing a young man of black/Latino descent speaking Spanish with his family , my son finally saw himself on the big screen. It was a big moment for him. Y’all doing right by your readers
advertisement— AOC fan club president (@ColeJamesCash) January 4, 2019
So I’m in the theater and the trailer for Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse and Miles Morales takes his mask off and the kids scream “oh he black!” and immediately started clapping.
advertisementThese are the moments people look for in representation in movies.
— houze with a Z. (@TravisHouze) February 9, 2018
Raised in the Crenshaw area of Los Angeles, Ramsey began his career as a storyboard artist working on films like “Boyz n the Hood,” “Independence Day,” “Hulk” and many others. He also served as Second Unit Director on notable films such as “Higher Learning,” “Poetic Justice” and “Godzilla” to name a few. After honing his directing skills on some of Hollywood’s biggest box office hits, Ramsey went on to join Dreamworks as a story artist working on “Shrek the Third” and “Shrek the Halls” and the rest is history.
Congratulations Ramsey and thank you for giving us an animated film that we all deserved — one that was equally as diverse behind the scenes as it was in front.