Rashida Jones: Innovating in Film Production and Digital Media

Rashida Jones’ popularity began with her role in the hit TV show The Office, where she played Karen Filippelli. In the popular series, she played a competent, confident character who added depth and texture to the longtime romance between the main stars Jim and Pam.

Besides her role in the NBC show, she acted in other shows and movies including I Love You, Man, The Social Network, and Parks and Recreation.

But Rashida’s work isn’t only in the acting department. She’s also huge on innovating in film production and digital media. Her work is the world-changing sort that will stay with us for generations, and pave the way for change in the future.

Rashida is an activist. Most of the work she writes and produces has a purpose behind it. She isn’t only in it for entertainment or money, but to explore controversial issues, burrow down into the truth of the matter, and expose hidden lies for what they really are.

One good example of Rashida’s work is the documentary Hot Girls Wanted, which she produced in 2015. The documentary isn’t for the faint at heart, as it dives deep into the amateur porn industry and asks questions like, “Are the girls in the industry really happy?” and “Is being a porn actor as glamorous as it seems?”

The film is harrowing. Watching it, viewers feel a mixture of revulsion and pity, as it takes us down into the dark basements of the industry, where girls as young as 18 hop on the bandwagon to pursue their dreams of fame and money. When they are new, things seem to go well. They shoot 3-8 scenes per week, each scene making them around $900.

But as time goes on, their bookings fluctuate. There is a flux of new girls coming into the industry every single day someone turns 18, and this means less work for the older girls. In truth, most who take part in the industry know how it will end. But it’s hard to say no when they money is right there under their noses.

Hot Girls Wanted is a raw, honest, vivid view of the porn industry where 40% of scenes portray the degradation and abuse of women. In Rashida’s work, she aims to give outsiders a clear look at what goes on behind the scenes of such a lurid and dangerous industry.

Rashida’s work isn’t exclusively in the traditional media industry, however. Throughout her career, she has delved into digital media as well, including collaborating on the popular live-action and animated series, Woke.

The inspiration for Woke comes from the life of cartoonist Keith Knight. But it’s much deeper than just a story about one man’s experience of himself and the world. It also explores issues surrounding culture and race.

“You know, it’s this weird dance where the industry should be a mirror of society, but it should also be aspirational and it should push the conversation forward because, you know, ‘Hollywood is progressive’ and we should be progressive thinkers,” Rashida told Yahoo. “We’ve lagged in a lot of areas.”

This fits in well with Rashida’s role in society as an activist — she mingles her voice for minority cultures in this riveting, unique series.

These days, too many films and TV shows are created purely for entertainment. But Rashida’s work stands out among them. It has a purpose, a path to carve, a hope for the generations to come. Her aim is to send a clear message to the world, to dig out issues that are being ignored by the majority, and to give a chance and a voice to those obscured by the shadow of society.