The Mary Sue: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced new inclusion rules yesterday, with specific standards that must be met for films to be eligible for nominations. This means that by 2024, when these changes go fully into effect, we can hopefully say goodbye to the days of #OscarsSoWhite.
8 comments:
First of all, I had no clue that the Academy was working on rules to boost inclusivity for it’s Best Picture nominees. I had a lot of initial reactions while reading this first, and after also reading the official statement from the Academy I was a little baffled that pictures only have to adhere to two of the four standards to be eligible. While these new standards might seem like now companies will simply be looking for individuals who identify in these groups to fill a quota, but part of me is also thinking that nothing would change unless we start somewhere. It’s not just the cast that has to be from these communities, but it is opening up opportunities within the industry - which is so closed off to outsiders - which, hopefully will help transform the landscape as time goes on. Some movies are made just to be Best Picture contenders, and I definitely think this will force creatives to re-assess why they are making their movie, and for who. The way this was done might have been clunky, but I’m glad to see that we are trying to start somewhere - even though it is a little late.
This seems like it is actually a really good step for the academy to be making. It is sad to think that the best way to get studios to be more inclusive is to take away their awards, but it honestly just might be the push so many of them need. While the first two requirements seem pretty low level, they are still really important and should be easily achievable for any studio, but the last two are the ones that really get me excited. Requiring executive representation and paid internships for underrepresented peoples is a really big step that I have not seen done much before. I would really like to see these requirements be moved to all categories and not just best picture, but hopefully this will get studios to make the necessary changes, because I guess best picture is kind of the ultimate goal for all of them, right? I will at least force the change in the bigger studios, but maybe not so much on the lower level.
I love these changes and I’m so happy that the academy heard the voice of the people. It’s exciting to read the demands of We See You WAT in our AntiRacist theatre class and then to read this article. The industry is making some long needed changes to be more inclusive and equitable. Even though it is the bare minimum and this is what the film industry should already be doing. There are so many past winners and nominees who wouldn’t be eligible if these applied to them. I think these new guidelines will bless everyone. It won’t only help talented BIPOC, aLGBT and women actors get more screen time but it will also help members of these communities feel represented— which is so important for mental wellness. This forces the film industry to do the right thing and even though it will be the producers love of awards getting them to comply to these guild lines and make the changes—its a big step in the right direction. It’s wonderful that it forces people in power to bring on underrepresented groups into the production and design leadership teams as well as create training and opportunities for them through internships and apprenticeships.
Honestly, the Academy has me surprised for once with these inclusion requirements. I was alarmed that these requirements were not going to be required for the next round of awards, but then I read all four standards. I’m impressed that they include standards that promote inclusivity behind the scenes of the film, and within the structures of the systems that create the movie. Like the article author mentions, Standards C and D have a chance to systematically change parts of the film industry that a non-entertainment worker in the audience probably never thinks about. I hope that these standards bring more awareness to those positions in general. While I understand that change takes time, I think that the Academy should require BIPOC, LQBTQ+, and disabled representation across all categories, and that all these standards should be met. I foresee all the films in the 2025 Oscars category for Best Picture only meeting the first two standards because those ones are “easier”. By requiring inclusions standards across the board, it forces systemic change. I would also be interested in seeing a line up of nominations for Best Picture that meet these standards right now – I think that would do good in highlighting a host of films, producers, adn creatives that myself and most probably have not heard of. I now want to start a database about how many films nominated for Picture of the Year in the past don't fit these standards.
I was talking with my straight, white father about these new policies and he did not understand. He asked me if what I thought they were doing was right (with a tone of disgust in his voice), and I told him “completely.” Using what I learned through the CMU Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training, I explained to him that this situation is only fair in bringing representation not only to film, but to the entertainment industry as a whole. The shock surrounding Parasite, a South Korean thriller movie, winning Best Picture at the Oscars in 2020 sickened me. It should have been seen as completely normal for a foreign film to receive such high accolades and the fact that people were so thrown off by its achievements were truly concerning. I am glad the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is finally listening to the requests of women, racial minorities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and is making steps toward normalizing their presences in Hollywood. I never thought they would go through with something like this so good on them.
I was deeply surprised while reading this article. My initial reaction was excitement. This is a great first step towards a diverse and equitable film industry. However, I hope it doesn't end here. I would not have expected the Academy to implement these changes, given the history of the Oscars, so it is a pleasant surprise.
I hope that the creators and actors that are brought in to the production process from underrepresented communities are treated fairly and deeply appreciated, as opposed to being brought in to meet a standard. I worry about whether or not these new standards will truly bring equity to the table, or if they will help push the issues of underpayment, and abuse under the rug.
All in all, this change still brings me great hope for the representation of minorities on screen.
Wow, I saw this article title and knew I had to give it a read! I am so happy to hear that the Academy of Motion Pictures is taking action in the inclusion of underrepresented groups and races. Although the rules set forth are not revolutionary the scope of the making of a film, but I think it’s important that these guidelines are written out and specified. This will surely change some things in major studios, and require them to hold themselves accountable, since everything in the movie business revolves around Best Picture. I wonder how this will affect smaller movies that get nominated for other stuff but not Best Picture. I’m thinking about movies like The Wife which was basically a vehicle for Glenn Close to win Best Actress, although it was unsuccessful :( Will small movies like that still take into account those rules, even if they don't go for the Best Picture category? I look forward to more diverse voices to be heard in the film industry.
First of all, I’m really surprised these new standards even exist. I think it is a step in the right direction for the Academy. However, I’m not super familiar with the film industry, but even I can tell that some of these requirements seem to only scratch the surface. Standards A and B seem especially performative. While I think it is important to have diversity on and off the screen in Hollywood, I think it might be dangerous for the Academy to imply that all you need to do is have “at least one lead or significant supporting actor from “an underrepresented racial or ethnic group” or “at least two creative leadership positions and department heads come from any underrepresented groups.” Having one Black actor in a movie or one female department head is not enough. These statistics, while important, will likely do nothing to change the kinds of stories Hollywood is telling. It's too easy to just cast one Black actor and check it off your list. I doubt that these new standards will actually promote a productive conversation in Hollywood about diversity and inclusion.
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