Inclusion requirements for Oscars

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  • sc111
    replied
    Originally posted by JeffLowell View Post
    ...The last two shows I created, I made it a priority to have a diverse cast (and staff!). I've never felt that my vision was compromised, I've felt the cast was stronger by consciously not looking at the usual suspects, and if the Academy wants to encourage people to make casts look like the world, I think that's great....

    Awesome. Your nemesis agrees.

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  • JeffLowell
    replied
    All I know is that for most of my career, I worked on a ton of shows that had all white casts that were created by other people. The last two shows I created, I made it a priority to have a diverse cast (and staff!). I've never felt that my vision was compromised, I've felt the cast was stronger by consciously not looking at the usual suspects, and if the Academy wants to encourage people to make casts look like the world, I think that's great.

    Joe, my unsolicited advice is to stop worrying so much about contests you’re unlikely to win and worry more about your writing. (I say this as someone who will never win an Oscar, and couldn’t have won a Nicholl back when I was an amateur.)

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  • JoeNYC
    replied
    Originally posted by JeffLowell View Post

    I defy you to prove me wrong!

    Here are ten examples.

    You are entitled to your own opinion!
    Jeff, you just couldn't leave it be.

    I was specific to mention the big credible contests (Nicholl, Page and Austin) because there are hundreds of contests, and I knew you would go through the list no matter how small, special or whatever contest to obtain what you needed to show that there are contests that say you need to include a lead woman, or whatever.

    For example, you proudly mentioned the Universal Writers Program. This is a for-hire program. The writers who are selected to participate in the Program are hired under a writing service agreement, $75,000. So, they have every right to require the scripts to have a certain tone and global perspective.

    Jeff, I agree with your opinion that the Film Academy has every right to include specific artistic elements. I also agree with your opinion that if I'm not happy with that I don't have to participate.

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  • sc111
    replied
    Originally posted by JoeNYC View Post


    Jeff, it's the Academy's house. No one is saying that they can't make these type of creative rules on an artist. The point was it wasn't right for them to dictate to an artist to include certain major story elements into their vision in order to be considered to be one of the best "original" screenplays of the year.
    I know you addressed this to Jeff but I'm curious as to how you consider putting a non-white actor (man or woman) in a leading or supporting role is a "major story element."





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  • JeffLowell
    replied
    Originally posted by JoeNYC View Post
    I've made my point about artistic freedom. Jeff, you're entitled to your opinion.
    I defy you to prove me wrong!

    Here are ten examples.

    You are entitled to your own opinion!

    Leave a comment:


  • sc111
    replied
    Originally posted by figment View Post

    Hahaha. How'd I miss this? Or has everything been such a blur lately it's all run together now in my mind?

    Hey, sc111 -- you're a nemesis!
    Nemesis? Cool. BTW: the experiment was many years ago and it had nothing to do with writing.

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  • JoeNYC
    replied
    Originally posted by JeffLowell View Post

    First off, there are only a few "big, credible" contests. But going to the moviebytes contest page and scrolling for one minute, I find:
    I've made my point about artistic freedom. Jeff, you're entitled to your opinion.

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  • figment
    replied
    Originally posted by JeffLowell View Post

    That's silly. I've disagreed with her more than any person in this board's history. I once literally spent days designing and executing an experiment to try and prove her wrong.
    Hahaha. How'd I miss this? Or has everything been such a blur lately it's all run together now in my mind?

    Hey, sc111 -- you're a nemesis!


    Originally posted by JeffLowell View Post
    "No religious themes. No pornography. No excessive violence. No political themes. No teenage pregnancy."
    Hallmark? Do they have a contest? (you don't have to answer, it's nothing I want a part of).

    Leave a comment:


  • JeffLowell
    replied
    Originally posted by JoeNYC View Post
    Of course you are.
    That's silly. I've disagreed with her more than any person in this board's history. I once literally spent days designing and executing an experiment to try and prove her wrong.

    Tell me one big credible contest that gives creative rules on what type of characters and story content a writer must write. Not talking about faith based contests. There isn't any because then it would not truly be an artist's creative vision. The contest would had a hand in content.
    So give you an example that doesn't include the obvious example?

    First off, there are only a few "big, credible" contests. But going to the moviebytes contest page and scrolling for one minute, I find:

    "Each script must be written in the same genre and style that would have been suitable to conform with episodes for either THE TWILIGHT ZONE or NIGHT GALLERY. "

    "Allusions and citations from the world culture legacy are allowed as well as elements of absurdity or poetic manner. The next genres are not allowed: Crime, Sci-Fi, Horror, Thriller."

    "Seeking screenplays that represent the millenial voice"

    "The story must be of any horror genre, be between 70-90 pages, contain a mixed ensemble cast of 5-6 characters, and take place at specific locations at Land of Illusions Theme Park."

    "The competition is meant to: Encourage filmmakers to offer a fresh perspective and submit contemporary stories with a focus on the American black cultural experience with wide audience appeal."

    Ooh, here's a big one - the Universal Writers Program - the only film program sanction by the WGA: "the Program develops storytellers who organically incorporate multicultural and global perspectives in screenwriting."

    "Screenplays must include one or more strong woman character(s) in leadership roles at the center of the story and must be feature-length narratives."

    "No religious themes. No pornography. No excessive violence. No political themes. No teenage pregnancy."

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  • JoeNYC
    replied
    Originally posted by JeffLowell View Post

    I'm with sc111.
    Of course you are.

    Contests gives rules on format, page count, English, etc. Tell me one big credible contest that gives creative rules on what type of characters and story content a writer must write. Not talking about faith based contests. There isn't any because then it would not truly be an artist's creative vision. The contest would had a hand in content.

    Jeff, it's the Academy's house. No one is saying that they can't make these type of creative rules on an artist. The point was it wasn't right for them to dictate to an artist to include certain major story elements into their vision in order to be considered to be one of the best "original" screenplays of the year.

    There are Best Pictures of the past that would not have met the Academy's on-screen requirements. Yes, maybe they would have met at least two of the other three standards, but the point is Standard A, dictating what creative content to include to artists, isn't right. It interferes with Artistic Freedom.

    Yes, Jeff, I know I don't have to enter the game. I just wanted to give my voice on something that I thought wasn't right.

    Edited to add:

    If the Nicholl Fellowship competition adopts the Academy's Standard A inclusion requirements, then I will not enter. I write what I am passionate about. Not to conform to a contest's political agenda. If it so happens I write a story that meets the inclusion requirements, then I'll enter.
    Last edited by JoeNYC; 10-23-2020, 12:23 AM.

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  • JeffLowell
    replied
    I'm with sc111. Every contest sets their own entry rules. The Oscars are just another contest. If you don't like it, don't enter.

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  • sc111
    replied
    Originally posted by JoeNYC View Post

    As an artist, what I find hard to accept is an edict from a governing authority that feels it's okay to control and censor one's art, as is done with Standard A about on-screen representation ....
    The Academy is NOT "a governing authority."

    It does NOT "control" or "censor" anything.

    It does NOT pass "edicts" on what scripts can or can not be produced.



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  • JoeNYC
    replied
    Originally posted by sc111 View Post

    starting with the Civil Rights Act then concluding that the Academy is stepping on your "right to Artistic Freedom" -- makes it clear you feel this private organization is discriminating against you and your all-white cast movie.
    Variety did an article on a study that revealed that having a diverse cast makes a substantial impact at the box office. Films with a predominantly white cast posted the lowest median global grosses.

    Behind the scenes, are the majority of studio heads white males? Yes. Are females and persons of color underrepresented as directors? Yes. Overall, are females paid less than their male counterparts? Yes. Is their ageism in Hollywood? A large lawsuit said there was.

    As an artist, what I find hard to accept is an edict from a governing authority that feels it's okay to control and censor one's art, as is done with Standard A about on-screen representation, having certain storylines of themes and narratives. I don't care to hear about the options, technicalities and loopholes around Standard A. It never should be there in the first place, especially from an organization that champions' great art.

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  • sc111
    replied
    Originally posted by JoeNYC View Post

    sc111, how you even slightly interpreted this as my point is mind boggling.
    How? Quoting you:

    The Legislative Branch of the U.S. Government past one of the most important legislation in the history of our country: the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that banned discrimination in our society based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin.

    Now it seems the Film Academy believes such strong legislation is required in the art world to ensure diversity.

    The problem is that the Academy is stepping on my right to Artistic Freedom, which Wikipedia defines as: “the freedom to imagine, create and distribute diverse cultural expressions free of governmental censorship, political interference or the pressures of non-state actors.”

    The Academy wants to control and to censor artists and their creative expressions.
    The way you unfolded your progression of points -- starting with the Civil Rights Act then concluding that the Academy is stepping on your "right to Artistic Freedom" -- makes it clear you feel this private organization is discriminating against you and your all-white cast movie.

    BTW: The US Constitution gives you the right to free speech which certainly extends to artistic freedom.

    HOWEVER your right to free speech does not mean you have a "right" to win an Oscar.

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  • JoeNYC
    replied
    Originally posted by sc111 View Post

    Even remotely claiming there's discrimination against white people in the film industry is ludicrous.
    sc111, how you even slightly interpreted this as my point is mind boggling.

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