I didn't wasn't he Oscars yesterday, I hardly ever do, but was well aware of the racial controversy surrounding it this year. As I was looking at some of the winners through my news feed, yay Leo, I had a thought.

Is the apparent lack of black/minority nominations really an Oscar problem? A Hollywood problem?

Or is it a screenwriting problem???

Is the lack of diversity a reflection on the lack of diversity when it comes to writers? I mean I'm white. When I write most of my scripts or outline stories most of my characters are white because that's the point of view I'm most comfortable with. It's just the way I think.

I mean Hollywood can only make films based o what they have to work with. If they aren't given a lot of options, are they really to be blamed?

(Yes I know they ultimately CHOOSE to make or not make whatever they want in the end. Do they have limited options I guess is what I'm saying.)

I think that you make an interesting point about white writers writing white characters.

I am also white, and while I usually don't write characters with their race in mind (although in my sitcom pilot Back to Class I specifically wrote three white and three Latino main characters to accurately represent the demographics of the area I set it in), but often times I think the names we choose can make people who read the script think of the characters as white.

I think the names are the hardest part, because I usually don't want to write a character as specifically white or black (or Latino or Asian) but when choosing a name, white writers like myself I think will often choose names more common with white people. Although, for me, white names may be the result of growing up in a more white area. Washington, while not one of the most white states out there, is a fairly white state. Writers from somewhere like New Hampshire may unintentionally write white characters more often than writers from somewhere like New Mexico or South Carolina.

The Oscar voters are 94% white and 54% over 60. It may be racism or it may be that with those demographics there is little chance  that the voters represent contemporary tastes or views. I have had too many what the fuck moments with the Oscars (e.g., this year, IMO there is zero chance that Spotlight was the best film) to link anything then out of touch with the voters motives.

Quoted from eldave1 The Oscar voters are 94% white and 54% over 60. It may be racism or it may be that with those demographics there is little chance  that the voters represent contemporary tastes or views. I have had too many what the fuck moments with the Oscars (e.g., this year, IMO there is zero chance that Spotlight was the best film) to link anything then out of touch with the voters motives.

Good point. I didn't think about who makes up the voters which I guess is where the controversy comes from. (I didn't pay too much attention to it honestly. Seemed like more of the big pity parties that seem to be all the rage in the country right now.)

I just write characters... I rarely write them with a colour in mind... so it's actually a casting issue

It's a complex issue with countless layers and angles. I think the one universal factor is that there is indeed a lack of opportunities for black/minority actors on all levels. I think everyone is responsible on one level or another. That said, it'd be impossible to address everything in one post, even a long one, so I'll wait to see how this conversation pans out.

I think on the writing front, it's a slippery slope. Personally, I write without race in mind, and I think many of my characters could be cast as non-white, no problem. At the same time, if I don't make mention of the race or give any indications otherwise, I think it's a safe bet they'll be cast as white.

Beyond that, I think any writer worth their salt wants to write from their own experience and can't be expected to emulate others' experience just to fulfill cultural expectations, especially if they don't have the skills to pull it off. At the same time, I think any writer worth their salt wants to write diverse and complex characters from all walks of life and will put in the work to make it happen. Personally, I don't think anyone should have to make you do any of these things; you have to decide for yourself.

In the end, writers really don't have a lot of power, and there're so many gatekeepers in between your script and a finished film that people will have even marginal access to. But you can get the ball rolling... or not. Maybe said gatekeepers will see things your way... or not. Certainly, though, at least in the beginning, you have the potential to wield some influence. Might as well take advantage of it while you can, because who's to say when that window'll be closed.

Many of my characters are black.

Quoted from CameronD I didn't wasn't he Oscars yesterday

CD,

Have you been at the sherry again?

I haven't. I don't like sherry.

You can blame the producers and you can blame the directors. I don't mean about the sherry.

The situation isn't good. But it's getting better.

I never thought I'd see a black guy hosting a show like The Daily Show.

At the moment there's bigger racist problems that need sorting. And one of them is running for president.

R

^ Agreed.

I guess it depends what you think the Oscars are. If they're a cultural touchstone, maybe it's worth talking about representation. If they're an embarrassingly crass four-hour advertisement for Hollywood, maybe they can just be left on their own to slide blissfully into complete irrelevance.

The larger issue of race in Hollywood is, as James says, big. I'll cast my vote for "not a screenwriting/screenwriter problem" and leave it at that.

Hmm...

I'm a black writer and I don't bother giving my characters a specific ethnicity unless it's important to story. (Maybe I should start stating ethnicity)

I really agree with Anthony about it being heavily influenced by the director and casting director. Movies to that scale are obligated to maximize profits so they believe that a non white lead would hurt box office performance.

#AffirmativeActionLiberalpoliticalCorrectnessDoesNotWorkAndNeverWill

As a matter of fact, it destroys opportunities for all colors (which true talent does discriminate from). Forces are at work trying to manipulate the minds of people through sensationalism such as the Oscar event. Don't fall for it. It will not bring humanity to a better place. It divides. It distorts. It lies.

Those that collect census info, those that organize data, are the same people that conspire to use the very data you volunteer against YOU. With the sole purpose of personal gain. Think it ain't so? Then you are a sheep.

Reject political correctblahblahblahism.

Basaaa

Quoted from TonyDionisio As a matter of fact, it destroys opportunities for all colors (which true talent does discriminate from).

Tony, I have a question.

I totally get some of the arguments against, say, affirmative action. Those make sense to me.

I'm just curious -- if ever there was an area where the meritocracy concept clearly falls down, isn't it with something like the Oscars? Acting "talent" is pretty close to completely subjective, so all-white nominees might indicate more bias than, say, an all-white office staff somewhere. Given that, is representation perhaps more worth talking about at the Oscars than somewhere like university admissions, where people are judged by hard data? Or no?

In my current screenplay I have described two chars as African American and Latino because they are. They ain't white so I said they weren't.

Like the Grammys, the importance or indeed relevance of the Oscars finished years ago when the last classic film was made.  Lol

Quoted from Heretic I'm just curious -- if ever there was an area where the meritocracy concept clearly falls down, isn't it with something like the Oscars? Acting "talent" is pretty close to completely subjective, so all-white nominees might indicate more bias than, say, an all-white office staff somewhere. Given that, is representation perhaps more worth talking about at the Oscars than somewhere like university admissions, where people are judged by hard data? Or no?

Very well said. I believe you articulated the point exactly.