George sums up causes for lack of diversity in Hollywood

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Interesting points I think

Very interesting, although I can't help thinking that if he really believes the industry needs more young minority filmmakers he should put his money where his mouth is. He could easily finance an indy film or a scholarship for an aspiring film student.

That said, I believe the film industry long ago shot itself in the head. By insisting on pouring enormous budgets into tentpoles that are basically the same movie over and over for 12 year-olds, they have pretty much abandoned the adult audience. The well made, well acted, mature films are barely promoted and hard to find in theaters. Add the fact that ticket prices are ridiculously high and you have the situation as it is now. If I'm going to pay $15 for a movie, it damn well better be good - and most of them aren't. Offering fancy food and booze (which some theaters are now doing) isn't enough if the movie stinks and ticket prices are too high.

(Just an aside:  We used to go to the movies with friends on Friday night. Saturday night was date night and we went...to the movies! How often can a young person afford to see a movie nowadays? especially if they take a date?)

Well, he's not wrong in anything he said. And you know what? It's not his problem to fix. It's Oprah Winfrey's, and Will Smith's, and Denzel Washington's, and Ava Duvernay's, and Lee Daniels', and...

You get my point.

Part of the problem is that the people who can really do something like fund a film out of their daily spending money, make the same movie over and over, using the same people and catering to the same audience. (Will Smith does a range of movies, but still doesn't spread the wealth very far.) They're not looking for new talent, and they don't have to make money. They want to make films that are 'important' and/or critically well-received (awards bait).

'Moonlight' is a good example of an outlier success, because it was a passion project that didn't rely on the system to get made. But it's not a film for the masses. Things like 'The Butler' and 'Selma' get made in the system, but they didn't make a bunch of money, either. It's easy for execs to dismiss Black films out of hand.

But a few more movies like 'Get Out' and 'Girls Trip' might change minds. By the numbers, 'Get Out' is the most profitable movie of the year. 'Girls Trip' also did well, but salaries for Jada Pinkett Smith and Queen Latifah probably tamped down profits on that one. Of course, we say this every time there's a successful Black-oriented film.

Personally, I think every guild and Oscar nominee should agree to mentor and sponsor a non-White, non-male artist in their category. You want an Oscar? Help a first-generation Mexican female get her movie to the big screen.

Brilliant idea, Way2!

Who do we know who would have that sort of clout? (.....and give you a percentage)

Great idea Way2 if only it would happen.

Ok.  Casting is part of the problem.  But can't be fixed by casting alone.  Money would go a long way--as Way2 points out.  I think now money follows the attitude of minorities and women as an afterthought.  What if money shaped the attitude?  

How can an industry that  prides itself on being "liberal" actually be a reflection of some of the screwed up trumpist values of low estimation of role of women, women as adjuncts or sex objects alone, and minorities as not worthy of the effort?  

TV doing a better job here than film I think.

Hollywood has has a horrible summer according to the figures.  Let's hope they respond by addressing the root of some of these inequities instead of deciding to look for a payday.

Way2Old - I was hoping you'd weigh in on this. I really value your opinion on industry matters since you have first-hand information. I agree with almost everything you said, although I don't think it's an either/or situation.

Agreed more support for young filmmakers should come from established African American artists. BUT the white establishment shouldn't be let off the hook, either. At this point they're still the ones who control the studios - which means they have the money, production facilities and distribution networks that could give a new artist a start.

Also, If George keeps talking about this sooner or later someone's going to ask what he's doing to solve the problem. So far it doesn't seem like he's doing much - at least from the outside looking in. And he's just as guilty as the rest of working within his comfort zone and hiring  within a small circle of friends. He's actually said as much. He feels it's a perk of being a producer/director instead of an actor. He could be dong things behind the scenes that we don't know about. If so, making his efforts known might encourage others to help change things.

The mentoring idea is great, but there are so many Guild and Academy members who probably wouldn't make very good mentors. Maybe if they took  psych and drug exams first...

(Just struck me - maybe the blame for much of this lies with Japan. Their money runs the studios now and I'm guessing they're greatly responsible for the "tentpole syndrome" Hollywood is in - all noise and action so it'll sell worldwide. Just a thought. FAVA - If it was ok for the studios to make smaller, less expensive movies instead of mega-monsters they might actually make better, more inclusive movies.)

[size=50]George Clooney Says Oscars Not To Blame For Hollywood Diversity Issues
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• By Alex Leadbeater 
   
  
  
• 17 hours ago
  
  
• 21 Comments
  
  

George Clooney has spoken out about Hollywood’s diversity issues, saying that the real problem lies with studios and their executives, not the Oscars. Diversity has become a hot button topic, reflecting broadening audiences and tastes, but cinema has been slow to catch-up. Hollywood still feels dominated by old white men, especially behind the camera and most certainly when it comes to studio executives.
The debate has become synonymous recently with how the annual awards season maps out. In 2016, the #OscarsSoWhite controversyshook the industry when not a single person of color was nominated in an acting category – and roundly beloved films like Creed and Straight Outta Compton were snubbed. Following a backlash from audiences and stars alike, this led to a drastic shift in how the Academy approached membership, with younger and more diverse members added. In 2017, the scales were a little better balanced, with two of the four acting awards going to black actors and Moonlight winning Best Picture. However, one previous winner wants to make clear the Academy shouldn’t be the center of the debate.

RELATED: GEORGE CLOONEY SAYS SUBURBICON ISN’T REALLY A COMEDY 

Speaking to IndieWire at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) where his new film, Suburbicon (which tackles themes of injustice), is premiering, George Clooney discussed Hollywood’s diversity issues and highlighted that the problems stem from the wider industry:

“It’s less about the Academy and more about the industry. I think we need to get more interesting young minority filmmakers getting their films out. It was great to see Moonlight do what it did. I’m happy to see that. We need more of those.”

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Clooney has a strong point to make in that the issue isn’t necessarily about films from minority filmmakers being awarded as much as it those movies getting made and promoted in the first place; the Oscars are just reacting to what’s out there. Of course, the counter debate is that the Academy, being such a powerful voice, should be making sure it levels the playing field and takes in the full scope. To that, Clooney raised a point of complacency, saying in regards to Moonlight‘s win “I have a sense that now that’s happened, they’ll be like, well, we did it, and move on.” Indeed, the way the 2018 awards season is mapping out, the favorites are movies from mostly white, male directors.
The actor-director-producer expressed similar views in 2016, at the height of #OscarsSoWhite, but there his main target was the Academy for its poor nomination technique. These comments reflect a big change, with a focus on the bigger picture.
More than just trying to correct the point of derision, Clooney also wanted to make clear that the pervasive thinking among studio heads is outdated. In two separate quotes, he talked about the reluctance from studios to cast away of the precedent:
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“Clearly, the star system isn’t what it used to be, where you put a name out there and everybody comes to see the movie. So why isn’t Idris [Elba] asked to play this guy? Why isn’t Idris in line for the next Bond? Where is the studio’s imagination?”
“In the ‘30s, seven of the top 10 movie stars were women. Now, it’s really hard for women. There are a few — the Jennifer Lawrences of the world — but mostly, they’re having a tough time and we’re going, ‘Well, why? What’s happened?’ And women aren’t the minority, by the way. The thing is, when a business is run by a certain group of people who can’t see putting a 45-year-old woman as a romantic lead, well, that’s a problem. You need to be able to say, she’s still sexy.”

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While the Clooney is doubtful of change, 2017 has taught Hollywood some harsh lessons. He made these comments just as the star-less ITbroke several major box office records mere months after A-list vehicles like The Mummy bombed, and some of the year’s biggest successes – such as Get Out and Wonder Woman – flew against embedded conventional wisdom. Oscar backlash may not change the industry, but box office receipts could.[/size]