Oscars So Wishy-Washy: On The Academy's New Inclusion Requirements (VL311)

A half decade ago, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (the "Academy") got chastised for allowing its crown jewel awards ceremony, the Oscars, to award primarily white men. This chastisement was memorialized in the Twitter hashtag #OscarsSoWhite.

Now, five years later, in an effort to address such concerns, the Academy has adopted the "Aperture 2025" initiative, requiring any film that seeks to win its biggest award "Best Picture" to meet certain inclusion and representation quotas.

What's the legality of such a requirement? How effective is it likely to be? And just who did Hollywood copy for this one?

The Academy has an Oscar, but could probably also use a Felix...in Virtual Legality.

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO AT: https://youtu.be/9dPkOkwCZNU

#Oscars #Inclusion #Requirements

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Discussed in this episode:

"The Oscars make inclusion a requirement for best picture consideration beginning in 2024"
CNN Website - September 8, 2020 - Brian Lowry
https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/08/entertainment/oscars-rules-changes/index.html

"Oscars Announce New Inclusion Requirements for Best Picture Eligibility"
Variety - September 8, 2020 - Clayton Davis
https://variety.com/2020/film/news/oscars-inclusion-standards-best-picture-diversity-1234762727/

US Constitution, Amendment XIV
https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/amendmentxiv

"Unlawful employment practices"
42 USC 2000e–2
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/2000e-2

"Prohibition against discrimination or segregation in places of public accommodation"
42 U.S. Code § 2000a
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/2000a

"The Hashtag That Changed the Oscars: An Oral History"
New York Times - February 6, 2020 - Reggie Ugwu
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/06/movies/oscarssowhite-history.html

BFI Diversity Standards
https://www.bfi.org.uk/inclusion-film-industry/bfi-diversity-standards

Women and Hollywood Website
2018 Statistics
https://womenandhollywood.com/resources/statistics/2018-statistics/

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"Virtual Legality" is a continuing series discussing the law, video games, software, and everything digital, hosted by Richard Hoeg, of the Hoeg Law Business Law Firm (Hoeg Law).

CHECK OUT THE REST OF VIRTUAL LEGALITY HERE:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zDCgJzZUy9YAU61GoW-00K0TJOGnPCo

DISCUSSION IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS LEGAL ADVICE. INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN THE LEGAL TOPICS DISCUSSED IN THIS VIDEO SHOULD CONSULT WITH THEIR OWN COUNSEL.

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Twitter: @hoeglaw
Web: hoeglaw.com
Blog: hoeglaw.wordpress.com