For centuries, Hollywood has been the staple for everlasting fairytale stories. The returning old-guards (Meryl Streep for “The Iron Lady”, Gary Oldman’s for “Darkest Hour”); the unexpected rising star (Jennifer Lawrence for “Silver Lining Playbook”, Rami Malek for “Bohemian Rhapsody”); the acclaimed breakout role (Viola Davis’s nomination for “Doubt”, Matthew McConaughey for “Dallas Buyers Club”). But recently, these fairytales have entered into the vast world of television.
In 2015, Viola Davis won Best Actress in a Drama Series for “How To Get Away With Murder”. Today, the actress was snubbed for a diverse selection, and deservingly, the award went to a role not commonly found. A role which focuses on a drug addicted teenager living in the world of social media and a world after September 11th, 2001. The actress in question: 24-Year Old, Zendaya.
72nd Emmy Awards, held virtually due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, marked a shift in recognizing the contribution of black and diverse stories. Zendaya, who became the youngest actress and second black actress to win Best Actress; RuPaul, who became the first reality host to win the award for five consecutive years; and Schitt’s Creek, lead by LGBTQ actor Dan Levy. These are just a few headlines from an industry that celebrates, and fortunately, ahead of the movie industry.
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science recently announced practice standards by creating inclusion in four unique ways. Starting off in 2024, Motion Picture Arts will begin considering films in their Best Picture with the inclusion of at least one lead actor or significant supporting actor being from an underrepresented racial group (African-American, Hispanic, Asian). The Academy would also consider Best Picture nominees if the production staff consists of 30% women, gives marketing opportunities towards staffing teams, and if their head creatives have at least two individuals be unrepresented ethnic or racial group. “I do think, on some level, Hollywood wants to be progressive”, Eric Kohn, Executive Editor at IndieWire, said to WNYC’s All of It. “There looking for more opportunities for inclusivity”.
But is it too late? While gatekeepers, like Kirstie Alley, Emmy-winning actress, deleted a tweet saying “The new RULES to qualify for Best Picture are dictatorial… anti-artist.. Hollywood you’re swinging so far left you’re bumping into your own a**”. There is a resurgence of young creatives reflecting society in profound ways. However, right now, movies are in jeopardy of being second figures to television. Disney (DisneyPlus+) and Netflix upended movie theaters with their offering of entertainment — Mulan and The Lovebirds, respectively.
Will the industry be able to compete with binge-watching shows after Covid-19? The answer is in diversity — the genuine makeup that creates America. As Frank Scherma, chairman and CEO of Television Academy, said in the beginning of the nomination ceremony in July: “2020 isn’t just about the global health crisis. This year we also bearing to one of the greatest fights for social justice in history, and it is our duty to use this medium for change. That is the power and responsibly of television — not only delivering a multitude of services or a little escapism, but also amplifying the voices that must be heard and telling the stories that must be told”.
Will Hollywood champion diverse stories? Well. Only time will tell.
Word Count: 540
