Academy changes no flash in the pan, actress says
Threatened boycott of Oscars night did not speed up diversity reforms
VICTORIA AHEARN
Oscar-nominated actress Alfre Woodard wants to clear up some misconceptions about the diversity reforms within the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
The AMPAS member, who serves on several of its committees, says the changes announced in recent weeks have actually been underway for the past six years.
“I think people are getting the idea that because there was a threatened boycott that we suddenly said, ‘OK, well let’s do something about it,’” says Woodard, who will receive the inaugural career achievement award at the Toronto Black Film Festival, which runs Feb. 10-14.
“People need to know that those changes were thoughtfully underway.”
Woodard was referring to a vow by director Spike Lee and actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith to not attend this year’s Oscars gala on Feb. 28.
They’re upset with two straight years of all-white acting nominees, which sparked public outcry and the social media campaign #OscarsSoWhite.
“The other reaction that people are having, that, ‘Oh, so now it’s kind of like affirmative action to get into the academy’ that’s just reactive claptrap,” she says.
Academy admission rules and requirements haven’t suddenly changed, Woodard says. AMP AS has made a conscious effort in the past six years to think “outside the box” and broaden its outlook during its admissions process every year, she says. “Instead of just thinking of the people on your block that might be qualified for membership — think about people who don’t live near you who are qualified,” says the 63-year-old, who’s won a Golden Globe and four Emmys.
That includes looking at younger talent.
“If you’re 75 years old, you may not know the 25-year-olds that have the qualifications and the brains to be a great addition to this body,” Woodard says.
“We have been very conscious of making sure that there were younger people considered every year as well.”
Woodard says she feels “the real problem” is which films get made, “and the academy has nothing to do with that.”
“That falls on the shoulders of studios, production companies, investors. It’s where the money goes.”
She also notes that “brilliant people” have been left out of the Oscar nominations every year, in every discipline.
Woodard says the goal for those in the industry should just be to keep making films and get them out to the public
People need to know that those changes were thoughtfully underway ALFRE WOODARD