{"id":10521,"date":"2020-08-20T22:43:22","date_gmt":"2020-08-20T20:43:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/?p=10521"},"modified":"2020-08-20T22:43:25","modified_gmt":"2020-08-20T20:43:25","slug":"academy-launches-new-conversation-series-on-race-and-gender-equity-in-filmaking-academy-dialogues-it-starts-with-us","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/blog\/2020\/08\/20\/academy-launches-new-conversation-series-on-race-and-gender-equity-in-filmaking-academy-dialogues-it-starts-with-us\/","title":{"rendered":"Academy Launches New Conversation Series On Race And Gender Equity In Filmaking “Academy Dialogues: It Starts With Us”"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Panelists include Victoria Alonso, Lisa Cort\u00e9s, Debra Martin Chase, Carmen Cuba, Lee Daniels, DeVon Franklin, Whoopi Goldberg, Nadia Hallgren, Taraji P. Henson, Franklin Leonard, Delroy Lindo, Tarell Alvin McCraney, Bao Nguyen, Dawn Porter, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Ivette Rodriguez, Bird Runningwater, Misan Sagay, Bryan Stevenson, Elle-M\u00e1ij\u00e1 Tailfeathers, Ligiah Villalobos, Lulu Wang, Emil Wilbekin and Roger Ross Williams<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=UfQSALNKWJU%3F_cldee%3DaW5mb0BzYW1kYi5jby56YQ%253d%253d%26recipientid%3Dcontact-52e80055e585e711810600505683369f-cebe8966f2614002bb4c195b74a24374%26esid%3Dfccb89f5-92e2-ea11-a813-000d3a59ebf2\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recently announced the launch of a new series of virtual panels for members and the public, as a part of its Academy Aperture 2025 equity and inclusion initiative, called \u201cAcademy Dialogues: It Starts with Us,\u201d with conversations about race, ethnicity, gender, history, opportunity and the art of filmmaking. These discussions focus on the industry-wide systemic changes that are needed to afford greater opportunities to women and people from underrepresented ethnic\/racial communities and to create a new narrative for recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWith our \u2018Academy Dialogues\u2019 series, the Academy is creating a space for our members \u2013 and the public \u2013 to talk about inclusion in a way that is timely, relevant and allows for a meaningful exchange on how to bring systemic change to Hollywood,\u201d said Lorenza Mu\u00f1oz, EVP, Member Relations and Awards. \u201cThese conversations may be uncomfortable for some, but they are necessary to broaden the stories that are getting told and increase opportunities for those who have been excluded.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Academy Dialogues: \u201cThe Power of Narrative\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first presentation in this ongoing series, \u201cThe Power of Narrative,\u201d took place on July 21 for Academy members and featured a live conversation between Academy governor Whoopi Goldberg and civil rights attorney Bryan Stevenson, founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative. They discussed the role of narrative storytelling in addressing racial and ethnic inequity and touched upon the lasting impact of racist tropes and harmful stereotypes in Hollywood films. This conversation is now available on YouTube.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Academy Dialogues: \u201cNative Son\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Academy will present a conversation with Oscar\u00ae-nominated director Lee Daniels (\u201cPrecious: Based on the Novel \u2018Push\u2019 by Sapphire\u201d) and Oscar-winning writer Tarell Alvin McCraney (\u201cMoonlight\u201d) about their personal and professional journeys navigating the film industry as Black gay men. Emil Wilbekin, media executive and founder of Native Son, a networking group for professional Black gay men, will moderate the discussion. Available on YouTube on August 27.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Academy Dialogues: \u201cOwning Our Stories\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Bird Runningwater, director of the Indigenous Program at the Sundance Institute, will moderate a conversation with writers Misan Sagay (\u201cBelle\u201d) and Ligiah Villalobos (\u201cUnder the Same Moon\u201d) and filmmakers Elle-M\u00e1ij\u00e1 Tailfeathers (\u201cThe Body Remembers When the World Broke Open\u201d) and Lulu Wang (\u201cThe Farewell\u201d) on the role that gatekeeping at the studios and production companies has played in preventing authentic stories from being told. Available on YouTube on September 3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Academy Dialogues: \u201cThe Erasure of Latinos in Hollywood\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Latinos are the largest ethnic group in the United States, representing 18% of the population, and yet \u2013 whether it is in front of the camera, behind the camera or in executive positions \u2013 they are largely missing from America\u2019s storytelling. Moderated by Mu\u00f1oz, this discussion will explore identity, the complexity of being Latin, the legacies of colonialism, and, most importantly, solutions for inclusion. Panelists include Executive Vice President, Production, Marvel Studios Victoria Alonso, casting director Carmen Cuba (\u201cThe Martian\u201d), director Nadia Hallgren (\u201cBecoming\u201d), founder\/president, American Entertainment Marketing and co-founder, LA Collab Ivette Rodriguez, among others. Available on YouTube on September 10.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Academy Dialogues: \u201cICON MANN: We Are the Culture\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In partnership with ICON MANN, a media and consulting company committed to positively transforming the dialogue and image of Black men, the Academy will present a town hall focused on the Academy\u2019s Black membership and the challenges to representation and inclusion in the industry, moderated by Shawn Finnie, the Academy\u2019s associate director of member relations and outreach. Panelists include Oscar-nominated actor and filmmaker Taraji P. Henson (\u201cThe Curious Case of Benjamin Button\u201d), actor Delroy Lindo (\u201cDa 5 Bloods\u201d) and writer-director Gina Prince-Bythewood (\u201cThe Old Guard\u201d), among others. Available on YouTube in September.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Academy Dialogues: \u201cICON MANN Part Two: Investing in Yourself\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Presented in collaboration with ICON MANN, this discussion will explore taking ownership and control of one\u2019s stories and content to find success outside of the traditional Hollywood system. In conversation with Franklin Leonard, founder of the Black List, panelists include producer and Academy governor DeVon Franklin (\u201cBreakthrough\u201d) and producer Debra Martin Chase (\u201cHarriet\u201d), among others. Available on YouTube in September.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Academy Dialogues: \u201cDocumentaries Through Our Own Lens\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although the field of talented documentarians is among the most diverse in the entertainment industry, opportunities to tell their stories continue to be a challenge for people from underrepresented racial and ethnic communities. Academy governor and Oscar winner Roger Ross Williams (\u201cThe Apollo\u201d) will moderate a discussion on the systemic changes that need to occur for marginalized communities to be able to tell stories through their own lens. Panelists include filmmakers Lisa Cort\u00e9s (\u201cAll In: The Fight for Democracy\u201d), Bao Nguyen (\u201cBe Water\u201d) and Dawn Porter (\u201cJohn Lewis: Good Trouble\u201d). Available on YouTube in October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Academy Dialogues: \u201cColor-Conscious Casting\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There is a long history of casting decisions that have severely limited the opportunities for actors of color to stereotypes and minor roles, echoing the overtly racist use of blackface in \u201cclassic” films, and there remains a ripple effect of Hollywood\u2019s discriminatory history in hiring practices today. The creative collaboration between casting directors and filmmakers offers a tremendous opportunity to better reflect, on screen, the world as it truly is. This frank conversation will look back at the effects of inequitable and biased casting and look forward to the ways inclusion and authenticity can enrich both our movies and our culture. Available on YouTube in October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Academy Dialogues: \u201cHow Would Gender Parity Change Hollywood?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since film is one of the most far-reaching and impactful artforms, what needs to happen for women and girls to see themselves reflected in stories and to find more role models on the screen and behind the camera? How would increasing the number of female directors, producers, executives and others in decision making positions usher in work culture that allows full expression of women\u2019s abilities, leadership skills, intellect and strength? Studies have shown that workplaces with more equity, inclusion, and gender balance result in more collaboration, diversity of thought and higher productivity. This Academy Dialogue will dive into what true equity and inclusion means, how it will inevitably lead to a safer work environment and how to normalize and amplify female leadership and empowerment. Available on YouTube in October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Academy Dialogues: \u201cBroadening the Aperture of Excellence\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Academy membership\u2019s role as arbiter of excellence in film has been an influential and important one in the past 93 years. This discussion will center on the importance of broadening the aperture through which cinematic art is viewed and how excellence comes in many forms. Available on YouTube in October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAcademy Dialogues: It Starts with Us\u201d is part of Academy Aperture 2025, the next phase of the Academy\u2019s equity and inclusion initiative furthering the organization\u2019s ongoing efforts to advance inclusion in the entertainment industry and increase representation within its membership and the greater film community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For program information and talent updates for the \u201cAcademy Dialogues\u201d series, visit www.oscars.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Panelists include Victoria Alonso, Lisa Cort\u00e9s, Debra Martin Chase, Carmen Cuba, Lee Daniels, DeVon Franklin, Whoopi Goldberg, Nadia Hallgren, Taraji P. Henson, Franklin Leonard, Delroy Lindo, Tarell Alvin McCraney, Bao Nguyen, Dawn Porter, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Ivette Rodriguez, Bird Runningwater, Misan Sagay, Bryan Stevenson, Elle-M\u00e1ij\u00e1 Tailfeathers, Ligiah Villalobos, Lulu Wang, Emil Wilbekin and Roger Ross Williams… Continue reading Academy Launches New Conversation Series On Race And Gender Equity In Filmaking “Academy Dialogues: It Starts With Us”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10521","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-workshops","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10521","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10521"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10521\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10521"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10521"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10521"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}