Anytime I can read a story where the Hollywood elite complain about eating their own, is a time that I can sit back and have a quick laugh.
Oscars voters slam Hollywood inclusion standards amid new diversity rules | Fox News
I have a couple friends that work in the industry. To paraphrase, "anyone complaining how the best picture standards limits artistic freedom either don't actually know the standards or are just trying to get in the news by being contrarian."
There's 4 different standards, of which they have to meet two, but 3 of them are background staff.
The first one is the one in the news. Either have a minority group lead, 30% background actors from minority group, or story about minority group.
Standard B is two lead staff are minority groups, 6 crew/tech positions are, or 30% overall staff.
Standard C is two interships/apprenticeships for minority group and training/work is "offered to below skill line" workers in minority group.
Standard D is the studio/film company has senior executives that are in minority group.
So, going back to my friend's example.
"A movie about all white men;
- in which the head hairstylist and makeup artist are either gay or a woman(who could imagine that?)
- the VFX department has two interns that aren't white dudes
- and the film hired below skill line PAs at a lower rate
- Meets standard B and C. This film qualifies for best picture