LA Times published an investigative report on the super secret Oscar voters. Here are the stats that they found:
94% Caucasian
77% male
14% less than 50 years old, median age 62
2% African-American
Less that 2 % Latino
So these are the guys who create our standards of what is “the best.” Which directors we celebrate and honor above all. Do you think the Oscar voters and the fact that only one female director has ever won Best Director is a crazy coincidence?
Here’s one idea to celebrate females: Get rid of the phallic, naked man gold statuette. How about this one? Read more about the new Oscar statuette and how it will defy the Oscar Curse for women here.
Another idea for the LA Times? Please investigate the MPAA, the group that rates all the movies, deciding which ones are appropriate for children. These guys I have no doubt are all male, white, and old. They have NO idea what is offensive and what isn’t and their standards are so screwed up, it’s part of the reason I started Reel Girl. For example: Snow White, The Little Mermaid, Sleeping Beauty are rated by me ***SSS*** Triple Stereotype, NOT suitable for your kids. See the categories on the left side of this blog for more Triple S and Triple G (Girlpower) movies. I’d rather my kids here the word “shit” than see another blonde, blue-eyed princess in a wedding dress any day.
‘I’d rather my kids here the word “shit” than see another blonde, blue-eyed princess in a wedding dress any day.’
hear hear, deer!
I’m surprised you haven’t highlighted this lovely comment from Frank Pierson
“I don’t see any reason why the academy should represent the entire American population. That’s what the People’s Choice Awards are for…We represent the professional filmmakers, and if that doesn’t reflect the general population, so be it.”
Hi Joan,
SO CLUELESS!
MM
Re: MPAA, you should see the documentary “This Film is Not Yet Rated”. It came out in 2006, but it does name the review boards of the organization.
In 2005, the review board consisted of:
Head of the Board: Joan Graves
Anthony “Tony” Hey – 61 – separated – age of children: 16, 28, 30
Barry Freeman – 45 – married – elementary school aged children
Arlene Bates – 44 – married – age of children: 15 and 23
Matt Ioakimedes – 46 – divorced – age of children: 17 and 20 (had served as a rater for 9 years as of 2005)
Joan Worden – 56 – married – age of children: 18 (twins)
Scott Young – 51 – married – age of children: 22 and 24 (next-door neighbor of Mrs. Bates)
Joann Yatabe – 61 – married – age of children: 22 and 25
Howard Friedkin – 47 – divorced – no children (aspiring screenwriter)
Kori Jones (deceased)
No doubt, that information is outdated now.
Hi Joan,
and i wonder how many on the board total
MM