inclusion riders: the key to diversity in modern cinema
“I have two words to leave with you tonight, ladies and gentlemen: 'inclusion rider.’ “. A sentence that concluded Frances McDormand’s 2018 Academy Award speech, in which she won Best Actress for her work in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (Martin McDonagh, 2017). The concept of an inclusion rider was first developed in 2014 by Dr. Stacey L. Smith, a professor at the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism (USC), however the phrase rose to prominence following McDormand’s speech, which was followed by an influx of curiosity and interest into the initiative, thus paving the way for a new, transformed, and inclusive industry.
In a study conducted by Smith, she detected that out of 900 films created in the years from 2007-2016, only 34 of these films were directed by women. Along with this shocking statistic, it was discovered that in 2016, 76% of films had no LGBT characters, and in the 24% that did, 79.1% of these characters were white. White actors dominated the screens within this period (and still do, and always have done), with 70.8% of roles going to white actors, leaving an appalling 29.2% of roles going to those of different races. These statistics are recent, and they are current. This is where an inclusion rider comes into play, and it is this provision of diversity that will surely change the game in the film industry—no matter how big the project.
Focusing primarily on diversity within the entertainment industry, the inclusion rider movement is all about promoting the work and voices of those in less privileged and marginalised positions within our society. LGBT persons, POC, those with disabilities, and women are amongst the groups of people that inclusion riders demand to take part and hold positions within the production or casting of a project—enabling a more inclusive approach to the creation of a film, which of course allows a broadened and more well-rounded perspective within the direction that a project may take.
So, how does an inclusion rider necessarily work? What does it take for this to be taken seriously by the likes of Hollywood? Well, in the majority of cases, an actor will specify an inclusion rider through their contract, alerting studios that they will only work if they can accommodate for all people, and not discriminate in their means of production— thus ensuring that any future projects they may take on, will be comprised of a diverse group of individuals. The contract itself (as of 2018), asks that directors/studios audition at least one actor from these under-represented groups, with the powers who hold these auditions being a part of these groups wherever possible, dispelling any form of bias choices. There is also an interesting specification that can relate to the accuracy of certain films, given the location and period in which a film is set. Meaning that the casting choices of a film should reflect these attributes of its narrative. Given the ongoing controversy, that still exist even in today’s industry, of white-washing entertainment, this particular clause is especially important, as the inclusion rider will therefore ensure that a narrative is met with parallel visuals, and we as an audience can see something represented accurately and realistically.
Film remains to be a media in which we can tell our stories, share our experiences, and most importantly, learn from the vast range of narratives that grace our screens. Whether the genre be drama, sci-fi, or even an animated film aimed towards children, film is an unsung hero in shaping our society, and reflecting the world we live in, and the politics we live under. In saying this, isn’t it strange that collectively our mainstream industry fails to represent the world as it is? The isolation of these groups, who exist in our real world, only speaks volumes about our current situation. We cannot leave our stories to be told by those who have never, and will never, experience our livelihoods, and it is with the addition of an inclusion rider within these contracts, that will surely change our film industry for the better, allowing for more powerful, raw, and truthful tales that will shed light on our endurances for generations to come.