Anonymous wrote:I haven't seen a lot of movies this year, but from what I've heard, performances by people of color in "Straight out of Compton" and "Creed"(for example) were just as award-worthy as some of the nominees, and people are surprised that they've been shut out.

I'm a theatre professional, and this conversation has been going strong in our community over the last year or so. Casting doesn't have to be "color-blind," but if ethnicity isn't important for a character, there's no need to default to a white actor.

I've been watching Mozart in the Jungle this week and there is one character of color (so far)- the Maestro. I don't see a particular need for an entirely white cast for the portrayal of musicians in New York City.

Anonymous wrote:Does it have to be multi-racial? What if the only amazing performances were white this year?

Should they pick some ethnic actors just to round out cast? I guess I just don't know what people expect.

Actors are not the only people to get Academy Awards -- there are numerous categories.
How is it that "Creed" got tons of critical acclaim, Sylvester Stallone was nominated for an Oscar, but the director got NADA...
It's not a matter of people of color demanding that they 'always be included' , it's a matter of it often seeming that people of color are left out time and time again.
Considered last in casting, considered last in telling their own stories, THANK YOU MATT DAMON, and then often not considered to get an award for their acting unless they are playing a criminal or a slave. While those things are generalities, they are issues that need to be looked at and addressed. It benefits all people to cast a wider net and to see the world thru the myriad of experiences of all of the different people of the world.

I never realized how white Hollywood is until I married an Asian man. Now that I have half Asian kids, it's fuck-all hard to find anything but bit parts (stereotypes, at that) that reflect them in entertainment.

It's sort of a bummer. I don't disagree that maybe this year all the really good roles/performances were played by white people. But maybe it's because 95% of all major actors are white (and pulled from a tiny pool of A-listers).

Anonymous wrote:I haven't seen a lot of movies this year, but from what I've heard, performances by people of color in "Straight out of Compton" and "Creed"(for example) were just as award-worthy as some of the nominees, and people are surprised that they've been shut out.

I'm a theatre professional, and this conversation has been going strong in our community over the last year or so. Casting doesn't have to be "color-blind," but if ethnicity isn't important for a character, there's no need to default to a white actor.

Yeah and look how pissy people got over the lack of white male leads in the new Star Wars movie.

Will Smith and Idris Elba were both nominated for Golden Globes and passed over for the Oscar nominations so I suppose you could say those were snubs. I didn't see Beasts of No Nation so I can't comment on Idris Elba. Will Smith was good in Concussion but I don't think the movie was so great. Seems many say the same about Jennifer Lawrence and Joy and her name stays on the Oscar ballot.

I haven't seen a lot of movies this year, but from what I've heard, performances by people of color in "Straight out of Compton" and "Creed"(for example) were just as award-worthy as some of the nominees, and people are surprised that they've been shut out.

I'm a theatre professional, and this conversation has been going strong in our community over the last year or so. Casting doesn't have to be "color-blind," but if ethnicity isn't important for a character, there's no need to default to a white actor.

The sad part to me is that ONLY black entertainers/actors seem to be piping up about the issue. Thereby making it a 'black issue', which will be summarily dismissed. Jada Pinkett Smith should take a step back and let some other hues voice their concerns. Plenty of Asian and Latino actors and directors are major contributors. Same issue every time there's a panel on affirmative action. Black people march out front and it becomes all out black vs. white. It will never resonate that way.

It does make one wonder about liberal Hollywood who champion minorities except when it comes to who is eligible for award ceremonies.

Anonymous wrote:Affirmatve action in casting calls now?

It's tough enough to find good actors who make the audience love or hate the character, but now you're wanting to narrow the field even more bc only a few A listers are minorities.

You could argue the rap and r&b awards are dominated by blacks. Hec, should I be offended bc BET has their own channel?

Wow. That's an original argument. Idiots like you have been making that inane argument since BET went on the air.

Affirmatve action in casting calls now?

It's tough enough to find good actors who make the audience love or hate the character, but now you're wanting to narrow the field even more bc only a few A listers are minorities.

You could argue the rap and r&b awards are dominated by blacks. Hec, should I be offended bc BET has their own channel?

What % of leads with high quality/big budget scripts were cast with a minority? No, it's not the Academy's fault if the best actors were white. But I reckon there is a real problem in casting.

I am not watching because it's just silly. One movie is the "it" movie and gets nominated over and over in every category. Most of the time the movies good but never have I see one that blew me away where I thought they should get every award.

Anonymous wrote:Does it have to be multi-racial? What if the only amazing performances were white this year?

Should they pick some ethnic actors just to round out cast? I guess I just don't know what people expect.

That's what I'm asking. Thus far, I've only seen the general complaint that the noms are white actors/actors. But, I've not seen any mention of specific individuals who should have been nominated but were not. Should we expect multi-racial nominations regardless?

I also realize that there is a large problem with casting in Hollywood, as well as opportunities available for women and non-white actors/actresses. While that contributes to this issue, this is not the specific question I'm asking.

Does it have to be multi-racial? What if the only amazing performances were white this year?

Should they pick some ethnic actors just to round out cast? I guess I just don't know what people expect.

I know this is a criticism of the Oscars and has been for some time. I see that it is again this year. I stopped watching the awards show years ago for various reasons. And, I'm unlikely to watch this year, either. But, I get that it's a big honor for actors.

I've not seen that many movies this past year so am genuinely wondering if the complaint is more general or is there some specific actor(s)/actress(es) that have been overlooked this year? Is it right to expect a non-white nominee regardless of the caliber of the performance? Is that the complaint here? Or is there someone or some people who have been genuinely overlooked this year?

I realize that someone will find something wrong with what I've asked and that's fine. But, I'm just wondering what people think (after just reading that Jada Pinkett Smith is boycotting the event).