No One Is Talking About the Best Speech at the Oscars; A Plea to Hollywood to Give Other Filmmakers a Shot
No one seems to be talking about the best acceptance speech that was given at The Oscars this past weekend, so I thought I would highlight it for you, because it’s the one that Hollywood needs to really hear!
For years I’ve been saying that major Hollywood studios should be making more original lower-budget films to give more filmmakers a chance to show what they’ve got to offer and tell their stories. Not every movie made has to be a $100 million plus movie!
So, when Cord Jefferson, the winner of the Best Adapted Screenplay for American Fiction got up and gave his speech, I was so freakin’ happy that he actually shared this concept with the Hollywood elite at the ceremony! I think this was the most important speech of the night as it was a plea to Hollywood to make more lower-budget films and give more filmmakers a shot to tell the stories they have to tell. Jefferson said:
“It’s a plea to acknowledge and recognize that there are so many people out there who want the opportunity that I was given. I understand that this is a risk averse industry, I get it, but 200 million dollar movies are also a risk, and it doesn’t always work out. But, you take the risk anyway. And instead of making one 200 million dollar million movie, try making ten 20 million dollar movies, or 50 four million dollar movies!”
He added: “I felt so much joy making this movie and I want other people to experience that joy and they are out there, I promise you. The next Martin Scorsese’s out there the next Greta Gerwig’s out there, the next Christopher Nolan’s out there. I promise you, they just want a shot and we can give them one.”
I love that. That made me happy, and if there was one great thing to come our of that Oscar Ceremony, this speech was it. Everyone in the room applauded, but will any one actually take the step to make this become a reality?
It’s so crazy to me that Hollywood studios still aren’t doing this! There have been attempts, but they aren’t properly managed. No one has done it the right way. There’s also a lot more opportunity for studios to make money this way, and find new franchises to build on!
Come on Hollywood! Get your shit together! Let’s start making lots of great quality original films again that aren’t going to cost you a ridiculous amount of money to produce!