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An inclusion rider or equity rider is a provision in an actor's or
filmmaker Filmmaking or film production is the process by which a Film, motion picture is produced. Filmmaking involves a number of complex and discrete stages, beginning with an initial story, idea, or commission. Production then continues through screen ...
's contract that provides for a certain level of
diversity Diversity, diversify, or diverse may refer to: Business *Diversity (business), the inclusion of people of different identities (ethnicity, gender, age) in the workforce *Diversity marketing, marketing communication targeting diverse customers * ...
in casting and production staff. For example, the rider might require a certain proportion of actors or staff to be women,
people of color The term "person of color" (: people of color or persons of color; abbreviated POC) is used to describe any person who is not considered "white". In its current meaning, the term originated in, and is associated with, the United States. From th ...
,
LGBT LGBTQ people are individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning. Many variants of the initialism are used; LGBTQIA+ people incorporates intersex, asexual, aromantic, agender, and other individuals. The gro ...
people or people with disabilities. Prominent actors or filmmakers may use their negotiating power to insist on such provisions. The term is derived from the " rider", a provision in the contract of performing actors to ensure certain aspects of a performance such as personal amenities or technical infrastructure.


History

The idea was developed by Stacy L. Smith, a professor at the
USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism The USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism is a part of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. It has 2,300 undergraduate and graduate students. Willow Bay is the dean. Prof. Hector Amaya is the Director of the Sc ...
, in a 2014 op-ed for ''
The Hollywood Reporter ''The Hollywood Reporter'' (''THR'') is an American digital and print magazine which focuses on the Cinema of the United States, Hollywood film industry, film, television, and entertainment industries. It was founded in 1930 as a daily trade pap ...
'' and in her 2016 TED talk. Together with film executive Fanshen Cox DiGiovanni and attorney Kalpana Kotagal Smith created a template for an inclusion rider. Inclusion riders became more widely known at the 2018 Academy Awards, when actress
Frances McDormand Frances Louise McDormand (born Cynthia Ann Smith; June 23, 1957) is an American actress and film producer. In a career spanning over four decades, McDormand has received numerous accolades, including four Academy Awards, two Primetime Emmy Awa ...
said at the end of her Best Actress acceptance speech, "I have two words to leave with you tonight, ladies and gentlemen: inclusion rider!" Still, in June 2019, the ''New York Times'' reported that inclusion riders remained rarely used, although studios pursued other diversity policies. In March 2018,
Netflix Netflix is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service. The service primarily distributes original and acquired films and television shows from various genres, and it is available internationally in multiple lang ...
CEO Reed Hastings declined to adopt an inclusion rider for Netflix productions.


Use

The following people or institutions have committed to using inclusion riders or inclusion policies: ;Filmmakers *
Ben Affleck Benjamin Géza Affleck (born August 15, 1972) is an American actor and filmmaker. His accolades include two Academy Awards, two BAFTA Awards, and three Golden Globes. Affleck began his career as a child when he starred in the PBS educatio ...
*
Matt Damon Matthew Paige Damon ( ; born October 8, 1970) is an American actor, film producer, and screenwriter. He was ranked among ''Forbes'' most bankable stars in 2007, and in 2010 was one of the highest-grossing actors of all time. He has received va ...
* Paul Feig * Michael B. Jordan * Brie Larson ;Talent agencies *
William Morris Endeavor Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc. (formerly William Morris Endeavor and WME-IMG) is an American holding company for talent and media agencies with its primary offices in Beverly Hills, California. The company was founded in April 2009 after the me ...
;Entertainment companies *
Warner Bros. Discovery Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (WBD) is an American Multinational corporation, multinational mass media and Outline of entertainment, entertainment Conglomerate (company), conglomerate headquartered in New York City. It was formed from WarnerMedi ...
: The first film made with an inclusion rider is '' Just Mercy'' (2019).


References

{{reflist


External links


Inclusion rider template
on th
Annenberg Inclusion Initiative
website Contract law Acting Affirmative action