What Richard Dreyfuss Doesn’t Seem to Understand

It’s no secret that Hollywood has a long history of systematically excluding Black, Latino, Asian, and female voices from the big screen. From the earliest days of the industry, minority groups were marginalized and underrepresented on both sides of the camera, from actors to writers and directors. From the lack of opportunities for people of color to the white-washing of characters of color, Hollywood has a long and sordid history of failing to include diverse voices in its storytelling. At the same time, Hollywood has seen a dramatic shift in recent years, thanks in no small part to the #OscarsSoWhite movement. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has taken steps to increase inclusion and representation among Oscar nominees, and earlier this year, they announced new rules that require films to meet certain criteria in terms of representation in order to be eligible for the Best Picture award. It’s no wonder then that Richard Dreyfuss, who won an Oscar in 1978, took issue with the new rules in a recent television interview, calling them “patronizing” and going so far as to say they made him “Wanna vomit”.  How enlightening. But his comments ignore the fact that representation and inclusion in Hollywood are still far from where they should be, and that these measures are an important and necessary step towards achieving true equality in the industry.

Hollywood’s Long Affair with Racism and Sexism and that Doesn’t Make Richard Dreyfuss Wanna Vomit?

Take for example the fact that this year’s Oscars saw a historic win for Michelle Yeoh for Best Actress for “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” but no Black actors were nominated for any of the acting categories. This is unacceptable and is a clear indication that more needs to be done to ensure that marginalized voices are included in Hollywood. The fact is that the film industry has long been dominated by white men, and progress towards true diversity and inclusion has been slow and painstakingly incremental. The Oscars’ new rules are a step in the right direction, and it’s unfortunate that Dreyfuss chooses to ignore the systemic exclusion of diverse voices in Hollywood. It’s time to recognize that something is inherently wrong with the lack of representation in the industry, and that the only way to truly address this issue is to take concrete steps towards inclusion. This includes supporting filmmakers and actors from diverse backgrounds, and providing them with the resources and opportunities they need to tell their stories. It’s time for Hollywood to embrace diversity and inclusion, and for Richard Dreyfuss and other critics of the Academy’s new rules to recognize that these measures are necessary in order to effect real change. We must all take responsibility for ensuring that all voices are heard and that everyone is included in our stories.

– Brego

This is such a teachable moment. Let’s see what The Professor has to say about Richard Dreyfuss and his meltdown.

In case Richard’s argumentment has any life left in it, let’s get Rolin Martin to end it.

The world looks so very different from where I am right now. From my perspective. Web 3 has a lot to do with it. People wonder why I don’t do my art more, why I don’t write more, why I’m not acting. My mentor of many years told me, “Don’t let time get away from you, focus on your wriitng. You are a writer.” She couldn’t understand why I had to say, become a Forex and Crypto trader for a while, just as my friends and family didn’t understand why I had to become a long-term caregiver for a long time.

They said: “Can’t you just order your father Chinese food?” or “Wouldn’t your life be better without your father…” (Yes some “friend” actually said that)…and family, “Throw his stuff in the dumpster and put him in a nursing home.” These people are exactly the type of people who compelled me to take a different route in life. One that is more focused on the experience of life, my values, my beliefs, and taking the slow-road to success. I never really reacted when people told me these things, I was too busy. Both being a caregiver, but also learning, observing, and growing. Not just technically, but as a human being. Looking at nature, processing and healing my own traumas. I figured, the last thing the world needed was another asshole. So I took the slow path to success, with that in mind.

They don’t understand that I am writing, doing art and producing, albeit on a very low level. Bamboo grows beneath the surface of the soil for many years, and not until year seven or so does it grow where people can see it, then it becomes the fastest growing “tree” in nature. Not really a tree, but you get the metaphor. That’s the type of person I am…if a person tells me I can’t do something, that’s the thing I wanna do. I lay down roots and I get to work.

In this world there are millions of actors, writers and artists, but why is it for tech startups, for the decision-making positions, for media companies, those who craft the decisions that move culture, money, and environmental policy there are so few BIPOC owned companies? About 4-5% Black owned and as best I can tell even if you add women and minority owned the figure is still rather low. And within the Web 3 space, the numbers are likely non-existent.

And within the Web 3 space, we have a once in a generation opportunity to create true equity and a more egalitarian system. Yet, on a daily I am met with people who just want to turn it into a lifeless/soulless gated suburb. I say nothing, I make notes.

I don’t want to sit at any table I’m not wanted at, I will have my own table, and I’ll decide who is worthy to sit with me and my people. And here’s the twist, my people are the people with, what my Aunt Lee used to call, those with “the good heart”, irrespective of their race, color, class, sexual orientation, nationality or gender.
Keep a good heart and join me at the cool kid’s table by the window.

Edmund

Web3Phones.com are Coming Soon! 

Veritas Tua, A short scene by Edmund J. Janas, II
May 21, 2022

Although this is technically a monologue, it is actually more powerful when performed as a scene. It is written with a non-binary actor in the speaking part, and the woman listening as the recipient of the message.

The speaking actor is mostly obscured, blurred or not seen in full. Attention to details of the scene, the woman’s reactions and the cafe, hardly ever on the speaker. The woman is fully engrossed in the other actor’s monologue. It’s clear she is coming off of a good cry, and is suddenly happy to see her friend and hear all they have to say. She listens to her friend intently. The actor listening is actually doing the hard work as she must respond, reflect…even laugh at the corny lines and over-the-top beliefs of her friend. Ultimately she comes to some personal revelations about what is being said. We must see her resolve in the end.

PERSON 1
“I am utterly sick and fed-up with people and their bullshit. Myself included. We are all, to some degree afraid to take a stand for what we feel is right. We can’t speak truth to anyone, because most people are too damn scared they will lose something…someone, followers, they’ll lose a job, social status or the god of all…money.

I know of very smart people with the solutions to some of society’s ills locked on the tip of their tongues but who are too terrified of losing things to use their voice! So they stay silent. For a job? A job that you will lose eventually anyway. A position. Afraid of blowback from speaking the truth?! Afraid you’ll look stupid, silly or weak? Afraid someone will stop loving you?

FUN FACT: If they stop loving you…it ain’t love.

But isn’t it true we become stupid, silly and weak in time if we do not live boldly? Life’s cruel and poetic justice, is that we all break down and we all die, or…at least, that’s another illusion we have bought into. (to barista) so….make mine a double carpe diem macchiato con panna, please. (returns back to young lady sitting opposite)

So why are you afraid to lose an illusion? These things are contrived and only exist in your mind, or worse…in the mind of others. You and your spirit, your capacity to love is the only thing that is real, the only thing that you get to keep. No, not romantic love. I’m talking about real power, real love. So act boldly, speak up, and act. The self-regard you get from standing in your truth will be far greater than any thing society can give or take away; and don’t fool yourself, society does take it away. But knowing that we stood in our truth… we get to keep it that for all the ages. (Pondering) As a very wise art teacher once told me. “Stop fudging around and draw!” (sips coffee)

Camera dollies back to reveal the young lady is sitting alone.

WAITRESS
Will someone be joining you?

YOUNG LADY
Presently

As the waitress walks away the young lady smiles and looks directly at the camera pulls back to reveal that the chair in front of her has been empty this whole time.

YOUNG LADY
(in the voice of her imaginary friend)
“No matter what the cost, speaking your truth is always worth it. It’s the only thing you can really control in this life, so make it count.”

FADE TO BLACK

All rights reserved 2022, feel free to perform on stage but attribution required. You may not reproduce for film without written permission. You may not use for commercial purposes without written consent.

We will be shooting this Short in the Summer of 2025 Your donation will allow us to accomplish this shoot. We are crowd-source funding the shoot of this short. $3K is our target budget. Any donations over $100 receive a credit, Donations over $500 get their business mentioned or an Angel Credit, donations over $1,000 receive an Executive Producer Credit, billing based on amount. All amounts in excess of this short film’s budget will be applied to our feature-length film “The Keepers”. Donators whose contributions are in excess of our budget will be listed as “Contributors” in The Keepers feature film.

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