What studios say about their diversity grades
Before USA TODAY published the results of its studio diversity report cards and analysis, we contacted the 14 studios with their grades and asked for their reactions. Most either declined comment or did not respond. Here are the responses we received:
OPEN ROAD
Grade: D-
Response: "The methodology used in determining these scores is deeply flawed and irresponsible. We are proud of the diversity reflected in our slate and think that assigning faulty scores like this is a dead end." — Tom Ortenberg, CEO, Open Road Films
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THE WEINSTEIN CO.
Grade: B
Response: "In 2013, in one year alone, we released Ryan Coogler’s Fruitvale Station, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and Lee Daniels’ The Butler. It still astounds me, but none were nominated for a single Oscar. (Editor's note: U2 was nominated for best original song for Ordinary Love, from the Mandela soundtrack.) Since then, we’ve gone on to release The Imitation Game, Carol, and with upcoming films like the Roberto Duran story Hands of Stone by Venezuelan director Jonathan Jakubowicz, the sequel to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Saroo Brierley’s story Lion and Lee Daniels’ Richard Pryor film — we couldn’t be more excited by what’s to come.
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"I’m proud to say that our films have never shied away from diversity — Jane Campion’s The Piano; Leslie Harris’ Just Another Girl on the I.R.T.; Cry, the Beloved Country; Django Unchained; The Crying Game; Miral; A Single Man; Transamerica; and one of my favorites, Maya Angelou’s directorial debut Down In the Delta — and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. And while we’ve been lucky enough to receive honors from NAACP, GLAAD, Human Rights Campaign and Harvard’s W.E.B. Du Bois medal — we know after all the awards, the truth is that industry needs to, and must do better. And we will, too.” — Harvey Weinstein, co-chairman, The Weinstein Co.