So What Exactly Is an Inclusion Rider?

Last evening marked the end of awards season with the 90th Academy Awards, and while highlights ranged from Jimmy Kimmel’s excellent hosting chops in his second consecutive year to Maya Rudolph and Tiffany Haddish’s newly set #BFFGoals, the one moment history may remember most was a teachable one, and it came from Frances McDormand.

“And now I’d like to get some perspective,” McDormand announced after earning her Oscar for best actress in the cutting drama Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, while placing her statuette on the floor with a little tap to its head. “Because I’ve got some things to say.”

In what appeared to be a call to arms, beginning (as one does) with Meryl Streep, McDormand asked that all the female nominees in every category, from cinematographers and writers to actors and directors, stand and join her in recognizing the strength of women in Hollywood: “Look around, ladies and gentlemen,” she said. “Because we all have stories to tell and projects we need financed. Don’t talk to us about it at the parties tonight; invite us into your office in a couple of days—or you can come to ours, whatever suits you best—and we’ll tell you all about them. I have two words to leave you with tonight, ladies and gentlemen: inclusion rider.”

Though her speech was empowering by all accounts, McDormand’s final words set Twitter ablaze with questions—what exactly is an inclusion rider?

As it turns out, it’s kind of a game changer. Proposed by University of Southern California professor Stacy Smith, who discussed the concept at length for the first time during a TED Talk in 2016, the inclusion rider is essentially an equity clause in a contract stipulating that the cast and crew of a film should accurately reflect the demography of the film’s location. Essentially, if A-list actors choose to add inclusion riders to their contracts on a regular basis going forward, Hollywood’s historically notorious diversity issues could theoretically be much improved.

An example, according to Smith, could necessitate that the casting be 50 percent female, 40 percent underrepresented ethnic groups, 20 percent people with disabilities, and 5 percent LGBT people, to guarantee that “the world on-screen looks like the world around us.”

Following the ceremony, backstage McDormand revealed that the option to use an inclusion rider has long existed, though she had only discovered it last week: “The fact that I just learned that after 35 years in the film business—we aren’t going back.”

Among her fellow actors, McDormand is already seeing support from many who will join her in their commitment to use inclusion riders for projects going forward—the list includes such talents as Brie Larson and Elizabeth Banks, as well as British screenwriter Jack Thorne.

Now that the door has been opened, it’s a promising new day for Hollywood. As Whitney Cummings chimed in on Twitter: “We should support this for a billion reasons, but if you can’t find a reason to, here’s one: It will make movies better.”

See All of the Celebrity Looks From the 2018 Oscars Red Carpet:

Oscars 2018: Fashion—Live From the Red Carpet

<h1 class="title">Lupita Nyong’o in custom Atelier Versace, Versace bag, Niwaka jewelry and Alexandre Birman shoes</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Lupita Nyong’o in custom Atelier Versace, Versace bag, Niwaka jewelry and Alexandre Birman shoes

Photo: Getty Images
<h1 class="title">Emily Blunt in Schiaparelli Haute Couture with Chopard jewelry</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Emily Blunt in Schiaparelli Haute Couture with Chopard jewelry

Photo: Getty Images
<h1 class="title">Meryl Streep in Christian Dior Haute Couture, Christian Louboutin bag, Fred Leighton jewelry, and Stuart Weitzman shoes</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Meryl Streep in Christian Dior Haute Couture, Christian Louboutin bag, Fred Leighton jewelry, and Stuart Weitzman shoes

Photo: Getty Images
<h1 class="title">Danai Gurira in Gabriela Hearst and Sergio Rossi shoes</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Danai Gurira in Gabriela Hearst and Sergio Rossi shoes

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<h1 class="title">Haley Bennett in Christian Dior</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Haley Bennett in Christian Dior

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<h1 class="title">Sally Hawkins in Armani Privé with Chopard Jewelry</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Sally Hawkins in Armani Privé with Chopard Jewelry

Photo: Getty Images
<h1 class="title">Molly Sims in Naeem Khan</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Molly Sims in Naeem Khan

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<h1 class="title">Nicole Kidman in Armani Privé, Harry Winston jewelry and Christian Louboutin shoes</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Nicole Kidman in Armani Privé, Harry Winston jewelry and Christian Louboutin shoes

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<h1 class="title">Violetta Komyshan and Ansel Elgort in Tom Ford</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Violetta Komyshan and Ansel Elgort in Tom Ford

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<h1 class="title">Leslie Mann in Zac Posen Resort and Brian Atwood shoes</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Leslie Mann in Zac Posen Resort and Brian Atwood shoes

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<h1 class="title">Sandra Bullock in Louis Vuitton and Zac Posen</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Sandra Bullock in Louis Vuitton and Zac Posen

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<h1 class="title">Emma Stone in Louis Vuitton</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Emma Stone in Louis Vuitton

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<h1 class="title">Marcus Henderson</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Marcus Henderson

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<h1 class="title">Jennifer Lawrence in Dior</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Jennifer Lawrence in Dior

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<h1 class="title">Gal Gadot in Givenchy and Tiffany & Co. jewelry</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Gal Gadot in Givenchy and Tiffany & Co. jewelry

Photo: Getty Images
<h1 class="title">Saoirse Ronan in Calvin Klein by Appointment, Cartier jewelry and Christian Louboutin shoes</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Saoirse Ronan in Calvin Klein by Appointment, Cartier jewelry and Christian Louboutin shoes

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<h1 class="title">Timothée Chalamet in Berluti</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Timothée Chalamet in Berluti

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<h1 class="title">Greta Gerwig in Rodarte and Tiffany & Co. jewelry</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Greta Gerwig in Rodarte and Tiffany & Co. jewelry

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<h1 class="title">Margot Robbie in Chanel Haute Couture and Roger Vivier shoes</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Margot Robbie in Chanel Haute Couture and Roger Vivier shoes

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<h1 class="title">Jennifer Garner in Atelier Versace and Piaget jewelry</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Jennifer Garner in Atelier Versace and Piaget jewelry

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<h1 class="title">Zendaya in Giambattista Valli Haute Couture, BVLGARI jewelry and Brian Atwood shoes</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Zendaya in Giambattista Valli Haute Couture, BVLGARI jewelry and Brian Atwood shoes

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<h1 class="title">Camila Alves in Vivienne Westwoon with Chopard jewelry</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Camila Alves in Vivienne Westwoon with Chopard jewelry

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<h1 class="title">Armie Hammer in Giorgio Armani and Montblanc cuff links</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Armie Hammer in Giorgio Armani and Montblanc cuff links

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<h1 class="title">Viola Davis in Michael Kors Collection and with a Roger Vivier bag</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Viola Davis in Michael Kors Collection and with a Roger Vivier bag

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<h1 class="title">Kumail Nanjiani in Ermenegildo Zegna Couture and Emily V. Gordon</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Kumail Nanjiani in Ermenegildo Zegna Couture and Emily V. Gordon

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<h1 class="title">Lesley Manville in Anna Valentine</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Lesley Manville in Anna Valentine

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<h1 class="title">Ashley Judd in custom Badgley Mischka and Bulgari jewelry</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Ashley Judd in custom Badgley Mischka and Bulgari jewelry

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<h1 class="title">Fatma Al Remaihi</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Fatma Al Remaihi

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<h1 class="title">Mary J. Blige in Atelier Versace and with a Roger Vivier bag</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Mary J. Blige in Atelier Versace and with a Roger Vivier bag

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<h1 class="title">Andra Day in Zac Posen</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Andra Day in Zac Posen

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<h1 class="title">Keala Settle in Christian Siriano x Laura Basci, Hueb jewelry, and Sam Edelman shoes</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Keala Settle in Christian Siriano x Laura Basci, Hueb jewelry, and Sam Edelman shoes

Photo: Getty Images
<h1 class="title">Allison Williams in Armani Privé Couture and Brian Atwood shoes</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Allison Williams in Armani Privé Couture and Brian Atwood shoes

Photo: Getty Images
<h1 class="title">Salma Hayek in custom Gucci</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Salma Hayek in custom Gucci

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<h1 class="title">Daniel Kaluuya in Brunello Cucinelli and Montblanc cuff links</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Daniel Kaluuya in Brunello Cucinelli and Montblanc cuff links

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<h1 class="title">Helen Mirren in Reem Acra</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Helen Mirren in Reem Acra

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<h1 class="title">Gina Rodriguez in Zuhair Murad Couture</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Gina Rodriguez in Zuhair Murad Couture

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<h1 class="title">Laura Dern in Calvin Klein by Appointment</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Laura Dern in Calvin Klein by Appointment

Photo: Getty Images
<h1 class="title">Common in Giorgio Armani and Tiffany & Co. jewelry</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Common in Giorgio Armani and Tiffany & Co. jewelry

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<h1 class="title">Betty Gabriel in Tony Ward Couture</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Betty Gabriel in Tony Ward Couture

Photo: Getty Images
<h1 class="title">Kelly Marie Tran in Jenny Packham, Chopard jewelry and Brian Atwood shoes</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Kelly Marie Tran in Jenny Packham, Chopard jewelry and Brian Atwood shoes

Photo: Getty Images
<h1 class="title">Leslie Bibb in J. Mendel</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Leslie Bibb in J. Mendel

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<h1 class="title">Paz Vega in Christopher Bu and Chopard jewelry</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Paz Vega in Christopher Bu and Chopard jewelry

Photo: Getty Images
<h1 class="title">Whoopi Goldberg in Christian Siriano</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Whoopi Goldberg in Christian Siriano

Photo: Getty Images
<h1 class="title">Christine Lahti in Romona Keveža</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Christine Lahti in Romona Keveža

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<h1 class="title">Mira Sorvino in Romona Keveža</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Mira Sorvino in Romona Keveža

Photo: Getty Images
<h1 class="title">Lakeith Stanfield in Ermenegildo Zegna Couture</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Lakeith Stanfield in Ermenegildo Zegna Couture

Photo: Getty Images
<h1 class="title">Diane Warren in Saint Laurent</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Diane Warren in Saint Laurent

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<h1 class="title">Abbie Cornish in Elie Saab Couture</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Abbie Cornish in Elie Saab Couture

Photo: Getty Images
<h1 class="title">Jordan Peele in Calvin Klein, Jimmy Choo shoes and Montblanc cuff links</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Jordan Peele in Calvin Klein, Jimmy Choo shoes and Montblanc cuff links

Photo: Getty Images
<h1 class="title">Allison Janney in Reem Acra and with a Roger Vivier bag</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Allison Janney in Reem Acra and with a Roger Vivier bag

Photo: Getty Images
<h1 class="title">Gael Garcia Bernal in Dior Homme</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Gael Garcia Bernal in Dior Homme

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<h1 class="title">Zoey Deutch in Elie Saab Couture and Tiffany & Co. jewelry</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Zoey Deutch in Elie Saab Couture and Tiffany & Co. jewelry

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<h1 class="title">Feras Fayyad in Ermenegildo Zegna Couture</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Feras Fayyad in Ermenegildo Zegna Couture

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<h1 class="title">Samara Weaving in Schiaparelli Couture</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Samara Weaving in Schiaparelli Couture

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<h1 class="title">Taraji. P Henson in custom Vera Wang</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Taraji. P Henson in custom Vera Wang

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<h1 class="title">Mirai Nagasu in Tadashi Shoji</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Mirai Nagasu in Tadashi Shoji

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<h1 class="title">Chadwick Boseman in Givenchy</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Chadwick Boseman in Givenchy

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<h1 class="title">Adam Rippon in Moschino</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Adam Rippon in Moschino

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<h1 class="title">Sofia Carson in Giambattista Valli Resort, Chopard jewelry and Jimmy Choo shoes</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Sofia Carson in Giambattista Valli Resort, Chopard jewelry and Jimmy Choo shoes

Photo: Getty Images
<h1 class="title">Beanie Feldstein in Sachin & Babi</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Beanie Feldstein in Sachin & Babi

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<h1 class="title">Tom Holland in custom Hermès and Piaget jewelry</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Tom Holland in custom Hermès and Piaget jewelry

Photo: Getty Images
<h1 class="title">Phoebe Waller Bridge in Vionnet</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Phoebe Waller Bridge in Vionnet

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<h1 class="title">Jane Fonda in custom Balmain, Chopard jewelry, Perrin bag and Salvatore Ferragamo shoes</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Jane Fonda in custom Balmain, Chopard jewelry, Perrin bag and Salvatore Ferragamo shoes

Photo: Getty Images
<h1 class="title">Eiza Gonzalez in Ralph Lauren, Chopard jewelry and Brian Atwood shoes</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Eiza Gonzalez in Ralph Lauren, Chopard jewelry and Brian Atwood shoes

Photo: Getty Images
<h1 class="title">Janet Mock</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Janet Mock

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<h1 class="title">Elisabeth Moss in Christian Dior, Roger Vivier bag and Brian Atwood shoes</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Elisabeth Moss in Christian Dior, Roger Vivier bag and Brian Atwood shoes

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<h1 class="title">Maya Rudolph in Valentino</h1><cite class="credit">Photo: Getty Images</cite>

Maya Rudolph in Valentino

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