What’s an inclusion rider? Frances McDormand mystifies at the Oscars

To conclude her powerful speech at the Oscars, Frances McDormand invoked two words: “inclusion rider.”

But what is an inclusion rider, exactly?

In a 2016 TED Talk, Annenberg Inclusion Initiative founder and director Stacy Smith explained the advantages of actors including such a rider in their contracts.

Smith, an associate professor at USC’s School of Communication, said that a typical film features around 45 speaking roles and that there’s no reason that the cast, outside of the leads, shouldn’t reflect the demography of the film’s location.

“An equity rider by an A-lister in their contract can stipulate that those roles reflect the world in which we actually live,” Smith said. “Now, there’s no reason why a network, a studio or a production company cannot adopt the same contractual language in their negotiation processes.”

McDormand’s words sparked enough interest that the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative tweeted a brief explanation after her remarks.

“For those of you asking about the #InclusionRider, it’s designed to ensure equitable hiring in supportive roles for women, POC, the LGBT community, & people w/disabilities.”

You heard McDormand, Hollywood: Get those inclusion riders and make films reflect reality.

Watch the whole of Smith’s TED Talk here.