Here’s one area in which the Oscars are definitely not going to be #SoWhite.
New membership cards for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences were sent to the organization’s more than 7,000 members recently — and in a dramatic and amusing change from the beige cards that members were given last year, the new ones are the Academy’s new favorite color, black.
“A few of us were laughing about it when we got the cards,” said an Academy member who sent TheWrap a photo of the card, which features a shiny black Oscar statue in a triangle on a matte black surface. Members’ names and information are on the rear of the cards, which are used for admittance to Academy screenings and for free tickets to public screenings during Oscar season.
This is the first time the longtime member can remember an all-black Academy card. The color changes annually, but the cards are typically lighter in color, and not as sleek in design.
Of course the color is a design element that has nothing to do with the Academy making a statement about diversity — but it’s one that is coincidental enough to have caught the notice of AMPAS members who laughed about it and brought it to TheWrap’s attention.
The year that began with the #OscarsSoWhite outcry over the second consecutive year of all-white acting nominations, and included an extensive series of steps to increase the diversity of the organization. In June, a record 683 film professionals were invited to join, with a significant number of them being non-white.
And now, whatever color a member happens to be, he or she will be carrying a card that is so black.
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The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences invited 683 new members on Wednesday -- including many who raised eyebrows.
Zuniga is best known for her work on the '90s TV soap "Melrose Place" and "One Tree Hill," but she has acted in movies like "The Sure Thing" and “Spaceballs.”
The veteran Tony and Emmy winner is best known for her work on stage and TV, but LuPone's film credits include "Driving Miss Daisy," "Witness" and the 2013 movie "Parker."
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Keenan Ivory Wayans, writer/director
Wayans was invited to both the writers and directors branches even though his big-screen work has consisted of low-brow comedies like "White Chicks” and “A Low Down Dirty Shame” that aren't exactly Academy material.
Though Ice Cube most recently starred in "Ride Along," the rapper was also invited for his work as a screenwriter on movies like “The Players Club” and “Friday.”
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Phyllida Lloyd, director
Lloyd directed “Mamma Mia!” and "The Iron Lady," which earned an Oscar for star Meryl Streep.
Writer-director McKay earned an Oscar this year for his script for “The Big Short,” but he's not exactly a Hollywood newbie. His credits include Will Ferrell hits like “Anchorman" and "Step Brothers."
Although he starred in "Requiem for a Dream," Wayans is best known for his work in comedies like Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy's hit "The Heat," as well as the "Fifty Shades of Grey" parody "Fifty Shades of Black."
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Patty Jenkins, director
Jenkins directed "Monster," which earned star Charlize Theron an Oscar as serial killer Aileen Wuornos. She currently is directing DC's "Wonder Woman," slated for release in 2017.
Satrapi, who wrote the graphic novel "Persepolis," directed the film version of the novel -- which earned an Oscar nomination back in 2008. She also directed the comedy-horror film "The Voices."
Wilson acted in the movies "It's Complicated," "Runaway Bride," and "Sleepless in Seattle." She also produced "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" and the 2008 version of "Mamma Mia!"
Tina Fey is best known for her work on TV, but she was invited to the Academy in the writing branch -- not the acting branch -- even though her only produced screenplay is 2004's "Mean Girls."
Corina Marie Howell for TheWrap
Betty Buckley, actress
Buckley was featured in “Wyatt Earp” and “Carrie,” the 1976 film adaption of Stephen King's novel. But she's best known as a Tony-winning stage actress.
Linka Glatter earned an Oscar nom for her 1985 short "Tales of Meeting and Parting" and directed the 1995 Christina Ricci movie "Now and Then." But she's best known for her work on TV shows like "The West Wing" and "Homeland."
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Richard Kelly, writer
Though Kelly directed and wrote cult classic "Donnie Darko," he was invited to the Academy as a writer.
Faris and Dayton co-directed the 2006 Oscar winner "Little Miss Sunshine" (as well as the 2012 indie "Ruby Sparks"), which makes it odd that they weren't already Academy members.
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Overlooked stars and curious additions fill the record-breaking Academy class of 2016
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences invited 683 new members on Wednesday -- including many who raised eyebrows.