When “American Fiction” filmmaker Cord Jefferson took the stage to receive his Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, he used the moment to advocate for studios to approve smaller movies. “$200 million movies are also a risk,” Jefferson rightly pointed out.
“It’s a plea to acknowledge and understand that there are many people out there who desire the chance that I was given. I realize that this is a risk averse industry,” Jefferson said. “But $200 million movies are also a risk. But you take the risk anyway. But instead of making one $200 million movie, make 20 $10 million movies. Or 50 $4 million movies.”
Jefferson continued: “I want other people to feel that happiness. The next Martin Scorsese is out there. The next Greta is out there. The next Christopher Nolan is out there. They just want a shot. And we can give them one.”
Jefferson earned the Oscar for adapting the 2001 novel “Erasure” by Percival Everett. The movie is also nominated for several other awards this evening, including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Original Score.
