Stars and showrunners share their thoughts on diversity at Elles annual Women in Television event.

Dont blame the Oscars.

Thats what Viola Davis had to say on Wednesday night when asked about the controversy-turned-crisis now facing Hollywood over the issue of race on screens both big and small. The How to Get Away With Murder star and two-time Academy Award nominee made her way down the red carpet as one of the A-list attendees at Elles annual Women in Television dinner event at Sunset Tower in West Hollywood and opened up briefly about this weeks headline-dominating discussion.

Its not the Oscars. The Oscars are a symptom of a much greater issue and thats the issue of the Hollywood movie-making system. How many movies are being made that have this in it, she asks as she points to the color on her skin. More films need to be made where we can shine. Thats the bottom line. The opportunity does not match the talent. There needs to be more opportunity, thats just it. And you have to invest in it.

The statement matches Davis acceptance speech from the Emmys last fall when she picked up a best actress in a drama series trophy for her work on the ABC drama from Shonda Rhimes. In the moving moment from the Sept. 20 telecast, Davis, the first black actress to ever win a best actress Emmy for a leading role on a TV drama, said, The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity.

Davis, clad in Carmen Marc Valvo, joined Elles editor-in-chief Robbie Myers at the Hearts on Fire and Olay-sponsored event along with fellow February Women in TV cover stars including Olivia Wilde and Priyanka Chopra. Other guests included Kirsten Dunst, Amanda Peet, Rebecca Romijn, Nina Dobrev, Joy Bryant, Tracee Ellis Ross, Kate Walsh, Sarah Hyland, Constance Zimmer, Malin Akerman and others.

Davis had her own list of names ready to go, referencing the small selection of roles played by women of color in movies that received attention by the Academy. She listed Tessa Thompson and Phylicia Rashad in Creed as well as Zoe Kravitz in Mad Max: Fury Road. But Davis, who recently partnered with Vaselines Healing Project, didnt want to go into great detail about the issue of diversity in Hollywood because she noted that its a four or five hour conversation that cant be had on a red carpet because then it will be reduced to a soundbite or a hashtag.

A few of Elles other notable guests chimed in briefly, too, offering their take on race issues in Hollywood.

Jenna Elfman: Ultimately in entertainment, its storytelling about life. So if were making sure that we are representing our multicultural life in the stories, you can show how to have peace in the world through great storytelling involving all people. Conflict drives story and you get conflict through diversity because people come in from different moral codes and mores. Its important to have really thick and diverse casting too, to enrich the storytelling.

Busy Phillips: Diversity is key and something we should all be striving towards. The public speaks again and again when they see it on screen, they like it, they want it, and theyll pay for it. For whatever reason, it takes the powers that be a minute to catch up, but I feel like the message has been very clear from the shows that have been popular in the last several years, shows like Orange is the New Black and Scandal and others. People are clamoring to see themselves reflected on television. And behind the scenes, we need those voices to be able to tell those stories. Having diversity behind the camera only ensures that those stories can come through.

Juliette Lewis: Im looking for diversity in storytelling in all kinds of ways. Im into the underdog perspective and what is happening on TV is f radical and mind-blowing. The medium itself is more conducive to diverse exploration with serialized storytelling. its a fascinating art.

Aja Naomi King (The Birth of a Nation): The problem isnt with the Oscar voters, theyve inherited the ability to be in this selection club. There wont be roles or opportunities for a wider array of actors until were able to achieve diversity in the ranks of studio heads and writers. We need to make those areas of the business more inclusive or somehow see those people dare to tell stories that arent familiar to themselves or their perspectives on life.

Karen David (Galavant and upcoming Cold Feet): The good news is that we are seeing more diversity on TV, and it has to start somewhere. If you start at the nucleus and let it spread, it can have a ripple effect and we are starting to see that. I get asked all the time about diversity, but growing up, I never looked at myself in the mirror and said, Oh, Im Karen David and Im brown. I never saw that and maybe thats because I grew up in Canada and England with all walks of life, people from all over the world. The world is cosmopolitan and we should celebrate that.

Aline Brosh McKenna (co-creator/executive producer of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend): We need to make more television shows that are about and that feature minorities. Our show is a no-brainer because we are set in West Covina and West Covina is minority white. In order to reflect our community, our show is mostly non-white. We have to be a diverse cast. Its not so much color blind as it is color aggressive. Its not just race, we are looking for different body types and different orientations and types of people because its part of our show to have interesting faces and backgrounds. We need more of that on TV.

Melissa Rosenberg (creator/executive producer of Jessica Jones): If young girls and minorities could see themselves on screen, then they would know that they could be it. It is our responsibility to bring (diverse representations) to the screen. Its an uphill struggle and one that Ive been fighting the good fight over for many, many years. Thats why Im super proud of Jessica Jones and proud of our diverse writers room. The fight continues.

Sarah Gertrude Shapiro (co-creator/executive producer of UnReal): Everybody needs to grow some balls. On Season 2 of our show, were having an African American lead and it felt like a grounded and personal decision in terms of storytelling, but its now turned out to be an important part of the conversation. In terms of being a creator and someone who has a show, its really important to use the platform for good. I dont want to fall asleep at the wheel. We talked about feminism during the first season and thats something I am really passionate about. Now I want to move the discussion towards race.

Jennie Snyder Urman (creator/executive producer of Jane the Virgin): For the Academy Awards, they need to figure out membership. TV is a much more inclusive place to be working right now because there are a lot of shows and a lot of different creators and topics that are covered. We have to support new voices and new talent as a community and hope that those projects are recognized.

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People did this awesome article about how Viola & Denzel met and how they built a friendship.

Denzel Washington doesnt remember exactly when he met Viola Davis but she does. It was 21 years ago when Davis was starring in the 1996 Broadway production of August Wilsons play Seven Guitars.

He came [backstage] and I was like, Oh my God, I met Denzel Washington! Davis recalls to PEOPLE alongside her Fences costar and fellow Oscar nominee. The two became better acquainted years later when Washington, 62, cast Davis, 51, in his 2002 directorial debut, Antwone Fisher.

I remember you were at the Trump Towers [in New York City] holding the auditions, Davis says to Washington.

I tell you what, it was a short audition process after that, Washington remembers. Im not just saying that because youre sitting here. [I thought] I know theres other folks sitting out there, I guess well have a look at them because I dont want them to feel bad.

Their work together on Antwone Fisher was the official start of a very happy working relationship, although the two didnt cross paths again until they began work on the 2010 Broadway production of Fences. The play, about a troubled 1950s family, won three Tony awards including best revival of a play and best actor and best actress for Washington and Davis.

Both actors agree that one of the main reasons they agreed to do the film version of Fences was the opportunity to work together again, along with several of the other original actors from the play.

You miss these actors, says Davis. Usually I hate being the only girl because I feel like Im so shy and awkward, I dont like being around a lot of male energy.

Look at her, as she pulls her coat closed, laughs Washington, watching Davis. Thats interesting.

I know but I just loved being around all of [them], she adds. Theyre just great, great men. To me Denzel is familiar, hes easy. Its like I know him. Its like, Thats Denzel. I feel that its always been that way. He, his wife, his kids, and at the same time, Im a fan. I dont like telling him that but Im a fan. But I think he always makes interesting choices, I think its always rooted in truth and humanity and I think he has a lot of courage, hes not a wimp and I like that. I think it takes a lot of courage to be an artist and to really go for it with your ideas, he has all that.

And thank you, goodnight, laughs Washington at the compliments. And, scene!

So how does Washington feel about Davis?

I just like Viola, he says. Viola is a great actor, I love working with her and I love watching her. I love being a part of it. Its interesting working with her because weve worked together twice, but in both those cases other than the play I directed her, but not really directed her. When we did Antwone Fisher, because were actors, I recognize one when I see one. I know how I am and I could see she wanted to be left alone [during filming], she was in the zone, so I knew what to do. Just leave her alone and just watch.

I dont want to just say a clich answer, shes good and I love her, he adds. Shes a sweet lady and shes talented and here we are.