The uncertain times of the awards season continue, and Oscar has planned several scenarios for its annual broadcast, which was delayed for two months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The first details of the Oscar ceremony emerged, which will have a face-to-face show, not only at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, but in several locations.
The Academy, like any other group in the Hollywood industry, has been adapting and readjusting its normality almost a year after the blockades occurred due to the pandemic. In response to the closing of theaters, they temporarily changed their rules, allowing films to qualify through the Academy Screening Room within 60 days of the film’s release, streaming or VOD.
“In this unique year that has asked for so many, the Academy is determined to present an Oscar like no other, prioritizing public health and safety for all who will participate. To create the face-to-face show that our global audience wants to see, while adapting to the requirements of the pandemic, the ceremony will be broadcast live from various venues, including the famous Dolby Theater. We hope to share more details soon, ”said an Academy spokesman in a statement.
The Oscar is the most watched entertainment event, surpassing the Emmy, Golden Globe and Grammy by comfortable margins. Despite last year’s ratings of an all-time low of 23 million viewers, the broadcast is still the second most watched annual event, behind the Super Bowl.
The Academy’s quest to celebrate cinema this year was fundamental. In the coming weeks, we will probably know that this year has had one of the highest numbers of films ever submitted for consideration. The Oscars have already revealed that documentary entries have increased from 170 to 238 entries, a record number, while the international feature film category had 93 countries registered to compete for the gold statuette, also a historical record. And after the Academy revealed its Oscar list in nine categories, revealing the last 15 countries in the running, a beautiful range of diversity was seen among the films listed, including three films from Asia, three from Latin America and two from Africa, surpassing the number of films in Europe for the first time in Oscar history.
And let’s not forget, we can have the first woman of color nominated for the director, several women nominated for the direction and, quite possibly, the most diverse and inclusive Oscar lineups, in various categories, already gathered. However, it must be emphasized; voting does not take place until March 5 to 9, with appointments scheduled for March 15.
What does this mean for our favorite Hollywood show? As expected, it will be very different. In September, the Emmys ceremony was a hybrid event that had some face-to-face elements with host Jimmy Kimmel and most of the nominees watching the home show at Zoom, but was the first to come out in that format.
The show can be seen in many ways, both within Dolby and around the world. Looking at implementations built by sports organizations like the NBA, an “Oscar bubble” could indeed be required in some way. We can see anything, from just the nominees in the room or a part of the ceremony that takes place outdoors, perhaps at the Hollywood Bowl. An “Emmy 2.0 ceremony” approach with external locations for nominees would certainly work.
Anyway, AMPAS is keeping the course and saying: “The show must go on”.
The Oscar will be produced by Jesse Collins, Stacey Sher and Steven Soderbergh. No details about the host or director were announced.