Academy members critisize Oscars' live telecast decision

A decision not to present eight Oscar categories live during the March 27 broadcast of the 93rd Academy Awards was met with a storm of criticismAccording to The Hollywood Reporter the decision was described as insulting by numerous Academy members who spoke with the outlet following the announcementThe Academy plans to present Oscars in eight categories documentary short film editing makeuphairstyling original score production design animated short liveaction short and sound inside the Dolby Theatre an hour before the live telecast commences They will be recorded and edited into the subsequent live broadcastNominees in the affected categories were informed of the approach to the presentation via a town hallstyle meeting on Tuesday afternoon shortly before the official announcement from the Academy according to one source Despite the decision to change the presentation members were told a threehour show is still planned the source saidWhether all guests will be seated in the theatre or still on the red carpet for this earlier presentation wasnt clear according to the source Its complete fiasco Its another example of the Academy bowing to the network There are a lot of very unhappy people said one affected Academy member of the decision Another added I am offended and insulted by the Academys decision to relegate eight categories to an inferior position at the awards this year Its absurd and the leadership should be ashamedIn 2019 the Academy had announced plans to present four categories during commercial breaks followed by taped replays later in the show but reversed the decision amid criticism By Tuesday evening some Academy members had started to reach out to directors producers and studio executives seeking help in reversing this latest planNumerous associations additionally released statements The American Cinema Editors board of directors said We are deeply disappointed by the Academys decision to alter the way certain categories including film editing will be presented in the Oscars telecast It sends a message that some creative disciplines are more vital than others Nothing could be further from the truth and all who make movies know thisThey continued As a group of artists wholly dedicated to advancing the art and prestige of film editing we passionately believe that editing and all other creative disciplines that are part of the collaborative art of filmmaking should be treated equally Our contributions to that collaboration may sometimes appear invisible but they are undeniable We hope that film editors and other artists affected by this change will be honoured and celebrated with the passion dignity and inclusion they deserveMark A Lanza president of Motion Picture Sound Editors agreed The Academys mission is to honour the craft of filmmaking in all its parts Eliminating certain categories from the live broadcast degrades that missionHe also pointed to the bill of goods the sound branch was sold when beginning with the 2021 Oscars there was a change to a single best sound categoryThe Academy made an explicit promise not to eliminate sound from the live broadcast if they agreed to the travesty of combining sound editing and sound mixing into one category he saidThe International Cinematographers Guild IATSE Local 600 additionally released a statement which read in part We are so proud of our members whose work will be honoured during the Academy Awards show this year We are however disappointed by the Academys decision to exclude so many exceptional artists in other branches from the live broadcast itself Cinematographers and all filmmakers understand the collaboration required to produce ineligible imagesBut not all reacted in the same way We support the Academys commitment to identify all nominees onair and feature all winners acceptance speeches on the live broadcast said Nelson Coates president of the Art Directors Guild IATSE Local 800 in a statement provided to The Hollywood ReporterThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever