A filmed version of a live stage production of Tony Award-winning musical “Hamilton” hit the Disney+ streaming service on Friday to the expected reaction on social media.
Some used it as a chance to talk about having seen it live or having it seen it live with the original cast, others have long been listening to the soundtrack and were keen to see it visually for themselves, still others had held off from seeing or hearing anything from it and went in fresh.
Whatever the case, a surge of Hamilton-mania quickly swept social media and asked the question of whether the release could qualify for an Oscar. After all, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences did announce a temporary rule this year allowing films that went to streaming or PVOD before theaters to qualify for Oscars.
The problem is it’s not a film, rather a taped live concert special as opposed to a film adaptation of the property. Thus it would far more likely qualify for next year’s Emmys rather than Oscars, even as AMPAS has famously blurred that line controversially once before with the limited series “O.J.: Made in America” (which won both an Emmy and Oscar for best documentary). That win led to a rule change which closed that loophole.
Now, s source for the Academy has confirmed to The Playlist that the Disney+ version of “Hamilton” does not meet the Academy’s standards for either the narrative or documentary categories. The rule, which is an amendment to the Academy’s documentary rules, states: “Works that are essentially promotional or instructional are not eligible, nor are works that are essentially unfiltered records of performances.”
Thomas Kail directed the release which could easily qualify for categories revolving around Outstanding Variety Special – taking honors that normally go to the productions of one of the awards shows like the Oscars.
“Hamilton” is currently available worldwide on the Disney+ service.
