Eight of the twenty-three categories which were presented live on the air during the 93rd Oscars telecast will not be presented live on air during this year’s ceremony.
The eight include all three short film categories (documentary, animated, live-action) along with sound, makeup/hairstyling, production design, score and editing.
The move is reportedly causing tension within the leadership of the Academy, but is expected to be better received by the general public as it will hopefully cut down on the long ceremony’s runtime.
The presentations and acceptances of the eight awards will not be presented in the pre-show nor on the red carpet. Instead, they will take place inside the Dolby Theatre an hour before the live telecast commences. It will then be recorded and edited into the subsequent live broadcast.
That leaves the four feature awards (picture, doco, animated, international), four acting awards, two screenplay awards, director, cinematography, costume design, visual effects and best song awards being handed out live along with the usual Oscar segments (honorary Oscars, In Memoriam, etc.).
If this sounds familiar, it’s a variation of an approach the Academy first tried to adopt in 2018 and then abandoned following a backlash. In the wake of last year’s lowest-rated Oscars telecast ever, broadcasting partner ABC has understandably demanded changes. ABC owns the exclusive rights to air the ceremony through 2028, the fees from which largely finance the operations of the Academy.
The Academy indicates the live broadcast is very much determined to hit the three-hour mark this year and also makes it clear that, unlike last year, this year will end with the Best Picture award.
Regina Hall, Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes are set to host the 94th Oscars ceremony which will air on March 27th.
Source: THR
