Topline
The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), the largest union of behind-the-scenes film workers in North America, joined a growing group of industry voices Monday in criticizing the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences for planning not to give out eight awards during Sunday’s live broadcast of the Oscars.
The 22 Oscars won by the Lord of The Rings sit on a table in front of the 3000 assembled fans that … [+]
Key Facts
The Academy is planning to hand out the eight awards—documentary short, hair and makeup, film editing, original score, production design, sound, production design, animated short and live-action short—before the live broadcast, and promises clips of them will be “folded into” the live show.
In a statement, IATSE President Matthew Loeb said the “deviation for some crafts and categories but not others” is “detrimental,” and urged the Academy to reconsider its decision before Sunday’s show.
Loeb wrote that “if the winners walk away with the same trophy, then the winners deserve the same recognition.”
The Oscars air Sunday at 8 p.m. on ABC.
Crucial Quote
“By the nature of our jobs, behind the scenes, workers get little recognition as is, despite being the backbone of every production. The Academy Awards has been virtually the only venue where the very best on and off the big screen, above and below the line gather to honor each other’s incredible contributions through their crafts, inspiring millions who tune into the TV Broadcast in the process,” Loeb wrote.
Key Background
Last week, over 70 notables in the film industry signed a letter criticizing the Academy’s choice to give out some awards before the live ceremony. The signers—who included John Williams, James Cameron, Guillermo del Toro, John Debney and Kathleen Kennedy—wrote that the choice values “some filmmaking disciplines over others” and relegates the excluded categories “to the status of second-class citizen.” Both Academy President David Rudin and Will Packer, who is producing this year’s ceremony, have defended the move. “When deciding how to produce the Oscars, we recognize it’s a live event television show and we must prioritize the television audience to increase viewer engagement and keep the show vital, kinetic, and relevant,” Rudin previously told members of the Academy. Last year’s Oscars was the worst-rated ceremony ever. In what appears to be an attempt to increase viewership, the Academy introduced a “fan favorite” honor this year and has recruited unexpected talent including DJ Khaled and Tony Hawk to present awards.
Further Reading
Hollywood A-Listers Push Academy To Reverse Decision To Not Televise All Oscar Awards (Forbes)
IATSE Calls Out Academy’s ‘Detrimental’ Decision to Reformat Oscars Telecast (Variety)
Correction: A previous version of this story named Scott Rudin, not David Rudin, as the Academy president.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/marisadellatto/2022/03/21/largest-hollywood-union-is-latest-group-to-criticize-oscars-for-sidelining-some-awards/