Oscar decisions disappoints fans, industry members

Mar 18, 2022 | Arts

Just two weeks before the 94th Academy Awards are set to air, an announcement was made that eight categories would not be included in the live televised broadcast.

The plan is to present 15 categories live during the broadcast and fold the remaining eight which were presented off-screen to the telecast. The show is being streamlined for a massive international audience, cutting the categories of documentary short, film editing, makeup and hairstyling, original score, production design, animated short, live action short and sound from the live broadcast.

Academy President David Rubin said in a statement sent to the group’s membership that the changes were made after input from various communities.

“After carefully listening to feedback and suggestions from our film community, our network partner, and all those who love the Oscars, it was evident we needed to make some decisions about the broadcast that are in the best interest of the future of our show and our organization,” Rubin said.

He said the new plan implemented by the academy will allow for more time for comedic skits, film clips and musical numbers. Rubin recognized the decision could cause some frustration, particularly with regards to equity.

“These kinds of changes can prompt concern about equity, and we ask you to understand that our goal has been to find a balance in which nominees, winners, members, and viewing audiences all have a rewarding show experience,” he said.

But, after intense backlash and anger from around the film industry, the Academy walked that decision back – slightly.

They made it clear that no categories were being removed from the Oscars. However, the eight cut categories would be presented before the live broadcast and then folded into the three-hour telecast being shown to viewers all over the world.

But last week there was some pushback from filmmakers and fans.

James Cameron, John Williams, Kathleen Kennedy and other high-profile filmmakers, Hollywood executives and members urged the Oscars to reverse course and present all 23 Oscars live.

In a letter sent to Rubin and obtained by Humber News, more than six dozen film professionals, including multiple Academy Award winners, contend that the plan to present eight awards during the pre-telecast hour will “demean” these crafts and “relegate [them] to the status of second-class citizens.”

“Critical artistic crafts like music scoring, film editing, production design, makeup, hairstyling and sound will always deserve the same respect and recognition as crafts like acting, directing and visual effects,” the letter reads.

Jack Curtin, Secretary Treasurer of IATSE Local 798 which represents hair and makeup artists in New York and who is a famous makeup and hairstylist who has worked on films like Academy Award winner The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, isn’t surprised by this decision by the academy.

Curtin said hair and makeup artists, and everyone else behind the scenes, have consistently been devalued in the industry.

“It’s par for the course. It’s disappointing,” he said.

Curtin said it’s a message many in the industry have been hearing for a long time. Above the line is important, below the line isn’t.

“So, for them to make a choice for their award show, I can be nothing but disappointed right now,” he said. “Is it expected? Sadly, yes, because we’ve seen other shows [like the Tony’s and the Emmy’s] do it.

“It’s a disservice,” Curtin said.

He understands the Oscars need to attract more viewers and recognizes they need to save time because the show runs too long. But Curtin knows there are better ways to maximize the ability to have every artist be seen and recognized for their hard work.

“That’s by removing other things that may not actually relate hard into it,” Curtin said.

Many viewers have felt the show spends too much time trying to be funny, it spends too much time with extravagant musical numbers and even thank you speeches get out of hand. Artists are often forgotten amidst all the noise.

“It’s just respecting the rules. You know, at the end of the day, if everyone did that, it would be a tighter ship,” Curtin added.

Curtin said for any below the line workers that see this decision by the Academy shouldn’t be discouraged by it.

“You have to stand up for yourself and be proud of your work,” he said.

Curtin said while it’s an honour to be nominated, that isn’t the goal he has in mind. It’s about producing the best work possible. People hire him because he’s well known for the great work he does.

“If your idea of winning an award is your professional goal, that’s a choice,” he said. “It’s not my choice.

“You do the best you can anytime you’re on set, and you’ll always be winning,” Curtin said.

Justin Gray, program coordinator for music composition at Humber College, said it’s part of a trend the arts world is seeing with these award shows, but he understands that with a decision like this a lot is being weighed.

“They need a lot of viewership, their ads are what drive the bus, and it’s very very expensive,” Gray said. “So, I understand the economics at stake, but I don’t think they’re necessarily stating that one thing is more or less valuable.”

He said these decisions being made are in reaction to viewership – it’s always in reaction to viewership. Everybody at the Oscars deserves to be recognized widely and they deserve to be celebrated.

But Gray raised an interesting point, in that he wonders if this is an Oscar problem or if there is something larger at play affecting the public’s interest in categories that aren’t Best Supporting Actor or Best Director.