Los Angeles, Feb 24 : The Academy Awards decision to not present eight major categories from this year’s 94th Academy Awards Live have resulted in a wave of online hate. Pop culture critic, Isaac Feldberg tweeted, “Any awards ceremony that can’t find time to present categories this integral to filmmaking cannot seriously claim to honor the craft of cinema.” The awards will be given out an hour ahead of time, edited down, and then cut into the live telecast. One Twitter user said “the Academy will award Editing #Oscars pre-show, but still air nominees and the speech? a minor trim at best! they should lose the In Memoriam instead — honor living artists who can enjoy it! but what do I know about getting a show down to time. I’m just an editor.” Another one said: “Complete/utter bullshit. All categories should be presented live,full stop. How are you going to pull the plug on presenting the Oscar for film editing live? Nobody would be at the Academy Awards without film editors.” “The #Oscars telecast should be produced without any of the crafts they’ve decided not to award live: no edited montages, no music, in a barren room with no production design, and no hair or makeup for presenters. Maybe then producers will see the key importance of these artisans,” one Twitter user said. The Academy pointed out that everyone will still have their “Oscar moment” — all nominees will still have their names read in their categories and all winners will have their acceptance speeches televised. The categories being handed out ahead of the live telecast are: documentary (short subject), film editing, makeup and hairstyling, music (original score), production design, short film (animated), short film (live action) and sound. In 2019, the Academy 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 execs seeking help in reversing this latest plan. Numerous associations additionally released statements. The American Cinema Editors board of directors said: “We are deeply disappointed by the Academy’s 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 this. 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 honored and celebrated with the passion, dignity and inclusion they deserve.” This year’s ceremony is produced by Will Packer and directed by Glenn Weiss, Regina Hall, Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes are hosting. The 94th Annual Academy Awards airs March 27 on ABC.
