Live broadcast of Oscars including 4 categories of cinematography after all: NPR

The Academy of Arts and Sciences of Cinema announced that the live broadcast of the Oscars on February 24 would include four cinematograph awards, canceling the decision to present them during commercial breaks.

Viewers of the 91st Academy Awards will see presenters open the envelopes and the laureates will head to the stage and deliver speeches for the best photography, editing, short film, makeup and hairstyling.

The plan to turn these categories of awards into advertising breaks, announced for the first time in August, aimed to shorten the event, which often lasts too long.

"The Academy has heard comments from its members regarding the awarding of four Academy Awards," said the organization in a statement released on Friday. "All Oscars will be presented without changes, in our traditional format, and we look forward to Oscars Sunday, February 24."

The announcement came after the outcry of some of Hollywood's hottest hitters, including BlacKkKlansman director Spike Lee and Roma director Alfonso Cuarón.

In an open letter to the Academy, hundreds of cinematographers, directors, and actors, among whom Martin Scorcese, Ethan and Joel Coen, and George Clooney wrote that the decision to "get the job done. interrupting the broadcast "is nothing short of an insult to those of us who our lives and passions to our profession."

"When the very institution that aims to protect it diminishes the recognition of those responsible for creating an exceptional cinema, we no longer maintain the spirit of the promise of the future." 39; Academy to celebrate the film as a form of collaborative art "the letter added.

This message was highlighted at a meeting held Thursday night between leading academy leaders and film community personalities, who urged the academy to include the four awards in the event. live broadcast.

The reversal of the Academy is the last backpedal related to this year's Academy Awards.

In September, the Academy abandoned the project to create a new award for hit movies or the "best popular film", a proposal that critics say would reduce the price impact.

In December, comedian Kevin Hart left the room to host the Oscars after the publication of his homophobic and sexist tweets, leaving the event without a host for the first time since 1989.

Recognizing the fluid planning of the awards program, the Academy tweeted Friday, "Nine days before the show, still tweaking the script."