The 2013 Oscar ceremony had plenty of fans and detractors alike, but the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has firmly aligned themselves with the former camp. Producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron have already been set to return, in an unusually early decision, and now the word is they’re eager to get host Seth MacFarlane back as well. Hit the jump to keep reading.
Posted on Wednesday, April 17th, 2013 by Russ Fischer
If you liked the Oscars this year, as produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, you’re in luck. The two have been hired to produce next year’s telecast as well. Does this mean we can expect even more celebration of Chicago?
This is a slightly unusual move, as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences usually chooses Oscar producers after the new AMPAS president takes over in July. (The position is held for one year, but individuals can be elected to up to four consecutive terms.) But current president Hawk Koch floated the idea of re-hiring Zadan and Meron, saying “We believe that continuity is the most important thing. One of the problems we have every year is that you always have a new producer and a new host — there’s so much learning. It’s so much better when you have continuity.”
Host Seth MacFarlane has said he doesn’t want to return, but the re-hire of Zadan and Meron suggests that the Academy is quite happy with this past show, which means we might see an overture towards MacFarlane to don the tux once more. Read More »
Posted on Thursday, August 30th, 2012 by Germain Lussier
Though last year’s Oscar winner for Best Original Song was one of my personal favorites, even Bret McKenzie would admit the competition wasn’t that steep. Man or Muppet (above) beat only one other nominee for Best Original Song at the 84th Annual Academy Awards because of some odd rule in that particular category that only qualified two nominees. Thankfully, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has seen the error of their ways and have amended the rule to require five songs to be nominated for the category. Whether or not they’ll be performed at the show is something the new producers are considering.
Read more after the jump, including the new name of the Best Art Direction category. Read More »
