Oscars
The bolt is put in place for virtual acceptance speeches
Gary Oldman has been nominated for an Oscar again this year – as the leading actor in the Netflix film "Mank".
© Featureflash Photo Agency
The Oscar acceptance speech pixelated, asynchronous, even incomprehensible? The Academy wants to prevent this and puts a stop to zoom calls.
Whether the awarding of the Golden Globes at the end of February 2021, which was accompanied by technical breakdowns, led to this decision? There, live switching with the nominees and winners via zoom caused some embarrassing moments – and the Oscar Academy apparently wants to prevent them at all costs. As the US-American website "Variety" reports, it will therefore not be an option for the stars to join in from their living room at the awards ceremony on April 25th to give their potential acceptance speech.
According to the report, this was communicated to the nominees in a total of 23 categories in a letter from the producers of the 93rd edition of the Oscars. Anyone who cannot be present in person for "scheduling reasons or persistent discomfort before traveling" will consequently receive their prize in absentia. "We go to great lengths to ensure you all have a safe and entertaining evening on site. Just like for the millions of film fans around the world. And we are convinced that a virtual implementation will reduce these efforts," quoted "Variety" from the letter.
An even more illustrious group than already
The winners were also urged to keep their speeches short, it said. Shortly beforehand, the Academy had already communicated the security strategies, which should ensure that the risk at the live event is kept to a minimum. According to this, only the nominees, an accompanying person and the laudators are allowed to physically participate in the 93rd edition of the Oscars. The other 10,000 members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will have to forego their usual chance of being able to attend the event thanks to a ticket lottery due to the corona pandemic.
In addition, the 2021 Oscar ceremony will be divided into two parts and will take place both at the usual venue, the Dolby Theater, and at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles. Usually accompanying events, such as the Governors Ball or various official Oscar Night Watch parties, fall completely through the water this year.