Oscars new rules change Best Picture and Best Song categories

[ALIASd]

Rules Approved for 82nd Academy Awards®

Beverly Hills, CA (June 26, 2009) — The governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences approved the rules for the 82nd Academy Awards at their meeting earlier this week (6/23). In addition to the previously announced change in the Best Picture category, a significant change was made in the Music – Original Song category.

The governors approved the Music Branch Executive Committee recommendation that if no song achieves a minimum average score of 8.25 in the nominations voting, there be no original song nominees and thus no Oscar presented for the category. If only one song achieves the required minimum, it and the song with the next highest score will be deemed the nominees. If two or more songs achieve the minimum score, they will be the nominees though no more than five nominees can be selected. Previously, the rules dictated that there be no more than five but no fewer than three nominees in the category.

In addition and as previously announced, the Best Picture category will have ten nominees instead of five.

Other modifications of the rules include normal date changes and minor “housekeeping” changes.

Rules are reviewed annually by individual branch and category committees. The Awards Rules Committee then reviews all proposed changes before presenting its recommendations to the Academy’s Board of Governors for approval.

Academy Award® nominations in all categories will be announced on February 2, 2010. The 82nd Academy Awards presentation will be telecast live by the ABC Television Network on Sunday, March 7, 2010.
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

[sir clinksalot]

ALIASd, maybe you know this:

Why the hesitation on the part of the Academy to have 2 "Best Picture" categories to include Comedies, etc? It seems that would help their lessening viewership more than just having 1 or 2 "Popular" movies that have no chance of winning nominated amongst the 10.

Just seems like a no-brainer to me.

[Coheteboy]

Interesting about the song! I think if for anything, it explains why "such and such song" wasn't nominated.

[Aladdin]

Didn't the Academy place a restriction on the number of songs that can be nominated from a movie, last year, or the year before? Is that still in effect, too?

[ALIASd]

Originally Posted by Aladdin

Didn't the Academy place a restriction on the number of songs that can be nominated from a movie, last year, or the year before? Is that still in effect, too?

Here is last year's change:
Oscars' new 2 songs per film nomination rule

The number of nominees in the category can range from two to five depending on how many hit the minimum score.

[ALIASd]

Originally Posted by sir clinksalot

ALIASd, maybe you know this:

Why the hesitation on the part of the Academy to have 2 "Best Picture" categories to include Comedies, etc? It seems that would help their lessening viewership more than just having 1 or 2 "Popular" movies that have no chance of winning nominated amongst the 10.

Just seems like a no-brainer to me.

The truth.
The Golden Globes have the two categories so they can have more celebrities in attendance at the dinner/telecast. It's also why you have TV at the same event - double the amount of celebrities to have dinner and drinks with. Especially a big deal back before the awards were televised events, way more decadent and loose in the best private party way.
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association both attend and host a number of special, private events (and crazy lavish sometimes) throughout the year where they have ridiculous exposure to the stars and the studio's resources. So their awards are a more widespread reflection of the worldwide audience (as that is the HFPA's audiences too), which is also why the stars turnout in droves for it, keeping their foreign audiences happy and at the same time staying in their hearts, minds and wallets. Many top and not-so-top celebrities are more famous for their TV and print ads overseas than they are for anything they do on film or TV.

The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences since practically its first ceremony in 1927 at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood has had one Best Picture winner, divining that film as the example of superior filmmaking in all aspects. If you've ever visited the AMPAS headquarters or one of their other facilities and you see the displays of original one-sheets from the Best Picture winners it is overall quite impressive. Simply it's a prestige thing. The whole thing would fall apart if there were a 'Lawrence of Arabia' poster next to one for a Jerry Lewis movie.

Having 10, 20 or 43 films allowed into contention really doesn't change the reality of the real race for that Oscar. It does expand the ad boasting, box office potential and later markets such as home entertainment, cable, broadcast, etc. revenues. It still comes down to the Academy members themselves (not a huge number in reality) that vote in their own categories and the films that that all vote for to win the big prize.

Having more films in the Best Picture category gives the audience watching at home more reasons to watch theoretically, to pull for their favorites, etc. but truly they have already voted too by going to their own local megaplex and buying those DVD & Blu-rays.

[sir clinksalot]

Originally Posted by ALIASd

Having more films in the Best Picture category gives the audience watching at home more reasons to watch theoretically, to pull for their favorites, etc. but truly they have already voted too by going to their own local megaplex and buying those DVD & Blu-rays.

In theory. But popular movies very rarely win the Best Picture category. I mean, the 2 big ones I can remember over the past decade or so are LOTR, Gladiator and Titanic. Even the year that Return of the King won, I don't think it particularly deserved it. I felt Master and Commander was a MUCH better movie.

Didn't Slumdog win this year? I didn't like the movie and thought all of the other Best Picture nominated movies were actually better. Haven't seen The Reader yet, but we have it to watch. Maybe tonight.

[ALIASd]

Originally Posted by sir clinksalot

In theory. But popular movies very rarely win the Best Picture category. I mean, the 2 big ones I can remember over the past decade or so are LOTR, Gladiator and Titanic. Even the year that Return of the King won, I don't think it particularly deserved it. I felt Master and Commander was a MUCH better movie.

Didn't Slumdog win this year? I didn't like the movie and thought all of the other Best Picture nominated movies were actually better. Haven't seen The Reader yet, but we have it to watch. Maybe tonight.

Again:
Having more films in the Best Picture category gives the audience watching at home more reasons to watch theoretically, to pull for their favorites, etc. but truly they have already voted too by going to their own local megaplex and buying those DVD & Blu-rays.

Was 'Return of the King' the best picture of that year, arguably no. Was it the Academy awarding Peter Jackson for capping off an impressive trilogy that a studio had gambled hugely on by being filmed simulantaeously & being a critical & B.O. success- probably.

'Slumdog Millionaire' was a runaway train, it caught favorable fire and didn't let up. Lightning in a bottle time. 'Titanic' was similar but in a far more massive, international way. We all knew the boat would sink but the film had so many other variables in its favor, especially the DiCaprio factor.

No one ever said "popular" had to, would or should ever win the Oscar for Best Picture of the year. "Popular" in this context means huge box office, say since 'Jaws' became the first modern-era blockbuster in '75. But does anyone really see an 'Ace Ventura' or 'Dodgeball' or any other opus from Ben Stiller, Will Ferrell or Jack Black in serious contention with true masterful filmmaking like 'Master and Commander', 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' or 'There will be Blood'?

[sir clinksalot]

Originally Posted by ALIASd

But does anyone really see an 'Ace Ventura' or 'Dodgeball' or any other opus from Ben Stiller, Will Ferrell or Jack Black in serious contention with true masterful filmmaking like 'Master and Commander', 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' or 'There will be Blood'?

Oh not at all. But giving an amazing film like Dark Knight (probably the best movie from 2008 IMO) what amounts to a "courtesy" nomination just to get people to watch doesn't really solve anything either.

It might work for a year or two, but when movies people don't care about seeing win yet again, people will get turned off, yet again.

[ALIASd]

Originally Posted by sir clinksalot

Oh not at all. But giving an amazing film like Dark Knight (probably the best movie from 2008 IMO) what amounts to a "courtesy" nomination just to get people to watch doesn't really solve anything either.

For all anyone knows, and never will, 'The Dark Knight' might've missed the Best Picture and Best Director nominations by one vote. Was it a great film. of course. But was really strange to me is that I don't recall seeing one article or internet post anywhere where someone made a stink about Christian Bale not being nominated for Best Actor, especially in a film where he plays the title character.

And there are no courtesy nominations in the accounting of the AMPAS member's votes. Otherwise you're suggesting that there are a cluster of cinematographers, make-up artists and production designers conspiring to do ABC a favor for no apparent reason that they personally benefit from. 'Slumdog Millionaire' threw off much of the last awards ceremony's outcome from Best Song to Best Picture. Blame Danny Boyle for leaving Christopher Nolan in his dust. If there were really any justice to this process just as many people would have gone to the theatres to see Nolan's 'Insomnia' as did 'Batman Begins' or 'The Dark Knight'.

[sir clinksalot]

Ah, I LOVED Insomnia.

I know, not the point, but a great underrated movie.

[Tyler1994]

I think nominating ten films instead of five is a great move by the Academy.

Now theres opportunity to nominate films that definately should have been nominated, if not won. Great films like science fiction, comic book adaptations, animated films, comedies, etc.

Every year there are so many films that deserve to be at least recognized but aren't, becuase lately the Academy has been nominating the same types of films, year after year. Its not fair other great films have been left out becuase they are animated, sci-fiction or comic book adaptaions. Its apparent that five film nominations just isn't enough.

Yes, it may take away the rarity of a film being nominated, but I would rather see ten of the years greatest films be nominated. Not three of the greatest films and two other good films be nominated, while the other great films get other nominations.

When was the last time you saw a science fiction film be nominated? (Correct me if I'm wrong) Never.
Excluding Beauty and the Beast, when was the last time an animated movie has been nominated? Never.
Both of those genres have had soo many great films that should have been nominated, if not won. Now all films that great will see there deserved nomination come to life, even though many deserved to win. Now we won't have to worry about the films that are nominated.

[ALIASd]

Originally Posted by Tyler1994

Its not fair other great films have been left out becuase they are animated, sci-fiction or comic book adaptaions.

The Best Animated Feature and Best Animated Short categories still exist.

While it would be an obvious move for Disney to run For Your Consideration ads for all categories for 'UP and 'The Princess and the Frog' I believe they'll also push for the "sure thing" Oscar in the animation categories.

[Tyler1994]

Forsure! In the Animation department will Up and The Princess and the Frog will do well. Also Disney is pushing for Ponyo. It is still not fair, animated movies still deserve best picture nominations. Most of the time the animated movie is better than the live action. WALL-E was IMO better than Milk and Frost/Nixon and The Reader, so thats why they should expand until ten. Im still soo upset about WALL-E, Revoloutinary Road and The Dark Knight not getting nominated.

[sir clinksalot]

Originally Posted by Tyler1994

When was the last time you saw a science fiction film be nominated? (Correct me if I'm wrong) Never.

Star Wars EP. IV and ET are the only ones I can remember. Even 2001 wasn't nominated in 1968.

I'm still sceptical about the whole thing to be honest. I guess I'll withhold judgement until I see the nominees and if they actually nominate 5 non "art house" films or if it just turns out being 5 more nominees of the same ilk as the past few years.

Plus, this year, there is no Dark Knight or worthy comic book/Sci-Fi Film coming out that I can think of off the top of my head.