Dear Academy, Present All 23
For the last couple of years, the Academy has threatened to leave some of the “less popular” categories out of their televised ceremony, but this year, they may be serious. I’d like to take this opportunity to express just how stupid this idea is.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, eight awards will not be broadcast at the ceremony this year: documentary short, film editing, makeup/hairstyling, original score, production design, animated short, live-action short and sound. This decision is not only an insult to the nominees in these categories who worked hard on their respective films to receive this honor, but it is also an insult to the fans of these movies and fans of the Oscars.
I watch the Oscars every year, despite having many problems with the awards show. I watch because I love seeing the joy on the winner’s faces as they walk to the stage to give their speech. I watch for the historic moments that often occur in the speeches. I watch because I love movies, and I want to see my favorite performers, directors, editors, documentarians — filmmakers — receive recognition for their stellar work.
In making this decision, the Academy is saying to loyal viewers, such as myself, “We don’t care about you. We care about ratings.” As this tweet points out, no one who was planning on not watching the Oscars this year will see this news and change their mind. Why are they targeting those viewers rather than the dedicated cinephiles who actually want to see these categories announced? And why are short films, production design, editing, makeup, scores, and sound seen as “less than” acting, cinematography, or writing? They aren’t. But the fact that the Academy thinks they are says a lot about their supposed love of cinema.
The Academy claims to be a champion of films and filmmakers. They claim to love the cinema and honor the year’s most stellar work. Yet, time and time again, they prove that they only care about popularity and ratings. We may not remember the names of the editors, animators, designers, stylists, composers, and sound engineers who win the Oscar, but that does not mean they should not get their moment to shine. The Academy nominates trash like Don’t Look Up to get the attention of the masses in hopes that they will watch. They want to streamline the ceremony and make it more accessible to get the attention of the masses in hopes that they will watch. But they won’t watch. The people who actually care about the movies will.
The Oscars are on March 27th, 2022, and until then please tweet at The Academy with the hashtag #PresentAll23. And to really get their attention, also use #OscarsFanFavorite.
