Oscar 2022: Eight categories of the awards were left out of the live broadcast

The gala of Oscar awards next month it will feature pre-recorded messages from the winners in eight categories, in an attempt to liven up the ceremony, organizers said Tuesday.

The decision was made to “put viewers first” and It will allow more time for musical performances, comedy tableaus and tributes, Academy President David Rubin said in an email to members and nominees.

Television ratings for Hollywood’s biggest awards show have dropped dramatically in recent years. The 2021 edition was seen by just 10 million viewers, a decrease of 56% compared to the previous year, which already marked the worst audience record for the gala.

eight awards “will initially be presented at the Dolby theater one hour before the live broadcast begins”, and edited highlights will be “perfectly fit into the program”says the email to which AFP had access.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has analyzed on other occasions the possibility of reducing the number of categories in the live broadcast, and they even recently combined the “sound mixing” and “sound editing” awards into a single Oscar.

But previous attempts have not been received with sympathy, especially among those who work in technical categories such as editing, makeup and styling, who they fear that a moment that can define their careers will go unnoticed.

These categories will now be pre-recorded, along with the prizes for original score, sound, production design, documentary shorts, animated shorts and live action shorts.

Rubin’s email emphasizes that “every filmmaker and artist in every category will continue to have the ‘Oscar moment’ of celebration that it deserves in the Dolby box, in front of an exalted public”.

This measure will leave “more time and opportunity for the audience to get involved with the gala through the comedy and music tables, with the movie clips and with the tributes”he added.

“For viewers at home, the flow of the show doesn’t change, even though It will be tighter and more dynamic with this new rhythm.”

An Academy member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told AFP that “difficult decisions and changes that are hard to accept are necessary and have to be executed”, adding that the members “understand communication” of Rubin.

“Considering the recent decline in the Oscars television audience, the show must evolve thinking about the future of the gala, as well as the Academy”commented.

This was not the only change introduced by the Academy this year to boost viewership. The 94th Academy Awards will also include the “fan favorite”an award for the most popular movie voted by Twitter users.

This announcement came after the nominations that left several of the blockbuster productions out of the main categories last year were revealed, including “Spider-Man: No Way Home” and “No Time to Die.”

As well, the March 27 ceremony will be hosted by comedians Wanda Sykes, Amy Schumer and Regina Hall, after three editions without a host.