Academy Omits Four Oscar Categories From its Usual Time-Frame

Academy excludes 4 Oscar categories from its usual time-frame; the compartment to be presented during the commercials.

Earlier today, as part of the Academy’s endeavors to streamline this year’s Oscarcast and keep it to three hours, the committee confirmed that the trophies in four categories will be presented during commercial breaks.

The affected listings are cinematography, film editing, live-action short and makeup and hairstyling.

And it is not so the officials formulated this draft just out the blue. As a matter of fact, they were up with this notion from the beginning of last year.

While the Academy's board had approved a plan in August to present some of the 24 awards categories during breaks in order to reduce the show's running time, it had not been known which categories would be disclosed under the new format.

Add to that, this blueprint also attracted a lot of criticism that complained a downgrade for some categories.

The Academy is broadcasting four of its categories during the commercials

In an email to the group's membership on Monday, Academy president John Bailey prepended the plan for this year's show. He highlighted the Academy is "still honoring the achievements of all 24 awards on the Oscars." In the case of the four categories that will be announced during commercial breaks, the winning speeches will air later in the broadcast,” the president said.

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In addition, Bailey explained, "with the help of our partners at ABC, we also will stream these four award presentations online for our global fans to enjoy, live, along with our audience. Fans will be able to watch on Oscar.com and on the Academy’s social channels. The live stream is a first for our show, and will help further awareness and promotion of these award categories."

Bailey, who is also sitting on the board of governors as a representative of the cinematographers' branch, forwarded that the executive committee of six of the Academy's 17 branches to have their respective awards presented under the new system and that the Academy select four of them.

The 76-year-old added that in future years, four to six different categories may be selected on a turn basis. The four division that is getting abstracted this year will be guaranteed a regular spot on the 2020 broadcast.

According to several other sources, a video-testament of what this new format will look like was shown to the various branches. It is said to have included most of the presentation, excluding the winner's walk to the stage. The motive, they were told, was also to include the psyche of each winner's acceptance speech, although the articulations could be edited if they turn into a long list of thank-yous.

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The test audience to whom this demonstration was shown said that it provided a respectful acknowledgment of the affected category and helped to ease their concerns. 

As for the reasoning behind the move, Bailey explained, "Viewing patterns for the Academy Awards are changing quickly in our current multi-media world, and our show must also evolve to successfully continue promoting motion pictures to a worldwide audience. This has been our core mission since we were established 91 years ago — and it is the same today."

He also illustrated that the night will include performances of all five nominated songs as well as a performance by conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic during the In Memoriam segment. 

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Bailey ended the preview saying, "So, buckle up! We are committed to presenting a show which we all will be proud of."

The 91st Academy Award is set to go live on ABC at 8 p.m. EST/ 5 p.m. PST in two weeks time.