Will Packer, producer of this year’s Oscars TV show, responded to the craft community’s outrage over the decision to pre-record eight craft categories.
In an interview with Variety, the Hollywood producer of box-office hits like “Girls Trip” says he intends to make a fun and engaging TV show for all viewers, while also sharing that he has great respect and compassion for all the industry’s masters. However, he supports the decision to pre-record the eight categories and include them in the live broadcast.
“I think it was the right decision,” Packer says. “We have to understand that the Oscars show, as we know it, is at a tipping point. The coming years, especially this year, will be a harbinger of what this show will become.”
He adds: “You have to do something else, and you have to think of it as an entertainment object. The Oscars are no different than any other awards that face the same problems.”
On February 22, the Academy announced that several major categories would not be featured live in order to provide a more streamlined and TV-friendly experience. The awards, which will be presented earlier in the ceremony, are for Documentary Shorts, Film Editing, Makeup and Hair, Original Score, Production Design, Animated Shorts, Short Films and Sound. Outgoing CEO Dawn Hudson said the decision was made by the show’s producers, Academy staff and the awards committee.
“No one will be left behind by this decision to try and make the show more efficient, faster, and get more people to watch the show,” says Packer. “I want each of the nominees to have a moment. All nominees in all categories will hear their names on this show. The winner will have their own performance. You will hear from them in the show. Most viewers won’t be able to tell the difference.”
In a special artisan report to Variety, five artisans shared their concerns about how the ceremony is going. Packer says he has nothing but respect and empathy for their craft, but he wants the celebration to remain the focus.
“I respect everyone’s opinion, and I have my own opinion, and my opinion is not more important than anyone else’s. But I’m in a position where I can put mine into action,” Packer says. “This is a night of celebration at a time when the world as a whole is going through a difficult moment. So I want to focus on celebrating.”
The move was also heavily criticized by pundits, journalists, and awards enthusiasts, with many stating that Oscar should be playing to its core audience. While acknowledging the diehard fans who tune in to the ceremony each year, Packer takes a different view: “We need people who will watch this show no matter what, but it’s not the majority of people. It’s just reality. It’s a content-rich environment. People have the choice to watch whatever they want. I will do my best to treat this show with the respect, respect and proper positioning it deserves, but I will also try to make a very interesting show.”
Packer continues, “One of the things I wanted to do early on was make the decision to treat it as an entertainment property. You have to make a decision: are we going to say this is Hollywood from Hollywood, and is that enough? Or are we going to say that we want to gather as many people as possible under the tent, so to speak, to now celebrate and watch the most amazingly talented artists and artisans in the world? Well, I’m leaning more towards the latter.”
Packer, whose films have grossed over one billion dollars worldwide, has focused on delivering the best awards experience that invites all movie fans under the ceremony’s motto: “Film Lovers Unite.” It’s no secret that the Academy and ABC have focused their attention on picking up falling ratings over the past few years, which is not unique to the Oscars.
As for the evening’s three hosts – Regina Hall, Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes – Packer told Variety that the three won’t be hosting different hours, as many have assumed. Instead, they will weave in and out of the ceremony, meaning they will take the stage together for a few moments of the telecast. Also, for the first time, students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) will be among those who present statuettes to winners during the ceremony, including Mr. and Miss North Carolina A&T.
The Oscars will air on ABC on Sunday, March 27th.
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