The Academy has introduced new restrictions related to the Oscars and how films and actors are nominated and voted for. The are intended to end the round of over-the-top schmoozing which takes place each and every year as Hollywood-types go a little crazy in trying to make sure their favorites get the nod.
Essentially the new regulations are two-fold: No promotional events intended to gain votes between the nominations being revealed on Jan. 24 and the final ballots being made on Feb. 21. The existing ban on negative publicity aimed at other potential nominees has been extended to include social media sites.
Some people may think these regulations are unnecessary, but Academy COO Ric Robertson eloquently explained the reasons for them, telling The Hollywood Reporter:
“It’s really a perception problem for us. The Oscars are about what our members see on screen and think is quality work. To the extent that the public dialog about the Oscars is who threw a good party or ran a successful campaign versus the quality of the work, that’s off-point for us. We want people to be taking about the work.”
I totally support this move. There have definitely been miscarriages of justice (not serious ones, you understand, but miscarriages nonetheless) with the Oscars because a studio or a celebrity threw a huge party to foster support from other Academy members. And that’s not how it should be, clearly.
