Grab your tap shoes cuz Co-Producer Adam Shankman is sending out a call for all dancers to come this weekend to Burbank, CA and audition for parts on the 82nd Academy Awards show on March 7th. Watch his video invitation HERE.
The auditions are open to professional-level male and female dancers in the contemporary and hip-hop styles who are between the ages of 18 and 30. Shankman, who began his career as a dancer and once performed on the Oscar show, will be choreographing the audition numbers with associate choreographers Anne Fletcher and Jamal Sims. CenterStaging is located at 3407 Winona Avenue in Burbank. Interested dancers should note that parking is not available at CenterStaging. Individuals will need to find parking in the vicinity and pay any associated costs. Only qualified dancers will be admitted; there is no access for watching the auditions.
Following is the audition schedule:
Friday, January 22, 2010 – Contemporary
9 a.m. – 11 a.m. – Union, Male
10 a.m. – noon – Union, Female
Noon – 2 p.m. – Non-union, Male
1 p.m. – 2 p.m. – Non-union, Female
2 p.m. – 6 p.m. – Callbacks
Saturday, January 23, 2010 – Hip Hop:
9 a.m. – 11 a.m. – Union, Male
10 a.m. – noon – Union, Female
Noon – 2 p.m. – Non-union, Male
1 p.m. – 3 p.m. – Non-union, Female
2 p.m. – 6 p.m. – Acrobats, Freestyle & Callbacks
The 82nd Academy Awards nominations will be announced on Tuesday, February 2, 2010, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater. Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2009 will be televised live by the ABC Television Network on Sunday, March 7, 2010 at 5 p.m. PT. It also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.
To read the latest on how his producer duties are going , check out Shankman’s twitter page.
Randy Newman’s music for THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG is out of the running for Best Score at this year’s Academy Awards.
This just in from AMPAS:
Beverly Hills, CA (January 12, 2010) – After nominations ballots and reminder lists for the Original Score category were mailed to members of the Academy’s Music Branch (on December 28), questions were raised regarding the eligibility of the score of “The Princess and the Frog.”
On Monday, January 11, the Music Branch Executive Committee met to discuss the score’s status. Based on the committee’s interpretation of the rules, it was determined that the film is not eligible in the score category, though four songs from the movie remain eligible for consideration.
The relevant language is contained in Rule 16, Section II, Paragraph E:
…scores diluted by the use of tracked themes or other preexisting music, diminished in impact by the predominant use of songs, or assembled from the music of more than one composer shall not be eligible.
The tabulators at PricewaterhouseCoopers have been instructed to disregard any votes cast for the Original Score of “The Princess and the Frog.” The movie remains eligible in all other categories for which it qualified.
AMPAS announced late Friday afternoon that 10 animated short films will move on to the voting process for the 82nd Academy Awards. Thirty-seven pictures had originally qualified in the category.
The 10 films are listed below in alphabetical order by title, with their production company:
“The Cat Piano,” Eddie White and Ari Gibson, directors (The People’s Republic of Animation)
“French Roast,” Fabrice O. Joubert, director (Pumpkin Factory/Bibo Films)
“Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty,” Nicky Phelan, director, and Darragh O’Connell, producer (Brown Bag Films)
“The Kinematograph,” Tomek Baginski, director-producer (Platige Image)
“The Lady and the Reaper (La Dama y la Muerte),” Javier Recio Gracia, director (Kandor Graphics and Green Moon)
“Logorama,” Nicolas Schmerkin, producer (Autour de Minuit)
“A Matter of Loaf and Death,” Nick Park, director (Aardman Animations Ltd.)
“Partly Cloudy,” Peter Sohn, director (Pixar Animation Studios)
“Runaway,” Cordell Barker, director (National Film Board of Canada)
“Variete,” Roelof van den Bergh, director (il Luster Productions)
The Short Films and Feature Animation Branch Reviewing Committee viewed all the eligible entries for the preliminary round of voting in screenings held in New York and Los Angeles.
Short Films and Feature Animation Branch members will now select the five nominees from among the 10 titles on the shortlist. Branch screenings will be held in Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco in January 2010.
4-time Oscar winner, director/creator Nick Park, provides a look at his animated short in this 20 minute, making-of WALLACE AND GROMIT: A MATTER OF LOAF AND DEATH. Even though it premiered on BBC One on Christmas in 2008, Park missed the October 1st deadline that year thus making W & G eligible for the upcoming Academy Awards in March.
The 82nd Academy Awards nominations will be announced on Tuesday, February 2, 2010, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.
Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2009 will be presented on Sunday, March 7, 2010, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center ®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.
Beverly Hills, CA – Hamish Hamilton will direct the 82nd Academy Awards® telecast, show producers Bill Mechanic and Adam Shankman announced today. It will be Hamilton’s first time directing the Oscar show.
“Hamish is a first-rate live-show director who will bring enthusiasm, experience and a fresh eye to the table,” said Shankman. He’s also a master of working with all of the latest technology in television production, which speaks to the kind of cutting-edge show Bill and I are planning.”
“Adam and I know that having Hamish at the helm will give us the right style and energy for the show we want to produce,” added Mechanic. “And his approach definitely won’t feel like ‘business as usual.’ “
Hamilton has directed many of today’s most celebrated live televised events including the MTV Video Music Awards and the MTV Europe Music Awards, in addition to live concert performances by such renowned musical artists as U2, Neil Diamond, Josh Groban, Stevie Wonder, and Christina Aguilera, among many others. In February 2010, he will direct the Super Bowl XLIV half-time show.
A little taste of what you’ll get, via Sasha Stone over at Awards Daily. As one who’s directed various formats of LIVE tv before, I can tell you Hamilton has the goods. AMPAS made a forward-thinking, great choice!
The 82nd Academy Awards nominations will be announced on Tuesday, February 2, 2010, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater. Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2009 will be presented on Sunday, March 7, 2010, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center ®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.
A huge embrace for animated movies was made by AMPAS today as 20 films made the cut in the Animated Feature film category, although I think 5 will be nominated for the final ballot. Even the Alvin Squeakquel was shown some love.
Beverly Hills, CA (November 11, 2009) — Twenty features have been submitted for consideration in the Animated Feature Film category for the 82nd Academy Awards ®.
The 20 submitted features are:
“Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquelâ€
“Astro Boyâ€
“Battle for Terraâ€
“Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballsâ€
“Coralineâ€
“Disney’s A Christmas Carolâ€
“The Dolphin – Story of a Dreamerâ€
“Fantastic Mr. Foxâ€
“Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaursâ€
“Mary and Maxâ€
“The Missing Lynxâ€
“Monsters vs. Aliensâ€
“9â€
“Planet 51â€
“Ponyoâ€
“The Princess and the Frogâ€
“The Secret of Kellsâ€
“Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasureâ€
“A Town Called Panicâ€
“Upâ€
“Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel,†“The Dolphin – Story of a Dreamer,†“Fantastic Mr. Fox,†“Planet 51,†“The Princess and the Frog,†“The Secret of Kells†and “A Town Called Panic†have not yet had their required Los Angeles qualifying run. Submitted features must fulfill the theatrical release requirements and meet all of the category’s other qualifying rules before they can advance in the voting process.
Under the rules for this category, a maximum of 5 features can be nominated in a year in which the field of eligible entries numbers at least 16.
Films submitted in the Animated Feature Film category also may qualify for Academy Awards in other categories, including Best Picture, provided they meet the requirements for those categories.
The 82nd Academy Awards nominations will be announced on Tuesday, February 2, 2010, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.
Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2009 will be presented on Sunday, March 7, 2010, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center ®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.
Earlier today AMPAS released the names of the presenters at this year’s Governor’s Awards. I preferred it when the speeches were included in the actual ceremony. The previous acceptance speeches have made for some of the best LIVE television in history.
From the AMPAS Press Release:
Beverly Hills, CA (October 29, 2009) – Oscar ® winners Jonathan Demme, Anjelica Huston and Quentin Tarantino, along with past Honorary Award recipient Kirk Douglas, will be among the presenters at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ inaugural Governors Awards event on November 14, Academy President Tom Sherak announced today. The evening will feature presentations of the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award to producer-executive John Calley, and Honorary Awards to actress Lauren Bacall, producer-director Roger Corman and cinematographer Gordon Willis.
Demme, Douglas, Huston and Tarantino will join 600 invited guests at the Grand Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland Center ® to celebrate the careers of Bacall, Calley, Corman and Willis, who each have made lasting contributions to the motion picture industry.
The black-tie dinner event will include film clips as well as remarks from the honorees, their colleagues and admirers.
The Honorary Award, an Oscar statuette, is given to an individual for “extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement, exceptional contributions to the state of motion picture arts and sciences, or for outstanding service to the Academy.”
The Thalberg Award, a bust of the legendary motion picture executive, is given to “a creative producer whose body of work reflects a consistently high quality of motion picture production.”
The Governors Awards presentation is being produced for the Academy by Oscar-winning producer Bruce Cohen in association with Emmy ®-winning producer Don Mischer.
Academy Award nominations in all categories will be announced on February 2, 2010. The 82nd Academy Awards presentation will be telecast LIVE by the ABC Television Network on Sunday, March 7, 2010.
I just finished my article on who AMPAS President Tom Sherak may choose as producers for the 82nd Academy Awards, when this email arrives:
Bill Mechanic and Adam Shankman
Named Oscar ® Telecast Producers
Beverly Hills, CA – Bill Mechanic and Adam Shankman will produce the 82nd Academy Awards ® telecast, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Tom Sherak announced today. This will be the first major Oscar show involvement for both men.
“I couldn’t be happier to have this talented team on board, said Sherak. “I’ve known Bill for many years so it’s like putting Oscar in the care of a dear friend. Bill has a tremendous love and respect of film and will draw from his vast experience as a producer, a studio executive and a film historian to help make this year’s Oscar telecast a memorable one. And Adam’s experience in producing, directing and especially choreography will be a huge asset to the production.”
“I’m thrilled to be producing the Oscars with Adam,” said Mechanic. “I think Adam has the perfect background and spirit to make the show both unique and fun to watch. Together we will build upon the best traditions from the great shows of the past while helping pave the way to the future.”
“The last time I was on the show was as a dancer, and to come back as a producer is such an unbelievable honor,” said Shankman. “I look forward to collaborating with Bill to celebrate the world’s collective love of movies and provide a fun escape from the difficult times we’re living in. Simply put, there is no show like the Oscars and I am thrilled to be a part of our industry’s most treasured tradition.”
Mechanic is the chairman and CEO of Pandemonium Films and the former chairman and CEO of Fox Filmed Entertainment. While at Fox, the studio released titles including “True Lies” (1994), “Braveheart” (1995), “Titanic” (1997), “The Full Monty” (1997), “There’s Something About Mary” (1998), “Boys Don’t Cry” (1999) and “Cast Away” (2000) among many others. Prior to Fox, he served in executive positions at the Walt Disney Company and Paramount. Mechanic’s producer credits include this year’s animated feature “Coraline” and the thriller “Dark Water” (2005).
Shankman’s directorial credits include “Bedtime Stories” (2008), “Hairspray” (2007), “A Walk To Remember” (2002) and “The Wedding Planner” (2001). His upcoming projects include “Rock of Ages,” “Sinbad,” “Bob: The Musical” and “Bye Bye Birdie.” In addition to directing, Shankman, along with his sister, Jennifer Gibgot, produce films through their shingle, Offspring Entertainment. Together they are currently producing “The Last Song,” “Going The Distance” and “Step Up 3D,” – all set for 2010 release.
Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2009 will be presented on Sunday, March 7, 2010, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center ®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.
Seems like some of the Oscar pundits are in a dither over AMPAS President Tom Sherak’s delay in announcing a Producer and Host for the 82nd Academy Awards…ON MARCH 7TH…. months away!! What’s the rush?
This week’s Entertainment Weekly has a brief article titled “Where’s the new Oscar Producer?” It claims that many in Hollywood don’t want the thankless, time consuming job. Just think about the logistics that went into last year’s new concept of securing five former best actors/actress winners to come on stage to present the new recipient into the club. It was a brilliant touch, I might add.
However, others also wonder what the hold up is with finding a producer and host.
Nikki Finke over at Deadline Hollywood Daily wrote on Friday that AMPAS would love to be able to announce the producer and host at the same time, but that last year’s host, Hugh Jackman, was being advised by those close to him to NOT accept the gig again if asked.
Gregory Ellwood’s “Inside Awards Season” article over at HitFix, while wanting to see someone new at the Kodak Theatre this year, ponders “Could Billy Crystal return as Academy Awards Host?” He mentions that the “8-time host wants another go at it.”
Billy Crystal? Really? And the last time he was relevant was when? No one in the all-important demographic that the Academy is looking for will truthfully know who he is, I don’t care if he and Sherak do have past history.
Even TOH’s Anne Thompson admits “Picking a producer for the Oscar telecast is the first big project facing any incoming Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences president like Tom Sherak. But the process can’t start before he’s elected. And the new president is still learning the ropes.”
While all the articles raise some valid points and concerns, I’ll give AMPAS and its new president, Tom Sherak, the benefit of the doubt. I’ll grant you, it appears that they may be behind in choosing new producers…last year’s, Condon and Mark, were announced on Sept.24. The upcoming 82nd Academy Awards airs after the Olympics on March 7, 2010, so AMPAS has some time. The EW article quotes Academy’s publicist Leslie Unger as saying, “I don’t know when we’ll have a producer but we’re not in panic mode.”
If it seems that I’m stumping for the Academy – I am. I watch the race year round..ad nauseum some would say. I read Awards Daily, Thompson On Hollywood, and In Contentionfaithfully. After all the guff AMPAS received from the Best Picture category change, can you blame them? I’d take plenty of time and not be in such a rush because Hollywood dictates it. I too have raised an eyebrow with some of their changes, most notably the removal of the Governor Awards recipients from the actual Oscar broadcast, but not enough to fall into the mob mentality demanding answers from Sherak. Second guessing of the Academy’s show is religiously done every blasted year, but when all the ranting is said and done, everyone comes back for the annual show.
Still, many are anxious for the all important announcement from Sherak. Fine. Seeing as they ARE looking for new producers for the big show and according to EW, no one in Hollywood wants the job, my Oscar partner in crime, Panda Hugger, and I have a few ideas.
First and foremost, put us in charge and let us act as the Oscar Producers’. Once you’ve stopped your chuckling there. here’s how’d we go at it:
We won’t worry about the running time of the show because we know the die-hards will stay til the bitter end. People WILL watch in droves this year just to see how the 10 Best Picture Race turns out and don’t think they won’t.
We know historically the ratings have never been stellar. It’s a fact. The year that TITANIC won was a fluke. We’re not that concerned with the overnights and, ca’mon, the producing gig is usually a one year deal anyway.
We’d bring in the writers of Big Bang Theory. Have you watched the funniest comedy on tv lately? Earlier this year, Bill Prady and Chuck Lorre were given a multiyear renewal on their hilarious show. It’s time for old-school writers Bruce Villanch and Carrie Fisher to go.
If Jackman doesn’t return as host, we’d go with Neil Patrick Harris or Tina Fey. Possible letting Wanda Sikes have a go at it – Her recent HBO special was a riot.
We’d keep with the very Bob Mackie set that we previewedin February.
So if Academy President Tom Sherak is reading this, we’re ready to assume our producing duties for “THE BIGGEST MOVIE EVENT OF THE YEAR. You can contact us at We Are Movies Geeks.com. Otherwise, we’ll patiently wait for your announcement in the next few weeks and won’t feel slighted, in the least bit, if we’re overlooked. Ok, maybe just a little.
First it was the shocking news of the Disney buying Marvel for $4 Billion. And now in a press release from AMPAS, they’ve issued an unbelievable new set of Voting Rule changes in the Best Picture Category:
Preferential Voting Extended to Best Picture on Final Ballot for 2009 Oscars ®
Beverly Hills, CA — The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences confirmed today that it will be using the preferential voting system to determine which of the 10 contenders for its Best Picture award will receive the 2009 Oscar. The system has long been used in the round of voting which determines the nominees in most categories, but it has not been used on the final ballot for Best Picture since 1945.
In June the Academy’s Board of Governors extended the Best Picture category from five to 10 nominees, which necessitated a change to the voting system for the category. With 10 nominees, the preferential system is one that best allows the collective judgment of all voting members to be most accurately represented.
“Instead of just marking an ‘X’ to indicate which one picture they believe to be the best, members will indicate their second, third and further preferences as well,†Academy President Tom Sherak said. “PricewaterhouseCoopers will then be able to establish the Best Picture recipient with the strongest support of a majority of our electorate.â€
In 1934 and 1935, there were 12 nominees for Best Picture and the preferential system was used to determine the winners. From 1936 through 1943, there were 10 nominees for Best Picture and the preferential system was used for final balloting. In 1944 and 1945, the preferential system continued to be used, though there were only five nominees in the category.
This totally changes the way Oscar campaigns will be handled now, making the top 5 picks pivotal. The way Steve Ponds over at “The Odds” explained it, “As a result, a film could be the first choice of the largest number of voters, but find itself nudged out of the top prize by another movie that got fewer number one votes but more twos and threes.” Nothing more than a huge popularity contest. Enough already, AMPAS!
The 82nd Academy Awards nominations will be announced on Tuesday, February 2, 2010, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater. Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2009 will be presented on Sunday, March 7, 2010, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center ®, and televised live on ABC.
