Will Packer, the show producer of the 2022 Oscars deflected a question about whether Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky would feature in this weekend’s 94th Academy Awards, by telling a press conference on Thursday (March 24) “The show is still in process.”
It emerged this week that co-host Amy Schumer wanted some kind of virtual participation by Zelensky, who has won admiration on the global stage for his defiant stance in the war with Russia. That idea was rejected and while Packer did not address the issue directly he said, “We want to be fun and celebratory but with an eye to what’s going on in the world.”
Packer, whose producing credits include Girls Trip, also used the virtual session attended by the show’s key creative team to address the controversy surrounding the craft categories whereby eight Oscars will not be presented live during Sunday’s (March 27) telecast and instead will be announced at Dolby Theatre in the first hour of the show prior to the telecast.
As previously reported, excerpts from the winners’ speeches from the eight categories, which include editing, score and short films, will be weaved into the live broadcast. Dozens of filmmakers and industry professionals have spoken out against the decision, which many view as a bid to restrict the telecast to three hours and make it as broadly appealing as possible amid declining show ratings. Packer pushed back and said the aim was to value every category equally. “We want to make sure everybody has their moment on this show and is handled with the same reverence and elegance that you come to expect with the Oscars,” he said.
Asked later in the press conference if any protest acceptance speeaches would be included in the recorded highlights, the producer continued, “It’s a live show and we want to give folks the opportunity on stage to say what they will.”
Show director Glenn Weiss added, “We’ve planned a show. We know anything can happen on a live show which is why we love it and hate it and love it and love it.”
War in Ukraine
The subject of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the tone of the telecast loomed large over proceedings and the team remained upbeat yet mindful of not only the war but the hardship brought on by the pandemic. “While we want the night to be an escape this is a tumultuous time around the world and we know that,” said Packer.
“You don’t go into a show like this and not be aware of that and not find a way to respectfully acknowledge how fortunate we are and how fortunate we are to be able to put on this show. We will acknowledge those things and do it in a way that is respectful… part of being grateful is we use this opportunity is to be a celebration and an escape for people out there that really need it.”
After a reporter asked about Schumer’s Zelensky proposal Sykes said, “Isn’t he busy right now?”
Packer confirmed that the best picture Oscar will be the last award handed out on Sunday (27). That restores the traditional format which was upended last year when producers second-guessed the lead actor prize would go to the late Chadwick Boseman for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and positioned it as the show finale. The gambit backfired when the award went to The Father star Anthony Hopkins who was asleep at home in Wales.
The producer also spoke about the Twitter vote, whereby users of the social platform have been voting on their favourite film of the year which, regardless of whether or not it is an Oscar nominee, will be recognised in the telecast. “We wanted to be a little more open in our embrace of the public in the way we designed this show,” he said. Last year’s telecast delivered an average of 10.4m viewers throughout the show making the 2021 Oscars the least watched of all time.
The producer also noted there will be will recognition of the 50th anniversary of The Godfather and the 60th anniversary of James Bond on the big screen.
Packer and Weiss were joined by show producer Shayla Cowan, hosts Regina Hall and Wanda Sykes – Schumer could not take part although an Academy spokesperson said she did not have Covid – as well as production designer David Korins and music director Adam Blackstone.
Music surprises
There was a strong emphasis on celebrating film and filmmakers under the Academy’s current Oscar season tagline “Movie lovers unite”, with particular attention paid to music under the oversight of Blackstone, the Grammy-winning musician who served in the same capacity at this year’s acclaimed Super Bowl LVI halftime show when Dr. Dre, Eminem, 50 Cent, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige and Snoop Dogg performed.
It was announced earlier this week that Blackstone will perform on stage with Sheila E., Travis Barker and Robert Glasper, however beyond that Packer and the team were tight-lipped about what lay in store except to confirm that the hugely popular song ’We Don’t Talk About Bruno’ from feature animation nominee Encanto will be performed on stage by cast members in its first live performance. Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote the song, which is not an Oscar nominee although Dos Oruguitas, also from Encanto, is in contention.
Earlier this week the Academy confirmed that Beyonce and Billie Eilish will be among those performing Oscar-nominated songs during the telecast.
Much was made too of a “future-forward” production design by Korins, whose stage credits include Hamilton and Dear Evan Hansen. Packer revealed some Oscar recipients will be among the audience. “They will literally be engulfed by the audience and we feel that’s an incredible message.”
Packer also assured that strict Covid protocols were in place for the show and every effort was being made to keep attendees and participants safe. The 94th Academy Awards telecast starts at 5pm PT on Sunday March 27.
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