LOS ANGELES, Feb 23, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - The Oscars next month will pre-tape
the announcements of eight winners in an attempt to make the televised
ceremony "tighter and more electric," organizers said Tuesday.

  The decision, made to "prioritize the television audience," will free up
more time for musical performances, comedy and tributes, Academy president
David Rubin said in an email to nominees and members.

  Television ratings for the Oscars have dramatically declined in recent
years. Last year's edition was watched by just over 10 million viewers -- a
56 percent decline from 2020, which was already a record low.

  Eight awards "will initially be presented in the Dolby Theatre in the hour
before the live broadcast begins," and edited highlights will be "folded
seamlessly into the live televised show," the email seen by AFP says.

  The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has mulled reducing the
number of categories in the live broadcast before, and recently merged its
"sound mixing" and "sound editing" awards into a single Oscar.

  But previous attempts were unpopular, particularly among members working in
craft categories -- from film editing to makeup and hairstyling -- who fear
missing out on what is often a career-highlight moment.

  Those categories will now be pre-taped, along with awards for original
score, sound, production design, documentary shorts, animated shorts and
live-action shorts.

  Rubin's email emphasizes that "every awarded filmmaker and artist in every
category will still have the celebratory 'Oscar moment' they deserve on the
stage of the Dolby, facing an enrapt audience."

  The streamlining measure will leave "more time and opportunity for audience
entertainment and engagement through comedy, musical numbers, film clip
packages and movie tributes," he said.

  "For the audience at home, the show's flow does not change, though it will
become tighter and more electric with this new cadence."

  One Academy member, who asked not to be named, told AFP that they
"understand" the decision announced by Rubin, due to the proviso that all
winners' speeches will still be featured on the broadcast.

  "Considering the recent ratings decline of the Oscars telecast, the show
must evolve with having the best interest of the future of the show, as well
as the Academy itself, in mind," said the member.

  It is the Academy's latest move to boost interest and viewership in its
flagship event.

  The 94th Academy Awards telecast will also include a new "fan favorite"
prize for the year's most popular film, as voted for by Twitter users.

  Several of last year's crowd-pleasing blockbusters including "Spider-Man:
No Way Home" and "No Time To Die" had failed to earn Oscar nominations in
major categories, including best picture.

  After going three years without a host, the Oscars on March 27 will be
helmed by three doyennes of comedy, Wanda Sykes, Amy Schumer and Regina Hall.