Best Cinematography not going to be aired at Oscars

[Tom S]

Oscars: Academy Confirms Four Categories To Be Presented During Commercial Breaks

1. Cinematography
2. Editing
3. Make-up
4. Live Action Short film

 

[Justin McAleece]

That sucks!!! People definitely don't give cinematography and editing the respect that they deserve.

 

[Hugh Scully]

The Academy can’t help but make themselves more irrelevant every year. So what then? Cinematography and Editing are peripheral to making motion pictures? What are they thinking? They need more time to cover the red carpet? Ridiculous.

 

[Hrvoje Simic]

Blatant spit in the face of the Craft by decision makers in La-La Land.

Now let's see who has a spine to boycott this herd-shaping circus masked as celebration of Cinema and Arts and Sciences.

 

[Mathieu Ghekiere]

So 2 aspects that make cinema it's own art form (except for the combination with sound, which is also a part of editing of course) will not be broadcasted in the biggest award show to 'celebrate cinema'. Ridiculous.

 

[Mark Phelan]

Do they need more airtime for political commentary?

 

[Bobby Farokhzad]

The academy awards have become a complete joke, very sad.

 

[Hrvoje Simic]

 

[Hrvoje Simic]

 

[Hal Long]

Funny, but sad.

 

[M Most]

As someone who has worked in this industry my entire adult life, and as a union member (camera and editors guilds) for more than 15 years, and as someone who clearly appreciates the contributions made by those being mentioned here, I say...... Grow up. The worldwide television broadcast is not the awards themselves. It is a marketing presentation to the world, an attempt to get as many people as possible to go to the movies. Outside of the industry itself - a small group of people - nobody, but nobody, cares about editors, cinematographers, sound editors, or anyone else behind the scenes. They tune in to see movie stars. That's it. It's a television show, not an industry insiders' gathering. From what I can see, they've come up with a very good way of presenting the awards involved to the recipients in front of their peers, the people who actually know who they are and appreciate their talents and contributions. That's the people inside the Dolby Theater. For everyone else in the world, they are spared the task of having to watch people they've never seen before, don't know, and don't really care about. Instead, they can watch the movie stars they're tuning in to actually see.

That's my view, anyway.

 

[Hrvoje Simic]

The worldwide television broadcast is not the awards themselves. It is a marketing presentation to the world, an attempt to get as many people as possible to go to the movies.

The Academy just marketed itself to the world with an autogoal of epic proportions.

Outside of the industry itself - a small group of people - nobody, but nobody, cares about editors, cinematographers, sound editors, or anyone else behind the scenes.

Cinematographers, editors and sound editors worldwide are not a small group of people.

Besides, it doesn't matter. They make the movie happen. The fundament of Cinema. Since it's an event pretending to celebrate Cinema, celebrating at least the Cinematographer in front of the world audience (if not the editors as well) would at least be in line with basic logic, even if we disregard the obvious lack of common courtesy. Though the absence of both in this circus is not surprising at all.

For everyone else in the world, they are spared the task of having to watch people they've never seen before, don't know, and don't really care about. Instead, they can watch the movie stars they're tuning in to actually see.

Yes, idolatry is useful to keep the herd under control, old recipe.
So it's most effective to put before the masses adored idols who pretend for a living to bedazzle and "entertain".




Monkey see monkey do.

2014.
The catalyst for worldwide selfie obsession. I.e. propagated mass narcissism manifested through willingly shared biometric data and privacy.
Brought to you by Hollywood magic.

 

[John Brennick]

As someone who has worked in this industry my entire adult life, and as a union member (camera and editors guilds) for more than 15 years, and as someone who clearly appreciates the contributions made by those being mentioned here, I say...... Grow up. The worldwide television broadcast is not the awards themselves. It is a marketing presentation to the world, an attempt to get as many people as possible to go to the movies. Outside of the industry itself - a small group of people - nobody, but nobody, cares about editors, cinematographers, sound editors, or anyone else behind the scenes. They tune in to see movie stars. That's it. It's a television show, not an industry insiders' gathering. From what I can see, they've come up with a very good way of presenting the awards involved to the recipients in front of their peers, the people who actually know who they are and appreciate their talents and contributions. That's the people inside the Dolby Theater. For everyone else in the world, they are spared the task of having to watch people they've never seen before, don't know, and don't really care about. Instead, they can watch the movie stars they're tuning in to actually see.

That's my view, anyway.

They have an award show for that already... It's called the SAG awards....

Furthermore, I (and much as you said, it's just my view) feel your view is fundamentally flawed with how people viewing the show. I say this because I myself aspired to become a member of this industry as a whole from watching people I didn't know by face, nor name, but solely by their achievements. Watching Denis Muren, Stan Winston, Robert Skotak and Gene Warren Jr. receive the ward for a film that was the foundation for my yearning to become a visual fx artist is very largely in part what fueled my drive to succeed. My passion for a field that I had no understanding of at such a young age was only propelled forward and even amplified by associating a face to the person who created what will ultimately be a life changing experience for me, and millions of others. Future film makers who are sitting on their floors watching this with their parents may have a passion for something that they don't yet understand is labeled profession. This is the fundamental principal of the concept of Cinema as a whole. Allowing a person to dream and feel they can be anything whether it's Superman... or a firefighter fighting brush fires... or become an astronaut to go to Mars.... Or... and this is where this experience differs from just being an award show about celebrities, is to become a cinematographer or an Editor... or doing Hair and Makeup or to make a Live Action Short and tell their own story. The idea that a child sitting in a small town can attach a face to something that would otherwise feel too big for him/her to consider a reality is what makes the whole award show special. Associating a face to an achievement is what it takes to make that achievement attainable is sometimes all they need to make make their own dreams come true. For me, this is a really big deal.... Especially when there are avenues that could have been explored and discussions that could have been had that may have potentially avoided this in the first place. To say this is the only way to solve this problem I find obtuse and a real lack of creativity. Especially for an industry so rich in creativity and a newfound sense of inclusion. This may come across as idealist.... But to not acknowledge the fundamental ideals of encouraging dreams to come true does a disservice to the industry as a whole.

But that's my view anyway.....

 

[M Most]

Those commenting here might want to read this: https://www.indiewire.com/2019/02/o...est-editing-cinematography-awards-1202043791/

 

[Sergio Perez]

Doing this, the Oscars fall onto the same mistake every single awards show is making. And I do think it is a mistake: to make a glorified Red Carpet for stars. Filmmaking is, and always will be, an art form made from many art forms working together. When one makes an award show, one should be recognising all art forms that make the film as a whole piece of art.

The Academy awards were one of the few award shows that would showcase these aspects of the industry to global audiences. Yes, the general, vogue or Empire reading audience will not care about it, but industry insiders, the artist themselves and all those working around the world in filmmaking will definitely care and love to understand who is behind a specific art inside the movie.

Cutting off cinematography and editing is like cutting off, in sports terms, the constructors championship in formula one, for example. I know this is an apples to orange comparison, comparing arts to sports. But as an awards ceremony with winners, or those that stand out above the rest, it absolutely makes no sense to cut these awards to global audiences.

Its not as small of a deal as most put it here. For the international broadcast, we all get the ABC signal, so for sure these awards will be cut for global audiences.

Like I said before, with this there opens a space for a true, International Film Festival that gives the proper recognition to all departments involved in filmmaking- including the glamorous. RED Team, you guys could very much get into it.

 

[Blair S. Paulsen]

AFAIK, the Academy relies on the revenue from the Oscar's telecast to fund a sizable chunk of it's annual operating budget. To keep that number up, they need a show that gets decent ratings. Mike's note about the relative popularity/awareness of in front of the camera talent vs behind the camera talent is hard to argue.

That said, for those of us in the industry, it's hard to see one of the very few opportunities for wider recognition of our craft(s) die on the altar of the almighty buck...

Cheers - #19

 

[Sergio Perez]

AFAIK, the Academy relies on the revenue from the Oscar's telecast to fund a sizable chunk of it's annual operating budget. To keep that number up, they need a show that gets decent ratings. Mike's note about the relative popularity/awareness of in front of the camera talent vs behind the camera talent is hard to argue.

That said, for those of us in the industry, it's hard to see one of the very few opportunities for wider recognition of our craft(s) die on the altar of the almighty buck...

Cheers - #19

I think that its also a matter of lack of creativity. We live in the day and age where everyone in one way or another is a content maker, with their mobile phones, or writting in social media. While before people were much more ignorant of what happened behind movie making, I think much, much more people are actually interested on the specifics of movie making. Obviously stars will be stars, a big, big part of capturing audiences, but people , or a better word for it, specific audiences are more interested in the various specific departments, or arts, of filmmaking. Maybe its those segments that need more focus, or a more interesting way to be presented? Certainly not, in my view, to be “cut”.

Geek culture, for example, a "niche" that was completely neglected by the mainstream, in a way, became part of the mainstream- superhero literature, Japanese animation, films based on non mainstream themes like Ready Player One, Wreck it Ralf, all these are a reflection of a shift in mainstream audiences perception of entertainment and their own knowledge and interest of the intricacies of entertainment and the making of art.

Seems like the Oscars don't really Understand what makes them special in the first place, and stand out from the others. It was the mix of the mainstream- red carpet glamour- and the technical and more specific recognition of the Various departments and artforms that made it special.

 

[Marc Wielage]

I think this is a slap in the face to the people who toil in cinematography, editing, and the HMU/costuming departments.

 

[Marc Wielage]

As someone who has worked in this industry my entire adult life, and as a union member (camera and editors guilds) for more than 15 years, and as someone who clearly appreciates the contributions made by those being mentioned here, I say...... Grow up.

Apparently, the head of the Cinematographers Guild disagrees with you.

The news that the Academy had decided to alter the Oscars telecast by shortening certain craft awards was extremely disheartening. Rather than rush to judgment, we immediately reached out to President John Bailey to express our deep concern. While John assured us that all of the nominees in each craft would be noted during the broadcast and the time would be saved by cutting the walk to the stage and perhaps in acceptance speeches, we still find this development troubling. It appears to elevate some crafts over others in what is, at its heart and soul, a collaborative process.

Every member of every branch of the Academy knows the vital role played by below the line artists in elevating Actors, Directors and Films to become nominees themselves. The Foundation of movies is built from images created by Cinematographers, without whom films would just be radio. Acknowledging exceptional Cinematography accomplishment supports the artists who propel the discipline forward and benefits all the other members of the Academy who collaborate in creating films of distinction.

--Steven Poster, ASC
President / IA Local 600
International Cinematographers Guild

https://theasc.com/news/international-cinematographers-guild-response-to-academy-controversy

 

[M Most]

Apparently, the head of the Cinematographers Guild disagrees with you.

I'm sure he does. Doesn't change my opinion, though. One needs to recognize that the show is a show, and the awards are the awards. They are essentially two different things.

Besides, none of the categories are being "cut out." Their on screen time is being limited by not presenting them live, but in a shortened, edited form. Which will probably mean less complaints from the civilian viewers who make up about 99% of the worldwide viewing audience. Not to mention that I've disagreed with Steven on a number of things, and I've told him that in numerous conversations. Like why the job description for Digital Imaging Technician hasn't been rewritten in about 20 years, even though the job has significantly changed in that time and currently bears little resemblance to what was intended in the original description, among other things. Even within guilds, members don't have to agree as long as there's mutual respect. And I have a lot of respect for Steven and what he's accomplished, even though I disagree with him on this and a number of other things.