Winning an Oscar is a notable achievement in a filmmaker’s career, and it has become a staple that lasts for the rest of their lives. However, what the award shows represent has started to mean less and less over the years.
Every aspect of the filmmaking process is important, but the Academy has portrayed some as less important than others, especially in the latest ceremony. Instead of diminishing the significance of some parts of films, it’s important for the Academy to recognize that there are no lesser or weaker aspects in film.
The 94th Academy Awards aired on March 27, and during the ceremony, several categories were awarded offscreen and edited into the broadcast. The winners’ acceptance speeches were still included in the live show, but they were shortened to keep the ceremony’s runtime down. The cut categories include the awards for original score, production design and sound design. These are all important parts of a movie, yet they were glossed over in favor of others.
By skipping segments and airing abbreviated acceptance speeches, it takes away from the little time some films are already given. For example, the award for best live action short film went to “The Long Goodbye,” and the one for best animated short film went to “The Windshield Wiper.” Both of these films were nominated for one category each, so this was the only time they were mentioned.
Some of the cut categories also weren’t given presenters, such as the sound category. This ceremony also lasted for three hours and 42 minutes, making it the longest ceremony since 2018. If the ceremony is already going to run long, each category may as well be given enough time to be appreciated.
The Academy also downplays the significance of film in regards to animation. Animation has been primarily seen as a genre in the eyes of the Academy, when in truth it’s more of a medium. It’s a mode of storytelling that’s accessible to everyone, including both children and adults.
During the broadcast, animation was referred to several times as something parents have to endure for their children. This itself is counterintuitive, since “Flee,” an adult animated film, was nominated for three awards. Additionally, two songs from Disney’s “Encanto” were performed live during the broadcast. This acknowledges how influential animation is, and describing animation in the way they did discredits the filmmakers’ work.
For many people, the Oscars ceremony is supposed to celebrate the achievements in film from the past year. By giving more attention to some aspects of the filmmaking process over others, it implies that those select features matter more. Films are a collaborative effort between many talented people, and the Oscars can help more audiences feel included by recognizing that.
