A producer for this year’s Oscars has responded to the criticism surrounding this year’s ceremony, following the news four categories would be presented during ad breaks of the broadcast.
Earlier this week, many key Hollywood figures, including this year’s Oscars nominees, were upset when it was announced that the Academy Awards for Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Makeup and Hairstyling and Best Sound Editing would not air ‘as live’ to the viewing public.
Academy Awards producer Donna Gigliotti – herself a former Oscar-winner – has now responded to this backlash, insisting that every winner will still get their moment of glory.
She told Variety: “I wish [the critics of the changes] would all call me up and I’d show them how it was going to work.
“When I took on this job, the Board of Governors had made this decision. And at that point in time, they had a proof of concept. Everybody is going on the air. I feel badly that people are so upset, because I think if they saw it, it would allay a lot of their concerns.”
Donna also pointed out that all of the winners’ speeches would be shown in full, only their journey from the audience to the stage would remain cut from the final broadcast.
“Honestly, the experience of going up on the stage will not feel any different to the people who are called up,” she insisted. “There will be a film package. There will be clips. You’ll have 90 seconds: you’ll give your speech, you’ll have the Oscar in your hand. It will be a great moment.
“What happens in the edited version, you won’t really see the walk up to the stage. If they stick to the allotted time, of course nobody is going to edit their speech.
“If you stick within the [allotted] 90 seconds, of course your entire speech is going to be on the air,” she added.
Of course, this isn’t the only case of messiness associated with this year’s Oscars, which is going ahead without a host for the first time in 30 years.
This decision came after a debacle involving original host Kevin Hart, who was not replaced after quitting the job when historic homophobic tweets of his resurfaced.
There was also the reports that only two of the five Best Original Song nominees were to be performed during the ceremony, which the Academy later backtracked on, allegedly after pressure was put on them by Lady Gaga herself.
The 91st Academy Awards will go ahead on Sunday 24 February in Los Angeles.
MORE OSCARS…
Gwyneth Paltrow, 1999.
This iconic pink Ralph Lauren dress is straight out of a fairytale. There’s a reason why it’s often simply referenced to as that pink Oscars dress.
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Jennifer Lopez, 2006
Jennifer Lopez is made for marine colours. From her infamous Versace plunge dress to this structured Jean Dresses in 2006. But this warm shade pops more than any other we’ve seen her in.
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Cher, 1986.
Cher’s Bob sequin, velvet and head dress ensemble is the definition of old school extra. And we adore it.
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Bjork, 2001.
Marjan Pejoski’s ‘Swan Dress’ is one of the most recognisable award dresses of all time. Bjork donned the dress in 2001 and even mimicked laying an egg on the red carpet. We want to swan around in this dress everywhere and anywhere.
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. Lupita Nyong'o, 2014.
If you’re going to win an Oscar, you may as well look like a living Disney princess. Lupita Nyong’o fluttered around in this Prada gown with a matching head band.
Jeff Kravitz via Getty Images
Celine Dion, 1999.
Okay, this might not be a dress but how could we not mention this? This white silk backwards tuxedo and headwear is unlike any red carpet ensemble we’d seen before. Who designed it? John Galliano of course. Celine Dion paired it with sunglasses because… why on earth not?
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Elizabeth Taylor, 1961.
Why hold a bunch of flowers when you can look like a myriad of flowers? The two-time Oscar Award winner did exactly that in this Dior bouquet dress.
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Whoopi Goldberg, 1993.
This technically isn’t a dress, it’s a cornucopia of material and it’s rather fantastic. The clash of colour, print and the jumpsuit – cape – jacket – dress combo have us dying to do a DIY version of this at home.
Berliner Studio/BEImages/REX
Julia Roberts, 2001.
Riding the minimal wave of the late nighties and early noughties, Julia Robert’s Valentino dress is iconic for making monochromatic look anything but flat, through the use of mesh and vertical lines. Valentino always knows what’s up.
Jeff Kravitz via Getty Images
Jennifer Lawrence and Anne Hathaway, 2013
So this is a two-for-one. On the night where it was win-win for both actresses, Jennifer Lawrence and Anne Hathaway both wore beautiful blush coloured dresses. Lawrence went for a Dior gown with trail whereas Hathaway went for a more modern silk Prada choice.
Rex
Hallie Berry, 2002.
This Elie Saab dress shouldn’t work: it’s sheer with florals and an oxblood twist which falls on Halle Berry’s hips. But somehow it is magnificent. Is it the power of the dress or Berry herself? There’s no point in asking: it just works.
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Audrey Hepburn, 1954.
This Oscars dress has inspired the cut and fabric of countless dresses in the decades since Hepburn wore it to the Academy Awards. Made by the young designer Hubert De Givenchy, who went on to found the house of Givenchy. Hepburn continued to wear his dresses for the next seven films she made. Relationship goals.
Rex
Beyoncé in 2007.
The halter strap, the mid drift wrap detail, slip and sequins in this Elie Saab number all work together to fit Beyoncé like a glove. Yes, yes, yes.
Rex 2007
Cindy Crawford, 1991.
The plunge neck and pop of colour with a tiny bag may have been worn by Cindy Crawford in 1991 but it would still look fitting now – Timeless inspo from the supermodel era.
Rex 1991
Alicia Vikander, 2016.
It takes quite a dress to convince us that the colour of a custard pudding is one we should consider wearing, but this Louis Vuitton gown does just that.
Rex 2016
Angelina Jolie, 2012.
The dress that sparked a thousand dreams. Who could forget the Angelina Jolie pose? However, what we should really remember is this Atelier Versace velvet gown tied into a bow. It’s simple, effective, and we can imagine Versace remaking this in 2028.
Donato Sardella via Getty Images
Madonna, 1999.
Is that Marilyn Monroe or Madonna? The performer outshone anyone else on the dance floor in this Bob Mackie dress and fur stole. Top tip: if you want to translate this look at home but for more casual settings: wear your most dramatic jewellery over long sleeved tops for a feminine feel.
Ron Galella via Getty Images
Amy Adams, 2013.
Oscar De La Renta likes to create fantasy and drama in his dresses and this gown worn by Amy Adams is what dreams are made of. More is more, and is definitely more.
Dan MacMedan via Getty Images
Nicole Kidman, 1997.
Nicole Kidman in Christian Dior makes us want to wear embroidered satin gowns everywhere. From the earrings to the wine red lips, it all comes together seamlessly.
Photo by SIPA PRESS/REX/Shutterstock (271844b)
Zoe Saldana, 2010.
Purple ombre. Glitter. Train. There’s so many fun aspects of this dress, we wonder why a gown like hadn’t been worn before the 2010 Academy Awards. Zoe Saldana = top marks.
Photo by Peter Brooker/REX/Shutterstock (1137412ak) Zoe Saldana 82nd Annual Academy Awards, Arrivals, Los Angeles, America