For those who have been anticipating to peer are living performances of the 5 very best unique tune nominees at the 97th annual Academy Awards on March 2, be ready for one thing other this yr.
Invoice Kramer, CEO of the Academy of Movement Image Arts & Sciences, and Janet Yang, Academy president, despatched a letter to Academy contributors on Wednesday (Jan. 22) wherein they stated, “This yr the Perfect Unique Tune class presentation will transfer clear of are living performances and will probably be targeted at the songwriters. We can have a good time their artistry via non-public reflections from the groups who carry those songs to lifestyles. All of this, and extra, will discover the tales and inspiration at the back of this yr’s nominees.”
That is paying homage to one thing the Grammy Awards did in 1981, once they had the songwriters of the tune of the yr nominees carry out and talk about the nominated songs. As David Wild wrote within the 2007 e-book And the Grammy Is going To… The Respectable Tale of Track’s Maximum Coveted Award, “One leading edge second got here on the finish of the display. A few years prior to presentations like MTV’s Unplugged or VH1’s Storytellers, this Grammy display introduced a bunch of songwriters nominated for tune of the yr – together with Amanda McBroom (‘The Rose’), Christopher Pass (‘Crusing’), Fred Ebb and John Kander (‘New York, New York’), Dean Pitchford and Michael Gore (‘Repute’) and Lionel Richie (‘Woman’) – to each give an explanation for and carry out stripped-down variations of the songs. It used to be a vibrant reminder of the ability of the songwriter.”
Of their letter to academy contributors, Kramer and Yang additionally wrote “We’re extremely joyful to carry again our ‘Fab 5’ moments, the place person movie artists acknowledge nominees.” This refers to a method first used at the 2009 Oscar telecast and revived final yr, wherein 5 earlier winners in each and every of the 4 performing classes take turns lauding this yr’s nominees.
(In a press convention days prior to the 2024 Oscars telecast, Raj Kapoor, govt manufacturer and showrunner of the 2024 and 2025 Oscars, stated he beloved the ones introductions at the 2009 display and revived the theory. “It used to be this beautiful storytelling,” he stated. “And, once more, it got here right down to connection. It used to be previous winners talking to provide nominees, and simply that beautiful connection and that human interplay.”)
Kramer and Yang additionally stated that the display pays tribute to Los Angeles, which has skilled devastating wildfires in contemporary weeks. “We can mirror at the contemporary occasions whilst highlighting the energy, creativity, and optimism that defines Los Angeles and our business.”
Right here’s the letter from Kramer and Yang in complete:
Pricey Academy contributors,
Our private due to all of you on your compassion and give a boost to over the previous couple of weeks. Our ideas stay with those that have been impacted by means of the hot Los Angeles-area wildfires. If you need to sign up for the Academy in supporting the continuing reduction efforts, please click on right here for a listing of assist assets.
After endured session with ABC, our board, and different key stakeholders within the Los Angeles and picture communities, making plans continues for the 97th Oscars rite on Sunday, March 2. This yr’s Oscars will have a good time the paintings that unites us as an international movie neighborhood and recognize those that fought so bravely towards the wildfires.
As a reminder, our 97th Oscars Nominations will probably be introduced day after today, January 23, at 5:30am PT by means of world are living movement on Oscar.com, Oscars.org, the Academy’s virtual platforms (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Fb), ABC’s Just right Morning The united states, and ABC Information Are living, Disney+ and Hulu. American Signal Language (ASL) products and services will probably be to be had on YouTube.
As a precursor to day after today’s announcement, we would have liked to proportion just a little bit about this yr’s display. Hosted by means of the fantastic Conan O’Brien, our 97th Oscars will probably be a birthday party of connection and collaboration – honoring the unifying spirit and artistic synergy of moviemaking. We can spotlight the transformative energy of the teamwork that brings cinematic visions to lifestyles.
As a part of this, we’re extremely joyful to carry again our “Fab 5” moments, the place person movie artists acknowledge nominees. Additionally, this yr the Perfect Unique Tune class presentation will transfer clear of are living performances and will probably be targeted at the songwriters. We can have a good time their artistry via non-public reflections from the groups who carry those songs to lifestyles. All of this, and extra, will discover the tales and inspiration at the back of this yr’s nominees.
And we will be able to honor Los Angeles as the town of goals, showcasing its attractiveness and resilience, in addition to its position as a beacon for filmmakers and artistic visionaries for over a century. We can mirror at the contemporary occasions whilst highlighting the energy, creativity, and optimism that defines Los Angeles and our business.
There’s so a lot more in retailer, together with tough musical moments that attach movie’s wealthy historical past to its daring and provoking long term. We are hoping you are going to song in day after today morning to look at the Nominations Announcement, and we very much recognize your ongoing dedication to the Academy and our movie neighborhood. We’re more potent in combination.
Invoice Kramer and Janet Yang
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