SCREENERS

There are two kinds of movies being viewed by academy members. One is in the theater and the other is  “the screener” to be watched at home or on any number of other devices. While the screener makes it vastly more convenient for members to view more films and have a more comprehensive overview of the films up for consideration it takes away virtually every element of the film that was created, at considerable expense, by a team of creative artists with the sole purpose of emotionally moving their audience.  Screeners can’t do that.

In the theater all distractions are removed. Announcements are made to mute or disconnect cell phones to avoid distracting others there to get lost in the film. The room is dark, everyone is facing the same direction so we are unable to see others tear up, hold their breadth, clutch the hand of their seatmates or just let their emotions out for 100 minute holiday. There are no pauses, rewinds, bathroom breaks, and changes in lighting, heating or food choices.  People are in their seats and presumably will not move for the entire film.

That is what the filmmakers had in mind when they made the film and that is what the audience is entitled to if they are willing to pay the admission price or are legitimately considering the performances and/ or the film for the industry’s top honor.

The single most significant element to a film’s success is how well it does in a theater. Marketers spend enormous sums of money to promote the in theater experience.   Success in the theater virtually guarantees success in video, cable, broadcast and countless overseas markets.  Add to the success in the theater, a number of marketable Oscars and the film is on to levels of income and profit unimaginable in most other industries.

In the foreign language category the voters have to see ALL the entries. I have academy friends who literally camp out at the Academy viewing as many as 50 or more films in order to cast their vote.

It is unfair for film makers to have their films which can be truly life altering, judged on TV sets, of questionable quality, an airline, a phone or a laptop.

If the intended feelings are not connected with the films audience the results in all down stream revenue will be negatively impacted and that hurts everyone.

I say it is time for the Academy to rethink its voting mechanism. Get more people seeing more films in the theater.