Yesterday June 28, 2012 the Academy of Motion Pictures announced that they were changing some rules for the 85th annual Oscars.
The biggest change came in the Makeup category as hairstylists will finally be given credit in the Makeup category, which will be renamed Best Makeup and Hairstyling. The Oscars are late to the party in this regard as numerous organizations, includingthe British Academy of Film & Television Arts have been awarding stylists for years. Some past winners of the Oscars have won largely because of the hairstyling work, so it's only fair to give them credit.Additionally, all branch members who've seen the seven shortlist selections will be sent a ballot to select their top three choices.
The other rule changes were mostly technical. For example, in the Best Original Song category, the prior rule stated that two songwriters could be nominated or, in extreme and evident circumstances, a third could be listed. Now, they've expanded that optional "rare and extraordinary circumstances" rule to four potential nominees per song.
In visual effects, the new rule guarantees that nominees will be chosen from a pool of 10 films chosen by the visual effects branch's executive committee. Previously, the committee could put forward from seven to 10 films.
According to the Academy's press release, the only other significant rules change was in the Foreign Language Film category. The change eliminates the requirement that films be exhibited in 35mm or DCP in their home countries. They still have to be submitted to the Academy that way, but this enables smaller countries whose theater systems don't have sophisticated 35mm or DCP technology to still submit their best film for consideration.
The Oscars have had a penchant for making changes over the last few years. Three years ago they expanded the Best Picture category from five films to ten before changing it against last year to anywhere from five to ten films being nominated for the top prize.
The 85th Annual Academy Award nominations will be announced on January 15th and the ceremony will be held at the Dolby Theater on February 24th.
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