The 93rd Academy Awards are going to look very different this year due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic & The Academy is now laying down the groundwork for how the big ceremony will take place this year.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today that the show won’t just air live on ABC from its normal Dolby Theater HQ, but in “multiple locations.” Here is what they had to say:
“In this unique year that has asked so much of so many, the Academy is determined to present an Oscars like none other, while prioritizing the public health and safety of all those who will participate. To create the in-person show our global audience wants to see, while adapting to the requirements of the pandemic, the ceremony will broadcast live from multiple locations, including the landmark Dolby Theatre. We look forward to sharing more details soon.”
This is the most significant update on the ceremony since December. Up next is deciding if they will have a host this year or go hostless like they have done the last two years. Judging from the multiple locations announcement, it sounds like The Oscars might look more like ABC’s pandemic-altered Primetime Emmy Awards telecast which featured live shots from multiple locations of nominees and winners, along with Jimmy Kimmel, who hosted, and a few in-person helpers at Los Angeles’ Staples Center.
There were rumors that The Academy wanted to go for a total in-person ceremony but with the vaccine rollout moving much slower than anticipated, I think that prospect became something that wasn’t entirely feasible, even with the ceremony taking place in April.
