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Academy’s New Rule Requires Members to Watch All Nominees

Oscar voters will now need to invest time and effort into their choices. The Academy has established a new guideline mandating members to watch every nominated film in a category before casting their vote, along with submitting verification forms detailing when and where they viewed each film.

This initiative has been unofficially dubbed the ‘Brutalist Rule,’ inspired by Brady Corbet’s lengthy film, which garnered ten nominations this past season. Despite its critical acclaim, there were instances of voters admitting to not fully engaging with the film, instead allowing it to play in the background while they managed other tasks.

“This was overdue,” observed a producer in an interview with Variety. “Over-fucking-due!” While the intention behind the rule is to level the playing field—making sure that low-profile films don’t get overshadowed by larger campaigns—concerns linger among some Academy members about whether this measure will genuinely enhance decision-making or merely create new loopholes.

Internal feedback indicates most members are in favor of this change, with many having called for it for several years.

In the past, watching all nominated films was only a suggestion, leaving members to rely on a mix of public buzz and personal recommendations. A former Academy executive recounted instances where Oscar ballots were completed by individuals who hadn’t watched the nominees. “They had never even heard of half the movies, but they voted anyway,” one executive reflected, recalling practices from Hollywood’s earlier days.

The transition from physical ballots to the Academy Screening Room—a secure online platform implemented in 2020—aimed to eradicate many outdated practices, yet some loopholes remain.

Currently, some members simply need to start a film on the Academy app to meet the viewing requirement, regardless of whether they are actively watching. “The app just needs to see that you watched it,” noted one member. “It doesn’t know if you’re really engaged.”

Others admitted to hitting play and leaving for work. Voting patterns often reflect established professional loyalties. “You think I’m voting against my own campaign?” joked an executive. “I’m voting for my stuff.”

Measures to encourage member engagement aren’t entirely new. The Academy had similar rules for international feature voting that required viewing a specific selection of films, with similar loopholes like accelerated viewing times.

There are no repercussions for declaring you watched a film if you didn’t, as the system operates on an honor basis, with no verification checks by the Academy. While members seem unconcerned about the new requirements, strategists warn about the potential pitfalls for voters who neglect off-platform viewings.

This new guideline also seeks to diminish the likelihood of one film monopolizing awards. Between 2009 and 2021, “The Hurt Locker” stood out with six wins, yet more recent years have seen films like “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and “Oppenheimer” achieving seven Oscars. This shift in distribution could reshape how nominees fare in terms of visibility and awards.

Interestingly, films with only a single nomination may have a better chance of winning in their respective categories since all voters must view every nominee. This situation might allow lesser-known titles to surprise viewers and voters alike.

Studios may be incentivized to encourage Academy members to watch all nominated works, including those from their competitors, especially if rival titles seem to be more favored. Every vote is increasingly valuable in this evolving landscape.

Some Academy members remain optimistic, viewing potential exploitation of the system as a rarity. “I’m not cynical enough to think people weren’t watching,” remarked Scott Shooman, head of AMC Networks Film Group. Attending key film festivals equips him with knowledge on what to watch. “It’s our responsibility, and putting it on paper makes it a little more conscious,” he added.

The Academy remains committed to upholding its integrity, especially with new awards on the horizon, such as casting and stunts recognition. The organization aspires to ensure the continued relevance and trustworthiness of its esteemed institution.

An Executive Branch member succinctly summed it up: “The whole system’s based on trust. And trust in Hollywood? Bullshit.”

Source
variety.com