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It looks like the end of free movie DVDs and videos for the thousands who vote on the Oscars, and assorted Hollywood hangers on. With Sony signing on last night, all the major studios have agreed to stop sending "screeners" as part of an anti-piracy effort launched by Jack Valenti's MPAA. The Variety story by Cathy Dunkley details how divisive the policy is within the studios, pitting one exec against another, and how independents see it as a tactic to shut them out of Oscars. For most everyone on the screener list who now will have to attend actual screenings to see Oscar-nominated films, this unnamed insider quoted in Variety probably sums up the reaction:
"It's a sad day in Mudville."
The stupid MPAA is really shooting itself in the foot with this one. The good news is that it'll really be a boon to truly "indy" film companies who will continue to send screeners. I predict this measure lasts exactly one Oscar season.
Posted by: Mr. Ricey at September 30, 2003 02:51 PMHow exactly would this stop the indies from sending out free screeners. Also, would this policy apply to the guild awards as well?
Posted by: Steve Smith at September 30, 2003 04:13 PMIt doesn't stop real indies from sending out screeners but I imagine it stops "indies" like Miramax -- owned by Disney -- from sending out screeners.
Posted by: Mr. Ricey at September 30, 2003 06:22 PM
of LA Observed
Piracy is likely their public excuse, but the studios are also FUMING at the academy over strict new regulations--as opposed to guidelines--in Oscar campaigns. They are allowed to send videos, etc., but not much else. They are not allowed to mention other awards or honors, past or present, in direct marketing or paid advertizing in any publication to which an Academy member belongs. These regulations suddenly make freebies like DVDs less effective. Plus, cutting them off is payback to the folks who made up these bogus rules...
Posted by: BoiFromTroy at September 30, 2003 11:05 AM