Oscars Will Move Away From Original Song Performances and Honor L.A. in Wake of Fires

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The Oscars have disclosed their plans for acknowledging the city of Los Angeles in light of the destruction brought about by wildfires, as well as other modifications for this year’s event.

In a letter penned to Academy members, Bill Kramer (CEO) and Janet Yang (President) have revealed details about the 97th Oscars ceremony scheduled for March 2nd, Sunday. This announcement follows closely after the disastrous Los Angeles wildfires. The Academy is seizing this moment to emphasize their dedication to the strength and recovery of the film industry and their hometown.

First off, we’d like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your kindness and assistance during these challenging times over the past few weeks,” the letter started, echoing empathy towards those impacted by the fires that ravaged Los Angeles County. Furthermore, Kramer and Yang called upon the community to continue aiding in relief efforts and provided details about available resources to help.

The forthcoming event, which will be orchestrated by the Emmy-winning comedian and ex-late-night talk show host Conan O’Brien, is set to honor the impactful nature of movie making, all the while emphasizing concepts of unity and teamwork.

For a change, the traditional live performances of nominated songs at the Oscars will be skipped this year. Instead, the focus will shift to the songwriters, showcasing their personal stories and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the creative process behind the music. Among the potential nominees are songs from Jacques Audiard’s musical film “Emilia Pérez,” which features performances by Zoe Saldaña, Karla Sofía Gascón, and Selena Gomez.

Kramer and Yang have shared that we’ll appreciate the talent of this year’s nominees by hearing personal insights from the teams who breathe life into their songs. This, along with additional content, will reveal the tales and motivations behind these artists.

Once again this year, you’ll find the “Fab 5” moments segment. Here, distinguished artists acknowledge nominees and pay tributes in a heartwarming way. This tradition, new on the scene but quickly embraced, has struck a chord with audiences who appreciate artistry from different eras, resulting in unforgettable scenes like Oscar winner Rita Moreno (“West Side Story”) honoring supporting actress nominee America Ferrera (“Barbie”).

The Academy intends to pay tribute to Los Angeles as a “city of dreams,” highlighting its charm and tenacity.

In their final remarks, the Academy expressed a strong dedication towards unity and positivity, especially amidst current difficulties. They highlighted exciting prospects ahead, such as remarkable musical experiences bridging the past and future of cinema. They kindly invite you to join them tomorrow for the Nominations Announcement, expressing gratitude for your continued support of the Academy and the film industry. Together, we are stronger.

The nominations for the Oscars will be announced on Thursday, Jan. 23, at 5:30 a.m. PT.

The full letter is below.

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Dear Academy members,

We’re extremely grateful for your kindness and solidarity during these challenging times over the past few weeks. Our thoughts continue to be with those who have been affected by the wildfires in the Los Angeles region. If you’d like to lend your support to our efforts to assist in the ongoing relief, kindly follow this link for a list of resources where aid is being provided.

Following ongoing discussions with ABC, our board, and significant figures within the Los Angeles film scene, preparations are being made for the 97th Academy Awards on March 2nd. This year’s ceremony aims to honor the collaborative efforts of the global film community and pay tribute to those who valiantly battled the recent wildfires.

A friendly heads up: The nominations for our 97th Oscars will be revealed tomorrow, January 23rd, at 5:30am Pacific Time. You can catch the live stream on Oscar.com, Oscars.org, and our social media platforms (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook). It’ll also be broadcast on ABC’s Good Morning America, ABC News Live, as well as on Disney+ and Hulu. For those who prefer American Sign Language, we will provide the service on YouTube.

In preparation for tomorrow’s big reveal, we thought it would be fitting to give you a sneak peek of this year’s event. The 97th Oscars, graciously hosted by Conan O’Brien, will be a heartfelt tribute to camaraderie and unity – recognizing the inspiring bond and innovative spark that fuel the art of filmmaking. We’ll be emphasizing the remarkable impact that teamwork has in bringing cinematic dreams to fruition.

In addition to our return of the “Fab 5” moments, where individual film artists honor nominees, we’re making a change in the Best Original Song category this year. Instead of live performances, we’ll be shining a spotlight on the songwriters. To celebrate their talent, we will share personal insights from the teams who breathe life into these songs. This, and other elements, promise to reveal the tales and inspirations behind our nominees for this year.

Furthermore, we’ll pay tribute to Los Angeles, the city of dreams, by celebrating its stunning landscapes and unyielding spirit, as well as its longstanding influence on filmmakers and innovative thinkers for more than a century. Let’s take a moment to acknowledge the recent challenges while emphasizing the courage, ingenuity, and hope that characterize Los Angeles and our field.

Prepare yourself for even more exciting times ahead, as we’ve got some truly impactful musical instances lined up that bridge the film industry’s past with its innovative and motivational future! Don’t forget to join us tomorrow morning for the Nominations Announcement – your unwavering support means a lot to us at the Academy and our film community. Together, we’re stronger!

Bill Kramer and Janet Yang

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2025-01-23 00:48