The
Academy uses technology to reach out to fans, but shies away from recognising
hi-tech movies, argues a technology fan.
BC: Hi, what's up?
AD: Just checking the Oscar nominations.
Why do you think they give all these techie movies the short shrift?
BC: What do you mean?
AD: Sci-fi, fantasy, futuristic movies...
the ones that sizzle with technology in every frame...
BC: Well, the Star Wars series was
nominated for 25 awards and won ten, including three special awards.
AD: But not for Best Picture...
BC: 2010 saw two sci-fi movies nominated -
District 9 and Avatar.
AD: But neither won, right?
BC: 2012 could provide a break for sci-fi
movies - at least in the short film segment, if not the feature film category.
AD: You're referring to Time Freak.
BC: Yes, apparently it's based on the time
travel misadventures of a scientist.
AD: The couple that made the film filmed
themselves reacting to their nomination when they first saw it online. The
reaction film went viral and was even featured on a news channel.
BC: Looks like news channels are depending
on YouTube for content…
AD: Suddenly Time Freak has become a
much-googled proposition – technology made this possible. A decade ago, this
would have been unthinkable...
BC: But hasn't technology been given its
own pride of place, with the Scientific and Technical Awards?
AD: Yes, but they’re not part of the main
ceremony…
BC: Why do you take it so hard?
AD: Technology cannot take centre stage,
but has to do its job backstage. Is that it?
BC: Why do you say that?
AD: A lot of online activity happened
during the 2011 Oscars. Over a million tweets were sent during the evening and the
host, James Franco was tweeting during the course of the show. Facebook saw
almost two million updates...
BC: Isn’t it an irony then that The Social
Network missed out last year?
AD: Guess the jury was more impressed with
the King’s Speech than with the common man’s Facebook messages.
BC: But what were the fans doing online, with
the Oscars live on TV?
AD: In fact, they got to see more action. The
behind-the-scenes activity was also streamed live so that fans could catch the
after-party and the happenings backstage. They could even choose from various cameras
angles...
BC: From celebrity spotting to camera
spotting - how times change…
AD: There were quite a few apps to follow
the ceremony on mobile phones. Fans could also interact with academy
representatives online. And this year, it's getting bigger, better and fancier,
with more apps, more games, more online shows...
BC: So watching the Oscars on TV is
suddenly old-fashioned, huh?
AD: Absolutely! The 2011 event had a blast
from the past, with Bob Hope appearing as a hologram...
BC: Old-timers must have had a kick out of that...
AD: Another big technology churn is the electronic
voting system that will replace the conventional voting system next year.
BC: But that's for next year. Who do you
think will win it this year?
AD: Predictably, almost all the nominations
for best picture are set in an earlier era. That effectively knocks out
sci-fi...
BC: With Spielberg, Scorsese, Woody Allen
and Chris Columbus in the race, I wouldn't mind if technology takes a
backseat...
AD: There’s Spielberg’s 3D masterpiece and
Woody Allen’s time travel tale, so you never know – technology might be the
winner on Sunday night!
BC: Well, Monday morning in our part of the
world… unless you’re planning on some time travel yourself.
