September 1, 2015–The 88th Academy Awards, to be held on Februray 28, 2016, will be produced by a new team, David Hill and Reginald Hudlin, who represent two worlds of showbiz, live TV and movies.
The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences (AMPAS) announced the decision Tuesday, but did not indicate if this is a three-year pact.
A 21st Century Fox-News Corp. exec who stepped down in June to launch a production banner that focused on live TV events, Hill has overseeing live sports production, and built Fox Sports. Among other activities, he has overseen “American Idol” for the Fox network.
Hudlin, Oscar-nominated producer for “Django Unchained,” last year produced the Governors Awards. He has been the exec producer of the NAACP Image Awards since 2012. Hudlin served as the first president of entertainment for BET Networks from 2005 to 2009.
When the most recent producers, Craig Zadan and Neil Meron stepped down earlier this year, they said there had been a three-year deal with the Academy, which is looking for continuity rather than get a new producer every year.
We’re delighted to have this talented team on board,” said AMPAS president Cheryl Boone Isaacs. “David is a true innovator with a dynamic personality. His vast experience as a live events producer, coupled with Reggie’s energy, creativity and talent as a filmmaker, is sure to make this year’s Oscar telecast a memorable one.”
“What a great and exciting honor! The quest is to honor the year in film, honor the art, and above all, make it fun,” said Hill.
“I’m looking forward to working with the Academy again,” said Hudlin. “I love every kind of film and this year’s awards will be a celebration of the total range of cinema.”
“We’re excited to work with David and Reggie,” said Academy CEO Dawn Hudson. “With their enthusiasm and breadth of experience, they will bring a fresh perspective to the Oscar show.”
An executive with the Fox group of companies for more than 25 years, Hill recently served as the senior exec vice president of 21st Century Fox, overseeing programming, digital initiatives, and other opportunities on five continents. He was previously the chairman and CEO of Fox Sports Media Group. Hudlin’s film credits include “Boomerang,” “The Great White Hype” and “House Party,” which he also wrote.
The dilemmas faced by the producers and hosts boil down to how to add innovation while keeping the running time manageable.
There are many constant elements that have to be included, such as 24 awards, recaps of the Sci-Tech honors and the Governors Awards and the In Memoriam segment.
It means that a producer has less than an hour to include such options as an opening monologue, performance of nominated songs, etc.
Longest and Shortest Cceremonies
Holding the record for the longest ceremony: The 74th Academy Awards, on March 2, 2002, which ran 4 hours and 23 minutes.
The shortest ceremonies were in 2005 and 2012, each at 3 hours, 14 minutes.
The show’s producers of the past decade are:
Gil Cates produced the show a record 14 times, with the final time in 2008.
2006 ceremony, Gil Cates (hosted by Jon Stewart);
2007 Laura Ziskin (hosted by Ellen DeGeneres);
2008 Cates (Jon Stewart again);
2009 Laurence Mark & Bill Condon (Hugh Jackman);
2010 Bill Mechanic, Adam Shankman (Alec Baldwin, Steve Martin);
2011 Bruce Cohen, Don Mischer (James Franco, Anne Hathaway);
2012 Brian Grazer (after Brett Ratner exited; host, Billy Crystal);
2013-2015 Meron and Zadan producers, hosts Seth MacFarlane, Ellen DeGeneres and Neil Patrick Harris.
