How the 2021 Oscars Will Look Different This Year
The Academy Awards are the pinnacle of Hollywood's action-packed year. Actors, filmmakers, and stylists alike eagerly wait for this momentous occasion to rake in a few shiny Oscars or simply stunning on the infamous red carpet. In the past, the Academy Awards have been the site for moving musical performances and record-breaking wins. The event is followed by everyone everywhere, proving the Oscars' significance as a cultural institution. Just last year, over 23 million Americans tuned into the 92nd Academy Awards ceremony, which aired on February 9, 2020. However, a year later, the Oscars will look much different.
When COVID-19 hit the United States, most of us lost every semblance of normalcy we once took for granted, but as the months progressed and the threat of sickness proved that it was here to stay, there was a collective acceptance of a "new normal." In 2021, the Oscars confronted this new way of life with a nuanced approach that will make this year's ceremony appear somewhat atypical. In June, it was announced that the Academy Awards would be postponed for the fourth time in Oscars history. Instead of taking place in February, the celebration was rescheduled for April 25, 2021. In the past, the Oscars have only been delayed due to the assassination of public figures or significant natural causes, so the Academy's choice to adjust the date was not taken lightly.
In addition to being pushed back, the Oscars will take on a very different form this year. While the Academy remains committed to hosting an in-person event, it had to rethink its staging as filling the renowned Dolby Theatre was out of the question this year. That is why the Oscars will be held at various locations, including Los Angeles' Union Station. In a letter to the nominees, the Academy discussed its plan to create a unique cinematic experience for all of those present at the ceremony, while also being diligent about safety protocols.
The Academy wrote: “We are treating the event as an active movie set, with specially designed testing cadences to ensure up-to-the-minute results, including an on-site COVID safety team with PCR testing capability. There will be specific instructions for those of you traveling in from outside of Los Angeles and other instructions for those of you who are already based in Los Angeles. This will all come directly to you from the Academy to ensure you have a safe, carefree evening (a glimpse of the future?).”
The Academy also made it clear that there was no Zoom option for those who wanted to remain at home, and on top of that, they reminded attendees that the strict Oscars dress-code is still in place (which appeased red carpet-lovers everywhere). As the historic day grows closer and, COVID-19 restrictions begin to fade. People might have the opportunity to sit in a cinema and experience the films that are up for awards like the Academy hoped. Despite the oppressiveness of the on-going pandemic, the Oscars act as a reminder that creativity and the will to influence always prevail, even during the worst of times.