The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will announce the Oscar nominations for all 24 categories live during its news conference at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills on Thursday morning in a change from the academy's tradition of omitting about half of the categories from the news conference.
The move reflects an overall effort at the academy to increase public awarness of the artisans and technicians who work on films — an endeavor reflected in its plans for a new Academy Museum scheduled to open in 2017 and in changes to the Oscar show in recent years, such as inviting film students to present Oscar trophies instead of models.
"We value the contributions that every professional makes to produce a motion picture, and it takes a big cast and a lot of talented people, " academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs said in an interview Friday. "The academy have been thinking of ways to make sure the public understands that."
The nomination announcement will come in two parts, with Boone Isaacs, actor Chris Pine and directors Alfonso Cuarón ("Gravity") and J.J. Abrams ("Star Wars") sharing presenting duties.
At 5:30 a.m. Pacific time, Cuarón and Abrams will announce the nominees in the following categories: animated feature film, documentary feature, documentary short subject, film editing, original song, production design, animated short film, live-action short film, sound editing, sound mixing and visual effects.
At 5:38 a.m., Pine and Boone Isaacs will take the stage to unveil the nominations for lead actor, lead actress, supporting actor, supporting actress, cinematography, costume design, directing, foreign-language film, makeup and hairstyling, original score, adapted screenplay, original screenplay and best picture.
"It's frustrating to sit at home and watch TV and only find out half of the Oscar nominations, " said Craig Zadan, who, with Neil Meron, is producing the Oscar telecast for the third year in a row. "Why not celebrate all of them?"
