According to an AP release The Academy of Motion Sciences has hired comedy writer-director-producer Judd Apatow to write and direct a short film for the February 22nd Oscar telecast. Not only that, but Apatow will also be contributing “live material to that part of the show” according to Oscar producer Bill Condon.
The report also states Australia director Baz Luhrman has created a production number featuring Oscar host Hugh Jackman, and Capote director Bennett Miller will also be contributing a short film sequence. Supposedly other big filmmakers will be involved with other productions, but producers will not divulge any more info.
This sounds like a great step forward for the Oscars, anything to depart from the dry, tedious events in the past is a welcome idea in my mind.
What do you think of more filmmaker involvment at the Oscars?