Flipside Movie Emporium

[beltmann]

Yeah, but his concession is just that--a bone thrown at the Academy. He still doesn't get it, which helps explain why he still doesn't understand why it's ridiculous to continue excluding all the other voting blocs.

Eric

[Michael Scrutchin]

And here's some great news:

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[url=http://www.nynewsday.com/news/local/manhattan/nyc-movi1206,0,503730.story?c

ol=nyc-manheadlines-manhattan]Associated Press[/url]

December 5, 2003

In a victory for independent film producers, a federal judge Friday blocked an industry ban on sending advance copies of films to some movie awards voters.

Large movie studios had claimed the ban was critical to stop the explosion of movie piracy. But the smaller houses said it limited awards voters' exposure to their movies -- hurting their chances for bigger box-office receipts.

U.S. District Judge Michael B. Mukasey sided with the independent producers, granting a temporary restraining order against the ban, which is enforced by the Motion Picture Association of America.

Mukasey said he was swayed by testimony that showed awards are critical to the success of smaller films, which do not have the hefty advertising budget of larger studios.

"Plaintiffs have shown they are at risk of loss of revenue as a result of the screener ban," the judge said.

Ted Hope, an independent producer, said the ruling was a victory for movie fans because it would allow smaller-budget pictures to get the acclaim they deserve, and therefore wider release.

"I'm just thrilled," he said.

Mukasey heard a full day of testimony in the case on Wednesday, including that of MPAA chief Jack Valenti who said the ban was justified and important.

"Piracy has become a malignant fungus on the face of our industry, and it's becoming more virulent as we go along," he said.

But the ban would also force voters for some movie awards to attend one-time-only screenings or see movies in theaters, rather than watching at home on their own time.

Smaller movie studios said that meant their films were less likely to be considered for awards.

The major movie studios that make up the Motion Picture Association of America agreed to the ban Sept. 30, and the MPAA said at the time it was a way to protect against rampant piracy.

The trade group said it was concerned that screener copies of movies were finding their way onto the streets for sale as bootleg, or readily available on the Internet in digital form.

Independent film producers spoke out against the ban almost immediately, arguing it would hurt their chances at winning smaller awards like Screen Actors Guild or Golden Globe awards.

The ban was modified Oct. 23 to allow the 5,600 voters for the Academy Awards, the industry's most important, to receive advance copies of movies up for awards in videotape form, which is more difficult to copy.

But independent producers said they were still harmed because the smaller awards, handed out in the fall and winter, are widely considered to affect which movies Oscar voters consider.

The 14 independent studios argued that the recent films, "Boys Don't Cry," "Gosford Park," "In the Bedroom" and "The Pianist," all lauded at the Oscars, were helped tremendously by receiving earlier, smaller awards.

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Michael Scrutchin
Flipside Movie Emporium
www.flipsidearchive.com

[Danny Baldwin]

When do the Oscar nominees come out this year with the new date?

They were going to be on my birthday this year, but of course, they get moved. Bye, bye, Oscar party. Heh.
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Danny Baldwin

View My Reviews

[the night watchman]

"Piracy has become a malignant fungus on the face of our industry, and it's becoming more virulent as we go along."

--Jack Valenti

Sound bites made of extravagant hyperboles have become a giant, ravenous crocodile in the placid lake of rational thought, and Bill Pullman is running out of cows and helicopters.
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"If you're talking about censorship, and what things should be shown and what things shouldn't be shown, I've said that as an artist you have no social responsibility whatsoever."

-David Cronenberg

[beltmann]

The Oscar ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 29th. Nominations will be released the last week of January.

[Monkeypox]