Academy Board of Governors Votes to Honor Testimonial Award Recipients at New Event
Beverly Hills, CA (June 26, 2009) — The Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has voted to establish a new annual event at which it will present its testimonial awards – the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award and the Honorary Award. Honorees will be selected and announced in September and presented their awards at a celebratory dinner event in November. They will also be acknowledged at the year’s Academy Awards ceremony.
“For some years now, the Board has struggled to balance the desire to truly honor worthy individuals with the time limitations that the Oscar® telecast imposes on these honors,” said Academy President Sid Ganis. “By creating a separate event for recognizing these outstanding people in the movie industry, we’re insuring that each honoree will be given his or her full due, without compromise.”
The Academy’s Board will hold a special meeting in September for the sole purpose of selecting the year’s honorees. There will not be more than one Hersholt nor more than one Thalberg Award voted in any given year. No more than four testimonial awards will be given in a single year.
“We wanted to achieve more flexibility with these awards,” explained Ganis. “But we also need to maintain the integrity of them. By setting the limits that we have, the members of the Board feel they have achieved the appropriate balance.”
A black-tie dinner event for about 500 invitees will include film clips as well as remarks from the honorees’ colleagues and admirers.
Previously, these awards were voted at the Board’s December meeting.
The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award and the Honorary Award are Oscar statuettes; the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award is a bust of its namesake. The most recent recipients of each were Jerry Lewis (Hersholt Award) at the 81st Academy Awards® ceremony in February of this year, Robert Boyle (Honorary Award) at the 80th Academy Awards ceremony in February 2008, and Dino De Laurentiis (Thalberg Award) at the 73rd Academy Awards ceremony in March 2001.
Like it said yesterday - the hits just keep on coming.
A special dinner of course in some ways makes the honorees have more time, but this now deprives what made the honors valid - the tribute, the clips, and audience ovation and reaction - mostly absent from tens of million of people.
These often were the most special moments of the show.
I told you two days ago - once they make one awful move, they are going to make many, many more.
I am even angrier about this than I was about the 10 BP nominees.
(The one and sole redeeming aspect is that they likely will now give more honorary awards - but that in turn of course could cheapen that by expanding what qualifies for one. Also there is no word as to whether this is going to be broadcast, but even if it were, it would be edited down).
This is totally an ABC inspired move. It has nothing to do with the integrity of the Academy.
I frankly expect more members are going to be outraged about this.
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Can anyone think of any other major award show - Tonys, Emmys, Grammys, SAG, or minor ones like GGs - where they push their special award winners off to the side? Is there a single case of this?
The Thalberg Award, according to the Academy, is the highest prize they have to give. But it isn't worthy of being on their TV broadcast?
And since the changes just keep coming, the rules for Original Song have been updated (to seanflynn's delight, I'm sure). Now there could be no award given if no song scores high enough.
Here is a list of honorary award winners over recent decades - just think of all the special moments that we were able to share in
(add to them Thalberg awards for George Lucas, Lawrence Weingarten presented by Katherine Hepburn in her only Oscar appearance ever, Alfred Hitch****; Herscholts to Jerry Lewis, Audrey Hepburn posthumously, Rosalind Russell)
HONORARY AWARD * To Cary Grant for his unique mastery of the art of screen acting with the respect and affection of his colleagues.
1970 (43rd) HONORARY AWARD * To Lillian Gish for superlative artistry and for distinguished contribution to the progress of motion pictures. * To Orson Welles for superlative artistry and versatility in the creation of motion pictures.
1971 (44th) HONORARY AWARD * To Charles Chaplin for the incalculable effect he has had in making motion pictures the art form of this century.
1972 (45th) HONORARY AWARD * To Charles S. Boren, Leader for 38 years of the industry's enlightened labor relations and architect of its policy of non-discrimination. With the respect and affection of all who work in films. * To Edward G. Robinson who achieved greatness as a player, a patron of the arts and a dedicated citizen...in sum, a Renaissance man. From his friends in the industry he loves. [NOTE: The Academy's Board of Governors voted to confer this award on January 6, 1973. Mr. Robinson passed away on January 26th, and the award was accepted on his behalf by his wife.]
1973 (46th) HONORARY AWARD * To Henri Langlois for his devotion to the art of film, his massive contributions in preserving its past and his unswerving faith in its future. * To Groucho Marx in recognition of his brilliant creativity and for the unequalled achievements of the Marx Brothers in the art of motion picture comedy.
1974 (47th) HONORARY AWARD * To Howard Hawks - A master American filmmaker whose creative efforts hold a distinguished place in world cinema. * To Jean Renoir - a genius who, with grace, responsibility and enviable devotion through silent film, sound film, feature, documentary and television, has won the world's admiration.
1975 (48th) HONORARY AWARD * To Mary Pickford in recognition of her unique contributions to the film industry and the development of film as an artistic medium.
1977 (50th) HONORARY AWARD * To Margaret Booth for her exceptional contribution to the art of film editing in the motion picture industry.
1978 (51st) HONORARY AWARD * To Walter Lantz for bringing joy and laughter to every part of the world through his unique animated motion pictures. * To The Museum of Modern Art Department of Film for the contribution it has made to the public's perception of movies as an art form. * To Laurence Olivier for the full body of his work, for the unique achievements of his entire career and his lifetime of contribution to the art of film. * To King Vidor for his incomparable achievements as a cinematic creator and innovator.
1979 (52nd) HONORARY AWARD * To Alec Guinness for advancing the art of screen acting through a host of memorable and distinguished performances. * To Hal Elias for his dedication and distinguished service to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
1980 (53rd) HONORARY AWARD * To Henry Fonda, the consummate actor, in recognition of his brilliant accomplishments and enduring contribution to the art of motion pictures.
1981 (54th) HONORARY AWARD * To Barbara Stanwyck for superlative creativity and unique contribution to the art of screen acting.
1982 (55th) HONORARY AWARD * To Mickey Rooney, in recognition of his 60 years of versatility in a variety of memorable film performances.
1983 (56th) HONORARY AWARD * To Hal Roach, in recognition of his unparalleled record of distinguished contributions to the motion picture art form.
1984 (57th) HONORARY AWARD * To James Stewart, for his fifty years of memorable performances. For his high ideals both on and off the screen. With the respect and affection of his colleagues. * To the National Endowment for the Arts, in recognition of its 20th anniversary and its dedicated commitment to fostering artistic and creative activity and excellence in every area of the arts.
1985 (58th) HONORARY AWARD * To Paul Newman, in recognition of his many and memorable compelling screen performances and for his personal integrity and dedication to his craft. * To Alex North, in recognition of his brilliant artistry in the creation of memorable music for a host of distinguished motion pictures.
1986 (59th) HONORARY AWARD * To Ralph Bellamy for his unique artistry and his distinguished service to the profession of acting.
1988 (61st) HONORARY AWARD * To the National Film Board of Canada in recognition of its 50th anniversary and its dedicated commitment to originate artistic, creative and technological activity and excellence in every area of film making. * To Eastman Kodak Company in recognition of the company's fundamental contributions to the art of motion pictures during the first century of film history.
1989 (62nd) HONORARY AWARD * To Akira Kurosawa for accomplishments that have inspired, delighted, enriched and entertained audiences and influenced filmmakers throughout the world.
1990 (63rd) HONORARY AWARD * To Sophia Loren, one of the genuine treasures of world cinema who, in a career rich with memorable performances, has added permanent luster to our art form. * To Myrna Loy, in recognition of her extraordinary qualities both on screen and off, with appreciation for a lifetime's worth of indelible performances.
1991 (64th) HONORARY AWARD * To Satyajit Ray, in recognition of his rare mastery of the art of motion pictures, and of his profound humanitarian outlook, which has had an indelible influence on filmmakers and audiences throughout the world.
1992 (65th) HONORARY AWARD * To Federico Fellini in recognition of his place as one of the screen's master storytellers.
1993 (66th) HONORARY AWARD * To Deborah Kerr, in appreciation for a full career's worth of elegant and beautifully crafted performances.
1994 (67th) HONORARY AWARD * To Michelangelo Antonioni in recognition of his place as one of the cinema's master visual stylists.
1995 (68th) HONORARY AWARD * To Kirk Douglas, for fifty years as a creative and moral force in the motion picture community. * To Chuck Jones, for the creation of classic cartoons which have brought worldwide joy for more than half a century.
1996 (69th) HONORARY AWARD * To Michael Kidd in recognition of his services to the art of the dance in the art of the screen.
1997 (70th) HONORARY AWARD * To Stanley Donen in appreciation of a body of work marked by grace, elegance, wit and visual innovation.
1998 (71st) HONORARY AWARD * To Elia Kazan in recognition of his indelible contributions to the art of motion picture direction.
1999 (72nd) HONORARY AWARD * To Andrzej Wajda in recognition of five decades of extraordinary film direction.
2000 (73rd) HONORARY AWARD * To Jack Cardiff, master of light and color. * To Ernest Lehman, in appreciation of a body of varied and enduring work.
2001 (74th) HONORARY AWARD * To Sidney Poitier in recognition of his remarkable accomplishments as an artist and as a human being. * To Robert Redford: Actor, director, producer, creator of Sundance, inspiration to independent and innovative filmmakers everywhere.
2002 (75th) HONORARY AWARD * To Peter O'Toole, whose remarkable talents have provided cinema history with some of its most memorable characters.
2003 (76th) HONORARY AWARD * To Blake Edwards in recognition of his writing, directing and producing an extraordinary body of work for the screen.
2004 (77th) HONORARY AWARD * To Sidney Lumet in recognition of his brilliant services to screenwriters, performers and the art of the motion picture.
2005 (78th) HONORARY AWARD * To Robert Altman in recognition of a career that has repeatedly reinvented the art form and inspired filmmakers and audiences alike.
2006 (79th) HONORARY AWARD * To Ennio Morricone in recognition of his magnificent and multifaceted contributions to the art of film music.
2007 (80th) HONORARY AWARD * To Robert Boyle in recognition of one of cinema's great careers in art direction.
Cedric - I respect your opinion, but after looking over that list of winners, and the many emotional moments they included, do you still feel so?
These often were the only moments of the show filled with class, with a real sense of tribute to the art of film, with the honoree standing tall among the other winners that night and treated as equals, not some side show not important enough for the main event.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: seanflynn,
MCN says that this was a botched announcement - they were planning a press conference on Monday, but the press release slipped out early.
Apparently song contenders are going to have to reach a threshold of some level to be nominated; not sure how different that is from what they have now.
Also, supposedly the plan was to give John Calley and Alan Ladd Jr awards this year (not sure what that means - they both would be considered Thalberg winners), but changed their minds because of program length considerations.
All this could be solved by having a three hour broadcast, and putting 2/3s of the awards in the first hour, maybe three pairs of presenters, make it snappy, then have two hours for the 11 awards (picture, actor, writing, director, animated film, FL film, doc feature). They'd still have room for honorary within this structure.
Given that they so far have shown no indication of cutting the montages or the 20-30 minute opening production number and monologue that leads off the show, they had to start making cuts somewhere. I would rather they remove these presentations from the show than some of the rank and file technical awards. They will still be showing clips and highlights which hopefully will capture the best moments of the dinner. Maybe a channel like AMC or TMC will broadcast the ceremony live since it will occur nearly three months before the main ceremony.
FYC: "Up" for Best Picture and Kathryn Bigelow for Best Director
I guess making hundred of millions of people familiar with the greats of the past - which might lead some of them to discover their work on DVD, and have some respect for movies before CGI took over - is less important than seeing the sound guy get his award.
And yes, perhaps a taped, edited version of the show will be aired - to about 500,000 people who already know about these winners. But it will be far less dramatic, far less emotional, it won't have the stellar setting of being part of the Oscar audience in the theatre and around the world.
Ridiculous.
And no, I don't want to drop the craft awards from the show. There are other ways of doing this. They have chosen the worst.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: seanflynn,
First, it confirms my suspicions that the 10 nominee rule was nothing more than a thoughtless panic manuever.
Second, the combination of this decision so soon on the heels of the previous one will have a snowball effect. More and more people in the industry and media will come out and voice their concerns and doubts, the negative PR will increase, and Ganis can say "I was never seriously considering this, people. These were just trial balloons!" I'm looking forward to more radical decisions. He can't dig his grave fast enough.
And I think two radical rules like this in a row without getting member reaction apart from a small clique and their go-along board could cause an uproar.
I'd like to know what Steven Spielberg thinks. It will take someone of his stature opposing this to even begin any backlash. (His co-producer Kathleen Kennedy, likely Thalberg recipient sometime, is a member of the board).
I hope Sid Ganis enjoys his likely new cush job at Disney for his reward.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: seanflynn,
O wonderful! So this means that the film legends honored won't actually be part of the Academy Awards ceremony, but will be marginalized to some other event. Cripes! Seeing the dottery old gals and guys tipple onto the stage has been one of the highlights.
Posts: 3903 | Location: Church | Registered: July 10, 2003
I'm okay with this, i think it will make for a more ceremony that is more accessiable to the everyday audience. However i can understand the concerns raised by seanflynn and others.
Praying The Daytime Emmys air on TV in 2010!
Posts: 20058 | Location: just outside Providence, Rhode Island | Registered: July 28, 2002
Originally posted by ETHELCHARLES: O wonderful! So this means that the film legends honored won't actually be part of the Academy Awards ceremony, but will be marginalized to some other event. Cripes! Seeing the dottery old gals and guys tipple onto the stage has been one of the highlights.
I loved seeing director/choreographer Stanley Donen do the Buffalo two step. Such a charming moment!
Posts: 27234 | Location: Phoenix, AZ | Registered: February 02, 2003
Originally posted by Boidiva02: I'm okay with this, i think it will make for a more ceremony that is more accessiable to the everyday audience. However i can understand the concerns raised by seanflynn and others.
Accessibility at the expense of ignoring Hollywood history! Besides the Oscars what other events call for celebrating Hollywood's past in a similar manner to such a huge stage?
Posts: 27234 | Location: Phoenix, AZ | Registered: February 02, 2003
Originally posted by ETHELCHARLES: O wonderful! So this means that the film legends honored won't actually be part of the Academy Awards ceremony, but will be marginalized to some other event. Cripes! Seeing the dottery old gals and guys tipple onto the stage has been one of the highlights.
I loved seeing director/choreographer Stanley Donen do the Buffalo two step. Such a charming moment!
Originally posted by Cederick: I don't mind this, to be honest.
And since the changes just keep coming, the rules for Original Song have been updated (to seanflynn's delight, I'm sure). Now there could be no award given if no song scores high enough.
WEll I do think it's a shame to push the Honorary awards off, these are basically given for a lifetime achievement aren't they, on the other hand the thought that no song might be nominated doesn't irk me, there have been some years where the song nominees have been so weak
