Oscars 2021 bosses confirm Zoom speeches and hoodies are banned from Covid-safe ceremony

Bosses for the 2021 Academy Awards have confirmed that this year’s ceremony won’t see any of its winners accept their prizes via. Zoom, as plans for an intimate in-person celebration were revealed on Thursday. 

The ceremony, set to take place on April 25, will be strictly limited to nominees, presenters and their guests at Union Station in Los Angeles, with the vast venue allowing plenty of space for social distancing. 

In an email sent to nominees, producers also stated that guests will adhere to a formal dress code, meaning it’s unlikely celebrities can emulate Jason Sudeikis by wearing a hoodie for the occasion.

This year’s awards season has faced multiple delays due to the ongoing Covid crisis, with the Golden Globes seeing all of its winners accepting their awards over Zoom and presenters hosting the ceremony from sites in both LA and New York.

No Zoom: Bosses for the 2021 Oscars have confirmed that none of this year’s winners will accept their prizes via. Zoom, as plans for an intimate celebration were revealed on Thursday

In the email, producers Steven Soderbergh, Jesse Collins and Stacey Sher told 200 nominees that an on-site COVID safety team will be present for the event. 

It also stated that parts of the ceremony will be filmed at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, with instructions for guests depending on where they are travelling from.

It said: ‘We trust you’re happy that your fellow artists have recognised you in an exceptional year, and it’s our wish, as your producers, to create an experience for you as a nominee that lives up to and enhances that achievement. 

‘The first—and most obvious—point we want to get across with this year’s show is STORIES MATTER. We, as a species, are wired for narrative. It’s how we communicate. It’s how we learn. It’s how we evolve. 

‘We are surrounded by stories, we’re swimming in them, they’re inescapable. And MOVIES are—we think––the most powerful form of storytelling ever invented.’ 

Committed to safety? In an email sent to nominees on Thursday, attendees were informed there 'will not be an option to Zoom in for the show' amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic

Committed to safety? In an email sent to nominees on Thursday, attendees were informed there ‘will not be an option to Zoom in for the show’ amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic

In regards to the ceremony being in-person ‘with additional show elements live from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood,’ the producers acknowledged why some stars would be hesitant to gather together. 

‘Of course, your first thought is CAN THAT BE DONE SAFELY? The answer is YES, IT CAN,’ they assured. ‘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.’ 

Guests travelling in from outside of Los Angeles will receive ‘specific instructions,’ which will vary from those already based in Los Angeles. 

Limited guests: Ahead of the 93rd Academy Awards ceremony on April 25, producers Steven Soderbergh, Jesse Collins and Stacey Sher told the more than 200 nominees that an on-site COVID safety team will be present for the event

Limited guests: Ahead of the 93rd Academy Awards ceremony on April 25, producers Steven Soderbergh, Jesse Collins and Stacey Sher told the more than 200 nominees that an on-site COVID safety team will be present for the event

Hear us out: In regards to the ceremony being in-person 'with additional show elements live from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood,' the producers acknowledged why some would be hesitant to gather together

Hear us out: In regards to the ceremony being in-person ‘with additional show elements live from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood,’ the producers acknowledged why some would be hesitant to gather together 

Thinking ahead: Guests travelling in from outside of Los Angeles will receive 'specific instructions,' which will vary from those already based in Los Angeles

Thinking ahead: Guests travelling in from outside of Los Angeles will receive ‘specific instructions,’ which will vary from those already based in Los Angeles 

Those who are ‘unable to attend because of scheduling or continued uneasiness about travelling’ were told ‘there will not be an option to Zoom in for the show.’ 

‘We are going to great lengths to provide a safe and ENJOYABLE evening for all of you in person, as well as for all the millions of film fans around the world, and we feel the virtual thing will diminish those efforts,’ they explained. 

The producers also encouraged winners to make their speeches ‘personal’ and that the night will ideally have a ‘feeling of casual exchange and good humour.’ 

Guests also must adhere to a strict dress code, with the email stating it will be a ‘fusion of Inspirational and aspirational, which in actual words means formal is totally cool if you want to go there, but casual is really not.’ 

On Monday, the president of the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts & Sciences, also spelled out just how different the event will be.

In a letter emailed to the Academy’s nearly 10,000 members, David Rubin confirmed that only presenters and nominees with a plus one will be present in person for the telecast, THR.com reported.  

Rubin wrote: ‘Though we’d hoped the pandemic would be more in our rearview mirror by the month of April, the health and safety of our members and Oscar nominees are our primary concern, so we’ve had to make some necessary decisions about some of our highly anticipated Oscar-week events.’

No choice: Those who are 'unable to attend because of scheduling or continued uneasiness about traveling' were told 'there will not be an option to Zoom in for the show' (seen in 2020)

No choice: Those who are ‘unable to attend because of scheduling or continued uneasiness about traveling’ were told ‘there will not be an option to Zoom in for the show’ (seen in 2020)

It had already been announced that the show will come from two locations – from its usual home at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre and from the historic Union Station in Downtown LA.

Presumably having two venues means that the nominees, presenters and crew can be spread out between both places, enabling adequate social distancing.

In addition to there being no audience, Rubin revealed that all the usual events that surround the awards show are also being scrapped, meaning no Oscar Nominees Luncheon or post-ceremony Governor’s Ball. 

Heads up: On Monday, the president of the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts & Sciences, also spelled out just how different the event will be

Heads up: On Monday, the president of the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts & Sciences, also spelled out just how different the event will be

It comes in the wake of a scaled-down Golden Globes in February, which saw all winners accept their prizes from home via. Zoom. 

Venues in New York and Los Angeles allowed for adequate social distancing, with only the presenters and hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler present for the ceremony, while all events surrounding the occasion were cancelled. 

Earlier in the day, Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra announced this year’s Academy Awards nominations, with David Fincher’s Mank scooping the most with 10 nods. 

This year’s nominees proved historic in regards to diversity, with a total of nine actors of colour earning a nod. 

Six films, all of them also up for Best Picture, scored six nominations each: Judas and the Black Messiah, Nomadland, Minari, Sound of Metal, The Trial of the Chicago 7 and The Father, while Promising Young Woman was also up for the top prize. 

Here they are: Early on Monday morning, Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra had announced this year's Academy Awards nominations

Here they are: Early on Monday morning, Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra had announced this year’s Academy Awards nominations

Joining Gary Oldman in the Best Actor category are Anthony Hopkins, Riz Ahmed, Steven Yeun and the late Chadwick Boseman. 

Meanwhile Viola Davis, Andra Day, Vanessa Kirby, Frances McDormand and Carey Mulligan are up for Best Actress.

In the Best Supporting actor category are Sacha Baron Cohen, Leslie Odom Jr., Daniel Kaluuya, Paul Raci and LaKeith Stanfield.

Rounding out the acting categories was Best Supporting Actress, with Amanda Seyfried, Maria Bakalova, Glenn Close, Yuh-Jung Youn and Olivia Colman all up for the coveted prize.

Frontrunner: David Fincher's black-and-white Netflix movie Mank secured the most nominations, with 10 nods including for best picture, best director, best actor for Gary Oldman and best supporting actress for Amanda Seyfried

Frontrunner: David Fincher’s black-and-white Netflix movie Mank secured the most nominations, with 10 nods including for best picture, best director, best actor for Gary Oldman and best supporting actress for Amanda Seyfried

93rd Academy Awards: Who are the 2021 Oscar nominees?

Best Actor in a Leading Role

Riz Ahmed – Sound of Metal

Chadwick Boseman – Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Anthony Hopkins – The Father

Gary Oldman – Mank

Steven Yeun – Minari

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Maria Bakalova – Borat Subsequent Moviefilm

Glenn Close – Hillbilly Elegy

Olivia Colman – The Father

Amanda Seyfried – Mank

Youn Yuh-jung – Minari

 

Best Director

Thomas Vinterberg – Another Round

David Fincher – Mank

Lee Isaac Chung – Minari

Chloé Zhao – Nomadland

Emerald Fennell – Promising Young Woman

Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Olivia Colman is up for her role in The Father

Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Olivia Colman is up for her role in The Father

Best Music (Original Score)

Da 5 Bloods

Mank

Minari

News of the World

Soul

 

Best Animated Short Film

Burrow

Genius Loci

If Anything Happens I Love You

Opera

Yes-People

 

Best Live Action Short Film

Feeling Through

The Letter Room

The Present

Two Distant Strangers

White Eye

 

Best International Feature Film

Another Round

Better Days

Collective

The Man Who Sold His Skin

Quo Vadis, Aida?

Best Sound: Greyhound - a war film starring Tom Hanks - is up for the gong

Best Sound: Greyhound – a war film starring Tom Hanks – is up for the gong 

Best Sound

Greyhound

Mank

News of the World

Soul

Sound of Metal

 

Best Production Design

The Father

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Mank

News of the World

Tenet

 

Best Cinematography

Judas and the Black Messiah

Mank

News of the World

Nomadland

The Trial of the Chicago 7

 

Best Makeup and Hairstyling

Emma

Hillbilly Elegy

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Mank

Pinocchio

 

Best Music (Original Song)

Fight for You – Judas and the Black Messiah

Hear My Voice – The Trial of the Chicago 7

Husavik – Eurovision Song Contest

Io Si (Seen) – The Life Ahead

Speak Now – One Night in Miami…

Best Makeup and Hairstyling:u00A0Ma Raineyu2019s Black Bottom is vying for the award

Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is vying for the award

 Best Picture

 The Father

Judas and the Black Messiah

Mank

Minari

Nomadland

Promising Young Woman

Sound of Metal

The Trial of the Chicago 7

Best Picture:u00A0The Trial of the Chicago 7 is one of the eight films nominated

Best Picture: The Trial of the Chicago 7 is one of the eight films nominated

Best Actress in a Leading Role

Viola Davis – Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Andra Day – The United States vs Billie Holiday

Vanessa Kirby – Pieces of a Woman

Frances McDormand – Nomadland

Carey Mulligan – Promising Young Woman

 

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Sacha Baron Cohen – The Trial of the Chicago 7

Daniel Kaluuya – Judas and the Black Messiah

Leslie Odom, Jr. – One Night in Miami…

Paul Raci – Sound of Metal

Lakeith Stanfield – Judas and the Black Messiah

 

Best Animated Feature Film

Onward

Over the Moon

A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon

Soul

Wolfwalkers

Best Animated Feature Film:u00A0u00A0A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon is nominated

Best Animated Feature Film:  A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon is nominated

Best Costume Design

Emma

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Mank

Mulan

Pinnochio

 

Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

Borat Subsequent Moviefilm

The Father

Nomadland

One Night in Miami…

The White Tiger

 

Best Writing (Original Screenplay)

Judas and the Black Messiah

Minari

Promising Young Woman

Sound of Metal

The Trial of the Chicago 7

 

Best Documentary Feature

Collective

Crip Camp

The Mole Agent

My Octopus Teacher

Time

Best Writing (Original Screenplay): Judas and the Black Messiah is up for the gong

Best Writing (Original Screenplay): Judas and the Black Messiah is up for the gong

Best Documentary Short Subject

Colette

A Concerto Is a Conversation

Do Not Split

Hunger Ward

A Love Song for Latasha

 

Best Film Editing

The Father

Nomadland

Promising Young Woman

Sound of Metal

The Trial of the Chicago 7

 

Best Visual Effects

Love and Monsters

The Midnight Sky

Mulan

The One and Only Ivan

Tenet