The Academy does not ask Oscar contestants to wear face masks while the cameras roll during the April 25 live ceremony.
The news was announced Monday morning during a Zoom meeting with representatives of the academy and nominees, and studio and personal publicists. Because the ceremony – which is being held at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles – is being treated as a TV / film production, no masks are needed for people on camera, an academic representative explained.
However, if guests are not on camera, they are asked to wear masks. Masks, for example, must be applied during commercial breaks.
The Academy also revealed that the hearing will be limited to 170 people. As Variety first reported earlier this month, audience members will be rotated inside and outside the ceremony. Upon arrival at Union Station, nominees will receive a personalized itinerary setting out the times at which they will be rotated in and out.
Oscar co-producer Steven Soderbergh stayed on the face of a mask during a press conference with co-producers Jesse Collins and Stacey Sher. He said on Saturday that masks would play a very important role in the story. ” If it’s cryptic, it’s meant, ” he added. “The subject is very central in the narrative.”
The meeting gave a detailed overview of the participants on what they would expect at Union Station. A temperature control will be mandatory. This is after participants have to take at least three COVID tests in the days preceding the ceremony
An abbreviated red carpet will include three photographers and a very limited number of companies conducting interviews, including ABC News, KABC and E !. International outlets are from Japan, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Brazil, Spain, Mexico and Australia. There will be at least seven feet between reporters and interviews.
In addition to virtual press conference style interviews behind the scenes, winners will have the opportunity to conduct virtual interviews with Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest for ‘Live With Kelly and Ryan’, as well as Lara Spencer from ‘Good Morning America’.