With its future at stake, the Academy tries to fix the Oscars (again)

THE stage design for the 95th Academy Awards on Sunday (Mar 12) is more Doctor Strange-modern and less Dowager Countess-musty. That means plentiful video screens, including ones that cover the sides of the theatre, with nary a Swarovski crystal curtain – the old standby – to be seen.

Unlike last year, when eight categories were awarded during a non-televised portion, all of the Oscars will be handed out live on air. To make the telecast interactive and help viewers better understand crafts categories, such as sound mixing and art direction, QR codes will appear before commercial breaks to direct viewers to Internet vignettes about the nominees and behind-the-scenes footage and photos.

To reinvigorate the red carpet preshow, Oscars organisers hired members of the Met Gala creative team. Expect much more star power, specialised lighting (to make a process that happens in daylight seem more like evening) and better integration with the theatre’s entrance.