Bigger Not Better, Say Hollywood Power Brokers

Reaction to the Motion Picture Arts and Science’s surprise decision yesterday to expand the list of best picture nominees to 10, from 5 continues to trickle in from movie studio heads and talent agents – but not all of it has been good.

Marketing types are pointing toward some obvious pitfalls they now face, according to the New York Times. The biggest concerns: a surge in filmmakers wanting bloated Oscar campaigns and sagging promotional value of a nomination now that the number top picks has just doubled.

“The Oscar game just changed — but not necessarily in a way the studios are going to love,” writes Times reporter Michael Cieply.

Meantime, the Los Angeles Times says "Dreamgirls" director Bill Condon and producer Laurence Mark helped push the idea on the Academy.

The paper says the idea was first discussed during a meeting between Condon and Mark, the executive producer and producer, respectively, of this year’s Oscar telecast, and the Academy Awards review committee, which oversees the ceremony, according to Academy President Sid Ganis.

–Troy McMullen