Earlier this month, it was confirmed that, in a break with tradition, the Academy Awards in four categories will be presented during commercial breaks when the 91st Oscars are broadcast on TV.

The affected categories are cinematography, film editing, live-action short and makeup and hairstyling.

As a rationale for the move, Academy president John Bailey explained to The Hollywood Reporter: “Viewing patterns for the Academy Awards are changing quickly in our current multi-media world, and our show must also evolve to successfully continue promoting motion pictures to a worldwide audience. This has been our core mission since we were established 91 years ago, and it is the same today.”

He also noted that this year’s show will include performances of all five nominated songs as well as a performance by conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic during the ‘In Memoriam’ segment. 

Director and cinematographer Reed Morano, however, has since taken to Instagram to question the Academy’s decision.

“WHEN RATINGS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE THING YOU’RE CELEBRATING, OF COURSE THE REVENUE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE ART THAT MAKES THE REVENUE!” she wrote, in furious capital letters. 

“SO THE EASIEST THING TO DO IS JUST FOLD INTO LINE INSTEAD OF STANDING UP FOR THE ART YOU YOURSELF CREATE. JUST ANOTHER DAY IN HOLLYWOOD, FOLKS.”

Morano, who has worked on the likes of The Handmaid’s Tale, Frozen River, Kill Your Darlings and The Skeleton Twins, went on to point out: “Pretty sure with those FIVE live full performances of nominated songs we could have reserved a few minutes of time to celebrate the TWO FUNDAMENTAL BUILDING BLOCKS OF EVERY FILM EVER MADE.”

She continued furiously: “We are supposed to lead by example. This art is the future of our industry. And what about all the progress we’ve made in these technical fields with regards to gender? No one will see that. And regardless of gender, what message are we sending to the young filmmakers coming up and the world if we, ourselves, can’t even value the two most vital ingredients in a film?”

Morano hashtagged the post, which has been ‘liked’ over 10.5K times since she posted it 23 hours ago, as an “#embarrassingdayforfilm”.

The Academy has yet to respond to Morano’s comments directly. However, Bailey has said that, in future years, four to six different categories may be selected on a rotating basis, in collaboration with the show producers. 

He also promised that the four categories which are getting the abbreviated treatment this year will be guaranteed a regular spot on the 2020 broadcast.

Image: Getty