Academy Awards organizers are implementing new rules for the Oscars’ music categories in order to prevent any unfair electioneering moving forward. The decision comes following the disqualification of left-field 2014 Best Original Song nominee “Alone Yet Not Alone,” from the obscure Christian film of the same name, after the song’s composer tried to use his position to influence votes.
To recap: Bruce Broughton, who wrote the song, is a former head of the Academy’s music branch and, according to Reuters, is still a member of that branch’s executive committee. Following the song’s nomination and during the voting period, he emailed members of the branch to let them know about his submission. No matter how well-intentioned, said the Academy in January, “using one’s position as a former governor and current executive committee member to personally promote one’s own Oscar submission creates the appearance of an unfair advantage.” To put it mildly, yeah.
Now, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science has put explicit rules down prohibiting members of its music branch from contacting other members via mail, email, telephone, or social media to promote the nomination of their song. Also, voting members can’t attend a live performance of eligible songs unless it is tied to a film screening and though question-and-answer sessions with talent are allowed, after nominations are announced no screening event can include a reception offering complimentary food and beverages, and Academy members may not host or serve as moderators.
So that’s that. In case you, ahem, let it go, the results of the 2014 Oscars put Frozen‘s big hit on top, above songs by U2, Karen O, and Pharrell Williams.
