Oscar ceremony may move to Los Angeles

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences is considering moving the Oscar show from the Kodak Theater to the Nokia Theater in downtown Los Angeles.

The annual Academy Award ceremony might move to a new venue outside Hollywood after 2013, the AceShowbiz website has reported.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has been considering moving the Oscar show from the Kodak Theater to the Nokia Theater in downtown Los Angeles, the website said.

It was reported that AEG, which operates the L.A. Live and 7,100-seat Nokia Theater, has already been in discussion with AMPAS about the issue. The new venue is said to offer bigger facilities than the Kodak and has more seats, better infrastructure, greater promotional opportunities and other facilities for parties and press.

The idea about moving the prestigious annual event to downtown Los Angeles has sparked disagreements among several parties.

“Obviously, we’d be very disappointed,” Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Leron Gubler told the L.A. Times. “The Kodak Theater was designed for the academy but more than that, historically the academy is tied to Hollywood with the first Academy Awards held in Hollywood. This, on top of the academy’s decision to move their museum out of Hollywood and onto Wilshire Boulevard, would send a very negative message to the community.”

Meanwhile, a representative for one city councilor said the Academy Awards belonged in Hollywood.
Bill Condon, the producer of the 81st Academy Awards in 2009, said the Kodak Theater was technically still capable of hosting the big event, the website said.

“It has a very intimate feel. Technically there is nothing wrong with it. The camera can go almost anywhere. And the backstage space is massive enough to hold everything needed to put on a television show. Plus there are endless dressing rooms,” he said.

This year’s Academy Awards will be presented at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood on Feb. 26.