For all intents and purposes, this is a done deal. The broadcast network, ABC, has weighed in, saying the late February slot for 2004 works for them. The first proposed date, February 29, 2004, falling on Leap Day no less, falls just out of their four week February sweeps period, but ABC still thinks this is a good move. The Kodak Theater has also said that date is clear for the theater, so two of the big hurdles are out of the way. Even though the Academy has not released an absolutely official announcement yet, many Academy representatives have already come out saying this is pretty much a done deal, and the industry is already reacting as if the decision is final.
The Academy's Board of Governors is set to meet August 8, at which it is presumed that this topic will be discussed. The primary reason for the August 8th gathering however is the election of the Academy President (Frank Pierson was elected to a one year term last year).
By the way, I have a feeling that sooner or later, Tom Hanks will become the Academy President. He already serves as a governor for the Actors Branch of the Academy, and as well liked as he is in Hollywood, his election as Academy President would not come as a surprise. I have no idea if he is even being considered right now, or if Frank Pierson will stay on, but we will see.
I would expect an official Academy announcement regarding the February Oscars move very soon. It has been amazing to see how huge the industry reaction to this has been since I last reported on this when it first came out. A number of studio executives have weighed in with their opinions. Dreamworks head of marketing Terry Press says this change will have a great impact on the Oscar campaigns and how they are currently run, but he welcomes any change. I would think most studio executives would welcome any kind of change in the studio Oscar campaigning ... I mean, does anybody besides Harvey Weinstein actually enjoy the work and money that has to go together for these Oscar campaigns?
