Staying flexible: How the Oscars went hybrid
The most anticipated event in the film industry calendar had a dilemma this year – should the Oscars be virtual, hybrid or push for in real life? Organisers escaped this choice by a matter of a few weeks in 2020, with the ceremony taking place before lockdowns took hold around the world. This year, organisers pushed hard to get people to attend in person, hoping they would come to LA. Accepting your award in your joggers on Zoom – not an option.
But was it what people wanted? With quarantine restrictions still in place and others just not ready to travel, even the Oscars had to adapt their approach. Doing what all good event professionals would, they listened and set-in motion a more accessible, hybrid event.
We saw the organising team release statements to provide confidence in how you could safely attend the event. They gave nominees the opportunity to talk to producers, set-up a testing facility and even sourced a different venue with outdoor space for the pre- and post- show.
On the night, the Oscars stepped away from many traditions. The main show broadcast from LA with limited numbers inside at any one time. Others joined from official hubs in London and Paris, with all locations sharing the same jazz club vibe to provide that ‘all in it together’ feeling you get at a live event. And despite the lack of Zoom, we did see some join the ceremony remotely, or in the case of Best Actor winner Anthony Hopkins, recording their acceptance speech at home and posting it after the ceremony. Giving your audience that choice it seems is key.
A slow return to the traditional awards show, maybe. But a glimpse into the future? Probably not! Aside from some cool movie style scenes, the limitation on numbers was evident and the mood was sombre, reflecting on the past year.
And what did I learn from the most famous awards show on the planet? Many of us might be ready for the magic of the ‘in real life’ experience, but we need to listen to our audiences and adapt where necessary – flexibility is key!
