ABC is buzzing about the upcoming 2012 Oscars. Network executives officially launched Oscar season yesterday by posting a new video from this year’s host Billy Crystal on Oscar.com, a joint venture of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and Disney/ABC. The network also announced its plans to cover the live nominations announcement. ABC hopes to rev up the excitement and anticipation in advance of the Oscars by giving fans five weeks of an amazing online experience.
To launch its Emmy-winning digital experience, ABC and The Academy opened up Oscar.com yesterday with an exclusive Billy Crystal video. Crystal talks about what the Oscars mean to him and sets the stage for weeks of extensive coverage on Oscar.com. "Last year our team set the bar high in terms of interactive second screen experiences," said Karin Gilford, senior vice president, Digital Media, ABC.com. "This year we are taking the best of what we learned and are building on it. Beginning today we'll take visitors on an unparalleled journey all the way through Oscar Sunday."
"Oscar.com is for the movie fan in all of us," said Christina Kounelias, chief marketing officer, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. "The site not only allows us to share the latest Oscar news, but also connects fans everywhere with 84 years of unforgettable Academy moments."
The Oscar nominations will be announced on Tuesday, January 24, 2012. Internet personality Shira Lazar is set to kick off the first video installment of "Oscar Buzz" by covering reactions of the nominations from the social media world. "My Oscar Picks" will also go live that day. This interactive play-along game offers fans a chance to test their Oscar prediction skills. On Oscar Sunday, users will have the opportunity to play along during the telecast and predict category winners ahead of the opening of the envelopes.
More highlights of Oscar.com:
- January 29, 2012: "Oscar Buzz" kicks off "Oscar Talks," a four-part video series focusing on the Actor, Actress, Directing and Best Pictures categories.
- February 1, 2012: Entertainment Weekly's Dave Karger returns to Oscar.com with "Nominated...with Dave Karger." The 10-episode series will provide the ultimate film buff's analysis of the Best Picture race.
- February 11, 2012: "Best Dressed" launches with Rachel Smith, host of "On the Red Carpet," doing interviews with stylists, makeup artists and hair stylists, as well as covering live events, and of course, offering post-show analysis of Oscar night fashion.
- Oscar night – February 26th: Oscar.com will have live cameras strategically placed everywhere from the red carpet to backstage and even the Governors Ball, providing the ultimate insider's view before, during and after the show. The cameras will broadcast online, as well as on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.
The 84th Academy Awards will be presented on Sunday, February 26th at the Kodak Theatre and televised live by the ABC Television Network.
More About Oscar.com:
Oscar.com, the official site of the Academy Awards, is a joint production of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and Disney/ABC TV Group's digital media team. Oscar.com provides movie fans exclusive Oscar coverage, featuring nominee biographies, style and fashion news, plus original video commentary.
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