National Geographic and Katie Couric Launch Screening Tour for Upcoming Documentary “Gender Revolution: A Journey With Katie Couric”

Two-Hour Documentary Hosted and Executive Produced by Couric Is Available for Free to All Schools and Nonprofits That Will Host Inclusive Screenings and Conversations

First look clip from GENDER REVOLUTION: A JOURNEY WITH KATIE COURIC: https://files.natgeonetworks.com/_Sp2gXfxhvt1d5R

Every day all around the world, gender is making headlines, weaving its way into conversations big and small, in settings from the government to households, from schools to places of employment. The two-hour National Geographic documentary GENDER REVOLUTION: A JOURNEY WITH KATIE COURIC (trailer here) approaches the topic of gender through the lens of science, society, and culture, all woven together by personal stories and experiences.

National Geographic logo. (PRNewsFoto/National Geographic Society)

In GENDER REVOLUTION: A JOURNEY WITH KATIE COURIC, premiering Monday, Feb. 6, at 9/8c, National Geographic set out to explore this evolving concept of gender through the lens of science, society, and culture. Produced by Katie Couric Media with National Geographic Studios and World of Wonder Productions, the special will also air on National Geographic around the globe in 171 countries and in 45 languages.

To extend the life of this important documentary beyond its Feb. 6 television broadcast, National Geographic and Picture Motion are partnering on the Gender Revolution Tour, allowing any high school, college, university or nonprofit to sign up to host a free screening and discussion. The tour will harness the momentum of the conversations happening around the globe and offer an opportunity to have an informed dialogue on one of the most complicated and evolving issues in the current zeitgeist. The Gender Revolution Tour is being managed by impact agency Picture Motion.

Requests to participate in the Gender Revolution Tour can be made by filling out the request form at http://bit.ly/NatGeoGenderRevolution. Screening hosts will be sent a DVD of the film and an extensive discussion guide (LINK), created by Journeys in Film, that provides additional resources on understanding gender.

At the time of this release, more than 100 universities, high schools, and non-profit groups have already scheduled screening events of the GENDER REVOLUTION leading up to and during the week of the film’s television premiere on National Geographic.

Katie Couric Media develops and produces content, programming, and documentaries for TV networks and digital distribution platforms, focusing on compelling issues the award-winning journalist and best-selling author has covered throughout her career. Katie Couric Media projects include the “Katie Couric” podcast from Earwolf, which features the host in candid, unscripted conversations about American life and politics; the National Geographic documentary GENDER REVOLUTION; and the upcoming movie “Flint” with Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, about the drinking water contamination in Flint, Michigan. Katie Couric is the executive producer of “Fed Up” (2014) and “Under the Gun” (2016), both documentaries that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.

“From the very start, it was my hope that as many people as possible would be given the opportunity to see this film,” said Couric. “I am thrilled that along with National Geographic and Picture Motion we are going to be able to share GENDER REVOLUTION and our accompanying discussion guide with groups all over the country.”

“National Geographic is about exploration and discovery. Through the Gender Revolution Tour we want to encourage constructive conversations that will allow people to connect with each other over material that is science-based, investigative and in some cases deeply personal,” said Chris Albert, Executive Vice President, Global Communications for National Geographic. “We believe this is a timely and groundbreaking documentary, and are thrilled to make it available for free to any organization interested in expanding its knowledge on the gender discussion.”

“We are so thrilled, but not entirely surprised, to see GENDER REVOLUTION so embraced. From Catholic Colleges to LGBT advocacy groups, city-based Sororities to mid-west High Schools, Gender Studies programs to Trans Support Groups for Parents; there has been an outpour of support for a film like GENDER REVOLUTION,” said Christie Marchese, CEO and Founder, Picture Motion.

GENDER REVOLUTION is produced by Katie Couric Media, World of Wonder Productions and National Geographic Studios for National Geographic. For Katie Couric Media, executive producers are Katie Couric and Mitch Semel. For World of Wonder, Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato, and Jeremy Simmons serve as executive producers. For National Geographic Studios, executive producers are Jeff Hasler and Brian Lovett. For National Geographic, Tim Pastore is president, original programming and production, and Michael J. Miller is executive producer.

LADY GAGA TO PERFORM AT 87TH OSCARS®

Six-time Grammy®-winning singer and songwriter Lady Gaga will make a special tribute performance at the 87th Oscars, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. The Oscars, hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, will air on Sunday, February 22, live on ABC.

“Lady Gaga is a once in a lifetime artist who’s musical evolution keeps growing.  We are proud to have her perform on the Oscars for the very first time,” says Zadan and Meron.

Since breaking in 2008, Lady Gaga has sold over 27 million albums, 130 million singles, and over 4 million tickets globally to her award-winning live performances. Lady Gaga has won a total of 6 Grammy Awards – her most recent this week for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for Cheek To Cheek, her 2014 collaboration with Tony Bennett which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

CHIWETEL EJIOFOR, CHRIS EVANS, DAKOTA JOHNSON, JENNIFER LOPEZ, CHLOË GRACE MORETZ, EDDIE MURPHY, BEN AFFLECK, JESSICA CHASTAIN, VIOLA DAVIS, KEVIN HART, SHIRLEY MACLAINE, CHRIS PINE, MILES TELLER,  NAOMI WATTS, JENNIFER ANISTON, SIENNA MILLER, DAVID OYELOWO, CHRIS PRATT, JOHN TRAVOLTA, KERRY WASHINGTON, JOSH HUTCHERSON, SCARLETT JOHANSSON, ZOE SALDANA, OCTAVIA SPENCER AND MARGOT ROBBIE TO PRESENT AT 87TH OSCARS®

Chiwetel Ejiofor, Chris Evans, Dakota Johnson, Jennifer Lopez, Chloë Grace Moretz, Eddie Murphy, Margot Robbie Ben Affleck, Jessica Chastain, Viola Davis, Kevin Hart, Shirley MacLaine, Chris Pine, Miles Teller Jennifer Aniston, Sienna Miller, David Oyelowo, Chris Pratt, John Travolta, Kerry Washington and Naomi Watts will be presenters at this year’s Oscars, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. The Oscars, hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, will air on Sunday, February 22, live on ABC.

Ejiofor received his first Oscar® nomination last year for his lead performance in “12 Years a Slave.” He previously appeared in such features as “Salt” (2010), “American Gangster” (2007), “Children of Men” (2006) and “Dirty Pretty Things” (2003). His upcoming films include “Z for Zachariah” and “Triple Nine.”

Evans made his directorial debut in Toronto this year with “Before We Go.”  He starred in 2014’s “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” reprising the role of the patriotic superhero he played in “Captain America: The First Avenger” (2011) and “Marvel’s The Avengers” (2012). His other film credits include “Snowpiercer” (2014), “Puncture” (2011), “Sunshine” (2007) and “Fantastic Four” (2005). He will appear next in “Avengers: Age of Ultron.”

Johnson will star in “Fifty Shades of Grey,” which opens this month. She’s appeared in such hits as “The Five-Year Engagement,” “21 Jump Street” and “The Social Network.” Johnson will next be seen in the upcoming films “A Bigger Splash” and “Black Mass.”

Lopez can currently be seen in the thriller “The Boy Next Door.” Her other feature credits include “An Unfinished Life” (2005), “Monster in Law” (2005), “The Wedding Planner” (2001) and “Out of Sight” (1998). She stars opposite Viola Davis in “Lila & Eve,” which premiered last month at the Sundance Film Festival and she will voice ‘Lucy’ in the upcoming animated film “Home.”

Moretz most recently starred in “Dark Shadows” (2012), “The Equalizer” (2014) and “If I Stay” (2014). She previously appeared in such features as “Carrie” (2013), “Hugo” (2011), “Kick-Ass” (2010) and “Let Me In” (2010).   She will next appear in “The Fifth Wave.”

Murphy received an Oscar nomination for his supporting role in the 2006 film “Dreamgirls.” He has starred in such features as “Bowfinger” (1999), “The Nutty Professor” (1996), “Coming to America” (1988), “Beverly Hills Cop” (1984) and “48 Hrs.” (1982), and has lent his voice talents to all four of the “Shrek” animated features to date. He will next be seen in the independent drama “Cook.”

Robbie is best known for her breakout role in “The Wolf of Wall Street” (2013) and can next be seen starring in Warner Bros’ “Focus.” She is currently in production on Paramount’s “Untitled Tina Fey Project.” Her upcoming films include “Z for Zachariah,” “Tarzan” and “Suicide Squad.”

Affleck, a two-time Academy Award® winner, received an Original Screenplay Oscar® for “Good Will Hunting” (1997) and a Best Picture Oscar for “Argo” (2012), on which he served as a producer, director and star. His most recent role was opposite Rosamund Pike in “Gone Girl” (2014). He will play Batman in the upcoming feature “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” and “The Accountant.”

Chastain has received two Oscar nominations, one for Actress in a Leading Role for “Zero Dark Thirty” (2012) and one for Actress in a Supporting Role for “The Help” (2011). Her most recent films include 2014’s “Interstellar,” “A Most Violent Year” and “The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby.” She will next be seen in “Crimson Peak” and “The Martian.”

Davis has been nominated for two Oscars, one for her supporting role in the 2008 film “Doubt” and one for her leading role in 2011’s “The Help.”  She currently stars in the ABC primetime hit “How to Get Away with Murder.” Davis’s film credits include “Get on Up,” “The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them,”  “Ender’s Game” and “Prisoners.”  She will next been seen in “Lila and Eve,” due out this year.

Hart, who currently stars in the feature comedy “The Wedding Ringer,” appeared in last year’s “Ride Along,” “About Last Night,” “Think Like a Man Too” and “Top Five.” His previous credits include “Think Like a Man” (2012) and “The Five-Year Engagement” (2012). He will star opposite Will Ferrell in “Get Hard” later this year.

MacLaine won an Oscar for Actress in a Leading Role for 1983’s “Terms of Endearment.” She also received nominations for her leading roles in “The Turning Point” (1983), “Irma La Douce” (1963) “The Apartment” (1960) and “Some Came Running” (1958), as well for the documentary feature “The Other Half of the Sky: A China Memoir” (1975), which she produced. Her next role is in “Wild Oats.”

Pine most recently appeared as Cinderella’s Prince in “Into the Woods” (2014). He also has starred in such features as “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit” (2014), “Star Trek Into Darkness” (2013), “People

Like Us” (2012), “Unstoppable” (2010), “Star Trek” (2009) and “Bottle Shock” (2008). His upcoming films include “Z for Zachariah” and “The Finest Hours.”

Teller stars in the current Best Picture nominee “Whiplash.”  Later this year, he will appear in the feature “Bleed for This,” as well as “The Fantastic Four.”  Teller also appeared in the 2013 film “The Spectacular Now.”

Watts has twice been nominated for Actress in a Leading Role, for “The Impossible” (2012) and “21 Grams” (2003). Her feature credits also include “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” (2014), “St. Vincent” (2014), “Eastern Promises” (2007), “King Kong” (2005) and “Mulholland Drive” (2001). She will next be seen in the “Divergent” sequel “Insurgent,” While We’re Young,” The Sea of Trees,” and “Demolition.”

Aniston has starred in such films as “Cake” (2014), “We’re the Millers” (2013), “Horrible Bosses” (2011), “Marley & Me” (2008) and “Bruce Almighty” (2003). She also starred in all ten seasons of “Friends,” for which she won the 2002 Emmy® Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.

Miller co-stars in “American Sniper” and “Foxcatcher,” both of which have garnered multiple Oscar® nominations this year. She previously appeared in such features as “Factory Girl” (2006) and “Layer Cake” (2005). Her upcoming films include “High-Rise,” “Adam Jones” and “Lost City of Z.”

Oyelowo portrayed Martin Luther King, Jr. in this year’s Best Picture nominee “Selma.” His other recent feature credits include “A Most Violent Year” (2014), “Interstellar” (2014), “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” (2013) and “Jack Reacher” (2012).  He will next be seen in “Captive” due out later this year.

Pratt starred in two of 2014’s biggest box office hits, “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “The Lego Movie.” He previously appeared in the Best Picture nominees “Her” (2013), “Zero Dark Thirty” (2012) and “Moneyball” (2011), and co-starred in all seven seasons of the comedy series “Parks and Recreation.” He will next be seen in “Jurassic World,” in theaters June 12th of this year.

Travolta is a two-time Oscar nominee, for his leading roles in “Pulp Fiction” (1994) and “Saturday Night Fever” (1977). He also has starred in such features as “Savages” (2012), “The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3” (2009), “Hairspray” (2007) “Face/Off” (1997), “Get Shorty” (1995) and “Grease” (1978). His upcoming film, “The Forger” will be out later this year.

Washington is the star of the hit television drama “Scandal,” and received two Emmy® nominations for her role. Her film roles have included “She Hate Me” (2004), Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005), “I Think I Love My Wife” (2007), “Lakeview Terrace” (2008), “For Colored Girls” (2010) and “Django Unchained” (2012).

Hutcherson has appeared in such films as “Journey to the Center of the Earth” (2008), “The Kids Are All Right” (2010) and all three “Hunger Games” films to date. He will star later this year in the series finale, “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2.”

Johansson, whose film credits include “Lost in Translation” (2003), “Match Point” (2005), “Her” (2013) and “Lucy” (2014) will reprise her recurring role as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow in the upcoming film “Avengers: Age of Ultron.”

Saldana has appeared in such features as “Avatar” (2009), “Star Trek Into Darkness” (2013) and “Guardians of the Galaxy” (2014). She will next appear in “Infinitely Polar Bear” due out later this year.

Spencer won an Oscar® for her supporting role in the 2011 film “The Help.” Her other film credits include “Fruitvale Station” (2013), “Snowpiercer” (2014) and “Black or White” (2014). She will appear in the upcoming “Divergent” sequel “Insurgent.

OSCAR® WINNER JENNIFER HUDSON TO PERFORM AT 87TH OSCARS®

Oscar and Grammy-winning singer and actress Jennifer Hudson will be performing on the 87th Oscars, hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, will air on Sunday, February 22, live on ABC.

“We’re creating several musical sequences for the Oscars and we couldn’t be happier that our friend, Jennifer Hudson, will be performing in one of them,” says Zadan and Meron.

Hudson won the Oscar for Actress in a Supporting Role for the 2006 film “Dreamgirls.” Her other acting credits include “Sex and the City” (2008), “The Secret Life of Bees” (2008), “Winnie Mandela” (2013) and “The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete” (2013). Hudson’s self-titled debut album won the 2008 Grammy Award for Best R&B Album and was certified Gold, as was her second album, “I Remember Me.” This year she was nominated for Best R&B Performance for the song “It’s Your World,” from her 2014 album, “JHUD.”

ANNA KENDRICK TO PERFORM AT 87TH OSCARS

Actress and singer Anna Kendrick will also make a special appearance at the 87th Oscars.

“Out of the woods and on to the Oscar stage, Anna will be performing something special that is sure to be an “Only on the Oscars” moment.” says Zadan and Meron.

Kendrick was nominated for an Oscar® for her supporting role in the 2009 film “Up in the Air.” Her other film credits include “Into the Woods” (2014), “Pitch Perfect” (2012) and the “Twilight” film series. In 1998, at the age of 12, Kendrick was nominated for a Tony Award® for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for “High Society.” She will star in the films “The Last Five Years,” “The Hollars,” and “Pitch Perfect 2” later this year.

The 87th Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 22, 2015, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood, and will be televised live on the ABC Television Network at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. The Oscars, produced by Zadan and Meron, also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

 

NEIL PATRICK HARRIS TO HOST THE 2015 OSCARS®

Award-winning star of stage and screen Neil Patrick Harris will host the 87th Oscars®, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today.  This will be Harris’ first time hosting the ceremony.   The show will air live on ABC on Oscar® Sunday, February 22, 2015.

“We are thrilled to have Neil host the Oscars,” said Zadan and Meron. “We have known him his entire adult life, and we have watched him explode as a great performer in feature films, television and stage.  To work with him on the Oscars is the perfect storm, all of his resources and talent coming together on a global stage.”

“It is truly an honor and a thrill to be asked to host this year’s Academy Awards.  I grew up watching the Oscars and was always in such awe of some of the greats who hosted the show,” said Harris. “To be asked to follow in the footsteps of Johnny Carson, Billy Crystal, Ellen DeGeneres, and everyone else who had the great fortune of hosting is a bucket list dream come true.”

“We share Craig and Neil’s excitement in welcoming the incredibly talented Neil Patrick Harris,” said Cheryl Boone Isaacs, Academy President.  “He is the consummate entertainer.  Neil’s distinctive charm and showmanship make him the ideal host to honor the Oscar legacy and ensure we all enjoy another unforgettable celebration.”

“Neil is a terrific actor, singer, risk-taker and collaborator,” said Dawn Hudson, Academy CEO. “We can’t wait to see the show that he and Craig and Neil create together.”

“Neil Patrick Harris is highly energetic and a definitive entertainer,” said Paul Lee. “We are thrilled to have him as our 2015 Oscar host.”

A triple-threat performer, Harris has enjoyed a successful career in entertainment.  He can currently be seen starring opposite Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike in David Fincher’s critically-acclaimed feature film, “Gone Girl.”  Harris garnered multiple Emmy® and Golden Globe award nominations for his role as Barney Stinson on the hit television series, “How I Met Your Mother,” and he won an Emmy for his guest-starring role on “Glee” in 2010.  He also recently starred in the title role of “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” on Broadway, earning the 2014 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical.  Harris served as host of the 61st and 65th Primetime Emmy Awards, as well as the 63rd, 65th, 66th and 67th Tony Awards, for which he won four Emmys.  Most recently, Harris added the title of author to his list of accomplishments with the release of his autobiography from Crown Publishing, “Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography.”

The last two Oscars telecasts, which were produced by Zadan and Meron, received a major spike in the ratings.  The 86th Oscars was TV’s most-watched entertainment event in 10 years and attracted the biggest viewership since 2000, with more than 45 million viewers.  The show resulted in dramatic gains in younger demos and social media conversation, with more than one billion impressions generated on Twitter and 25 million interactions happening on Facebook on Oscar Sunday.  Additionally, the star-studded “selfie” became the most retweeted photo of all time with 32.8 million views.

The Oscars will be held at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live by the ABC Television Network at 4 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

CRAIG ZADAN AND NEIL MERON RETURN TO PRODUCE THE 2015 OSCARS®, ACADEMY ANNOUNCES KEY DATES FOR THE OSCARS®

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the ABC Television Network  has announced the dates for the 87th Oscars.  The Academy Awards® presentation will air live on ABC on Oscar®Sunday, February 22, 2015.

Key dates for the Awards season are:

Saturday, November 8, 2014	The Governors Awards
Wednesday, December 3, 2014	Official Screen Credits and music submissions due
Monday, December 29, 2014	Nominations voting begins 8 a.m. PT
Thursday, January 8, 2015	Nominations voting ends 5 p.m. PT
Thursday, January 15, 2015	Oscar nominations announced
Monday, February 2, 2015	Oscar Nominees Luncheon
Friday, February 6, 2015	Final voting begins 8 a.m. PT
Saturday, February 7, 2015	Scientific and Technical Awards
Tuesday, February 17, 2015	Final voting ends 5 p.m. PT
Oscar Sunday, February 22, 2015	87th Academy Awards begins 7 p.m. ET/ 4 p.m. PT

Motion picture, television and theater producing team Craig Zadan and Neil Meron will return to produce the Oscars for a third consecutive year, Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs announced today. The 87th Oscars will air live on the ABC Television Network on Oscar® Sunday, February 22, 2015.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to have Craig and Neil back to produce the Oscars again in 2015,” said Boone Isaacs. “Their showmanship has elevated the show to new heights and we are excited to keep the momentum going with this creative partnership.”

“This year’s show reached viewers of all ages and set social media records, proving that Craig and Neil are masters at tapping into the zeitgeist and capturing the hearts of movie fans around the world,” said Academy CEO Dawn Hudson.

“We are delighted to work with Cheryl, Dawn and the Academy to produce the Oscars for a third time,” said Zadan and Meron. “We’re proud of the show’s success over the last two years and are eager to embark on another entertaining show to honor this year’s motion pictures.”

The 86th Oscars on March 2, marked the return of host Ellen DeGeneres, and featured memorable musical performances by artists including Pharrell Williams and U2, a tribute to “The Wizard of Oz” by Pink, and a star-studded, record-breaking selfie seen around the world.

The show drew an average audience of 45.4 million total viewers, delivering a 13.7 rating among adults 18–49 (Live+7), and reached 74.6 million viewers watching 6+ minutes, the best since 2004. The Oscars were TV’s most-watched entertainment telecast in 10 years and attracted the biggest viewership in 14 years. The show helped drive increases for the second consecutive year, marking a seven-year high for adults 18–34 (+3%); a nine-year high for teens 12–17 (+13%); and an eight-year high for kids 2–11 (+13%). Social media activity was particularly robust with more than one billion impressions generated on Twitter and 25 million interactions happening on Facebook on Oscar® Sunday. Additionally, DeGeneres’s selfie became the most retweeted photo of all time with 32.8 million views.

Zadan and Meron’s feature film, television and theater productions have earned a total of six Oscars, 11 Emmy® Awards, two Tony® Awards, a Grammy® Award, five Golden Globes®, two Peabody Awards, five GLAAD Awards and two NAACP Image Awards. For film, they executive produced the 2002 Best Picture winner “Chicago,” which won Oscars in six of the 13 categories in which it was nominated. Their credits also include the feature films “Footloose” (2011), “Hairspray” (2007) and “The Bucket List” (2007). Zadan also produced the original “Footloose” (1984).

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Announces Complete List of Stars to Present on OSCAR® Sunday 2014

STARS COME OUT TO CELEBRATE ON OSCAR® SUNDAY

The Academy Awards® for outstanding film achievements of 2013 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® and televised live on the ABC Television Network.

Oscar producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron today announced the complete slate of stars who will present Oscars at the ceremony. The Oscars®, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, will air on Oscar Sunday, March 2, live on ABC.

The presenters, including several past Oscar winners and nominees, will be Amy Adams, Kristen Bell, Jessica Biel, Jim Carrey, Glenn Close, Bradley Cooper, Penélope Cruz, Benedict Cumberbatch, Viola Davis, Daniel Day-Lewis, Robert De Niro, Zac Efron, Sally Field, Harrison Ford, Jamie Foxx, Andrew Garfield, Jennifer Garner, Whoopi Goldberg, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Anne Hathaway, Goldie Hawn, Chris Hemsworth, Kate Hudson, Samuel L. Jackson, Angelina Jolie, Michael B. Jordan, Anna Kendrick, Jennifer Lawrence, Matthew McConaughey, Ewan McGregor, Bill Murray, Kim Novak, Tyler Perry, Brad Pitt, Sidney Poitier, Gabourey Sidibe, Will Smith, Kevin Spacey, Jason Sudeikis, Channing Tatum, Charlize Theron, John Travolta, Christoph Waltz, Kerry Washington, Emma Watson and Naomi Watts

“We are very excited that the Hollywood community will be turning out in force for Sunday’s Oscar ceremony,” said Zadan and Meron. “We sought to include a tremendous diversity of stars to represent not only this year’s nominees, but the legacy of the motion picture business as well.”

Pink to Appear on the Oscars®, CHRISTOPH WALTZ RETURNS TO PRESENT, 2014 Governors Ball Creative Team Held Press Preview

As the preparations for the 2014 Oscars continues,  show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced that Grammy Award®-winning singer and actress Pink will make a special appearance on the Oscars, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres.

“We are very excited to welcome Pink to the Oscar® stage for the very first time,” said Zadan and Meron. “She is regarded as one of the greatest voices in pop music and one of the best performers of her generation, and we are thrilled to have her join us for a highly anticipated moment on the broadcast.”

Pink has won three Grammy Awards and six MTV Video Music Awards, including Best Collaboration for the single “Just Give Me A Reason” from her 2012 album “The Truth About Love.” The song was her eighth to reach No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult Top 40 chart, setting an industry record. Named Billboard Woman of the Year in 2013, Pink has sold over 40 million albums and 65 million singles. Acting under her given name, Alecia Moore, she received critical acclaim for her role in the 2013 ensemble drama “Thanks for Sharing,” which starred Mark Ruffalo, Tim Robbins and Gwyneth Paltrow.

The Academy’s 2014 Governors Ball will be held in the Ray Dolby Ballroom on the top level of the Hollywood & Highland Center®. The 86th Oscars® will be presented on Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network.

2014 Governors Ball Creative Team Held Press Preview

The 2014 Governors Ball Creative Team also held a Governors Ball Press Preview to showcase the  décor, menu, entertainment and the attire to be worn by the evening’s staff. The Governors Ball, the Academy’s official post-Oscar® celebration, which will immediately follow the 86th Oscars® ceremony on Sunday, March 2, will 1,500 invited guests include Oscar winners and nominees, show presenters and other telecast participants. This year’s Ball will feature lush vertical gardens designed with classic, elegant lines, inviting guests to meet, mingle and celebrate under the stars.

The Academy’s 2014 Governors Ball will be held in the Ray Dolby Ballroom on the top level of the Hollywood & Highland Center®. The 86th Oscars® will be presented on Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network.

The Academy’s 2014 Governors Ball will be held in the Ray Dolby Ballroom on the top level of the Hollywood & Highland Center®. The 86th Oscars® will be presented on Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network.

The Academy’s 2014 Governors Ball will be held in the Ray Dolby Ballroom on the top level of the Hollywood & Highland Center®. The 86th Oscars® will be presented on Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network.

The Academy’s 2014 Governors Ball will be held in the Ray Dolby Ballroom on the top level of the Hollywood & Highland Center®. The 86th Oscars® will be presented on Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network.

The Academy’s 2014 Governors Ball will be held in the Ray Dolby Ballroom on the top level of the Hollywood & Highland Center®. The 86th Oscars® will be presented on Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network.

The Academy’s 2014 Governors Ball will be held in the Ray Dolby Ballroom on the top level of the Hollywood & Highland Center®. The 86th Oscars® will be presented on Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network.

Wolfgang Puck, along with chef Matt Bencivenga, will create the menu featuring more than 50 imaginative dishes, from one-bite hors d’oeuvres to small-plate entrees that will be passed throughout the evening. The menu, which includes such signature favorites as smoked salmon Oscars, chicken pot pie with shaved black truffles, and mini American Wagyu burgers with aged Cheddar and remoulade, will incorporate local produce and sustainable seafood. Modern presentations such as crispy lobster shrimp dumplings with five spice and bites of fried chicken with white grits will add excitement, while an expanded selection of vegan dishes, including shots of carrot orange gazpacho, taro root tacos with avocado, and butternut squash with farro and wild rice will have a more prominent focus.

Master chef Wolfgang Puck and Alison Crary, winemaker at Sterling Vineyards.

Oscar® Production Team Announced

Producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron today announced 13 key members of the production team for the Oscars®, which will air on Sunday, March 2, live on ABC.

Director Hamish Hamilton returns to the show after having directed the 82nd Oscars in March 2010. Hamilton has directed many celebrated live televised events, including the 2013 “MTV Video Music Awards,” the 2013 Super Bowl halftime show featuring Beyoncé, and the opening ceremonies of the 2012 London Olympics, for which he received an Emmy® nomination. Hamilton also shared in the 2011 Peabody Award for the fifth annual “CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute” and was a 2003 Grammy Award® nominee for directing the musical special “Robbie Williams – Live at the Albert.” He will direct the upcoming 2014 Super Bowl halftime show featuring Bruno Mars.

Production designer Derek McLane was part of the team behind the 85th Oscars, which Zadan and Meron produced. During his career, McLane has designed sets for numerous acclaimed Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. He has received four Tony Award® nominations and won one for his work on 33 Variations. McLane designs can currently be seen in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. His other Broadway credits include The Heiress, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Gore Vidal’s The Best Man, Follies, Anything Goes, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, Grease and I Am My Own Wife. McLane’s television credits include the recent NBC event “The Sound of Music Live!” He was nominated for a 2013 Emmy for Outstanding Art Direction for Variety or Nonfiction Programming for his work on the 85th Academy Awards.

Choreographer Rob Ashford has worked on two previous Oscar telecasts, including last year’s show and the 81st Academy Awards in February 2009, for which he won an Emmy.  Ashford was recently nominated for a Directors Guild Award in the category of Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television and Mini-Series for NBC’s broadcast of “The Sound of Music Live!” which was executive produced by Zadan and Meron. Ashford has been nominated for eight Tony Awards and won for Best Choreography in 2002 for Thoroughly Modern Millie.Additional Broadway choreography credits include The Wedding Singer, Curtains, Cry-Baby and Evita. He also served as choreographer on the upcoming feature film adaptation of “Cinderella,” directed by Kenneth Branagh.

In addition to Ellen DeGeneres’ team of writers, Zadan and Meron have brought in Kristin Gore, Amy Ozols and Jon Macks to complete the writing staff. Gore is a novelist and screenwriter whose past credits include “Futurama” and “Saturday Night Live” and whose current projects include a Showtime pilot with director Bennett Miller, an HBO pilot with director Jay Roach, and a Dreamworks movie with director Lance Accord.  Ozols was formerly a writer and producer for “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.” Macks, a longtime writer for “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” and has been nominated for 6 Emmys.  He has written for numerous major awards shows, Including 17 prior Oscar telecasts.

Music director William Ross returns to the Oscars after working on the 79th, 83rd and 85th Academy Awards. Ross is a four-time Emmy winner whose musical arrangements have played a part in the opening ceremonies of several Super Bowls as well as the opening and/or closing ceremonies of five Olympic Games. Ross earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Music Direction for his work on the 85th Academy Awards show. He has also composed music for numerous feature films, including “A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas,” “The Tale of Despereaux” and “Ladder 49.”

Costume designers Julie Weiss and Bruce Pask return to the Oscars after working together on the 85th Academy Awards. Pask is the Men’s Fashion Director of T Magazine at The New York Times. He has served as fashion editor at notable publications for more than two decades and has worked with Annie Leibovitz on numerous covers for Vanity Fair and on advertising campaigns for “The Sopranos.” Pask debuted as a costume designer for the stage in Joe Montello’s Broadway revival of Noel Coward’s “Design for Living.” He has created costumes for the Broadway musical revival of “Promises, Promises,” directed by Rob Ashford, who also worked with him on the 33rd Kennedy Center Honors for which Pask received Emmy honors.

Weiss has designed costumes for more than 50 feature films, including her Oscar-nominated work for “Frida” and “Twelve Monkeys.” Her credits include “Steel Magnolias,” “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” “American Beauty,” “Hitchcock,” “Bobby,” “Auto Focus,” “Blades of Glory,” “The Freshman,” “A Simple Plan,” “Searching for Bobby Fischer” and “The Missing.”  Weiss has earned Emmys for her work in “The Dollmaker” and “Woman of Independent Means” and has an additional five Emmy nominations.  Her Broadway credits include “The Elephant Man” for which she received a Tony nomination and has worked with Rob Ashford in last season’s production of “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.” She is currently designing for Ashford’s production of the opera, “Carmen.”  Weiss is the recipient of the Career Achievement Award from The Costume Designers Guild.

This is the first time talent producer Taryn Hurd has worked on an Oscar telecast or collaborated with the show’s producers. Hurd has served as talent producer on events including the FOX network’s “New Year’s Eve Live,” the Breeders’ Cup telecast, “Teen Choice 2013” and “VH1 Divas Salute the Troops.” She also has served as talent producer on the FOX series “So You Think You Can Dance” and ESPN’s “SportsCenter.” Previously, Hurd amassed numerous credits as talent executive on broadcasts such as “The ESPYS,” the “Billboard Music Awards” and the “Critics’ Choice Awards.”

Also rejoining the production team are supervising producer Michael Seligman, co-producer Lee Lodge and lighting designer Robert Dickinson.

Seligman has more than 300 major television events to his credit and has earned a total of 11 Emmy nominations, including nine for his work on Oscar telecasts. Seligman’s other producing credits include “The American Giving Awards,” “America Celebrates July 4th at Ford’s Theatre,” “Stand Up to Cancer” and “Return to the Titanic…Live!”

Lodge has served as either co-producer or creative producer for the past five Oscar broadcasts. His credits also include co-executive producer on the “MTV Video Music Awards” in 2012 and 2013, creative producer on the “CMA Awards” since 2010 and creative producer on the “Billboard Music Awards” since 2011.

Winner of 18 Primetime Emmys, lighting designer Robert Dickinson has worked on 26 Oscar broadcasts, including the 85th Academy Awards in 2013. His numerous other credits include the “Kennedy Center Honors,” “Grammy Awards,” “ The Emmy Awards,” “Tony Awards,” “American Music Awards,” Olympic Ceremonies in Atlanta, Salt Lake and Vancouver, the broadcast of the “Sound of Music Live!” and “The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.”

OSCARS® TO CELEBRATE MOVIE HEROES

The 86th Academy Awards® will be a celebration of movie heroes, producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. Offering their first preview of the upcoming Oscar broadcast, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, the producers said the show will honor big-screen real-life heroes, super heroes, popular heroes and animated heroes, both past and present, as well as the bold filmmakers who bring them to life. The Oscars will air on Sunday, March 2, live on ABC.

Acclaimed motion picture, television and theater producers Craig Zadan (left) and Neil Meron (right) with Ellen DeGeneres. The Academy Awards® for outstanding film achievements of 2013 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® and televised live on the ABC Television Network.

“We wanted to unify the show with an entertaining and emotional theme,” said Zadan and Meron. “People around the world go to the movies to be inspired by the characters they see on the screen. By celebrating the gamut of heroes who have enriched our movie-going experience, we hope to create an evening of fun and joy. And that includes the filmmakers and actors who take risks and stimulate us with provocative subjects and daring characters. They are all heroes in the cinematic landscape.”

“Of course, there will be no shortage of comedy with Ellen DeGeneres as our host,” the producers added. “There may also be a few musical surprises along the way.”

To coincide with the Oscar telecast theme, the Academy will present “The Oscars Celebrates Movie Heroes,” an exhibition in the Grand Lobby Gallery of its Beverly Hills headquarters. On display Friday, January 17 through Wednesday, March 5, the show will feature still photographs and posters from 70 titles spanning nine decades, as well as video montages comprised of excerpts from classic and contemporary films. The exhibit will include films centered on real-life heroes (“Gandhi,” “Silkwood”), super heroes (“Superman,” “The Dark Knight”), animated heroes (“Shrek,” “The Incredibles”), action heroes (“Seven Samurai,” “Gladiator”), literary heroes (“To Kill a Mockingbird,” “Grapes of Wrath”) and more.

The 86th Academy Awards nominations will be announced live on Thursday, January 16, 2014, at 5:35 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater by Cheryl Boone Isaacs and Chris Hemsworth.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2013 will be presented on Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre™ at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live on the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation, produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, will also be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

ELLEN DEGENERES RETURNS TO HOST THE OSCARS®

CRAIG ZADAN AND NEIL MERON RETURN TO PRODUCE THE OSCARS

The Academy Awards® for outstanding film achievements of 2013 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® and televised live on the ABC Television Network.

Television icon Ellen DeGeneres will return to host the Oscars® for a second time, producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced. The 86th Annual Academy Awards® will be broadcast live on Oscar Sunday, March 2, 2014, on the ABC Television Network.

“We are thrilled to have Ellen DeGeneres host the Oscars,” said Zadan and Meron. “As a longtime friend, we had always hoped to find a project for us to do together and nothing could be more exciting than teaming up to do the Oscars. There are few stars today who have Ellen’s gift for comedy, with her great warmth and humanity. She is beloved everywhere and we expect that the audience at the Dolby Theatre, and in homes around the globe, will be as excited by this news as we are.”

Television icon Ellen DeGeneres returns to host the Oscars for a second time. The Academy Awards® for outstanding film achievements of 2013 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® and televised live on the ABC Television Network.
credit: ABC/Andrew Eccles

“I am so excited to be hosting the Oscars for the second time. You know what they say – the third time’s the charm,” said DeGeneres.

DeGeneres hosted the 79th Academy Awards in 2007, for which she received a Primetime Emmy® nomination for “Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program.” DeGeneres has made a home for herself in daytime with her hit syndicated talk show, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” which has earned a total of 45 Daytime Emmys during its 10 seasons.

credit: ©A.M.P.A.S.®

DeGeneres’ began her career as an emcee at a local comedy club in her hometown of New Orleans. Her acting career in television included roles in several successful sitcoms before being offered a part on “These Friends of Mine” by ABC. After the first season, the show was renamed “Ellen.” Running from 1994 to 1998, the show garnered record ratings, with DeGeneres receiving Emmy nominations each season in the Best Actress category. In 1997, DeGeneres was the recipient of the coveted Peabody Award as well as earning an Emmy for writing the critically acclaimed “Puppy Episode” when her character came out as a gay woman to a record 46 million viewers.

DeGeneres has also been successful in her feature film work. DeGeneres scored unprecedented popular and critical response to her character, Dory, the fish with extreme short-term memory, in the blockbuster Pixar animated feature “Finding Nemo.” DeGeneres recently announced the highly anticipated sequel to “Finding Nemo,” Disney-Pixar’s “Finding Dory,” currently scheduled to be released in November 2015.

Shortly after the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was incorporated in 1927, a dinner was held in the Crystal Ballroom of the Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles to discuss the goals of the new organization. One of those goals was devising a method to honor outstanding achievements, thus encouraging higher levels of quality in all facets of motion picture production.
Once the decision had been made to institute an award, a major item of business was the creation of a trophy to symbolize film achievement. MGM art director Cedric Gibbons designed the statuette and Los Angeles sculptor George Stanley was selected to bring to three-dimensional form the figure of a knight standing on a reel of film, hands gripping a sword. The Academy’s world-

  credit: ©A.M.P.A.S.®

renowned statuette was born.

Since the initial awards banquet on May 16, 1929, in the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel’s Blossom Room, 2,900 statuettes have been presented. Each January, additional new golden statuettes are cast, molded, polished and buffed by R.S. Owens & Company, the Chicago-based awards specialty company retained by the Academy since 1982.

The statuette stands 131/2 inches tall and weighs a robust 81/2 pounds. The design of the statuette has never changed from its original conception, but the size of the base varied until the present standard was adopted in 1945. Officially named the Academy Award® of Merit, the statuette is better known by its nickname, Oscar, the origins of which aren’t clear. A popular story has been that Academy librarian and eventual executive director Margaret Herrick thought it resembled her Uncle Oscar and said so, and that the Academy staff began referring to it as Oscar. In any case, by the sixth Awards presentation in 1934, Hollywood columnist Sidney Skolsky used the name in his column in reference to Katharine Hepburn’s first Best Actress win. The Academy itself didn’t use the nickname officially until 1939.

The 15 statuettes presented at the initial ceremonies were gold-plated solid bronze. Within a few years the bronze was abandoned in favor of britannia metal, a pewter-like alloy, which made it easier to give the statuettes their smooth finish. Because of the metals shortage during World War II, Oscars® were made of painted plaster for three years. Following the war, all of the awarded plaster figures were exchanged for gold-plated metal ones.

“Each Oscar statuette is individually handcrafted,” says Scott Siegel, president of R.S. Owens. “This statuette is only a tiny portion of our overall business, but it makes us known all around the world. No other award is as universally recognized as the Oscar, and we treat it with the extra-special tender loving care that it deserves. We are extremely proud that the Academy has entrusted its manufacture to us.”

This year, 289 films were eligible for Best Picture nominations, 76 countries submitted films for best foreign language film nomination, 50 statuettes were created for the 86th annual Academy Awards presentation and 6,028 members from the various branches of the Academy will vote on the winners. It is estimated that over 200 million viewers from 225 countries will view this year’s ceremony with 24 competitive award categories in play.