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Winners Will Give Thanks on Academy Web Site
HOLLYWOOD - TIn order to shorten the often long-winded speeches of its winners, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences says it will give them room to expand their thanks on its Web site.
Gil Cates, the producer of this year's televised Academy Awards show, made the offer at the annual Oscar nominees luncheon on Monday at the Beverly Hills Hilton. A crowd of 100 nominees, including Russell Crowe (Gladiator), Tom Hanks (Cast Away) and Joan Allen (The Contender), were present at the event.
After a winner has made a 45-second acceptance speech and is leaving the stage, Cates said, "You can hand us a list of all the people you want to thank." It will then be run on the official Academy Awards Web site along with the winner's picture.
On a projection screen, Cates showed the audience a sample page, on which he thanked the writers and directors of the show.
If this procedure works, the Academy will be able to run a smoother, shorter show and the actors will be sure to not leave anyone's name out.
For complete Hollywood.com coverage of the annual Oscar nominees luncheon and all the Academy Awards news, see our special Academy Awards area.