Bill Kramer on the Future of the Oscars and the Academy
Bill Kramer, CEO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images
Bill Kramer, the CEO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, sat down with The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast to discuss the upcoming Academy Awards and the future of the organization. Kramer, who has led the Academy since 2022, oversees a global operation of around 700 employees across multiple locations, including the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, the Margaret Herrick Library, and the Academy Film Archive, as well as the Oscars themselves. The 97th Academy Awards will be held on Sunday.
Kramer reflected on a range of topics, from the choice of Conan O’Brien as host to the Academy’s stance on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
On Conan O’Brien Hosting
Kramer expressed his gratitude for Jimmy Kimmel and his wife, Molly, who is also a producer, for their contributions. He lauded Kimmel’s work in recent years, stating, “They really brought the show back.”
Regarding Conan O’Brien, Kramer praised him as “a perfect host for the show, especially for today: he’s apolitical, he brings joy, he is beloved by the comedy community, and he has a whole new legion of fans because of his podcast.” He added that O’Brien’s appointment had already drawn a new audience, with people expressing their intention to watch the show for the first time.
Addressing Controversies: The Karla Sofía Gascón Nomination
Regarding the controversy surrounding Karla Sofía Gascón, a Best Actress nominee, Kramer stated, “The Academy does not condone hate speech — I want to be very clear about that.” He emphasized that Gascón’s nomination is historic, but the Academy does not condone hate speech and that all nominees are welcome to attend the ceremony.
Original Song Performances
The Academy is planning to highlight the songwriters behind the original songs. Kramer explained, “Oftentimes with the original songs, you see the performer, but you know nothing about the songwriter who is nominated, so we wanted to use this moment to talk about the songwriters.” He added that this direction will enable them to plan some significant performances, while also ensuring components of the nominated songs are heard on the show.
Community and the Los Angeles Wildfires
Kramer confirmed that the show will have a theme of collaboration and community. He addressed how the recent Los Angeles wildfires would be acknowledged. “The part of the show that will deal with the recent fires in the Los Angeles area is really about community, a love of home and a love of L.A. as a place for movie making and creative visionaries,” he said.
The Future of the Oscars Broadcasting Deal
With the Academy’s broadcasting deal with ABC expiring after the 2028 Oscars, Kramer revealed the need for a global deal emphasizing streaming. “We have four more shows left…Any new deal we have for the Oscars needs to be a global deal. I definitely think streaming will be a huge part of that deal,” he said. He expressed his desire for this to include a streaming component.
Adapting Awards Shows
Kramer stated the Academy is continually evaluating the presentation format, while working to maintain all award categories. He acknowledged the ongoing changes in media, stating, “That doesn’t mean that, as we evolve this show as streaming becomes a bigger part of our television show, that things may not look differently well into the future.”
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Kramer underscored the Academy’s commitment to DEI. He highlighted that their commitment is integral to the organization, impacting programs, collections, the museum, membership, and staffing. “Our commitment to equity, inclusion, diversity, sustainability and accessibility is embedded throughout all of our programs,” he stated
Addressing Artificial Intelligence
Regarding artificial intelligence (AI), Kramer views it as a tool. He said, “First, I want to say that A.I. is a tool, and we need to be very careful to not dictate what tools our creatives use to make their art.” He announced the Academy’s discussions at the branch level, emphasizing the focus on the human element and the work of artists.
Genderless Acting Categories
Addressing the possibility of genderless acting categories, Kramer stated, “There are no plans to do so.” However, he noted ongoing conversations with the actors branch and the Awards Committee on this topic.
Academy Layoffs
Addressing recent layoffs, which impacted areas related to scholarship and preservation, Kramer refuted the idea that this indicated diminished commitment to those areas. He explained the changes were meant to streamline operations and strengthen the organization’s focus on preservation and scholarship.
