In an effort to level the playing field between big-budget studios and no-budget independent producers during the period when members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences vote for their Oscar choices, the Academy on Wednesday announced a new set of restrictions that its members must abide by. They include not being able to attend parties or other events thrown by nominees, their studios or their PR representatives; no nominee can participate in more than two panel discussions about the film in which he or she appears; and negative campaigning has been extended to Facebook and other social networks. The new rules, said Academy President Tom Sherak, are intended to protect "the integrity of the Academy Awards process and the distinction of the Oscar. The rules impose no restrictions on the number of "for your consideration" ads that producers and studios purchase in the Hollywood trade publications and elsewhere. They will be in effect from January 24, the day nominations are announced, until February 26, the date the winners are announced at the Kodak theater in Hollywood.

22/09/2011