MUMBAI: Producer Laurence Mark has been tapped to produce and writer-director Bill Condon to executive produce the 81st Annual Academy Awards telecast.This was anniounced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president Sid Ganis. It will be their first involvement in the production of an Oscar show.
Oscar nominations will be announced on 22 January, 2009. The 81st Academy Awards presentation will take place on 22 February 22, 2009. In India, the show will air on Star Movies.
Ganis says, “Larry and Bill are fresh thinkers who will bring a unique perspective to the Oscar show. That fact, joined with their enormous collective talent and enthusiasm, will serve the 81st Awards proceedings perfectly.”
In 2006, Mark produced and Condon wrote and directed Dreamgirls. The film was nominated for eight Academy Awards and won two Oscars , including one for Jennifer Hudson for Actress in a Supporting Role.
Mark said, “What a thrill to produce the Oscar show. I’m excited about this opportunity and look forward to the challenge of a live television show that celebrates the very best in film.”
Condon said, “The Oscars are the ultimate recognition of excellent work in movies, and I’m so pleased to be part of putting the show together”.
Mark is currently in post-production on Julie and Julia starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams and written and directed by Nora Ephron for release next year. His other credits include I, Robot, The Lookout, Finding Forrester nd Jerry Maguire for which he received a Best Picture Oscar nomination. He also served as executive producer on As Good As It Gets and Working Girl.
Condon won an Oscar for writing Gods And Monsters.
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