Oscar Watch: PoA DVD to Help Academy Screeners?

In a column in The Hollywood Reporter, Martin Grove writes about the use of DVD’s and the screeners who view them in order to nominate films for the Academy Awards. Mr. Grove says that Academy members need to be able to screen (watch)the films at their own leisure, not just at a formal showing of the film, and the use of DVD’s will only enhance the chances for films such as Prisoner of Azkaban to be nominated.

“In many respects, the films that are going to be in commercial DVD release before year-end are the ones that will really have an edge because they offer awards voters not just a look at the movie, but in-depth features about the making of the movie, as well.”

on Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban he says:

“Warner Bros.’ “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” will arrive in DVD release Nov. 23. Here, too, we’re looking at film with awards potential in areas like performances and special effects. Having the DVD right there to see will help “Azkaban.” Among its special features are an interview with author J.K. Rowling and the filmmakers as well as a “Conjuring a Scene” featurette providing an in-depth look at how key scenes in the film were shot. It certainly won’t hurt “Azkaban’s” prospects for nominations by letting awards voters have access to all this additional information about the making of the movie.“