Major studios attempts to win back the Oscars

TALLAHASSEE, FL – After many independent films dominated the last two Academy Awards in Los Angeles, major studios such as Universal Pictures, Sony Pictures and 20^th Century Fox have distributed at least one movie this year with in hopes of having a shot at taking home an Oscar.

Anne Hathaway in the musical, "Les Miserables." - Universal Pictures 

With Oscar nominations beginning on December 17^th, these companies are working hard to take back Hollywood’s top honors from independent films like “Slumdog Millionaire,” “Hurt Locker” and “The Artist.”

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences hosted a Governors Awards banquet on Saturday  where major studios worked the room against each contender, in efforts to take home the best picture award.

Local filmmaker, Akil Dupont, a winner of a Student Emmy award for his slavery told through song short film “Underground,” explains that he does not see the efforts from big studios as something uncommon.

“Indies” have been having a good run, despite the studio effort,” said Dupont. “I think in some sense it’s survival of the fittest, because when you have a film like “Hurt Locker” beating the largest grossing movie ever, “Avatar,” it’s just all about being fresh in the Academy voters mind.

Oscar viewers can expect to see make the nominee list is “Life of Pi,” “Les Miserable,” “The Hobbit” and “Zero Dark Thirty.”

However, the presence of the independent studios have not shown signs of prevailing this Academy Awards, despite films such as “The Sessions,” or “Moonrise Kingdom” that released this year.

Mr. George Stevens Jr, the founder of the American Film Institute, who held the most attention throughout the Governors Awards banquet, is hopeful that the giant studios will succeed this year.

“I have seen a couple pictures this fall that I am confident will stand the test of time,” said Stevens. 

Written by Gina Cherelus

With contributions from The New York Times
Akil Dupont
Photo/ Universal Pictures
Video/ TheComicfreak10

EDUKATE YOSELF 
The Weinstein Company 
The 2012 Governors Awards
George Stevens Jr IMDB 
Focus Features
Universal Pictures 
The Academy - Twitter , Facebook