Pushy emails violate Oscar rules

Monday, March 01, 2010

THE Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is considering action against a producer of The Hurt Locker who sent multiple emails urging academy members to vote for his movie in the Oscar best-picture race and "not a $500 million film" – an obvious reference to close-competitor Avatar.

The emails by Nicolas Chartier, one of four nominated producers for The Hurt Locker, violated the academy’s rule against sending mailings that "attempt to promote any film or achievement by casting a negative light on a competing film or achievement", according to Academy spokeswoman Leslie Unger. Chartier put up the financing to make the film.

"My naivete, ignorance of the rules and plain stupidity as a first-time nominee is not an excuse for this behaviour and I strongly regret it," Chartier wrote in a later apologetic email obtained by The Associated Press.

Possible disciplinary measures include public censure, taking away Chartier’s Oscar tickets, and the option of removing The Hurt Locker from best picture category.

This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Monday, March 01, 2010