New Rules Aim to Cut Hype in Oscar Bids

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has issued a new set of rules in an attempt to reduce Oscar campaign hype.

Companies are prohibited from placing promotional phone calls to members, from holding receptions or dinners to which academy members are invited and from quoting critics on screening schedules and videocassettes.

Ric Robertson, executive administrator of the academy, said, “We’re not trying to become a rigid investigative body--just to create a more even playing field.”

Ruth Vitale, president of Fine Line Features, said the field will never be level, however. “Independents have to be scrappier [than the big studios] to get their films seen,” she said.