LOS ANGELES — It doesn’t get much more Hollywood veteran than Glenn Weiss. He has won five Emmys for directing the Oscars and Tonys. Yet somehow, helming this year’s Oscars kind of feels like the first time.
“Everything about this show is a first. A lot of what I’ve done this past year in many different avenues has been a first,” he said.
Glenn famously directed the virtual Democratic National Convention barefoot from his home in Brentwood. He also directed the last 5 Oscars and 19 tony Awards shows. Despite his long resume, he’s never directed an Academy Awards show in a pandemic.
“It’s been challenging and been completely invigorating because you really want to bring to it what you have brought to other shows that have a full audience gathering,” he said.
With previous award shows this year having record low ratings, Glenn needed to somehow safely pull out all the stops to pull people in. So yes, some things won’t change, it’ll just be the COVID-friendly version of it. For example, the high fashion-celebrities have to dress up. They also don't have to wear masks on camera since the production of the show is being treated as a film and TV set.
Another thing that will feel the same is the high praise — the same big awards will be handed out. However, when it comes to the emotion — the unequivocal high when a celebrity hears their name called — we'll see some changes. You just can't get around all the usual hugging at a time like this.
“We are going to give awards; they will have their celebratory moment. But it won’t be in years past hugging and kissing like you said, we will be spread out," he said.
The Oscars have arguably never been more earned, as the art these stars created was what got so many people through the last year and a half.
“The artform of film has been one of our comfort things that has helped all of us. What better way than to cap off that year than tribute the people who made those creations,” he said.
This show will cap off an awards season full of virtual shows with technical glitches and zoom acceptance speeches. Which is exactly why Glenn and team wanted to make this show different.
“Virtual would’ve been the easy answer and that’s why we didn’t do it,” he said. “Were hoping people at home can experience and be a part of this celebration not just in the way were doing this interview, not just in a zoom fashion, not just the way we have lived our lives the past year, but really create a place where we are safely celebrating,” he said.
One very Oscars question remains, and yes — it’s regarding what he’ll be wearing.
“I will have my shoes on for this, you have that exclusive right now,” he said.
Good thing, sounds like his feet will need to be firmly planted to handle this first if its kind show.