Society of Composers and Lyricists to Oscars leaders: Bring back the Best Song performances
In a letter to the Academy on Friday obtained by Gold Derby, the SCL's president, Ashley Irwin, said the move to eliminate the song performances is a 'devaluation' of the artists who created the music and suggests even including a portion of each nominated song would be welcome.
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'Our members, who number over 4,000 in more than 80 countries worldwide, including the majority of the Motion Picture Academy Music Branch, are disappointed over the decision to eliminate the Oscar-nominated song performances at the 97th Academy Awards,' the letter reads. 'The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and an award like the Oscar, has always served to amplify and honor the work of talented craftspeople, but this decision to exclude the song performances presents as just another example of the devaluation of music, and its creators.'
Earlier this month, Academy President Janet Yang and CEO Bill Kramer sent a letter to members announcing major changes to the show in light of the deadly wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles. The ceremony will focus attention on 'those who fought so bravely against the wildfires' and honor the city, 'showcasing its beauty and resilience, as well as its role as a beacon for filmmakers and creative visionaries for over a century.' But the Academy decided to eliminate the performances of the nominated songs. Instead, Yang and Kramer said, 'We will celebrate [the songwriters'] artistry through personal reflections from the teams who bring these songs to life.'
But the SCL believes that including the songs would actually honor the embattled region: 'In a time when Los Angeles, the home of filmmaking, has lost entire communities and with so many people affected, music has the power to inspire and heal — a message reflected in the Oscar-nominated songs.' Those nominees include 'Like a Bird' from Sing Sing, 'El Mal' and 'Mi Camino' from Emilia Pérez, 'The Journey' from The Six Triple Eight, and 'Never Too Late' from Elton John: Never Too Late. The performances of those compositions would 'represent a diverse range of artists, including past Oscar winners H.E.R. and Elton John along with Brandi Carlile, Clément Ducol and Camille, Adrian Quesada and Abraham Alexander, as well as 16-time Oscar-nominee Diane Warren.'
The letter concludes, 'I respectfully urge you to reconsider your decision and let the songs provide the hope and inspiration to the audience that they do in their respective films.' (See the complete text of the letter below.)
If Oscar organizers want a blueprint for how music can contribute to the healing of Los Angeles, they can look toward the FireAid benefit concert on Thursday that raised funds for wildfire relief and rebuilding. It featured an eclectic and powerhouse roster of musical styles and performances, including Oscar winners Billie Eilish, Stevie Wonder, and Lady Gaga. And the Grammys are scheduled to blend musical performances with fundraising for Los Angeles during its broadcast on Sunday.
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Dear AMPAS Governors and producers of the 97th Academy Awards,
I am the president of The Society of Composers & Lyricists (SCL), the premier organization for professional songwriters and composers working in film and other visual media. All the Oscar-nominated songwriters this year, as in most years, are members of the SCL. Our members, who number over 4,000 in more than 80 countries worldwide, including the majority of the Motion Picture Academy Music Branch, are disappointed over the decision to eliminate the Oscar-nominated song performances at the 97th Academy Awards. Songwriters and composers face many challenges in the current climate, including everything from diminished royalty payments by streaming services to the theft of their intellectual property to enrich 'big tech' in the guise of training for AI. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and an award like the Oscar, has always served to amplify and honor the work of talented craftspeople, but this decision to exclude the song performances presents as just another example of the devaluation of music, and its creators. What should be an opportunity to elevate our craft, by an Academy tasked to represent the importance of music to a motion picture's storytelling, will be lost. A performance shares the creation of a songwriter's original work. To eliminate the nominee performances is to silence songwriters.
We understand there are reasons behind this decision, but it is my understanding that there was no discussion with the Music Branch. The songs and performances this year would represent a diverse range of artists, including past Oscar winners H.E.R. and Elton John along with Brandi Carlile, Clément Ducol & Camille, Adrian Quesada & Abraham Alexander, as well as 16-time Oscar-nominee Diane Warren. The promotion of these song performances will undoubtedly draw a larger viewing audience. But most importantly, in a time when Los Angeles, the home of filmmaking, has lost entire communities and with so many people affected, music has the power to inspire and heal – a message reflected in the Oscar-nominated songs…
'The Journey' from All the times you could've give in and you'd given up Times you didn't know if you were strong enough Still you got through It's the journey It's the getting there to where you're going to Going through hell but still you're gonna make it through..
'Never Too Late' from Well, it's never too late For a wide-open slate A kiss from a stranger A thousand first dates You're an iron man baby To hell with Heaven's Gate It's not a moment too soon If it's never too Never too late
'Fly Like a Bird' from I pray These broken bones will heal Only if walls could talk To tell you the pain I feel That day I'll paint a thousand skies Weight of the world aside Just leave it all behind
'Mi Camino' [English lyrics] from I want to love myself Love, yes, my life Love, yes, what I feel I want to love myself Love myself fully Love myself just as I am
With the quality of the talent assembled to produce The Oscars®, there must be a way to accommodate even abbreviated renditions of the nominated songs during the show. I respectfully urge you to reconsider your decision and let the songs provide the hope and inspiration to the audience that they do in their respective films.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Ashley Irwin President of the Society of Composer & Lyricists
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