The film ‘Hugo’ has proven technically strong at this year’s Academy Award ceremony, winning over other technically visionary films without problems. Tom Fleischman and John Midgley won for their work in Sound Mixing and afterwards, the Oscar press corps had a chat with the two happy first-time winners.

Tom Fleischman: Wow, this is an incredible honor. Thanks to the Academy; thanks to Graham King and Tim Headington for producing “Hugo”; many thanks to my fellow nominees who inspire me and you do inspire me for years; Marty and Thelma, what a joy and privilege it’s been to work with you; and my wife Priscilla for her unending love and support. Everyone back in New York at Soundtrack and C5. Thank you to Dede Allen and Dick Vorisek, you couldn’t be here tonight but I know you are both smiling.

John Midgley: This is such an honor, thank you so much. Thank you to my crew, Mike and Charlotte, and thank you so much to Martin Scorsese. Thank you.

Q. It’s your first win. Just tell us how you’re feeling right now and what it means to you.

A. (Eugine Gearty) We’re feeling pretty darn good, I’d say.  It means a lot to us to be here. Pretty great.

A. (Philip Stockton) Absolute honor.

Q. So, Hugo just won for visual effects as well?

A. (Eugine Gearty) Yes.

Q. So, do you think this reflects, perhaps, the Academy’s embracing of the whole ethos of silent cinema and everything that Hugo kind of represented?

A. (Philip Stockton) In a word, yes. I mean, obviously, a lot of technical skills went into this. I’m actually a little disappointed that there weren’t any actor and actress nominations for this. Obviously it was a technical masterpiece to pull off. Obviously, the tech award to have that recognized makes a lot of sense.

Q. Hi guys, I’m wondering if while you’re making the movie, are you able to look at each other at some point and say, you know, this is really good, I mean, we might win an Oscar for this. Is that something that goes through your mind?

A. (Eugine Gearty) Yes, that definitely has gone through our mind.  When you work for Martin Scorsese, there’s always a chance you’re going to be nominated for an Oscar. So, yes [inaudible].

A. (Philip Stockton) I think we would have been nominated for ‘Shutter Island’ if it came out in the right year.

Q. Scorsese films have a distinct sound to them, especially with soundtracks, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, especially ‘Goodfellas’ and ‘Casino’. Given that legacy, what was the challenge here and did you fight that trend or what how did it work as a sound editor knowing how rich his music is in his prior films?

A. (Eugine Gearty) We actually worked on all of those films, so we I guess we just had to sort of

A. (Philip Stockton) Yeah, it’s actually a really good question. It’s incredibly difficult to work with the situation where Marty is very the most important thing is dialogue, the narration and then the soundtrack, as is music. And rightfully so. When you the films you mentioned have great soundtracks, rock and roll and everything. What was great on this was Howard Shore’s score was such a masterpiece and we were very fortunate to be able to work early on together and it intertwined. Forgive me, but I think there were only two source cues on this film as opposed to the films you mentioned that have a lot more source cues.

After winning the Oscar for Best Cinematography, Robert Richardson also spoke to the waiting Oscar press corps.

Q. You did make a comment on stage about the cinematography award being first. Were you serious? Is that something that’s bothering you or do you have strong feelings about that?

A. No. It’s a fear factor. Yeah, of course. Cinematography. We are behind the lens. We are not in front of the lens. So, it made it a little complex for me to walk up there.

Q. So, what was it like for you DP’ing on Scorsese film that’s every bit as much rendering green screen as it is actually staged?

A. Oh, I don’t know if you are absolutely accurate on that part. There was not as much green screen as there was on the production side. Once you get Dante here, I think that’s conversation you should have with him. He might not take well to that one. It was a great deal of practical. The sets were phenomenal. So, I am not appropriate for that one.

Q. All right. I’m wondering if you can talk about working in 3D. This is not the first 3D film to win, but it’s unusual to get recognized with 3D.

A. You’re right. I think the odds of winning are extraordinarily small. I was the crystal ball didn’t work this way. I know it worked that way for Mark Wahlberg, but for me, I didn’t see it. I don’t know [unintelligible] a Mark Wahlberg piece, but his predictions are near two for three. Uhm, yeah, I know it’s very difficult to choose 3D, and I’m surprised by it as well.  And I think it’s not just 3D. It’s a digital aspect versus a film aspect.

Q. Where do we go now, dramatically, with 3D now that you’ve paved the way?

A. That’s a huge question, but I don’t think there’s any limits for it. 3D is a very solid step.  I believe it’s 15, 20 percent, give an arbitrary percentage. The advantage is a tool towards what filmmakers can use, if used, as just that, as a tool, not as a gimmick. There’s an end. I do believe it will alter that, but, technically, I don’t believe we can go into that here, ’cause I could go on for an hour [inaudible].

Q. This is the last year of Kodak sponsoring the venue for the Oscars. Can you talk about shooting digital versus shooting film?

A. Last night, I was at the Kodak dinner at The Bistro. And, of course, it’s a bit painful. I’m shooting currently on film. Uhm, I’m with Quentin Tarantino for ‘Django Unchained’. I don’t think it’s an issue of film versus digital. I’m hoping that film can survive for as long as possible. I hope Kodak sticks here, but it’s not over yet, virtually, every film, is digitized in one way or another, so we have to think about that. The digital media sweep.

Q. I’m curious with such a prominent group of cinematographers that you were nominated with, how does it feel for you now that you were the one that was called and won the Oscar?

A. I’m elated. I didn’t see this as happening. I have to say, personally, I love the work of Chivo in ‘The Tree of Life’. I, also, think he’s well overdue, but that said, I am extraordinarily happy. I do love that man, so, I would like to see that not too far in the future. Thank you all very much.

Image Courtesy of  Rick Salyer / ©A.M.P.A.S.

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The oscar-nominated ‘Puss in Boots’ chronicles the heroic beginning of the beloved big-eyed feline. When Humpty Dumpty finally finds a way to make their childhood dream of finding the magic beans come true, he needs Puss’ help to execute it. But it’s also going to be a three man (cat, egg, cat) job.

That’s where the character of Kitty Softpaws comes into the story, who’s the greatest thief in all of Old Spain. “Salma Hayek is Kitty Softpaws,” supplies Chris Miller, “and in her performance, she’s beautiful, strong and sensual, but most importantly, she’s funny — Salma’s a really funny actress and she gets to really show that off in this.

Because she brings this working relationship with Antonio to the character [this is their fifth film together], it feels really authentic. You can tell that they are good friends, because they fight really well together, which brings sparks to their onscreen romantic relationship. They’re a great duo.”

“I love Salma’s voice, it’s rich and deep, and it works so well for Kitty,” Joe Aguilar elaborates, “Puss in Boots’ backstory always included having a history with the ladies, so we had to build a character that was worthy of him. And so we created Kitty Softpaws. We immediately thought of Salma Hayek and were very excited that she was willing to come aboard.

We knew that their chemistry would be strong, from their work in live-action films. We knew their voices would work well together, too. Kitty Softpaws is somebody who wasn’t going to be easy for Puss to attain, she had to be strong and interesting. We were trying to paint a picture of a character that wasn’t just a femme fatale.”

Latifa Ouaou observes, “Comedy probably isn’t the first thing you think when you think of Salma Hayek. She’s got a great voice, and while we knew she could be sultry, she’s actually really amazing with comedy. She’s extremely witty and she brought a lot of her own attributes to the character. There’s something really special about a female character who knows what she wants and doesn’t really need anyone else to get it.”

Hayek was thrilled to voice the strong, independent and funny feline: “Everything about this film is fun and exciting. To start with, it’s the first time I’ve worked with animation, and I’ve been wanting to do one for a long time. It could not have come at a better time, because now I get to share this one with my daughter.

I have become an animation expert since she was born…and I say with a lot of pride that even though I think I’ve seen every animated movie that’s ever been done, I think this one’s in the top ten for sure.” There were logistical points that also worked for Hayek: “There was a convenience that I really liked. I could work in my pajamas. And because I travel a lot, I was able to record in about five cities.”

Almost illustrating Ouaou’s point about development and production coinciding, it wasn’t until partway into the recording sessions that a key facet of Kitty’s character came into being. Head of story Persichetti: “When I work, there are all of these things that are bouncing around in my head, like the idea of a cat burglar who’s really a cat.

They’re really quiet. Maybe it’s to overcome an inadequacy? It was a slow gel for her character. It may have been our third or fourth iteration of the early assemblage of the film, but it was like, of course! She doesn’t have any claws! This is the thing that’s she’s overcoming, but now, we can play with it, because it’s this incredible skill that she can basically steal the beans out of Jack’s hand without him even feeling it.

She can steal Puss’ boots without him realizing it. She’s the ultimate pickpocket. So, it just kind of worked out really well. And it adds this interesting layer to her whole sexy Latina character.”

Hayek loved her character and describes her: “She’s a very good verbal fighter, and also a very good physical fighter.  She’s also an amazing thief, one of the best that are out there. And she’s proud of it. I enjoy that she always wins, and that she’s always right. And even though Puss keeps fighting her and continues to try and prove her wrong, he can’t. It’s really a joy to be this kind of a cat.”

So symbiotic is the back-and-forth performance between Banderas and Hayek that Antonio made a request of the filmmakers. “I’ve worked with Salma since the beginning of the ‘90s, and she’s a dear friend. Normally, in animation, we work alone. But this is the only time that I asked for a session with an actor, because with Salma, I know that we have such chemistry, and especially, we fight very well on camera.

We have a kind of rhythm and we can improvise. So I asked them to bring her here with me, and we did a session together. And we got a number of things from it. It was great to work with her again.”

“Antonio is wonderful in this role,” responds Hayek. “He was born to play this cat. We’ve been working together for a long time, and we’ve done many movies together. It’s always a pleasure and a joy. We were lucky to have a recording session together, even though they usually don’t happen – everybody’s so busy and in different places, but we managed to schedule it.

We were both improvising and some of the stuff that we did actually ended up in the film. He is so much this character, and I know him so well by now, that when I was recording without him, I could feel him there like a ghost saying the other lines. I love him in this part, and know exactly what he would say as Puss, even when he is not in the room.”

Image Courtesy of   https://www.facebook.com/Pussinboots

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To ensure public safety, support security strategies and facilitate the production of the 84th Academy Awards, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the City of Los Angeles have finalized street closure plans around the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood.

To accommodate the construction of press risers, fan bleachers and pre-show stages along the Academy Awards red carpet, Hollywood Boulevard will be closed between Highland Avenue and Orange Drive beginning at 10 p.m. on Sunday, February 19, and remain closed until 6 a.m. on Tuesday, February 28.

MTA subway trains will bypass the Hollywood & Highland station after the last regularly scheduled train on Saturday, February 25, until 6 a.m. Monday, February 27. Service at the station will resume with the first scheduled train after 6 a.m.

Between Sunday, February 19, and Oscar Sunday, February 26, additional streets and sidewalks will be closed for varying periods.

Details of the closures and maps of affected areas are available from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, the Sixth and the Thirteenth District City Council field offices, at www.navigatehollywood.com, and on the Academy’s website at www.oscars.org/closures.

In related news, Hollywood icons Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy will present at the 84th Academy Awards, This is the Muppets fifth appearance at the Academy Awards.

They are fresh off their triumphant critical and box office success in Disney’s ‘The Muppets,’ which is Oscar nominated for Best Song, “Man or Muppet.”

Ben Stiller will also be presenting. Stiller will be playing the title character in ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’, which he is also directing, and will be seen next in ‘Neighborhood Watch’. His film credits include ‘Tropic Thunder’, ‘The Royal Tenenbaums’, ‘Zoolander,’ ‘Meet the Parents’, ‘There’s Something about Mary’, ‘Flirting with Disaster’ and ‘Reality Bites’.

Finally, Tina Fey will present as well. Fey came to prominence as a regular on Saturday Night Live and currently stars in, produces and writes for the Emmy-winning comedy series 30 Rock.  Her film credits include ‘Date Night,’ ‘Baby Mama’ and ‘Mean Girls’. Fey recently became a best-selling author, with her memoir Bossypants having sold over one million copies.

Fey joins a stellar list of previously announced Oscar presenters, including Halle Berry, Rose Byrne, Bradley Cooper, Tom Cruise, Penélope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, Tom Hanks, Angelina Jolie, Milla Jovovich, Ellie Kemper, Jennifer Lopez, Melissa McCarthy, Wendy McLendon-Covey, Chris Rock, Maya Rudolph, Emma Stone and Kristen Wiig.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.

Image Courtesy of   Vinicius Tupinamba / Shutterstock.com

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Eighteen of the 20 nominees in the acting categories were be among more than 150 Oscar nominees who gathered at noon on Monday, February 6, at the Beverly Hilton when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences honored this year’s Oscar contenders at its annual Nominees Luncheon.

From the Best Actress and Actor categories all the nominees – Glenn Close, Viola Davis, Rooney Mara, Meryl Streep, Michelle Williams, Demián Bichir, George Clooney, Jean Dujardin, Gary Oldman and Brad Pitt – were expected to attend. Kenneth Branagh, Jonah Hill, Nick Nolte, Max von Sydow, Bérénice Bejo, Melissa McCarthy, Janet McTeer and Octavia Spencer were to represent the Supporting Actor and Actress categories.

Three of the five nominees in the Directing category – Michel Hazanavicius, Alexander Payne and Martin Scorsese – were also expected to attend. During the week leading up to the 84th Academy Awards ceremony, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will present five public events celebrating this year’s nominees.

Oscar Week events will feature screenings, film clips and discussions with filmmakers and artists whose work has garnered nominations in the Animated Feature Film, Documentary, Foreign Language Film, Makeup and Short Film categories. All events will take place at the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills.

Oscar Week schedule

Tuesday, February 21, 7:30 p.m.
Shorts! The 2011 Animated and Live Action Short Film Nominees
Hosted by director, writer and animator Brad Bird who is a two-time Oscar winner in the Animated Feature Film category, for ‘The Incredibles’ (2004) and ‘Ratatouille’ (2007).

Shorts! features screenings of all of the 2011 Oscar-nominated films in the Animated and Live Action Short Film categories, plus an onstage discussion with the filmmakers (schedules permitting).

Wednesday, February 22, 7:30 p.m.
Docs! The 2011 Documentary Short Subject and Documentary Feature Nominees
Hosted by Michael Moore, Documentary Branch governor and 2002 Oscar winner for ‘Bowling for Columbine.’ He was also nominated in 2007 for “Sicko.”

Docs! will include film clips from each of the nominated documentary features and short subjects, and panel discussions with the nominees (schedules permitting).

Thursday, February 23, 7:30 p.m.  
Animated Feature Symposium
Hosted by actor Patton Oswalt, who voiced Remy in ‘Ratatouille’ (2007) and co-starred in ‘Young Adult’ (2011).

The Animated Feature Symposium celebrates the nominated achievements in the Animated Feature Film category. The nominees (schedules permitting) will discuss their creative processes and the development of their films, and present clips illustrating their techniques.

Saturday, February 25, 10 a.m.
Foreign Language Film Award Nominees Symposium
Hosted by Mark Johnson, Oscar-winning producer (‘Rain Man,’ 1988) and Foreign Language Film Award Committee chair.

The Foreign Language Film Award Nominees Symposium brings together the directors of the motion pictures nominated in the Foreign Language Film category to discuss their work as well as related topics such as art, politics and the challenges of their profession (schedules permitting).

Saturday, February 25, 2:30 p.m.
Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Symposium
Hosted by Leonard Engelman, Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch governor.

Oscar Week’s culminating public event celebrates the nominated achievements in the Makeup category with film clips, photographs, models and onstage discussions with the nominees (schedules permitting).

You can get tickets online at www.oscars.org and by mail. Tickets to Shorts!, Docs! and the Animated Feature Symposium are $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with a valid ID. Tickets to the Saturday events – the Foreign Language Film Award Nominees Symposium and the Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Symposium – are free. Doors open one hour prior to the event. All seating is unreserved.

Image Courtesy of Featureflash / Shutterstock.com

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Nine films will advance to the next round of voting in the Foreign Language Film category for the 84th Academy Awards. Sixty-three films had originally qualified in the category.

The films, listed in alphabetical order by country, are:

• Belgium, “Bullhead,” Michael R. Roskam, director;
• Canada, “Monsieur Lazhar,” Philippe Falardeau, director;
• Denmark, “Superclásico,” Ole Christian Madsen, director;
• Germany, “Pina,” Wim Wenders, director;
• Iran, “A Separation,” Asghar Farhadi, director;
• Israel, “Footnote,” Joseph Cedar, director;
• Morocco, “Omar Killed Me,” Roschdy Zem, director;
• Poland, “In Darkness,” Agnieszka Holland, director;
• Taiwan, “Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale,” Wei Te-sheng, director.

Foreign Language Film nominations for 2011 are again being determined in two phases.

The Phase I committee, consisting of several hundred Los Angeles-based members, screened the 63 eligible films between mid-October and January 13. The group’s top six choices, augmented by three additional selections voted by the Academy’s Foreign Language Film Award Executive Committee, constitute the shortlist.

The shortlist will be winnowed down to the five nominees by specially invited committees in New York and Los Angeles. They will spend Friday, January 20, through Sunday, January 22, viewing three films each day and then casting their ballots.

The 84th Academy Awards nominations will be announced live on Tuesday, January 24, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.

aspen rock / Shutterstock.com

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Oscar.com, the official online home of the 84th Academy Awards, is launching its award-winning Oscar Digital Experience today with a first look at Billy Crystal’s return to Oscar’s stage. One of America’s most beloved funny men, Billy starts the official countdown to the show talking about what the Oscars mean to him and setting the stage for weeks of extensive coverage on Oscar.com.

The site kicks off with an interactive timeline and Oscar’s official Blog, which will feature daily content including red carpet fashion trends from stylists and tips from master chefs and lifestyle experts on hosting the best Oscar viewing party. Oscar Buzz, the site’s social media page, will track real-time comments from fans using #Oscars and #OscarBuzz.

On Oscar Sunday, February 26, Oscar.com will have live cameras strategically placed everywhere from the red carpet to backstage, and even the Governors Ball, providing the ultimate insiders view before, during and after the show. The cameras will broadcast online, as well as on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.

“Last year our team set the bar high in terms of interactive second screen experiences,” said Karin Gilford, senior vice president Digital Media, ABC.com. ”This year we are taking the best of what we learned and are building on it. Beginning today we’ll take visitors on an unparalleled journey all the way through Oscar Sunday.”

“Oscar.com is for the movie fan in all of us,” said Christina Kounelias, chief marketing officer, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. ”The site not only allows us to share the latest Oscar news, but also connects fans everywhere with 84 years of unforgettable Academy moments.”

Straight from the Academy’s photo and video archives, Oscar.com presents “Oscar History,” an interactive timeline that includes:

• Sidney Poitier becomes the first African-American to win the Oscar for Best Actor for Lilies Of The Field.
• Elizabeth Taylor with her Oscar for Best Actress in Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?
• Muhammad Ali surprises Sylvester Stallone with an onstage sparring session the night Rocky wins Best Picture.
• Tom Hanks takes home the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Philadelphia.
• Matt Damon and Ben Affleck charm audiences the night they win the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay forGood Will Hunting.
• Hobbits, Hobbits Everywhere. Peter Jackson is accompanied on stage by cast and crew members of The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King when he accepts the Academy Award for Best Picture.

On Nominations morning, January 24, Oscar.com welcomes back Internet personality Shira Lazar who will kick off the first video installment of “Oscar Buzz” by covering reactions from the social media world. “My Oscar Picks” will also go live. This interactive play-along game offers fans a chance to test their Oscar prediction skills. On Oscar Sunday, users will have the opportunity to play along during the telecast and predict category winners ahead of the opening of the envelopes.

On January 29, “Oscar Buzz” kicks off “Oscar Talks,” a four-part video series focusing on the Actor, Actress, Directing and Best Pictures categories.

Entertainment Weekly’s Dave Karger returns on February 1 to Oscar.com with “Nominated…with Dave Karger.” The 10-episode series will provide the ultimate film buff’s analysis of the Best Picture race.

It’s all glamour and glitz beginning February 11. “Best Dressed” launches with Rachel Smith, host of On The Red Carpet, doing interviews with stylists, makeup artists and hair stylists, as well as covering live events, and of course, offering post show analysis of Oscar Night fashion.

The 84th Academy Awards will be presented on Sunday, February 26, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood and Highland Center, and televised live by the ABC Television Network.

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Bacardi Limited, the world’s largest privately-owned spirits company, declared recently that 2012 will be its most innovative year since the creation of BACARDI rum in 1862.

Throughout the year, Bacardi will host one-of-a-kind birthday parties, launch special promotions featuring 100 years of ground-breaking advertising, introduce a  $2,000 limited-edition decanter of rare BACARDI rum, offer travel retail exclusives and commemorative gifts, and much more for consumers to come together and share in the excitement.

“The passion and entrepreneurial spirit shown by my great-great grandfather in  Santiago de Cuba a century and a half ago gave birth to exceptional rum that would change the spirits industry forever,” said Facundo L. Bacardi, Bacardi Limited Chairman and fifth-generation Bacardi family member.

“These qualities remain key to our phenomenal success and position today as the world’s favorite and most awarded rum brand, with more than 400 awards to date.” Bacardi was founded in Santiago de Cuba on February 4, 1862, when Don Facundo Bacardi Massopurchased a small distillery.

After years of experimenting, Bacardi revolutionized the spirits industry by adding steps never before used in rum-making. He selected high quality blackstrap sugarcane molasses, isolated a special strain of yeast (still used today), filtered, mellowed his rums in American white oak barrels, and then blended them to create the perfect taste.

The smooth, light-bodied spirit he created, as opposed to the harsh “fire water” of the time, was BACARDI – the world’s first premium rum and the first mixable rum – helping usher in a cocktail culture that thrives today. The artful Maestros de Ron (Master Blenders) continue to follow the same exacting standards set forth by Don Facundo. “For the past 150 years, Bacardi—as a family, Company and brand—has brought people together through legendary parties and great-tasting cocktails.

Visit any bar, club or restaurant almost anywhere in the world, and the impact Bacardi has made on the spirits industry is crystal-clear,” said Seamus McBride, Bacardi Limited President and Chief Executive Officer.

“It’s incredible to see how a one-brand company founded 150 years ago has grown into the third-largest spirits company in the world with an enviable portfolio of iconic spirits including GREY GOOSE vodka, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin, DEWAR’S Blended Scotch whisky, MARTINI vermouth, ERISTOFF vodka and CAZADORES 100% blue agave tequila.”

Parties, Parties, Parties! BACARDI 150th birthday parties around the world will feature award-winning musical talent, top celebrities and other movers and shakers who, alongside consumers, will wish BACARDI happy birthday. Germany hosts the first BACARDI 150th party on  January 28, followed by Canada starting February 1, and the United States, Europe,  Latin America, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East  starting February 4.

On February 4, Rolling Stone magazine will honor BACARDI in Indianapolis the day before “the big game,” the most anticipated American football game in the U.S., with a “super” birthday party. In addition, Bacardi is thrilled to be partnering with celebrities and trendsetters in cities around the world who will throw their own events to wish BACARDI rum happy birthday.

Guests will celebrate with legendary BACARDI rum cocktails, some created more than 100 years ago, that continue to be among the most popular cocktails in the world – including the Original BACARDI Cuba Libre, the world’s favorite cocktail with more than six million enjoyed every day; the Original BACARDI Daiquiri; the Authentic BACARDI Mojito; and the BACARDI Pina Colada. Since its creation, BACARDI rum has been enjoyed in more than 365 billion cocktails.

That means every second of every day more than 200 BACARDI cocktails are being served and enjoyed around the world! Consumer Promotions By visiting the BACARDI Facebook page, with more than two million fans, consumers of legal drinking age in select markets can vie for BACARDI 150th birthday party tickets and BACARDI party kits filled with all ingredients to host their own unforgettable gathering.

In select markets, consumers will also be able to win or purchase commemorative BACARDI glassware, specialty packs and apparel featuring vintage brand advertisements and/or designs by artists of Cuban heritage. Limited-Edition Product To honor 150 years of Bacardi rum-making expertise and craftsmanship, eight Maestros de Ron, all Bacardi family members, have combined their extraordinary talents to create a very special, limited-edition BACARDI rum — Ron BACARDI de Maestros de Ron, Vintage, MMXII.

A blend of the finest rums laid to rest in oak barrels over the last 20 years and finished in 60-year old Cognac barrels, the vintage blend is presented in a hand-blown 500ml crystal decanter housed in a leather case and retails for US$2,000. Truly limited, only 400 decanters are available for purchase at select international airports and premium retail establishments around the world. Additional Bacardi 150th activities include:

• Airport Displays: At San Juan, Puerto Rico’s Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, a unique display of ten-foot-tall 3-D BACARDI bats will take up residence in February. Puerto Rico is home to the largest BACARDI rum distillery. BACARDI 150th exhibitions will also be featured at Miami International Airport and other select international airports.
• Birthday Cruise: Celebrity Cruises will mark the occasion with a February 4 party aboard the Celebrity Summit as it departs from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
• Global Cocktail Competition: BACARDI will shake things up this year with a special edition of its Legacy Cocktail Competition, drawing mixologists from more than 25 countries to the finals in Puerto Rico on February 20.
• Corporate Responsibility: In the proud and long-standing Bacardi tradition of giving back, nearly 6,000 employees will engage for an entire month in corporate responsibility and philanthropic activities.  Bacardi also looks to the future with a sustainability initiative that raises the standard for the production and sale of premium spirits.
• National Geographic Channel’s “Ultimate Factories”: On February 11 at 8pm ET, “Ultimate Factories” will take U.S. viewers to the home of BACARDI rum in Puerto Rico to show how family tradition and technology meet. The program is slated to air internationally in the “Megafactories” series beginning in March, so be sure to check local television listings for times.
• Canada – Mar. 17
• Italy – Mar. 18
• Australia & New Zealand – Mar. 27
• UK & Latin America – Mar. 29
• Southeast Asia – Apr. 5
• Spain & Portugal – May 28
• Hungary, Norway, Sweden, Finland & Benelux – May 31
• Turkey – June 1
• Russia, Baltics, France, Romania & Greece – June 5
• Germany – June 21

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After many decades of using the paper ballot, its time to modernize. It seems that the Oscars have decided to join the rest of today’s technology by using an electronic ballot system. This is going to be a great thing for the Oscars to make their voting system much more efficient and speedier, but is still causing a few issues.

It appears that if they do in fact switch over to the electronic system, it “could result in a wholesale foreshortening of the entire US awards season, which traditionally extends from the Golden Globes in early January to the Academy Awards in late February or early March,” claimed BBC News. This could be a problem for the over all season because it would make the events farther apart, and less of a season, but rather more of completely separate events. However, the change fortunately will have to wait another year.

This years ceremony has already happened, and “next year’s Oscars ceremony has been confirmed for 26 February, so any significant date change would not happen until 2013 at the earliest.” This means that we will just have to wait and see what kind of changes will occur. Of course, in the mean time I’m sure that there will be further press releases and information available before a change is decided on. This does not mean that the Oscar’s voting members will change either.

The current system plans for all 6,000 members to have their nomination ballots send to them on December 27th so that they will have enough time to make their decisions and be able to make their final votes as of February 1st. If the electronic system does go into effect in 2013, the voting system should bring the awards ceremony up by a whole month. This is great considering the scale at which the ballots need to be sent out. The voting members are located in several countries all over the world. This new electronic way of voting is going to make the voting system much more proficient than it is right now.

With “nearly 250 UK-based voting members missing the deadline after their ballot papers were lost in the post” in 2004, it makes sense to come up with a new system that will reduce the risk of incidents like that from happening. Also since there is only about a three week span between receiving their final ballots and their deadline, it makes sense to have a system that encourages a speedy process.

The only news from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), is that they have asked for voting members to provide a personal email to ensure a direct delivery of the ballots with no third parties that may alter the vote, or simple loose it. This is an exciting time for the Oscars, that could cause a few bumps along the way as they figure out a good system to keep things as close to the other awards as possible, but one that is for the better.

Stacie Stauff Smith Photography / Shutterstock.com

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