The 2014 Oscars is just outside of one week away and in preparation for it, you’ve probably seen this cool commercial featuring Ellen Degeneres, the host of the 86th Academy Awards, and 250 tuxedo-clad men and women dancing along Hennessy Street, on the backlot of Warner Bros, and to “The Walker” by indie pop band Fitz and The Tantrums:
That cool spot is the focus of The Academy Awards “Here We Go!” campaign for 2014, and it’s the coolest and most ambitious effort The Academy of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences has put together to date.
“I had the best time making this,” said DeGeneres. “I love Paul, I love tWitch, I love Fitz and I like most of the Tantrums.”
Paul Feig, a new Academy member, conceived and directed the trailer, which was choreographed by dancers Stephen “tWitch” Boss and Allison Holker. Feig’s directorial credits include Bridesmaids, The Heat and the upcoming comedy Susan Cooper, starring Melissa McCarthy.
“To work with Ellen, tWitch Boss, Allison Holker and 250 amazing dancers to the music of Fitz and The Tantrums to promote the Oscars for the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences was an absolute dream come true,” said Feig. “Just typing that sentence made me giddy and exhausted. I’m going to lie down now.”
Here’s Ellen and Paul talking about the making of The Oscars Trailer:
And here’s a really cool (yeah, I say that alot, but it’s true here) video on the making of the trailer itself:
Fitz and The Tantrums’ “The Walker” is the new single from their critically acclaimed second full length release, “More Than Just a Dream,” on Atlantic/Elektra Records. The band’s first single, “Out of My League,” went #1 on Billboard’s Alternative Song Chart.
Academy Awards® for outstanding film achievements of 2013 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® and televised live on the ABC Television Network. The presentation, produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, will also be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.