Source: The Hollywood Reporter
AMPAS Bake-Off Boils Down F/X Film Nominations
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences visual effects branch ""bake-off"" - the process by which the three best effects OscarÆ contenders are selected - went off without a hitch Wednesday, February 9, 2000. Judging by the voting audience's reception to the seven films in contention there will be no surprises when the nominations are officially announced Tuesday. An informal survey of voters after the event indicated strong leanings toward ""Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace,"" ""Stuart Little"" and ""The Matrix."" Also in contention are ""Wild Wild West,"" ""Sleepy Hollow,"" ""The World Is Not Enough"" and ""The Mummy."" Each film was represented by a 15-minute clip, a three-minute oral presentation and a five-minute question and answer period before a full house of 1,000 at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater. The seven films were selected by a committee of 45 - consisting mainly of the executive committee of the visual effects branch of AMPAS, with 198 voting members casting ballots Wednesday night. The nominees will be announced next Tuesday, February 15, with the rest of the Oscar contenders.