No one could answer my question (Oscars secrecy)

[nile455]

I was wondering in another thread, if supposedly only a couple people know the results of the Oscars before the envelope is opened, how is it that the entire 70 piece orchestra is able to start the theme music for each winner within a half second of the announcement?

 

[RNMOM]

I believe they have all the music in front of them and have rehearsed it for all the possibilities. They always do a great job of it, don't they?

Personally, I don't get all the fuss.

 

[deekaypee]

Check out this article from The Seattle Times: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/artsentertainment/2003586024_oscarfaq25.html

The brief answer is:

Q: On Oscar night, does anyone know the winners in advance?

A: Only Brad Oltmanns and Rick Rosas know the winners before tonight's ceremony, and neither will return my calls, even when offered drinks with a glamorous Academy expert.

Q: Who are Brad and Rick?

A: They are partners in PricewaterhouseCoopers, the accounting firm that has counted Oscar ballots for 73 years. Both lead a team that tallies the ballots from a secret location. On Oscar night, Brad and Rick dress nicely and stand backstage with their briefcases full of envelopes, which are handed to awards presenters immediately before they walk on stage.

Q: Wow, so it's, like, totally undercover.

A: Yes. In fact, the lovely people at PricewaterhouseCoopers tell me that Brad and Rick each carry a complete set of envelopes, and that they travel to the Oscars by separate, secret routes.

Q: In case of an ambush or something?

A: Yes. And they've memorized the winners, just in case a nervous presenter reads the wrong name.

 

[nile455]

Check out this article from The Seattle Times: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/artsentertainment/2003586024_oscarfaq25.html

The brief answer is:

I don't buy it. I don't see a conductor getting 70 instrumentalists to turn to the right song, AND count off to begin in unison in a half second.

 

[va32h]

Maybe they record the themes ahead of time, and simply mime playing their instruments while the correct recording plays?

Although I don't see anything suspicious about well trained musicians being able to play by sight at the drop of a hat.

When I was in my high school marching band, we had to watch the football games so we could play music appropriate to the events of the game. We could start up a rousing chorus of the fight song the second a touchdown was declared, and we weren't nearly as experienced or talented as the Oscars orchestra, I'm sure.

Plus, I don't think they "turn to" the right music. I think all five possible scores are right in front of them at the same time. I remember reading that somewhere. It's just a little snippet, after all.

 

[MrsKreamer]

It is possible they memorize the scores.

 

[Mermaid02]

It is possible they memorize the scores.

I think this is the answer.

 

[golfgal]

I think the most likely scenario is that they have one sheet of music with just a few lines of each theme so they can start playing quickly. They don't play much of each theme so they don't have the entire score to play. I don't see this as an issue for professional musicians.

 

[gina2000]

Conspiracy theory.