The Virtual Union

Hollywood, CA – The Academy Awards have always been an industry award. The very first broadcasts were in fact financed by the major studios as a way to honour their own work as well and splash some glitz and glamour amongst the masses. As the awards have evolved that connection to the studios has also changed and as the power of the studios declined so too has their dominance over who receives the award. With the rise of the independent film in the 1990’s the Oscar’s changed forever with the wealth being spread amongst virtually all classes of films. Scrape TV

Hollywood, CA – When the first set of Academy Awards was handed out over eighty years ago it’s likely the producers had little idea what an institution they were starting. Now one of the most respected and acclaimed awards in any discipline the Oscars has become the gold standard for film awards and one of the most viewed and lauded of entertainment broadcasts in the world. Like all great institutions the Oscars have not been without their troubles. From streakers to protests the Academy Awards have been faced with all type of obstacles, though none have been as burdensome as the running time of the show. Scrape TV

Austin, TX – People are cutting back everywhere. From clipping coupons to turning down the thermostat Americans are learning to adapt the ever worsening economy. While most industries have been affected one way or the other by the downturn, there are a few that have continued to keep a steady pace and remain vital through the hard times. Chief among those is the death industry, but if Texas officials have their way even that once invincible business is going to start to feel the effects of the squeeze. Scrape TV

Hollywood, CA – With the momentum of a billion dollar box office take it seemed inevitable that Heath Ledger would be awarded the Academy Award for best supporting actor. The bravura performance by the young actor, as well as the enormous box office take of ‘The Dark Knight’, would have ensured Ledger’s place as a major box office star. Would have, had Ledger had shown up to accept the award. Scrape TV

Hollywood, CA – Mumbai is known as the Hollywood of India but aside from it being the centre of the movie making industry for its country, there is very little in common between the two cities. The juxtaposition of extreme wealth and glamour to the makeshift homes that make up the slums of Mumbai couldn’t be more stark. Now, because of a little movie that could, Mumbai and Hollywood will collide as they never have before, offering the super wealthy Academy an opportunity to award the feel good movie of the year, and gain a little free labour out of the deal. Scrape TV