A team will be present to prevent any further incidents like the slapping incident.
Following the controversial moment at the 2022 Academy Awards when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on stage after a joke about his wife’s alopecia, the event’s security procedures have come under closer examination. This was a first-time occurrence of assault on the Oscars stage, and the organizers are taking steps to prevent any reoccurrence.
To avoid similar incidents to the slap incident, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will have a “crisis team” ready for the 2023 Academy Awards scheduled for next month. This team’s responsibility will be to anticipate, intercept, and manage any potential disruptions or violence during the show to stop them from escalating.
Bill Kramer, the Academy’s CEO, stated to Time Magazine, “We’ve simulated various scenarios, so we hope to be equipped for any unforeseen circumstances that we are preparing for, just in case they occur.”
“Due to the events of last year, we have considered numerous possibilities that could unfold at the Oscars. Our crisis plans— including the crisis communication teams and structures in place— enable us to organize swiftly if needed,” added Kramer.
Crisis team in place for Oscars ceremony, after last year’s Will Smith slap https://t.co/LgMlDQzOVe
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) February 23, 2023
“These measures help us coordinate effectively, designate a spokesperson, outline our response. While we hope no incidents occur and we don’t need to utilize them, these frameworks are already in place for potential modifications,” he added.
