Here's a good idea: when campaigning for the Academy Awards, don't insult the other film. After all, the awards are based on merit, right?
Well, they're based on politics, really, but that doesn't mean that you can't go too far with the campaign trail. Take, for instance, The Hurt Locker producer Nicholas Chartier, who sent out some emails that have attracted some controversy around the film and it's Oscar race for Best Picture. Here's a clip from the email that he sent out (thanks to USA Today for posting):
... if everyone tells one or two of their friends, we will win and not a $500M film, we need independent movies to win like the movies you and I do, so if you believe The Hurt Locker is the best movie of 2010, help us! ...
While the email is quite tame and doesn't deliberately insult the quality of Avatar (which is what it was obviously directed at), it is a violation of the rules, the Academy has confirmed. While the punishment, if there is one, has yet to be doled out (it will be given after voting has closed on Tuesday), it's likely that it will only be a slap on the wrist, perhaps a downsizing of the amount of tickets to the ceremony given out to the film cast and crew.
The Hurt Locker, directed by Katherine Bigelow, tells the story of an American bomb defuser, and is considered to be one of the front runners for the Best Picture award, along with Avatar and Up in the Air.
