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Oscars’ Epic Best Picture Fail Shows Why Typography Is So Important
The Oscars of 2017 went down in history not only because of a single movie (‘La La Land’) receiving the record amount of nominations but also because the same movie was falsely awarded the Best Movie award when the actual winner was ‘Moonlight’.
There was a lot of speculation about what went wrong during the announcement but now it’s clear that there was a mix-up of envelopes. And instead of the best picture, the presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway received an envelope with the best actress category winner Emma Stone from ‘La La Land.’
Now to make things even worse, the announcers had little-to-no indication that they received the wrong envelope because of the lousy typography used on the card. Even though it said Emma Stone on top, it clearly said ‘La La Land’ below, with only the small indication at the very bottom that it’s the best actress award.
Take a look at how Benjamin Bannister has explained step-by-step, how bad typography has allowed this to escalate into one of the most embarrassing moments in Oscars history. (h/t: demilked)
RELATED:
Original shot of ‘La La Land’ director Kenneth Lonergan holding the Best Picture card
Image source: abc
‘Based on that card design, I’ve reconstructed the card Warren and Faye would’ve seen, the one they received’
‘That’s horrible typography. I will emphasize horrible again. Horrible. Or to be nicer, not good. Look at it again. Of course, anyone could’ve made the same honest error.’
‘Now, let’s imagine an alternate timeline where the presenters were given this modified version of the wrong card, using the same elements of the original card’
‘It may not seem like much to a regular person, but changing the sizing, positioning, and weight of the text makes a big difference. A big enough difference that this embarrassing mistake could’ve been prevented.’
Now compare these two side-by-side to see what difference a good typography can make
So here’s a suggestion for the next year:
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What do you think ?
Branden Hart 8 years ago
Its pretty obvious - The Award brand is more important than the award. Corporate Ego vs Practicality
Matthieu Lombard 8 years ago
Just in case, La La Land director is not Kenneth Lonnergan, but Damien Chazelle... and he was not holding the card, La La Land producer was... Typography is important, indeed :-)
jacluckycat 8 years ago
All this stuff going on in the world and the oscars mixup is at the top of every newsfeed
Unwelcomed Guest 8 years ago
This is Randall Blowhard, Head Honcho and President of the Oscars.....You're Hired
Bansy Pozo 8 years ago
Perdonad, pero no pueden tener los textos tan GRANDES porque se podría ver desde TV o desde lejos.
Master Markus 8 years ago
I don't understand how you could get these things mixed up regardless because of the cards. It sounds like it was the ENVELOPE that was confusing, so THAT is the thing that needs changing.
Cassie 8 years ago
It was the envelopes that initially were mixed up, but if the typography on the card had been more obvious, the reader would have known he had the wrong card rather than announce the wrong winner. I think both the envelope and the card could probably use improvement.
Load More Replies... 
benjamin bannister 8 years ago
Link to the original story: https://medium.freecodecamp.com/why-typography-matters-especially-at-the-oscars-f7b00e202f22
Martin Fraga 8 years ago
Kenneth Lonergan is not the director of La La Land... he's the director of Manchester by the Sea... I'm confused by the first picture that says: "Original shot of ‘La La Land’ director Kenneth Lonergan holding the Best Picture card"
Martin Fraga 8 years ago
And I believe that the shot is of Jordan Horowitz, one of the producers of La La Land, not by the director Damien Chazelle (the real director of the film, not Kenneth Lonergan as stated in the first picture of the article)
Load More Replies...
Cassie 8 years ago
The title refers to the event at the Oscars in which the Best Actress envelope was given in place of the Best Picture envelope, resulting in a very embarrassing event that is being referred to as the "Oscars' Epic Best Picture Fail". If the typography was better on the card, the reader would have realized he had the wrong card instead of announcing the wrong winner.
Load More Replies...
John Ashley 8 years ago
This isn't a typography issue, it's a layout issue (and I'll admit should be changed), but even with that... all the appropriate info is there. It's obvious Beatty was aware there might be a problem, but he should have said something. Not to blame Beatty or Dunaway, but I think the real issue here (beyond the backstage screw up that led to Beatty getting the wrong envelope) is one of comprehension.
Sasy 8 years ago
I do not understand why a mistake on a card is the focus, the people should know what CATEGORY they are giving the award for. I did not see it, but if you know you are giving a particular Category, and don't they also announce the nominees, when the card does not back up everything else that has transpired do something about it.
Branden Hart 8 years ago
Its pretty obvious - The Award brand is more important than the award. Corporate Ego vs Practicality
Matthieu Lombard 8 years ago
Just in case, La La Land director is not Kenneth Lonnergan, but Damien Chazelle... and he was not holding the card, La La Land producer was... Typography is important, indeed :-)
jacluckycat 8 years ago
All this stuff going on in the world and the oscars mixup is at the top of every newsfeed
Unwelcomed Guest 8 years ago
This is Randall Blowhard, Head Honcho and President of the Oscars.....You're Hired
Bansy Pozo 8 years ago
Perdonad, pero no pueden tener los textos tan GRANDES porque se podría ver desde TV o desde lejos.
Master Markus 8 years ago
I don't understand how you could get these things mixed up regardless because of the cards. It sounds like it was the ENVELOPE that was confusing, so THAT is the thing that needs changing.
Cassie 8 years ago
It was the envelopes that initially were mixed up, but if the typography on the card had been more obvious, the reader would have known he had the wrong card rather than announce the wrong winner. I think both the envelope and the card could probably use improvement.
Load More Replies... benjamin bannister 8 years ago
Link to the original story: https://medium.freecodecamp.com/why-typography-matters-especially-at-the-oscars-f7b00e202f22
Martin Fraga 8 years ago
Kenneth Lonergan is not the director of La La Land... he's the director of Manchester by the Sea... I'm confused by the first picture that says: "Original shot of ‘La La Land’ director Kenneth Lonergan holding the Best Picture card"
Martin Fraga 8 years ago
And I believe that the shot is of Jordan Horowitz, one of the producers of La La Land, not by the director Damien Chazelle (the real director of the film, not Kenneth Lonergan as stated in the first picture of the article)
Load More Replies... Cassie 8 years ago
The title refers to the event at the Oscars in which the Best Actress envelope was given in place of the Best Picture envelope, resulting in a very embarrassing event that is being referred to as the "Oscars' Epic Best Picture Fail". If the typography was better on the card, the reader would have realized he had the wrong card instead of announcing the wrong winner.
Load More Replies... John Ashley 8 years ago
This isn't a typography issue, it's a layout issue (and I'll admit should be changed), but even with that... all the appropriate info is there. It's obvious Beatty was aware there might be a problem, but he should have said something. Not to blame Beatty or Dunaway, but I think the real issue here (beyond the backstage screw up that led to Beatty getting the wrong envelope) is one of comprehension.
Sasy 8 years ago
I do not understand why a mistake on a card is the focus, the people should know what CATEGORY they are giving the award for. I did not see it, but if you know you are giving a particular Category, and don't they also announce the nominees, when the card does not back up everything else that has transpired do something about it.
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