Producers Named for Upcoming Oscars

LOS ANGELES: Former Fox Filmed Entertainment chief Bill Mechanic and Hairspray director Adam Shankman have signed on to produce the 82nd Academy Awards, airing March 7, 2010, on ABC.

Mechanic, previously chairman and CEO of Fox Filmed Entertainment, is the chairman and CEO of Pandemonium Films. His producer credits include this year’s animated feature Coraline and the thriller Dark Water. Shankman’s directorial credits include Bedtime Stories (2008), Hairspray (2007), A Walk to Remember (2002) and The Wedding Planner. His upcoming projects include Rock of Ages, Sinbad and Bye Bye Birdie, among others. 

Tom Sherak, the president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, noted: “I couldn’t be happier to have this talented team on board. I’ve known Bill for many years, so it’s like putting Oscar in the care of a dear friend. Bill has a tremendous love and respect of film and will draw from his vast experience as a producer, a studio executive and a film historian to help make this year’s Oscar telecast a memorable one. And Adam’s experience in producing, directing and especially choreography will be a huge asset to the production.”