Producers of the 85th Academy Awards telecast, Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced that Don Mischer will once again direct the telecast. This marks the continuation of Don Mischer Productions’ relationship with the Academy, which includes producing the Oscars red carpet pre-show and producing the annual Governors Awards.
“For a very long time, we had always hoped to work with Don Mischer,” said Zadan. “His talent and reputation are unsurpassed and we’re so happy he will be our collaborator on the 85th Academy Awards.”
“I am so very excited to be directing the Academy Awards again this year and to be working with creative producers like Craig and Neil,” said Mischer. “All of us at Don Mischer Productions are also thrilled to be producing the Oscar pre-show, and most significantly to continue a wonderfully gratifying relationship with the Academy.”
This will be Mischer’s third consecutive year as director of the Oscars. He has served as producer as well as director on the 83rd and 84th Academy Awards and was nominated for Emmys for directing both shows. Last year’s Oscars received eight Emmy nominations, the most for any TV special.
Mischer Productions’ Charlie Haykel and Juliane Hare will again produce the Oscar pre-show. The company also returns for the fourth consecutive year to produce the upcoming Governors Awards, alongside Academy governor Cheryl Boone Isaacs.
Mischer’s other credits include We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial, The Kennedy Center Honors, several Super Bowl halftime shows and the opening ceremonies of both Winter and Summer Olympic Games. He has also produced television specials with a wide range of musical performers, including Bruce Springsteen, Beyoncé, Bono, Barbra Streisand, Justin Timberlake and Yo-Yo Ma. Among the many honors Mischer has earned are 15 Emmy Awards, 10 Directors Guild of America awards, two NAACP Image awards, a Peabody award and the Producers Guild’s 2012 Norman Lear Achievement award in television.
Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2012 will be presented Feb. 24 at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center, and televised live on the ABC Television Network.