EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State University alumnus Bill Mechanic has been tapped to coproduce the 82nd Academy Awards.
Mechanic, the chairman and CEO of California-based Pandemonium Films, earned a bachelor's degree in English from the College of Arts and Letters in 1973.
His most recent production credit is the animated thriller "Coraline," which made its debut in February. Mechanic is the former chairperson and CEO of 20th Century Fox, which under his supervision released award-winning movies such as "Titanic," "Braveheart" and "Cast Away."
Director Adam Shankman, whose directorial credits include "Bedtime Stories" and "Hairspray," will produce the awards with Mechanic. It is the first Oscar involvement for both.
"I couldn't be happier to have this talented team on board," said Tom Sherak, president of Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, in a press release. "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."
Mechanic said he and Shankman will make a good team.
"I'm thrilled to be producing the Oscars with Adam," Mechanic said in a press release. "I think Adam has the perfect background and spirit to make the show both unique and fun to watch. Together we will build upon the best traditions from the great shows of the past while helping pave the way to the future."
To listen to a podcast with Mechanic, visit http://spartanpodcast.com/?p=488. For more information on the Academy Awards, visit www.oscars.org.
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