Academy going ahead with Oscar plans

BEVERLY HILLS , Calif., Jan. 11 (UPI) -- Despite the cancellation of the Golden Globes gala due to the Writers Guild of America strike, plans are still being made for the Academy Awards ceremony.

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association scrapped its traditional event and said it would announce the winners of its Golden Globe awards at a press conference Sunday because the Screen Actors Guild said it would not cross a WGA picket line to get inside the event.

Although it is likely the WGA will picket the Academy Awards, as well, arrangements are still being made for the Hollywood film industry's biggest night of the year.

Oscar telecast producer Gil Cates said Oscar-winning composer Bill Conti has been named musical director and Roy Christopher hired as production designer for the 80th Academy Awards show.

Master chef Wolfgang Puck has also been selected to create the menu for the Governors Ball, the celebration immediately following the Oscars presentation.