The director of last year's infamous Oscars telecast looks back on the wild 'La La Land'-'Moonlight' mix-up that ended up winning him an Emmy
Courtesy of AMPAS
Working on the Emmy Awards, Tony Awards, American Music Awards, BET Awards, the Super Bowl Halftime Show, and New Year's Rockin' Eve, Weiss thought he'd seen it all over a 30-year career.
But then came last year's Academy Awards.
It was the second time he'd directed the epic show and everything was running smoothly until the final award of the night: best picture.
You know the rest.
Presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway were given the wrong envelope, incorrectly said that "La La Land" won, the cast and crew come on stage, and that lead to one of the most incredible live moments in TV history. "La La Land" producer, Jordan Horowitz, realizing that his movie did not win, held up the card revealing the real best picture winner was "Moonlight."
A year later, Weiss is preparing to direct another Oscars telecast (airing Sunday), but he still can't shake those infamous few minutes of live television.
"I had no idea that one shot of a card that says 'Moonlight' will probably define my career for the rest of my life," Weiss told Business Insider over the phone.
Here Weiss breaks down how they captured the best picture win at the 89th Academy Awards.
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