Dawn Treader Score Eligible for Academy Award Nomination, More on Original Song

David Arnold’s score for The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is one of the film scores that are eligible for a nomination for Best Original Score.  David Arnold has three films that are eligible for a nomination.  It’s got a lot of competition, though, as there are seventy-seven scores that are going to duke it out for spot on the list.

In related news, here is a little more about the way in which academy voters look at the Best Original Song potentials for a possible nomination.  As you know, Carrie Underwood’s song is a potential nominee.

The Academy earlier announced that 41 songs from 36 different films are competing in the song category. The song bakeoff — in which members will watch all 41 contenders in their original film contexts — is slated for Jan. 6, although branch members may request a DVD for home viewing instead of attending the screening.Music-branch members — who include composers, songwriters and music editors — have until Jan. 14 to return their ballots.

Nominations will be announced Jan. 25.

This kind of puts Carrie Underwood’s song, “There’s a Place for Us,” at a slight disadvantage.  I have a feeling that films that are used within the context of the film itself, that have an emotional effect on the viewer with regard to the content of the film, will have a greater shot at earning votes.  Because Carrie Underwood’s song is played over the end credits, it doesn’t have the emotional impact that earlier songs have had, such as Regina Spektor’s “The Call” in Prince Caspian.

Let’s hope that the academy voters listen carefully as well.  I hope this helps you understand how the votes happen.

Best of luck to David Arnold and Carrie Underwood!