The Oscars and 2013 ceremony host Seth MacFarlane are trying something different to help draw younger viewers to watch the 85th annual Academy Awards this February by holding a contest that will land a select number of college students on stage at the event.
The contest, which is sponsored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and MTV respectively, will allow at least six college students to appear during the live Oscar telecast as Oscar trophy presenters.
"Part of the goal with this year's Oscars is to broaden the audience and get viewers young and old and the like," MacFarlane told MTV News about the contest. "This is part of the effort to bring in a younger crowd, get them invested, get them engaged in the culturally important event that is the Academy Awards."
The "Family Guy" creator took time out of his busy schedule to make an unannounced appearance during a UCLA class to discuss the contest which requires college students to submit videos on the academy's Facebook page saying how they plan on "contributing to the future of film" according to The Washington Post.
MacFarlane reportedly talked to students of the "Overview of Contemporary Film Industry" class at UCLA this week for over 40 minutes. The appearance was a part of MTV's "Stand In" series which has celebrities from many different fields serve as guest lecturers at colleges around the U.S.
"If you're into comedy, get some laughs. If you're a dramatic filmmaker, try to say something profound or make somebody feel something," MacFarlane said to MTV about what students should try accomplishing with their entry. "It depends on what your particular field of expertise is."
MacFarlane also offered advice to students like urging them to make at least one "commercially viable film" before graduating school and took questions not involving the contest as well. One student asked if there will be a "Family Guy" movie anytime soon and MacFarlane responded saying he's already planned the concept for a feature-length film, and promised one will be released "at some point.
The "Stand In" episode featuring Seth MacFarlane will premiere on mtvU and mtvU.com on Dec. 10, meanwhile "The Oscar Experience College Search" will run through Jan. 19, 2013.
Click here to enter the contest on the academy's Facebook page.
"The Oscars is a tricky venue," MacFarlane said according to The Washington Post. "The (hosts) who have not done well, I would classify them as a noble failure, an honorable failure, because at least they were trying something new. All I can do is my very best."
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