According to Variety, the scores for Black Swan by composer Clint Mansell and True Grit by Carter Burwell have been disqualified from Oscar consideration by the Academy music branch. Both scores were deemed ineligible because they are “diluted by the use of tracked themes or other pre-existing music”. The Black Swan score was heavily adapted by Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” and much of the True Grit score was based on 19th century hymns.
Also disqualified are the scores for The Fighter composed by Michael Brook and The Kids Are All Right by Carter Burwell, because they are being considered “diminished in impact by the predominant use of songs”. Alexandre Desplat’s score for The King’s Speech, which has been discussed as being potentially disqualified for its use of classical music in some key scenes was ruled eligible for Oscar consideration by the music branch committee.
