SAG Awards Streaming Site Shut Down by Technical Problems (Exclusive)

SAG Awards

UPDATED at 12: p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 29: The site was restored on Tuesday, after being down for two days.

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The Screen Actors Guild Awards website, on which voters are supposed to be able to stream nominated films, has been shut down because of technical problems, frustrating voters and angering studios and Oscar consultants who were counting on their films being available during a key holiday period.

The Vision Digital Awards Screeners site, which launched last week for SAG Awards voters, went down on Saturday after a couple of days of problems. On Monday, a message on the site said that Vision Digital “is working to address the issues as quickly as possible.”

The site had contained links to “Beasts of No Nation,” “The Big Short” and “Spotlight,” which received nominations in the key Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture category.

It also contained links to “Black Mass” and “The Revenant,” which included nominated lead performances by Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio, respectively; and “Bridge of Spies” and “99 Homes,” for which Mark Rylance and Michael Shannon were nominated in supporting roles.

Also Read: SAG Awards 2016: The Complete List of Nominees

While some of those films also sent screener DVDs to SAG voters, “Black Mass,” “Bridge of Spies,” “The Revenant” and “99 Homes” are not slated to do so — and many of the films that did send screeners do not expect them to be in voters’ hands yet.

On Monday, a SAG Awards representative referred TheWrap to the organization’s “Digital Streaming and Downloads” page, which contained the following message:

“THE VISION DIGITAL SCREENER SITE IS NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE DUE TO TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES. We are sorry for the inconvenience. Vision is working to address the issues as quickly as possible and hopes to have the site up and running soon. We will update this page as soon as we know more. Please check back. Thank you for your patience.”

Also Read: SAG Awards Snubs and Surprises: Matt Damon, Mark Ruffalo, Sarah Silverman (Photos)

Multiple film consultants who worked with Vision Digital to get their contenders on the site told TheWrap they were angry that the company did not notify them when problems developed, although SAG members had begun complaining on Twitter about problems with the site as soon as it went live just before Christmas.

Companies found out after the fact from SAG that the site had been taken down, with the word spreading that an iOS problem had led to the shutdown.

SAG Awards voting doesn’t close until Jan. 29, giving members almost a month in which they can still cast ballots. But with 116,741 SAG-AFTRA members eligible to vote, the commitment to provide screeners to the entire voting membership is by far the largest for any Hollywood guild or awards show. (By contrast, the Academy has fewer than 6,300 voting members.)

And the time required to produce and send out enough screeners to cover all SAG Awards voters means that few of the films would have been ready before the holidays, making streaming a crucial option during a time when many in the industry are not working.

Also Read: SAG Awards' Message to Hollywood: Don't Procrastinate

According to a SAG Awards web page listing members’ options for viewing the nominated films, “Black Mass,” “Bridge of Spies,” “The Revenant” and “99 Homes” were only available via screening.

“Trumbo” was available via a free iTunes download that is not affected by the Vision Digital problems, while “Brooklyn” and “Room” are available via iTunes and screeners.

Films available on screeners but not via streaming include “Straight Outta Compton,” “Steve Jobs” and “The Danish Girl.”

29 Oscar Contenders Voters and Fans Need to See

"Spotlight" A contender for Best Picture, director and screenplay -- as well as the supporting acting categories.
Open Road Films
"The Martian" Ridley Scott may have his best shot at an Oscar with this sci-fi drama, which is also a contender for Best Picture. Matt Damon is in the hunt for Best Actor as well.
Twentieth Century Fox
"Carol" Todd Haynes' period romance is getting lots of buzz for major categories, particularly for stars Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara.
The Weinstein Company
"Room" Brie Larson is a favorite in the Best Actress race, and there's chatter for co-stars Jacob Tremblay and Joan Allen.
A24
"Joy" David O. Russell movies are consistent awards bait, and Jennifer Lawrence is poised to earn her third consecutive nomination.
Annapurna Pictures
"The Revenant" Alejandro G. Inarritu's dark revenge tale is getting lots of awards traction, particularly for Leonardo DiCaprio's performance.
Twentieth Century Fox
"Brooklyn" Saoirse Ronan is a strong contender for Best Actress, and there's much love for John Crowley's old-fashioned period drama.
Fox Searchlight Pictures
"Straight Outta Compton" F. Gary Gray's biopic of the rap group N.W.A boasts some of the best reviews of the year, including raves for newcomer Jason Mitchell as Eazy-E.
Universal Pictures
"Mad Max: Fury Road" The National Board of Review winner for Best Picture is a long-shot outside of technical categories, but it could surprise in the picture, directing or actress categories.
Warner Bros
"Steve Jobs" Aaron Sorkin is a likely nominee for his adapted screenplay, and Michael Fassbender is a strong contender for Best Actor.
Universal Pictures
"Suffragette" Carey Mulligan is in the hunt for Best Actress for her role in this historical drama about the battle for British women to get the vote.
Focus Features
"Inside Out" Pixar's hit could become the first animated movie to earn a Best Picture nod since 2011's "Toy Story 3."
Pixar Studios/Walt Disney Pictures
"The Danish Girl" Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander are getting major buzz for their performances in a period drama with a topical transgender twist.
Focus Features
"Bridge of Spies" You can never count out Steven Spielberg, particularly when he reteams with star Tom Hanks. Look out for Mark Rylance in supporting actor race
Amblin Entertainment/Walt Disney Pictures
"Beasts of No Nation" Cary Joji Fukunaga's gritty drama about African child soldiers has drawn raves, but most overcome its limited theatrical release by Netflix.
Netflix
"Son of Saul" The Hungarian Holocaust drama is a frontrunner in the foreign-language film race but could also score nods in other categories.
Sony Pictures Classics
"The Hateful Eight" Quentin Tarantino's Western is getting the usual Oscar talk, particularly for his screenplay and supporting actress Jennifer Jason Leigh.
The Weinstein Company
"Concussion" Will Smith has won early acclaim for his performance as the doctor who discovered CTE, the brain injury experienced by so many former NFL players.
Columbia Pictures
"The Big Short" Adam McKay's fact-based comic drama boasts a starry cast and major topicality, boosting its awards profile.
Paramount Pictures
"Creed" Ryan Coogler's reboot of the "Rocky" franchise has drawn raves, and Sylvester Stallone's supporting turn as boxer-turned-coach could earn him a supporting actor nod.
Warner Bros
"Youth" Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel and Jane Fonda are all in the mix in acting categories for Paolo Sorrentino's indie.
Fox Searchlight Pictures
"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" J.J. Abrams' top-secret blockbuster should dominate in technical categories but could pull off a surprise in Best Picture
Lucasfilm/Disney
"Trumbo" Jay Roach's biopic of the blacklisted Hollywood screenwriter is drawing attention for the performances of Bryan Cranston as well as Helen Mirren as gossip columnist Hedda Hopper.
Universal Pictures
"99 Homes" Michael Shannon and Andrew Garfield are generating talk for their performance in the Ramin Bahrani- directed drama.
Lionsgate
"Anomalisa" Charlie Kaufman's stop-motion animated film could pull off a surprise in the Animated Feature category.
Paramount Pictures
"Mr. Holmes" Ian McKellen is angling for his third Oscar nomination for playing an aging Sherlock Holmes in Bill Condon's movie.
Roadside Attractions
"45 Years" Veteran actress Charlotte Rampling could score her first nomination for playing half of a couple preparing for their 45th wedding anniversary.
Sundance Selects
"Grandma" As an acerbic woman helping her granddaughter as she faced an unplanned pregnancy, Lily Tomlin could score her first nomination since 1975's "Nashville."
Sony Pictures Classics
"Love & Mercy" Paul Dano and John Cusack have both won acclaim for playing the younger and older versions of troubled Beach Boys leader Brian Wilson.
Roadside Attractions