Quick note: This will be a screenwriting-centric approach: In other words, taking a drink every time somebody does NOT mention the screenwriter / script.
DPs, editors, and the like are exempt. We’re talking director, actors, producers, etc. If they thank their stylist, not the writer, drink!
Nobody would be at the Oscars were it not for the SCRIPT! Stories start with writers, something that seems to get forgotten along the way.
Also look forward to the screenwriter acceptance speeches which often are among the best of the evening. But of course… they’re writers!
I’m also Tweeting, so I’m sure my fingers will be bloody stumps by the end of the evening.
Zach G makes a point about why the Oscars snub comics. I just hope Steve Martin wins Best Actor once because evidently — per Martin Short — he has the greatest acceptance speech ever.
Since I find the Oscar broadcast utterly revolting, I’ll watch this live blogging event instead!
Y’know, I was thinking if they added more of a “full contact, MMA, WWE” approach to the proceedings, it would be far more fun. Like the winner of the statue for each category had to fend off the other nominees in the squared circle… “Viola Davis off the top turnbuckle…BOOM! That’s gotta’ hurt… and Rooney Mara… oh no, not the steel chair!!!”
I’m so caught up in the warmth of award giving tonight… my kids are brushing their teeth for bed in 20 minutes and whomever has the cleanest choppers… you guessed it… the envelope please?
Seriously, if I could be one person in the world for a day, it would George Clooney. Actor, writer, director, great politics, and owns a soccer club in Italy.
And if I could be one person on that same day, Scott, I would be that guy who walks up to you and says, “So what was it like starring in Return of the Killer Tomatoes?”
One great story this year has been the success of “Moneyball,” and a very high profile movie as far as the screenwriting was concerned. Movie would not have gotten made had it not been for Brad Pitt salvaging it after the whole Soderberg thing.
I’ve used it in a limited basis for connecting with other writers and it seems to work fairly well. We’ve done some analyses of films over there and it’s a good way of interacting as people like to share their circles.
He lives in Austin. He makes thought-provoking movies. Takes his damn time making his movies. The Academy is dominated by old white guys who just don’t get him.
The Separation is also nominated for Screenplay, which I’m thinking it won’t win. But I think it has Foreign in the bag. I would be EXTREMELY impressed if The Artist won screenplay though. Talk about a lean script.
She did mention Tate. Does that count since he was also the director? I’d like to hear something like, “thank you [X] for imagining this amazing story and character and putting it down on paper to share with the world…”
Next up: Cirque du Soleil, Documentary Feature, and Animated Feature. For doc, I’ll go with “Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory” and animated, has to be “Rango” which is right up there as my favorite movie of 2011.
Okay, Brett mentioned Jason Segal who co-wrote “The Muppets.” So that makes 6, but this year is really a bit different because of the writer-directors and writer-actors. But take the love when you can.
Gabe, I have a post in the works on that. In fact, I’m hoping to do another round of Screenwriting Lessons starting next week and will begin with The Descendants, then Midnight in Paris.
Next Directing. I was certain it would be “The Artist,” but after “Hugo” winning so many, I don’t know. I’ll still go with Hazanavicius. How about you?
If you have kids and like to read them great storybooks, pick up anything with William Joyce’s name on it. So nice to see him pick up a trophy for his work, he’s a remarkable illustrator!
(by the way, ALL those animated shorts looked absolutely delightful!)
They’ve been flying through it. With the exception of Cirque, I haven’t seen a lot of “wow” moments. With the exception of Peter Falk’s “As you wish” a second ago.
Well, I completely crapped out on my predictions. But nailed the two most important awards: Original and Adapted Screenplay!
Thanks for blogging with me and see you back here tomorrow at 6AM Eastern with Monday’s Daily Dialogue, then onto a great Q&A with Mary Coleman from Pixar.
Someday… you can be up there! Just remember to thank the GITS community!
Yes, even the damn Red Carpet ‘pre-game’ event.
First observation: I still miss Roger Ebert. He could actually make this part of the evening bearable.
Quick note: This will be a screenwriting-centric approach: In other words, taking a drink every time somebody does NOT mention the screenwriter / script.
DPs, editors, and the like are exempt. We’re talking director, actors, producers, etc. If they thank their stylist, not the writer, drink!
Nobody would be at the Oscars were it not for the SCRIPT! Stories start with writers, something that seems to get forgotten along the way.
Also look forward to the screenwriter acceptance speeches which often are among the best of the evening. But of course… they’re writers!
I’m also Tweeting, so I’m sure my fingers will be bloody stumps by the end of the evening.
Can’t wait for Billy Crystal’s movie sum-up. Squeeee!
Next year, how about Jimmy Kimmel as host?
I’ve been waiting for Timberlake since he hosted some other award show which escapes my mind now.
I don’t have that much beer on hand. Never mind, I have a bottle of Jager here, too.
Wait a minute… is Jager supposed to taste like minty Skoal?
Minty Skoal. Name for a Norwegian punk band?
I think it’s the actress’s name who played Mrs. Marble in John Waters’ Pink Flamingos.
Nice! Reminds me of a missing Oscar category… “Best Live Dog Dookie Eating Scene by 300 lb. Transvestite!”
John Waters: That’s who should produce the Oscars.
Who wouldn’t love a musical number from Edie? She could sing about eggs being sunny side up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=og_85XJTOac
Tim Gunn just said, “Truly this red carpet is the center of the universe.” Quick, get Copernicus on the phone!
Oh, Tim, the master of understatement.
Speaking of the devil: “A red carpet show should stick to STARS ON THE RED CARPET, not lame pre-taped packages.”
– just tweeted by Roger Ebert
Amen, Roger.
Wait, I REALLY love this Mominees bit.
Yo yo yo!
Okay, people are showing up. Pull up a virtual chair, here comes the virtual Veuve Clicquot! Pop!
That ‘mominees’ segment, I know it’s schlocky, but you gotta love it.
Agreed.
A writer on the red carpet!
Yeah, who let THAT happen? Security, remove these writers!
Nick Nolte. Classic. Brain cells…??
How drunk is Nick Nolte?
Nick has crows and a pinball machine.
Zach G makes a point about why the Oscars snub comics. I just hope Steve Martin wins Best Actor once because evidently — per Martin Short — he has the greatest acceptance speech ever.
Makes me wish Andy Kaufman had stuck around to win one… he’d probably stand there and read The Great Gatsby.
“Chapter one… In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind…”
Since I find the Oscar broadcast utterly revolting, I’ll watch this live blogging event instead!
Y’know, I was thinking if they added more of a “full contact, MMA, WWE” approach to the proceedings, it would be far more fun. Like the winner of the statue for each category had to fend off the other nominees in the squared circle… “Viola Davis off the top turnbuckle…BOOM! That’s gotta’ hurt… and Rooney Mara… oh no, not the steel chair!!!”
Er, probably an idea ahead of it’s time…
Carry on for 10 minutes while I wolf down some food!
And the award for Best Food Wolfing… Scott Myers!
I’m so caught up in the warmth of award giving tonight… my kids are brushing their teeth for bed in 20 minutes and whomever has the cleanest choppers… you guessed it… the envelope please?
Mmm… food. Does Lagavulin count as food? Cause I think it’s time to pour me a glass.
Did Cameron Diaz say she’s wearing Gucci or Blue Cheese?
Shout out to everyone who is here -
\o/
From Sweden
Filip, I just Googled translated “Greetings” into Swedish and it came out with “hälsningsfraser”. Hope that works for you!
Clooney sandwich. He is doing well.
Seriously, if I could be one person in the world for a day, it would George Clooney. Actor, writer, director, great politics, and owns a soccer club in Italy.
What club does Clooney own?
Serie B club Como: http://u2.interference.com/f287/george-clooney-buys-italian-soccer-club-79808.html
Class act all the way. I think he’ll win best actor tonight, actually. Which club does he own, do you know?
And if I could be one person on that same day, Scott, I would be that guy who walks up to you and says, “So what was it like starring in Return of the Killer Tomatoes?”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_lmD3oCQAE&feature=related
So if someone successfully bum-rushed the Price-Waterhouse boys on the red carpet there and jacked those briefcases, would tonight be, like, off?
Tim Gunn next to Brad Pitt = discomposure.
One great story this year has been the success of “Moneyball,” and a very high profile movie as far as the screenwriting was concerned. Movie would not have gotten made had it not been for Brad Pitt salvaging it after the whole Soderberg thing.
People will lament, on occasion, that they don’t make “good sports movies like they used to.”
They can stop lamenting.
Moneyball was gold. Topnotch all around. Quite possibly my favorite film of the year.
Google+ is really pushing hard. Anyone think they can compete on the Social front?
We’re about to find out on GITS. Since Google is discontinuing Friend Connect, we have to switch to Google+.
I’ve used it in a limited basis for connecting with other writers and it seems to work fairly well. We’ve done some analyses of films over there and it’s a good way of interacting as people like to share their circles.
Good spot for John Carter.
Another thing to track tonight is the number of times the screenwriter gets mentioned tonight. I put the over/under at 6.
Solid 5 i think!
Okay, so that supposed schedule that did include a Cirque du Soleil segment, maybe that’s right. If so, then The Muppets!
It’s good to see Billy back!
I give him extra points for a song number under short notice!
First two for Hugo. I still know nothing about the story, but I’ve heard over and over again how gorgeous it is.
I missed cinematography [Tree of Life], so there goes my perfect night. But got Hugo for art direction.
Same for me.
Next up supposed to be costume design and makeup.
I got “The Artist” for costume design and “Iron Lady” for makeup.
I have Albert Nobbs for makeup…
Could win, Teddy. Terrific job.
Scott- I heard the Academy kind of has a collective issue with Malick. Any truth that you know of?
He lives in Austin. He makes thought-provoking movies. Takes his damn time making his movies. The Academy is dominated by old white guys who just don’t get him.
Yep, that’s pretty much what I heard. That 10-20 years in between movies made a few people crazy.
Twilight? What was THAT doing in the montage?
Gargantuan story. Yes!
Okay, Best Foreign Language Film, I have “A Separation.” Best Supporting Actress, Octavia Spencer for “The Help.”
How about you?
A Separation. I think this should have been a best picture nominee (I assume it didn’t qualify).
American Express thinks the American Dream is about spending lots of money. So go out there and buy things, people!
The Separation is also nominated for Screenplay, which I’m thinking it won’t win. But I think it has Foreign in the bag. I would be EXTREMELY impressed if The Artist won screenplay though. Talk about a lean script.
Screenwriter mention update: 0.
Art promotes peace. We need more of that.
Hear that!
I bet Octavia mentions the screenplay…
Bonus points if she mentions Kathryn Stockett, the book’s author.
45 seconds isn’t a lot of time to figure out what day it is on that stage!
Okay, could not tell, but did Octavia mention Tate Taylor or not? She noted Kathryn, probably Stockett.
I heard Kathryn but not Tate.
Next up editing, sound editing, sound mixing. I’ll go with “Hugo” across the board.
You’re probably right. I have Dragon Tattoo for editing and Transformers for both sound categories.
She did mention Tate. Does that count since he was also the director? I’d like to hear something like, “thank you [X] for imagining this amazing story and character and putting it down on paper to share with the world…”
Maybe too much to ask.
These are some amazing character actors. Was everyone here on SCTV?
Flying monkeys!
Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara both in SCTV.
What’s with the interviews? Is this a way to personify the industry?
First big surprise: “Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” for editing.
And they mention the screenwriter. That makes 2 including Octavia who is confirmed by several Tweeters.
Anyone who’s seen Dragon Tattoo talks about that opening sequence.
Mentioned Zaillian and Rudin!
He thanked Zaillian. I’ll drink to that.
Can someone explain the difference between mixing and editing? Not a sarcastic question, just honest ignorance.
Editing is adding the sound effects and foley and the overall sound design.
Mixing is the final mix involving all sounds, dialogue and music.
Thanks, Teddy
Is it me, or does Bradley Cooper look like an owl? Or is it the minty Skoal I’ve been drinking talking?
Next up: Cirque du Soleil, Documentary Feature, and Animated Feature. For doc, I’ll go with “Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory” and animated, has to be “Rango” which is right up there as my favorite movie of 2011.
How about you?
Baldwin’s “Here’s the Thing” podcast from NPR had a fascinating interview with the director of “Paradise Lost.”
Downey and Paltrow: Best bit of the night.
Chris Rock rocks!
You owe me a coke
Don’t you mean Diet Coke, one of the sponsors of tonight’s show?
Ha!
Chris rocks.
John Logan mentioned
Screenwriting Mention Update: 3.
Octavia: “The Help”
Film Editing: “Dragon Tattoo”
Animated Movie: “Rango”
Looking good to hit the over [my guess was 6].
Up next Visual Effects: My guess “Rise of the Planet of the Apes”.
Then Best Supporting Actor: My guess “Christopher Plummer.”
Hugo + Plummer
You’re right, Teddy. It’s a big Hugo night.
Emma is charming
I love Emma Stone! A terrific talent.
Please Nick Nolte, just to hear the speech.
Plummer: Mentions writer-director Mike Mills. Up to 4 for the night!
Fantastic speech from Plummer as well!
Yes, indeed.
Score and Song next.
Score: “The Artist”.
Song: “Man or Muppet”.
Supposedly Muppet performance.
I’d kill for a “Man or Muppet” performance live.
Billy mentioned “script”
Dignan!
Surprising Reznor wasn’t nominated for Dragon Tattoo.
I was also surprised Newman wasn’t nominated for The Help.
As a rule, they should nominate Thomas Newman every year… even if he didn’t compose anything. That’s how good he is.
Were there really only two songs in all of 2011? Can’t we throw some Bollywood in there?
Actually there were several great songs in “The Muppets” including “Pictures on the Wall,” beautiful and touching.
Okay, he mentioned Michel at the very end. That’s 5. Although three are writer-directors so maybe a bit skewed.
Okay, Brett mentioned Jason Segal who co-wrote “The Muppets.” So that makes 6, but this year is really a bit different because of the writer-directors and writer-actors. But take the love when you can.
Does HUGO really deserve all these awards???
Surely, it didn’t deserve Special Effects over Rise of the Planet of the Apes.
Screenplays: Adapted, “The Descendants,” original, “Midnight in Paris.”
Adapted: Moneyball. I’m totally guessing. Original: Midnight in Paris.
And I missed that one. Maybe I was just hoping because of Sorkin.
Moneyball was great, could have won in another year.
Wow… scribes gettin’ love (or, dare I say, LUST) from Mrs. Pitt… will wonders never cease???
Anyone know the story of that adaptation? Faxon and Rash have a strong comedy background – how did they team up with Payne on the Descendants?
Gabe, I have a post in the works on that. In fact, I’m hoping to do another round of Screenwriting Lessons starting next week and will begin with The Descendants, then Midnight in Paris.
Next Live Action Short, Documentary Short, Animated Short. Honestly, I have no clue. Anybody have any guesses?
Hm. I wonder what “truth” Sandler was seeking when he unleashed Jack and Jill on the public…
Oh sure, the winners will be — oh…
Must. Watch. Milla……
Hans on the guitar!
That was Zimmer? Cool!
Although I think Malick should win.
Next Directing. I was certain it would be “The Artist,” but after “Hugo” winning so many, I don’t know. I’ll still go with Hazanavicius. How about you?
The Artist.
The Artist was such a fascinating film– very visual. I actually hope it gets the win.
If you have kids and like to read them great storybooks, pick up anything with William Joyce’s name on it. So nice to see him pick up a trophy for his work, he’s a remarkable illustrator!
(by the way, ALL those animated shorts looked absolutely delightful!)
My wife was just talking about that with Luke, reminding him of some Joyce books we used to read with him when he was young.
Why is Woody Allen not part of the ceremony?
Woody doesn’t show up for any of these awards ceremonies. Normally he’s off making another movie.
Now up: In Memoriam.
Have to say, this has been a really flat Oscars ceremony, don’t you think?
They’ve been flying through it. With the exception of Cirque, I haven’t seen a lot of “wow” moments. With the exception of Peter Falk’s “As you wish” a second ago.
Best Actor: Probably Jean Dujardin, “The Artist”.
Probably, but I have Clooney on my list.
I dunno.. Demian might take it.
Will he mention the script?
He should have said “I’m speechless.”
So that brings us up to 7 screenwriting mentions.
That was A.R. Rahman singing and playing the keyboards. Oscar winner for Slumdog Millionaire.
Best Actress: Viola Davis, “The Help”. That’s my guess and I’m sticking with it!
This should go to Viola, but I’m guessing Meryl.
Good guess, Pat!
Wow!!!
Wow, well, at least she knows what everyone’s thinking!
Best Picture: “The Artist,” right?
Yeah… but The Tree of Life is my choice. No surprise there.
Right.
That was a great montage. It laid out like a screenplay with Beginning, Middle, Ending.
The music in the background is this:
http://youtu.be/p0m8K2Ktz6Q
Who wrote that, Teddy?
A band called This Will Destroy You.
That is a very nice touch to remember the great Claude Berri.
and Billy Wilder.
Yes, Billy Wilder, Billy Wilder, Billy Wilder!
Billy Wilder x3 – does that count as a writer mention?
Well, I completely crapped out on my predictions. But nailed the two most important awards: Original and Adapted Screenplay!
Thanks for blogging with me and see you back here tomorrow at 6AM Eastern with Monday’s Daily Dialogue, then onto a great Q&A with Mary Coleman from Pixar.
Someday… you can be up there! Just remember to thank the GITS community!
Thanks Scott and everybody else! I had a blast!