Oscars (2008): February 2008 Archives

After standing for almost five hours in the red capret area, it was time to trek upstairs to the press room to tap out a column then prepare for the winners to come on back and share with us their joy. I pride myself in always being prepared for these events and this morning, I carefully packed my computer bag with things like Clif bars, gum, cough drops, a camera etc. What I did not do was pack the POWER CORD! Yikes! I knew I had about an hour worth of battery power since I had charged the thing the night before but would not be able to live blog which sucked but I tok handwritten notes and will share some of the backstage scene woth you now.

They give you headsets so you can keep track of the show which is shown on various screens around the room. That way, if you aren't that interested in talking to the winner of make-up or sound editing, you can blissfully ignore thekm and watch the action inside the Kodak Theatre.

When surprise winner Tilda Swinton came back though, she was far more interesting than whatever was going on onstage. This woman is a hoot! I was given the microphone to ask her a question and here is our exchange:

Greg: Tilda, to your left. L.A. Daily News. When you were up there, you said you were going to give your Oscar away.

Tilda: I have given it away, it's gone.

Greg: You're going to do it?

Tilda: I've given it, I've given it, I'm a man of my word. I've given it to my agent, who truly, I mean not only does he deserve it, but he really does look like this (the Oscar statue). And if you see a guy at the Governors Ball looking like this, this is him in his receiving position when I'm on the speaker phone telling him I'm going to do another art film in Europe."

Personally, they wouldn't be able to pry MY Oscar out of my cold, dead hands. But that's just me.

Marion Cotillard's win for best actress is "La Vie en Rose" was the other stunner of the night and she was just as charming and emotional backstage as she was during her wonderful acceptance speech.
"I'm totally overwhelmed with joy and them sparkles and fireworks and everything which goes like bam, bam, bam! I just ate all those things and it's happening right here, right now."

She was happy to have been presented her Oscar by Forest Whitaker: "I was - yeah, I was totally - my brain collapsed, so he helped me find the plug back to my brain."

The final questioner asked Marion to sing a song by Edith Piaf in French that would best describe how she felt right then. And she did!

One of my favorite moments of the entire Oscar show was when host Jon Stewart called Marketa Irglova back out to the stage after she was cut off by the orchestra when she walked up to speak after partner Glen Hansard had made his remarks. The pair won for best original song for "Falling Slowly" from the movie "Once." I swear, I don't think I've ever seen any award show host do such a classy thing so when the pair came backstage, I asked Marketa what she was thinking when she was told she'd be able to go back out and give her thanks with the orchestra NOT drowning her out: "It didn't make much sense since I'd never seen it done before, I'm grateful for them doing that."

Marketa made the most of her moment when she walked back on that stage, Oscar in hand, and said: "This is such a big deal, not only for us, but for all the other independent musicians and artists that spend most of their time struggling, and this, it;s to prove no matter how far out your dreams are, it's possible. And, you know, fair play to those who dare to dream and don't give up."

Well said!

Anyway, had to go to the Governors Ball before such winners as Daniel Day-Lewis, Javier Bardem, and the Coen Brothers made it backstage but go to the LA.com section of DailyNews.com and it's all there!

P.S. After I typed in Marketa;s speech, I found a video of it:

When the day began, I was more excited about going to my first Governor's Bll than anything else having to do with the Oscars. But by the time 9 p.m. rolled around, I had been working for nine hours and all I wanted was to take some quick notes, have a good meal and call it a night.

So, I leave the backstage press area to head over to the ballroom, give my ticket to a woman who looks at it and says: "You have a ticket in the 600s. There are no 600s. That means you can walk around but you won't be served a dinner. You can observe but don't hover!" Oh gee, thanks lady. This is getting more fun by the minute. My feet kinda hurt and I skimped on the backstage buffet figuring I'd chow down on Wolfgang Puck's Mac & Cheese with black truffles and baked potato with cavier. I guess it's McDonalds on the way home.

Once inside, it's not so bad. I mingle and walk around, careful not to give the impression that I am hovering. Near the entrance is Frances McDormand talking to Paul Thomas Anderson. Frances must be in a good mood since her husband, Joel Coen, won three Oscars tonight along with his brother Ethan Coen for writing, directing and producing "No Country for Old Men." Let's see, she's got an Oscar for "Fargo" and he already had one for screenwriting that flick so they have five Oscars at home between them....Nearby I see director Michael Bay, nominee Jason Reitman who is getting hugs then George Clooney walks in and is instantly the center of attention. James Cameron ("Titanic") may be king of the world, but Clooney is the king of Hollywood!

The lack of dinner isn't really a problem since there are countless servers with big trays of appetizers. I have a small slice of Wolfgang Puck's pizza and a little Kobe beef cheeseburger. I eat them and try not to hover. Then I discover this entuire buffet that is set up for peeps like me: crab legs, shrimp the size of your head, tuna, various sushi, pad thai etc. I get some grub and settle into a little space overlooking a staircase and watch as Cate Blanchett talks with Phillip Seymour Hoffman below before making her way up, followed closely behind by Jon Stewart who stops and does interviews with "The Today Show" and "Entertainment Tonight."

Back inside the ballroom, it is celebrity central. The Coen brothers walk by me carrying their Oscars and Helen Mirren also arrives. Then, i almost bump into Julie Christie who looks beyond lovely. She gives me a half-smile as we avoid each other and I can;t help but make a mental note that at this moment, a song from "La Vie en Rose" is playing through the speakers. I wonder how she feels as the front-runner going in - the SAG and Golden Globe winner - and losing to Marion Cotillard. It's gotta be rough, not losing so much as losing when everyone expects you to win, Lauren Bacall suffered this same way more than 10 years ago.

Clooney is in the middle of the room and greets the Coen brothers who directed him in "Oh Brother Where Art Thou?" Meanwhile, "No Country for Old Men" producer and Oscar winner Scott Rudin holds court nearby. I try not to hover as I get stuck in some kind of foot traffic jam because NBC head honcho Jeff Zucker is talking to someone and blocking the aisle. It could be worse. I'm stuck right next to Josh Brolin and Diane Lane's table. Could there BE a better looking couple in Hollywood?

I don't see the very pregnant Cate Blanchett sitting down the entire time that I am there. She is radiant and relaxed despite two losses. She was up for best actress and best supporting actress. Guess when you already have an Oscar at home and another baby on the way, life is still really good. Viggo Mortensen walks up to greet Cate and they chat for quite awhile in the aisle near where winner Javier Barden is getting a congratulatory hug from Alexander Payne. Just feet away, nominee Laura Linney is talking with original song winners Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova and I hear her say to them: "You won the Oscar!" Trying to make it real for this stunned pair who won over everyone with their authenticity. Meanwhile, best original screenplay winner Diablo Cody ("Juno") has arrived at the ball looking like Cinderella (if Cinderella had tattoos!).

At 10:03 p.m. Tilda Swinton is still outside, holding her Oscar and giving interviews to the TV crews. Clooney, Mirren and a few others are heading out to other parties no doubt as Daniel Day-Lewis arrives at about 10:10. He begins to do interviews so I don't know when he finally made it in.

I bump into Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and ask him how his first Governor's Ball
went: "I thought it was fantastic and I had the chance to meet a lot of people. The food was fantastic and the energy was great. It was exhilarating."

So, why is he leaving so early?

The Rock: "I have to work tomorrow.".

Ya know, they really shouldn't have the Oscars on a school night...

After spending more than four hours standing on the red carpet at the Academy Awards on Sunday, I thought the best way to share the experience with you was chronologically. Well, just the highlights:

12:45 p.m. I'm strolling around looking for familiar faces and one of the first ones I see is Donny Osmond! He's working for "The Insider" as a special correspondent. Donny is more used to singing and dancing than being a reporter but he has a strategy worked out: "I'm told that during the show, you go and hang out at the bar - that's where everybody's gonna be."

Donny Osmond at a bar?

"Yes! I'll be drinking 7-Up!"

1:05 p.m.: I bump into Tim Gunn who is there to report for "The Today Show" and ask him if too much emphasis is placed on Oscar fashion these days: "I think that anything that gets people excited about fashion, style and entertainment, I'm all in favor of."

1:40 p.m.: Regis Philbin walks in looking too school for school. He's surrounded by serious looking men. What is he? The President?

1:58 p.m. TV Guide Channel pre-show host Lisa Rinna preens for photographers. There is some discussion in my section of red carpet observers about her famously plump lips. Are they real? No one seems to think so.

2:16 p.m.: The sun breaks out and everyone cheers. We are hoping it will stay but moments later, it;s cold and windy again. A little while later, it is absolutely pouring rain.

2:23 p.m. Wolfgang Puck enters the red carpet carrying trays of gold-covered chocolate Oscars. I want one. I don't get one. I settle for the Clif bar in my bag.

3:24 p.m. I talk to Wolfgang Puck and tell him tonight will be my first Governor's Ball. He replies: "It's mine 14th so it's about time!" Wolfgang says he never watches the show, too busy getting dinner ready for everyone. "Around 7 p.m. I start to get real nervous," he admits.

3:20 p.m. George Clooney has arrived and all hell breaks loose. The crowd goes crazy chanting "George! George!" Everyone on the red carpet wants to greet the big man on campus.

3:35 p.m. I have words with a female reporter from Germany who is standing behind me on the red carpet. Me: "Is there any way we can work this out where you aren't pushing me?' She acts offended but doesn't push on me the rest of the afternoon. Mission accomplished.

3:51 p.m. Get a chance to talk with best supporting actress nominee Amy Ryan ("Gone Baby Gone"). She seems pretty calm and says: "I'm glad this day is here and it will be nice to move on (after months of award ceremonies) but I'm going to take in every second of this day. I'm not going to let it slide by."

3:56 p.m. I chat up Oscar producer Gil Cates and want to get his thoughts 90 minutes before showtime: "I feel fine. Everyone is nworking really hard inside preparing the show. Reheaesals went really well this morning...I always hope each show is going to be the best. I think folks want to come together and have a good time."

4:05 p.m. Supporting actress nominee Ruby Dee ("American Gangster") arrives and tells an interviewer over the public address system that she has brought her entire family with her: "It's one of of the most heady, exciting affairs I've ever been to. I can't believe it.

4:08 p.m.Nominee Tony Gilroy, up for best director and best screenplay for "Michael Clayton" come by and tells me he is feeling "very, very overwhelmed. Really overwhelmed. Looking for the bar! Oh my God." He doesn't think he will be making any speeches though: "I'm not expecting much tonight. Anything that happens tonight is gravy. I think Tilda has the best shot. But we didn't bring a big empty trunk to put everything in."

4:15 p.m. Handsome Josh Lucas brings some movie star glamour to the documentary category. He tells me he's at the Oscars for the first time in support of a nominated film he narrated a section of called "Operation Homecoming." "It's a film that I really love, I think it's quite profound. What I think is so beautiful is that there is no message in this film. It's simply the writing that is coming out of the experience of the military being at war. There is no pro or negative. It's simply, this is what they're going through. I think that's got great beauty. A nomination is an incredible honor, a win would be beyond any of our wildest hopes but at the same time, you always hope."

4:20 p.m. Hannah Montana, Miley Cyrus herself has arrived and she gets almost as many screams as George Clonney: "Hi everybody!" she says into the microphone. "Thank you for being here today. I'm so excited to see all of you!"

4:21 p.m. Last year's best actress winner, Helen Mirren, arrives and receives about half the applause of Miley Cyrus. Go figure. She is presenting best actor and says of the nominees: "There's amazing, powerful performances this year."

4:25 p.m. Presenter John Travolta and wife Kelly Preston are hurrying by. I manage to get John';s attention. He indicates that they've got to get in there but is very sweet about it.

4:28 p.m. Best actor front-runner Daniel Day-Lewis walks by us and stops to pose for a few pictures but is through giving interviews. At least for now.

4:38 p.m. I ask supporting actor nominee Tom Wilkinson how he's feeling: "I feel relaxed right now, then there will be a little freak out when it's announced...there could be a surprise."

4:48 p.m.;I chat up Patrick Dempsey who is presenting. I wonder what it's like to be a big movie star again with his role in "Enchanted. "It's just great to be working. I certainly think the success of 'Grey's Anatomy' has opened doors for me that wouldn't have opened otherwise and I'm grateful for that."

********************
4:46 p.m. Spot James McAvoy walking by and get him to come on over. I wonder how he's feeling about "Atonement" which has a best picture nod, but no buzz about winning: "It's just a competitive year and anything could happen. There may be some shocks tonight. But can 'Atonement' win? I don't know. Does it deserve to win? I don't know. Does anything deserve to win making art a competition? Of course it doesn't. It's all a celebration and that's the way I'm viewing it."

4:50 p.m. I chat with best director nominee Jason Reitman ("Juno") at this, his first Academy Awards ceremony: "Right now, I'm not even standing on the ground. I never thought I'd be here in my lifetime. I'm enjoying every second of it. I'm not going to win tonight but the beauty of knowing you're not going to win is you can relax and have a good time."

4:55 p.m. Julie Christie arrives and is asked by the interviewer ove rthe public address system to compare Sunday's Oscar red carpet to when she won more than 40m years ago for "Darling." "Almost 10 years ago when I was nominated ("Afterglow"), I was actually shocked. It seems to be less crazy this year."

4:56 p.m. Former winner Faye Dunaway walks by with who I think is her son.

4:57 p.m. Former Oscar winner Sissy Spacek and her nominated husband, Jack Fiske, greet Keri Russell on the red carpet. They are quickly followed by Johnny Depp who is greeted with screams so loud I think some of them must have hurt. It';s starting to get log-jammed on the red carpet.

5:05 p.m. Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart make their way toward the Kodak Theatre. I head into the backstage press area to get ready to watch the show and participate in interviewing the winners. It's gonna be a fun night!

Happy Oscar Sunday!!!

OK, I'm about to put on the tux and dash out the door with a laptop slung over my shoulder and an umbrella in my hand. I probably won't be doing any live-blogging until after 5 once I leave the red carpet and settle in the press room. But from then on, expect all kinds of postings that you can read during the show or after. I'll try and be as fly-on-the-wall as I can be. I'll have a full report from the Governor's Ball tomorrow.

Go Ruby Dee!!! Go Hal Holbrook!!!

Dropped by the Kodak Theater complex at Hollywood & Highland to pick,up my ticket to tomorrow night's Governor's Ball and decided to make an afternoon of it. I'm in the press room right now where all the winners are brought after their big moment. My seat is not as good as last year but there really aren't any bad seats in this room. I wanted to make sure my computer and Internet connection were in fine working order so this post is the test.

Earlier, I strolled down to the red carpet - which is completely covered in plastic - just to see what I could see. And there stood Antonio Sabato Jr. doing some kind of stand-up and boy, did he look dapper. Lots of both local and international news personalities doing little bits and it's kinda fun to watch as the clock gets closer to the big show! I ran into a reader of the blog and my newspaper column who I had never met but when she saw me she shouted: "I read you all the time!" I felt like one of the Beatles. I wonder if I should have an entourage now?

OK, before I get too delusional, I wanted to use this post to give you my predictions in the major categories along with who I think SHOULD win. Feel free to write in with yours!

BEST PICTURE: Will win: No Country for Old Men
Should win: Into the Wild (I know, not nominated, but damned well should have been)

BEST DIRECTOR: Will win: The Coen Brothers for "No Country."
Should win: Sean Penn for "Into the Wild" (see above)

BEST ACTOR: Will win: Daniel Day Lews for "There Will Be Blood."
Should win: Daniel Day Lewis for "Blood."

BEST ACTRESS: Will win: Julie Christie for "Away From Her."
Should win: Marion Cottillard for "La Vie en Rose."

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Will win: Javier Barden "No Country.
Should win: Javier Barden foir "No Country" or Hal Holbrook for "Into the Wild."

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Will win: Amy Ryan for "Gone Baby Gone"
Should win: Amy Ryan for "Gone Baby Gone"
* I am rooting for sentimental favorite Rby Dee who could pull an upset

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: Will win: "No Country."
Should win: "Away From Her"

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Will win: "Juno"
Should win: "Juno."

ANIMATED FEATURE: Will win: "Ratatouille"
Should win: "Ratatouille"

I don't know enough about edting, sound effects etc to make an intelligent prediction!

Here with supporting actor front-runner Javier Bardem. I had just seen "No Country for Old Men" a few nights earlier with his performance still etched in my mind. But seeing him so relaxed, happy and friendly, I pretty much figured he wasn't gonna kill me!

George Clooney may not be expected to win his second Oscar (he's up for "Michael Clayton"), he was still pretty much the biggest star in the room - the guy everyone wanted to talk to. How I ended up sitting next to him at lunch was just one of those lucky things. What wasn't lucky was me not being ready when this photo with George was taken. Being in a picture with Clooney, you gotta figure you're gonna look average at best. But as you can see, I'm one of those people who looks pretty ghastly when I'm taken off guard. I wasn't gonna post this sucker but my people in my newsroom said: "But George looks so good in that picture!" So, I posted it, but very small.

Best actress nominee Ellen Page was seated in the front row of a big group shot of nominees, between Hal Holbrook and Casey Affleck and two seats away from Julie Christie.

It was a little tough to focus on eating my salad at the annual luncheon for Oscar nominees at the Beverly Hilton on Monday with George Clooney seated directly to my right, Casey Affleck at the next table and just yards away, Hal Holbrook and Dixie Carter.

How is a person supposed to eat when all ya wanna do is rubberneck?

The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, for the 27th year, celebrated all the year's Oscar nominees - from the big names like Clooney, Julie Christie and Laura Linney - to costume designers, composures, screenwriters, directors, cinematographers and more.

At last year's event, I sat next to Jennifer Hudson and figured that would be hard to top. But luck of the draw got me seated at Clooney's table, a best actor nominee for "Michael Clayton." He was the last to arrive and the last open seat was next to me. It was awfully fun to sit next to the guy who is Hollywood's unofficial "Big Man on Campus."

George, looking dashing as ever, poured wine for everyone and we had some chit-chat. We were just finishing up our salads when the nominees - more than 150 of them - were called to the stage for a group photo. It was a sight to see: Holbrook,sitting between Affleck and Ellen Page who was seated next to Julie Christie. Also in the front row were Ruby Dee, Marion Cotillard and my other seatmate, Colleen Atwood, a two-time Oscar winner for costume design and nominated this year for "Sweeney Todd." George was next to the big Oscar statue with Viggo Mortensen.

When it was done, George got into a conversation with fellow nominee Javier Barden and never returned to our table for the main course! Colleen and I joked that maybe we could sell it on E-bay. Oh well, we'll always have our salad with George.

There were some noteable absentees in the major acting categories: Daniel Day-Lewis, Cate Blanchett, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Tom Wilkinson, Tommy Lee Jones and Tilda Swinton.

Academy President Sid Ganis joked that the certificates presented to each nominee had a new line added: "Must be present to win."

Of course, we know that's not true. Katherine Hepburn won four best actress Oscars over a span of more than 50 years and never showed up to accept a single one of them.

The official part of the luncheon ended with film clips of past winners who did show up to accept their Oscars including Humphrey Bogart, Grace Kelly, Ginger Rogers, Elizabeth Taylor, Hattie McDaniel, Anthony Hopkins, Audrey Hepburn, Jodie Foster, Denzel Washington, Sidney Poitier, Marlon Brando, JoAnne Woodward, Bette Davis and Spencer Tracy, among others.

It was a reminder of how special Oscar was, and is.