The Oscars were tonight. Ellen Degeneres hosted. I freaking love her, I pretty much think everything she does is hilarious, and she is the *perfect* type of comedian for such a straight-laced , we-take-this-seriously-type event…but even she felt mostly like a fish out of water tonight.
I thought she pretty much did fine, but the production of the event totally seemed off to me. Like, not enough rehearsal time. And I’m not just talking about the awkward Ellen bits, which I hear were improvised (bad choice), I mean presenters looking waaaayyyy more terrified than usual, awkward camera cuts/shots, totally random montages…it was kind of a shit show. Usually, it’s pretty boring as all hell, but at least the pageantry has some polish to it. Maybe it was a first-time director. It was awkward.
12 Years a Slave won best picture, which I believe I called a “shoe-in” on this very blog a few months back. Lupita was genuine and sweet, and I respect her even more for mentioning that she was classically trained at Yale Grad school. Was stoked to see Spike Jonez win for his screenplay; of all the writers that I saw speak at the WGA event a few weeks ago, he was the most odd and insightful.
Most people I know disdain the Oscars. And, I totally get it. I see what those people see now in the self-congratulating, self-aggrandizing nature of the Academy Awards. I still see, though, what the Oscars aspire to really be, and that is to give recognition to story-tellers. The artist has suffered for so very very long, especially those in the performing arts, which movies still are…and when we finally found a way to tell stories that make money, ie real power, we decided we wanted to congratulate those around us who represented the best. Those people at the top of their game. Of course it’s become jaded at this point, and it’s racist, and it’s political, and it’s all about the money…but godamnit that doesn’t change the fact the we *finally* found a way to congratulate story-tellers before they die and get put in a museum, or something. I say fuck yes to celebrating story-telling, and that is a part of the Oscars that will never go away. Giving awards to filmmakers is inherently celebrating stories. And some day, I still want to be good enough at my craft to stand up on that stage; to be recognized by my peers. It’s not about the fucking money, or the politics…it’s about excellence. The Academy may rightly be criticized for who it excludes, but not for those whom it includes.
I wrote for an hour today, and I had a break-through, I think. Two reference points that I’d like to combine into one: one by Thomas Harris, and the other by Philip K. Dick. Which means I have some reading to do to really mine for some specificity. But, it also already gives me an incredible blueprint from what I know already. I’m excited.
Also, and the last thought for the day since my eyelids are beginning to close on me: always remember to eat, kids. Life was very dim and depressing about an hour ago…because I was hungry. I ate, and I could *literally* feel the endorphins rushing back into my brain, and the anxiety and depression fading away. EAT. I must remember. Always.
Night!
Tonight’s cool composite artwork is courtesy of stuffpoint.com