HOLLYWOOD ACTOR PREP by Dana Kaminski

The 61st Emmy Awards Calendar

I know that we are past many of these dates, but I am putting it on Hollywood Actor Prep, for your information.

I found it interesting…

2009 PRIMETIME EMMY AWARDS CALENDAR

June 1, 2008 – May 31, 2009

Eligibility period

Week of March 9

Online entry process begins. Rules and Procedures available at www.emmys.tv

April 17

Deadline to reinstate or apply for membership in the Academy for eligibility to vote in the primetime

competition

April 24

Entry deadline for ALL entries that were originally presented 6:00 PM – 2:00 AM,

June 1, 2008 – May 31, 2009

June 5

Nominating ballots are posted on the Television Academy’s website

June 26, 5:00 PM

Deadline for returning the nominating ballots to Ernst & Young

July 16, 5:35 AM

Nominations are announced live from the Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre

Week of August 3

At-home judging DVDs for Creative Arts Awards categories are mailed

Week of August 10

At-home judging DVDs for Telecast Awards categories are mailed

August 21, 5:00 PM

Deadline for returning at-home judging ballots for Creative Arts Awards categories to Ernst & Young

August 28, 5:00 PM

Deadline for returning at-home judging ballots for Telecast Awards categories to Ernst & Young

September 12

Creative Arts Awards and Ball

September 20

CBS Telecast and Governors Ball

The Acting Win Wasn’t Mentioned In The Media Much…

I did see the winners written up, but, only films made the lists I read.

There was a mention in a Hollywood Reporter article, so I checked at the LA Film Fest website.

Young Actors In 'Dear Lemon Lima'

A Young Actor Was Chosen

His name is Shayne Topp, and I happen to have a few photos that I took myself, with my iPhone.

I wasn’t going to see this film, at first.

The description reads:

As sweet and colorful as a snowcone, this delightful happy-sad confection…

Uh. That just made me turn the other way.

Until, everyone that I asked for a narrative film recommendation there, said this one.

Dear Lemon LI-ma.

Then I met the Producer in the Ladies Room.

I told her about how everyone was recommending the movie.

They didn’t have any distribution at that time; and I hope they got some, by now.

So, I did get to see the movie when they added an extra screening, due to demand. I was lucky to get in, the theater was full.

The director and actors spoke from the stage.

The director, Suzi Yoonessi, also wrote the screenplay…In 2000.

She used her own diary from when she was a 13 year old girl, and her sister’s…which she said was more interesting.

She wrote 25 full drafts before the final script, of ‘Dear Lemon Lima’.

Then she cut 20 pages, just before shooting. In 2008.

The Description In The Film Fest Program, Is Incorrect.

I didn’t find the movie sweet at all. It was a well-crafted depiction of a life, at age 13. A female life. Girl’s.

Coming-of-age, and a woman said that she was ’still that little girl inside’. We all are.

Director: A Script Should Come From Various Emotional Truths In Your Own Life

So should acting.

This actor was young, but he was right on target, every beat.

Congratulations to actor Shayne Topp, for getting the prize for outstanding performance in the narrative competition.

And for getting a prize for acting.

For getting a mention in The Hollywood Reporter.

And for shining in a chick flick, that is deeper and more individual than your usual chick flick.

It’s cool of you too, actually; for being in a cooler-than-usual film.

About individuality. Amongst chicks.

Where you acted as a dreamboat; and also a jerk, in subtle strokes.

You managed each stroke, with aplomb. By eeking out an exact-right amount of jerkiness, each time.

Which is what the story hinged on, the arc.

The lead actor, Savanah Wiltfong, whose story it was…wonderful acting, too.

And all the other individuals, that were girls, actors…you too. Great job.

Outsiders. Loved you.

Really good film.

The director gave advice, from the stage.

Just do whatever’s needed.

Seven-eight-nine years, just keep plugging away.

I wish you luck, Dear Lemon Lima.

Break a leg [in those kneesocks]…

See ya in the theaters soon…

Best,

Dana

Today, The Winners Were Announced…

The L.A. Film Festival Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature went to Cyrus Nowrasteh’s ‘The Stoning of Soraya M.’ This film was just released, his weekend.

It was a beautiful film, and brutal. I’ll write more about it, specifically, in a bit. I set up interviews with some of the actors, and the director, so stay posted for that…

Documentary Award

The Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature went to Jeffrey Levy-Hinte’s ‘Soul Power’. It’ll be in theaters on July 10th.

Best International Film

Eva Norvind’s ‘Born Without’ won the Audience Award for Best International Feature.

Target Sponsored Two Prizes–To The Tune Of $50,000

The Target Filmmaker Narrative Award went to ‘Wah Do Dem’ (What They Do), by Sam Fleischner and Ben Chace.

The Target Documentary Award was given to Juan Carlos Rulfo and Carlos Hagerman’s ‘Those Who Remain’ (Los Que se Quedan).

Hat tip to my friend, Jeffrey Wells, who has an industry blog called Hollywood-Elsewhere, (link) for the info about the LA Film Fest winners…

And a big bow, too…he allowed me to accompany him for much of the festival, he’s a film brain…

Okay, this is ver-ry cool.

There is a “Lounge”.  It actually is a store that the LA Film Festival took over, for the fest.

There’s a bar, with free drinks.  

And lots of mingling, and you need a press pass or some other kind of hanging tag around your neck to get in.

And get this:

A counter with some MacBook Pros to diddle with.

Here’s  some photos that I was unable to put up before, with my iphone to wordpress:

So…

I’ve got a yummy vodka mojito (one of the only choices)–to which I had the ‘tender add some pineapple juice, um-hm…

…and some Twizzler’s licorice that he was cute enough to offer me when I complained about the Zones power  bars…

…and a Mac.

Gotta go, there’s an outdoor screening of”Ghostbusters”.

They closed off a street to put a blow-up screen. Could be coolio.

Stay tuned, huh?

;~Dana

 

PS I am next to an actor showing his short film on Youtube.  I am going to watch it and then go see a film.  I’ll let you know on Twitter…

Why…at the LA Film Festival, of course.

Last night, I was twittering away. Live from the Red Carpet at the Opening Night Premiere; and afterward, from the Gala Event.

I’m going to continue doing so, throughout the 10 days of the LA Film Fest… And I may even be live blogging by iPhone.

There’s a ton of stuff to cover: narrative films, documentaries, parties, symposiums…and, I will be at them.

My focus, as ever, will be the acting in the films. I’ll be tweeting about the actors at the festival, and may throw in done film reviews, too.

To come along with me, just keep checking back here, at Hollywood Actor Prep.

If you really want ‘real time’… Twitter may be the best method. I post photos there too, just like on this blog.

On Twitter, my user name is __dana__.

My page address is here at this link for Dana Kaminski.

Stick around!
;~Dana

Of course, Hollywood Actor Prep has a list of the Tony Nominations, in printable, list form.

The Acting Nominees Top The List.

Because, Dahling.

It’s the theatre…

 

 

 

Nominations for the 2009 American Theatre Wing’s Tony Awards®
Presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing

 

 

Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play

Jeff Daniels, God of Carnage

Raúl Esparza, Speed-the-Plow

James Gandolfini, God of Carnage

Geoffrey Rush, Exit the King

Thomas Sadoski, Reasons to Be Pretty

 

Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play

Hope Davis, God of Carnage

Jane Fonda, 33 Variations

Marcia Gay Harden, God of Carnage

Janet McTeer,  Mary Stuart Harriet Walter, Mary Stuart

 

Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical

David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik, and Kiril Kulish – Billy Elliot, The Musical

Gavin Creel, Hair Brian d’Arcy James, Shrek The Musical

Constantine Maroulis, Rock of Ages

J.Robert Spencer, Next to Normal

 

Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical

Stockard Channing, Pal Joey

Sutton Foster, Shrek The Musical

Allison Janney, 9 to 5: The Musical

Alice Ripley, Next to Normal

Josefina Scaglione, West Side Story

 

Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play

John Glover, Waiting for Godot

Zach Grenier, 33 Variations

Stephen Mangan, The Norman Conquests

Paul Ritter, The Norman Conquests

Roger Robinson, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

 

Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play

Hallie Foote, Dividing the Estate

Jessica Hynes, The Norman Conquests

Marin Ireland, Reasons to Be Pretty

Angela Lansbury, Blithe Spirit

Amanda Root, The Norman Conquests

 

Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical

David Bologna, Billy Elliot, The Musical

Gregory Jbara, Billy Elliot, The Musical

Marc Kudisch, 9 to 5: The Musical

Christopher Sieber, Shrek The Musical

Will Swenson, Hair

 

Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical

Jennifer Damiano, Next to Normal

Haydn Gwynne, Billy Elliot, The Musical

Karen Olivo, West Side Story

Martha Plimpton, Pal Joey

Carole Shelley, Billy Elliot, The Musical 

 

Best Play

Dividing the Estate
Author: Horton FooteProducers: Lincoln Center Theater, Bernard Gersten, André Bishop, Primary Stages
God of Carnage
Author: Yasmina RezaProducers: Robert Fox, David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers, Stuart Thompson, Scott Rudin, Jon B. Platt, The Weinstein Company, The Shubert Organization
Reasons to Be Pretty
Author: Neil LaButeProducers: Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel, MCC Theater, Gary Goddard Entertainment, Ted Snowdon, Doug Nevin/Erica Lynn Schwartz, Ronald Frankel/Bat-Barry Productions, Kathleen Seidel, Kelpie Arts, LLC, Jam Theatricals, Rachel Helson/Heather Provost
33 Variations
Author: Moisés KaufmanProducers: David Binder, Ruth Hendel, Barbara Whitman, Goldberg/Mills, Latitude Link, Arielle Tepper Madover, Bill Resnick, Eric Schnall, Jayne Baron Sherman, Wills/True Love Productions, Tectonic Theater Project, Greg Reiner, Dominick Balletta, Jeffrey LaHoste

 

Best Musical

Billy Elliot, The Musical
Producers: Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films, Old Vic Productions, Weinstein Live Entertainment
Next to Normal
Producers: David Stone, James L. Nederlander, Barbara Whitman, Patrick Catullo, Second Stage Theatre, Carole Rothman, Ellen Richard
Rock of Ages
Producers: Matthew Weaver, Carl Levin, Jeff Davis, Barry Habib, Scott Prisand, Relativity Media, Corner Store Fund, Janet Billig Rich, Hillary Weaver, Toni Habib, Paula Davis, Simon and Stefany Bergson/Jennifer Maloney, Charles Rolecek, Susanne Brook, Israel Wolfson, Sara Katz/Jayson Raitt, Max Gottlieb/John Butler, David Kaufman/Jay Franks, Mike Wittlin, Prospect Pictures, Laura Smith/Bill Bodnar, Happy Walters, Michele Caro, The Araca Group
Shrek The Musical
Producers: Dreamworks Theatricals, Neal Street Productions

 

Best Book of a Musical

Billy Elliot, The Musical Lee Hall
Next to Normal Brian Yorkey
Shrek The Musical David Lindsay-Abaire
[Title of Show] Hunter Bell

 

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Billy Elliot, The Musical
Music: Elton John
Lyrics: Lee Hall
Next to Normal
Music: Tom KittLyrics: Brian Yorkey
9 to 5: The Musical
Music & Lyrics: Dolly Parton
Shrek The Musical
Music: Jeanine Tesori
Lyrics: David Lindsay-Abaire

 

Best Revival of a Play

Joe Turner’s Come and Gone
Producers: Lincoln Center Theater, André Bishop, Bernard Gersten
Mary Stuart
New Version: Peter Oswald
Producers: Arielle Tepper Madover, Debra Black, Neal Street Productions/Matthew Byam Shaw, Scott Delman, Barbara Whitman, Jean Doumanian/Ruth Hendel, David Binder/CarlWend Productions/Spring Sirkin, Daryl Roth/James L. Nederlander/Chase Mishkin, The Donmar Warehouse
The Norman Conquests
Producers: Sonia Friedman Productions, Steven Baruch, Marc Routh, Richard Frankel, Tom Viertel, Dede Harris, Tulchin/Bartner/Lauren Doll, Jamie deRoy, Eric Falkenstein, Harriet Newman Leve, Probo Productions, Douglas G. Smith, Michael Filerman/Jennifer Manocherian, Richard Winkler, Dan Frishwasser, Pam Laudenslager/Remmel T. Dickinson, Jane Dubin/True Love Productions, Barbara Manocherian/Jennifer Isaacson, The Old Vic Theatre Company
Waiting for Godot
Producers: Roundabout Theatre Company, Todd Haimes, Harold Wolpert, Julia C. Levy, Elizabeth Ireland McCann

Best Revival of a Musical

Guys and Dolls
Producers: Howard Panter and Ambassador Theatre Group, Tulchin/Bartner, Bill Kenwright, Northwater Entertainment, Darren Bagert, Tom Gregory, Nederlander Presentations, Inc., David Mirvish, Michael Jenkins/Dallas Summer Musicals, Independent Presenters Network, Olympus Theatricals, Sonia Friedman Productions
Hair
Producers: The Public Theater, Oskar Eustis, Andrew D. Hamingson, Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel, Gary Goddard Entertainment, Kathleen K. Johnson, Nederlander Productions, Inc., Fran Kirmser Productions/Jed Bernstein, Marc Frankel, Broadway Across America, Barbara Manocherian/Wencarlar Productions, JK Productions/Terry Schnuck, Andy Sandberg, Jam Theatricals, The Weinstein Company/Norton Herrick, Jujamcyn Theaters, Joey Parnes, Elizabeth Ireland McCannPal Joey
Producers: Roundabout Theatre Company, Todd Haimes, Harold Wolpert, Julia C. Levy, Marc Platt
West Side Story
Producers: Kevin McCollum, James L. Nederlander, Jeffrey Seller, Terry Allen Kramer, Sander Jacobs, Roy Furman/Jill Furman Willis, Freddy DeMann, Robyn Goodman/Walt Grossman, Hal Luftig, Roy Miller, The Weinstein Company, Broadway Across America

 

Best Special Theatrical Event

Liza’s at The Palace
Producers: John Scher and Metropolitan Talent Presents, LLC; Jubilee Time Productions, LLCSlava’s Snowshow
Producers: David J. Foster, Jared Geller, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Judith Marinoff Cohn, John Pinckard
Soul of Shaolin
Producers: Nederlander Worldwide Productions, LLC; Eastern Shanghai International Culture Film & Television Group; China on Broadway
You’re Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush
Producer: Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel, Steve Traxler, Home Box Office Inc., Gary Sanchez Productions, Bat-Barry Productions, Ken Davenport, Ergo Entertainment, Ronald Frankel, Jon B. Platt, James D. Stern, The Weinstein Company, Tara Smith/b. Swibel, Dede Harris/Sharon Karmazin, Arny Granat

 

Best Costume Design of a Play

Dale Ferguson, Exit the King
Jane Greenwood, Waiting for Godot
Martin Pakledinaz, Blithe Spirit
Anthony Ward, Mary Stuart

 

Best Costume Design of a Musical

Gregory Gale, Rock of Ages
Nicky Gillibrand, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Tim Hatley, Shrek The Musical
Michael McDonald, Hair

 

Best Lighting Design of a Play

David Hersey, Equus
David Lander, 33 Variations
Brian MacDevitt, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone
Hugh Vanstone, Mary Stuart

 

Best Lighting Design of a Musical

Kevin Adams, Hair
Kevin Adams, Next to Normal
Howell Binkley, West Side Story
Rick Fisher, Billy Elliot, The Musical

 

Best Sound Design of a Play

Paul Arditti, Mary Stuart
Gregory Clarke, Equus
Russell Goldsmith, Exit the King
Scott Lehrer and Leon Rothenberg, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

 

Best Sound Design of a Musical

Acme Sound Partners, Hair
Paul Arditti, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Peter Hylenski, Rock of Ages
Brian Ronan, Next to Normal

 

Best Direction of a Play

Phyllida Lloyd, Mary Stuart
Bartlett Sher, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone
Matthew Warchus, God of Carnage
Matthew Warchus, The Norman Conquests

Best Direction of a Musical

Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Michael Greif, Next to Normal
Kristin Hanggi, Rock of Ages
Diane Paulus, Hair

Best Choreography

Karole Armitage, Hair
Andy Blankenbuehler, 9 to 5: The Musical
Peter Darling, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Randy Skinner, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas

 

Best Orchestrations

Larry Blank, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas
Martin Koch, Billy Elliot, The Musical
Michael Starobin and Tom Kitt, Next to Normal
Danny Troob and John Clancy, Shrek The Musical

* * *

Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre
Jerry Herman

Regional Theatre Tony Award
Signature Theatre, Arlington, Va.

Isabelle Stevenson Award
Phyllis Newman

Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theatre
Shirley Herz

* * *

Tony Nominations by Production

Billy Elliot, The Musical – 15
Next to Normal – 11
Hair – 8
Shrek The Musical – 8
Mary Stuart – 7
The Norman Conquests – 7
God of Carnage – 6
Joe Turner’s Come and Gone – 6
Rock of Ages – 5
33 Variations – 5
Exit the King – 4
9 to 5: The Musical – 4
Pal Joey – 4
West Side Story – 4
Reasons to Be Pretty – 3
Waiting for Godot – 3
Blithe Spirit – 2
Dividing the Estate – 2
Equus – 2
Guys and Dolls – 2
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas – 2
Liza’s at The Palace – 1
Slava’s Snowshow – 1
Soul of Shaolin – 1
Speed-the-Plow – 1
You’re Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush – 1

 

Break A Leg,

;~Dana

 

 

When Sean Penn Accepted His Best Actor Oscar, He Transformed Before Our Very Eyes…   

He went from Bad-Boy-Sean 

…To a wise, seasoned, actor-statesman.  

(And I do like both those Seans; and all that magnificent talent and sensitivity, in between.)

Yes, he gave a dignified thanks to the Academy Members, and to the public. He even began with by alluding to his bad reputation.

“I want to make it very clear that I  do know how hard I make it for you to appreciate me–often.”

As he went on, he managed to include everything. Everything pertinent. Everything that actors are aware of, and need to know in order to play any character.  The things that most people don’t notice, or pay any mind to, or dare speak of, even though they may be thinking about it, consciously. Or may be acting on it, unconsciously.

He mentioned it all; and he did it gracefully, and so decently. With aplomb. A comfortable stance; that was both regal, and, at the same time, was ‘everyman’.

He spoke of the message of gay rights, human rights, which fueled Harvey Milk’s adult life, and ultimately, brought death.  That same theme steered the movie ‘Milk’, and, judging by Penn’s acceptance speech; it was the same message, and his passion for it, that made him choose this role, and guided his performance.  It seemed to dominate  his speech,  when he accepted his Oscar.  It was this part that got the strong reaction from the crowd.

To be a great actor, you need to have what is called “a strong inner life”.  Sean Penn didn’t raise his voice, or change his tone, but it was clear how passionately he felt about the theme of ‘Milk’, and what described as “equal rights for everyone”.

Most people have a false stereotype about actors. They think all that actors do is think and talk about themselves.

What I noticed about Sean Penn’s Oscar speech, is that he barely spoke about himself, at all. Not ever.

And, maybe you needed to be an actor, to really hear the importance of the other stuff, as well.  To recognize that which he felt important, to mention.

He talked about directors, and of Gus Van Sant…

“And particularly, as all us actors know, our director either has the patience, talent and restraint,  to grant us a voice, or they don’t.  And it goes from the beginning: the meeting through the cutting room.

 

I’m very very proud to live in a country that is willing to elect an elegant man as president, and a country, for all its toughness, that creates courageous artists; and this is in great due respect to all the nominees.

 

… Courageous artists who, despite a sensitivity that sometimes has brought enormous challenge, Mickey Rourke rises again, and he is my brother.”

 

Actors are brethren, we are different.  We honor you, Sean.  We honor you too, Mickey. We support you, and we, too, are proud.

And, photos of the Oscar winning actors, in their memorable performances…

 

Academy Award Winners 2009

• Best Picture: Slumdog Millionaire

• Actress: Kate Winslet, The Reader

• Actor: Sean Penn, Milk

• Supporting Actress: Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona

• Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

• Director: Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire

• Original Screenplay: Dustin Lance Black, Milk

• Adapted Screenplay: Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire

• Original Score: A.R. Rahman, Slumdog Millionaire

• Animated Film: WALL-E

• Short Animated Film: La Maison En Petite Cubes

• Art Direction: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

• Costume Design: The Duchess

• Makeup: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

• Cinematography: Slumdog Millionaire

• Live Action Short Film: Spielzeugland (Toyland)

• Original Song: A.R. Rahman and Gulzar, Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire

• Documentary: Man on Wire

• Documentary, Short Subjects: Smile Pinki

• Visual Effects: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

• Sound Editing: The Dark Knight

• Sound Mixing: Slumdog Millionaire

• Film Editing: Slumdog Millionaire

  Foreign Film: Departures (Japan)

  

Here’s the acting category winners, from the Independent Spirit Awards. First.

Then, I’ll  post the rest of the winners, followed by a list of all the nominees. And some photos.  All in this one Hollywood Actor Prep post.

Best lead (male actor) : Mickey Rourke, ‘Wrestler.’

Best Lead (female actor) : Melissa Leo, ‘Frozen River.’

Best Supporting (male actor): James Franco, ‘Milk.’

Best Supporting (female actor): Penelope Cruz, ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona.’

'Best Supporting' Penelope Cruz

 

 

 

The following are the winners, from the non-acting categories:

Best Picture: The Wrestler

Best Director:  Thomas McCarthy The Visitor

Best Screenplay: Woody Allen Vicky Christina Barcelona

Best First Screenplay: ‘Milk’ Dustin Lance Black

Best Cinematography: ‘The Wrestler’  Maryse Alberti

Best First Feature: ‘Synecdoche NY’  Charlie Kaufman, Spike Jonze, Anthony Bregman, Sidney Kimmel

Best Foreign Film: ‘Entre Les Murs’   Laurent Cantet  (France)

Best Documentary: ‘Man On A Wire’  James Marsh

John Cassavetes Award: ‘In Search Of A Midnight Kiss’  

Truer Than Fiction Award:  ’The Order Of Myths’  

Someone To Watch Award: Lynn Shelton  ’My Effortless Brilliance’

Producers Award: Heather Rae  ’Frozen River’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s the full list of the 2009 Independent Spirit Nominees.

Best Feature

“Ballast”
Producers: Lance Hammer, Nina Parikh

“Frozen River”
Producers: Chip Hourihan, Heather Rae

“Rachel Getting Married”
Producers: Neda Armian, Jonathan Demme, Marc Platt

“Wendy and Lucy”
Producers: Larry Fessenden, Neil Kopp, Anish Savjani

“The Wrestler”
Producers: Darren Aronofsky, Scott Franklin

 

Best Director

Ramin Bahrani, “Chop Shop”

Jonathan Demme, “Rachel Getting Married”

Lance Hammer, “Ballast”

Courtney Hunt, “Frozen River”

Thomas McCarthy, “The Visitor”

Best First Feature

“Afterschool”
Director: Antonio Campos
Producers: Sean Durkin, Josh Mond

“Medicine for Melancholy”
Director: Barry Jenkins
Producer: Justin Barber

“Sangre de Mi Sangre”
Director: Christopher Zalla
Producers: Per Melita, Benjamin Odell

“Sleep Dealer”
Director: Alex Rivera
Producer: Anthony Bregman

“Synecdoche, New York”
Director: Charlie Kaufman
Producers: Anthony Bregman, Spike Jonze, Charlie Kaufman, Sidney Kimmel

John Cassavetes Award (Given to the best feature made for under $500,000)

“In Search of a Midnight Kiss”
Writer/Director: Alex Holdridge
Producers: Seth Caplan and Scoot McNairy

“Prince of Broadway”
Director: Sean Baker
Writers: Sean Baker, Darren Dean
Producer: Darren Dean

“The Signal”
Writer/Directors: David Bruckner, Dan Bush, Jacob Gentry
Producers: Jacob Gentry and Alexander Motiagh

“Take Out”
Writer/Directors/Producers: Sean Baker and Shih-Ching Tsou

“Turn the River”
Writer/Director: Chris Eigeman
Producer: Ami Armstrong

Best First Screenplay

Dustin Lance Black, “Milk”

Lance Hammer, “Ballast”

Courtney Hunt, “Frozen River”

Jonathan Levine, “The Wackness”

Jenny Lumet, “Rachel Getting Married”

Best Screenplay

Woody Allen, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”

Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, “Sugar”

Charlie Kaufman, “Synecdoche, New York”

Howard A. Rodman, “Savage Grace”

Christopher Zalla, “Sangre de Mi Sangre”

Best Female Lead

Summer Bishil, “Towelhead”

Anne Hathaway, “Rachel Getting Married”

Melissa Leo, “Frozen River”

Tarra Riggs, “Ballast”

Michelle Williams, “Wendy and Lucy”

Best Male Lead

Javier Bardem, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”

Richard Jenkins, “The Visitor”

Sean Penn, “Milk”

Jeremy Renner, “The Hurt Locker”

Mickey Rourke, “The Wrestler”

Best Supporting Female

Penelope Cruz, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”

Rosemarie DeWitt, “Rachel Getting Married”

Rosie Perez, “The Take”

Misty Upham, “Frozen River”

Debra Winger, “Rachel Getting Married”

Best Supporting Male

James Franco, “Milk”

Anthony Mackie, “The Hurt Locker”

Charlie McDermott, “Frozen River”

JimMyron Ross, “Ballast”

Haaz Sleiman, “The Visitor”

Best Cinematography

Maryse Alberti, “The Wrestler”

Lol Crowley, “Ballast”

James Laxton, “Medicine for Melancholy”

Harris Savides, “Milk”

Michael Simmonds, “Chop Shop”

Best Documentary

“The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)”
Director: Ellen Kuras and Thavisouk Phrasavath

“Encounters at the End of the World”
Director: Werner Herzog

“Man on Wire”
Director: James Marsh

“The Order of Myths”
Director: Margaret Brown

“Up the Yangtze”
Director: Yang Chung

Best Foreign Film

“The Class” (France)
Director: Laurent Cantet

“Gomorrah” (Italy)
Director: Matteo Garrone

“Hunger” (UK/Ireland)
Director: Steve McQueen

“Secret of the Grain” (France)
Director: Abdellatif Kechiche

“Silent Light” (Mexico/France/Netherlands/Germany)
Director: Carlos Reygadas

Robert Altman Award (Given to one film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast)

“Synecdoche, New York”
Director: Charlie Kaufman
Casting Director: Jeanne McCarthy
Ensemble Cast: Hope Davis, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Catherine Keener, Samantha Morton, Tom Noonan, Dianne Wiest, Michelle Williams

Someone to Watch Award

Barry Jenkins, “Medicine for Melancholy”

Nina Paley, “Sita Sings the Blues”

Lynn Shelton, “My Effortless Brilliance”

Truer Than Fiction Award

Margaret Brown, “The Order of Myths”

Sacha Gervasi, “Anvil! The Story of Anvil”

Darius Marder, “Loot”

Producers Award

Lars Knudsen and Jay Van Hoy, “Treeless Mountain” and “I’ll Come Running”

Jason Orans, “Goodbye Solo” and “Year of the Fish”

Heather Rae, “Frozen River” and “Ibid”

 

This Hollywood Actor Prep Cheat Sheet lists only the 2009 Academy Award Nominees, in the Acting Categories.

Doesn’t everyone always talk about the “Best Acting” categories, primarily??

Or only??

I mean, everyone, everywhere.

Okay. Also, they talk about the “Best Picture Nominees”. Right?

Then, the other categories

…Maybe.

I’ve found…that is, to your average American ticket-buyer…the acting and best picture categories ARE their whole definition of “the movies”, when it comes to the Oscars.

Most movie-goers are in the dark …about what directors do…

And, about what producers do, fugedabowdit …total mystery. Like invisible… Right?

People watch the Oscars for the categories they are rooting for, the ones that they care about. It’s emotional…If they cared, while watching the movie; then they “care” during the Academy Awards. A–lot.

Acting + Best Picture: There are no other Oscar categories, to most.

Scientifically, I can prove it.

Monitor your own plumbing, during the Academy Awards television broadcast.

I’ll wager that almost no toilets are flushed, in any bathroom, in the entire USA…

…on February 22nd 2009..

…during the announcing of Oscar wins for any acting category, or best picture.

Okay.

The brilliant acting performances of this year….

The nominated actors are in alphabetical order, and not in order of my own favorites.

(…Come back to Hollywood Actor Prep this this weekend, for that…)

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

ACADEMY AWARD ACTING NOMINEES 2009

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

Anne Hathaway in “Rachel Getting Married”
Angelina Jolie in “Changeling”
Melissa Leo in “Frozen River”
Meryl Streep in “Doubt”
Kate Winslet in “The Reader”

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Amy Adams in “Doubt”
Penélope Cruz in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”
Viola Davis in “Doubt”
Taraji P. Henson in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
Marisa Tomei in “The Wrestler”

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

Richard Jenkins in “The Visitor”
Frank Langella in “Frost/Nixon”
Sean Penn in “Milk”
Brad Pitt in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
Mickey Rourke in “The Wrestler”

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Josh Brolin in “Milk”
Robert Downey Jr. in “Tropic Thunder”
Philip Seymour Hoffman in “Doubt”
Heath Ledger in “The Dark Knight”
Michael Shannon in “Revolutionary Road”

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;Best,

Dana

FILM
BEST FEATURE – DRAMA
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” – Warner Bros. Pictures and Paramount Pictures; Warner Bros. Pictures and Paramount Pictures
“Frost/Nixon” – Imagine Entertainment, Working Title, Studio Canal; Universal Pictures
“The Reader” – Mirage Enterprises; The Weinstein Company
“Revolutionary Road” – An Evamere Entertainment BBC Films Neal Street Production; DreamWorks Pictures in Association with BBC Films and Paramount Vantage
WINNER: “Slumdog Millionaire” – Fox Searchlight Pictures and Warner Bros.; Fox Searchlight Pictures and Warner Bros.

BEST FEATURE – COMEDY
“Burn After Reading” – Working Title/Releasing Company; Focus Features in association with Studio Canal
“Happy-Go-Lucky” – Summit Entertainment, Film4, Ingenious Film Partners, Miramax Films; Miramax Films
“In Bruges” – Blueprint Pictures; Focus Features
“Mamma Mia!” – Relativity Media, Playtone, Littlestar; Universal Pictures
WINNER: “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” – Mediapro; The Weinstein Company

DIRECTOR – MOTION PICTURE
WINNER: Danny Boyle – “Slumdog Millionaire”
Stephen Daldry -”The Reader”
David Fincher -”The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button”
Ron Howard – “Frost/Nixon”
Sam Mendes -”Revolutionary Road”

ACTOR – DRAMA
Leonardo DiCaprio – “Revolutionary Road”
Frank Langella – “Frost/Nixon”
Sean Penn – “Milk”
Brad Pitt – “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
WINNER: Mickey Rourke – “The Wrestler”

ACTRESS – DRAMA
Anne Hathaway – “Rachel Getting Married”
Angelina Jolie – “Changeling”
Meryl Streep – “Doubt”
Kristin Scott Thomas – “I’ve Loved You So Long”
WINNER: Kate Winslet – “Revolutionary Road”

ACTOR – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Javier Bardem – “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”
WINNER: Colin Farrell – “In Bruges”
James Franco – “Pineapple Express”
Brendan Gleeson – “In Bruges”
Dustin Hoffman – “Last Chance Harvey”

ACTRESS – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Rebecca Hall – “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”
WINNER: Sally Hawkins – “Happy-Go-Lucky”
Frances McDormand – “Burn After Reading”
Meryl Streep – “Mamma Mia!”
Emma Thompson – “Last Chance Harvey”

SUPPORTING ACTOR
Tom Cruise – “Tropic Thunder”
Robert Downey Jr. – “Tropic Thunder”
Ralph Fiennes – “The Duchess”
Philip Seymour Hoffman – “Doubt”
WINNER: Heath Ledger – “The Dark Knight”
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams – “Doubt”
Penelope Cruz – “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”
Viola Davis – “Doubt”
Marisa Tomei – “The Wrestler”
WINNER: Kate Winslet – “The Reader”

SCREENPLAY – MOTION PICTURE
WINNER: Simon Beaufoy – “Slumdog Millionaire”
David Hare – “The Reader”
Peter Morgan – “Frost/Nixon”
Eric Roth – “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
John Patrick Shanley – “Doubt”

BEST SCORE
Alexandre Desplat – “The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button”
Clint Eastwood – “Changeling”
James Newton Howard – “Defiance”
WINNER: A. R. Rahman – “Slumdog Millionaire”
Hans Zimmer – “Frost/Nixon”

BEST ORIGINAL SONG
“Down To Earth” from “Wall-E” – Music By: Peter Gabriel, Thomas Newman; Lyrics By: Peter Gabriel
“Gran Torino” from “Gran Torino” – Music By: Clint Eastwood, Jamie Cullum, Kyle Eastwood, Michael Stevens; Lyrics By: Jamie Cullum
“I Thought I Lost You” from “Bolt” – Music & Lyrics By: Miley Cyrus, Jeffrey Steele
“Once In A Lifetime” from “Cadillac Records” – Music & Lyrics By: Beyoncé Knowles, Amanda Ghost, Scott Mcfarnon, Ian Dench, James Dring, Jody Street
WINNER: “The Wrestler” from “The Wrestler” – Music & Lyrics By: Bruce Springsteen

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
“Bolt” – Walt Disney Pictures; Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
“Kung Fu Panda” – DreamWorks Animation SKG; Paramount Pictures
WINNER: “Wall-E” – Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios; Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
“The Baader Meinhof Complex” (“Der Baader Meinhof Komplex”)(Germany) – Constantin Film Produktion GmbH; Summit Entertainment, LLC
“Everlasting Moments” (“Maria larssons eviga ögonblick”) (Sweden) – Final Cut Productions Aps; IFC Films
“Gomorrah” (“Gomorra”) (Italy) – Fandango; IFC Films
“I’ve Loved You So Long” (“Il y a longtemps que je t’aime”) (France) – UGC YM/UGC Images/France 3 Cinema/Integral Film; Sony Pictures Classics
WINNER: “Waltz with Bashir” (Israel) – Bridgit Folman Film Gang/Les Films D’Ici/Razor Films/Arte France/ITVS International; Sony Pictures
TV

TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
“Dexter” (Showtime) – Showtime/John Goldwyn Productions/The Colleton Company/Clyde Phillips Productions
“House” (Fox) – Universal Media Studios In Association With Heel And Toe Films, Shore Z Productions And Bad Hat Harry Productions
“In Treatment” (HBO) – Sheleg, Closest To The Hole Productions In Association With HBO Entertainment
WINNER: “Mad Men” (AMC) – Lionsgate Television
“True Blood” (HBO) – Your Face Goes Here Productions In Association With HBO Entertainment

MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
“A Raisin in the Sun” – Sony Pictures Television, Storyline Entertainment and Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment
“Bernard and Doris” – Trigger Street Independent Productions in association with Little Bird and Chicago Films and HBO Films
“Cranford” – A Co-Production of BBC and WGBH Boston.
WINNER: “John Adams” – Playtone in association with HBO Films
“Recount” – Spring Creek/Mirage Productions in association with Trigger Street Productions, Everyman Pictures and HBO Films

TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
WINNER: “30 Rock” – Universal Media Studios in association with Broadway Video and Little
Stranger Inc.
“Californication” – Showtime Presents in association with Aggressive Mediocrity, And Then…
“Entourage” – Leverage and Closest to the Hole Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
“The Office” – Deedle Dee Productions, Reveille LLC, Universal Media Studios
“Weeds” – Lionsgate Television

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
WINNER: Gabriel Byrne – “In Treatment”
Michael C. Hall – “Dexter
Jon Hamm – “Mad Men
Hugh Laurie – “House
Jonathan Rhys Meyers – “The Tudors

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
Sally Field – “Brothers And Sisters”
Mariska Hargitay – “Law And Order: Special Victims Unit”
January Jones – “Mad Men”
WINNER: Anna Paquin – “True Blood”
Kyra Sedgwick – “The Closer”

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Christina Applegate – “Samantha Who?”
America Ferrera – “Ugly Betty”
WINNER: Tina Fey – “30 Rock”
Debra Messing – “The Starter Wife”
Mary-Louise Parker – “Weeds”

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
WINNER: Alec Baldwin – “30 Rock”
Steve Carell – “The Office”
Kevin Connelly – “Entourage”
David Duchovny – “Californication”
Tony Shalhoub – “Monk”

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Judi Dench – “Cranford”
Catherine Keener – “An American Crime”
WINNER: Laura Linney – “John Adams”
Shirley Maclaine – “Coco Chanel”
Susan Sarandon – “Bernard And Doris”

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Ralph Fiennes – “Bernard and Doris”
WINNER: Paul Giamatti – “John Adams”
Kevin Spacey – ” Recount”
Kiefer Sutherland – “24: Redemption”
Tom Wilkinson – “Recount”

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Neil Patrick Harris – “How I Met Your Mother”
Denis Leary – “Recount”
Jeremy Piven – “Entourage”
Blair Underwood – “In Treatment”
WINNER: Tom Wilkinson – “John Adams”

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
Eileen Atkins – “Cranford”
WINNER: Laura Dern – “Recount”
Melissa George – “In Treatment”
Rachel Griffiths – “Brothers And Sisters”
Dianne Wiest – “In Treatment”

Thank you, Variety.

                                     Supersized thanks + hat tip to Cinemablend…

 

Television Mid-Season Premiere Schedule…

 

Broadcast Networks 

January 3rd
8-9 PM GAME SHOW IN MY HEAD - Series premieres (CBS) 
8-9 PM Cops - Season 21 returns (FOX) 
9-10 PM America’s Most Wanted - Season 22 returns (FOX) 

January 5th
8-9 PM The Bachelor - Season 13 premieres (ABC) 
8-9 PM SUPERSTARS OF DANCE - Series premiere (Previews on January 4th) (NBC) 
8-9 PM Gossip Girl - Season 2 returns (CW) 
9-10 PM One Tree Hill - Season 6 returns (CW)
10-11 PM TRUE BEAUTY - Series premiere (ABC) 

January 6th
8-9 PM HOMELAND SECURITY USA - Series premiere (ABC) 
8-9 PM The Biggest Loser: Couples - Season 7 premieres (NBC) 
8-9 PM 90210 - Season 1 returns (CW) 
9-10 PM Scrubs - Season 8 premieres (ABC) Read the REVIEW
9-10 PM Privileged - Season 1 returns (CW) 
10-11 PM PRIMETIME - Series premiere (ABC) 
10-11 PM Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - Season 10 premieres (NBC) 

January 7th
8-9 PM Knight Rider - Season 1 returns (NBC) 
8-9 PM 13: FEAR IS REAL - Series premiere (CW) 

January 8th
8-9 PM Ugly Betty - Season 3 returns (ABC) 
8-8:30 PM My Name Is Earl - Season 4 returns (NBC) 
8:30-9 PM Kath & Kim - Season 1 returns (NBC) 
9-10 PM Grey’s Anatomy - Season 5 returns (ABC) 
9-9:30 PM The Office - Season 5 returns (NBC) 
9:30-10 PM 30 Rock - Season 3 returns (NBC) 
10-11 PM Private Practice - Season 2 returns (ABC) 
10-11 PM ER - Season 15 returns (NBC) 

January 9th
8-9 PM Ghost Whisperer - Season 4 returns (CBS)
8-9 PM HOWIE DO IT - Series premiere (NBC) 
8-9 PM Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? - Season 3 returns (FOX) 
8-8:30 PM Everybody Hates Chris - Season 4 returns (CW) 
8:30-9 PM The Game - Season 3 returns (CW) 
9-10 PM Flashpoint - Season 2 premieres (CBS) 
9-10 PM Friday Night Lights - Season 3 premieres (NBC) 
9-10 PM Don’t Forget The Lyrics! - Season 2 returns (FOX) 
10-11 PM Numb3rs - Season 5 returns (CBS) 

January 12th
9:30-10 PM Worst Week - Season 1 returns (CBS)
9-10 PM 24 - Season 7 premieres (Previews on January 11th) (FOX) 

January 13th
8-9 PM American Idol - Season 8 premieres (FOX) 

January 15th
8-9 PM Bones - Season 4 returns (FOX) 
8-9 PM Smallville - Season 8 returns (CW) 
9-10 PM C.S.I.: Crime Scene Investigation - Season 9 returns (CBS) 
9-10 PM Kitchen Nightmares - Season 2 returns (FOX) 
9-10 PM Supernatural - Season 4 returns (CW) 
10-11 PM Eleventh Hour - Season 1 returns (CBS) 

January 18th
7-8 PM Hole In The Wall - Season 1 returns (FOX) 
8-8:30 PM The Simpsons - Season 20 returns (FOX) 
8:30-9 PM King of the Hill - Season 13 returns (FOX) 
9-9:30 PM Family Guy - Season 7 returns (FOX) 
9:30-10 PM American Dad - Season 4 returns (FOX) 

January 19th
8-9 PM House - Season 5 returns, New timeslot (FOX) 

January 20th
9-10 PM Fringe - Season 1 returns (FOX) 

January 21st
9-10 PM Lost - Season 5 premieres (ABC) Read the REVIEW 
9-10 PM LIE TO ME - Series premiere (FOX) 

January 26th
10-11 PM TRUST ME - Series premiere (TNT) 

January 28th
10-11 PM Life on Mars - Season 1 returns, New timeslot (ABC) 

January 29th
9-10 PM Hell’s Kitchen - Season 5 premieres (FOX) 

February 2nd
8-9 PM Chuck - Season 2 returns (NBC) 
9-10 PM Heroes - Season 2 returns (NBC) 
10-11 PM Medium - Season 2 premieres (NBC) 

February 4th
9-10 PM Life - Season 2 returns (NBC) 

February 13th
8-9 PM Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles - Season 2 returns, New timeslot (FOX) 
9-10 PM DOLLHOUSE - Series premiere (FOX) 

March 1st
9-10 PM The Apprentice - Season 8 premieres (NBC) 

March 17th
9-10 PM Dancing with the Stars - Season 8 premieres (ABC) 
9-10 PM Reaper - Season 2 premieres (CW) 

March 19th
10-11 PM KINGS - Series premiere (NBC) 

March 24th
10-11 PM CUPID - Series premiere (ABC) Read the REVIEW 

Date To Be Determined
Better Off Ted - Series Premiere (ABC) Read the REVIEW

Cable Networks 

January 5th 
8-9 PM The Secret Life of the American Teenager - New timeslot (ABC Family)
10-11 PM No Reservations - Season premiere (TRAV) 

January 6th
10-11 PM Nip/Tuck - Season 5 returns (FX) 

January 7th
9-10 PM Ghost Hunters International - Season 2 premieres (SciFi) 
10-11 PM Damages - Season 2 premieres (FX) Read the REVIEW
10-11 PM The Real World - Season 21 premieres (MTV) 

January 9th
9-10 PM Monk - Season 7 returns (USA) Read the REVIEW 
10-11 PM Psych - Season 3 returns (USA) 

January 15th
10-11 PM THE BEAST - Series premiere (A&E) Read the REVIEW 

January 16th
10-11 PM Battlestar Galactica - Season 4 returns (SciFi) 

January 18th
9-10 PM The L Word - Season 6 premieres (Showtime) 
9-10 PM Big Love - Season 3 premieres (HBO) 
10-10:30 THE UNITED STATES OF TARA - Series premiere (Showtime) 
10-10:30 PM Flight of the Conchords - Season 2 premieres (HBO)
10:30-11 PM Secret Diary of a Call Girl - Season 2 premieres (Showtime) 

January 22nd
10-11 PM Burn Notice - Season 2 returns (USA) 

January 26th
10-11 PM TRUST ME - Series premiere (TNT)

 

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