Q.      Congratulations.

A.      Thank you.

Q.      You were talking about sitting on the bed, your dad giving you all the pointers of being an actor.  From that day to this moment, what kind of ride has this been?  And did you ever see this happening?

A.      Well, you know, ups and downs, what does the Dude say?  Strikes and gutters, man.  That’s about it.  That’s about it.

Q.      I just wanted to know what part of Bad Blake do you identify most with?  And also, will you and Colin Farrell please make a country band?

A.      Say that again.

Q.      What part of Bad Blake do you most identify with personally, and also, will you and Colin Farrell please form a country band?

A.      The music, that’s what I most identified with Bad.  I have been writing music, playing music since I was a kid.  Unlike Bad, I have    you know, I didn’t think he had great parents.  Certainly didn’t have    he had four, probably, great wives that he got rid of, you know.

But I have a very strong marriage, you know.  Bad didn’t have that.  There’s a lot of stuff he didn’t have.  But the music, I don’t know about forming a country band.  Sounds like a good idea.  I’ll talk with those guys, maybe.

Q.      Congratulations.

A.      Thank you so much.

Q.      One of the fascinating things about the Oscars in recent years, including this year, is that some of the acting, the key acting categories, are won by people in pictures that are not in the Best Picture category.  Very odd, but interesting.  And I am curious if you have any insight into that and what it means to be able to elevate the profile of a picture like Crazy Heart with this kind of triumph.

A.      Well, that’s the exciting thing to me, because this award brings some attention to that great movie.  I was kind of surprised.  We got 10 nominees and Crazy Heart didn’t make it.  Oh, God.  But, of course, Scott, you know, but…  bitch, bitch, bitch, right.  I mean, God.

Did I answer your question?  Say that again.  Yeah, yeah.  That’s, in a way, that’s one aspect of what these awards are all about to bring attention to all these great movies that we made, you know.  And so I’m all for this ten Best Pictures.  I think that’s wonderful.  And I hope a lot of people can see Crazy Heart because of this.

Q.      Jeff, over here.  Congratulations, I loved this film.  Loved it.

A.      Thank you so much.

Q.      What are you going to do with this newfound power?  Any projects you’ve been associated with or that you’re going to sprinkle this stardust on?

A.      Yeah.  Well, certainly, the music, that’s going to bloom for me.  That’s something that I’ve been doing for a long time.  And this is going to help me continue that.  But also, you know, there’s upsides and downsides of things.

The downsides, you lose some of your anonymity, and for an actor, that’s kind of tough.  But the upside is, you know, hopefully, this award will help bring peace and understanding and prosperity to our world, you know.  I think, because, really, movies are more than just entertainment, they are connecting us, you know.

And music is the same way.  We have, you know, a movie about music here, but music and movies are a common link for all of us.  And I am hoping that this will kind of raise my profile, and I am all about getting us, you know, getting us all together, getting the world healthy.

Sometimes I’ll think of movies as a great example for the way the world can work.  You have all these, you know, different opinions, and all these different ways we can work together.  And we can make the most beautiful movie we can make, and we have the opportunity to make this the most beautiful world too.  So I hope that furthers that idea.

Q.      As we see tonight, for a lot of your career you’ve been defined by one movie, The Big Lebowski.  Will this put that to rest?

A.      I’m digging the Dude.  You know, I love him.  That’s wonderful.  You know, the success that he’s had.  I was a little disappointed, when it first came out, it didn’t do much.  But now we have Lebowski fests and all kinds of things.

Q.      I was wondering what you were listening to on your iPod this morning when you were walking through Beverly Hills?

A.      I was digging a little Benji Hughes.  Do you know Benji Hughes?

Q.      I don’t.

A.      Check him out.

Q.      I’ll look him up right now.

A.      Good, good.

Q.      That’s all.

Q.      Everybody said tonight that you’re a successful man in every area.  Now you are the Best Actor of the year.  What would you say is your personal key for success?

A.      Oh, well, first thing that pops into my mind is my wife, my support, you know.  She holds that kite string.  Lets me go way out there, and then it’s so sweet being reeled back in.  I love coming home.  She pointed out the other day, we’ve been apart 11 of the last 14 months.  So I went, whoo, really far out there.  But my wife and my girls, I guess the girls are the tail of the kite, keep me centered like that.  My girl, my daughters.

Q.      Thank you so much, and congratulations.

Pete Hammond And Tom O’Neil Discuss The History Of Oscar® Acting Awards, And Deserving…

Two Oscar Pundits discuss a long history of actors winning Academy Awards for movie performances that were really because of earlier performances, in previous film,  or for longevity of acting career.

There is something to be said for longevity of career. Especially if an actor gives great performance after great performance. That, to me, says that is maestro level acting chops. Very high-level, to be held in high esteem. Longevity of acting career, with repeated  high-level acting, bears a message that the great acting that the actor did in one movie wasn’t a fluke, or because of a great director, or even a good casting fit.

I think there should be another Oscar for that. Separate from an individual acting Oscar, and in addition to the Lifetime Achievement Oscar for Acting.

Seriously. An Oscar  can be awarded to show that we do respect and revere our accomplished and high-level actors. To Actors, that show, repeatedly, a great artistry.

Should we also have an Oscar for being lovable? I am serious about this too. George Clooney and Sandra Bullock are so loved by the public. I love them too. Her a bit more than him, but that is just a personal thing because I think she’s a bit more real than him, more authentic.I think she works hard, very hard.  Movie star status is important to the movie business. The Academy Awards are a movie-star-affair. Maybe there should be an additional movie star award, at the Oscars.

That way, the great acting performances will be the only criteria that gets rewarded by the Best Actor and Best Actress awards, and the Supporting acting categories as well. Not get all muddied up with these other categories or past performances.

I find this video interesting, and I love the history. When I started Oscar Prep, I used vintage footage from past Academy Awards, but then they put the Academy kabosh on that.

This video goes Oscar Vintage, so I dig it. Pete Hammond and Tom O’Neil really know their stuff, their Oscar® history…

(By the way, I disagree a bit with what they say about Sandra Bullock’s acting choices. That, later in another post.)

You can find these two Oscarologists, Tom O’Neil and Pete Hammond at the LA Times.

Enjoy

Dana

Golden Globe Actor Winners Photos Make It To This Blog By 6:26 PT, 9:26 ET, Jan. 18, 1010

Okay, so it took me about a whole day toiling with the all my blog tech to get this posted…And, yes, near the end, I was wondering out loud to inanimate objects why-ever I was ‘Doing-all-this’…I did accelerate to the question, with simultaneous head shaking…“Why, Any Of This??”…But then, by the end, when I saw the finished gallery: the actors expressions, expressiveness…well…)

For me, these photos…of these well-known actors, are just wonderful.

©HFPA

Their faces are so wonderfully expressive of how they feel about their very recent Golden Globe win. Full of authentic emotion. Yes, they are famous; yes, they have had long careers. Yet, this win really feels like a prize to them. Look, and see.

I can also, clearly,  see what separates real actors, from most of the other people in the world.  The trait what makes them really great at acting.

I share their joy with them, when I see these photos, and I hope you will get a similar satisfaction from seeing these Golden Globes Winners:

Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, And Accompanying Authentic Joy…

©HFPA

I Would Know That These Winners Are Actors, And Great Ones…

Even if I never saw them in a movie, or anywhere that I was informed what they were.

They were born actors, and they love acting.

They also worked very hard at it. These individual actors.

They cherish being rewarded for acting. For being recognized, their true nature.

How Could I Tell That These Are True Actors?

And all these other annoying assumptions?

You look at the photos, and tell me how you can. We’ll compare impressions. Leave a comment, or tweet me at my Twitter name which is @__dana__.

©HFPA

Big-And-Serious-Thank-You to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

Best,

Dana

Please do share.

That’s what makes it worth it, for me. Honestly.

Here’s another Golden Globe Nomination List, To Print.

I am going to put my favorites on this post, just before the show. If you wish to put your predictions or favorites, please do. I realize I am a little late to ask for such, but just in case…Use the comments area if you catch this, in time…

♦

GOLDEN GLOBE NOMINATIONS IN THE FILM CATEGORY

GOLDEN GLOBE TELEVISION NOMINEES

 

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.

According to Al Pacino, Brando wasn’t interested in doing theatre acting.

Not after he left the New York stage….

Here’s a video clip, where Pacino shares what Brando intimated to him…

Enjoy!

Best,

Dana

Please share Hollywood Actor Prep…on Facebook and MySpace, if you would. Thanks very much.

You can also send this post in email to yourself, to save it, or to a friend…by clicking on the “share/save” feature, below.

And, follow me on twitter: my twitter name is __dana__ .  (That is a link, by the way, if you want to check it out!)

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”

Please share the Hollywood Actor Prep Blog with your friends, especially those who are actors.

Please put this blog on your Facebook and MySpace Pages. (*Thanks to those who already have!)

And wanna follow me, on Twitter? I “tweet” there, to announce new blog posts; and to communicate news that pertains to actors, in real time…On Twitter, I am __dana__.

;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.

The SAG AWARD NOMINEES were announced this morning. What makes this special, is that the focus is entirely about acting. Actors honoring acting performances. For me, that’s heaven,

And, in case you didn’t know, the SAG AWARDS are regarded, in Hollywood, as a kind of “Oscar E.S.P. ” (Oscar “channeling”?? Acad-Awards telepathy? SAG-The-Soothsayers??!

… Okay, enough…I know!)

Here’s a cheat sheet of all the nominees. Nice and brief.

Just one last thing, before I hit a show and after-holiday-party:

…This “Best Ensemble” category…well, the winner is usually the same movie that wins the Oscar for “Best Picture”, at the (a month later)… Academy Awards. We’ll see about that, this year we’ll check it out together, and I am psyched…

BEST ENSEMBLE
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
“Doubt”
“Frost/Nixon”
“Milk”
“Slumdog Millionaire”

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

BEST ACTRESS
Anne Hathaway, “Rachel Getting Married”
Angelina Jolie, “Changeling”
Melissa Leo, “Frozen River”
Meryl Streep, “Doubt”
Kate Winslet, “Revolutionary Road”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Josh Brolin, “Milk”
Robert Downey Jr., “Tropic Thunder”
Philip Seymour Hoffman, “Doubt”
Heath Ledger, “The Dark Knight”
Dev Patel, “Slumdog Millionaire”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams, “Doubt”
Penelope Cruz, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”
Viola Davis, “Doubt”
Taraji P. Henson, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
Kate Winslet, “The Reader”

What Movies…How, and Why

 

Let’s start with “Indies”.  

There’s a lot of them, this year.  

Lots of good ones, too.  Many more…than ever before…may be nominated for Oscars.

Better Independent Films, then, influence the standard of American movies, altogether.  

If American movie quality improves, then, tastes rise. That means higher quality films will be continued to be made. 

The “bar” will be raised, significantly, which will effect on Hollywood Studio decisions, and blockbuster fare.

It’s not only good for right now, but this will have an effect on what will be made in the future.

 

 

As far as acting goes…That’s wonderful news.  

Because it means more creative roles, more types of roles.

When you are an actor who is truly passionate about the art of acting, the roles in “indies” are the better ones to play.  The fulfilling kinds of roles.

Various parts to be able to play; more depth, more complexity in each.  More authentic acting.

That’s right: more roles.  Variation for each actor.  (Because what actor really wants to play the same thing again and again?)

It also means there will be more parts for variable types.  

 

 

 

The actors that have a tough time finding auditions, because of their “inherent type”, should not be as limited, when movies become more creative.  The truly dramatic, instead of melodramatic, widens the field.  

Independent movies have always been different than studio fare, simply because they enable artistic vision. They are fueled by someone’s creative vision.  Often, they are more unique, more literate.  Resulting in a deeper experience for the audience.

Independent movies are aptly named: they have less decision-makers, from above, telling them “no”. It’s a different tact, different mindset, different goal, when something is made to please the masses, or, mainly, for ticket sales. Art and depth have a hard time surviving, when made by committee.

Could mean a real evolution.

A solid one. 

 

This great movie trend can’t just go poof-in-the-night.

If you were worried, here’s your virtual valium…there’s something in the mix, that is here to stay.  

Because there is a basis for all this, that isn’t going away. 

No matter what happens in the economy.  No matter what, period.

It’s our lovely internet.  

And our internet, is us.

Before now, so much of a film success depended on it’s marketing.  In spades.  Both for major studio product, and for Independents.

Until now, movies were “pushed”.  Success was hoisted onto the public, by advertising.

The current economy has ended all that spending, for movie marketing. At the same time, the internet expanded, wildly, especially with sharing/spreading opinion, by the audience.  In other words, the old way was radically diminished, as the new way was expanding. 

The people,  on the internet, now, have more voice and more influence, on determining what will be a success, as far as movies go.

The internet has become a major “influencer”, a determinant; substantiating public opinion into a position of being a more “major player”.  A power-position, that isn’t going anywhere. 

                                

Ticket sales.

Also been affected by the economy.  In a bad economy, “ticket sales” carry more weight, as messengers.

When people cut back on their entertainment spending, they cut back on how many movies they see.  The ones that they do see, are chosen, specifically. The preferred choice.  Aligned with taste level.

Buying tickets really makes a point, in times like this.  

Quoting “New Indies Make Splash?”, from Variety  (Dade Hayes):

“The general economic climate is becoming refreshing,” says Oscilloscope’s Fenkel. “Buying a nomination is going to be harder. A company like ours has the resources to be patient and cultivate grassroots support for films that really deserve attention.”

Yari agrees, citing the discernment of the adult audience as a parallel shift that plays to these newer campaigners’ advantage.

The ultimate year of reckoning for the American indie and specialty sector has turned into a rare kudos opportunity for the survivors….”People are being more disciplined in their spending,” notes David Fenkel, a ThinkFilm vet who heads marketing at Oscilloscope, which is pushing “Wendy and Lucy.” “The quality of films in the race has risen as a result.”

Focus, Miramax, Fox Searchlight and Sony Pictures Classics — are “taking a lesson from ‘No Country for Old Men’ and ‘There Will Be Blood,’ ” argues Bob Yari, whose shingle has “Nothing but the Truth” and “What Doesn’t Kill You.” Last year’s campaigns for those pics “were successful, but they used up a lot of resources. What you’re seeing is a big pullback by studios and that’s left a lot of room for the independents.”

Overture, IFC, Samuel Goldwyn, Yari Releasing, Oscilloscope, Summit and Bleiberg Entertainment have a cluster of pics aiming to compete in major categories. Win or lose, they are bringing a sense of freshness to a process that had become machinelike in its predictability.

“We hold back a little bit,” Yari says of the indie hopefuls. “If the buzz organically starts building, then you have a validation. We don’t have the luxury of saying, ‘We love it, and we’re going to force it through.’ “

Best,

:Dana

Natalie Portman Describes The Power Of Sean Penn’s Acting Abilities

“Variety” has started a series, called “Actors Champion Fellow Colleagues In 2008 Performances”.

::What it is:  Well-known actors write a short piece on great acting performances, of a fellow actor::  

 

Natalie Portman’s “Champion” piece is my favorite. She wrote about Sean Penn’s performance in “Milk”… While describing, beautifully; that special, almost unconscious,  connection that good acting creates, between the character, and the audience member watching.  

 

 

What I found unique, and succinctly described… is how Ms Portman was influenced by this movie, and by the acting of Sean Penn.  Influenced to take some action; inspired to learn more about a related issue (a current societal issue); because she  experienced the life of Harvey Milk. 

She was able to be inside man’s life and his heart, and feel what he cared about, deeply.  

 

 

And, it’s because Sean Penn is such a magnificent actor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Natalie Portman on Sean Penn in ‘Milk’

“They only need to know one of us,” Harvey Milk explains to his campaign team in the film “Milk.” Sean Penn’s performance as Harvey does exactly that: You learn one man’s story, and his pains and triumphs become your own. It showed me how a great performance can also be a humanitarian act. When we know one character, one story, we recognize him as being of our own flesh and blood. When we understand his feelings, we put ourselves in his position. Not only is Sean’s performance honestly and lovingly humane, but it is also virtuosic — every note is so subtly tuned that the work behind it is never visible. He infuses Harvey’s courage with cowardice and his sexual prowess with hesitation. Sean’s Harvey is a cocky and charismatic orator, but always weighted by the foreboding dread of knowing his own tragedy. When the antigay Prop. 6 is unexpectedly voted down, surprise, elation and horror at the very existence of the referendum all rage in the blood beneath his skin. Sean Penn so inhabits Harvey Milk that I left the theater feeling the need to march against our frighteningly similar Prop. 8 to honor this man I now know.

Academy Awards, In February: 

Mickey Rourke has not acted, in the limelight, for a long time. Now, he’s starring in “The Wrestler”* 

Perhaps you never even saw any of the movies,  which I posted as examples, of Rourke’s great acting talent, in my last Actor-Prep post.  (LInk to those acting scenes here.)

Let’s cut to the present time…I think he is entitled to be nominated for an Oscar, and I think he may win:

Mickey Rourke may just take the Best Actor Category…this coming February…at the Academy Awards.

 

Look, he’s infamous for having a temper, being outspoken.  Some incomprehensible stuff: leaving acting to become a boxer, and getting his head all smashed up…the facial fixes…Vanity Fair articles on his relationship…and, he has dropped out of sight for a very long time.

Yuk. I don’t give a hoot.  I don’t think anybody else does, either.

Why?

Because Talent Trumps All

I’m not talking about acting style, chops, mojo, moxie, ability, appeal; although Mickey has them all.

I’m not talking about beauty, fashion, box office, “Page Six”, or TMZ…

…That stuff isn’t involved in this type of conversation.

That stuff all falls away, and it becomes so plain, clear:

Some people are born with a specialness, born with a blessedness. In all areas of humanity, there are rare ones that are blessed with such a pureness and powerful talent.  Mickey Rourke, clearly has such a gift.

When someone has a gift like that, everybody recognizes it.  Talent, like his, gifts us all.

The human race is proud of those with great talent. 

We love experiencing their talent

and

We are proud that he is “one of us” …a human with such magnificence…we all feel it represents us.

Too Abstract?

Okay, then, I’ll finish up.  A human being with such a powerful and easy talent makes us all look good.

And if the Academy doesn’t fault him; for being too human in the non-acting parts of Mickey Rourke, and votes because of the magic of his acting, then he will win.

He should win. He’s one of our finest, ever.

************************************************************************************************************

Do you get value from this blog?I hope so, because that is my intention. 

If you’d like to pass the karma back, you can do so “securely”, by using the donate button…Or, by sharing with others, who may also gain benefit from this blog.

 

 

 

Note, down below, there’s  ”add this” —so you can send a copy of this blog to a friend, or yourself, if you want to save it, by email!  (That is, if you don’t already get my posts by email!…In that case, you can forward it to your friends…)

Share on MySpace!

If you’d like to post some of your photos or videos, go to the Hollywood Actor Prep Group On Facebook…and feel free to strut your stuff…

Have a lovely weekend…

;-Dana

 

** “The Wrestler” opens, in theaters, on December 17, 2008.

[This post is outdated, so I took out the link.  The post that was linked to this one, can be found in the archives of this blog. Outside of the parenthesis, the post reads the same as before, except for a change in the last few lines.]  

The Cheat Sheet for the Emmy categories of Acting Nominees, and Best Show, that I posted two days ago…

turned out to be a surprisingly popular post.   Since, the Emmys are on tonight, I thought I would provide a link for those who might need it last minute.  Use it either straight off of your computer screen; or you can print it out, to  keep a “hard copy” next to you, while the show goes along.

It’s really just a show “program”, that lists all the nominees, of the most popular categories.

It contains everyone who is nominated for the actor category; which category, type of role, show they were acting in,  etc.  Similarly, the shows that are nominated, are all in their respective categories; with corresponding information.

Favorites, then, for the Emmy, can be decided, and rooted for…if you haven’t had a chance to catch-up on who all the nominees are, prior.

Just go to the sidebar of this blog, and look in the archives…You’ll see the Emmy Nominations Cheet Sheet post listed there…Enjoy!

Interested in the Emmy Awards?  Good, because I made up some printable cheat sheets, that you can watch the Emmy’s with.  Or in case you need some catching up, on who the nominees are…

And it’s the 60th Emmy show!  Sunday  September 21, 2008 at 8 P.M.

Emmy Cheat Sheets — there’s two on this post:  

The Acting Nominees

The Best Show Nominees

These are straight from the Academy Of Television Arts And Sciences website.   I placed  them in an easily- printable layout.

 

 

HERE ARE THE ACTOR NOMINEES…

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series

 

Monk • USA • NBC Universal Television Studios in association with Mandeville Films and Touchstone Television

Tony Shalhoub as Adrian Monk

 

The Office • NBC • Deedle Dee Productions, Reveille LLC, Universal Media Studios

Steve Carell as Michael Scott

 

Pushing Daisies • ABC • Living Dead Guy Productions, The Jinks/Cohen Company in association with Warner Bros. Television

Lee Pace as Ned

 

30 Rock • NBC • Broadway Video, Little Stranger Inc., in association with Universal Media Studios

Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy

 

Two And A Half Men • CBS • Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc., The Tannenbaum Company in association with Warner Bros. Television

Charlie Sheen as Charlie Harper

 

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series

 

Boston Legal • ABC • David E. Kelley Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television

James Spader as Alan Shore

 

Breaking Bad • AMC • High Bridge Productions, Inc. and Gran Via Productions in association with Sony Pictures Television

Bryan Cranston as Walt White

 

Dexter • Showtime • Showtime Presents John Goldwyn Productions, The Colleton Company, Clyde Phillips Productions

Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan

 

House • FOX • Universal Media Studios in association with Heel and Toe Films, Shore Z Productions and Bad Hat Harry Productions

Hugh Laurie as Dr. Gregory House

 

In Treatment • HBO • Sheleg, Closest To The Hole Productions and Leverage in association with HBO Entertainment

Gabriel Byrne as Paul

 

Mad Men • AMC • Lionsgate Television

Jon Hamm as Don Draper

 

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie

 

Bernard And Doris • HBO • Trigger Street Independent Productions in association with Little Bird and Chicago Films and HBO Films

Ralph Fiennes as Bernard Lafferty

 

Extras: The Extra Special Series Finale • HBO • BBC and HBO Entertainment

Ricky Gervais as Andy Millman

 

John Adams • HBO • Playtone in association with HBO Films

Paul Giamatti as John Adams

 

Recount • HBO • Spring Creek/Mirage Productions in association with Trigger Street Productions, Everyman Pictures and HBO Films

Kevin Spacey as Ron Klain

 

Recount • HBO • Spring Creek/Mirage Productions in association with Trigger Street Productions, Everyman Pictures and HBO Films

Tom Wilkinson as James Baker

 

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series

 

The New Adventures Of Old Christine • CBS • Kari’s Logo Here in association with Warner Bros. Television

Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Christine Campbell

 

Samantha Who? • ABC • ABC Studios

Christina Applegate as Samantha Newly

 

30 Rock • NBC • Broadway Video, Little Stranger Inc., in association with Universal Media Studios

Tina Fey as Liz Lemon

 

Ugly Betty • ABC • ABC Studios

America Ferrera as Betty Suarez

 

Weeds • Showtime • Showtime Presents Lionsgate Television and Tilted Productions, Inc.

Mary-Louise Parker as Nancy Botwin

 

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series

 

Brothers & Sisters • ABC • ABC Studios

Sally Field as Nora Holden-Walker

 

The Closer • TNT • Shephard/Robbins Company in association with Warner Bros. Television Productions

Kyra Sedgwick as Deputy Chief Brenda Johnson

 

Damages • FX Networks • FX Productions and Sony Pictures Television

Glenn Close as Patty Hewes

 

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit • NBC • Wolf Films in association with Universal Media Studios

Mariska Hargitay as Olivia Benson

 

Saving Grace • TNT • Fox Television Studios

Holly Hunter as Grace Hanadarko

 

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie

 

An American Crime • Showtime • Showtime Presents in association with First Look Pictures / Killer Films Productions / John Wells Productions

Catherine Keener as Gertrude Baniszewski

 

Bernard And Doris • HBO • Trigger Street Independent Productions in association with Little Bird and Chicago Films and HBO Films

Susan Sarandon as Doris Duke

 

Cranford (Masterpiece) • PBS • A BBC and WGBH/Boston co-production

Dame Judi Dench as Miss Matty Jenkyns

 

John Adams • HBO • Playtone in association with HBO Films

Laura Linney as Abigail Adams

 

A Raisin In The Sun • ABC • Storyline Entertainment and Bad Boy World Wide Entertainment Group in association with Sony Pictures Television

Phylicia Rashad as Lena Younger

 

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series

 

Entourage • HBO • Leverage and Closest To The Hole Productions in association with HBO Entertainment

Jeremy Piven as Ari Gold

 

Entourage • HBO • Leverage and Closest To The Hole Productions in association with HBO Entertainment

Kevin Dillon as Johnny Drama

 

How I Met Your Mother • CBS • 20th Century Fox

Neil Patrick Harris as Barney Stinson

 

The Office • NBC • Deedle Dee Productions, Reveille LLC, Universal Media Studios

Rainn Wilson as Dwight Schrute

 

Two And A Half Men • CBS • Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc., The Tannenbaum Company in association with Warner Bros. Television

Jon Cryer as Alan Harper

 

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series

 

Boston Legal • ABC • David E. Kelley Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television

William Shatner as Denny Crane

 

Damages • FX Networks • FX Productions and Sony Pictures Television

Ted Danson as Arthur Frobisher

 

Damages • FX Networks • FX Productions and Sony Pictures Television

Zeljko Ivanek as Ray Fiske

 

Lost • ABC • ABC Studios

Michael Emerson as Ben

 

Mad Men • AMC • Lionsgate Television

John Slattery as Roger Sterling

 

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie

 

John Adams • HBO • Playtone in association with HBO Films

David Morse as George Washington

 

 

HERE ARE THE SHOW NOMINATIONS:

Outstanding Comedy Series

 

Curb Your Enthusiasm • HBO • HBO Entertainment

Larry David, Executive Producer

Jeff Garlin, Executive Producer

Gavin Polone, Executive Producer

Alec Berg, Executive Producer

David Mandel, Executive Producer

Jeff Schaffer, Executive Producer

Tim Gibbons, Executive Producer

Erin O’Malley, Produced by

 

Entourage • HBO • Leverage and Closest To The Hole Productions in association with HBO Entertainment

Mark Wahlberg, Executive Producer

Stephen Levinson, Executive Producer

Doug Ellin, Executive Producer

Rob Weiss, Executive Producer

Denis Biggs, Co-Executive Producer

Brian Burns, Supervising Producer

Lori Jo Nemhauser , Producer

Wayne Carmona, Produced By

 

The Office • NBC • Deedle Dee Productions, Reveille LLC, Universal Media Studios

Greg Daniels, Executive Producer

Ben Silverman, Executive Producer

Ricky Gervais, Executive Producer

Stephen Merchant, Executive Producer

Howard Klein, Executive Producer

Paul Lieberstein, Co-Executive Producer

Michael Schur, Co-Executive Producer

Jennifer Celotta, Co-Executive Producer

Kent Zbornak, Co-Executive Producer

Teri Weinberg, Co-Executive Producer

B.J. Novak, Supervising Producer

Mindy Kaling, Producer

Lee Eisenberg, Producer

Gene Stupnitsky, Producer

 

30 Rock • NBC • Broadway Video, Little Stranger Inc., in association with Universal Media Studios

Lorne Michaels, Executive Producer

Tina Fey, Executive Producer

Marci Klein, Executive Producer

David Miner, Executive Producer

Robert Carlock, Executive Producer

John Riggi, Co-Executive Producer

Jack Burditt, Co-Executive Producer

Jeff Richmond, Producer

Don Scardino, Producer

Jerry Kupfer, Producer

 

Two And A Half Men • CBS • Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc., The Tannenbaum Company in association with Warner Bros. Television

Chuck Lorre, Executive Producer

Lee Aronsohn, Executive Producer

Eric Tannenbaum, Executive Producer

Kim Tannenbaum, Executive Producer

Mark Burg, Executive Producer

Oren Koules, Executive Producer

Don Foster, Co-Executive Producer

Eddie Gorodetsky, Co-Executive Producer

Susan Beavers, Co- Executive Producer

Mark Roberts, Co-Executive Producer

Jim Patterson, Producer

Michael Collier, Produced By

 

Outstanding Drama Series

 

Boston Legal • ABC • David E Kelley Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television

David E. Kelley, Executive Producer

Bill D’Elia, Executive Producer

Mike Listo, Co-Executive Producer

Lawrence Broch, Co-Executive Producer

Steve Robin, Supervising Producer

Janet Knutsen, Producer

 

Damages • FX Networks • FX Productions and Sony Pictures Television

Todd A. Kessler, Executive Producer

Glenn Kessler, Executive Producer

Daniel Zelman, Executive Producer

Mark A. Baker, Executive Producer

 

Dexter • Showtime • Showtime Presents John Goldwyn Productions, The Colleton Company, Clyde Phillips Productions

John Goldwyn, Executive Producer

Sara Colleton, Executive Producer

Clyde Phillips, Executive Producer

Daniel Cerone, Executive Producer

Melissa Rosenberg, Co-Executive Producer

Scott Buck, Co-Executive Producer

Robert Lloyd Lewis, Produced By

 

House • FOX • Universal Media Studios in association with Heel and Toe Films, Shore Z Productions and Bad Hat Harry Productions

Paul Attanasio, Executive Producer

Katie Jacobs, Executive Producer

David Shore, Executive Producer

Bryan Singer, Executive Producer

Russel Friend, Executive Producer

Garrett Lerner, Executive Producer

Thomas L. Moran, Executive Producer

Gerrit van der Meer, Co-Executive Producer

Peter Blake, Co-Executive Producer

Eli Attie, Co-Executive Producer

Doris Egan, Co-Executive Producer

Deran Sarafian, Co-Executive Producer

Marcy Kaplan, Producer

Leonard Dick, Supervising Producer

 

Lost • ABC • ABC Studios

J.J. Abrams, Executive Producer

Damon Lindelof, Executive Producer

Carlton Cuse, Executive Producer

Bryan Burk, Executive Producer

Jack Bender, Executive Producer

Edward Kitsis, Co-Executive Producer

Adam Horowitz, Co-Executive Producer

Drew Goddard, Co-Executive Producer

Stephen Williams, Co-Executive Producer

Jean Higgins, Co-Executive Producer

Elizabeth Sarnoff, Supervising Producer

Pat Churchill, Producer

Ra’ul Glasgow, Producer

 

Mad Men • AMC • Lionsgate Television

Matthew Weiner, Executive Producer

Tom Palmer, Co-Executive Producer

Scott Hornbacher, Producer

Lisa Albert, Producer

Andre Jacquemetton, Producer

Maria Jacquemetton, Producer

 

Outstanding Miniseries

 

The Andromeda Strain • A&E • Scott Free/Traveler’s Rest Productions in association with Universal Pictures, A&E Network

Ridley Scott, Executive Producer

Tony Scott, Executive Producer

David W. Zucker, Executive Producer

Tom Thayer, Executive Producer

Mikael Salomon, Co-Executive Producer

Clara George, Produced By

 

Cranford (Masterpiece) • PBS • A BBC and WGBH/Boston co-production

Kate Harwood, Executive Producer

Rebecca Eaton, Executive Producer

Sue Birtwistle, Producer

 

John Adams • HBO • Playtone in association with HBO Films

Tom Hanks, Executive Producer

Gary Goetzman, Executive Producer

Kirk Ellis, Co-Executive Producer

Frank Doelger, Co-Executive Producer

David Coatsworth, Produced by

Steven Shareshian, Produced by

 

Tin Man • Sci Fi Channel • RHI Entertainment

Robert Halmi, Sr., Executive Producer

Robert Halmi, Jr , Executive Producer

Michael O’Connor, Executive Producer

Steven Long Mitchell, Executive Producer

Craig W. Van Sickle, Executive Producer

Matthew O’Connor, Producer

 

Outstanding Made For Television Movie

 

Bernard And Doris • HBO • Trigger Street Independent Productions in association with Little Bird and Chicago Films and HBO Films

Jonathan Cavendish, Executive Producer

Adam Kassen, Executive Producer

Mark Kassen, Executive Producer

Bob Balaban, Executive Producer

Dana Brunetti, Executive Producer

Kevin Spacey, Executive Producer

Mark Olsen, Co-Executive Producer

 

Extras: The Extra Special Series Finale • HBO • BBC and HBO Entertainment

Ricky Gervais, Executive Producer

Stephen Merchant, Executive Producer

Jon Plowman, Executive Producer

Charlie Hanson, Producer

 

The Memory Keeper’s Daughter • Lifetime • Produced by Jaffe/Braunstein Entertainment LLC and Sony Pictures Television for Lifetime Television

Howard Braunstein, Executive Producer

Michael Jaffe, Executive Producer

Michael Mahoney, Produced By

 

A Raisin In The Sun • ABC • Storyline Entertainment and Bad Boy World Wide Entertainment Group in association with Sony Pictures Television

Craig Zadan, Executive Producer

Neil Meron, Executive Producer

Sean Combs, Executive Producer

Carl Rumbaugh, Executive Producer

Susan Batson, Executive Producer

John M. Eckert, Produced By

 

Recount • HBO • Spring Creek/Mirage Productions in association with Trigger Street Productions, Everyman Pictures and HBO Films

Paula Weinstein, Executive Producer

Len Amato, Executive Producer

Sydney Pollack, Executive Producer

Jay Roach, Executive Producer

Michael Hausman, Produced By

 

Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Series

 

The Colbert Report • Comedy Central • Hello Doggie, Inc. with Busboy Productions and Spartina Productions

Jon Stewart, Executive Producer

Stephen Colbert, Executive Producer

Allison Silverman, Executive Producer

Meredith Bennett, Co-Executive Producer

Richard Dahm, Co-Executive Producer

Tom Purcell, Supervising Producer

 

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart • Comedy Central • Hello Doggie, Inc.

Jon Stewart, Executive Producer

David Javerbaum, Executive Producer

Rory Albanese, Co-Executive Producer

Kahane Corn, Co-Executive Producer

Josh Lieb, Co-Executive Producer

Jim Margolis, Supervising Producer

Jennifer Flanz, Supervising Producer

 

Late Show With David Letterman • CBS • Worldwide Pants Inc.

Barbara Gaines, Executive Producer

Maria Pope, Executive Producer

Jude Brennan, Executive Producer

Rob Burnett, Executive Producer

Jerry Foley, Supervising Producer

Matt Roberts, Supervising Producer

Eric Stangel, Producer

Justin Stangel, Producer

Sheila Rogers, Producer

 

Real Time With Bill Maher • HBO • Kid Love Productions and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment

Bill Maher, Executive Producer

Scott Carter, Executive Producer

Sheila Griffiths, Executive Producer

Brad Grey, Executive Producer

Marc Gurvitz, Executive Producer

Billy Martin, Executive Producer

Dean E. Johnsen, Co-Executive Producer

 

Saturday Night Live • NBC • SNL Studios in association with NBC Studios and Broadway Video

Lorne Michaels, Executive Producer

Steve Higgins, Produced by

Ken Aymong, Supervising Producer

Michael Shoemaker, Producer

Marci Klein, Producer

 

Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Special

 

Bill Maher: The Decider • HBO • Kid Love Productions and Moffitt/Lee Productions in association with HBO Entertainment

Bill Maher, Executive Producer

Marc Gurvitz, Executive Producer

Pat Tourk Lee, Produced By

John Moffitt, Produced By

Benn Fleishman, Supervising Producer

 

George Carlin: It’s Bad For Ya! • HBO • Cablestuff Productions in association with HBO Entertainment

George Carlin, Executive Producer

Jerry Hamza, Executive Producer

Kimber Rickabaugh, Produced By

Rocco Urbisci, Produced By

 

James Taylor: One Man Band (Great Performances) • PBS • Don Mischer Productions in association with James Taylor

Sydney Pollack, Executive Producer
Michael Gorfaine, Executive Producer

Don Mischer, Producer

 

Kathy Griffin: Straight To Hell • Bravo • Production Partners, Inc.

Sandy Chanley, Executive Producer

Kathy Griffin, Executive Producer

Tom Bull, Supervising Producer

Scott Butler, Producer

Keith Truesdell, Producer

Cori Abraham, Executive Producer

Frances Berwick, Executive Producer

Amy Introcaso-Davis, Executive Producer

 

The Kennedy Center Honors • CBS • A George Stevens, Jr. Presentation for Kennedy Center Television Productions

George Stevens, Jr., Producer

Michael Stevens, Producer

 

Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project • HBO • Dark Horse Indie Films and Salient Media in association with HBO Documentary Films

Mike Richardson, Produced by

Bob Engelman, Produced by

Larry Rickles, Produced by

John Landis, Produced by

 

Outstanding Children’s Program

 

Classical Baby (I’m Grown Up Now): The Poetry Show • HBO • HBO Family in association with The Poetry Foundation

Sheila Nevins, Executive Producer

Dolores Morris, Supervising Producer

Amy Schatz, Produced By

Beth Aala, Producer

 

Hannah Montana • Disney Channel • It’s A Laugh Production/Michael Poryes Productions/Disney Channel

Michael Poryes, Executive Producer

Steven Peterman, Executive Producer

Sally Lapiduss, Co-Executive Producer

Douglas Lieblein, Co-Executive Producer

Richard G. King, Co-Executive Producer

 

High School Musical 2 • Disney Channel • Salty Pictures, Inc./First Street Films/Disney Channel

Bill Borden, Executive Producer

Barry Rosenbush, Executive Producer

Don Schain, Produced By

 

Nick News With Linda Ellerbee: The Untouchable Kids Of India • Nickelodeon • Nickelodeon with Lucky Duck Productions

Linda Ellerbee, Executive Producer

Rolfe Tessem, Executive Producer

Josh Veselka, Produced By

Mark Lyons, Producer

Wally Berger, Supervising Producer

 

The Suite Life Of Zack And Cody • Disney Channel • It’s A Laugh Productions/Disney Channel

Danny Kallis, Executive Producer

Irene Dreayer, Executive Producer

Pamela Eells O’Connell, Executive Producer

Jim Geoghan, Executive Producer

Walter Barnett, Co-Executive Producer

 

Outstanding Nonfiction Special

 

AFI’s 100 Years…100 Movies – 10th Anniversary Edition • CBS • An AFI Production in association with the Gary Smith Company

Gary Smith, Executive Producer

Frederick S. Pierce, Executive Producer for AFI

Dann Netter, Producer

Bob Gazzale, Producer

 

Alive Day Memories: Home From Iraq • HBO • Attaboy Films in association with HBO Documentary Films

Sheila Nevins, Executive Producer

James Gandolfini, Executive Producer

Alexandra Ryan, Co-Executive Producer

Sara Bernstein, Supervising Producer

Ellen Goosenberg Kent, Produced By

Jon Alpert, Produced By

Matthew O’Neill, Produced By

 

Autism: The Musical • HBO • Bunim-Murray Productions and In Effect Films in association with HBO Documentary Films

Jonathan Murray, Executive Producer

Janet Grillo, Executive Producer

Kristen Stills, Executive Producer

Nancy Abraham, Senior Producer

Perrin Chiles, Producer

Tricia Regan, Producer

Sasha Alpert, Producer

 

Pioneers Of Television – Late Night: Johnny, Jack, Steve, And Merv • PBS • Boettcher/Trinklein Inc.

Steven J. Boettcher, Producer

Michael J. Trinklein, Producer

 

The Pixar Story • Starz • Leslie Iwerks Productions

Leslie Iwerks, Producer

 

Outstanding Nonfiction Series

 

American Masters • PBS • American Masters is produced for PBS by Thirteen/WNET New York

Susan Lacy, Executive Producer

Prudence Glass, Series Producer

Julie Sacks, Supervising Producer

Jim Brown, Produced By

Michael Cohl, Produced By

William Eigen, Produced By

 

Biography • Biography Channel • Produced by Corridor Group Productions Inc. for Bio

Gregory Hall, Executive Producer

Peter Tarshis, Executive Producer for Biography

Barbara Hall, Producer

 

Deadliest Catch • Discovery Channel • Original Productions, Inc. in association with Discovery Channel

Thom Beers, Executive Producer

Paul Gasek, Executive Producer

Jeff Conroy, Co-Executive Producer

Tracy Rudolph, Co-Executive Producer

Matt Renner, Series Producer

Lisa Tanzer, Supervising Producer

Ethan Prochnik, Senior Producer

 

Inside The Actors Studio • Bravo • A co-production of The Actors Studio, Bravo, In The Moment Productions

James Lipton, Executive Producer

Frances Berwick, Executive Producer

Christian Barcellos, Executive Producer

Sabrina Fodor, Produced By

Jeff Wurtz, Produced By

 

This American Life • Showtime • Showtime Presents in association with Chicago Public Radio, Killer Films, Inc., Left/Right, Inc.

The Producing Team

 

Outstanding Reality Program

 

Antiques Roadshow • PBS • WGBH Educational Foundation

Marsha Bemko, Executive Producer

Sam Farrell, Supervising Producer

 

Dirty Jobs • Discovery Channel • Pilgrim Films and Television, Inc in association with Discovery Channel

Craig Piligian, Executive Producer

Eddie Barbini, Executive Producer

Mary Donahue, Executive Producer

Eddie Rohwedder, Supervising Producer

Mike Rowe, Producer

David Barsky, Producer

Leigh Purinton, Producer

Kenitra Ford, Producer

Heath Banks, Producer

 

Extreme Makeover Home Edition • ABC • Endemol USA

Denise Cramsey, Executive Producer

Conrad L. Ricketts, Executive Producer

Dan Morando, Co-Executive Producer

Brady Connell, Co-Executive Producer

Max Swedlow, Supervising Producer

Diane Korman, Senior Producer

Herb Ankrom, Producer

Matt Fisher, Producer

Jeanne Kazumi Petrone, Produced by

 

Intervention • A&E • GRB Entertainment, A&E Television Network

Gary R. Benz, Executive Producer

Michael Branton, Executive Producer

Bryn Freedman, Executive Producer

Sam Mettler, Executive Producer

Dan Partland, Executive Producer

Robert Sharenow, Executive Producer For A&E

Colleen Conway, Executive Producer For A&E

Karen Pinto, Supervising Producer

Jeff Grogan, Supervising Producer

 

Kathy Griffin: My Life On The D-List • Bravo • Picture This Television

Marcia Mulé, Executive Producer

Bryan Scott, Executive Producer

Lisa M. Tucker, Executive Producer

Kathy Griffin, Executive Producer

Cori Abraham, Executive Producer

Frances Berwick, Executive Producer

Amy Introcaso-Davis, Executive Producer

Christopher Carlson, Supervising Producer

Amy Kohn, Supervising Producer

 

Outstanding Reality-Competition Program

 

The Amazing Race • CBS • Amazing Race Productions Inc. and ABC Studios in association with Jerry Bruckheimer Television and WorldRace Productions, Inc.

Jerry Bruckheimer, Executive Producer

Bertram van Munster, Executive Producer

Jonathan Littman, Executive Producer

Hayma ‘Screech’ Washington, Executive Producer

Amy Nabseth Chacon, Co-Executive Producer

Elise Doganieri, Co-Executive Producer

Bill Pruitt, Supervising Producer

Matt Schmidt, Supervising Producer

Mark Vertullo, Supervising Producer

Jarratt Carson, Senior Producer

Giselle Parets, Senior Producer

Phil Keoghan, Producer

 

American Idol • FOX • FremantleMedia N.A., Inc. & 19TV Ltd.

Nigel Lythgoe, Executive Producer

Ken Warwick, Executive Producer

Cecile Frot-Coutaz, Executive Producer

Simon Fuller, Executive Producer

Charles Boyd, Supervising Producer

James Breen, Supervising Producer

Patrick Lynn, Senior Producer

Megan Michaels, Senior Producer

 

Dancing With The Stars • ABC • BBC Worldwide Productions, LLC

Conrad Green, Executive Producer

Rob Wade, Co-Executive Producer

Matilda Zoltowski, Co-Executive Producer

Michael Brooks, Senior Producer

Ashley Edens, Senior Producer

Joe Sungkur, Senior Producer

Victoria Guinto, Producer

Erin O’Brien, Producer

Kim Kilbey, Producer

Natalee Watts, Producer

 

Project Runway • Bravo • Magical Elves for The Weinstein Company, Full Picture, Bravo

Harvey Weinstein, Executive Producer

Dan Cutforth, Executive Producer

Jane Lipsitz, Executive Producer

Heidi Klum, Executive Producer

Jane Cha, Executive Producer

Desiree Gruber, Executive Producer

Rich Bye, Executive Producer

Rich Buhrman, Co-Executive Producer

Barbara Schneeweiss, Producer

Andrew Cohen, Executive Producer

Shari Levine, Executive Producer

Casey Kriley, Co-Executive Producer

Andrew Wallace, Supervising Producer

Michael Rucker, Supervising Producer

Ben Mack, Senior Producer

Steve Lichtenstein, Producer

 

Top Chef • Bravo • Magical Elves, Bravo

Dan Cutforth, Executive Producer

Jane Lipsitz, Executive Producer

Shauna Minoprio, Executive Producer

Frances Berwick, Executive Producer

Andrew Cohen, Executive Producer

Dave Serwatka, Executive Producer

Rich Buhrman, Co-Executive Producer

Gaylen Gawlowski, Supervising Producer

Nan Strait, Supervising Producer

Scott Shatsky, Supervising Producer

Andrew Wallace, Supervising Producer

Liz Cook, Supervising Producer

 

John Adams • HBO • Playtone in association with HBO Films

Stephen Dillane as Thomas Jefferson

 

John Adams • HBO • Playtone in association with HBO Films

Tom Wilkinson as Benjamin Franklin

 

Recount • HBO • Spring Creek/Mirage Productions in association with Trigger Street Productions, Everyman Pictures and HBO Films

Denis Leary as Michael Whouley

 

Recount • HBO • Spring Creek/Mirage Productions in association with Trigger Street Productions, Everyman Pictures and HBO Films

Bob Balaban as Ben Ginsberg

 

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series

 

Pushing Daisies • ABC • Living Dead Guy Productions, The Jinks/Cohen Company in association with Warner Bros. Television

Kristin Chenoweth as Olive Snook

 

Samantha Who? • ABC • ABC Studios

Jean Smart as Regina Newly                                                                                   

 

Saturday Night Live • NBC • SNL Studios in association with NBC Studios and Broadway Video

Amy Poehler, Performer

 

Two And A Half Men • CBS • Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc., The Tannenbaum Company in association with Warner Bros. Television

Holland Taylor as Evelyn Harper

 

Ugly Betty • ABC • ABC Studios

Vanessa Williams as Wilhelmina Slater

 

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series

 

Boston Legal • ABC • David E. Kelley Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television

Candice Bergen as Shirley Schmidt

 

Brothers & Sisters • ABC • ABC Studios

Rachel Griffiths as Sarah Walker-Whedon

 

Grey’s Anatomy • ABC • ABC Studios

Chandra Wilson as Dr. Miranda Bailey

 

Grey’s Anatomy • ABC • ABC Studios

Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang

 

In Treatment • HBO • Sheleg, Closest To The Hole Productions and Leverage in association with HBO Entertainment

Dianne Wiest as Dr. Gina Toll

 

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie

 

Cranford (Masterpiece) • PBS • A BBC and WGBH/Boston co-production

Dame Eileen Atkins as Miss Deborah Jenkyns

 

Extras: The Extra Special Series Finale • HBO • BBC and HBO Entertainment

Ashley Jensen as Maggie Jacobs

 

Pictures Of Hollis Woods (Hallmark Hall Of Fame Presentation) • CBS • Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, Inc.

Alfre Woodard as Edna Reilly

 

A Raisin In The Sun • ABC • Storyline Entertainment and Bad Boy World Wide Entertainment Group in association with Sony Pictures Television

Audra McDonald as Ruth Younger

 

Recount • HBO • Spring Creek/Mirage Productions in association with Trigger Street Productions, Everyman Pictures and HBO Films

Laura Dern as Katherine Harris

 

Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy Series

 

Curb Your Enthusiasm • HBO • HBO Entertainment

Shelley Berman as Nat David

 

30 Rock • NBC • Broadway Video, Little Stranger Inc., in association with Universal Media Studios

Rip Torn as Don Geiss                       

 

30 Rock • NBC • Broadway Video, Little Stranger Inc., in association with Universal Media Studios

Will Arnett as Devin Banks

 

30 Rock • NBC • Broadway Video, Little Stranger Inc., in association with Universal Media Studios

Steve Buscemi as Len

                                                           

30 Rock • NBC • Broadway Video, Little Stranger Inc., in association with Universal Media Studios

Tim Conway as Bucky Bright

 

Outstanding Guest Actor In A Drama Series

 

ER • NBC • Constant c Productions, Amblin Television in association with Warner Bros. Television

Stanley Tucci as Dr. Kevin Moretti

 

In Treatment • HBO • Sheleg, Closest To The Hole Productions and Leverage in association with HBO Entertainment

Glynn Turman as Alex Sr.

 

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit • NBC • Wolf Films in association with Universal Media Studios

Robin Williams as Merritt Rook

 

Mad Men • AMC • Lionsgate Television

Robert Morse as Bertram Cooper

 

Nip/Tuck • FX Networks • The Shephard/Robin Company in association with Warner Bros. Television Productions,

Inc.

Oliver Platt as Freddie Prune

 

Rescue Me • FX Networks • Produced by Apostle, the Cloudland Company and DreamWorks Television in association with Sony Pictures Television

Charles Durning as John Gavin, Sr.

 

Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy Series

 

Desperate Housewives • ABC • ABC Studios

Polly Bergen as Stella Wingfield

 

Desperate Housewives • ABC • ABC Studios

Kathryn Joosten as Karen McCluskey

 

Monk • USA • NBC Universal Television Studios in association with Mandeville Films and Touchstone Television

Sarah Silverman as Marci Maven

 

30 Rock • NBC • Broadway Video, Little Stranger Inc., in association with Universal Media Studios

Carrie Fisher as Rosemary Howard

 

30 Rock • NBC • Broadway Video, Little Stranger Inc., in association with Universal Media Studios

Edie Falco as Celeste “C.C.” Cunningham

 

30 Rock • NBC • Broadway Video, Little Stranger Inc., in association with Universal Media Studios

Elaine Stritch as Colleen Donaghy

 

Outstanding Guest Actress In A Drama Series

 

Big Love • HBO • Anima Sola and Playtone in association with HBO Entertainment

Ellen Burstyn as Nancy Dutton

 

Grey’s Anatomy • ABC • ABC Studios

Diahann Carroll as Jane Burke

 

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit • NBC • Wolf Films in association with Universal Media Studios

Cynthia Nixon as Janis Donovan

 

Medium • NBC • CBS Paramount Network Television, Grammnet, Picturemaker Productions

Anjelica Huston as Cynthia Keener

                                                           

Nip/Tuck • FX Networks • The Shephard/Robin Company in association with Warner Bros. Television Productions, Inc.

Sharon Gless as Colleen Rose