waiting for gold

The Greenroom, LA

Although there are so many luminaries nominated at this year's Academy Awards, I'm particularly interested to see Christopher Plummer win for Best Supporting Actor.  Not only is he a fellow Canadian, but I personally had the honour of working with him (in my past life when I worked in film and television).


There's a old saying in the film industry that what we did most of the day was "hurry up and wait".  Makeup artists and hairstylists quickly priming the actors for a scene.  Light and sound crews quickly setting up for the actors to arrive. This flurry of action immediately preceded a stillness...where time seemed to stop while we waited for the right quiet moment to occur before we heard the word, "action".

"Interior designer Michael S. Smith was inspired by the 1930s and ’40s
when creating his 2011 greenroom design, because it was a period of time,
he says, that “really established what we think of as Hollywood glamour.” {source}  

Doing a film is like playing a unique "time game".  It's about "Let's see how fast you can get ready, and then let's see how long you can wait until it's your turn to do what you're paid to do".  While you're waiting, everything better be picture perfect ready.

"Dorothy and Roy Christopher described their design for the first official Architectural Digest Greenroom as “a tip of the hat to the glamorous settings from Hollywood’s Golden Age.” With a sleekness associated with the Art Deco era, the room matched the elegance of the stars that filled the space that evening."
{source}

It was an amazing experience to witness Christopher Plummer play this "time game".  His professionalism was the epitome of what the golden era of the film industry must have been like.  He was a true gentleman. He opened doors for others, spoke with a charming sense of humour, and never raised his voice even in a creative disagreement (and there were quite a few).  For someone who has worked with the best in film and television, he was very patient with those of us with less experience (or those who were obviously in awe with his film history...not a day went by when the Sound of Music's "Edelweiss" didn't play in many of our heads!).  He knew that great art couldn't be rushed.  And he modelled that patience...waiting "in character", extremely focused and being very still...until it was his moment to shine.

I love how this greenroom at the 2006 Oscars looked...neutral colours,
peaceful, but still glamourous.  It makes one feel that although you're waiting,
you really have arrived...and that moment to SHINE is just outside the door.
{source}

Mr. Plummer has waited quite a while to win an Oscar (he's been nominated, but never won), and I hope it is his moment to shine again, when he takes home gold this Sunday.

Academy Award 2012 Predictions

Here's my predictions for the top categories for the Oscar's this Sunday.


Best Picture: 
Who will win:  The Descendants
Who should win:  The Artist or Hugo (a silent film or Scorsese...that's a tough one for me)


Best Actress in a Leading Role:
Who will win:  Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady 
Who should win:  Glenn Close, Albert Nobbs (we've seen male actors win Oscars when they portrayed women, like in "Tootsie" or "Mrs. Doubtfire", but I'd like to see the reverse)


Best Actor in a Leading Role: 
Who will win: George Clooney, The Descendants 
Who should win:  Demián Bichir, A Better Life (I like rooting for the underdog!)


Best Actress in a Supporting Role:
Who will win:  Octavia Spencer, The Help
Who should win:  Melissa McCarthy, The Bridesmaids 
(that epic bridal store/food poisoning scene had me in awe and in tears from her effortless performance, and for me, might go down in film history as one of the most disturbing female bathroom scenes)


Best Actor in a Supporting Role:  
Who will win:  Christopher Plummer, Beginners
Who should win:  Christopher Plummer, Beginners (of course!)




Who do you think, will take home gold this Sunday?