This is the second column in a weekly series, counting down to Oscar Sunday on Feb. 26, 2012. By Heather Leszczewicz TGK Correspondent ...
This is the second column in a weekly series, counting down to Oscar Sunday on Feb. 26, 2012.
By Heather Leszczewicz
TGK Correspondent
The Oscars are my Super Bowl. I spend my entire year prepping for this one night of movie magic and Hollywood glamor. I love movies, so by default I have to love the Oscars.
1. How did your love for the Oscars begin?
I've always appreciated the Oscars. But my love for the Oscars started with the movies I was watching. I stopped limiting myself to mainstream movies and started watching more of the indie, art house-types of films.
2. When did you know you were in love?
I think realizing that I had a love for the Oscars was in 2007. That was the year I spent 13 hours in a movie theater watching all the Best Picture nominees with a few friends. (I blogged about it here.) I'd already seen most of the films. If I wasn't in love with the Oscars, I wouldn't have spent 13 hours eating too much popcorn (just because you got free refills) and shifting in a theater seat. I think sitting through "Benjamin Button" in this marathon a couple years later when it was shown really late in the day was another testament.
3. What is your first memory of the Oscars?
I actually can't remember. I get snippets in my memory from watching the Oscars when I was a kid. "Forrest Gump" winning Best Picture is probably the earliest.
4. What is your favorite Oscar moment?
The moment that sticks out in my mind is Halle Berry kissing Adrien Brody. It was that "omigosh" moment that was unexpected and so cute.
5. What is your favorite aspect of the Oscars?
Can't I just like it all? Things I like change every year. I could always say the Red Carpet or the crowning moment of Best Picture, but I like taking the whole show in.
6. Who has been the best host?
You know, I don't really have a favorite host. I think everyone brings a little bit of themselves to the production each year. I even liked Anne Hathaway last year … James Franco on the other hand, not so much. How well they do depends on the material given to them, how enthusiastic they are, comedic timing and what types of movies are nominated.
7. How does your life revolve around the Oscars?
It all starts with the movies I watch. If I start hearing buzz from critics, I usually want to see the movie. Once awards season rolls around, I see which films are getting nominated and I'll usually watch them all or as many as possible. I host an Oscar party each year and, if it's possible, I try to do that Best Picture marathon in the theaters. I always have people asking me what I think of movies and as the Oscars come up or other awards shows, I do have people asking what I think will win or what should win. Sometimes I get asked to help with their Oscar ballots if they're doing some sort of contest.
8. Do you have any suggestions for the producers and/or host of the Oscars?
I think Billy Crystal is up for the task at hand, stepping in late and whatnot. I would love to see Crystal being placed/interacting with nominated movies again. That's always fun.
9. What category would you add or subtract and why?
I do like the idea of adding a Best New Actor/Actress or a Breakthrough performance to the proceedings. That way someone who was amazing but it's their first role could either win one of the big four acting awards or possibly be recognized this way.
I do like James' suggestion for an opening credits award, maybe because I'm nerdy. But I always like when there's a nice font used or an interesting design. I'm really digging the "Young Adult" trailer with its font and design choices, with the lettering taking on the texture of a dodgeball.
Another award I'd love to see would be for movie trailers. Everyone watches movie trailers and some are put together masterfully. The movie may be a dud, but the little snippet from the trailer makes it look amazing.
10. What are you looking forward to at next year’s Oscars?
I want to know how many Best Picture nominees there will be. I am vehemently against 10 nominees. I hope it's closer to five.
Heather Leszczewicz, a correspondent for The Gold Knight Blog, is a community producer with TribLocal, a hyperlocal website and newspaper.
By Heather Leszczewicz
TGK Correspondent
The Oscars are my Super Bowl. I spend my entire year prepping for this one night of movie magic and Hollywood glamor. I love movies, so by default I have to love the Oscars.
1. How did your love for the Oscars begin?
I've always appreciated the Oscars. But my love for the Oscars started with the movies I was watching. I stopped limiting myself to mainstream movies and started watching more of the indie, art house-types of films.
2. When did you know you were in love?
I think realizing that I had a love for the Oscars was in 2007. That was the year I spent 13 hours in a movie theater watching all the Best Picture nominees with a few friends. (I blogged about it here.) I'd already seen most of the films. If I wasn't in love with the Oscars, I wouldn't have spent 13 hours eating too much popcorn (just because you got free refills) and shifting in a theater seat. I think sitting through "Benjamin Button" in this marathon a couple years later when it was shown really late in the day was another testament.
3. What is your first memory of the Oscars?
I actually can't remember. I get snippets in my memory from watching the Oscars when I was a kid. "Forrest Gump" winning Best Picture is probably the earliest.
4. What is your favorite Oscar moment?
The moment that sticks out in my mind is Halle Berry kissing Adrien Brody. It was that "omigosh" moment that was unexpected and so cute.
5. What is your favorite aspect of the Oscars?
Can't I just like it all? Things I like change every year. I could always say the Red Carpet or the crowning moment of Best Picture, but I like taking the whole show in.
6. Who has been the best host?
You know, I don't really have a favorite host. I think everyone brings a little bit of themselves to the production each year. I even liked Anne Hathaway last year … James Franco on the other hand, not so much. How well they do depends on the material given to them, how enthusiastic they are, comedic timing and what types of movies are nominated.
7. How does your life revolve around the Oscars?
It all starts with the movies I watch. If I start hearing buzz from critics, I usually want to see the movie. Once awards season rolls around, I see which films are getting nominated and I'll usually watch them all or as many as possible. I host an Oscar party each year and, if it's possible, I try to do that Best Picture marathon in the theaters. I always have people asking me what I think of movies and as the Oscars come up or other awards shows, I do have people asking what I think will win or what should win. Sometimes I get asked to help with their Oscar ballots if they're doing some sort of contest.
8. Do you have any suggestions for the producers and/or host of the Oscars?
I think Billy Crystal is up for the task at hand, stepping in late and whatnot. I would love to see Crystal being placed/interacting with nominated movies again. That's always fun.
9. What category would you add or subtract and why?
I do like the idea of adding a Best New Actor/Actress or a Breakthrough performance to the proceedings. That way someone who was amazing but it's their first role could either win one of the big four acting awards or possibly be recognized this way.
I do like James' suggestion for an opening credits award, maybe because I'm nerdy. But I always like when there's a nice font used or an interesting design. I'm really digging the "Young Adult" trailer with its font and design choices, with the lettering taking on the texture of a dodgeball.
Another award I'd love to see would be for movie trailers. Everyone watches movie trailers and some are put together masterfully. The movie may be a dud, but the little snippet from the trailer makes it look amazing.
10. What are you looking forward to at next year’s Oscars?
I want to know how many Best Picture nominees there will be. I am vehemently against 10 nominees. I hope it's closer to five.
Heather Leszczewicz, a correspondent for The Gold Knight Blog, is a community producer with TribLocal, a hyperlocal website and newspaper.
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