Oscar Picks - Only 4 Months Late!

The 83rd Academy Awards took place on February 27, 2011 at Hollywood's Kodak Theatre. On June 20th I watched The Fighter - completing my goal of viewing all ten of the Best Picture nominees.  Here's how I rank 'em:

1) The King's Speech - absolutely deserving of every bit of praise it has received.  Best Picture, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, all of it.  Absolutely.

1A) Winter's Bone - liked this so much I can't bring myself to rank it number 2.  Watched it first and was convinced it would be my clear-cut favorite of the year.  Jennifer Lawrence is solid but it was John Hawkes' character Teardrop that got to me the most.  I couldn't look away.


3) The Fighter - like Speech and Bone, The Fighter and True Grit were very close but I'm going with Fighter here based on originality and Christian Bale's crazy-good performance.  He may be somewhat of an asshole on set but you cannot deny the man's talent.


4) True Grit - I'm a sucker for all things Coen and the brothers don't disappoint.  The usual strengths are all here - great dialogue, great characters, great imagery.  It's hard to believe Hailee Steinfeld is only fourteen.

5) The Social Network - I've been a fan of Aaron Sorkin since his West Wing days and found the story of Facebook interesting.  Jesse Eisenberg just bugs me.  So sue me.


6) Black Swan - intriguing, dark and a tad disturbing. And I'd rank it this high even without the lesbian scene between Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis.  Maybe.


7) Inception - though I refuse to climb aboard the Christopher Nolan-is-a-god bandwagon you can't deny the visual power.  A couple big problems with this film, all screenwriting related, but  still a blockbuster worth watching at least once.


8) The Kids Are Alright - solid performances all around and they actually made Mark Ruffalo unlikable - not an easy task.


9) Toy Story 3 - I don't have a problem with a cartoon being nominated - it's just that a third installment requires little in the way of character development, backstory, etc.  Plus it felt like I'd seen it before when I hadn't.


10) 127 Hours - to me this actually felt like 127 hours, and not in the 'so-intense-I-felt-like-I-was-there' way.  Were this not directed by the same guy that wooed Hollywood with Slumdog Millionaire 2 years ago I don't see it receiving a nod.

Another 48 Hours

Alternate title: "How to make 48 hours seem like 48 minutes" or "Why I love Albuquerque."

Another 48 Hour Film Project has come and gone - the result of which to be shown tonight at one of three premieres at the beautiful Kimo Theatre in downtown Albuquerque.

For those not familiar with the process, you first form a team (cast, crew, etc.) to take part in the madness.  Friday evening each team draws one of a dozen or so possible genres.  We draw dark comedy.  Considering other options included musical/western, serial adventure, silent film and horror we are very happy with our draw.

Actor/Exec Producer Rachel Hroncich with the welcome draw.

All teams are then assigned three elements they must include in their film: a character, a prop and a line of dialogue.  This year the Albuquerque teams had:

Character: Lee or Leah Stephens, Electric Company Employee
Prop: A mask
Line: I can't get it out of my head.

Teams then have 48 hours to write, shoot and edit a short film (7 minutes max).  48 hours is a tad misleading really as our producer started getting things ready weeks in advance - scouting locations, lining up crew, logistics, etc.  It's no small task.  Producers do a mind-boggling amount of work.

A 90-minute brainstorming session with most of the team sets us on the path.  I toss out the idea of doing something on the recent Rapture silliness.  The group likes it and we go over possible story lines.  As a backup we come up with a second option - doing something set in an office (one of our prearranged locations) in the spirit of 9 to 5 but more violent.

The storming of brains.

At 10 I'm sitting in our executive producer's living room, writing.  The executive producer and director are there as well, helping.  We seem to get started and then another angle is suggested.  Then another.  At 11:30 I make the decision to go with the alternate story unless we have a defined framework in 30 minutes.  Twenty minutes later we have an outline.  :)

The next 4 hours are like a roller coaster in my brain.  Thoughts range from the good (hey, this has potential) to the bad (this isn't working) to the horrible (why the hell did I sign up for this?)

4 am and the script, for better or worse, is finished.  After some tweaking with the help of the exec producer I send it to our producer who's been waiting, somewhat patiently, to turn it into a shooting script and get the other wheels of production in motion.

In theory I could catch a couple hours sleep now but I want to be available should the producer or director have any changes.  I'm also pretty wired on adrenaline and caffeine so I stay awake until we meet with the cast/crew at 7.  Copies of the script are passed out and it hits me that this is the toughest part - waiting for the reaction.

An actor comes up with a big smile and says she loves it.  Then another.  Then a crew member gives his approval.  And another.  Not everyone likes it - usually no comment signifies the fact.  Some of the suggestions mentioned the night before didn't make it in.  This may have something to do with it.  I tell myself you can't expect to please everyone.  That said, it's a gigantic, gargantuan exhale when it's clear that, for the most part, it's being well received.

Our director, Scott Takeda, shows the calm, cool demeanor for which he's known.

Everyone dives in - even those that don't like the story - and does their part to make sure it's something we can all be proud of.  And this is perhaps the most wonderful part of this event - everyone does it for free.  Twenty-five people (just on our team) giving up an entire Saturday (most much more) simply because they are passionate about filmmaking.  It's a beautiful, amazing thing and a big reason why I go back year after year.

We shoot into the evening and semi-wrap around 10.  Everything is handed to our award-winning editor who, along with the director, will stay up through the night turning a bunch of scenes into a short film.  A few more shots are done the next morning and the final product - a dark comedy called The Rapture - is turned in around 7 - on time.

There are three premieres the following weekend with ours scheduled to be shown Saturday evening.  With any luck we'll make the Top 10 and maybe get some other awards.  I believe members of our team certainly deserve it but in the industry 'deserving' doesn't always mean 'getting.'  C'est la vie.

I'm back in Phoenix less than an hour when I start showing signs of what our exec producer calls PFEHFPD - Post 48 Hour Film Project Depression.  It'll pass, though it may take until we start talking about next year's effort.  I can't say enough about the film community in Albuquerque - a tremendous group of passionate, dedicated, talented, generous people.

For those interested in reading an actor's take on the 48 there is a wonderful article penned by one of the amazing actors on our team, Summer Olsson, found here.

The Game One team wraps a successful shoot.

Greece is the Word

4/27 - Arrive at Phoenix airport around 10 pm - ominous start with the Delta employee telling me she can’t check my bag all the way through to Athens, not because it’s a different airline or a security issue, but because I’ll be taking 5 flights and her system ‘doesn’t have enough slots’.  She then mocks my travel planning ability, or lack thereof.

Depart for Atlanta at 11:50.  Empty middle seat.  Score.

4/28 - Touch down in Atlanta at 6 am.  Depart for Cincinnati around 7.  Empty middle seat again.  Is this a sign?  Maybe I should write a movie version TV's, “The Middle.”

A short time later, on the ground in Cincinnati.  Pick up bag, check it again for the next 3 flights and make another trip through security.  Around noon I meet the generous giver of this trip - one Stacy Bartlett - back outside the gate area at a Chili’s/Damon’s/Applebees.  Then it’s back through security for the 3rd time.  In the last 6 hours I’ve put clothing back on more times than a working girl on Van Buren.  Hiyoooooooo!

A short, cramped flight later we’re in Charlotte for a brief layover before boarding another plane bound for Frankfurt, Germany.  You’d think US Air would give passengers more legroom for an 8-hour, international flight.  And you’d be wrong.

4/29 - Mostly flat, farm-looking terrain outside as we descend.  To quote the gentleman sitting behind me, “Ahhhhhh, Deutschland!”

The local time is around 7 am.  First stop - an airport cafe where breakfast consists of a croissant with egg and German cheese and what is, hands down, the best morning beer I’ve ever consumed.

A little later we board a Lufthansa jet for Athens.  I have no idea how to say ‘legroom’ or ‘customer service’ in German but it’s apparent the good people at Lufthansa do.

Touch down in Athens and for the first time in the last 28 hours I’m not on a plane or in an airport.  Met by a British ex-pat more than a little upset that she’s missing the Royal Wedding who takes us to a hotel downtown.  She points out local landmarks and tells us of her experiences in Greece.  Despite the recent financial turmoil and a health care system that has taught her the meaning of the expression, ‘at least I have my health’ she likes it there.

An hour later we’re transported via bus to the ship - the Seabourn Spirit.  It’s a private charter - the Abbott group makes up the entire passenger list.  Stace and I each have our own cabin - both suites.  Mine alone is larger - and nicer - than my first apartment out of college.  Live entertainment by a local dance group on deck and the opening of a bar that will see a lot of business over the next week.  Two passengers have trouble with their flight from the states so we wait.  It’s good to have your own ship.

At midnight we set sail and leave the lights of Athens behind.

4/30 - At 8 am we dock on the isle of Mykonos.  Quick breakfast on deck where we meet Mike and Gina - two of the travel agents in charge of the trip.  Later this proves to be a very valuable connection.

A peppy cab ride into town followed by some sightseeing.  It’s thirsty work so we have the first of many Greek beers and then cab it to popular tourist spot Paradise Beach. Later that night we learn that another beach nearby is the ‘real’ Paradise Beach - the nude one.  Locals don’t know how lucky they were that we didn’t discover that nugget earlier.

We stay after the group leaves and discuss life over drinks, cab it back to town, stroll through local shops and then make a mad dash back to the ship as we lose track of time.  Safely on board we set sail again and start to enjoy the many amenities on board.

5/1 - Early am we dock in Santorini - a city perched atop sheer cliffs comprised of thousands of years of volcanic layers.  A pumice-mining town until volcanologists (no relation to Star Trek) informed locals that mining might not be the smartest thing to do on an active volcano which erupts geologically often, the last time less than 60 years ago.  

Like every island we’d eventually visit Santorini is surrounded by brilliant, crystal blue water and is home to 300+ churches - roughly one for every 20 residents.  We tender from the ship to the dock, board another boat and start a archipelago tour - including a visit to a sulphur lagoon and a nice hike up the live volcano mentioned earlier - with the first of what would be many wonderful tour guides.

Back to the dock where we board a tram for the town.  The beautiful blue & white structures Greece is known for surround us.  We have lunch at a cafe overlooking the island and surrounding ocean.  The food is incredible - probably sufficient to ruin all Greek food back home for me forever.  Those pitas you get in the US?  Yeah, those kind of suck.  This is also where I fall in love with Greek coffee.

Back to the ship where we enjoy the age-old cruise ship tradition of eating like it’s the last time you’ll have the chance.  The food is wonderful though - and the service is completely without flaw.  Well done, Seabourn.

5/2 - Arrive in Katakolon - a small town known primarily for it’s proximity to Olympia - birthplace of the Olympic games.  We have some time to kill before our tour begins so we walk through the crowded downtown area.  Mostly shops and cafes.  And cats.  Cats love Greece.  And why shouldn’t they?

A little later we board a bus bound for Olympia.  Let’s call this particular section, “Never Underestimate the Ignorance of Americans on Vacation in a Foreign Country at a Thousands-Years-Old Historic Site.”

I’m still wondering what color they could have made the ropes around the ancient stonework to prevent some in our group from climbing over it to stand on - that’s right, not just by but ON - what’s left of these ancient monuments to strike some ignorant pose they assume is somehow historically accurate.  And what noisemaking devise they could give site employees to use when they see these idiots as whistles obviously aren’t enough to get the message across.

The grounds - or what’s left of them after Christians came along and, not wanting any religion but their own to exist, tried to destroy everything in sight - are simply amazing.  What there is left to see comes courtesy of a giant mudslide. Archeologists have done an amazing job uncovering and reconstructing some of the giant stone pieces and you can even walk on the field where athletes from all over the world competed as early as 776 BC.  They frown upon stripping down and running naked - as the original athletes used to do - though.  Our guide had to tell us that because more than one group of Americans have done this in the past.  Sad.

The nearby museum holds various statues and artifacts - all equally impressive and worth much more than the 45 minutes we had with the tour.

5/3 - The island of Corfu greets us in the wee hours of the morning.  The lack of sleep is starting to catch up with us and we almost pass on the next tour.  What a huge mistake that would have been.  A bus ride through a rural section of the island gives us a glimpse of some of Corfu’s hundreds of thousands of olive trees en route to Paleokastritsa - a centuries-old monastery on a mountain overlooking the sea.

In such a good mood leaving I actually buy a couple of the photos a local took as I was entering.  Hey, you can’t take those Euros with you.

Back on the bus and into the old section of the town of Corfu - sandwiched between two massive, impressive-to-this-day fortifications built by the Venetians.  Our tour guide walks us around town, pointing out the impressive variety of British, French and Venetian architectural design, city buildings and more churches.  Though I’ve never been to Europe it feels very much what I’m guessing a European city might feel like and I love it.  We hit a sidewalk cafe for some grub before heading back.  Once again the food/drink is fresh, ample and simply delicious.

We catch the last shuttle back to the ship and don the costumes given to us earlier in the week.  Traditional ancient Greek attire - required for the company’s awards ceremony that night.

At 7:30 we’re back on the bus in full costume and headed to the Achillion Palace - built for an Empress, bought by a Kaiser, birthplace of a Prince, hospital of soldiers and now rented for private functions.  The view, the sculptures, the paintings, the history, the entertainment - all amazing.  The entire night is incredible - even with the somewhat awkward moment when we’re called up on stage as a couple.  Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

5/4 - Sadly, sometime around 6 in the morning we leave Corfu.  The day is spent at sea - relaxing, reading and even getting a workout in. 

5/5 - Second day at sea.  More of the same, sans the workout.

5/6 - Venice

Up at 5:45 - showered and on deck by 6:30 as we sail into the ancient city.  The views are incredible and succeed in making me want to return as soon as possible.  A fitting end to an amazing trip as I eat breakfast on deck watching the sun rise over cathedral domes, canals, bridges, etc.

Out of the cabin at 8, disembark shortly thereafter and catch a cab to the airport.  US Air seems to be in some kind of contest to see who can give the least leg room on international flights - and I’d bet that if they’re not winning they’re certainly in the race.

They show three movies - True Grit, Chronicles of Narnia and Gulliver’s Travels.  If you haven’t seen any of these let me summarize by saying that going from True Grit to Gulliver’s Travels is like going from a trip to Greece to a trip to McDonalds - which, in a sad way, is kind of appropriate.

After 9 hours of travel bliss we land in Philadelphia.  No layover in Philadelphia’s airport can be short enough but we manage to make it out 90 minutes after clearing Customs and then take an even tinier US Air plane to Cincinnati.  Mercifully, my shortest flight yet.

5/7 - You know, I really miss those triple-digit temps.  That’s what I try to convince myself as I sit aboard a Delta flight home.  Direct flight, more leg room and an empty middle seat.  Been truly blessed on this entire trip.  I have a feeling my next one won’t be 1/1,000th as good.

Ev callisto is Greek for thank you.  I’d share more Greek terms but it’s not an easy language to learn.  Even my Greek/English dictionary which I purchased before the trip was essentially useless.  That said, a large ev callisto to Seabourn - a world-class cruise line.  To Madison Events - the company that put everything together - you guys know your stuff.  To Abbott Point of Care - for allowing one of their employees to haul my fat ass along with them.  And mostly to Mr. Bartlett for giving me the chance to tag along.  And to his wife - who didn’t kill me in my sleep for taking her spot when she was unable to go.