MARCH 2016
Red Carpet
Oscar fashionS
2016
British Academy of Film, Television and Arts
#OscarsSoWhite
An Open letter to african american actors
Exclusive conversation with
REBECCA WANG HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 1
2 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
Antique&House
Jewelry
We buy and sell antiques, jeWelry and Watches
Gr and
G n i n e Op
Buy Antiques • Gold/silver • Coins • diAmonds • estAte Jewelry • wAtChes • CloCks • Fine Art
ConsiGnments AlwAys ACCepted 217 S. RobeRtSon blvd. beveRly HillS, CA 90211
Phone: 310.855.1122 Fax: 310.556.9999 antiquehouseandjewelry@yahoo.com • www.antiquehouseandjewelry.com
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 3
MARCH 2016
PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF Prather Jackson
A LETTER From
The Editor
VICE PRESIDENT Bernice Harris Michael D. Coxson OPERATIONS Erskine D. McSwain (1991-2000)
In this issue we are pleased to feature the fashion and philanthropy of Ms. Rebecca Wang. Ms. Wang, who graces HW’s cover for an unprecedented 3rd time, is seen in an exquisite 6-page editorial highlighted with incredible photography that captures her beauty, grace and style. Her humanity is one that is not often seen in the glitz and glam of Hollywood. We are pleased to feature the wonderful story of Rebecca Wang in this, our special Oscars edition.
MANAGING EDITOR Prather Jackson FASHION EDITOR Jacob (For The Stars Fashion House)
Prather Jackson
Our coverage of The 88th Annual Academy Awards shines the spotlight on #OscarsSoWhite in a candidate commentary written by Mr. Larry Skilmore. His open letter to Will Smith provides an analysis of Hollywood’s history, demystifying a pattern of selecting films depicting African-Americans actors in a certain light. I applaud The Academy of Motion Pictures for allowing this year’s host, Chris Rock, the creative freedom to engage the audience with his unique style of social humor.
PHOTO EDITOR Giles Spencer MARKETING & SALES Launy Rhem ART DIRECTOR Karina Pacheco ASSOCIATE EDITOR Anthony Ewart music editor Dick Michaels
Also, since this is the height of Hollywood’s award season, its only fitting that music icon, multiple GRAMMY Award-winner and multi-platinum selling artist Janet Jackson will be performing a leg of her Unbreakable world tour at the Dubai World Cup on Saturday March 26th.
LIFE & STYLE EDITOR Niki Shadrow-Snyder
We also wish to acknowledge the winners of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards. The BAFTA Awards were hosted for an 11th year at London’s Royal Opera House. In a ceremony that reflected an outstanding year in filmmaking, 12 features received BAFTA awards.
Research Development Alberto Arellano
And finally, the City Gala 2016 successfully featured Sean “Diddy” Combs as host and Sir Richard Branson, who served as keynote speaker. The event was a major fundraiser at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angles. The complete story is in this month’s issue.
Prather Jackon Prather Jackson
Publisher 4 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
PRODUCTION MANAGER Hector Santacruz Featured Writer
Jennie Jones
Web Designer Howard Chan GRAPHIC DESIGNER Karina Pacheco contributing PHOTOGRAPHers Tasha Cooney vp corporate accounts strategy & planning Rudy Germany Distributors dominion distribution gold key media news inflight, inc
KEEP UP WITH HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY AT: www.hollywoodweeklymagazine.com FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @hollywoodweeklymagazine (323) 456-5004
WEEKLY MARCH 2016
THE 88TH ACADEMY AWARDS | 2016 Dolby Theatre Hollywood & Highland Center Sunday, February 28, 2016 Honoring movies released in 2015
CITY GALA 2016
6
SEAN “DIDDY” COMBS AS HOST AND SIR RICHARD BRANSON AS KEYNOTE ON GRAMMYS NIGHT
THE 88TH ACADEMY 18 WINNERS & NOMINEES
Janet Jackson
Winners Announced
8
26
Multi-Platinum Artist Brings Unbreakable Tour to World’s Richest Raceday
Rebecca Wang
12
creativity and ideas to blossom can lead to a healthier mind and spirit
Let us handle your PR
British Academy of Film, Television, and Arts
#OSCARS SO WHITE
28
An open letter to Will Smith and African- American Actors Get the Picture?
STORYBOARD ARTIST
33
GIUSEPPE CRISTIANO the one who has written the most books about Storyboarding in the World
(323) 456-5004 HollywoodPublisher@gmail.com HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 5
Jane Seymour, Sean “Diddy” Combs and Sir Richard Branson at City Gala 2016 on Grammys night. Image Courtesy of City Gala 2016
CITY GALA 2016 FEATURES SEAN “DIDDY” COMBS AS HOST AND SIR RICHARD BRANSON AS KEYNOTE ON GRAMMYS NIGHT Sean “Diddy” Combs hosted the City Gala 2016
Among the night’s topics, keynote speaker Sir Richard
(www.CityGala.org), a fundraiser following The
Branson talked about his dyslexia and its influence
58th GRAMMYs® on Monday, February 15,
on his entrepreneurial spirit, saying, “The best way of
2016, at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles. Sir
starting a business is after frustration; feeling this can
Richard Branson (founder, Virgin Group) was
be done better.”
the keynote speaker in a moderated discussion by Jane Seymour. Former astronaut Buzz Aldrin and American businessman and philanthropist John Paul DeJoria (co-founder, Paul Mitchell, The Patron Spirits Company) were honored at the event, with Jeff Timmons, of the Grammy-nominated pop group 98 Degrees, as the emcee for the night. Live performances included DJ Paul Oakenfold, Robert “Kool” Bell of Kool & the Gang, Chanel West Coast, The Stafford Brothers and DJ Sarah Robertson. Event proceeds benefit Community Inspiring Today’s Youth (CITY), a non-profit organization that supports and mentors underserved teens and young adults in developing their own start-up businesses in Los Angeles. 6 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
The City Gala 2016 benefits CITY and its nonprofit programs for LA youth, as well From the Heart Productions, Fire Life Foundation, The Scheer Foundation and Supporting Our Servicemen (SOS). The event was an exclusive invitation-only black tie fundraiser featuring an open bar, open buffet, honors ceremonies, live musical entertainment, a charitable poker tournament, tours of the Playboy Mansion grounds, celebrity meet and greets, and a fashion show presented by Hemp Blue.
The online action
will continue with an array of incredible items and experiences at www.citygalaauction.com until Tuesday, February 23rd at 2 p.m. PT. Highlight items include a Luxury Box at the 2016 American Music Awards; and
Sir Richard Branson poses for a photo with patrons at The Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Earl Gibson III/Getty Images
a 2016 Mercedes-Benz S63 Coupe Custom Widebody. Australian artist Matteo Charles created paintings live at the Gala of Aldrin, Seymour and DeJoria, and the portraits are now available in the online auction. The event also featured the first public exhibit endorsed by the Michael Jackson Estate of art painted by Michael Jackson. Four pieces from the collection, which is appraised at $480 million, and now owned by Michael Jackson’s friend and mentor, artist Brett Livingstone Strong, were on display. Additional celebrities in attendance included Gene Simmons (Kiss); Carl Weathers (actor, USA’s “Colony,” “Rocky”); John “Spider” Salley (Four-time NBA Champion); Nick Lachey (98 Degrees); A.J. Mclean (Backstreet Boys); Kathy Sledge (Sister Sledge); Grammy-winning artist Mya; Barbie Blank (“WWE Raw”); Kaya Jones (Pussycat Dolls); legendary boxing announcer Michael Buffer; Bruce Buffer; celebrity fashion icon Lloyd Klein; comedian Andy Dick, Golnesa ‘GG’ Gharachedaghi, Gilles Marini (“Devious Maids”), Paul Johansson (“One Tree Hill”), Donny Most, Jose Conseco, Willie Galt, Chuck Lidell, Travis
DeJoria, a member of The Giving Pledge, has supported charitable and philanthropic efforts through his Peace, Love and Happiness Foundation for over a decade. At the event, City Gala executive producer Ryan Long presented DeJoria the Legacy of Inspiration Award. The honor is meant to inspire other high net worth individuals to tell the story of their rise to success, their challenges, and ultimately their accomplishment of being able to give forward.
Van Winkle (“The Last Ship”) and Miss Universe 2014,
Event producer is Billie Mitchell of Billie Mitchell
Nia Sanchez, among many others.
Events and set designer is Sandra Costa of Sandra
A highlight of the night was Grammy Hall of Fame musical guest Robert ‘Kool” Bell of Kool & The Gang, along with guitarist Amir Bayyan, and a special DJ set by The Legendary Mohamed Moretta, including “Fresh,” “Get Down On It” and “Celebration” live. Aldrin, an American engineer, former astronaut and the second person to walk on the moon, has supported charitable and philanthropic efforts through Buzz Aldrin’s Share Space Foundation. At the event, The City Gala presented Aldrin with the City Gala Lifetime Achievement Award.
Entrepreneur,
Costa Design Group. Sponsors included Tagspire, AirVuz, JetSmarter, SeedInvest, BELLA Magazine, OK! TV, Modern Luxury Angeleno, Foreground Media, King Size LED Displays, BlairBones Media and Rolls-Royce Beverly Hills. The first City Gala took place on Oscars night in 2014, featuring keynote speaker James Cameron and special guests Charlize Theron, Sean Penn, Halle Berry, Tyrese Gibson, Gene Simmons and Paris Hilton, as well as live musical entertainment provided by Ne-Yo. The event raised over $350,000 for charitable causes.
best-selling author and acclaimed speaker Greg Reid
For more details and event information, please visit
presented the award to Aldrin.
www.CityGala.org or email info@citygala.org. HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 7
Janet Jackson
Multi-Platinum Artist to World’s Richest Raceday
M
usic icon, multiple GRAMMY®
anticipated European Leg of her Unbreakable World
Award-winner
Tour on March 30 in the U.K.
and
multi-
platinum selling artist Janet Jackson is to perform a leg of her Unbreakable world tour at
the Dubai World Cup on Saturday March 26. Held on the Apron Views concert stage at approximately 10pm following the running of the 21st US$10m Dubai World Cup sponsored by Emirates Airline, access to the concert is exclusive to Dubai World Cup day ticket holders.
North America on August 31, 2015 to rave reviews and accolades, sees the return of one of the world’s most influential entertainers on the live stage, in support of her album, Unbreakable, from Rhythm Nation/BMG. Unbreakable, which recently became the music icon’s Seventh #1 album, made music history by making Janet Jackson one of only three artists to achieve a #1 album in each of the past four decades. The album’s initial
Janet Jackson said: “I am excited to perform for the
offering, “No Sleeep,” became 2015’s longest reigning #1
global audience at this year’s Dubai World Cup. The
single on the Adult R & B Chart (Mediabase), spending
entire Unbreakable Company is looking forward to
12 weeks at the top spot. The Unbreakable album
traveling with me to Dubai and being part of one of the
constitutes a historic re-teaming of the iconic performer
world’s most prestigious events.”
with producer/songwriter superstars Jimmy Jam and
Following the performance at the Dubai World Cup, Ms. Jackson is scheduled to kick off the highly 8 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
The Unbreakable world tour, which commenced in
Terry Lewis. The Unbreakable release comes on the 30th anniversary of their groundbreaking collaboration on Ms. Jackson’s “Control” album.
Janet Jackson is one of the most influential entertainers of the modern era. Her music has won her 6 GRAMMY® Awards, 2 Emmy Awards, a nomination for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe nomination, a nomination for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, along with dozens of American Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, BET honoree, and Billboard Music Awards. She has received accolades as an actor as well, including the NAACP Best Supporting Actor award. Janet is a published author with a #1 New York Times Bestseller, choreographer, dancer, businessperson,
Brings Unbreakable Tour philanthropist and one of biggest-selling artists in popular music history. With sales of over 160 million records worldwide, Janet Jackson stands as one of the best-selling artists of all time with a string of hits that have left an indelible impression on pop culture. Her music and artistry has opened doors through which other top artists have followed, while acknowledging her impact on their musical perceptions. Dubai World Cup ticket prices start at AED450 for Apron Views while numerous hospitality ticket packages are also available. The biggest social and sporting event on the UAE calendar, ticket holders will gain access to the nine races that make up Dubai World Cup Day, the spectacular Dubai World Cup show and fireworks display as well as the Janet Jackson concert. Hospitality gates open at 2pm and the first race starts at 3.45pm. For more information about hospitality packages, please click on www.dubairacingclub.com/buy-now/dubai-world-cup-ticketsonly email, ticketoffice@dubairacingclub.com or call: +971 4 327 2110. HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 9
Beauty Services for Every Need - Nonsurgical facelift with RF - Nonsurgical weight loss - Vitamin Iv infusions - Botox and fillers - Acupuncture - Massage therapy and body scrub - Lymphatic drainage - Hair Salon and Makeup - Lash extensions - Complementary valet valet parking
Feel free to call our spa at any time
Reservations: 818. 501.1114
w w w. lej o li es pa. co m $10 off if you mention Hollywood weekly on all services!
12 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
By prather jackson
HW: My goal to enhance society is achieved by identifying
teach them how to become strong, passionate individuals. I
extraordinary individuals like you, Ms. Wang, and sharing your
believe that we as a society should continue supporting the arts
story. You have made significant contributions to society, in a
in order to foster both psychological strength and creative and
variety of industries, most notably the Arts and Charity, and we
innovative thinking.
are delighted to publish this exclusive interview. My hope is that your story will inspire others to follow your shining example.
HW: Your academic studies, as you’ve mentioned, include formal training in Clinical Psychology where you discovered
What would you consider to be your core values? How do these
arts in therapy. Can you cite examples of how Charities have
values drive your daily life and how do they drive your overall
incorporated Art into their service to society?
aspirations?
RW: The Foundation for AIDS Research hosts a number of
RW: Art has an incredible power to change people’s lives, and
events which bring together artists, musicians, fashionistas,
philanthropy is one way to foster such changes. It is my desire to
and others of world renown to benefit amfAR’s research
inspire and give others the opportunity to pursue their passions.
programs. I supported amfAR Milano 2015 last September,
In that way, my own compassion for others helps me see their
where prominent fashionistas, musicians, and artists came
potential and want to give back, while my self-discipline keeps
together to advance amfAR’s AIDS research. amfAR Milano
me focused on achieving those goals.
alone has risen over $7 million for AIDS research. I have also
HW: You have become known as a strong supporter of the Arts. Why is it important for you to be an advocate? RW: During my work as a psychotherapist with the University of California and other institutions, I experienced firsthand how the arts and creativity can be a powerful factor in the therapeutic healing process. I believe that learning to harness your own creativity and truly express yourself can be incredibly cathartic, helping us to express powerful emotions, especially
had the honor of supporting the Annual Academy Awards Viewing Parties hosted by the Elton John AIDS Foundation over the last several years. Through such events, I have seen the great influence that the arts and entertainment fields can have on the world when we come together and fight for causes affecting people worldwide. These events are a testament to what can be achieved when global icons in the Arts come together for such a vital cause.
negative ones, in a way that is not destructive. I advocate for
HW: With regards to the role that Charities play in uplifting
organisations like BAFTA, the Serpentine Galleries, and the
humanity, I understand that you are also involved in The Royal
Royal Academy of Music because such organisations can make
Academy of Music, which is a world-renowned institution and
a positive impact on people, particularly young people and
Britain’s oldest conservatoire.
Rebecca
Wang HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 13
This past November, Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Gloucester, president of the Royal Academy of Music, hosted a private dinner and reception for its supporters, Rupert Murdoch, and Jerry Hall, and others. This event was hosted on the illustrious grounds of Buckingham Palace. You attended the event as one of its supporters. Please share what you believe the importance is of your continuing support for the Royal Academy of Music?
“I know that allowing your creativity and ideas to blossom can lead to a healthier mind and spirit.” –Rebecca Wang
HW: The Royal Academy of Music is a world-renowned institution of music education, and they offer numerous programs and scholarship opportunities for children from underprivileged areas to receive one of the best possible educations in music. I think it is important for children to
HW: Each year, the Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR),
be exposed to the arts and music from an early age, as this
hosts an array of events, including the Inspiration Galas, to
can help develop their imaginations, their creativity, and give
generate awareness and fundraising for their AIDS research
new perspectives of the world around them. The Academy’s
programs.
focus on fostering a culture of music learning can help uplift communities and provides numerous opportunities for audiences to experience music in a classical setting.
You have acted as a sponsor for the 2012 Paris Inspiration Gala and chaired both the Los Angeles and New York Inspiration Galas in 2013 and 2014, along with amfAR
HW: You are also a patron of Serpentine Galleries, which is
Chairman Kenneth Cole and others. You also supported
currently chaired by former New York City mayor Michael R.
amfAR Milano 2015, an annual event which benefits amfAR’s
Bloomberg and has become an internationally renowned gallery
research and education programs. Those who have received
over the last fifteen years. The Serpentine Summer Party is a
awards at these events to honor their long term work and
highly prestigious annual fundraiser for the galleries, and has
committed stance towards AIDS include Princess Mette-
recently been supported by such icons as the Princesses Beatrice
Marit of Norway, philanthropist Aileen Getty, fashion legend
and Eugenie, Keira Knightley, Lily Allen, Ben Goldsmith, and
Valentino, singer Jennifer Lopez, and film director and
Pharrell Williams. Why is this organization important to support?
designer Tom Ford.
HW: The Serpentine Summer Party provides a fantastic setting
HW: What role do you think people of high profile – actors,
for both established and up and coming artists to showcase their
filmmakers, or athletes – can play in supporting humanitarian
creativity in an open, natural area. The Serpentine Pavilion at
and healthcare causes? How have you personally evolved based
the 2015 Summer Party, for instance, was designed by renowned
upon what you have experienced as a philanthropist?
Madrid-based architects José Selgas and Lucía Cano of the studio SelgasCano. Their design served as both a showcase for their vision and a wonderful opportunity for visitors to enjoy the atmosphere of an outdoor art exhibit that also served as a gathering place in the heart of London.
RW: I believe global, high-profile citizens such as entertainers, musicians, and athletes can always do more to support amfAR and other institutions working to eliminate AIDS. These events are primarily intended for fundraising, but they are also used as public platforms for global issues such as AIDS.
By providing such prestigious showcases, the Serpentine
Spreading awareness about these issues and organisations like
Galleries can foster further development and interest in the
amfAR is vital to their continued existence, because celebrities
creative arts. The Summer Party, too, is an opportunity for the
can become the public face of these issues, bringing a level
Galleries to host a high-profile event in the midst of their public
of international attention and reach that may otherwise be
exhibits in the wonderful city of London.
difficult to attain.
14 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 15
16 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
Through my years of supporting different charitable organisations, I have the incredible opportunity to see firsthand the impact that they can have on people’s lives. These charities grant the access to many opportunities that would not be possible otherwise, whether it is helping a person receive the best healthcare possible or helping a child find the creative fire within them. I proud to be a part of many organizations and programs which give so much to those who are less fortunate. HW: When we last sat down with you, you gave us your candid and accurate predictions for the 2014 BAFTA Awards. Now,
“I AM proud to be a part of many organiZations and programs which give so much to those who are less fortunate” –Rebecca Wang
with the Oscars right around the corner, many people are excited about Leonardo DiCaprio’s nomination for Best Actor for his role in The Revenant. What do you think it would mean for an actor with such a prestigious and critically acclaimed
Back campaign, calling on BAFTA members and film studios to
career as Mr. DiCaprio to potentially take home his first Oscar
support his initiative.
for Best Actor?
You are a member of the Academy Circle and a longstanding
RW: Leonardo DiCaprio is one of the most highly respected
supporter of the Scholarship Program. Why is this important
actors of his generation, and has made many wonderful films
to you?
throughout his career. I think his winning the Oscar for Best
RW: I believe that the British Academy of Film and Television
Actor for The Revenant would be fantastic recognition for his career. That’s the most amazing aspect about the Oscars. The actors and filmmakers being nominated for and given the awards understand the significance of being recognized by their peers.
Arts can and should play an important role in fostering the development of young people striving to pursue their dreams of becoming filmmakers. Because of my experience as both a psychotherapist and an executive producer, I know that
HW: Some in the arts and entertainment industry have recently
allowing your creativity and ideas to blossom can lead to a
raised concerns over a lack of diversity at the Oscar’s. Why do
healthier mind and spirit. Endeavors like Give Something
you think diversity is important in Hollywood, and what role
Back and the Scholarship Program not only help young
can those in the Arts play in fostering a greater understanding
artists see their dreams become reality; they can also nurture
of diversity in society as a whole?
the next generation of artists and filmmakers, ensuring
RW: I think demonstrating diversity in Hollywood is important
continued growth and innovation in these fields.
because it gives our audiences broader or differing perspectives
HW: Speaking of star-studded events, you recently attended
from what they may be used to. Celebrities, actors, and
the 67th annual BAFTA Film Awards with Steve McQueen and
filmmakers should be open to showcasing diversity in their
Judy Dench. Your sense of fashion blends seamlessly in Paris,
work, because by accepting our diversity, we can better share in
London, New York, and many other cities where you have been
our mutual understanding and compassion.
photographed during couture fashion events. How does fashion
HW: Beyond its renown for celebrating the very best in its fields,
impact your own creative thinking and aspirations?
BAFTA (the British Academy of Film and Television Arts) is
RW: To me, fashion is the most outward expression of the
a charity organization offering year-round education extending
individual’s creativity. As such, deciding upon my fashion
the reach of the moving image arts. Its Scholarship Program
choices is an exercise in knowing how to express myself and feel
enables British youngsters to continue postgraduate study and
confident by doing so. In that way, I feel more driven to pursue
training in film, television, or video games. In 2013, BAFTA
my aspirations creatively, and in other ways. I think that can be
President, HRH Prince William launched the Give Something
rather fulfilling for any creative soul.
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 17
THE 88TH ACADEMY AWARDS | 2016 Dolby Theatre Hollywood & Highland Center Sunday, February 28, 2016 Honoring movies released in 2015 Each January, the entertainment community and film fans around the world turn their attention to the Academy Awards. Interest and anticipation builds to a fevered pitch leading up to the Oscar telecast in February, when hundreds of millions of movie lovers tune in to watch the glamorous ceremony and learn
18 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
who will receive the highest honors in filmmaking. A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE OSCAR速 Shortly after the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was incorporated in 1927, a dinner was held in the Crystal
Ballroom of the Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles to discuss the goals of the new organization. One of those goals was devising a method to honor outstanding achievements, thus encouraging higher levels of quality in all facets of motion picture production. At one of the many meetings in the following weeks, MGM art director Cedric Gibbons sketched the figure of a knight gripping a sword, standing in front of a reel of film. The five spokes of the reel stood for the original five branches of the Academy – actors, directors, producers, technicians and writers – and the sword symbolized protection for the welfare and advancement of the industry. The design was immediately adopted by the Board of Directors and graced the cover of the November 1927 issue of the Academy magazine. In early 1928, Gibbons chose Los Angeles sculptor George Stanley to realize his design in three dimensions. Together they discussed the design concept – no live models or sketches were used – and Stanley worked up several versions from which Gibbons selected one. In the finished design, the figure of the knight was streamlined and the film reel moved beneath its feet. The now iconic statuette was born.
ent of the Vice Presid es, Joe United Stat ents during Biden, presC Telecast the live AB Oscars® at of The 88th Theatre in the Dolby® CA Hollywood,
Since the initial awards banquet on May 16, 1929, in the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel’s Blossom Room, over 3,000 statuettes have been presented. Each January, additional new golden statuettes are cast, molded, polished and buffed by R.S. Owens & Company, the Chicago-based awards specialty company retained by the Academy since 1982. The statuette stands 131/2 inches tall and weighs a robust 81/2 pounds. The design of the statuette has never changed from its original conception, but the size of the base varied until the present standard was adopted in 1945. Officially named the Academy Chris Rock hosts The 88th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA
Award® of Merit, the statuette is better known by its nickname, Oscar, the origins of which aren’t clear. A popular story has been that Academy librarian and eventual executive director Margaret Herrick thought it resembled her Uncle Oscar and said so, and that the Academy staff began referring to it as Oscar. In any case, by the sixth Awards presentation in 1934, Hollywood columnist Sidney Skolsky used the name in his column in reference to Katharine Hepburn’s first Best Actress win. The Academy itself didn’t use the nickname officially until 1939. The 15 statuettes presented at the initial ceremonies were gold-plated solid bronze. Within a few years the bronze was
OSCAR®, OSCARS®, ACADEMY AWARDS®, ACADEMY AWARD®, A.M.P.A.S.® AND “OSCAR NIGHT® are registered trademarks, and the OSCAR statuette is a registered trademark and copyrighted property, of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 19
abandoned in favor of britannia metal, a pewter-like alloy, which made it easier to give the statuettes their smooth finish. Because of the metals shortage during World War II, Oscars® were made of painted plaster for three years. Following the war, all of the awarded plaster figures were exchanged for gold-plated metal ones. Achievements in up to 24 regular categories will be honored on February 28, 2016, at the 88th Oscars® presentation at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®. However, the Academy won’t know how many statuettes it will actually hand out until the envelopes are opened on Oscar Night®. Although the number of categories will be known prior to the ceremony, the possibility of ties and of multiple recipients sharing the prize in some categories makes the exact number of Oscar statuettes to be presented unpredictable. As in previous years, any surplus awards will be housed in the Academy’s vault until next year’s event. Except in years when the Academy created a publicity event out of the delivery of the Oscars from Chicago to Los Angeles, they normally were sent over land by common carrier. However, in 2000, only a few weeks before the presentation date, that year’s shipment of Oscars was stolen from the overland carrier’s loading dock. They were recovered a week later, but not before some nerve-wracking days had passed. Since then, the Academy has kept an additional ceremony’s-worth of statuettes on hand. The Oscar statuette is the most recognized award in the world. Its success as a symbol of achievement in filmmaking would doubtless amaze those Oscar®-nominee Lady Gaga performs during the live ABC Telecast of The 88th Oscars®
who attended that dinner more than 80 years ago, as well as its designer, Cedric Gibbons. It stands today, as it has since 1929, without peer, on the mantels of the greatest filmmakers in history.
Margeret Sixel accepts the Oscar® for Achievement in Film Editing, for work on “Mad Max: Fury Road”
Josh Singer and Tom McCarthy accept the Oscar® for Original screenplay, for work on “Spotlight” BB-8, R2-D2 and C-3PO
20 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
Jenny Beavan accepts the Oscar® for Achievement in costume design, for work on “Mad Max: Fury Road”
Alicia Vikander accepts the Oscar® for Performance by an actress in a supporting role, for her role in “The Danish Girl”
Gabriel Osorio and Pato Escala accept the Oscar® for Best animated short film, for work on “Bear Story”
Michael Sugar, Steve Golin, Nicole Rocklin and Blye Pagon Faust accept the Oscar® for Best motion picture of the year, for work on “Spotlight”
Leonardo DiCaprio accepts the Oscar® for Performance by an actor in a Leading role, for work on “The Revenant” during the live ABC Telecast of The 88th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, February 28, 2016.
Elka Wardega, Lesley Vanderwalt, and Damian Martin accept the Oscar® for Achievement in makeup, for work on “Mad Max: Fury Road”
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 21
ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE WINNER • LEONARDO DICAPRIO The Revenant NOMINEES BRYAN CRANSTON Trumbo MATT DAMON The Martian MICHAEL FASSBENDER Steve Jobs EDDIE REDMAYNE The Danish Girl ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE WINNER • MARK RYLANCE Bridge of Spies NOMINEES CHRISTIAN BALE The Big Short TOM HARDY The Revenant MARK RUFFALO Spotlight SYLVESTER STALLONE Creed ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE WINNER • BRIE LARSON Room NOMINEES CATE BLANCHETT Carol JENNIFER LAWRENCE Joy CHARLOTTE RAMPLING 45 Years SAOIRSE RONAN Brooklyn ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE WINNER • ALICIA VIKANDER The Danish Girl NOMINEES JENNIFER JASON LEIGH The Hateful Eight ROONEY MARA Carol RACHEL MCADAMS Spotlight KATE WINSLET Steve Jobs ANIMATED FEATURE FILM WINNER • INSIDE OUT Pete Docter and Jonas Rivera NOMINEES ANOMALISA Charlie Kaufman, Duke Johnson and Rosa Tran BOY AND THE WORLD Alê Abreu SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE Mark Burton and Richard Starzak WHEN MARNIE WAS THERE Hiromasa Yonebayashi and Yoshiaki Nishimura BEST PICTURE WINNER • SPOTLIGHT Michael Sugar, Steve Golin, Nicole Rocklin and Blye Pagon Faust, Producers NOMINEES THE BIG SHORT Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner, Producers BRIDGE OF SPIES Steven Spielberg, Marc Platt and Kristie Macosko Krieger, Producers BROOKLYN Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey, Producers MAD MAX: FURY ROAD Doug Mitchell and George Miller, Producers THE MARTIAN Simon Kinberg, Ridley Scott, Michael Schaefer and Mark Huffam, Producers THE REVENANT Arnon Milchan, Steve Golin, Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Mary Parent and Keith Redmon, Producers ROOM Ed Guiney, Producer CINEMATOGRAPHY WINNER • THE REVENANT Emmanuel Lubezki NOMINEES CAROL Ed Lachman THE HATEFUL EIGHT Robert Richardson MAD MAX: FURY ROAD
22 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
John Seale SICARIO Roger Deakins COSTUME DESIGN WINNER • MAD MAX: FURY ROAD Jenny Beavan NOMINEES CAROL Sandy Powell CINDERELLA Sandy Powell THE DANISH GIRL Paco Delgado THE REVENANT Jacqueline West DIRECTING WINNER • THE REVENANT Alejandro G. Iñárritu NOMINEES THE BIG SHORT Adam McKay MAD MAX: FURY ROAD George Miller ROOM Lenny Abrahamson SPOTLIGHT Tom McCarthy
THE 88TH ACADEMY AWARDS | 2016 Dolby Theatre at the Hollywood & Highland Center Sunday, February 28, 2016
WINNERS & NOMINEES
FILM EDITING WINNER • MAD MAX: FURY ROAD Margaret Sixel NOMINEES THE BIG SHORT Hank Corwin THE REVENANT Stephen Mirrione SPOTLIGHT Tom McArdle STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS Maryann Brandon and Mary Jo Markey FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM WINNER • SON OF SAUL Hungary NOMINEES EMBRACE OF THE SERPENT Colombia MUSTANG France THEEB Jordan A WAR Denmark MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING WINNER • MAD MAX: FURY ROAD Lesley Vanderwalt, Elka Wardega and Damian Martin NOMINEES THE 100-YEAR-OLD MAN WHO CLIMBED OUT THE WINDOW AND DISAPPEARED Love Larson and Eva von Bahr THE REVENANT Siân Grigg, Duncan Jarman and Robert Pandini PRODUCTION DESIGN WINNER • MAD MAX: FURY ROAD Production Design: Colin Gibson; Set Decoration: Lisa Thompson NOMINEES BRIDGE OF SPIES Production Design: Adam Stockhausen; Set Decoration: Rena DeAngelo and Bernhard Henrich THE DANISH GIRL Production Design: Eve Stewart; Set Decoration: Michael Standish THE MARTIAN Production Design: Arthur Max; Set Decoration: Celia Bobak THE REVENANT Production Design: Jack Fisk; Set Decoration: Hamish Purdy SOUND EDITING WINNER • MAD MAX: FURY ROAD Mark Mangini and David White NOMINEES THE MARTIAN Oliver Tarney THE REVENANT Martin Hernandez and Lon Bender SICARIO Alan Robert Murray STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS Matthew Wood and David Acord
SOUND MIXING WINNER • MAD MAX: FURY ROAD Chris Jenkins, Gregg Rudloff and Ben Osmo NOMINEES BRIDGE OF SPIES Andy Nelson, Gary Rydstrom and Drew Kunin THE MARTIAN Paul Massey, Mark Taylor and Mac Ruth THE REVENANT Jon Taylor, Frank A. Montaño, Randy Thom and Chris Duesterdiek STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS Andy Nelson, Christopher Scarabosio and Stuart Wilson VISUAL EFFECTS WINNER • EX MACHINA Andrew Whitehurst, Paul Norris, Mark Ardington and Sara Bennett NOMINEES MAD MAX: FURY ROAD Andrew Jackson, Tom Wood, Dan Oliver and Andy Williams THE MARTIAN Richard Stammers, Anders Langlands, Chris Lawrence and Steven Warner THE REVENANT Rich McBride, Matthew Shumway, Jason Smith and Cameron Waldbauer STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS Roger Guyett, Patrick Tubach, Neal Scanlan and Chris Corbould MUSIC (ORIGINAL SCORE) WINNER • THE HATEFUL EIGHT Ennio Morricone NOMINEES BRIDGE OF SPIES Thomas Newman CAROL Carter Burwell SICARIO Jóhann Jóhannsson STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS John Williams WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY) WINNER • SPOTLIGHT Written by Josh Singer & Tom McCarthy NOMINEES BRIDGE OF SPIES Written by Matt Charman and Ethan Coen & Joel Coen EX MACHINA Written by Alex Garland INSIDE OUT Screenplay by Pete Docter, Meg LeFauve, Josh Cooley; Original story by Pete Docter, Ronnie del Carmen STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON Screenplay by Jonathan Herman and Andrea Berloff; Story by S. Leigh Savidge & Alan Wenkus and Andrea Berloff DOCUMENTARY (SHORT SUBJECT) WINNER • A GIRL IN THE RIVER: THE PRICE OF FORGIVENESS Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy NOMINEES BODY TEAM 12 David Darg and Bryn Mooser CHAU, BEYOND THE LINES Courtney Marsh and Jerry Franck CLAUDE LANZMANN: SPECTRES OF THE SHOAH Adam Benzine LAST DAY OF FREEDOM Dee Hibbert-Jones and Nomi Talisman
DOCUMENTARY (FEATURE) WINNER • AMY Asif Kapadia and James Gay-Rees NOMINEES CARTEL LAND Matthew Heineman and Tom Yellin THE LOOK OF SILENCE Joshua Oppenheimer and Signe Byrge Sørensen WHAT HAPPENED, MISS SIMONE? Liz Garbus, Amy Hobby and Justin Wilkes WINTER ON FIRE: UKRAINE’S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM Evgeny Afineevsky and Den Tolmor SHORT FILM (ANIMATED) WINNER • BEAR STORY Gabriel Osorio and Pato Escala NOMINEES PROLOGUE Richard Williams and Imogen Sutton SANJAY’S SUPER TEAM Sanjay Patel and Nicole Grindle WE CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT COSMOS Konstantin Bronzit WORLD OF TOMORROW Don Hertzfeldt SHORT FILM (LIVE ACTION) WINNER • STUTTERER Benjamin Cleary and Serena Armitage NOMINEES AVE MARIA Basil Khalil and Eric Dupont DAY ONE Henry Hughes EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY (ALLES WIRD GUT) Patrick Vollrath SHOK Jamie Donoughue MUSIC (ORIGINAL SONG) WINNER • SPECTRE “Writing’s On The Wall” from Spectre; Music and Lyric by Jimmy Napes and Sam Smith NOMINEES FIFTY SHADES OF GREY “Earned It” from Fifty Shades of Grey; Music and Lyric by The Weeknd, Ahmad Balshe, Jason Quenneville and Stephan Moccio RACING EXTINCTION “Manta Ray” from Racing Extinction; Music by J. Ralph, Lyric by Anohni YOUTH “Simple Song #3” from Youth; Music and Lyric by David Lang THE HUNTING GROUND “Til It Happens To You” from The Hunting Ground; Music and Lyric by Diane Warren and Lady Gaga WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY) WINNER • THE BIG SHORT Screenplay by Charles Randolph and Adam McKay NOMINEES BROOKLYN Screenplay by Nick Hornby CAROL Screenplay by Phyllis Nagy THE MARTIAN Screenplay by Drew Goddard ROOM Screenplay by Emma Donoghue
Oscar速-nominee Lady Gaga performs during the live ABC Telecast of The 88th Oscars速
Charissa Thompson
Olivia Wilde
Oscar速-nominees, Cameron Waldbauer, Matthew Shumway, Rich McBride and Jason Smith, arrive with guests at The 88th Oscars速
24 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
Andra Day
Jennifer Garner
Jonathan
Master chef Wolfgang Puck
u G. Iñárrit Alejandro Oscar® for e th accepts ecting, ent in dir Achievem on for work enant” v e R e h “T
Herman
Sofia Vergara
Margot Robbie
Brie Larson
Robin Roberts and guests
TV personality Zuri Hall
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 25
British Academy Film Awards Winners Announced The winners of the British Academy Film Awards have been announced at the ceremony hosted by Stephen Fry at the Royal Opera House in London, england
British Academy Film Awards The Revenant was named Best Film with Alejandro G. Iñárritu winning Director and Leonardo DiCaprio receiving the award for Leading Actor. Emmanuel Lubezki won for Cinematography – his fourth BAFTA overall and third win in a row, and the film also won for Sound. Mad Max: Fury Road won four awards for its return to the big screen: Costume Design, Production Design, Make Up & Hair and Editing. The Awards were hosted for an eleventh year by Stephen Fry and held at London’s Royal Opera House. In a ceremony that reflected an outstanding year of filmmaking, 12 further features received BAFTA awards: Leading Actress was presented to Brie Larson for her portrayal of a young mother held captive in Room, while the award for Supporting Actress went to Kate Winslet for her performance in Steve Jobs. Mark Rylance received the BAFTA for Supporting Actor in Bridge of Spies, with Steven Spielberg onstage to accept the award on his behalf. The award for Outstanding British Film went to Brooklyn, a transatlantic love story about a young woman caught between a future in New York and her home in Ireland. British film Amy triumphed against domestic and international competition to receive the BAFTA for Documentary. The award for Original Music went to Ennio Morricone for his work on The Hateful Eight, marking the composer’s sixth BAFTA in this category. Spotlight was successful in the
Mad Max: Fury Road
26 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
The Revenant
Alejandro González Iñárritu and Emmanuel Lubezki at event of The Revenant (2015)
Original Screenplay category, and the BAFTA for Adapted Screenplay went to The Big Short. The award for Special Visual Effects went to Star Wars for its rendering of a galaxy far, far away, while the BAFTA for Animated Film went to Inside Out for its imagining of a world much closer to home. Writer-Director Naji Abu Nowar and Producer Rupert Lloyd received the award for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer for their first feature, Theeb. The BAFTA for Film Not in the English Language was presented to Argentinian film Wild Tales. Operator won the British Short Film award, while the BAFTA for British Short Animation was presented to Edmond. The EE Rising Star Award, voted for by the public, was presented to John Boyega. The special award for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema was presented to Angels Costumes, the world’s longest-established and largest professional costume house, in their 175th year. Sir Sidney Poitier received the Fellowship, the highest accolade that BAFTA can bestow, in recognition of his outstanding career in film. Sir Sidney’s award was presented to him by Jamie Foxx and his daughter, Sydney Tamiia Poitier, in his Los Angeles home. During the ceremony filmed tributes were given by Oprah
Winfrey, Noel Clarke and his To Sir, With Love co-star, Lulu. As part of BAFTA’s year-round programme of events and initiatives in support of the film industry, many of this year’s nominees took part in the ‘BAFTA Film Craft Sessions’ on Saturday at BAFTA 195 Piccadilly, where they discussed their work with BAFTA members and beneficiaries of BAFTA’s new talent schemes. In addition, a number of the British Short Film and British Short Animation nominees will take part in Q&A sessions at theatrical screenings of their films in the UK and overseas, which BAFTA is delivering in partnership with the Independent Cinema Office (ICO) and the British Council. Other year-round film activity includes scholarships and masterclasses, as well as the flagship David Lean Lecture by a leading film director and ‘A Life in Pictures’ career retrospectives. The British Academy of Film and Television Arts is an independent charity that supports, develops and promotes the art forms of the moving image by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners and benefiting the public. In addition to its Awards ceremonies, BAFTA has a year-round programme of learning events and initiatives – featuring workshops, masterclasses, scholarships, lectures and mentoring schemes – in the UK, USA and Asia; it offers unique access to the world’s most inspiring talent and connects with a global audience of all ages and backgrounds. BAFTA relies on income from membership subscriptions, individual donations, trusts, foundations and corporate partnerships to support its ongoing outreach work. To access the best creative minds in film, television and games production, visit www. bafta.org/guru. For more, visit www.bafta.org. HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 27
#OscarsSoWhite
An open letter to Will Smith and African- American Actors
Mammy Sambo Mammy Sambo
And the Oscar goes to… It’s Black history month 2016, and we have
yet another controversy surrounding the disappointing absence of diversity in the major acting nominations for this year’s Oscars. This time Jada Pinkett Smith’s call for a boycott has kicked off the #OscarsSoWhite trend and today’s social media has allowed pretty much anybody to share their thoughts and feelings on the matter. I’ve read and
all you need to get your Oscar, and contains
#OscarsSoWhite - Instead of Boycotting, Follow this Simple Guide to these Popular Toxic Oscar Stereotypes. Counting down every Oscar-winning African-American Actor and the Roles that Won.
heard all sorts of opinions, theories and
by Larry Skilmore
incriminations across dozens of websites,
(@larryskilmore)
channels and outlets about “who,” “why,” “what” and “how?” Mostly, I’ve observed a lot of sound and fury on all sides without much clarity. In my generosity, I, Larry Skilmore, have decided to settle the issue once and for all. I will separate the core underlying issues to focus on the main issue of the day #OscarsSoWhite asks. The question of why are there no African-American actors nominated in the glamour categories, and how can we get more African-American actors “included” in the critical and commercial gravy train called the Oscars? Jada didn’t mention how much a nomination and win is worth in cash in her boycott announcement, but I will tell you it’s
every African-American acting Oscar-winner and the roles that won them the prize. Read this bit of black history carefully before you call your agents.
Mammies & Sambos The “Mammy” is the most well-known and enduring racial caricature of African-American women. From the beginning of slavery to today, the mammy image has served the political, social and economic interests of mainstream white America. The mammy caricature implied that black women were only fit to be
domestic workers; thus, the stereotype became a rationalization for economic discrimination. Mammy’s male counterpart; the sambo, is typically a lazy, easily frightened, chronically idle and inarticulate buffoon. Sambo was depicted as a perpetual child not capable of living as an independent adult. Sambo was a loyal and contented servant, eagerly and courageously, defending his master’s property and way of life. In film and media, these caricatures provide comic relief and support of the white lead characters endeavors or goals. Sambos and mammies generally are devoid of sexuality and
worth a lot…just ask Jamie or Jennifer. What I will say to Will,
mostly illiterate; they compensate by having deeper spiritual or
Jada, Eddie, Idris, Gabrielle, Kerry and all African-American
magical powers like Oscar winning medium “Oda Mae” played
actors is this: Getting an Oscar nomination and winning isn’t
by Whoopi Goldberg in Ghost (1990) and Oscar nominated,
that difficult. All you have to do is give the people (in this case
Michael Clarke Duncan’s John Coffey in Green Mile (1999). More
the Academy voters), what they want. The following guide is
recently in 2011, Oscar winner Octavia Spencer’s “Minny” while
28 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
Monster Victim The original big screen mammy,
Get the Picture?
Hattie McDaniel won the first Oscar of any kind ever awarded to an African-American in 1939 for Best Supporting Actress for her unforgettable role of “Mammy” in Gone with the Wind. McDaniel appeared in dozens of films from the 1930s to 50s. She was often criticized by blacks for perpetuating the mammy caricature. She responded this way: “Why should I complain about making seven thousand dollars a week playing a maid? If I didn’t, I’d be making seven dollars a week actually being one” (Bogle, 1994, p. 82).
Actor nomination in his role as giant but child-like magical sambo “John Coffey” in 1999’s The Green Mile. Whoopi also received a nomination for her role as black victim, “Celie” in 1985’s The Color Purple
Dancing sambo “Rod Tidwell,” played by Cuba Gooding Jr. jived and strutted his way to the Oscar in 1996’s Jerry Maguire. Gooding further enhanced his sambo credentials by biting his Oscar like a chicken leg post ceremony (see photo). While not as popular with the academy, the comic sambo is alive and well in Hollywood providing breakout box office status for Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence, Chris Tucker, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Damon Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans and Kevin Hart whose cowardly antics and childish buffoonery have made him a star worthy of the great, Stepin Fetchit. At least he’s not wearing a dress…yet.
Monster Victim not magical is the moral compass
in The Help. Taraji P. Henson also appeared on the Oscar radar with her standout mammy portrayal of “Queenie” in Benjamin Button getting a Best Supporting nomination in 2008. The sambo character has evolved from the overtly offensive 1930s comic Stepin Fetchit, into the loyal sage who sees the best in the white
Sidney Poitier found Oscar gold as the noble sambo, “Homer Smith” in the service of German Nuns in 1963’s Lilies of the Field. He builds them a church in exchange for his own mental enslavement. Already an acclaimed Broadway actor; Poitier was first nominated in 1959 for playing black monster prison escapee, “Noah Cullen” in The Defiant Ones.
lead character even when he doesn’t see it in himself. These types of characters have been a favorite with the Academy for decades with Louis Gosset Jr. winning the first Best Supporting Actor award for an African-American in 1980’s critical and box office champ An Officer and a Gentleman. The modern day “King of the Sambo” Morgan Freeman has multiple nominations, Driving Miss Daisy 1989 and Shawshank Redemption (1994), and one Academy Award victory for Million Dollar Baby (2004) playing these docile and loyal characters. In America, mammy and sambo have been offered as a defense for slavery and segregation. How bad could these institutions have been, if blacks were contented, even happy, being servants? In Hollywood, the mammy and the sambo have been elevated to a high art with the Academy rewarding these faithful
Tough sambo, “Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley” (Louis Gosset Jr.) mentors and guides white angel, “Mayo” played by Richard Gere through boot camp like a surrogate dad in 1980’s Officer and a Gentleman. It was the first time an African-American actor won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar.
servants with its ultimate prize for both raking in millions upon millions and maintaining the racial status quo with a smile and a sassy retort. Thanks Mammy!
Whoopi Goldberg eye bugging and neck rolling her way to the Oscar in 1990 as the magical mammy, ”Oda Mae Brown” who spoke to lovelorn ghost, Patrick Swayze in the popular hit, Ghost. The late Michael Clarke Duncan also garnered a Best Supporting
American’s acting treasure, Morgan Freeman has certainly played his share of sambos, most notably in Oscar nominated, Shawshank Redemption (1994) and Driving Miss Daisy (1989) before striking Oscar gold in 2004 playing Clint Eastwood’s faithful black dog, “Eddie Scrap-Iron Dupris” in Million Dollar Baby (2004).
Octavia Spencer went from unknown actress to the Oscar night winners circle as 21st century mammy “Minnie Jackson” in 2011’s The Help by reminding white America of their “good ole days.” How to Get Away with Murder star, Viola Davis also received an Academy nomination for her mammy portrayal of “Aibileen Clark” in the same film. HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 29
Monster Monsters
Filling prisons and cemeteries faster than you can say “black lives
As old as Hollywood itself, the black monster in cinema was
officers, armed with radios and batons and handcuffs and mace
featured in the very first Hollywood blockbuster, D.W Griffith’s
and bullet proof vests and guns somehow “fear for their lives”
Birth of a Nation. By today’s standards, shockingly racist, the
when confronted by a unarmed black male in a hoodie or selling
film is a call to arms for God and country-loving Americans to
cigarettes or walking away or shackled, but with a hateful look
band together, and join the Ku Klux Klan to violently stop the
in his eyes…etc., but I digress. If you want the Oscar you have a
onslaught of marauding packs of newly freed black men roaming
good shot here.
matter”; this is the imagery that comes to mind when white police
the countryside, high on freedom, drunk on moonshine and hungry for the flesh of white women. The black monster confirms all the fears and suspicions of the white American audience and the Academy. It dehumanizes all African-American people because it allows the (white) hero to justify any extreme measures to vanquish the black boogeyman in the form of the monster pimp or monster criminal or killer or prisoner on the loose, even a black pirate. For Black male actors this seems to be fertile space as reflected by Oscar nominations for Laurence Fishburne’s wife beating monster, Ike Turner in 1993’s What’s Love Got to do With It, Sidney Poitier’s escaped inmate in The Defiant Ones (1958), James Earl Jones’ woman beating boxer, “Jack Jefferson” in The Great White Hype (1970), Samuel L. Jackson as monster hitman, “Jules” in Pulp Fiction 1994, Morgan Freeman earned his first Academy nomination as monster pimp, “Fast Black” in Street Smart (1987), Terrence
Monster cop, “Alonzo Harris” and Denzel Washington were a perfect match in 2001’s hit, Training Day. The monster caricature defines black men as innately savage, animalistic, destructive, and criminal -deserving punishment, maybe death. The monster is a fiend, a sociopath, an anti-social menace. Black monsters are depicted as hideous, terrifying predators who target helpless victims…in short; King Kong ain’t got nothing on this guy. Dysfunctional, abusive, unemployed, incestuous monster mom, “Mary” landed Mo’Nique the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 2009 in Lee Daniels’ utterly savage film, Precious adding girl power to the monsters club. Yes, that is a TV she has over her head.
Genocidal, cannibal monster, “Idi Amin” portrayed by Forest Whitaker in The Last King of Scotland won the Oscar for Best Actor (2006). Clifton R. Breckinridge (1900) said of the black race, “when it produces a brute, he is the worst and most insatiate brute that exists in human form.”
Howard was a rapping pimp, “DJay” in Hustle & Flow (2005), even Barkhad Abdi, “Muse”, the Somali Pirate in Captain Phillips (2013) support this assertion.
Mammy Mammy
So Will, there you have it. The plain truth is every black Oscar-winning role as well as a great majority of academy nominations fall into one of these toxic stereotypes. Yes, you may ask, “what about leaders like Denzel in Malcolm X (1992) or Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela in Invictus (2009)? Or what about, Don Cheadle as the heroic “Paul Rusesabagina” in 2004’s Hotel Rwanda? They got Academy noms for playing relatively positive characters. Why yes, Will, even you yourself played a “superdad” and a “cultural icon” in two of your Oscar nominated films, Pursuit of Happyness (2006) and Ali (2001), and trust me, if any of you had won the award for those positive roles, I would admit the exception gladly, but as that is not the case, I’m inclined to hold to the assertion that the toxic stereotype represents the path of least resistance to that which you desire; a little gold statue to fill an empty space on your wall of fame. This piece is not here to pass judgment on the politics or ethics of playing these characters so don’t think I’m judging you. Tyler Perry and Lee Daniels, in particular, have built Empire(s) (pun intended) by promoting, producing, propagating proliferating and profiteering in the trade of the ugliest and most destructive portrayals of African and
30 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
Victims Victims
The black victim titillates something in the American audience that says black person’s humanity is enhanced by their ability to withstand and endure extreme brutality and misery. Themes of helplessness and dominance seem to stimulate the guilt and pity Oscar votes to get the nomination and win. The black victim is always a welcomed sight to the Academy and a safe choice for an actor in search of Oscar. Male actors like Oscar nominated Chiwetel Ejiofor, (12 Years A Slave) Djimon Hounsou (Blood Diamond) and Denzel Washington (Glory, The Hurricane) must endure the whip and false imprisonment or slavery with a side of drug addiction. Oscar-winning black actresses like Halle Berry and Lupita Nyong’o must experience these same plagues with sexual dehumanization and domestic violence tossed in for graphic effect as well. The singing victim, in particular, can almost be its own category snagging African-American actors critical acclaim and Oscar nominations for Diana Ross as junkie ingénue Billie Holiday in Lady Sings The Blues (1972) and Angela Basset as battered diva Tina Turner in What’s Love Got to Do with it (1993) in addition to Jamie Foxx and Jennifer Hudson’s Oscar wins in Ray (2004) and 2009’s Dreamgirls. When you take this path, pain and suffering, agony and anguish, addiction and incarceration pave the way to Oscar glory.
Extreme pain and poverty make “Laticia Musgrove” an easy sexual victim for her husband’s racist executioner in the Lee Daniels produced, Monster’s Ball (2001). Halle Berry walked (or crawled) away with the Best Actress Oscar launching her into a world superstar. Historically, sexual relations between blacks and whites -- whether consensual or rapes -- were taboo; yet they occurred often. All black women and girls, regardless of their physical appearances, were vulnerable to being sexually assaulted by white men. The Academy seems to approve. Two time winner, Denzel Washington’s portrayal of heroic victim, “Private Trip” won him a Best Supporting statue in the 1989 film, Glory. In the Best Supporting Actor Oscar-winning scene, “Private Trip” is graphically whipped until tears roll down his proud cheeks (see Photo). Paul Winfield in Sounder (1972) and Howard Rollins Jr. in Ragtime (1981) also received nominations as proud victims. More recently; America learned how to say Chiwetel Ejiofor as title whipped victim, Solomon Northcutt” in Academy darling 12 years a Slave (2013).
Complete unknown, Lupita Nyong’o was whipped and raped as “Patsey” on her way to the 2013 Oscar Best Supporting Actress in 12 Years a Slave. Helpless victim “Patsey’s” capacity to endure unspeakable barbarism makes it more artistic in the eyes of the Academy. Also, completely unknown was Academy nominee, Gabourey Sidibe as the helpless victim, “Precious Jones” in Lee Daniels self loathing, 2009 film Precious. Oprah Winfrey also shot to superstardom following her 1985 Academy nom as police brutality victim “Sophia” in director Steven Spielberg’s acclaimed The Color Purple. Blinded by his illiterate mother and a drug addict most of his life; transcendent victim Ray Charles played by Jamie Foxx in Ray sings his way to stardom and the Best Actor Oscar in 2004.
Singing, heartbroken victim, “Effie” won Jennifer Hudson the Oscar in 2009’s Dreamgirls.
African-American people. (Exactly, what is “Madea” anyway??) But, it must be noted that they are only the tip of the proverbial watermelon. They didn’t create systemic racism and cultural apartheid, and they didn’t create the Academy or why they overwhelmingly seem to favor these images of my people…your people. All anyone will know 30 years from now is that you are an Oscar winner, so allow me to suggest. Maybe you could play a cross-dressing, singing (or rapping) ghost who has a drug problem…or a slave who gets whipped but still leads the charge on a civil war battlefield…oh, yeah, that’s Glory (sorry, Denzel)…ok, I got it…You play a dancing, rapping, drug-dealing, pimp, dirty cop who goes blind and helps an orphan white girl make a grilled cheese sandwich….who then gets whipped…and raped. Let’s call it, Lee Daniels Bagger Vance Too: Back on the Bag. Call your agent before Cuba Gooding or Taye Diggs beats you to it. Host, Chris Rock’s acting is bad enough to exclude him from this letter entirely. Stay with the jokes, Chris, ‘cause hosting is as close as you’re going to get to an Oscar. Maybe you should work-in a musical number or two this year. I’m just saying…I’m here to help. Get at me. Enjoy the Oscars everybody and celebrate Black History Month! HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 31
Congratulations to Jimmy Sedghi, Hollywood Weekly Man of the Year and Pathway to Health Community Ambassador!
join the
MOVEMENT change a life
a free mega clinic event coming to Los Angeles
April 27-29, 2016 10,000 patients served • $20 million in free health care services
HELP US HELP THE RESIDENTS OF LOS ANGELES
Facebook “f ” Logo
CMYK / .ai
Facebook “f ” Logo
CMYK / .ai
TO DONATE: PathwayToHealth.org
1 (888) 44-Pathway
italy
Sweden
STORYBOARD ARTIST
GIUSEPPE CRISTIANO
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 33
G
iuseppe Cristiano one of the most sought after and booked Storyboard Artist worldwide. He is a former comic artist and scriptwriter who has been drawing storyboards for almost two decades. He freelance for advertising agencies and film production companies Worldwide. Over the years he has written and internationally published several books and manuals in the subject. His seven titles, makes him the one who has written the most books about Storyboarding in the World. His books are currently used in Colleges and Film Schools World Wide where he occasionally also teaches. His experience varies from Animation, Music Video, Advertising, Feature Film, Video Games, Events and more. He also produces concept art, design, illustrations for print and magazines. What is Storyboarding Giuseppe?
An invisible art, if you will, that is mostly seen by few, people refers to storyboard as the comic strip of the script. But it’s more to it than that, Storyboard is visualizing, yes but it also includes everything that the script doesn’t. For example the transitions between scenes are never depicted in the text, merely a “cut to” and the storyboard artist needs to figure out how to translate that “cut to” in the smartest possible way. Actions are described in the script when there is not even a location. One will have to figure them out from scratch. Positions, composition, movements, format, mood, direction of scene and so forth it’s never contained in the script which at times needs to be even re-written or adapted to make better sense. Plot holes sometimes are discovered during the storyboarding process. Why would you say Storyboarding is so essential in a production?
Not long ago I was contacted by a Producer for a job. The young director involved had lots of ideas for a shot but they needed to get some facts 34 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 35
down in order to get the production moving in any direction. A meeting was arranged in a rush because time was of an essence and the client needed to see something. Now “clients” are usually not film-people, they have no clue what you are talking about and a visionary director doesn’t really tell them much. A producer on the other hand needs to do cost calculations and visions, dances, shapes and art doesn’t really sell it. About an hour in the meeting we didn’t really do much and I totally understood the frustration of everybody involved. The fact is, everybody want do movies today. Everyone thinks they have got what it takes. Everything around us makes things look easier than they are. But twenty years and counting in the business I realized that there are a lot of filmmaking aspects still unknown even to production people. One of this is in fact the “storyboarding process”. . ( Pls highlight on the side as well )Probably one of the most important aspect of the production and yet so few takes advantage of what this tool can offer. It can save production time, cut on expenses, plan the shooting, re-structure scripts, find investors, work on complicate sequences, improve the action, pre-visualize effects, coordinate teams, help with logistics, sell an idea, and the list goes on. All of this for merely a small cost but of which many producers are still scared. Does the market in Europe vs U.S view Storyboarding differently?
When setting the budget and you need savings, the first thing producers cut out is the Storyboard simply because they don’t know how important it is. Unfortunately this is the reality for many of the production companies in Europe while in the US, storyboards are used for everything that is production. One would wonder, what does the director do then? Can’t he figure it out without the storyboard artist?
Possibly, some directors are quite skilled and they actually do their own storyboards but they often don’t have time for it. The director directs the film first with the artist and together they previsualize it in order to find the best entertaining way to tell the story. A second opinion, sometimes a brainstorming will improve a sequence, ideas to blend into the mix. The storyboard artist in
36 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
fact are not really chosen for their drawing skills, yes it’s important to be a good sketch artist but the ideas, the visions, that is what a director is really after. The more an artist participate to the brainstorm the better. You are also responsible for having introduced and included Storyboarding in the programs of many schools
-Yes, there are many professions in the film
His seven titles, makes him the one who has written the most books about Storyboarding in the World. His books are currently used in Colleges and Film Schools World Wide where he occasionally also teaches.
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 37
STORYBOARD ARTIST GIUSEPPE CRISTIANO Facts: Known for: Six Feet Under, CSI: NY, Call Girl, The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared and many more‌. Language: Italian, English Swedish
Photo: Marina Marison
Location: Italy, Los Angeles, Stockholm Follow Giuseppe Cristiano on:
IMDb: www.imdb.me/giuseppecristiano Webb: www.giuseppecristiano.com Art Blogg: www.giuseppecristiano.tumblr.com
The Storyboard Artist: A Guide to Freelancing in Film, TV, and Advertising A visual and straightforward manual describing the various aspects of the storyboarding profession. Includes tips and advice from a working professional with expertise in film, television, and advertising.
business that are obscured to people and storyboard has been one of them for decades. I think is about time to give the profession the importance and visibility it deserves, for sure upcoming filmmakers can benefit from it. Giuseppe has written many books about the subject, several used in colleges and film schools to which he is often invited to give seminars and workshops. His work methods are recognized and a lot of artists World Wide have been inspired by his work. Managed by IMA, International Management Agency Manager Maria Vascsak +46 739 10 59 02 +1 (917) 717 90 91 maria@imacontent.com Imdb: www.imdb.me/mariavascsak Sweden U.S
Clients:
Actor/Script Consultant William Legue Actress Elise Rovinsky Actress/Scriptwriter Emma Lindgren Actress Moa Malan Actor Jeffrey Glickman
Director / Producer Eva Beling Director/Producer Fredric Keith Reshew Director/Produer Markus StrĂśmqvist Storyboard Artist Giuseppe Cristiano Wirter Nina Larsdotter
www . imacontent . com / former M aria Vascsak A gency
38 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
designer:
rocky gathercole www.forthestars.com makeup & hair:
kenye hart model:
angeline suppiger photographer:
pascal heimlicher
S u p er Hyd r a t i ng BENEV GF Hydrogel Moisturizing Mask
Super hydrating gel mask with seaweed and growth factors calm skin and re-balance the moisture barrier. Hydrogel Technology inhibits the evaporation of this potent solution, allowing for maximum absorption. www.BENEV.com BENEV is available at these and other fine medical facilities throughout the USA. Orange Coast Dermatology Rancho Santa Margarita, CA www.orangecoastdermatology.com 949.888.8500
Norman Leaf, M.D Beverly Hills, CA www.leafmd.com 310.274.8001
Facial Aesthetic Concepts Aliso Viejo, CAÂ www.newbeautymd.com 949.207.7878
Skin Nirvana Medspa Anaheim Hills, CA www.skinnirvana.com 714.283.1433
EB Medical Spa & Laser Center Foothill Ranch, CA www.ebmedicalspa.com 949.600.7888