Open Road’s Oscar hopeful Spotlight swept the proceedings at the 31st annual Film Independent Spirit Awards this afternoon in Santa Monica. The drama about the Boston Globe investigation of the Boston Catholic Church’s child abuse scandal won four awards — Best Feature Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Editing — as well as the Robert Altman Award for ensemble cast. Here’s how the action went down under the tent and backstage:
WINNER: Best Editing- Tom McArdle, Spotlight
WINNER: Best Editing- Tom McArdle, Spotlight
Showtime from Santa Monica! Netflix’s Ted Sarandos is here,
David Glasser of the Weinstein Co is here, the always elegant beyond measure
and Indie Spirit nominee Cate Blanchett is here, fellow nominee Jason Segel is
here, Lauren Cohan from The Walking Dead is here and obviously has a lot of
fans among the agents and execs.
Jay Duplass and Marsia Tomei are on stage before the TV show
to give out the Best Editing Award
With a lot less crossover this year with the Academy Awards than in the recent past, the Indie Spirits might not be as good an indication as it has in the past to who is taking home Oscar gold tomorrow. Where as in 2014 and 2015 the Indie Spirits wins for 12 Years A Slave and Birdman and much more in other top
categories were replicated the follow respective night at the Oscars, only Spotlight is nominated at both ceremonies in the Best Feature and Best Picture slots.
Film Independent president John Walsh on stage talking about how “independent film is anything but independent” AKA it takes a village and sponsors too
Hopefully, unlike the Indie Spirit Noms the last two years in a row which leaked in full prior to their announcement, let’s hope the entire list of winners isn’t revealed in the next 5 minutes before awards are handed out.
Funniest moment from last year: Paul Thomas Anderson griping how Indie Spirit sponsor American Airlines loses his luggage. You can’t write those bits.
Yes, I spelled the Tangerine producer’s surname wrong in my haste – Jay hit the stage so fast
#SpiritAwards – “Hello drunk people” says Jay Duplessis in pre show pic.twitter.com/N2yUallzBL
— Dominic Patten (@DeadlineDominic) February 27, 2016
That was a great laugh – even better when he had to walk it back
Like Dominic said prior, this a truly indie Independent Spirits Awards this year. Given how many noms in the acting categories didn’t translate over to the Oscar noms, it’s not a bellwether for the big night tomw — and it should never be if we want to be pious about it.
One of the reasons there is such a difference between this year’s Indie Spirits and the Oscars has to do with the fact that Indie Spirit nominees are generally held to
not having budgets of no more than $20 million – a figure exceed by a number of
the Oscars contenders like The Big Short, Mad Max: Fury Road and The Revenant so they aren’t nominated for today’s awards. Then there is the criteria that requires that there have to be a certain number of Americans involved in your film for it to be eligible pushing out the likes of Brooklyn and Room – though favored Oscar frontrunner and Sacramento-born Brie Larson is up for Best Female lead today among other nominations for the Lenny Abrahamson directed film.
Walsh warning people to be cool for the “live TV show”
So, The Danish Girl couldn’t have been up
for Best Feature because the only Yanks it had in the relevant positions were
the American producers. As it is the Tom Hooper helmed pic didn’t get even an
International Film nom, which it would have been eligible for, at the Indie
Spirits or an Academy Awards’ Best Picture, tough last year’s Best Actor winner
Eddie Redmayne is up for the category again this year and Alicia Vikander is a
strong strong Oscar contender for Best Supporting Actress. Long story short –
turns out math is useful after high school.
he’s up for Beasts of No Nation today
The King of Cool #IdrisElba has arrived! #SpiritAwards https://t.co/X3ahHfeqi2 pic.twitter.com/jM0hRmZiaJ
— Getty Images VIP (@GettyVIP) February 27, 2016
And let’s talk
about the white male elephant not in this tent today. #OscarsSoWhite and the
lack of persons of color in the top acting categories for the second year in a
row at the Academy Awards has led to some big individual boycotts, protests and
the Academy scrambling to re-jig its membership. Not really a damning issue for
the Indie Spirits where 48% of all the films with nominations today are either
directed, written or produced by persons of color.
Today’s ceremony is in a completely different section of the Santa Monica beach: Actually closer to the Pier. It confused a number of us today after we were asked to park in the beach area that use to host the awards show in years past. Nonetheless, a great day at the beach. 70 and slightly sunny.
A person
of color directed around 34% of all the Indie Spirits nominated films this year.
With Beasts of No Nation’s Abraham
Attah and Elba, Koudous Seihon of Mediterranea
and Tangerine’s Kitana Kiki Rodriquez and Mya Taylor among the top acting
nominees, inclusion is a fact of the Indie Spirits.
Let me
also add that 27% of the 44 films nominated for today’s awards were directed by
women. Women make up nearly 49% of Film Independent’s overall membership and
33% of the organization’s general membership are not white men =
#IndieSpiritsSoReal.
We’re up all day to have fun, we’re up all day to get indie. We’re up all day to get indie.
Really – with 1:25 minute to go before it goes live on IFC and that’s what you are singing?
I seriously can’t wait for Kate McKinnon, seriously the craziest funniest person who is walking the earth. If she does the entire show impersonating German chancellor Angela Merkel, that would be mind blowing and take the show to a whole other level.
Yes, I spelled the Tangerine producer’s surname wrong in my haste – Jay hit the stage so fast
#SpiritAwards – “Hello drunk people” says Jay Duplessis in pre show pic.twitter.com/N2yUallzBL
— Dominic Patten (@DeadlineDominic) February 27, 2016
Hello TVworld
…but for a master impersonator….this is her first time in a host/stand-up role, at least before the masses.
Um…looks like it’s another one of those “funny” videos for Kate and Nanjia – going all Room
Huge laugh for the “straight woman and her IT guy” line
Didn’t take long to get to the inevitable Oscar dig
Honestly I was surprised it took so long — and it will go all night long like Lionel Richie
Did at Netflix’s Fuller House really went over well. Unlike the Beasts of No Nation/Room gag
The jokes are coming fast but McKinnon and Nanjiani seem very Jeb Bush low energy – though the Sean Penn dig had some at the back howling
This opener is way to long – seems like they aren’t just listing every nominee but every show on TV as well
WINNER: Kiehl’s Someone To Watch: Felix Thompson, King Jack
McKinnon must be so glad that there’s a SNL encore tonight –
otherwise she may have found herself in the Phil Collins Live Aid situation of
jetting back to NYC right after today’s Indie Spirits to try to make it for the
last hour of the NBC show – and that’s just no fun.
Teleprompter moment aside, Patricia Arquette should give a speech at every awards show
She owns a room
Wow – a roar of Idris Elba when his name came up for Best Supporting Actor
And he just won for Beasts of No Nation!
Winner Best Supporting Male Actor: Idris Elba, Beasts of No Nation
WINNER Truer Than Fiction: Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Incorruptible
McKinnon earlier during her monologue on independent films, “It’s not about breaking even, it’s about losing money!”
Well that was kind of a perfect speech Idris – and love the hat
No one backstage yet :-(
WINNER Piaget Producers Award: Mel Eslyn
“One minute, we’re back, everyone please take your seats
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” data-lang=”en”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>This is what is happening here at <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/SpiritAwards?src=hash”>#SpiritAwards</a> while <a href=”https://twitter.com/IFC”>@IFC</a> plays ads on TV <a href=”https://t.co/YpnZuDmtHX”>pic.twitter.com/YpnZuDmtHX</a></p>— Dominic Patten (@DeadlineDominic) <a href=”https://twitter.com/DeadlineDominic/status/703705977946673152″>February 27, 2016</a></blockquote>
Thank Gawd for the warm weather. Previous Indie Spirit shows have been rocked by atrocious weather…like literally windy rain storms. Water was leaking inside, creating electrical hazard situations.
If you’ve ever listened to Nanjiani’s The X-Files Files
podcast (I’m so guilty) or seen him moderate a panel at Comic-Con (Gotta cop
that one too), you know the man has flow and can work a room – hope we see some of that now
“One minute, we’re back, everyone please take your seats
This is what is happening here at #SpiritAwards while @IFC plays ads on TV pic.twitter.com/YpnZuDmtHX
— Dominic Patten (@DeadlineDominic) February 27, 2016
Love the announcer in the tent telling people “Big applause” when McKinnon walks on stage
Irony that at the Indie Spirits some of the biggest laughs so far were for blockbuster superhero worship jokes – skills and tentpoles to pay Hollywood’s bills. Superhero pics were an on-stage punching bag last year too
Jacob Tremblay, literally 2015-16’s Jonathan Lipnicki
Nice that very talented Room actor Jacob Tremblay got to be the one to give the Emma Donoghue, author of the book the pic is based on, the Best First Screenplay award
WINNER: Best First Screenplay – Emma Donoghue, Room
WINNER: Best Documentary – The Look Of Silence
They are really trying to keep this show moving but it still feels slow
Lots of people heading for the bar and the bathrooms during this ad break
Idris Elba just stopped by here backstage….on playing the Commandant, he said: “The thing was not to demonize him and turn him into something cliche. It’s important to bring across the character. I literally had a baby a month before I started working on the film.It was the toughest thting for me to do.”
Elba says he’s more proud of his producing duties and getting Beasts off the ground than his acting in it.
Still think Amy is the docu front runner at tomorrow’s Oscars
I think Robert Altman award is up next – which, as previously announced, is going to Spotlight
Backstage Emma Donoghue comments on her win, “When I drafted the screenplay for Room, I was just trying to put my foot in the door before somebody slammed it.”
WINNER: Best First Feature – The Diary Of A Teenage Girl
Spotlight clips now as part of the Robert Altman ensemble award. Thoughts on how it will do tomorrow at the Oscars?
Bring back Kate. The show is going slow. It’s becoming too by the number now.
Spotlight is truly an Indie Spirits fav – makes total sense
I think Spotlight has screenplay wrapped at the Oscars Patrick. Nice photo Dom.
As my bookie will tell you, it’s such a hard Oscars year to place a sure bet in some many categories but feel pretty sure Spotlight isn’t going home empty handed on Sunday. That speech and shout out to Open Road by Tom McCarthy could be heard again at the Dolby tmrw
What this show needs is more a bit of Mr. Leto to inject some high octane into it. It was more fun when it wasn’t live on TV. People rambled and scrambled and the whole thing rocked it out. Right now a lot of people are looking for somewhere to plug in their dying phones – which isn’t really a party.
Marielle Heller still mulling what her sophomore directorial will be .
WINNER: Best Cinematography – Ed Lachman, Carol
before I go on about Heller, Dom, completely agree. More Leto. Not cowbell. And McConnaheyheyhey
Heller backstage on why she made Diary of a Teenage Girl, “I didn’t think there was an honest representation of teenage girls in the media. Wanted to make a movie that I would watch as a teenager.”
Dom, the best part of this show..hands down are these ‘Room’ and ‘Carol’ parody sketches. I mean, McKinnon’s Blanchett….
Ed Lachman’s Carol win speech has line of the afternoon so far with “we all have the right to love and be loved” So I disagree Anthony, Carol skit with McKinnon and Nanjiani feels tacky in context but how could they have known?
Andy Samberg was the launch pad for the use of video shorts and skits when he hosted Indie Spirits back in 2013 – the dark ages of not live TV for this show.
Hollywood lesbian supergroup emerged for a sec in that skit – that really could have gone places – Oh, another ad break
Backstage the cast, creatives, and real life members of Spotlight
Marielle Heller backstage:
Oh there it is the first Donald Trump whack – what took you guys so long?
“We had an opportunity…to continue the dialogue of sexual abuse on a broad spectrum.” Tim McCarthy comments on the impact of Spotlight transcending the Catholic Church
Take that Hollywood hurdles: Diary of a Teenage Girl had female director and all female producer cast: Miranda Bailey, Madeline Samit, Anne Carey.
No Donald Trump whacking back here.
WINNER: John Cassavetes Award (Best Feature Under $500,000) – Krisha
Ed Lachman, winner of best cinematography for ‘Carol’: “I was here 13 years ago and the independent awards are becoming less independent. It wasn’t like this.” Amen brother.
Who better to give a John Cassavetes Award than Juno Temple. Vinyl star is the daughter of Julien Temple, the great British indie filmmaker
Backstage at the #spiritawards with @markruffalo playing hide and sneak 🙈 pic.twitter.com/uWpcV7jxCv
— Film Independent (@filmindependent) February 27, 2016
WINNER: Best Screenplay – Tom McCarthy & Josh Singer, Spotlight
It’s funny most of the people being lauded her today –in noms and wins—were the it names months ago early in the fall. It’s like we took the fall 2015 award season, plopped in a time capsule, and opened it up. Surprise, surprise, Spotlight. The most surefire winner this season since Christopher Plummer for ‘Beginners’
yes, yes, ‘Spotlight’ will sweep today. Lightening should happen here to shake things up, like ‘Anomalisa’ should win best feature and shock everyone.
Frankly this show needs an upset or something — what did they put in those free drinks? Everyone seems drowsy…
Yeah, when Tom McCarthy says “good to be back” it’s starting to mean “from the last time I was up here for Spotlight”
Live TV freaks people out – though surprising that SNL vet McKinnon isn’t swing for the fences more. She’s live almost every week
Best Director is next I think – maybe that’s our upset
Trey Edward Shults on Krisha “It’s truly an independent movie… my grandma was in it and she didn’t even know it.” He goes on to say that the film was “inspired by a lot of lost souls” including his father who battled with alcohol and drug addiction before passing away.
From you mouth to God’s ears Dominic. How’s the food?
Trey Edward Shults on Krisha “It’s truly an independent movie… my grandma was in it and she didn’t even know it.” He goes on to say that the film was “inspired by a lot of lost souls” including his father who battled with alcohol and drug addiction before passing away.
I never eat at public events. Once in NYC saw a major net TV anchor walk around for ages not knowing there was food in his mouth – Lesson learned
Ok I’ll throw out a theory: The past two years the Spirits have been more in sync with the Oscars — Birdman won last year and 12 Years before that. Only Spotlight is carrying that flag really this year. Could that be the reason for the lack of perceived heat?
Naw, as I mentioned earlier there are far fewer crossovers this time round with the Oscars that in recent years. Tomorrow is going to have a whole new gang of contenders that have a lot of their own heat – even the one all made in natural light in the Alberta snow
The kiss might save this show – thank you Paul Dano
Also, these awards are very representative of what was hot back in the early fall. Spotlight was very much it then, before we came to know Big Short and Revenant.
Oh, Best International Film is next – my bad. Maybe I just want this to move on faster to the end
Aw, Vancouver location shout-out. Speaking of which – https://deadline.com/2016/02/deadpool-ryan-reynolds-vancouver-production-film-tv-xfiles-arrow-tax-credits-1201706217/
McCarthy backstage on the Oscar run for ‘Spotlight’: “This is in fact a campaign. it’s why I’m not in politics.”
WINNER: Best International Film – Son of Saul (Hungary)
Son of Saul – this looks to have the heat for tomorrow at the Academy Awards too in what has been a great year of contenders from around the world. Plus great expression – “the grammar of film”
McKinnon working it in the audience to keep this parade goin’. They turned down the sound back here in the press rom so it came off like a Harpo Marx routine with Jennifer Jason Leigh.
Harpo Marx routine with Jennifer Jason Leigh? Expect to see next year on Netflix. I for one, will be watching
You know what this Indie Spirits needs – watch Idris and learn my friends – a bit of irreverence with its earnestness
Beasts of No Nation, Elba and Netflix got so snubbed in Oscar noms this year – still stings I bet – https://deadline.com/2016/01/oscar-nominations-2016-snubs-surprises-ridley-scott-steven-spielberg-star-wars-1201682484/
Drop that mic – historic win for Mya Taylor, Tangerine and transgender community
WINNER: Best Supporting Female – Mya Taylor, Tangerine
Oh they cheer for “there is transgender talent” but not so much when Taylor says “you better get out there and put it in your next movie”
They turned down the sound back here during her speech, but Patrick says it’s definitely the highpoint of the show.
Mya’s speech that is.
It was – an alive and kickin’ call of respect and to action
Son Of Saul Director László Nemes: “As a first time director being projected in this world…it’s hard to get used to it but its helps get the exposure that this film needs” he comments on making his rounds during this awards season. He went on to open up about how personal the film was to him saying “my family was more or less destroyed during the years of the holocaust. I’m carrying the wounds.’
Is there a recording of Cate Blanchett reading the phone book? It would win a Grammy in a heartbeat. What a voice she has – and nice swipe the “teleprompter …page” onstage
Son Of Saul Director László Nemes: “As a first time director being projected in this world…it’s hard to get used to it but its helps get the exposure that this film needs” he comments on making his rounds during this awards season. He went on to open up about how personal the film was to him saying “my family was more or less destroyed during the years of the holocaust. I’m carrying the wounds.”
Best Director – last year it was Alejandro G. Iñárritu for the also winning Birdman – not nominated here this year but tomorrow …
I smell a Spotlight sweep – hello Hollywood and Highland, the heat, to quote Glenn Frey, is on
WINNER: Best Director – Tom McCarthy, Spotlight
Really in the home stretch now – its the $25,000 award for emerging producers and then Best Actor, Actress and Feature. I’m putting all my money on Inside/Out .. oh yeah, not that kind of party, Annies flashbacks
Shameless corporate shilling — fly American Airlines to more lucrative tax credit locations — Hello Vancouver
WINNER: Best Male Lead – Abraham Attah, Beasts of No Nation
And just as a totally charming Abraham Attah wins
https://twitter.com/DeadlineDominic/status/703731684844269569
Tom McCarthy steps backstage for the third time “I have a feeling that she’s going to be a tough act to follow. She’s very funny and charming” he says about Mya Taylor as she departs from the backstage platform.
I concur
Tom McCarthy steps backstage for the third time “I have a feeling that she’s going to be a tough act to follow. She’s very funny and charming,” he says about Mya Taylor as she departs from the backstage platform.
And just as a totally charming Abraham Attah wins
Buzzed on @idriselba #BeastsOfNoNation #SpiritAwards win – @netflix Ted Sarandos pic.twitter.com/GXKwNjeiiy
— Dominic Patten (@DeadlineDominic) February 28, 2016
That pic was taken just seconds before the totally deserving and crowd charming Abraham Attah won Best Male Lead
With the quality of work he is doing, I never want to Michael Keaton train to stop – and throwback to the Batman pics is, to quote the Spotlight man himself, “pretty damn cool.”
I would embrace a Mr Mom sequel, years later.
Brie Larson v Cate Blanchett – indie battle royale. I say Larson takes it
WINNER: Best Female Lead – Brie Larson, Room
Abraham Attah on when he found out he was nominated for a Independent Spirit Award. “I thought I was nominated for best young actor” saying he was very happy when he “found out it was best lead actor”
Like a Lakers game, so people are heading for the exits here before the show is over – not naming any nominees
Sean Penn? Really? Lame choice
OK, I take it back – Penn played that envelope opening moment like a total Oscar winning pro – even erases the Dennis Hooper name drop
WINNER: Best Feature Film – Spotlight
Nice Hillary Clinton “it takes a village” by Best Feature winners Spotlight as ex-SecofState’s sweeping South Carolina primary – probably unintentional
Brie Larson backstage on building her character of Ma in ‘Room’: “The
process was taxing. It was about having clear boundaries; about knowing myself
and making pointed choices. I had to go on a diet, I couldn’t be in the sun.
There were so many sacrifices personally.” Early moments with Tremblay before filming..bonding through homemade toys was key.
