By Lisa Rowley
It’s that time of year again when Hollywood pulls out all the stops for what seems like non-stop awards ceremonies. Many directors and actors will have been working towards and preparing for this moment for many months. And as somebody who loves films and is a regular goer to the cinema it is something I look forward to.
In the past when awards ceremonies were on terrestrial television I would stay up late through the night just to see what won. There was a sense of excitement if one of your favourites did well and of course if there were any British nominations. Then after the ceremony it was the turn of the after-show parties where you would get a chance to hear the reactions from the winners and losers.
Of course in years gone past the Oscars were the film award to win but now others in some eyes, such as the Baftas, aren’t far behind and are no longer the poor relation. It’s much different from when the Baftas began in 1949 when there were only two categories. Now it’s a ceremony that the stars want to attend – a fact helped by a change of date 13 years ago by Bafta organisers so it falls before the Hollywood extravaganza.
We’ve already had one of the first awards ceremonies – the Golden Globes in the US – which incorporates film and television categories. Unfortunately, despite a number of nominations the Brits, including Dames Helen Mirren and Judi Dench, Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Michael Sheen, Idris Elba and Christian Bale, mostly missed out on taking away a trophy.
Let’s hope they have better luck on February 16. I’ve not seen every film nominated but I’m pleased to see two of my favourite films of 2013 – Saving Mr Banks and Philomena have been recognised by Bafta with nominations. Both Emma Thompson and Dame Judi will be vying for the best actress award respectively. They’ll be up against Sandra Bullock, amongst others, in her stand-out role in the sci-fi thriller, Gravity. The winner of this award could point towards the eventual Oscar recipient but for me it’ll be a difficult one to decide.
I’m also glad to see the star of probably my favourite film of the year, comedy drama Nebraska, has got a Bafta nod. Bruce Dern is wonderful as an elderly dementia sufferer who wants to travel to Nebraska to collect a $1 million sweepstake prize he has told he has won. I’d certainly recommend this movie if you get a chance to see it, although it’s difficult to see these kind of films at multiplexes.
This year I’ll be keenly watching the various awards ceremonies and am hoping that the Brits come out on top.
J&PR are a Shropshire PR agency covering Shrewsbury, Telford, north Shropshire, south Shropshire and parts of Mid and North Wales. As well as working with businesses, organisations and events across the region on PR campaigns J&PR run regular DIY PR Training Courses and DIY Digital PR Training Courses at venues in the county.
