This is the eighth column in a weekly series, counting down to Oscar Sunday on Feb. 26, 2012. By Kristyn Burtt Entertainment Reporter/Osc...
This is the eighth column in a weekly series, counting down to Oscar Sunday on Feb. 26, 2012.
By Kristyn Burtt
Entertainment Reporter/Oscar Nerd
1. How did your love for the Oscars begin?
I have always watched the Oscars when I was growing up, but I remember living in New York City when I was just starting out and having an Oscar party each year with my best friend, Ashley. It was our excuse to eat lots of junk food, provide our own color commentary for the Red Carpet fashions, and fill out our Oscar ballots. We took it very seriously.
2. When did you know you were in love?
I knew I was in love when I won the Oscar pool for the 71st Academy Awards. I picked dark horse, Roberto Benigni, to win Best Actor. It put me over the top, I won, and Roberto climbed on Steven Spielberg's head. I was hooked.
3. What is your first memory of the Oscars?
The Academy would probably hate to hear this, but it was the 61st Academy Awards produced by the late Alan Carr. I remember Rob Lowe singing with Snow White. The good news is that I watched every single year after that infamous show. (I have some great photos by Alan Light from 1989 on my website from 1989. It shows you just how accessible the Red Carpet and the celebrities were in comparison to our post-9/11 world.)
4. What is your favorite Oscar moment?
I have two favorite Oscar moments: I was lucky enough to attend the 78th Academy Awards as a guest (see above photo). When our car pulled up on Hollywood Boulevard, the valet opened the door, and proclaimed, "Welcome to the Oscars!" I almost cried.
Last year, I worked the red carpet for Red Carpet Report and Starpulse. I had the opportunity to interview Keith Dorrington, who was nominated for Best Original Screenplay for "The Fighter." We are both from neighboring small towns outside of Boston. That interview was so special since Massachusetts is a long way from Hollywood; I understood every single emotion he was feeling at that moment.
5. What is your favorite aspect of the Oscars?
I love the tradition of the show. It is such a wonderful part of film history that encompasses all aspects of production — from the music to the costumes to the cinematography. When a movie moves me like "The Artist" (and my prediction to take home the Best Picture statuette this year), it reminds me why I love to be swept away by the magic of film.
Also, I loved last year's interactive coverage of the show on Oscar.com. It was groundbreaking and the hosts, producers and crew certainly earned that Emmy Award. If you are a true Oscar fan, this coverage is a MUST for this year.
6. Who has been the best host?
My favorite host in the last decade has been Ellen DeGeneres. She loved every minute of her Oscar ride and I was right there along with her. I'm a little bit biased though because it was the year I attended as a guest and I was swept away by Oscar magic.
7. How does your life revolve around the Oscars?
Since 2005, my life has revolved around the show. I used to work at the Kodak Theatre doing press and VIP tours, I helped the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences with their exhibit "Meet the Oscars" from 2006 to 2008, and I was on the Red Carpet and in the press room for last year's show. This year, I will be doing more show coverage, plus a few Oscar prediction and insider insight interviews for radio stations and podcasts throughout the U.S. (Here is my schedule.)
8. Do you have any suggestions for the producers and/or host of the Oscars?
I think the show is the most fun when it is produced as a variety show — it works well for the Tonys and it works well for the Grammys. Hugh Jackman was an effective (and handsome!) host in 2009 because he could bring those elements together in one show.
9. What category would you add or subtract and why?
I don't think you can eliminate a category because all of the current categories are valid in today's world of film. The one category I question is lumping hair and makeup into one category. I know they are very different art forms and the artists usually specialize in one area or the other. I have heard a few rumblings about this in the past year or two, but the Makeup Artists branch at the Academy is small, so I am not sure any change will happen soon.
10. What are you looking forward to at next year’s Oscars?
With a new head over at the Academy, I am looking forward to seeing if there are any visible changes given Dawn Hudson's history with the successful Indie Spirit Awards. Will we see her influence in this year's broadcast?
I am also happy that my fellow host, Shira Lazar, is back on the job with Oscar.com. I am looking forward to her new features leading up to the Feb. 26 broadcast on ABC.
Kristyn Burtt is an entertainment reporter for iVillage, Red Carpet Report and Starpulse. She loves her Prius, shoes, her cat and cupcakes. You can find all of her red carpet adventures at RedCarpetCloset.tv and on Twitter @KristynBurtt.
By Kristyn Burtt
Entertainment Reporter/Oscar Nerd
1. How did your love for the Oscars begin?
I have always watched the Oscars when I was growing up, but I remember living in New York City when I was just starting out and having an Oscar party each year with my best friend, Ashley. It was our excuse to eat lots of junk food, provide our own color commentary for the Red Carpet fashions, and fill out our Oscar ballots. We took it very seriously.
2. When did you know you were in love?
I knew I was in love when I won the Oscar pool for the 71st Academy Awards. I picked dark horse, Roberto Benigni, to win Best Actor. It put me over the top, I won, and Roberto climbed on Steven Spielberg's head. I was hooked.
3. What is your first memory of the Oscars?
The Academy would probably hate to hear this, but it was the 61st Academy Awards produced by the late Alan Carr. I remember Rob Lowe singing with Snow White. The good news is that I watched every single year after that infamous show. (I have some great photos by Alan Light from 1989 on my website from 1989. It shows you just how accessible the Red Carpet and the celebrities were in comparison to our post-9/11 world.)
4. What is your favorite Oscar moment?
I have two favorite Oscar moments: I was lucky enough to attend the 78th Academy Awards as a guest (see above photo). When our car pulled up on Hollywood Boulevard, the valet opened the door, and proclaimed, "Welcome to the Oscars!" I almost cried.
Last year, I worked the red carpet for Red Carpet Report and Starpulse. I had the opportunity to interview Keith Dorrington, who was nominated for Best Original Screenplay for "The Fighter." We are both from neighboring small towns outside of Boston. That interview was so special since Massachusetts is a long way from Hollywood; I understood every single emotion he was feeling at that moment.
5. What is your favorite aspect of the Oscars?
I love the tradition of the show. It is such a wonderful part of film history that encompasses all aspects of production — from the music to the costumes to the cinematography. When a movie moves me like "The Artist" (and my prediction to take home the Best Picture statuette this year), it reminds me why I love to be swept away by the magic of film.
Also, I loved last year's interactive coverage of the show on Oscar.com. It was groundbreaking and the hosts, producers and crew certainly earned that Emmy Award. If you are a true Oscar fan, this coverage is a MUST for this year.
6. Who has been the best host?
My favorite host in the last decade has been Ellen DeGeneres. She loved every minute of her Oscar ride and I was right there along with her. I'm a little bit biased though because it was the year I attended as a guest and I was swept away by Oscar magic.
Burtt gives Oscar the white glove treatment at "Meet the Oscars" in 2006. |
Since 2005, my life has revolved around the show. I used to work at the Kodak Theatre doing press and VIP tours, I helped the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences with their exhibit "Meet the Oscars" from 2006 to 2008, and I was on the Red Carpet and in the press room for last year's show. This year, I will be doing more show coverage, plus a few Oscar prediction and insider insight interviews for radio stations and podcasts throughout the U.S. (Here is my schedule.)
2011 Oscars, Photo: Mingle Media TV |
I think the show is the most fun when it is produced as a variety show — it works well for the Tonys and it works well for the Grammys. Hugh Jackman was an effective (and handsome!) host in 2009 because he could bring those elements together in one show.
9. What category would you add or subtract and why?
I don't think you can eliminate a category because all of the current categories are valid in today's world of film. The one category I question is lumping hair and makeup into one category. I know they are very different art forms and the artists usually specialize in one area or the other. I have heard a few rumblings about this in the past year or two, but the Makeup Artists branch at the Academy is small, so I am not sure any change will happen soon.
10. What are you looking forward to at next year’s Oscars?
With a new head over at the Academy, I am looking forward to seeing if there are any visible changes given Dawn Hudson's history with the successful Indie Spirit Awards. Will we see her influence in this year's broadcast?
I am also happy that my fellow host, Shira Lazar, is back on the job with Oscar.com. I am looking forward to her new features leading up to the Feb. 26 broadcast on ABC.
Kristyn Burtt is an entertainment reporter for iVillage, Red Carpet Report and Starpulse. She loves her Prius, shoes, her cat and cupcakes. You can find all of her red carpet adventures at RedCarpetCloset.tv and on Twitter @KristynBurtt.
Thanks for posting this! See you Oscars Week!
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