The 2008 Golden Globe nominations announced this morning have a dark cloud hanging over them: the potential cancellation of the awards broadcast. The Hollywood Foreign Press Associations annual celebration of the best in film and television may not make it to air because of the ongoing strike by the Writers Guild of America. Talks broke off between the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers last Friday, and if a deal is not reached before the January 13 airdate, the Golden Globes, which can be an arbiter of Oscar potential, may have its production interrupted. This bump in the road could come from a lack of writers to pen the scripts, as well as a lack of talent to present, and receive, the awards, as members of the Screen Actors Guild may not be willing to cross picket lines to attend the show. SAG leaders, as well as a number of its members, have been standing strongly with the writers in their demands for what they feel is a better deal on residuals from Internet broadcasts, and revenue from DVD sales. In fact, SAG members will likely be fighting for similar points when their contract expires at the end of June 2008.
It should be noted, though, that WGA members could receive special dispensation from the union to work on the show. Still, it will be interesting to see if the threat of the shows cancellation will be a strong bargaining chip for the WGA thanks to the link between the Golden Globes and the Oscars, as an Oscar win can add a huge moneymaking boost to a film. I would imagine the awards will be handed out regardless if it goes to air, but the lower profile of a broadcast-free Golden Globes could hurt the studios chance to push their films Oscar campaigns, particularly for smaller projects that may not have received a wide release in theatres.
All of this could potentially have an impact on several Canadians honoured with nominations today. These include Halifaxs Ellen Page as best actress in a comedy or musical motion picture for her role in Juno, and Ryan Gosling for best actor in a comedy or musical motion picture for Lars and the Real Girl. As well, Juno, which was directed by Canadian Jason Reitman, son of Ivan Reitman, was nominated for best picture in the musical or comedy category, while Eastern Promises, directed by David Cronenberg, and produced in part by Robert Lantos Serendipity Point Films, has been nominated for best dramatic motion picture. Howard Shore also got an Eastern Promises-related nomination in the best original score for a motion picture category. In addition, a couple of non-Canadians were recognized for their roles in Canadian-associated films: Julie Christie, for best actress in a dramatic motion picture, for her turn in Sarah Polleys feature directorial debut Away From Her, and Viggo Mortensen for best actor in a drama for Eastern Promises. Heres a linkto the full list of nominees, which also include Canadians Adam Beach, Anna Paquin, Donald Sutherland and William Shatner.
Blogs & Comment
A golden chip?
By CB Staff
The 2008 Golden Globe nominations announced this morning have a dark cloud hanging over them: the potential cancellation of the awards broadcast. The Hollywood Foreign Press Associations annual celebration of the best in film and television may not make it to air because of the ongoing strike by the Writers Guild of America. Talks broke off between the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers last Friday, and if a deal is not reached before the January 13 airdate, the Golden Globes, which can be an arbiter of Oscar potential, may have its production interrupted. This bump in the road could come from a lack of writers to pen the scripts, as well as a lack of talent to present, and receive, the awards, as members of the Screen Actors Guild may not be willing to cross picket lines to attend the show. SAG leaders, as well as a number of its members, have been standing strongly with the writers in their demands for what they feel is a better deal on residuals from Internet broadcasts, and revenue from DVD sales. In fact, SAG members will likely be fighting for similar points when their contract expires at the end of June 2008.
It should be noted, though, that WGA members could receive special dispensation from the union to work on the show. Still, it will be interesting to see if the threat of the shows cancellation will be a strong bargaining chip for the WGA thanks to the link between the Golden Globes and the Oscars, as an Oscar win can add a huge moneymaking boost to a film. I would imagine the awards will be handed out regardless if it goes to air, but the lower profile of a broadcast-free Golden Globes could hurt the studios chance to push their films Oscar campaigns, particularly for smaller projects that may not have received a wide release in theatres.
All of this could potentially have an impact on several Canadians honoured with nominations today. These include Halifaxs Ellen Page as best actress in a comedy or musical motion picture for her role in Juno, and Ryan Gosling for best actor in a comedy or musical motion picture for Lars and the Real Girl. As well, Juno, which was directed by Canadian Jason Reitman, son of Ivan Reitman, was nominated for best picture in the musical or comedy category, while Eastern Promises, directed by David Cronenberg, and produced in part by Robert Lantos Serendipity Point Films, has been nominated for best dramatic motion picture. Howard Shore also got an Eastern Promises-related nomination in the best original score for a motion picture category. In addition, a couple of non-Canadians were recognized for their roles in Canadian-associated films: Julie Christie, for best actress in a dramatic motion picture, for her turn in Sarah Polleys feature directorial debut Away From Her, and Viggo Mortensen for best actor in a drama for Eastern Promises. Heres a linkto the full list of nominees, which also include Canadians Adam Beach, Anna Paquin, Donald Sutherland and William Shatner.