And the Winner Is…
Appreciating the art of a great Hollywood acceptance speech.
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No one at this years Globes ended up evicted by way of orchestra, fortunately.
But the proverbial play-off has become an awards-show terror.
Like the Motion Picture Academy, awards shows are both an art and a science.
No onewantsto play a winner off the stage.
It is one of the most important moments of their lives.
Its something theyll tell their grandkids about.
Other times, theyll shave odds and ends off the program.
But everything that unfolds must serve the viewer, without whom there would be nothing.
The Oscars, of course, was particularly notorious for running long.
My job is to make everybody look good, Margolis says.
Not everybody is mindful of the ticking clock.
For everyMerritt Wever, theres aCuba Gooding Jr.
2.
Certain categories will opt for shorter nomination packages that excise clips.
Every second counts, he says.
The next course of action: weaponizing the orchestra.
When speeches exceed their allotted 45 seconds, the director might instruct the conductor to cue the play-off score.
Geoff Stradling has worked on the Globes since 1993, serving for the past several years as musical director.
He pre-records the music with a band and queues the tracks in a playback system.
Thats the one he planned to use, but the Globes let all of Sundays winners gush in full.
Timekeeping isnt only about getting off the air on schedule.
Another reason to watch the clock: ratings.
But the biggest reason is keeping advertisers happy.
Let Al Pacino talk.
Of course, some people are impervious to restraint.
A good director, Margolis says, is lenient when it comes to historic victories.
Director Kary Antholis spoke for just under a minute, at which point the orchestra began to play.
When Margolis realized she was also about to speak, he ordered the music to stop.
There wasnt a dry eye anywhere, Margolis recalls.
Usually the play-off music begins with a gentle tinkle, Mischer says.
Think of it as a warning:Hey, times up; kindly move along.
If someone doesnt take the hint, the orchestra will gradually crescendo.
Beware of annoyed celebrities.
Shut that crap off, Bette Midlerholleredto the intervening orchestra while rattling off thank-yous at the 2017 Tonys.
Every year, someones bound to walk away perturbed.
The director is far enough from the action that they are unlikely to receive the brunt of any anger.
They went offstage and started screaming, Why the fuck did you start the music?
Mostly, though, everyone gets it.
People can always dance their troubles away at the after-parties.
You do the best you’re free to do, Mischer assures.
You make the best decisions possible in the spur of the moment.
