Blake at the Oscars - Day 2
Today was an incredible day.
The alarm went off at 6:30 this morning, and after all the necessary red carpet wardrobe preparations and a very large cup of coffee in the hotel lobby, I was ready for the day. We started by visiting the press credentials area where we had our photos taken in case we win and we receive the full-access badge to the carpet for Sunday. We followed that with a short break where we were able to shoot standups and lead-ins for our various news pieces, and then we were off to the Foreign Language Film Photo Op.
I had been warned about the photo op. Apparently foreign press are notorious for being… well… pushy when it comes to interviewing their stars. I was ready to throw down; I was ready to get my interviews. Thankfully, things weren’t as intense as I had anticipated, and I got to speak to numerous individuals. One of whom was Alejandro Inarritu, the famed director of Babel, 21 Grams, and this year’s nominated film starring Javier Bardem, Biutiful. What a wonderful success. I saw this film in Cannes last summer, so making it here and speaking with the film’s director was a very special moment. I got to speak with filmmakers from Algeria, Canada, and Greece as well. One press agent even stopped me and said she was impressed with how well David and I were doing with snagging interviews.
One thing I’ve loved about being here is how many people make positive reference to the fact that we’re from UGA. I’ve heard, “my cousin goes there” or “I grew up in Georgia” or “Go Dawgs!” from a surprising number of people on the red carpet. The most special moment came today when CNN entertainment correspondent Brooke Anderson stopped David and me on the carpet, introduced herself, and told us she was a UGA grad as well. Too cool!
After lunch we attended a press conference with Academy president Tom Sherak and the telecast’s producers Don Mischer and Bruce Cohen. As I explained it to my mother, I found a rabbit hole through the crowd of news outlets right to the front of the pack, and I was able to ask these gentleman a question about how social media has played into drawing in viewers to this year’s awards. What a surreal and wonderful moment — I was talking directly to the Academy’s president in front of international media.
As I said, today was a great day.
We next went to the Academy’s press headquarters to go see “Winners Walk,” the path Oscar winners take after they accept their award. They first make a stop in a room filled with flash bulbs and bright lights where photogs from around the world are set up to snap them holding their golden statue. Next, they travel into an enormous press room where they make statements, answer questions, and say how surprised and honored they are to have won this recognition. If we win, we get seats in this second press room Sunday night.
Yeah, it really would be incredible to win.
We got to talk with a woman who’s working on her 13th Oscars this year, and she answered a lot of our questions about how things run back stage.
Finally, we walked over to the grand and glorious ballroom where the Governor’s Ball will be held after the awards ceremony. We shot more stand ups, I pointed out a location where Meryl Streep and Kate Winslet took a photo together 2 years back — yes, of course I would know that information — and we got to interview the producer of the Governor’s Ball and chat with her about the event and how preparations are coming. If we win, we also get to attend this event.
Again, it would be wonderful to win.
Later this evening, we did an interview with a finalist from two years back and she quizzed us about our experiences and sentiments. I was also able to have dinner with my dear friend Jenna Harrison, a UGA grad working with ABC at her second Oscars, and that was simply lovely.
Tomorrow morning is when they announce the winning team. As I said, I would love for David and me to win. However, I’ve truly had an incredible experience this far, and as fun as it would be to interview Sunday on the red carpet, I am content with having come this far and genuinely thankful for the experience. It’s remarkable to me that I’ve been able to do all this at age 21.
Thanks again to everyone for the encouraging notes, Tweets, texts and calls. I love you all so very much.
Living my dream,
Blake
