HOLLYWOOD—We have seen the stars bring back the old Hollywood glamour on the red carpet these past few weeks. These ladies have been dieting, working out, especially doing arm exercises with hand weights. They are getting prepared for the Oscars since nobody wants to see bingo wings flapping when you lift the Oscar.
The nominees have spent weeks preparing for the perfect gown, hairstyle and shoes, yet they neglect to prepare for the most important moment-accepting the Oscar. The Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, March 2. The nominees were announced on January 16. After listening to the bizarre acceptance speech from Jacqueline Bisset at the Golden Globes, I can’t stress enough the importance of good speech. The 69-year-old British actress took the stage, and then proceeded to accept the award with a rambling, almost incoherent speech that left everyone shocked. I’m providing a speech guide for the stars. Oscar winners could learn a lot from past hits and misses.
I don’t understand why these superstars decide to wing it. If only the stars knew how awkward they look when they don’t have a strategy when it comes to giving a memorable acceptance speech.
Michael Douglas speech at the Globes was better than last year at the Emmys, however, not a brilliant speech. The Oscar-winner picked up another shiny award, but not for acting. He has been a United Nations Messenger of Peace since 1998 and started looking at the nuclear issue in the 1979 film, “The China Syndrome.” It was his second honor in a week.
The 69-year- old actor won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of the exuberant pianist Liberace in the film “Behind the Candelabra.” Michael Douglas won an Oscar in 1988 for his role as a ruthless corporate raider in the film “Wall Street.” His acceptance speech has to be recognized for his work both on and off screen in the wake of his successful treatment for stage IV cancer that made him so weak, as he said in his acceptance speech at the Globes that the Liberace biopic had to be put on hold.
First things first, the speech must humble. Think Lindsay Lohan in the film “Mean Girls,” to accept her crown and delivered a truly sincere, touching speech. Hilary Swank’s speech back in 2005 was humble and brought hope to all who dream. Think classy speeches that appeal to all classes of life. Sandra Bullock’s speech for Best Actress was humbling and heartfelt.
The winners shouldn’t appear arrogant or annoying. If you study Julia Roberts when she accepted her Best Actress Oscar, she addressed the shows conductor as “Stick Man,” and told him to put his stick down. Think Sally Field, when she won in 1985 for “Places in the Heart.” She had the audience in stitches when she said, “You really, really like me.” It was funny, sweet and touching.
A Hollywood superstar doesn’t want to blank out and stare at the audience, or look for the little piece of paper of “Thank-Yous” or do a Drew Barrymore speech a few years ago when she rambled on at the SAG awards. The stars need to prepare. The worst case scenario, if all else fails, and you totally blank our and forget your speech, turn on the waterworks. Back in 1999, Gwyneth Paltrow turned on the waterworks when she accepted her gold statue for Best Actress in “Shakespeare in Love.” Her acceptance speech had real human emotion and every one thought it was sweet. Don’t do a Marlon Brando rejection, when the late actor rejected his Oscar through a spokesperson, saying he was declining because of the film industry’s treatment of Native Americans. Don’t embarrass the Academy with a searing political point. Not everyone has the smoothness of Kevin Spacey, when he picked up his Best Actor award for “American Beauty,” in 2000. He strolled up, shot the audience a look and drawled; “This is the highlight of my day.” One thing to remember, yes, winning an Oscar is emotional, but stars must try and retain some dignity.
Rose’s Scoop: IMATS will take place the weekend of January 18, in LA.
By Rose Quintiliano
