Cinematography, Production Design, Editing ~ April Foolish Oscar Predix
We're almost to our favorite craft category (costume design) and the marquee categories (acting/picture) are yet to come but here's another does of "what could be" in a few visual categories as our April Foolish Oscar Predictions continue...
CINEMATOGRAPHY [click for the chart]
The big question TFE must always ask is "when is a female DP ever going to get nominated?" This year we count three female DPs with major projects: Mandy Walker (Australia, Hidden Figures) shot the romantic drama The Mountain Between Us, Rachel Morrison (Fruitvale Station) delivered another Sundance hit with Mudbound, and Urszula Pontikos (Lilting) was behind the camera on the story of Gloria Grahame's last days called Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool.
Meanwhile on the male side of the equation, given that Greig Fraser and Bradford Young were FINALLY nominated last season after years of impressive rangey work, can the same thing happen for Hoyt Van Hoytema who has been waiting just as long. He shot Dunkirk this year.
PRODUCTION DESIGN
Two mini-dramas within this race might be Production Designers at war with themselves. Four time nominee Sarah Greenwood has two high profile films, one fantasy (Beauty and the Beast) and one World War II drama (Darkest Hour). Three time nominee Nathan Crowley's films are less diametrically opposed but there's still plenty of room to showcase his range from the period circus musical The Greatest Showman and yet another collaboration with Chris Nolan on the World War II drama Dunkirk. Neither have ever won. Could this be the year for one of them?
FILM EDITING
Arguably the category that's most dependent on the Best Picture race (give or take an action movie or thriller now and then) so this is like throwing darts at a wall about which films will have Best Picture heat and which could be the type of films that are honored for editing without that boost.
Previous first stabs at new Oscar predictions
BEST SCORE, BEST SOUND
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS, BEST MAKEUP & HAIR
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
Reader Comments (3)
I did not know Chung Chung-Hoon was lensing The Current War. If the movie delivers, I can see a scenario where he makes it in. He'll also have a prolific year with "It" as well.
Truth is, that was not there the Marvel Expanded Universe bias at the Oscars, Thor. Ragnarok would look a contender for Costume, Production Design, Visual Effects, Make up and both Sounds.
A part of myself still thinks Cate Blanchett could actually sneak in at Supporting if she delivers something unforgettable and undeniable... and Hela is a hell of a character (pun intended) that on the hands of Watiti will give her plenty of chances to shine... specially when sharing screentime with Hiddleston's Loki, the closest Marvel DCU's has been for an acting nomination anywhere, so far.
Sorry to go off topic, but Cannes just announced their line-up and they have FOUR Kidman projects this year! :O