You have just six days to vote this year on nominations (starting now) so if you'll do us this one favor please read these four tips. We're not telling you how to vote... just reminding you of some truths that are too often ignored.
1) As difficult as critics groups and precussor bodies make it to remember otherwise, it is an absolute truth that movies existed before Parasite and The Irishman began to excite people in mid to late October...
Some of them garnered lots of praise and are eligible for your votes like Pain & Glory, The Farewell, Missing Link, Her Smell, Booksmart, Diane, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (well, you know about that one), Rocketman, and Us. Please don't only vote for Christmas releases. Make the world safe for quality movies to come out year round!
2.a) If you are actor, please remember that imitation is not the only acting skill worth commemmorating each year. Other valuable things in the actors toolbox include creativity, imagination, surprise, deft line readings, and storytelling through gesture and physicality. You can find all of those things in say, Lupita Nyong'o's performance in Us. She's not pretending to be someone that's famous but do you really think that requires less skill if you want your character to feel like a three-dimensional person? We'd argue it requires more so remember: there is life outside of biopics and mimicry.
2.b) If you are not an actor the same thing probably applies in your field. Remember that joke someone makes every year "Most Costume Design" or "Most Editing" or what not, rather than Best. The obvious choice is not always the best choice. For example. It's easy to see which films have a leg up in Production Design -- think big period pieces with ample budgets. But are Parasite's houses (they're both sets!) not absolutely inspired work? You don't have to be recreating something (see the acting thing again) you can just be involved in the act of creation, and that's worthy too!
3. Remember to rank your ballot in preference order. Preferential voting is complicated to explain in the math (the Wrap does an excellent job though) but it's not complicated to do in the making of. Who doesn't love listing their favourites?
4. You don't have to vote on the first day. Squeeze a few more screenings in. Why not?!