by Nathaniel R
Gyllenhaal at a screeing for The Lost Daughter in December
The USC Scripter Awards are an annual event that is a gala fundraiser for the USC Libraries. This year Maggie Gyllenhaal was the big winner in what some might regard as an upset over Jane Campion. We think it's less than surprising though since the Scripters also recognize the author of the source material and Elena Ferrante would hold much more appeal to current voters than Thomas Savage for a book that isn't as famous as its cinematic counterpoint. Whether Gyllenhaal can upset at the Oscars is a different story...
FILM NOMINEES
- Dune (screenwriters Eric Roth, Jon Spaihts and Denis Villeneuve)
Based on the novel of the same name (author Frank Herbert) - ★ The Lost Daughter (screenwriter Maggie Gyllenhaal)
Based on the novel of the same name (author Elena Ferrante) - Passing (screenwriter Rebecca Hall)
Based on the novel of the same name (author Nella Larsen) - The Power of the Dog (screenwriter Jane Campion)
Based on the novel of the same name (author Thomas Savage) - The Tragedy of Macbeth (screenwriter Joel Coen)
Based on the play Macbeth (playwright William Shakespeare)
The winner of this prize goes on to the Oscar win a smidgeon less than half the time. Call Me Your Name (2017) four seasons ago was the most recent double-winner. It is surely possible that Gyllenhaal breaks the recent streak and wins the Oscar, especially if voters feel like spreading the wealth with Jane Campion likely to take Best Director. If Gyllenhaal does triumph again it'll be hard won since The Power of the Dog is looking like the frontrunner on Oscar night. Given that it will surely win at least a statue or two beyond Director and Picture.
Related: Oscar's Best Adapted Screenplay nominations
EPISODIC NOMINEES
- ★ Dopesick episode “The People vs. Purdue Pharma” (writer Danny Strong)
Based on the nonfiction book Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors and the Drug Company That Addicted America (author Beth Macy) - Maid episode “Dollar Store” (writer Molly Smith Metzler)
Based on the memoir Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay and a Mother’s Will to Survive (author Stephanie Land) - Station Eleven episode “Wheel of Fire” (writer Patrick Somerville)
Based on the novel Station Eleven (author Emily St. John Mandel) - The Underground Railroad episode “Indiana Winter” (writer Barry Jenkins)
Based on the novel The Underground Railroad (author Colson Whitehead) - WandaVision episode “Filmed Before a Live Studio Audience” (writer Jac Schaeffer)
Based on Marvel Comics (characters created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby)
Danny Strong has become an awards magnet since his days as a villain on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He's won two Emmys, two WGA prizes, and the PGA. He's even been nominated for the NAACP Image Awards and the DGA. Past writing and/or producing credits include Game Change, Recount, Empire, and Lee Daniels The Butler
This award is just five years old but has aligned very strongly with Emmy favor. The past winners were People vs OJ Simpson, The Handmaid's Tale (first season), A Very English Scandal, Fleabag (2nd season), and The Queen's Gambit. In other words: we expect Dopesick to be a big hit at the Emmys this fall.
LITERARY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
(Non Competitive)
- ★ Barry Jenkins for his contributions to cinematic storytelling