'Artist,' 'Tinker,' 'Shame' and 'Marilyn' among contenders not eligible for WGA

Posted by · 3:52 pm · December 2nd, 2011

As happens every year, a list of potential Oscar nominees is ineligible for WGA consideration due to a number of issues (signatory concerns, paperwork avoidance, etc.). This year, though, the list seems particularly long.

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Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Oscarweb Round-up: Bringing the 'Super 8' train back around for another whiff

Posted by · 7:06 am · November 23rd, 2011

In today’s round-up, Paramount tries to light the fire under summer hit “Super 8,” Viggo Mortensen wants some serious consideration for David Cronenberg and how to dupe the internet, lesson #3245.

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Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Tech Support: 'War Horse,' 'Transformers' in the, uh, mix for Best Sound Mixing

Posted by · 7:47 am · November 10th, 2011

In this week’s edition of Tech Support, we turn our gaze to Best Sound Mixing. Contenders include “War Horse,” “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” and.. “The Artist?”

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Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Redgrave and the ladies of 'The Help' lead the conversation on Best Supporting Actress

Posted by · 9:51 am · October 17th, 2011

Rounding out four weeks of performance analysis this week, we turn to Best Adapted Screenplay. Contenders include Vanessa Redgrave, Octavia Spencer, the ubiquitous Jessica Chastain and Shailene Woodley, among others.

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Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Tech Support: 'Tintin' and 'Super 8' stand out among Best Sound Editing contenders

Posted by · 9:23 am · October 13th, 2011

In this week’s Tech Support column, we analyze the Best Sound Editing category. Top contenders include “Transformers: Dark of the Moon,” “Super 8” and “The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn.”

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Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Paramount announces first ever digital streaming program for awards season contenders

Posted by · 7:35 am · October 11th, 2011

Paramount PIctures has announced a new program to screen its awards contenders via digital screeners. The Visual Effects Society will be the guinea pigs and a wide-ranging trio of films will be the first out of the gate.

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Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Tech Support: 'Apes' and 'Deathly Hallows' lead the way for Best Visual Effects

Posted by · 7:19 am · September 29th, 2011

This week in Tech Support we survey the Best Visual Effects category, from typical blockbuster fare like “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” to unusual possibilities like “The Tree of Life” and “The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn.”

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Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Tech Support: A new year of crafts coverage

Posted by · 11:37 am · September 22nd, 2011

Welcome back. Today marks the beginning of the sixth year of Tech Support here at In Contention. I am delighted about the new collaboration with HitFix, which will doubtless result in even more comprehensive awards coverage. Over the next 10 weeks, we will analyze each of the “technical” category races in this space: Art Direction, Cinematography, Costume Design, Film Editing, Makeup, Original Score, Original Song, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing and Visual Effects.

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Filed in: HitFix · In Contention

Steven Spielberg tapped for PGA's David O. Selznick Award

Posted by · 8:32 am · September 21st, 2011

The Producers Guild of America has chosen prolific filmmaker Steven Spielberg for its David O. Selznick Award this year. Could that feed a fire that is sure to burn for his up-coming one-two punch of “War Horse” and “The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn?”

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Filed in: HitFix · In Contention