Peter Templeman: At the Oscar Ceremony

11 March 2007

Organisation

FTI member Peter Templeman continues his reports from L.A. where he is attending the 2007 Academy Awards. Peter’s film ‘The Saviour’ is nominated in the Best Short Film category.

There must have been a lot of carpet because we were on it for a long time. Big crowds flanked the runway, and I was surprised to see they had several ‘floor managers’ trying to guide the vibe of the throng.

We found ourselves mostly bobbing around between Leo DiCaprio and Steve Carell. It felt similar to how seat-fillers probably do – like we were supplying the space between them. In whole, the red-carpet experience was not that different to watching it on TV, just closer. You can smell the perfume. And no commercials.

The Oscar night was great if you enjoy going to parties where you don’t know anyone. Or more accurately, where you feel like you know everyone but they definitely don’t know you. I like this arrangement so I had a good time. In the end it felt a lot like the IF Awards, only more Botox.

We were surprised at how intimate it was in the orchestra level of the Kodak theatre. This is where the nominees and guests sit and is not as big as it looks on TV. But behind it are four other tiers seating the rest of the two thousand people with invites. It was quite a spectacular sight looking up and around. Surreal.

The last few weeks had been so busy that I hadn’t had the chance to think clearly about the prospect of actually winning this thing. But as soon as they read out the first nominees – for art direction in feature – the butterflies began.

Stu (producer) had graciously demanded it would be me to deliver the speech if we won. But until now I had not fully contemplated exactly what was involved with this – principally, a hell of a lot of people watching. I started to imagine myself tripping over on the way up there. Or stuttering or slurring, or the most likely event – that stupid things decide to tumble out of my mouth in front of millions of people.

Thankfully Ari Sandel’s musical middle-eastern number rendered any fears pointless. We knew going in that he was the clear favourite so it came as no surprise – Westside Story got close-to standing ovations at the Academy screenings – but in those final moments I still felt the suspense.

We knew there were a lot of people in Oz who wanted us to win, and it was a great feeling to have that support. Also I was hoping to meet that ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ Abigail Breslin who was presenting it, cos she’s so cool. But ultimately, the final announcement that we didn’t win meant we could now relax for the rest of the night, and that relief made it hard to be disappointed in any result.

Highlights for me were Ellen Degeneres’ hosting – which was so easy-going it felt like one of my mates up there messing around. Being there for Marty Scorcese’s long-awaited nod from the Academy was a treat. And Beyonce.*