Symposiums at AMPAS HQ (1 Viewer)

For several years now, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has hosted two symposiums at its headquarters in Beverly Hills on the day before the Academy Awards telecast. One is the Foreign Language Film symposium and the other is the Makeup Artists and Hairstylists symposium (each for films nominated in those respective categories). They are held in the Academy's 1,012-seat Samuel Goldwyn Theater, which is a delight in its own right.



Each year, the San Diego Cinema Society hosts an event to attend both symposiums. They provide a bus ride from San Diego right to the front door of AMPAS headquarters. Between the two symposiums, the busses take us over to Los Angeles' famous Famers Market for lunch. Then back to the AMPAS HQ for the second symposium. Then a bus ride home to San Diego. It's a full day (I leave the house about 5:30am and don't get home until about 8:00pm) but it is a really fun day!

During the symposiums, all of the category nominees (for those two categories) are present on stage and there is a question and answer session to discuss their participation in making the nominated film. For the Foreign Language Film symposium, extended clips are shown (about 5-10 minutes long) to give audience members a feeling for the films. It's all very interesting and a real treat for film fans.

There are usually some celebrities present in the audience, and sometimes on stage. Last year, actor Mads Mikkelsen (best known for his portrayal of Hannibal Lecter on TV, as well as La Chiffre in Bond 22 'Quantum of Solace) was in the audience (about 10 seats from me) and his presence was acknowledged during the presentation for the Dannish film 'The Hunt' (in which he played the lead role). The year before, director Ang Lee was a surprise guest and he introduced the nominated foreign films (and went on to win the Best Director Oscar the next day). And in 2012, Meryl Streep was a guest during the Makeup and Hairstylists symposium for the nominated film 'The Iron Lady' (and, of course, she went on to win the Best Actress Oscar the next day).

Anyway, the point of all of this, I guess, is to share my excitement over attending this terrific day of celebrating Hollywood movie magic. It's a terrific way to get pumped up for the Academy Awards telecast the next day. It makes for a very nice weekend!

Mark

Pix or it didn't happen, Mark!!! =)

Sam Posten said:

Pix or it didn't happen, Mark!!! =)

Click to expand...

We aren't allowed to take pictures inside the Samuel Goldwyn Theater. Well, they tell us not to but I've snapped off a few iPhone pictures in the past (before the symposium got underway). But if you are caught taking photos during the symposiums, an usher (there are multiple ushers standing at the back of the theater watching for cameras) comes and visits you. Two years ago, one person got escorted out because he kept taking photos after being asked to stop.

I'll snap some photos of the outside of the AMPAS HQ and in the lobby (they usually have some sort of display set up after the final symposium) and maybe one or two sneak photos inside the theater before the symposiums begin. But, other than that, don't expect much.

Mark

Bah OK, still sounds like fun!

Today's the day! I'll try to post a few photos to this thread from the event.


Mark

First of all, sorry for no pictures from within Samuel Goldwyn Theater. It was recently remodeled and it's better than ever. However, the ushers were REALLY on the ball about stopping people taking photos (there's a sign on every entrance door stating that no photography or recording is allowed). Usually, they are somewhat lax before the symposium starts. But, today, they were stopping EVERY person that lifted a camera or phone to take a photo. So, I decided it wasn't a good idea to even try. Instead, here's a photo of my tickets!






The symposiums were, once again, a lot of fun. Quite entertaining and very informational. We were treated to scenes (or segments of scenes) from each of the nominated films (in the two categories). The nominees discussed their films with the moderator of each symposium and, for the Makeup and Hairstyling symposium the audience was given time to ask questions (which mostly came from other makeup artists and hairstylists that attended the event).


I now have a couple of Foreign Language films I definitely want to see, particularly Leviathan and Wild Tales. You can find photos of the nominees (taken today at Academy HQ) at the Academy website here:


http://www.oscars.org/events/oscar-week-foreign-language-films


My favorite symposium was Makeup and Hairstyling. The nominated films in that category are 'Foxcatcher', 'The Grand Budapest Hotel', and 'Guardians of the Galaxy'. Not only were the nominees present (two for each film), but we had two special guests today too.


Frances Hannon & Mark Coulier (The Grand Budapest Hotel) had Tony Revolori join them on the stage. Tony played Zero, the Lobby Boy in the film!


Elizabeth Yianni-Georgiou & David White (Guardians of the Galaxy) had Michael Rooker join them on stage. Michael played Yondu Udonta in the film.


Both actors talked about their experience during the hair and makeup sessions, etc. and shared some anecdotes that happened during filming. (Obviously, Michael spent a LOT more time in the makeup each day than Tony.)


After the symposiums, we were invited to go downstairs and visit a display of photos, appliances and props from the Makeup & Hairstyling Departments of each nominated film. By the time I got to that area the line was so long (the theater seats over 1,000), there was no way I would have time to take photos (I had to be on a bus in 15 minutes). Fortunately, a friend went downstairs early and he took several photos, which he shared with me. So, here are his photos from the special exhibit area on display in the downstairs area of Academy HQ.


The Grand Budapest Hotel:















Guardians of the Galaxy:












Foxcatcher:






BTW, this is all just a temporary display set up for today's symposium.


You can find additional photos from Makeup & Hairstyling, including photos of the nominees (and actor Tony Revolori), at the Academy's website here:


http://www.oscars.org/events/oscar-week-makeup-and-hairstyling-symposium


Also, based on industry "buzz" at the event, it appears that 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' (Frances Hannon & Mark Coulier) is the favorite to when the Oscar for Makeup & Hairstyling. We'll see!


As for Foreign Language Film, the favorite is 'Ida' with 'Leviathan' being a close second.


I will DEFINITELY be attending again next year!


Mark

FYI, the above two Academy links (to photos from the symposiums) now contain videos (one at each link) of the actual symposiums! Well, most of each symposium because the videos are a little bit shorter than symposiums were.

Mark

Thanks Mark! Very jealous!

Thanks, Sam!


BTW, if you watch the video for the Makeup & Hairstyling symposium, at 48:55 into the video Bill Corso & Dennis Liddiard (Foxcatcher) play a mean trick on the audience. They announce that their special guests are Steve Carrell and Channing Tatum. The audience went wild with excitement (the woman sitting next to me sounded like she was about to have an orgasm). Then Corso and Liddiard produce masks on a stick and (briefly) pretend they are the two big stars. That generates a simultaneous groan from the audience (which isn't as loud in the video as it was in person). Here's that video:





Mark