Hollywood’s Unwritten Rules for Oscar Night: A Pre-Game Guide for Nominees
The glitz and glamour of Hollywood’s biggest night, the Academy Awards, are often punctuated by memorable acceptance speeches. But for those lucky enough to be nominated, the pressure to deliver a truly impactful moment can be immense. This year, ahead of the 98th Academy Awards ceremony, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences president Lynette Howell Taylor offered a pragmatic, six-point plan to help nominees craft speeches that resonate, rather than fall flat, with a global audience. The advice was delivered at the annual Oscars nominees luncheon, a star-studded affair held at the Beverly Hilton hotel, where luminaries like Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet, Emma Stone, and Michael B. Jordan mingled, all with the tantalising prospect of a golden statuette on the horizon.
The overarching goal? To inject “immortal emotion” into speeches, transforming them into the very soul of the live telecast. Taylor, in front of a ballroom brimming with hopefuls, kicked off her presentation by showcasing a sizzle reel of past unforgettable acceptance speeches. “If you want to be on that reel next year, let’s get down to business,” she declared, acknowledging that some in the room were destined to win. “We’ve all seen – and maybe some of you have given – some great speeches, and some not-so-great speeches.”
Taylor then laid out her essential guidance for speech success:
The Six-Point Speech Strategy
Write it Down, Well in Advance: Taylor stressed the importance of preparing your speech beforehand. She dispelled the superstition of “jinxing” yourself, stating, “You will not jinx yourself by doing so. Don’t say that you didn’t expect it. You do have a 1 in 5 chance of winning.” Having a prepared speech ensures you can articulate your thoughts clearly, even under immense pressure.
Master the Clock: Get to the Stage Swiftly: With a strict 45-second time limit, nominees are urged to make their way to the stage with haste. Taylor explained that the show’s producers will cue the music to play them off, not as a punitive measure, but as a necessity of live television. “The show producers ‘will play you off. This is not to stress you out. You can still say an awful lot in 45 seconds.'” Efficiency is key.
Heartfelt Authenticity Over Name-Dropping: The Academy president advised nominees to focus on the emotional core of their acceptance. Instead of rattling off a long list of names, which can eat up precious time and feel impersonal, Taylor urged a more profound approach. “Make the speech heartfelt and don’t list names. Think about what [the Oscar] means and try to communicate that.” The sentiment behind the award is often more impactful than a laundry list of acknowledgements.
Designate a Single Voice for Group Wins: For those projects with multiple individuals nominated, Taylor recommended choosing one person to deliver the acceptance speech. This ensures a cohesive and focused message. “Chose one speaker in a group. Have a single voice.” This avoids potential confusion and allows for a more polished delivery.
Embrace the Paperless Future: No Phones Allowed: In a bid to enhance the visual appeal of the broadcast, nominees are instructed to ditch the paper scripts and mobile phones. “Be paperless and no cellphones. It looks better on TV.” This encourages a more direct and engaging connection with the audience.
Microphone Etiquette: Let the Tech Do the Work: A simple but often overlooked detail is how to use the microphone. Taylor reminded nominees not to lean into it, as modern microphones are highly sensitive. “Don’t lean into the microphone. It will pick you up no matter where you are.” This ensures clear audio and a more professional presentation.
More Than Just Speeches: The Nominees Luncheon Experience
While speech preparation is paramount, the annual nominees luncheon serves as a vital pre-cursor to the main event, offering a unique atmosphere where the sting of potential defeat hasn’t yet set in. It’s a crucial networking opportunity, a chance to be seen, and, most importantly, a celebration of the shared journey of being nominated.
The event saw stars like Leonardo DiCaprio engaging in animated conversations with Steven Spielberg in the hotel lobby. Timothée Chalamet was spotted joining a group selfie with the songwriters behind the hit tune “Golden,” from the fictional film “KPop Demon Hunters.”
Diane Warren, a seasoned nominee with an impressive 17 Academy Award nominations but no competitive wins to date, radiated joy at her nomination for “Dear Me,” featured in the documentary “Diane Warren: Relentless.” “I’m not going to call this my first rodeo, because I hate rodeos,” Warren quipped to USA TODAY. “But this my absolute favorite event of the awards season. Because no one has lost … yet. Check in with me in a month.” Her sentiment captures the unique spirit of the luncheon – a moment of shared anticipation and camaraderie.
Even the most established actors donned magnetic name tags and were seated at tables with a diverse mix of industry professionals. At one such table, attendees were joined by Academy governor Rita Wilson, the remarkably tall “Frankenstein” star Jacob Elordi, the radiant “Song Sung Blue” star Kate Hudson, and “Bugonia” producer Ed Guiney.
Capturing the Moment: The Iconic Class Photo
The undisputed highlight of the luncheon is the traditional “class photo.” Nominees are called to the stage one by one, receiving enthusiastic applause from their peers. “Sinners” star Delroy Lindo was the first to grace the stage, followed by “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” star Rose Byrne, who, like many others, navigated the steps in her heels. Each nominee was met with a chorus of cheers, notably from “Frankenstein” director Guillermo del Toro, who enthusiastically pounded his table and offered personalised shout-outs. Teyana Taylor, star of “One Battle After Another,” was the final nominee to take her place on stage.
Before the official photograph was taken, del Toro offered a final, playful exhortation to his fellow nominees to flash their brightest smiles, urging them to shout “Tamales!” – a quirky call to capture the joy of the occasion.
