Films breathe life into stories that would otherwise never see the light of day. Directors, cinematographers, actors, digital artists, gaffers and wardrobe designers come together to create films that inspire and draw both laughter and tears.
Of course, by now you know that there are many awards to recognize and celebrate the efforts and masterpieces produced every year but what makes the Screen Actors Guild Awards so unique is because of its effortless style, simplicity and genuine warmth. The SAG Awards debuted in 1995 and today will see winners carting home the coveted gold statue bearing twin masks in the 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards 2012.
From its name alone, you should gather that the SAG solely honors performers and this two hour TV special will see actors and actresses contesting to pick up one of thirteen awards focusing on both individual performances as well as on the work of the entire ensemble of a drama series and comedy series, and the cast of a motion picture because a production isn’t about a single person but a collective effort, a collaborative art.
How the nominees and winners are chosen are through two randomly selected panels of 2,100 SAG members each from across the United States choose the nominees for television and motion pictures. The final ballot then goes out to the full guild membership of approximately 100,000 members who will then select the outstanding performances of the year.
If you didn’t know, the Screen Actors Guild is the nation’s largest labor union representing more than 120,000 actors who work in film and digital theatrical motion pictures and television programs, commercials, video games, industrials, Internet and all new media formats.
Now that you’ve got the history of the Screen Actors Guild Awards down pat, here’s what we’ve all been waiting for! The best in the industry in the past year:
Old is gold and this looks all set to be a great year for Christopher Plummer who took home a second award this year after his winning the Golden Globes award for male actor in a supporting role for his turn as a man coming out about his homosexuality near the end of his life in “Beginners.”
French actor Jean Dujardin (left) took home the Outstanding Actor award for his role in the black-and-white silent film, “The Artist.” defeating other high profile nominees such as George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio.
He was indeed surprised to be named the winner as he received his award from Natalie Portman and said “Oh my God” several times.
“The Help”, a film set in the 1960s civil right era about maids in Mississippi won three top honors namely the Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, Outstanding Leading Actress and Outstanding Supporting Actress by Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer respectively.
The cast of Modern Family took home the award for Outstanding Performance by An Ensemble in A Comedy Series, beating other comedy favourites such as 30 Rock, Big Bang Theory, The Office and Glee. Well deserved, yes we think so!
It has been ages since there was a great family series and Modern Family tickles you in all the right places.
Ironically, it was “30 Rock” star Alec Baldwin and Betty White of “Hot in Cleveland” who won the awards for Outstanding Performance by a Male and Female Actor in a Comedy Series respectively. 90-year-old Betty White said, “I remember you sweetheart,” while stroking her trophy as she gave her acceptance speech.
Kate Winslet, who was absent, won Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries for her role in “Mildred Pierce” while another absentee Paul Giamatti, won the TV Mini-series/Movie actor award for “Too Big to Fail.”
Taking home the Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a TV Drama Series is “Boardwalk Empire” revolving around gangsters based on a book about real life criminal kingpin Enoch Johnson. This series just ended the screening of the second season on HBO and beat “Breaking Bad,” “Dexter,” “Game of Thrones,” and “The Good Wife” for the award.
Here’s the complete list of winners:
Outstanding Ensemble in a Motion Picture: “The Help”
Male Actor in a Leading Role: Jean Dujardin, “The Artist”
Female Actor in a Leading Role: Viola Davis, “The Help”
Male Actor in a Supporting Role: Christopher Plummer, “Beginners”
Female Actor in a Supporting Role: Octavia Spencer, “The Help”
Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series: “Boardwalk Empire”
Male Actor in a Drama Series: Steve Buscemi, “Boardwalk Empire”
Female Actor in a Drama Series: Jessica Lange, “American Horror Story”
Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series: “Modern Family”
Male Actor in a Comedy Series: Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock”
Female Actor in a Comedy Series: Betty White, “Hot in Cleveland”
Male Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries: Paul Giamatti, “Too Big to Fail”
Female Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries: Kate Winslet, “Mildred Pierce”
Stunt Ensemble, Motion Picture: “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2”
Stunt Ensemble, Television Series: “Game of Thrones”
Lifetime Achievement Award: Mary Tyler Moore
Photo credits to AP, Reuters and Getty Images.
