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WGA ... You Got it Wrong



The unbashfully liberalized institution this time last year for best original, selected BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE, written by Michael Moore. What? By chosing to be "political" they turned their blind eye towards those writers who deserved more from this institution. Ronald Harwood won the Oscar for THE PIANIST. I wouldn't be surprised if there is some political motivation for this year's display of ignorance, but I haven't found that connection yet.

AMERICAN SPLENDOR is a fine screenplay. A very good film. My reaction has less to do with this film than it does the WGA, which is really embarrassing themselves in my opinion.

Thankfully, the Writers Guild Award for best original screenplay went to a very fine script, LOST IN TRANSLATION, written by Sofia Coppola. And thankfully, the WGA at least recognized Anthony Minghella for COLD MOUNTAIN, when the Academy Awards failed to do so. His adaptation is a masterpiece, though not as good as LOTR.

Over the past 12 years, eight of the Writers Guild of America adapted screenplay winners and seven of its original screenplay winners have gone on to win the Oscar. Let's hope they are dead wrong this year on their adaptation selection.

LOST IN TRANSLATION was a great selection on the WGA's part and most likely it will win the Oscar, though THE BARBARIAN INVASIONS is a possibility here. THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING, which has 11 Oscar nominations, has collected four Golden Globes and prizes from Hollywood's producers and directors guilds, and it will win the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Picture, and Best Director ... at least I hope.

-- Chris (editor@screenwritersutopia.com)


HERE ARE ALL THE WINNERS:
wga.org



SCREEN WINNERS

Original Screenplay

LOST IN TRANSLATION, Written by Sofia Coppola; Focus Features

Adapted Screenplay

AMERICAN SPLENDOR, Written by Robert Pulcini & Shari Springer Berman, based on the comic book series by Harvey Pekar and the novel by Harvey Pekar and Joyce

TELEVISION WINNERS

Animation

THE DAD WHO KNEW TOO LITTLE (The Simpsons), Written by Matt Selman; Fox

Original Long Form

AND STARRING PANCHO VILLA AS HIMSELF, Written by Larry Gelbart; HBO

Adapted Long Form

OUT OF THE ASHES, Teleplay by Anne Meredith, based on the book I Was A Doctor in Auschwitz by Dr. Gisella Perl; Showtime

Episodic Drama

7:00 P.M. -- 8:00 P.M. (24), Written by Evan Katz; Fox

Episodic Comedy

NO SEX, PLEASE, WE'RE SKITTISH (Frasier), Written by Bob Daily; NBC

Comedy/Variety -- Music, Awards, Tributes -- Specials

THE KENNEDY CENTER HONORS, Written by George Stevens Jr., Sara Lukinson, and David Leaf; CBS

Comedy/Variety -- (including Talk) Series

PENN & TELLER: BULLSHIT!, Written by Penn Jillette, Teller, David Wechter, John McLaughlin; Showtime

Daytime Serials

ALL MY CHILDREN, Written by Agnes Nixon, Megan McTavish, Gordon Rayfield, Anna Theresa Cascio, Frederick Johnson, Jeff Beldner, Janet Iacobuzio, Lisa Connor, Addie Walsh, Victor Miller, Mimi Leahey, Bettina F. Bradbury, John PiRoman, Karen Lewis, Amanda Robb, Rebecca Taylor, Christina Covino, David A. Levinson; ABC

Children's Script

THE MALDONADO MIRACLE, Teleplay by Paul W. Cooper, based on the novel The Maldonado Miracle by Theodore Taylor; Showtime

Documentary -- Current Events

TRUTH, WAR, AND CONSEQUENCES (Frontline), Written by Martin Smith; PBS

Documentary -- Other Than Current Events

THE MURDER OF EMMETT TILL (The American Experience), Written by Marcia Smith; PBS

News -- Regularly Scheduled, Bulletin, or Breaking Report

SHOWDOWN WITH SADDAM (CBS News), Written by John Craig Wilson; CBS

News -- Analysis, Feature, Commentary

WALL STREET (NOW with Bill Moyers), Written by Michael Winship & Bill Moyers; PBS

RADIO WINNERS

Documentary

AUTISM: SHADES OF GRAY, Written by Julia Kathan; ABC News Radio

News -- Regularly Scheduled

WORLD NEWS THIS WEEK, Written by Stuart H. Chamberlain Jr.; ABC News Radio

News -- Analysis, Feature, or Commentary

REMEMBERING ED BLISS, Written by Mike Silverstein; ABC News Radio

On-Air Promotion (Radio or Television)

BUFFY/ENTERPRISE, Written by Eric Jacobson; CBS/UPN

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