Major studios attempts to win back the Oscars

TALLAHASSEE, FL – After many independent films dominated the last two Academy Awards in Los Angeles, major studios such as Universal Pictures, Sony Pictures and 20^th Century Fox have distributed at least one movie this year with in hopes of having a shot at taking home an Oscar.

Anne Hathaway in the musical, "Les Miserables." - Universal Pictures 

With Oscar nominations beginning on December 17^th, these companies are working hard to take back Hollywood’s top honors from independent films like “Slumdog Millionaire,” “Hurt Locker” and “The Artist.”

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences hosted a Governors Awards banquet on Saturday  where major studios worked the room against each contender, in efforts to take home the best picture award.

Local filmmaker, Akil Dupont, a winner of a Student Emmy award for his slavery told through song short film “Underground,” explains that he does not see the efforts from big studios as something uncommon.

“Indies” have been having a good run, despite the studio effort,” said Dupont. “I think in some sense it’s survival of the fittest, because when you have a film like “Hurt Locker” beating the largest grossing movie ever, “Avatar,” it’s just all about being fresh in the Academy voters mind.

Oscar viewers can expect to see make the nominee list is “Life of Pi,” “Les Miserable,” “The Hobbit” and “Zero Dark Thirty.”

However, the presence of the independent studios have not shown signs of prevailing this Academy Awards, despite films such as “The Sessions,” or “Moonrise Kingdom” that released this year.

Mr. George Stevens Jr, the founder of the American Film Institute, who held the most attention throughout the Governors Awards banquet, is hopeful that the giant studios will succeed this year.

“I have seen a couple pictures this fall that I am confident will stand the test of time,” said Stevens. 

Written by Gina Cherelus

With contributions from The New York Times
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Photo/ Universal Pictures
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Telethon sparks hope in those impacted by storm

TALLAHASSEE, FL - Four days after Hurricane Sandy made landfall on the upper east coast, NBC presented a telethon, “Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together,” in New York Friday night to raise funds for the American Red Cross.  

People watching the telethon Friday night - New York Times 

Musicians such as Jon Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Christina Aguilera and Mary J. Blige performed songs that brought forth hope and sympathy for victims of the storm.

“One of the great ironies of this telethon is that the people who need the help most can’t watch it,” said the host of the telethon, Matt Lauer.

The hour-long show took place with a small, invited audience at 30 Rockefeller Plaza but was showcased on cable networks, radio stations and on the web nationwide. 

There were calls for donations during the telethon along with news assortments of photos and videos from the destruction of the hurricane displayed on the telecast. 

However, Manhattan resident, Erlande Thelusma, feels as though this method to help victims of the storm is not efficient. 

"If they raise $100,000, only a small amount of that goes out to the victims because they have to pay the producers and the crew of the event," said Thelusma. "That's why I won't donate to the Red Cross and just help communities directly." 

The efforts made by NBC raised nearly 23 million dollars for the victims affected by Sandy in New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island and other parts of the East Coast, according to the Red Cross. 

Written by Gina Cherelus

With contributions from The New York Times

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