The USC Libraries has announced its list of contenders for the Scripter prize, which honors adapted screenplays, their writers and the source materials and authors that spawned them.
So, with that in mind, I’m not sure how the “District 9” nod is justified here in the slightest, given the stated intention of the award.* But that’s another feather in the film’s cap regardless. It could be picking up a big head of steam here. More on that when we preview the DGA nominations tomorrow.
A big congrats to Scott Cooper for finally getting some love of his own this Oscar season. I had a hunch he might show up here. Maybe this can help turn the corner for a film too many are quick to chalk up as “performance only.”
I guess we can probably expect Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner to walk away with the award, but as always, it’s a refreshingly out-of-step line-up from the USC Libraries. Fight on.
Anyway, check out the nominees, via press release, after the jump.
“Crazy Heart” – Fox Searchlight Pictures
Scott Cooper, screenwriter
Thomas Cobb, author
“District 9” – Tri-Star Pictures
Neill Blomkamp, screenwriter and author
Terri Tatchell, screenwriter
“An Education” – Sony Pictures Classics
Nick Hornby, screenwriter
Lynn Barber, author
“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” – Lionsgate
Geoffrey Fletcher, screenwriter
Sapphire, author
“Up in the Air” – Paramount Pictures
Jason Reitman, screenwriter
Sheldon Turner, screenwriter
Walter Kirn, author
*It turns out the rules of eligibility were expanded this year to include screenplays based on other screenplays, so Blomkamp’s original screenplay, “Alive in Joburg,” I imagine, was the source material considered. I don’t think it washes, but there you have it. Last year the rules were expanded to include comic book adaptations. Next year they’ll be expanded to include original screenplays. (Kidding.)
Comments
28 responses to “USC Scripter nominations announced”
District 9 is having a great day.
That “District 9” nod makes no sense whatsoever — when did the award change its brief so dramatically?
No “Hurt Locker” ? OUCH!!
i’m glad to see “District 9” and “An Education”
up there, hope it repeats at the OSCARS
^^ im an asshole, this is for adapted pieces
but isn’t D9 an original screenplay??
I was hoping for a WTWTA or Fantastic Mr. Fox nod here…
Gotta feel bad for Fantastic Mr. Fox and Where the Wild Things Are, seeing as they were both inspired adaptations of very well-known and beloved works.
I’d love to know how District 9 was even eligible though, I thought the Scripter only nominated films that were based on books (and similar)?
District 9 was nominated for Adapted Screenplay from the Broadcast Critics and was also nominated for its screenplay at the Golden Globes.
So even if it doesn’t get in Best Picture, it has a great shot at getting nominated for at least one Oscar.
Umm.. The LA Times article says that T. Bone Burnett was one of the members of the selection committee. Wouldn’t that be considered one hell of a conflict of interest? Even if there’s no foul play involved, it certainly looks really bad.
I think The Last Station wont get nominated for best adapted screenplay. Apart the extremely poor performances in critic circles, the competition it’s superior.
Interesting.
That comment meant for aspect, that is.
I forgot to say also that Crazy Heart wont really get too far apart from thr Bridges nom.
Music wont be where they will pick up prizes and better movies are around.
I would replace that movie with Invictus in this list and there you have the Oscar nominees.
I think the District 9 nomination shows how weak the adapted screenplay field is this year. IMO its far less impressive than the originals line-up in ’09.
I guess they are saying because District 9 was adapted from a short film??
Has a musical adaptation ever made it? Or a theatrical adaptation for that matter?
According to a newly posted story at the Hollywood Reporter, the Scripters were expanded last year to allow screenplays based on comic books (Iron Man), and this year were expanded to allow screenplays based on other screenplays (which would explain District 9).
Based on other screenplays? Shittin’ me?
Notation added. Odd.
Yeah, these new Scripter rules do not jive well, but good for District 9. I’m excited to see what happens at DGA–methinks Blomkamp will shock the world.
Oh, and two things slightly off-topic:
1) On the Contenders page, you incorrectly credit Damien Paul as the screenwriter of Precious.
2) I know you’ve doubted the film’s chances, but you gotta consider Diane Kruger at least in the running for that fifth place nod for Best Supporting Actress after the SAG nod. She ain’t even listed in “The rest of the field.” Don’t be cruel, sir.
I second Adam Smith’s comment – I’ve been thinking that Clint’s lacklustre direction of Invictus will be too big to ignore by the DGA (despite his respect among the directors) and Blonkamp or Daniels might steal his thunder.
Damien Paul? That’s friggin weird. Had no idea. Apologies to Geoffrey Fletcher and I’ll amend.
Huh. “Damien Paul” is listed as an alternate name for Fletcher:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2819316/
Weird.
@Kris: I thought it might be something like that, but still odd.
Wooo, District gets in even where it’s not supposed to! It would be so awesome if the DGA acknowledged Blomkamp, not Eastwood or Daniels.
What a bizarre rule change for an award that, as I understood it, celebrated the source text as much as the nominee. Seems to kind of defeat the purpose, huh.
I can understand the inclusion of comic books since most comic book films have A LOT of source material to adapt from.
But from another screenplay, and not even a full-length screenplay? I mean, if you’ve seen Alive in Joburg there’s not a whole lot to it, it’s only a few minutes long and I can’t imagine there’s all that much in the script that were carried over to District 9, except for the basic idea.
Did “Alive in Joburg” even have a screenplay? I got the impression it was mainly improvised. For that matter, I thought “D9” was as well. I could be greatly mistaken.
@aspect ratio: I’m pretty sure that “Based on characters by” or “Based on a story by” counts as Adapted. So even if the only similarities are the Prawns (already a HUGE similarity) and Jo-burg (again, pretty major), that’s enough.
Since I’m feelin’ a little ballsy today, I’m gonna throw out my big No Guts No Glory prediction: District 9 will score in 4 major categories. Along with sneaking in an Art Direction nod (knocking out, from Kris’ current slate, either Public Enemies or A Serious Man) and knocking Nine out of the Editing ballot, District 9 will be nominated for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay (as expected), and Best Director. And who will a good chunk of people who ranked District 9 as their number 1 choice for Best Picture rank as their number 1 choice for Best Actor? Sharlto Copley. Or, should I say, future Oscar nominee Sharlto Copley. If Tommy Lee Jones could squeeze in a nod for a film no one saw, who’s to say the lead from a highly supported film couldn’t get in over Morgan Freeman or Jeremy Renner, who I believe are both vulnerable, compared to the other nominees? If there’s gonna be a major shock on nomination morning, it’ll either be Sharlto Copley knocking one of those gents out and taking his place, or Helen Mirren getting snubbed for Best Actress in favor of a young Miss Melanie Laurent.
Maybe I’m just trying to make the Academy seem cooler than they really are. Maybe I’m just crazy–crazy like a fox.
In a ten nominee year…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vmn9asN-8AE