The Envelope - LA Times - James Bates: Behind the Screens

To review...

Sun, 12 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Final thoughts and parting shots on the awards season that was.

This is the last of these columns for this year's season of endless kudos.

But I'd really like to thank...

Thu, 23 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800

How to translate the double-talk that is an Oscar acceptance speech.

We're all used to the Oscar night acceptance speeches: 45 seconds of blather thanking everyone in sight before the orchestra kicks in telling the winner to get off stage.

Oscar Economics 101

Sun, 12 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Lions Gate opens the books on 'Crash's' academy campaign.

Thanks to Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. and federal laws requiring companies to disclose meaningful developments to investors, we can all get a "Crash" course in Oscar economics.

Thrill of a lifetime?

Sun, 5 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Career achievement awards are all the rage — especially at the Grammys.

For all its reputation for unpredictability, this much is true about the entertainment business: By the time you turn 50, you will have a minimum of one lifetime achievement award.

Talk isn't cheap

Mon, 23 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Want to thank your agent? Your studio? Spielberg? Please make your check payable to the academy

The bad news for the Oscars coming off last Monday's Golden Globes is that efforts to cure Hollywood's deadly 310 Syndrome have utterly failed.

Bear skinned

Mon, 16 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800

'Grizzly Man' is the best documentary of the year. So why can't it compete for an Oscar?

Call it the OPEC of Oscars.

Picks that click

Mon, 2 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Carey-d away. The host with the most. ... The only award predictions you really need this season.

It's a new year and the beginning of awards season, which means it's time for pretentious, self-important predictions about the events of the next few months.

Consider this

Mon, 12 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800

It may be time for an intervention on Hollywood s For Your Consideration addiction.

By James Bates, Times Staff Writer

Stars aligned

Mon, 5 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Even bickering actors put aside their differences for the SAG Awards. Why is that?

There are two miracles involving the annual awards given out by the Screen Actors Guild.

Just say no, no, no...

Mon, 28 Nov 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Oscar voters don't live in a vacuum, but the academy sure seems to wish they did.

In high school campaigns for class president, there are only a few dos and don'ts to worry about.