| BAFTA 2001: The View From the Cheap Seats | |
by former BAFTA nominee, Tim Clague BAFTA's decision to move the annual film awards to a pre-Oscar slot seems to have paid off. This year no less than 15 Hollywood A-list stars descended on Leicester Square in 'England's famous London' (to quote emcee Stephen Fry). So Chritina Ricci, Michelle Yeoh and Annette Benning squashed and quaffed alongside Robert De Niro, Russell Crowe and Tom Hanks. Robert Altman, Albert Finney and Maggie Smith added some class to the affair, while Kate Hudson, Elton John and Joaquin Phoenix exploited every moment to grin at the cameras. As for the awards themselves, the Academy seemed to have made a good balance between positioning itself as a valiant Oscar soothsayer, with Gladiator, Crouching Tiger and Almost Famous scoring awards aplenty; and recognising British talent, with Jamie Bell beating Hanks, Crowe, Geoffrey Rush and Michael Douglas to the Best Actor spot. Myself and my colleague and filmmaking companion, Mr Singh, went to this year's BAFTA award ceremony. Glamour, as they say, is only skin deep and it is surprising how layering a red carpet across Leicester Square's pavements can transform the area completely. Same old area, same old cinema, same old crowds but this time everyone looking at us. Just enough of a look at us for it to register that we were no one of any importance. Mr Singh though had formulated a plan to get us on the television. We were to wait for someone famous to arrive and then walk in behind them in a casual and care free manner. This plan was instantly foiled as the downright un-english efficiency of the night struck home. We were shepherded quickly through all the prime waiting and loitering areas and into our seats while still being forced to show our tickets five times. A key reason for attending such functions is the free goodies. One item I felt that was lacking in our case was an oxygen mask. I was quite out of breath by the time I had climbed up to the upper, upper, circle, or the stratosphere as I think I heard the ushers refer to it as. This did provide a useful piece of research however as I have always been fascinated by lighting rigs. This was all forgotten as the night wore on however. The freebies that were provided certainly compensated. The cup holders in multiplex cinemas shall seem forever naked now that I have seen how a bottle of champagne nestles so neatly into one. It was now that my master plan started to manifest itself. My friend Mr Singh does not drink due to his religion. What a pity. I had to do the decent thing and down his bubbly in addition to my own so as not to cause him any embarrassment. The awards progressed well under the masterful MC abilities of Mr Fry. A certain Mr Roger Moore seemed to be the only person that didn't know quite know what was going on - then again I wasn't entirely convinced he was supposed to be on stage at all. The audience had been warned not to leave their seats until the advertisement breaks. The clamour that erupted as soon as we were 'clear' (note TV technical term) saw half the auditorium left empty. I only went once as I feared multiple trips down to the toilets and back to the seats may bring on the bends or at least make my ears pop. At the end of the show we joined in on the now traditional mad run for the buses which were to transport all 1800 people to the Grosvenor House Hotel for the meal and the party. This queue for the bus was much the same as any other but with the added benefit of girls offering you expensive choccies while you waited. A monologue from Mr Fry was played in the bus to much hilarity. To find that you are seated at table 143 is never going to be a good sign. To then find that once more this means that you are in an upper circle just begins to make one suspect that there may still be some difference in the status between myself and some of the other guests that were present, say Mr T. Hanks. While it could be seen that we weren't allowed to be on the main floor with the celebs I would rather see it as we were looking down on them. Perhaps even reminiscent of the Best Film winner, Gladiator. Table number 143 was a happy crowd however. A big thanks must go out to the seating organisers. Placing me with three people called Steve certainly helped in the dreaded task of remembering names. Despite constant calls over the tannoy for people to be seated myself and Mr Singh recognised this as our only chance to mingle and so we descended into the lower arena. Of course I wanted to congratulate Stephen Daldry and Jon Finn who had won Best British Film for "Billy Elliot" as they also made my short film "Eight" a couple of years ago. I could only find Mr Finn however and he was in good cheer as could be expected. Mr Singh in the mean time had met Michelle Yeoh (Crouching Tiger) and brushed past Mr. Sir E. John. We also saw Messrs. H. and R.E. Grant, Mr R. Altman, Mrs. A. Bening and Miss T. Newton. The food and wine were very good, as could be expected, and so we took our second goody bag, stole our Erin Brockovich table mats, and headed for the party. By now celebs were getting pretty thin on the ground with only the hardcore R. Winstone (both Robert and Dr Ray) still in the running as was the ever dependable miss C. Ricci. An elaborate method of serving small cakes and chocolates which involved girls wearing very large spiral head dresses caught my attention for sometime and both the girls and the chocolates needed a closer inspection. Winners in full: Best Film:
Alexander
Korda Award for outstanding British Film of the Year:
David
Lean Award for Best Achievement in Direction:
Orange
audience award:
Best Screenplay
(Original):
Best Screenplay
(Adapted):
Best Performance
by an Actress in a Leading Role:
Best Performance
by an Actor in a Leading Role:
Best Performance
by an Actress in a Supporting Role:
Best Performance
by an Actor in a Supporting Role:
Best Film
Not in the English Language:
Anthony
Asquith Award for Achievement in Film Music:
Academy
fellowship:
Michael
Balcon Award for outstanding British contribution of cinema:
Carl Foreman
award for Most Promising Newcomer to British Film:
Best Cinematography:
Best Production
Design:
Best Costume
Design:
Best Editing:
Best Sound:
Best Achievement
in Special Visual Effects:
Best Make-Up/Hair:
Best Short
Film:
Tim
Clague
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