Table of Contents 64q43
Cinema is an audiovisual medium, and apart from the great silent classics, I love films that know how to use sound as a narrative element. Whether it's using sound effects in a horror movie that will make you jump out of your chair, or using the soundtrack to create tension ("Shark” still stands as the best example), audio is a crucial aspect of any film. 294y22
Continuing our coverage of Oscar 2020, we grouped 4 sound categories here (and super important):
Sound Editing, sound mixing, Song e Soundtrack.
BEST SOUND EDITING 146r1e
The first of the sound categories that we are going to talk about is the “Sound Editing".
A category that has existed since 1963, it rewards the meticulous work of the sound editor, who will have to capture the sound, using the best tools available and also use his creativity to create sounds completely from scratch. Some famous sounds from movie history like the lightsaber, or the roar of a T-Rex, were created from scratch.
You have surely seen an operator tree – that microphone with a long boom – on some movie set. It is an exhausting job, as it requires good physical preparation depending on the production. For the production of the film “1917”, for example, a former gymnast was hired to accompany the long takes with the extras in the trenches.
This year's nominees are:
WHO DESERVES:
"1917"
War movies always have good chances, but the technical aspect of this movie is unbeatable.
WHO WILL WIN:
"1917"
The film won a major precursor award from the Motion Picture Sound Editors' union, so your chances are pretty good.
BEST SOUND MIXING 6ssn
Next to our list of sound categories: sound mixing!
Award that has existed since 1930, the work of the sound mixing professional is done in post production and combines the three main elements of audio: sound effects, dialogue e music. Mixing all these elements, synchronizing the dialogue channels and creating emotion through sound modulation, makes this category so fascinating.
Action movies, war movies and musicals are always much more likely to win. Of the last 5 winners, we have musical, action and 3 war movies: “Bohemian Rhapsody","Dunkirk","The arrival","Mad Max: Fury Road"and "American sniper"
This year's nominees are:
WHO DESERVES:
"1917"
For the intense post-production work of this film, especially with the long takes and the absurd amount of sound effects to be inserted in each scene.
WHO WILL WIN:
“1917” or “Ford v Ferrari”
“1917” was not nominated for a Cinema Audio Society (CAS) award, as it did not premiere in time to be considered for this syndicate. Who won the CAS was “Ford Vs Ferrari”, which is also an exquisite work.
BEST SONG 3x3b60
"Under the sea","My Heart Will Go On","Let it go” – can you tell which movies these songs are from? Well, if not, put it on Spotify and you'll be transported to "Little Mermaid”, “Titanic” and “Frozen: A Freezing Adventure”.
The sound categories would not be complete without the Best Song category, which has been awarded since 1934 and awards two parts of the music: the instrumental composition and the lyrics. The category recently awarded artists such as Lady Gaga (“A Star is Born”), Sam Smith (“007: Specter”) and Adele (“007: Operation Skyfall").
the smile of those who have
8 Oscars at home.
One of the big winners in this category is composer Alan Menken, who won 4 times (and made a “double” on all occasions, winning best soundtrack) taking home a total of 8 statuettes. He won in 1990 for “The Little Mermaid” (with the song “Under the Sea”), in 1992 for “Beauty and the Beast” (for the song “Beauty and the Beast"), in 1993 by "Aladdin” (for the song “A Whole New World”) and finally in 1996 for “Pocahontas” (and the song “Colors of the Wind”).
This year's nominees are:
"I'm standing with you"Of"Overcoming: The Miracle of Faith" 123839
Lyrics and music by Diane Warren, who here receives her 11th Oscar nomination.
The interpretation is by Chrissy Metz, who is one of the main characters of the series “This is Us”.
I confess I haven't watched this movie, as I've never been a fan of religious-themed movies. The music is good, but it doesn't stand a chance.
"Into the unkown"Of"Frozen 2". 4z4c3w
Lyrics and music by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez.
The Lopez couple have already won twice in the best song category, for “Let it Go” from the first “Frozen”, which was one of the most remarkable songs (and for some, the most irritating) to come out of theaters in recent years, and for “ Me” from another Disney animation “Coco”.
As "Frozen 2" didn't even get a nomination for "Best Animated Film" I think it's very unlikely that it will win.
The music is dramatic, and just like “Let it Go” features the wonderful vocals of Broadway star Idina Menzel.
"Stand Up"Of"Harriet" 1i1b21
Lyrics and music by Cynthia Erivo and Joshuah Brian Campbell.
“Harriet” went unnoticed by many, but it is the extraordinary story of Harriet Tubman, who escaped slavery and granted freedom to hundreds of other slaves.
Cynthia Erivo is not only nominated for best song, but also best actress. She is already a renowned Broadway actress, winning Tony Award for her role as Celie in the musical “The Color Purple”.
The song is beautiful and has a powerful message and an equally powerful interpretation by Cynthia Erivo.
"(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" of the movie "Rocketman" 5572f
Lyrics by Bernie Taupin and music by Elton John.
Elton John receives his 4th Oscar nomination here. At the 1995 Oscars, he received 3 nominations for the songs from the film “The Lion King”, and emerged victorious with “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”. Here, Elton John shares the nomination with his collaborator and lyricist, with whom he has worked since 1967, Bernie Taupin.
The song is fun and has a positive message, but honestly it's not a big deal.
“I Can't Let You Throw Yourself Away” of the movie "Toy Story 4" 1y433d
Words and music by Randy Newman.
Randy Newman is a frequent contributor to Disney and this partnership has already earned him two statuettes: in 2010 for the song “We Belong Together” from “Toy Story 3” and in 2002 by “If I Didn't Have You” from “Monsters Inc”.
Newman has received 22 Academy Award nominations, both for Best Song and Best Score. This year he is also nominated for the soundtrack of the movie “Marriage Story”.
The music is good, but it feels like a reheated version of every other Toy Story song.
WHO DESERVES:
"Stand Up– Harriet
The message of the song is unbeatable.
WHO WILL WIN:
“(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again” – Rocketman
Elton John is doing an excellent job of lobbying, along with the actor who plays him in the film, Taron Egerton.
BEST SOUNDTRACK 3j301q
And finally, let's talk about one of the aspects that I'm particularly addicted to, which is the soundtrack.
An important information: in this category, which has existed since 1935, awards are given to instrumental composition. In English, the category is called “Best Original Score”, which in free translation would be “original score”. That's why there are no awards here for tracks that are considered “collections”.
Often a soundtrack transforms a movie, and some of the main themes of some movies have become classics. “Psycho”, “Star Wars”, “Indiana Jones”, “Titanic”, “Harry Potter”, all are films that contain music that every moviegoer can identify.
Composers like John Williams and Hans Zimmer, for example, fill theaters and arenas with shows of their best compositions.
This year's nominees are:
“1917” by Thomas Newman. 43513q
Thomas Newman receives his 14th Oscar nomination here. He s songwriter Alex North for the most nominations without any wins. His score helps build tension throughout the film.
For me his tracks are excellent, but unfortunately he always ends up losing to someone a little more deserving. And I believe this scenario will be repeated this year.
“Joker” by Hildur Gudnadóttir 71k4h
Hildur Gudnadóttir is an Icelandic cellist, who participated as a soloist in several films such as “Sicario” and “O Regresso”.
Her work as a songwriter has been widely recognized: she became the first songwriter in history to win the Golden Globe Award for Best Score for her work on “Joker“, and won an Emmy and a Grammy for the soundtrack to the TV series “Chernobyl".
Your path to "Joker” is dark and in many moments reflects the character brilliantly constructed by Joaquin Phoenix. Your chances of winning are very high.
“Little Women” by Alexandre Desplat. 681l3x
French composer Alexandre Desplat has been at the top of my Spotify list for the last 5 years. I use its wonderful tracks to focus on work, or to leave it playing on a day of reading.
Some of his scores are “The Imitation Game”, “The Queen” and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” and he has become one of the most sought after songwriters of the moment, and has established a solid partnership with director Wes Anderson.
Desplat is no stranger to Oscars, having won two Oscars: in 2015 for his brilliant score for “The Grand Budapest Hotel” and 2018 for “The Shape of Water”.
The score for “Little Women” is beautiful, but he won very recently, and there are other more deserving composers this time.
Fun fact: he competes against Thomas Newman, who was the composer of the 1993 version of “Little Women” and who was also nominated for an Oscar.
“Marriage Story” by Randy Newman 2q2z18
As I mentioned above, Randy Neman is a veteran of the nominations, receiving his 1st nomination as a songwriter in 1982 for “Ragtime".
The beautiful score for “Marriage Story” marks his 9th nomination in the Best Soundtrack category (out of 22 total nominations), and he is up against his own cousin, Thomas Newman.
Unfortunately, none of the cousins are expected to walk away with the figurine.
“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” by John Williams 2e82q
If I called Randy Newman a veteran, John Williams is the true MASTER.
Master Williams has received no less than 52 nominations over the course of 5 decades. His first nomination was in 1968 and his nominations earned him 5 statuettes: “A Fiddler on the Roof"(1971),"Shark"(1975),"Star Wars: A New Hope"(1977),"ET – The Extraterrestrial"(1982) and"Schindler's List"(1993).
His work on the Star Wars franchise is one of the most remarkable tracks in the history of cinema and this nomination is a beautiful tribute, but I don't know if they will award him for it.
WHO DESERVES:
"1917"
Thomas Newman created a tense score that complements the film perfectly.
WHO WILL WIN:
"Joker"
The Finnish Composer Hildur Gudnadottir seems to have the odds in his favor and is by no means a wrong choice.
To read part 1 of our coverage of the Oscars, click here.
