Recently in AWARDS Category
Wow.
The British Columbia Film Awards finished up this weekend. Also known as the LEO AWARDS, it was a red carpet event complete with champagne, beautiful women and all things glamorous. The little film that could, CENTIGRADE, was up for a total of 7 awards in the Short Drama category. And I’m so very proud to announce, we took home 5.
BEST SHORT DRAMA - Madison Graie, Derrick Garland
BEST ACTOR - Colin Cunningham
BEST DIRECTOR - Colin Cunningham
BEST MAKE UP - Jayne Dancose
BEST OVERALL SOUND - Réal Gauvreau
And it was incredible. Gary Jones, the ceremonies host, was fantastic. Gary is not only known for his work on SG-1 and other numerous television and film projects, but he’s also one of the funniest people I know. And so, on top of all the pomp and circumstance, there was a lot of silicone and sequins bouncing to Jonesy’s punch-lines.
In addition to being nominated, I was also honored to have been asked to ‘present’ in a few categories, and so was able to enjoy the best of both worlds. Back stage was a riot. Cathryn Barr from the Metro Newspaper was back there taking photographs and being her wonderful crazy self. The beautiful trophy models were making sure their nipples were properly duct taped to their dresses and everyone did their best not to face-plant themselves upon taking that final (and very dark) step onto the stage.
But it was all very much a friendly, warm and wonderful affair. This was the tenth anniversary of the LEO AWARDS and everyone was quite proud of both Sonny Wong and Walter Daroshin (producers) for having the courage and dedication to make and keep it all happening. This town owes those two gentlemen a lot.
My girlfriend Brianne looked radiant. My best friends (and fellow nominee) Madison Graie and her husband James Fantin looked like prince and princess. Jonathan Tyrrell was there with his main squeeze Elisa. John Penhall, our illustrious AD. Derrick Garland and his gal Kathy. Muse and Mentor, Ron Sauvé and his wife Beverly. Mike Rudd flew up from LA. And then of course there was my incredible agent Dylan Collingwood, beautiful casting director Melissa Perry and the lovely and talented, Sonja Bennet. All, some of the best people on the face of the earth.
5 out of 7. Wow.
That’s quite the number. Stack those puppies one on top of the other and I’d say you’d be standing pretty tall. Come to think of it, that’s how we felt walking out of there.
Tall indeed.
Not bad. Not bad at all.
In addition to having qualified for an Academy Award, the LEO AWARD NOMINATIONS have just come in!! (British Columbia Film Awards.) And I would once again extend my thanks and congratulations to those listed below, and to all the cast, crew and friends that have worked so very hard to create and support this project.
Here they are;
7 LEO AWARD NOMINATIONS! -
BEST SHORT DRAMA - Madison Graie, Derrick Garland - Producers
BEST DIRECTION - Colin Cunningham
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY - Kevin Hall
BEST PICTURE EDITING - Jonathan Eric Tyrrell
BEST OVER ALL SOUND - Real Gauvreau
BEST MAKE UP - Jayne Dancose
BEST PERFORMANCE by a Male - Colin Cunningham
And let’s not forget;
BEST SHORT AWARD - Cinequest/ACADEMY QUALIFIER!!
BEST ACTOR - Method Fest
BEST SHORT Nomination - Method Fest
BEST EMERGING DIRECTOR Nomination - Vancouver Intl.
‘IN COMPETITION’ - Montreal
Great news! Thanks again everyone!
C.
Well, it’s been quite the week down here in the good ol’ US of A.
Obamas ‘change’ is starting to look like his Pastor’s diaper. Hillary’s ‘sniper tested’ bullet proof vest turned out to be filled with 109 million dollars. Jimmy Carter is getting even closer to his 72 virgins and in a medium as mindnumbingly uncensored as the internet (where you can readily find footage of people being murdered and raped) a little short film called ‘FITNA’ cannot seem to be found anywhere.
(http://www.themoviefitna.com./)
Hmmm.
What shall we talk about?
How about the fact that CENTIGRADE has just qualified for an Academy Award!!!!
You heard me baby! And I’m sitting here laughing my ass off. Let me say that again. CENTIGRADE has just qualified for an Academy Award.
I’m not kidding. We were just informed that we won BEST SHORT at the Cinequest Film Festival in San Jose, California!!
What does that mean? Well, Cinequest is an Academy Award qualifier. Which means if you take a ‘Best Film’ award at an Academy santioned film festival, then you qualify to submit for a f*cking Oscar!!!!
Unreal. This ‘is’ a first. Never in my life have I ever been able to say that I have an Academy Award qualifying film. And I can’t stop laughing.
I just recently went back to look at the first entry ever published on this blog. A future totally unknown (as it should be). A road just beginning. This project had little more than faith and a few good friends pushing for it. And now this.
Holy shit. Don’t really know what to say.
Think I’ll just keep on laughing.
C.
