SYRIANA suddenly deemed an "original" screenplay by the Academy
This story will break in the trades tomorrow, but here's the scoop.In a rather shocking turn of events, the screenplay for Stephen Gaghan's Syriana, a Golden Globe winner for Best Supporting Actor Monday night, was apparently classified by the Academy as an original screenplay in a meeting held in mid-December.
The Academy's decision, which is obviously a month old at this juncture, was not revealed in any way as awards season accelerated through the last 30 days. Gaghan himself was not even made privy to the classification until today. Meanwhile, his work as writer of the screenplay has seen recognition from the Writers Guild of America in the adapted category, and was also a nominee for the USC Scripter Award which recognizes the writers of heralded adaptations each year in addition to the source material that spawned them. Syriana was even a finalist for the Scripter win along with Capote, a competition that came down to the latter taking the award earlier this afternoon.
The Academy had no obligation to announce their decision, it turns out, one that is extremely rare if ever seen before in a film awards season - a screenplay being moved to the "original" category following the studio's initial submission of "adapted." The reverse, however, is not so out of the ordinary.
The original submission noted the script as being adapted from CIA insider Robert Baer's memoir See No Evil: The True Story of a Ground Soldier in the CIA's War on Terrorism.What could hinder the film's Oscar prospects is the possibility of this information not being recognized by the Academy voting body. The script was on the reminder list of originals, after all. But any mention the film receives in the adapted category from Academy members will not be considered. Even if every member of the 6,000 strong organization chalked it up for a citation in adapted, each vote would be tossed.
Typically, most Academy members turn in their votes within the first week of receiving ballots. And polling closes in a mere two days, so the situation is rather dire for Warner Bros. and the good folks at The Dart Group who have put together a fantastic campaign for the film. But news spreads fast on the net, so maybe the situation can be salvaged after all.
Tell a friend.
posted by Kris at 7:07 PM
10 Comments:
It's too bad, but the Academy is right, Syriana is an original work. Have you read See No Evil? I have. There's nothing in that book that tracks to the story of Syriana, it was at best inspired by that book.
Anyway, it's going to be a helluva Best Original Screenplay race with Syriana, Squid and the Whale, Crash, Match Point and Good Night, And Good Luck battling it out. Gaghan deserves another Oscar no matter where they nominate him.
8:17 PM
Kris,
Does Syriana even have a shot to get into original screenplay now that nobody even knew it was classified that way to begin with. At this point, I think I'm taking it out of my predix.
8:25 PM
Sadly, I think that is indeed the case. There are only two days left. I did an update after I posted the story and I've taken Syriana out completely.
8:34 PM
So that fifth slot in adapted goes to Munich? I'd venture a guess that with Munich fizzling, that slot will go to audience favorite Walk The Line, hot from its awesome showing at the Globes.
9:41 PM
What? This makes no sense. Who classified it as original and how did the voters not know? How was it not put there by other groups? I thought it just went wherever it got the most votes. And if not, then how can it be officially classified in one category without anyone knowing about it? That's ridiculous. Especially considering it would've clinched that last original spot that could now go any which way, and likely to a less desrving film.
9:44 PM
On the "Creative Screenwriting" Podcast, Gaghan himself acknowledges only using 1 paragraph of Baer's book. Otherwise, it's a fully original work, with 9 months of research. If you count the 12 months of subsequent writing and 12-18 months of production, Gaghan's work is worthy of recognition. It would truly be a shame if Gaghan gets snubbed because of this...it would add more fuel to Clooney's shot at winning for Supporting Actor. If Gaghan is miraculously nominated, don't be surprised if he wins...it would be a funny speech.
10:54 AM
Yes, well all of that wasn't news. The script was originally intended to campaign this way as being more inspired by the book than anything. Anyone who has read the book knows the liberties it took and how much the script was free-flowing.
But the Academy calling BS on the campaign's decision is bitter-sweet. Gaghan deserves recognition for his creation, but this could really hurt if members did not look carefully at those reminder lists.
11:10 AM
I notice that D. Poland thinks Syriana has a better chance of getting nommed as an original than as an adapted -- assuming people caught the switch before voting. Do you agree with Poland?
2:52 PM
Poland is a joker. He's currently picking Good Night, And Good Luck to get snubbed in both Best Picture and Best Director.
Munich is also his personal favorite, so he has Eric Bana -- who has received virtually no mention -- in Best Actor and MICHAEL LONSDALE in the supporting race.
I don't trust anyone's picks less.
2:59 PM
point taken, although he dropped Bana down to 7th today, and blamed Spielberg himself for some of the film's problems with audiences and critics.... but yes, I see where he has GNGL #6 for Pic and #7 for director (too bad Scorcese isn't in the running--that would be great news for Clooney!)
3:07 PM
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