This weekend Ann and I began our Academy Awards party planning in earnest. We not only got to see a movie this weekend (we saw Avatar in 3D), but we really dove into the planning for the party. Each year we go through this process and it really doesn't change all that much from year to year. For all the questions and comments that we get each year, we thought that we would use this blog to give a glimpse into "the method."
First, we discuss what type of party we want to have. Every year we have the dialogue about how we'd love to keep it more intimate and familial and really have time to share with all of our guests and enjoy the show. Each year, however, we also realize that we really want to share the big night with as many friends and family as possible, so it ends up being a big affair. I always ask if this is the year that we'll go "black tie" and every year the answer is "not this year." Please don't take this to mean that we don't want some of you at the party. Not at all. In fact, we want YOU at the party and we want to spend more time with YOU at the party. It's all those OTHER people that we think about nixing from the list. Please, really, the more the merrier.
Next, we work on deciding how we want the food to work out. Are we planning a meal? Do we want to serve an entree? Or are we really working for more of an appetizer party? We've done it both ways. Back in 2000, when Gladiator took home the prize, things were more organized around appetizers. In later years, such as 2004, we added an entree (Mystic Ribeyes anyone?). Once we decide if we'll be serving a main dish, then we work around it to determine the sides or appetizers. Also, more recently we've taken to finding one or two "star" dishes that the food around which the party is centered. Last year's wedding cake for "Rachel Getting Married" is an example.
So, we know the size of the party, whether it will be a meal or just snacking, and we know a few "star" dishes. Then we really dig into the planning for the party. We do this in two directions:
A. Begin with the Nominees (or possible nominees) - This often leads us to silly names that may never get used. Also, due to the consistently great work of several filmmakers and actors, we get to re-use them (Clint Eastwraps or Morgan Fritos, for example).
B. Begin with the food - We pick recipes or dishes we want to serve and work to find a theme or a name associated with a nominee that we think will work.
This is easily the most fun part of the planning process for me. I really enjoy coming up with silly names and crafting things that we know our guests will enjoy. I also love watching Ann's brain work as she is really something as a hostess and chef. I don't understand how she comes up with some of the ideas, but I'm so happy that she does.
Once the food is locked we can begin the gritty details of the party. This has gotten considerably easier over the years. For several years, we strong-armed my brother-in-law, James, into crafting world-class invitations and ballots for us. One year he made a full DVD of all the trailers for each nominated film and made an accompanying booklet. It was sick. Since we all had children, however, we've worked to streamline some of these processes. We've used evite for the invitations and last year my father helped us build a website to serve as not only a ballot, but a scorecard as well. These will be used again this year. So that really leaves us with the guest list. It's always fun to think through who will join us for the party this year and to review the "watch list." The watch list is for those who have been invited to the party but have declined more than one year. If you choose to decline the party AND if you decline to participate in the ballot for more than one year, you're on the watch list. Two years and you're off the list. I know, it's tough, but this is just the way the world works. Do your best to stay off the watch list.
Anyway, we started all of this over the weekend. We've got some great ideas for potential foods and recipes and Ann has already been thinking about themes and decorating. With the 10 Best Picture nominees this year and the co-hosts of Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin, we're already really excited for the party.
This was "the method" and it's served us pretty well for more than a decade. We'll update this a few times over the next few weeks as we get things prepared for the party and I'll certainly update the Fantasy Film Studio League as nominations and awards continue to roll in. Keep checking back for updates and for insight into the big night. Until then, go see a movie!!!!
Cheers,
Danny.
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