VOICEBOX with David Coury

Oscar Speeches Are Looking Up

March 9th, 2010

Oscar speeches are looking up. This year, many were heartfelt and to the point but there was one that had and will continue to have an impact beyond the moment itself. Michael Giacchino, winner of best original score for “Up,” delivered the best Oscar acceptance speech Sunday night:

Thank you, guys. When I was… I was nine and I asked my dad, “Can I have your movie camera? That old, wind-up 8 millimeter camera that was in your drawer?” And he goes, “Sure, take it.” And I took it and I started making movies with it and I started being as creative as I could, and never once in my life did my parents ever say, “What you’re doing is a waste of time.” Never. And I grew up, I had teachers, I had colleagues, I had people that I worked with all through my life who always told me what you’re doing is not a waste of time. So that was normal to me that it was OK to do that. I know there are kids out there that don’t have that support system so if you’re out there and you’re listening, listen to me: If you want to be creative, get out there and do it. It’s not a waste of time. Do it. OK? Thank you. Thank you.

I posted this in January/2010:

Why do so many performers fail to embrace and prepare an “acceptance speech” both in text and delivery? In public and behind closed doors, nominees say they don’t want to jinx themselves…please. If they had employed that lack of preparedness in their work, they wouldn’t have gotten nominated to begin with, so we do know they’ll throw down when it counts. Why don’t performers see their acceptance speech as a moment that counts? I propose one has to be more than just OK with receiving adulation. And the key distinction here is being OK with receiving the honor in public. In private, all feel and admit to feeling they deserve it, want it and hope for it. Yet, as that dream moment approaches, they un-create that very possibility. Very few can wing it and seize the moment of a win but those that can and do — with elegance and humor — do so because they are more than OK with “acceptance.” The road to finding one’s way with this acceptance is paved with preparedness. Like with anything, practicing out loud makes all the difference. And not just in private. You master acceptance with the practice of sharing your prepared and re-worked point of view with others. Then and only then can you stand for yourself, inspire millions and bask in the glow of a win.

Well done Mr. Giacchino.

Entry Filed under: SOUND ADVICE, The Hill