I watched Lily Gladstone’s face when she did NOT take home the first Oscar for a Native American Best Actress. Her smile felt warm and genuine. She oozes depth of feeling. I sensed her appreciation for the larger picture, the privilege of being honored there. Still, she’s an actress. Emotion is her art.
Did the ancestor cry? To celebrate her great achievements, beyond the Zero sum game.
Amy, great piece, very thought-provoking. When big money is in the game, the game is always fixed. So there is no real interest in artistry in and for itself. We see this all the time in the writing world where the odds of breaking through into the elite ranks are dead set against the little guy. Lots of food for thought. SW
I think most of the Hollywood crowd understands (or should) how lucky they are to have made it in the industry, since it's very competitive. That alone compensates somewhat for losing an award. And even then, like pro athletes, they can say to themselves "Wait 'til next year".
But, yes, awards of this nature are given based on too many other factors besides merit. And alas, merit is debatable.
I thought about that as I wrote this--the 'every student is a gold-star student' problem. In Hollywood, money is one way to track who's most successful (who has won), with or without a statue. As for the rest of the world? I haven't solved that yet. Gimme a minute.
I watched Lily Gladstone’s face when she did NOT take home the first Oscar for a Native American Best Actress. Her smile felt warm and genuine. She oozes depth of feeling. I sensed her appreciation for the larger picture, the privilege of being honored there. Still, she’s an actress. Emotion is her art.
Did the ancestor cry? To celebrate her great achievements, beyond the Zero sum game.
Yes, let's think of ways to move beyond the "zero-sum game," as you say.
Well said Amy. I tell writers to never pay contest fees. Or pay anywhere to submit, for that matter. That's not how it works. They pay you.
Amy, great piece, very thought-provoking. When big money is in the game, the game is always fixed. So there is no real interest in artistry in and for itself. We see this all the time in the writing world where the odds of breaking through into the elite ranks are dead set against the little guy. Lots of food for thought. SW
"Perhaps all I’m saying is, I wish we lived in a world where artists were all treated as winners simply because they’re artists."
Yes!
Certainly. Public humiliation hurts worse than any other kind.
I think most of the Hollywood crowd understands (or should) how lucky they are to have made it in the industry, since it's very competitive. That alone compensates somewhat for losing an award. And even then, like pro athletes, they can say to themselves "Wait 'til next year".
But, yes, awards of this nature are given based on too many other factors besides merit. And alas, merit is debatable.
Fair point--that they feel lucky even when they lose...but I bet it still hurts, given how public these losses are!
I like that everyone can be a winner, in principle - but how is that different from awarding every contestant a Participation Medal?
I thought about that as I wrote this--the 'every student is a gold-star student' problem. In Hollywood, money is one way to track who's most successful (who has won), with or without a statue. As for the rest of the world? I haven't solved that yet. Gimme a minute.