There's a lot to be said about movies since Mud.
Bling Ring, Behind the Candelabra, The Heat -- and how Sandy Bullock will never stop being a success. Much to say... but lest we not forget -- I remind me from time to time, too -- that this is an awards driven blog.
We're on the brink of hearing the Emmy nominations. There is an amazing phenomenon that was truly kicked off this year by Netflix's "House of Cards." We all know that by now, this is not news. However, what's interesting when it comes to the world of the Emmys is that Netflix is not a television channel -- it is an entertainment delivery system. So how this sucker is going to play into this year's awards ought to be quite fascinating.
The excellent thing to point out -- right off the bat -- is that the only reason there's an issue that will drastically change the landscape of television should "House of Cards" be nominated for best series and should Spacey, Wright, Mara, and Corey Stoll lock up acting noms (if not more folk than that) -- the only reason it's going to be able to pull this off is because it's a piece of high quality. Ignoring it would make Emmy look stupid.
This is not -- I repeat, this is not the first original web series that could have been all over your Emmy ballot. "Lilyhammer," anyone? But this massive piece of Fincher level quality that the world devoured the second it was released was an entirely different story. "House of Cards" is a force to be reckoned with.
So what does this mean? Does this mean that if something is produced by Netflix that it is a "television movie?" What if it's simul-released in theaters? And here's the biggest stretcheroo of them all -- but a legitimate question nevertheless -- what if I can watch a series on Netflix that isn't yet available in the United States via network television -- why isn't it eligible for awards now?
Used to be you needed American television distribution during the award calendar window and that you hadn't previously been exhibited in the United States via another means -- etc. etc. etc. What does the very existence of a Netflix do to all that?
I frankly find it exciting and hope that Emmy isn't silly enough to simply bestow honorary awards on "House of Cards" and then give its own category -- like Oscar and Tony have done before. This is the new "cable." Full acceptance, Emmy. And voters need to vote on quality, not on whether their jobs will be threatened.
There was a year I like to call 1991... when Beauty and the Beast became the first (and -- in my opinion - LAST) animated film nominated for best picture. It lost. Digital was invented. Lasseter was given an honorary Oscar for Toy Story and a separate category for animated film was created. If you think that wasn't because actors were terrified that they would be replaced with cartoons -- you're insane. That was the lion share of this cocktail. Take a look around at how much is animated now. Look how many voice actors it employs. Take a look at the length of the credits. You think people lost work?
In one year the phrase "web-series" went from being the equivalent of "I could always make earrings in the garage to make ends meet" to being synonymous with "depending on the company, it's better than network." I say embrace it and let the future roll in.
We'll know soon enough.
No comments:
Post a Comment