Oscar hangover

So stupidity reigned and I did stay up to watch the Oscar's, and actually it was refreshing viewing. For once it wasn't a pat on the back for the white film makers, but a truely honest reflection of winners from all demographics. But boy when they cock it up they really do make an art of it. But that's not my post, it's more about the opulance wasted on one night.

I don't begrudge the awards, and the glamour and glitz as it brings so much to so many. What gets me is the run up, and after events. Even the goodie bags seem to be a way to demos rate excess for what? Sure if you want to give a thank you gift one necklace or cuff links etc would be sufficient but bags in the region of the value of $16000 is just offensive. Before you say anything I think the same of the BAFTA'S and any other awards ceremony. Surely the nomination and possible win are reward enough. It's not just the value it's the gifts themselves, holidays, personal trainers vouchers, plastic surgery vouchers are all the norm. Now let's get some things clear, most actors or any person in the industry works on the bread line, living job to job and taking on other jobs to pay the rent. It's only 5% max who make the glossy heights of these awards. So basically the already highly paid are having money thrown at them. Occasionally you get a few underdogs win, but it rare, and a win alone can increase your financial worth, as you are seen as a good bet for film returns. So why are we giving these people even more?

I have to be honest, if I was in their position I would be embarrassed to accept these items, and apart from maybe a trinket to remind me of the event most of it would be given to charity or something, bar certain things like plastic surgery vouchers. These I have a real, issue with, they shouldn't be handed out like bottles of fragrance, but something a person carefully thinks about, after all it is surgery. It's not a case of taking your body for a service like you would a car and having it resprayed and reshaped. That is just crazy.

Then we get to the pre show parties and then the after show parties. These are just over the top. A few and I mean few are used for charity fundraisers, fair enough, but the rest are just ways of promotion in wealth in the most grotesque fashion with food and drink. In current light it is the wrong way to unite the people. One agency did kick the fashion this year and organised a rally of unity, for public and media alike, rather than hold their annual gala. Good for them, they got their hands dirty and jeans on rather than waste days sourcing the perfect dress to wear whilst holding a glass of champagne worth more than some people's hourly rate.

I have been to so many galas and ball over the years and to be honest I don't why they even bother with food. It often comes out looking more like a piece of art rather than a meal. Often it's cold and rarely lives up to its expectation. Nine times out of ten I end up at a burger joint afterwards. Hence when Ellen ordered pizza in at the Oscars a few years back I really laughed. Especially considering most of the artists have been on such stupid diets since Christmas to prepare to wear gowns probably a size smaller than they usually wear.

The whole concept is so fake and detracts from the real event, awarding people who have excelled in their craft. Sure put a fancy dress on and have a good night, but don't create barriers of wealth, especially in current times, when it is these same people speaking out against prejudice. It doesn't work and in one week can destroy a years worth of rallying.

Give your audience a Cinderella of an event to watch, by all means, but let's not become drowned into a event that makes the french court of Louis the XIV look tame.  So whilst they are nursing champagne hangovers, maybe it's time to think, this is the time to change the habits of greed and take it down to a more realistic level minus the material gain.