An Adapted Screenplay is based on previously produced or published material such as novels, nonfiction books, stories, graphic novels, comics, plays, films, TV series, radio broadcasts, songs, poems, other similar materials, sequels, prequels, or remakes; or based on unpublished material not written for the screen such as journals, galley proofs, short stories, or other similar materials.
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Eligibility and Voting:
A Reminder List of all pictures eligible in each category shall be sent with nominations ballots to all members of the Writers Branch, who shall vote in the order of their preference for not more than five productions in each category.
The Writers Branch Executive Committee will act under the presumption that in cases of conflicting or ambiguous evidence in the chain of title, the screenplay is an adaptation.
If a screenplay uses significant elements from previously published material – even if updated or in the public domain – it will be presumed to be an adaptation.
The five productions receiving the highest number of votes shall become the nominations for final voting for the Writing awards.
Final voting for the Writing awards shall be restricted to active and life Academy members.
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Nominations:
The Descendants – Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash from The Descendants (novel) by Kaui Hart Hemmings
- 3rd Adapted Screenplay nomination for Alexander Payne, 6th nomination overall. Won previously for writing Sideways and nominated for writing Election.
- 1st nomination for Nat and Jim.
- Won 6 out of 20 other major award nominations.
Alexander Payne does really great work… although I think Sideways was a stronger movie in general, this is a good piece of writing and has a shot.
Hugo – John Logan from The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
- 3rd nomination for John. He was previously nominated for The Aviator and Gladiator, both of which were competing in the Original Screenplay category. In addition, he also wrote Rango.
- Nominated for 6 other major awards, however, he has yet to win any.
I love John’s work. He also wrote one of my all-time favorite television movies RKO 281. However, I don’t think this is his year. He’s been left off most of the critic awards lists, which is never a good sign… however he is nominated for the Writers Guild Award, which IS a good sign.
The Ides of March – George Clooney, Grant Heslov and Beau Willimon from Farragut North by Beau Willimon
- 2nd Writing nomination for George and Grant. They were nominated together in 2006 for writing the Original Screenplay Good Night, and Good Luck.
- Won 1 of 4 other major award nominations.
Unfortunately, this movie just didn’t do anything for me. I think the story is was too bleak for my taste… or perhaps, it simply justified all of my personal opinions about the political ‘game’… which made the film even bleaker. Anyway, it wasn’t bad… but it wasn’t fantastic either. I love George… but I don’t think it’s his year.
Moneyball – Screenplay by Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin; Story by Stan Chervin from Moneyball by Michael Lewis
- 4th nomination for Steven, who won in 1994 for Schindler’s List. He has also been nominated for Awakenings and the original screenplay Gangs of New York.
- 2nd nomination for Aaron, who won last year for The Social Network.
- Won 8 of 17 other award nominations.
If there ever was a dream team for writing, this would be it. Separately Steven and Aaron are phenomenal. Together… magical. They are my favorite for the win mainly because what they accomplished is so huge on an intellectual level. They took a book about statistics and turned it into a compelling screenplay… and most importantly, they stayed true to the true story. That is talent… that is artistry… that is Oscar.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy – Bridget O'Connor and Peter Straughan from Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carré
- 1st nomination for both. Peter is also the writer The Debt and The Men Who Stare at Goats.
- Won 3 of 6 other major award nominations, including the British Academy Award.
The fact that this film won the BAFTA doesn’t really factor in… it is a VERY British Film, and it was the only British Film nominated… so it wasn’t much of a surprise. That said, the screenplay was very complicated and nuanced. Well done.
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Snubs:
I’m only going to throw out one name this time: The Help by writer/director Tate Taylor, who is primarily an actor. The screenplay was beautifully written and the film masterfully directed. With three nominations for actresses from The Help it is hard to believe Tate’s hand in the process isn’t being recognized at all.
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Oscar Trends:
I’m going to keep this one easy and not dive in too deep with the Golden Globes and BAFTA awards. I’m going to put all of my stock into the Writers Guild Awards.
Why? Well, in the last 20 years, the winner of the Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Screenplay has also won the Oscar 14 out of 20 times. That’s a solid gamble.
And if you take stock in the guild, the field has already been narrowed, because only three of the five Oscars nominated screenplays are also recognized by the Writers Guild: Moneyball, Hugo, and The Descendants.
Although, the Guild will not be announcing their winner until tomorrow night, I’m going to go ahead and make some predictions…
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Prediction:
- Winner: Moneyball – Screenplay by Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin; Story by Stan Chervin from Moneyball by Michael Lewis
- Runner-Up: The Descendants – Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash from The Descendants (novel) by Kaui Hart Hemmings
- Wild Card: Hugo – John Logan from The Invention of Hugo Cabret byBrian Selznick
- Unlikely: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy – Bridget O'Connor and Peter Straughan from Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carré
- No Chance in Hell: The Ides of March – George Clooney, Grant Heslov and Beau Willimon from Farragut North by Beau Willimon
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