Andrea Riseborough, star of To Leslie went counter to prevailing methods to secure an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. Unlike all the others who have been marketing / campaigning for months, Andrea and her PR folks waited until voting had begun. By securing numerous celebrity endorsements, and getting many of many of them to hold viewing parties for her film, Riseborough rose to the top in just two weeks.
Among the famous proponents of Riseborough were Kate Winslet, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jane Fonda, Greg Kinnear, and Laura Dern. Stars like Jennifer Aniston, Charlize Theron, Sarah Paulson and Edward Norton have all hosted screenings, with additional enthusiasm coming from Gwenyth Paltrow and Courteney Cox.
According to The Holywood Reporter , “social media in particular has seen massive support for the film, and Riseborough’s performance, with an overwhelming eclectic bunch of celebrities expressing online praise.
Names who have tweeted or otherwise expressed digital kudos include Susan Sarandon (“beautiful, lil gem of a film”); Helen Hunt (“If you’re out there voting for performances, don’t do it till you see Andrea Riseborough”); Zooey Deschanel (“amazing movie”); Melanie Lynskey (“even for her this is next level”); Mira Sorvino (“absolutely stunning, wrenching and beautiful”); Constance Zimmer (“you’ll never forget this performance”); Rosie O’Donnell (“devastatingly beautiful film”); Minnie Driver (“run don’t walk”); Alan Cumming (“an insanely raw and beautiful performance”); and Daphne Zuniga (“incredible performance”).”
Tan France, Jenny McCarthy, Frances Fisher, Rosanna Arquette, Debra Winger, Patricia Clarkson and Howard Stern are also among the names who showed support for the film and actress.
As much as the various award entities like to pretend that they are rewarding the recipients based on talent, it all comes down to which nominees have better marketing personnel and are better at schmoozing and networking. “For your consideration” ads have been filling the trade magazines and papers since September. To complicate matters nominations occur using a weighted method. Members list their five top choices in order. Votes are then tallied and weighted based upon the position. Theoretically it is possible for a film that received so many more third place votes to overtake the film that receives the most first place votes. A minimum of 5% of the votes submitted is required to be eligible for a nomination.
Ms Riseborough has utilized her connections well. She has gotten herself in with some heavy contenders. Will her plan result in better roles being offered to her in the future just because she was nominated?
To Leslie is streaming on Prime Video, AppleTV+ and Vudu
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