The nominations for the 2008 Constellation Awards have been announced and have recognized the “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” film and actress Emma Watson for awards. First, Miss Watson was nominated in the category of ‘Best Female Performance in a 2007 Science Fiction Film, TV Movie, or Mini-Series’ for her role as Hermione Granger in the fifth film. The next nomination went to the fifth film for its achievements in costuming in the category of ‘Best Technical Accomplishment in a 2007 Science Fiction Film or Television Production.’ Jany Temime, the costume designer for OotP, received this nomination for the film.
The Constellation Awards recognizes the best science fiction and fantasy films and television productions of the past year with emphasis on contributions from Canadian companies and performers. Voting has now begun and is open to all Canadian citizens or permanent residents, as well as attendees of the Polaris 21 convention or members of the TCON Promotional Society. Complete information as well as the ballot and submission guidelines can be found right here. Voting ends on June 15th and the winners will be announced at the upcoming Polaris 22 convention during the weekend of July 11th, 2008.
@ Seajay: With respect, there is a big difference between playing a character who is not especially likeable, and simply giving a bad performance.
Case in point: Tom Felton plays an unlikeable character in Draco Malfoy, but he is not annoying in his performance, because he portrays Draco naturally. He doesn’t overact. He doesn’t use exaggerated facial expressions. He doesn’t deliver every line in the same melodramatic manner. He doesn’t, ahem, rely too heavily on his eyebrows. He is unlikeable in the HP films, imo, but that’s okay, because he’s playing an unlikeable character, and he does it well.
Emma does not do this. She simply gives a bad performance. Others have already elaborated on where she goes wrong, so I won’t bother to repeat it all. But yeah, she’s… not good.
I truly hope she gets better, though. If she’s wonderful in HBP, I will happily come back here and eat crow. :D
@ redreh: We’ll just have to disagree on Evanna. I still say that at this point, she’s proven that she’s a great Luna, but not that she’s a great actress. I’d like to see her playing at least one other character, preferably one very different from Luna, before I start proclaiming her the next Meryl Streep or Cate Blanchett. ;)
To add a note to my “misdirected energy” bit:
The panting is also a sign of being aware of one’s performance, aka, how one is being perceived at that moment. She doesn’t allow herself to get INTO the moment, rather, it seems that she’s getting into the idea of how that moment should look, how SHE should look in that moment. Not the truth of it.
Danielle, I agree completely. I wasn’t trying to say OMGGIVEHERANOSCARNOWSHESTHEBESTEVAR ;), because yes, I would love to see her do something completely different. I was just saying don’t discount her b/c she and Luna are similar. I would love to see where she goes in the future.
i agree that Emma Watson is underrated as well… some people just feel the need to attack… and i also think that Hermione is a tough character to play because she’s the one in the books that most people dislike when compared to Harry and Ron because she is so serious. Emma does a good portrayal though, and Hermione’s my favourite character so this makes me happy!
redreh said: The panting is also a sign of being aware of one’s performance, aka, how one is being perceived at that moment. She doesn’t allow herself to get INTO the moment, rather, it seems that she’s getting into the idea of how that moment should look, how SHE should look in that moment. Not the truth of it.
YES!
This, really, is what’s at the heart of my problem with Emma in the HP films. Oh sure, I go on about her eyebrows, and her panting (I’m another one who’s glad to know that others are bothered by her asthmatic acting!), and her over-the-top delivery of lines. But I could probably get past all that if I could only believe her as Hermione when I’m watching the films.
Make no mistake, Dan and Rupert are far from perfect actors themselves, and they’ve each had their share of cringe-worthy acting moments (Dan’s “HE WAS THEIR FRIEND” crying scene in PoA, Rupert’s incessant mugging for the camera in CoS). But the thing is, I never have any problem simply accepting them as the characters when I watch the films. Despite their faults as actors, they bring something natural and genuine to their performances, something that rings true. They more or less lose themselves in the characters, and therefore I can lose myself in the movie and believe that I’m watching Harry and Ron, rather than Dan and Rupert. (I think the same can be said for Matt Lewis, Bonnie Wright, Evanna Lynch, Katie Leung, Tom Felton, Devon Murray, and probably some others as well).
Emma… not so much. As redreh said, Emma doesn’t seem to lose herself in the character. She always seems so AWARE that she’s acting, and therefore I’m constantly, acutely aware that she’s acting. She’s not Hermione, she’s an actress playing Hermione. If that makes any sense at all.
I still believe that Emma has potential, and no one would be happier than me if she proves us all wrong in the future. But really, I think the dear, admittedly adorable girl needs some intensive coaching first.
Oh, and in case anyone thinks I’m hating on Emma, I’d like to say that I do think she’s got star quality. She’s very, very pretty (always an important factor in the career of a movie star!), and she has a lot of energy and charisma. I think she herself is cute as a button. I just think she’s got a long way to go as an actress, that’s all.
I think I might be less critical of her acting if I didn’t have to watch it alongside Dan’s, which (while still having room to grow) has improved exponentially since the first film. Seriously, you should try watching PS/SS and then OotP back-to-back. The difference in Dan’s acting in those two films is remarkable. I wish I could see some of that growth and improvement in Emma.
Um, I like Emma but I think it’s clear that all awards are based on the fact that she’s pretty and has nothing to do with acting ability which is obvious when you actually watch the acting. I don’t think she’s gotten any awards based on acting. However, being pretty and outspoken is very important in Hollywood so let’s not knock that. It’s a talent unto itself. I’ll qualify the statement by saying that she was the best actor in PoA but nothing else. Maybe awards not based on prettiness are residual of her great acting in that movie. I also think if she gets rid of the exaggeration in her acting she’ll be quite good.
“Oh, fantastic. Yet another tin-pot, mickey mouse award for Emma, to fuel her delusion that she actually has some acting talent. How much longer will we be afflicted with her over-emphasising, wooden delivery and eyebrow-acting.”
I second the motion. And if she wins many of these fan awards, she might start to think she’s good enough for an Oscar too. lol
I have always considered Emma to be overrated both as an actress and as a fashion icon. On the looks department, I have always laughed at those fans who say she’s too pretty to be Hermione. Emma is pretty but not beautiful. She had signs of turning into a major beauty before but looks like the promise didn’t materialise. She’s just normal pretty now but the illusion of being beautiful is stressed by her being being “fashionable”. As for the acting, nothing overwhelming also. She was actually better in the first two movies but somehow deteriorated in the last ones. I thnk she started the panting and the eyebrow acting in POA. She was trying oh so hard to be “Kick ass power ranger” Hermione. Eversince, Ithat overenthusiastic character playing is obvious.
I have to say, I’m never again going to be able to watch the HP films and see one of Emma’s asthma attacks, er, I mean, panting scenes, without thinking of this thread and giggling.
Hey anyone agree with me that Alan deserves something for all he has done as Snape? and Helena is also a kick but Bellatrix too. I love the kids and all but to me they are still developing acting skills. I didnt like the GOF movie too much either, but I did like the Death Eaters costumes better in that one than in OOTP.
Redreh and Danielle. My post does not contradict your posts, so no problem there, and indeed I look forward to having the opportunity to tear your performances to shreds sometime soon.
As I said above: the slagging off goes with the territory.
Where the Hell is Rupert! I want him to win and award! Come ON! I know Dan is the Main Character and attractive. Emma is the Main female and also attractive. But WHERE THE HELL IS RUPERT! He is just as good as the other two and has not won a singe award for HP, its always Dan and Emma. Maybe he will get more lime light in HBP, he does get a lot of ’ action ’ so to speak ;D
I’m not bashing Dan and Emma, I love them both very much and I think they deserve their awards but its the media that P!sses me off, Its like they mock Rupert in a way sometimes. Rupert get awards for his hair…HAIR! Or these silly Teeny-Bop web awards while Dan and Emma get BAFFts. Now don’t get me wrong, I love his beautiful hair but really now. I want him to be appreciated as an actor and not just because he has magnificent hair.
One thing, Rupert seems nonchalant about all this which is good if thats the case. I really just think in a honer to just be nominated but I want him to W. I . N
You know, that’s the problem with saying I’m an actor. I mean it only to say that I have experience and a point of reference, not to say that I am THE authority on the subject. I know not many people here GET that perspective. I know i have not way of assuring my talent to you without sounding boasting or vain, but there is no need for you to insult my choice in profession by pointing your finger at a fear EVERY actor has:
We know our job is difficult; we know its hard to even define it as a job when 19/20 auditions will land you nothing simply because you don’t look the part.
Success is all I want. Naturally I’m envious of Emma’s success, but that comes, as you said, with the territory: that does not make me jealous. Jealousy and envy are very different things.
So, SeaJay, I hope you’re right: truth is, I would love to have you rip me to shreds; just wait until you see me act to do it.
@ Seajay: With respect, there is a big difference between playing a character who is not especially likeable, and simply giving a bad performance.
Case in point: Tom Felton plays an unlikeable character in Draco Malfoy, but he is not annoying in his performance, because he portrays Draco naturally. He doesn’t overact. He doesn’t use exaggerated facial expressions. He doesn’t deliver every line in the same melodramatic manner. He doesn’t, ahem, rely too heavily on his eyebrows. He is unlikeable in the HP films, imo, but that’s okay, because he’s playing an unlikeable character, and he does it well.
Emma does not do this. She simply gives a bad performance. Others have already elaborated on where she goes wrong, so I won’t bother to repeat it all. But yeah, she’s… not good.
I truly hope she gets better, though. If she’s wonderful in HBP, I will happily come back here and eat crow. :D
@ redreh: We’ll just have to disagree on Evanna. I still say that at this point, she’s proven that she’s a great Luna, but not that she’s a great actress. I’d like to see her playing at least one other character, preferably one very different from Luna, before I start proclaiming her the next Meryl Streep or Cate Blanchett. ;)