The thirty first Annual SAG Awards, the one televised award present that completely pays tribute to actors, will probably be held Sunday, Feb. 23, from the Shrine Exposition Corridor and air on Netflix. “From the actors who construct their careers right here to the sweetness and grit that form its spirit, this yr’s theme will function a love letter to L.A. — honoring its variety, its power and its enduring influence on international storytelling,” says Jon Brockett, govt producer of the present.
Produced by Silent Home Productions in partnership with SAG-AFTRA, the awards are given to actors, voted on by their union friends. Main the nominations on the movie facet is “Depraved,” with a document 5 nods. On the TV facet, “Shōgun” has additionally obtained 5 nominations. Along with the aggressive awards, the SAG Life Achievement Award will probably be offered to Jane Fonda. Earlier honorees embody Robert DeNiro, Morgan Freeman and Barbra Streisand.
“Receiving a SAG Award is symbolic of an actor’s journey,” Brockett says. “Being acknowledged by their friends of over 118,000 eligible SAG-AFTRA voters is a validation from those that actually perceive the artwork, the challenges, sacrifices and triumphs of the craft. It’s an emphasis on the facility of a efficiency.” And since it honors solely these in entrance of the digital camera — in movie, TV and stunts — it’s one of many shorter kudofests. Provides Mark Bracco, govt producer, Silent Home Productions, “The present itself is streamlined to ship two environment friendly hours of enjoyable stay bits, heartfelt video packages and — additionally distinctive to the SAG Awards — we by no means reduce off anybody’s speeches, which permits actors to really have their full second.”
Usually, the present operates with out a singular host, solely presenters, however there have been exceptions in recent times. This yr, the present will probably be hosted by Kristen Bell, who was the first-ever host within the present’s historical past in 2018. “She brings a magnetic mixture of humor, allure, wit and authenticity,” says Bracco. “It’s been great collaborating together with her on a gap in contrast to something we’ve finished on the SAG Awards earlier than … one thing that touches upon the complete vary of multifaceted expertise that she is.” Bell can be a nominee this yr for her work within the Netflix comedy collection “No person Desires This.”
The current devastation from the L.A. wildfires moved the nominations announcement to on-line, and the present does plan on addressing the tragedy. “Los Angeles is the guts of the leisure trade and a metropolis that has at all times been outlined by its resilience,” says Brockett. “We’ve a couple of issues in retailer, together with shining a light-weight on the SAG-AFTRA Basis and its ongoing help for artists in want. Since its inception, proceeds from the annual SAG Awards have been donated to the SAG-AFTRA Basis to help its packages, which embody a Catastrophe Reduction Fund that helps these affected by the fires.”
The SAG Awards are distinctive in that they honor ensembles. The night tends to be a celebration of the craft — one in every of its most beloved traditions sees the present opening with people telling tales about their profession — typically from humble beginnings, earlier than stating: “I’m an actor.” Says Brockett, “The long-lasting ‘I Am an Actor’ tales have been a part of the SAG Awards since its inception in 1995, and so they stay a favourite custom among the many actors and the present as a result of it offers a private glimpse behind their unbelievable journeys. This yr, the tales will spotlight how our actors made their goals come true in Los Angeles.”
Tipsheet
WHAT The thirty first Annual SAG Awards
WHEN Feb. 23, 5 p.m. PT
WHERE The Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles and streaming on Netflix
WEB sagawards.org
