Nominees had mixed feelings about the “thank-you scroll” that producersReginald Hudlin and David Hill installed as a new show feature. On the red carpet, most actors and directors said they had turned in their list of up to 80 words. “I think it’s a great idea,” said Alejandro G. Inarritu, who was able to use his time onstage when he won for best director to talk about diversity. “I think one of the things that happens to you is you suddenly forget everything — your own name, your mom’s name — so to have the chance to thank some people is great.”
The Martian screenwriter Drew Goddard also filled out the form: “You start with your family, then you move to your crew and then everyone else. That’s at least how I structured it.” At least one nominee didn’t participate: “I didn’t do it because I know I’m not going to win,” Rooney Mara told THR ahead of the show (Alicia Vikander won). “And I’m old-school. I want to thank the people verbally, not with a little CNN scroll.” Someone who never got a chance to express his gratitude was SylvesterStallone. He told THR he was flabbergasted at losing: “I had a speech Winston Churchill would have loved.” — Rebecca Ford with reporting by Bill Higgins.
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