‘The Big Short,’ ‘Room’ and ‘Brooklyn’ Grab Scripter Award Nominations
“The End of the Tour” and “The Martian” also nominated for USC Libraries award that goes to screenwriter and original author
Steve Pond | January 7, 2016 @ 6:04 AM
Last Updated: January 7, 2016 @ 10:32 AM
AWARDS BEAT
“The Big Short,” “Brooklyn,” “The End of the Tour,” “The Martian” and “Room” have been nominated for the USC Libraries Scripter Award, an honor that goes to both the writer of an adapted screenplay and the author of the original work on which the script was based.
In television awards, a new category for the Scripter, nominations went to episodes of “Game of Thrones,” “The Leftovers,” “The Man in the High Castle” and “Masters of Sex,” as well as the miniseries “Show Me a Hero.”
The nominees were chosen by a jury of writers, filmmakers, journalists and academics.
“Room” was the only film with a single credited writer, as original author Emma Donoghue adapted her own novel for the screen.
“The End of the Tour” was the biggest dark horse on the list of nominees, while “Steve Jobs” and “Carol” were the most surprising omissions. Other films that could have qualified include “Trumbo,” “The Revenant” and “The Danish Girl.”
The Scripter Award has been handed out by the Southern California university since 1988, beginning as an idiosyncratic honor with a literary bent. In recent years, though, it has closely paralleled the Oscar race for Best Adapted Screenplay, with the same screenplay winning both awards for the last five years in a row.
Last year, three of the five Scripter nominees went on to receive Oscar nominations in the Best Adapted Screenplay category, with “The Imitation Game” winning both awards.
Over the last 15 years, 46 of the 75 Scripter Award nominees have gone on to receive Oscar nominations.
The 2016 USC Libraries Scripter Award ceremony will take place on Feb. 20 in the Edward L. Doheny Jr. Memorial Library on the USC campus in downtown Los Angeles and will also be a fundraiser for the USC Libraries.
Film: Screenwriters Adam McKay and Charles Randolph, for “The Big Short,” adapted from Michael Lewis‘ nonfiction work “The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine”
Novelist Colm Tóibín and screenwriter Nick Hornby for “Brooklyn”
Screenwriter Donald Margulies for “The End of the Tour,” adapted from David Lipsky’s memoir “Although of Course You End Up Becoming Yourself: A Road Trip with David Foster Wallace”
Novelist Andy Weir and screenwriter Drew Goddard for “The Martian”
Emma Donoghue for the novel and screenplay of “Room”
Television:
Screenwriters David Benioff and D. B. Weiss for the episode “Hardhome” from “Game of Thrones,” adapted from the fantasy series “A Song of Ice and Fire” by George R. R. Martin
Damon Lindelof and Jacqueline Hoyt for the episode “Axis Mundi” from “The Leftovers,” based on the novel by Tom Perrotta
Frank Spotnitz for the episode “The New World” from “The Man in the High Castle,” based on the novel by Philip K. Dick
Michelle Ashford, for the episode “Full Ten Count” from “Masters of Sex,” based on the biography by Thomas Maier, “Masters of Sex: The Life and Times of William Masters and Virginia Johnson, the Couple Who Taught America How to Love”
Screenwriters William F. Zorzi and David Simon for the miniseries “Show Me a Hero,” based on the nonfiction book by Lisa Belkin
29 Oscar Contenders Voters and Fans Need to See
"Spotlight" A contender for Best Picture, director and screenplay -- as well as the supporting acting categories.
Open Road Films
"The Martian" Ridley Scott may have his best shot at an Oscar with this sci-fi drama, which is also a contender for Best Picture. Matt Damon is in the hunt for Best Actor as well.
"The Revenant" Alejandro G. Inarritu's dark revenge tale is getting lots of awards traction, particularly for Leonardo DiCaprio's performance.
Twentieth Century Fox
"Brooklyn" Saoirse Ronan is a strong contender for Best Actress, and there's much love for John Crowley's old-fashioned period drama.
Fox Searchlight Pictures
"Straight Outta Compton" F. Gary Gray's biopic of the rap group N.W.A boasts some of the best reviews of the year, including raves for newcomer Jason Mitchell as Eazy-E.
Universal Pictures
"Mad Max: Fury Road" The National Board of Review winner for Best Picture is a long-shot outside of technical categories, but it could surprise in the picture, directing or actress categories.
"Suffragette" Carey Mulligan is in the hunt for Best Actress for her role in this historical drama about the battle for British women to get the vote.
Focus Features
"Inside Out" Pixar's hit could become the first animated movie to earn a Best Picture nod since 2011's "Toy Story 3."
Pixar Studios/Walt Disney Pictures
"The Danish Girl" Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander are getting major buzz for their performances in a period drama with a topical transgender twist.
Focus Features
"Bridge of Spies" You can never count out Steven Spielberg, particularly when he reteams with star Tom Hanks. Look out for Mark Rylance in supporting actor race
Amblin Entertainment/Walt Disney Pictures
"Beasts of No Nation" Cary Joji Fukunaga's gritty drama about African child soldiers has drawn raves, but most overcome its limited theatrical release by Netflix.
Netflix
"Son of Saul" The Hungarian Holocaust drama is a frontrunner in the foreign-language film race but could also score nods in other categories.
Sony Pictures Classics
"The Hateful Eight" Quentin Tarantino's Western is getting the usual Oscar talk, particularly for his screenplay and supporting actress Jennifer Jason Leigh.
The Weinstein Company
"Concussion" Will Smith has won early acclaim for his performance as the doctor who discovered CTE, the brain injury experienced by so many former NFL players.
Columbia Pictures
"The Big Short" Adam McKay's fact-based comic drama boasts a starry cast and major topicality, boosting its awards profile.
Paramount Pictures
"Creed" Ryan Coogler's reboot of the "Rocky" franchise has drawn raves, and Sylvester Stallone's supporting turn as boxer-turned-coach could earn him a supporting actor nod.
"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" J.J. Abrams' top-secret blockbuster should dominate in technical categories but could pull off a surprise in Best Picture
Lucasfilm/Disney
"Trumbo" Jay Roach's biopic of the blacklisted Hollywood screenwriter is drawing attention for the performances of Bryan Cranston as well as Helen Mirren as gossip columnist Hedda Hopper.
Universal Pictures
"99 Homes" Michael Shannon and Andrew Garfield are generating talk for their performance in the Ramin Bahrani- directed drama.
Lionsgate
"Anomalisa" Charlie Kaufman's stop-motion animated film could pull off a surprise in the Animated Feature category.
Paramount Pictures
"Mr. Holmes" Ian McKellen is angling for his third Oscar nomination for playing an aging Sherlock Holmes in Bill Condon's movie.
Roadside Attractions
"45 Years" Veteran actress Charlotte Rampling could score her first nomination for playing half of a couple preparing for their 45th wedding anniversary.
Sundance Selects
"Grandma" As an acerbic woman helping her granddaughter as she faced an unplanned pregnancy, Lily Tomlin could score her first nomination since 1975's "Nashville."
Sony Pictures Classics
"Love & Mercy" Paul Dano and John Cusack have both won acclaim for playing the younger and older versions of troubled Beach Boys leader Brian Wilson.
Roadside Attractions
1 of 30
From “Spotlight” and “Joy” to “Inside Out” and “Grandma,” TheWrap selects the key movies that are deep in the hunt for major nominations