SAG Awards Producers Preview ‘A Love Letter to L.A.’ in Annual Celebration of Actors
The 31st Annual SAG Awards, the only televised award show that exclusively pays tribute to actors, will be held Sunday, Feb. 23, from the Shrine Exposition Hall and air on Netflix. “From the actors who build their careers here to the beauty and grit that shape its spirit, this year’s theme will serve as a love letter to L.A. — honoring its diversity, its strength and its enduring impact on global storytelling,” says Jon Brockett, executive producer of the show.
Produced by Silent House Productions in partnership with SAG-AFTRA, the awards are given to actors, voted on by their union peers. Leading the nominations on the film side is “Wicked,” with a record five nods. On the TV side, “Shōgun” has also received five nominations. In addition to the competitive awards, the SAG Life Achievement Award will be presented to Jane Fonda. Previous honorees include Robert DeNiro, Morgan Freeman and Barbra Streisand.
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“Receiving a SAG Award is symbolic of an actor’s journey,” Brockett says. “Being recognized by their peers of over 118,000 eligible SAG-AFTRA voters is a validation from those who truly understand the art, the challenges, sacrifices and triumphs of the craft. It’s an emphasis on the power of a performance.” And because it honors only those in front of the camera — in film, TV and stunts — it’s one of the shorter kudofests. Adds Mark Bracco, executive producer, Silent House Productions, “The show itself is streamlined to deliver two efficient hours of fun live bits, heartfelt video packages and — also unique to the SAG Awards — we never cut off anyone’s speeches, which allows actors to truly have their full moment.”
Typically, the show operates without a singular host, only presenters, but there have been exceptions in recent years. This year, the show will be hosted by Kristen Bell, who was the first-ever host in the show’s history in 2018. “She brings a magnetic mix of humor, charm, wit and authenticity,” says Bracco. “It’s been wonderful collaborating with her on an opening unlike anything we’ve done at the SAG Awards before … something that touches upon the full range of multifaceted talent that she is.” Bell is also a nominee this year for her work in the Netflix comedy series “Nobody Wants This.”
The recent devastation from the L.A. wildfires moved the nominations announcement to online, and the show does plan on addressing the tragedy. “Los Angeles is the heart of the entertainment industry and a city that has always been defined by its resilience,” says Brockett. “We have a few things in store, including shining a light on the SAG-AFTRA Foundation and its ongoing support for artists in need. Since its inception, proceeds from the annual SAG Awards have been donated to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation to support its programs, which include a Disaster Relief Fund that helps those affected by the fires.”
The SAG Awards are unique in that they honor ensembles. The evening tends to be a celebration of the craft — one of its most beloved traditions sees the show opening with individuals telling stories about their career — often from humble beginnings, before stating: “I’m an actor.” Says Brockett, “The iconic ‘I Am an Actor’ stories have been part of the SAG Awards since its inception in 1995, and they remain a favorite tradition among the actors and the show because it gives a personal glimpse behind their incredible journeys. This year, the stories will highlight how our actors made their dreams come true in Los Angeles.”
Tipsheet
WHAT The 31st Annual SAG Awards
WHEN Feb. 23, 5 p.m. PT
WHERE The Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles and streaming on Netflix
WEB sagawards.org
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