Los Angeles (AFP)
Usually, the weeks leading up to awards season in Hollywood are a whirlwind of swirling chic evenings, luxurious hotel suites where celebrities parade to pick up branded gifts, and the Golden Globes gala ceremony in Beverly Hills.
But 2021 is not a year like any other.
The coronavirus pandemic has happened there and has shaken up all uses.
"If a studio releases a movie, they're going to organize lots of events and invite people to meet the film crews," said Tim Gray, awards specialist for the leading magazine Variety.
"These films seem to become at the same time more serious candidates because they stand out a lot", continues the expert, who notes not to have "gone to any event of this kind this year".
The industry may have hoped for a return to normal for a while, but the explosion of Covid-19 cases in southern California this winter made it unthinkable to organize VIP parties and other panels bringing together celebrities, journalists and juries for film awards.
Communication specialists therefore had to improvise, leaving Los Angeles palaces for accelerated training in videoconferencing techniques: all the meetings and interviews with stars took place via the Internet, almost like ordinary office meetings.
"I was very strict and avoided any face-to-face encounter. And I have to say the studios and TV stations were very understanding," said Scott Feinberg, expert at The Hollywood Reporter magazine.
"Everyone had to adapt" .L
The Golden Globes themselves have given up their champagne-bathed evening, a rendezvous expected by all in Hollywood, for a mostly virtual ceremony in which most of the winners are expected to receive their trophies at home.
"Life goes on, as best we can ... the only other option would be to cancel everything and that would only send the wrong signal, a bit like waving the white flag," Eugene Levy told AFP, star of the series "Schitt's Creek".
- "A few glasses of alcohol" -
The Globes should try to keep their tone light, more spontaneous and relaxed than the serious Oscars, however.
"You're probably going to see a few drinks of alcohol that wouldn't be there if it were the Oscars via Zoom," laughs Feinberg.
"Because for the Golden Globes, it is still a question of being a little crazy".
Members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), organizer of the event, adore stars and are often even mocked for their propensity to favor fame over talent when presenting their awards.
So what will the party be like this year, without all the VIPs in formal dress?
"Their stars won't be in the Beverly Hilton ballroom this time around (...) People who go to watch expect to feel something other than + oh my god, I hope + Mank + will win! +" , notes Pete Hammond, of the trade magazine Deadline.
"I think the mood is going to be half mast. They're really going to have to do a lot to make it fun," he said.
The stars themselves seem to have made up for themselves.
Amanda Seyfried, favorite in the category of best supporting role for "Mank", explained to a panel of reporters - via Zoom of course - that she planned to spend the evening of Sunday following the ceremony at home "with all those who count in my life, even my dog ".
"As it is in the middle of the night, I will probably be in bed with a tuxedo top and my pajama pants", for his part launched the British actor Nicholas Hoult.
For those who are on the contrary trying to break into Hollywood, this represents an incredible number of missed opportunities to see and be seen to boost their career.
“When you talk to them, it's a bit bittersweet,” says Nathalie Dubois, who usually organizes prestigious gift distributions in five-star hotel suites ahead of the Golden Globes.
Usually, it's a stream of stars coming to receive free massages, drink champagne and choose jewelry, so many publicity stunts for the generous donors.
This year, Ms. Dubois had to resolve to set up a "drive-in", where gifts are placed directly in the car trunk of celebrities, who accept stays in Tahiti without getting out of their vehicle, by Open window...
© 2021 AFP