The Anatomy of an Oscar Acceptance Speech

   

      Imagine. You're at the Oscars and the moment you've been waiting for all night has finally arrived. Your category is about to be announced. The star, or maybe two, walk to the front of the stage, clutching the envelope you know holds your fate. You remind yourself that it was an honor just to be nominated and Meryl Streep will probably win.
       The presenter gives a small introduction of the category and maybe even makes a joke. You are not listening, you are on the edge of your seat, wringing your hands, waiting for the name to be read. You hear your name called, and momentarily smile at the camera as the other nominees also have their names read. The moment of truth is nearing. They open the envelope. The Oscar goes to...
        YOU!
        Oh my goodness. You stand up, a look of wonder on your face as you turn to your date and look them in the eye with a look that can only say, "We did it." Then you hug as many cast and crew members you can reach as you make your way to the stage. You climb the stairs and take the Oscar from the presenters hand. You shake their hand or even give them a hug. There's so much going on that someone has to direct you to the microphone and then you're standing there, ready to share your victory with the world. You have forty seconds. What will you say?

        Though clearly customizable, each Oscar speech follows a fairly strict format. You have forty seconds to say what you want (although most go over) and thank who you need. When you get up on stage, you might make a quip about how heavy it is, or otherwise revel in the fact that you are holding an Oscar. You may say that you need to calm down because you have so many people to thank and not enough time. Once that is done, you're ready to begin.
        First, you thank the Academy. Then, you thank and congratulate the other nominees in your category for their incredible performances and the honor to be nominated alongside them. Thus begins the portion of naming as many people as you can. The director, for teaching you so much; your co-star, for being an amazing partner in this journey; the production team, for making this possible; the crew, because film is a team effort and you share this with them. Then, you name a bunch of first names that could be your agent, your friends, your dog; nobody knows, but this is your moment. Then, you slow a little. You thank your parents, your family, your chosen family. The most important of all. The people who made this possible. Your thanks is too much to be bound by this small speech and you know it.
        The next part, the finale, is up to you, but there are some options to chose from. Either you start listing names in a frenzy and the orchestra begins, or you take the time to thank something that they can't play off: a deceased relative or partner, the people who go see movies, the kids who make movies, the dreamers, etc. This is the part that sets you apart, so don't let it go to waste.
         Leonardo DiCaprio took the opportunity to advocate for climate change. Lupita Nyong'o thanked the real life person she portrayed and spoke out for the dreamers from places you don't normally see them. Viola Davis spoke of the importance of stories and those that don't get told. Frances McDormand asked the female nominees in the room to stand and called for inclusion in front of and behind the camera in the future. Gary Oldman told his 99 year old mom to put the kettle on because he was bringing Oscar home. Benj Pasek, one of the songwriters for La La Land, shared his award with "all the kids who sing in the rain and all the parents who let them."
        That is the part that you have to have most down, because that is what separates you from everyone else. But you also have to be likable and down to Earth but not like you're trying to be relatable. It's also the most exciting moment of your life and there are so many people watching and at least four other people who would kill to be in your position and this might be what people remember about you if they don't know anything else and you have forty seconds. Good luck!