Insights from an Oscar Awards Columnist: A Glimpse into His Job

Kyle Buchanan, a pop culture reporter for The New York Times, had a memorable experience at the Independent Spirit Awards last month in Santa Monica, Calif. While seated at a table during the ceremony, he heard a chant of “Free Palestine” erupting outside. Curious, he went to investigate and found two protesters behind a barricade, playing the recorded chant over a bullhorn. As he began filming the scene with his phone, security guards reprimanded him for filming and threatened to remove him from the premises.

This incident is just one example of the exciting and sometimes challenging moments that Buchanan encounters in his role as The Projectionist columnist for The New York Times. Since joining the publication in 2018, he has covered numerous film festivals, profiled actors, and reported on over 50 awards ceremonies.

Buchanan’s love for awards shows dates back to his childhood, where the Oscars served as a gateway to discovering new works of art. As he prepares to attend the 96th Academy Awards this Sunday, he shared his hopes for the ceremony and his approach to interviewing media-trained celebrities.

In his interviews, Buchanan aims to create a conversational atmosphere that allows celebrities to open up and share their thoughts candidly. By spending extended periods of time with his subjects and treating the interviews as conversations rather than interrogations, he is able to build rapport and elicit genuine responses.

Despite the glamour and excitement of awards season, Buchanan acknowledges the challenges of maintaining stamina and objectivity when predicting award winners. He emphasizes the importance of separating personal opinions from predictions and understanding the perspective of academy voters.

As he looks forward to the upcoming Academy Awards, Buchanan hopes for emotional and authentic moments that will resonate with audiences. He believes that genuine reactions from winners can make awards shows truly memorable and addictive for viewers.

With his insider perspective and dedication to uncovering the behind-the-scenes dynamics of Hollywood, Kyle Buchanan continues to provide engaging and insightful coverage of the entertainment industry for readers of The New York Times.