2015 Super Bowl XLIX NBC TV ADs still selling and teaser ads already on YouTube ♦ ♦ ♦ 'Super Bowl advertising insights' by Gloria Buono-Daly

“I want to know what it's like to play in a Super Bowl and win one. My career will be great without it. But, personally, selfishly, I want to know what it feels like. ~~ Dan Marino, CBS Sports, Analyst THE NFL TODAY; Pro-Football Hall of Fame (2005) and former American football quarterback, played for Miami Dolphins (NFL). Despite never being on a Super Bowl-winning team, he is recognized as one of the greatest quarterbacks in American football history.


With the latest deflated "balls" controversy do you believe this will hype more to watch the game or hinder it?

This year, the Super Bowl XLIX will be held at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona on Sunday, February 1st between the Seattle Seahawks, National Football Conference champion and American Football Conference (AFC) champion New England Patriots to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 2015 season. (Photo of University of Phoenix Stadium roof, above right, courtesy of photographer Fuzzy510 on Wikimedia.org)

The New England Patriots have won 3 Super Bowls, 2001 (XXXVI), 2003 (XXXVIII), 2004 (XXXIX), and the Seattle Seahawks have won 1, 2013 (XLVIII).
Below is the 2015 Ad Spend grid with links to previous Super Bowls 2014 and 2013. For best user experience viewing the grids below, zoom to 125% or 150%.

* Super Bowl XLIX Advertising Grid as of January 27 update
* Super Bowl XLVIII 2014 Advertising Grid
* Super Bowl XLVII 2013 Advertising Grid

Hard to believe that 2015 marks the largest all time new Super Bowl advertisers, 15 new advertisers, since the last record back in 2000 during the dot com boom which had 19 new Super Bowl advertisers.

For all you social media evangelists out there, for your convenience is a listing of advertisers incorporating #hashtags into their USER PARTICIPATION ADS. Enjoy and tweet away:
<> Anheuser Busch: #UpForWhatever #BestBuds
<>BMW: #HelloFuture
<>Carls Jr.: #EatLikeYouMeanIt
<>Coca Cola: #MakeItHappy
<>Doritos: #CrashtheSuperBowl
<>Dove Men + Care: #realStrength
<>GoDaddy: #GoDaddyPuppy
<>Heinz: #ifyourehappy
<>Jurassic World: #JURASSICWORLD
<>Lexus (Toyota): #LexusNX
<>LocTite: #WinAtGlue
<>Mercedes Benz: #TheBigRace #TeamHare #TeamTortoise
<>Nationwide: #makesafethingshappen, #InvisibleMindy
<>Nissan: #WithDad
<>Skittles: #SettleIt
<>Snickers (Mars Inc): #EatASnickers
<>T-Mobile: #KimsDataStash
<>Wix.com: #ItsThatEasy

According to a recent National Retail Federation survey, 184 million Americans will be watching Super Bowl XLIX with average viewer spending of $77.88, up 14% from last year's $68.27 average viewer spend. The NRF survey also indicated that fans plan on splurging on various items from game day food and new televisions to athletic wear and decorations. Total spending according to the survey is expected to reach $14.3 billion.* (*Total spending is an extrapolation of U.S. population ages 18 and above.)

Super Bowl XLIX marks the second Super Bowl contested at University of Phoenix Stadium, which hosted Super Bowl XLII in February 2008, and the third Super Bowl contested in the Phoenix area, as Super Bowl XXX was held at Sun Devil Stadium in nearby Tempe on January 28, 1996.

NFL owners initially voted in November 2005 to award a Super Bowl to Kansas City, Missouri, in honor of Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt, the founder of the American Football League (AFL) in the 1960s who helped engineer the annual game. Then-NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue further announced on March 5, 2006, that Kansas City would host Super Bowl XLIX.

However, the game was contingent on the successful passage of two sales taxes in Jackson County, Missouri, on April 4, 2006. The league then announced on October 11, 2011, that University of Phoenix Stadium will host Super Bowl XLIX.

The National Football Conference (NFC) leads the league with 26 wins to 22 wins for the American Football Conference (AFC) as of Super Bowl 2014.

According to AdAge, exec VP-sales and sales marketing, NBC Sports Group and NBC Universal News Group, Seth Winter, said that about a dozen new advertisers will be in digital commerce and technology.

Coca-Cola and GoDaddy are returning but running one commercial instead of the two from 2014.

As of January 21, only two full Super Bowl 2015 ads are on YouTube so far: Dove and two Victorias Secret ("Victorial Secret I'm in the Mood for Love" by Wall Street Journal and "Angels Play Football" both on YouTube), GoDaddy on WSJ.com and many others. See below:



PSA/CAUSE NFL - Domestic Violence ad



There are quite a few teaser ads and here's the link to the popular Doritos ("Crash The Super Bowl Contest). By the way, there are other YouTube ads (e.g., Olympic ads, Rocky Broadway Show ad, etc.) in-between but you can click on the "skip ad" located in the lower left corner to view the next Super Bowl teaser. Here are a few more Super Bowl 2015 teaser ads:





To view all of the latest Super Bowl XLIX 2015 teaser ads and full ads on YouTube click this link.

Super Bowl Sunday, known as the biggest day of the year for TV ads, is an American cultural phenomenon. This year it airs on NBC. According to a Variety article this past Sepember, NBC had sold roughly 75% (45 of 60 ads) and as of November 2014 at 90% (only about 8 30-second spot ads left to sell. Below is the 2015 Ad Spend grid with links to previous Super Bowls 2014 and 2013. For best user and viewing experience, zoom to 125% or 150%.

* Super Bowl XLIX 2015 Advertising Grid
* Super Bowl XLVIII 2014 Advertising Grid
* Super Bowl XLVII 2013 Advertising Grid

Since then, NBC has been focusing on selling ads in its digital stream of the game, commercials in pre-and post-game programming and content on NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL in the week leading up to the Feb 1st event (beginning Sunday, January 25th).

Besides the excitement of the football game and the commercial TV ad spots, NBC 2015 Super Bowl halftime show, as in prior Super Bowl years, will be the most watched musical event of the year.

This year features 29-year-old singer, songwriter, Katy Perry, will perform during Pepsi Super Bowl XLVIII halftime show. Perry has won two American Music Awards, five MTV Video Music Awards, fourteen People's Choice Awards, and three Guinness World Records. In September 2012, Billboard dubbed her the "Woman of the Year".

According to a recent Bleacher.com article, Perry will be joined by Lenny Kravitz.

2015 Oscar nominations announced ♦ ♦ ♦ 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' and 'Birdman' lead with 9 noms each. Who do you think will win? Here are my picks so far.

“It is truly an honor and a thrill to be asked to host this year's Academy Awards. I grew up watching the Oscars and was always in such awe of some of the greats who hosted the show, ... To be asked to follow in the footsteps of Johnny Carson, Billy Crystal, Ellen DeGeneres and everyone else who had the great fortune of hosting is a bucket list dream come true.” ~~ Neil Patrick Harris American actor, writer, producer, director, magician, comedian, and singer, on doing Oscar 2015 announcements (Image above left is screen capture of Oscar.com web site home page)

The 87th Academy Award (Oscar) nominations are here! All of awards season has led up to this: The Academy Award nominations were announced this morning (at approximately 05:31 am GCT) live from the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, Calif, by Star Wars: The Force Awakens director J.J. Abrams, Gravity director Alfonso Cuarón and Into the Woods actor Chris Pine. Cheryl Boone Isaacs, President of Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, was also present.

Two films tied as the most nominated films with 9 nominations each -- “The Grand Budapest Hotel” and “Birdman.”

Amazing that Meryl Streep received her 19th Oscar nomination -- she already holds the record as the actor with the most Oscar nominations ever. The second highest nomination number lags behind her score by 36% less with 12 nominations each -- Katharine Hepburn and Jack Nicholson.

“Selma,” Ava DuVernay’s biopic about Martin Luther King Jr. received two nominations for best picture and best original song (for Common and John Legend’s recent Golden Globe-winning “Glory”).

Below is a quick summary of films with multi-nominations (by movie):
“Birdman” – 9
“The Grand Budapest Hotel” – 9
“The Imitation Game” – 8
“Boyhood” – 6
“American Sniper” – 6
“Whiplash” – 5
“Interstellar” – 5
“Foxcatcher” – 5
"The Theory of Everything" - 4

The Oscars will be broadcast live from Hollywood's Dolby Theatre on Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. ET. Neil Patrick Harris will host the ceremony, which will be televised in more than 225 countries.

This year there are 8 nominees for best picture (2014 and 2013 had 9 nominees for best picture) with quite a few disappointments according to many critics including snubbing "Selma" for acting categories and also director Ava DuVernay, ” The Lego Movie, not nominating Timothy Spall for Best Actor for “Mr. Turner," etc.

The Oscars are voted on by members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. More information on the voting process is available at the Academy's website.

More Oscar nomination coverage is at the Official 87th Annual Academy Awards -- Oscar.com and visit the “Oscar Nominee” section of the Website. I'll be including my picks in the category headers below but also on Oscar.com within the next few weeks (I'll probably make a few changes along the way.) Oscar.com is also interactive and has a "My Picks" section at http://oscar.go.com/mypicks. I've also included links to more information about the film and noted if any nominees have had previous Oscar nominations/wins:

Best Picture: (My pick either "Boyhood" or "Birdman")
♦ “American Sniper” Clint Eastwood, Robert Lorenz, Andrew Lazar, Bradley Cooper and Peter Morgan, Producers
♦ “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” Alejandro G. Iñárritu, John Lesher and James W. Skotchdopole, Producers
♦ “Boyhood” Richard Linklater and Cathleen Sutherland, Producers
♦“ The Grand Budapest Hotel” Wes Anderson, Scott Rudin, Steven Rales and Jeremy Dawson, Producers
♦ “The Imitation Game” Nora Grossman, Ido Ostrowsky and Teddy Schwarzman, Producers
♦ “Selma” Christian Colson, Oprah Winfrey, Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner, Producers
♦ “The Theory of Everything ” Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Lisa Bruce and Anthony McCarten, Producers
♦“Whiplash” Jason Blum, Helen Estabrook and David Lancaster, Producers

Best Actor in a Leading Role: (My pick difficult one, I've narrowed it down to 3 Bradley Cooper, Michael Keaton or Eddie Redmayne)
♦ Steve Carell, "Foxcatcher"
♦ Bradley Cooper, "American Sniper" Fourth Academy Award nomination for Bradley Cooper including this one; Previous nominations AMERICAN HUSTLE (2013)Nominee, Actor in a Supporting Role SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK (2012) Nominee, Actor in a Leading Role
♦ Benedict Cumberbatch, "The Imitation Game"
♦ Michael Keaton, "Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)"
♦ Eddie Redmayne, "The Theory of Everything"

Best Actor in a Supporting Role: (My Pick: toss up between Mark Ruffalo, Ethan Hawke and T.K. Simmons)
♦ Robert Duvall, "The Judge" Seventh Academy Award nomination; Previously nominated for: A CIVIL ACTION (1998) Nominee, Actor in a Supporting Role; THE APOSTLE (1997)Nominee, Actor in a Leading Role; TENDER MERCIES (1983) Winner, Actor in a Leading Role; THE GREAT SANTINI (1980) Nominee, Actor in a Leading Role; APOCALYPSE NOW (1979)Nominee, Actor in a Supporting Role; THE GODFATHER (1972)Nominee, Actor in a Supporting Role;
♦ Ethan Hawke, "Boyhood" Fourth Academy Award nomination; Previously nominated for: BEFORE MIDNIGHT (2013) Nominee, Writing (Adapted); BEFORE SUNSET (2004) Nominee, Writing (Adapted); TRAINING DAY (2001)Nominee, Actor in a Supporting Role;
♦ Ed Norton, "Birdman "
♦ Mark Ruffalo, "Foxcatcher" Second Academy Award nomination; Previously nominated for:THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT (2010) Nominee, Actor in a Supporting Role
♦ T.K. Simmons, "Whiplash"

Best Actress in a Leading Role: (This is another tough one -- can't decide between Felicity Jones and Julianne Moore )
♦ Marion Cotillard, "Two Days, One Night" Second Academy Award nomination; Previously nominated and winner, Actress in a Leading Role: LA VIE EN ROSE (2007)
♦ Felicity Jones, "The Theory of Everything"
♦ Juilianne Moore, "Still Alice" Fifth Academy Award nomination; Previously nominated for: FAR FROM HEAVEN (2002) Nominee, Actress in a Leading Role; THE HOURS (2002) Nominee, Actress in a Supporting Role; THE END OF THE AFFAIR (1999) Nominee, Actress in a Leading Role; BOOGIE NIGHTS (1997); Nominee, Actress in a Supporting Role
♦ Rosamund Pike, "Gone Girl"
♦ Reese Witherspoon, "Wild" Second Academy Award nomination for Reese Witherspoon; Previously nominated and winner Actress in a leading Role for WALK THE LINE (2005)

Best Actress in a Supporting Role: (My pick: Patricia Arquette, "Blue Jasmine")
♦ Patricia Arquette, "Blue Jasmine"
♦ Laura Dern, "Wild" Second Academy Award nomination; Previously nominated for: RAMBLING ROSE (1991)Nominee, Actress in a Leading Role
♦ Keira Knightley, "The Imitation Game" Second Academy Award nomination; Previously nominated for: PRIDE & PREJUDICE (2005) Nominee, Actress in a Leading Role
♦ Emma Stone, "Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)"
♦ Meryl Streep, "Into The Woods" Nineteenth Academy Award nomination; Previously nominated for:AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY (2013) Nominee, Actress in a Leading Role; THE IRON LADY (2011)Winner, Actress in a Leading Role; JULIE & JULIA (2009) Nominee, Actress in a Leading Role; DOUBT (2008)Nominee, Actress in a Leading Role; THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA (2006)Nominee, Actress in a Leading Role; ADAPTATION (2002)Nominee, Actress in a Supporting Role; MUSIC OF THE HEART (1999)Nominee, Actress in a Leading Role; ONE TRUE THING (1998)Nominee, Actress in a Leading Role; THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY (1995)Nominee, Actress in a Leading Role; POSTCARDS FROM THE EDGE (1990)Nominee, Actress in a Leading Role; A CRY IN THE DARK (1988)Nominee, Actress in a Leading Role; IRONWEED (1987)Nominee, Actress in a Leading Role; OUT OF AFRICA (1985)Nominee, Actress in a Leading Role; SILKWOOD (1983) Nominee, Actress in a Leading Role; SOPHIE'S CHOICE (1982) Winner, Actress in a Leading Role; THE FRENCH LIEUTENANT'S WOMAN (1981)Nominee, Actress in a Leading Role; KRAMER VS. KRAMER (1979)Winner, Actress in a Supporting Role; THE DEER HUNTER (1978) Nominee, Actress in a Supporting Role

Best Animated Feature Film: (My pick between "How to Train Your Dragon 2" and "Song of the Sea")
♦ "Big Hero 6" - Don Hall, Chris Williams and Roy Conli Second Academy Award nomination for Chris Williams; Previously nominated for: BOLT (2008) Nominee, Animated Feature Film
♦ "The Boxtrolls" - Anthony Stacchi, Graham Annable and Travis Knight
♦ "How to Train Your Dragon 2" – Dean DeBlois and Bonnie Arnold Second Academy Award nomination for Dean DeBlois. Previously nominated for: HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON (2010) Nominee, Animated Feature Film
♦ "Song of the Sea" – Tomm Moore and Paul Young Second Academy Award nomination for Tomm Moore; Previously nominated for: THE SECRET OF KELLS (2009)Nominee, Animated Feature Film
♦ "The Tale of the Princess Kaguya" – Isao Takahata and Yoshiaki Nishimura

Best Cinematography: (My pick: toss up between Birdman and The Grand Budapest Hotel)
♦ "Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)" – Emmanuel Lubezki Seventh Academy Award nomination; Previously nominated for: GRAVITY (2013) Winner, Cinematography; THE TREE OF LIFE (2011) Nominee, Cinematography; CHILDREN OF MEN (2006) Nominee, Cinematography; THE NEW WORLD (2005) Nominee, Cinematography; SLEEPY HOLLOW (1999) Nominee, Cinematography; A LITTLE PRINCESS (1995)Nominee, Cinematography
♦ "The Grand Budapest Hotel" - Robert Yeoman
♦ "Ida" – Lukasz Zal and Ryszard Lenczewski
♦ "Mr. Turner" – Dick Pope Second Academy Award nomination; Previously nominated for: THE ILLUSIONIST (2006) Nominee, Cinematography
♦ "Unbroken" – Roger A. Deakins Twelfth Academy Award nomination; Previously nominated for: PRISONERS (2013) Nominee, Cinematography; SKYFALL (2012) Nominee, Cinematography; TRUE GRIT (2010) Nominee, Cinematography; THE READER (2008) Nominee, Cinematography; THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD (2007) Nominee, Cinematography; NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN (2007) Nominee, Cinematography; THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE (2001) Nominee, Cinematography; O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU? (2000) Nominee, Cinematography; KUNDUN (1997) Nominee, Cinematography; FARGO (1996) Nominee, Cinematography; THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (1994) Nominee, Cinematography

Best Costume Design: (My pick: "The Grand Budapest" Hotel or "Into the Woods"
♦ "The Grand Budapest Hotel" – Milena Canonero Ninth Academy Award nomination; Previously nominated for: MARIE ANTOINETTE (2006) Winner, Costume Design; THE AFFAIR OF THE NECKLACE (2001)Nominee, Costume Design; TITUS (1999) Nominee, Costume Design; DICK TRACY (1990) Nominee, Costume Design; TUCKER THE MAN AND HIS DREAM (1988) Nominee, Costume Design; OUT OF AFRICA (1985) Nominee, Costume Design; CHARIOTS OF FIRE (1981) Winner, Costume Design; BARRY LYNDON (1975) Winner, Costume Design
♦ "Inherent Vice" - Mark Bridges Second Academy Award nomination; Previously nominated for: THE ARTIST (2011) Winner, Costume Design
♦ "Into the Woods" - Colleen Atwood Eleventh Academy Award nomination for Colleen Atwood. She was previously nominated for: SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN (2012)Nominee, Costume Design; ALICE IN WONDERLAND (2010)Winner, Costume Design; NINE (2009) Nominee, Costume Design; SWEENEY TODD THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET (2007) Nominee, Costume Design; MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA (2005) Winner, Costume Design; LEMONY SNICKET'S A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS (2004) Nominee, Costume Design; CHICAGO (2002) Winner, Costume Design; SLEEPY HOLLOW (1999)Nominee, Costume Design; BELOVED (1998) Nominee, Costume Design; LITTLE WOMEN (1994) Nominee, Costume Design;
♦ "Maleficent" - Anna B. Sheppard and Jane Clive Third Academy Award nomination for Anna B. Sheppard; Previously nominated for: THE PIANIST (2002) Nominee, Costume Design; SCHINDLER'S LIST (1993) Nominee, Costume Design
♦ "Mr. Turner" - Jacqueline Durran Fourth Academy Award nomination; Previously nominated for: ANNA KARENINA (2012) Winner, Costume Design; ATONEMENT (2007) Nominee, Costume Design; PRIDE & PREJUDICE (2005) Nominee, Costume Design

Best Directing: (My pick: "Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)" or "The Grand Budapest Hotel")
♦ "Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)" – Alejandro G. Iñárritu Fifth Academy Award nomination which includes two nominations this year for Best Picture and Original Screenplay for BIRDMAN OR (THE UNEXPECTED OF IGNORANCE); Previously nominated for: BABEL (2006) Nominee, Directing; BABEL (2006) Nominee, Best Picture
♦ "Boyhood" - Richard Linklater Fifth Academy Award nomination which includes two nominations this year for Best Picture and Original Screenplay for BOYHOOD; Previously nominated for: BEFORE MIDNIGHT (2013) Nominee, Writing (Adapted); BEFORE SUNSET (2004) Nominee, Writing (Adapted)
♦ "Foxcatcher" - Bennett Miller Second Academy Award nomination; Previously nominated for: CAPOTE (2005) Nominee, Directing
♦ "The Grand Budapest Hotel" - Wes Anderson Sixth Academy Award nomination which includes this year for Best Picture and Original Screenplay for THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL; Previously nominated for: MOONRISE KINGDOM (2012) Nominee, Writing (Original); FANTASTIC MR. FOX (2009) Nominee, Animated Feature Film; THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS (2001) Nominee, Writing (Original)
♦ "The Imitation Game" - Morten Tyldum

Best Documentary Feature:
♦ "Citizen Four" – Laura Poitras, Mathilde Bonnefoy and Dirk Wilutzky Second Academy Award nomination for Laura Poitras; Previously nominated for: MY COUNTRY, MY COUNTRY (2006) Nominee, Documentary (Feature)
♦ "Finding Vivian Maier" - John Maloof and Charlie Siskel
♦ "Last Days in Vietnam" - Rory Kennedy and Keven McAlester
♦ "The Salt of the Earth" - Wim Wenders, Juliano Ribeiro Salgado and David Rosier Third Academy Award nomination for Wim Wenders; Previously nominated for: PINA (2011) Nominee, Documentary (Feature); BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB (1999) Nominee, Documentary (Feature)
♦ "Virunga" -Orlando von Einsiedel and Joanna Natasegara

Best Documentary Short Subject:
♦ "Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1" – Ellen Goosenberg Kent and Dana Perry
♦ "Joanna" - Aneta Kopacz
♦ "Our Curse" - Our Curse Tomasz Śliwiński and Maciej Ślesicki
♦ "The Reaper (La Parka)" - Gabriel Serra Arguello
♦ "White Earth" - J. Christian Jensen

Best Film Editing: (My pick: "American Sniper")
♦ "American Sniper" – Joel Cox and Gary D. Roach Third Academy Award nomination for Joel Cox; Previously nominated for: MILLION DOLLAR BABY (2004) Nominee, Film Editing; UNFORGIVEN (1992) Winner, Film Editing
♦ "Boyhood" - Sandra Adair
♦ "The Grand Budapest Hotel" - Barney Pilling
♦ "The Imitation Game" - William Goldenberg Fifth Academy Award nomination for William Goldenberg; Previously nominated for: ARGO (2012) Winner, Film Editing; ZERO DARK THIRTY (2012) Nominee, Film Editing; SEABISCUIT (2003) Nominee, Film Editing; THE INSIDER (1999) Nominee, Film Editing
♦ "Whiplash" – Tom Cross

Best Foreign Language Film:
♦ "The Broken Circle Breakdown" - Belgium
♦ "Ida" - Poland; Directed by Pawel Pawlikowski Tenth Academy Award nomination for Poland. Previous nominations: IN DARKNESS (2011) Nominee, Foreign Language Film; KATYN (2007) Nominee, Foreign Language Film; MAN OF IRON (1981) Nominee, Foreign Language Film; THE MAIDS OF WILKO (1979) Nominee, Foreign Language Film; NIGHTS AND DAYS (1976) Nominee, Foreign Language Film; LAND OF PROMISE (1975) Nominee, Foreign Language Film; THE DELUGE (1974) Nominee, Foreign Language Film; PHARAOH (1966) Nominee, Foreign Language Film; KNIFE IN THE WATER (1963) Nominee, Foreign Language Film
♦ "Leviathan" - Russia; Directed by Andrey Zvyagintsev sixth Academy Award nomination for Russia. Previous nominations: 12 (2007) Nominee, Foreign Language Film; THE THIEF (1997) Nominee, Foreign Language Film; PRISONER OF THE MOUNTAINS (1996) Nominee, Foreign Language Film; BURNT BY THE SUN (1994) Winner, Foreign Language Film; CLOSE TO EDEN (1992) Nominee, Foreign Language Film. Prior to 1992, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics received a total of nine Academy Award nominations, including three wins: WARTIME ROMANCE (1984)Nominee, Foreign Language Film; PRIVATE LIFE (1982) Nominee, Foreign Language Film; MOSCOW DOES NOT BELIEVE IN TEARS (1980) Winner, Foreign Language Film; WHITE BIM BLACK EAR (1978) Nominee, Foreign Language Film; DERSU UZALA (1975) Winner, Foreign Language Film; THE DAWNS HERE ARE QUIET (1972) Nominee, Foreign Language Film; TCHAIKOVSKY (1971) Nominee, Foreign Language Film; THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV (1969) Nominee, Foreign Language Film; WAR AND PEACE (1968) Winner, Foreign Language Film
♦ "Tangerines" - Estonia; Directed by Zaza Urushadze
♦ "Timbuktu" - Mauritania; Directed by Abderrahmane Sissako
♦ "Wild Tales" - Argentina; Directed by Damián Szifron Seventh Academy Award nomination for Argentina. Previous nominations: THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES (2009) Winner, Foreign Language Film; SON OF THE BRIDE (2001) Nominee, Foreign Language Film; TANGO (1998) Nominee, Foreign Language Film; THE OFFICIAL STORY (1985) Winner, Foreign Language Film; CAMILA (1984) Nominee, Foreign Language Film; THE TRUCE (1974) Nominee, Foreign Language Film

Best Makeup and Hairstyling: (My Pick: "The Grand Budapest Hotel" or "Guardians of the Galaxy")
♦ "Foxcatcher" – Bill Corso and Dennis Liddiard Third Academy Award nomination for Bill Corso; Previously nominated for: CLICK (2006) Nominee, Makeup; LEMONY SNICKET'S A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS (2004) Winner, Makeup
♦ "The Grand Budapest Hotel" - Frances Hannon and Mark Coulier Second Academy Award nomination for Mark Coulier; Previously nominated for: THE IRON LADY (2011) Winner, Makeup
♦ "Guardians of the Galaxy" - Elizabeth Yianni-Georgiou and David White

Best Music (Original Score)
♦ "The Grand Budapest Hotel" – Alexandre Desplat Eighth Academy Award nomination for Desplat; Previously nominated for: PHILOMENA (2013) Nominee, Music (Original Score); ARGO (2012) Nominee, Music (Original Score); THE KING'S SPEECH (2010) Nominee, Music (Original Score); FANTASTIC MR. FOX (2009) Nominee, Music (Original Score); THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON (2008) Nominee, Music (Original Score); THE QUEEN (2006) Nominee, Music (Original Score)
♦ "The Imitation Game" - Alexandre Desplat Eighth Academy Award nomination for Desplat; Previously nominated for: PHILOMENA (2013) Nominee, Music (Original Score); ARGO (2012) Nominee, Music (Original Score); THE KING'S SPEECH (2010) Nominee, Music (Original Score); FANTASTIC MR. FOX (2009) Nominee, Music (Original Score); THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON (2008) Nominee, Music (Original Score); THE QUEEN (2006) Nominee, Music (Original Score)
♦ "Interstellar" - Hans Zimmer
♦ "Mr. Turner" - Gary Yershon
♦ "The Theory of Everything" - Jóhann Jóhannsson

Best Music (Original Song):
♦ “"Everything Is Awesome" from THE LEGO MOVIE; Music and Lyric by Shawn Patterson Music and Lyric by Shawn Patterson
♦ "Glory" from SELMA; Music and Lyric by John Stephens and Lonnie Lynn
♦ "Grateful" from BEYOND THE LIGHTS; Music and Lyric by Diane Warren; Seventh Academy Award nomination for Diane Warren. Previously nominated for: PEARL HARBOR (2001) Nominee, Music (Original Song); MUSIC OF THE HEART (1999) Nominee, Music (Original Song); ARMAGEDDON (1998) Nominee, Music (Original Song); CON AIR (1997)Nominee, Music (Original Song); UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL (1996) Nominee, Music (Original Song); MANNEQUIN (1987) Nominee, Music (Original Song)
♦ "I'm Not Gonna Miss You" from GLEN CAMPBELL...I'LL BE ME; Music and Lyric by Glen Campbell and Julian Raymond
♦ "Lost Stars" from BEGIN AGAIN; Music and Lyric by Gregg Alexander and Danielle Brisebois

Best Production Design: (My pick "The Grand Budapest Hotel")
♦ "The Grand Budapest Hotel" Adam Stockhausen (Production Design); Anna Pinnock (Set Decoration); Second Academy Award nomination for Adam Stockhausen who was previously nominated for: 12 YEARS A SLAVE (2013)Nominee, Production Design. Fifth Academy Award nomination for Anna Pinnock - this count includes her nomination this year for Production Design for INTO THE WOODS. Pinnock was previously nominated for: LIFE OF PI (2012) Nominee, Production Design; THE GOLDEN COMPASS (2007)Nominee, Art Direction; GOSFORD PARK (2001)Nominee, Art Direction;
♦ "The Imitation Game" Maria Djurkovic (Production Design); Tatiana Macdonald (Set Decoration)
♦ "Interstellar" Nathan Crowley (Production Design); Gary Fettis (Set Decoration)Third Academy Award nomination for Nathan Crowley. Previously nominated for: THE DARK KNIGHT (2008)Nominee, Art Direction; THE PRESTIGE (2006)Nominee, Art Direction. Third Academy Award nomination for Gary Fettis; Previously nominated for: CHANGELING (2008)Nominee, Art Direction; THE GODFATHER, PART III (1990)Nominee, Art Direction
♦ "Into the Woods" Dennis Gassner (Production Design); Anna Pinnock (Set Decoration) Fifth Academy Award nomination for Dennis Gassner; Previously nominated for: THE GOLDEN COMPASS (2007)Nominee, Art Direction; ROAD TO PERDITION (2002)Nominee, Art Direction; BARTON FINK (1991)Nominee, Art Direction; BUGSY (1991)Winner, Art Direction. Fifth Academy Award nomination for Anna Pinnock - this count includs her nomination this year for Production Design for THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL; Previously nominated for: LIFE OF PI (2012) Nominee, Production Design; THE GOLDEN COMPASS (2007)Nominee, Art Direction; GOSFORD PARK (2001)Nominee, Art Direction;
♦ "Mr. Turner" Suzie Davies (Production Design); Charlotte Watts (Set Decoration)

Best Short Film (Animated):
♦ "The Bigger Picture" Daisy Jacobs and Christopher Hees
♦ "The Dam Keeper" Robert Kondo and Dice Tsutsumi
♦ "Feast" Patrick Osborne and Kristina Reed
♦ "Me and My Moulton" Torill Kove Third Academy Award nomination for Torill Kove; Previously nominated for: THE DANISH POET (2006) Winner, Short Film (Animated); MY GRANDMOTHER IRONED THE KING'S SHIRTS (1999) Nominee, Short Film (Animated)
♦ "A Single Life" Joris Oprins

Best Short Film (Live Action):
♦ “Aya" Oded Binnun and Mihal Brezis
♦ “Boogaloo and Graham" Michael Lennox and Ronan Blaney
♦ “Butter Lamp (La Lampe au Beurre de Yak)" Hu Wei and Julien Féret
♦ “Parvaneh" Talkhon Hamzavi and Stefan Eichenberger
♦ “The Phone Call" Mat Kirkby and James Lucas

Best Sound Editing: (My pick: “American Sniper")
♦ “American Sniper" Alan Robert Murray and Bub Asman Seventh Academy Award nomination for Alan Robert Murray; Previously nominated for: FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS (2006) Nominee, Sound Editing; LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA (2006) Winner, Sound Editing; SPACE COWBOYS (2000)Nominee, Sound Editing; ERASER (1996)Nominee, Sound Effects Editing; LETHAL WEAPON 2 (1989)Nominee, Sound Effects Editing; LADYHAWKE (1985)Nominee, Sound Effects Editing. Fifth Academy Award nomination for Bub Asman.; Previously nominated for: FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS (2006)Nominee, Sound Editing; LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA (2006)Winner, Sound Editing; SPACE COWBOYS (2000)Nominee, Sound Editing; ERASER (1996)Nominee, Sound Effects Editing;
♦ “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)" Martin Hernández and Aaron Glascock
♦ “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies" Brent Burge and Jason Canovas Second Academy Award nomination for Brent Burge; Previously nominated for: THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (2013)Nominee, Sound Editing
♦ “Interstellar" Richard King Fifth Academy Award nomination for Richard King; Previously nominated for: INCEPTION (2010)Winner, Sound Editing; THE DARK KNIGHT (2008) Winner, Sound Editing; WAR OF THE WORLDS (2005)Nominee, Sound Editing; MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD (2003)Winner, Sound Editing
♦ “Unbroken" Becky Sullivan and Andrew DeCristofaro

Best Sound Mixing: (My pick: “Interstellar" or "American Sniper")
♦ “American Sniper" John Reitz, Gregg Rudloff and Walt Martin Sixth Academy Award nomination for John Reitz; Reitz was previously nominated for: ARGO (2012)Nominee, Sound Mixing; FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS (2006)Nominee, Sound Mixing; THE PERFECT STORM (2000)Nominee, Sound; THE MATRIX (1999)Winner, Sound; DAYS OF HEAVEN (1978)Nominee, Sound. Sixth Academy Award nomination for Gregg Rudloff; Previously nominated for: ARGO (2012)Nominee, Sound Mixing; FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS (2006)Nominee, Sound Mixing; THE PERFECT STORM (2000)Nominee, Sound; THE MATRIX (1999)Winner, Sound; GLORY (1989)Winner, Sound. Second Academy Award nomination for Walt Martin; Previously nominated for: FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS (2006)Nominee, Sound Mixing
♦ “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)" Jon Taylor, Frank A. Montaño and Thomas Varga Second Academy Award nomination for Jon Taylor -- this count includes his nomination this year for Sound Mixing for UNBROKEN. Seventh Academy Award nomination Frank A. Montaño - this count includes his nomination this year for Sound Mixing for UNBROKEN; Montaño was previously nominated for: WANTED (2008)Nominee, Sound Mixing; BATMAN FOREVER (1995)Nominee, Sound; CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER (1994)Nominee, Sound; THE FUGITIVE (1993)Nominee, Sound; UNDER SIEGE (1992)Nominee, Sound
♦ “Interstellar" Gary A. Rizzo, Gregg Landaker and Mark Weingarten Fourth Academy Award nomination for Gary A. Rizzo; Previously nominated for: INCEPTION (2010)Winner, Sound Mixing; THE DARK KNIGHT (2008)Nominee, Sound Mixing; THE INCREDIBLES (2004) Nominee, Sound Mixing. Eighth Academy Award nomination for Gregg Landaker; Previously nominated for: U-571 (2000)Nominee, Sound; TWISTER (1996)Nominee, Sound; WATERWORLD (1995)Nominee, Sound; SPEED (1994)Winner, Sound; JFK (1991)Nominee, Sound; RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (1981)Winner, Sound; THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980)Winner, Sound. Third Academy Award nomination for Mark Weingarten. He was previously nominated for: THE SOCIAL NETWORK (2010)Nominee, Sound Mixing; THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON (2008) Nominee, Sound Mixing
♦ “Unbroken" Jon Taylor, Frank A. Montaño and David Lee Second Academy Award nomination for Jon Taylor - count includes Taylor's nomination this year for Sound Mixing for BIRDMAN OR (THE UNEXPECTED VIRTUE OF IGNORANCE). Seventh Academy Award nomination for Frank A. Montaño - this count includes Montaño's nomination this year for Sound Mixing for BIRDMAN OR (THE UNEXPECTED VIRTUE OF IGNORANCE); Previously nominated for: WANTED (2008)Nominee, Sound Mixing; BATMAN FOREVER (1995)Nominee, Sound; CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER (1994)Nominee, Sound; THE FUGITIVE (1993) Nominee, Sound; UNDER SIEGE (1992) Nominee, Sound. Second Academy Award nomination for David Lee; Previously nominated for: THE MATRIX (1999)Winner, Sound
♦ “Whiplash" Craig Mann, Ben Wilkins and Thomas Curley

Best Visual Effects: (My pick: “Captain America: The Winter Soldier")
♦ “Captain America: The Winter Soldier" Dan DeLeeuw, Russell Earl, Bryan Grill and Dan Sudick Third Academy Award nomination for Russell Earl; Previously nominated for: STAR TREK (2009)Nominee, Visual Effects; TRANSFORMERS (2007)Nominee, Visual Effects; Second Academy Award nomination for Bryan Grill; Previously nominated for: HEREAFTER (2010) Nominee, Visual Effects. Seventh Academy Award nomination for Dan Sudick; Previously nominated for: IRON MAN 3 (2013)Nominee, Visual Effects; MARVEL'S THE AVENGERS (2012)Nominee, Visual Effects; IRON MAN 2 (2010) Nominee, Visual Effects; IRON MAN (2008) Nominee, Visual Effects; WAR OF THE WORLDS (2005)Nominee, Visual Effects; MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD (2003)Nominee, Visual Effects
♦ “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" Joe Letteri, Dan Lemmon, Daniel Barrett and Erik Winquist Ninth Academy Award nomination for Joe Letteri; Peviously nominated for: THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (2013)Nominee, Visual Effects; THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY (2012)Nominee, Visual Effects; RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES (2011)Nominee, Visual Effects; AVATAR (2009)Winner, Visual Effects; KING KONG (2005)Winner, Visual Effects; I, ROBOT (2004)Nominee, Visual Effects; THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING (2003)Winner, Visual Effects; THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS (2002) Winner, Visual Effects; Letteri also received a Scientific and Technical Award (Technical Achievement) in 2003 with Christophe Hery and Ken McGaugh for groundbreaking implementations of practical methods for rendering skin and other translucent materials using subsurface scattering techniques. Second Academy Award nomination for Dan Lemmon; Previously nominated for: RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES (2011)Nominee, Visual Effects. Second Academy Award nomination for Daniel Barrett; Previously nominated for: RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES (2011)Nominee, Visual Effects
♦ “Guardians of the Galaxy" Stephane Ceretti, Nicolas Aithadi, Jonathan Fawkner and Paul Corbould Second Academy Award nomination for Nicolas Aithadi; Previously nominated for: HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 1 (2010)Nominee, Visual Effects
♦ “Interstellar" Paul Franklin, Andrew Lockley, Ian Hunter and Scott Fisher Third Academy Award nomination for Paul Franklin; Previously nominated for: INCEPTION (2010) Winner, Visual Effects; THE DARK KNIGHT (2008)Nominee, Visual Effects. Second Academy Award nomination for Andrew Lockley; Previously nominated for: INCEPTION (2010) Winner, Visual Effects
♦ “X-Men: Days of Future Past" Richard Stammers, Lou Pecora, Tim Crosbie and Cameron Waldbauer Second Academy Award nomination for Richard Stammers; Previously nominated for: PROMETHEUS (2012)Nominee, Visual Effects

Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay): (My pick: toss up between “The Theory of Everything" and "Whiplash")
♦ “American Sniper" Written by Jason Hall
♦ “The Imitation Game" Written by Graham Moore
♦ “Inherent Vice" Written for the screen by Paul Thomas Anderson Sixth Academy Award nomination for Paul Thomas Anderson; Previously nominated for: THERE WILL BE BLOOD (2007) Nominee, Directing; THERE WILL BE BLOOD (2007)Nominee, Best Picture; THERE WILL BE BLOOD (2007)Nominee, Writing (Adapted); MAGNOLIA (1999)Nominee, Writing (Original); BOOGIE NIGHTS (1997)Nominee, Writing (Original)
♦ “The Theory of Everything" Screenplay by Anthony McCarten Second Academy Award nomination for Anthony McCarten -- this count includes his nomination this year for Best Picture for THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING
♦ “Whiplash" Written by Damien Chazelle

Best Writing (Original Screenplay): (My pick: toss up between "Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance" or "Boyhood")
♦ “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)" Written by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Jr. & Armando Bo Fifth Academy Award nomination for Alejandro G. Iñárritu - this count includes his nominations this year for Directing and Best Picture for BIRDMAN OR (THE UNEXPECTED VIRTUE OF IGNORANCE); Previously nominated for: BABEL (2006)Nominee, Directing; BABEL (2006)Nominee, Best Picture;
♦ “Boyhood" Written by Richard Linklater Fifth Academy Award nomination for Richard Linklater - this count includes his nominations this year for Directing and Best Picture for BOYHOOD; Previously nominated for: BEFORE MIDNIGHT (2013)Nominee, Writing (Adapted); BEFORE SUNSET (2004)Nominee, Writing (Adapted)
♦ “Foxcatcher" Written by E. Max Frye and Dan Futterman Second Academy Award nomination for Dan Futterman; Previously nominated for: CAPOTE (2005)Nominee, Writing (Adapted)
♦ “The Grand Budapest Hotel" Screenplay by Wes Anderson; Story by Wes Anderson & Hugo Guinness Sixth Academy Award nomination for Wes Anderson - this count includes his nominations this year for Directing and Best Picture for THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL; Previously nominated for: MOONRISE KINGDOM (2012)Nominee, Writing (Original); FANTASTIC MR. FOX (2009)Nominee, Animated Feature Film; THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS (2001) Nominee, Writing (Original)
♦ “Nightcrawler" Written by Dan Gilroy



Any photos are courtesy of Wikimedia unless otherwise noted. All other photos will be credited as required.


Additional resources:
♦ 2015 Oscar nominations: Complete list; ‘Selma’ snubbed; ‘Birdman’ and ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’ lead with nine http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2015/01/15/2015-oscar-nominations-complete-coverage/
♦ Oscars 2015: 'Boyhood,' 'Birdman' Score Big Nominations http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/oscars-2015-boyhood-birdman-score-big-nominations-20150115
♦ Oscars 2015: Nominations preview and predictions http://www.cbsnews.com/news/oscar-2015-nomination-predictions-who-will-be-in-the-running/
♦ Oscars 2015: 'Birdman,' 'Budapest' top nominations http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/movies/chi-oscars-nominations-20150115-story.html
♦ Academy Awards nominations 2015: our predictions http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2015/jan/15/oscar-nominations-2015-our-predictions
Oscar 2014 resources:
♦ 2014 Oscar nominations: ‘Gravity,’ and ‘Hustle’ lead with 10 nominations including best picture, Los Angeles Times, http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/moviesnow/la-et-mn-oscar-nominations-2014-main,0,500124.story#axzz2qZqycltO
♦ Oscar.com 2014 nominations, http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/86/nomineesByPicture.html
♦ Who’s gonna get picked ? Predicting the 2014 Oscar nominations http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/15/showbiz/movies/2014-oscar-predictions-nominations/
♦ Meet the 2014 Oscar Nominees, RottenTomatoes http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/15/showbiz/movies/2014-oscar-predictions-nominations/

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