Hollywood insider Meher Tatna takes M behind the scenes of the glittering Golden Globes
Actress-turned-writer Meher Tatna takes M behind the scenes of the glittering Golden Globes
You have seen her byline in these very pages of M and read her exclusive interviews with your favourite movie and TV stars that no other local publications have.
Our US stringer, Ms Meher Tatna, has, for some, one of the most enviable jobs in the world - one that lets her rub shoulders with Hollywood stars on a weekly basis.
She has been contributing articles on A-listers such as George Clooney, Jennifer Lawrence, Daniel Craig, Meryl Streep, Emma Stone, the entire cast of Star Wars: The Force Awakens and more for M since last April.
The Mumbai-born, Los Angeles-based journalist credits such access to being part of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA).
The journalists and photographers of this non-profit organisation represent some 55 countries and write for publications all over the world.
Ms Tatna, who has been an HFPA member since 2002, is HFPA's vice-president and is busy overseeing the digital coverage of the 73rd Golden Globes, which takes place at The Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles on Sunday.
The highlight for the HFPA is the annual Globes, where 93 of its members vote to honour the best in film and television.
This year's awards will be hosted by British comedian Ricky Gervais and will be shown live on RTL CBS Entertainment HD (StarHub TV Ch 509/Singtel TV Ch 318) on Jan 11 at 8am, with a repeat telecast at 9pm.
The actress-turned-writer, who has written for Vogue India, Elle India and Grazia India and who declined to reveal her age, shares some insights into organising the event as well as the unseen side of the stars.
How frenzied can the planning for the Golden Globes get?
We do our partnership contracts - such as The Beverly Hilton hotel, Moet & Chandon, the Cecil B. DeMille Award recipient and security - in advance, but the actual planning of each individual show only happens once the nominations are announced. Then we can plan the presenters and the ballroom seating.
The latter is especially fraught as seats are limited and given by invitation only and are much sought after.
Presenters sometimes don't commit till the last minute or they drop out and have to be replaced last minute.
There are a thousand and one moving parts and fires to be put out constantly. Somehow, it all comes together at the end, but we are all exhausted.
What goes on behind the scenes?
The best places to meet the celebrities are the bathrooms or the smoking gallery where they congregate.
I will be live-blogging from the red carpet before the show starts and then from backstage, which is the first stop for the winners to get the first video interviews and the Instagram photos. I have been running that room since last year.
Do you still get starstruck?
The only one who had me starstruck - literally, I couldn't speak - was Peter O'Toole. The two times I met him, I stared like an idiot, completely dumbstruck. No one else.
The worst part (of interviewing celebrities) is being kept waiting. Barbra Streisand and Jennifer Lopez, I'm looking at you. And those young stars who are so media trained they don't give you an original thought.
Who are your favourites to interview?
I adore Russell Brand. He is such an unexpectedly articulate man who talks in long, perfectly grammatical sentences about things he's thought about, important things.
Jim Carrey is always "on". He treats press conferences as a stand-up routine.
The British men all have this wry, self-deprecating sense of humour.
But the champion of them all is Michael Caine, a born raconteur. So full of stories from his career.
Love Emma Thompson, too. I always want her to win as she gives the best acceptance speeches.
Who will be golden at the 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards?
A quick recap of the 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards-nominated movies that you can catch in cinemas here.
Carol (now showing)
5 nominations (Best Picture - Drama, Best Actress - Drama for Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, Best Director, Best Original Score)
Joy (opening tomorrow)
2 nominations (Best Picture - Comedy or Musical, Best Actress - Comedy or Musical)
The Danish Girl (opening tomorrow)
3 nominations (Best Actress - Drama, Best Actor - Drama, Best Original Score)
Room (opening Jan 14)
3 nominations (Best Picture - Drama, Best Actress - Drama, Best Screenplay)
Concussion (opening Jan 14)
1 nomination (Best Actor - Drama)
Spotlight (opening Jan 21)
3 nominations (Best Picture - Drama, Best Director, Best Screenplay)
The Big Short (opening Jan 21)
4 nominations (Best Picture - Comedy or Musical, Best Actor - Comedy or Musical for Christian Bale and Steve Carell, Best Screenplay)
The Revenant (opening Feb 4)
4 nominations (Best Picture - Drama, Best Actor - Drama, Best Director, Best Original Score)
Brooklyn (opening Feb 18)
1 nomination (Best Actress - Drama)
Trumbo (opening Feb 25)
2 nominations (Best Actor - Drama, Best Supporting Actress - Drama)
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