Creative Arts Emmy Awards: Handicapping the Battle for Crafts Supremacy
For the first time, the Creative Arts Emmy Awards will be split into two parts this weekend, demonstrating the growing importance of the below-the-line TV crafts. Even so, don’t expect too many surprises, with “Game of Thrones” dominating for its bravura “Battle of the Bastards” sequence in several categories and “The People v. O.J. Simpson” doing the same for its zeitgeist-grabbing historical relevance.
However, two of the toughest races will be for production and costume design. Howard Cummings, last year’s Emmy-winning production designer for “The Knick,” goes up against sentimental favorite Donal Woods for the final season of “Downton Abbey,” while last year’s costume design winners Marie Schley (“Transparent”) and Lou Eyrich (“American Horror Story: Hotel”) square off this time in the contemporary category: a further transgender exploration vs. Lady Gaga as the Countess.
READ MORE: ‘Mr. Robot’ Emmys 2016: How Score and Sound Explore Elliot’s Splintered Psychology
And what about the buzzy “Mr. Robot” (nominated for Mac Quayle’s eerie score as well as sound mixing) or the imaginative, history-bending “The Man in the High Castle” (nominated for production design, cinematography, VFX and main title design)?
Here’s a partial list of predictions in the major categories of production design, cinematography, costume design, makeup design, hairstyling, editing, VFX, music and sound editing/mixing.
Production Design
Who Will Win: “The Knick” (period), “The Man in the High Castle” (contemporary or fantasy).
Who Should Win: “The Knick” (period), “The Man in the High Castle” (contemporary or fantasy).
Cinematography
Who Will Win: “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” (limited, “From the Ashes of Tragedy”), “Downton Abbey” (series “Episode 9”).
Who Should Win: “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” (limited, “From the Ashes of Tragedy”), “The Man in the High Castle.”
READ MORE: Emmys 2016: The 5 Most Attention-Grabbing Craft Contenders
Costume Design
Who Will Win: “Transparent” (contemporary), “Downton Abbey” (period/fantasy), “The Wiz Live!” (variety, nonfiction or reality).
Who Should Win: “American Horror Story: Hotel” (contemporary), “Downton Abbey” (period/fantasy), “The Wiz Live!” (variety, nonfiction or reality).
Makeup Design
Who Will Win: “Game of Thrones” (“Battle of the Bastards,” series, non-prosthetic), “American Horror Story: Hotel” (limited
series, non-prosthetic), “American Horror Story: Hotel” (limited series, prosthetic), “The Wiz Live!” (special).
Who Should Win: “Game of Thrones” (“Battle of the Bastards,” series, non-prosthetic), “American Horror Story: Hotel” (limited
series, non-prosthetic), “American Horror Story: Hotel” (limited series, prosthetic), “The Wiz Live!” (special).
Hairstyling
Who Will Win: “American Horror Story: Hotel” (limited series), “Downton Abbey” (series), “The Wiz Live!” (special).
Who Should Win: “American Horror Story: Hotel” (limited series), “Downton Abbey” (series), “The Wiz Live!” (special).
READ MORE: Emmys 2016 Nominations: ‘Game of Thrones,’ ‘Mr. Robot,’ ‘The Americans’ Get Major Nods
Editing
Who Will Win: “Game of Thrones” (“Battle of the Bastards,” drama series), “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” (limited series, “From the Ashes of Tragedy”).
Who Should Win: “Game of Thrones” (“Battle of the Bastards,” drama series), “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” (limited series, “From the Ashes of Tragedy”).
Special Visual Effects
Who Will Win: “Game of Thrones” (“Battle of the Bastards”)
Who Should Win: “Game of Thrones” (“Battle of the Bastards”)
Music
Who Will Win: “Chef’s Table” (“Grant Achatz,” original dramatic score, Duncan Thum), “All the Way” (limited, James Newton Howard), “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” (main title theme), “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” (“I’m Going on a Date with Josh’s Friend,” original music and lyrics).
Who Should Win: “Chef’s Table” (“Grant Achatz,” original dramatic score, Duncan Thum), “The Night Manager” (limited, Victor Reyes), “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” (main title theme), “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” (“I’m Going on a Date with Josh’s Friend,” original music and lyrics).
Sound
Who Will Win: “Game of Thrones” (“The Door,” sound editing, series), “Fargo” (“The Castle,” sound editing, limited series), “Game of Thrones” (“Battle of the Bastards,” sound mixing, comedy or drama), “The People v. O.J. Simpson” (“From the Ashes of Tragedy,” sound mixing limited series).
Who Should Win: “Game of Thrones” (“The Door,” sound editing, series), “Fargo” (“The Castle,” sound editing, limited series), “Game of Thrones” (“Battle of the Bastards,” sound mixing, comedy or drama), “Fargo” (“The Gift of the Magi,” sound mixing limited series).
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