How to Write a Good Oscar Speech
If you see an Oscar in your future, now is the time to start writing your acceptance speech. You'll need to be ready when members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences decide that your latest film role is worthy of an Oscar. Whether you're a serious actor or actress or are just writing an Oscar speech for fun, there are several key elements that should be part of any good Oscar speech.
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Instructions
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Start your speech by mentioning what an incredible experience you had acting in your Oscar-winning role. Talk about the complexity of the character and what an honor it was to be chosen for the part. Briefly discuss the factors that led you to take the role.
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Thank the director, producers, cast and crew of the movie. Mention some nice things about working with these people, particularly the director. With some people, it might be a stretch to find something nice to say, but if you can't think of anything, just mention that person in your general thank-yous.
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Express your appreciation to the Academy members for choosing you for this great honor.
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Acknowledge your competitors and mention that you are honored to be part of such a talented group. You might want to talk about actors or actresses who inspired you, as Halle Berry did when she won an Oscar for "Monsters Ball" in 2002. "This moment is so much bigger than me," she said. "This moment is for Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne, Diahann Carroll. It's for the women that stand beside me, Jada Pinkett, Angela Bassett, Vivica Fox. And it's for every nameless, faceless woman of color that now has a chance because this door tonight has been opened."
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Thank your spouse, significant other, parents, children and other family members for supporting you. Mention the sacrifices that family members had to make while you were spending long hours filming.
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Use humor when discussing the role or your career. When Robin Williams won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for "Good Will Hunting" in 1998, he said, "Most of all, I want to thank my father up there, the man who when I said I wanted to be an actor, he said, 'Wonderful, just have a back-up profession, like welding.' "
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Finish your speech by mentioning how much winning the Oscar means to you and how you'll always treasure the moment. If you already have a special spot chosen to display the award, mention this in your speech.
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Tips & Warnings
Practice your speech for friends or family members even if you think you won't win. In the excitement of the moment, you still might forget part of your speech, but you'll be much better prepared if you have practiced. Make a list of everyone you need to thank so that you don't forget anyone important. Carry the list with you to the ceremony. Find out the time limit for speeches for the Oscar awards. Limits can change from year to year and you'll want to be sure that your speech is not so long that you are cut off by the orchestra.
Take clothing into consideration, particularly if you are a female Oscar contender. If you are in danger of popping out of your low-cut dress or tripping on your impossibly high heels, perhaps it might be better to save these items for another event rather than risk embarrassment at the podium.
