ICYMI: SSN’s Top Original Stories For 2/24 – 2/28/13

SSN Awards Forecast Formula: Final 2014 Oscar Predictions With Printable Ballot

We’re bringing you SSN’s predictions for the winners in the eight categories based on our Forecast Formula – and in all the remaining categories based on our own non-mathematical, but still insightful, predictions. We’ve also included a printable ballot, so you can compare and contrast on the big night. (SSN)

Awards Spotlight: David O. Russell & Eric Singer on Writing American Hustle “I See the Women as a Nuclear Resource”

David O. Russell earned his first Best Original Screenplay nomination, along with Eric Singer, for writing American Hustle. Ben Affleck was first attached to direct after Singer’s 2010 draft landed on that year’s Black List. That arrangement never came to fruition, and once Russell came aboard, “it all came together very quickly,” says Singer, who along with Russell, spoke to SSN about writing American Hustle. (SSN)

2014 Oscar Nominated Shorts Roundup: Animated, Live Action & Documentaries

The Oscar nominated shorts are divided into three categories: animation, live-action shorts and documentary. This year, the animated shorts feature some high profile returning players mixed with a strong group of newcomers. (SSN)

Awards Spotlight: The Real Philomena Lee Talks About Meeting the Pope, the Oscars & The Philomena Project

No story has captured more hearts this awards season than that of Philomena Lee, the Irish woman on a search for the son she gave up for adoption as a pregnant teen. On the eve of the Oscars, Lee and her daughter Jane Libberton spoke to SSN about the phenomenon that is Philomena. (SSN)

Awards Spotlight Part Three: Producer Alfonso Cuarón on Bridging Bresson and Spielberg in ‘Gravity’

In this final installment of our three-part interview, the filmmaker discusses the story’s genesis, the films that influenced him and how he was able to persevere as a producer through Gravity’s five-year preproduction. (SSN)

Awards Spotlight: Nebraska’s Albert Berger & Ron Yerxa Share their Most Important Lesson on Producing

The producing pair’s two dozen credits, which includes some of the best independent fare of the last two decades, have been nominated for over 20 Oscars, but now, finally, thanks to their work on Nebraska, their own names will be mentioned at the Dolby Theater. (SSN)

SSN’s Exclusive Academy Member Oscar Poll – Part Four: Final Predictions

With Hollywood’s biggest night of the year upon us, SSN hears from our esteemed group of anonymous Academy members one final time as our panel—all experts from various walks of the industry—provide their predictions about who and what will garner Oscar gold. (SSN)