The film Me and Orson Welles portrays Orson very well. Welles was charming and he was a damn good actor, but he wanted things his own way. Usually he knew what was right, what was creative.
–Arthur Anderson, an actor in Orson Welles Mercury Theater
There were moments during Me and Orson Welles when I felt like I was there again. Christian McKay was extraordinary as Orson.
–William Herz, an actor in Orson Welles Mercury Theater
It’s ironic that Christian McKay was the actor with the least amount of film experience, and here he is lording over everyone else with such authority. Christian’s performance, when you think of what’s required and the degree of difficulty, is an utter wonder.
–Richard Linklater
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Over the last month I’ve done a bit of polling of some of the actors I’ve talked to in the past who are also voting members of the Academy. One of the questions I asked them was what they thought of Christian McKay’s performance in Me and Orson Welles and if they were to vote for him, would it be as “Best Supporting Actor” or as “Best Actor.”
The results were unanimous in placing Mr. McKay in the “Best Supporting Actor” category. This is rather important, because due to an unfortunate error the DVD screeners of Me and Orson Welles that were sent to Academy members listed Mr. McKay for consideration as “Best Actor” rather than as “Best Supporting Actor.”
Therefore, if enough voters follow that advice, as Academy member Robert Harper says he will, Mr. McKay’s votes will be split and he may end up not being nominated in either category!
However, if all the actors in the Academy who favor Mr. McKay were to vote for him as “Best Supporting Actor” there is little doubt he would be one of the final five nominees.
Actor Robert Harper revealed his thoughts in reply to a piece on Christian McKay’s chances in The Los Angeles Times Awards Insider, where Tom O’Neil talks about Mr. McKay possibly winning the final gold, if only he can get nominated!
Let’s hope that is the case. In the meantime the five voting actors I consulted, included Christopher Lee, Martin Landau, Peter Fonda, Viggo Mortensen and Malcolm McDowell. They didn’t say they would be voting for Mr. McKay but they all seemed to be considering it (and as “Best Supporting Actor”). Ironically, as a newcomer to movies, Mr. McKay cannot vote for himself, since he is not yet a member of the Academy.
Therefore, to bring some attention to this issue, I’ve decided to award Christian McKay “The Wellesnet Award” for Best Supporting Actor for his superlative work in bringing Orson Welles to life on the screen.
Here is a list of awards and nominations Me and Orson Welles has already received:
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Me and Orson Welles
One of the Years Top Ten Films:
Lawrence French – www.Wellesnet.com
Philip French – The Observer
David Denby – The New Yorker
Michael Phillips & A.O. Scott – At The Movies
Jan Wahl – KCBS Radio – San Francisco
Top Ten Independent Films of the Year – The National Board of Review
Discovery of the Year – Chris Tookey, Daily Mail
Best Supporting Actor – Winner
San Francisco Film Critics Awards
Best Supporting Actor – Winner
www.Wellesnet.com
Best Supporting Actor (Nomination) – BAFTA long list
Austin Film Critics Awards – Breakthrough Artist Award – Winner
Chicago Film Critics Awards – Best Supporting Actor (Nomination)
Detroit Film Critics Awards – Best Supporting Actor (Nomination)
Independent Spirit Awards – Best Supporting Actor (Nomination)
Broadcast Film Critics’ Choice Awards – Best Supporting Actor (Nomination)
British Independent Film Awards 2009 – Most Promising Newcomer (Nomination)