Greta Gerwig Grateful Even for Those Who Call Her “Completely Bananas” in Pioneer of the Year Speech

Greta Gerwig Grateful Even for Those Who Call Her “Completely Bananas” in Pioneer of the Year Speech

As a seasoned gamer with a penchant for movies, I can wholeheartedly relate to Greta Gerwig’s passion and enthusiasm for the silver screen. Her journey, filled with creative triumphs like ‘Lady Bird’, ‘Little Women’, and the upcoming ‘Barbie’, mirrors the thrilling yet unpredictable escapades that we gamers embark on in our virtual worlds. The excitement of crafting something from scratch, the anticipation of sharing it with others, and the joy when it resonates – these are feelings that transcend the boundaries between pixels and reality.


Greta Gerwig graciously acknowledged her role as a “performer” when she received the title of 2024 Pioneer of the Year.

This year, Greta Gerwig was awarded an honor by the Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation. The event took place on Wednesday at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, where they recognized Gerwig’s achievements such as writing and directing movies like “Lady Bird”, “Little Women”, and the upcoming “Barbie”. All of these films were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar.

Gerwig jokingly remarked that she’s usually accustomed to going to the Beverly Hilton for losses, but this change in venue, which is known as the longtime home of the Golden Globe Awards, is a refreshing twist,” (paraphrased)

She continued to express her gratitude towards the organization, acknowledging their role in enhancing the cinema experience. “The efforts you put into nurturing this community I’m a member of are simply remarkable,” Gerwig stated. “Being associated with an industry where individuals invest their resources and skills to ensure we care for one another and uplift each other is something that fills me with immense pride.

Greta Gerwig Grateful Even for Those Who Call Her “Completely Bananas” in Pioneer of the Year Speech

Gerwig extolled the real-life Rogers, who passed away in 1935, for his impact on the entertainment world, labeling him as “the epitome of a performer.” She expressed that “a performer is the only role I’ve ever aspired to be” and felt proud seeing numerous others at the event who continue to excel in this profession.

Gerwig joked about encountering skeptics within the business world who might dismiss her ideas as absurd, yet she suggested they were merely hiding their unconventional sides beneath their professional facade. She noted that while there may be simpler ways to earn a living or less intimidating industries, none can match the exhilaration and delight that this one offers.

Moreover, Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy, heads of Warner Bros. films, joined in praising Gerwig’s achievements. Furthermore, a tribute video was played at the event featuring kind words from previous collaborators like Will Ferrell, Saoirse Ronan, Beanie Feldstein, Noah Baumbach (Gerwig’s husband and writing partner).

In his initial speech, the host, Patton Oswalt, playfully criticized film studio executives who delay releasing movies for tax benefits. While he didn’t explicitly call out names, it seemed clear that he was taking aim at David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, whose company has recently cancelled films like “Batgirl” and “Coyote vs. Acme” as part of cost-cutting strategies. (Oswalt had made similar jabs during this year’s Golden Reel Awards ceremony.)

Greta came up with an innovative concept: producing a film and instead of storing it for tax benefits, she decided to screen it in a cinema. Amazingly, these cinemas charge people to watch it! Here’s the kicker: The studio uses the profits earned from the movie to produce more films! What a trailblazer, skating on the sharp edge.

As a fellow enthusiast, I find myself inspired and encouraged by your actions. I earnestly wish that the aspiring filmmakers at USC, who harbor dreams of safeguarding their creative passions, would emulate your path.

Previous recipients of the Pioneer of the Year award are names like Tom Cruise, Kathleen Kennedy, Sherry Lansing, Jack Warner, Donna Langley, Cecil B. DeMille, and Cheryl Boone Isaacs.

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2024-09-27 00:55