Behind the glamour, flashes and red carpet of the Golden Globe, there is a parallel world of strict procedures, absolute secrecy and cross controls worthy of a high-security operation. At the 83rd Golden Globe edition, which takes place in Los Angeles, nothing is left to chance: the votes, the winners and even the envelopes delivered on stage follow a precise protocol, certified by a third party.
To ensure the transparency of the whole process is KPMG, a company officially commissioned to tabulate and keep the votes. To tell us what really happens behind the scenes is Filippo Puglisi Alibrandi, partner of KPMG US, one of the very few in the world to have access to the names of the winners before the official announcement. A key role, lived away from the spotlight, but in the heart of the show.
Filippo, what role do you play for the Golden Globe and how long has KPMG been involved? KPMG is the Golden Globe tabulator. Our task is to ensure the complete transparency, integrity and secrecy of the voting process. It is a work that begins in November, with the nomination phase, and ends during the ceremony, when the winners are announced on stage.
What does it mean to be the “custodes” of the votes and the winners? It means only two people have direct access to votes. Voting members use a protected digital platform, from which votes are downloaded, verified and counted. We also check any conflicts of interest: If a voter has a direct involvement in a category, he cannot express his preference. The whole process is monitored to ensure that each procedure is respected.
And when do you define the winners? After completing the final tab, we prepare the envelopes with the names of the winners. The envelopes are created the day before the ceremony and kept in a sealed case until the time of the show. Me and a colleague stay backstage and personally deliver the envelopes to the presenters, who open them on stage, live.
Where are you during the ceremony and how is your day? The day starts very early with the general evidence. I stay in the backstage for the duration of the event, which is extremely scanned: the show follows a rigorous script, with precise timing. Let’s talk about four hours live, plus four more hours between tests and preparation. It is a very sophisticated production, and it is fascinating to see how everything works perfectly.
Do you have any anecdotes from the Golden Globe backstage? Among the great awards of the film industry, the Golden Globe are perhaps the most relaxed and fun. The actors are more relaxed, they breathe an informal climate. I remember last year a very famous comedian asked me if I was an auditor. When I told him yes, he asked me to tell him a joke about auditors: we laughed for five minutes in a row. It’s a show where you feel that everyone really enjoys themselves.
Have you ever imagined at the beginning of your career getting here? Absolutely not. If someone had told me that one day I would be the Golden Globe auditor, I wouldn’t have taken it seriously. Instead it is an honor, a beautiful surprise and a great privilege to be part of such an iconic event.
Dietro ogni premio, una macchina perfetta
While on stage we celebrate cinema and television, behind the scenes of the Golden Globe we move an imposing organizational machine, where the password is trust. An invisible system to the public, but essential to guarantee credibility to one of the most followed and beloved Hollywood awards.
And while the envelopes are opened in the eyes of the world, the true secrets remain guarded in the backstage, between professional rigour and some laughter away from the spotlight.
L’articolo All the secrets behind Golden Globe proviene da IlNewyorkese.
