Title: Inside the Life of a Pop Culture Reporter Covering Hollywood Awards Season
Last month, Kyle Buchanan, a pop culture reporter for The New York Times, found himself in the midst of a protest at the Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, Calif. As he sat at a table during the ceremony, a chant of “Free Palestine” could be heard in the background of acceptance speeches. Buchanan, always on the lookout for cultural moments unfolding both onstage and off, quickly grabbed his phone and began filming the protesters outside.
This is just a typical day in the life of Mr. Buchanan, who has covered more than 50 awards ceremonies since joining The Times in 2018. His love for awards shows stems from a childhood fascination, where the Oscars served as a portal into a world of art that he didn’t know much about.
As the 96th Academy Awards approach, Buchanan shared his insights on covering Hollywood’s biggest events and the secret to interviewing media-trained celebrities. He emphasized the importance of providing readers with an insider perspective on why certain films or controversies matter in the industry.
Over the years, Buchanan’s coverage has evolved to focus on how actors navigate the grueling Oscar campaign season. Despite the challenges of predicting award winners and maintaining stamina throughout the season, Buchanan finds joy in capturing authentic and emotional moments that resonate with audiences.
As he prepares to attend the upcoming Academy Awards, Buchanan hopes for a genuine and heartfelt moment that will captivate viewers. For him, it’s these emotional connections that make awards season truly addictive and compelling.
