SCAD honors Dern with Lifetime Achievement Award

By Melissa Wheeler
Published: Nov. 3, 2006
Link: http://www.scad.edu/filmfest/fest06/highlights.cfm

A day of panel discussions and special screenings climaxed when award-winning actor Bruce Dern received the Lifetime Achievement Award for Acting at a packed Trustees Theater yesterday.

Amidst a standing ovation, Dern accepted the award, sharing advice and encouragement with students and film-lovers. “These kinds of festivals thrill us,” Dern said, congratulating the Savannah Film Festival on movies shown throughout the week. “Keep at it — don’t go for the mechanical movies.” Dern has been recognized as one of the most talented, versatile and prolific actors of his generation through decades of award-winning performances. He has worked with John Wayne, Bette Davis and Paul Newman, who he said encouraged him “to constantly push the envelope.” Among his many acting accolades are Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for “Coming Home” (1978). Dern has portrayed more than 100 television and movie characters and has earned a recurring role on HBO’s new series “Big Love.” He has performed leading roles in numerous films, including “The Great Gatsby” (1974) and “Smile” (1975), which screened prior to the award presentation in the Trustees Theater. When asked why he often chooses to portray crazy people, Dern said he has always been interested in playing people who live “just beyond where the buses run.” He also encouraged screenwriters to continue finding stories.

“All of us are nothing without screenwriters. We’ve got to encourage the people out there to write it all on paper,”Dern said. “Not one of you isn’t unique — you can make a difference and be part of the next wave of great filmmakers.”

Following the award presentation, the audience enjoyed a special screening of “Little Children,” starring Kate Winslet, Patrick Wilson and Jennifer Connolly.