What nobody clutching their Oscar this weekend will tell you

THE Academy Awards ceremony usually follows a similar script. On Mar 15, actresses in gowns flashier than the paparazzis’ bulbs will parade down the red carpet. There will be punchy jokes at the guests’ expense from the host, Conan O’Brien (which will hopefully not provoke actual blows again). And then there will be the tear-laced acceptance speeches.

Over the decades, hundreds of actors have stood onstage clutching the famous gold statuette and reflected on how they got there, despite the odds. Her dream “came true”, Anne Hathaway said. Lupita Nyong’o mused, “No matter where you’re from, your dreams are valid.”

Young, ambitious actors will no doubt appreciate words of encouragement. But for all the talk of dreams, many actors are finding show business a nightmare. Technological change, the rise of streaming and a contraction in productions are taking the shine off the silver screen.