Film Independent Spirit Awards Live Blog And Winners List
March 3, 2018Film Independent Spirit Awards Live Blog And Winners List
Refresh for updates: The Film Independent Spirit Awards are set to hand out trophies to the best actors, directors, and storytellers in independent film this afternoon. With the ceremony taking place in a beachside tent in Santa Monica and returning hosts Nick Kroll and John Mulaney, the Spirit Awards are the perfect — and a little more laid back — amuse bouche to tomorrow’s Academy Awards.
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How To Watch The Film Independent Spirit Awards
There is a generous peppering of Oscar nominees throughout tonight’s categories with Call Me by Your Name leading the pack with six nominations. Luca Guadagnino’s coming-of-age film goes up against The Florida Project, Get Out, Lady Bird and The Rider for the top prize of Best Feature.
The Best Feature winner at Spirit Awards has gone on to win the top prize at the Oscars for the last four years. If this streak continues, Get Out, Lady Bird and Call Me by Your Name might want to start clearing a shelf for a trophy.
All eyes will also be on the major acting categories tonight as award season faves Allison Janney, Jordan Peele, Greta Gerwig, Frances McDormand, Laurie Metcalf, Timothee Chalamet, Daniel Kaluuya and others are within an arms reach of a Spirit Award. Mudbound will be honored with this year’s Robert Altman Award which is presented to the film’s director, casting director, and ensemble cast. Last year’s winner was Moonlight, which, as we all know, went on to win Best Picture at the Oscars.
Read our live blog below which will feature live commentary from Anthony D’Alessandro and Matt Grobar who are on the scene — and Dino-Ray Ramos who will be “watching from the booth.”
COMPLETE WINNERS LIST
JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD
Life and nothing more
Writer/Director: Antonio Méndez Esparza
Producers: Amadeo Hernández Bueno, Alvaro Portanet Hernández, Pedro Hernández Santos
BEST FIRST FEATURE
Ingrid Goes West
Director: Matt Spicer
Producers: Jared Ian Goldman, Adam Mirels, Robert Mirels, Aubrey Plaza, Tim White, Trevor White
BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE
Allison Janney
I, Tonya
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:42 pm
BTW: I’m still laughing at Wiig looking lost in the background as Olsen and Pattinson presented the John Cassavetes Award. Her commitment to the bit must be applauded.
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:41 pm
WINNER
JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD
Life and nothing more
Writer/Director: Antonio Méndez Esparza
Producers: Amadeo Hernández Bueno, Alvaro Portanet Hernández, Pedro Hernández Santos
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:41 pm
Olsen and Robert Pattinson presenting John Cassavetes Award.
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:40 pm
“They didn’t tell us that was going to happen before we agreed to this,” laughs Elizabeth Olsen awkwardly in regards to Wiig’s bit as 110-year-old Hollywood starlet, Fay Fontaine.
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20182:39 pm
“She’s been a Scarlett Witch and he’s been a vampire. Sounds like they got gypped at the Halloween store”..says Fay….it’s Elizabeth Olsen and Robert Pattinson….”they didn’t tell us that would happen” says Olsen.
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:39 pm
Fay can’t read the teleprompter, so she’s moving closer to it…oh wow. That bit was too much.
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20182:38 pm
Backstage — Matt Spicer: “It was a weirdly quick process, how the movie came together. We finished the script in Nov. 2015, sent the script to CAA and almost immediately, we heard that Aubrey had read it and wanted to meet. I was confident that she was this character, and wanted to make the same movie.”
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20182:38 pm
“next two presenters have a lot in common…that’ s wonderful when two people know each other” –Wiig’s 110-year old Fay Fontaine. “I’ve been very old for 30 years.”
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20182:37 pm
The entire Ingrid producing team is back here with dir. Matt Spicer
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20182:37 pm
“Pictures are loud and none of the stories or people are good any more”…priceless Wiig. They should shuttle her over to the Dolby for tomw night.
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:36 pm
Is she supposed to be like 110 or something? She looks good for her age.
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20182:36 pm
“Back when I made the film is more expensive than the dresses in this room” Fay Fontaine….Hollywood legend. Hysterical.
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:36 pm
Wiig as this fictitious Fay Fontaine is quite amusing.
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20182:35 pm
Ingrid Goes West team coming backstage now
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:35 pm
Anytime we see Wiig in a wig, we know we’re in for something good.
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:35 pm
This year’s Kiehl’s Someone to Watch Award went to Justin Chon for Gook — a great film about the Korean American perspective of the LA riots.
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20182:34 pm
Kristen Wiig on stage in character. This should be good
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20182:33 pm
Backstage — Allison Janney on the Oscars tomorrow: “I think Jimmy Kimmel’s got a huge task at hand to host the Oscars and I know he’s gonna do a fantastic job. I think the movement is being addressed in so many other ways, I couldn’t begin to judge [what he does]. I adore him.”
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:32 pm
Have you watched real footage of LaVona? Janney’s performance of her is so uncanny that it’s scary.
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20182:32 pm
Janney was thrilled by the opportunity to transform her appearance for the role of the elder LaVona
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:31 pm
Anthony: I re-watched that Carol bit over and over again. It is still funny to this day.
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20182:31 pm
Backstage — Janney on challenges of the role: It was difficult to find the way to be that mean to someone, and really sit in it comfortably, to feel that her methods were justified, to give [Tonya] the benefit of a better life.
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:31 pm
I’m extremely satisfied with that Best First Feature win. Ingrid very deserving. Last year’s winner was The Witch — a different kind of film, obviously.
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20182:30 pm
Dino, while we’re on commercial break,this is hands down my favorite moment from Indie Spirits in recent memory: Kate McKinnon going full on ‘Carol’:
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20182:30 pm
Backstage — Allison Janney: “Steven Rogers says he wrote this role [to give me my greatest role so far]. He was frustrated not seeing me do the roles he knew I could do. I play some confused and complicated women but not anyone this dark. I don’t think you traditionally think of dark people when you think of me. I don’t think people think of me that way. I guess I’m going to play more evil, dark characters. That’s what’s in my future.”
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20182:28 pm
Backstage — Allison Janney: “This is the closest i’ll get to being an olympic figure skater, and that’s just fine with me”
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20182:28 pm
David Branson Smith and Matt Spicer wrote the script two years ago, one writing spot was in cafe in Culver City.
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:27 pm
YES. I watched Ingrid multiple times. Love, love, LOVED it.
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20182:27 pm
Social media stalking gone very bad
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:27 pm
WINNER
BEST FIRST FEATURE
Ingrid Goes West
Director: Matt Spicer
Producers: Jared Ian Goldman, Adam Mirels, Robert Mirels, Aubrey Plaza, Tim White, Trevor White
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20182:27 pm
Ingrid Goes West was exceptionally well written and performed. Unique story for the modern age
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20182:27 pm
Awesome!! Ingrid Goes West.
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20182:27 pm
Same here
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20182:27 pm
Loved, loved Ingrid Goes West. Even better: Aubrey Plaza produces her own canon; great way to ensure what’s brand is intact.
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20182:27 pm
Incredible film Dino
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:26 pm
…but Columbus was gorgeous.
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:26 pm
Of the nominees I am rooting for Ingrid Goes West or Patti Cake$.
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20182:26 pm
Kroll comes on to try to salvage this long moment
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20182:26 pm
Best first feature nominees:
BEST FIRST FEATURE
COLUMBUS
DIRECTOR: Kogonada
PRODUCERS: Danielle Renfrew Behrens, Aaron Boyd, Giulia Caruso, Ki Jin Kim, Andrew Miano, Chris Weitz
INGRID GOES WEST
DIRECTOR: Matt Spicer
PRODUCERS: Jared Goldman, Adam Mirels, Robert Mirels, Aubrey Plaza, Tim White, Trevor White
MENASHE
DIRECTOR: Joshua Z. Weinstein
PRODUCERS: Yoni Brook, Traci Carlson, Daniel Finkelman, Alex Lipschultz
OH LUCY!
DIRECTOR: Atsuko Hirayanagi
PRODUCERS: Jessica Elbaum, Yukie Kito, Han West
PATTI CAKE$
DIRECTOR: Geremy Jasper
PRODUCERS: Chris Columbus, Michael Gottwald, Dan Janvey, Daniela Taplin Lundberg, Noah Stahl, Rodrigo Teixeira
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:25 pm
Nanjiani is insisting they make this right….
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20182:25 pm
“This is not a bit” – Howery
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:25 pm
But the fact that it is Howery and Nanjiani makes it great.
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20182:25 pm
Oh boy, this show is going long
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:25 pm
This is kind of hilarious and obnoxious.
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20182:24 pm
and they’re lifting the curtain on how all their jokes are scripted, not off the cuff, as great as they are. “Go up, go up” Kumail ordering the tele-prompter.
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20182:24 pm
Oh boy, extended snafu. They’re riffing
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20182:24 pm
Lil Rel Howery and Nanjiani debating best first movies
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20182:23 pm
On stage: “Rel Howery and Lil Kumail”
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20182:23 pm
Love it sound snafu.
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:23 pm
I don’t know who this house band is. I’m uncool.
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20182:22 pm
I think Sacred Deer was a mix of Biblical and Greek Tragedy, more so on the latter.
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:22 pm
…and that’s why I loved it.
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:22 pm
Sacred Deer was TOTALLY BONKERS.
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:22 pm
Manville was the only thing that captivated me in Phantom Thread. She scared me.
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20182:22 pm
Dino, did you see Killing of a Sacred Deer? Totally gonzo and fun. You’ll think twice before eating spaghetti again
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:21 pm
At this point, the only person who can steal Best Supporting from Janney at the Oscars is Laurie Metcalf…but I think the dark horse is Lesley Manville.
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:19 pm
The movie was a riveting story told with such class…and trash.
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:18 pm
Agree.
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20182:18 pm
A movie that should have gotten more recognition this season. Margot Robbie…incredible performance
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20182:17 pm
256 scenes in 2 days…make-up spanning 20 years….Robbie doing a triple axel..the BTS wonders of I Tonya.
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20182:17 pm
I concur
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:17 pm
That little bird in the movie should get part of this award.
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20182:17 pm
Janney wrote her speech on the back of her crowded itinerary for today
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:17 pm
Yup. At this point, it’s hers to lose.
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20182:17 pm
I agree Matt.
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20182:16 pm
It would appear there’s no one who can shake her from an Oscar for her I, Tonya role.
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20182:16 pm
Great job from Neon/30WEST in getting ‘I Tonya’ into the awards conversation pronto after picking it up at TIFF for $5M.
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:15 pm
WINNER
BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE
Allison Janney
I, Tonya
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20182:15 pm
and you are right…
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:15 pm
I’m looking at Janney for this…
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20182:15 pm
Or will it be Oscar frontrunner Allison Janney?
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20182:14 pm
Will Holly Hunter get her moment here?
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20182:14 pm
Starting big here with best supporting actress. Nominees:
Holly Hunter, The Big Sick
Allison Janney, I, Tonya
Laurie Metcalf, Lady Bird
Lois Smith, Marjorie Prime
Taliah Lennice Webster, Good Time
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20182:13 pm
Molly Shannon reveals how her life has changed since winnie an Indie Spirit last year.
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20182:13 pm
People come up to comedians like Mulaney and say about the Trump era “You can’t write this stuff”..His response…”You can, but who would want to?”
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20182:13 pm
“No one would want to see that movie”
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20182:13 pm
Mulaney calls Trump “demented game show host who takes over the United States”
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20182:12 pm
Kroll: We’ll admit guys, there’s times we wish the election went the other way
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:12 pm
“The cast of Menashe makes me look like Armie Hammer” —Kroll
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:10 pm
Cut to: Tommy Wiseau looking unimpressed.
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20182:10 pm
“Sour shoes Ronan” — Mulaney botching Saoirse Ronan’s name.
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20182:10 pm
Kroll: “Fun fact, lady bird is also what Tommy Wiseau calls swans”
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20182:10 pm
“Armie Hammer so handsome it makes Jon Hamm sound like Tony Baloney” – Kroll.
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:10 pm
Snaps to Mulaney’s RuPaul’s Drag Race reference: “Chalamet Away”
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:08 pm
“It kind of ruined being white for me” —Kroll on Get Out.
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20182:08 pm
“Independent Spirit Awards …it sounds like something you say at the eulogy of a drug addict: ‘He was really an Independent Spirit.'” says Mulaney
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20182:08 pm
Enough of topical comedy for now…
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:08 pm
…looks like they ended the sexual offender talk…for now.
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20182:07 pm
Mulaney and Kroll are killing it with uncomfortable material in the room
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20182:07 pm
Kroll calls Spacey coming out of the closet at time of apology last fall “a Keyser Soze like twist”
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20182:07 pm
“The male apology has become an art form”
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:07 pm
The duo is definitely going rapid fire with these alleged sex offenders…and I’m enjoying every minute of it.
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20182:06 pm
“With Kevin Space, can we still love K-Pax?” Kroll giving the 2x Oscar winner a pass.
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:06 pm
I could not handle that story about that donuts.
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20182:06 pm
Mulaney and Kroll taking down sexual predators. Kroll says that Ratner constantly scratched an inappropriate area — and touched six different donunts. “He grabbed one and walked away…if that’s the way he treats donuts”
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20182:05 pm
Brett Ratner is next
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20182:05 pm
going for the jugular on Weinstein and his “XXL unmarked grave”
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20182:05 pm
“Fun way to commit suicide is to cut in front of her in
line and say ‘Hey lady relax'” says Mulaney on Frances McDormand
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:05 pm
Uh oh…Mulaney and Kroll going after Weinstein.
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20182:04 pm
“Last year, everyone famous died. This year, everyone famous wishes they were dead”
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20182:03 pm
Timothee Chalamet showing Armie Hammer, in half dress, skyping in
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20182:03 pm
“The only show where your Uber x driver is nervous to drop you off,” says Mulaney about the Independent Spirit awards.
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:03 pm
Mulaney and Kroll out of the gate delivering the funny with that “cum peach” line.
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:02 pm
“The Independent Spirit Awards where the dress code is ‘get dressed'”
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:02 pm
That opening with all that stock footage of random things was the best.
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20182:01 pm
Hysterical opening Dino…with titles over various images…Florida Project with a shot of the elderly walking the beach.
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20182:00 pm
Can you believe Shape was made for $19 million? I can’t
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20182:00 pm
Certainly very worthy, very ambitious independent filmmaking
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:00 pm
It’s showtime!
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20182:00 pm
…but Shape of Water seems to be the frontrunner.
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20181:59 pm
Yes, I love a sea creature love story like the next person, but Get Out is just so relevant.
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20181:59 pm
Can’t agree with you more Dino on Get Out. We need a film that really speaks to what’s going on right now (no disrespect to love stories b/t women and sea creatures).
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20181:58 pm
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20181:57 pm
Ok, we are less than three minutes away from showtime!
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20181:57 pm
“Keep your speeches to a minute” is the mandate for TKU speeches.
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20181:57 pm
…but of course, we remember how Moonlight won…but we won’t get into that.
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20181:57 pm
As mentioned above, the Best Feature winner at Spirit Awards has gone on to win the top prize at the Oscars for the last four years. Moonlight won the Spirit Award last year and it went on to win Best Picture at the Oscars.
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20181:55 pm
I am rooting for Get Out honestly. It’s one of the only films of the nominees that speaks to our times.
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20181:54 pm
Dino, if Get Out wins best feature today, it could be an indicator to upsetting best picture tom’w night at the Oscars.
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20181:52 pm
I had to share a pic of Danai Gurira’s flowy, yet casual outfit. #WakandaForever 
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20181:52 pm
Armie Hammer’s least comfortable scene, dancing to their tune
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20181:51 pm
CMBYN made me want to move to Italy in the ’80s and listen to Psychedelic Furs all day.
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20181:50 pm
Of course…currently reading the book now!
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20181:50 pm
Beanie Feldstein with Lady Bird co-star Saoirse Ronan.
Saoirse Ronan and Beanie Feldstein attend the 2018 Film Independent Spirit Awards on March 3, 2018. #SpiritAwards pic.twitter.com/ROaOH2nZ5Y
— saoirse ronan archive (@archivesaoirse) March 3, 2018
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20181:50 pm
Sayombhu not nominated at the Oscars tomw night 🙁
Beautifully shot movie. Did you see Call Me By Your Name Dino?
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20181:49 pm
Best Cinematography: Sayombhu Mukdeeprom, Call Me by Your Name
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20181:48 pm
Emily V. Gordon:
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20181:47 pm
Allison Williams:
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20181:47 pm
Here’s who is up for Best DP:
Thimios Bakatakis, The Killing of a Sacred Deer
Elisha Christian, Columbus
Hélène Louvart, Beach Rats
Sayombhu Mukdeeprom, Call Me by Your Name
Joshua James Richards, The Rider
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20181:47 pm
Allison Janney:
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20181:47 pm
No pins — I think everyone is saving those for tomw night. Beanie now taking stage to present best cinematography
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20181:46 pm
On stage, in addition to great jokes, political views can feasibly expressed here (off leaning left). That said, those celebs attending today mainly kept warm instead of all dressing in black like we saw at the Globes. Allison Janney who is up for best supporting actress here and at Oscars was in a tall pink dress; Allison Williams wore a hunter green dress, Oscar nominee and Spirit nonminee Emily V. Gordon was in a blue and white stripped dress while Lady Bird’s Beanie Feldstein came in a short white/red flower black dress.
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20181:45 pm
This year, Mudbound is getting the Robert Altman Award — one of my personal faves of the year. Was a fan of Dee Rees ever since Pariah — which won the John Cassavetes Award in 2012.
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20181:43 pm
And Moonlight was honored with the Robert Altman Award last year. Barry Jenkins won Best Director as well.
matthewgrobar
March 3, 20181:43 pm
Certainly the breeziest
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20181:42 pm
And the fact that the Spirit Awards takes place in a beachside tent makes it probably the most L.A. ceremony of the awards season.
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20181:42 pm
Last year at this time, La La Land wasn’t nominated…and everyone thought it would take best picture at the Oscars. Meanwhile Moonlight walks away with best feature, director, screenplay, editing, and cinematography here at the Spirits. No one really had a clue that it would go on to steal best picture the next night.
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20181:40 pm
That’s right Dino. Skies all clear here. Very sunny. And let me tell you, if it was raining, it’s never a good situation. Press tent floods big time, and water even seeps into the main tent.
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20181:39 pm
I wonder if anyone else biked to this year’s ceremony.
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20181:39 pm
…and it’s good to see that the LA rain let up just in time for the ceremony.
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20181:38 pm
This being a casual and candid show — the Independent Spirit awards is the show that Hillary Swank literally biked to the year she was nominated.
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20181:38 pm
Breakfast burritos and whiskey should be served at every awards ceremony.
Dino-Ray Ramos
March 3, 20181:37 pm
Thoroughly enjoyed Mulaney and Kroll at last year’s Spirit Awards. Then again, I’m a huge fan of both.
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20181:37 pm
This has always been a laid-back show, and candid too, not too far from the Golden Globes in its pungent sense of humor. They literally start pouring the whiskey inside the lunch tent and in the back at 11am. Hope everyone here ate enough breakfast burritos before the show.
Anthony D'Alessandro
March 3, 20181:36 pm
We’re waiting for the Oscar eve lunch to begin here. Typically before IFC airs, John Mulaney and Nick Kroll will hand out a couple of awards that you don’t see on air.