Welcome to The Awards Alchemist.
With his transition to AwardsWatch, Mark Johnson decided to rebrand his monthly Oscar predictions article. Goodbye to Good As Gold; hello to The Awards Alchemist – a nod to the science and analytics behind Oscar predictions, inspired by the ancient Egyptian and Greek practices of alchemy that sought to turn base metals into gold.
Here you’ll find Mark’s monthly pieces (including the first when it was still briefly titled Good As Gold), focusing on a singular category, the impact of critics and industry wins or whatever the wind brings his way for Oscar updates.
Click on the text or image for each piece to read The Awards Alchemist map his way through the Oscar season.
OCTOBER 2024
NOVEMBER 2024
‘Emilia Pérez,’ ‘The Room Next Door’ Lead 2024 European Film Awards Nominations (EFA) 
‘Kneecap’ and ‘Love Lies Bleeding’ Lead 2024 British Independent Film Awards Nominations (BIFA) 
Interview: Director Steve McQueen on Capturing War Through the Eyes of a Child and Providing Love With ‘Blitz’ 
2025 Oscar Predictions: Introducing ‘The Awards Alchemist’ and a Closer Look at the Animated Feature Oscar Race