Michael Keaton Tribute 2015

Reviewed by Logan Kovarick. Viewed at the Arlington Theater, Santa Barbara Film Festival 2015.

The lights go down on two thousand people in the Arlington Theater. The 30th anniversary sponsorship slides come up on screen for the Santa Barbara Film Festival and applause fills the room. People have gathered to honor one of the greatest actors and public figures to come across the silver screen in the past 30 years, Michael Keaton. The man who has embodied wonderful characters like Batman, Jack Frost, Doug Kinney, Beetlejuice and now, the acclaimed Birdman. A montage of his work plays on the big screen showcasing the diverse characters he played from start to present. The montage begins with his breakout peformance in a film called Nightshift, where he plays the exuberant Bill Blazejowski. He literally bursts on to screen by busting down a door while listening to his walkman and singing along. The presence he has on screen during this scene is prominent and fresh. I can only imagine watching without knowing the famous Mr. Keaton, you can so very clearly tell this man is going to be a star. After the montage, the classic song Jumping’ Jack Flash by the Rolling Stones plays and Keaton is introduced on stage. The atmosphere was electric and unique. He runs up stage swinging his arm around in circles like he’s ready to start singing the song, the audience is on their feet awaiting a very intimate and special night with Michael Keaton.

The celebrity tributes here at festival have been amazing, insightful, and star-studded to say the least. This one especially was exceptional. What I loved about this tribute, was the organization they had, the clips they showed, and the acknowlegments on screen from his fellow friends/costars. Other tributes lacked organization and it was very evident to the audience. Organization is so important in an event like this, you can’t appear disoriented or out of place because then the audience is not engaged with what is happening. As a director of a tribute like this, you have to treat it like any other film or story, you have to hook the audience right away. The attention span of an audience member is shorter in something like this compared to a film, so you have to be consistent and concise. This event was seamless from start to finish. The format of the night was setup starting with interviews, a message from a friend, followed by two clips from his body of work, and an interview about those clips. That was repeated about four times and all four were gripping, clever, and hilarious. Two hours went by in the blink of an eye and the audience is left feeling like they want more. To top off the night, they introduced the festival director Roger Durling, who spoke a few words about his and Keaton’s long standing friendship, a moving moment for the crowd. Shortly there after, a small but not at all lacking presence came on stage, Danny DeVito. He came waddling out to a surprised and delighted crowd. He presented Keaton with the Modern Master Award, an award he so very well deserves for his work in Birdman.

As the Festival comes to a close, one thing really stayed with me, the tribute to Michael Keaton. The pace, organization, and execution of the evening leaves an ever lasting impression in my mind. Next year, whomever is presented with the Modern Master award, be sure to check out the amazing evening.