As a member of EMU's nationally known forensics team,
Richard Brophy knows how to make an argument.
In the days leading up the Academy Awards, Brophy will
get to put his impromptu criticism skills to the test for
the British Broadcasting Company (BBC).
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OSCAR ODDS: Richard Brophy, an EMU junior,
was
selected to be an Oscar panelist for the British
Broadcasting Corporation's (BBC) Web site. Brophy,
from Warrington, Great Britain, is serving as an
American representative who will make
Oscar
winner predictions. Here, he appears with
the BBC
Oscar Web site, which includes a headshot
of Brophy.
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"I saw a post on the BBC Web site asking people to be
on an Oscar panel. I thought I would give it a try," said
Brophy, a 21-year-old junior from Warrington, Great Britain.
Oddly enough, Brophy is not representing his native country,
but is the American representative. He was one of six people
from six different countries chosen from about 2,500 applicants.
Other representatives are from England, Ireland, the Phillipines,
Belgium and Australia.
"It's a little daunting to represent a nation I'm not
part of," Brophy said.
Brophy has been in the U.S. for about five years and went
to high school in Stevensville, Mich. His family recently
returned to England.
Brophy said he isn't getting paid to write his weekly
report about the Academy Awards, nor are there any perks,
like free movies.
"But you never know what will come of it," said Brophy,
who is a communication and theatre arts major.
Brophy isn't a novice when it comes to Oscar predictions.
He and his friends participate in an annual Oscar pool.
Brophy said he has won previous pools and, last year, placed
third.
Brophy credits his forensic experience at EMU with helping
him hone his skills.
"It has really helped me with knowing how to do research
and formulating an argument," said Brophy, who was the
state champ in oral interpretation last year.
As for his selections for the Feb. 24 Academy Awards,
Brophy said that best picture is probably between "Little
Miss Sunshine" and "The Departed." His pick will probably
be "Little Miss Sunshine" because he said that is his favorite
of all the nominees.
If you want to follow Brophy's other selections, go to
the BBC Web site at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6298001.stm
