This Sunday, two of the remaining major precursors will reveal their awards. The American Society of Cinematographers will present their award for Best Cinematography while the British Academy of Film & Television Arts will be announcing a raft of nominees that have, in the past, foreshadowed shifts in popular belief (such as the year Tilda Swinton swung past Amy Ryan in the battle for the 2007 Best Supporting Actress Oscar). Whether they can do so again this year remains to be seen, but we’ll have fun searching.

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CINEMATOGRAPHERS (ASC) AWARDS

Best Cinematography

Anna Karenina
Les Misérables
Life of Pi (Peter / RU:Wesley / RU:Tripp)
Lincoln
Skyfall (Wesley / Tripp / RU:Peter)

Wesley Lovell: The ASC’s history has been peppered with choices the Academy doesn’t duplicate. I think this year might be another example of such a situation. Life of Pi seems like a strong contender for the Oscar this year, but Skyfall has received near-universal acclaim for Roger Deakins’ expert lensing. Deakins has received 10 Oscar nominations but has never won. At the ASC, he has eleven nominations and two trophies plus a lifetime achievement award. Needless to say, the ASC does love him (as do most critics). The problem is the Academy seems to keep looking past him for others to recognize. I really think Skyfall will net Deakins his third ASC award, which won’t mean a lot with the Academy. However, it’s possible he could eke out a win there, but it requires a win here first. If Claudio Miranda wins the ASC prize, the Oscar will almost certainly go with him. Janusz Kaminski is popular with the Oscars having won two awards, but the ASC has never selected him as the best of the year, even when his work should have resulted in a win. Seamus McGarvey could be a surprise victor for Anna Karenina, but this seems to be a battle between Pi and Bond.
Peter J. Patrick: It looks to me like the spectacular Life of Pi will win this one easily with Skyfall probably the closest thing to a runner-up.
Tripp Burton: Well, this is one precursor where Argo can’t win. Leaving things open. You would think this would be a place where Lincoln could make a stand (and could very well on Oscar night), but that cinematography is not the most popular aspect of the film. Roger Deakins is loved by the ASC and could pick up another win here, possibly on the long road to his first Oscar win, but Life of Pi is proving a formidable contender in the visual categories so don’t count it out.

BRITISH ACADEMY OF FILM & TELEVISION ARTS (BAFTA) AWARDS

Best Film

Argo (Wesley / RU:Peter / RU:Tripp)
Les Misérables (Peter)
Life of Pi (Tripp)
Lincoln (RU:Wesley)
Zero Dark Thirty

Wesley Lovell: In recent years, BAFTA has begun acting like a precursor, moving its awards before the Oscars and going for mostly Oscar-baity fare. Since a not-insignificant portion of the BAFTA membership are also Academy members, that could explain the thinking. Thus, most of my predictions here will match my Oscar predictions. Case-in-point is Argo winning Best Picture. It was nominated with BAFTA not only for Best Director, but also shockingly for Best Actor. That means it has a lot of support. I think that should be enough to give it a victory here. I am hesitating on putting Lincoln as the runner-up and not Life of Pi. Spielberg wasn’t nominated for Best Director, suggesting it’s respected, but not loved. Life of Pi seems like that sweet little film that surprises everyone and I could easily imagine a scenario where it takes this prize.
Peter J. Patrick: Les Miz is a phenomenon on the London stage where it is still playing in two theatres on opposite ends of the city. If it’s going to win anywhere, it’s going to win here.

Best Animated Film

Brave (RU:Peter)
Frankenweenie (Tripp RU:Wesley)
ParaNorman (Wesley / Peter / RU:Tripp)

Wesley Lovell: Without the Oscar frontrunner, we’re left with Oscar runners-up. I give the edge to ParaNorman because it seems to have earned the most precursor praise of the three listed, but Frankenweenie could easily win as could Brave.
Peter J. Patrick: If ParaNorman is an upset, then it’s an upset.

Best Director

Ben Affleck – Argo (Tripp / RU:Wesley / RU:Peter)
Kathryn Bigelow – Zero Dark Thirty
Michael Haneke – Amour (Wesley / Peter)
Ang Lee – Life of Pi (RU:Tripp)
Quentin Tarantino – Django Unchained

Wesley Lovell: I’m going out on a limb and suggesting Affleck has his first major stumble here. While Spielberg can’t be the beneficiary, I’m inclined to believe the more internationally-accepting group may give Michael Haneke the trophy. I still think it’s possible Affleck will carry this and his trajectory will continue to rise, but a Haneke or Ang Lee win wouldn’t surprise me either.
Peter J. Patrick: Haneke would be a welcome surprise, Affleck a popular choice – it could go either way.

Best Actor

Ben Affleck – Argo
Bradley Cooper – Silver Linings Playbook
Daniel Day-Lewis – Lincoln (Wesley / Peter / Tripp)
Hugh Jackman – Les Misérables (RU:Wesley / RU:Peter / RU:Tripp)
Joaquin Phoenix – The Master

Wesley Lovell: The Oscar frontrunners have little to worry about Daniel Day-Lewis should easily win with Hugh Jackman a likely runner-up considering how many nominations Les Misérables earned from this group.
Peter J. Patrick: Britain’s (actually Northern Island’s) own Daniel Day-Lewis will most likely take home his fourth BAFTA, with Australia’s Hugh Jackman a possible spoiler.

Best Actress

Jessica Chastain – Zero Dark Thirty (Tripp / RU:Peter)
Marion Cotillard – Rust and Bone
Jennifer Lawrence – Silver Linings Playbook (RU:Wesley)
Helen Mirren – Hitchcock
Emmanuelle Riva – Amour (Wesley / Peter / RU:Tripp)

Wesley Lovell: Another case like Best Director where I think we might get a surprise. Emmanuelle Riva is probably a more familiar name to the members of BAFTA who seem to be more embracing of foreign films, thus I think Riva could surprise with a win here. Jennifer Lawrence or Jessica Chastain could also easily triumph. If Chastain or Riva wins one of the key narrative strains from here out will be that Lawrence isn’t as lock-like as some claim.
Peter J. Patrick: Oscar fave Jennifer Lawrence doesn’t seem to have much traction here. Legendary French actress Emmanuelle Riva should win here with Jessica Chastain the most likely runner-up.

Best Supporting Actor

Alan Arkin – Argo
Javier Bardem – Skyfall (RU:Tripp)
Philip Seymour Hoffman – The Master (RU:Wesley)
Tommy Lee Jones – Lincoln (Wesley / Peter)
Christoph Waltz – Django Unchained (Tripp / RU:Peter)

Wesley Lovell: Another case of prediction influence as the BAFTA may single out Jones to keep his name in the competition. Hoffman could also win since there are likely fewer Scientologists in the BAFTA organization, which I believe is one of the key reasons the film went over poorly with the Academy. This category is still a bit in flux at the moment, but BAFTA might give us a hint.
Peter J. Patrick: Jones should take this one easily, but don’t be surprised if Waltz pulls an upset.

Best Supporting Actress

Amy Adams – The Master
Judi Dench – Skyfall (RU:Tripp)
Sally Field – Lincoln (RU:Wesley / RU:Peter)
Anne Hathaway – Les Misérables (Wesley / Peter / Tripp)
Helen Hunt – The Sessions

Wesley Lovell: More love for Anne Hathaway is likely considering the love for her film from this group. That doesn’t mean she’s a lock. Sally Field could easily win, but a surprise victory by brit Judi Dench may be in the cards as well.
Peter J. Patrick: Hathaway all the way, with Field the only possible spoiler.

Best Original Screenplay

Amour (Wesley / Peter / Tripp)
Django Unchained
The Master (RU:Tripp)
Moonrise Kingdom
Zero Dark Thirty (RU:Wesley / RU:Peter)

Wesley Lovell: If, as I suspect, BAFTA has fallen in love with Amour, this award should be certian. However, of all of the categories I’m predicting the film to win, this and Foreign Language Film seem like the most solid bets.
Peter J. Patrick: Amour should be recognized here. If not, Zero Dark Thirty is the most likely winner.

Best Adapted Screenplay

Argo (Tripp / RU:Wesley / RU:Peter)
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Life of Pi (RU:Tripp)
Lincoln (Wesley / Peter)
Silver Linings Playbook

Wesley Lovell: The two perceived Oscar frontrunners will go head-to-head and this could be our first indication that a shift is in the works. Until recently, it was thought Lincoln would win this prize hands-down, but with all the talk of Argo being the Best Picture frontrunner, more than two awards may be required and this could be one of the ones to fall. This may be one of the most important races at BAFTA for Oscar prognosticators.
Peter J. Patrick: One of two meticulously-researched screenplays should take this, with the more scholarly Lincoln seemingly more likely than Argo.

Best Original Music

Anna Karenina
Argo (RU:Wesley / RU:Peter)
Life of Pi (Wesley / Peter / Tripp)
Lincoln
Skyfall (RU:Tripp)

Wesley Lovell: Another battle that could predict how Oscar may go. Life of Pi, having to fill a lot of vacancy in the plot with music, seems to have the best advantage going into the race, but Alexandre Desplat’s subserviant score to Argo may also win. If it does, we may be looking at an Oscar juggernaut.
Peter J. Patrick: Life of Pi is the most unforgettable, with Argo also quite memorable

Best Editing

Argo (Wesley / RU:Peter)
Django Unchained
Life of Pi (Tripp)
Skyfall (RU:Tripp)
Zero Dark Thirty (Peter / RU:Wesley)

Wesley Lovell: Argo needs this category above all others to seem like a frontrunner. Without it, the possibility that the film goes home with only one Oscar, Best Picture, gets stronger. We’ll know more when BAFTA weighs in.
Peter J. Patrick: The crisp editing of Zero Dark Thirty should prevail over the derring-do of Argo.

Best Cinematography

Anna Karenina
Life of Pi (Peter / RU:Wesley / RU:Tripp)
Lincoln
Les Misérables (RU:Peter)
Skyfall (Wesley / Tripp)

Wesley Lovell: I think this may be a result similar to ASC largely because Skyfall is a very British film franchise, which may give it an edge in a number of categories.
Peter J. Patrick: The virtuosity of Life of Pi should win out over the competition with a sentimental win for Les Misérables also possible.

Best Production Design

Anna Karenina (Wesley / Tripp / RU:Peter)
Life of Pi
Lincoln
Les Misérables (Peter / RU:Wesley / RU:Tripp)
Skyfall

Wesley Lovell: The Brits have an edge and I think Anna Karenina should continue its Oscar-rolling success here.
Peter J. Patrick: If Les Misérables can win Costume Design over Anna Karenina it can win Production Design as well.

Best Costume Design

Anna Karenina (Wesley / Tripp / RU:Peter)
Great Expectations
Lincoln
Les Misérables (Peter / RU:Wesley / RU:Tripp)
Snow White and the Huntsman

Wesley Lovell: Where Costume Design goes, so too does Production Design and vice-versa. If anything but Anna wins, it’ll be one of the major talking points of the season.
Peter J. Patrick: This one looks like a three-way race between Les Misérables, Anna Karenina and Lincoln. I think it will ultimately be either Les Misérables or Anna Karenina probably in that order.

Best Makeup & Hair

Anna Karenina
Hitchcock (RU:Tripp)
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (Wesley / Tripp)
Lincoln (RU:Peter)
Les Misérables (Peter / RU:Wesley)

Wesley Lovell: I’m leaning towards The Hobbit, but wouldn’t be surprised if Lincoln or Les Mis were to win.
Peter J. Patrick: Should be one of the “L” films – I’m thinking the British born Les Misérables will ace out Lincoln.

Best Sound

Django Unchained
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (RU:Tripp)
Life of Pi
Les Misérables (Peter / RU:Wesley)
Skyfall (Wesley Tripp / RU:Peter)

Wesley Lovell: The two British films are very likely to duke it out for this prize. I give the edge to Skyfall, but wouldn’t be surprised if the musical takes it.
Peter J. Patrick: Musicals and action flicks tend to have the most obvious uses of sound which makes me think it be either Les Misérables or Skyfall.

Best Special Visual Effects

The Avengers
The Dark Knight Rises
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (RU:Wesley / RU:Peter)
Life of Pi (Wesley / Peter / RU:Tripp)
Prometheus (Tripp)

Wesley Lovell: This is Life of Pi‘s award to lose.
Peter J. Patrick: Gotta love that tiger.

Best Foreign Language Film

Amour (Wesley / Peter / Tripp)
Headhunters (RU:Tripp)
The Hunt
The Intouchables (RU:Wesley / RU:Peter)
Rust and Bone

Wesley Lovell: Amour is the only film with more than one nomination outside of this category and Rust and Bone only has Best Actress as does Amour. This one should be a no-brainer, but the original Oscar spoiler The Intouchables is nominated here, but not at the Oscars.
Peter J. Patrick: Anything other than Amour would be an upset.

Best Documentary

The Imposter (Peter / Tripp / RU:Wesley)
Marley
McCullin
Searching for Sugar Man (Wesley / RU:Peter / RU:Tripp)
West of Memphis

Wesley Lovell: I’m not really sure how BAFTA likes it’s documentaries, so I’m going with the Oscar frontrunner and one of the other most talked about documentaries of the year.
Peter J. Patrick: The homegrown The Imposter is probably a slight favorite here over the popular Searching for Sugar Man.

Best Short Animation

Here to Fall (RU:Wesley / RU:Tripp)
I’m Fine Thanks (Wesley / Tripp)
The Making of Longbird

Wesley Lovell: I don’t know anything about these shorts, so I’m making faithless predictions. If I have to go by name alone, I’m going with I’m Fine Thanks to win with Here to Fall as a runner-up.
Peter J. Patrick: No idea about short subjects.

Best Short Film

The Curse
Good Night (Wesley)
Swimmer (Tripp)
Tumult (RU:Wesley)
The Voorman Problem (RU:Tripp)

Wesley Lovell: The same as above. I’ll give the edge to Good Night with Tumult as runner-up.
Peter J. Patrick: No idea about short subjects.

Best British Film

Anna Karenina
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Les Misérables (Wesley / Peter / RU:Tripp)
Seven Psychopaths
Skyfall (Tripp / RU:Wesley / RU:Peter)

Wesley Lovell: I’m going with the only film nominated for Best Picture as well, though I could see them giving this to Skyfall instead.
Peter J. Patrick: Les Miséerables seems like a slam-dunk to me.

Best Rising Star

Elizabeth Olsen (Wesley / RU:Tripp)
Andrea Riseborough
Suraj Sharma (RU:Wesley / RU:Peter)
Juno Temple (Peter / Tripp)
Alicia Vikander

Wesley Lovell: This was so much easier to predict when there was an blockbuster’s cast member nominated. Suraj Sharma has been seen more frequently in Life of Pi than most of the others and since this is voted on by the public, he could win; however, Elizabeth Olsen isn’t an unknown name after last year’s Martha Marcy May Marlene hubbub. I’m giving a slight edge to Olsen, but Sharma could also win as could Temple or Riseborough, the latter because she’s very well known among British audiences.
Peter J. Patrick: Rising Star is voted on by the public. It’s a popularity contest. I have no idea who the voters are or what they look for but I’ll take a stab at it and say Juno Temple because she was in The Avengers.

Best Debut of a British Writer, Director or Producer

Thina Garavi (writer/director) – I Am Nasrine (Peter)
Bart Layton (writer) and Dimitri Doganis (producer) – The Imposter (RU:Wesley / RU:Peter)
David Morris (director) and Jacqui Morris (director/producer) – McCullin
James Bobin (director) The Muppets
Dexter Fletcher (writer/director) and Danny King (writer) – Wild Bill (Wesley)

Wesley Lovell: I’m not familiar with I Am Nasrine or McCullin and I’ve heard very little about Wild Bill. I’m giving the edge to Bill with Best Documentary nominee The Imposter as a runner-up, but I’m not particularly confident about either.
Peter J. Patrick: I’m guessing that the pull of the subject matter will bring the makers of the Iranian drama I Am Nasrine to the podium. If not, then the makers of the France-to-Texas The Imposter will prevail