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Area native gets Oscar nod for 'Juno' screenplay

February 24, 2008
BY DONNA VICKORY Sun-Times News Group

Pam Busey was at work when she got word that her daughter had been nominated for an Academy Award.

"The whole office was in a frenzy that morning," said Pam, office manager at Concrete by Wagner in Lockport. "It's been so much fun, just a whirlwind of excitement."

It's not every day that your daughter gets nominated for an Oscar.

Pam and Greg Busey's daughter Brook, known to the public as Diablo Cody, is an Oscar contender for the original screenplay she wrote for "Juno," the humorous story of a pregnant teenager who decides to put her baby up for adoption.

The movie has also been nominated for best picture.

"A lot of people have had fun with this," Greg said. "It's such an unusual thing."

The Lemont couple reflected on their 29-year-old daughter's success earlier this week, before packing up and heading to Los Angeles to be with her on her big night.
Always a free spirit
Regardless of what happens at tonight's Oscars telecast (ABC-Channel 7 at 7:30 p.m.), Pam said she believes her daughter has been blessed.

"She's very talented," she said. "But she's also very fortunate that she's been recognized for her talent. A lot of talented people never get that opportunity."

In addition to accolades for her recent screenwriting debut, Cody's book, "Candy Girl: A Year in the Life of an Unlikely Stripper," is in its fourth printing.

The graduate of Saints Cyrus and Methodius grammar school now lives in California and is working on a new movie, "Jennifer's Body," as well as a TV pilot with Steven Spielberg. She also writes a column for Entertainment Weekly.

"She's very prolific," said her dad. "But she's always been that way."

Although their daughter gave little indication early on that stardom was in her future, both Pam and Greg recalled that their youngest was always somewhat of a free spirit.

"We really can't explain where it comes from," said Greg, who works for the Illinois Tollway. "We're kind of bland people."

"It's almost as if Brook was born under a different star," Pam said.
Prom queen to Oscars
But, both recalled, their daughter was prone to fits of creativity, backed up with quiet determination.

"She would get these ideas, and it was hard to argue with her," Greg said. "It was almost as if she had to do these things."

While a high schooler at Benet Academy in Lisle, Cody announced that she was going to run for prom queen. She won the crown.

While attending the University of Iowa, where she began as a Russian studies major but graduated with a degree in media studies, she announced one day that she'd like to try disc jockeying.

She landed a predawn gig with the university's radio station. And while living in downtown Chicago as a young adult, Cody decided to take up bass guitar.

"And then singing," said Greg, chuckling. "She used to go to these open mic nights at midnight. I was worried. I'd say, 'Do you have to go out so late?'"

As Cody engaged in venture after venture, her parents just watched in amazement.

"She just seems to accomplish whatever she sets out to do," Greg said.
Writing ability
Lucky for Greg and Pam, though, they didn't know anything about Cody's foray into the world of strip dancing until her book came out.

"I don't think she ever would have told us had it not been for the book," Greg said. "That was kind of a blessing."

But even after Pam read and Greg perused "Candy Girl," the couple were most amazed at her writing ability.

"She's funny," both had to admit.

The same kind of humor is evident in "Juno."

"Brook's always loved to write," Greg said. "But she always insisted she was writing for herself, not anyone else."

Nevertheless, Cody e-mailed her mother a copy of the "Juno" script right after she finished writing it.

"I was just amazed at the writing. I don't think they changed much in the movie. If they did, they made it better because I can't tell," Pam said. "Of course, as her mom, I have to sort of detach from the subject matter."

The couple attended the film's premiere in Toronto and then a screening at Hollywood Boulevard Theatre in Woodridge with, oh, about 50 friends and family members.

"We are all enjoying Brook's success," said Pam, who learned that, when in Hollywood, she must refer to her daughter as Diablo.

"Whenever I called her Brook, no one knew who I was talking about," she said, laughing.
No political statement
Sure, the Buseys have heard the criticisms that "Juno" doesn't accurately portray the plight of teenage pregnancy and real teenagers don't have the kind of wit the main character (played by Ellen Page, also nominated for best actress) seems to effortlessly peel off.

"It's a movie, it's entertainment. It's not supposed to be a political statement," said Greg. "All the people we know have given it positive remarks."

That includes the 86-year-old aunts.

Whether their daughter wins tonight or not, Greg said, "I just hope that she can continue to do what she enjoys."

"You just want your kids to be happy and safe," Pam said. "Brook's had such a good time working on the set of this movie. She's had so many opportunities that we are already blessed."

Of course, she added, it'd be nice if they end the evening celebrating.

Pam and Greg Busey, of Lemont, talk about their daughter Brook, who uses the name Diablo Cody, and the success she has had as a writer. Friends and family wrote messages to her on a welcome board when they attended a premier of the movie "Juno" at Hollywood Boulevard Cinema in Woodridge.

Fox Home Entertainment has announced 1-disc ($29.98) and 2-disc ($34.98) editions of  Juno which stars Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, and Jason Bateman. The Oscar nominated film will be available to own from the 15th April. Each DVD will include a 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen presentation, and English Dolby Digital 5.1 track. Extras on the 1-disc will include a commentary by director Jason Reitman And writer Diablo Cody, 11 deleted scenes, a gag reel, a Cast & Crew Jam, and screen tests. The 2-disc will include all that, along with 4 featurettes (Way Beyond "Our" Maturity Level: Juno – Leah – Bleeker, Diablo Cody Is Totally Boss, Jason Reitman For Shizz, and Honest To Blog! Creating Juno).

Also available from the 15th April will be a Blu-ray release of the movie. The Blu-ray disc will include a high-definition transfer, along with English 5.1 DTS HD Lossless Master Audio. The disc also includes a Digital Copy of the film, all of the above 2-disc special features, as well as additional Fox Movie Channel Presents: Juno World Premiere and Fox Movie Channel Presents: Casting Session features.

Following the announcement of Toshiba discontinuing HD DVD Universal made a statement to Home Media Magazine.

"While Universal values the close partnership we have shared with Toshiba, it is time to turn our focus to releasing new and catalog titles on Blu-ray," said Craig Kornblau, president of Universal Studios Home Entertainment.

"The path for widespread adoption of the next-generation platform has finally become clear. Universal will continue its aggressive efforts to broaden awareness for hi-def´s unparalleled offerings in interactivity and connectivity, at an increasingly affordable price. The emergence of a single, high-definition format is cause for consumers, as well as the entire entertainment industry, to celebrate."

Title: The Air I Breathe (IMDb)
Starring: Forest Whitaker
Released: 6th May 2008
SRP: $27.98

Further Details:
ThinkFilm has officially announced The Air I Breathe which stars Forest Whitaker, Kevin Bacon, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Brendan Fraser and Andy Garcia. This new crime drama will be available to own from the 6th May, and should retail at around $27.98. The film itself will be presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen, along with an English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround track. DVD Extras will include an audio commentary with director Jieho Lee, co-writer Bob DeRosa, director of photography Walt Lloyd, and editor Robert Hoffman, deleted scenes, a behind the scenes featurette, and the theatrical trailer. A Blu-ray release will also be available for $35.98 with identical features. We've attached some early art below: