The Oscars may still be six weeks away, but Twitter is already buzzing about the past year’s biggest and best films. And now you can track and measure that conversation with the Twitter Oscars Index, available at oscars.twitter.com.

Year-round, movie buffs come to Twitter to discuss, analyze, and rate the movies they watch; during the Hollywood awards season, that conversation kicks into high gear. Sunday night’s Golden Globes, for example, saw over 4 million Tweets. The Twitter Oscars Index reflects the ebb and flow of the movie-related conversations throughout the awards season, showing how positively fans are commenting on nominees relative to each other on Twitter.


The Index reflects the sentiment of Tweets about nominees in the 6 biggest categories of the night: Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Director.

You can slice and dice the data in many different ways: looking at, for instance, how a certain news event or another award affects Twitter conversation around a nominee over time. On January 10th, the day Oscar nominations were announced, you can see that conversation around Jacki Weaver (Best Supporting Actress, Silver Linings Playbook) rose significantly:

After Amour won Best Foreign Language Film at the Golden Globes on Sunday, positive buzz noticeably increased (in blue):
Another way to explore the Index is by comparing nominees to each other to see which is garnering the most positive sentiment. The Golden Globe winner for Best Director was Ben Affleck (for Argo), but he didn’t receive a directing nomination for the Oscars, leaving the field open to a great deal of speculation. Based on the Oscar Index, directors Steven Spielberg (for Lincoln) and Ang Lee (for Life of Pi) currently have the most positive buzz on Twitter:

The score for each nominee that reflects how conversation around that term compares to all other conversation on Twitter. For example, a score of 87 for Silver Linings Playbook indicates that Tweets discussing Silver Linings Playbook are on average more positive than 87 percent of all Tweets. This may remind you of the Twitter Political Index, which focused on the Twitter conversation around presidential nominees Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. Indeed, the Oscars Index employs the same underlying methodology; as we did earlier, we're once again partnering with Topsy (@Topsy) for sentiment analysis. We also worked closely with the Academy on this project.

Awards season also brings out the armchair film critic in many of us, as we rattle off our personal picks and pans, and predict who will take home that coveted award at the end of February. The Twitter Oscars Index offers a way to measure those discussions that happen on Twitter, and provide insight for all those closely following the exciting Oscar races. While the next six weeks are sure to be filled with crystal ball predictions of how the illustrious Academy members will vote, the Twitter Oscars Index provides another dimension to the story: the voice of the fans.

Posted by Fred Graver (@fredgraver)
Head of TV

On most Mondays, this series alerts you to key things happening on Twitter in the coming week. A live chat with the cast of your favorite TV show, a Q&A with a candidate or author, a pro sports team Tweepstakes — this is the way to keep current on the can’t-mss moments on Twitter for the week ahead. - Ed.

Monday, Jan. 14; 10 p.m. ET 
Hawaii Five-O (@hawaiifive0cbs) is the first-ever show to allow fans to choose its ending in real-time. As the drama unfolds on screen, viewers can vote for the show’s culprit by tweeting the suspects: #TheTA, #TheStudent, or #TheBoss. Behind the scenes, the Hawaii Five-O production team will be tallying the votes, putting the post popular selection on air to end the show. More information on tonight’s episode can be found on last week’s Twitter Blog post.

Don't forget, Monday at 10/9c you can help choose #H50 ending. Info: bit.ly/VALI7n. View more first-look photos: bit.ly/Xr6plj
— Hawaii Five-0(@HawaiiFive0CBS) January 12, 2013

Monday, Jan. 14 
International tennis superstar Maria Sharapova @mariasharapova joined Twitter today. Fans can tweet her at @mariasharapova or follow along with her Twitter stream here.

Wednesday, Jan. 16
@TwitterMovies is hanging with Josh Duhamel (@JoshDuhamel) and Nicholas Sparks (@Sparks_Nicholas) this Wednesday and may have time for a pop-up "Safe Haven" Q&A. Do you have questions for Josh or Nicholas? Tweet it to @TwitterMovies using the hashtag #SafeHaven.

We're hanging with @joshduhamel and @sparksnicholas on Wednesday! Should we ask them some questions? Tweet them to us with #SafeHaven!
— Twitter Movies (@TwitterMovies) January 14, 2013

Twitter is the best way for fans to maximize their TV-watching experience, and this week, they can tweet or follow along with shows’ anticipated season premieres, including:

Wednesday, Jan. 16 - Thursday, Jan. 17; 8 p.m. ET 
American Idol (@Americanidol) #AmericanIdol

Who is ready for #Idolin3days?
— American Idol (@AmericanIdol) January 13, 2013

Friday, Jan. 18; 10:00 p.m. ET 
Best Week Ever (@BestWeekEver) #BestWeekEver

+THIS WILL BE THE MOST AMAZING THING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN+ #BestWeekEver returns to @vh1 Friday, Jan 18 at 10/9C! #plussed
— BestWeekEver (@BestWeekEver) January 13, 2013

Check back next week for more!

Posted by Rachael Horwitz (@rachaelrad)
Communications

Full of laughs, tears, and surprises, tonight’s Golden Globe awards show (and red carpet) rang up over 3.6 million Tweets, bringing the grand total of Globes-related Tweets over the past 24 hours up to 4.2 million.

During the show, viewers at home tweeted along with all of the night’s most exciting, entertaining, and emotional moments. The moments that drove the biggest Twitter conversation of the night were:
-Jennifer Lawrence winning Best Actress in a comedy or musical: 19,886 TPM
-Anne Hathaway winning Best Supporting Actress in a comedy or musical: 19,695 TPM
-President Bill Clinton introduces ‘Lincoln’: 18,290 TPM

Nominees and attendees started their tweeting early, giving all their followers a personal glimpse into what it takes to get ready for one of the year’s biggest red carpets:

Having a blast at rehearsals for #eRedCarpet coveragefor the #GoldenGlobes w/ @giulianarancic & @georgekotsi twitter.com/MissKellyO/sta…
— Kelly Osbourne (@MissKellyO) January 12, 2013

Getting ready for the #GoldenGlobes with Team Eva! @makeupbyelan @kenpavessay.ly/Lfm4XaE
— Eva Longoria (@EvaLongoria) January 13, 2013

Golden Globes, here we come!!! twitter.com/janemarielynch…
— Jane Lynch (@janemarielynch) January 14, 2013

Getting ready for the #goldenglobes !! say.ly/VAN4XdT
— Sofia Vergara (@SofiaVergara) January 14, 2013

The stars continued to tweet (those tiny clutches must have just enough room for a cell phone!), offering fans at home a virtual seat at their table. As the winners were announced, tweets from attendees, as well as celebs watching from home, showed an intimate glimpse of what it’s like to see your fellow nominees, co-stars, or favorite stars, take the stage to accept a Golden Globe:

There ain’t anything like a Dame.Congratulations Dame Maggie Smith!It was an honor to have my name mentioned in a category with you!
— hayden panettiere (@haydenpanettier) January 14, 2013

Nothing makes me happier then getting to say "The winner is Claire Danes" for #Homeland.. Coolest moment ever!!!!
— Lea Michele (@msleamichele) January 14, 2013

Yay! @lenadunham and the entire cast of "Girls"! Congrats!!!!!
— Jesse Tyler Ferguson (@jessetyler) January 14, 2013

Thank you #JodieFoster for your sharing your grace & grit over 47 yrs, and most of all tonight. #AnExample #GoldenGlobes
— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) January 14, 2013

LOVE Adele and Damian Lewis. Yay Brits! #goldenglobes
— Emma Watson (@EmWatson) January 14, 2013

Everyone watching along, whether at home or in the audience, also weighed in on hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. Based on the outpouring of complimentary Tweets, it looks like they were two of the night’s big winners too.

#Amy&Tina are killing at the #goldenglobes.Too funny.
— Star Jones (@StarJonesEsq) January 14, 2013

Tina & Amy are killing the opening segment!!! Hilarious!!#GoldenGlobes
— OMAR EPPS (@omarepps) January 14, 2013

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler hit a HOME RUN tonight!!! Congrats. #GoldenGIobes
— jimmy fallon (@jimmyfallon) January 14, 2013

Tina and Amy, you were worth it!Kristin and Will, too. #GoldenGlobes
— Judy Blume (@judyblume) January 14, 2013

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are hilarious. I don't know why someone didn't think of this sooner. #GoldenGlobes
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) January 14, 2013

With many more awards shows paving the way until the Oscars, we can’t wait to see what keeps everyone else buzzing throughout awards season!

Posted by Grace Chu Lee (@gracelee)
TV Partnerships

Have you ever wished that you had the chance to direct an episode of your favorite show? Do you think you’d make a great detective? Next week CBS’ Hawaii Five-0 (@HawaiiFive0CBS) is letting the viewers sit in the director chair and put on their detective hat.

Fans of Hawaii Five-0 will be able to choose the ending of the show in real-time on Monday evening. The #H50 team will spend the episode investigating the mysterious death of a professor, with the TA, the student, and the boss all prime suspects. As the drama unfolds on screen, viewers will see a prompt to vote for the culprit by tweeting #theTA, #TheStudent or #TheBoss. Behind the scenes, the Hawaii Five-0 production team will be tallying the votes immediately, and will put the most popular selection on air to end the show.

We're shaking things up on Monday's new #H50 epi! We're giving YOU an opportunity to choose the ending. Watch Preview: bit.ly/VALI7n
— Hawaii Five-0(@HawaiiFive0CBS) January 9, 2013

The episode airs from 10-11pm ET & PT on Monday (Jan 14), with separate voting for the east and west coast. That means that each half of the country may see entirely different endings, based on what’s being most tweeted during the local broadcast. (CBS will make all 3 versions available online following the show.) This marks the first time a primetime drama has put the outcome of a scripted show into the fan’s hands via Twitter.

Posted by Grace Chu Lee (@gracelee)
TV Partnerships

The brightest stars in Hollywood will flock to the Beverly Hills Hilton for the Golden Globes Awards (@goldenglobes) this Sunday, Jan. 13 at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT. And while fans will be watching on their TVs from countries around the world, they can get even closer to the show and feel like they’re part of the action (and the after parties) by tuning in on Twitter.

Actors, directors, style icons and other VIPs will be live-tweeting to share inside experiences from on the red carpet, in the audience, backstage, and sometimes watching along on their couch. With the dinner party setting of the Golden Globes, the awards show is known for providing fans a unique glimpse of TV and film’s most talented stars. Following along on Twitter is like having a seat at the table, being a part of the conversation with your favorite celebrities.

The Golden Globes live-tweeters include:

Julia Louis-Dreyfus @OfficialJLD - Nominee for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series
David Spade - @DavidSpade
Sofia Vergara - @SofiaVergara  - Nominee for Modern Family
Hayden Panettiere - @haydenpanettier - Nominee for Nashville
Megan Hilty - @meganhilty - Star of nominee Smash
Audrina Patridge - @AudrinaPatridge
Nina Garcia - @NinaGarcia
Omar Epps -  @omarepps
Camila Alves - @iamcamilaalves
Marlon Wayons - @MARLONLWAYANS
Retta - @unfoRETTAble
Todd Barry - @ToddBarry
Krista Smith - @KristaSmith
Ra Ra Riot - @rarariot
Christos Decades @ChristosDecades
George Kotsiopoulos - @GeorgeKotsi
Maria Menounos - @mariamenounos
Tyler James Williams - @TylerJamesWill
Shanola Hampton - @ShanolaHampton
Katee Sackhoff -  @kateesackhoff

Whether you’re tuning in for the fashion, results, acceptance speeches or witty banter, you can engage or just follow along with your favorite nominees and fellow fans using the hashtag #goldenglobes and #globesparty, or check out the special page we built that features the live-tweeters all in one place.

Chef Suki prepares this year's @goldenglobes appetizer! A grilled artichoke with fennel tomato lemon mousse and salad! twitter.com/goldenglobes/s…
— Golden Globe Awards (@goldenglobes) January 3, 2013

Just realized that the golden globes are this weekend!!!! @giulianarancic call me we need to talk dresses! Are we still doing 2 changes? #E!
— Kelly Osbourne (@MissKellyO) January 7, 2013

Hope I find something to wear for the @goldenglobesLol! @marielhaenn @robzangardi #overacheivers #LOVEit #LETSGETIT twitter.com/JLo/status/288…
— Jennifer Lopez (@JLo) January 7, 2013

Nothing goes better with gold sequins than red chucks. Good call, Amy! #GoldenGlobes twitter.com/parksandrecnbc…
— Parks and Recreation (@parksandrecnbc) January 2, 2013

Posted by
Fred Graver (@fredgraver), Head of TV
and
Kate Bowen (@kateb), TV Talent Relations

As more and more musicians, actors and athletes — everyone from Kobe Bryant to Megan Fox — join Twitter, fans can engage and chat directly with their favorite stars. Today, for instance, @Cosmopolitan Magazine is offering you the chance to have February cover girl and “Safe Haven” star Julianne Hough (@JulianneHough) answer your questions.

You can tweet questions to @Cosmopolitan using #SafeHavenChat, and then tune into Twitter at 8 p.m. EST tonight, January 8th. Whether you want to ask about her new thriller or her intimate interview in Cosmo’s latest issue,  just follow along with @Cosmopolitan and @JulianneHough.

Questions for @juliannehough? Tweet them @cosmopolitan #SafeHavenChat. She'll answer tmrw! Cc: @safehavenmovie twitter.com/Cosmopolitan/s…
— Cosmopolitan (@Cosmopolitan) January 7, 2013

Posted by Alexandra Valasek (@AlzValz)
Communications

Oh and ill be live tweeting tomorrow for the premiere!So get those questions ready!#bunheads @abcfamily @abcfbunheads
— Sutton Foster (@sfosternyc) January 6, 2013

Yesterday the 113th Congress was sworn in at the US Capitol. Many of the newly-elected members took to Twitter to share their pride, gratitude (and a dash of awe) to be officially taking office. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be sworn in to public office, these Tweets from some of the newest members offer a glimpse into the first day on the job at the Capitol.

Rep. Eric Swalwell started his morning with a run past the U.S. Capitol, where he would later be sworn in:

Kicked off morning with run to the Capitol.The day this sight no longer moves me is the day I should leave. twitter.com/SwalwellForCA1…
— Eric Swalwell (@SwalwellForCA15) January 3, 2013

Senator Heidi Heitkamp arrived from frigid North Dakota to find a warm welcome awaiting in her new Capitol Hill office:

Incredible day already! Walking into office for first time this morning surrounded by family, friends, & staff. #NDSEN twitter.com/Heidi4ND/statu…
— Heidi Heitkamp (@Heidi4ND) January 3, 2013

South Carolina’s Tim Scott, the only African American member of the Senate, showed what his first day of work entailed:

Ready to Go On the Record with @gretawire twitter.com/SenatorTimScot…
— Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) January 4, 2013

Incoming Virginia Senator Tim Kaine posted bilingual Tweets for the benefit of his Spanish-speaking constituents:

Hoy d?a comienzo mi t?rmino en el Senado. Aqu? esta un mensaje especial en espa?ol por este d?a importante. youtube.com/watch?v=UOr1yQ…
— Gov. Tim Kaine (@timkaine) January 3, 2013

Many of the new Congress members didn’t arrive in Washington alone: they brought along their families, in person or in spirit, for the historical occasion:

On the floor of the US House with my kids, Griffin, Toryn and Clark twitter.com/ElectRodneyIL/…
— Rodney Davis (@ElectRodneyIL) January 3, 2013

Officially a U.S. senator. Mahalo for helping make it happen. Now let's get to work! twitter.com/mazieforhawaii…
— Mazie Hirono (@mazieforhawaii) January 3, 2013

Family, friends and constituents at the Library of Congress watching the swearing-in ceremony live. twitter.com/FilemonVela/st…
— Filemon Vela (@FilemonVela) January 3, 2013

Swearing-in day. THE day. Am dedicating my first week in Congress to the memory of my dad, a big influence in my life. Wish he was here.
— Pete Gallego (@petegallego) January 3, 2013

In addition to welcoming to the new members, colleagues of Illinois Senator Mark Kirk shared in his emotional return to Capitol Hill following a stroke last year:

Will never forget seeing my capitol hill family from the cap steps today. #Amazing, so grateful.
— Mark Kirk (@SenatorKirk) January 3, 2013

While other returning Senators noted the historic composition of the new class:

The #113Congress has a record 20 female Senators. Welcome to new Senators Hirono, Warren, Heitkamp, Baldwin & Fischer.
— Frank R. Lautenberg (@FrankLautenberg) January 3, 2013

Now there are 20 women in Senatehighest ever. That's good for our nation and good for Senate
— ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) January 3, 2013

Also on the agenda for the first day of business was electing party leadership. The vote for Speaker of the House attracted notable attention; several representatives used Twitter to share updates and their thoughts:

My constituent, David Walker, just got anomination for Speaker of the House. If Boehner doesn't have the votes, maybe a new CT Compromise?
— Jim Himes (@jahimes) January 3, 2013

Congrats to @speakerboehner. Thank you for your leadership—looking forward to 113th.
— Lynn Jenkins (@RepLynnJenkins) January 3, 2013

Honored to have been elected by my colleagues to continue serving as Speaker of the House for the 113th Congress.
— Speaker John Boehner (@SpeakerBoehner) January 3, 2013

As the 113th Congress gets underway, following your representatives gives you a closer perspective every day on the goings-on in D.C., your state and district.

Posted by Bridget Coyne (@bcoyne)
Government, News, & Social Innovation Team

Happy new year! Last night millions of people rang in 2013 by tweeting messages as midnight arrived in every time zone. From Tokyo to San Francisco, the spikes in Tweets per second reveal when and where people celebrated as seen in this visualization created by Twitter's @trebor: While the numbers tell one story, individual Tweets offer a more intimate look at the hopes, wishes and thoughts people from around the world (and space!) have for this year. Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield tweeted to earth from the International Space Station:

Happy 2013 from orbit! Let's use Twitter to communicate like never before, see the year and the world through each others' eyes.

— Chris Hadfield (@Cmdr_Hadfield) January 1, 2013

An early riser tweeted the first sunrise of the year over Mount Fuji:

初日の出、ダブルダイヤモンド富士^^　#fujisan #mysky twitter.com/sadashima117/s…

— 島田　貞男 (@sadashima117) January 1, 2013

Like many of us, celebrities, athletes and other notables were out in force on Twitter last night wishing everyone a new year and sharing their resolutions:

What's everybody's New Year's resolution? I'm gonna try to go Vegan. Discipline test. NOT looking forward to it. Wish me luck!!

— Ne-Yo!! (@NeYoCompound) December 31, 2012

Excited to tackle another year. We may not know what the year holds, but thankful to know who holds it!! Happy New Year West Coast!

— Allyson Felix (@allysonfelix) January 1, 2013

Happy new year everybody. Lots of great things in store for 2013. Go get it. Go Mavs

— Dirk Nowitzki (@swish41) January 1, 2013

Love powerfully. Conquer with humility. Smile and laugh as much as we can. 2013.. #JustBringIt #HappyNewYear

— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) January 1, 2013

Posted by Rachael Horwitz (@rachaelrad) Communications Team