Golden Globes 2015: Dispatches from inside the room

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On playing Stephen Hawking: “The interesting aspect, for me, was when you meet Stephen, even though he can only move so few muscles, all of his energy is channeled into that; that’s where his charisma is. And it was a great privilege to convey that on film.” (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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On the character she plays in “Still Alice”: “This is a woman who chooses to inhabit her life no matter what her life is. Not get ahead of it, not get behind it. But try to be in it. That to me is truly beautiful. That’s really all we have.” (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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On her role in “The Affair”: “I work hard, I care so much about the characters I create; I was really intent on serving the grief of this character. My godmother has suffered what Alison went through, and I wanted to see what that felt like, to serve that.” (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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On his actor win: “The thing of who’s best or who’s better, its a tricky thing. I’m proud to have it but there’s not a person in the room who couldn’t have won something.” (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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On taking on his “Boyhood” role: “I don’t think any actor has been approached with this offer before: to create a character ... that will change the way we all change. Inevitably, slowly, mysteriously. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity.” (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images)

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On filming “Boyhood”: “So much of life also demands patience, and film is the most patience-demanding art form -- and this was that times 12. What it took away in urgency, it gave us in time and we used that time to dig deeper to develop these characters.” (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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On the show: “Tina and Amy kill me. I think that they’re the best hosts of this show. Last year’s ‘Gravity’ joke was the best. Tonight ... was hysterical.” (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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On casting Ruth Wilson in “The Affair”: “If you see a two-minute reel and feel this woman is irreplaceable, you have to get on your knees and beg her to do your show.” (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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On an increase in complex roles for women: “All of a sudden there’s a kind of wealth of roles for women who actually feel like women I know and like me, women that aren’t this fantasy of perfection or what we wish we could be.” (Jordan Strauss / Invision / Associated Press)

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On writing the script: “I feel very happy and very proud having shared with these writers and friends this profound experience. We laughed every time, on every page.” (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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On politics at the Golden Globes ceremony: “The issues going on in the world right now are about how we express ourselves and Hollywood is often the epicenter of expression. This is the most important issue here tonight.” (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images)

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On portraying Maura in “Transparent”: “The bottom line ... this is about freedom. I get to partake in some aspect of that. My hands shook every day while making it -- not for the review, not for the awards, but just to get it right.” (Frederic J. Brown / AFP / Getty Images)

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On creating “Transparent”: “My own parent came out as trans three years ago. From the moment I began to understand who my parent was and what I didn’t know about my family and who they are now, this show just made itself. To have Amazon believe in this is amazing.” (Frederic J. Brown / AFP / Getty Images)

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On the 12th year of filming “Boyhood”: “The last year [of filming], I was so sad that we were finishing. I was like, ‘I’m the mom! And the mom doesn’t agree that it’s 12 years. It’s actually a 20-year movie! You can finish this movie when I’m an old, dead woman.’ ” (Jordan Strauss / Invision / Associated Press)

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On the show’s political jokes: “I think it’s going over well. North Korea -- it’s all fair game. I was glad they mentioned ‘Je suis Charlie.’ I did love that. It’s good we know that there’s stuff going on outside of this room.” (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images)

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On making movies: “The major task when we do movies is our idea to come up with a movie that makes people think ... and cry.” (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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On her daughter: “It’s strange to say a 4½-year-old is supportive, but she is. She always says, ‘You look pretty, Momma.’ I look forward to some mommy time [with her].” (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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On his supporting actor win for “The Normal Heart”: “Initially it was shock. Then just joy and trying to make sure I didn’t get too emotional.” (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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On “Selma”: “I didn’t know there was that many multicultural parts to the [civil rights] movement. What that opened my mind to is seeing what’s happening right now. We see people from different backgrounds coming together. They just want justice and humanity.” (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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On her TV actress win for “Jane the Virgin”: “It allowed Latinos to see themselves in a beautiful light. The win meant everything, a lot more than just me.” (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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On the trophy: “Do you guys remember the TV series ‘Columbo’? Ever notice that the murder weapon was something like [this]?” (Jordan Strauss / Invision/AP)

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On playing a woman of the 1920s and a rape survivor: “There may be people at home that have been through this experience. I want people to feel my portrayal was honest.” (Frederic J. Brown / AFP / Getty Images)

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His advice for young actors: “Keep doing it and work hard to develop a strong foundation. I had a brilliant choir director when I was in college -- and it was really hard and he said, ‘Look, we have to get this perfect, this rhythm and balance. And then we can start to make music.’” (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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On the red Badgley Mischka gown she purchased herself: “I’m a writer who spends days in her PJs.” (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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On watching the Golden Globes annually with her late mother: “I remember when it was in black and white! My mom would love this. I’m here tonight for my mother.” (John Shearer / Invision / Associated Press)

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On her feelings pre-show: “I was nervous when I woke up -- but a gin and tonic helps with that!” Only to add: “Not in the morning though!” (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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On his role in “Silicon Valley”: “I’m just so happy to finally be able to play a character that’s closer to my comic persona. Plus all the other comics in it are just so good.” (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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On the red carpet scene, and “Silicon Valley’s” nomination: “There’s just so many people, a lot of cameras and questions. I don’t know if [we’ll win]. The show’s only had eight episodes. I’m already practicing my ‘It’s OK if we don’t win’ speech.” (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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On the red carpet scene: “This is my first time in America. And what a great welcome!” (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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On his “lucky” golden cufflinks: “They’re old and haven’t brought me luck yet, but we will see.” He’s seen here at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards in November. (Grant Pollard / Invision / Associated Press)

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On whether “House of Cards” will go home with a statue: “It’s a crapshoot. But just being a contender is an honor. And something like this -- really, it’s just a big party. It’s fun.” He’s seen here at an Envelope round table event last May. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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On the music he composed for “Birdman,” which is nominated for a score Golden Globe: “We tried to mirror the internal turmoil of Michael Keaton’s character,” the jazz drummer, seen at a BAFTA event Saturday, said. “Anxiety, crazy, chaotic. The drums represent it all.” (Jason Kempin / Getty Images)

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On the Golden Globes’ growth as an awards show: “I’ve watched every one and I can’t believe we’ve almost outgrown the Hilton!” Kramer, left, said. She’s pictured here with her daughter, Katherine, in 2005. (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)

By Amy Kaufman

Columnist

Jan. 11, 2015 7:31 PM PT

‎Away from the podium, wedged between the closely arranged dinner tables, during commercial breaks, there is a different experience of the 72nd Golden Globes on Sunday night. Times reporter Amy Kaufman worked the room and shared these moments:

“I think it’s going over well.”

That was Mark Ruffalo’s review of the in-progress show while waiting in line for the bathroom with his wife.

“North Korea — it’s all fair game. I was glad they mentioned ‘Je suis Charlie.’ I did love that.”

Ruffalo added: “It’s good we know that there’s stuff going on outside of this room.”

****

Reese Witherspoon was apparently able to score more than just the requisite plus-one to the Golden Globes: In addition to her husband, Jim Toth, she invited “Wild” author Cheryl Strayed and the writer’s husband.

Dressed in a red Badgley Mischka gown Strayed purchased herself — though she had help picking it out from her Portland, Ore.-‎based stylist — Strayed said she would wear it again.

“I’m a writer who spends days in her PJs,” she joked.

Flanked by Witherspoon, Strayed was brought over to Jennifer Aniston’s table for an introduction. Aniston gamely embraced the author as the three posed for a photograph.

****

“You’re kicking ass,” said Louis CK, embracing Kevin Hart during a commercial break. “Just fiercely talented and hilarious.”

“I watch everything you do,” Hart replied.

Their lovefest concluded, we asked CK what he thought about hosts Tina Fey and Amy Pohler jokes about Bill Cosby.

“Pretty funny,” he smiled. “Great jokes from very funny people.”

Then he spotted Robert Downey Jr., and moved on to give him a big hug.

“Baby!” Iron Man yelled.

****

“I’m too drunk to answer anything real.”

That was Kate Mara’s reaction when asked what she thought about the references throughout the show to cultural events. “Of course they are talking about that stuff. There’s more going on than ever.”

Overhearing the conversation, Kevin Spacey — with whom Mara had been holding hands throughout the evening, quickly got up. “And that’s my cue to leave!”

‎

****

“I love the Je Suis Charlie stuff,” Felicity Jones said. “It’s so important that it be discussed.”

Jones, who was seated next to Eddie Redmayne and his new wife, smiled at the couple’s affectionate interactions.

“How cute are they?” she asked.

A moment later she stifled a yawn. Asked if she’d be awake enough to make it to any parties, she smiled enthusiastically: “Oh, I’m gonna party my face off!”

Later, after Redmayne accepted the award for actor in a drama motion picture, “The Theory of Everything” actor returned to his table and received a huge standing ovation from his crew.

His wife, who looked as if she had been crying, wrapped him in a hug for what seemed like a minute.

****

Lorde wandered over to Lena Dunham’s table during a commercial break, where the “Girls” creator was gabbing with Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

“You look sooo gorgeous,” Dunham exclaimed, referring to the pop star by her real name, Ella. “Who are you sitting with? We’d really like to have you. Taylor (Swift) is going to meet us at the HBO party. I’ll text you.”

****

As Anna Faris rushed back to her seat, she stopped to awkwardly ‎tap Ralph Fiennes on the shoulder. “I’m such a big fan,” she gushed.

****

“I think I missed my category,” “True Detective” director Cary Fukunaga said after returning from the bar and learning “Fargo” had won for TV movie or miniseries. But he said he didn’t really care. “I’m having fun.”

His famous braids were gone, however, having been straightened into long locks. “You gotta change it up,” he said.

Twitter: @AmyKinLA