The Independent Spirit Awards are often positioned as the casual alternative to the Oscars even if the ceremony, held in a Santa Monica tent the afternoon before the Academy Awards, often features some of the same nominees and winners.

Still, at this year’s event, some major changes were evident. For one, unlike the Oscars, the Indie Spirits actually had a host in the witty Aubrey Plaza.

The most notable difference, though, was how people made the most of their acceptance speeches. More than once, as someone spoke at the microphone on Saturday, I thought, “I bet you won’t see that tomorrow.”

[Read the Carpetbagger’s Oscar predictions, then fill out your ballot.]

Part of that freshness was due to the fact that several of the Independent Spirit winners hadn’t been victorious at other award shows this season, and this offered them the first notable chance to seize the spotlight. Take Richard E. Grant, the supporting actor winner for “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” who has lost most prizes to the “Green Book” star Mahershala Ali but has won Hollywood hearts with his happiness to just be nominated.