English/Nat

The ballots are in the post and the fashions have hit the catwalk - Oscar fever is sweeping Tinseltown and the stars are ready to start shopping.

Wednesday saw in the debut of this year's 'must wear' styles for the 1997 Academy Awards.

From fashion regulars like Donna Karen and Armani to newcomer Zang Toi - the Academy is geared up to make the 69th Awards show something special.

Ready or not - only 18 more shopping days for anyone and everyone who's going to the Oscars.

What's hot for the 69th Academy Awards?

Satins, sparkles and see-through sheers all made their way down the runway on Wednesday as Academy fashion coordinator, Fred Hayman, put this year's finest on display.

More than twenty designers took part in this year's fashion parade - each dress completed with a spectacular set of baubles.

Who's going to be wearing what? Organisers are remaining tight-lipped - but there's no doubt that they're pleased with this year's styles.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"It's going to be better. The nominees and presenters have taken much more interest - designers are dying, so to speak, to dress a star because the publicity and the statement it makes is talked about for a long time and it's very important to them."

SUPERCAPTION: Fred Hayman, Academy Awards Fashion Coordinator

It's little wonder the stars bring security with them - these gems are worth a pretty penny - some well over a (m) million dollars.

But if diamonds, rubies and emeralds aren't your style - one can always opt for a confetti fringed gown and round the outfit off with some rose-coloured glasses.

How the stars see themselves on Awards night, though, is still up in the air.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"What I thought was unique about today's fashion show was the variety. Very formal material, formal tuxedos - informal tuxedoes - a tuxedo without a tie - you know, elongated dresses, ball dresses. I think the diversity was extraordinary this year."

SUPERCAPTION: Gil Cates, 69th Academy Awards Producer

You won't find any of these gowns or tuxedos in your local mall - it's a trip to Beverly Hills and into some of the world's most exclusive shops.

The jewels, too, require a trip to Beverly Hills where the House of Harry Winston will be happy to help you look your best for the awards.

Beauty may be only skin deep - but on Oscars night a grand entrance in the right outfit is everything.

Los Angeles, California U-S-A, 6 March 1997

1. Academy models walking down catwalk

2. Pan up Oscar

3. Model in pink frock

4. Pair of models in chain dresses

5. Model in red dress with faux fur pan to man in tuxedo and tilt down

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Fred Hayman, Academy Fashion Coordinator

7. Woman in jeweled gown

8. Man and woman in black evening wear

9. Tilt down spangled dress

10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Gil Cates, Producer 69th Academy Awards

11. Modelling couple in black evening wear

12. Woman in yellow ball gown

13. Pan down woman in pink

14. Model in gold lame number

15. Tilt up of model in golden ball gown

16. Models doing final run on catwalk

KEYWORDS: FASHION

English/Nat

More than one-hundred Academy Award nominees from 23 Oscar categories met in Beverly Hills Monday for the annual Academy Awards luncheon.

Even though 80 percent of the nominees will leave next week's ceremony empty-handed, they will be basking in their new status as Academy Award nominees.

A record number of nominees attended the 17th Annual Nominees Luncheon in Beverly Hills Monday where they talked about how their lives have been changed by the honor.

Newcomers like Good Will Hunting's Matt Damon are up against veteran nominees like Jack Nicholson for the Best Actor Award.

James Cameron's Titanic has garnered the largest number of nominations - seventeen.

Cameron says that no matter what happens at next week's ceremony - nothing can spoil his Titanic high.

SOUNDBITE:

"It's not a career maker or breaker sort of thing, so for me it's all upside. It's either gonna be fun and we'll get drunk afterwards or we'll lose and get drunk afterwards. But I'm not gonna sit around moping about it the next day if it doesn't go our way."

SUPER CAPTION: James Cameron, Director of Titanic

Some actors will enter the Oscars ceremony with a few other awards already under their belt.

The previous evening, Titanic actress Gloria Stuart and LA Confidential's Kim Basinger tied for the Screen Actor's Guild Best Supporting Actress Award.

Both Titanic and LA Confidential have also won a number of key awards at the Golden Globe Awards.

The LA Confidential crew agreed that the Academy Award nominations have been a boon to the movie's success.

SOUNDBITE:

"The movie has been in the theatres for 23 weeks. It's still hovering in the top ten. The picture is doing really well, and you know it was a difficult movie to get a handle on from the marketing point of view because it's a complex movie that is different than the kind of movies usually made by the major studios, which is part of the reason why I wanted to make it."

SUPER CAPTION: Curtis Hanson, LA Confidential director

The Best Actress category is unique this year because As Good As It Gets actress Helen Hunt is the only American nominated.

Britain's Helena Bonham Carter found that the newfound attention does have its drawbacks.

SOUNDBITE:

"It's the one point in one's life when you're probably gonna receive the most exposure ever, but one's least equipped to deal with it because one's so exhausted with being excited. Then there's the dress issue, you know."

SUPER CAPTION: Helena Bonham Carter, Best Actress Nominee

This year's nominees in the Best Actor category include veteran actors such as Robert Duvall, Peter Fonda, and Dustin Hoffman, and Jack Nicholson, making Matt Damon the only relative newcomer.

The Nominees Luncheon was initiated 17 years ago to bridge the gap in publicity between the nominations and the ceremony itself.

The nominees enjoyed a four course lunch before listening to acceptance speech advice that included suggestions to keep their speeches short.

Beverly Hills, California, U-S-A - 9 March, 1998

1. Pull down on exterior of Beverly Hilton hotel

2. Wide shot of interior with nominees Matt Damon and Julianne Moore

3. Close up of Matt Damon

4. Close up of Jack Nicholson to wide shot of Jack and female guest

5. Pull out on James Cameron and Jon Landau - Titanic Producer

6. Close up of photographers

7. SOUNDBITE: James Cameron, Titanic Director

8. Wide shot of actress Gloria Stuart

9. Close up of Stuart laughing

10. Close up of Minnie Driver

11. Curtis Hanson and Kim Basinger

12. SOUNDBITE: Curtis Hanson, LA Confidential Director

13. Wide shot of Helen Hunt to close up of her

14. Pull out on Helena Bonham Carter

15. SOUNDBITE: Helena Bonham Carter, Best Actress Nominee (The Wings of the Dove)

16. Dustin Hoffman slapping someone five

17. Robert Duvall and female guest

18. Wide shot of Peter Fonda; cut to close up of Fonda

19. Various cutaways of photographers

20. Pan of group photo op of nominees

21. Wide shot of nominees clapping

English/Nat

Oscar preparations are in high gear as the countdown begins to Monday's biggest night in Hollywood.

Six twenty-four foot Oscar statues were installed in front of the Shrine providing a dramatic backdrop for the (b)billion viewers watching the televised coverage.

But, it is not enough for the ceremony to be visually stunning, it also has to sound great and the musicians have been busy practising new scores for the big night.

Preparations are getting underway for Monday's seventieth Oscar awards presentation in Los Angeles.

Oscar is literally returning to the Shrine Auditorium for the eighth time.

Six 24 foot gold-painted statues were brought in by crane to be placed by the entrance of the Shrine.

The world famous statues are the face of Oscar and the backdrop for the avalanche of television cameras at the most covered event in Hollywood.

The Shrine's key asset is its size with six -thousand and three hundred seats.

The big show was first held there back in 1947 and then again in 1948, but forty years passed before the Academy moved back to the Shrine again.

Barricades will be put up to prevent bystanders and protesters from crossing the street during celebrity arrivals.

Meanwhile, lucky fans will get bleacher seats along the runway allowing them a glimpse of Leonardo, Kate or Jack Nicholson.

But no Oscar would be complete without an original musical score for the telecast.

At Capitol Records here in the heart of Hollywood, the musical director for this year's Academy telecast is rehearsing the Oscar score.

This is Conti's thirteenth time as musical director for the Academy Awards.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"There is a performance element - it's a live show and musicians usually in Hollywood work in a clinical environment, we work for tape recorders and maybe if the director loves it that's wonderful but we have a few million people watching and if it sounds great and it makes them happy then it makes us happy.

SUPER CAPTION: Bill Conti, Musical Director, Academy Awards Telecast

It is a dramatic score meant to usher in the grandeur of one of the most anticipated events in the entertainment capital.

Los Angeles, U-S-A - 18 March 1998

1. Exterior Academy Awards Shrine Auditorium

2. Pan from towers to front of the Shrine Auditorium

3. Close up banner

4. Pan of banner saying 70th Annual Academy Awards

5. Oscar statue being lifted from lorry

6. Cutaway cameraman

7. Statue being placed outside the Shrine Auditorium

8. Close up man hammering nails to wood

9. Statue being installed

10. Medium shot exterior Capitol Records

11. Zoom in sign saying recording area

12. Musicians sitting around in recording studio

13. Bill Conti conducting the band

14. Close up flute player

15. Close up musician

16. Zoom out from musician to band

17. SOUNDBITE: (English) Bill Conti, Musical Director Academy Awards Telecast

18. Profile of Conti

19. Close up flute player pan down flute

English/Nat

Thirty models graced the catwalk on Thursday at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in the U-S in a preview of fashions that might be seen on Oscars night.

The world's top designers showcased new creations that presenters and nominees at the seventieth Academy Awards can choose to wear on the night.

It's a collaboration aimed at making the stars look glamorous and giving the designer the ultimate exposure -- an worldwide T-V audience of more than a billion potential buyers.

These models are giving a preview of fashions that might be seen at the seventieth Academy Awards about two weeks from now.

On Oscars night, nominees and presenters may borrow these very designs for one night only.

More than twenty of the world's top designers are represented from Georgio Armani and Bill Flass to Badgley Mischka and Moschino.

The collaboration makes the stars look glamorous and serves as extraordinary publicity for the designers.

For with billions of T-V viewers watching around the world, the Oscars becomes the

world's biggest fashion show.

In his role as Oscars fashion coordinator over the past decade, Fred Hayman personally selects styles suited to the stars from a range of the world's top designers.

Hayman feels that opulence and elegance go hand-in-hand on Oscar night.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

\"You're going to see much more glamour, more elaborately and more beautiful, incredible fabrics a lot will be haute couture which means made specially for the occasion by the

couture house whoever they are. There will always be some introduction of new designers that make it very interesting then there are always going to be some faux pas that make it more interesting.\"

SUPER CAPTION: Fred Hayman, Oscars Fashion Coordinator

In past years, faux pas have occurred on Oscars night when female stars in particular have chosen extreme hair styles for effect that simply do not work.

Backstage, the famous hair stylist, Frederic Fekkai, is coiffing the models for a preview of the biggest night in Hollywood.

He claims to know the secret to a successful Oscars look.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

\"The hair needs to be polished, dressed but not too overdone. Not that it looks like you just came out of the beauty parlor. It is about an attitude again to feel good, to feel sexy, to feel glamorous, this is what it's all about.\"

SUPER CAPTION: Frederic Fekkai, Oscars Hair/Make-up Stylist

This Oscars preview also offered a look at two hundred (m) million U-S dollars worth of jewellery that will also be lent to the stars to wear.

The jewellery was apparently inspired by the five films nominated for best picture.

The opulent collection is being loaned by the House of Harry Winston and the exposure is even more priceless than the jewels.

After Oscars night, many affluent clients have been known to call up and order the necklace worn by a famous star at the Academy.

The status of an actor does not necessarily reflect the value of the jewels they wear on Oscars night.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

\"Individual collections, stars will wear anywhere from two hundred and fifty thousand dollars to one star who I can't tell you who it will be who will be wearing a twenty million dollar piece.\"

SUPER CAPTION: Carol Brodie Gelles, Harry Winston Jewellery

Those coordinating the Oscars fashions refuse to say which actor is wearing what specific design.

But one day after the show, some designers could experience brisk sales if the actor sporting their clothes leaves the Oscars with a statue in hand.

Beverly Hills, California, USA, March 5th, 1998

1. Model in red dress walks down the runway inside Academy building

2. Model in white and green dress walks down runway

3. Close up of model putting on sunglasses

4. Cutaway photographers

5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Fred Hayman, Fashion Coordinator for the Oscars

6. Pull down from Academy statue to behind the scenes of model getting made up

7. Model in red dress having her face made up

8. Zoom into mirror reflecting stylist Frederic Fekkai combing model's hair

9. SOUNDBITE: (English) Frederic Fekkai, Oscars Hair/Make-up Stylist

10. Model wearing leopard bare-midriff gown

11. Model in low-cut gown turns around

12. Model in Paco Rabanne-designed metal mesh outfit

13. Model wearing and holding jewelry

14. Wide shot of array of diamonds for Oscars collection

15. Close up of diamond necklace

16. Pull out on a different necklace

17. SOUNDBITE:(English): Carol Brodie Gelles, Harry Winston Jewellery

18. All the models out on the runway

19. Pull out and pan of a few models posing in front of Oscar statues

English/Nat

The 70th Academy Awards ceremony is now less than two weeks away and the hype has reached unprecedented proportions.

A special ceremony took place at Los Angeles airport on Wednesday to welcome the arrival of fifty Oscar statuettes.

On the downside, a highly publicised Hollywood legal battle threatens to scupper award chances for the film ``The Full Monty.''

Just two weeks before the Oscars and the hype surrounding the awarding of the most coveted statuettes in show business has reached a new all time high, or low, depending on your point of view.

On Wednesday, a commercial airline loaded with the 50 gold statuettes left Chicago, where they were manufactured, and touched down in Los Angeles a few hours later to meet the awaiting press cameras.

The Academy which vigorously enforces its copyright of the Oscar trademark, gave special permission to have a four-foot high image of the Oscar statuette applied to the fuselage of the DC-10.

After the plane was towed into the gate, the gold statuettes, crated in protective boxes, were downloaded from the cargo hold into an awaiting van.

Although the Oscar statuettes weigh in at 8 1/2 pounds and are plated with 24-carat gold, their look has evolved over the years.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Like a number of other personalities in Hollywood, its chin was getting a little saggy, so we gave him a little tuck. That's the main thing you would notice if you compared two of them."

SUPERCAPTION: Bruce Davis, Academy Executive Director

Meanwhile, controversy has once again struck the Oscars and this year's target is the British hit, ``The Full Monty.''

The film centres on a group of unemployed workers in Northern England who become male strippers to turn their lives around.

But now Two New Zealand playwrights, Anthony McCarten and Stephen Sinclair, are suing the makers of The Full Monty creators for 100 million dollars (US) in damages.

They claim the Full Monty team copied many of its scenes and characters from the New Zealanders' 1987 hit play, "Ladies' Night."

The controversy couldn't have come at a worse time for the low-budget blockbuster which has earned four Academy Award nominations including best picture and best original screenplay.

Those behind The Full Monty warn that the lawsuit's negative publicity is severely damaging its chances of winning an OSCAR.

Oscar ballots were mailed in late February and winners will be announced on March 23rd.

One of the New Zealanders involved in the Full Monty suit, Anthony McCarten, is in Los Angeles this week working on the soundtrack for his upcoming film "Via Satellite.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"And this play was an extremely high profile play in England where the Full Monty was made and created so it seems to us and to everyone we've talked to inconceivable that they could not have known about the existence of this play so why was not the appropriate things done? Why were we not asked, why were we not consulted at least for the rights and things like that. But none of these fundamental things were done."

SUPERCAPTION: Andrew McCarten, playwright, Co-writer of Ladies' Night

Should The Full Monty team survive the controversy surrounding their picture, an Oscar victory will seem all that much sweeter.

The first stop on the Oscar winners long night of victory celebrations will surely be the prestigious Governor's Ball.

The biggest party of the night is held immediately following the ceremony and is the first chance for the winners to show off their Oscar statuettes.

The A-list attendees of winners, nominees, presenters and performers will be feted with original culinary creations by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I think that when you sit inside the auditorium and you have to wait for six hours to get something to drink, something to eat, I think you get pretty hungry when you come up so when people come out they are going to get wonderful appetizers, a glass of champagne, then they are going to sit down and start eating."

SUPER CAPTION: Wolfgang Puck, Celebrity chef

With a wait staff of over 350 people, the 16-hundred invited guests won't have to wait long for marinated lobster salad, new potatoes with caviar, or truffle beet salad appetizers.

Sweet victory can best be savoured with a dessert of white chocolate art deco movie palace topped by a chocolate tower.

Several parties will go on through the night where those who did not win can drown their sorrows at the bar and dream of another chance next year.

Los Angeles, California,U-S - March 11 1998 & February 27, 1998

March 11, 1998

1. Aerial shot of Los Angeles International Airport

2. Close up of side of plane with Oscar statue painted on side

3. Close up Oscar image on side of plane

4. Wide shot of trucks loading boxes of Oscar statues off cargo

ramp

5. Detail of boxes of statues being loaded into truck

6. Push into Oscar statue

7. SOUNDBITE: (English) Bruce Davis, Academy Executive Director

8. Wide of newspaper headline - THE FRAUD MONTY

9. Tight shot of photo of "Ladies' Night"

10. Tight shot of photo from "The Full Monty"

11. Medium set up shot of playwright and his composer friend

12. Tight shot of playwright Anthony McCarten

13. SOUNDBITE: (English) Anthony McCarten, Co-Playwright, "Ladies' Night"

February 27 - 1998

14. Push down on Governors Ball neon sign

15. Medium shot of chocolate statuettes

16. Tight shot of chocolate statuettes

17. Chef Wolfgang Puck eating head of chocolate Oscar statuette

18. Wide pan of chefs preparing food in kitchen

19. SOUNDBITE: (English) Wolfgang Puck, Celebrity Chef

20. Medium of tray with food being placed for pick up

21. Tight of boiling pot of tomato sauce

22. Staffer rolls in big tray of strawberries

23. Close up of pastry star cookies

English/Nat

The excitement is building as the biggest event in show business draws near.

The 69th Annual Academy Awards - or Oscars - are just three days away, and fans are already camping outside the theatre in Los Angeles.

As the red carpets are rolled out, stands erected and the finishing touches put to the set, fans have pitched their tents to ensure they get the best view of the stars as they arrive for the ceremony.

This year's Oscars show will be held at The Shrine theatre in downtown L-A.

And there's no mistaking which theatre.

The banner makes it plain it's this one!

The event, organised by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, is number one on the entertainment calendar.

It's estimated that more than a billion T-V viewers will tune in to see who wins a coveted statuette.

On Monday night, the floral displays will be in place and the newly painted stands will be filled with ecstatic movie fans.

The biggest names in show business will walk up this enormous red carpet as T-V reporters hope for a word with a star and photographers scream for them to pose for a picture.

They'll be dazzled by flashes and spotlights as they draw up in stretched limousines.

But, before then, there is much work to do.

Tom Neely's responsible for this mammoth operation.

And although he's on schedule he still has sleepless nights!

It's a challenge.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Trying to keep everything in synch and trying to keep your eye on everything. Something get by you and make you feel kind of like ooops ... but you fix it and you get moving on."

SUPER CAPTION: Tom Neely , Academy of Motion Picture Arts and

Sciences

For 28 years - yes 28 years! - sisters Sandi and Babe have camped outside Oscar venues for as long as a week in advance of the event.

They're queuing again this year for a seat on a stand and a close-up view of movie stars as they arrive on Monday night.

And they're not alone. Others are doing it too.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"You want to get the best seat in the bleachers for taking pictures, for being able to get the attention of the stars as they're going by. Maybe they'll look at you and you'll get a good picture."

SUPER CAPTION: VOXPOP

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Well, since we've been doing it for 28 years, that's why we come. We enjoy it all and we love seeing the stars and we love all the hub-bub of preparing for it."

SUPER CAPTION: VOXPOP

They camp on the sidewalk, keeping their place in the queue - having picnics and barbecues.

It may not look like fun, but they do actually enjoy themselves. The attraction?

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"For me, just getting a glimpse of the stars. That's my attraction, you know, being a little girl and wondering if I ever get to see any of them and now I'm on the sidewalk waiting to see them."

SUPER CAPTION: VOXPOP

The famous giant statues, synonymous with this the world's most respected awards gala, stand like guards at the entrance to the old theatre.

What used to be the car park in front of it is now a sea of red carpet - an L-shaped walk of glitz and glamour past row upon row of fans and media.

Fresh flowers have been delivered to turn this bit of the city - a concrete jungle - into an oasis of scented colour.

While the vast team of workers beautify the site in time for Monday, the media gets ready to broadcast the ceremony around the world.

But although everybody else is excited, Oscar himself is a little more laid back about it all.

Los Angeles, California, USA, 21th March, 1997

1. Wide shot of The Shrine theatre.

2. Wide shot of theatre in background and man erecting sound apparatus in foreground.

3. Wide shot of Oscar statues lying in a row by red carpet.

4. Close-up of men preparing floral displays.

5. Wide of man painting stand or bleacher.

6. Close-up pot of paint.

7. Medium shot of man painting.

8. Wide shot of media group being given tour of site.

9. Tracking shot of two men walking with lighting rig.

10. Tilt up of man working on plan of lights.

11. Medium shot of man measuring base of statue and handling cloth.

12. Wide shot of entrance to The Shrine with red carpet and stands.

13. SOUNDBITE: (English) Tom Neely, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

14. Wide shot of two women sitting on deck chairs by tents.

15. Close-up of sign proclaiming they've camped out like this for 28 years.

16. Wide shot of line of tents at entrance to The Shrine.

17. SOUNDBITE: (English) VOXPOPS.

18. Wide shot of two other women.

19. Close-up food.

20. SOUNDBITE: (English) VOXPOP.

21. Wide shot of front of theatre with giant statues.

22. Pan - aerial - of front of theatre.

23. Wide shot of people with flowers.

24. Various of people beautifying plants.

25. Descending wide shot of front of theatre.

26. Wide shot of news satellite truck.

27. Pan across Oscar statues lying down next to theatre stage door.

English/Nat

Hundreds of dedicated movie fans gather each year in Los Angeles in the lead up to the Oscars, sitting in the bleachers to catch a glimpse of Hollywood's elite walking down the red carpet.

And for many it will be the closest they ever come to rubbing elbows with the movie stars they have come to adore.

Every year, as the Academy Awards Ceremony draws closer, dedicated fans gather on the pavements of Los Angeles.

They queue for a chance to catch a glimpse of Hollywood's elite walking down the red carpet.

This year 600 bleacher passes have been handed out to waiting fans.

Another 500 priority passes, which guarantee a spot in the bleachers have also been distributed.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"And then we were in that mad rush down there and actually, I'm number 27 today, so I'm in. I'm in."

SUPER CAPTION: Diane Petrus, Fan

This year for the first time, the Academy of Motions Picture Arts and Sciences banned camping out on the sidewalk on Saturday night because of safety concerns.

But some fans said they would defy the order to get one of the remaining tickets and to get a good seat once inside.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I've been waiting for hours. But it's all worth it."

SUPER CAPTION: Tony Benavides, Fan

For others the waiting is a good chance to lend vocal support to their favourite actors.

SOUNDBITE:

"His call and his choice. He can come if he wants to (referring to Leonardo Di Caprio), but he's still my favorite, and he's still my honey."

SUPER CAPTION: Jane Yun, Fan

More than a (b) billion viewers will see the Academy Awards Ceremony, which is not only Hollywood's most glamorous event but the most watched entertainment event in the world.

Los Angeles, California, USA - March 22 1998

1. Wide shot, exterior, Shrine Auditorium, pan left

2. Medium shot food distribution

3. Walkdown of line, tilt to sleeping bag

4. People filling out forms and receiving bleacher tickets

5. Medium shot, Oscar, pullout to line

6. VOXPOP: Diane Petrus, Fan

7. Wide shot, line

8. Tight shot, pillow

9. VOXPOP: Tony Benavides, Fan

10. Medium wide and pan, enthusiastic crowd

11. VOXPOP: Jane Yun, Fan

12. Wide shot, exterior

English/Nat

The nominations are in and now it's time to do lunch - if you're on Hollywood's A-list for 1997 that is.

Oscar nominees joined up on Tuesday for the Academy's annual luncheon - giving the group one last chance to remind themselves that 'everybody's a winner.'

It's usually a bastion of Hollywood's who's who - but at Tuesday's Oscar nominees luncheon more people were asking, `Who's

that?\"

British actress Brenda Blethyn and director Mike Leigh are both first time nominees - for 'Secrets and Lies' - an art house British film.

In fact, this year's list of Academy Awards nominations seems to include a record number of independent films filled with actors new to the Hollywood scene.

Only nine out of the 20 actor nominees showed up for the shindig.

But that didn't deter other Tinseltown box office magnets like James Woods who's received a best supporting actor nomination for 'Ghosts of Mississippi.'

Other nominees - like Tom Cruise - were unable to attend as they were off working on yet another film.

Another British actress and first-time nominee Kristin Scott Thomas flew in for the day from Paris where she lives with her family.

She's the star of the most nominated movie this year - \"The English Patient\" - leading the pack with 12 nominations

Another first-timer, Billy Bob Thornton, hasn't succumbed to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood - he dressed up in jeans, a T-shirt and a John Deere Baseball cap.

But it was a nice suit for Cuba Gooding Jr who's up for best supporting actor for his role in 'Jerry Maguire' and all black for fellow nominee Edward Norton for 'The People vs Larry Flynt.'

Before anyone could sit down to lunch, however, each of them had a last chance with the press to talk about their pre-Oscar nerves.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

\"I would love to win an Academy Award. I don't mind - I'm not shy about saying that - it would be the most wonderful thing. But since I'm not expecting to, I don't want to head for a terrible, you know, to hype myself up to such an extent when I know I'll be disappointed on the day.\"

SUPERCAPTION: Brenda Blethyn, Best Actress nominee 'Secrets and Lies'

SOUNDBITE: (English)

\"I'm proud, honest and every day I get a little bit more famous. Wearing my nose very, very high...no, it's fun - it's really an honour.\" SUPERCAPTION: Armin Mueller-Stahl, Best Supporting Actor nominee 'Shine'

SOUNDBITE: (English) \"It was the first time I saw the Academy

Awards I was like nine or ten and they had best supporting actor and

I said 'Mom, what's best supporting actor' and she said 'Well, it's

kind of like these are guys who really aren't like big stars but

they just work all their lives and once in a while they give them

this award to make them feel good because they work hard too.\" and I

said, 'Oh, great.' So I'm one of those little guys who works hard in

my category like the four other guys and maybe one of us will, you

know. But, I just thought all the other actors in the John Wayne

movie were like the real cowboys, and John Wayne showed up so I'm

just one of the real cowboys with my fingers crossed.\" SUPERCAPTION: James Woods, Best Supporting Actor 'Ghosts of Mississippi'

SOUNDBITE: (English)

\"Well, for me, for my nomination - is a huge thrill and I feel like a child of six and I'm absolutely over the moon. As far as the film is concerned, to have twelve nominations is extraordinary if it means that more people will see the film then that's the main reason and also it's a fantastic honour and privilege to be nominated for these things.\"

SUPERCAPTION: Kristin Scott Thomas, Best Actress nominee 'The

English Patient'

SOUNDBITE: (English)

\"It's changed it dramatically, drastically, amazingly. People are asking me how to pronounce my first name now and before they just took a stab at 'Uba Scoodins - hey man! - Where you going?' You know that type of deal, so...\"

SUPERCAPTION: Cuba Gooding Jr, Best Supporting Actor 'Jerry Maguire'

No nominees luncheon would be complete without a 'class photo.'

After a quick pose - everyone received a certificate and a sweatshirt - then - on to lunch and counting down with fingers crossed to the big night.

Beverly Hills, California U-S-A, March 11 1997

1. Arrival Brenda Blethyn and Mike Leigh

2. Arrival Frances McDormand

3. Arrival James Woods

4. Arrival Kristin Scott Thomas

5. Arrival Barbara Hershey

6. Arrival Billy Bob Thornton

7. Arrival Cuba Gooding Jr

8. Arrival Edward Norton

9. SOUNDBITE: (English) Brenda Blethyn, 'Secrets and Lies'

10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Armin Mueller-Stahl, 'Shine'

11. SOUNDBITE: (English) James Woods, 'The Ghosts of Mississippi'

12. SOUNDBITE: (English) Kristin Scott Thomas, 'The English

patient'

13. SOUNDBITE: (English) Cuba Gooding Jr, 'Jerry Maguire'

14. Various: Group photo

English/Nat

The Academy Awards night in Hollywood is famous not only for its acclamations of the past year's movies, but also for being one of the world's biggest fashion shows.

Actresses spilled out on Oscars night wearing the best and brightest creations by some the world's biggest fashion designers.

The stars stepped out in style on Monday night, one arriving more glamorous than the last.

The most famous names in show business showed off gowns from the most famous designers.

Each year, Oscar fashion takes on a slightly different look.

This year was the year of the slinky dress.

Geena Davis arrived in this pink sequinned number, next to longtime friend and co-star of "Thelma and Louise," Susan Sarandon in a slimming but busty black gown.

James Cameron's wife Linda Hamilton looked stunning in this light blue slip idea, ready to celebrate her husband's big night.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Women were just really sexy, but not in a cheesy, cheese-ball, Pamela Anderson kind of a way. I think we've gone away from that, I think women really listened to themselves this year rather than to their stylists, and it showed. They looked comfortable, they looked good."

SUPER-CAPTION: Steven Cojocarv, People Magazine

A large number of women said "no" to black this year, opting for pastels instead.

Halle Berry showed off this slinky light yellow gown as she waited to enter the Academy Awards auditorium.

And best actress nominee Helena Bonham Carter looked just like a princess in a lavender gown she said she modelled after an old dress of her mother's that she found in her attic.

Best Actress Helen Hunt looked almost Audrey Hepburn-like in a strapless light-blue number.

And best-supporting actress nominee Minnie Driver was gorgeous in this very simple, sleek red gown.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I would sum up the Oscar fashion this year as just very right, really very, very few wrong notes, very few mistakes, more individuality, there was a really nice mix this year, you didn't see just one gown, or one designer. This was really what fashion was about. I mean after all, this is the greatest run-way show in the world, and it was good. You know what, they gave good fashion this year."

SUPER CAPTION: Steven Cojocarv, People Magazine

Fans of the low-cut glamorous look were certainly not disappointed in the long-sleeve green dress worn by "Titanic" star and best actress nominee Kate Winslet.

Her co-star, Gloria Stuart wore a U-S 20 (m) million dollar blue diamond necklace, fashioned after the famous diamond in the film, by jeweller to the stars Harry Winston.

She apparently had to be escorted into the building by body-guards for security.

Always an individualist, Cher showed up in slinky nude gown matched with a unique headpiece.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Cher is Cher. Cher does her own thing, Cher does a kiss my ass "I'm Cher, I'm here", and you know what, we would be disappointed if Cher came in wearing something disappointing. I have something to say about Sharon Stone. Sharon Stone, that thing about wearing, you know, she was wearing a man's shirt, and a few years ago she wore a Gap T-shirt. I'm over that, that doesn't work for me. It's the Oscars. I put on a tuxedo. Everything is killing, believe me I'm not comfortable. But there is a certain, you know, propriety, for lack of a better word. There is a certain...help me out here...there is a certain decorum that one should adhere to. So I thought that that was just God-awful. That was my number one BAAAH!"

SUPER CAPTION: Steven Cojocarv, People Magazine

But Sharon Stone wasn't alone in the poorly dressed category.

Madonna - who often finds herself in this category - didn't disappoint when she arrived in this earth-mother number that revealed just about all.

Body glitter was also popular this year with some of the flashier stars.

Both Madonna and Generation X actress Drew Barrymore were covered in it from head to toe.

Los Angeles, USA - 23 March 1998

1. Wide shot of red carpet and guests arriving with Oscar figurine in foreground

2. Side shot of women dressed in red posing for her friends

3. Actresses Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis

4. Cutaway of crowds watching

5. Tilt-up of Linda Hamilton with James Cameron

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Steven Cojocarv, People Magazine

7. Halle Berry waves to the crowds

8. Actress Helena Bonham-Carter and tilt-down of her dress

9. Actress Helen Hunt walks past

10. Cutaway of press

11. Actress Minnie Driver and tilt-down of her dress

12. SOUNDBITE: (English), Steven Cojocarv, People Magazine

13. Tilt-down from sky to mid shot of actress Kate Winslet

14. Mid shot of Gloria Stuart talking to the press

15. Cutaway of fans

16. Cher arrives

17. SOUNDBITE: (English), Steven Cojocarv, People Magazine

18. Close up of Madonna

19. Actress Drew Barrymore

English/Nat

The 70th Annual Academy Awards are underway in Los Angeles, California.

The stars strutted into Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium in anticipation of the announcements of this year's Oscar winners.

Stars nominated for best actor, actress and director arrived optimistic, although many are in the shadow of this year's blockbuster hit "Titanic."

Los Angeles, California played host to the 70th Annual Academy Awards on Monday.

This year's nominees arrived with much enthusiasm as they eagerly awaited the opening of the envelopes.

Robin Williams' masterful performance in "Good Will Hunting" awarded him the Oscar for best supporting actor.

SOUNDBITE: "I am very proud of it. It is almost parental. The boys. You know they are like family so if anything I want them to win for screenplay. If they win that I am like thank-you you know."

SUPER CAPTION: Robin Williams, Best Supporting Actor

One of his competitors was Greg Kinnear was who played Jack Nicholson's gay neighbour in "As Good as It Gets."

SOUNDBITE: "I am a little overwhelmed. A little out of body experience but ah you know good."

SUPER CAPTION: Greg Kinnear, Best Supporting Actor Nominee.

Best Actor nominee Peter Fonda mugged for the cameras as this year's best actress nominees addressed the fact that four out of the five women up for the Oscar are from Britain.

SOUNDBITE: "I just always wished that our equities weren't so strong because I always wished that we could swap plays with each other..with both countries because that is the only way we can learn. Your only allowed one or two of you to go into each country and we need to see American actors acting."

SUPER CAPTION: Judi Dench, Best Actress Nominee.

SOUNDBITE: "Do you think you have a good shot of winning this thing?"

" Me? I wouldn't put any money on it."

SUPER CAPTION: Julie Christie, Best Actress Nominee.

Most eyes Monday were on those members responsible for the outstanding run by the Titanic.

Best Director nominee James Cameron didn't want to talk about the movie's success, but the emotion of the star-studded evening.

SOUNDBITE:

"For me it is not about records it is about celebrating movies and the magic of movies. That is why we are here. It is not a sporting event people try and make it that and they try and get you to buy into it on that level. But you don't. I will be very, very happy if people who worked with me and worked hard on the film get honored, but we are all honored already."

SUPER CAPTION: James Cameron, Best Director Nominee.

Kate Winslet noted the absence of fellow co-star Leonardo DiCaprio.

SOUNDBITE: "It is a shame that he is not here, but I couldn't have done what I've done without him. So, it is really feels like it is the two of us really."

SUPER CAPTION: Kate Winslet, Best Actress Nominee.

You didn't have to be nominated to be seen outside the Shrine.

Cher was in attendance along with Drew Barrymore and Madonna.

SOUNDBITE: "Yes, I want "Good Will Hunting" to win best picture and I want Helen Bonham Carter to win best actress.

"How about best picture?"

"Good Will Hunting"

SUPER CAPTION: Madonna, Singer--Actress

Rupert Murdoch said past success will lead him to get involved with more film ventures.

SOUNDBITE: "We will do it again if we believe enough in the picture and the producer and the director. If we believe in something creative we will back it regardless."

SUPER CAPTION: Media Mogul.

Best Supporting Actor nominee Burt Reynolds showed off his lighter side as he strutted into the presentations.

SOUNDBITE: "How excited are you going to be if you win this thing tonight?"

"It will be the second-best feeling I have ever had in my life."

SUPER CAPTION: Burt Reynolds, Best Supporting Actor Nominee.

The worldwide T-V audience was projected at one (b) billion.

Los Angeles, California, USA - 23, March, 1998

1. Wide Shot arrivals

2. Medium shot arrivals

3. Close up of Robin Williams - pan to Judi Dench

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Robin Williams

5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Greg Kinnear

6. Medium shot Peter Fonda

7. SOUNDBITE: (English) Judi Dench

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Julie Christie

9. Cutaway cameras

10. James Cameron enters

11. Kate Winslet enters

12. Celine Dion enters

13. SOUNDBITE: (English) James Cameron

14. SOUNDBITE: (English) Kate Winslet

15. Cutaway Cher

16. Cutaway Drew Barrymore

17. SOUNDBITE: (English) Madonna

18. SOUNDBITE: (English) Rupert Murdoch

19. Minnie Driver enters

20. Holly Hunter enters

21. SOUNDBITE: (English) Burt Reynolds

22. Cutaway Crowd

23. Participant models her dress and purse

English/Nat

Hollywood's A-List was out in force Monday night for the 69th Annual Academy Awards.

Oscar hopefuls mingled with past winners outside Los Angeles' Shrine auditorium.

"The English Patient" was showered with at least seven Oscars, but the festivities beforehand excited the crowd outside as much as the ceremony itself did for the lucky thousands inside.

Replicas of the Oscar statue -- six metres tall -- stood guard at the doors of the Shrine Auditorium.

Thousands of fans had queued for hours to watch their favourite stars arrive for the 69th Academy Awards ceremony.

Oscar hopefuls arrived in a state of anticipation.

Many of the 20 acting nominees arriving Monday night were virtual unknowns -- certainly to American audiences.

The exceptions included Tom Cruise, Diane Keaton and Lauren Bacall.

In the best picture category, four of the five nominees were independent films.

One of those, "The English Patient" -- starring Ralph Fiennes and Kristin Scott Thomas - - started by sweeping Oscars in at least seven categories.

But for the Hollywood studios, Cuba Gooding, Junior, managed to win best supporting actor for the film Jerry Maguire:

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"You know, I've been so blessed in the last year, that it didn't matter to me what happened tonight, truly, and you know it sounds like bullshit but here the front-runner thing happened and all of that stuff, I thought it was a compliment. I thought if it didn't happen, it would be interesting to see all the people who said, 'Oh, I thought for sure you were going to win' and that's what I basically tried to focus in on. "

SUPER CAPTION: Cuba Gooding, best supporting actor "Jerry Maguire" speaking backstage at the Oscars

The French actress Juliette Binoche won best supporting actress for her role as a nurse in "The English Patient".

She said she did not expect to win:

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I don't know, it feels like a dream still, you know, it feels unreal. I don't believe I have this in my hand."

SUPER CAPTION: Juliette Binoche, best supporting actress, "The English Patient" speaking backstage at the Oscars

The Oscars for best film, actor and actress are still to be announced, but it looks as if "The English Patient" could be on its way to sweeping the awards.

Los Angeles, USA - 24 March 1997

(APTV)

1. Wide shot of exterior, Shrine Auditorium

(POOL)

2. Wide shot of crowd outside Auditorium

3. Mid shot of cameras outside Auditorium

(APTV)

4. Close-up Billy Bob Thornton

(POOL)

5. Zoom of Tom Cruise

6. Wide shot of Geoffrey Rush

(APTV)

7. Close-up of Ralph Fiennes

8. Cutaway of crowd

9. Close-up of Kristin Scott Thomas

(POOL)

10. Pan of Lauren Bacall

(APTV)

11. Wide shot of Diane Keaton

12. Close-up of Emily Watson

13. Cutaway of crowd

14. Close-up of Cuba Gooding

15. Wide shot of Cuba Gooding

(POOL)

16. SOUNDBITE (English): Cuba Gooding, best supporting actor "Jerry Maguire" backstage

17. Mid shot of Juliette Binoche walking to mic backstage

18. SOUNDBITE (English): Juliette Binoche, best supporting actress, "The English Patient" backstage

19. Mid shot of microphone backstage

English/Nat

Hollywood's 70th annual Academy Awards will be held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on March 23.

This year promises to be as big a night as ever for the galaxy of movie stars, directors and producers whose films have been nominated.

Some of the people who add the glitz to the glamour on Oscars night have been hard at work getting the auditorium ready.

Everything about Hollywood is larger than life, including on Oscars Night, the giant mosaic models of Oscar which adorn the Shrine Auditorium.

Already, workmen are moving into place the huge glittering replicas of the Oscars which will be seen by a worldwide television audience on March 23rd.

As soon as one Oscars ceremony ends, planning for the next one begins.

Every year, the presentation and backdrop to the awards has to be a little different, a little more special than the previous year in case Oscar should ever be seen to lose his lustre.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"We've had a team of about twenty working for six weeks straight, everyday, to construct a number of different items: 143 glass table-tops, risers (displays) for Wolfgang's wonderful food about 276 of those, 129 chandeliers and then Oscars behind us. So, it has been a constant team effort."

SUPER CAPTION: Michael Venedicto, Mosaic Oscar Designer

This year "Titanic" leads the race for Oscars with 14 nominations.

But will it beat "Ben Hur's" record of eleven wins?

The waiting is part of the magic of the Oscars.

Los Angeles, California, USA - March 13 1998

1. Exterior of the Shrine Auditorium

2. Medium shot of Shrine Auditorium

3. Close up and zoom out of mosaic Oscar

4. Media crews

5. Oscar statue being moved

6. Oscar statue being cleaned

7. Oscar statues being positioned

8. Medium shot plasterer at work

9. Close-up plasterer

10. Medium shot cleaning platform

11. Close-up cleaning

12. SOUNDBITE: (English) Michael Venedicto, Mosaic Oscar Designer

13. Pan up Oscar statue

11. Close up of Oscar statue

12. Two Oscar statues on display

English/Nat

The Oscar ceremony itself is just the beginning of Tinsel Town's biggest night of the year.

When the last of the golden statues had been handed over, the world's hottest stars headed off to lavish all-night parties.

There the winners and losers have been giving their reaction to the Academy's choices of screen excellence.

One of the most glitzy parties of the night was thrown by "Vanity Fair" magazine.

At the reception, "English Patient" star Ralph Fiennes was all smiles, despite being overlooked for the Best Actor award.

His screen partner, Juliette Binoche, still couldn't believe that she was taking home the coveted statue for Best Supporting Actress.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I couldn't believe it you know it took me a while to realise that it was true. I don't think it's true even now. In a way, because ..the truth is in the work anyway and when you're working, then you feel that it's going through you. But, there, it's a symbol of course of the recognition of your work. And, it's very special because you know America is not my family. I don't live here. I live in France. So, it's being accepted by another family and it means a lot to me."

SUPER CAPTION: Juliette Binoche, Winner for Best Supporting Actress

Tim Rice was also there clutching the Oscar he and Andrew Lloyd Webber won for the song - "You Must Love Me" from "Evita".

But last year's Best Director, Mel Gibson, said the parties aren't always fun for the winners themselves.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Well you know, if you're the recipient of one and you've been in the limelight for a long time they're not because it tends to be a little frenetic. And, you cannot really focus on anything for more than about 10 or 15 seconds before your attention is shifted sometimes rather rudely by something or to something else. So, but I plan on just having a quiet drink and maybe a little nibble - on who I don't know yet !"

SUPERCAPTION: Mel Gibson, Actor/ Director

Muhammed Ali was also in town to support a film about his 1974 boxing upset over George Foreman.

And Leon Gast was celebrating following up rave reviews with an Oscar for his documentary, "When We Were Kings".

But the balls aren't just for the winners.

Diane Keaton who lost the best actress Oscar to Frances McDormand seemed unperturbed.

James Woods, nominated for his work in "Ghosts of Mississippi" trotted out the old Hollywood chestnut - it's an honour just to be nominated.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"It's great feeling to have your family with you and be among your friends, and just being nominated and have a good time."

SUPER CAPTION: James Woods, best supporting actor nominee

The orchestra was in full swing at the Governor's Ball, thrown by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

UPSOUND: "It's all gold and stuff." Billy Bob Thornton

Billy Bob Thornton showed off his Oscar for best adapted screenplay.

Lauren Bacall, who was edged out in the best supporting actress category, chatted with Glenn Close.

And, presenters, Jodi Foster and Kevin Spacey dropped by for a little post-Oscar celebrating.

With the awards over, party-goers drank a toast and began to look forward to next year, when the movie industry will do it all over again.

Los Angeles, California - March 24, 1997

APTV Material:

1. Wide of exterior of Vanity Fair Party

2. Wide Ralph Fiennes

3. Fiennes talking to press

4. Close of Fiennes

5. Juliette Binoche talking to reporter

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Juliette Binoche, winner Best Supporting Actress

7. Close up of Tim Rice's Oscar

8. Tim Rice

9. SOUNDBITE: (English) Mel Gibson

10. Wide Muhammed Ali and party walk up

11. Ali walking past

12. Close up Diane Keaton

13. SOUNDBITE: (English) James Woods, nominee for best supporting actor

POOL Material:

14. Pan orchestra at Governor's ball

15. Close up of Billy Bob Thornton, winner for best adapted screenplay

16. Lauren Bacall and Glenn Close

17. Past winners Kevin Spacey and Jodi Foster walk into party

18. Group at table makes a toast

Natural Sound

With just 24 hours to go before the world of entertainment descends on Hollywood, final rehearsals are under way for the biggest night in the showbiz calendar - the Oscars.

As the red carpets are rolled out, the performers are put through their paces for the final time while downtown Los Angeles prepares to host nothing short of a galaxy of stars.

With the waiting almost over, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion will burst into life on Monday night when the nominees for the film world's highest accolade arrive to take their places.

Now in their 68th year, the Oscars have lost none of their appeal - to the public and performers alike.

Here, models rehearse for the last time in preparation for the award for Best Costume.

The models showing-off three of the films up for this Oscar - Sense and Sensibility, Richard the Third and Braveheart.

Behind the scenes are rolls of red carpet, already laid out on the walkway, along which the rich and famous will make their way into the auditorium to watch the awards.

And for the Oscars no effort is spared - flowers imported from Thailand and Hawaii.

All that remains is for the cables to be laid and the stands put out to keep the fans safely back from the stars.

Los Angeles, 23 March 1996

1. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

2. Oscar statue

3. Performers on stage

4. Pan from monitor to stage

5. Performers standing on stage

6. Rear shot of woman wearing Academy Awards sweatshirt

7. Performers modelling Sense and Sensibility, Braveheart and Richard lll costumes

8. Pan from monitor to stage

9. Models

10. Behind the scenes shot ending on roll of red carpet

11. Pan from flowers to walkway

12. Pan from cables and rolls of red carpet to metal stands

English/Nat

Hollywood's annual big night out the Oscars is watched by over a (b) billion people world-wide.

Behind the glitz, thousands of people spend countless hours making preparations for the big night.

World famous chef Wolfgang Puck is one of those people as he prepares to cater for the Academy's several hundred hungry mouths.

On Hollywood's biggest night--the 68th annual Academy Awards--the Governors' Ball is Hollywood's grandest party.

It is the place to be seen for winners, nominees and entertainment luminaries.

Restaurant Associates will collaborate with celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck to cater for the official post-Oscars party on Monday night.

The Oscar celebrities and other guests attending the Ball will enjoy a guest-service staff ratio of five-to-one one.

SOUNDBITE:

We have 120 chefs and 400 waiters so there's going to be a lot. We want everybody to get great service and great food just like they would have in a restaurant. We did it last year and that's why people were so happy, they sat down and ate and said "this is the greatest party we've ever had."

SUPERCAPTION: Wolfgang Puck, Chef.

Puck claims he has ordered a thousand pounds of salmon to help keep the crowd happy.

The cost is high in catering terms. But when you consider what is spent on making movies, the sum pales into insignificance.

SOUNDBITE:

I think it will probably cost at least 200-thousand dollars, probably 200 dollars per person and probably 350-thousand dollars with the tent. You know it's very expensive to put it up, you know they're already booking. But you know it's seen by a (b) billion people so I'm sure they're going to make money on it.

SUPERCAPTION: Wolfgang Puck, Chef.

Puck says that despite all the work involved, he wouldn't change his job for the world.

SOUNDBITE:

I'm very happy to do that because I think it's a very prestigious party. So I think everyone is very excited about doing it.

SUPERCAPTION: Wolfgang Puck, Chef.

The Governors' Ball is actually 16 identical parties going on at the same time under the same roof.

Los Angeles, 23rd March

1. W/S Chefs cooking

2. C/U Chef

3. C/U cutting board

4. W/S Puck and other chefs

5. C/U Food

6. SOUNDBITE: Puck

7. File from Oscar Luncheon

8. C/U Salmon

9. W/S stove

10. C/U Pot

11. SOUNDBITE: Puck

12. W/S oven

13. C/U Oven

14. C/U Food

15. SOUNDBITE: Puck

16. C/U Oscar dessert

17. C/A Media

18. C/U Puck eating dessert

English/Nat

As the biggest night in Hollywood arrived, so the stars came out.

The 68th Annual Academy Awards finally got under way following weeks of speculation, preparation, anticipation and hype.

With so many screen legends together in the same place at the same time, it was in the moments before the ceremony that fans were able to get a close look of their idols.

When it's Oscars night and you're a star of the big screen you'll want to travel in style.

And for one chauffeur in down-town Los Angeles, the cliché that money is no object rings all too true.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"It's priceless. In other words you can't put a price on it. And if they look good, they're first class, it's good. They gotta be like that. There are people appreciate it all over the world. They look up to something. This is a star."

SUPER CAPTION: Petrovich, Driver to the Stars

For the fans it was a moment worth waiting for - the arrival of the biggest names in showbiz.

As they strolled up in front of the world's press the nominees looked as excited to be there as the public who'd come to see them.

For some the thrill of the event left them a little tongue-tied.

SOUNDBITE:

"This is my Dad, Joe Stone. I'm residing on cloud line...nine...I'm so happy and excited and proud."

SUPER CAPTION: Sharon Stone

On Oscars night it's the taking part that counts and the pride of being nominated wasn't lost on any of the stars.

SOUNDBITE:

"Congratulations."

"Thank you."

"How excited are you tonight?"

"I'm pretty pretty thrilled. I'm just...I feel great, I feel absolutely great."

SUPER CAPTION: Nicholas Cage

Even the biggest names did not seem concerned about scooping the highest accolade in showbusiness.

SOUNDBITE:

"I've no idea, I don't know. It's er...I haven't even thought about winning."

SUPER CAPTION: Tim Roth

Kevin Spacey, the talkative conman in The Usual Suspects, was not lost for words when asked why he'd decided to wear a white tuxedo.

SOUNDBITE:

"Oh I just felt that I'd done enough dark things this year and it was time to do something a little lighter."

SUPER CAPTION: Kevin Spacey

After weeks of build-up the atmosphere was electric as the biggest gathering of stars assembled to vie for the coveted prize.

But behind every great actor there is always an influence, and for some it is closer to home.

SOUNDBITE:

"Kevin, congratulations. Is Mom a good luck charm?"

"Mom is a great good luck charm and I'm so happy that she's here, and my father passed away three years ago so it means a lot to me that she was here tonight."

SUPER CAPTION: Kevin Spacey

After 68 years, the Oscars have lost none of their charm and excitement.

And looking at the turn-out Monday night, the huge build-up that has become customary to the event appears to have paid off.

Los Angeles, USA, 25 March 1996

1. Limousines

2. Petrovich cleaning limousine

3. SOUNDBITE: Petrovich

4. Petrovich cleaning limousine

5. Petrovich talking

6. Mel Gibson arriving

7. Woman in green dress

8. Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins

9. Elizabeth Shue

10. Sharon Stone

11. SOUNDBITE: Sharon Stone

12. SOUNDBITE: Nicholas Cage

13. Tom Hanks

14. Pierce Brosnan

15. SOUNDBITE: Tim Roth

16. SOUNDBITE: Kevin Spacey

17. Emma Thompson

18. Richard Dreyfus

19. Meryl Streep

20. Oscars tent and crowd

21. SOUNDBITE: Kevin Spacey - OSCARS POOL

22. Oscars tent

KEYWORDS: PERSONALITIES

English/Nat

When the awards ceremony is done and the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion is taken over by cleaners and their mops, that doesn't mean Oscar night is over.

The winners - and the losers - head for the many apres-Oscar parties around tinseltown.

This party was hosted by the magazine Vanity Fair.

A plethora of stars, both Oscar winners and nominees, as well as Oscar hosts and hostesses were invited.

Last year's Best Actor Tom Hanks said these parties are a bit noisy.

SOUNDBITE:

Well, the food's usually OK, but you kinda get shouted at for an hour and a half.

SUPER CAPTION: Tom Hanks

John Travolta said it was great no film scooped the golden statues as so often happens.

SOUNDBITE:

No, as a matter of fact I thought it was beautifully distributed, the whole evening. Two here, one there, three here. I loved it.

SUPER CAPTION: John Travolta

Best Actor Nominee Richard Dreyfuss thought the ceremony was nice, but probably not decision for the Best Actor award -- that went to Nicholas Cage.

SOUNDBITE:

How was it? Most of it was great.

SUPER CAPTION: Richard Dreyfuss

Mel Gibson, won two Oscars -- for Best Director and for Best Film, Braveheart, and he found some time to use them for a brief workout.

When asked what he thought his Oscars were like he said:

SOUNDBITE:

Smooth, shiny, gold, heavy.

SUPER CAPTION: Mel Gibson

Part of the Braveheart cast followed Gibson along to enjoy the party.

26 March 1996, Los Angeles, California, USA

1. WS arrivals

2. Pan of arrivals

3. Angelica Houston

4. Anthony Hopkins

5. Tom Arnold

6. Tom Hanks with wife

7. SOUNDBITE: Hanks

8. Pull out from Anthony Hopkins posing for picture

9. Kurt Russell walks past with woman

10. John Travolta

11. SOUNDBITE: Travolta

12. Elisabeth Shue

13. SOUNDBITE: Richard Dreyfuss

14. WS scene

15. Wynona Rider

16. Joan Collins

17. Mel Gibson playing with Oscars like barbells

18. SOUNDBITE: Gibson

19. Bagpiper

20. WS scene.

Italian/Eng/Nat

The preparations were all in place, Monday, for the Oscars - the biggest night in show business - due to start in only a few hours.

The laser show was tuned for the post-Oscar party, the exquisite food ready and the fans were waiting to catch a glimpse of their favourite stars.

All that was lacking in Los Angeles, were the movie players - the winners, the losers, and the outrageously famous.

The countdown is underway with only a few hours to go before Hollywood's biggest names grace the famous red carpet for the most important night in show business.

Fans waited anxiously, in Los Angeles, Monday, for the parade of stars, hoping for a glimpse of their favourite actors before they entered the Shrine Auditorium, where the ceremony will take place.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I'm excited. It's fun. I like being here with all these people. It's neat."

SUPER CAPTION: Voxpop

SOUNDBITE: (Italian)

"I'm here to see Madonna. I'm a very big fan of hers, and I also like Bette Midler. I love her a lot.

SUPER CAPTION: Voxpop

On Sunday night organisers fine-tuned a laser show to entertain the Oscar greats during the Governor's Ball - one of the most prestigious after-parties of the evening.

Meanwhile, L-A's greatest chefs are preparing a scrumptious meal fit for the famous.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Well, there's a multi-course menu, with the main courses being lamb and salmon, and, of course the dessert will include many different kinds of dessert, but including a chocolate Oscar."

SUPER CAPTION: Sid Gannis, Chairman, Governor's Ball

But it's the stars the world wants to see.

Nothing will deter the dedicated. Some of these fans have been camped outside the Shrine Auditorium since Thursday.

While one (b)billion people around the world will watch the ceremony tonight, nothing matches seeing the moviestars in the flesh.

Los Angeles, California, March 23-24 1997

24 March 1997

1. Wide shot Shrine Auditorium

2 Various fans on bleachers

3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Voxpop

4. SOUNDBITE: (Italian) Voxpop

5. Wide shot bleachers

23 March 1997

6. Various of laser show rehearsal

7.Various of tables at Governor's Ball

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sid Gannis, Chairman, Governor's Ball

9. Night-time shots fans on bleachers