HOLLYWOOD PREPARES FOR SUNDAY'S ACADEMY AWARDS

Hollywood is bracing for an Academy Awards that more than any in recent memory has the feel of a high-stakes showdown.

After a second straight year of all-white nominees prompted industry-wide scrutiny, viewers and stars alike are hanging on the opening words of host Chris Rock.

Media gathered on the red carpet and workers made final preparations on Saturday (27 February) outside the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, which will be at the center of a swirling storm over diversity in the movies and at the Oscars. Protests are planned near the red carpet and some viewers are organizing a boycott of the broadcast.

The 88th Academy Awards are this year charged with enough politics and uncertainty to rival an election debate. Arrivals for the ceremony are to begin by 6 p.m. Eastern (2300 GMT) on Sunday, with the show kicking off at 8:30 p.m. Eastern (0130 Monday GMT) on ABC in the United States.

Security around Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue is especially heighted because Vice President Joe Biden will be attending to give a special presentation with Lady Gaga aimed at combating sexual violence.

HOLLYWOOD PREPARES FOR SUNDAY'S ACADEMY AWARDS

Hollywood is bracing for an Academy Awards that more than any in recent memory has the feel of a high-stakes showdown.

After a second straight year of all-white nominees prompted industry-wide scrutiny, viewers and stars alike are hanging on the opening words of host Chris Rock.

Media gathered on the red carpet and workers made final preparations on Saturday (27 February) outside the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, which will be at the center of a swirling storm over diversity in the movies and at the Oscars. Protests are planned near the red carpet and some viewers are organizing a boycott of the broadcast.

The 88th Academy Awards are this year charged with enough politics and uncertainty to rival an election debate. Arrivals for the ceremony are to begin by 6 p.m. Eastern (2300 GMT) on Sunday, with the show kicking off at 8:30 p.m. Eastern (0130 Monday GMT) on ABC in the United States.

Security around Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue is especially heighted because Vice President Joe Biden will be attending to give a special presentation with Lady Gaga aimed at combating sexual violence.

AP ENTERTAINMENT

Los Angeles, 27 February 2016

1. Wide exterior intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue in Los Angeles, zoom in on Academy Awards signage

2. Wide Dolby Theatre in Hollywood with Oscar statue

3. Close Oscar statue

4. Low-angle view of red carpet outside Dolby Theatre

5. Medium Oscars signage on wall

6. Wide Oscar statue with signage

7. Medium tilt down Oscar statue

8. Wide red carpet outside Dolby Theatre

9. Close electronic signage with Oscar nominees

10. Wide Oscars red carpet from high angle

11. Medium media outside Dolby Theatre

12. Wide media outside Dolby Theatre

13. Close Dolby Theatre signage

14. Wide push in Dolby Theatre with workers and media outside

15. Wide Dolby Theatre with red carpet from high angle

16. Wide Oscars signage in Hollywood

Amid calls for a boycott of the Academy Awards by Rev. Al Sharpton over its all-white acting nominees and Spike Lee and Jada Pinkett Smith both announcing they would sit out this year's ceremony, the academy's president said it was time for major changes — and soon.

Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences President Cheryl Boone Isaacs issued a statement promising more diversity, and quickly.

In a video message on Facebook, Pinkett Smith also said she wouldn't attend or watch the

Oscars in February. Pinkett Smith, whose husband Will Smith wasn't nominated for his performance in the NFL head trauma drama "Concussion," said it was time for people of color to disregard the Academy Awards.

Last year's all-white acting nominees also drew calls for a boycott, though not from such prominent individuals as Lee and Pinkett Smith. Whether it had any impact or not, the audience for the broadcast, hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, was down 16 percent from the year prior, a six-year low.

Isaacs has made a point of presenting a more inclusive show this year. The Feb. 28 broadcast will be hosted by Chris Rock and produced by "Django Unchained" producer Reginald Hudlin and David Hill. On Saturday, Rock, unveiling a new promotion for the broadcast, called the ceremony "The White BET Awards."

When Oscar nominations were announced Thursday, Isaacs acknowledged she was "disappointed" that all 20 acting nominees were again white and promised to "continue the conversation" on diversity.

Isaacs has worked to diversify membership for the academy, which a 2012 study by the Los Angeles Times found is overwhelming white and male.

But on Monday, Isaacs was more explicit and promised an examination of the academy and a more intense drive to diversify.

"This is a difficult but important conversation, and it's time for big changes," she said in a statement released Monday night. "The Academy is taking dramatic steps to alter the makeup of our membership. In the coming days and weeks we will conduct a review of our membership recruitment in order to bring about much-needed diversity in our 2016 class and beyond."

Many awards handicappers expected nominations for Idris Elba of "Beasts of No Nation" and Benicio Del Toro for "Sicario." The N.W.A. biopic "Straight Outta Compton" also failed to earn a best picture nomination, despite some predictions it would. Ryan Coogler's acclaimed Rocky sequel "Creed" scored a nomination only for Sylvester Stallone. (Lee's own movie, the Chicago gang violence hip-hop musical "Chi-Raq" — celebrated by some and scorned by others — also went unnoticed.)

The hashtag "OscarsSoWhite," created last year, was quickly resurrected online following the nominations. The Rev. Al Sharpton — who last year met with former Sony head Amy Pascal following leaked emails that some viewed as racist — on Friday first lambasted the academy.

Amid calls for a boycott of the Academy Awards by Rev. Al Sharpton over its all-white acting nominees and Spike Lee and Jada Pinkett Smith both announcing they would sit out this year's ceremony, the academy's president said it was time for major changes — and soon.

Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences President Cheryl Boone Isaacs issued a statement promising more diversity, and quickly.

In a video message on Facebook, Pinkett Smith also said she wouldn't attend or watch the

Oscars in February. Pinkett Smith, whose husband Will Smith wasn't nominated for his performance in the NFL head trauma drama "Concussion," said it was time for people of color to disregard the Academy Awards.

Last year's all-white acting nominees also drew calls for a boycott, though not from such prominent individuals as Lee and Pinkett Smith. Whether it had any impact or not, the audience for the broadcast, hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, was down 16 percent from the year prior, a six-year low.

Isaacs has made a point of presenting a more inclusive show this year. The Feb. 28 broadcast will be hosted by Chris Rock and produced by "Django Unchained" producer Reginald Hudlin and David Hill. On Saturday, Rock, unveiling a new promotion for the broadcast, called the ceremony "The White BET Awards."

When Oscar nominations were announced Thursday, Isaacs acknowledged she was "disappointed" that all 20 acting nominees were again white and promised to "continue the conversation" on diversity.

Isaacs has worked to diversify membership for the academy, which a 2012 study by the Los Angeles Times found is overwhelming white and male.

But on Monday, Isaacs was more explicit and promised an examination of the academy and a more intense drive to diversify.

"This is a difficult but important conversation, and it's time for big changes," she said in a statement released Monday night. "The Academy is taking dramatic steps to alter the makeup of our membership. In the coming days and weeks we will conduct a review of our membership recruitment in order to bring about much-needed diversity in our 2016 class and beyond."

Many awards handicappers expected nominations for Idris Elba of "Beasts of No Nation" and Benicio Del Toro for "Sicario." The N.W.A. biopic "Straight Outta Compton" also failed to earn a best picture nomination, despite some predictions it would. Ryan Coogler's acclaimed Rocky sequel "Creed" scored a nomination only for Sylvester Stallone. (Lee's own movie, the Chicago gang violence hip-hop musical "Chi-Raq" — celebrated by some and scorned by others — also went unnoticed.)

The hashtag "OscarsSoWhite," created last year, was quickly resurrected online following the nominations. The Rev. Al Sharpton — who last year met with former Sony head Amy Pascal following leaked emails that some viewed as racist — on Friday first lambasted the academy.

AP TELEVISION

New York - January 19, 2016

1. Rev. Al Sharpton walking into his office

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Rev. Al Sharpton, National Action Network

"How do you live in an age when we can put a black man in the White House a black woman as Attorney General but you can't get a black or brown male or female nominated for an Oscar in a key position in Hollywood. So we have no alternative now but to escalate our drive since talking would not achieve it. And that is by telling people to tune out."

AP TELEVISION

Los Angeles - March 2, 2014

3. Wide shot of Oscar red carpet

AP TELEVISION

New York - January 19, 2016

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Rev. Al Sharpton, National Action Network

"We are doing a series of conference calls with major leaders and influencers throughout our community. Radio announcers, syndicators, ministers and civil rights groups and activists particularly those that hit the age demographic that watches the Oscars. And say to them we want to do a campaign to say: tune out, we do not have to be insulted. That will send a message to advertisers. Many major advertisers have to deal with regulators and members of congress and others to expand their businesses and do their mergers."

AP TELEVISION

Los Angeles - March 2, 2014

5. Zoom in on Oscar red carpet

AP TELEVISION

New York - January 19, 2016

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Rev. Al Sharpton, National Action Network

"If we cannot change the hearts of Hollywood we can at least change the bottom line and sometimes when people's profit is touched it leads to them turning around and changing their minds about institutional neglect and institutional exclusion."

AP TELEVISION

Los Angeles - March 2, 2014

7. Wide of Oscar statuettes

AP TELEVISION

New York - January 19, 2016

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Rev. Al Sharpton, National Action Network

"How it has happened is you have an exclusionary voting pool. The Los Angeles Times has come out with extensive data on the makeup of the academy. But again we've had these conversations over the last year and a half and they've not made a move. I think our job as civil rights organizations is to change the climate in which the conversation is happening. Sometimes you have to turn up the heat to make it uncomfortable for those that are sitting at poolside thinking this will go away."

AP TELEVISION

Los Angeles - March 2, 2014

9. Zoom out on Oscar red carpet

AP TELEVISION

New York - January 19, 2016

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Rev. Al Sharpton, National Action Network

"We raise the issue of Hollywood being exclusionary no blacks and browns being in positions to make deals. Excluded from the top nominations two years in a row in the Oscars. So it appears that Hollywood does have the image of liberal, image of being progressive, but there business is 50 years behind their politics, or at least what they claim to be their politics."

AP TELEVISION

Los Angeles - March 2, 2015

9. Wide of Oscar red carpet

SHOTLIST

APTN Los Angeles, 25 February 2005

1. Wide red carpet

2. Medium Oscar statue pull out to wide

3. Wide red carpet

4. Wide Louis Horvitz and Gil Cates on stage

5. Wide Louis Horvitz and Gil Cates on stage

6. Camera cutaway

7. SOUNDBITE: (English) Gil Cates/Academy Awards Producer:

"We had a big rehearsal yesterday. We are doing these nominees and some of these awards in very new an unconventional ways. We had a rehearsal where we had many categories come to experience what it is going to experience what it''s going to be like to get an Oscar award firstly by having the nominees on stage and crossing down to get an award, and also to get the Oscar in the aisle in the audience. We practiced that as well and all that went terrifically."

8. Camera cutaway

9. SOUNDBITE: (English) Louis Horvitz/Academy Awards Director:

"It''s going to be a great show. Gil has a lot of ideas to streamline the event in general with the presentation of the awards on stage and with the audience to make it kind of interesting and exciting. Last night as Gil said it was very interesting to bring the nominees down to give them an idea of what they were going to do and everybody received it well. I think everybody is in for a treat. We rehearsed a little music this afternoon and we are looking pretty good."

10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Gil Cates:

"It seems to me that what we tried to do- the Oscars is always the leader of things. We were the first show in colour in stereo and all those things. We were the first show to start the memorial. When we began it, people thought it was depressing to do that, now all shows kind of do that. What we wanted to do is to get more of the nominees on camera to make it an emotional show. It would be more emotional if you saw the visual effects community."

11. SOUNDBITE: (English) Gil Cates: "I can''t comment on what he''ll say other than to say Chris (Rock) has a sense of humour and everything he says is said humorously. If you take anything he says seriously, more is the pity for you because he really is a funny guy. To the question of whether we will get a young audience, I hope so. That wasn''t the reason we selected him. You need a movie star and someone who is a standup comic so they can deal with the show."

12. Camera cutaway

13. SOUNDBITE: (English) Gil Cates:

"The other thing I''ll add is you know we have Beyonce on the show and she''s going to be singing a duet with Josh Groban from the movie ''Polar Express,'' we have Antonio Banderas and Carlos Santana and he''s doing a song from ''The Motorcycle Diaries.'' We have Counting Crows; we have a wonderful French chorus to sing a song with Beyonce. That entertainment looks like it is going to be really good, the best it''s been in years."

14. Wide stage

15. Wide Frank Pierson

16. SOUNDBITE: (English) Frank Pierson/President Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences:

"Chris (Rock) has his own crew of writers. They work with the staff and crew of the show. Principally his material will be written by his regular people that he knows and knows how to work with."

17. Camera cutaway

18. SOUNDBITE: (English) Frank Pierson:

"I think the highlights of this year more than anything else are the diversity of the awards across all the categories- the smaller films that are in contention, they sometimes get overlooked. This year they seem to have stepped to the floor and I think it''s a wonderful thing. Ethnically and racially and in every other way it''s a wonderful diverse year that reflects the diversity of the film audience around the world. I think it''s a great thing."

19. Wide entrance Kodak Theatre

20. Wide Oscar stage

21. Medium Antonio Banderas singing, pull out to wide

22. Close-up Banderas

23. Wide balcony pan to stage

OSCARS ORGANISERS PROMISE TO PROVIDE DRAMA

The Oscars countdown is almost over, but you don''t have to wait until Sunday to find out more details about this year''s Academy Awards.

Academy Awards director Gil Cates says this year''s show will be all about the drama. It''s no secret that Oscars will be presented to winners in more unconventional ways this year. Statues will be presented to winners while they are seated. Also, some Oscars will be presented to the winners while the other nominees are also on stage.

"What we wanted to do is to get more of the nominees on camera to make it an emotional show. It would be more emotional if you saw the visual effects community," Cates said during a press conference.

Cates is also hoping Oscar host, comedian Chris Rock, will shake-up the three-hour show.

Obviously the Oscars is all about the acting, but Academy insiders say the musical performances may just steal the show. Beyonce is set to perform a duet with crooner Josh Groban from ''The Polar Express.'' And they aren''t the only singing combo. Antonio Banderas and Carlos Santana are teaming up to perform a song sung in Spanish from ''The Motorcycle Diaries.'' Banderas practiced his performance at the Kodak Theatre on Friday using a guitarist stand-in.

Academy President Frank Pierson says this is the most exciting show in years because, "Ethnically and racially and in every other way it''s a wonderful diverse year that reflects the diversity of the film audience around the world. I think it''s a great thing."

The Academy Awards air live this Sunday (27 Feb) on ABC.

SHOTLIST:-

AP Entertainment

L.A., 5th March 2006

1, Wide arrivals area, with pan to Kodak Theatre archway

2. Oscar statue

3. Fans in bleachers

4. Pan of fans in bleachers

5. Chef Wolfgang Puck with Governors Ball appetisers

6. Close up appetisers

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Wolfgang Puck, Oscar Chef:

"I think the Oscars is the greatest party in the world, I don't think I know anything like it, I don't think the Superbowl or the Presidential inauguration, whatever it is, is all second to the Oscars. The whole world loves movies."

8. Zoom into actors Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves on red carpet

9. Fashion shot actor Jennifer Garner

10. Fashion shot actor Catherine Keener

11. Fashion shot actor Judi Dench

12. Fashion shot entertainers Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez

13. Close up Anthony and Lopez

14. Fashion shot Jennifer Lopez

15. Fashion shot actor Hilary Swank

16. Fashion shot actor Nicole Kidman

17. Fashion shot actor Salma Hayek

18. Actors Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams on red carpet

19. Fashion shot actor Keira Knightley

20. Actors George Clooney and Eric Bana hug

21. SOUNDBITE (English) George Clooney, Oscar Winner, Best Supporting Actor:

"Well you know, the funniest thing is as long as you keep plugging away; my thing was always about survival, and you just keep working and every once in a while you get lucky, it required a lot of luck, I needed a television show to get picked up on a Thursday night for everything to change for me. And that's luck, that's nothing to do with me. So luck, mostly."

22. SOUNDBITE (English) Steven Spielberg, Oscar Nominee,'Munich':

"I don't know, if it ever gets old for me then I guess I got old. Because this is so exciting you know, just to be nominated with the other nominees this year, this very significant year where all these films have some social and cultural importance, and it's just great company to be in."

23. SOUNDBITE (English) Three 6 Mafia, Oscar Nominees, Best Song:

(Singing)

24. SOUNDBITE (English) Dolly Parton, Oscar Nominee, Best Song:

"Well when I first came out here 25 years ago I was just a hill-billy in the city and it was the first movie I'd ever made, I'd never seen a movie being made, but now I've seen it all and done it all but it's still very exciting; you never get too old and callous to not appreciate it."

25. Set-up shot, Olympian Mark Zupan, subject of nominated documentary 'Murderball'

26. SOUNDBITE (English) Mark Zupan, Subject of Oscar-Nominated 'Murderball':

"This is crazy, I mean it rivals the Paralympics because this is the best of the best and we're just fortunate enough to be considered one of the best of the best so I mean this is, wow, it's so surreal."

27. SOUNDBITE (English) Rachel Weisz, Oscar Winner, Best Supporting Actress:

"I've never even been to the Oscars, so to come here for the first time and be nominated for the best supporting actress is a huge, huge honour and of course it's a dream; it's all actors' dream, that maybe one day I'll be at the Academy Awards, and here I am. And I know it's a clich� to say, but it's enough to be nominated."

28. SOUNDBITE (Italian) Cristina Comencin, Oscar Nominee, Foreign Language Film, 'Don't Tell':

29. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Gustavo Santaolalla, Oscar Winner, Best Score, 'Brokeback Mountain':

30. SOUNDBITE (English) Presley Chweneyagae, Actor, Oscar-Nominated Foreign Language Film, 'Tsotsi':

"Well I mean it feels great to be here on the red carpet in LA, and the movie's nominated, I'm so excited, the whole country is excited because we're still a growing industry and I'm very proud to be standing here today representing the country and the film industry in South Africa."

31, SOUNDBITE (French) Luc Jacquet, Oscar Winner, Best Documentary, 'March of the Penguins':

32. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Alberto Iglesias, Oscar Nominee, Best Score, 'The Constant Gardener':

33. SOUNDBITE (English) Hani Abu-Assad, Oscar Nominee, Foreign Language Film, 'Paradise Now,' on Hollywood's embracing is controversial film:

"yeah, it needs a lot of courage. We have to admit it needs a lot of courage to nominate our film for the Oscar, but anyhow without courage, believe me, we will never solve problems, we can't go further, we can't be human beings with courage, accepting others as human beings and allow them to have their place here as a nation that also have culture."

34. SOUNDBITE (German) Marc Rothemund, Oscar Nominee, Foreign Language Film, 'Sophie Scholl':

Julia Jentsch, Actor, Oscar Nominated Foreign Language Film, "Sophie Scholl":

35. SOUNDBITE (English/Mandarin) Ang Lee, Oscar Nominee, Best Director, 'Brokeback Mountain':

"I love them, I thank them for their support (Chinese). I am proud to be Chinese, I'm not American actually, but I work here legally, I do have a Green Card."

LIGHTS, CAMERA....OSCARS

Movie stars packed the glittering Oscar red carpet tonight (06MAR06) in the fabulous annual celebration of all things film and the greatest concentration of top celebrities the world ever sees.

Posing for cameras and talking to the media before entering the Kodak Theatre for the 78th Oscars ceremony the excitement was palpable.

Wolfgang Puck, Oscar Chef, summed up the occasion. "I think the Oscars is the greatest party in the world, I don't think I know anything like it, I don't think the Superbowl or the Presidential inauguration, whatever it is, is all second to the Oscars. The whole world loves movies."

Academy Awards organizers hoped that a new host and the cultural buzz over front-runner 'Brokeback Mountain' with its gay cowboys theme could boost interest in Sunday's Oscars show, even though none of the best-picture nominees were big hits at the box office.

The Oscars generally lure their biggest global audiences in years when blockbusters such as 'Titanic' or 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' are favoured to win.

This year's best-picture lineup has been heralded as an artistic triumph of daring, character-driven stories, yet none of the contenders had the box-office clout to ensure viewers would tune in.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences assembled an A-list collection of Oscar presenters to help offset a relatively unknown cast of nominees that includes David Strathairn for 'Good Night, and Good Luck, 'Terrence Howard for 'Hustle & Flow' and Amy Adams for 'Junebug.'

George Clooney who won the supporting-actor Academy Award for the oil-industry thriller 'Syriana,' capped a remarkable year for Clooney, who made Oscar history by becoming the first person nominated for acting in one movie and directing another.

On the red carpet, he was all modesty.

He said: "Well you know, the funniest thing is as long as you keep plugging away; my thing was always about survival, and you just keep working and every once in a while you get lucky, it required a lot of luck, I needed a television show to get picked up on a Thursday night for everything to change for me. And that's luck, that's nothing to do with me. So luck, mostly."

Even a veteran such as Steven Spielberg (best Director nominee, ''Munich') admitted the excitement of the evening was infectious.

"I don't know, if it ever gets old for me then I guess I got old. Because this is so exciting you know, just to be nominated with the other nominees this year, this very significant year where all these films have some social and cultural importance, and it's just great company to be in."

Country & music legend Dolly Parton added:

"Well when I first came out here 25 years ago I was just a hill-billy in the city and it was the first movie I'd ever made, I'd never seen a movie being made, but now I've seen it all and done it all but it's still very exciting; you never get too old and callous to not appreciate it."

The Oscars also pay tribute to every aspect of film making - hence the marathon four hour ceremony - as well as movies from across the globe.

This allows little known artists to step into the spotlight alongside the giant screen names and movie legends.

Presley Chweneyagae, who stars in the South African Oscar-Nominated Foreign Language Film, 'Tsotsi', said:

"Well I mean it feels great to be here on the red carpet in LA, and the movie's nominated, I'm so excited, the whole country is excited because we're still a growing industry and I'm very proud to be standing here today representing the country and the film industry in South Africa."

In a year in which the Oscars has embraced taboo-busting issues ('Brokeback Mountain, 'Transamerica,' 'Crash') and hard-hitting politics ('Munich,' Syriana, 'godd Night, and Good Luck') probably the most controversial nomination of the nigt is for 'Paradise Now,' a Palestinian made film about two would be suicide bombers.

Director Hani Abu-Assad, congratulated for the Academy its bravery:

"yeah, it needs a lot of courage. We have to admit it needs a lot of courage to nominate our film for the Oscar, but anyhow without courage, believe me, we will never solve problems, we can't go further, we can't be human beings with courage, accepting others as human beings and allow them to have their place here as a nation that also have culture."

The ceremony also had its second first-time host in as many years, Jon Stewart of the cable television comedy news program 'The Daily Show' taking over from Chris Rock, emcee of last year's Oscars.

The mould-breaking 'Brokeback Mountain' won top prizes at earlier Hollywood honours including the Golden Globes and was expected to earn best picture at the Oscars and the directing trophy for Ang Lee, who would be the first Asian filmmaker to receive that award.

Before he entered the Kodak Theatre, he said: "I love them, I thank them for their support (Chinese). I am proud to be Chinese, I'm not American actually, but I work here legally, I do have a Green Card."

Partial list of winners at the 78th annual Academy Awards, presented Sunday night at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles:

Best Actor - Philip Seymour Hoffman, 'Capote'

Best Actress - Reese Witherspoon, 'Walk the Line'

Supporting Actor - George Clooney, 'Syriana.'

Supporting Actress - Rachel Weisz, The Constant Gardener'

Animated Feature Film - 'Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of

the Were-Rabbit'

Animated Short Film - 'The Moon and the Son: An Imagined

Conversation.'

Live Action Short Film - 'Six Shooter.'

Visual Effects - 'King Kong'

___

Oscar winners previously announced this year:

Honorary Academy Award (Oscar statuette): Robert Altman. The Gordon E. Sawyer award for technical achievement (Oscar statuette): Gary Demos.

SHOTLIST:

AP Entertainment

New York - January 19, 2016

1. Rev. Al Sharpton walking into his office

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Rev. Al Sharpton/Founder, National Action Network

"How do you live in an age when we can put a black man in the White House a black woman as Attorney General but you can't get a black or brown male or female nominated for an Oscar in a key position in Hollywood. So we have no alternative now but to escalate our drive since talking would not achieve it. And that is by telling people to tune out."

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles - March 2, 2014

3. Wide shot of Oscars red carpet

AP Entertainment

New York - January 19, 2016

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Rev. Al Sharpton/Founder, National Action Network

"We are doing a series of conference calls with major leaders and influencers throughout our community. Radio announcers, syndicators, ministers and civil rights groups and activists particularly those that hit the age demographic that watches the Oscars. And say to them we want to do a campaign to say: tune out, we do not have to be insulted. That will send a message to advertisers. Many major advertisers have to deal with regulators and members of congress and others to expand their businesses and do their mergers."

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles - March 2, 2014

5. Zoom in on Oscars red carpet

AP Entertainment

New York - January 19, 2016

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Rev. Al Sharpton/Founder, National Action Network

"If we cannot change the hearts of Hollywood we can at least change the bottom line and sometimes when people's profit is touched it leads to them turning around and changing their minds about institutional neglect and institutional exclusion."

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles - March 2, 2014

7. Wide of Oscar statuettes

AP Entertainment

New York - January 19, 2016

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Rev. Al Sharpton/Founder, National Action Network

"How it has happened is you have an exclusionary voting pool. The Los Angeles Times has come out with extensive data on the makeup of the academy. But again we've had these conversations over the last year and a half and they've not made a move. I think our job as civil rights organizations is to change the climate in which the conversation is happening. Sometimes you have to turn up the heat to make it uncomfortable for those that are sitting at poolside thinking this will go away."

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles - March 2, 2014

9. Zoom out on Oscar red carpet

AP Entertainment

New York - January 19, 2016

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Rev. Al Sharpton/Founder, National Action Network

"We raise the issue of Hollywood being exclusionary no blacks and browns being in positions to make deals. Excluded from the top nominations two years in a row in the Oscars. So it appears that Hollywood does have the image of liberal, image of being progressive, but there business is 50 years behind their politics, or at least what they claim to be their politics."

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles - March 2, 2015

9. Wide of Oscar red carpet

AL SHARPTON CALLS FOR AN OSCAR BOYCOTT

Amid calls for a boycott of the Academy Awards by Rev. Al Sharpton over its all-white acting nominees and Spike Lee and Jada Pinkett Smith both announcing they would sit out this year's ceremony, the academy's president said it was time for major changes - and soon.

"How do you live in an age when we can put a black man in the White House a black woman as Attorney General but you can't get a black or brown male or female nominated for an Oscar in a key position in Hollywood," said Sharpton in New York Tuesday (19 JAN. 2016). "So we have no alternative now but to escalate our drive since talking would not achieve it. And that is by telling people to tune out."

Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences President Cheryl Boone Isaacs issued a statement promising more diversity, and quickly.

In a video message on Facebook, Pinkett Smith also said she wouldn't attend or watch the Oscars in February. Pinkett Smith, whose husband Will Smith wasn't nominated for his performance in the NFL head trauma drama "Concussion," said it was time for people of color to disregard the Academy Awards.

Last year's all-white acting nominees also drew calls for a boycott, though not from such prominent individuals as Lee and Pinkett Smith. Whether it had any impact or not, the audience for the broadcast, hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, was down 16 percent from the year prior, a six-year low.

Isaacs has made a point of presenting a more inclusive show this year. The Feb. 28 broadcast will be hosted by Chris Rock and produced by "Django Unchained" producer Reginald Hudlin and David Hill. On Saturday, Rock, unveiling a new promotion for the broadcast, called the ceremony "The White BET Awards."

When Oscar nominations were announced Thursday, Isaacs acknowledged she was "disappointed" that all 20 acting nominees were again white and promised to "continue the conversation" on diversity.

Isaacs has worked to diversify membership for the academy, which a 2012 study by the Los Angeles Times found is overwhelming white and male.

But on Monday, Isaacs was more explicit and promised an examination of the academy and a more intense drive to diversify.

"This is a difficult but important conversation, and it's time for big changes," she said in a statement released Monday night. "The Academy is taking dramatic steps to alter the makeup of our membership. In the coming days and weeks we will conduct a review of our membership recruitment in order to bring about much-needed diversity in our 2016 class and beyond."

Many awards handicappers expected nominations for Idris Elba of "Beasts of No Nation" and Benicio Del Toro for "Sicario." The N.W.A. biopic "Straight Outta Compton" also failed to earn a best picture nomination, despite some predictions it would. Ryan Coogler's acclaimed Rocky sequel "Creed" scored a nomination only for Sylvester Stallone. (Lee's own movie, the Chicago gang violence hip-hop musical "Chi-Raq" - celebrated by some and scorned by others - also went unnoticed.)

The hashtag "OscarsSoWhite," created last year, was quickly resurrected online following the nominations. The Rev. Al Sharpton - who last year met with former Sony head Amy Pascal following leaked emails that some viewed as racist - on Friday first lambasted the academy.

ON THE OSCARS RED CARPET, ACTORS AGREE ON THE NEED FOR MORE DIVERSITY

The 88th Academy Awards took place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Sunday (28 FEB. 2016), following weeks of scrutiny regarding those up for prizes.

After a second straight year of all-white acting nominees prompted industry-wide scrutiny, viewers and stars alike are hanging on the opening words of host Chris Rock. The ceremony, heavily guarded by security, stood at the center of a swirling storm over diversity in the movies and at the Oscars, with protests near the red carpet and some viewers organizing a boycott of the broadcast.

On the red carpet before the show began, former Oscars host and winner, Whoopi Goldberg, said she thinks the Academy Awards will become more "inclusive."

"Now the conversations are being had we'll see a lot of, I hope, Asian actors - Chinese and Japanese - we'll see a lot more black folks, see some more Indian people, both Indian Indian and Native American. Just inclusive," Goldberg said.

Actress Olivia Wilde hoped Rock would address the controversy during the ceremony.

"That's Chris' style - he's honest and he's the perfect person to make some socio-political commentary tonight. I'm so happy he's the one to be here," Wilde said.

The hashtag "OscarsSoWhite" has been used all over social media in protest to the awards.

Indian actress, Priyanka Chopra, who stars in the ABC drama "Quantico," is the first South Asian woman to headline an American network series. She too weighed in on the #OscarsSoWhite controversy.

"Well I just think art shouldn't be defined by the color of your skin. The best person for the job should get the job and not because you look a certain way. That's just a very primitive thought for me. And I'm really happy, when I was cast in "Quantico" because I was their best person for the job and not because of what I look like or where I come from. I think that's the way to go - storytelling should be global and that's what the world looks like now," she said.

The uproar over the lack of diversity at this year's awards has spurred the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences to rewrite its membership bylaws - something actor and recording artist Common is very happy about.

" I think we all know that things need to be corrected and I think that people, the fact that people brought it up and spoke up, that we are speaking up and that people involved in the Academy want to see change too, I think we're in a great position. The only way you get change is by speaking up. So I'm here celebrating the artists that are doing well, supporting the Academy, supporting the Oscars but, you know, we know the issue is just bigger than the Oscars, or Hollywood. We're in America - there's a lot of things we've got to resolve. But I want to be part of the solution," he said.

The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences was criticized for failing to nominate films such as "Straight Outta Compton," ''Creed" or "Concussion" for any of its top honors.

AP ENTERTAINMENT

Los Angeles, 28 Feb. 2016

1. Wide shot Whoopi Goldberg being interviewed

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Whoopi Goldberg, Actress:

(Reporter: "What is it like being on that stage? What is Chris Rock going to feel?")

"It's great. You know, you're looking at a people who love what they do and this is an evening honoring people who love what they do and, you know, we are lucky enough to get nominated, if you are, sometimes it happens for everybody, sometimes it doesn't. It's just the nature of the business. But now the conversations are being had we'll see a lot of, I hope, Asian actors - Chinese and Japanese - we'll see a lot more black folks, see some more Indian people, both Indian Indian and Native American. Just inclusive. It's just going to become, I hope, more inclusive."

3. Medium shot Olivia Wilde and Jason Sudeikis

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Olivia Wilde, Actress:

"This is a nice night because it's the end of award season, everyone is in a great mood. Tonight's not too hot. I feel like everyone is really excited to see Chris Rock. I'm so excited for that myself."

(Reporter: "Why? Do you feel like he's really going to go there with the #OscarsSoWhite and should he?")

"Yeah. He should. He willl. I mean that's Chris' style - he's honest and he's the perfect person to make some socio-political commentary tonight. I'm so happy he's the one to be here."

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Common, Actor/Recording Artist:

(Reporter: "Did you have conflicts about coming tonight?")

"No, not really. I feel like I want to be part of the solution. I think we all know that things need to be corrected and I think that people, the fact that people brought it up and spoke up, that we are speaking up and that people involved in the Academy want to see change too, I think we're in a great position. The only way you get change is by speaking up. So I'm here celebrating the artists that are doing well, supporting the Academy, supporting the Oscars but, you know, we know the issue is just bigger than the Oscars, or Hollywood. We're in America - there's a lot of things we've got to resolve. But I want to be part of the solution."

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Louis Gossett Jr., Actor:

"Oh it's extremely important. Very political. Very enlightening and some people choose to protest outside. I choose to be a part of this thing which I already am for many years. If there's going to be change we have to do it from the inside."

7 . Actress Priyanka Chopra posing for photographers

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Priyanka Chopra, Actress:

"Well I just think art shouldn't be defined by the color of your skin. The best person for the job should get the job and not because you look a certain way. That's just a very primitive thought for me. And I'm really happy, when I was cast in "Quantico" because I was ther best person for the job and not because of what I look like or where I come from. I think that's the way to go - storytelling should be global and that's what the world looks like now."

9. Actor Duane Howard

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Duane Howard, Actor:

"Shooting and working with Alejandro had really inspired me and really motivated me to move forward and continue my career as a First Nations actor. And here representing my family and my people, my community."

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Quincy Jones, Music Producer:

"Well, I think confrontation is one thing, and, since I was a little kid, I always wanted my problems to be transferred into puzzles - I can solve puzzles. And let's fix it. We can protest it and get confrontational..."

12. Medium shot, pull out, Quincy Jones posing

THE OSCARS FINALLY HAVE A HOST: JIMMY KIMMEL

The Oscars finally have a host: Jimmy Kimmel will emcee the 89th Academy Awards.

The late-night host will be presiding over the ceremony for the first time. Kimmel has been a regular awards host, having twice previously hosted the Emmy Awards (including its broadcast in September) and once led ESPN's ESPY Awards.

The selection of Kimmel gives ABC, home of the Oscars telecast, the choice the network had long sought. His "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" has previously followed ABC's Oscar broadcast. The network also has new muscle to flex; it signed a deal with the Academy of Motion Pictures in August to remain the Oscar broadcast home until 2028.

"Yes, I am hosting the Oscars," Kimmel said on Twitter. "This is not a prank. And if it is, my revenge on the academy will be terrible and sweet."

The academy waited much later than usual to name a host for the Feb. 26 ceremony. This year's show is being produced by veteran producer Michael De Luca and Jennifer Todd, president of Ben Affleck and Matt Damon's production company, Pearl Street Films. This is also their first time producing the Oscars.

The lengthy search has perhaps been a product of increasing pressure on the broadcast. Last year's show was hosted by Chris Rock and was dominated by backlash over its second straight year of all-white acting nominees. Its 34.3 million viewers marked an 11-year low for the telecast.

Whether Kimmel can spark a comeback will be a considerable test for the 49-year-old comedian. His Emmy Awards broadcast on ABC drew a mere 11.3 million viewers, a new low.

But ABC Television Group chief Ben Sherwood publicly lobbied for Kimmel. In September he said the network was "very hopeful that Jimmy will get" the Oscar hosting gig and that he had "elevated" the Emmys.

This year's Oscar favorites also don't appear to feature the kind of big, popular films that can drive audiences to watch the awards. The top contenders - "Moonlight," ''La La Land" and "Manchester by the Sea" - have together totaled less than $15 million at the box office, though "La La Land" hasn't yet opened.

Los Angeles, 14 Sept. 2016

1. Setup shot Emmy host Jimmy Kimmel speaking to reporter

2. Television Academy CEO Bruce Rosenblum, Emmy host Jimmy Kimmel, telecast producer Don Mistier and Kimmel's sidekick Guillermo roll out the Emmys 2016 red carpet

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Jimmy Kimmel/Emmy host, on lessons learned from his first Emmy-hosting gig in 2012:

"The first time I hosted the Emmys, the basic lesson I learned was, 'Do not bring monkeys on stage. They don't do what you want them to do and they don't behave themselves and some of them have rabies.'"

4. Setup shot Emmy host Jimmy Kimmel speaking to reporter

New York, 23 April 2013

5. Wide of Jimmy Kimmel and Molly McNearney posing for photos at the Time 100 event

6. Push in to medium of Jimmy Kimmel and Molly McNearney

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Jimmy Kimmel:

"It's actually a great story. I was sitting at my desk and an email came and that was the end of it."

8. Medium of Jimmy Kimmel posing for photos

9. Zoom out to wide of Jimmy Kimmel posing, with wife McNearney watching

New York, 31 January 2014

10. Cutaway of Jimmy Kimmel talking to a reporter on a red carpet

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Jimmy Kimmel: "I'm more excited about this party than I am about the Superbowl. I mean this is a great night, everybody is coming together to show their appreciation for Howard, for what he's done over the years."

Los Angeles, 3 December 2015

12. Wide shot Jimmy Kimmel posing for photographers

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus049579

Rev. Al Sharpton on Sunday threatened larger protests against Hollywood and the Academy Awards if the ceremony doesn't improve diversity among its top nominees.

Sharpton led dozens of protesters who marched and chanted for diversity in the film industry just blocks away from the venue where the Oscars will be handed out Sunday.

Sharpton has called audiences to boycott of the ceremony, and Will Smith and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, and director Spike Lee have said they would not attend Sunday's ceremony, which is being hosted by Chris Rock.

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus049579

Rev. Al Sharpton on Sunday threatened larger protests against Hollywood and the Academy Awards if the ceremony doesn't improve diversity among its top nominees.

Sharpton led dozens of protesters who marched and chanted for diversity in the film industry just blocks away from the venue where the Oscars will be handed out Sunday.

Sharpton has called audiences to boycott of the ceremony, and Will Smith and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, and director Spike Lee have said they would not attend Sunday's ceremony, which is being hosted by Chris Rock.

AP TELEVISION

Los Angeles - 28 February 2016

1. Various of Oscars protest

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Rev. Al Sharpton, National Action Network:

"No justice, no peace. Alright. We're here today at a gathering that has been called in the last few days to put the Academy and the movie industry on notice. That last year when they came with an all white nomination at the top of the Oscar night, they said we'll do better. Give us a chance. We did. They did nothing."

3. Sharpton talking with someone

4. Tight of protest sign

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Rev. Al Sharpton, National Action Network:

"Well I think the way you get it to change is the way you've done it with other entities. The advertisers have to make a choice that once the public rises up, then do they risk losing customers and do they risk the wrath of regulators and congressional people that have to approve certain things in order to keep advertising with something that refuses to join the twenty first century."

6. Various of protest

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Rev. Al Sharpton, National Action Network:

"It doesn't represent America when you look at the fact that America is increasingly diverse and the Academy Awards tonight on television will be increasingly not showing that. Yes they'll have blacks on stage but none of them can win in the top twenty awards."

8. Various of protesters

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Rev. Al Sharpton, National Action Network:

"It's the continued marginalization of people and Hollywood is one of the last ones that needs to catch up. They claim to be liberal in Hollywood but you couldn't tell from their selection the last two years."

10. Various of protest

Rev. Al Sharpton on Sunday threatened larger protests against Hollywood and the Academy Awards if the ceremony doesn't improve diversity among its top nominees.

Sharpton led dozens of protesters who marched and chanted for diversity in the film industry just blocks away from the venue where the Oscars will be handed out Sunday.

Sharpton has called audiences to boycott of the ceremony, and Will Smith and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, and director Spike Lee have said they would not attend Sunday's ceremony, which is being hosted by Chris Rock.

Rev. Al Sharpton on Sunday threatened larger protests against Hollywood and the Academy Awards if the ceremony doesn't improve diversity among its top nominees.

Sharpton led dozens of protesters who marched and chanted for diversity in the film industry just blocks away from the venue where the Oscars will be handed out Sunday.

Sharpton has called audiences to boycott of the ceremony, and Will Smith and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, and director Spike Lee have said they would not attend Sunday's ceremony, which is being hosted by Chris Rock.

AP TELEVISION

Los Angeles - 28 February 2016

1. Various of Oscars protest

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Rev. Al Sharpton, National Action Network:

"No justice, no peace. Alright. We're here today at a gathering that has been called in the last few days to put the Academy and the movie industry on notice. That last year when they came with an all white nomination at the top of the Oscar night, they said we'll do better. Give us a chance. We did. They did nothing."

3. Sharpton talking with someone

4. Tight of protest sign

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Rev. Al Sharpton, National Action Network:

"Well I think the way you get it to change is the way you've done it with other entities. The advertisers have to make a choice that once the public rises up, then do they risk losing customers and do they risk the wrath of regulators and congressional people that have to approve certain things in order to keep advertising with something that refuses to join the twenty first century."

6. Various of protest

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Rev. Al Sharpton, National Action Network:

"It doesn't represent America when you look at the fact that America is increasingly diverse and the Academy Awards tonight on television will be increasingly not showing that. Yes they'll have blacks on stage but none of them can win in the top twenty awards."

8. Various of protesters

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Rev. Al Sharpton, National Action Network:

"It's the continued marginalization of people and Hollywood is one of the last ones that needs to catch up. They claim to be liberal in Hollywood but you couldn't tell from their selection the last two years."

10. Various of protest

A HOLLYWOOD WHO'S WHO STEPS OUT TO HONOR OSCAR RECEIPIENTS

A who's who of Hollywood stepped out to pay tribute to the 2014 Governors Awards honorees: actor and activist Harry Belafonte, screenwriter Jean-Claude Carriere, animator Hayao Miyazaki and actress Maureen O'Hara.

Many of the guests were filmmakers who happened to have movies under consideration for the Academy's 2015 Oscars, including Roberts Duvall and Downey Jr. ("The Judge"), directors Richard Linklater ("Boyhood") and Ava DuVernay ("Selma"), actors Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones ("The Theory of Everything"), actress Emily Blunt ("Into the Woods") and dozens of others.

The Governors Awards is something of a spinoff of the annual Academy Awards, serving up honorary Oscars in a full-length, non-televised presentation.

The 2015 Academy Awards will be presented Sunday 22 February at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 8 November 2014

1. Actress Susan Sarandon, Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award honoree Harry Belafonte and his wife, photographer Pamela Frank, pose for photographers on the red carpet at the 2014 Governors Awards

2. Honorary Oscar recipient Jean-Claude Carriere

3. Producer Toshio Suzuki, honorary Oscar recipient Hayao Miyazaki, animator and Disney executive John Lasseter and his wife, engineer Nancy Lasseter

4. Honorary Oscar recipient Hayao Miyazaki

5. Push in honorary Oscar recipient Maureen O'Hara

6. Actress Jennifer Aniston

7. Actress Jennifer Aniston and her fianc�, actor Justin Theroux

8. "Boyhood" actors Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke, director Richard Linklater and producer Jonathan Sehring

9. Actress Emily Blunt

10. Actor Steve Carell

11. Actress Jessica Chastain

12. Actor-director Kevin Costner and his wife, model Christine Baumgartner

13. Actress Marion Cotillard

14. "The Judge" co-stars Robert Downey Jr. and Robert Duvall

15. Director Ava DuVernay

16. Actor Jake Gyllenhaal

17. Actor-director-producer Ron Howard

18. Actress Felicity Jones

19. Actor Michael Keaton,

20. Actors Keira Knightley and Benedict Cumberbatch

21. Actors John Krasinski and Emily Blunt

22. Actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw

23. Actor Liam Neeson

24. Actor Edward Norton and his wife, producer Shauna Robertson

25. Actor David Oyelowo

26. Actor Eddie Redmayne

27. Comic-actor Chris Rock

28. Actress Susan Sarandon

29. Actress Octavia Spencer

30. Actress Hilary Swank

31. Actress Tilda Swinton

32. Actor-producer Mark Wahlberg (right), with his wife, model Rhea Durham and their daughter Ella Rae

33. Actor Christoph Waltz

34. Actress Reese Witherspoon

35. Entertainer Zendaya

Civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton on Sunday threatened larger protests against Hollywood and the Academy Awards if the ceremony doesn't improve diversity among its top nominees.

Sharpton led dozens of protesters who marched and chanted for diversity in the film industry, just blocks away from the venue where the Oscars were to be handed out Sunday.

Sharpton has called audiences to boycott of the ceremony.

Will Smith and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, and director Spike Lee have said they would not attend Sunday's ceremony, which is being hosted by Chris Rock.

Civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton on Sunday threatened larger protests against Hollywood and the Academy Awards if the ceremony doesn't improve diversity among its top nominees.

Sharpton led dozens of protesters who marched and chanted for diversity in the film industry, just blocks away from the venue where the Oscars were to be handed out Sunday.

Sharpton has called audiences to boycott of the ceremony.

Will Smith and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, and director Spike Lee have said they would not attend Sunday's ceremony, which is being hosted by Chris Rock.

AP TELEVISION

Los Angeles - 28 February 2016

1. Various of Oscars protest over diversity

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Rev. Al Sharpton, civil rights activist campaigning for National Action Network:

"No justice, (protesters: "no peace"). Alright. We're here today at a gathering that has been called in the last few days to put the Academy and the movie industry on notice. That last year when they came with an all-white nomination at the top of the Oscar night, they said we'll do better. Give us a chance. We did. They did nothing."

3. Sharpton speaking to a woman

4. Sign reading (English) "And the Oscar goes to…another white guy"

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Rev. Al Sharpton, civil rights activist campaigning for National Action Network:

"Well I think the way you get it to change is the way you've done it with other entities. The advertisers have to make a choice that once the public rises up, then do they risk losing customers and do they risk the wrath of regulators and congressional people that have to approve certain things in order to keep advertising with something that refuses to join the 21st century."

6. Various of protest

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Rev. Al Sharpton, civil rights activist campaigning for National Action Network:

"It doesn't represent America when you look at the fact that America is increasingly diverse and the Academy Awards tonight on television will be increasingly not showing that. Yes, they'll have blacks on stage but none of them can win in the top twenty awards."

8. Various of protesters

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Rev. Al Sharpton, civil rights activist campaigning for National Action Network:

"It's the continued marginalisation of people and Hollywood is one of the last ones that needs to catch up. They claim to be liberal in Hollywood but you couldn't tell from their selection the last two years."

10. Various of protest

SHOTLIST

AP Entertainment - FILE

Hollywood, 24 February 2008

1. Wide exterior of Oscar arrivals

2. Wide of Oscar statue

3. Medium of Oscar statue

AP Entertainment - FILE

London, 10th December 2008

4. Medium shot Hugh Jackman

AP Entertainment - FILE

New York, 10 November 2008

5. Hugh Jackman and Baz Luhrman posing for photographers

6. Hugh Jackman talking to reporter

7. Hugh Jackman, Baz Luhrman and Rupert Murdoch posing for photographers

8. Hugh Jackman talking to Rachel Weisz

AP Television - FILE

Paris, France, 1 December 2008

9. Hugh Jackman talking to reporters

AP Entertainment - FILE

Sydney, Australia, 18 November 2008

10. Various photocall 'Australia' cast including Hugh Jackman

AP Television - FILE

Hollywood, 24 February 2008

11. Various Oscar posters

STORYLINE

HUGH JACKMAN TO PRESENT OSCARS

Hugh Jackman will host the 81st annual Oscars, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences confirmed Friday.

The 40-year-old Australian actor, recently named People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive," won an Emmy in 2005 for hosting the 59th annual Tony Awards in 2004. He was also nominated as host of the Tonys in 2005.

Jackman, who first claimed fame as Wolverine in the "X-Men" movie franchise, recently starred in Baz Luhrmann's romantic adventure film "Australia" with Nicole Kidman.

He was out of the country Friday for a world promotional tour for the film and was not immediately available for comment, his representative Alan Nierob said.

He's never been an Oscar nominee, but was nominated for a Golden Globe for his role in 2001's romantic film "Kate & Leopold."

His other movie credits include 2006's "The Prestige" and 2004's "Van Helsing."

With new producers, a new set director and even a new music director, the Academy has been hinting at an all new look and feel for this year's Oscars telecast on Feb. 22.

Jackman's selection is a departure from the Academy's standard of big-name comedians.

Jon Stewart, host of "The Daily Show," hosted the ceremony in 2008 and 2006; Ellen DeGeneres was the 2007 host. Chris Rock, Steve Martin, Billy Crystal and Whoopi Goldberg have also hosted the show in recent years.

Hollywood is bracing for an Academy Awards ceremony Sunday night that more than any in recent memory, has the feel of a high-stakes showdown.

After a second straight year of all-white acting nominees prompted industry-wide scrutiny, viewers and stars alike are hanging on the opening words of host Chris Rock.

The Dolby Theatre ceremony, heavily guarded by security, stands at the center of a swirling storm over diversity in the movies and at the Oscars, with protests planned near the red carpet and some viewers organizing a boycott of the broadcast.

Hollywood is bracing for an Academy Awards ceremony Sunday night that more than any in recent memory, has the feel of a high-stakes showdown.

After a second straight year of all-white acting nominees prompted industry-wide scrutiny, viewers and stars alike are hanging on the opening words of host Chris Rock.

The Dolby Theatre ceremony, heavily guarded by security, stands at the center of a swirling storm over diversity in the movies and at the Oscars, with protests planned near the red carpet and some viewers organizing a boycott of the broadcast.

AP TELEVISION

Hollywood, California - 28 February 2016

1. Various of Hollywood Boulevard blocked off

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Dario Jankovic, Visiting from Germany:

"I am a big movie fan and I have two friends who are studying in Fullerton near Los Angeles so I am here for vacation and to visit them and we're all big movie fans. We want to see Leonardo DiCaprio, we hope to see Michael Fassbender and some other great actors We're excited to see them."

3. Various of police activity for the Oscars

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Jean Louis Gelopin, Visiting from Paris:

"Our hotel is not very far and we know that something is happening here so we just wanted to have a look."

5. Tight of officers

6. People posing for picture with Gregg Donovan

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Gregg Donovan, Hollywood Greeter:

"I'm kind of like the Hollywood greeter, I've been doing this going on 20 years, from Beverly Hills to Hollywood. I've met Leo (Leonardo DiCaprio) I've known him for many years and I believe this is the year of the Leo and he's earned it. It's not a charity. He's really earned it this time and if he doesn't win this time, I will stop wearing this red coat and this black hat. I mean they've got to do it."

8. Various of red carpet

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Tammy Cabral, Visiting from Hawaii:

"I've already Facebooked, 'Look how the red carpet looks!' So it's kind of cool."

10. Various of security

Hollywood is bracing for an Academy Awards ceremony Sunday night that more than any in recent memory, has the feel of a high-stakes showdown.

After a second straight year of all-white acting nominees prompted industry-wide scrutiny, viewers and stars alike are hanging on the opening words of host Chris Rock.

The Dolby Theatre ceremony, heavily guarded by security, stands at the center of a swirling storm over diversity in the movies and at the Oscars, with protests planned near the red carpet and some viewers organizing a boycott of the broadcast.

Hollywood is bracing for an Academy Awards ceremony Sunday night that more than any in recent memory, has the feel of a high-stakes showdown.

After a second straight year of all-white acting nominees prompted industry-wide scrutiny, viewers and stars alike are hanging on the opening words of host Chris Rock.

The Dolby Theatre ceremony, heavily guarded by security, stands at the center of a swirling storm over diversity in the movies and at the Oscars, with protests planned near the red carpet and some viewers organizing a boycott of the broadcast.

AP TELEVISION

Hollywood, California - 28 February 2016

1. Various of Hollywood Blvd. blocked off

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Dario Jankovic, Visiting from Germany:

"I am a big movie fan and I have two friends who are studying in Fullerton near Los Angeles so I am here for vacation and to visit them and we're all big movie fans. We want to see Leonardo DiCaprio, we hope to see Michael Fassbender and some other great actors We're excited to see them."

3. Various of police activity for the Oscars

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Jean Louis Gelopin, Visiting from Paris:

"Our hotel is not very far and we know that something is happening here so we just wanted to have a look."

5. Tight of officers

6. People posing for picture with Gregg Donovan

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Gregg Donovan, Hollywood Greeter:

"I'm kind of like the Hollywood greeter, I've been doing this going on 20 years, from Beverly Hills to Hollywood. I've met Leo (Leonardo DiCaprio) I've known him for many years and I believe this is the year of the Leo and he's earned it. It's not a charity. He's really earned it this time and if he doesn't win this time, I will stop wearing this red coat and this black hat. I mean they've got to do it."

8. Various of red carpet

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Tammy Cabral, Visiting from Hawaii:

"I've already Facebooked, 'Look how the red carpet looks!' So it's kind of cool."

10. Various of security

Stars on the Oscars red carpet on Sunday night offered their opinions on accusations that the awards do not celebrate diversity enough.

After controversy caused by a second straight year of all-white acting nominees that prompted industry-wide scrutiny, a protest was being held near the red carpet and some viewers were planning a boycott of the broadcast.

AP TELEVISION

Los Angeles, 28 February 2016

1. Actress Olivia Wilde posing for photographers with her husband Jason Sudeikis

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Olivia Wilde, actress:

"This is a nice night because it's the end of award season, everyone is in a great mood. Tonight's not too hot. I feel like everyone is really excited to see Chris Rock. I'm so excited for that myself."

(Reporter: "Why? Do you feel like he's really going to go there with the hashtag Oscars-So-White and should he?")

"Yeah. He should. He willl. I mean that's Chris' style - he's honest and he's the perfect person to make some socio-political commentary tonight. I'm so happy he's the one to be here."

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Common, actor/recording artist:

(Reporter: "Did you have conflicts about coming tonight?")

"No, not really. I feel like I want to be part of the solution. I think we all know that things need to be corrected and I think that people, the fact that people brought it up and spoke up, that we are speaking up and that people involved in the Academy want to see change too, I think we're in a great position. The only way you get change is by speaking up. So I'm here celebrating the artists that are doing well, supporting the Academy, supporting the Oscars but, you know, we know the issue is just bigger than the Oscars, or Hollywood. We're in America - there's a lot of things we've got to resolve. But I want to be part of the solution."

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Louis Gossett Jr., actor:

(Reporter: "Talk to me about the importance of being here at this year's Oscars.")

"Oh it's extremely important. Very political. Very enlightening and some people choose to protest outside. I choose to be a part of this thing which I already am for many years. If there's going to be change we have to do it from the inside."

5. Actress Priyanka Chopra posing for photographers

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Priyanka Chopra, actress:

"Well I just think art shouldn't be defined by the colour of your skin. The best person for the job should get the job and not because you look a certain way. That's just a very primitive thought for me. And I'm really happy, when I was cast in "Quantico" because I was ther best person for the job and not because of what I look like or where I come from. I think that's the way to go - story-telling should be global and that's what the world looks like now."

7. Actor Duane Howard on red carpet

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Duane Howard, actor:

"Shooting and working with Alejandro had really inspired me and really motivated me to move forward and continue my career as a First Nations actor. And here representing my family and my people, my community."

9. Quincy Jones posing for photographers

10. Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio

11. Actor Tom Hardy and his wife, actress Charlotte Riley

12. Actress Saoirse Ronan

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Saoirse Ronan, actress:

"It's lovely, it's lovely because, I think, the fact that I was promoting the film basically for the last year and I have such a connection to it, in a personal sense and professionally as well, for this to be our last event together as a group is very exciting."

14. Actress Brie Larson

15. Actress Cate Blanchett

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Sylvester Stallone, actor:

"I've never felt better to tell you the truth. You know really, all the aches and pains go away, you just feel re-born. It's a modern day miracle because when I came here before 40 years ago you don't appreciate it, you know what I mean? But now you understand how hard it is to stick around and how many experiences you've had. So now, I'm just taking a mental movie of all this and you're in it too now."

17. Actor Kevin Hart and girlfriend Eniko Parrish

18. Director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu and his wife

19. Actor Matt Damon and his wife

20. Actress Julianne Moore

21. Actress Charlize Theron

22. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Fassbender, actor:

"No, it's pretty relaxing actually. I'm here with my family and we're enjoying the weekend. It's nice."

23. Actor Mark Rylance and his wife Claire van Kampen

HOLLYWOOD PREPARES FOR SUNDAY'S ACADEMY AWARDS

Hollywood is bracing for an Academy Awards that more than any in recent memory has the feel of a high-stakes showdown.

After a second straight year of all-white nominees prompted industry-wide scrutiny, viewers and stars alike are hanging on the opening words of host Chris Rock.

Media gathered on the red carpet and workers made final preparations on Saturday (27 February) outside the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, which will be at the center of a swirling storm over diversity in the movies and at the Oscars. Protests are planned near the red carpet and some viewers are organizing a boycott of the broadcast.

The 88th Academy Awards are this year charged with enough politics and uncertainty to rival an election debate. Arrivals for the ceremony are to begin by 6 p.m. Eastern (2300 GMT) on Sunday, with the show kicking off at 8:30 p.m. Eastern (0130 Monday GMT) on ABC in the United States.

Security around Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue is especially heighted because Vice President Joe Biden will be attending to give a special presentation with Lady Gaga aimed at combating sexual violence.

AP ENTERTAINMENT

Los Angeles, 27 February 2016

1. Wide exterior intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue in Los Angeles, zoom in on Academy Awards signage

2. Wide Dolby Theatre in Hollywood with Oscar statue

3. Close Oscar statue

4. Low-angle view of red carpet outside Dolby Theatre

5. Medium Oscars signage on wall

6. Wide Oscar statue with signage

7. Medium tilt down Oscar statue

8. Wide red carpet outside Dolby Theatre

9. Close electronic signage with Oscar nominees

10. Wide Oscars red carpet from high angle

11. Medium media outside Dolby Theatre

12. Wide media outside Dolby Theatre

13. Close Dolby Theatre signage

14. Wide push in Dolby Theatre with workers and media outside

15. Wide Dolby Theatre with red carpet from high angle

16. Wide Oscars signage in Hollywood

SHOTLIST:

AP Television

London, 28 October 2010

1. File footage of James Franco talking to reporter on red carpet for London '127 Hours' premiere

2. File footage; various of James Franco signing autographs for fans at London '127 Hours' premiere

AP Television

New York, 30 April 2009

3. File footage of Anne Hathaway on red carpet for Cartier 100th Anniversary in America event

AP Television

New York, 5 January 2009

4. File footage of Anne Hathaway on red carpet for NY premiere of 'Bride Wars'

AP Television

Beverly Hills, Calif., 13 November 2008

5. File footage of James Franco talking to reporter on red carpet for the Beverly Hills premiere of 'Milk'

STORYLINE

FRANCO AND HATHAWAY PICKED AS CO-HOSTS FOR THE OSCARS

James Franco and Anne Hathaway have just what Academy Awards producers want as hosts of Hollywood's biggest night. They'll put on a show, rather than just another awards ceremony, organizers say.

Bruce Cohen and Don Mischer, producers of the Feb. 27 telecast, said Monday (29 NOV 2010) they had chosen Franco and Hathaway as hosts because the two are rising stars with broad talent that will help turn the night into a celebration of film.

Both have done serious drama and comedy. Hathaway earned a best-actress Oscar nomination for 2008's "Rachel Getting Married" and starred in such comedies as "The Princess Diaries" and "The Devil Wears Prada."

Franco had an Emmy nomination for the title role of 2001's "James Dean," costarred in the Oscar-winning "Milk" and delivered a memorable comic turn as a spacey pot dealer in "Pineapple Express."

Hathaway also showed off her musical talents in a duet at the 2008 Oscars with the show's host, Hugh Jackman. Oscar producers were uncertain whether Franco can sing.

"There's a rumor that he can, and we will be exploring that," Cohen said.

While most Oscar shows over the past two decades had a comedian such as Billy Crystal, Chris Rock or Jon Stewart as emcee, Hathaway and Franco continue a recent trend of using film stars.

Steve Martin, a past solo host of the Oscars, and his "It's Complicated" co-star Alec Baldwin teamed up as hosts last time, while "X-Men" and Broadway star Jackman was host the year before.

The producers say they aim to keep the Oscar show fast-paced and shorter than it has been in recent times. The show has dragged on for four hours in some years.

The job of keeping the show brisk has been made easier since lifetime-achievement Oscars and other honorary awards were moved to a separate event. But producers will have to squeeze in 10 best-picture nominees for the second-straight year, double the usual number.

Cohen and Mischer said they also plan to continue recent efforts to liven up the way some awards are presented and group awards together in ways that make sense to viewers.

"We're really hoping this year to link what James and Anne are doing thematically to the show," Cohen said. "That they are the world's window in that they are the welcoming committee, but also the two people through the evening who are taking you through this journey of giving out 24 Oscars."

PINKETT SMITH AND LEE TO BOYCOTT 'LILY WHITE' OSCARS

Calls for a boycott of the Academy Awards are growing over the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences' second straight year of mostly white nominees, as Spike Lee and Jada Pinkett Smith each said Monday (18 JAN. 2015) that they will not attend this year's ceremony.

In a lengthy Instagram post, Lee said he "cannot support" the "lily white" Oscars. Noting that he was writing on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Lee - who in November said he was fed up: "Forty white actors in two years and no flava at all," he wrote. "We can't act?!"

In a video message on Facebook, Pinkett Smith also said she wouldn't attend or watch the Oscars in February. Pinkett Smith, whose husband Will Smith wasn't nominated for his performance in the NFL head trauma drama "Concussion," said it was time for people of color to disregard the Academy Awards.

"Begging for acknowledgement, or even asking, diminishes dignity and diminishes power," she said. "And we are a dignified people and we are powerful."

She added: "Let's let the academy do them, with all grace and love. And let's do us differently."

Last year's all-white acting nominees also drew calls for a boycott, though not from such prominent individuals as Lee and Pinkett Smith. Whether it had any impact or not, the audience for the broadcast, hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, was down 16 percent from the year prior, a six-year low.

This year, academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs has made a point of presenting a more inclusive show. The Feb. 28 broadcast will be hosted by Chris Rock and produced by "Django Unchained" producer Reginald Hudlin and David Hill. On Saturday, Rock, unveiling a new promotion for the broadcast, called the ceremony "The White BET Awards."

The academy didn't immediately respond to messages left Monday.

In his post, Lee made it clear the Academy Awards is only part of the problem in an industry with deep-rooted diversity issues.

"The Academy Awards is not where the 'real' battle is," wrote Lee. "It's in the executive office of the Hollywood studios and TV and cable networks. This is where the gate keepers decide what gets made and what gets jettisoned to 'turnaround' or scrap heap. This is what's important. The gate keepers. Those with 'the green light' vote."

FILE: New York, 30 November 2015

1. Wide shot Spike Lee and cast of "Chi-Raq"

2. Medium shot Spike Lee and Rev. Al Sharpton

FILE: New York, 11 August 2015

3. Medium shot Spike Lee walks red carpet at premiere of HBO's "Show Me a Hero"

FILE: New York, 15 February 2015

4. Wid shot Spike Lee on red carpet ahead of the NBA All-Star game

FILE: London, 30 June 2015

5. Wide shot Jada Pinkett Smith arriving at "Magic Mike XXL" premiere

6. Medium shot Pinkett Smith talking to reporter

FILE: New York, 10 September 2014

7. Fashion shot Jada Pinkett Smith

SHOTLIST

AP Entertainment

Park City, Utah, 22 January 2016

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Don Cheadle/Actor-director: "I mean, I applaud their attempt to try to do something about it, which is great, but again this is dealing with the symptom, not starting at the root cause of how we even get to results like this, which has to do with inclusion and access and the ability of people of color, women, minorities to get entry level positions where you can become someone who can greenlight a movie."

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Ciro Guerra/Director: "I think it's very surprising but interesting that changes are being made. It just proves that when people speak up and when debates arise, it can really make differences. But I think we are still a long way from the ideal situation."

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Danny DeVito/Actor: "It's unfortunate that the entire country is a racist country. And this is one example of the fact that even though some people have given great performances in movies, they weren't even thought about. We are living in a country that discriminates and has certain racial tendencies – racist tendencies. So sometimes when it's manifested in things like this, it's illuminated. But just generally speaking we are a racist — we are a bunch of racists. I don't mean to call you a racist. I'm just saying, generally, generally speaking, we are all xenophobic and it's horrendous."

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Ciro Guerra/Director: "I think the problem is not diversity in an awards show. I think the problem is that we need more diversity in films in general. We need more films that are directed by women. We need more films coming from different kinds of voices of society. We need more filmmakers from -- and to hear filmmakers from all over the world."

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Don Cheadle/Actor-director: "These nominations actually translate into dollars and they translate into people's ability to parlay. If you're sort of kept out of that process unintentionally because of an institutionalized system that continues to see the same results happen then you are not able to benefit. That's really what the issue is. Who gets a statue, who doesn't get a statue, who cares? I don't care about that. That doesn't really get me upset."

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Sam Neill/Actor: "I'm baffled by it. I mean, I would have thought that Idris Elba and Sam Jackson would have been shoo-ins for nominations. But gee – I don't live in Hollywood. We live in an obscure little part of the world where we don't think about these things very much."

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Don Cheadle/Actor-director: "And if my film next year gets passed over in the same way that 'Straight Outta Compton' did, I'm going to be turning cartwheels because those are the votes that I'm concerned about — ticket buyers, you know what I mean? If it doesn't get a nomination and makes $100 million, I'm like, fantastic."

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Chelsea Handler/Actress-TV personality: "It's annoying to have to keep having this conversation. It should be in the past, like way in the past you know. Although you can't just nominate people because they're black. That doesn't make sense either. So you have to figure out a system where there are more black movies being made."

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Don Cheadle/Actor-director: "Oh my god, I hope he goes there and just goes in. I hope he just does what he does better, and he will he does it better than anybody, which is hold the mirror up to everyone. You know what I mean? Everybody needs to have the piss taken out of them a little bit. Everyone needs to be skewered from this, from the people that are complaining to the people who aren't saying anything to the people that are saying there's no problem, to the people that are saying it's all problems - everybody needs to in this I believe world the focus of the world being on the state of this point in time, this could be a defining moment for Chris Rock and I hope it is."

HOLLYWOOD DIVERSITY: CHEADLE PRAISES ACADEMY CHANGES, DEVITO SAYS 'WE ARE A BUNCH OF RACISTS'

Stars at the Sundance Film Festival praised the film academy's changes announced Friday meant to increase diversity among members and nominees -- but they said there was more to do.

Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs announced Friday that the academy will double the number of female and minority members by 2020, and will immediately diversify its leadership by adding three new seats to its board of governors, to be filled in the coming weeks.

"I mean, I applaud their attempt to try to do something about it, which is great," said Don Cheadle, at Sundance promoting his directorial effort about Miles Davis, "Miles Ahead." "But again this is dealing with the symptom, not starting at the root cause of how we even get to results like this, which has to do with inclusion and access and the ability of people of color, women, minorities to get entry level positions where you can become someone who can greenlight a movie."

The academy now aims for women to comprise 48 percent of its membership and "diverse groups" at least 14 percent as an initial step. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' 51-member board of governors unanimously approved a series of reforms late Thursday to "begin the process of significantly changing our membership composition," Boone Isaacs said, following a weeklong storm of criticism and calls for an Oscar boycott because of the lack of diversity among nominees.

Ciro Guerra, director of Oscar nominee in the foreign film category "Embrace of the Serpent," said he was surprised by the change.

"I think it's very surprising but interesting that changes are being made. It just proves that when people speak up and when debates arise, it can really make differences. But I think we are still a long way from the ideal situation," the Colombian director said.

Actor Danny DeVito, promoting his role in the film "Weiner Dog," said the lack of diversity among Oscar nominees was a symptom of a larger problem.

"It's unfortunate that the entire country is a racist country. And this is one example of the fact that even though some people have given great performances in movies, they weren't even thought about," he said. "We are living in a country that discriminates and has certain racial tendencies – racist tendencies. So sometimes when it's manifested in things like this, it's illuminated. But just generally speaking we are a racist — we are a bunch of racists. I don't mean to call you a racist. I'm just saying, generally, generally speaking, we are all xenophobic and it's horrendous."

Guerra agreed: "I think the problem is not diversity in an awards show. I think the problem is that we need more diversity in films in general. We need more films that are directed by women. We need more films coming from different kinds of voices of society. We need more filmmakers from -- and to hear filmmakers from all over the world."

Sam Neill, promoting New Zealand-made "Hunt for the Wilderpeople," said he was "baffled" that some black actors were snubbed when nominations were announced.

"I'm baffled by it. I mean, I would have thought that Idris Elba and Sam Jackson would have been shoo-ins for nominations. But gee – I don't live in Hollywood," Neill said. "We live in an obscure little part of the world where we don't think about these things very much."

TV personality and actress Chelsea Handler said she'd had enough of the discussion: "It's annoying to have to keep having this conversation. It should be in the past, like way in the past you know. Although you can't just nominate people because they're black. That doesn't make sense either. So you have to figure out a system where there are more black movies being made."

Cheadle was hoping for big things from Oscars host Chris Rock.

"Oh my god, I hope he goes there and just goes in. I hope he just does what he does better, and he will he does it better than anybody, which is hold the mirror up to everyone," Cheadle said. "Everyone needs to be skewered from this, from the people that are complaining to the people who aren't saying anything to the people that are saying there's no problem, to the people that are saying it's all problems - everybody needs to in this I believe world the focus of the world being on the state of this point in time, this could be a defining moment for Chris Rock and I hope it is."

BRITISH STARS TAKE OVER THE RED CARPET AT THE OSCARS

Saoirse Ronan was a child when she first attended the Academy Awards.

Now, at 21 years old, the Irish actress is able to take the biggest night in the film calendar in her stride.

Ronan, who was nominated for best actress for her role as Eilis Lacey in "Brooklyn," was last nominated in 2008 for "Atonement."

"It's exciting. I was here about 10 years ago almost and it was like the first award show I'd ever been to, which was mental. Whereas now I kind of know how the whole thing goes," Ronan smiled.

Recording artist Sam Smith also kept his cool on the red carpet outside the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, as he met the press alongside his songwriting partner, Jimmy Napes.

"Everything rounded up towards the end of last year and then this happened and it's gone a bit crazy again," said Smith, who was nominated for best original song for his theme to "Spectre."

"But it's still relaxed you know? We've had a really amazing week here in L.A. with our friends and our loved ones and so I still feel like we're relaxed."

It was the first time that fellow Brit Daisy Ridley had attended an Oscars ceremony, but the actress joked that she felt "at home."

"Yes, but we did the L.A. premiere here" (for "Star Wars: The Force Awakens") "so I'm like 'yeah, it's like being at home!' No, it's nerve-wracking, but it's a very nice experience celebrating films of the year," she grinned.

Comedian Chris Rock hosted the 88th Academy Awards Sunday (28 FEB. 2016).

AP ENTERTAINMENT

Los Angeles, 28 Feb. 2015

1. Fashion shot Saoirse Ronan

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Saoirse Ronan, Actress - nominated for leading actress for "Brooklyn":

"It's exciting. I was here about 10 years ago almost and it was like the first award show I'd ever been to, which was mental. Whereas now I kind of know how the whole thing goes."

(Reporter: "The Oscars were your first award show?")

"Yeah. Which is mad."

(Reporter: "How does it feel this time around being back as an adult and having gone through all of awards season?")

"It's lovely. It's lovely because I think the fact that I was promoting the film basically for the last year, and I have such a connection to it and, you know, in a personal sense and kind of professionally as well, for this to be our last event together as a group is very exciting."

3. Medium shot Sam Smith and Jimmy Napes

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Sam Smith, Recording Artist - nominated with Jimmy Napes for original song, "Writing's On The Wall," from "Spectre":

"Yeah, you know, everything rounded up towards the end of last year and then this happened and it's gone a bit crazy again. But it's still relaxed you know? We've had a really amazing week here in L.A. with our friends and our loved ones and so I still feel like we're relaxed."

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Yoshiaki Nishimura, Producer - nominated for animated feature "When Marnie Was There":

"It's so exciting. I'm very happy."

(Reporter: "What does it mean to share this moment with your entire team? You're here all together.")

SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Hiromasa Yonebayashi, Director:

"It's such an honor. It's really truly unbelievable."

6. Zoom in Joy Mangano posing for photographs

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Joy Mangano, Entrepreneur - on how's she's feeling:

"Well, everything, including electric and we're so excited for everybody but there's a special place in our heart for Jennifer (Lawrence) tonight.

(Reporter: "Have you spoken to your girl and what did she say?")

"Oh yeah. I think he's very excited and she's going to look beautiful."

8. Medium shot Daisy Ridley posing for photographs, with pull out

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Daisy Ridley, Actress:

(Reporter: "Is this your first Oscars?")

"Yes."

(Reporter: "OK. So did you have nerves going into it?")

"Yes, but we did the L.A. premiere here so I'm like 'yeah, it's like being at home!' No, it's nerve-wracking, but it's a very nice experience celebrating films of the year."

10. Wide shot Daisy Ridley