OSCARS DIVERSITY CRITERIA 'NOT ABOUT EXCLUSION' SAY LEADERS

Any change to the Oscars is going get people talking, so the leaders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences were not exactly surprised that the new best picture inclusion standards became a trending topic on social media as soon as they were announced Tuesday night.

“Change doesn’t come without some variation of views,” said Paramount Pictures CEO Jim Gianopulos, who co-headed the task force behind the criteria with film producer DeVon Franklin. “Nothing is absolutely perfect, but this is a very progressive effort to make change.”

Starting with the 96th Academy Awards in 2024, best picture nominees will have to meet specific requirements addressing gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity and disability in front of and behind the camera in order to qualify. Films must comply with two of four broad representation categories: On screen; among the crew; at the studio; and in opportunities for training and advancement.

Some said they went too far and accused the new rules of inhibiting art and artists with quotas. Others, like Stacy L. Smith, director of the University of Southern California’s Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, said they didn’t go far enough.

Smith said she could find few Oscar nominees from the past 20 years that didn’t already meet the new standards.

“I want to commend them for trying and for putting together a criteria because we know criteria is a way to counter bias,” said Smith. “But we’re not seeing anything that will push conversation forward. They’re not aspirational in any way.”

The Academy leadership team believes the reforms will inspire change, though.

“This is about broadening the definition of excellence. This is about inclusion,” Franklin said. “This is not about exclusion.”

The Oscars, and the films and people that get nominated, have been long been used as an indication of the lack of diversity in Hollywood. Five years ago, the film academy endeavored to significantly diversify its own membership. It is now embarking on a new five-year plan, Aperture 2025, to address deeper inequities in the business. The best picture adjustment is just one of the effort. Others include implementing a set 10 best picture nominees starting at the 94th Oscars and mandatory unconscious bias training for academy members.

The best picture standards were specifically designed to be flexible and “give latitude” to filmmakers.

“We feel like they give filmmakers and studios an opportunity to make the movie they want to make and have flexibility in how these standards ultimately get applied,” Franklin said.

Academy President David Rubin added that the academy’s board of governors, which includes Whoopi Goldberg, filmmaker Ava DuVernay, producer Lynette Howell Taylor and executive David Linde, “understands that creative freedom for filmmakers is essential.”

Gianopulos said that they were also mindful of films like Sam Mendes’ World War I film “1917,” which by the nature of its story focused mostly on white men and thus wouldn’t meet the first criteria that addresses diversity in front of the camera.

“That’s why there are four criteria,” he said. “If a particular film doesn’t lend itself to people in front of the camera in terms of representation, then there are three other categories in which progress can be made.”

One of those categories is at the studio level, which requires “multiple in-house senior executives in marketing, publicity and/or distribution” to be from an underrepresented group. This was directly inspired by an experience Gianopulos had with one of his films.

“We made a film with a very prominent African American filmmaker that was made for the African American audience and he came to the marketing meeting and stared at a bunch of white faces,” he said. “That tells you everything you need to know.”

The academy’s diversity and inclusion standards were inspired by similar efforts by the British Film Institute, which have been a requirement for most public funding in the U.K. since 2014. But a recent report said that even that has not yet improved racial inequality.

The film academy plans to gather and analyze data over the next few years from confidential surveys to ensure that the standards are defined properly.

“It isn’t just about meeting the minimum requirements. It’s how do we change the intentions in the industry and in filmmaking,” said academy CEO Dawn Hudson. “We want success across the industry.”

ARCHIVE: Los Angeles, 18 February 2015

1. Wide Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, site of the Academy Awards

2. Medium Oscar statue outside theatre

3. Low-angle of red carpet rolled up on street with Oscars signage in background

4. Wide workers roll red carpet toward camera with Oscars signage in background

5. Wide pan right workers roll out Oscars red carpet

6. Medium pan left standing workers roll out Oscars red carpet

7. Wide pan left workers roll out Oscars red carpet with Dolby Theatre in background

8. Medium workers kick carpet to roll it out

9. Medium workers move and unfold red carpet

10. Wide workers lay down Oscars red carpet

11. Wide high-angle Dolby Theatre with red carpet along Hollywood Boulevard

12. Medium signage for Dolby Theatre and Oscars

13. Wide workers piece together Oscars red carpet

14. Medium Oscars exterior decor

15. Wide worker pieces together red carpet sections in front of Dolby Theatre

16. Close worker pieces together carpet sections

17. Medium worker pieces together carpet sections

18. Wide tilt up Oscar statue and Dolby Theatre entrance

ARCHIVE: Los Angeles, 26 February 2017

19. Wide Hollywood and Highland intersection with Dolby Theatre, Oscars signage

20. Wide pan left Hollywood Boulevard and Dolby Theatre exteriors

21. Medium Oscar statue and signage on red carpet entrance

22. Wide pan left Oscars red carpet scene

23. Wide Oscars red carpet with media gathered

24. Medium Oscars signage

25. Close Oscars signage

26. Medium Oscar statue with signage

27. Wide Oscar statue with signage

28. Wide Dolby Theatre entrance with Oscar statue

29. Close Oscar statue head

30. Wide audience in bleachers on red carpet cheers

31. Wide tilt down entrance to Dolby Theatre

ARCHIVE: Los Angeles, 24 February 2019

32. Various of Oscars red carpet set-up outside of the Dolby Theatre

33. Various of the Oscar fan viewing seats alongside the red carpet

34. Wide of the Oscars red carpet

35. Medium of the Dolby Theater entrance

36. Medium of outside the Dolby Theatre

37. Various of the Oscars red carpet set up and the first arrivers at the Dolby Theatre

For the fourth time in its history, the Oscars are being postponed. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the ABC Television Network said Monday that the 93rd Academy Awards will now be held April 25, 2021, eight weeks later than originally planned because of the pandemic's effects on the movie industry.

The Academy's Board of Governors also decided to extend the eligibility window beyond the calendar year to Feb. 28, 2021, for feature films.

Variety's senior films award editor Marc Malkin explained this new extension will allow more films to apply for nomination consideration.

"Because a lot of films didn't think they'd be able to make it in time for a 2021 Oscar run. So basically, instead of a film having to have to come out by December 31, it now has until February 28 to hit theaters," explained Malkin. "So, it looks like a bunch of films that, you know, were in production and had to halt production because of the pandemic. Now may be able to make it to the 2021 Oscars."

Malkin said this pushback might give director Ridley Scott a chance of consideration by the Oscars again.

"When you have a movie like, 'The Last Duel.' It's a Ridley Scott directed film starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, that was about half-way done when the pandemic struck so possibly, they can get back into production and be ready for the 2021 Oscars," said Malkin.

The 12th annual Governors Awards has also been canceled. The event, in which honorary Oscars are bestowed to previously announced recipients, is generally held in Los Angeles during the second week of November. The untelevised event is a major gathering for many of the year's awards hopefuls.

The Oscars ceremony date was the big lingering unknown, however. The organization's leadership has acknowledged all along that the situation was fluid and that everything was on the table. Now, Oscars nominations will be announced on March 15 and the nominees luncheon will be on April 15.

Still, many decisions need to be made. Academy leadership has not yet addressed the format of the show and whether it will be virtual or in-person. Further, the future eligibility of films for the 94th Oscars and that show date will be announced later.

What all this could mean, is a much longer award season, according to Malkin.

"Usually we would come back from New Year's Eve and it would be the Golden Globes a few days later. Now it looks like probably the Golden Globes are going to be pushed. The SAG Awards are going to be pushed. The Producers Guild Awards are going to be pushed. So, it's all pushing till later in 2021. So, I just think we're looking at a much longer calendar than we have in the past," he said.

Other entertainment industry awards shows are also in flux. The 74th Tony Awards, originally set for June 7, has been postponed indefinitely. But the 72nd Emmy Awards is still holding onto Sept. 20. The BAFTAs announced Monday that its annual film awards were being pushed from Feb. 14, 2021 to April 11. And the 78th Golden Globes does not yet have a date.

ARCHIVE: Los Angeles, 18 February 2015

1. Wide tilt up Oscar statue and Dolby Theatre entrance

ARCHIVE: Los Angeles, 26 February 2017

2. Wide Hollywood and Highland intersection with Dolby Theatre, Oscars signage

Los Angeles, 15 June 2020

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Marc Malkin, senior film awards editor, Variety:

"The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced that the Oscars have been pushed from Feb. 28 to April 25th. That's a whole two months."

ARCHIVE: Los Angeles, 26 February 2017

4. Wide pan left Hollywood Boulevard and Dolby Theatre exteriors

5. Medium Oscar statue and signage on red carpet entrance

Los Angeles, 15 June 2020

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Marc Malkin, senior film awards editor, Variety:

"A lot of films didn't think they'd be able to make it in time for a 2021 Oscar run. So basically, instead of a film having to have to come out by December 31, it now has until February 28 to hit theaters. So it looks like a bunch of films that, you know, were in production and had to halt production because of the pandemic now may be able to make it to the 2021 Oscars."

ARCHIVE: Los Angeles, 9 February 2020

7. Various of red carpet with media, work crews and statues outside Dolby Theatre in Hollywood

Los Angeles, 15 June 2020

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Marc Malkin, senior film awards editor, Variety:

"All of these dates changes can be really confusing and it's still, a lot of it is unknown because this pandemic obviously is unpredictable. When you have a movie like, 'The Last Duel,' It's a Ridley Scott directed film starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, that was about half-way done when the pandemic struck so possibly they can get back into production and be ready for the 2021 Oscars."

ARCHIVE: Los Angeles, 9 February 2020

9. Various of red carpet with media, work crews and statues outside Dolby Theatre in Hollywood

Los Angeles, 15 June 2020

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Marc Malkin, senior film awards editor, Variety:

"A movie like 'Westside Story,' Steve Spielberg's new adaptation of the beloved musical right now is set for a December release, for the holidays. But, will they decide to release it later on to be closer to nomination voting?"

ARCHIVE: Los Angeles, 4 February 2020

11. Exterior Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences headquarters

12. Medium shot of Oscar statue

Los Angeles, 15 June 2020

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Marc Malkin, senior film awards editor, Variety:

"The Academy also announced that the Academy Museum of Motion Picture, which was supposed to open in December, will now not open until April to coincide with the Oscars."

ARCHIVE: Los Angeles, 27 September 2017

People looking at drafts and drawings of Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

14. Reporters photographing model of section of Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

15. Various close-up of model of dome portion of exterior of Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Los Angeles, 15 June 2020

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Marc Malkin, senior film awards editor, Variety:

" Awards season looks like it's going to be a lot longer. You know, usually we would come back from New Year's Eve and it would be the Golden Globes to, you know, a few days later. Now it looks like probably the Golden Globes are going to be pushed. The SAG Awards are going to be pushed. The Producers Guild Awards are going to be pushed. So, it's all pushing till later in 2021. So, I just think we're looking at a much longer calendar than we have in the past."

ARCHIVE: Los Angeles, 24 February 2019

17 Various of Oscars red carpet set-up outside of the Dolby Theatre

OSCARS TO GO HOST-LESS FOR 2ND STRAIGHT YEAR ON ABC

The Oscars are going without a host again this year.

ABC Entertainment President Karey Burke said the Feb. 9 telecast will focus on what worked last year: "huge entertainment value, big musical numbers, big comedy and star power."

Last year's ceremony attracted 29.6 million viewers, the second-smallest in Oscars history but 12% more than in 2018, which ended a four-year slide in viewership. Comedian Kevin Hart was originally announced as host, but he backed away when some anti-gay tweets he posted a decade ago resurfaced.

ABC and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences agreed to go hostless for a second straight year, Burke said.

“We expect that we're going to have a very commercial set of nominations,” Burke told a TV critics meeting Tuesday, "and a number of elements have come together that convinced us we'll have a very entertaining show."

Nominations will be announced on Monday.

Last year's Emmy Awards also went without a host. ABC is televising this year's ceremony on Sept. 20, and Burke was asked if she had any idea who might preside.

"Baby Yoda," she joked, referring to the infant version of the "Star Wars" character that became an instant sensation on Disney Plus' "The Mandalorian."

(Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

ARCHIVE: Los Angeles, 18 February 2015

1. Wide Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, site of the Academy Awards

2. Medium Oscar statue outside theatre

3. Low-angle of red carpet rolled up on street with Oscars signage in background

4. Wide workers roll red carpet toward camera with Oscars signage in background

5. Wide pan right workers roll out Oscars red carpet

6. Medium pan left standing workers roll out Oscars red carpet

7. Wide pan left workers roll out Oscars red carpet with Dolby Theatre in background

8. Medium workers kick carpet to roll it out

9. Medium workers move and unfold red carpet

10. Wide workers lay down Oscars red carpet

11. Wide high-angle Dolby Theatre with red carpet along Hollywood Boulevard

12. Medium signage for Dolby Theatre and Oscars

13. Wide workers piece together Oscars red carpet

14. Medium Oscars exterior decor

15. Wide worker pieces together red carpet sections in front of Dolby Theatre

16. Close worker pieces together carpet sections

17. Medium worker pieces together carpet sections

18. Wide tilt up Oscar statue and Dolby Theatre entrance

ARCHIVE: Los Angeles, 26 February 2017

19. Wide Hollywood and Highland intersection with Dolby Theatre, Oscars signage

20. Wide pan left Hollywood Boulevard and Dolby Theatre exteriors

21. Medium Oscar statue and signage on red carpet entrance

22. Wide pan left Oscars red carpet scene

23. Wide Oscars red carpet with media gathered

24. Medium Oscars signage

25. Close Oscars signage

26. Medium Oscar statue with signage

27. Wide Oscar statue with signage

28. Wide Dolby Theatre entrance with Oscar statue

29. Close Oscar statue head

30. Wide audience in bleachers on red carpet cheers

31. Wide tilt down entrance to Dolby Theatre

ARCHIVE: Los Angeles, 24 February 2019

32. Various of Oscars red carpet set-up outside of the Dolby Theatre

33. Various of the Oscar fan viewing seats alongside the red carpet

34. Wide of the Oscars red carpet

35. Medium of the Dolby Theater entrance

36. Medium of outside the Dolby Theatre

37. Various of the Oscars red carpet set up and the first arrivers at the Dolby Theatre

OSCARS PRODUCERS PROMISE FAST-PACED SHOW

Oscars producers say viewers won't miss having a host, promising a fast-paced show filled with musical moments.

Performances from Queen, Bette Midler and others will liven up Sunday's show, producers Glenn Weiss and Donna Gigliotti said Wednesday (20 FEBRUARY) at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

Weiss said he isn't lamenting the Oscars' lack of a host this year. (Kevin Hart pulled out of the gig after controversy over old jokes and tweets.)

"We are going to put on a show which is going to keep moving. There's going to be entertainment all the way through. There's going to be all sorts of things paced out throughout the show. You're not going to miss it. It's great on shows that have one, and I think the show is going to move along fine," said Weiss, who is also directing the telecast.

He said the opening performance would be "full of energy, it's going to be full of excitement."

Bradley Cooper has promised a "unique" and "raw" performance of "Shallow" from "A Star Is Born," and Midler will be singing "The Place Where Lost Things Go" from "Mary Poppins Returns."

"We will keep the show moving, but part of the pre-planning that Donna and I were able to do is to sprinkle these fun moments throughout and these musical moments throughout," Weiss said.

Producers reversed an initial plan to streamline the show by presenting some categories during commercial breaks, but Gigliotti said they were still hoping winners kept speeches under 90 seconds to help trim the telecast.

"It is really nice to be able to announce who is going to win best picture before people go to bed. So we are only asking people to stick to the 90-second rule as a favor to their fellow nominees, right? It's nice to do that. Because somehow or other at midnight, you've lost a lot of people. They are in their beds cozy and comfy and they don't see that one big speech," she said.

While the Oscars stage always features Hollywood's elite, this year's presenters include many from outside the industry, from Serena Williams to chef Jose Andres.

"It's certainly a diverse group of people, not like any you've seen on stage before. Fingers crossed, it will be great," Gigliotti said.

And while there's no host, there is an overarching theme to the show, the producers say.

"The theme that we've been talking about is inclusion, diversity and really embracing the audiences who go to the movies," Gigliotti said.

The Oscars are Sunday evening, airing live on ABC in the U.S.

Los Angeles, 20 February 2019

1. Wide Academy Awards signage near Dolby Theatre, site of Academy Awards

2. Wide Oscars red carpet

3. Medium zoom in Oscars decor on red carpet

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Glenn Weiss and Donna Gigliotti, Oscars producers:

Weiss: "You know, I'm not at all saying boy, hosts don't belong in the genre. I'm not saying that. I think we are going to put on a show which is going to keep moving. There's going to be entertainment all the way through. There's going to be all sorts of things paced out throughout the show. You're not going to miss it. It's great on shows that have one, and I think the show is going to move along fine."

5. Wide pan left tent over Oscars red carpet

6. Medium worker works on red carpet

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Glenn Weiss and Donna Gigliotti, Oscars producers:

Weiss: "It's going to be full of energy, it's going to be full of excitement. And I think at the end of the day, it's a great way to open the show, because everyone in this room is going to have a great time, and everyone watching it on TV – it's going to be fantastic."

8. Various workers prepare Oscars red carpet decor

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Glenn Weiss and Donna Gigliotti, Oscars producers:

Weiss: "We will keep the show moving, but part of the pre-planning that Donna and I were able to do is to sprinkle these fun moments throughout and these musical moments throughout and also that everybody feels a good pacing to it too, which I think is really important."

10. Various exteriors Oscars red carpet

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Glenn Weiss and Donna Gigliotti, Oscars producers:

Gigliotti: "At a certain point in time, people on the East Coast of the United States have to go to bed. They have to get up early in the morning and they have to go to work. Therefore, it is really nice to be able to announce who is going to win best picture before people go to bed. So we are only asking people to stick to the 90-second rule as a favor to their fellow nominees, right? It's nice to do that. Because somehow or other at midnight, you've lost a lot of people. They are in their beds cozy and comfy and they don't see that one big speech."

12. Still image: Combination photo shows Oscars presenters including Daniel Craig, Awkwafina

London, 9 July 2016

13. Still image: Serena Williams holds trophy after winning Wimbledon final

New York, 24 April 2018

14. Still image: Chef Jose Andres attends Time 100 gala

Los Angeles, 20 February 2019

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Glenn Weiss and Donna Gigliotti, Oscars producers:

Gigliotti: "One of the things that we talked about was having individual segments for best picture presentations. And then it was interesting to us – the idea of how movies connect us – all of us – and so what emerged out of that was a notion that people outside of the industry -- people who love movies – would come in and present the best picture nominees. So I think it's certainly a diverse group of people, not like any you've seen on stage before. Fingers crossed, it will be great."

16. Various Oscars red carpet preparations

17. SOUNDBITE (English) Glenn Weiss and Donna Gigliotti, Oscars producers:

Gigliotti: "I think the theme that we've been talking about – I don't know that it will be necessarily apparent – but the theme that we've been talking about is inclusion, diversity and really embracing the audiences who go to the movies."

18. Wide Dolby Theatre entrance

19. Medium Oscars poster outside theatre

OSCARS DELAY COULD CAUSE A MUCH LONGER HOLLYWOOD AWARDS SEASON

For the fourth time in its history, the Oscars are being postponed. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the ABC Television Network said Monday that the 93rd Academy Awards will now be held April 25, 2021, eight weeks later than originally planned because of the pandemic's effects on the movie industry.

The Academy's Board of Governors also decided to extend the eligibility window beyond the calendar year to Feb. 28, 2021, for feature films.

Variety's senior films award editor Marc Malkin explained this new extension will allow more films to apply for nomination consideration.

"Because a lot of films didn't think they'd be able to make it in time for a 2021 Oscar run. So basically, instead of a film having to have to come out by December 31, it now has until February 28 to hit theaters," explained Malkin. "So, it looks like a bunch of films that, you know, were in production and had to halt production because of the pandemic. Now may be able to make it to the 2021 Oscars."

The 12th annual Governors Awards has also been canceled. The event, in which honorary Oscars are bestowed to previously announced recipients, is generally held in Los Angeles during the second week of November. The untelevised event is a major gathering for many of the year's awards hopefuls.

The Oscars ceremony date was the big lingering unknown, however. The organization's leadership has acknowledged all along that the situation was fluid and that everything was on the table. Now, Oscars nominations will be announced on March 15 and the nominees luncheon will be on April 15.

Still, many decisions need to be made. Academy leadership has not yet addressed the format of the show and whether it will be virtual or in-person. Further, the future eligibility of films for the 94th Oscars and that show date will be announced later.

What all this could mean, is a much longer award season, according to Malkin.

"Usually we would come back from New Year's Eve and it would be the Golden Globes a few days later. Now it looks like probably the Golden Globes are going to be pushed. The SAG Awards are going to be pushed. The Producers Guild Awards are going to be pushed. So, it's all pushing till later in 2021. So, I just think we're looking at a much longer calendar than we have in the past," he said.

Other entertainment industry awards shows are also in flux. The 74th Tony Awards, originally set for June 7, has been postponed indefinitely. But the 72nd Emmy Awards is still holding onto Sept. 20. The BAFTAs announced Monday that its annual film awards were being pushed from Feb. 14, 2021 to April 11. And the 78th Golden Globes does not yet have a date.

ARCHIVE: Los Angeles, 18 February 2015

1. Wide tilt up Oscar statue and Dolby Theatre entrance

ARCHIVE: Los Angeles, 26 February 2017

2. Wide Hollywood and Highland intersection with Dolby Theatre, Oscars signage

Los Angeles, 15 June 2020

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Marc Malkin, senior film awards editor, Variety:

"The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced that the Oscars have been pushed from Feb. 28 to April 25th. That's a whole two months."

ARCHIVE: Los Angeles, 26 February 2017

4. Wide pan left Hollywood Boulevard and Dolby Theatre exteriors

5. Medium Oscar statue and signage on red carpet entrance

Los Angeles, 15 June 2020

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Marc Malkin, senior film awards editor, Variety:

"A lot of films didn't think they'd be able to make it in time for a 2021 Oscar run. So basically, instead of a film having to have to come out by December 31, it now has until February 28 to hit theaters. So it looks like a bunch of films that, you know, were in production and had to halt production because of the pandemic now may be able to make it to the 2021 Oscars."

ARCHIVE: Los Angeles, 9 February 2020

7. Various of red carpet with media, work crews and statues outside Dolby Theatre in Hollywood

Los Angeles, 15 June 2020

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Marc Malkin, senior film awards editor, Variety:

"All of these dates changes can be really confusing and it's still, a lot of it is unknown because this pandemic obviously is unpredictable. When you have a movie like, 'The Last Duel,' It's a Ridley Scott directed film starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, that was about half-way done when the pandemic struck so possibly they can get back into production and be ready for the 2021 Oscars."

ARCHIVE: Los Angeles, 9 February 2020

9. Various of red carpet with media, work crews and statues outside Dolby Theatre in Hollywood

Los Angeles, 15 June 2020

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Marc Malkin, senior film awards editor, Variety:

"A movie like 'Westside Story,' Steve Spielberg's new adaptation of the beloved musical right now is set for a December release, for the holidays. But, will they decide to release it later on to be closer to nomination voting?"

ARCHIVE: Los Angeles, 4 February 2020

11. Exterior Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences headquarters

12. Medium shot of Oscar statue

Los Angeles, 15 June 2020

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Marc Malkin, senior film awards editor, Variety:

"The Academy also announced that the Academy Museum of Motion Picture, which was supposed to open in December, will now not open until April to coincide with the Oscars."

ARCHIVE: Los Angeles, 27 September 2017

People looking at drafts and drawings of Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

14. Reporters photographing model of section of Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

15. Various close-up of model of dome portion of exterior of Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Los Angeles, 15 June 2020

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Marc Malkin, senior film awards editor, Variety:

"Awards season looks like it's going to be a lot longer. You know, usually we would come back from New Year's Eve and it would be the Golden Globes to, you know, a few days later. Now it looks like probably the Golden Globes are going to be pushed. The SAG Awards are going to be pushed. The Producers Guild Awards are going to be pushed. So, it's all pushing till later in 2021. So, I just think we're looking at a much longer calendar than we have in the past."

ARCHIVE: Los Angeles, 24 February 2019

17 Various of Oscars red carpet set-up outside of the Dolby Theatre

SHOTLIST

1. Pan Hollywood & Highland courtyard

2. Pan down to "Meet the Oscars!" sign

3. Pan up Oscar statue

4. Pan inside exhibit to display of Oscars

5. Closeup placard noting 50 statuettes for 79th Annual Academy Awards, with pull out to reveal portion of Oscar display

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Sid Ganis/President, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences: "Well, here we are: 'Meet the Oscars.' We're at Hollywood & Highland -- just up the escalator from the Kodak theatre, where, on February 25th, we'll be handing out the Oscars. So, come here anytime between now and February 25th, and we have a display of the 50 Oscars, which we're actually going to give out on Oscar night -- are here! Right here in this room! In addition to that, I'm holding this baby in my hand, but, actually, you can pick it up, have your picture taken with it, have a good love at it, understand it, and, of course, feel the heft of it: eight-and-a-half pounds of Oscar right here. And it's a rare, and kind of nice, experience. I mean, I'm a movie producer and I hope I win one one of these days. But, in the meantime, I can hold it in my hand, and so can everybody else."

7. Closeup of cameraperson with pull out to reveal reporter handling Oscar

8. Closeup placard noting 50th 79th Annual Academy Awards statuettes, with pull out to reveal actor Katharine Hepburn's four Oscars

9. Pan of black-and-white stilla of Hepburn in her Oscar-winning roles

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Sid Ganis/President, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences: "Speaking of Oscars, we have all four of Katharine Hepburn's winning Oscars. Her estate has presented us with all four of her Oscars. So, they're here. Then we have two other Oscars. We know we're going to give special Oscars to Ennio Morricone and Sherry Lansing, for the work Ennio has done as a compose and for Sherry as a philanthropist -- not as a movie producer or studio head, but as a philanthropist. But also you can come and, we have a great trivia contest that I'm getting pretty good at now, but I've been kind of working at it for about three weeks as we've been preparing, video montages of former Oscar shows and the current nominees, so it's a good, it's a very good installation."

11. Pan down on photos of Best Director nominees

12. Detail man touching video screen of Oscar-trivia game

13. Pan up honorary award to composer Ennio Morricone, to be handed out 25 February

14. Push in to photo of Morricone

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Sid Ganis/President, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, with news about the telecast: "We're live on February 25th: 5 o'clock on the west coast, 8 o'clock on the east coast, and, I promise you, tune in at the top of the show because the producer, Laura Ziskin, has a surprise that is going to set us off in a great direction."

16. First public visitor to exhibit poses with statuette

17. Subsequent public visitor to exhibit poses with statuette

18. Subsequent public visitor to exhibit poses with statuette and walks off camera

MEET THE OSCARS!

Now, everyone can come to Hollywood and get their hands on an Oscar.

This morning marked the Los Angeles opening of "Meet the Oscars," an installation in honour of the annual Academy Awards.

"Well, here we are," noted Sid Ganis, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. "We're at Hollywood & Highland -- just up the escalator from the Kodak theatre, where, on February 25th, we'll be handing out the Oscars," Ganis continued. "So, come here anytime between now and February 25th, and we have a display of the 50 Oscars, which we're actually going to give out on Oscar night -- are here! Right here in this room! In addition to that, I'm holding this baby in my hand, but, actually, you can pick it up, have your picture taken with it, have a good love at it, understand it, and, of course, feel the heft of it: eight-and-a-half pounds of Oscar right here. And it's a rare, and kind of nice, experience. I mean, I'm a movie producer and I hope I win one one of these days. But, in the meantime, I can hold it in my hand, and so can everybody else."

In addition to the 50, unengraved competition-category statuettes for this year's telecast, there are the two engraved honorary Oscars already earmarked for composer Ennio Morricone and, for her philanthropic efforts, movie producer and studio exec Sherry Lansing.

The installation also includes an Oscar trivia game, video presentation and photo displays.

As for any hints about what to expect from the Oscar telecast, Ganis was pretty much mum. "We're live on February 25th: 5 o'clock on the west coast, 8 o'clock on the east coast," he said, offer just one hint: "I promise you, tune in at the top of the show because the producer, Laura Ziskin, has a surprise that is going to set us off in a great direction."

VILANCH HOPES OSCARS PLAY UP HISTORY FOR 90TH YEAR

Comedy writer Bruce Vilanch has crafted one-liners for hosts and presenters for 23 Oscar shows, and he's got some advice for returning host Jimmy Kimmel: Play up the Academy Awards' history for its 90th anniversary.

The ceremony airs at 8 p.m. EST Sunday, March 4, on ABC.

Vilanch is uniquely positioned to size up the grande dame of Hollywood awards shows.

He says the movie academy has kept the ceremony template intact from the very beginning, "which is to give every award on the air. So you have to figure out a way to entertain the audience while the sound effects editor is thanking his Hebrew school teacher."

Social media is routinely incorporated now in awards shows -- think of Ellen DeGeneres' star-filled selfie at the 2014 Oscars that went viral on Twitter -- but Vilanch says the Academy Awards are in a league of their own.

"The thing about the Oscars is it's the biggest one. ... I would love to see them do more to own the past and the history of the movies," he said, but acknowledges that the passing years stand in the way.

"As you get farther and farther from the Golden Age, fewer and fewer people of the audience, outside of the theater, are getting who you're referring to. ... There will be a component of the audience saying, 'Audrey Hepburn? Was she the one in the boat with the guy? Oh, she was in 'Tiffany's,'" he said.

A host who plays it "too inside or too snarky" is courting trouble, according to Vilanch. That includes even being mildly insulting to actors and filmmakers who are on hand to be celebrated, as 1995 host David Letterman found when he turned Uma Thurman and Oprah Winfrey's given names into silly sing-song.

"Neither of those women were there that night to have their names made fun of. They've come a little farther than that," Vilanch said.

Asked to pick a favorite among the nearly two-dozen Oscar shows he's worked on, Vilanch settles on one that included the stuff of highlight reels.

It was 1992, the year that Billy Crystal hosted and Jack Palance, announced as best supporting actor for "City Slickers," did one-armed push-ups on stage to prove he still had it at age 73. Vilanch, his fellow writers and Crystal churned out a series of jokes about the moment to be delivered by Crystal at regular intervals.

"It was so insistent that Billy's manager came backstage about an hour in and said, 'How many more of these are you going to do? I'm running a pool in the audience,'" Vilanch recalled. "We won an Emmy for writing that show."

It also became an Oscar template.

"From then on, every other host was watching the show in the wings, and as things were happening we were writing new jokes," he said.

1. FILE -- Various of Oscars statues

Los Angeles, 6 February 2018

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Bruce Vilanch, former Oscars show writer: "One of the interesting things about the Oscars show is that the writing doesn't change fundamentally. Because it's the 90th year and the Academy has kept its basic structure going from the very beginning -- which is to give every award on the air. So you have to figure out a way to entertain the audience while the sound effects editor is thanking his Hebrew school teacher."

3. FILE -- Various of Oscars green room

Los Angeles, 6 February 2018

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Bruce Vilanch, former Oscars show writer: "The thing about the Oscars is it's the biggest one. It's the one that they all point towards. And that's the inherent glamour of it. And the tradition – that they own the 90 years.I would love to see them do more to own the past and the history of the movies. You try to nod to it every year. But as you get farther and farther from the golden age, fewer and fewer people of the audience, outside of the theater, are getting who you're referring to. And now it's scary, because you can be referring to people who were common parlance, and there will be a component of the audience saying, 'Audrey Hepburn? Was she the one in the boat with Spencer Tracy -- with the guy. Oh, she was 'Tiffany's.' Oh that's her. And you know, it sounds bizarre but it's real."

5. FILE - Still images: Oprah Winfrey with David Letterman

Los Angeles, 6 February 2018

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Bruce Vilanch, former Oscars show writer: "If you get too inside or too snarky, then you'll run into trouble. Especially – things like mildly insulting people. It's a rough room. I mean, when Lettermen came out and did his Uma – Oprah routine, neither of those women were there that night to have their names made fun of. I mean, they've come a little further than that."

7. FILE - Still images: Various of Billy Crystal, Jack Palance

Los Angeles, 6 February 2018

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Bruce Vilanch, former Oscars show writer: "I don't have a favorite. There are some that live in legend. I guess my favorite would be the year that Billy Crystal hosted and Jack Palance came out and did his one arm push-ups. And we tossed out the jokes that Billy was going to do and we wrote stuff as the evening went on about that – we kept referring to it. It was so insistent that Billy's manager came backstage about an hour in and said, 'How many more of these are you going to do? I'm running a pool in the audience.' We won an Emmy for writing that show a year later. The other academy gave us an award for it. So that would probably be my favorite. Of course, it was the most exciting night because you really got to dive in. It also became a template for every other host. From then on, every host was watching the show in the wings, and as things were happening we were writing new jokes."

9. FILE - Various of Oscars statues

ANOTHER DAY OF SUN AT OSCARS FOR 'LA LA LAND'?

Will the 89th Academy Awards be a parade of political speeches or landslide for "La La Land"? Probably both.

The Oscars on Sunday night (26 February 2017) are shaping up to be one of the most turbulent and politically charged ceremonies in recent memory.

Media gathered on the red carpet and streets were closed as final preparations were underway outside the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

The three-hour-plus telecast begins at 8:30 p.m. Eastern on ABC in the U.S. It is expected to resemble one very glitzy protest against President Donald Trump, whom award-winners - like Meryl Streep at the Golden Globes - have railed against throughout Hollywood's awards season.

An unusually tense atmosphere has coalesced before the ceremony, with protests, rallies and boycotts swirling around this year's Oscars.

Even the normally sunny California weather has been stormy, with rain drenching Los Angeles early Sunday - though only clouds are expected for red carpet arrivals.

Los Angeles, 26 February 2017

1. Wide Hollywood and Highland intersection with Dolby Theatre, Oscars signage

2. Wide pan left Hollywood Boulevard and Dolby Theatre exteriors

3. Medium Oscar statue and signage on red carpet entrance

4. Wide pan left Oscars red carpet scene

5. Wide Oscars red carpet with media gathered

6. Medium Oscars signage

7. Close Oscars signage

8. Medium Oscar statue with signage

9. Wide Oscar statue with signage

10. Wide Dolby Theatre entrance with Oscar statue

11. Close Oscar statue head

12. Wide audience in bleachers on red carpet cheers

13. Wide tilt down entrance to Dolby Theatre

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 2047653

FOR COTILLARD, OTHER NOMINEES, OSCAR IS SIGNIFICANT

One minute you're a part-time secondary-school teacher in Northern Ireland. The next, you're a part-time secondary-school teacher in Northern Ireland, who is also an Oscar nominee.

That's how life changed 15 January 2015 for screenwriter Ronan Blaney, when he and the film's director, Michael Lennox, were nominated for their live-action short film "Boogaloo and Graham."

"When I got the nomination, my brother rang me, 'You're nominated for an Oscar,'" Blaney recalled at the nominees' luncheon earlier this month in Beverly Hills. "I walked in the school and a teacher came up to me and she was talking about a bus duty after school that I was supposed to be on. And I just said, 'I just got nominated for an Oscar.' The kids went crazy in the corridors, and all the rest of them. It's surreal. It's absolutely surreal. It's amazing."

French actress Marion Cotillard already has an Oscar, for her lead performance in "La Vie en Rose" (2007). She is nominated again this year for her lead in the drama "Two Days, One Night," and, she said, this road-to-Oscar experience, its significance, is just the same as the last.

"You know, it means that members of the Academy have seen the work we did with the Dardenne brothers (who wrote and directed "Two Days"), and appreciated," she explained. "And (the Academy) wanted to tell us that they appreciated the work. And, so, it means a lot.

"But the competition is kind of weird in this job," Cotillard added. "You know, in sports, when you have a football team, they play the same game. But, here, it's kind of a weird thing to compare Reese Witherspoon and Julianne Moore, who are both amazing in their movies. So, this is the weird part. But at the same time it's the way that people tell you they appreciate your work and it's something important."

Travis Knight, who, as a producer, is one of three nominees for the animated feature "The Boxtrolls" (the others are directors Anthony Stacchi and Graham Annable).

"You know, animation takes a long time to produce," Knight said. "It's a glacial process. On a week, we'll do maybe a minute, two minutes of footage. And, so, you work on these things for years in this little bubble, and then you put it out there and you don't know how people are going to react. And, so, when people react positively to our work, it's an extraordinary feeling. And then to be recognized on top of that by a group of our peers at the highest level of the industry, it's as good as any artist could ever ask for."

For Argentinian Damian Szifron, director of the foreign-language feature nominee "Wild Tales," the significance of Oscar being part of the award's history.

"I'm not the kind of director who is thinking of the prizes, etc., etc.," Szifron noted. "But to be nominated for an industry that makes all those films that I love and I grew up watching, it is a big deal. It means a lot to me."

The 87th Oscars is set for Sunday in the Hollywood second of Los Angeles.

AP ENTERTAINMENT

Beverly Hills, Calif., 3 Feb. 2015

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Ronan Blaney (on right, sitting with co-nominee Michael Lennox)/Academy Award Nominees, on the significance of Oscar:

"It's just crazy. Like we were talking about it earlier on. I'm a secondary-school teacher, a high-school teacher. And I work part time. When I got the nomination, my brother rang me, 'You're nominated for an Oscar.' I walked in the school and a teacher came up to me and she was talking about a bus duty after school that I was supposed to be on. And I just said, 'I just got nominated for an Oscar.' The kids went crazy in the corridors, and all the rest of them. It's surreal. It's absolutely surreal. It's amazing."

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Marion Cotillard/Academy Award Nominee, on the significance of Oscar:

"You know, it means that members of the Academy have seen the work we did with the Dardenne brothers, and appreciated. And (they) wanted to tell us that they appreciated the work. And, so, it means a lot. But the competition is kind of weird in this job. You know, in sports, when you have a football team, they play the same game. But, here, it's kind of a weird thing to compare Reese Witherspoon and Julianne Moore, who are both amazing in their movies. So, this is the weird part. But at the same time it's the way that people tell you they appreciate your work and it's something important."

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Travis Knight/Academy Award Nominee, on the significance of Oscar:

"It's really, it's an incredible thing. You know, animation takes a long time to produce. It's a glacial process. On a week, we'll do maybe a minute, two minutes of footage. And, so, you work on these things for years in this little bubble, and then you put it out there and you don't know how people are going to react. And, so, when people react positively to our work, it's an extraordinary feeling. And then to be recognized on top of that by a group of our peers at the highest level of the industry, it's as good as any artist could ever ask for."

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Damian Szifron/Academy Award Nominee, on the significance of Oscar:

"Actually, it means a lot. I'm not the kind of director who is thinking of the prizes, etc., etc.. But to be nominated for an industry that makes all those films that I love and I grew up watching, it is a big deal. It means a lot to me."

B-ROLL

AP ENTERTAINMENT

Beverly Hills, Calif., 3 Feb. 2015

6. Ronan Blaney and Michael Lennox poses for photographers at the nominees luncheon for the 87th Oscars

AMPAS POOL

Beverly Hills, Calif., 15 Jan. 2015

7. Still image of graphic showing Oscar nomination for Ronan Blaney and Michael Lennox

AP ENTERTAINMENT

Beverly Hills, Calif., 3 Feb. 2015

8. Travis Knight poses for photographers at the nominees luncheon for the 87th Oscars

AMPAS POOL

Beverly Hills, Calif., 15 Jan. 2015

9. Still image of graphic showing Oscar nomination for Travis Knight

AP ENTERTAINMENT

Beverly Hills, Calif., 3 Feb. 2015

10. Damian Szifron poses for photographers at the nominees luncheon for the 87th Oscars

AMPAS POOL

Beverly Hills, Calif., 15 Jan. 2015

11. Still image of graphic showing Oscar nomination for director Damian Szifron's film, "Wild Tales"

AP ENTERTAINMENT

Beverly Hills, Calif., 3 Feb. 2015

12. Marion Cotillard poses for photographers at the nominees luncheon for the 87th Oscars

AMPAS POOL

Beverly Hills, Calif., 15 Jan. 2015

13. Still image of graphic showing Oscar nomination for Marion Cotillard

English/Nat

Two people have been arrested in the U-S-A following the recovery of the majority of Oscar statuettes stolen ten days ago from a loading dock in Los Angeles.

The suspects work for the trucking company that had been hired to deliver the Oscars from the Ohio company where they were made to Los Angeles.

The statuettes, which were due to be presented at next weekend's awards show, were discovered in a rubbish bin by a salvage man on Monday.

First, there was mystery and intrigue, followed by a solid detective story - and now, the happy ending.

The blockbuster of the missing Oscars became as big a deal as any of the movies Hollywood has been releasing recently.

But, with just a week to go before the ceremony, the world famous statues have been found by a rubbish collector in the early hours of Sunday, hidden in a rubbish tip.

A 50 thousand U-S dollar reward had been put forward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the thieves.

Willie Fulgear, the man expected to benefit from the pay-out, said he hopes to use the money to help his son put a down payment on a home.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"One of the boxes was open. I knew it was something but I didn't know if it was real or not. There were so many of them there you know. And that is when I saw the news and I called my son and I told him to get on his computer and see what he could find out about this. That is about it."

SUPER CAPTION: Willie Fulgear, Discoverer of Oscars

At a press conference on Monday, the Los Angeles Police Chief, Bernard Parks, was keen to highlight how hard his burglary division had been working on the case.

He also said it looked like the theft was an inside job.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"We arrested Mister Anthony Keith Hart and Lawrence Edward LeDent, both employees of Roadway Express. The suspects have been booked at this facility, and are being held on 100 thousand dollars bail."

SUPER CAPTION: Bernard Parks, Los Angeles Police Chief

With two employees in prison on remand, the company charged with transporting the Oscars did its best to stress this was a unique incident.

The Security Manager also stated that there are probably more criminals involved than just the two that have been arrested.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"What you see here is basically the tip of the iceberg I believe as far as how many people were involved in this case and working it."

SUPER CAPTION: John Gerloff, Security Manager, Roadway Express

It has been a harrowing time for the Oscars organisers, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.

Earlier this month, four thousand Oscar ballots were misplaced at a post office in the same neighbourhood as where the Oscars were stolen.

This forced the printing of new ballots and voting was extended by two days, to this Thursday.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"When this happened just a week ago we called them and they jumped in, they solved this in a week and it was a very important week, the week before the Oscars, and the show will go on, so thank you all."

SUPER CAPTION: Robert Rehmy, President, Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences

Three Oscars are still missing, leaving police to ponder - will there be a sequel?

Los Angeles, USA - March 20, 2000

1. Close-up of statues placed by police on packing cases

2. Various of police officers working next to rubbish bin

3. Police packing statuettes into boxes

4. Set-up Willie Fulgear

5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Willie Fulgear, Discoverer of Oscars

6. Mid shot of statuettes behind police line

7. Wide shot of police and police cars

8. Exterior of Police Headquarters

9. Various of officers pulling Oscars from case, putting them on display

10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Bernard Parks, Los Angeles Police Chief

11. Press cutaway

12. Wide shot of stage and podium

13. SOUNDBITE: (English) John Gerloff, Security Manager, Roadway Express

14. Row of Oscars

15. SOUNDBITE: (English) Robert Rehmy, President, Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences

16. Robert Rehmy holds Oscars for cameras.

English/Nat

HOLLYWOOD GEARS UP FOR THE BIGGEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR

Oscar fever has hit Los Angeles, with the big event now less than three weeks away.

-

And like every year, it's not only about movies, it's about the glitz, the food and the fashions.

-

With the elaborate preparations for the Oscars ceremony well underway, Hollywood is getting excited.

-

Glamour and hype - the trademarks of the Oscar season - hit the runway here at the Academy of Motion Pictures in Beverly Hills just three weeks before the big show.

-

Thirty models showed off the latest couture from some of the biggest names in fashion, from Giorgio Armani and Christian Dior to Shanghai Tang.

-

Most of these outfits probably won't be seen on Oscar night, although if they do it could mean huge business for those who dress the winners.

-

After all, the Oscars is the world's biggest fashion show and there's no better exposure to potential buyers than to the millions who tune in to the awards show every year.

-

Typically, Oscar nominees and presenters borrow and wear these fashionable gowns for one night only.

-

And to designer Fred Hayman, a winning look is nearly as important as winning an award.

-

Smoked salmon and sturgeon will be on the menu at the Governor's Ball - the official post-Oscar party.

-

It's become a legendary appetizer from renowned chef Wolfgang Puck, who will lead the culinary team at the Governor's Ball for the fourth year in a row.

-

Puck's menu features elegant fare that's still simple enough to prepare for the 1- thousand-650 guests.

-

Sketches of the Governor's Ball reveal a romantic setting that looks like it's come straight out of one of the two Elizabethan films that are up for Oscars.

-

The ball is the first stop on the party tour for the winners to show off their trophies and for the losers to drown their sorrows.

-

But win or lose, it's the stars' looks that will no doubt grab the attention of the media and the fans.

-

In past years, certain female stars have made memorable faux pas by going for extreme hair styles that didn't work.

-

Renowned hair stylist Frederic Fekkai is in charge of hair styling for the models in the Oscar preview fashion show.

-

He claims to know the secret of a sexy hairdo on Oscar night.

-

But nothing happens until each of the 5-thousand-557 Academy voters cast their final ballots at the offices of Price Waterhouse Coopers.

-

Voters have until Tuesday, March 16th to return their ballots to the auditing firm that carries out the counts.

-

Many studios take out huge advertisements in the Hollywood trade magazines to persuade Academy members to vote for their films.

-

Roberto Benigni's 'Life is Beautiful' has been nominated for seven Oscars, including Best Actor, Best Director and Best Film.

-

Miramax, the studio behind the Italian film, is hoping its aggressive campaign in the trade magazines could make the difference.

-

And with three weeks to go before the Oscars, there's still time for plenty of hype.

Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California, U-S-A - 2 and 3 March 1999

1. Various of models walking down catwalk inside Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Fred Hayman, Coordinator of Oscars Fashion Preview

3. Chef Wolfgang Puck preparing Oscar-shaped hors d'oeuvres

4. Wide shot of Puck

5. Close-up of Puck putting caviar on lox

6. Puck pouring dressing on tuna platter

7. Scroll down the menu for the Academy Awards Governor's Ball

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Wolfgang Puck, Governor's Ball Chef

9. Sketches of bar decoration for Governor's Ball

10. Sketches of entrance to Governor's Ball

11. Pan of proposed tablesetting for Governor's Ball

12. Close up of model's lips being brushed with lipstick

13. Wide shot of model having lipstick applied

14. Close-up of lipstick applied to model

15. Set up shot of hair stylist Frederic Fekkai

16. SOUNDBITE: (English) Frederic Fekkai, Hair Stylist for Oscars Fashion Preview

17. Pull out from Oscar statue to group mailing Academy ballots

18. Sample envelope containing ballot

19. Close-up of ballot for Best Actor

20. Wide shot of Hollywood trade magazines

21. Close up of "FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION" - "Elizabeth"

22. Benigni's "Life is Beautiful" on cover of The Hollywood Reporter

23. Pull out from Oscar statue to models posing for photo on runway

English/Nat

Oscar fever has hit Los Angeles, with the big event now less than three weeks away.

And like every year, it's not only about movies, it's about the glitz, the food and the fashions.

With the elaborate preparations for the Oscars ceremony well underway, Hollywood is getting excited.

Glamour and hype - the trademarks of the Oscar season - hit the runway here at the Academy of Motion Pictures in Beverly Hills just three weeks before the big show.

Thirty models showed off the latest couture from some of the biggest names in fashion, from Giorgio Armani and Christian Dior to Shanghai Tang.

Most of these outfits probably won't be seen on Oscar night, although if they do it could mean huge business for those who dress the winners.

After all, the Oscars is the world's biggest fashion show and there's no better exposure to potential buyers than to the millions who tune in to the awards show every year.

Typically, Oscar nominees and presenters borrow and wear these fashionable gowns for one night only.

And to designer Fred Hayman, a winning look is nearly as important as winning an award.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"It's almost as much about clothes as it is for the awards itself. I know the award is an amazing achievement but then when you dress well and get an award you get much more mileage."

SUPERCAPTION: Fred Hayman, Coordinator of the Oscars Fashion Preview

Smoked salmon and sturgeon will be on the menu at the Governor's Ball - the official post-Oscar party.

It's become a legendary appetizer from renowned chef Wolfgang Puck, who will lead the culinary team at the Governor's Ball for the fourth year in a row.

Puck's menu features elegant fare that's still simple enough to prepare for the 1-thousand-650 guests.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I think we make it tasty every year so every year is exciting. It's like with the movies, people don't make movies bigger and better every year. Once in a while you get a movie like Titanic which sells more tickets than any other movie but then you have wonderful smaller movies, and I think with food it's the same. You know we just try to make each year special for what it is."

SUPER CAPTION: Wolfgang Puck, Governor's Ball Chef

Sketches of the Governor's Ball reveal a romantic setting that looks like it's come straight out of one of the two Elizabethan films that are up for Oscars.

The ball is the first stop on the party tour for the winners to show off their trophies and for the losers to drown their sorrows.

But win or lose, it's the stars' looks that will no doubt grab the attention of the media and the fans.

In past years, certain female stars have made memorable faux pas by going for extreme hair styles that didn't work.

Renowned hair stylist Frederic Fekkai is in charge of hair styling for the models in the Oscar preview fashion show.

He claims to know the secret of a sexy hairdo on Oscar night.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"It's prepared but not overdone. It's slick, it's long hair, it's straight, there are pieces attached to the hair, there is hair accessories, there is hair up, hair down, there is hair curly, it's a very real thing and you know what, it's a great way of showing that everyone is different."

SUPER CAPTION: Frederic Fekkai, Hair Stylist for Oscars Fashion Preview

But nothing happens until each of the 5-thousand-557 Academy voters cast their final ballots at the offices of Price Waterhouse Coopers.

Voters have until Tuesday, March 16th to return their ballots to the auditing firm that carries out the counts.

Many studios take out huge advertisements in the Hollywood trade magazines to persuade Academy members to vote for their films.

Roberto Benigni's 'Life is Beautiful' has been nominated for seven Oscars, including Best Actor, Best Director and Best Film.

Miramax, the studio behind the Italian film, is hoping its aggressive campaign in the trade magazines could make the difference.

And with three weeks to go before the Oscars, there's still time for plenty of hype.

Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California, U-S-A - 2 and 3 March 1999

1. Various of models walking down catwalk inside Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Fred Hayman, Coordinator of Oscars Fashion Preview

3. Chef Wolfgang Puck preparing Oscar-shaped hors d'oeuvres

4. Wide shot of Puck

5. Close-up of Puck putting caviar on lox

6. Puck pouring dressing on tuna platter

7. Scroll down the menu for the Academy Awards Governor's Ball

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Wolfgang Puck, Governor's Ball Chef

9. Sketches of bar decoration for Governor's Ball

10. Sketches of entrance to Governor's Ball

11. Pan of proposed tablesetting for Governor's Ball

12. Close up of model's lips being brushed with lipstick

13. Wide shot of model having lipstick applied

14. Close-up of lipstick applied to model

15. Set up shot of hair stylist Frederic Fekkai

16. SOUNDBITE: (English) Frederic Fekkai, Hair Stylist for Oscars Fashion Preview

17. Pull out from Oscar statue to group mailing Academy ballots

18. Sample envelope containing ballot

19. Close-up of ballot for Best Actor

20. Wide shot of Hollywood trade magazines

21. Close up of "FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION" - "Elizabeth"

22. Benigni's "Life is Beautiful" on cover of The Hollywood Reporter

23. Pull out from Oscar statue to models posing for photo on runway

GLENN CLOSE HAD 'THE BEST TIME' AT THE OSCARS

Glenn Close says she had "the best time" at the Oscars Sunday (25 APRIL 2021) and even got kudos from director Spike Lee for her memorable moment.

While promoting the new drama "Four More Days" this week, Close lit up at the mention of her spontaneity at the Academy Awards, when she not only identified the song "Da Butt," but got up and danced to it too.

Close was involved in a game to guess songs played by Oscars DJ Questlove and determine whether the song had been nominated or won an Oscar.

Close knew the song's name, who wrote it, what movie it was in and the backstory on why it wasn't nominated.

When asked if she knew the dance, she jumped out of her seat and gyrated accordingly, instantly making it one of the most talked about moments from the 2021 Oscars ceremony.

"Da Butt" was written for director Spike Lee's 1988 film "School Daze," but it did not get nominated for an Oscar that year. During Sunday's ceremony, Close said "my friends at the Oscars missed it."

Close – who was nominated for best supporting actress for her role in "Hillbilly Elegy" - said she had a great night at her table, even if she didn't win.

"I had the best time. We had the best table. We laughed. Daniel Kaluuya... and Chris Terrio who's a great friend of mine. We had a wonderful time. Yeah. So it was fun," Close told the AP.

Lee posted a video on Instagram Monday giving Close props for having his back and called her his "sista."  

"He called me and said I had a lifelong sister card, which to me was better than getting an Oscar!" Close laughed.

Los Angeles, 25 April 2021

1. Various of Glenn Close posing at Oscars

Archive: Los Angeles, 24 February 2019

2. Various shots Spike Lee arrives at the Oscars

Pasadena, 29 April 2021

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Glenn Close, actor - on her dance at the Oscars to "Da Butt," and Spike Lee calling her to express his approval:

"Oh, he called me. I said I had a lifelong sister card, which to me is better than getting an Oscar."

Los Angeles, 25 April 2021

4. Various of Daniel Kaluuya posing at the Oscars

Pasadena, 29 April 2021

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Glenn Close, actor:

"I had the best time. We had the best table. We laughed. Daniel Kaluuya and Dylan, Darren!....and Chris Terrio who's a great friend of mine. We had a wonderful time. Yeah. So it was fun."

Los Angeles, 25 April 2021

6. STILL IMAGE: Glenn Close at the Oscars

7. STILL IMAGE: Wide of Oscars red carpet

HAVE THERE BEEN ENOUGH MOVIES RELEASED TO JUSTIFY THE OSCARS 2021?

2020 began on an optimistic note for the film industry, with an Oscar first - as "Parasite" won best picture, and broke new ground for the Academy.

"Really just a sign of how much the Academy has changed in the past couple of years that the first South Korean film ever could win the best picture Oscar and not just a foreign film prize," reflects Film Writer at The Associated Press, Lindsey Bahr.

"It just really showed that diversity, diversity of storytelling, international storytelling and foreign language were all coming to the forefront of, sort of, popular cinematic culture. And it was a huge hit. So it was just this really interesting, huge moment."

But as the year went on to bring production shut downs, releases delayed or sent straight to streaming, and movie theaters empty, what will the Oscars look like in 2021?

"Right now, the Oscars are really planning to still happen at the end of April. They moved back two months. They even expanded their window. So films that come out until the end of February are still going to be eligible for Oscars, when usually it would be cut off to the end of the calendar year. But it's just, it's very hard to say," says Bahr.

But the turbulence of 2020 could at least level out the playing field for qualifying films, Bahr adds.

"I think that one silver lining in this whole thing is there's been a lot of film, a lot of really wonderful films from female filmmakers this year that, you know, maybe are going to get a little bit more attention than they would have in normal years because they're indie films and maybe they wouldn't have been considered the prestige, you know, big spend Oscar campaign movies that would have gotten all the attention," Bahr suggests.

"And so, you know, it could, there could be a really interesting "Parasite" part 2 moment should the Oscars proceed as usual this year."

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Archive: Los Angeles, 9 February 2020

1. Various cast of "Parasite" posing for photos with director Bong Joon-Ho

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Archive: Cannes, France, 21 May 2019

2. Medium of Bong Joon-ho and Jang Hye-Jin, pull out to wide of cast

3. Close up of Choi Woo-Shik and Bong Joon-ho

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pittsburgh, 30 November 2020

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Lindsey Bahr, Film Writer - on "Parasite" winning at the 2020 Oscars:

"'Parasite' sort of sweeping the Oscars and winning the best picture Oscar this year, earlier this year, which doesn't even seem like this year, was such an amazing start to 2020. And really just a sign of how much the Academy has changed in the past couple of years that the first South Korean film ever could win the best picture Oscar and not just a foreign film prize. It just really showed that diversity, diversity of storytelling, international storytelling and foreign language were all coming to the forefront of, sort of, popular cinematic culture. And it was a huge hit. So it was just this really interesting, huge moment."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Archive: Los Angeles, 9 February 2020

5. Various of red carpet with media, work crews and statues outside Dolby Theatre in Hollywood

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pittsburgh, 30 November 2020

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Lindsey Bahr, Film Writer - on 2021's Oscars:

"It's so hard to know what's going to happen with the Oscars. Obviously, we saw the Emmys go virtual and many shows have done sort of different things like that. Right now, the Oscars are really planning to still happen at the end of April. They moved back two months. They even expanded their window. So films that come out until the end of February are still going to be eligible for Oscars when usually it would be cut off to the end of the calendar year. But it's just, it's very hard to say. But, you know, I think that one silver lining in this whole thing is there's been a lot of film, a lot of really wonderful films from female filmmakers this year that, you know, maybe are going to get a little bit more attention than they would have in normal years because they're indie films and maybe they wouldn't have been considered the prestige, you know, big spend Oscar campaign movies that would have gotten all the attention. And so, you know, it could, there could be a really interesting "Parasite" part 2 moment should the Oscars proceed as usual this year."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Archive: Los Angeles, 9 February 2020

7. Various of Dolby Theatre steps and entrance

STARS REFLECT ON AWARDS SEASON AT LAST SHOW BEFORE OSCARS

Glenn Close says she's still a bit surprised the motion picture academy gave a nod to her performance in "The Wife." Actor Richard E. Grant says he's certain he's going to lose and will never get this close to Oscar again. And screenwriter Barry Jenkins just wants to savor making it to the end of the awards-circuit road and enjoy being in the presence of his peers.

"We've all reached the end," explained Jenkins on the arrivals line at the Film Independent Spirit Awards Saturday, where his film "If Beale Street Could Talk" was named best feature. Jenkins' adapted screenplay is up for an Oscar Sunday.

The beachside show is a laid back precursor to the Academy Awards, offering one last chance to reflect on the Hollywood lengthy awards season.

"You know, I think we all kind of know more or less what the results are going to be and so you really legitimately start to celebrate your peers," Jenkins said. "And I think you know you look across the room to see all these people - some of whom I've admired my entire filmmaking life - to be in the same auditorium with them, to walk the same red carpet with them, and also to hear from them, what they think of my work and to let them know what I think of theirs. To me, that's what this season ultimately ends up becoming about."

Close's Academy Award-nominated performance in "The Wife," which also took home the Spirit, isn't so-called "Oscar bait" - something tailor-made to take home statuettes. Close said she's still a bit surprised The Academy took notice.

"I mean, it's a very quiet performance," she noted. "It's a very internal performance. And the fact that something that's so internal had such resonance with people, I still can conjure up how I felt when we first showed it at Toronto and I was astounded by the power that this movie had with the audience. And I've never lost that feeling of astonishment."

For "Minding the Gap" director Bing Liu, whose film is nominated in the feature documentary category, the recognition has repeatedly shown him the power of film.

"A lot of people have reached out, a lot of kids who were like I am," Liu said, saying they've told him. "'I was in such a dark place and I watched your film, and it's given me a new hope that I can wake up and grab control of my life.' I mean it's a lot of messages like that, but they all sort of seem to be uplifting those kids that reminded me of myself when I was their age. You know, part of why I made this film is that I wanted to help the 14-year-old version of myself. And I think it's doing that, which is insane."

Veteran actor Richard E. Grant has been making movies for more than 30 years, but this year garnered his first Oscar nomination, for his performance in "Can You Ever Forgive Me?"

Grant said he plans on savoring every Oscar-day moment.

"Fox Searchlight sends a makeup and hair groomer to paint you up and fix your hair. Then you get in a car and you go and you know that's Mahershala Ali is going to win. So, it means that the other four nominees, we can enjoy it absolutely for the ride. And that's a gift in itself. So, I'm hugely looking forward: first time ever - and last time ever I'll be there."

Santa Monica, California, 23 February 2019

1. Wide shot Oscar nominee Adam Driver and wife Joanne Tucker pose for photographers

2. Medium shot Oscar nominee Barry Jenkins speaks to reporter

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Barry Jenkins, Oscar Nominee - on awards season:

"You know, we've all reached the end, you know. I think we all kind of know more or less what the results are going to be and so you really legitimately start to celebrate your peers. And I think, you know, to look across the room to see all these people -- some of whom I've admired my entire filmmaking life -- to be in the same auditorium with them, to walk the same red carpet with them, and also to hear from them, what they think of my work and to let them know what I think of theirs, to me, that's what this season ultimately ends up becoming about."

4. Medium shot car nominee Richard E. Grant and daughter Olivia Grant pose for photographers

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Richard E. Grant, Oscar Nominee - on what how expects his Oscar day will go down:

"Fox Searchlight sends a makeup and hair groomer to paint you up and fix your hair. Then you get in a car and you go and you know that Mahershala Ali is going to win. So it means that the other four nominees, we can enjoy it absolutely for the ride of it and that's a gift in itself. So I'm hugely looking forward: first time ever -- and last time ever I'll be there."

6. Wide shot Oscar nominee Glenn Close and her Havanese dog Pip pose for photographers

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Glenn Close, Oscar Nominee - on why she did not expect the motion-picture academy to acknowledge her performance in "The Wife":

"I still can conjure up how I felt when we first showed it at Toronto and I was astounded by the power that this movie had with the audience and I've never lost that feeling of astonishment."

8. Wide shot Oscar nominees Nicolas Celis and Gabriela Rodriguez pose for photographers

9. Wide shot Oscar-nominated writer-director-producer Alfonso Cuaron poses for photographers

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Nicolas Celis, Oscar Nominee - on what his film "Roma"'s record-breaking success -- and a possible historic best-picture win -- could mean for future films not in English:

"Alfonso (Cuaron) never stops surprising us, so, you know, like, since we started doing this film, we've always been surprised of all the things he can achieve with a movie. Now we're here, and I think that it opens a door so for so many other films that are not English language, you know."

11. Tilt up Oscar nominees Yalitza Aparicio and Nancy García pose for photographers

ACADEMY OFFERS GUESTS A WHIMSICAL OSCARS AFTER PARTY

The Academy's official after party, the Governors Ball, is intended to offer guests a sense of whimsy, according to event producer Cheryl Cecchetto, speaking at a media preview of the event Thursday (16 FEB.).

"You're coming into a massive, massive, very dense sea of red," Cecchetto explained, adding, "a little bit of white, a little bit of gold. It's actually really going to hit you. Then, when you walk in the door, it's really 100-percent the opposite. So, it should really take your breath away. It should be like, 'Wait a minute here!'"

So exclusive that only about half of the Academy Awards-ceremony attendees get an invitation, the Governors Ball accommodates approximately 1500 guests, who travel just a few flights up from the Dolby Theatre to The Ray Dolby Ballroom. Oscar winners get their statuettes engraved there. All will be treated to the cuisine of Chef Wolfgang Puck.

"When people walk in, we're going to pass around a lot of food, like our mini Kobe burgers, our smoked-salmon Oscars, our spicy lobster tacos, our Chinese pot stickers," Puck said. "And when people sit down or hang out, and it's a more loungy feeling, you will, for example, a baked potato with caviar. You might have a little cup of soup, an espresso cup of soup of artichoke soup with truffle. And you might say, 'I'll eat a little more.' You have a little lobster pasta. A little more, you're going to have Dover sole with caramelized cauliflower and lemon, maybe a chicken pot pie -- I know Barbra Streisand and John Travolta and all those people like the chicken pot pie. It's really a favorite. 'I don't care what you cook, but you have to make the chicken pot pie.'"

Puck and his team will prep some 20 desserts, and even makes sure that everyone leaves with at least some kind of Academy Award.

"Everybody's going to get a chocolate Oscar from us," Puck noted. "You know, so when you leave the party, that's our gift to everybody. I don't want everybody to go home crying and say, 'I didn't win an Oscar.' We give them an Oscar, so everybody's happy. And if they're still hungry, they can eat it, too."

The 89th Annual Academy Awards is set for Feb. 26 in Los Angeles.

1. Wide exterior The Ray Dolby Ballroom

2. Tilt up interior Ray Dolby Ballroom, preview of The Governors Ball

3. Tilt up Oscar statue

4. Display of flowers and candles

5. Table setting

6. Push in on exclusive Governors Ball label Piper-Heidsieck champagne

7. Display of wines from Coppola Vineyards

8. Setup shot event producer Cheryl Cecchetto

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Cheryl Cecchetto/Governors Ball Event Producer:

"You're coming into a massive, massive, very dense sea of red. A little bit of white. A little bit of gold. It's actually really going to hit you. Then, when you walk in the door, it's really 100-percent the opposite. So, it should really take your breath away. It should be like, 'Wait a minute here!'"

10. Oscar statue in center of area decorated primarily in white

11. Woman sitting on white couch

12. Table decorated primarily in white

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Cheryl Cecchetto/Governors Ball Event Producer:

"Walk back on the south balcony, you're back to the sea of red. So, it's a juxtaposition of two very distinct palates. It should really change your thought pattern."

14. Pull out from red pillows to reveal curved pink sofa

15. Pan seafood display

16. Salad

17. Wide display of some of the 35 offerings to be served by Wolfgang Puck at the Governors Ball

18. Tilt down two-tiered salad display

18. Pan of gnocchetti with braised mushrooms and cashew cream

19. Chef stirs up vegetarian pasta with carrot juice

20. SOUNDBITE (English) Wolfgang Puck/Chef:

"When people walk in, we're going to pass around a lot of food, like our mini Kobe burgers, our smoked-salmon Oscars, our spicy lobster tacos, our Chinese pot stickers. And when people sit down or hang out, and it's a more loungy feeling, you will, for example, a baked potato with caviar. You might have a little cup of soup, an espresso cup of soup of artichoke soup with truffle. And you might say, 'I'll eat a little more.' You have a little lobster pasta. A little more, you're going to have Dover sole with caramelized cauliflower and lemon, maybe a chicken pot pie -- I know Barbra Streisand and John Travolta and all those people like the chicken pot pie. It's really a favorite. 'I don't care what you cook, but you have to make the chicken pot pie.'"

21. Wide of the nearly 20 desserts to be served at the Governors Ball

22. SOUNDBITE (English) Wolfgang Puck/Chef:

"They are prepping 20 different desserts. Now, obviously, everybody's going to get a chocolate Oscar from us. You know, so when you leave the party, that's our gift to everybody. I don't want everybody to go home crying and say, 'I didn't win an Oscar.' We give them an Oscar, so everybody's happy. And if they're still hungry, they can eat it, too."

23. Display of mini Oscar-shaped chocolates

NICOLE KIDMAN SAYS HER OSCAR NOMINATION GETS BETTER WITH AGE

Nicole Kidman's already received her Oscar invitation in the mail and admits it only gets better the older she gets, but also 'weirder with age.'

PGA nominees have historically been a good predictor for which films will receive Academy Award nominations for best picture. This year's Oscar favorites "La La Land," ''Moonlight" and "Manchester by the Sea" were nominated by the Producers Guild of America as best picture. The guild's 10 nominees for its best picture honor, the Darryl F. Zanuck Award, also included "Deadpool," "Arrival," ''Fences," ''Hacksaw Ridge," ''Hell or High Water," ''Hidden Figures" and "Lion."

"Lion's" producers were recognized Saturday night in addition to the six Oscar nominations earlier in the week.

"It's so lovely to share it with the film and the other actors and the writer," said Nicole Kidman of the night's honors. "I wish Garth (Davis), but he was nominated for a DGA so that's a huge thing for him. Just to share it with everybody, that's glorious. I've had it where I've been in films where I haven't been nominated. I've where I've been in films where I've been the only one nominated, so to have it where you share it, it's really beautiful. For a film like this that we all just love and love people's response to because it's deeply emotional. It's so not work going out and promoting this movie."

Kidman's was also nomination for her fourth Oscar, this time as best performance by an actress in a supporting role in "Lion". In 2003 she won the Oscar as best actress for "The Hours".

This year the academy also hit a record with six black nominated actors. However there is still a lack of women honored as directors and other technical Oscar categories.

"I mean we're working on it which is all you can say," responded Kidman.

"Lion" star and Oscar nominee Dev Patel was thrilled to support his film at the PGAs, but admitted he's already feeling "overwhelmed" with the movie's success.

"Look I'm so overwhelmed already. Any more excitement and my head is going to pop off my neck so, yeah," he teased.

Patel will compete for the best supporting actor Oscar alongside Mahershala Ali ("Moonlight"), Jeff Bridges ("Hell or High Water"), Lucas Hedges ("Manchester by the Sea") and Michael Shannon ("Nocturnal Animals").

He said he's simply taking the journey day by day.

"I think so, it's a lot to process for me so I'm taking it very slowly. Bite, bite, bite," he said.

This year's Academy Award black nominated actors include "Fences" stars Denzel Washington and Viola Davis, Mahershala Ali and Naomie Harris of "Moonlight," Ruth Negga of "Loving" and Octavia Spencer of "Hidden Figures." Including Patel, there were seven actors of color nominated out of 2, which made for a stark contrast to the last two years of all-white acting nominees.

"I mean I feel this year it's really been incredible to go on this amazing process. I just bumped into Common there, John Legend is right there, Mahershala (Ali). There are so many - it feels like such a diverse bunch and also I've seen a lot of the performances and they deserve to be here. They are not being thrust into the limelight because of the color of their skin. They are being thrust into the limelight because of talent and that's beautiful. It's not about the awards, it's about the creators, the actual birth of those stories and that's becoming more and more diverse as storytellers," Patel said.

John Legend was on hand to support "La La Land," which he appeared in and served as an executive producer on.

Many believe the film is an Oscar front-runner after its impressive awards season run. But Legend said he isn't feeling the pressure of those expectations.

"You know, I don't worry about the pressure. I'm just happy that 'La La Land' has gotten the reception that it's gotten. I really think it's a beautiful film. It's special, it's unique and it's struck a chord with a lot of people that have seen it. We'll see how the awards shake out right now, everybody is voting right now and they'll make their own decisions. But the art is the art and hopefully people receiving it and enjoying it," Legend said.

The retro musical "La La Land" reaped a record-tying 14 Academy Award nominations and was also vying for top honors at Saturday's PGAs.

Beverly Hills, Calif., 28 Jan. 2017

1. Wide exterior of the Beverly Hilton Hotel

2. Justin Timberlake poses for photographers

3. Taraji P. Henson poses for photographers

4. Mahershala Ali poses for photographers

5. Nicole Kidman poses for photographers, joined by her husband Keith urban

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Nicole Kidman/Actress, on the PGA Awards:

"It's so lovely to share it with the film and the other actors and the writer. I wish Garth (Davis), but he was nominated for a DGA so that's a huge thing for him. Just to share it with everybody, that's glorious. I've had it where I've been in films where I haven't been nominated. I've where I've been in films where I've been the only one nominated, so to have it where you share it, it's really beautiful. For a film like this that we all just love and love people's response to because it's deeply emotional. It's so not work going out and promoting this movie."

(Reporter: Are you ready for the Oscars? Do you have any expectations for the night?)

Nicole Kidman/Actress:

"I got my invitation and I was like, wow this still means so much to me. More, more as I get older it means more which is probably - it gets weirder with age."

7. Wide of Keith Urban, Nicole Kidman and Dev Patel speaking on arrivals line, Kidman and Patel pose together

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Nicole Kidman/Actress, on the lack of women directing and technical Oscar nominees:

"That we are all working on it. I mean we're working on it which is all you can say. You keep talking about it and we all keep pursuing it and making a change."

9. Common greets Dev Patel on arrivals line

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Dev Patel/Actor, on his Oscar nomination:

"Look I'm so overwhelmed already. Any more excitement and my head is going to pop off my neck so, yeah."

(Reporter: Have you had a chance to think about the Oscars or are you taking it one day at a time.)

Dev Patel/Actor:

"I think so, it's a lot to process for me so I'm taking it very slowly. Bite, bite, bite."

11. Dev Patel speaks to reporter

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Dev Patel/Actor, on Oscar diversity:

"I mean I feel this year it's really been incredible to go on this amazing process. I just bumped into Common there, John Legend is right there, Mahershala (Ali). There are so many - it feels like such a diverse bunch and also I've seen a lot of the performances and they deserve to be here. They are not being thrust into the limelight because of the color of their skin. They are being thrust into the limelight because of talent and that's beautiful. It's not about the awards, it's about the creators, the actual birth of those stories and that's becoming more and more diverse as storytellers."

13. Wide push and John Legend and Chrissy reigns posing for photographers

14. SOUNDBITE (English) John Legend/Recording Artist-Actor, on whether the success of 'La La Land' adds more pressure:

"You know, I don't worry about the pressure. I'm just happy that 'La La Land' has gotten the reception that it's gotten. I really think it's a beautiful film. It's special, it's unique and it's struck a chord with a lot of people that have seen it. We'll see how the awards shake out right now, everybody is voting right now and they'll make their own decisions. But the art is the art and hopefully people receiving it and enjoying it."

Chrissy Teigen/TV Personality:

"Hey what's up?"

John Legend/Recording Artist-Actor

"Hello."

Chrissy Teigen/TV Personality:

"Oh hi AP"

15. Janelle Monae poses for photographers

16. Mimi Valdes and Pharrell Williams pose for photographers

THIS YEAR'S BALL PUTS THE 'PICTURE' BACK IN MOTION PICTURE

As if it's not challenging enough to get into the annual Oscars, held at the Dolby Theatre, only about half of those invitees get a ticket to come upstairs to the ballroom to the post-ceremony Governors ball, where 1500 are dined by Wolfgang Puck, wined by Sterling Vineyards and, this year, will get a blast of images from the Academy library.

This year's ball puts the "picture" back in motion picture.

"There actually is a story behind the story," explained Academy member Jeffrey Kurland, who came up with the concept of a ball decorated with photographs of filmmakers.

"I was working out of town and we finished shooting and went to a bar with people from the crew I was working with," Kurland recalled. "And we walked into this bar. It was kind of this dive bar -- you know, brick walls, peeling paint, this, that and the other. But they had photos pasted up on the walls, just everywhere, just kind of randomly put up -- layers of them, just on top of one another, which obviously were patrons going back decades. And I thought, 'This is like amazing. You feel so much energy in this room. The layers of the decades of the people that have been in this room, sitting in this very spot -- 10s or 20s years ago, more so. This idea is unbelievable.' So I called Cheryl (ball producer Cecchetto). And I said, 'I think I have what I want to do. I know what I want to do.'"

Fortunately, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which hosts the annual Oscars, is caretaker of the Margaret Herrick Library, which houses thousands of elements related to cinema, and is world-renowned for its photographs. For the exhibit, hundreds of the library's images were duplicated -- some blown up to billboard size, other framed as keepsakes for ball guests.

"So, you're not only going to see photos of actors and actresses, but of costume designers, animation, editors, sound, directors, producers, everyone," Cecchetto said. "And isn't it apropos that we're featuring the library with the archives of cinema, which follows the telecast? I mean, it completely makes sense. And for those who are in the room, they're celebrating film. So, we're doing that with them."

Master chef Wolfgang Puck returns to serve hungry guests -- this time a lot of little things.

"We're going to have tapas, more Spanish style -- not in flavor," he said. "You know, it's more small plates. It's very famous all over the world today. People don't want to eat one big plate anymore. They love the variety. And we make 32 different dishes this year for the Oscars. About 500 of each one. About 16,000 dishes. So, it's a lot -- from traditional dishes, like our chicken pot pie, macaroni and cheese, and then we have some exciting Santa Barbara prawns Thai-style with a little spice in it. Tell them to shut up over there! And then we have a lot of vegan dishes. For example, we have parsnips with charred eggplant, we have risotto, so there's something for everybody."

The 87th annual Oscars will be held on 22 February.

AP ENTERTAINMENT

Los Angeles, 4 February 2015

1. Wide exterior Dolby Theatre

2. Medium shot exterior Dolby Theatre

3. Close-up shot marquee Dolby Theatre

4. Wide shot of Roy Dolby ballroom

5. Medium-wide shot preview of 87th Oscars Governors Ball press preview

6. Oscar statuette flank podium with microphone

7. Medium shot of table

8. Close-up shot of montage of celebrities, with actor Cary Grant largest and in center

9. Setup shot 87th Oscars Governors Ball producer Cheryl Cecchetto

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Cheryl Cecchetto/Producer, 87th Oscars Governors Ball:

"We're at the 87th Annual Governors Ball press preview. And this is sort of like what everyone's going to experience on February 22nd."

11. Long row of tables filled with framed pictures of film stars and filmmakers

12. Collage of images, including iconic portrait of actress Marlene Dietrich

13. Close-up shot of image of Marlene Dietrich

14. Tilt up frames photos of legendary actors

15. Academy governor Jeffrey Kurland speaks to reporter

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeffrey Kurland/Academy Governor, on how he came up with the concept for this year's Governors Ball:

"The story behind the story? There actually is a story behind the story. I was working out of town and we finished shooting and went to a bar with people from the crew I was working with. And we walked into this bar. It was kind of this dive bar -- you know, brick walls, peeling paint, this, that and the other. But they had photos pasted up on the walls, just everywhere, just kind of randomly put up -- layers of them, just on top of one another, which obviously were patrons going back decades. And I thought, 'This is like amazing. You feel so much energy in this room. The layers of the decades of the people that have been in this room, sitting in this very spot -- 10s or 20s years ago, more so. This idea is unbelievable.' So I called Cheryl (ball producer Cecchetto). And I said, 'I think I have what I want to do. I know what I want to do.'"

17. Close-up shot portrait of actress Hattie McDaniel, with pull out

18. SOUNDBITE (English) Cheryl Cecchetto/Producer, 87th Oscars Governors Ball:

"So, you're not only going to see photos of actors and actresses, but of costume designers, animation, editors, sound, directors, producers, everyone. And isn't it apropos that we're featuring the library with the archives of cinema, which follows the telecast? I mean, it completely makes sense. And for those who are in the room, they're celebrating film. So, we're doing that with them."

19. Table with framed photos of filmmakers

20. Tilt down poster with stars' autographed lipstick prints

21. Chocolate Oscar statuette surrounded by wild strawberry push pops

22. Tilt down chocolate film projector

23. Plate of mini American wagyu burgers

24. Wide of hors d'oeuvres

25. Close-up shot of smoked salmon Oscar matzo

26. SOUNDBITE (English) Wolfgang Puck/Master Chef:

"This year, we're going to have a whole smorgasbord. We're going to have tapas, more Spanish style -- not in flavor. You know, it's more small plates. It's very famous all over the world today. People don't want to eat one big plate anymore. They love the variety. And we make 32 different dishes this year for the Oscars. About 500 of each one. About 16,000 dishes. So, it's a lot -- from traditional dishes, like our chicken pot pie, macaroni and cheese, and then we have some exciting Santa Barbara prawns Thai-style with a little spice in it. Tell them to shut up over there! And then we have a lot of vegan dishes. For example, we have parsnips with charred eggplant, we have risotto, so there's something for everybody."

27. Tray of caviar-topped baked potatoes

28. Tray of smoked hominy toasts

29. Woman pours glass of champagne

30. Tilt up Oscar statue

OSCARS RED CARPET LOOKING 'VERY NOT GLAMOROUS' WITH RAIN PREPARATIONS

The Oscars red carpet was looking "very not glamorous" on Friday (28 FEB. 2014) as workers donned rain gear and covered arrivals area with a tent and plastic sheeting to protect it from a heavy rainstorm hitting Los Angeles.

Like the annual Tournament of Roses parade, the Oscars are usually blessed with standard Southern California weather: sunshine and blue skies.

That could be the case again this year, but it was raining heavily Friday and forecasters predicted showers Saturday that could continue through Oscar Sunday.

The whole arrivals area - the carpet, fan bleachers, interview stages and photographers' risers - is topped with a clear plastic tent that stretches from the intersection of Hollywood and Highland boulevards to the front of the Dolby Theatre.

Nominees in the foreign-language category gathered on a soggy red carpet Friday, with "The Hunt" star Mads Mikkelsen said he's hoping for sunshine Sunday.

"I'm looking forward to the big one. And hopefully it's not going to be raining too much," he said.

And Belgium's "The Broken Circle Breakdown" director Felix van Groeningen said: "It's a little wet. And it's a little chaotic because of that, I think. So they have some work for Sunday. � That's the crazy thing. There's something very not glamorous about it."

Even if Sunday promises perfect weather, things have to dry out by Saturday night for Oscar producers to remove the tent. Prep work continues overnight through Sunday morning, with lots of props and gear that need to stay dry.

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 28 February 2014

1. Wide high-angle view of Dolby Theatre and Hollywood Boulevard, with tent over Oscars red carpet

2. Close rack-focus raindrops on railing to workers on Hollywood Boulevard

3. Wide Oscars signage pan down to security guards in rain gear and plastic sheet on red carpet

4. Close zoom to wide red carpet covered in plastic sheeting

5. Wide pan left Oscars red carpet covered in plastic sheeting with media assembled

6. Close zoom to wide red carpet is seen under plastic sheeting

7. Wide zoom to medium Oscar statues covered in plastic

8. Medium worker painting railing

9. Wide Mads Mikkelsen talks with reporter

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Mads Mikkelsen/Actor - on Oscars red carpet: "It's a small one right now and it feels really nice. I'm looking forward to the big one. And hopefully it's not going to be raining too much."

11. Wide Felix van Groeningen poses with actress Veerle Baetens with Oscar statue

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Felix van Groeningen/Director - on wet red carpet: "It's good. It's a little wet. And it's a little chaotic because of that, I think. So they have some work for Sunday. � That's the crazy thing. There's something very not glamorous about it."

13. Wide Oscar statue wrapped in plastic

14. Wide Hollywood Boulevard and tented carpet zoom to Dolby Theatre signage