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."

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

OSCAR NOMINEES IN HIGH SPIRITS AT INDEPENDENT-CINEMA CEREMONY

At first glance, you might think it was a dressed-down rehearsal for this weekend's Oscar's red carpet.

There was Oprah. There was Ethan Hawke. Over there, Julianne Moore. The "Selma" producer" and stars of "Boyhood" and "Still Alice" were nominees for the Saturday (21 Feb. 2015) 30th Film Independent Spirit Awards, and are contenders for the 87th Oscars, as well.

Film Independent president Josh Welsh noted, "You know, there is some overlap now between the Spirit Awards and the bigger award shows. And I get asked about that, 'What does that mean now that you see this overlap?' My first reaction to that question is, 'I think it's a great thing. If more people are recognizing the great film that we celebrate at Film Independent, fantastic. Even the most acclaimed of the films that we are celebrating here today -- you know, the films that have had the most exposure, like 'Boyhood,' 'Birdman' or 'Selma -- those films were hard to get made, they were hard to get the audience for them. They are independent through and through. So, the fact that they're being recognized by the majors, I think is the great thing."

It seemed Winfrey got the biggest screams from photographers and cheers from those looking on from the sidewalk separating beach from the arrivals line.

Winfrey said she was focusing on the acknowledgment the Academy did give the civil-rights drama "Selma," which she co-produced, instead of dwelling on the so-called snubs (of its director and star) well covered by the press since nominations were announced last month. Winfrey discussed the film's Oscar nomination for best picture.

"It means that we were validated and there were enough people who saw and heard and received the message that we wanted to offer through 'Selma,'" Winfrey noted. "That's what it means."

Other nominees talking up Oscar day included "Birdman" director Alejandro Inarritu and actors Michael Keaton and Emma Stone and "Whiplash" supporting actor J.K. Simmons. Actress Jessica Chastain revealed she'd just arrived from rehearsals for the Oscarcast, where she'll be presenting, and Common discussed rehearsing his performance of the nominated song "Glory" from "Selma," which he co-wrote with John Legend.

"One thing I have to say that I would never forget is having a great creative conversation at rehearsals with Neil (Meron) and Craig (Zadan), who are behind the whole -- they are the producers of it -- and John Legend actually like talking to the, and us coming up with an even greater way to do the song, and us just watching when we got to the set and seeing what the production is on that. I'm really moved by this experience. Like, really. So, I really can't wait to perform the song."

The 87th Oscars is set for tonight in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles.

No re-use or sale of any Film/TV/Music/Performance clips without clearance

AP Entertainment

Santa Monica, Calif., 21 Feb. 2015

1. Wide Santa Monica Pier

2. Wide arrivals area for 2015 Film Independent Spirit Awards

3. Medium logo board with push in to "30th Film Independent Spirit Awards" logo

4. "Selma" producer Oprah Winfrey poses for photographers

5. "Boyhood" actor Ethan Hawke on arrivals line

6. "Still Alice" actress Julianne Moore poses for photographers

7. "Boyhood" actress Patricia Arquette on arrivals line

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Josh Welsh/President, Film Independent, on the Spirit Awards arrivals line boasting a lot of the nominees for the 87th Oscars: "You know, there is some overlap now between the Spirit Awards and the bigger award shows. And I get asked about that, 'What does that mean now that you see this overlap?' My first reaction to that question is, 'I think it's a great thing. If more people are recognizing the great film that we celebrate at Film Independent, fantastic. Even the most acclaimed of the films that we are celebrating here today -- you know, the films that have had the most exposuren, like 'Boyhood,' 'Birdman' or 'Selma -- those films were hard to get made, they were hard to get the audience for them. They are independent through and through. So, the fact that they're being recognized by the majors, I think is the great thing."

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (A.M.P.A.S.) pool feed

Beverly Hills, Calif., 15 January 2015

9. Edited version of A.M.P.A.S. president Cheryl Boone Isaacs reading off nominees for best-picture Oscar

AP Entertainment

Santa Monica, Calif., 21 Feb. 2015

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Oprah Winfrey/Producer, "Selma," on the significance of her film's Oscar nomination for best picture:

"It means that we were validated and there were enough people who saw and heard and received the message that we wanted to offer through 'Selma.' That's what it means."

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (A.M.P.A.S.) pool feed

Beverly Hills, Calif., 15 January 2015

11. Edited version of A.M.P.A.S. president Cheryl Boone Isaacs reading off Oscar nominees for outstanding actor in a leading role

AP Entertainment

Santa Monica, Calif., 21 Feb. 2015

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Keaton/Actor, on attending the Oscar ceremony for the first time as a nominee: "It'll be fun. This year, I've had a lot of practice, recently, in the last couple of months. So, I'm ready."

(Reporter: "So, what did you learn from the practice?"

Keaton: "Endurance. You've got to have endurance, but you've got to have perspective. But you've got to have perspective on everything. You've just got to turn the dial up on that during this thing."

(Reporter: "What is your perspective on the nomination?")

Keaton: "I'm extraordinarily grateful. I am beyond, beyond, beyond grateful. And appreciative. And I'm enjoying it."

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (A.M.P.A.S.) pool feed

Beverly Hills, Calif., 15 January 2015

13. Edited version of actor Chris Pine reading off Oscar nominees for outstanding actress in a supporting role

AP Entertainment

Santa Monica, Calif., 21 Feb. 2015

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Emma Stone/Actress, on attending the Oscar ceremony for the first time as a nominee:

"I'm just excited. I think it's fun. I don't know. I don't have any anxiety about anything happening. I'm just excited to go. I can't believe I got invited to the party."

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (A.M.P.A.S.) pool feed

Beverly Hills, Calif., 15 January 2015

15. Edited version of actor Chris Pine reading off Oscar nominees for outstanding achievement in directing

AP Entertainment

Santa Monica, Calif., 21 Feb. 2015

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Alejandro Inarritu/Director, on what previous experiences have taught him about dealing with Oscar day:

"Well, I try to stay present all the time. Beyond all the circus and all the things, is the recognition of the peers and the colleagues. And that's what really makes it very special. I'm still in a state of wonder as how far this film has particularly gone, and the energy it has created around people. And I have decided to own that, to enjoy that and, in my perspective, we have already won. The film has already won so many things."

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (A.M.P.A.S.) pool feed

Beverly Hills, Calif., 15 January 2015

17. Edited version of A.M.P.A.S. president Cheryl Boone Isaacs reading off Oscar nominees for outstanding actress in a supporting role

AP Entertainment

Santa Monica, Calif., 21 Feb. 2015

18. SOUNDBITE (English) Michelle Schumacher, on husband J.K. Simmons' Oscar day: "He's going to get up in the morning. He's going to go to the gym. And then he'll take a quick shower and throw on his suit, and he'll head on over."

Simmons: "It's pretty each for me, really, it's just a monkey suit. She's the one who has to make fashion decisions, and all that."

19. Setup shot actress Jessica Chastain

20. SOUNDBITE (English) Jessica Chastain/Actress: "So, I'm presenting tomorrow at the Oscars. And this morning I was there at 8 a.m. for me rehearsal, which is very important, especially for a lady to do, because we're wearing our high heels. I put my shoes on I'm going to wear tomorrow and did the whole walking the stage. You know, when there's a situation when there's so many moving parts -- and elevator is in the center of the stage -- you don't want to be in a situation where you're tripping and falling and walking into a pit. So, it's important to do rehearsals. So, that is the scary part for me. I'm always afraid I'm going to trip. But, luckily for me, I'm presenting aside Idris Alba, and he's a sturdy fellow. So, I think I'll be O.K.. (Laughs.)"

21. Recording artist and actor Common speaks to reporter

22. SOUNDBITE (English) Common/Recording Artist and Actor, on experience with Oscar rehearsals this year: "One thing I have to say that I would never forget is having a great creative conversation at rehearsals with Neil and Craig, who are behind the whole -- they are the producers of it -- and John Legend actually like talking to the, and us coming up with an even greater way to do the song, and us just watching when we got to the set and seeing what the production is on that. I'm really moved by this experience. Like, really. So, I really can't wait to perform the song."

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 17 February 2015

23. Close-up shot of Oscar signage, with pull out to reveal media bleachers and arrivals are for the 87th Oscars

STARS ARRIVE FOR THE 86TH ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS

By mid-afternoon Sunday (2 MARCH 2014), the red carpet at the 86th annual Academy Awards was in full swing.

Actress Lupita Nyong'o, who went on to win Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of an abused slave in "12 Years a Slave," turned heads for her bold light blue gown.

"This is a Prada gown that was made for me," she said. "And I'm wearing Fred Layton jewelry. And it's a color -- I wanted to wear blue because blue reminds me of home -- of Nairobi. I grew up in classrooms with blue walls and things like that, so I just wanted to have a sense of home with me. And yeah, and also Champagne bubbles inspired this dress."

Actor Benedict Cumberbatch, part of two films nominated for various awards -- "12 Years a Slave" and "August: Osage County" -- joked that he didn't even know where he was. When told this was the Oscars, he replied:

"Is it? Oh shit, I'm at the wrong party. I can't believe I sweared already. That's terrible. Or swore, even. I'm kind of overwhelmed, as all that sentence just said. It's amazing. It's amazing. I mean, I was on the phone to my mom. I can't take this ridiculous grin off my face. Whatever you want to throw at awards ceremonies, the Oscars are an extraordinary event to be at."

Cumberbatch also joked that his next dance off would feature the cast of "12 Years a Slave."

"They're all groovers, they're all groovers," he said. "They've got the rhythm. Yeah. And I love going non-verbal. There's a lot of this that goes on, which is lovely by the way, but it's always nice when you can switch it off and just dance. And I hope that we'll have something to celebrate. Fingers crossed. Many fingers crossed. Yeah."

Actor Jared Leto, who went on to win the first major category of the night, Best Supporting Actor, was grateful to be part of the party.

"It's wonderful to be here. I'm so proud. It's such a tremendous group of nominees. A very, very, very, very magical night. And I'm super-excited to be here," he said.

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 2 March 2014

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Lupita Nyong'o/Actress - on her dress: "This is a Prada gown that was made for me. And I'm wearing Fred Layton jewelry. And it's a color -- I wanted to wear blue because blue reminds me of home -- of Nairobi. I grew up in classrooms with blue walls and things like that, so I just wanted to have a sense of home with me. And yeah, and also Champagne bubbles inspired this dress."

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Benedict Cumberbatch/Actor - on Oscars: "Is it? Oh shit, I'm at the wrong party. I can't believe I sweared already. That's terrible. Or swore, even. I'm kind of overwhelmed, as all that sentence just said. It's amazing. It's amazing. I mean, I was on the phone to my mom. I can't take this ridiculous grin off my face. Whatever you want to throw at awards ceremonies, the Oscars are an extraordinary event to be at."

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Benedict Cumberbatch/Actor - on dancing after show: "The entire cast of '12 Years A Slave.' They're all groovers, they're all groovers. They've got the rhythm. Yeah. And I love going non-verbal. There's a lot of this that goes on, which is lovely by the way, but it's always nice when you can switch it off and just dance. And I hope that we'll have something to celebrate. Fingers crossed. Many fingers crossed. Yeah."

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Idina Menzel/Actor-Recording Artist, on 'Let It Go' success: "Yeah, it's such a gift to me. I had no idea. I knew it was a beautiful song but to see it evolve like that just exponentially everywhere. It's a beautiful thing. And it's what it means to people -- it's about liberating your soul and accepting yourself for who you are. And that's why it's so important to little kids."

5. SOUNDBITE (English) John Legend/Recording Artist - on Oscars: "I feel more like a visitor. All of these great actors and directors and filmmakers. And I'm just a lowly musician. But no it's exciting to be here. I'm a fan of a lot of these people here. And it's exciting to be here."

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Pharrell Williams/Recording Artist - on Oscars: "I'm happy, man. I really am. I appreciate this. I do. I know it's the people. They have to vote for the songs. They have to download the songs. Or even in certain cases upload videos or whatever. And the fact that they have, is just -- done so much for me and I'm ever so grateful."

7. SOUNDBITE (English) June Squibb/Actress - on Oscar nomination: "Well it feels great and I don't want to say fulfilled because I intend to keep working. But this is great to have happened. And no matter what happens, if it happens again this will still be the first time, and that's very exciting."

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Ethan Hawke/Actor-Writer - on Oscars: "For a movie like ours that came out in May that we made because we wanted to -- it's not a commercial endeavor -- this is a victory lap for us just to be here."

Julie Delpy/Actor-writer: "It's amazing. It's such an honor and we've worked on this together. It's true love - labor of love. And it's amazing that it gets recognized, you know."

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Kevin Spacey/Actor-Producer, on 'House of Cards' success: "Look, for us, it's an acknowledgement that what we're doing, we're doing all right. And people are enjoying it. I think it's an incredible experience for me as an actor to work with Beau Willimon and David Fincher and all of our cast. And to have an audience all over the world respond to it and be excited by it, particularly this new way to discover it, in which they're able to be in total control of how it's going to unveil to them -- binge-watching or however they want to watch it, it's very exciting."

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Jared Leto/Actor - on Oscars: "It's wonderful to be here. I'm so proud. It's such a tremendous group of nominees. A very, very, very, very magical night. And I'm super-excited to be here."

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Paulson/Actress - on Oscars: "Me, I'm a person who has only ever been a fan -- has only ever watched this on my couch with a pint of ice cream and some burritos. So this is extraordinary. There's 'American Horror Story' fans screaming my name back there. That's a really exciting, fun time."

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Christoph Waltz/Actor, on Oscars: "You know, when you're nominated, you're nervous -- and so you should be. Today, I just take it in as a guest, so to say. It's very enjoyable."

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Naomi Watts/Actress - on fashion: "It's Calvin Klein collection, Francisco Costa. It was an easy pick. I just wanted to go clean and simple. And I'm a friend of Francisco and the brand for a long time, and Bulgari jewels."

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Naomi Watts/Actress - on advice: (Reporter: "As a nominee, what advice do you give to the newcomers? There's a lot of new nominees tonight?) "Enjoy it. Try to. You never completely do, because it's too scary. But yeah, it's a night to remember."

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Win Butler/Recording Artist (Arcade Fire), on bowtie: "Thank you. Some safety pins. If anyone needs any safety pins, just let me know. You never know if you're going to get a little tear in your dress."

English/Nat

With less than 48 hours to go before the start of the 71st Academy Awards ceremony, it seems like all of Hollywood is giddy with excitement.

But while the public mulls their picks for best film and actors, preparations at the site of the big event are still far from complete.

Nor have all the stars chosen what they'll be wearing for the biggest fashion show in the world.

These are the statues and this is the site where the intrigue of Sunday's 71st Oscars will unfold.

Winning a golden statuette has the potential to create a windfall of movie roles and a dramatic increase in an actor's market value.

And for the designers who dress the stars, the Academy Awards are the most closely watched fashion show in the world.

A designer who makes a splash on Oscar night could become the buzz of the fashion world the day after the show.

SOUNDBITE (English):

"It's the best publicity, it can make a name. And it will make a name if she wears a young new designer or new designer. It is awesome, the impact on fashion."

SUPERCAPTION: Fred Hayman, Fashion Designer

For jewellery, the dynamic is the same.

This year, the House of Harry Winston will bejewel 25 people involved in the awards - 10 of them nominees or presenters.

Winston staffers refuse to name names, but one of the stars will be wearing this 25 carat diamond ring valued in excess of one (M) million U-S dollars.

Another star will don this 350 carat diamond necklace that's valued at more than five (M) million dollars.

And where the stars go, tuxedoed security guards will follow.

The company markets the nominees' jewellery along the themes of the top films under consideration.

This year it's World War II and Elizabethan England - naturally they chose the latter.

SOUNDBITE (English):

"The necklace that we're seeing today is very reminiscent of the Elizabethan mode. When I look at it I immediately think of Queen Elizabeth. It's got over 300 carats of fancy intense yellow and white diamonds cascading in a waterfall down the neck and that was also the style that was used in the Shakespearean times."

SUPER CAPTION: Carol Brodie-Gelles, Spokeswoman, House of Harry Winston

Stepping back from the glitz and glamour reveals that construction of the red carpet area is still far from complete.

Flowers are still being placed along the perimeter of the arrivals zone while several Oscar statues remain under protective wraps.

Meanwhile, workmen are constructing a tarp over the arrivals area to protect the stars from possible rain.

It would not be the first time it's rained on Oscars night but it would certainly undermine the glamour of the big night.

Los Angeles, California, U-S, March 19 1999

1. Academy Awards site - Dorothy Chandler Pavilion - with Oscar statues in foreground

2. Oscar statue

3. Models

4. Model

5. Models and Oscar statues

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Fred Hayman, Oscar Awards Fashion Coordinator

7. Diamond ring

8. Diamond necklace

9. Model wearing necklace

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Carol Brodie-Gelles, Spokesperson, House of Harry Winston

11. Red carpet arrivals area under construction

12. Man carrying flowers walks by Oscar statue

13. Workmen constructing tarp over arrivals red carpet

14. Workmen pulling cables attached to tarp

15. Flowers brought down arrivals area

16. Engineer laying cables

17. Static of Oscar statue half-wrapped in plastic cover

TOM FORD TALKS NEW COLLECTION, OSCAR FASHION AND SHOOTING NEW MOVIE

Designer and film director Tom Ford staged an eye-popping show in Hollywood, watched by an A-list audience, Friday night, (20 February 2015).

His runway was decorated with pale pink petals, and at one point during the show, they cascaded from the ceilings onto the models walking the runway, which seemed gigantic in length.

The collection was both funky and elegant, exquisite and bold. There was denim, leopard prints, puffed sleeves, crushed velvet and funky prints, as well as elegant gowns with dramatic designs and outfits with sheer cutouts. There were fur coats, dresses with fringes, and mixed materials, including a skirt blended with blue denim and leopard fur material.

"Oh my God. We could talk for about an hour about inspiration for a collection," said Ford. "You work on these things for six months. You start with one idea, one concept, I usually start by thinking what did I just do? The season before. What am I tired of? What do I still love? This is where the creative part of fashion comes in. You have to be intuitive and you have to think, what do people want right now? What do I want to see women wearing? Now by the time you finish working on it, it may have morphed into something completely different which is always the case so that's not a short answer. It won't be a good soundbite. It's a half hour special on the creation of fashion."

Guests in attendance included Beyonce and Jay Z, Jennifer Lopez, Anna Wintour, Gwyneth Paltrow, Scarlett Johansson, Amy Adams, Julianne Moore, Elton John, Aaron Rogers with girlfriend Olivia Munn, Magic Johnson, Naomi Campbell.

Fashion titan Ford hadn't shown a collection Los Angeles before - he normally shows at London Fashion Week.

He decided to present his first show for his own label (he used to be the chief designer for Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent) in the city he calls home.

" I have a house here, I have lived here off and on for 25 years. My family lives here. So many of my close friends live here. I am usually here this week because London show week, where I usually show, moved for some reason this season and my show would have fallen the morning after the Oscars," he explains.

"So how much global fashion press do you think I would have received? Because on every star page on every network, on every channel would have been red carpet dresses, red carpet dresses, red carpet dresses for two or three days. I'm also dressing someone for the Oscars, as I usually do as well as quite a few men. So I usually bring a team here, we do that. I just thought, this is silly. I'm going to go to Los Angeles anyways, I am not going to not do this, I'll just show there. It made a lot of sense."

While Hollywood celebrities help set the fashion trends, it's New York, Paris and other cities that are normally the spotlight for the fashion industry. Perhaps that's why - - besides the allure of Tom Ford - the show at Milk Studios held such weight with Hollywood heavyweights.

Other stars who were on hand included Jared Leto, John Legend, Fergie and husband Josh Duhamel, Angelica Huston, Molly Sims, Tracee Ellis Ross, Sofia Vergara and fiance Joe Manganiello and Armie Hammer.

In a display of celebrity that gave a hint at what is to come on Sunday's Oscar red carpet, the staging of Ford's autumn/winter womenswear collection drew superstars from every genre.

Ford admitted he is dressing one actress and a few men for Sunday's red carpet but refused to give their names, in case they change their minds about what to wear on the night.

"I always tell every actress that I make something for, look this is it. I think you look great, you're happy, we are all happy but if the day of you don't feel good in it and you have something else, put that on. It's fine, you're the one who has to step on that carpet, you have to feel good."

He shared his hopes for this year's Academy Awards' fashion highlights

"Well I would love to see some risks but I don't think we'll see that," Ford said about Oscar night fashion. "I think that the media covers these actresses in such a way now that everyone is too afraid to take any risk. We sit at home and everyone rates them and it rips them apart. We got cameras spinning around them and the moment they've taken six steps people have said, it's bad, it's good, I don't know, why? And I think most actresses are quite terrified to go down the red carpet, so I don't think you'll see a lot of risks."

Ford made his own directorial debut with the 2009 film "A Single Man," which earned Colin Firth an Oscar nomination for best actor.

The designer is planning to direct again this year, planning to get cameras rolling this fall.

"This is not a two-part thriller. But anyway I am not going to talk about it. I think you should do things first and then talk about them. But yes I'm working on a new movie and hopefully it'll be good," said Ford.

Music on catwalks not cleared for use. Please replace with your own clearable music

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 20 February 2015

1. Various of catwalk

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Tom Ford/Designer, on the inspiration for the new collection:

"Oh my god. We could talk for about an hour about inspiration for a collection. You work on these things for six months. You start with one idea, one concept, I usually start by thinking what did I just do? The season before. What am I tired of? What do I still love? This is where the creative part of fashion comes in. You have to be intuitive and you have to think, what do people want right now? What do I want to see women wearing? Now by the time you finish working on it, it may have morphed into something completely different which is always the case so that's not a short answer. It won't be a good soundbite. It's a half hour special on the creation of fashion."

3. Tom Ford walks on to runway and greets audience

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Tom Ford/Designer, on why he is showing in Los Angeles, on Oscar weekend:

"That is easy. I have a house here, I have lived here off and on for 25 years. My family lives here. So many of my close friends live here. I am usually here this week because London show week, where I usually show, moved for some reason this season and my show would have fallen the morning after the Oscars. So how much global fashion press do you think I would have received? Because on every star page on every network, on every channel would have been red carpet dresses, red carpet dresses, red carpet dresses for two or three days. I'm also dressing someone for the Oscars, as I usually do as well as quite a few men. So I usually bring a team here, we do that. I just thought, this is silly. I'm going to go to Los Angeles anyways, I am not going to not do this, I'll just show there. It made a lot of sense."

5. Wide of Miley Cyrus and Patrick Schwarzenegger leaving show

6. Wide of Scarlett Johansson leaving show

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Tom Ford/Designer, on the amount of stars that attended his show:

"The fact that I had so many friends in the audience gave it a really wonderful, the room had a wonderful supportive vibe and when you're showing something that's creative to a receptive audience that feels warm, it's really helpful and it's nice."

(Reporter: May I ask who you know you are dressing on Sunday?)

Tom Ford:

"No I won't tell you. Because of course I know, but I always tell every actress that I make something for, look this is it. I think you look great, you're happy, we are all happy but if the day of you don't feel good in it and you have something else, put that on. It's fine, you're the one who has to step on that carpet, you have to feel good."

AP Entertainment

++FILE++ Los Angeles, 27 February 2012

8. Wide if Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in a Atelier Versace black dress

9. Emma Stone in a red Giambattista Valli Haute Couture gown

10. Gwyneth Paltrow in a beige Tom Ford cape dress

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 20 February 2015

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Tom Ford/Designer, on what he would like to see in regards to fashion this Sunday at the Oscars:

"Well I would love to see some risks but I don't think we'll see that. I think that the media covers these actresses in such a way now that everyone is too afraid to take any risk. We sit at home and everyone rates them and it rips them apart. We got cameras spinning around them and the moment they've taken six steps people have said, it's bad, it's good, I don't know, why? And I think most actresses are quite terrified to go down the red carpet, so I don't think you'll see a lot of risks."

Impawards.com

12. Still movie poster: "A Single Man"

13. Still movie poster: "A Single Man"

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 20 February 2015

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Tom Ford/Designer-Director, on directing another movie:

"This is not a two-part thriller. But anyway I am not going to talk about it. I think you should do things first and then talk about them. But yes I'm working on a new movie and hopefully it'll be good."

(Reporter: I heard you're planning on shooting later this year.)

Tom Ford: "Yeah, in the fall."

(Reporter: Can you tell me if it's a drama or a thriller?)

Tom Ford: "I'm not going to tell you anything. You'll have to wait. You'll have to wait, let's just hope it's good."

12. Pull out of Tom Ford logo on backdrop

SHOTLIST:

1. Mid shot Oscar statues carried along in procession

2. Close-up, man walks by with Oscar statue

3. Pan down from poster to various of Oscars procession

4. Close up man holding Oscar

5. Back view procession

6. Tilt down from front of Kodak Theatre to large Oscars statue

7. Close-up Oscar statue in front of theatre

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Maurice Griffin, film student:

"It's an amazing experience. It feels like we are holding on to our dreams, especially in the midst of the Dream Girls era. I feel like a dream boy myself. It is like I am holding on to like my dream literally, you know hopefully in the future all of us will be able to win our own Oscars award."

9. SOUNDBITE: (English) Ivan Rubio, film student:

"It's great, I came here when I was five-years old from another country. To stand here, like, I would have never dreamed it."

10. Various woman tearing off plastic cover and unveiling number 79 (for 79th Academy Awards)

11. Pan down statue to woman

12. Wide of theatre

13. Close up sign reading "The Oscars"

14. Wide Hollywood road sign

15. Mid shot man takes photo, tilt up to Oscars statue

16. Mid shot tourists

17. SOUNDBITE: (English) John Neville, British tourist:

"It is a bit little freaky, if that is a term. We come from Las Vegas... we began in Las Vegas for a couple of days, we just come back to Los Angeles for a couple of days. And pity we are not here another night, it would have been quite fun."

18. Various media at site

19. Wide of theatre

20. Cutaway Oscar statues in front of theatre

STORYLINE:

The countdown has well and truly begun in Hollywood for Sunday's 79th Academy Awards.

On Saturday, residents and tourists alike looked on as the iconic Oscar statutes arrived at the venue for the awards ceremony.

The much coveted golden statues got their own special walk down the red carpet as Hollywood prepares for the big event.

50 students from Inner-City Filmmakers (ICF), a training and film industry job development programme, carried the Oscar statuettes of the 79th Academy Awards to the Kodak Theatre.

The Oscars will be kept backstage overnight under heavy security, until they are presented at the awards on Sunday.

One of the fifty young people who took part, film student Maurice Griffin told Associated Press TV "It is like I am holding on to like my dream literally, you know hopefully in the future all of us will be able to win our own Oscars award."

For Ivan Rubio, meanwhile it had been an experience he would have never believed possible.

"It's great, I came here when I was five-years old from another country. To stand here, like, I would have never dreamed it" he said.

This year, there is no clear winner in the best-picture category, and organisers are hoping that a classic Hollywood cliffhanger will keep TV audiences tuned in right up to the finale.

Hollywood's biggest party has lost some of its lustre for television viewers at home over the last decade, with TV ratings on a general

decline.

Critics lay the blame on the judging panel, which has often picked smaller movies in key Oscar categories, that have been seen by less people.

This means, the critics maintain, that television viewers are less involved in the outcome.

Tourists are still keen however to get a glimpse of the action and on Saturday they were rubbing shoulders with media crews from around the world.

John Neville, a British visitor, said he would have liked to spend another night in Los Angeles in order to see the stars.

He said: "Pity we are not here another night, it would have been quite fun."

SHOTLIST:

1. Wide exterior ABC-Good Morning America studio in Times Square, ticker reads: "The Oscars hosted by Ellen DeGeneris"

2. Pull out from flyer being distributed on Broadway, reads: "Meet the Oscars - 50 Oscars on display"

3. Pull out from close up of screen on digital camera as woman takes photos of Oscars in window

4. Pull out from man taking photos of Oscars through window using mobile phone

5. Close up tilt down Oscar statuette after it has received its final coat of gold plating

6. Pull out from face of gold Oscar to show the five stages of Oscar production

7. Medium pan from people taking photos of Oscars to 50 Oscars in case

8. Medium of woman holding Oscar

9. Close up of woman taking photo

10. Medium shot woman holding Oscar. UPSOUND: (English) Terry Labonte, Canadian tourist

"I'd like to thank my mother and my father!"

11. Pull out from boy taking photo to wide of Barbie Markey, tourist from London, UK, holding Oscar

12. SOUNDBITE: (English) Barbie Markey, British tourist

"It felt amazing! We can't believe that you can just walk down the street in Times Square and you come across things like this! And you can actually hold Oscars! So it's great!"

13. Wide pan of people lined up to hold Oscar statuette

14. Pull out from face of giant Oscar statue to reveal movie posters

15. Wide shot Robert Osborne, film critic and author, being interviewed next to Oscar

16. SOUNDBITE: (English) Robert Osborne, film critic and author

"This fellow is Oscar. And that nickname came around 1934. Up until that time he was always referred to just as the gold statuette of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and there were three people that claimed that they nicknamed it 'Oscar.' One was Bette Davis, and she claimed that she named it 'Oscar' because he looked - it's a statue of a nude warrior holding a sword standing on a reel of film - and she said that it looked just like her husband when he stepped out of the shower with no clothes on, and his name was Oscar."

17. Pull out from Oscars won by Bette Davis and Clark Gable

18. Medium shot Oscars in case

19. Wide shot Oscars in case

STORYLINE:

For the first time in the history of the Oscars, Oscar got off his pedestal and met the other half - the regular fans who adore him and his history.

Film stars and directors long to hold him but also, so it seems, does everyone else.

At "Meet the Oscars" in ABC's Times Square studio, 50 of the famous statuettes were on display and one was available to pose with for photos.

Surprised tourists and New Yorkers alike stopped to snap photos of what is one of the most desired little men in the world.

The gold statuettes are handmade in Chicago, Illinois, at R.S. Owen & Company.

Before receiving their 24 carat gold plating, Oscar, made of an alloy called britannia, is coated with copper, nickel and silver.

Each Oscar stands 13.5 inches (34.3 centimetres) tall and weighs almost nine pounds (four kilograms).

"I'd like to thank my mother and my father!" said Terry Labonte, a tourist from Ottawa, Canada, who stepped up to hold one of the statuettes as onlookers laughed.

Barbie Markey, visiting New York from London, said she couldn't believe it when she saw leaflets inviting people into the studio.

"It felt amazing!" she said. "We can't believe that you can just walk down the street in Times Square and you come across things like this! And you can actually hold Oscars! So it's great!"

Robert Osborne, film critic, author and self-confessed "Oscar junkie" said there were three different stories about how the statuette got the name "Oscar."

Osbourne recalled one version, referring to film star Bette Davis.

"She claimed that she named it "Oscar" because he looked - it's a statue of a nude warrior holding a sword standing on a reel of film - and she said that it looked just like her husband when he stepped out of the shower with no clothes on, and his name was Oscar."

Also on hand were the 1934 Oscar that went to Clark Gable for "It Happened One Night" and the 1938 Oscar that Bette Davis won for "Jezebel."

The Oscars on display in New York will not be awarded on February 25, 2007.

Those Oscars are on display in Los Angeles.

The ones visiting New York will be engraved and awarded in 2008 or at a later date.

TOP DIRECTORS ARRIVE EARLY AT THE OSCARS

Oscar-nominated directors Steve McQueen ("12 Years a Slave") and Alfonso Cuaron ("Gravity") arrived early at the 86th annual Academy Awards on Sunday (2 MARCH 2014) in Los Angeles.

"It's quite deafening as you can hear," said McQueen. "It's very exciting. I've never been here before. I'm on the red carpet at the Oscars. As you can imagine, I was on the other side of that camera as a child and looking at it and thinking it possibly could happen. And now it has so it's a dream come true."

The Best Director award is one of the last given out at the ceremony, but McQueen was already anticipating quite a surprise if his name was called.

"Brad is great. He's the ideal producer because he's a cinephile and he's a great actor so you get the best of both worlds. And he promised to kiss me on the lips actually if we win tonight," he said. "So I'm looking forward to that, making every woman and man in the world jealous. Or certain men, I should say."

Newcomer and best supporting actor nominee Barkhad Abdi was also impressed by the biggest and brightest red carpet of the awards season.

"Being here. It's just unbelievable, you know. In here, I know it's big time.," he said. "I'm happy about it and I'm going to make the best of it. I am enjoying the day. You know, I appreciate the hard work on this film and whatever work I put in myself and how far I came. It's just a look back. Appreciate it. A look back."

Meanwhile, the man responsible for the amazing costumes in the Oscar-nominated film "American Hustle" offered some insight into how Amy Adams' pulled off the plunging necklines her character always wore.

"That's a great question. We had to be period-correct and not use double-sided tape and Amy said there are three tricks to carrying off these plunging necklines," shared costume designer Michael Wilkinson. "The first thing was to always carry yourself tall. The second thing was to avoid any sudden gusts of air. Very important. And the third thing was to make friends with your editor, so that they always showed the best angles. So, no double-sided tape."

Pool-AMPAS

Los Angeles, 2 March 2014

1. Wide Oscars red carpet

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 2 March 2014

2. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Alfonso Cuaron/Director, addressing Mexican fans: " �"

Pool-AMPAS

Los Angeles, 2 March 2014

3. Wide Oscars red carpet with Jason Sudeikis and Olivia Wilde

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 2 March 2014

4. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Steve McQueen/Director, on Oscars: "It's quite deafening as you can hear. It's very exciting. I've never been here before. I'm on the red carpet at the Oscars. As you can imagine, I was on the other side of that camera as a child and looking at it and thinking it possibly could happen. And now it has so it's a dream come true."

5. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Steve McQueen/Director, on Brad Pitt: "Brad is great. He's the ideal producer because he's a cinephile and he's a great actor so you get the best of both worlds. And he promised to kiss me on the lips actually if we win tonight. So I'm looking forward to that, making every woman and man in the world jealous. Or certain men, I should say."

A.M.P.A.S. Pool

5. Wide shot 86th Annual Academy Awards arrivals area

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 2 March 2014

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Thomas Vinterberg/Director, "The Hunt":

"It's amazing to be here. We're so proud to be here - all the way back from Denmark, so it's a bit of a journey. We've been really nicely welcomed here. It's fantastic."

(Reporter: "What was the mood back in Denmark leading into the Oscars tonight?

Vinterberg: "The mood?"

Mads Mikkelsen/Actor, "The Hunt": "It's kind of like a sports event for a small country like Denmark. We've got three films, two different categories over here. So I think actually Denmark is pretty proud today.."

7. (Reporter: "How many rolls of double-sided tape did Amy Adams have to use?")

Michael Wilkinson/Costume Designer, "American Hustle":

"That's a great question. We had to be period-correct and not use double-sided tape and Amy said there are three tricks to carrying off these plunging necklines. The first thing was to always carry yourself tall. The second thing was to avoid any sudden gusts of air. Very important. And the third thing was to make friends with your editor, so that they always showed the best angles. So, no double-sided tape."

Pool -A.M.P.A.S.

8. Pan 86th Annual Academy Awards arrivals area

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 2 March 2014

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Barkhad Abdi/Actor, on his wildest award-season experience:

"Being here. It's just unbelievable, you know. In here, I know it's big time. I'm happy about it and I'm going to make the best of it."

(Reporter: "Now, this is your first acting role and you're a nominee tonight. How do you wrap your head around that?"

Abdi: "I don't think about it. It's a good thing. I am enjoying the day. You know, I appreciate the hard work on this film and whatever work I put in myself and how far I came. It's just a look back. Appreciate it. A look back."

Entertainment Rushes - Oscars 1998

Shotlist Includes:

Tape 1

APTV

10 February 1998

1. UPSOUND: (English) Geena Davis, Oscar Nominees presenter:

"I am pleased to announce that the films selected as the best pictures nominees are 'As Good As It Gets,' 'The Full Monty,' 'Good Will Hunting', 'LA Confidential,' 'Titanic.'

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Geena Davis, Oscar Nominees presenter:

"The 1997 nominees for best actor in a leading roll are Matt Damon in 'Good Will Hunting,' Robert Duvall in 'The Apostle,' Peter Fonda in 'Ulee's Gold,' Dustin Hoffman in 'Wag the Dog' and Jack Nicholson in 'As Good as it Gets.'

3. Set-up shot Geena Davis

4. Cutaway photographer

5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Geena Davis, Oscar Nominees presenter:

"Everybody has their favourites that they want to root for and you get sort of personally involved and attached so I think for everybody it's meaningful and you feel a personal stake in it.

6. Cutaway Oscars statue

7. SOUNDBITE: (English) Louis J Horvitz, Director, Oscar Awards:

"I think it's not going to be just one big studio walking away with it. I think because of the nature of the nominations and really a great amount of good work was done in this body of pictures that was nominated, I hope it gets spread across the board. From my personal standpoint I like a lot of different things and a lot of different movies rather than just saying oh there was one great movie and that was it."

8. Closing remarks from Academy ceremony

Tape 2

APTV

19 March 1998

1. Various preparations at the Shrine Auditorium

2. Various, exteriors

3. Various, flowers

Tapes 3 & 4

APTV

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

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

2. Model in white and green dress walks down runway

3. Close up of model putting on sunglasses

4. Cutaway photographers

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

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

7. Model in red dress having her face made up

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

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

10. Model wearing leopard bare-midriff gown

11. Model in low-cut gown turns around

12. Model in Paco Rabanne-designed metal mesh outfit

13. Model wearing and holding jewelry

14. Wide shot of array of diamonds for Oscars collection

15. Close up of diamond necklace

16. Pull out on a different necklace

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

18. All the models out on the runway

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

Tape 5

APTV

Los Angeles, California, USA - March 13 1998

1. Exterior of the Shrine Auditorium

2. Medium shot of Shrine Auditorium

3. Close up and zoom out of mosaic Oscar

4. Media crews

5. Oscar statue being moved

6. Oscar statue being cleaned

7. Oscar statues being positioned

8. Medium shot plasterer at work

9. Close-up plasterer

10. Medium shot cleaning platform

11. Close-up cleaning

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

13. Pan up Oscar statue

11. Close up of Oscar statue

12. Two Oscar statues on display

Tape 6

AMPAS Pool

1. Various, Oscars Backstage

SHOTLIST

1. Oscar statue carried to place

2. WS venue front

3. MS crane at venue front

4. MS H Stern diamond collection

5. CU necklace

6. CU necklace

7. H Stern 'Red Carpet Collection' necklace (500-thousand US dollars)

8. SOT: (English) Joan Parker, Director Diamond Information Center, on the Red Carpet Diamond Collection "For all the pieces in there - each one that is going to be worn by someone on the red carpet, ten thousand dollars will be donated by the jeweller to AMFAR and H Stern has a piece that has the largest diamond of all of them in the collection - it's a 23-carat radiant cut diamond, the piece is worth around 500-thousand dollars and if someone has that on on Sunday night - 10-thousand dollars will go to AMFAR."

9. Various: Stuart Weitzman and his million dollar shoes

10. SOT: (English) Stuart Weitzman 'This shoe is a bargain! Now I know - I can see you raised your eyebrows to me - but you know that you can take the diamonds off the shoe and you make a double-banded fabulous bracelet. The top part makes a necklace, these little drops here - depending upon how hip you are can either be a navel ring or earrings - and then you can still wear the platinum shoe!"

11. Push into gems at Mary Magdalena Gem Cosmetics

12 Pull from pots of cosmetics

13 cu costmetic pot

14 cu logo

15. SOT: (English) Mary Magdalena "Well, what I have here is the most precious cosmetic line in the world because it's made of precious gemstone and it's very precious for the skin so there's amethysts, diamonds, rubies, jade, all of those gemstones are in the colour powders and the powders you can use for your lips, your eyes, your nails and your cheeks and it's very good for the skin.

16. Wide shot Timmy Woods handbags (carved out of wood)

17. CU USA flag handbag

18. Push to panda handbag

19. SOT: (English) Timmy Woods, Designer "Well, I think that accessories are really important and the emphasis is usually put on the clothing it's not put on the accessories and this is the year of the accessory. So therefore, let's get ourselves out there - let's show that we make wonderful things and let's get the women wearing them."

20. WS woman being made up at MAC salon

21 CU make up artist brushing face

22 CU eye

23. Pan off counter to woman being made up

24. Pan off sign Vidal Sassoon to woman having hair styled

25. CU woman having hair styled

26.WS woman making Oscar Cocktail

27. Cocktail being poured

28. C/a bottles

29 Woman picking up drink

30 Set-up shot, Donald Wressell in Four Seasons pastry kitchen

31. CU Wressell

32. Cu Oscar treat

33 Wressell dressing Oscar treat

34 pan to CU dressing treat

35. SOT: (English) Donald Wressell "What's good about the Four Seasons here in LA is I'm able to do all kinds of things that just really tap into my inspiration and skills and I can do many, many, many things for our guests - our guests are quite special and quite demanding - so I'm able to be pushed a little bit by them to be able to create new things."

36. VS annual chocolate sculpture homage to best picture oscar nominees

HOLLYWOOD GRIPPED BY SPENDING FRENZY FOR OSCARS

The countdown is on and Tinseltown is spending millions of dollars sprucing itself up in every way imaginable.

With a global TV audience of around one billion it pays to dress to impress if you intend to grace the Academy Award's legendary red carpet.

Across town from the Oscars venue, in the shopping nirvana of Beverly Hills, designers of every ilk are renting out suites in the some of the swankiest hotels to hawk their wares.

You won't find the man on the street here, though - as these items are the necklaces, shoes, handbags, dresses and make-up that will be shimmer and shine on the red carpet on Oscar day.

This week is hectic for The Diamond Information Centre. They have been co-ordinating with designers around the world for the creation of a 'Red Carpet Collection.'

Among the designers who are hoping to have their goods seen are H Stern - who have created, necklaces that start at several thousand and quickly zoom into the millions - including one with a 23-carat diamond center piece, valued at 500 thousand dollars.

But it isn't all about glamour. If a celebrity wears it on the big day - H Stern will make a 10-thousand dollar donation to amFAR - the American Foundation for AIDS research.

Down the hall designer Stuart Weitzman is showing off his million dollar shoes. Weitzman dreamt up the idea after last year's Oscar ceremony and has made them a reality this year.

They are made of platinum and diamond - but aren't just for strutting around on the red carpet. The diamond decoration can be taken off and worn as jewellery as well.

Most celebrities borrow the glamorous jewels for the big day. But all the designers agree - if you'd like to buy your favourite piece afterwards, that's no problem.

It is unlikely any star will arrive for the Academy Awards without their most glamorous face on and designer Maria Magdalena is hoping celebs will try out her new line of couture gem cosmetics.

Magdalena, who is based in Holland, was a student of Chinese medicine when she discovered that Chinese Empresses used to crush pearls and diamonds into their make-up.

She went on to develop a full line of cosmetics which she says harmonises the ancient power of the earth with high tech skin care.

Among the gems she uses for her lip, eye and skin lotions and potions are rubies, diamonds, amethyst, jade and aquamarine.

No outfit would be complete without a handbag and designer Timmy Woods is hoping to fill that gap with her wooden and hand-painted hand bags, starting at 200 dollars.

Downstairs Mac make-up artists are busy at work dolling up everyone from reporters to celebrities. They then only need to cross the room to get a new coif from Vidal Sassoon's elite team of hair stylists. The average cost of a Oscar hairdo is a hair-raising 7 thousand dollars.

Once you're all dolled up - it's back upstairs for a cocktail at Bacardi's O room - in case you're wondering - that's O for Orange.

They've had a special cocktail designed for the big week, and hope it will make a big enough splash to tempt punters all year round.

A couple of blocks away The Beverly Hills Four Seasons has their pastry chef Donald Wressell working overtime in order to give each guest an Oscar-themed chocolate treat.

And to top off the whole experience, guests can get an eyeful on Wressell's annual chocolate homage to the five nominees for best picture.

SHOTLIST

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 24 February 2013

1. Wide of Oscar red carpet

AMPAS Pool

Los Angeles, 24 February 2013

2. Fashion pan of Channing Tatum and a pregnant Jenna Dewan-Tatum

3. Fashion pan of Jacki Weaver

4. Medium of Melissa McCarthy on the red carpet

5. Fashion pan of Amy Adams on the red carpet

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 24 February 2013

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Amy Adams/Actress - on whether she thinks about winning an Oscar:

"I honestly don't think about it. I know that sounds like a real canned answer but I don't think about winning an Oscar. When you're working you don't think about it and even here tonight I'm not thinking about it. I'm just thinking about not having people step on my train and having a really good time."

AMPAS Pool

Los Angeles, 24 February 2013

7. Fashion shot of Helen Hunt arriving

8. Fashion shot of Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber

9. Fashion shot of Charlize Theron

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 24 February 2013

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Jessica Chastain/Actress

"It's incredible. I mean last year I was nominated last year. My movies have only been out for two years and when I was walking on the carpet I was like there's a fog I can't really see. Everything was in slow motion and this year it is vivid. I see every color, every smell, every sound. It's incredible. I can't believe it's happened again. It's a dream come true. I've worked for so long, for so hard and to have two years to get to be on this carpet it's a dream come true."

AMPAS Pool

Los Angeles, 24 February 2013

11. Bryan Cranston and wife on the red carpet

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 24 February 2013

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Catherine Zeta-Jones/Actress - on how she's performing and then her husband is presenting:

"My husband gets to go on stage and I get to sit in the auditorium and watch him so it's a bit of a working night but it's a great one as always at the Oscars."

Michael Douglas: "A love fest."

AMPAS Pool

Los Angeles, 24 February 2013

13. Fashion shot of Jennifer Hudson

14. Fashion shot of Anne Hathaway

STORYLINE

NOMINEES JESSICA CHASTAIN AND AMY ADAMS TALK ON OSCAR RED CARPET

Jessica Chastain, nominated for Best Actress for "Zero Dark Thirty, said while arriving on Sunday's (24 FEB. 2013) Oscar red carpet that she couldn't believe how fortunate she was to be up for an award two years in a row.

"It's incredible. I mean last year I was nominated last year. My movies have only been out for two years and when I was walking on the carpet I was like there's a fog I can't really see. Everything was in slow motion and this year it is vivid. I see every color, every smell, every sound. It's incredible. I can't believe it's happened again. It's a dream come true. I've worked for so long, for so hard and to have two years to get to be on this carpet it's a dream come true."

Amy Adams, also nominated in the Best Actress in a Leading Role category for her role in "The Master" said she really doesn't dwell on whether she'll win an Oscar or not.

"I honestly don't think about it. I know that sounds like a real canned answer but I don't think about winning an Oscar. When you're working you don't think about it and even here tonight I'm not thinking about it. I'm just thinking about not having people step on my train and having a really good time."

This is Adams' fourth Oscar nomination.

Married actors Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones said they were on the clock at this year's telecast. Zeta-Jones is performing a number from "Chicago" while Douglas is presenting an award.

"It's a bit of a working night but it's a great one as always at the Oscars," said the actress, who won an Oscar for her supporting role in "Chicago" in 2002.

T/I: 10:29:49

9811

Oscars Fashion / March 6th / Los Angeles / ENT 1

Fred Hayman dresses the stars on Oscars night

With Oscar night a mere two weeks away, the great and the good of Tinseltown are busying themselves for the most prestigious night of the year. To help them look a million dollars come March 24th, one of Hollywood's most trusted fashion experts, Fred Hayman, comes to the rescue of the nervy stars. The fashion veteran runs the exclusive Fred Hayman Beverly Hills store situated in a prime location on the corner of Rodeo Drive. The boutique has become an international magnet for celebrities throughout the year, but during February and March the place is a mad house. For the past ten years Hayman has been acting as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Specialist Fashion Co-Ordinator for the Oscar

Awards Ceremony. On Friday, a special preview Oscars fashion show took place at A.M.P.A.S. where Hayman was Emcee. On show, was a selection of exquisite haute couture clothes supplied on loan by some of the world's most gifted designers. American designers such as Bill Blass, Tommy Hilfiger and Donna Karan were on display along with European creations from John Galliano, GianFranco Ferre, Paco Rabanne and Giorgio Armani - all hoping to jump on the publicity bonanza surrounding the Oscars.

SHOWS:

EXT. OF ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURES, ARTS AND SCIENCES AND ZOOM INTO SIGN; GV OF OSCAR STATUE INSIDE BHILDING; PAN BACKSTAGE OF MODEL GETTING READY FOR FASHION SHOW; FRED HAYMAN EMCEE'S SHOW OPEING WITH JOHN GALLIANO DRESS; B ROLL AT RECEPTION WITH FRED HAYMAN; INTERVIEW FRED HAYMAN; MORE OSCAR DRESSES; INTERVIEW FRED HAYMAN; FINALE WITH ALL MODEL ON CATWALK.

SHOTLIST

AMPAS Pool

79th Annual Academy Awards, Los Angeles, 25 February 2007

1. Wide arrivals line

2. Actors Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard on arrivals line

3. Fashion shot Jessie Biel

4. Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson blows kiss to photographers

5. Oscar winner Rachel Weisz poses for photographers

6. Fashion shot Jennifer Lopez

7. Actor Penelope Cruz poses for photographers

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 13 February 2008

8. Runway shot

9. Photographers

10. Runway shot

11. Camera operators

12. Runway shot

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Patty Fox/Oscar Fashion Show Coordinator:

"Well, on the red carpet at the Academy Awards, you will see a myriad of colors, and, hopefully, the actress chooses the right color for their skin tone. But you'll also see shapely silhouettes. Some of the gowns are actually form-fitting, and shaped with corsalettes inside. So they create the shape if you don't have it, or fit your shape, if you do."

14. Runway shot

15. Wide stylists at work on models

16. Makeup artists working on models

17. Closeup makeup artist doing model's lips

18. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeffrey Paul/Makeup Artist:

"In terms of trends, I think we're going to see two different things: There is the old Hollywood, and that's any kind of period, anything that reminiscent of the silver screen. And we're going to see a smoky eye, something that's modern and current and brings out the personality of the individual."

19. Makeup model poses

20. Hair stylist and model

21. SOUNDBITE (English) Roy Teeluck, Hair and Makeup Coordinator:

"Well, I'm hoping to see some back-to-some-classical looks: some extra work, some extra care taken in putting the hair up, elegance to its highest level, and something that works with the sparkling jewelry that we're seeing now on the red carpet. Everybody's represented -- from designers, hair stylists, makeup artists. So, I just hope that the whole look comes together, and looks extremely elegant, and well thought out and worked out."

22. Closeup diamond earrings with pull out to reveal necklace

23. Closeup earrings

24. Wide Martin Katz jewelry display

25. Closeup earrings and ring

26. SOUNDBITE (English) Neil Lane/Jeweler:

"We have a combination of all these styles today: You have retro glamour, 1950s glamour, 1920s glamor of Hollywood. So you have to combine all these styles, so you just can't pick one, because the styles today are not like 1920s, they're not art deco. They're 2008 styles, and that's a combination so many past styles. So you're going to have Victorian type of jewels. You're going to have colorful type of jewels. You need to be able to incorporate all these different sorts of styles. There's so many fashion designers today, that every look is different and you have to be prepared to be ready to jewel a movie star."

AMPAS Pool

79th Annual Academy Awards, Los Angeles, 25 February 2007

27. Actor Kirsten Dunst poses for photographers

28. Fashion shot Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon

29. Fashion shot Oscar winner Cate Blanchett

30. Fashion shot actor Abigail Breslin

31. Fashion shot actor Naomi Watts

32. Fashion shot Oscar winner Kate Winslet

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 13 February 2008

33. SOUNDBITE (English) Neil Lane/Jeweler:

"Well, I think it's because it's the most looked-upon of all the award shows, globally. Globally today, fashion styles and designs have a huge influence and a big impact on economical developments. And fashion, it's actually one of the things that I'm very happy to be involved in Hollywood, I do: We transport beautiful girls, beautiful clothes, beautiful jewels around the world. And they make people happy. And they go out and buy stuff. So, economically, we help the whole world."

AMPAS Pool

79th Annual Academy Awards, Los Angeles, 25 February 2007

34. Beyonce posing for photographers

35. Oscar winner Nicole Kidman racing into theatre

36. Wide arrivals line

37. Push into Kodak Theatre entrance

STORYLINE

OSCAR FASHION

Expect a fashion fusion on the red carpet at next week's Academy Awards.

"You will see a myriad of colors," noted Patty Fox, who coordinates the annual pre-Oscars fashion show, which was held earlier this week at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences offices in Beverly Hills. "But you'll also see shapely silhouettes. Some of the gowns are actually form-fitting, and shaped with corsalettes inside. So they create the shape if you don't have it, or fit your shape, if you do."

As for makeup? "In terms of trends, I think we're going to see two different things," commented makeup artist Jeffrey Paul: "There is the old Hollywood, and that's any kind of period, anything that reminiscent of the silver screen. And we're going to see a smoky eye, something that's modern and current and brings out the personality of the individual."

Hair, too, will reflect actress taste more than the latest in styles. "I'm hoping to see some back-to-some-classical looks: some extra work, some extra care taken in putting the hair up, elegance to its highest level, and something that works with the sparkling jewelry that we're seeing now on the red carpet," said stylist Roy Teeluck. Everybody's represented -- from designers, hair stylists, makeup artists. So, I just hope that the whole look comes together, and looks extremely elegant, and well thought out and worked out."

The majority of women on the arrivals line will be wearing diamond earrings, as per jeweller Neil Lane. But, otherwise, jewelry is going to be anyone's guess. "We have a combination of all these styles today: You have retro glamour, 1950s glamour, 1920s glamour of Hollywood. So you have to combine all these styles, so you just can't pick one, because the styles today are not like 1920s, they're not art deco. They're 2008 styles, and that's a combination so many past styles. So you're going to have Victorian type of jewels. You're going to have colourful type of jewels. You need to be able to incorporate all these different sorts of styles. There's so many fashion designers today, that every look is different and you have to be prepared to be ready to jewel a movie star."

The 80th annual Academy Awards is set for Sunday, 24 February 2008.

SHOTLIST

Associated Press Television

Los Angeles 25 February 2007

1. Wide red carpet tilt down mini Oscar

2. Close-up gold Oscar tilt down

3. Medium Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard

4. Wide Jessica Biel

5. Medium Rachel Weisz tilt up

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Rachel Weisz: "I thought it was very romantic. It is kind of a czarina dress. I think she is running away from the Bolsheviks and she had sown her jewels into her hand."

7. Medium Nicole Kidman

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Mary Alice Stephenson/ Fashion Expert: "There was a lot of exciting trends on the red carpet tonight. A lot of strapless gowns. I thought Rachel Weisz looked stunning her Vera Wang strapless gown. A lot of light colors, for example tonight we are seeing Kate Winslet in Valentino in a sea foam green draped chiffon dress. She looked like a goddess, she got it right. Bravo to Kate Winslet. Metallics are another big trend on the red carpet, Cate Blanchett in her Armani Prive to die for. The girls are getting it right."

9. Medium Cate Blanchett tilt down

10. Medium Celine Dion

11. Medium Gwyneth Paltrow

12. Medium Helen Mirren

13. SOUNDBITE: (English) Helen Mirren: "I didn't so much choose it. In a way it chose me. It wasn't like I looked at a whole load of dresses I just decided to work with LaCroix who is so incredibly generous, gave up so much time and sent people to fit me. It was an extraordinary experience. Just getting the dress was one of the most amazing experiences of my life."

14. SOUNDBITE: (English) Beyonce: "I love this dress because it was very classic and timeless. It is very classic and timeless. I love the color. It is young and sexy but still it is appropriate for the Oscars. It is timeless. It was very difficult. It is Armani. He designed a couple of dresses for me. It was had to choose but I am very happy."

15. Wide Beyonce

16. Close-up Kate Winslet

17. SOUNDBITE: (English) Mary Alice Stephenson/ Fashion Expert: "On the other hand, Jennifer Hudson just didn't do it for me tonight. It was her big night, I am sorry to see the python Valera just didn't work for me. Oscar de la Renta is a star. He is a star on the red carpet. He is one of our most important designers in the world. Somehow this just didn't look good."

18. Medium Jennifer Hudson

19. SOUNDBITE: (English) Mary Alice Stephenson/ Fashion Expert: "Cameron Diaz was wearing Valentino. Didn't quite like Cameron's dress but I loved the Cartier jewels and I love the clutch but the dress wasn't my favorite."

20. Medium Cameron Diaz

21. SOUNDBITE: (English) Mary Alice Stephenson/ Fashion Expert: "The guys are classic, cool, clean cut, most of them are in simple tuxedos. Big news on the red carpet is the Armani coup. Mr. Armani had outfitted pretty much every star tonight. From George Clooney to Leonardo Di Caprio to Mark Wahlberg and on and on and on. It is a big night for Giorgio Armani on the red carpet and he is here as well."

22. Close up Giorgio Armani

23. SOUNDBITE (english) Giorgio Armani:

"..Yes it was the first time. It was even risky because I didn't want to take out any attention from the Oscars ..."

24. Medium Mark Wahlberg

OSCAR FASHION

Almost as important as who takes home those coveted gold statues at the Academy Awards, is what the celebrities are wearing.

The common complaint about Oscar fashion choices of the past few years is that stars played it too safe. Not so this year.

Fashion expert Mary Alice Stephenson says overall she is impressed with the star attire on this year's Oscars red carpet.

"There was a lot of exciting trends on the red carpet tonight," Stephenson told Associated Press Television. "A lot of strapless gowns. I thought Rachel Weisz looked stunning her Vera Wang strapless gown. A lot of light colors, for example tonight we are seeing Kate Winslet in Valentino in a sea foam green draped chiffon dress. She looked like a goddess, she got it right. Bravo to Kate Winslet. Metallics are another big trend on the red carpet, Cate Blanchett in her Armani Prive to die for. The girls are getting it right."

Helen Mirren shined in her metallic silver dress.

"I didn't so much choose it. In a way it chose me. It wasn't like I looked at a whole load of dresses I just decided to work with LaCroix who is so incredibly generous, gave up so much time and sent people to fit me. It was an extraordinary experience. Just getting the dress was one of the most amazing experiences of my life."

Silver may have been the color of the night as nominee Cate Blanchett also opted for a skin tight silver Armani sequined design.

Beyonce also wore Armani. "I love this dress because it was very classic and timeless," Beyonce said. "It is very classic and timeless. I love the color. It is young and sexy but still it is appropriate for the Oscars. It is timeless. It was very difficult. It is Armani. He designed a couple of dresses for me. It was had to choose but I am very happy."

While Beyonce got it right, her 'Dreamgirls' costar Jennifer Hudson got it wrong.

"On the other hand, Jennifer Hudson just didn't do it for me tonight," Stephenson says. "It was her big night, I am sorry to see the python Valera just didn't work for me. Oscar de la Renta is a star. He is a star on the red carpet. He is one of our most important designers in the world. Somehow this just didn't look good."

Of course attention went to the ladies, but one man stole the show: designer Giorgio Armani.

"The guys are classic, cool, clean cut, most of them are in simple tuxedos," Stephenson says. "Big news on the red carpet is the Armani coup. Mr. Armani had outfitted pretty much every star tonight. From George Clooney to Leonardo Di Caprio to Mark Wahlberg and on and on and on. It is a big night for Giorgio Armani on the red carpet and he is here as well."

SHOTLIST:-

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 2 March 2006

1. Pan from Hollywood Boulevard to Oscars-arrivals site

2. Workers roll out red carpet

3. Pan of tents covering arrivals area

4. Pan from Oscar statue to workers covering carpet to Kodak Theatre marquee

5. Wide Kodak Theatre marquee and Oscar statue

6. Works covering arrivals area in plastic

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Jose Polacios/Oscar Setup Crewperson:

"Right now we are protecting the carpet because a lot of people go back and forth because a lot of workers are here, so we have to protect the carpet because we have to keep it clean ready for the stars, ready for Sunday. So that's basically what we are doing, especially if it rains, we don't want it to get wet."

8. Worker wheeling in hedge

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Luis Reyes/Jackson Shrub:

"There is 660 feet of these hedges, and we've got 4 by 7."

10. Closeup of hedges

11. Lattices

12. Workers wheeling in flowers

13. Wide arrivals area

14. Wide reporters in tent

15. Closeup appetisers

16. Chef Wolfgang Puck speaks to reporters

17. SOUNDBITE (English) Wolfgang Puck/Chef, on coming up with Governors Ball recipes:

"I think I know the recipe, I can make it really fast and really easily so I think to me, it's not that hard, it's just the execution which is the most difficult thing because to make thousands of Oscars or thousands of little cones and then make risotto for 1600 people, it takes organisation".

18. Closeup of Oscar-shaped salmon on Oscar-shaped crackers

19. Shot of Gran Patron tequila bottles with pan to glasses

20. Pan from wine glasses to bottle of Sterling wine

21. SOUNDBITE (English) Chris Millard/Sterling Vineyards Winemaker:

"We've got two wines here for the governors ball, we have our 2004 Gold Standard reserve Chardonay from Sterling vineyards as well as our 2002 red carpet reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, these wines are made exclusively for the governors ball, there are about 300 cases of each and the only place you can find these wines is Sunday night at the governors ball. "

SOUNDBITE (English) Carol Cecchetto/Producer, Governors Ball:

"You have to be nominated, or you have to be one of the governors, you have to produce one of these great movies this year, and it's a really tough ticket because it's only like 50 or 60 guests actually are attending the ball, of course the theatre holds 3300 guests. So it's a really tough ticket but you can taste the wine today so that's sort of a special opportunity for each and every one of you. It's only the people at the governors ball and the media today that get to taste the wine."

AMPAS pool feed

22. Montage of shots from 2005 Governors Ball

OSCAR PREPS CONTINUE

A day after they began, workers were still rolling out portions of red carpet in Hollywood Thursday - then covering it up with plastic, and under a huge clear tent, just in case of rain.

Hundreds of square feet of hedges and miles of cables now can be found along a half-block of Hollywood Boulevard in front of the Kodak Theatre, site of Sunday's 78th Annual Academy Awards.

Thursday morning marked the Academy's first-ever red-carpet media preview of wines to be served at the Sunday night's second-hottest ticket, the Academy-hosted Governors ball, which is attended by virtually all nominees. Sterling Vineyards offered samples of its limited-edition Red Carpet Reserve wines, to be served exclusively at the ball.

Forecasters at www.weather.com predict Hollywood will have rain for Friday, sun for Saturday, and partly cloudy conditions for Oscar Sunday.