Annie's Oscar Notes (2011 edition)

A week has passed since the Oscars, a.k.a. the longest, craziest, most surreal day of my year.  (I apologize for the delay in my recap... an overbooked post-Oscar week left me no time for blogging. Boo). While not enough time has passed for me to catch up on much needed sleep (I am still so very exhausted), enough time has passed for some of my initial amazement and awe at February 27th's dreamlike event to start to wane.  Parts of it are such a blur!  I figured I should record and relive my favorite Oscar moments here before any more magical details escape me.

That was an updated version of the opening to my Oscar recap post from last year, but I feel it completely rings true for this year as well. Working the beloved Academy Awards was excellent, exhilarating, and exhausting, and I am so thankful and happy I got to be a part of it again.  Here are some memorable observations and anecdotes from the exciting night... 

It's nice to NOT be in charge of 800 people. 

As a member of the Academy marketing team the past two years, I was in charge of a 30 person bleacher crew and 750 fans from around the world who won coveted seats in the bleachers lining the red carpet.  Coordinating and overseeng this is no easy undertaking, to say the least.  This year, I was simply a member of the bleacher crew, and I must say it was so nice to not have the pressure of being in charge! I simply showed up (at the very early call time of 6:30 AM) and did what the new people in my old position told me to do. Easy breezy.

Sorry guy-who-amputated-your-own-arm, Timberlake's in the house. 

The real mountain climber who inspired the six-time nominee "127 Hours", Aron Ralston, was in attendance, which I thought was very cool. (Too bad the real Mark Zuckerberg didn't come to join the Social Network party... boo). As I mentioned in my last post, that was the one Best Picture nominee that I didn't have a chance to see before the show, but I know the gist: it's a true story about a guy who gets trapped under a boulder while mountain climbing and is forced to amputate his own arm (eek!). Well, as this truly brave and inspiring man was having his few minutes in the spotlight to be interviewed on the main stage of the red carpet, he was suddenly completely overshadowed and cut off by an onslaught of abnormally LOUD screams from all the bleacher fans. The cause of this rude interruption of screams? Justin Timberlake. Of all the people for JT to outshine, why did it have to be the guy with one arm? 

The Governors Ball never ceases to amaze me. 

This gorgeous champagne lounge was a popular spot for guest throughout the night (Russel Brand seemed to be particularly fond of it). Later in the evening, it transformed into a revolving stage for an extremely talented and entertaining Mambo band. 

Russell Brand hanging out on the champagne lounge, as mentioned above. ;-) 

Here's my description of the ball from last year (which, again, echoes my thoughts exactly from this year's experience): It's honestly a bit unbelievable to be in such a beautiful setting for the official Oscar after-party.  The decorations, the lighting, the set up...everything was simply breathtaking.  To make it all the better, I was joined at this gorgeous party by all the Oscar winners, nominees, and other VIPs. My "job" was to stand at the top of one of the staircases and ask these beautiful people if they wanted to do the press line. Umm..okay. Don't mind if I do. 

Armie Hammer is funny and nice.

As "The Social Network" was hands down my favorite film of the year, I was very excited to see the entire cast walking up my designated staircase.  :-)  There was an ever-so-slight incline at the top of the stairs and there was another girl stationed there to warn people to "watch their step" and direct them to their dinner tables.  The elderly guests appreciated the cautionary warning.  The group of young able-bodied Social Networkers, however, thought it was funny.  When Armie made it to the top of the stairs,  he over-animatedly pretended that he was about to completely fall down the stairs because of the small incline. I said, "Good thing she warned you...!" To which he laughed and said, "I know! That could have been terrible!"  It was cute and funny.  Unrelated sidenote: his wife is gorgeous (as is he). 

Moms make good Oscar dates.

Whether it's due to the mothers' requests because they're bursting with pride that their talented sons are going to the Oscars or whether it's because the hot girlfriends are out of town on Oscar Sunday, many guys bring their moms as their date to the show.  A few people I saw with their sweet mamas this year: Russell Brand, Justin Timberlake, Jesse Eisenberg, and Jeremy Renner (who so cutely made sure his mother was very careful to watch her step on the treacherous slight incline mentioned above). Everyone together now... awwww. :-)

Russell Brand is ridiculous.  And hilarious. 

My funniest interaction of the night goes to this unpredictable, Katy Perry-loving Brit. He and his "mum" came up my staircase. Usually, just a few brief words are exchanged. "Hi! Enjoy the party!" or "Hi! Would you like to do the press line?" (to nominees mainly). Brand, however, was a bit different.  He came up and put both hands on my shoulders and said in his thick British accent, 

"I've got a very important question for you..." 

Me: "Okay, what's that?"

Brand: "Where can we get a double espresso?"

(I wasn't 100% sure of this answer to this, so I guessed and hoped that I was right...)

Me: "There's a bar right over there and there's a dessert and champagne bar in the back. They'd probably be able to get you an espresso there..."

Brand: "Wait a second, where are you from?"

Me: "Oklahoma."

Brand: "Oh, then you don't really know what you're talking about..."

In written form, that probably looks like a completely rude jab at my homeland, but it was delivered totally jokingly. He, his mum and I all laughed.  Then a slew of photographers came to snap pictures of them and I silently prayed that I told him the right place to get a double-espresso. (I still don't know if I led him astray or not... but I'm from Oklahoma, so I guess that's to be expected). ;-)

Eli Wallach (the sweet old man from "The Holiday") is the most adorable person in the world.

It's a commonly known fact that I really love old people. I adore the friendship between Kate Winslet's character and Eli Wallach's character in "The Holiday" (it is the inspiration behind my 85-year-old friend crush, but that's a whole other story).  I was so happy that darling Eli would be in attendance at the Governors Ball as he was a recipient of one of the honorary Oscars at the Governors Awards in November. He was so spunky and adorable on the Red Carpet, waving his walking cane at the bleacher fans. Much to my delight, he said, "hi dear," as he walked past me at the ball, and my heart absolutely melted. I love him!  I want to be his friend like Kate Winslet in the movie. Mr. Wallach... want to hang out??  

Jeff Bridges is quite possibly one of the coolest people ever.

This incumbent Best Actor winner and current Best Actor nominee is seriously a badass.  He did the press line with his gorgeous wife (of 34 years!) and three daughters (who look just like their mom).  I found this to be extremely endearing because a.) nominees who don't win usually do NOT want to do the press line and b.) people usually do not bring their families along with them for these mini interviews.  At the end of the press line the Bridges fam congregated right by me and caught up with some friends (including Rick Baker who had his Oscar for Best Achievement in Make Up in tow) for a bit before heading to their table. One of Jeff's beautiful daughters is pregnant and he was especially excited to show that off.  I saw him several other times throughout the night talking to many different people who came to his table to chat.  He's one of those people you can just tell that everyone really likes and he seems to like everyone as well. I definitely wouldn't mind being friends with him either. ;-)

There you have it! Some of my favorite Oscar moments from this year.  I should have photos from the professional photographers at the ball sometime soon, so I'll post those as well.  It was an absolutely lovely magical night... and as per usual...

I'd like to thank the Academy. 

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