All hail The Power of Two: The Best Dressed Couples at the 86th Annual Academy Awards

Images photographed by Michael Yada, Greg Harbaugh, Ton Lew, Matt Petit, Aaron Poole and Bryan Crowe, Courtesy of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences/A.M.P.A.S.

Every couple knows that the power of two can withstand the most terrifying of social situations. And so it was at the Oscars this past Sunday when the following couples, through the power of two, presented as perfect a picture of class and elegance as could be expected. I dinged Will Smith earlier, but let’s face it, Jada Pinkett Smith’s Grecian gown elevates them both to new heights. here now are the Best Dressed Couples on at the 86th Annual Academy Awards.

Julius Tennon (left) and Viola Davis arrive for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Julius Tennon (left) and Viola Davis arrive for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell arrive for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell arrive for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan arrive for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan arrive for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart arrive for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart arrive for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Oscar®-nominee Amy Adams and Darren Le Gallo arrive for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Oscar®-nominee Amy Adams and Darren Le Gallo arrive for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Oscar®-nominee Pharrell Williams and wife arrive for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Oscar®-nominee Pharrell Williams and wife arrive for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Oscar®-nominee Ethan Hawke and guest arrive for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Oscar®-nominee Ethan Hawke and guest arrive for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Oscar®-nominee Steve McQueen arrives with guest for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Oscar®-nominee Steve McQueen arrives with guest for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Olivia Wilde and Jason Sudeikis arrive for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Olivia Wilde and Jason Sudeikis arrive for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Oscar®-nominee Christian Bale and Sibi Blazic arrive for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Oscar®-nominee Christian Bale and Sibi Blazic arrive for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

86th Oscars, Arrivals

Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith

86th Oscars, Arrivals

John Ridley and Guest 

86th Oscars, Arrivals

Oscar®-nominated actor Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves arrives for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Oscar®-nominated actor Jonah Hill and Sharon Lyn Chalkin arrive for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Oscar®-nominated actor Jonah Hill and Sharon Lyn Chalkin arrive for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Oscar®-nominated for Best Picture, Brad Pitt arrives with Angelina Jolie for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Oscar®-nominated for Best Picture, Brad Pitt arrives with Angelina Jolie for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Oscar®-nominated director Alfonso Cuaron and  Sheherazade Goldsmith arrive for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Oscar®-nominated director Alfonso Cuaron and Sheherazade Goldsmith arrive for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Oscar®-nominated actor Chiwetel Ejiofor and Sari Mercer arrive for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Oscar®-nominated actor Chiwetel Ejiofor and Sari Mercer arrive for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Oscar®-nominated actor Chiwetel Ejiofor and Sari Mercer arrive for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Oscar®-nominated actor Chiwetel Ejiofor and Sari Mercer arrive for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Elsa Pataky and Chris Hemsworth arrive for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Elsa Pataky and Chris Hemsworth arrive for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Continue reading

Best Dressed Men At the 86th Annual Oscars: Young Stars Reigns Supreme

All Images photographed by Michael Yada, Greg Harbaugh, Tom Lew, Matt Petit, Aaron Poole, and Bryan Crowe, Courtesy of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences/A.M.P.A.S.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt arrives for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt arrives for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Youth lead the way among the men at the just -concluded 86th Annual Oscars in Hollywood. The problem, for the past several years among men in Hollywood, has been that they can get too creative in interpreting the meaning of “Black Tie”. We have all seen disastrous attempts that has sank more than a few male stars–and still they try. For men, black tie at an event such as the Oscars means that you pull out all the stops to best represent your self and your brand, which nowadays can be one and the same for everyone. As such, Joseph Gordon Levitt, John Legend and Leonardo DiCaprio all stood out from all the others. Best Supporting Actor winner Jared Leto pushed the envelope with a white tuxedo jacket paired with red bowtie yet still managed to stay within the confines of looking elegant and confident. The same goes for best Actor winner Matthew M. Blue tuxedos also ruled the night, with Kevin Spacey leading the charge on that front. Others–John Stamos, for example, went for that black-on-black-on-black look to great effect. Stamos always looks dashingly handsome on the red carpet, so yeah, he drew outside the lines but still  have my vote for being one of the best-looking men who walks the face of the earth. Finally, some people can’t help themselves. Will Smith, who came with the gorgeously turned out Jada Pinkett Smith, looked like he was auditioning for the Sammy Davis Jr role in a remake of the Rat Pack movies.

86th Oscars, Arrivals

Jason Sudeikis arrives for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Jason Sudeikis arrives for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Oscar®-nominated actor Bradley Cooper arrives for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Oscar®-nominated actor Bradley Cooper arrives for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Oscar®-nominated director Alexander Payne arrives for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre o

Oscar®-nominated director Alexander Payne arrives for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre o

Oscar nominee Vincent Landay arrives for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Oscar nominee Vincent Landay arrives for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Continue reading

Mirror, Mirror, On the Wall, Who was the Fairest of Them All?

RECAPING THE BEST DRESSED PARADE ON THE 2013 ACADEMY AWARDS RED CARPET

All Images photographed by Michael Yada, Greg Harbaugh, Tom Lew, Matt Petit, Aaron Poole, and Bryan Crowe, courtesy of the A.M.P.A.S.

The red carpet action at the just-concluded 2013 Oscar Awards ceremony (the 86th Annual Academy Awards) was not especially exciting, but that was to be expected. After all, no one wants to be taunted and mocked like Kim Basinger (who designed and sewed her own dress for the year she won her Oscar), Bjork (with the dead swan hanging from her neck) or Cher (looking like a Native American Princess when she won for Moonstruck). It was a parade of pretty safe colors, Veronica Lake hair, minimal jewelry (most discreet gold and platinum) and red lips all around. All in all, not a bad showing, but still.

Oscar®-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o arrives for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Oscar®-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o arrives for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Oscar®-nominated actress, Lupita Nyong'o arrives for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Oscar®-nominated actress, Lupita Nyong’o arrives for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

But having said all that, there are always winners and losers in the race and the absolute, number one with a bullet winner was Lupita Nyong’o (Patsey in Best Picture Winner 12 Years a Slave) who won the Best Supporting Actress Award Sunday night. From her very first appearance on the red carpet wearing red Ralph Lauren Collection at the beginning of the awards season to her being a stunning reflection of international beauty in a blue pleated Prada dress on Sunday, she has been the very essence of graceful elegant. No one else outshone her at the ceremony and her youthful humility and natural ease puts her heads above all others.

Because no really crossed the line into abject failure, the rest of the women also proved to just as bewitching, although there was some successful failures. Among my favorites were Bette Midler, Charlize Theron, Jennifer Garner, Penelope Cruz, Emma Watson and Jennifer Lawrence.

Penelope Cruz arrives for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, C

Penelope Cruz  in pink Gianbattista Valli gown arrives for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, 

Oscar®-nominated actress Cate Blanchett arrives for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Oscar®-nominated actress Cate Blanchett in a nude Armani Prive gown arrives for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Oscar®-nominated actress Jennifer Lawrence arrives for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Oscar®-nominated actress Jennifer Lawrence in Dior Haute Couture gown arrives for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Jada Pinkett Smith arrives for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Jada Pinkett Smith arrives for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Jenna Dewan-Tatum arrives for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Jenna Dewan-Tatum arrives for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Kate Hudson arrives for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Kate Hudson arrives in white Versace for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA.

Continue reading

Swarovski Celebrates Seven Years Of Lighting Up The Oscars®

Swarovski is honored to be the key creative ingredient on the world’s most revered stage for the seventh year at the Oscars. Tony Award-winning production designer, Derek McLane, has partnered with Swarovski for a second year to crystallize the Dolby Digital Theater. The full design concept and visuals of the set will remain a closely guarded secret until the live telecast on tonight, when the Oscars will be broadcast across the globe on ABC at 7 PM EST.

79th Academy Awards

79th Academy Awards

Jennifer Hudson, Anika Noni Rose, Beyonce, Keith Robinson

Jennifer Hudson, Anika Noni Rose, Beyonce, Keith Robinson

82nd Academy Awards, Telecast

82nd Academy Awards, Telecast

81st Academy Awards Telecast

81st Academy Awards Telecast

Due to Swarovski’s long-standing history in film, it felt natural to bring crystal to the Oscar’s stage. 2007 marked the first year Swarovski sponsored the set design with a 34 foot, one-ton custom crystal curtain for the Dream Girls performance. This year, Derek McLane will incorporate about 165,000 crystals into a design that will leave Hollywood’s brightest stars and viewers at home with a brilliant impression.

Swarovski has been dazzling movie-goers with enchanting crystallized costume and set designs since the 1930s. Swarovski made its Hollywood debut in the 1932 film Blonde Venus, starring Marlene Dietrich who shimmered in statement jewelry pieces and embellished dresses. Since then, Swarovski sparkled in costumes worn by award winning actresses such as Judy Garland in the Wizard of Oz, Marilyn Monroe in Gentleman Prefer Blondes,Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s and more recently, Jennifer Hudson in Dream Girls and Nicole Kidmanin Moulin Rouge. Custom shimmering costumes, decor and chandeliers have also made appearances in Black SwanSkyfall and The Great Gatsby.

Oscar Set 2011

Oscar Set 2011

2012 Oscar Stage Design by John Myhre

2012 Oscar Stage Design by John Myhre

Adele performing on the 2013 Oscar stage designed by Derek McLane

Adele performing on the 2013 Oscar stage designed by Derek McLane

Production Designer Derek McLane commented: “I am honored to partner with Swarovski for a second year on the set design for the Oscars®. Swarovski crystals are not only glamorous, but innovative. They allow me to create unique designs that bring extra magic to the Oscars stage and this year we will have exciting elements within the decor.”

Nadja Swarovski, Member of the Executive Board, Swarovski Crystal Business commented:“Swarovski’s history on the silver screen goes back to the early years of Hollywood and has sparkled with unforgettable moments ever since Dorothy tapped her crystal-encrusted ruby slippers, so we are delighted once again to play a supporting role at the Oscars. The Oscars represent talent, creativity, glamour and excitement – values that glow at the heart of Swarovski. Derek McLane’s stage design is captivating and Swarovski is thrilled to partner with him for a second year running.”

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Celebrates the Nominees in Events Leading Up to Oscar Night 2014

All images photographed by Matt Petit, Aaron Poole and Robert Gladden, Courtesy of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences/A.M.P.A.S. 

For the first time as part of its annual Oscar Week events, the Academy presented a live “Oscar Concert” celebrating this year’s nominated scores and songs on Thursday, February 27, at 8 p.m. at UCLA’s Royce Hall. The program featured an 80-piece orchestra performing suites from each of the nominated original scores, conducted by their composers. The concert also featured this year’s nominated original songs, including “Let It Go” from “Frozen,” performed by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, and “Happy” from “Despicable Me 2,” performed by Jill Scott.

Host Common prior to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' “The Oscar Concert” on Thursday, February 27, 2014 at Royce Hall in Los Angeles.

Host Common prior to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ “The Oscar Concert” on Thursday, February 27, 2014 at Royce Hall in Los Angeles.

Academy Governor Charles Fox, host Common, Academy CEO Dawn Hudson and film critic Elvis Mitchell during the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' “The Oscar Concert” on Thursday, February 27, 2014 at Royce Hall in Los Angeles. The Oscars® will be presented on Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre® in Hollywood, CA and televised live by the ABC Television Network.

Academy Governor Charles Fox, host Common, Academy CEO Dawn Hudson and film critic Elvis Mitchell during the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ “The Oscar Concert” on Thursday, February 27, 2014 at Royce Hall in Los Angeles. 

Oscar® nominees Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez performs "Let It Go" from the film "Frozen" during the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' “The Oscar Concert” on Thursday, February 27, 2014 at Royce Hall in Los Angeles.

Oscar® nominees Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez performs “Let It Go” from the film “Frozen” during the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ “The Oscar Concert” on Thursday, February 27, 2014 at Royce Hall in Los Angeles.

Oscar® nominated composer Steven Price conducts a suite from his score for "Gravity" during the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' “The Oscar Concert” on Thursday, February 27, 2014 at Royce Hall in Los Angeles. The Oscars® will be presented on Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre® in Hollywood, CA and televised live by the ABC Television Network.

Oscar® nominated composer Steven Price conducts a suite from his score for “Gravity” during the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ “The Oscar Concert” on Thursday, February 27, 2014 at Royce Hall in Los Angeles. 

Oscar® nominated composer Alexandre Desplat conducts a suite from his score for "Philomena" during the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' “The Oscar Concert” on Thursday, February 27, 2014 at Royce Hall in Los Angeles.

Oscar® nominated composer Alexandre Desplat conducts a suite from his score for “Philomena” during the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ “The Oscar Concert” on Thursday, February 27, 2014 at Royce Hall in Los Angeles.

Continue reading

Two-Time Academy Award Winner Audrey Hepburn Returns To The Red Carpet

DOVE® Chocolate Features Hepburn in Cinematic TV Ad to Air during 2014 OSCARS® ‘Red Carpet Live’

DOVE® Chocolate is rolling out the red carpet this Sunday, Mar. 2, for its newest TV ad, which features Audrey Hepburn and is airing during the OSCARS® “Red Carpet Live” on ABC. The cinematic ad for DOVE® Dark Chocolate uses 3D computer-generated technology to capture Hepburn’s classic style and infectious smile.

1779044_10152236237649561_1310467531_n

The ad shows a stylish Hepburn taking a tour of an Italian town by bus, which gets stuck in a traffic jam. Out her window, a handsome stranger in a convertible tempts her to leave the bus and ride with him. She accepts the offer and playfully hops into the backseat. As they drive away, she rewards herself with a bite of a DOVE® Dark Chocolate bar and leans back with a pleased expression.

We cast Audrey Hepburn for this new ad because she’s timeless and truly embodies the DOVE® Chocolate consumer,” said Roy Benin, Chief Consumer Officer, Mars Chocolate North America. “Hepburn possesses a spark in her eye and radiates the confidence to make choices that are more enjoyable to her.

To recreate Hepburn’s appearance and gestures, the visual effects (VFX) team at Framestore, in partnership with the BBDO network, used the star’s entire feature film catalog and all available photographs as reference. Many scenes required frame-by-frame hand animation techniques to ensure the model was authentic from every possible angle.

Hepburn’s children, Sean Ferrer and Luca Dotti, encouraged the use of their mother’s image and likeness in the ad, which originally launched last year in the UK to promote Galaxy chocolate bar.  Ferrer said, “Our mother loved rewarding herself with a piece of chocolate, but it always had to be dark chocolate.”

The tagline – “It’s not just dark. It’s DOVE®.” – reinforces that DOVE® Dark Chocolate is unlike any other dark chocolate experience. As the #1 solid dark chocolate brand1, the never-bitter, silky-smooth taste of DOVE® Dark Chocolate is guaranteed to make people reconsider dark chocolate altogether.

The new TV spot will air on Networks such as MTV, Adult Swim, A&E, Bravo and Lifetime reaching Adults, ages 18 to 49, throughout 2014. For more information about DOVE® Chocolate and to view the new TV ad, please visit www.Facebook.com/DoveChocolate.

Four Seasons Hotel LA at Beverly Hills Partners with Hollywood Swag Bag for VIP Guests During Oscars

Hollywood Swag Bag joins forces with Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills to bring gifts into the rooms of the VIP guests and talent.

Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills Guest rooms sell out months in advance for the festivities of Awards Season and the unique gifts provided during each Awards Season give the VIP’s another reason to return, beyond the impeccable service and amenities of the hotel.

Each year Lisa Gal Bianchi, CEO of Hollywood Swag Bag, pulls out all stops to bring fabulous cutting edge products in front of a very anticipated audience. “We like to keep the bags looking and feeling luxurious, and prefer to introduce the talent to new products that they might not have heard of before. For each person that acknowledges their swag through social media, Hollywood Swag Bag will give back to a charity of their choice.”

This year guests will be receiving a gorgeous silver sequined bag from www.trumpette.com. Founder of Trumpette, Jon Stevenson will also include his cutting edge men’s socks www.jonstevenson.com, as well as Trumpette Baby Socks. Featured in the bag Alial Fital limited edition men’s polo shirts. Made in the USA, designed by former NFL quarterback Gibran Hamdan. www.alialfital.com. Lilly Melgar from General Hospital has recently launched an amazing line of skincare products. Scentual By Lilly is offering their candles and body butter. www.scentualbylilly.com.

Nicka K New York is providing ABSOLUTE HOT TOURMALINE PRO 4000 hair dryers. www.nicka.com. Dickinson Brands Inc. is adding their witch hazel towelettes. Oakland, California brand Mr. Espresso wants to share their amazing organic & fair trade Neapolitan Espresso for those who need a little pick-me-up during the festivities. www.mrespresso.com. Pure Madness Chocolate encourages everyone to try their famous bars of chocolates with unique flavors such as Hawaiian as well as Dark Spice. www.puremadnesschocolate.com. Sweet Jane Paperie has included custom gifts from their luxury line of fabric invitations and stationary.www.sweetjanepaperie.com The guests will also receive a 2-night stay at The Salamander Resort and Spa in Middleburg, VA. www.SalamanderResort.com.

To avoid a fashion faux pas Edith’s Inc. included The Bezi Bra Discs. www.edithsinc.com. Vaseline is sending along its new products, Spray and Go Moisturizer as well as MEN 24 hour Moisture Spray Lotion.www.vaseline.us. Girly Go Garter is offering its clever leg purse that holds money, phones and cosmetics. Check them out at www.girlygogarter.com.

Gorgeous shell bracelets by Villa Cocoa have come all the way from Australia. www.villacoco.com.au. Drink Neuro is assuring all get restful sleep. www.drinkneuro.com. Food Should Taste Good is adding its signature Sweet Potato Chips, www.foodshouldtastegood.com and Seasnax is adding their amazing seaweed snacks.www.seasnax.com. Larabar will ensure hunger be kept at bay during the ceremony. www.larabar.com. Jennifer Ormond is sharing her children’s book Baby’s Binky Box www.jenniferormond.com

Women’s legs will be in tip-top shape in 9 minutes with Greek Island Labs Adonia Organic’s Leg Tone Serum www.adonialegtone.com. Skintimate Shave Gel will then insure female recipients put their best legs forward. www.skintimate.ca. Gift certificates are being offered for a non-evasive procedure by the new cutting edge Strawberry laser liposuction. www.idealw84u.com Beverly Hills Psychics are offering a free reading www.beverlyhillspsychics.com. Last but not least a favorite product is the Skinny Forever Gum. This gum will control their cravings and appetite for up to 3 hours! www.skinnyforever.com.

Lisa Gal Bianchi CEO and founder of Hollywood Swag Bag and Hollywood Baskets an exclusive 5 star gift basket company catering to the entertainment industry is currently seeking investor or business-acquisition opportunity. Serious inquiries only to lisagalbianchi@gmail.com Hollywood Swag Bag prepares celebrity gift bags for red carpet and charity events. 1-800-379-8219

Hollywood Baskets, Hollywood Swag Bag is not in any way associated with The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, or The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

Ed Sheeran to Perform at the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s 22nd Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party

The Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) announced that it has selected British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran to perform at this year’s Academy Awards Viewing Party to be held on Sunday, March 2, 2014, at West Hollywood Park. This annual gala, sponsored by Chopard, Neuro Drinks and Wells Fargo, is the largest fund-raising event in Hollywood on Oscar night and has raised nearly $40 million to support the Foundation’s mission to achieve an AIDS-free generation.  

I am absolutely delighted to welcome Ed Sheeran to EJAF’s Academy Awards Viewing Party,” said Founder SirElton John.  “I’ve been following his work closely ever since I heard his independent EP, ‘No. 5 Collaborations Project.’  He’s an amazing artist, and I know our guests will be thrilled by his performance.”

Following a handful of independent EP releases, Sheeran’s 2011 major label debut “+” went  platinum six times with nearly two million in sales, debuted at #1 in the Official UK Charts upon release and reclaimed the #1 title at the turn of 2012. This, and the 2.8 million single sales (four in the Top 10), meant Ed had the highest opening sales for a debut male solo artist in the UK ever.  In 2013, Sheeran joined Taylor Swift on her 70 date US tour and was featured in her single “Everything Has Changed.”  Sheeran’s 2013 hit “I See Fire” was featured in the closing credits of Peter Jackson’s hit movie The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.  In the first week of January 2014, Sheeran announced his first UK headline tour since 2012, including four O2 Arena dates, and confirmed that he is adding the finishing touches to his next album. 

I’m thrilled to have been invited to perform at the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s Oscar-night party,” said Sheeran.  “HIV/AIDS is a huge concern for all young people, and I’m delighted to do my part to raise funds for Elton’s vision of a world without AIDS.”

In addition to Sheeran’s performance, guests can look forward to an evening of fun that includes a dinner prepared by internationally renowned Chef Gordon Ramsay, a live auction, and dance tunes spun by DJ Johnny Dynell. The event will play host to a myriad of Hollywood top names, many of whom are committed supporters of the Foundation’s work to provide services, including direct treatment and care for people living with HIV/AIDS in marginalized communities. Among the individuals who will attend the celebration are the 2014 Event Chairs, including Bill and Tani Austin, Johnny and Edwina Barbis, Joseph W. Blount, Jim Carrey, Chris Colfer, John Demsey, Judi Dench, Greg Gorman, Tim Hanlon and Anthony Klatt, Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka, Diana Jenkins, Quincy Jones, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, Billie Jean King and Ilana Kloss, Heidi Klum, Ryan Kwanten, Fred Latsko, Shelley Lazar, Sandra Lee, Jared Leto, Andra Liemandt, Eric and Janet McCormack,Joseph A. McMillan, Jr., Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne, Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer, Katy Perry, Tyler Perry,Pablo and Nathalie Salame, Caroline Scheufele, Bryan Singer, Sharon Stone, Steve Tisch, Steven Tyler, and John Waters.

Audi and MAC Viva Glam are the evening’s Co-Sponsors.  The Foundation is especially grateful to the City of West Hollywood for its continued collaboration with EJAF.  American Airlines is EJAF’s official sponsoring airline.

Elton John AIDS Foundation Presents 22nd Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party Sponsored by Chopard, Neuro Drinks and Wells Fargo

Gala event to be held at West Hollywood Park

At EJAF, we believe that AIDS can be beaten.  We act on that belief by raising funds for effective programs and policies, and also by speaking out with honesty and compassion about the realities of people’s lives.” –  Sir Elton John

The Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) will present its 22nd annual Academy Awards Viewing Party on Sunday, March 2, 2014 at West Hollywood Park in Los Angeles.  Sir Elton John and David Furnish will host the gala event The Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF)sponsored by the Foundation’s generous corporate friends Chopard, Neuro Drinks and Wells FargoChef Gordon Ramsay will once again prepare the sumptuous dinner for Party guests to enjoy while watching a live telecast of the 86th Academy Awards. Following dinner and an exciting live auction, a special musical guest will take the stage to perform, and DJ Johnny Dynell will spin tunes for guests to dance the night away.

The Foundation’s Academy Awards Viewing Party is the most highly visible and successful fund-raising event in Hollywood on Oscar night. Over the past 22 years, this annual event has raised nearly $40 million, thanks to the generosity of EJAF’s supporters.  These funds help the Foundation to support a wide range of initiatives, including direct treatment, care, and support services for people living with HIV/AIDS in marginalized communities, such as among young gay black men; providing injection drug users with clean needles to prevent HIV infection and transmission; and sexual health education for young people in America who are most at risk.

Audi and MAC Viva Glam have partnered with EJAF as the evening’s generous Co-Sponsors.  The Foundation is especially grateful to the City of West Hollywood for its continued collaboration with EJAF on shared goals.  American Airlines is EJAF’s official sponsoring airline.

This year’s event co-chairs are Bill and Tani Austin, Johnny and Edwina Barbis, Joseph W. Blount, Jim Carrey, Chris Colfer, John Demsey, Judi Dench, Greg Gorman, Tim Hanlon and Anthony Klatt, Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka, Diana Jenkins, Quincy Jones, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, Billie Jean King and Ilana Kloss,Heidi Klum, Ryan Kwanten, Fred Latsko, Shelley Lazar, Sandra Lee, Jared Leto, Andra Liemandt, Eric and Janet McCormack, Joseph A. McMillan, Jr., Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne, Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer, Katy Perry,Tyler Perry, Pablo and Nathalie Salame, Caroline Scheufele, Bryan Singer, Sharon Stone, Steve Tisch, Steven Tyler, and John Waters.

Sir Elton John created EJAF over twenty years ago, first in the United States in 1992 and then in the United Kingdom in 1993.  Through hard work and with the help of our network of kind, amazing, creative, and generous friends and supporters, the two foundations together have raised more than$300 million over the past two decades to combat stigma, prevent infections, provide treatment and services, and motivate governments to end AIDS.  The U.S. foundation focuses its efforts on programs in the United States, the Americas, and the Caribbean, while the U.K. foundation funds HIV-related work in Europe, Asia, and Africa.  Join us in speaking out, taking action, and contributing to our efforts to achieve a world without AIDS.  For more information, please visit www.ejaf.org.

CHOPARD – Passion for excellence:  Louis-Ulysse Chopard founded his own workshop in 1860 in Sonvillier, the Swiss Jura. Since 1963 Chopard has been owned by the Scheufele family and its headquarters are located inGeneva. Internationally renowned for its watch and jewellery creations, the Group today employs 1950 people worldwide. It is independent and vertically very integrated, controlling the entire process from design to distribution through 1515 points of sale and 145 dedicated boutiques. Over 30 different crafts are practiced across 4 manufacturing sites with a strong emphasis on in-house training. Chopard has built its reputation on iconic collections such as “Happy Diamonds,” “Happy Sport” and “Mille Miglia.”  The firm is also highly recognized for its High Jewelry creations and fine watch making and manufacturing expertise, expressed in the L.U.C collection. According to two of its fundamental values, respect and social responsibility, Chopard is strongly committed to various philanthropic organizations. Long-term partnerships tie the company to the Jose Carreras International Leukemia Foundation, The Happy Hearts Fund and the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Last but not least, Chopard is a faithful partner of the Cannes International Film Festival and legendary classic car events, such as the Mille Miglia in Italy and the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique.  For more information, please visit: us.chopard.com.

NEURO – neuro is a line of great tasting drinks with a purpose—to enhance your daily life. The company was founded in 2007 by Diana Jenkins and each neuro drink has a carefully crafted blend of healthy vitamins and minerals that provide a specific benefit.  Sourced from the best ingredients from around the world, the neuro product line includes neuro SONIC, the drink that provides sustained energy, neuro BLISS, the drink that reduces stress; neuro SLEEP, the drink that helps you get a great night’s sleep; and neuro DAILY, the drink that supports a healthy immune system. Each neuro has only 35 calories, contains no artificial flavors or colors, and has a fully recyclable bottle.  neuro is available at retailers nationwide.  For more information, please visit:www.drinkneuro.com.

WELLS FARGO – Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.5 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 9,000 stores, 12,000 ATMs, and the Internet (wellsfargo.com), and has offices in more than 35 countries to support the bank’s customers who conduct business in the global economy. With more than 270,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 25 on Fortune’s 2013 rankings of America’s largest corporations. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy all our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially. Wells Fargo perspectives are also available at blogs.wellsfargo.com.

AMERICAN AIRLINES –American Airlines Group (NASDAQ: AAL) is the holding company for American Airlines and US Airways. Together with American Eagle and US Airways Express, the airlines operate an average of nearly 6,700 flights per day to 339 destinations in 54 countries from its hubs in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Washington, D.C. The American Airlines AAdvantage and US Airways Dividend Miles programs allow members to earn and redeem miles for travel and everyday purchases as well as flight upgrades, vacation packages, car rentals, hotel stays and other retail products. American is a founding member of the oneworld® alliance, whose members and members-elect serve 981 destinations with 14,244 daily flights to 151 countries. Connect with American on Twitter @AmericanAir and at Facebook.com/AmericanAirlines, and follow US Airways on Twitter @USAirways and at Facebook.com/USAirways.

American Airlines is the official sponsoring airline of the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Pepsi Returns to Cinema’s Biggest Night to Celebrate Some of Film’s Best Mini Moments

Sixty-second creative featuring Academy Award Winner Cuba Gooding Jr. will premiere during Oscars® telecast

As an official partner of the 86th Academy Awards®, Pepsi will make Oscar® night one to remember by celebrating cinema and the impact it has made on consumers through its latest 60-second creative titled “Mini Hollywood,” starring 1996 Best Supporting Actor Oscar® winner Cuba Gooding Jr. The creative will debut on Sunday, March 2 during the Oscars® telecast starting at 7:00 PM ET on ABC.

Academy Award winner Cuba Gooding Jr. on the set of the Pepsi "Mini Hollywood" ad shoot in Los Angeles. (PRNewsFoto/PepsiCo)

Academy Award winner Cuba Gooding Jr. on the set of the Pepsi “Mini Hollywood” ad shoot in Los Angeles. (PRNewsFoto/PepsiCo)

Pepsi is thrilled to partner with the Academy Awards®, a partnership that allows the brand to continue to capture the excitement of NOW that comes from live viewing events such as the Oscars®,” said Seth Kaufman, VP of Marketing for Colas, PepsiCo North America Beverages. “Pepsi is at its best when it can connect with consumers in contextually relevant ways, engaging them with iconic creative that sparks spontaneous moments of joy, highlights the brand’s fun personality and taps into pop culture,” Kaufman said.

86thOscars_Logo

Created by Mekanism, the 60-second ad celebrates some of the best mini moments of cinema and the impact they have made on pop culture.  Much like a mini can of Pepsi, the mini quotes featured in the creative illustrate that it only takes that one line in a great film to bring back the joy and excitement of the entire film and its emotional appeal. Pepsi mini cans parallel the storyline by demonstrating that sometimes a 7.5-ounce of Pepsi is just the right amount of satisfaction, as big things and the full Pepsi experience can come in smaller sizes.

Academy Award winner Cuba Gooding Jr. on the set of the Pepsi "Mini Hollywood" ad shoot in Los Angeles. (PRNewsFoto/PepsiCo)

Academy Award winner Cuba Gooding Jr. on the set of the Pepsi “Mini Hollywood” ad shoot in Los Angeles. (PRNewsFoto/PepsiCo)

To bring this concept to life, there is no more recognizable mini quote than 1996 Best Supporting Actor Oscar® winner Cuba Gooding Jr. and his famous line from his role in Jerry Maguire: “Show me the money!” This memorable line not only has become part of pop culture vernacular but also brings back the essence of the movie, similarly to how a mini can of Pepsi unlocks the same epic satisfaction.    Additionally, the Pepsi spot will highlight the following iconic quotes that capture the excitement and spontaneous joy of their films:

Scarface: “Say hello to my little friend!”
Good Will Hunting: “How do you like them apples?”
The Wizard of Oz: “I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.”
When Harry Met Sally: “I’ll have what she’s having.”
Titanic: “I’m King of the World.”

The 7.5 ounce mini Pepsi can is currently available nationwide wherever Pepsi is sold. Please visit Pepsi’s YouTube page to watch the spot and follow @Pepsi on Twitter, #MiniCanQuotes. For more information, please visit www.pepsico.com

THE WIZARD OF OZ and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © Turner Entertainment Co. 
WHEN HARRY MET SALLY and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. 
(s14)  GOOD WILL HUNTING:  TM & © Miramax, LLC

The Oscars® to Stream Live on WATCH ABC

Entertainment Reporter Ben Lyons, Fashion Retail Correspondent Hitha Prabhakar, Entertainment and Sports Reporter Chris Connelly and PEOPLE’s Managing Editor Peter Castro to Host This Year’s Award-Winning Multi-Camera “The Oscars Backstage” Experience That Is Also In The WATCH ABC App for the First Time
Embeddable Video Highlights of The Oscars Will Post Almost Immediately on Oscar.com
86thOscars_Logo

For the first time ever, The Oscars preshow and full awards telecast will stream live for verified WATCH ABC viewers online and on mobile devices.  The WATCH ABC app allows viewers with participating TV subscription services access to 24/7 live viewing of the network, as well as next day on demand access to most series, making it possible for fans to watch the entire The Oscars experience – including “Jimmy Kimmel Live: After the Oscars” – in more places and at more times than ever before. 

Live streaming is currently available through Comcast, Cablevision, Cox Communications, Charter Communications, Midcontinent Communications, Verizon FiOS, Google Fiber and AT&T U-verse in ABC’s eight Owned Station markets – New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Houston, Raleigh-Durham and Fresno.  Once aired, the full Oscars telecast and pre-show will be available on demand via WATCH ABC for verified viewers for three days, through Wednesday, March 5.  WATCH ABC can be accessed from Oscar.com, ABC.com, WATCHABC.com or via the WATCH ABC app, which is free on select Android devices and iOS and can be downloaded at Google Play, the Amazon Appstore, and the App Store.  Verified viewers then log in using their cable or satellite subscription username and password.

The Academy and Disney/ABC Television Group’s Digital Media team are also unveiling the talent line up for their Emmy® Award-winning Oscar second screen experience, The Oscars Backstage, which will also be streamed this year to all viewers – regardless of whether they are verified – via WATCH ABC.  Hosts and correspondents include:

  • Entertainment Reporter and Film Critic Ben Lyons (Yahoo, “Extra!,” ESPN Radio, “E! News,” among others) and fashion retail correspondent and author Hitha Prabhakar (who has contributed to ABC World News, “Good Morning America,” Nightline, Bravo, CNN, E! Entertainment television, among others) will co-host from the red carpet and backstage.
  • PEOPLE’s Managing Editor Peter Castro will once again report from the fan bleachers on the red carpet.  The bleachers are sponsored by Time Inc.’s PEOPLE, which invites 700 fans and PEOPLE VIP subscribers to watch and cheer nominees, presenters and film’s biggest stars as part of the PEOPLE Oscar Fan Experience.
  • “Good Morning America” and ESPN contributing editor Chris Connelly is returning as the official greeter of the Oscars Red Carpet, which includes welcoming nominees, presenters and performers to the show.

Presented again this year by Samsung Galaxy®, The Oscars Backstage is designed to be the ultimate complement to the live telecast. All Oscar viewers who visit WATCH ABC will be able to select from three channels that will pull from more than 15 live cameras strategically placed on the Red Carpet and throughout the backstage areas of the Dolby Theatre, providing fans with insider views into the most memorable moments of the night. Popular cameras positions include the Thank You cam, Winners Walk, Audience and Press Room.   Fans will also be able to access the official Oscar Buzz social feed and popular photo galleries from within the app.   The Oscars Backstage experience launched in 2011 to much acclaim and has been recognized with an Emmy® for Creative Achievement in Interactive Arts and an Industry Star Mobile Excellence Award.  It remains unprecedented in terms of live event second screen access.

We’re extremely proud of how much the Oscar Digital Experience has evolved,” said Albert Cheng, EVP and Chief Product Officer, Digital Media, Disney/ABC Television Group. “This year more people than ever before will have access to the backstage streams and verified WATCH ABC viewers will be able to participate in the most interactive Oscars to date, seamlessly navigating between the pre-show, telecast and The Oscars Backstage experience on their mobile devices.

We’re excited to once again bring viewers backstage and allow them to experience all of the action on OscarSunday – not just what happens on stage, but the stories that play out behind-the-scenes as well, said Josh Spector, Managing Director of Digital Media and Marketing at Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Additionally, video highlights from the telecast and The Oscars Backstage will be available as embeddable clips on http://www.Oscar.com almost immediately after they air at http://www.Oscar.com/blogs. Full  performances of the shows musical performances, including Pharrell (“Happy”), Idina Menzel, (“Let It Go”),  Karin O (“The Moon Song) and U2 (“Ordinary Love”) will be featured in a dedicated “Musical Moments” section sponsored by Pepsi that includes in-depth video and photo coverage of past music winners.

The site is also showcasing nominees “in their own words,” a collection of official nominee questionnaires,including  Bradley Cooper, Bruce Dern, Michael Fassbender, June Squibb, Sally Hawkins, among others.  To add to the fun, insanely addicting quizzes from past year’s awards shows are featured, including:  , “Guess Who Won Best Actress”“Guess the Dress”,  “Who Starred In?”, and “Script to Screen”.  The hugely popular “My Picks” interactive ballot is also live.  Friends can view and share the ballot on Facebook, which will update in real time on Oscar Night®, ensuring that the most competitive Oscar handicappers are instantly aware of their ranking among friends.

The 9th annual “Jimmy Kimmel Live: After the Oscars” airs Sunday, March 2 after the late local news ET/CT and at10:00 p.m. PT on ABC. It will also be available live and on demand via the WATCH ABC app.  Broadcasting from Disney’s El Capitan Theater located on Hollywood Boulevard in the heart of L.A.’s star-studded Walk of Fame, the studio is just steps away from Dolby Theater, home to the “Academy Awards.” Past guest appearances on Kimmel’s post-Oscar specials have included Tom Cruise, Ben Affleck, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, Ellen DeGeneres, Jessica Chastain, Jude Law, Channing Tatum, John Krasinski, Samuel L. Jackson and many more. Additionally, previous comedy bits featured include the epic trailers for “Movie: The Movie,” which has been viewed over 24 million times on YouTube, the follow-up “Movie: The Movie: 2V” as well as “Toddlers and Tiaras” with Tom Hanks and Kimmel pitching show ideas to Oprah. Last year’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live: After the Oscars” marked the most-watched post-Oscar telecast in the franchise’s history.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2013 will be presented on Oscar® Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® and televised live on the ABC Television Network.  The presentation, produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

 

 

Time INC.‘s ‘People’ Partners With The Academy To Host This Year‘s Oscar® Fan Experience For Second Year

86thOscars_Logo

PEOPLE, the No. 1 celebrity and entertainment brand, has partnered with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to present the 2014 Oscar Fan Experience on Sunday, March 2nd.  The PEOPLE Oscar Fan Experience treats red carpet and movie buffs around the world with unprecedented access to Oscar’s big day.  700 fans and PEOPLE VIP subscribers were selected to watch and cheer nominees, presenters and film’s biggest stars with a full day Oscar experience on the most anticipated red carpet of the year.  As the telecast begins, PEOPLE Oscar Fan Experience guests will be whisked away for an exclusive viewing party at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles.

We are thrilled to be partnering with the Academy for a second year to present the PEOPLE Oscar Fan Experience,” said Karen Kovacs, publisher, PEOPLE.  “To be able to share access to Hollywood’s biggest night with so many of our loyal subscribers and fans with a full day of VIP Oscar treatment is extremely exciting for PEOPLE.”

The Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2013 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® and televised live on the ABC Television Network. The Oscars®, produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

Fans can visit PEOPLE.com and http://www.Oscar.com for unprecedented access into this year’s Oscars.

The Academy Invites Fans To Join The Oscar® Celebration With #MyOscarPhoto On Twitter

Fan-submitted photos to appear next to stars online and on “The Oscars® Red Carpet Live” telecast

For the first time, Oscar fans watching the “Oscars Red Carpet Live” show on March 2 on ABC will have the opportunity to see themselves next to the stars on the red carpet through Twitter. credit: ©A.M.P.A.S.

For the first time, Oscar fans watching the “Oscars Red Carpet Live” show on March 2 on ABC will have the opportunity to see themselves next to the stars on the red carpet through Twitter.
credit: ©A.M.P.A.S.

For the first time, Oscar fans watching the “Oscars Red Carpet Live” show on March 2 on ABC will have the opportunity to see themselves next to the stars on the red carpet through Twitter.

Starting today, fans who follow @TheAcademy and tweet a red carpet-ready photo of themselves using hashtag #MyOscarPhoto will be eligible to have their photo featured on the red carpet.

On Oscar Sunday, arriving nominees, presenters and performers will pose in front of a video wall showcasing fan-submitted photos and generating unique images that will be tweeted back to the original submitter through the @MyOscarPhoto Twitter account.

Additionally, some of the submitted photos will appear on the “Oscars Red Carpet Live” telecast beginning at 4 p.m. PT.

To be eligible, fans must sign the online release form located atwww.oscars.org/MyOscarPhoto.

“This is a way to create an once-in-a-lifetime experience for fans and give them the opportunity to literally be a part of the red carpet excitement,” said Josh Spector, the Academy’s managing director of digital media and marketing. “We think it will be a lot of fun – not only getting to see a photo of themselves on the red carpet, but also getting to see who poses in the photo with them.”

“The Academy has long been one of the most innovative partners when it comes to creating a truly social Oscars,” said Andrew Adashek, television partnership manager at Twitter. “We’re excited to see them strengthen their connection to the Twitter audience by letting our users get closer to the red carpet experience than ever before.”

During the broadcast, hosts will describe to viewers at home how they can use Twitter to participate in #MyOscarPhoto and provide updates on the experience throughout the show.

In addition to the #MyOscarPhoto red carpet experience, the Twitter Mirror in a frame designed by Architectural Digest will be placed in the Oscars greenroom to give fans at home more behind-the-scenes access to the show. The stars of the show will stop by the Mirror to take candid photos of themselves, which will be tweeted throughout the night from @TheAcademy.

The technology powering the #MyOscarPhoto experience was created by Livefyre, the largest social curation platform. The team there developed the first-of-its kind technology that captures the images of the celebrity and fans from Twitter, then processes, streams, and tags the image, moments later tweeting it back to person who submitted the photo.

Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2013 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, March 2, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® and televised live on the ABC Television Network. The Oscars, produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

 

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Celebrates Documentaries at “Oscar Celebrates: Docs” Event

Images photographed by Aaron Poole

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences  hosted a pre-Oscar Night event, “Oscar Celebrates: Documentaries” event on Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. Hosted by  directors Barbara Kopple and Rob Epstein, the event honored this year’s nominees and their directors.

Caitrin Rogers, director of the Oscar®-nominated Documentary Feature "20 Feet from Stardom”, Zachary Heinzerling, director of the Oscar®-nominated Documentary Feature "Cutie and the Boxer”, Richard Rowley and Jeremy Scahill, directors of the Oscar®-nominated Documentary Feature "Dirty Wars”, Lydia Dean Pilcher, director of the Oscar®-nominated Documentary Feature "Cutie and the Boxer”, Morgan Neville, director of the Oscar®-nominated Documentary Feature "20 Feet from Stardom”, Joshua Oppenheimer and Signe Byrge Sørensen, directors of the Oscar®-nominated Documentary Feature "The Act of Killing”, Jehane Noujaim and Karim Amer, directors of the Oscar®-nominated Documentary Feature "The Square”, prior to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' “Oscar Celebrates: Docs” event on Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills.

Caitrin Rogers, director of the Oscar®-nominated Documentary Feature “20 Feet from Stardom”, Zachary Heinzerling, director of the Oscar®-nominated Documentary Feature “Cutie and the Boxer”, Richard Rowley and Jeremy Scahill, directors of the Oscar®-nominated Documentary Feature “Dirty Wars”, Lydia Dean Pilcher, director of the Oscar®-nominated Documentary Feature “Cutie and the Boxer”, Morgan Neville, director of the Oscar®-nominated Documentary Feature “20 Feet from Stardom”, Joshua Oppenheimer and Signe Byrge Sørensen, directors of the Oscar®-nominated Documentary Feature “The Act of Killing”, Jehane Noujaim and Karim Amer, directors of the Oscar®-nominated Documentary Feature “The Square”, prior to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ “Oscar Celebrates: Docs” event on Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills.

 

Hosts Barbara Kopple and Rob Epstein prior to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' “Oscar Celebrates: Shorts” event on Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills.

Hosts Barbara Kopple and Rob Epstein prior to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ “Oscar Celebrates: Shorts” event on Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills.

Host Rob Epstein, Caitrin Rogers, director of the OscarЁ-nominated Documentary Feature "20 Feet from StardomУ, Zachary Heinzerling, director of the OscarЁ-nominated Documentary Feature "Cutie and the BoxerУ, Richard Rowley and Jeremy Scahill, directors of the OscarЁ-nominated Documentary Feature "Dirty WarsУ, Lydia Dean Pilcher, director of the OscarЁ-nominated Documentary Feature "Cutie and the BoxerУ, Morgan Neville, director of the OscarЁ-nominated Documentary Feature "20 Feet from StardomУ, Joshua Oppenheimer and Signe Byrge Sїrensen, directors of the OscarЁ-nominated Documentary Feature "The Act of KillingУ, Jehane Noujaim, director of the OscarЁ-nominated Documentary Feature "The SquareУ, host Barbara Kopple and Karim Amer, director of the OscarЁ-nominated Documentary Feature "The SquareУ prior to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' ТOscar Celebrates: DocsУ event on Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills.

Host Rob Epstein, Caitrin Rogers, director of the OscarЁ-nominated Documentary Feature “20 Feet from StardomУ, Zachary Heinzerling, director of the OscarЁ-nominated Documentary Feature “Cutie and the BoxerУ, Richard Rowley and Jeremy Scahill, directors of the OscarЁ-nominated Documentary Feature “Dirty WarsУ, Lydia Dean Pilcher, director of the OscarЁ-nominated Documentary Feature “Cutie and the BoxerУ, Morgan Neville, director of the OscarЁ-nominated Documentary Feature “20 Feet from StardomУ, Joshua Oppenheimer and Signe Byrge Sїrensen, directors of the OscarЁ-nominated Documentary Feature “The Act of KillingУ, Jehane Noujaim, director of the OscarЁ-nominated Documentary Feature “The SquareУ, host Barbara Kopple and Karim Amer, director of the OscarЁ-nominated Documentary Feature “The SquareУ prior to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ ТOscar Celebrates: DocsУ event on Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills.

Diageo Luxury Brands Star at the Bar on Oscar® Night

Sterling Vineyards®, Johnnie Walker®, Baileys®, CIROC® Lead Ultra-premium Beverage Experience At the 86th Oscars®

Repeat performer, award-winning Sterling Vineyards, will once again provide the fine wines poured at the Oscars telecast and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Governors Ball. This year, Sterling is joined at the bar by a selection of world class spirits from the Diageo Luxury Brands portfolio – in a customized experience created exclusively for the Oscars. The specialty spirits celebrating the Oscars include Johnnie Walker Scotch Whisky, CIROC Ultra-Premium Vodka, and Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur.  The 86th Oscars will be held Sunday, March 2, 2014, and telecast live on ABC.

“The Oscars is a celebration of the world’s finest and most creative cinematic talent and we are thrilled to toast their accomplishments with the very best that our luxury wines and spirits portfolio has to offer,” said Peter McDonough, Chief Marketing Officer for Diageo.

As they pass from the Red Carpet and enter the Dolby Theater, a selection of four Sterling Vineyards wines and a handcrafted Johnnie Walker cocktail will welcome guests of the Oscars.  Following the Awards telecast, party-goers at the Governors Ball will be dazzled by The Glamour Shot, a chic concoction featuring new Baileys Vanilla Cinnamon mixed with Goldschlager® Cinnamon Schnapps and served in a glass rimmed with edible flakes of real gold. It’s the perfect celebratory shot to match the winners’ golden statuettes. In a nod to Old Hollywood, guests can savor a Blood and Sand, a classic whisky-based cocktail originally created for the premiere of the1922 Valentino movie of the same name, or sip the supremely modern CIROC Coco Light Martini.  The calorie conscious and stylish CIROC cocktail has less than 130 calories.

Scotch enthusiasts attending the Governors Ball will be delighted to discover the Johnnie Walker Scotch Whisky Bar, stocked with a range of deluxe whiskies, and featuring rare blends including Johnnie Walker Platinum Label and Johnnie Walker Blue Label, poured over hand carved ice, and presented by a Master of Whisky.

To pair with Chef Wolfgang Puck‘s spectacular and varied menu of more than 50 selections of imaginative hors d’oeuvres, small plate entrees and desserts, the winemakers at Sterling Vineyards have pulled the limited production 2010 Reserve Chardonnay and 2008 Reserve Cabernet from the wine cellars.   Sterling Vineyards wines are produced by Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines (DC&E), a part of Diageo (Dee-AH-Gee-O); the world’s leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, beer and wine. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Windsor, Buchanans and Bushmills Whiskies, Smirnoff, CIROC and Ketel One vodkas, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Tanqueray and Guinness. Diageo is a global company with its products sold in more than 180 countries around the world. www.diageo.com

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Announces Complete List of Stars to Present on OSCAR® Sunday 2014

STARS COME OUT TO CELEBRATE ON OSCAR® SUNDAY

The Academy Awards® for outstanding film achievements of 2013 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® and televised live on the ABC Television Network.

The Academy Awards® for outstanding film achievements of 2013 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® and televised live on the ABC Television Network.

Oscar producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron today announced the complete slate of stars who will present Oscars at the ceremony. The Oscars®, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, will air on Oscar Sunday, March 2, live on ABC.

The presenters, including several past Oscar winners and nominees, will be Amy Adams, Kristen Bell, Jessica Biel, Jim Carrey, Glenn Close, Bradley Cooper, Penélope Cruz, Benedict Cumberbatch, Viola Davis, Daniel Day-Lewis, Robert De Niro, Zac Efron, Sally Field, Harrison Ford, Jamie Foxx, Andrew Garfield, Jennifer Garner, Whoopi Goldberg, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Anne Hathaway, Goldie Hawn, Chris Hemsworth, Kate Hudson, Samuel L. Jackson, Angelina Jolie, Michael B. Jordan, Anna Kendrick, Jennifer Lawrence, Matthew McConaughey, Ewan McGregor, Bill Murray, Kim Novak, Tyler Perry, Brad Pitt, Sidney Poitier, Gabourey Sidibe, Will Smith, Kevin Spacey, Jason Sudeikis, Channing Tatum, Charlize Theron, John Travolta, Christoph Waltz, Kerry Washington, Emma Watson and Naomi Watts

We are very excited that the Hollywood community will be turning out in force for Sunday’s Oscar ceremony,” said Zadan and Meron. “We sought to include a tremendous diversity of stars to represent not only this year’s nominees, but the legacy of the motion picture business as well.”

Untitled-3

Pink to Appear on the Oscars®, CHRISTOPH WALTZ RETURNS TO PRESENT, 2014 Governors Ball Creative Team Held Press Preview

As the preparations for the 2014 Oscars continues,  show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced that Grammy PinkAward®-winning singer and actress Pink will make a special appearance on the Oscars, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres.

We are very excited to welcome Pink to the Oscar® stage for the very first time,” said Zadan and Meron. “She is regarded as one of the greatest voices in pop music and one of the best performers of her generation, and we are thrilled to have her join us for a highly anticipated moment on the broadcast.”

Pink has won three Grammy Awards and six MTV Video Music Awards, including Best Collaboration for the single “Just Give Me A Reason” from her 2012 album “The Truth About Love.” The song was her eighth to reach No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult Top 40 chart, setting an industry record. Named Billboard Woman of the Year in 2013, Pink has sold over 40 million albums and 65 million singles. Acting under her given name, Alecia Moore, she received critical acclaim for her role in the 2013 ensemble drama “Thanks for Sharing,” which starred Mark Ruffalo, Tim Robbins and Gwyneth Paltrow.

The Academy's 2014 Governors Ball will be held in the Ray Dolby Ballroom on the top level of the Hollywood & Highland Center®. The 86th Oscars® will be presented on Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network.

The Academy’s 2014 Governors Ball will be held in the Ray Dolby Ballroom on the top level of the Hollywood & Highland Center®. The 86th Oscars® will be presented on Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network.

2014 Governors Ball Creative Team Held Press Preview

The 2014 Governors Ball Creative Team also held a Governors Ball Press Preview to showcase the  décor, menu, entertainment and the attire to be worn by the evening’s staff. The Governors Ball, the Academy’s official post-Oscar® celebration, which will immediately follow the 86th Oscars® ceremony on Sunday, March 2, will 1,500 invited guests include Oscar winners and nominees, show presenters and other telecast participants. This year’s Ball will feature lush vertical gardens designed with classic, elegant lines, inviting guests to meet, mingle and celebrate under the stars.

Wolfgang Puck, along with chef Matt Bencivenga, will create the menu featuring more than 50 imaginative dishes, from one-bite hors d’oeuvres to small-plate entrees that will be passed throughout the evening. The menu, which includes such signature favorites as smoked salmon Oscars, chicken pot pie with shaved black truffles, and mini American Wagyu burgers with aged Cheddar and remoulade, will incorporate local produce and sustainable seafood. Modern presentations such as crispy lobster shrimp dumplings with five spice and bites of fried chicken with white grits will add excitement, while an expanded selection of vegan dishes, including shots of carrot orange gazpacho, taro root tacos with avocado, and butternut squash with farro and wild rice will have a more prominent focus.

Master chef Wolfgang Puck and Alison Crary, winemaker at Sterling Vineyards.

Master chef Wolfgang Puck and Alison Crary, winemaker at Sterling Vineyards.

Continue reading

Bette Midler To Perform On The Oscars®

Two-time Oscar®-nominated actress and multiple Grammy Award®-winning singer Bette Midler will perform for the first time on the Oscars, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. The Oscars, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, will air on Sunday, March 2, live on ABC.

Two-time Oscar®-nominated actress and multiple Grammy Award®-winning singer Bette Midler will perform for the first time on the Oscars, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. The Oscars will air on Sunday, March 2, live on ABC.

Two-time Oscar®-nominated actress and multiple Grammy Award®-winning singer Bette Midler will perform for the first time on the Oscars, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. The Oscars will air on Sunday, March 2, live on ABC.

We are thrilled to have Bette perform on the Oscars for the very first time,” said Zadan and Meron.  “We believe she will make our Oscar telecast an especially moving evening.”

Midler received Oscar nominations for Actress in a Leading Role for “For the Boys” and The Rose.” She has recorded 13 studio albums, the first of which, 1972’s “The Divine Miss M,” sold over a million copies and earned her a Grammy for Best New Artist. Midler has gone on to sell over 30 million albums worldwide and win two additional Grammys for the songs “The Rose” (Best Female Pop Vocal Performance) and “Wind Beneath My Wings” (Record of the Year). She has been honored with three Emmy® Awards and a special Tony Award® in 1974 for her contribution to that year’s Broadway season. Her numerous starring film roles include “The First Wives Club,” “Down and Out in Beverly Hills” and  “Ruthless People,” Last year Midler portrayed the late Hollywood agent Sue Mengers in the hit Broadway production, “I’ll Eat You Last: A Chat with Sue Mengers.

FIRST-EVER U.S. OLYMPIC ICE DANCING GOLD MEDALISTS MERYL DAVIS AND CHARLIE WHITE TO BE FEATURED ON SPECIAL-EDITION BOXES OF KELLOGG’S® CORN FLAKES®

After U.S. Olympic ice dancers Meryl Davis and Charlie White’s record-breaking  gold medal win at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games – the first gold in the event for a U.S. ice dancing team – Kellogg’s® announced today that the pair will be featured on special-edition boxes of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes®. Davis and White finished with a combined score of 195.52, earning a 78.89 in the short dance and 116.63 in the free dance – both world records.

142145A01b_KMFR05796214_PKG_MOCK_UP_OUTLINED_fp

We’re so proud of Meryl and Charlie – their great start together on an ice rink in Michigan has truly led to great things,” said Noel Geoffroy, senior vice president, Marketing & Innovation for Kellogg U.S. Morning Foods. “Over the course of the last few days, we have all watched Meryl and Charlie wow the world with their incredible ice dancing prowess. As has become the tradition, we at Kellogg wanted to show our support by capturing the image of their historic win on the front of Corn Flakes boxes.”

“Charlie and I have finally reached our goal of winning a gold medal for Team USA,” said Davis. “Kellogg’s was always part of my childhood, so it’s exciting to be pictured on a Kellogg’s box. It’s such an awesome reminder of what we’ve achieved thanks to our great starts.

Our great start helped us reach our full potential, and this gold medal represents everything we’ve worked for,” said White. “Meryl and I are proud to have brought home a win for our country andTeam Kellogg’s, and to see our faces on the front of a Corn Flakesbox is just surreal.”

With only 1,000 featured boxes being produced, this collectible item will be available beginning Feb. 24 for a limited time, for members of the Kellogg’s Family Rewards program exclusively. Fans can visit KelloggsFamilyRewards.com for information about how to become a member and redeem Kellogg’s product codes for their very own collectible box while supplies last.You can also view Davis and White’s Start Story video, “Destiny,” available atkelloggs.com/teamusa, to learn more about their journey toward the Sochi Games.

Anne Hathaway To Present On Oscar® Sunday

Oscar winner Anne Hathaway will present at this year’s Oscars®, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. The Oscars, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, will air on Sunday, March 2, live on ABC.

Oscar® winner Anne Hathaway will present at this year’s Oscars®, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. The Oscars will air on Sunday, March 2, live on ABC. credit: Matt Petit / ©A.M.P.A.S.

Oscar® winner Anne Hathaway will present at this year’s Oscars®, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. The Oscars will air on Sunday, March 2, live on ABC.
credit: Matt Petit / ©A.M.P.A.S.

Hathaway won last year’s Supporting Actress Oscar for her performance in “Les Misérables.” She was previously nominated for her leading role in the 2008 film “Rachel Getting Married.” Hathaway, who made her feature film debut in 2001’s “The Princess Diaries,” has starred in films including “Ella Enchanted,” “The Devil Wears Prada” and “The Dark Knight Rises.”

Daniel Day-Lewis to Return To Present On Oscar® Sunday, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Scientific and Technical Awards Honors 52 Individuals at The Beverly Hills Hotel

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Scientific and Technical Achievement Awards on February 15, 2013, in Beverly Hills, California. First row (left to right): Kristen Bell, Peter W. Anderson, Charles “Tad” Marburg, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, Richard Edlund and Michael B. Jordan. Second row: Jeremy Selan, Andre Gauthier, Jan Sperling, Etienne Brandt, Gifford Hooper, Philip George and Robert Lanciault. Third row: Ronald D. Henderson, Dan Piponi, Ian Sachs, Olivier Maury, Tony Postiau, Emmanuel Prévinaire, Yves Boudreault and Benoit Sevigny. Fourth row: Chris Perry, Peter Huang, Thomas Lokovic, Areito Echevarria, Dr. Peter Hillman, Martin Hill, Nick McKenzie, Jon Allitt and Jim Hourihan. Fifth row: Greg Humphreys, Joshua Pines, Colin Doncaster, Janne Kontkanen, David Cardwell, Csaba Kohegyi, Pat Hanrahan, Tibor Madjar, David Register and Curtis Clark. Sixth row: Matt Pharr, Joe Mancewicz, Hans Rijpkema, Johannes Saam, Chris Cooper, Eric Veach, Andrew Camenisch, Ofer Alon, Florian Kainz, Jeffery Yost, Philip Hubbard, Lou Levinson and David Reisner. keywords: 86th Academy Awards, Scientific and Technical Achievement Awards credit: Todd Wawrychuk / ©A.M.P.A.S.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Scientific and Technical Achievement Awards on February 15, 2013, in Beverly Hills, California.
First row (left to right): Kristen Bell, Peter W. Anderson, Charles “Tad” Marburg, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, Richard Edlund and Michael B. Jordan.
Second row: Jeremy Selan, Andre Gauthier, Jan Sperling, Etienne Brandt, Gifford Hooper, Philip George and Robert Lanciault.
Third row: Ronald D. Henderson, Dan Piponi, Ian Sachs, Olivier Maury, Tony Postiau, Emmanuel Prévinaire, Yves Boudreault and Benoit Sevigny.
Fourth row: Chris Perry, Peter Huang, Thomas Lokovic, Areito Echevarria, Dr. Peter Hillman, Martin Hill, Nick McKenzie, Jon Allitt and Jim Hourihan.
Fifth row: Greg Humphreys, Joshua Pines, Colin Doncaster, Janne Kontkanen, David Cardwell, Csaba Kohegyi, Pat Hanrahan, Tibor Madjar, David Register and Curtis Clark.
Sixth row: Matt Pharr, Joe Mancewicz, Hans Rijpkema, Johannes Saam, Chris Cooper, Eric Veach, Andrew Camenisch, Ofer Alon, Florian Kainz, Jeffery Yost, Philip Hubbard, Lou Levinson and David Reisner.
credit: Todd Wawrychuk / ©A.M.P.A.S.

Images photographed by Todd Wawrychuk/©A.M.P.A.S., Michael Yada/©A.M.P.A.S. and Aaron Poole/©A.M.P.A.S.

Three-time Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis will return to present at this year’s Oscars®, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. The Oscars, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, will air on Sunday, March 2, live on ABC.

Winning for the title role in last year’s “Lincoln,” Day-Lewis has also been nominated for five Oscars in the lead actor category. His previous wins were for the 2007 film “There Will Be Blood” and 1989’s “My Left Foot.” He also received nominations for his starring roles in “Gangs of New York” (2002) and “In the Name of the Father” (1993).

Actors Kristen Bell (left) and Michael B. Jordan during the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Scientific and Technical Achievement Awards on February 15, 2014, in Beverly Hills, California. credit: Aaron Poole / ©A.M.P.A.S.

Actors Kristen Bell (left) and Michael B. Jordan during the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Scientific and Technical Achievement Awards on February 15, 2014, in Beverly Hills, California.
credit: Aaron Poole / ©A.M.P.A.S.

Actors Kristen Bell and Michael B. Jordan hosted the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Scientific and Technical Awards on Saturday, February 15, at The Beverly Hills Hotel and presented 19 awards to 52 individual recipients during the evening.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Scientific and Technical Achievement Awards on February 15, 2013, in Beverly Hills, California. Pictured (left to right): Michael B. Jordan, Charles “Tad” Marburg, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, Peter W. Anderson, Richard Edlund and Kristen Bell.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Scientific and Technical Achievement Awards on February 15, 2013, in Beverly Hills, California. Pictured (left to right): Michael B. Jordan, Charles “Tad” Marburg, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, Peter W. Anderson, Richard Edlund and Kristen Bell.

Science and Technology Council Chairman Richard Edlund (left) and Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs during the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Scientific and Technical Achievement Awards on February 15, 2014, in Beverly Hills, California.

Science and Technology Council Chairman Richard Edlund (left) and Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs during the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Scientific and Technical Achievement Awards on February 15, 2014, in Beverly Hills, California.

Jeremy Selan during the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Scientific and Technical Achievement Awards on February 15, 2014, in Beverly Hills, California.

Jeremy Selan during the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Scientific and Technical Achievement Awards on February 15, 2014, in Beverly Hills, California.

Dr. Peter Hillman during the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Scientific and Technical Achievement Awards on February 15, 2014, in Beverly Hills, California.

Dr. Peter Hillman during the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Scientific and Technical Achievement Awards on February 15, 2014, in Beverly Hills, California.

Matt Pharr (left) and Pat Hanrahan during the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Scientific and Technical Achievement Awards on February 15, 2014, in Beverly Hills, California.

Matt Pharr (left) and Pat Hanrahan during the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Scientific and Technical Achievement Awards on February 15, 2014, in Beverly Hills, California.

Jan Sperling, Emmanuel Prévinaire, Etienne Brandt and  Tony Postiau during the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Scientific and Technical Achievement Awards on February 15, 2014, in Beverly Hills, California.

Jan Sperling, Emmanuel Prévinaire, Etienne Brandt and
Tony Postiau during the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Scientific and Technical Achievement Awards on February 15, 2014, in Beverly Hills, California.

Portions of the Scientific and Technical Awards Presentation will be included in the Oscar telecast. Continue reading

Robin Roberts, Lara Spencer, Jess Cagle and Tyson Beckford to host Oscars® “Red Carpet Live” Show

“Good Morning America” anchors Robin Roberts and Lara Spencer, and Jess Cagle, editor of People and editorial director of Entertainment Weekly, return to host the Oscars “Red Carpet Live” show, along with actor, model and television host Tyson Beckford.  The Oscars “Red Carpet Live,” will air on Sunday, March 2 at 7 p.m. ET on the ABC Television Network. The Oscars, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, will air immediately following “Red Carpet Live.”

The Oscars “Red Carpet Live” will be produced by Brad Lachman; Michael Seligman will serve as supervising producer and Bill Bracken as coordinating producer. Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, producers of the Oscars telecast, are the pre-show’s executive producers.

Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2013 will be presented on Oscar® Sunday, March 2, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® and televised live on the ABC Television Network. The Oscars, produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

FACING FEAR: A moment of hate. A lifetime of forgiveness.

A documentary short film by Jason Cohen

Imagine if you were brutally beaten, left for dead… and happened to encounter your attacker years later? What would you do? That opportunity is explored in the deeply moving documentary, FACING FEAR, A powerfully inspirational film about fear, hate, reconciliation and forgiveness. It tells the story of brutal hate crime and a chance meeting, between victim and attacker, 25 years later. Together, they embark on a transformative journey that challenges both to grapple with their beliefs and preconceptions, eventually leading to an improbable collaboration and poignant friendship. FACING FEAR is one of the five nominated short films for the 2014 Best Documentary Short Subject Academy Award.

FacingFear-poster

As a 13 year-old, Matthew Boger was thrown out of his home for being gay. While living on the streets of Hollywood, he was savagely beaten in a back alley by a group of neo-Nazi skinheads. Boger managed to survive the attack and escape life on the streets. Twenty-five years later, Boger found himself in a chance meeting with a former neo-Nazi skinhead, Tim Zaal. The two men soon realized that they had met before…Zaal was one of the attackers who beat Boger and left him for dead.

With their worlds turned upside down, the two embarked on a journey of forgiveness and reconciliation that challenged both to grapple with their own beliefs and fears. Neither could imagine that it would to lead to an improbable collaboration…and friendship.

FACING FEAR retraces the haunting accounts of the attack and the startling revelation that brought these men together again. Delving deep into their backgrounds, the roots of the ideologies that shape how they handle the reconciliation process are exposed. Self-doubt, anger and fear are just a few of the emotions they struggle through as they come to terms with their unimaginable situation.

Shot on location in Los Angeles, the film is the theatrical directorial debut for Jason Cohen. Edited by the award-winning Tom Christopher with cinematography by Svetlana Cvetko (Academy Award-winning INSIDE JOB), the film takes an introspective trip through the world of early 80’s Hollywood while delicately addressing past events that shaped the men involved, from early childhood to their present relationship.

Jason Cohen has produced and directed all formats of film and television on projects that cover a broad range of topics over the past 20 years. Currently, Cohen is in production on a global film about love and forgiveness that has taken him around the world to highlight stories in Uganda, India, Haiti, Spain and Italy.

Last year he produced the Okazaki-directed APPROXIMATELY NELS CLINE, about the world-renowned lead guitarist of the rock band Wilco. He co-produced HBO’s Emmy-nominated BLACK TAR HEROIN: DARK END OF THE STREET, with Okazaki and was a producer on his Emmy Award-winning HBO doc on the dropping of the atomic bomb, WHITE LIGHT/BLACK RAIN, which also screened at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival.

Cohen has also worked in narrative film, producing the feature film OPAL based on the life of controversial author, Opal Whiteley, which premiered at the 2010 Mill Valley Film Festival and is now being distributed online by Tribeca Film Institute. Other past work includes directing the Olympic documentary, THE ROAD TO HONG KONG, a short doc on champion U.S. equestrian horse Ravel, and a documentary on San Jose Sharks radio announcer Dan Rusanowsky for the NHL Network’s VOICES series.

In regards to the film, Cohen says, “I hope audiences watch the film objectively and then see how the story may affect them in their own lives and relationships. We are not preaching forgiveness as the answer for everyone because we know it may not be. We just wanted to present this story and let the audience connect with it personally. Whether it’s the hate, homophobia, bullying or forgiveness that strikes a chord with each audience member, we hope it opens a discussion when they leave the theater.”

 

JENNIFER LAWRENCE TO PRESENT AT THE OSCARS®

Oscar® winner Jennifer Lawrence will return to present at this year’s Oscars, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. The Oscars, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, will air on Sunday, March 2, live on ABC.

Jennifer Lawrence, Oscar®-nominee for Actress in a Leading Role, arrives for The Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA February 24, 2013.

Jennifer Lawrence, Oscar®-nominee for Actress in a Leading Role, arrives for The Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA February 24, 2013.

Lawrence took home the Oscar for her lead performance in “Silver Linings Playbook.” She is nominated this year for her supporting role in “American Hustle.” Previously Lawrence was nominated for her leading role in “Winter’s Bone.” Her other credits include “X-Men: First Class” and “The Hunger Games” series.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to Host Oscar® Concert Celebrating Nominated Scores And Songs

86thOscars_Logo

KAREN O TO PERFORM “THE MOON SONG” ON THE OSCARS®

U2 TO PERFORM “ORDINARY LOVE” ON THE OSCARS®

For the first time as part of its annual Oscar Week events, the Academy will present a live “Oscar Concert” celebrating this year’s nominated scores and songs on Thursday, February 27, at 8 p.m. at UCLA’s Royce Hall.

The program features an 80-piece orchestra performing suites from each of the nominated original scores, conducted by their composers. They include:

William Butler and Owen Pallett, “Her”
Alexandre Desplat, “Philomena”
Thomas Newman, “Saving Mr. Banks”
Steven Price, “Gravity”
John Williams, “The Book Thief”

Prior to each piece, the respective composers will participate in a brief onstage conversation with film critic and radio host Elvis Mitchell about creating their scores.

The concert also will feature this year’s nominated original songs, including “Let It Go” from “Frozen,” performed byKristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, and “Happy” from “Despicable Me 2,” performed by Jill Scott.  Other special performers and guests will be announced on www.oscars.org.

Tickets are $100 and $75 and can be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Singer-songwriter Karen O will, for the first time, perform Oscar®-nominated “The Moon Song” for a global television audience on the Oscars®, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today.

Singer-songwriter Karen O will, for the first time, perform Oscar®-nominated “The Moon Song” for a global television audience on the Oscars®, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today.

Singer-songwriter Karen O will, for the first time, perform the Oscar®-nominated original song “The Moon Song” for a global television audience on the Oscars®, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. The Oscars, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, will air on Sunday, March 2, live on ABC.

“The Moon Song,” with music by Karen O and lyric by Karen O and Spike Jonze, was written for the film “Her,” directed by Jonze. The three other nominated songs are “Happy” from “Despicable Me 2,” “Let It Go” from “Frozen” and “Ordinary Love” from “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.”

Karen O is the lead singer of the band Yeah Yeah Yeahs, which has released four albums, three of which have been nominated for Grammy Awards®. She previously co-wrote original songs for the soundtrack of Jonze’s 2009 film “Where the Wild Things Are,” receiving a Grammy nomination for the featured song “All Is Love.” Karen O has performed on numerous other soundtracks,

U2

U2

including those for “Frankenweenie” “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” and “I’m Not There”.

U2 will perform their Oscar®-nominated song, “Ordinary Love” for a global audience at the Oscars®, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. U2’s exclusive Oscar show performance will be the first time the band will perform the song live. The Oscars, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, will air on Sunday, March 2, live on ABC.

“Ordinary Love” was written by the group for “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” and is nominated for Original Song. The three other nominated songs are “Happy” from “Despicable Me 2,” “Let It Go” from “Frozen” and “The Moon Song” from “Her.”

U2 has sold more than 150 million records worldwide since its formation in 1976. The group has won 22 Grammy® Awards—more than any other band—and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005, its first year of eligibility. The band’s 110-show, 26-month U2360° tour, which ended in July 2011, played to over 7 million fans in 30 countries on 5 continents and was the highest-grossing concert tour of all time. The band is currently in the studio working on a new album.

IDINA MENZEL TO PERFORM ON THE OSCARS®

Tony Award®-winning singer, songwriter and actress Idina Menzel will, for the first time, perform the Oscar®-nominated song “Let it Go” for a global television audience at the Oscars®, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. The Oscars, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, will air on Sunday, March 2, live on ABC.

Tony Award®-winning singer, songwriter and actress Idina Menzel will, for the first time, perform the Oscar®-nominated song “Let it Go” for a global television audience at the Oscars®, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. The Oscars, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, will air on Sunday, March 2, live on ABC. credit: Robin Wong

Tony Award®-winning singer, songwriter and actress Idina Menzel will, for the first time, perform the Oscar®-nominated song “Let it Go” for a global television audience at the Oscars®, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. The Oscars, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, will air on Sunday, March 2, live on ABC.
credit: Robin Wong

“Let it Go,” written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez for “Frozen,” is nominated for Original Song. The three other nominated songs are “Happy” from “Despicable Me 2,” “Ordinary Love” from “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” and “The Moon Song” from “Her.”

Menzel won a Tony Award for her performance as Elphaba in the original Broadway production of “Wicked.” She received a Tony nomination for her Broadway debut in “Rent” and earned a Drama Desk nomination for her performance in Manhattan Theater Club’s off-Broadway musical “The Wild Party.” In March Mezel will star in “If/Then,” a new Broadway musical about a woman moving back to New York City for a fresh start. In addition to “Frozen,” in which she voices the character of Elsa, Menzel’s film roles include “Enchanted,” “Ask the Dust” and “Rent.”

Nominees for the 86th Oscars® at the Nominees Luncheon in Beverly Hills Monday, February 10, 2014. 

Nominees for the 86th Oscars® at the Nominees Luncheon in Beverly Hills Monday, February 10, 2014. The 86th Oscars, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, will air on Sunday, March 2, live on ABC. Front row seated: Eric Reynolds, Eric Warren Singer, Oliver Tarney, Eric Saindon, Max Lang, Dana Brunetti, Craig Borten, Michael Semanick, Steven Price, Lauren MacMullen, Aldruitha Lee, Patrick Tubach, Erik Nash, Robert Lopez, Robbie Brenner, Tracey Seaward, Robin Matthews, Gloria Pasqua-Casny Front row standing: Caitrin Rogers, Crispin Struthers, Malcolm Clarke, Greg Orloff, Joey McFarland, Gabrielle Tana, Zachary Heinzerling, Ben Grossmann, Guy Williams, Joel Harlow, Vincent Landay, Beau Borders, Gene Serdena, Richard Hymns, Paolo Sorrentino, Mark Sanger, David Shirk, Richard Suckle, Anthony Katadas, Chris Burdon, Gary Brozenich, Nicolas Reed, Bono Second Row: Richard Rowley, Spike Jonze, Chris Sanders, Lydia Dean Pilcher, Michael Wilkinson, Albert Bergen, Hany Abu-Assad, K.K. Barrett, William Butler, Peter F. Kurland, Rosie Goodwin, Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Burt Dalton, Ethan Hawke, Martin Pensa, Steve McQueen, Jeremy Scahill, Melisa Wallack, Martin Scorsese, Dorothy McKim, Anders Walter, Alexandre Desplat, Glenn Freemantle, Charles Roven, Jan Lachauer, Mike Prestwood Smith Third Row: Andy Koyama, Chris Lawrence, Megan Ellison, Alexander Payne, Joe Letteri, Matthew McConaughey, Emma Tillinger Koskoff, Jonathan Gordon, Baldwin Li, Peter Del Vecho, Adam Stockhausen, Christopher Rouse, Alice Baker, Jared Leto, Mark Taylor, Selma Vilhunen, Jay Cassidy, Julie Delpy, Chris Renaud, June Squibb, Phedon Papamichael, Wylie Stateman, Bradley Cooper, Felix van Groeningen, Mark Gill, Jeffrey Karoff, Jeff Pope, David Brownlow, Joshua Oppenheimer, Chris Buck, Alexandre Espigares Fourth Row: Tim Webber, Thomas Vinterberg, Terence Winter, Thomas Newman, Roger A. Deakins, Andy Nicholson, Neil Courbold, Kristine Belson, Peter Anderson, Ron Yerxa, Jehane Noujaim, Alan Baumgarten, Billy Ray, David Heyman, Kim Magnusson, Cate Blanchett, Esteban Crespo, John Ridley, Signe Byrge Sorensen, Jonah Hill, Stephen Prouty, Kirsikka Saari, Tim Alexander, Jennifer Lee, Joanne Woollard, Barkhad Abdi, Richard Linklater, Joe Walker, Edgar Barens, David Clayton Fifth Row: Michael De Luca, Sandra Bullock, Edson Williams, Philippe Le Sourd, Amy Adams, Kirk DeMicco, Alfonso Cuaron, Daniel Sousa, Karen O, Leonardo DiCaprio, Karim Amer, John Mac McMurphy, Dan Sudick, Lupita Nyong’o, Chris Meledandri, Pharrell Williams, Judy Becker, Bob Nelson, Meryl Streep, David O. Russell, Rachel Winter, Christopher Boyes, Bruce Dern, Jeremy Kleiner, Steve Coogan, Steve Boeddeker, Dan Golden, Morgan Neville, Christian Bale, Jason Cohen keywords: 86th Oscars®, Nominees Luncheon, Group Photo credit: Todd Wawrychuk / ©A.M.P.A.S.


Front row seated: Eric Reynolds, Eric Warren Singer, Oliver Tarney, Eric Saindon, Max Lang, Dana Brunetti, Craig Borten, Michael Semanick, Steven Price, Lauren MacMullen, Aldruitha Lee, Patrick Tubach, Erik Nash, Robert Lopez, Robbie Brenner, Tracey Seaward, Robin Matthews, Gloria Pasqua-Casny
Front row standing: Caitrin Rogers, Crispin Struthers, Malcolm Clarke, Greg Orloff, Joey McFarland, Gabrielle Tana, Zachary Heinzerling, Ben Grossmann, Guy Williams, Joel Harlow, Vincent Landay, Beau Borders, Gene Serdena, Richard Hymns, Paolo Sorrentino, Mark Sanger, David Shirk, Richard Suckle, Anthony Katadas, Chris Burdon, Gary Brozenich, Nicolas Reed, Bono
Second Row: Richard Rowley, Spike Jonze, Chris Sanders, Lydia Dean Pilcher, Michael Wilkinson, Albert Bergen, Hany Abu-Assad, K.K. Barrett, William Butler, Peter F. Kurland, Rosie Goodwin, Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Burt Dalton, Ethan Hawke, Martin Pensa, Steve McQueen, Jeremy Scahill, Melisa Wallack, Martin Scorsese, Dorothy McKim, Anders Walter, Alexandre Desplat, Glenn Freemantle, Charles Roven, Jan Lachauer, Mike Prestwood Smith
Third Row: Andy Koyama, Chris Lawrence, Megan Ellison, Alexander Payne, Joe Letteri, Matthew McConaughey, Emma Tillinger Koskoff, Jonathan Gordon, Baldwin Li, Peter Del Vecho, Adam Stockhausen, Christopher Rouse, Alice Baker, Jared Leto, Mark Taylor, Selma Vilhunen, Jay Cassidy, Julie Delpy, Chris Renaud, June Squibb, Phedon Papamichael, Wylie Stateman, Bradley Cooper, Felix van Groeningen, Mark Gill, Jeffrey Karoff, Jeff Pope, David Brownlow, Joshua Oppenheimer, Chris Buck, Alexandre Espigares
Fourth Row: Tim Webber, Thomas Vinterberg, Terence Winter, Thomas Newman, Roger A. Deakins, Andy Nicholson, Neil Courbold, Kristine Belson, Peter Anderson, Ron Yerxa, Jehane Noujaim, Alan Baumgarten, Billy Ray, David Heyman, Kim Magnusson, Cate Blanchett, Esteban Crespo, John Ridley, Signe Byrge Sorensen, Jonah Hill, Stephen Prouty, Kirsikka Saari, Tim Alexander, Jennifer Lee, Joanne Woollard, Barkhad Abdi, Richard Linklater, Joe Walker, Edgar Barens, David Clayton
Fifth Row: Michael De Luca, Sandra Bullock, Edson Williams, Philippe Le Sourd, Amy Adams, Kirk DeMicco, Alfonso Cuaron, Daniel Sousa, Karen O, Leonardo DiCaprio, Karim Amer, John Mac McMurphy, Dan Sudick, Lupita Nyong’o, Chris Meledandri, Pharrell Williams, Judy Becker, Bob Nelson, Meryl Streep, David O. Russell, Rachel Winter, Christopher Boyes, Bruce Dern, Jeremy Kleiner, Steve Coogan, Steve Boeddeker, Dan Golden, Morgan Neville, Christian Bale, Jason Cohen
credit: Todd Wawrychuk / ©A.M.P.A.S.

Kristen Bell And Michael B. Jordan To Host Academy’s Sci-Tech Awards

Actors Kristen Bell and Michael B. Jordan will host the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Scientific and Technical Awards on Saturday, February 15, at The Beverly Hills Hotel.  They will present 19 awards to 52 individual recipients during the evening.

We are thrilled to have Kristen and Michael join us as hosts for this year’s Sci-Tech Awards,” said Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs.  “They are bright, young talents in the film community and will be a great addition to a night that honors the industry’s technical achievements.

Bell recently lent her voice to the Oscar®-nominated Disney animated feature “Frozen.”  She also will be seen in the title role of the upcoming feature “Veronica Mars,” in theaters this March.  Bell’s other film credits include “The Lifeguard,” “Hit & Run,” “When in Rome” and “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.”

In 2013, Jordan appeared in his first major leading role in the critically acclaimed film “Fruitvale Station.”  He also will be seen in “That Awkward Moment,” with Zac Efron and Miles Teller, due out this Friday.  His other credits include “Chronicle” and “Red Tails.”

Portions of the Scientific and Technical Awards Presentation will be included in the Oscar telecast.

Pharrell Williams To Perform On The Oscars®

Singer-songwriter-producer Pharrell Williams will perform his Oscar®-nominated song “Happy” at the Oscars®, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. The Oscars, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, will air on Sunday, March 2, live on ABC.

Singer-songwriter-producer Pharrell Williams will perform his Oscar®-nominated song “Happy” at the Oscars®, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. The Oscars, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, will air on Sunday, March 2, live on ABC.

Singer-songwriter-producer Pharrell Williams will perform his Oscar®-nominated song “Happy” at the Oscars®, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. The Oscars, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, will air on Sunday, March 2, live on ABC.

Happy,” which Williams wrote and produced for “Despicable Me 2,” is nominated for Original Song. The three other nominated songs are “Ordinary Love” from “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,” “Let It Go” from “Frozen” and “The Moon Song” from “Her.”

Williams has won seven Grammy Awards®, two (in 2004 and 2014) for Producer of the Year. Named Billboard’s Producer of the Decade in 2010, his productions have sold over 100 million copies. Williams collaborated on two of 2013’s most ubiquitous anthems: Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” which he co-wrote and produced and Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky,” which he co-wrote and also sang.  As a solo producer and as part of the prolific producing team The Neptunes, Williams has played a key role in creating a string of hits over more than two decades, including Jay-Z’s “I Just Wanna Love U (Give it 2 Me),” Nelly’s “Hot in Herre,” Gwen Stefani’s “Hollaback Girl,” Snoop Dogg’s “Drop it Like it’s Hot,” Britney Spears’ “I’m A Slave 4 U” and Justin Timberlake’s “Like I Love You.”

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Announces 2014 Governors Ball Creative Team

Academy governor Jeffrey Kurland, event producer Cheryl Cecchetto and master chef Wolfgang Puck will return to create this year’s Governors Ball, the Academy’s official post-Oscar® celebration, which will immediately follow the 86th Oscars® ceremony on Sunday, March 2. The Ball’s 1,500 invited guests include Oscar winners and nominees, show presenters and other telecast participants. The Governors Ball will take place in the Ray Dolby Ballroom on the top level of the Hollywood Highland Center® immediately following the Oscar telecast.

Academy governor Jeffrey Kurland, event producer Cheryl Cecchetto (pictured) and master chef Wolfgang Puck will return to create this year’s Governors Ball, the Academy’s official post-Oscar® celebration, which will immediately follow the 86th Oscars® ceremony on Sunday, March 2. The Ball’s 1,500 invited guests include Oscar winners and nominees, show presenters and other telecast participants. credit: Todd Wawrychuk / ©A.M.P.A.S.

Academy governor Jeffrey Kurland, event producer Cheryl Cecchetto (pictured) and master chef Wolfgang Puck will return to create this year’s Governors Ball, the Academy’s official post-Oscar® celebration, which will immediately follow the 86th Oscars® ceremony on Sunday, March 2. The Ball’s 1,500 invited guests include Oscar winners and nominees, show presenters and other telecast participants.
credit: Todd Wawrychuk / ©A.M.P.A.S.

As the chair of the Governors Ball, Kurland will oversee the décor, menu and entertainment planning, as well as design the attire to be worn by the evening’s staff. Kurland is an acclaimed costume designer whose feature credits include “Hannah and Her Sisters,“Radio Days,” “Crimes and Misdemeanors,” “Erin Brockovich,” “Ocean’s Eleven,” “Collateral,” “Inception,” “The Dictator,” “Beautiful Creatures” and the upcoming film “Tomorrowland,” starring George Clooney. He received an Oscar nomination for Costume Design for “Bullets over Broadway.” This will be Kurland’s fifth year serving as the chair of the Governors Ball.

Academy governor Jeffrey Kurland (pictured), event producer Cheryl Cecchetto and master chef Wolfgang Puck will return to create this year’s Governors Ball, the Academy’s official post-Oscar® celebration, which will immediately follow the 86th Oscars® ceremony on Sunday, March 2. The Ball’s 1,500 invited guests include Oscar winners and nominees, show presenters and other telecast participants. credit: Heather Ikei / ©A.M.P.A.S.

Academy governor Jeffrey Kurland (pictured), event producer Cheryl Cecchetto and master chef Wolfgang Puck will return to create this year’s Governors Ball, the Academy’s official post-Oscar® celebration, which will immediately follow the 86th Oscars® ceremony on Sunday, March 2. The Ball’s 1,500 invited guests include Oscar winners and nominees, show presenters and other telecast participants.
credit: Heather Ikei / ©A.M.P.A.S.

Cecchetto, along with her Sequoia Productions team, will work with Kurland to manage every detail pertaining to the event, including décor, entertainment, food and personnel. With the transcendent wonder of nature as a theme, this year’s Ball will feature lush vertical gardens designed with classic, elegant lines, inviting guests to meet, mingle and celebrate under the stars. Sequoia Productions’ clients include The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, G’Day USA, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Westfield, and the UCSF Medical Center at Mission Bay. This will be Cecchetto’s 25th consecutive year producing the Governors Ball. Continue reading

ACADEMY TO CELEBRATE OSCAR NIGHT® NEW YORK AT DANIEL BOULUD’S ICONIC RESTAURANT DANIEL

For the second consecutive year, Chef Daniel Boulud’s iconic, landmark restaurant DANIEL will roll out the red carpet for local members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, entertainment industry executives and several hometown luminaries to celebrate the 86th Oscars® with an exclusive viewing party and dinner.  This is the only East Coast event officially hosted by the Academy.

Coming off its 20th anniversary celebration this past May, DANIEL remains a fixture in the New York restaurant scene.  Chef Boulud, who hails from Lyon, France, is considered one of America’s leading culinary authorities and is one of the most revered chefs in New York City, his home since 1982.

In addition to Chef Boulud’s award-winning contemporary French cuisine, the Oscar Night menu will feature a signature “Red Carpet Cocktail” created by head bartender Arnaud Dissais, and desserts by executive pastry chef Ghaya Oliveira that will pay homage to this year’s Best Picture nominees.

Oscar Night New York brings together the local film community to celebrate outstanding achievements in cinema, and we are thrilled to return to DANIEL for another memorable evening with Chef Boulud,” said Patrick Harrison, the Academy’s director of New York programs and membership.

High-definition, large-screen LCD monitors augmented by Dolby® sound equipment throughout the dining room will create an immersive experience for guests.

It is with great excitement that I and the DANIEL team prepare to host Oscar Night New York for a second year.  We take great pleasure in providing the East Coast Academy members a venue to enjoy the Oscars together, and infusing a bit of glamour into the evening,” said Chef Boulud.

Two 7.5-foot Oscar® statues will greet the New York partygoers as they enter the restaurant on Oscar Night.  These golden sentinels are identical to the larger-than-life Oscars that will greet the ceremony’s attendees in Hollywood.