Oscar Line Up

78th Annual Academy Awards - List of Winners, Presenters, Performers As the Night Unfolded

Straight from my source at the Kodak Theater, here is the order of tonight's Academy Awards presentation, according to the official program. It will be updated with category presenters and winners throughout the evening as awards are announced.

1. Performance By An Actor In A Supporting Role, presented by Nicole Kidman to George Clooney for "Syriana."

2. Achievement In Visual Effects, presented by "green screened" Ben Stiller to Joe Letteri, Brian Van't Hul, Christian Rivers and Richard Taylor for "King Kong"

3. Animated Feature Film of the Year, presented by Reese Witherspoon to Nick Park and Steve Box for "Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit"

PERFORMANCE, introduced by Naomi Watts: Dolly Parton, "Travelin' Thru" from "Transamerica"

4. Live Action Short Film, presented by Luke and Owen Wilson to Martin McDonagh for "Six Shooter"

5. Animated Short Film, presented by Luke & Owen Wilson and Chicken Little & Abbey Mallard (voiced by Joan Cusack) to John Canemaker and Peggy Stern for "The Moon and the Son: An Imagined Conversation"

6. Achievement In Costume Design, presented by Jennifer Aniston to Colleen Atwood for "Memoirs of a Geisha"

MONTAGE, introduced by Russell Crowe, clips of biographical films

7. Achievement In Makeup, presented by cleverly made up Will Ferrell and Steve Carell to Howard Berger and Tami Lane for "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe"

INTRODUCTION of Scientific and Technical Awards highlights, by it's host Rachel McAdams.

8. Performance By An Actress In A Supporting Role, presented by Morgan Freeman to Rachel Weisz for "The Constant Gardener"

MONTAGE, introduced by previously unannounced presenter Lauren Bacall, in recognition of film noir.

COMEDIC MOMENT, parody of Best Actress Oscar campaigns, voiced by Steven Colbert

9. Documentary Short Subject, presented by Terrence Howard to Corinne Marrinan and Eric Simonson for "A Note of Triumph: The Golden Age of Norman Corwin"

10. Best Documentary Feature, presented by Charlize Theron to Luc Jacquet and Yves Darondeau for "March of the Penguins"

PERFORMANCE, introduced by Jennifer Lopez: Kathleen (Bird) York, "In the Deep" from "Crash"

11. Achievement In Art Direction, presented by Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves to John Myhre (art direction) and Gretchen Rau (set decoration) for "Memoirs of a Geisha"

MONTAGE, introduced by Samuel L. Jackson, in recognition of social issues addressed in films

BATHROOM BREAK, Academy President Sid Ganis touts the honor of the Academy, 6 major films being filmed right now in New Orleans employing 600 workers.

12. Achievement In Music Written For Motion Pictures (Original Score), scores PERFORMED by Itzhak Perlman; award presented by Salma Hayek to Gustavo Santaolalla for "Brokeback Mountain"

MONTAGE, introduced by Jake Gyllenhaal, in recognition of film epics.

13. Achievement In Sound Mixing, presented by Jessica Alba and Eric Bana to CHRISTOPHER BOYES, MICHAEL SEMANICK, MICHAEL HEDGES and HAMMOND PEEK for "King Kong"

TRIBUTE & presentation of HONORARY OSCAR, introduced by Lily Tomlin and Meryl Streep to Robert Altman

PERFORMANCE, introduced by Chris "Ludacris" Bridges: Taraji Hanson and Three 6 Mafia - Jordan Houston, Cedric Coleman and Paul Beauregard, "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp" from "Hustle & Flow"

14. Achievement In Music Written For Motion Pictures (Original Song), presented by Queen Latifah to Jordan Houston, Cedric Coleman and Paul Beauregard for "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp" from "Hustle & Flow"!!!!

COMEDIC MOMENT, parody of Sound Editing Oscar campaign, voiced by Steven Colbert

15. Achievement In Sound Editing, presented by Jennifer Garner to Mike Hopkins and Ethan Van der Ryn for "King Kong"

IN MEMORIAM TRIBUTE, introduced by George Clooney

16. Foreign Language Film, presented by Will Smith to Gavin Wood for "Tsotsi" (South Africa)

17. Achievement In Film Editing, presented by Ziyi Zhang to Hughes Winborne for "Crash"

18. Performance By An Actor In A Leading Role, presented by Hilary Swank to Philip Seymour Hoffman for "Capote"

19. Achievement In Cinematography, presented by John Travolta to Dion Beebe for "Memoirs of a Geisha"

20. Performance By An Actress In A Leading Role, presented by Jamie Foxx to Reese Witherspoon for "Walk the Line"

21. Adapted Screenplay, presented by Dustin Hoffman to Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana for "Brokeback Mountain"

22. Original Screenplay, presented by Uma Thurman to Paul Haggis and Bobby Moresco for "Crash" 

23. Achievement In Directing, presented by Tom Hanks to Ang Lee for "Brokeback Mountain"

24. Best Motion Picture of the Year, presented by Jack Nicholson to Paul Haggis and Cathy Schulman for "Crash"

COMMENTS: What is the purpose of the music playing along while the nervous winners are trying to give their speech? (Update - winners I talked to said they did not notice the music in the background while they were on stage). Maybe it was for the enjoyment of the viewing audience (?)

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Oscar Picks

78th Annual Academy Awards - Our Picks

I've received feedback from people asking what our Oscar ballot looks like. I don't profess to be an expert - I leave the prognosticating to the Tom O'Neil's of the world - but to satisfy those requests, here are my picks. Some are based on previous wins, some from newly felt momentum, a few are simply wishful thinking, the rest are based on nothing but gut instinct. We'll print the actual winners after they are revealed tonight.

Update 8:30 p.m. - "my winners" are noted in red. And I'm proud to have correctly predicted 16 of 24 categories : > )

BEST MOTION PICTURE OF THE YEAR
"Crash" Paul Haggis, Cathy Schulman, producers

ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING
Ang Lee, "Brokeback Mountain"

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Philip Seymour Hoffman, "Capote"

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Reese Witherspoon, "Walk the Line"

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Matt Dillon, "Crash"
(award went to George Clooney for "Syriana")

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Rachel Weisz, "The Constant Gardener"

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM OF THE YEAR
"Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit" Nick Park, Steve Box

ACHIEVEMENT IN ART DIRECTION
"Memoirs of a Geisha" John Myhre (art direction); Gretchen Rau (set decoration)

ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY
"Good Night, and Good Luck" Robert Elswit
(award went to Dion Beebe for "Memoirs of a Geisha")

ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN
"Memoirs of a Geisha" Colleen Atwood

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
"March of the Penguins" Luc Jacquet, Yves Darondeau

DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT
"The Death of Kevin Carter: Casualty of the Bang Bang Club" Dan Krauss
(winners Corinne Marrinan, Eric Simonson for "A Note of Triumph: The Golden Age of Norman Corwin")

ACHIEVEMENT IN FILM EDITING
"Crash" Hughes Winborne

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
"Joyeux Noël" (France)
(award went to Gavin Wood for "Tsotsi" (South Africa))

ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKEUP
"The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" Howard Berger, Tami Lane

ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC WRITTEN FOR MOTION PICTURES (Original Score)
"Brokeback Mountain" Gustavo Santaolalla

ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC WRITTEN FOR MOTION PICTURES (Original Song)
"It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp" from "Hustle & Flow," music and lyric by Jordan Houston, Cedric Coleman, Paul Beauregard

ANIMATED SHORT FILM
"One Man Band" Andrew Jimenez, Mark Andrews
(winners John Canemaker, Peggy Stern for "The Moon and the Son: An Imagined Conversation")

LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM
"Ausreisser (The Runaway)" Ulrike Grote
(award went to Martin McDonagh for "Six Shooter")

ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND EDITING
"War of the Worlds" Richard King
(winners Mike Hopkins, Ethan Van der Ryn for "King Kong")

ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND MIXING
"King Kong" Christopher Boyes, Michael Semanick, Michael Hedges, Hammond Peek

ACHIEVEMENT IN VISUAL EFFECTS
"King Kong" Joe Letteri, Brian Van't Hul, Christian Rivers, Richard Taylor

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
"Capote" - screenplay by Dan Futterman
(winners Larry McMurtry, Diana Ossana for "Brokeback Mountain")

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
"Crash" - screenplay by Paul Haggis, Bobby Moresco; story by Paul Haggis 

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Oscar Red Carpet

Oscar Countdown 2006 Co-Hosts, Official Red Carpet Celebrity Greeter

Oscar® Countdown 2006 Co-Hosts

Billy Bush, Chris Connelly, Cynthia Garrett and Vanessa Minnillo have been set to co-host the Academy's hour-long red carpet arrivals show "Oscar Countdown 2006" preceding the 78th Academy Awards®. This is the seventh Oscar Night® association for Connelly, the third for Bush, and the first for Garrett and Minnillo. Each correspondent will be trying to capture the thoughts, nervousness and excitement of the nominees as they proceed down the red carpet to what may be one of the most exciting nights of their lives.

Bush is co-anchor of "Access Hollywood." He joined the program in December 2001 as the east coast correspondent and became the co-anchor in June of 2004.

Connelly is a correspondent for ESPN and a contributing correspondent for "20/20." Prior to ESPN, he was an on-air correspondent and editorial director of MTV News.

Garrett was most recently seen as co-host of "Life & Style" and can be seen regularly on HBO. Prior to joining "Life & Style," she spent four years with VH1, where she began her on camera career.

Minnillo is a recent addition to the Entertainment Tonight family as a New York-based correspondent. She also serves as a co-host for MTV's "Total Request Live" and has hosted several MTV specials.

The pre-show will be produced by Dennis Doty and executive produced by Gil Cates. It will air on ABC Television at 4 p.m. PST/ 7 p.m. EST and will segue directly into the 78th Academy Awards presentation at 5 p.m.

 

Robert Osborne to Serve as Academy's Red Carpet Celebrity Greeter

Film historian, television host and Hollywood Reporter columnist Robert Osborne has been selected as the Academy's 2006 red carpet celebrity greeter, Academy President Sid Ganis announced.

Osborne will step into the slot occupied for the past four decades by Daily Variety columnist Army Archerd, who has stepped down and this year will himself be a celebrity guest of the Academy at the 78th Academy Awards.

In addition to writing a column for the Hollywood Reporter, Osborne is the prime time host of Turner Classic Movies and a frequent host of Academy events, both in New York and Los Angeles. In addition, he is the author of the Academy's official history, "75 Years of the Oscar" and hosts Robert Osborne's Classic Film Festival in Athens, Georgia.

"Robert Osborne's taking over this important Oscar night slot is perfect," Ganis said. "He' s a man personally familiar with today's stars, but with a historian's knowledge of the movies and the Oscar ceremonies."

"Army became an institution on our red carpet," Ganis added. "He had done it for so long that no one, including Army, is sure when he started or how long he has introduced celebrities to the bleacher crowds. We don't even have a name for it — it's always been 'the Army Archerd position.'

"But it's a vital position, very important to the creation of an atmosphere of excitement that pervades the Academy Awards red carpet experience. Each time another celebrity arrives and is introduced, a collective roar from the bleacher fans adds another visceral jolt to those arriving on the carpet. We think we've found just the person in Robert Osborne to continue that long tradition for us."

Osborne will be on the carpet for the duration of celebrity arrivals, which are expected to begin about 3 p.m. and conclude at the start of the Oscar telecast at 5 p.m.

Text, photo courtesy AMPAS ©2006

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Oscar Stage Design

2006 Oscar Stage Set

78th Academy Awards® Telecast producer Gil Cates and production designer Roy Christopher recently revealed the set design of the March 5 Oscar telecast.

"When designing the Oscars, I try to make the current show as different from the year before as possible," said Christopher. "Last year's show was distinguished by a hi-tech, 'cutting-edge' style. So this year, there's nothing hi-tech -- it's a no-holds-barred return to classic Hollywood glamour, paying homage to old movie theaters." "I wanted to celebrate the movies and to include great movie houses and screens," said Cates. "So Roy went back to the classic ornate movie houses for his inspiration, which, I think, is superbly reflected in the final design."

"I have always loved the movie theaters of the '30s, '40s and '50s," Christopher said. "The man who designed many of them was S. Charles Lee, who was remarkably imaginative and architecturally daring, making movie theaters in styles ranging from the ornate Hollywood baroque to the sleek art-moderne. His spaces were exciting places that upon entering made you feel that something extraordinary was going to happen."

That anticipation of what is about to happen is exactly what Christopher hopes the Academy Awards audience and the millions watching at home will experience on Oscar night. His homage to the world of movie theater design comes complete with a 65-foot-long giant "Oscar" marquee, a pair of 20-foot-tall frosted glass Oscars, an art deco box-office and several movie screens ranging from the elegant movie palace traditional to the gigantic wide-screen deco.

This is the 17th time that Christopher has designed the Oscar set, 11 with telecast producer Gil Cates. Christopher has received 35 Emmy nominations, 16 of them for his work on the Oscar telecast, for which he has won six Emmy Awards.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2005 will be presented on Sunday, March 5, 2006, at the Kodak Theatre at the Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network beginning at 5 p.m. PST. A one-hour red carpet arrivals show will precede the telecast at 4 p.m. Information about the 78th Annual Academy Awards can be accessed on line at www.oscar.com.

Text, photo courtesy AMPAS ©2006