Preparations for the 82nd Academy Awards

Frank Roach of the prop department carries Oscar statues to place along the entrance to the Kodak Theatre.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Frank Roach with the prop department carries Oscar statues to place along the entrance to the Kodak Theatre.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Workmen from American Turf and Cabinet secure the red carpet laid along Hollywood Boulevard in front of the Kodak Theatre.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Geoffrey Doleman carries an Oscar statue to a waiting cart outside the Kodak Theatre.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Geoffrey Doleman, right, and Jeremy Tominberg manipulate an Oscar statue to lay correctly on a cart to be transported to its destination.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Checka Propper, left, and John Campanelli pose for pictures outside the Kodak Theatre. The pair were dressed like characters from “Avatar” for a video segment for TV Guide Network that will air during the Oscar countdown show on Sunday.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

William Connor with the props department uses red drapes to decorate the stands where the fans will crowd on Oscar Sunday.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Scenic artist Dena D’Angelo sands down an Oscar statue.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Dena D’Angelo brushes up the golden guys as production crews begin set-up work on the grounds around the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood before Sunday’s Academy Awards.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

A visitor from Germany, Christian Baab, takes photos across Hollywood Boulevard of the Kodak Theatre.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Scenic artist Gayle Etcheverry applies a coat of primer to the statues.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Heidi Metzler, on spring break from college in Pennsylvania, takes photos of the Kodak Theatre.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)