Academy Awards 2011: Scene and heard

Christian Bale, winner for supporting actor in “The Fighter,” is known as an actor who takes physicality to a whole new level. but he doesn’t see it as a sacrifice. “I just liked the character, it wasn’t until a little bit later where I was like, ‘How many fat crackheads do you see?’ and [he realized he’d have to lose weight]. I didn’t ever take acting classes. I always feel like I have to make up for that. I saw something one time, it was Jimi Hendrix. I just adore the guy’s talent and just raw ability to just communiate through his guitar -- his finger just bleeding. I always said, ‘That’s it!’ That inspires me. Whatever it takes.”  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Director Lee Unkrich, holding the Oscar for animated feature for “Toy Story 3,” is reaping the reward, but did know that it would be a big chore. “When John Lasseter asked me to direct this movie, I was completely flattered, but then I wanted to throw up because I knew it was a huge, crushing responsibilty on my shoudlers and I could have very easily ended up being the guy who screwed up the “Toy Story” movies.”  (Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times)

Actor and “The Fighter” producer Mark Wahlberg was one of those in the audience enraptured by Kirk Douglas, who presented the supporting actress award onstage, and had a bit more to be in awe of because of his movie’s subject matter. “Kiss the feet, right? I watched every boxing movie ever made to get ready for ‘The Fighter’ and Kirk Douglas is one of those guys. I love him. What he did in those movies. I mean, I’m not ever going to be one of those Cary Grant guys. I’m not pretty, you know? There’s nobody tonight that I want to meet more than Kirk Douglas.”  (Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times)

“Inception” director Christopher Nolan had no issue seeing his special effects film in the mix with classic academy contenders.

“The intention was always for us to make a blockbuster. But to have a movie that’s science fiction and has all the effects is really nice. It’s encouraging that the academy is recognizing a movie like this too.”  (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images)

Jeff Bridges, looking ever more like a taller version of Kris Kristofferson, shrugged when asked whether this year’s Oscar experience was less nerve-racking than last year’s (when he picked up his first Oscar for his work in “Crazy Heart”). The “True Grit” actor smiled behind his bushy beard and said, “I don’t remember being nervous last year.”  (Mike Nelson / EPA)

The lead actress nominee for “Winter’s Bone” talked about getting ready for her red carpet close-ups.

“I think the hardest part is the dieting. There’s all this pressure to fit into your gown.”  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Warren Beatty said he used to dread the red carpet but learned to embrace the strobe reality of the world’s most famous vanity parade.

“After a period of time, you come to enjoy these things, but they are a, um, unusual construct.” Beatty watched as his wife, Annette Bening, nominated for “The Kids Are All Right,” spoke with pulsing enthusiasm to Pixar guru John Lasseter.  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor, nominated for the original score on “Social Network,” said in the lobby of the Kodak Theatre as the show was about to begin that his first true foray into Hollywood -- and the Hollywood awards season -- has, in fact, tamed some of his relentless competitive spirit.

“I’ve gotten to know the other nominees, and I like them. They’re really cool, and there’s so much I know I can learn. So there’s none of that cutthroat competition I would usually have.”  (Andrew Gombert / EPA)

Aron Ralston, the man whose harrowing tale of survival was the basis for the Oscar-nominated “127 Hours,” was asked about the oddity of celebrating a movie that’s all about isolation by standing in the middle of a human circus?

“It’s the craziest melee of humanity I’ve ever seen. But my movie is all about human connection, so in a way, this all makes sense. Danny [Boyle] and Simon [Beaufoy] and everyone else made a movie that’s so authentic, and the fact that we’re here shows the academy recognizes that.”  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

“The Social Network” had most of the momentum going into Oscar season, but “The King’s Speech” has turned it around. “Speech” writer David Seidler doesn’t believe that the regal movie stole any mojo. “We didn’t steal it. It just happened.” He also added: “And I think ‘The Social Network’ will do very well this evening.”  (Matt Sayles / Associated Press)

French composer Alexandre Desplat, Oscar-nominated music composer on “The King’s Speech” who also did music for “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1,” talked about creating music for a movie that’s actually about a person’s inability to speak fluently. “It’s not easy. You have to create music that respects the silence, not just for the people trying to speak but those trying to listen.”  (Andrew Gombert / EPA)

A supporting actress nominee for her role as Mark Wahlberg‘s mother in “The Fighter,” Leo was one of many who mentioned the unusually cold weather in Hollywood. “This dress was made especially for me. I saw it on a dummy a month and a half ago, but it’s so cold now!”  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

“The Social Network’s” Armie Hammer, left, wasn’t too upset that “The King’s Speech” was sweeping the awards season. “I kind of like being an underdog. Even if we come away and don’t win, some people will say we were snubbed and that’s enough for me. ... Hey, it’s my first rodeo.”

And it seems like the Winkelvoss twins’ actor wasn’t too concerned about the men he played in the film reopening their lawsuit against Mark Zuckerberg either. “I’m not paying that much attention to it. People e-mail me every once in a while and say, ‘Can you believe they’ve done this?’ Or ‘can you believe they’re on Piers Morgan?’ And I’m like, ‘No.’ I haven’t really followed them since we finished the movie.”  (Andrew Gombert / EPA)

The “Black Swan” director was quoted on how unlikely it is that his film is even a contender at the Academy Awards, given how the film almost didn’t get made.

“It’s not just about that. ... This is a genre film, and the academy doesn’t look at genre films the same way.”  (Jason Merritt / Getty Images)

Helena Bonham-Carter and Tim Burton made a beeline for the bar after her name wasn’t called out in the supporting actress category but there wasn’t an ounce of despair in her eyes. “I can relax now the pressure is off.” Her director companion looked flummoxed, though, having neither a credit card nor cash with him. “I’m very good paying back debts,” the “Alice in Wonderland” autuer said sheepishly to a woman who signed the bill for his gin. “We’re not prepared.”  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)