Met by a cast of thousands
THEY call it the arrivals area, but the vast red carpet that covered the asphalt intersection of Hollywood and Highland during the 78th Annual Academy Awards could just as easily be thought of as the ultimate departure site -- step on its magical weave and say goodbye to the real world.
“I don’t know how you get used to this, I don’t know if you can and, if you do, you should retire,” said actor William H. Macy, who watched with wide-eyed amusement as his wife, nominee Felicity Huffman, was peppered with questions by a gaggle of shouting reporters from Latin America.
The L-shaped carpet that stretches from the intersection down to the entrance to the Kodak Theatre was a swirl of glamour and sharp elbows -- photographers jostling for position and icy publicists with forced smiles. One photographer angling for a picture of Will Smith shouted down a shocked ticket holder on the red path. “You! Yes, you! Move along! You’re in the background of all pictures!”
The makers of “March of the Penguins” were the first to arrive, at 2:10 p.m., and they brought with them an early-bird special: Tall stuffed penguins that they planned to perch on their laps during the gala. “This one has a necklace; it’s a girl,” said director Luc Jacquet.
Brad Oltmanns and Rick Rosas of PricewaterhouseCoopers arrived shortly after with their satchels containing the envelopes. The pair looked rattled by their venture into the rarefied red zone. They were filmed arriving -- three times. They were gently counseled by the camera operators. “Slower walk, casual walk, natural walk. Good....”
Figuring out the proper pace for the most photographed perp walk in the world is no small matter. Some choose to sprint -- serious actors Philip Seymour Hoffman and Joaquin Phoenix hustled by without stopping for photographs or lingering for the cloying television interviews. George Clooney, eye twinkle and rakish charm turned up to full volume, got to the carpet early and spent the better part of two hours cracking wise and working the rope.
William Hurt, no fan of the celebrity machine, begrudgingly faced the cameras and questions but did so with the mien of a fellow arriving for a root canal. Paul Giamatti seemed to be gasping for breath. Maybe his legs were just tired. “Nobody walks in L.A.,” he said to no one in particular.
The rapper Ludacris, born Chris Bridges, worked the line. Robert Osbourne, the man at the microphone announcing arrivals, blanched when he saw Ludacris approach. “I didn’t know who he was ... Ludicrous?”
The rapper said he was excited to see Three 6 Mafia, the nominated rap group. “Hip-hop arrived at the Grammys already, and now you’re seeing it here,” said Ludacris, who drew attention for his work in “Crash.” “And you’ll see it more as the rappers make music and cross over as actors.”
The din of the carpet is stunning. Helicopters hanging overhead, bleacher fans shouting constantly (“Heath we love you!” “Reese! Reese!” “Laaaaatifah!”) and the cross-chatter of a thousand microphone monologues. Ludacris said the scene was a bit overwhelming. “It’s, like, crazy. I absolutely love it.”
Halfway through the gantlet, Meryl Streep leaned back on a rail and put her hand to her chest, which had a noticeable layer of makeup. She laughed when a reporter asked her to discuss the pros and cons of certain directors. “You really don’t want me to work in this town again, do you,” she said with a playful giggle.
The clock was ticking down, and ushers were pleading with the crowd to please, please, please head into the theater. They got a bit of help when a veteran of the carpet announced that rug time was over.
Morgan Freeman whipped his hand above his head and called an end to the walk of fame. “Let’s go, let’s go. They’re closing the doors.”
*
VIEW FROM THE BLEACHERS: The real Oscar hopefuls come from Reykjavik and Rancho Cucamonga, Van Nuys and Vancouver -- that is, the people who throng the streets surrounding the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood and Highland. Never mind that they can’t get within 500 yards of George, Reese and Heath. For these super fans, basking in the reflected glow of Hollywood star power is enough.
Chris Lee
*
I’m definitely enamored of celebrities,” said Lisa Claypoole, a teacher at Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach, who was armed with a zoom lens several blocks from the Kodak Theatre to take a shot at arrivals. “I’m going to send pictures back to my family in [Pennsylvania]. . . . I’ve seen Roger Ebert, the ‘Access Hollywood’ people.”
*
“If we see George Clooney, it won’t be wasted time. And Reese Witherspoon,” said retired police officer Robert White, who included an Oscar stop during his trip from Ontario, Canada. All the limo [windows]. . . are down so the police officers can look in. You can see everyone!”
*
I have to take baby aspirins to keep my heartbeat down,” said Pamela Marshall of Van Nuys. “If I could see Jamie Foxx, I’d be ecstatic. They’d probably have to call the paramedics if I saw him.”