JG: James Gagliardi

Academy Awards – Red Carpet

8: Red Carpet

• 2011 Academy Awards

   

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• Oscar Red Carpet

   

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• Oscars_0044_Oscar-bum

   

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• Oscars_0043_Helena

   

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• Oscars_0042_Colin

   

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• Oscars_0041_Javier

   

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• Oscars_0040_Jennifer

   

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• Oscars_0039_Sandra

   

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• Oscars_0038_Swank

   

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• Oscars_0037_Scarlett

   

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• Oscars_0036_Natalie

   

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• Oscars_0035_Cate

   

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• Oscars_0034_Jeff

   

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• Oscars_0033_Ruffalo

   

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• Oscars_0032_Ryan

   

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• Oscars_0031_Hugh

   

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• Oscars_0030_Sharon

   

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• Oscars_0029_Sharon

   

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• Oscars_0028_Halle

   

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• Oscars_0027_Mila

   

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• Oscars_0026_Amy

   

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• Oscars_0025_Mark

   

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• Oscars_0024_Mark

   

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• Oscars_0023_Anne

   

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• Oscars_0022_Anne

   

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• Oscars_0021_Jesse

   

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• Oscars_0020_Donald

   

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• Oscars_0019_El-Capitan

   

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• Oscars_0018_Matthew

   

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• Oscars_0017_Justin

   

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• Oscars_0016_Justin

   

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• Oscars_0015_Reese

   

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• Oscars_0014_Nicole

   

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• Oscars_0013_Nicole

   

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• Oscars_0012_Gwenyth

   

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• Oscars_0011_Gwenyth

   

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• Oscars_0010_Oscar

   

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• Oscars_0009_Kevin

   

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• Oscars_0008_Helen

   

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• Oscars_0007_RDJ

   

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• Oscars_0006_Nicole

   

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• Oscars_0005_RDJ-Christian

   

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• Oscars_0004_Christian

   

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• Oscars_0003_Annette

   

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• Oscars_0002_Annette

   

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• Oscars_0001_Red-Carpet

   

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• 2011AcademyAwards

   

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This past weekend I had the opportunity to spend the day on the Red Carpet for the 2011 Academy Awards.

Several years ago a friend and collegue told me about winning a chance to be on the Red Carpet for the Oscars. For one week, you can register for a chance for two (2) of 700 seats available along the red carpet. So for the last few years, every fall I've registering to win a chance to sit in the bleachers for the big event. I had no idea how many years it would take, if ever, to actually win since some years they receive up to 20,000 registrants.

This was our year.

In late September we were notified that we had been selected to attend, contingent on submitting to a security and background check. And in early 2011 we were cleared to attend. And so the countdown and anticipation began.

We arrived on Friday evening so we had all day Saturday to tour Hollywood. Hollywood Blvd in front of the Kodak Theatre had already been blocked off and dozens of workers were finishing the setup of Red Carpet.

Sunday we were required to be at the Kodak Theatre by 9 am to get checked in. After making our way through security we were given our access badges and assigned seats. Security was an obvious big concern, and overnight several blocks in all directions from the Kodak Theatre had also been blocked off, large concrete barracades in place, and 10 foot chain link fencing around the all of the sidewalks prohibited pedestrians from walking in the street.

The Red Carpet is approximately 500 feet long and only approx 25 feet across. The bleachers were right up against the Red Carpet so we were closer to the action than I initial imagined.

We spent the morning watching the media reporting from the Red Carpet. At noon they cleared the Red Carpet of the media, and for most of the early afternoon we were just waiting for the stars to arrive.

At 3 pm the stars began arriving, and for next 2 1/2 hours the Red Carpet was packed with the celebrities, flash bulbs, and cheers.

Mark Walberg, Justin Timberlake, Robert Downey Jr., Gwenyth Paltrow, and Sandra Bullock were the most actively engaged with the fans in the bleachers. Celine Dion and Cate Blanchett were the coldest to the crowds. And no sign of George Clooney, Denzel Washington, Tom Hanks, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, or Russell Crowe. No major fashion mishaps, with the exception of Sharon Stone's hair (see slideshow above for photos).

Overall, it was a long day sitting in the bleachers but I'm very glad I had the opportunity to see it in person and an experience I won't soon forget.

And the Oscar goes to...