“Take a moment and just breathe. Soak in the experience. This is something you're going to tell your grandkids about.”
These words, spoken last week by an Academy Awards employee with an impressive 23 years under her belt, seem particularly relevant today, as I stand on the red carpet.
It’s a tradition that’s endured for almost nine decades, and seeing its spectacle firsthand reveals why it continues to be the fulcrum of the entertainment industry even today.
Security has, unsurprisingly, proven rather tight at the Academy Awards – an event that sees whole swathes of neighbouring streets closed and traffic diverted.
To get here, I had to board a special bus departing from outside a multiplex almost 2km away before being dropped around the corner from the venue.
Joining a line of other guests, I proceeded through a security scanner, retrieved my bag from staff, and made my way to the Red Carpet enclosure – a length of open mall covered by protective transparent plastic.
Where outside there was an air of stillness – the kind of hush that accompanies weekend lulls in traffic – the enclosure is filled with the excited hubbub of the media.
With just an hour until the celebrities arrive, presenters are already filming live crosses ahead of the big event, or livestreaming on their phones, showing tantalizing glimpses of the venue to viewers.
At this point, the actual carpet itself has not yet been cordoned off, so many are taking the opportunity to get a coveted photo or two.
On the far side of the media stands, risers for audience members have been erected. These lucky few will be enjoying front-row views of the big event.
Currently they are being whipped into a frenzy by organizers, who pace to and fro, forcing them to rehearse cheers and applause for the cameras.
With the event swiftly drawing near, I find our allocated space among the press stands.
My colleague, The Fix producer Britt Middleton had previously referred to the stands somewhat ominously as “the bull pen”. The title proves an apt one.
With just a few stairs worth of space - about a metre in width - the spot doesn’t leave a lot of leg room for six staff members and all their equipment.
Also in attendance will be a veritable battalion of stenographers, librarians, and media and PR representatives, dedicated to making sure journalists have immediate access to quotes, facts and stats.
Given the Academy Awards is now in its 89th year, it’s no wonder that such contingencies have been seen to. The event is, if anything, a well-oiled machine.
From 2pm onward, stars begin to filter into the enclosure, corralled at an entrance-way before being ushered out by Oscars staff.
Many stop to pause for photos along the faux gold-leaf encrusted Oscar wall, before casually strolling down the enclosure, guided by assistants holding placards with names and credits and pausing to give comment to interested agencies.
Other guests seem on something of a mission, only offering interviews to a scant few agencies – apparently chosen beforehand – before slipping behind the Red Carpet’s velvet rope cordon.
Some stars get no attention at all, while big names like La La Land star Ryan Gosling dodges requests for comment while fans shower him with delighted shrieks.
For many guests, the Red Carpet is an opportunity to catch up with old and new acquaintances. They form knots along the enclosure’s length, chatting amiably and exchanging hugs and kisses.
As the event progresses and the award ceremony draws near, attendees are goaded into the theatre by an anonymous voice over a loudspeaker, warning they may miss the beginning if they aren’t in their seats by 5pm sharp.
Gradually, the crowds begin to disperse, the media scrambling to get their last interviews before the fount of the famous dries up completely.
With attention swiftly shifting towards the big event itself, the press quickly begins to pack down. Within hours the enclosure will be gone – completely dissembled.
By tomorrow, the Hollywood award season will be over, and Tinseltown can go back to making movie magic and earning next year’s accolades.