The practice of fans camping out on city sidewalks hoping to gain access to coveted Oscar bleacher seats will undergo a major change for the 74th Academy Awards(R). For the first time, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will pre-assign bleacher seats by advance reservation only.
Fans interested in bleacher seat reservations will be required to fill out an application form including personal information such as name, address, birth date, driver’s license and social security numbers. Applications are available on the Academy’s website.
The completed application, along with a recent passport-size photo, should be returned to the Academy as soon as possible and must be received by March 1st. Bleacher seat reservations will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis and all applicants will be screened for security purposes prior to approval.
“This will be the first show in a new facility and we have had to reexamine the way we’ve traditionally done things in the past,” said Academy Executive Administrator Ric Robertson. “We want to make sure we provide a safe and secure environment for all of our guests and fans here to enjoy the show.”
There will be approximately 400 bleacher seats available at the Kodak Theatre. Based on the turnout in previous years, the Academy expects to receive more applications than it can accommodate.
“Every year we unfortunately have to turn away hundreds of fans who have waited outside all night. At least this year, since the decision will be made in advance, no one will have to endure a night in the cold and the fans will actually have time to make alternative Oscar Night plans,” said Robertson.
All applicants will be notified by mail whether they will or will not have bleacher seat reservations. Those who have been granted access will receive a confirmation letter with seat numbers, general guidelines and instructions on when and where to arrive for admittance to the bleachers.
No one will be admitted without the official Academy confirmation letter. Those attempting to wait outside overnight for admittance will not be permitted to do so. Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2001 will be presented on Sunday, March 24, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland.
Get an application at the official Oscar site. Applications also may be requested via e-mail at bleachers@oscars.org or by calling 310-247-3000, ext. 140.
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