As slow and boring as Tuesday was, Wednesday took off with a life of its own. In addition to my Blog on the Star Beacon Website, I am calling in to Star 97, Magic 102.5, and 98.3 the Bull with Oscar reports, then calling into Conneaut AM Live in Conneaut later.
As soon as these calls were complete, it was off to get breakfast. Next, I needed to pick up my red carpet credential at the Hollywood Renaissance Hotel next door. Picking up your credential is always intimidating with layers of security to rival visiting the White House. Neat young women surrounded by all manner of paper grill you on your restrictions, photocopy your drivers license, and get your cell phone number, just in case they need to you turn yourself in for violating one of the dozens of regulations governing the use of the setup credential. With credentials in hand, it was off to the Headquarters of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) to meet Ohio native Randy Haberkamp, director of education and Special Projects. You will notice the mention of the New Knoxville Telephone and Cable Company among my sponsors.
Randy's hometown is New Knoxville, and I am covering the Oscars for them this year too. We tried not to be intimidated, but it was difficult while we entered the building and began combing through rows of cubicles in search of Mr. Haberkamp. A quiet and somewhat reserved gentleman, Randy greeted us warmly in his office. A collection of old movies on DVD, marketing literature from the last nine Oscar shows of which he has been a part, and random movie figurines and memorabilia. We spoke for a few minutes before Randy took us down to the ground level and began a tour of the facility including their mini-red carpet, the Samuel Goldwyn Theater, and their in-house museum. The Samuel Goldwyn Theater seats over one thousand and is home to many of the symposiums given by the Academy as part of the week-long festivities surrounding the Academy Awards.
Randy effortlessly details the technical information about the many film media types that can be shown in the Goldwyn Theater, from 35mm to 70mm, from DVD to 3-D. A few minutes into the tour you can tell he is where he belongs. You can see in his eyes that Randy clearly loves the art form of Motion Pictures. As he recounts seeing Star Wars in the 70's, he is nearly breathless. The other thing you notice about this refined man is the absolute loyalty to protecting the brand of the Academy in everything they produce and every article they print.
Perhaps no corporation in the world is as focused on the projection of their image as is the AMPAS. After an all to quick hour passes, we say our goodbyes and hop the elevator to leave. We feel blessed to see what we've seen and are reminded of the inspirational potential of the cinema that has bewitched man for the past century. Thursday is expected to keep pace with Wednesday as we make our first report from the Red Carpet and then head back to the !
Academy headquarters for a symposium for the Directors of the nominated Animated Features. As we setup on that mini-red carpet, we'll do our best to pretend we belong and pinch ourselves later. We better run as I owe about four different media outlets video of Tuesday and now Wednesday. Again, a big thank you to our sponsors who helped make our trip a reality: The Star Beacon, ACMC, Conneaut Savings Bank, EB & Co., Star 97, 98.3 The Bull, Magic Oldies 102.5, New Knoxville Telephone and Cable Company, and of course, my employer Conneaut Telephone Company and CableSuite 541.
Ken at the Oscars
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A busy day with the Oscars
- Ken at the Oscars
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Ken at the Oscars 2012
It’s Time for Oscars 2012!
Forget Groundhog Day! For me, the last week of February gets me through the cold, dark winter. This year is no exception. Once again, I’ll make my pilgrimage to the center of the entertainment world and bring back you sounds and images from the Academy Awards 2012.
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Ken at the Oscars 2012 Day 2
Yesterday we laid out an ambitious plan of our Oscars coverage this year. The problem is though, that while you read the stories and watch the video, you are stuck at home while I’m enjoying the Oscar buzz in Hollywood. Doesn’t seem fair does it?
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Ken at the Oscars 2012 Day 3
Oscars Day 3
Today is the big travel day to the Oscars. We woke up today in Ashtabula County, and before I get to lie down in pajamas to sleep again, we’ll drive to Pittsburgh to catch our flight, land in Las Vegas to rent a car, and then drive five hours over to Hollywood!
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Ken at the Oscars 2012 Day 4
In today’s video clip, CableSuite 541 Movie Critic and Star 97 DJ Jim Kulko and I opine about our favorites for the Oscar wins this year. Many people ask why the Oscars don’t more closely track the box office with the movie making the best money in the year winning best picture.
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Ken at the Oscars 2012 Day 5
Thursday is one of my favorite days covering the Oscars (along with the rest of them) because Thursday morning is the Governor’s Ball Food and Beverage Preview! The Governor’s Ball is a formal dinner held at the Hollywood and Highland Center immediately following the Oscars telecast. You have to remember the Oscars take place at 5:30pm Pacific time, so when the show is over three hours later, there is still plenty of time to party in Tinseltown!
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Ken at the Oscars 2012 Day 6
Thursday rounded out nicely, having spent the morning dining on Wolfgang Puck treats, then in the evening, it was time for the Oscar Nominated Features Symposium. The Animated Features Symposium is a chance to meet the filmmakers behind the year’s Oscar Nominated Animated Features and a chance to ask them questions about the animated medium.
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Ken at the Oscars 2012 Day 7
It’s Oscar Day! After a week of preparation and stories leading up to the event, I’m almost sad that the day is upon us. Of course, this also means I have to return to Northeast Ohio and my day job, but I think I am ready to get back.
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Ken at the Oscars 2012
