Los Angeles, Mar 21: Despite the outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East, organizers at the Academy Awards are continuing to prepare for this Sunday's Oscars event. Craftsmen and producers were busy at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on Thursday (March 20, 2003) as they put finishing touches on stage decorations and conducted technical rehearsals. Even as U.S. Marines prepared to move into Iraq, awards show organizers in Hollywood were working at a frenzied pace to prepare for Sunday's Oscars telecast. Crews at the Kodak Theatre, where the event is held, are putting the finishing touches on stage decorations and staging technical rehearsals. Seats have already been assigned to celebrity presenters and nominees, so that video operators can practice their camera movements. For now, cardboard cutouts have been placed into those seats, bearing an image of each celebrity and his or her name. Though some glitzy aspects of the show have been toned down or even eliminated (including the extended line of paparazzi on the red carpet), Oscars producer Gil Cates told journalists earlier this week that he is still aiming for a festive atmosphere. "This is still a big celebration. And we want to have that element of celebrity still there, you know the celebration," said Cates.


Still, it seems clear that both producers and celebrities want to avoid an overly superficial atmosphere. Cates remarked that he has received a number of inquiries from guests about the tone of the broadcast, adding: "I've had one celebrity say, well is it all right if I tone down my dress? I and I said sure it's ok, you select what you, you know, what you want to wear."


The 75th Annual Academy awards are scheduled for Sunday, March 23.


Bureau Report