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Nomination day is an early day in Hollywood. Media outlets arrive at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater as early as 12:30 in the morning to start setting up. The rest of the press corps arrives at 3:30 a.m. for the press breakfast, and some stragglers creep in as late as 5 a.m. Jockeying for position is not as aggressive in a room full of mixed media. But once it is the photogs' turn to rush the theater, watch your toes.
Among the growing list of things that we are learning piss off the paparazzi, waking them up early in the morning is right up there. There was definitely some grumbling in the ranks. True, it can be hard to justify sleep deprivation when your editor can just turn on the radio and grab a pic off AP. Some nearby photogs were wondering what they were even doing there: "The Pictures don't sell anyways."
I said, "Hey, we got free bacon."
One chuckled, "I wish I could be that optimistic."
Not only did we get a free breakfast, but the Academy also provided wireless service, well-prepared press kits, and even validated our parking. So I'd like to thank the Academy. And I'd like to thank my mother for always believing in me. And the big guy upstairs... I mean, really, to the big guy in the apartment upstairs, thanks for finally turning down the stereo so I could concentrate.
