How to Host an Academy Awards Party

With a worldwide rep as the ultimate in glitz and glamour, the Academy Awards circuit is part fashion, part schmoozefest, but at heart it’s just a partying, people-watching lollapalooza. Get caught up in the fever and host your very own Academy Awards costume party, and you’ll be the star of your own high-concept production.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Food and beverage
• Red velvet or felt fabric
• Paper and printer to make all of the games and name cards
• TV and viewing area
• Camera and microphone
• Containers to hold costume jewelry and costumes for the mannequins
• Oscartini ingredients
• Red carpet
• Ribbon, hole punch

The Invitation

1. Launch the event by mounting your invite on a piece of red carpet. Use the details below in the text of your invitation, and send it in a white envelope with a red wax seal (or red sticker seal).
   
   •Production: Academy Awards Viewing Party
   
   •Director: (Insert your name.)
   
   •Camera Ready: Yes (Invite guests to come dressed as their favorite actor, in red carpet attire or as a grip, that is, in T-shirt and jeans.)
   
   •Date: Bring one! Sunday, February 25, 2007
   
   •Scene: Total! It starts at 5:00 p.m. PST on ABC.
   
   •Take: Yourself to (your address)
   
   •RSVP: Have your people contact my people at (e-mail address or phone number).

Setting the Scene

2. Get your pad ready, and you don't have to be on an art director’s budget to do it. Here are a few ideas worthy of any Hollywood scene.

3. Roll out a piece of red carpet for guest entry (see the Resources section below). Go crazy with a few strobe lights for the paparazzi effect.

4. Go Kodak Theater with the seating by draping red velvet or felt over couches and chairs.

5. Hang or tape signs with your guests’ last names on their seats. During rehearsal for the Academy Awards, the producers of the broadcast use signs with celebrities' names on them so they can see where everyone is seated.

And the Oscar for Best Picture Goes to . . .

6. Keep your guests entertained and alert. The Oscars' running time can easily turn your schmoozefest into a snoozefest. Here are a few party activity tips to encourage the fun.

7. Make a famous movie quotes quiz. List movie quotes, and then leave a blank for guests to fill in the movie and actor with whom the quote originated. For example: “Say hello to my little friend.” Use other quotes people are sure to recognize (see the Resources section below).

8. Set up two mannequins with two boxes of clothing. Then have a timed contest for who can dress their mannequin the quickest for the red carpet.

9. Make small tags (2.5 by 2.5 inches) out of white card stock with movie quotes or nominated movies on them. Cut them out, laminate them if you can, punch a hole in the corner, loop a ribbon through and tie them to the base of your cocktail glasses. Drink tags are a great excuse for guests to mingle with each other, and they help everyone keep an eye on their glasses once they are a few “Oscartinis” deep (see Resources below).

10. Toss together a box of costume jewelry and leave it at the door for guests to put on and strut around in. Have a microphone and video camera set up and encourage guests to brag about which designer they are wearing and who loaned them their jewelry. Send a copy of the tape with a card after the party as a thank-you gift.

[amyth]

on 7/29/2007 how to do a launch party