Oscar prep! Stars get ready for the Academy Awards

Stars were busy getting ready for the 93rd annual Academy Awards on Sunday afternoon.

The awards show will be very different as it will be a socially distanced event held not in Hollywood but in downtown Los Angeles at Union Station with only 170 people and not the usual 3,000.

But there will still be a red carpet, even if there will be much less people on it and very few cameras. 

Getting ready: Reese Witherspoon, who will serve as a presenter at the glitzy event which honors the top achievements in filmmaking, was seen at home the day of. The Little Big Lies actress had little makeup on with her hair down and a hoodie on that read Oscars 2021

Reese Witherspoon, who will serve as a presenter at the glitzy event which honors the top achievements in filmmaking, was seen at home the day of.

The Little Big Lies actress had little makeup on with her hair down and a hoodie on that read Oscars 2021.

The siren – who won an Oscar for her turn in Walk The Line – was outdoor and pointing to her top.

‘It’s #Oscars Sunday! Who’s tuning in tonight?’ the Legally Blonde beauty wrote in her caption.

All good! Her Big Little Lies costar Laura Dern, who will also present at the Oscars, was seen getting a COVID-19 test while in the comfort of her home. All guest were asked to stay away from crowded places like gyms for 10 days before the show. While at the show they will be tested again with temperature checks

All good! Her Big Little Lies costar Laura Dern, who will also present at the Oscars, was seen getting a COVID-19 test while in the comfort of her home. All guest were asked to stay away from crowded places like gyms for 10 days before the show. While at the show they will be tested again with temperature checks

Her Big Little Lies costar Laura Dern, who will also present at the Oscars, was seen getting a COVID-19 test while in the comfort of her home.

All guest were asked to stay away from crowded places like gyms for 10 days before the show. While at the show they will be tested again with temperature checks. 

The Wild At Heart star was on the patio as she held a cotton swab.

Healing hands: Glenn Close posted an image of her feet getting some tender loving care. The nail expert worked on her feet, including a massage for the beloved Fatal Attraction actress

Healing hands: Glenn Close posted an image of her feet getting some tender loving care. The nail expert worked on her feet, including a massage for the beloved Fatal Attraction actress

Dressed in a black top and mask with worn in jeans, she was far from ready for the big night.

Glenn Close posted an image of her feet getting some tender loving care.

The nail expert worked on her feet, including a massage for the beloved Fatal Attraction actress. 

Le look: Zanna, a correspondent for E! News, also shared several images from behind-the-scenes of her do-over for the Oscars

Le look: Zanna, a correspondent for E! News, also shared several images from behind-the-scenes of her do-over for the Oscars

So much to juggle: The perky blonde was seen in her bathroom as she had her hair done into a floppy and fun updo

So much to juggle: The perky blonde was seen in her bathroom as she had her hair done into a floppy and fun updo

Village people: 'It takes a village,' she said as she added her glam team members for the red carpet look such as Traci Garrett for hair

Village people: ‘It takes a village,’ she said as she added her glam team members for the red carpet look such as Traci Garrett for hair

Zanna, a correspondent for E! News, also shared several images from behind-the-scenes of her do-over for the Oscars.

The perky blonde was seen in her bathroom as she had her hair done into a floppy and fun updo.

‘It takes a village,’ she said as she added her glam team members for the red carpet look such as Traci Garrett for hair.

This year, the series will adapt to the demands of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic for a socially distanced show that attempts to follow safety recommendations while steering clear of the virtual format other award shows have adopted. 

To underscore the changes due to the pandemic, there will be no host, no audience, nor face masks for nominees attending the ceremony at Los Angeles’ Union Station — this year’s hub for a show usually broadcast from the Dolby Theatre – though they will have to mask up when not on stage. And there will be COVID-19 testing as well as temperature checks.

And guests – Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon and Zendaya have been secured – are not able to bring guests.

There will only be about 170 attendees in all, which is far less than the 3,000 that normally attended the Oscars pre pandemic. 

Covid-19 precautions: The Oscars are adapting to the coronavirus pandemic by having only 170 attendees at LA's Union Station this year, while Zoom appearances are banned; Union Station seen being prepared for the ceremony on Friday

Covid-19 precautions: The Oscars are adapting to the coronavirus pandemic by having only 170 attendees at LA’s Union Station this year, while Zoom appearances are banned; Union Station seen being prepared for the ceremony on Friday

In contrast with the largely virtual Golden Globes, Zoom boxes have been closed out — though numerous international hubs and satellite feeds will connect nominees unable to travel.

Due to the pandemic, the audience will be significantly capped at the venues, with only 170 attendees allowed inside Union Station, according to the Los Angeles Times.

That’s compared to the usual 3,000 people that the Dolby Theatre can accommodate.

‘As soon as you open the door beyond nominees, their plus-one and the presenters, you can’t control it,’ said filmmaker and first-time Oscars producer Steven Soderbergh at a press conference last week.

What a difference: The Dolby Theatre, where the Academy Awards are normally held, can accommodate up to 3,000 people; Brad Pitt seen in February 2020

What a difference: The Dolby Theatre, where the Academy Awards are normally held, can accommodate up to 3,000 people; Brad Pitt seen in February 2020

Taking it seriously: Steven Soderbergh and other Oscars producers told attendees in a letter that the show is being treated 'as an active movie set' with 'an on-site Covid safety team with PCR testing capacity'; seen in 2019 in NYC

Taking it seriously: Steven Soderbergh and other Oscars producers told attendees in a letter that the show is being treated ‘as an active movie set’ with ‘an on-site Covid safety team with PCR testing capacity’; seen in 2019 in NYC

‘And so that was not even a question for us. Like, this is how it has to be done. [Disney executive] Bob Iger won’t be there. That is just where we are at, and that is how we are being allowed to do it this way.’

In order to keep things moving smoothly, the show will have a bevy of rapid Covid-19 testing and temperature checks on site.

‘We are treating the event as an active movie set, with specially designed testing cadences to ensure up-to-the-minute results, including an on-site Covid safety team with PCR testing capability,’ the Oscar producers wrote in a letter to nominees last month.

In order to cut down on risks, attendees have been asked to skip going to crowded places like gyms or restaurants for the 10 days prior to the ceremony. 

It doesn’t hurt that California now has the lowest coronavirus case rates in the continental United States.

Safety first: In order to cut down on risks, attendees have been asked to skip going to crowded places like gyms or restaurants for the 10 days prior to the ceremony

Safety first: In order to cut down on risks, attendees have been asked to skip going to crowded places like gyms or restaurants for the 10 days prior to the ceremony

Blessing: It doesn't hurt that California now has the lowest coronavirus case rates in the continental United States

Blessing: It doesn’t hurt that California now has the lowest coronavirus case rates in the continental United States

The show appears to be trying to downplay the use of masks, as presenters won’t wear them when on camera, but they will be required to have them on during commercial breaks.

Soderbergh has been cagey about the use of masks, but he suggested they might play some kind of prominent role for the ceremony during his news conference.

‘Here is our quote on that: Masks are going to play a very important role in the story of this evening,’ he said. ‘And if that is cryptic, it’s meant to be. But that topic is very central to the narrative.’

He also tried to tamp down on fears by adding that the film industry has had ‘a lot of practice’ in finding safe ways to work amid the pandemic.

‘This industry was at the forefront of creating protocols to get people back to work safely,’ he continued. ‘I’m in the middle of shooting my second film during COVID. We know how to approach situations like this. It’s incredibly labor intensive. It’s incredibly complex logistically, and it’s expensive.

‘There is no universe in which we are going to ever put anybody at risk. And so we are hoping to combine safety with a show that feels like a glimpse of what is going to be possible when most people are vaccinated and, you know, rapid, accurate, cheap testing is the norm. So COVID is going to be there because it’s everywhere, but we want to put it in its place and then sort of move forward,’ he explained.

 

93rd Academy Awards: Who are the 2021 Oscar nominees?

Best Picture

The Father

Judas and the Black Messiah

Mank

Minari

Nomadland

Promising Young Woman

Sound of Metal

The Trial of the Chicago 7

Best Picture: The Trial of the Chicago 7 is one of the eight films nominated

Best Picture: The Trial of the Chicago 7 is one of the eight films nominated

 

Best Actress in a Leading Role

Viola Davis – Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Andra Day – The United States vs Billie Holiday

Vanessa Kirby – Pieces of a Woman

Frances McDormand – Nomadland

Carey Mulligan – Promising Young Woman

 

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Maria Bakalova – Borat Subsequent Moviefilm

Glenn Close – Hillbilly Elegy

Olivia Colman – The Father

Amanda Seyfried – Mank

Youn Yuh-jung – Minari  

Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Olivia Colman is up for her role in The Father

Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Olivia Colman is up for her role in The Father

Best Music (Original Score)

Da 5 Bloods

Mank

Minari

News of the World

Soul

 

Best Animated Short Film

Burrow

Genius Loci

If Anything Happens I Love You

Opera

Yes-People

 

Best Live Action Short Film

Feeling Through

The Letter Room

The Present

Two Distant Strangers

White Eye

 

Best International Feature Film

Another Round

Better Days

Collective

The Man Who Sold His Skin

Quo Vadis, Aida?

Best Sound: Greyhound - a war film starring Tom Hanks - is up for the gong

Best Sound: Greyhound – a war film starring Tom Hanks – is up for the gong 

Best Sound

Greyhound

Mank

News of the World

Soul

Sound of Metal  

 

Best Cinematography

Judas and the Black Messiah

Mank

News of the World

Nomadland

The Trial of the Chicago 7  

 

Best Music (Original Song)

Fight for You – Judas and the Black Messiah

Hear My Voice – The Trial of the Chicago 7

Husavik – Eurovision Song Contest

Io Si (Seen) – The Life Ahead

Speak Now – One Night in Miami…

Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Ma Rainey¿s Black Bottom is vying for the award

Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is vying for the award

 Best Director  

Thomas Vinterberg – Another Round

David Fincher – Mank

Lee Isaac Chung – Minari

Chloé Zhao – Nomadland

Emerald Fennell – Promising Young Woman

 

Best Actor in a Leading Role

Riz Ahmed – Sound of Metal

Chadwick Boseman – Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Anthony Hopkins – The Father

Gary Oldman – Mank

Steven Yeun – Minari 

 

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Sacha Baron Cohen – The Trial of the Chicago 7

Daniel Kaluuya – Judas and the Black Messiah

Leslie Odom, Jr. – One Night in Miami…

Paul Raci – Sound of Metal

Lakeith Stanfield – Judas and the Black Messiah

 

Best Animated Feature Film

Onward

Over the Moon

A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon

Soul

Wolfwalkers

Best Animated Feature Film:  A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon is nominated

Best Animated Feature Film:  A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon is nominated

Best Costume Design

Emma

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Mank

Mulan

Pinnochio

 

Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

Borat Subsequent Moviefilm

The Father

Nomadland

One Night in Miami…

The White Tiger

 

Best Writing (Original Screenplay)

Judas and the Black Messiah

Minari

Promising Young Woman

Sound of Metal

The Trial of the Chicago 7

 

Best Documentary Feature

Collective

Crip Camp

The Mole Agent

My Octopus Teacher

Time

Best Writing (Original Screenplay): Judas and the Black Messiah is up for the gong

Best Writing (Original Screenplay): Judas and the Black Messiah is up for the gong

Best Documentary Short Subject

Colette

A Concerto Is a Conversation

Do Not Split

Hunger Ward

A Love Song for Latasha

 

Best Film Editing

The Father

Nomadland

Promising Young Woman

Sound of Metal

The Trial of the Chicago 7

 

Best Production Design

The Father

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Mank

News of the World

Tenet

 

Best Visual Effects

Love and Monsters

The Midnight Sky

Mulan

The One and Only Ivan

Tenet

 

Best Makeup and Hairstyling

Emma

Hillbilly Elegy

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Mank

Pinocchio