Sarasota's Inside View of the Oscar's

Will and Ed watched the Oscar's and want to give our readers in Sarasota a special look inside the Academy Awards.

As many of our Patch reader's know, Will worked with Jerome Lawrence (playwright of the Oscar nominated films Auntie Mame and Inherit The Wind) for 15 years.  

Jerome Lawrence was a member of the Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Of course, it is a dream to attend the Academy Awards and Jerry made that dream come true for Will 10 years ago at the 74th Academy Awards.

Jerry never really wanted to attend the awards; he'd been there and done that many times. He had been an Academy Member for more than 30 years.  

He said, "If you are nominated it's fun."

However, he endured the long evening to give a young man from Nebraska who now makes his home in Sarasota that once in a lifetime experience.  

Academy members are eligible to two tickets to the ceremony.  

The tickets arrive with a pass for a car. The pass allows you to get through the barracades that are set up to keep the traffic and fans at bay.

Once the car drops you off at the red carpet, then you go through additional security. There's a metal dector, strict surveillance and detailed checking of creditials.

Then there's the red carpet; unless you are a nominee or a star it's a very quick walk. The reporters and journalists are interested in everyone who is HOT.  

I asked Jerry shouldn't we wear tuxedos and he said,

"Unless you are nominated, nobody cares what you wear. We'll just wear nice suits. It'll be more comfortable. It's a long night."

We've included a few pictures here on Patch.  

For more pictures and insider's look at the Oscar's, check out Will and Ed's website:  www.gityourgayon.com