Academy Awards: Oscar’s Going to Hollywood

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that the new Kodak building, which is currently under construction, will be ready to host the Academy Awards by March. Kodak Theater will be equipped with a 3,300-seat theater, a hotel, retail space and a ballroom that will be used to host the Academy’s post-Oscar Governors Ball, according to E! Online. Since the first awards show at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in 1929, the Academy Awards have been held in many different arenas, including the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the Pantages Theater, the Shrine Auditorium, the Ambassador Hotel, the Biltmore Hotel, and Grauman’s Chinese Theater.

In light of the tragic events of September 11th, the question of security has become a source of tension between the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and TrizecHahn, developer of the Kodak Theater. On Friday, September 21st, a joint statement was released by Academy President Frank Pierson and TrizecHahn, stating that all problems had been resolved. Pierson was quoted on E! Online as saying, "We have put in place arrangements to ensure the highest level of security and are delighted with the cooperation of TrizecHahn in that regard." A few less important ideas need to be worked out before the Academy definitely commits to the new site, but both sides say progress is being made and it looks to be a sure thing.

Oscar’s new digs are located just across the street from the Hollywood Roosevelt Theater on the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue. The theater is currently surrounded by run-down shops and vacant buildings, but this area of Hollywood seems to be on the rise. Hopefully, with the new Kodak Theater, Hollywood Boulevard will become reminiscent of the glam of old Hollywood and begin to thrive once again.