Preparation under way for 81st Academy Awards

Preparation under way for 81st Academy Awards

A staff member covers an Oscar statue with a large plastic bag in front of Kodak Theatre, Hollywood, California, the United States, on Feb. 20, 2009. Staff members here are busy with the preparation work for the upcoming ceremony of the 81st Academy Awards, which will take place on Feb. 22.


The Kodak Theatre is decorated with Oscar signs in Hollywood, California, the United States, on Feb. 20, 2009.


Foreign film nominated directors (from L) Austrian Director Gotz Spielmann for "Revanche", French Director Laurent Cantet , for "The Class", Israeli Director Ari, for the "Waltz with Bashir" and German Director Uli Edel, for "The Baader-Meihof Complex" during the 81st Academy Awards Foreign Language Film Directors photo opportunity in Hollywood, Feb. 20, 2009.


Workers move an Oscar statue inside the Kodak Theatre in preparation for the 81st Academy Awards in Hollywood, Feb. 20, 2009


Director Uli Edel of Germany stands next to a poster for his movie "The Baader Meinhof Complex" at the Foreign Language Film Award photo opportunity in preparation for the 81st Academy Awards in Hollywood Feb. 20, 2009.


An Oscar statue is hauled along the street outside the Kodak Theatre in preparation for the 81st Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, Feb. 20, 2009.


Workers move an Oscar statue inside the Kodak Theatre in preparation for the 81st Academy Awards in Hollywood, Feb. 20, 2009.


An Oscar statue is placed in the red carpet arrival area during preparations for the 81st Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, Feb. 20, 2009.


Rice University students Faheem Ahmed (R) and Anish Patel clown around after being named the winners of the MTV Oscar Correspondent Contest in preparation for the 81st Academy Awards in Hollywood, Feb. 20, 2009.


Producers Roman Paul (L) and Gerard Miexner (C) and director Ari Folman of the Israeli film "Waltz With Bashir" pose during the 81st Academy Awards Foreign Language Film Directors photo opportunity in Hollywood, Feb. 20, 2009.


Sid Ganis, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, talks during preparations for the 81st Academy Awards in Hollywood, Feb. 20, 2009.
Xinhua