Opinion | An amateur reporter’s guide to the Oscars

I attended the 96th Oscars ceremony as a member of the press. Here’s what went down. Photo collage by EMILY PARIS, Photo Editor, photos courtesy of Molly Rose Freeman

If you had told me when I arrived at Chapman in 2020 that four years later, I would be walking the Oscars red carpet, I probably would’ve had a nice long giggle at your expense. But I guess stranger things have happened…

My Oscars Experience™ officially started the Thursday before the ceremony, with an orientation during which we were told how the show would run and what guidelines we had to follow. The main rule, repeated no less than 20,000 times, was no pictures except in designated places at designated times. I didn’t sneak any illicit pics, but I did take advantage of getting to take a peek at the red carpet before the show and being allowed to take photos then. 

If that wasn’t surreal enough, up next was the actual event itself where I breathed the same air as Emma Stone and Cillian Murphy. But I’m getting ahead of myself. 

On Oscar Sunday, I boarded a press shuttle and made the trek from Arclight Cinemas in L.A. to the Loews hotel. Once I was seated, I gave my editor — shoutout Nick DeLucca, you’re a real one — a call to get on the same page. 

When we got to the hotel, we had to scan our badges to make sure we were who we said we were. The security guard decided I was indeed Chapman senior and screenwriting major Molly Rose Freeman, so I was not promptly thrown out. The first thing I saw after the two checkpoints was the most glorious sight of all: free food. The press area was catered by Wolfgang Puck, and I didn’t have to pay. What a wonderful world! I snagged some snacks as soon as possible — in case you were worried. 

Molly Rose Freeman, Features and Entertainment Staff Writer

My assigned station was in a giant room packed to the brim with tables, with a small stage for the winners in the center. I’d assumed The Panther, not being one of the bigger entertainment news organizations like some of the other outlets in the room, wouldn’t get a reserved seat. I was wrong, and I have the placard to prove it. 

Still, it took awhile for things to really click. I had trouble processing the fact that I was at The Oscars and not some other really fancy but less culturally important event. When the broadcast started, I finally realized I was actually there and not dreaming and was overjoyed to see “Barbie” at the start kicking things off. 

I think Jimmy Kimmel did a great job with his monologue and throughout the ceremony as well, and I promise that is not a paid promotion because I used to work for his show. He’s genuinely funny and a pretty cool guy, actually. 

It took a long time for the winners to make their way to the press room. They popped in throughout the night with no real order to it. I kept my fellow Features & Entertainment staff members in the loop the whole show, because I love them and wanted to give them the inside scoop, which I guess anyone who reads this is now also getting. You’re welcome. 

It was really fun, if a little overwhelming, being in the room with my vastly more experienced peers and seeing the way awards coverage works in real time. Reporters readied their Twitter updates — I refuse to call it X — with their predictions before the envelopes were opened, and they were often right! 

There were also Academy librarians available the whole time in case anyone needed quick fact-checking. People were constantly chatting and reacting to the events of the night— like Al Pacino’s hilariously unexciting “Oppenheimer” Best Picture reveal, for example. It just felt so cool to be part of it. 

My favorite moment of the night was undoubtedly Ryan Gosling’s performance of “I’m Just Ken,” which unfortunately happened when the “Godzilla Minus One” visual effects crew — who are such a cool, talented and fun group of people, might I add — was doing press. 

My attention was torn, but ultimately Ryan’s ‘kenergy’ won out. Watching Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie and America Ferrera sing with him is probably one of the greatest things to ever happen to the planet. The whole room seemed to be fighting their hardest to stay composed and attentive during the performance, but many just couldn’t do it— the guy next to me celebrated the song by laughing and clapping and saying “I love him so much” very loudly in the middle of the Q&A. It was probably unintentional, due to the fact that he — along with everyone else tuned into the live feed at that moment — was wearing headphones. I wish I could blame him, but I only just managed not to burst into song myself. 

At this time, I’d like to address the allegations that I am a ‘Barbie Head,’ or whatever they call fans of Greta Gerwig’s smash-hit film. Well, I am. So I am slightly furious it only went home with one Oscar — although Billie and Finneas definitely deserved it — and want to tell Greta and the whole cast and crew that it totally swept at the Molly Rose Awards, which are obviously more important. “Past Lives,” you got the recognition you deserved there too, if it’s any consolation. 

Now, I think I have to talk about this season’s biggest upset. I cannot stress enough how shocked the entire room was when Emma Stone (my queen since 2012) won Best Actress. 

People were gasping and even cursing out of surprise, so loud that Billie and Finneas’s press time was unfortunately interrupted. They were very chill about it and congratulated her. But the entire room was just bewildered by what had occurred. Even I broke my resolve to stay quiet and collected and said “Oh my God…” out loud without even really thinking about it.

I was not a “Poor Things” girly. I saw it on my birthday with my favorite people, and that was only for Emily Jean Stone. While she was definitely fantastic in it, I didn’t think the movie was great overall and despite liking some elements, I thought it was slightly problematic. 

Anyway, part of me was thrilled when she won because it meant I’d get to see her in person, but another part of me was really disappointed for Lily Gladstone. Until about halfway through the show, I was sure that award was hers, but when “Poor Things” started winning left and right, I lost confidence. 

That being said, I liked Emma’s speech and her nod to her best pal Taylor Swift. I’m just glad Andrew Garfield wasn’t in the audience this time. My poor heart can only take so much.

Overall, my passion for film has been even more energized as a result of being lucky enough to attend its biggest night. Getting to see filmmakers I already respected and learning about new people whose careers I’m now very interested in, in person, was a true privilege. 

I loved hearing from Cillian Murphy and Christopher Nolan, as well as Jennifer Lame, who is my new hero (as someone who loves editing because she used to make embarrassing fan edits). Seeing Da’Vine Joy Randolph look like a princess and get acknowledgment after worrying she’d never be seen was so wonderful, as was hearing about Cord Jefferson’s triumph as a first-time writer-director making such a small yet important film. 

I’m thrilled to see the impact that so many women and people of color have made in the industry this past year. And of course, there was the joy of getting to be in the presence of one of my all-time favorite actresses, Emma Stone. Not to sound delusional, but I’m pretty sure we locked eyes for 0.5 seconds, which was more than (k)enough for me. So yeah, pretty great night! 

Everyone wants to be part of film history in some way shape or form, and I am glad to have been present for even a sliver of it.

P.S. Unfortunately, I was not able to get the Academy to reconsider their snub of Sofia Coppola’s 2013 true crime satire “The Bling Ring,” nor was I able to get Emma Watson her Best Supporting Actress award for her role in it. But it’s okay. There’s always next year…