Oscar 2001 kicked into action on 5th January, when the Academy announced the 242 qualifying films which had been shown to paying audiences in Los Angeles, for at least a week.

At the same time, nomination forms were sent to more than 5,600 voting Academy members. Most belong to one of 13 branches representing acting, directing, writing, and so on. In most categories, the nominations are chosen by members of the corresponding branches. All members can nominate films for Best Picture and in the remaining seven categories, special committees decide the nominations.

Ballots returned by February 2nd were counted by the accountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, who then prepared the nominations list, published on February 13th.

Meanwhile, a Chicago firm had began making 55 Oscar statuettes. These won't actually be handed out until 2002, because an extra set was produced after last year's batch was stolen, and eventually recovered.

In the first week of March, the publicity machine kicked into action with hundreds of banners being hung from streetlights and giant billboards being erected across town.

About then, voting members receive the final ballots, and have two weeks to return them. In most categories, all members can vote for the winners. Only two senior accountants know who the likely recipients will be.

A week before the big night, grandstand seating, known as the bleachers, are erected outside the Shrine Auditorium. Fans will camp outside for days to get the best view of the stars on the red carpet.

After the ceremony, the Academy lays on the lavish Governor's Ball, but the big names slope off early to show their faces at the more high-profile post-Oscar parties, like the one laid on by Vanity Fair.