Scenic artist Catherine Giesecke puts the finishing touches on a display in front of the Oscars venue at the Hollywood & Highland Center in the run-up to Sunday's ceremony.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

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Oscar statues get moved into place on Hollywood Boulevard in advance of the Academy Awards ceremony on Sunday.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: AL Seib / Los Angeles Times

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=54672

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Frank Roach, head of props, moves an Oscar statue into place at the Hollywood & Highland Center.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

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Japanese tourists Rie Kawata, from left, Saya Yamakushi and Misato Watanabe take snapshots at the Hollywood & Highland Center.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

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Charles Huntley works the camera during rehearsals for Sunday's Oscars ceremony.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

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Steady Cam operator David Eastwood with assistant Charlie Fernandez work on stage with actor stand-in's in the Theatre at the Hollywood & Highland Center on Thursday, February 23, 2012 during rehearsals for the 84th Academy Awards on this coming Sunday.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

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Gaukhar Akhmetova-Atherton practices her hand-balancing number inside the theater at the Hollywood & Highland center.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

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Scenic artist Ricky Roberts gets the Oscars venue ready for Sunday's ceremony.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=54671

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Steve Miller, left, and Steve Allen position the lights above the red carpet as preparations continue along Hollywood Boulevard and the Hollywood & Highland Center for Sunday's 84th Academy Awards.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=54608

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Oscar statues are covered as is the red carpet that pedestrians stroll upon at the Hollywood & Highland Center in anticipation of Sunday's ceremony.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

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Marjan Heijink from the Netherlands and other tourists take the opportunity to snap photos a few days before Sunday's Oscar ceremony.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

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Scenic artist Sam Costa touches up the railings along the red carpet in front of the Hollywood & Highland Center.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

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Governors Ball master chef Wolfgang Puck gives a thumbs up as he makes his way down the red carpet to the food and champagne media preview. The event showcases the food and decor for this year's Governors Ball that follows the awards ceremony.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

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Rachel England shows off some of the pastries on display at the food and champagne preview.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

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Adam Seger of Chicago pours his Oscar cocktail contest-winning concoction under the watchful eye of Julia Fitzroy, spokeswoman for Moet and Chandon Champagne.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

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Governors Ball master chef Wolfgang Puck, far right, shows off a wide assortment of sweets and other food that will be served up after the Oscar ceremony on Sunday.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

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Gold-covered chocolate miniature Oscars will be on display at the Governors Ball.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

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Hollywood — Manuel Juarez of American Turf and Carpet helps roll out the red carpet as part of the preparations for Sunday's 84th Academy Awards in Hollywood.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

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Hollywood — Members of the media crowd for a shot as workers from American Turf and Carpet roll out the red carpet for the Oscars.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

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Hollywood — Carlos Avila of American Turf and Carpet vacuums the red carpet outside the theater at the Hollywood & Highland Center.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

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Hollywood — Frank Roach, head of props, right, and production assistant Geoffrey Doleman move one of many Oscar statues into place.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

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Hollywood — Oscar statues are wrapped in plastic, with notes on where they are to be moved.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

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Hollywood — Workers use a lift to move an Oscar prop at the Hollywood & Highland Center.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

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Hollywood — Chris Roseli works on rigging for the Academy Awards ceremonies.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

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Hollywood — Scenic artist Virginia Bellini works on a prop for the Oscar ceremonies.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

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Hollywood — Oscar statues are stored in a tent outside the Hollywood & Highland Center.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

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