Backstage at the 84th Annual Academy Awards show, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt stand beside Oscar telecast producer Brian Grazer.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

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Angelina Jolie, a presenter on Sunday, prepared for her entrance.

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Gwyneth Paltrow and Robert Downey Jr. chat behind the scenes.

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Bret McKenzie grabs hold of his Oscar for the song "Man or Muppet," sung in "The Muppets." The New Zealander is known for the song-filled series "Flight of the Conchords."

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Michael Douglas was a presenter on Sunday.

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At the front center of this view of audience are "The Artist" costars Berenice Bejo and Jean Dujardin. The movie received five Oscars, including prizes for Dujardin's lead role and best picture.

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Owen Wilson escorts Penelope Cruz to the stage for their presenting turn.

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Meryl Streep is aglow backstage with Colin Firth.

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Meryl Streep was a presenter but took home gold as well, for her lead role in "The Iron Lady."

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Meryl Streep is greeted onstage by Colin Firth, last year's lead actor winner and presenter of this year's lead actress prize.

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Winners of honorary Oscars James Earl Jones, Oprah Winfrey (Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award) and makeup artist Dick Smith.

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The show's host, Billy Crystal, chats with its producer, Brian Grazer.

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Harvey Weinstein, whose Weinstein Co. released "The Artist," is on the phone backstage after the show.

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Terry George and Oorlagh George were awared for their live-action short film "The Shore."

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Presenter Sandra Bullock waits offstage.

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Cameron Diaz, left, and Jennifer Lopez wait to present the award for makeup.

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Presenter Christian Bale accompanies supporting actress winner Octavia Spencer offstage.

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"The Artist's" Missi Pyle, left, James Cromwell and Penelope Ann Miller are all smiles.

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Documentary feature award co-presenter Robert Downey Jr., right.

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Director Michel Hazanavicius of "The Artist" gives his acceptance speech after his movie wins the award for best picture.

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Ben Stiller and Emma Stone, center.

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The audience applauds as Christopher Plummer accepts his supporting actor award for "Beginners."

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Michel Hazanavicius speaks after accepting the director award for "The Artist."

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Lead actor winner Jean Dujardin, right, plants a kiss on the head of his "Artist" costar Uggie.

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Jean Dujardin wins the award for lead actor in "The Artist."

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Jean Dujardin reacts as he exists the stage with the Oscar for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for "The Artist."

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