Pete at the OSCARS

When Ellen's brother Svend invited me to join him at an OSCAR party celebrating the nomination of King Kong for The Visual Effects Award, I was pretty excited. Svend works as a contractor for WETA Digital, who produced the spectacular graphics for both King Kong and Lord of the Rings, and who are now working on further movie projects including the third X-Men movie. I thought to myself, this was going to be a party to remember!

World time meant that the ceremony in Los Angeles began at 2pm local time in Wellington so we were on to our first round of courtesy beers just after lunch time. The party was held in a temporary building on the waterfront, with a bar and lounge seats, a huge TV screen and attractive internal decor of wood inlaid with paua shell. The guests were a varied bunch. I was surprised to meet many Americans contracted at WETA, as well as a few Brits. The age was predominantly young, and everyone had turned up in relatively casual dress. No tuxedos or bow-ties in sight though, and I was vaguely disappointed by the lack of effort shown in some quarters.

King Kong won three OSCARS including the award for visual effects which means Svend is the first person in my life to have won an OSCAR. Well done Svend, you rock. The party went on with various canapes and more drinks until about 6pm. In fact it may have gone on longer but we left, so it probably died down after that. Afterwards Svend and I went to the Paramount Cinema and watched Asphalt by Joe May. It's a 1929 German silent film and I really enjoyed it - a fitting end to the greatest day in Hollywood's calendar.

P.S>
Bristol's own Nick Park from Aardman Animation was awarded the OSCAR for Best Animated Feature Film. Go Bristles!!!!