The show behind the show at the Oscars

Six Hollywood hopefuls instantly became insiders when they won spots on the film academy’s Team Oscar, and their superstar access began deep inside Disney’s archives. The group, chosen from 1,100 hopefuls after submitting 60-second videos on the best piece of advice they’d ever received, is spending a week in Hollywood as guests of the film academy, culminating with multiple appearances on Sunday’s Academy Awards. Their most visible role: They’ll be the young people handing Oscar statuettes to the celebrity presenters during the show.

We thought, ‘Why don’t we have everybody on that stage have a passion for film, and why don’t we try something aspirational and give some young people a chance to touch their dream?’ And that’s exactly what this program has manifested itself into.

Oscar producer Neil Meron

Besides a day with Disney, Team Oscar members will be fitted for formalwear and spend several days backstage at the Dolby Theatre among the A-listers rehearsing for Sunday’s show. This year’s class is four men and two women who’re connected to entertainment through screenwriting, comics and movie trivia.

I just want to go out there and start making stuff.

18-year-old Chris Carmona, Team Oscar member

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