Oscars 2014: Preparing for the Academy Awards

Jon Rosenberg uses a squeegee to push running water off the red carpet under tents on Hollywood Boulevard as rain pours outside the Dolby Theater.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Chris Manigault pushes water off the red carpet.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Brian Reason, a cameraman with ABC, struggles with an umbrella in strong wind as he tries to protect equipment set up on the red carpet.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

A road case containing equipment for U2, who will perform during the Oscars, backstage at the Dolby Theater.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Actress Naomi Watts, right, works with lead stage manager Gary Natoli during rehearsals in the Dolby Theater at Hollywood and Highland.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Prop Oscar statues are ready as rehearsals continue in the Dolby Theater.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Stage manager John Esposito organizes notes during rehearsals.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Steadicam operator David Eastwood focuses his camera during rehearsals in the Dolby Theater at Hollywood and Highland.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Johnny Tamayo, left, and Frank Roach Jr. lift an Oscar statue that will eventually stand outside the Dolby Theatre.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Anna Leite, left, and Wamder Ferreira from Brazil, take photos of Oscar preparations along Hollywood Boulevard.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Workmen construct sets and tents along Hollywood Boulevard.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Frank Roach Jr, left, drives as Johnny Tamayo supports Oscar statues for the drive along Hollywood Boulevard outside the Dolby Theatre.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Media work under tents and on top of the covered red carpet.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Publicists tour outside Dolby Theatre.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Hollywood Boulevard is closed at Highland to accommodate the preparations.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

People line-up to get a glimpse of the Oscar preparations along Hollywood Boulevard.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Tents that will protect the red carpet from rain are under construction.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Workers rush to get tents up to cover the red carpet.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

The media descend on workmen from American Turf and Carpet as they roll out the red carpet under a canopy on Hollywood Boulevard in front of the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood and Highland as preparations continue for the Oscars.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Leandro Torres, left and Mario Hernandez, right, from American Turf and Carpet position the red carpet just rolled out on Hollywood Boulevard in front of the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood and Highland.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Another piece is rolled into place by workmen from American Turf and Carpet.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

A side view as workmen from American Turf and Carpet steer the carpet under the canopy.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

It’s not just the carpet as Jasmin Orucevic, with the props department, gives Oscar a lift at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood and Highland.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Rudy Morales from American Turf and Carpet cuts into place red carpet just rolled out on Hollywood Boulevard.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

It’s not just one long red carpet as workers roll out pieces of the walkway near the Dolby Theatre.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Workmen from American Turf and Carpet use plastic to cover the red carpet they just put down on Hollywood Boulevard.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Leandro Torres, center, from American Turf and Carpet, uses plastic to cover the red carpet until it’s ready for its close-up.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Oscar is on the move as a prop workman drives by with a few of the statues, moving them into place along Hollywood Boulevard.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)