A Hollywood Event Planning Pro on How to Plan the Best Viewing Party for the Oscars and Beyond

by

When you buy a product or service using a link from our site, The Hollywood Reporter might earn an affiliate commission. (This means we get a small percentage of the sale if you decide to make a purchase.)

You don’t require an invitation to a glamorous celebrity gathering to organize your own spectacular Oscars watch party. This coming Sunday is the 97th Academy Awards, and there’s still a chance to arrange your own home viewing event for experiencing the grandest night in Hollywood.

If you’re seeking advice on organizing an Oscar party, we’ve consulted Mary Pat, a producer at 15|40 Productions – the event company responsible for the red carpet extravaganza of Wicked‘s LA premiere and countless other high-profile events. With experience in designing engaging experiences for industry titans like Disney, Netflix, Apple, Amazon, Sony, Paramount+ and more, Mary Pat is a fantastic resource for your upcoming event!

In a message sent via email to The Hollywood Reporter, Pat shares that our strength lies in designing extraordinary events that surpass anticipation. Whether it’s small gatherings or large-scale corporate functions, our team blends endless imagination with painstaking care to create immersive settings that truly astound. From setting up custom theaters on a Hawaiian island, hosting galas at the Kennedy Space Center, to producing red carpet events for tours like Barbie and Paramount+’s The Lodge activations, we always strive to astonish our guests with questions like ‘Did you see this? Did you see that?’. With creativity, enthusiasm, and precision, we create moments that surpass expectations, delighting at every turn.

Pat points out that you don’t necessarily need a large budget from Hollywood to achieve beautiful landscapes. Instead, he advocates for utilizing online resources, particularly platforms like Etsy, to back small businesses. These shops can provide custom invitations, exclusive accessories, and distinctive decorations. For sophisticated and classic interior design, Pat highly recommends CB2 and West Elm as his preferred choices to easily upgrade any space.

In the city of Los Angeles, the LA Flower Market serves as a rich source of fresh flowers and foliage, ideal for crafting breathtaking displays. The Rolling Greens Nursery also holds a special place for its fashionable designs and distinctive centerpieces,” she remarks.

Continue reading further for additional advice from Pat, along with our own selection of party decorations inspired by her suggestions.

To elevate your decor from ordinary to red carpet-ready for awards season viewing parties, what strategies do you employ?

As an enthusiast, I always strive to elevate my awards season viewing parties with unique themes that transport my guests right into the heart of the event. At 15|40, we believe in designing unforgettable experiences, and a well-chosen theme is crucial as it establishes the atmosphere and envelops our guests within the narrative itself.

Opting for the timeless charm of Old Hollywood is always an elegant decision. Visualize lavish red carpets, a sophisticated blend of black and gold hues, and a subtle, cinematic lighting that evokes the atmosphere of a film premiere. Encourage your attendees to don formal attire or dress up as their favorite stars for a truly immersive experience. For a touch of whimsy, incorporate vintage film reels, marquee signs, striped popcorn containers, and a warm sepia color scheme to capture that delightful nostalgic feeling. To spark lively discussions, exhibit movie posters of this year’s nominees – it’s an entertaining method to encourage engaging conversations among your guests.

A successful party, one worth remembering, is all about crafting an ambiance that captures the energy and glamour akin to red-carpet events during award seasons!

What are the frequently chosen decorative elements, often affordable ones from places like Amazon, and how can one effortlessly upgrade them?

At 3:40 PM, we understand that even the most basic decor items can be turned into something extraordinary with a touch of creativity. Affordable items from Amazon don’t have to seem ordinary – just a few adjustments can make them look sophisticated and high-end. Simple glass vases filled with floating candles can be enhanced by adding layers of floral petals, foliage or beads beneath for added depth and texture. You can also color the water using food-safe metallic dyes for a shimmery effect and intensify the glow using submersible LED lights.

String lights are highly adaptable and popular choices. Drape them over tulle or sheer fabric to produce a hazy, softened illumination, or encase them within antique lanterns, glass containers, or large wine bottles to generate a gentle, cozy radiance. Opt for top-quality silk or paper flowers if you wish to make artificial ones sparkle; arrange these in cascading patterns with greenery or twinkling lights for a natural yet sophisticated aesthetic.

Oh, don’t forget to consider the details, like adding decorative napkin rings, stylish chargers, or placemats, to give your dining table an elegant and finished look.

The secret lies in adding depth through textures, experimenting with illumination, and ensuring all elements align with your central idea. With just a touch of imagination, ordinary objects can be transformed into something lavish and fitting for special occasions.

How early should people start planning and what should they focus on?

Ideally, you’d have ample time to organize your event, but with awards season just around the corner, there’s no need to worry! You can still put together an outstanding watch party by concentrating on the fundamentals: deciding on a theme, arranging delicious food, and ensuring your tech setup is in order.

You can effortlessly arrange a chic awards night gathering using things you possess or can quickly acquire. A red table cloth, coupled with gold details, and a homemade photo setting such as metallic ribbons or black and gold balloons will help create an instant atmosphere.

As a movie buff myself, I’d suggest keeping the menu vibrant and cinematic. Let’s create a popcorn station loaded with gourmet toppings, perhaps even offering champagne or sparkling water to add that extra touch of glamour. To make it truly iconic, we could serve finger foods inspired by beloved movies – it’s sure to be a hit!

Make sure to prepare your technology setup in advance! Before the event, check your television or projector to prevent any unexpected streaming problems, and if possible, set up surround sound for an immersive cinema experience.

With minimal preparation time, a touch of imagination and careful planning can transform a hastily arranged event into an unforgettable evening for your guests.

What elements should party planners skip? 

This question poses a challenge since every spectacular occasion arises from careful planning and deliberate aesthetics. Although augmenting elements may heighten enjoyment, it’s crucial to maintain harmony. Each component should have a role and contribute to the narrative of your event.

As a gamer, when planning my game sessions, I always ponder, “Is this element truly enhancing the theme and immersion for my players, or is it just an added extra?” By pruning out anything that seems superfluous or lacks purpose, and focusing on delivering quality experiences instead of quantity, I can craft a more harmonious and impactful gaming experience. It’s not about doing less—it’s about making the right choices for an unforgettable gameplay journey.

Party favors: Yay or nay?  

At 15 minutes/40 minutes, we tend to appreciate gestures that are significant, intentional, and connected to the whole event you’ve organized. Off-hand favors may end up being discarded promptly, which is something we all aim to avoid!

To make your event memorable for awards season, consider gifting mini trophies to your attendees as souvenirs they can display on their desks. Additionally, offering interactive photo opportunities is a hit among crowds – either by renting a photo booth or setting up a simple step-and-repeat backdrop where guests can take pictures and create personal mementos from the night.

In essence, the most effective gestures are those that create an enduring impact and align with the narrative of your function. If they seem purposeful and considerate, they’re definitely successful.

Read More

2025-02-25 01:55