The Academy is calling the 83rd Oscars "the most interactive awards show in history."
And while that might be a big claim for an awards show where all the voting is done on paper ballots and counted by hand – as opposed to the other shows that feature online voting and streaming of nominated films – it's certainly true that the Academy is offering an unprecedented array of features for online viewers, and people who want to follow the show on mobile devices.
"There's a lot of stuff going on that we've never done before," Academy president Tom Sherak told TheWrap. "The approach this year was if something was proposed, let's say yes. We can't do everything, but let's not start by saying no.
"I know we're not going up in young people by 70 percent this year or anything, but if we can start making some inroads into that, that's a good thing for us."
Here's a quick guide to what's being offered, and how to take advantage.
(TheWrap, of course, will also have comprehensive coverage of the Oscars before, during and after the show.)
Official websites:
The main AMPAS website, www.oscars.org, contains an exhaustive Academy Awards database and information to settle any bets about past winners, Academy rules, AMPAS membership and the like.
But oscar.com is the official website for the show itself, with an array of video clips, nominee info, historical segments and links to special features.
@TheAcademy is the official AMPAS feed on Twitter. (Oscar host James Franco also has his own Twitter account, @jamesfranco.)
The Academy's Facebook page has an array of information and links, plus regular giveaways. (The answer to Friday's question for a chance to win an Oscar t-shirt: Madonna.)
Special viewing features:
Oscar All Access is a premium service on oscar.com, giving viewers access to multiple camera positions showing arrivals, the press room, the control truck and the "Thank You Cam." Also, user-controlled 360-degree cams will be positioned on the red carpet and inside the Kodak Theater and the Governors Ball. Positions include the pre-ceremony champagne reception, the presenters' hair and makeup area, the official portrait area, and the area in the Governors Ball where nameplates are affixed to the winners' statuettes.
The service costs $4.99.
Mobile apps:
If you're looking to follow things on a smaller screen, Oscars apps are available for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. A basic Oscars App is free, and includes trailers to Best Picture nominees, interactive ballot and prediction-sharing features via Facebook, Twitter, email and SMS.
The "Oscar Backstage Pass App," which costs 99 cents, is more elaborate, with all the "All Access" features except the 360-degree cams.
Both apps can be downloaded at iTunes' App Store.
Interacting with guests:
Fans are invited to send questions for the nominees and celebrities that'll be walking the red carpet on Oscar night. The best questions, the Academy promises, will be asked on the red carpet by "Oscar Red Carpet Live" cohosts Robin Roberts, Tim Gunn, Krista Smith and Maria Menounos.
Questions can be submitted on Twitter, using the hash tag #ask #Oscars, and on Facebook, by posting to the Academy's wall.
