Located on Homewood just off Vine, the 10,000 square-foot plaza is designed as Lawn seating only. Be sure to dress warmly, and bring a blanket or low lawn chair. Picnic baskets, beer, and wine are permitted, but know that various food trucks will be on site. No pets (service dogs allowed).
When I lived in New York during the mid 90s I always enjoyed the summer screenings held in the park next door to the city’s grand public library. It was just such a fun and lively atmosphere in which to watch some beloved classic movies while enjoying the beautiful summer season. Being New York it wasn’t always comfortable, but hey, it was outdoors. When I moved to LA I had hoped there’d be many such offerings, especially in the summer time. After all, Los Angeles is the ideal location for outdoor summer events. It seemed a natural. But for some reason the city of Angeles was not as excited about it as I was. In fact, it wasn’t until two years after I arrived that the folks at Cinespia began presenting films at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Others followed sporadically, but now the Academy of Motion Arts and Sciences has finally jumped on board with outdoor screenings at their own Hollywood facility. Yeah!
Oscars Outdoors is a summer screening series presented at the Academy's new open-air theater located on the Academy Hollywood campus. It will be running all summer long, but tickets will only become available month to month. And if sales so far are any indication you may want to add your name to the email list to get notifications right away. Because after just one day the Friday, June 15 screening of Casablanca is already sold out. As is the Saturday, June 16 screening of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and the Saturday June 23 screening of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. However, if you act quickly, you can still get passes for Raising Arizona and the 1937 version of A Star is Born.
A particularly cool aspect to this outdoor venue will be the themed food trucks engaged to sell refreshments at each screening. The trucks will vary each night and will be tailored to the movie showing whenever possible. Of course you’re welcome to bring your own food, but in case you want to get a little more into the mood for Casablanca you can purchase something from the Hungry Nomad. And what could be more apropos than a little nosh from the Trailer Park Truck while watching Raising Arizona, or a little something from After School Special to keep you satiated during Ferris Bueller’s Day Off?
If your preferred film is already sold out do not despair. All SOLD OUT films will have a standby line that forms on the day of the event. Standby numbers will be distributed at 6:00P with available tickets being sold at 7:45P. So, if you’re a ticket holder be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of the event to ensure a seat at the venue. Or avoid this scenario when next month’s tickets go on sale. Now that we know Oscar Outdoors is so popular we can be prepared to act fast, and rest easy in the knowledge that somewhere in Hollywood a tall dark (okay, golden) stranger waits for us at a beautiful outdoor rendezvous.
It’s just $5 for general admission and $3 for students and Academy members. Parking is free, but you have to have a pre-purchased ticket in order to access the parking lot on Homewood Avenue. Gates open at 6:30P with Screenings set to begin at sunset so plan accordingly. And be sure to bring a blanket or some layers. It is LA, but it’s not the tropics and sitting on the ground can get rather cool. After all, you wouldn’t want anything to spoil this wonderful opportunity to escape to the movies while under the stars. Happy summer screenings!