Roy Christopher presents a scale model of the set for the 80th Academy Awards Presentation.

Eightieth Academy Awards® telecast producer Gil Cates and production designer Roy Christopher revealed the set design for the February 24 Oscar presentation.

“I love working with Roy Christopher,” said Cates. “He has the ability to translate the emotions of a given year into a set of beauty and relevance.”

Christopher took his inspiration from a centuries-old etching of a grand space rendered by the Italian artist Piranesi, then translated that inspiration into contemporary architectural terms utilizing “Streamline Moderne” elements.

“I’m delighted to be back to design the set for the 80th Academy Awards,” said Christopher. “This year I am aiming for an environment of contemporary, sleek glamour.”

The set is built around five dramatic columns containing Oscar statuettes that can be covered with architectural sleeves, affording almost unlimited design opportunities. The columns can also fly out of view, leaving the stage available for other settings to appear.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2007 will be presented on Sunday, February 24, 2008, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network beginning at 5 p.m. PT. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.

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01/10/2008: Roy Christopher to Design Oscar® Set