Here's what you don't get to see while watching the Oscars press conference on TV or the web at home.

ABOVE: Gabillions of journos are jammed into the lobby outside the academy's auditorium on Wilshire Blvd. before 5 a.m. PT while we await permission to proceed into the press conference. At least there's plenty of delish food around, including melons, muffins, bagels and coffee at various tables; at others, attendents dish out eggs, bacon and French toast.

ABOVE: Journos jam the area at the bottom of the steps to the auditorium where the press conference will be held, but those tough samurai warriors in suits on the steps won't let anyone pass until the clock strikes 5 a.m. exactly.

ABOVE: Finally, we're permitted into the auditorium where chaos reigns just prior to the announcement of noms.