ROB OROZCO -- NOTEBOOK

* EDITOR’S NOTE: Rob Orozco, a Reel Critic for the Daily Pilot,

attended the MacGillivray Freeman Oscar party Sunday. The Orange

County-based film company was nominated for best documentary short

subject for the film “Dolphins.” Producer Greg MacGillivray grew up in

Newport Beach.

On Sunday, the entertainment industry gathered once again for its

annual love-fest, known as the Academy Awards. While the nominees and

many distinguished guests, hanger-ons, and connected people attended the

76th edition at the Shrine Auditorium, many of the people responsible for

these films were celebrating their achievement and contribution to these

films in eateries across Los Angeles.

One of these soirees was hosted by the good people at Orange

County-based MacGillivray Freeman films, makers of the nominated short

film “Dolphins.” The MacGillivray Freeman festivities were held at

venerable Trader Vic’s, located in the Beverly Hilton owned by Mr.

Hollywood himself, Merv Griffin. It was interesting to note that Griffin

lined the hallways of his establishment with large glossies of himself

posing with celebrities of the past quarter century.

The MacGillivray Freeman team, like millions across the globe,

gathered to watch the cavalcade of stars trot on the red carpet -- not

only to be harangued by Joan Rivers, but also by the untold number of

armchair critics, this author included. But once the festivities started

and host Steve Martin finished his brilliant monologue, the anxiety

commenced.

During the awards ceremony, Trader Vic’s was filled with the chants,

predictions and comments that accompanied each category and nominee.

Cheers and jeers would erupt when the winners were announced. This ritual

seemed to ease the growing tension prior to the announcement of the

documentary short subject Oscar.

Finally, the big moment. Samuel L. Jackson arrived on stage to

announce the nominees for best documentary short. Immediate silence was

quickly drowned out as cheers erupted when “Dolphins” was announced as a

nominee. The moment between Jackson opening the envelope and the

announcement of “Big Momma” as the winner probably felt like an eternity

for most of those in attendance.

The announcement momentarily let the air out of the festivities. There

was obvious disappointment in Team “Dolphins” faces and statements.

However, the team knew that the awareness the nomination brought to many

was a greater victory.

“Once the glamour and glitz is removed from this, the reaction I am

receiving from kids and people is more fulfilling than the award,” said

“Dolphins” co-star Kathleen Dudzinksy. “I have received letters from, and

met, many kids who have told me that their lives have changed after

watching this film.”

Dudzinsky even recounted how a school in Vermont had a Dolphin

Festival where the kids participated in expression exercises, essentially

mimicking the communication methods they had learned from the dolphins in

the film.

Ken Richards, part of Team “Dolphins” echoed these sentiments.

“Having landlocked kids find satisfaction in an area or field that is

not readily available to them, and having the world of marine science

open up to these kids is ‘Dolphins’legacy,” Richards said. “These kids

are the future and their increased awareness will only lead to a better

understanding of dolphins’ role in the ecosystem.”

After the final award was delivered, Team “Dolphins” continued their

celebration at the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel. It was quite

odd arriving at the hotel just as a large majority of the people there

were leaving the fund-raiser “Night of a Hundred Stars” to be chauffeured

to the most sought-after invite in town, the Vanity Fair party.

Among the celebrities who seemed to be going somewhere was Christopher

Plummer, who was elegantly clad in sweat pants, tennis shoes and a

blazer. Robert Wuhl seemed to be doing his best “Arli$$” impersonation,

talking on his cell phone trying to get something done -- maybe trying

to get Vanity Fair tickets, by the look on his face.

Michael Bolton was also there awaiting his car. I couldn’t help but

think of “Office Space” when confronted with the sheared Bolton. Finally,

everyone’s favorite sighting was an anonymous gentleman clad in a

purple-linen double breasted suit with the finest mullet this side of

Lancaster.

Having the post-Oscar party at the Polo Lounge seemed very surreal,

almost like a scene out of “Almost Famous” -- which is probably apropos

for my adventures that evening. People gawked, people wondered who we

were, people complained that Team “Dolphins” was too loud (they weren’t).

Finally, executive producer Chris Palmer of the National Wildlife

Federation and writer/director Greg MacGillivray, accompanied by his

producer-wife, Barbara MacGillivray, and co-producer Alice Casbara,

arrived.

At the Governors Ball, they had successfully found their assigned

table -- No. 149. Palmer, a first-time nominee, was simply giddy with

excitement. Even though “Dolphins” did not win, Palmer said was excited

to be nominated and come within 148 tables of Julia Roberts.

MacGillivray, a previous nominee for “The Living Sea,” still seemed

beside himself several hours after the awards. He recounted being within

arm’s length of Russell Crowe and his two very large bodyguards and

happily recounted how Roberts received a standing ovation upon entering

the Governors Ball.

While this writer did not get a chance to hold an eight-pound gold

plated friend, it was truly a night to remember. While I was not

nominated or even an official member of Team “Dolphins,” it was a

privilege to be included among such fine folks. Who knows, maybe with

MacGillivray Freeman’s next films -- “Journey into Amazing Caves” or

“Coral Reef Adventures” -- I will be once again invited to capture the

fun, excitement, and pageantry of the greatest show on earth.

* ROB OROZCO, 29, is an attorney who lives in Newport Beach with his

wife and two cats.