BEYOND the red carpet

FOR THE RECORD

In Friday’s Pilot, the information box for the story “Beyond the Red Carpet” should have said the Newport Beach Public Library event, The Oscars: A Look at the Academy Awards, will take place from 6 to 9 p.m., Feb. 7.

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Like Kevin Bacon, Orange County film producer Robert Kline is seemingly connected to all the Hollywood bigwigs in one way or another.

Producing dozens of television shows and documentaries over the past 40 years, Kline has worked with several Academy Award winners, and he once dined with Orson Welles in Paris, footing the ostentatious director’s $3,000 check.

For one one-hundredth the price, Newport-Mesa locals will have the chance to ally themselves with the stars — through Kline, that is — when he comes to the Newport Beach Public Library on Wednesday to present The Oscars: A Look at the Academy Awards. In the process, visitors will get a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming awards show.

“In reality, the Academy Awards is not a science as far as the nomination and selection process,” said Kline, a former member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. “It’s analogous to students running for class president: not always the best movie wins.”

As part of the event, organized by the library foundation, Kline will provide a historical background of the academy and this year’s best picture nominees, equipped with his experience as a former executive vice president of 20th Century Fox and professor of film and television at Chapman University.

He will also pay tribute to award-winning director and actor Clint Eastwood, a “remarkable icon” whose films have never gone over budget.

“We thought it would be interesting for people to get a deeper look at the Academy Awards, beyond what people are wearing,” said Tracy Keys, executive director of the Newport Beach Public Library Foundation. “It’s a little more intellectual but still a lot of fun.”

In addition to casting ballots for their favorite nominees, library guests will also enjoy some of the Hollywood glitz, with a champagne and hors d’oeuvres reception and a red-carpet entrance.

Now in his third year offering this lecture at the library, Kline looks forward to discussing trends in the industry, including the rise of three Mexican directors to the Academy Awards scene with “Babel,” “Children of Men” and “Pan’s Labyrinth.”

“They have definitely caught the attention of mainstream directors,” said the San Juan Capistrano resident. “They are bringing new vision to the movies.”

Kline has been witness to many changes after entering the motion picture business in 1963. Some of the more significant advancements include the use of computer-generated imagery in animated features — “Happy Feet” is one of his favorites — and the arrival of women onto the scene as writers, directors and executives.

Fortunately for Kline, his career has also progressed since that first job in the mailroom at MCA-Universal Pictures Inc.’s corporate office. He co-founded Lifetime Television, produced Oliver Stone’s Vietnam war film “Heaven & Earth” and worked with legendary directors like Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola on his acclaimed television series, “First Works.”

IF YOU GOWHAT: The Oscars: A Look at the Academy Awards, with Robert Kline

WHEN: 6 to 9 p.m., Feb. 8

WHERE: The Newport Beach Public Library, 1000 Avocado Ave., Newport Beach

COST: $35; foundation members $30

INFO: For tickets and information, call (949) 548-2411 or e-mail info@nblibraryevents.com.