bisected by red velvet ropes and , with a friendly and practiced technique , celebrities are moved to the left of the rope and others to the right . This way , celebs leave the tent closer to the cameras and the fantasy that you might have that everybody in a gown or tux are somehow equals on one night sort of disappears . View scenes from the Oscars '' If you ever were curious about what happens during the commercial breaks : Stagehands with really powerful flashlights guide the changing of the sets and curtains ; they make sure empty orchestra seats are filled ; host Hugh Jackman introduces his parents ; they show a short film about the power of the movies that got cut from the show in progress ; Jackman hands his wife a plate of cookies , thinking she probably was hungry ; and he later points out that the guy playing the cello on stage in the Academy Award Orchestra was actor Dermot Mulroney . Who knew ? Watch a report on the night 's big winners '' The show was best when it demonstrated that Hollywood can still do what it has always
In our Behind the Scenes series , CNN correspondents share their experiences in covering news and analyze the stories behind the events . CNN 's Jay Kernis reports on what it was like inside the Kodak Theatre at the Academy Awards . Hugh Jackman , the host of the 81st Academy Awards , speaks to the audience at the Kodak Theatre on Sunday . LOS ANGELES , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- When you 're at home , you can sit back and be critical . When you 're inside the theater , the whole show seems to work , especially the big production numbers . Maybe it was a particularly well-produced show this year , but when you 're in the audience , you feel part of it -- even way up in the second mezzanine . I 've been at the Oscars to cover them , but this is the first time I 've ever been inside the ceremonies . I was there with my 17-year-old son , Noah . When you arrive on the red carpet , you enter a security tent and show your ticket and driver 's license . You notice that the tent is