Gallery: Red Carpet Arrivals

All was in readiness for the industry’s brightest at the 50th AFI Awards on Saturday.

Media minders, security, fans, photographers, journalists and assorted hangers-on awaited the names of those who adorn our screen, and a few who put them there too.

The rain clouds held off long enough for a suitably air-kissing, teeth-gleaming, frock-naming ninety minutes.

It might have been film that was centrestage, but television was where the recognition factor won out.

Most questions to celebrities were focussed on their winners’ tips, the state of the industry and the inevitable ‘who are you wearing?’

As is frequently the case, it was something of a feeding frenzy. One question, one answer, an ‘exclusive’ for all. But press and celebs alike know the game well, and a 2 minute doorstop exchange is quickly ushered away by minders keen to bring the next name star to its principal press: Fairfax, News Limited and assorted women’s mags.

Only names and nominees were guided by press and photographers, watched over by fans in the bleachers (including some hired extras prompted by a warm-up man), with nameless invitees shepherded along a separate path. But the time all was said and done, the press (including this one) had managed to get enough quotes and pics, while the key films and television shows had made the most of the publicity opportunity.

Inside the real deal was to unfold.