Tents, Red Carpet Preparation and More Presenters

Hollywood Boulevard between Highland Avenue and Orange Drive is now closed off for eight days for awards preparation. By noon Tuesday, in anticipation of rain this weekend, a number of clear-roofed tents have been built and some will hang above the red carpet.

During Patch's visit to the red carpet area, we encountered a half-dozen press escorts who told us we couldn't take photos of much else besides the media bleachers and aforementioned tents.

The press escorts said the red carpet itself is scheduled to be rolled out this evening, and then covered with plastic until the weekend to protect it from work crews and the elements. The giant golden Oscar statues will be delivered to the carpet later this week.

You've got questions? They've got answers. The Academy is inviting viewers to send in questions for nominees and presenters that could be asked during the 90-minute presentation of Oscars Red Carpet Live immediately preceding the big show. Questions can be submitted via Facebook and Twitter @TheAcademy.

Banksy watch! The work of Banksy, the anonymous British street artist who directed the Oscar-nominated documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop, continues to pop up around Los Angeles. In the last couple of days, various pieces of street art have shown up on PCH in Santa Monica, in Compton and one that appears to be somewhere in Culver City.

If there's any question as to whether these are authentic Banksy and not a copycat, click over to Banksy's official site where he's posting photos of his works soon after they're completed.

The question remains: Will Banksy show his face  to the public for the first time at the Oscar ceremony?

Presenter update: Producers Bruce Cohen and Don Mischer announced two more presenters: two-time best actress award winner Hilary Swank (for 1999's Boys Don't Cry and 2004's Million Dollar Baby) and Josh Brolin, who was nominated in 2004 for his supporting role in Milk.