Costumes & Accessories (7) / Party Supplies (16)

Hollywood Party

Table of contents

Introduction

The site known today as Hollywood was previously inhabited by Native Americans who lived in the region of the Santa Monica Mountains. With the arrival of European settlers, the Natives were moved to missions. Later on there would only be one adobe brick building standing on the historic site we all know and love today. This was in 1853.

 

Seventeen years later the area developed into a prospering agricultural community, though at this stage it wasn't known as Hollywood, but as Cahuenga. The name "Hollywood" was coined by H.J. Whitley and his wife, Gigi, while on their honeymoon. Incidentally, H.J. Whitley is officially known as the “Father of Hollywood.”

 

The first film was shot in Hollywood in 1911, and in the same year New Jersey's Centair Co. established the first Hollywood studio in an old roadhouse on Sunset Boulevard. It was called Nestor Studio.

 

Move on a couple of years to 1947 where Hollywood gained its first television station, which was also the first of its kind west of the Mississippi. At this stage several major motion picture companies such as Paramount, Columbia and Warner Bros among others had their studios in Hollywood, even though they operated from nearby Los Angeles. From here things picked up in Hollywood as a variety of studios moved into town and the world-renowned Hollywood walk of fame was created in 1958. And the rest, as we know, is motion picture history.

 

That naturally brings us to the ultimate Hollywood party, one that you’ll be able to organize form the comfort of your own home with as little expenses as is possible.

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Hollywood Party Invitations

Hollywood party invitations are perhaps the easiest to make as there are set formalities for sending invitations to the stars. These mainly include an elegant invitation in an envelope.

The Hollywood Star

We all associate the five-pointed star with Hollywood. As such, it is only fitting that your guests receive invitations set on that theme.

 

To get started, all you’ll need is a computer, a printer and some high-quality glossy paper. For those who don’t have printers at home, just pop down to your local printing firm once you have the design finished.

 

Now, preparing the invitation on your computer will most likely require an image editing software package. For those who want to do it professionally, get your hands on a software package specially designed to create invitations.

 

Once you are ready, design or download (with permission) your own Hollywood star. Remember that it has the characteristic camera in the middle, so be sure yours looks the same. This will most probably go on the front of the invitation along with other elements that can be used to denote Hollywood such as a film strip or an image of an Oscars award.

 

When you’re done with the design, remember to include the following text:

  • Introduction: “Dear Pete & Ange, you are herewith cordially invited to…:

  • Name of Party: “Jack & Beth’s Oscar Party” – this can either form the heading on the front of the card, or on the inside-left page above the rest of the text.

  • Date & Time: “To be held on…”

  • Venue

  • Dress Code: “Evening Wear”

  • Contact Details

And, of course, if you want your guests to know anything additional such as what they should be bringing, include the corresponding request. Do note that the tone should be elegant and cordial.

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Hollywood Walk of Fame

This invitation idea is similar to the one above, with the slight difference that you’ll be using a Hollywood walk of fame star on the front of the invitation. Now this might take some skill with the computer, but shouldn’t be too hard.

 

Get your hands on a photograph of any Hollywood walk of fame block and replace the current name in the star with the name of one of your guests. Remember to save each one individually so that you’ll be able to go back in case you made a mistake.

 

Should you require assistance, employ a skilled graphic designer for the job.

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Welcome to the Oscars

For those with a slightly higher budget, this will make an ideal Hollywood party invitation. And here’s what you’ll need to do: get your hands on some fake Oscar awards which are available both on the internet and at Hollywood merchandise stores (be sure they have plaques fixed to the front). Remember to get one for each of your guests, or at least one per couple.

 

When you’ve got the statues, have the invitation engraved on the plaque and remember to include the information listed under “The Hollywood Star” invitation

Hollywood Party Dress Code

What would you wear to a star-studded event? Well, we can tell you what they wear: designer evening gowns for the ladies, and tuxedos for the men.

 

As parties like these don’t come around often, the dress-code for your star-studded event should read “Evening Wear”.

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Hollywood Party Decorations

Hollywood party decorations are plentiful, both in Hollywood merchandise stores as well as on the internet. Though, when you consider an actual party, what decorations would there really be? Remember, it is a lavish, often formal, event so it would be adequate to decorate the tables with bouquets as well as the finest cutlery and glassware.

 

For those who’d like to go that extra mile, why not hang a couple of portraits of Hollywood legends on your walls? Additionally you might want to rent an ancient projector to play classic black & white film reels on a sheet to set the perfect atmosphere.

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Hollywood Party Guest Arrival & Announcement

Give your guests the Hollywood treatment by literally rolling out the red carpet for them. Ideally it should cover the entire distance from where they will be arriving to the front door of your venue. To save on costs, however, you’ll only need to cover about three feet of floor surface both on the inside as well as on the outside of the entrance.

 

As your guests arrive, have an elegantly dressed youth or friend standing by the door to take your guests invitations. As the invitations are taken, he or she should draw the attention of the crowd by iterating “Ladies and Gentleman” (should his or her voice be to soft, consider using a microphone to amplify the sound).

 

The subsequent introduction should include the names of the arriving guests as well as any additional information you feel appropriate or necessary. Here’s an example:

 

“ Ladies and Gentleman, it is my pleasure to welcome Mr & Mrs. Smith, both previous Oscar winners and Golden Globe nominees for their roles in Saving Jack and Life on Earth. In addition to their acclaimed on-screen work, Mr. Smith specializes as a neurosurgeon and Mrs. Smith as an accountant”.

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Hollywood Party Favors

As we’re dealing with on-screen stars, why not create the ultimate party favor by having a camera man standing by with his camera to film the guests as they arrive and capture those first moments of the party. With today’s technology your camera man will be able to edit and copy the film while your guests are seated around the dinner table. Remember to have the covers of these pre-made to save time.

 

For those looking for something a bit more authentic, consider buying each of your guests a classic Hollywood DVD or video cassette. This party favor will provide hours of entertainment and can be watched again and again.

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Hollywood Party Activities

Scene Enactment

Have a great time with your guests by taking turns to perform scenes from their favorite movies. This can be done in pairs or, if they’re brave enough, alone.

 

Another angle on this Hollywood party activity is to have everyone improvise on a favorite scene you all agree on. This is bound to provide hours of fun and laughter and will make for an unforgettable occasion.

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Film Trivia

Who knows their films best? Film trivia questions and answers are both available at your nearest retailer of Hollywood merchandise as well as on the internet.

 

Start off by diving your guests into two teams – perhaps the ladies versus the gents or just anything random – and see who comes out on top.

Dancing

As we said, a Hollywood themed party is a glorious occasion where all the top actors of golden Hollywood mingle with each other. And what better place to mingle than on the dance floor? Be sure to include a couple of slow tracks to keep that Hollywood atmosphere.

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I’d Like To Thank…

Ever realized that one of the most entertaining moments of the Oscars is hearing who the stars choose to thank? While some keep it short and sweet, others just seem to drag on. And then again there are those who seem, well, comedic about it.

 

Invite your guests to take turns at standing behind the podium and thanking those who they think most apt. While some are sure to be pretty standard, you may bet your acting career there will be those capable of lifting the roof!

Scriptwriting

Akin to the impromptu acting, but a bit more controlled. Group your guests and ask them to write short scripts for one another. When they’re all done writing, have them perform the another group’s script. This can either be totally controlled or slightly improvised – the choice is yours.

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Food & Drink

Your guests deserve nothing but the best; they are world famous stars after all. As such you'll want to offer them a three course meal, consisting of starters, main course and desserts. In addition, you might want to serve Hors D'oeuvres (appetizers) during the course of the evening.

 

Here are a couple of ideas for your menu:

Seafood

  • Snails
  • Lobster
  • Oysters
  • Mussels
  • Fish (Salmon, Sole, etc.)

Red Meat

  • Beef Steaks
  • Stews
  • Pork Chops
  • Lamb Cutlets
  • Veal

Salads

  • Greek Salad
  • Garlic & Crouton Salad
  • Bacon & Parmesan Salad
  • Fruit Salad
  • Potato Salad

Remember that some guests may have allergies, so it would be best to check with them before deciding on what you'll be preparing.

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