As the world gets ready to watch the 83rd Academy Awards this Sunday, February 27, 2011, in over 200 countries on TV with Hosts Anne Hathaway and James Franco, here’s an insider’s view of how you can “feel like you are there” by watching the Oscars online (Oscar.com) and thru a Backstage Pass mobile app. We gathered first-hand insights during a Pre-Oscars Digital LA Panel on Tuesday night in Los Angeles, which included Albert Cheng, EVP Digital Media, Disney ABC Television Group. From the red carpet to backstage to the Governor’s Ball celebration after the awards, fans are invited inside through their digital devices (PC, Mac, Mobile, iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.)

The celebrities are more into digital this year too with live tweets from Host @JamesFranco and other stars during the show. For social media access, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is inviting fans to submit questions in advance via Twitter (@TheAcademy) and Facebook (/TheAcademy) for potential use during the “Oscars Red Carpet Live.” The red carpet co-hosts Robin Roberts, Tim Gunn, Krista Smith and Maria Menouno will then ask the Oscar nominees and other celebrities the best Twitter and Facebook questions. Fan questions, answers and photos will also be posted throughout the show on Oscar.com, @TheAcademy and Facebook page.

If you love movies, you can get closer than ever this year through the “All Access” features on Oscar.com. These online features provide an insider’s view of the stars in the VIP room, Director’s Control Room, and getting their statues engraved backstage. The Disney ABC Television Group is working around the clock this week to set up 20-30 cameras to capture the awards experience with “360 cam” technology. Albert Cheng explained, “This year we wanted to take the Oscar.com experience to a new level. It’s a three-act story clearly laid out in the design of site that includes 1. Nominations, 2. Red Carpet, and 3. The Awards Show Telecast.”

1. Nominations – Because polls are very popular for the Oscars, fans can vote for their favorite nominees and “Best Oscar Moments” on Oscar.com. Dave Karger, Entertainment Weekly, is also hosting a “Road to the Oscars” web series that will include new videos every day leading up to the Academy Awards.

2. Red Carpet – “We will have arial views and ground views from the limos to the red carpet to the parties,” explained Albert Cheng. To guide you through the online experience, Shira Lazar (an EMMY nominated TV and Web Personality) and Jake Whetter (on-air personality at Radio Disney) will be your Red Carpet Digital Hosts.

3. The Awards Show Telecast – To complement the TV broadcast, fans can watch the show’s control truck, the “Thank You Cam” and “Press Room Cam” for free or purchase the premium "All Access" 360 cam experience for $4.99. Fans can also watch the awards using the “Backstage Pass” app that is available for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users for $.99. Albert Cheng explained, “The Backstage Pass App is one of the many ways that we are using digital technology to redefine the Oscar experience this year.” Dave Karger and Suzanne Whang (actress and comedian) will host the “All Access” Backstage and Governor’s Ball online coverage.

This new level of access to the Academy Awards will make interactive history this year. Since we’ve become multi-taskers watching TV, Tweeting and Facebooking simultaneously, the world is ready for this Oscar 360 experience. From the “All Access” cams to the “Backstage Pass” app, we can all feel like we have a ticket to Hollywood’s biggest night. Happy Oscar watching!

© Liz H Kelly, National Digital Entertainment Reporter, Sunrise Road Media, http://sunriseroadmedia.com