This Austinite Is Headed to the Academy Awards

Hugo Sanchez, 22, was on Facebook when he posted a photo on The Academy's page, not thinking it would lead to anything exciting. A few weeks later, he received a direct message via Twitter—a chance to do something that most people only dream about: to be a guest on the red carpet for the 86th annual Academy Awards.

Sanchez is a journalism major at UT and also studies Radio-Televison-Film at Austin Community College. He also works at Univision.

We spoke with Sanchez to convey our jealousy and ask a little more about his plans for this weekend.

Austin Chronicle: Explain the process you went through to get this opportunity.

Hugo Sanchez: I didn’t even realize that I entered the contest. If you interacted with them [The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences] through any form of social media, whether it was posting something, commenting on a picture, whatever, you were automatically entered for the Oscar Fan Experience. The Facebook page asked if you could go to the Oscars, what would you wear? There were the usual answers like ball gowns and tuxedos but I posted a picture of me in my Halloween costume. I actually dressed up as an Oscar. I bought a body suit, painted my face gold, and had a sword.

AC:Will you follow through and dress up like an Oscar?

HS: [Laughs] If they ask me to come in my costume, sure why not! Since it's outside and I have to be there from 8:30 in the morning, I'll probably wear something UT-related or something to do with just Texas.

AC: What else do you get to do as a winner?

HS: We get sectioned-off bleacher seats that have a great view for all the nominees and presenters. Afterwards, everyone is invited to a viewing party at the El Capitan Theater. We are also allowed to bring a guest, and I decided to bring my mom. She first introduced me to the Academy Awards.

AC: Who are you most excited about seeing?

HS: Tom Hanks. He is just so epic in everything he does. Matthew McConaughey, of course, repping Austin. It would also be awesome to see Meryl Streep,Sandra Bullock and Leonardo DiCaprio.

AC: Do you plan on having a sign on the red carpet?

HS: Probably not. I just want to take pictures, get autographs, and soak it all in.

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The 86th Annual Academy Awards will take place on Sunday, March 2, with Ellen DeGeneres as the host. See a full list of nominees here.