Oscar luncheon 2012

Brad Pitt plays the former Oakland A’s general manager in best-picture nominee “Moneyball,” which earned him a lead actor nod.
See also: 360° view of the nominees’ class photo  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Meryl Streep is nominated for lead actress for playing former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in “The Iron Lady.”
See also: 360° view of the nominees’ class photo  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

“A Better Life” star Demian Bichir is nominated for lead actor.
See also: 360° view of the nominees’ class photo  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

“Moneyball” writer Aaron Sorkin is nominated for adapted screenplay along with Steven Zaillian (not pictured). Sorkin won the Oscar in that category last year for “The Social Network.”
See also: 360° view of the nominees’ class photo  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

“War Horse” producer Steven Spielberg and Kathleen Kennedy (not pictured) are nominated for best picture.
See also: 360° view of the nominees’ class photo  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Nick Nolte of “Warrior” is nominated for supporting actor.
See also: 360° view of the nominees’ class photo  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Kenneth Branagh is nominated for supporting actor for his role as Laurence Olivier in “My Week With Marilyn.”
See also: 360° view of the nominees’ class photo  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Glenn Close plays a woman disguised as a man in 19th century Ireland in “Albert Nobbs.” She received a lead actress nomination for the role.
See also: 360° view of the nominees’ class photo  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Octavia Spencer is nominated for supporting actress for her role in “The Help.”
See also: 360° view of the nominees’ class photo  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

“The Help’s” Viola Davis is nominated for her role as a maid before the Civil Rights movement.  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Rooney Mara is nominated for lead actress for her role in “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.”  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Max von Sydow is nominated for his supporting role in “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close.”  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Best song nominee Siedah Garrett is nominated for the song “Real in Rio” from the animated film “Rio.”  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Oscars’ lead actor contenders: Gary Oldman, left, Jean Dujardin, Demian Bichir, Brad Pitt and George Clooney.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Academy Award contenders Jean Dujardin (“The Artist”) and Brad Pitt (“Moneyball,” “The Tree of Life”) chat at the luncheon.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

“War Horse” producer Steven Spielberg arrives late to the shindig.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

“The Artist” nominees Bérénice Bejo and director husband Michel Hazanavicius talk to “The Iron Lady” nominee Meryl Streep.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

“Moneyball” and “The Tree of Life” nominee Brad Pitt signs autographs outside the Beverly Hilton Hotel.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

“The Descendants” nominee George Clooney braves the flashbulbs of numerous photographers.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

“Bridesmaids” nominee Melissa McCarthy signs autographs.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Brian Grazer, left, one of the producers of The 84th Academy Awards.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)