The Oscar race begins.

I'm not sure how many non-Angelenos realize how intense the Oscar race gets here. For months studios take out the most insane two-three-four page ads in the papers and trades magazies. They put up billboards, throw parties, have screenings, and on and on and on.

The other move is they allow anyone who is a member of SAG, the DGA, the WGA, and seemingly any other union in the biz to get into their movies at any theater for free.

Today, Focus Features announced that any member of the Academy or the above-mentioned guilds/unions could get into Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind for free.

I mean, I'd love for the movie to get nominated for everything it can. But isn't it a wee bit on the early side to start campaigning?

Guess not.