Nominees react

“We will be on pins and needles for Sandra [Bullock]. Her or Meryl Streep will win best actress. The problem with best actress is that you can give it to Meryl Streep every year. She’s the best actress in the world. It’s like Tiger Woods in a golf tournament -- eventually someone else has to be allowed to win.”

-- Andrew Kosove

producer, “The Blind Side”

“It’s so rare to find a female character that has some kind of journey and changes as a result. So many times they’re just accessory roles: the girlfriend or someone who performs some kind of plot function.”

-- Carey Mulligan

lead actress, “An Education”

“I came from a family of artists. All of it was about the work. We didn’t watch award shows or read magazines. It was the work ethic. It’s showing up on set with 200 people, and I get a job that I love. That’s everything.”

-- Sandra Bullock

lead actress, “The Blind Side”

“[Animation] is like Rodney Dangerfield, you know. They just can’t get that respect. We’re at the little kids’ table sometimes. Because of the difference in the technique, people forget it does involve screenwriting and directing but sometimes, because it’s in a slightly different form, academy members get a little rattled.”

-- John Musker

co-director/co-writer,

“The Princess and the Frog”

“The best advice came from Tom Hanks. He told me [awards season] is a series of silly parties. And that I should get comfortable shoes. He was right. I do need them.”

-- Gabourey Sidibe

lead actress, “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”

“I love the fact that over the course of the past few events, sort of a little group has formed [among the supporting actor nominees]. That’s something I’m not used to and I relish it. I enjoy it so much . . . In Europe, actors eye each other in a much more competitive way. Not here. There’s a camaraderie that is wonderful.”

-- Christoph Waltz

supporting actor,

“Inglourious Basterds”

“It’s nerve-racking, no matter how many award shows I’ve been to. The day of, I hardly speak to anybody until my category is over with.”

-- Vera Farmiga

supporting actress,