Naomie Harris: My Oscars survival guide

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Naomie HarrisImage source, Getty Images

This weekend Hollywood's elite will gather for the 88th Academy Awards in Los Angeles.

James Bond film, Spectre, is nominated for best achievement in music for Sam Smith's Writing's on the Wall.

The Grammy-winning singer recently won a Golden Globe for the track alongside his writing partner Jimmy Napes.

Naomie Harris who plays Miss Moneypenny has been telling Newsbeat what Sam can expect for his first ever Oscars.

What to wear

"You're with hair and make up for three hours, and then you're worried because after that you've got a long journey.

"It's not a long journey but you're worried about your dress creasing and there's so much traffic on the way.

Image source, Getty Images

Meeting your fans

Wrinkles on his dress are not something Sam will have to worry about, but greeting fans en route to the ceremony might be.

"There are people lining the entire route shouting with signs and saying 'wind down your window' because they think you're someone that they want to take pictures with and then when you roll [the window] down, they're like 'oh not you, move on!' says Naomie.

She last attended the Oscars three years ago when Skyfall was nominated five times and the first time a Bond film has received an Academy Award nod in over 30 years.

Image source, Getty Images

Getting down the most famous red carpet in the world

Naomie admits it's very difficult to keep your cool while walking the red carpet.

"When you're on the red carpet it's totally surreal because there's absolutely everybody there.

"It's not like at the Spectre premiere for instance which was so long and huge.

"I expected it to be like that but it's actually really short and really small so it's even more surreal because it's like all these huge stars in one tiny space so it's a real pinch yourself moment.

Image source, Getty Images

Take a packed lunch!

There are 24 categories for host Chris Rock to get through on the night, as well as performances from stars like The Weeknd and Lady Gaga. The average Oscars ceremony lasts about three and a half hours.

But Naomie promises that the entire show is a great watch and time flies.

"When you're [inside the ceremony hall] it's all live so you're on the edge of your seat.

"I was there the year that Jennifer Lawrence tripped and fell so we were all like 'oh my gosh are they going to edit this out.'

"It's actually so engrossing to watch so you don't feel like it's three hours.

However, she does suggest Sam takes a packed lunch.

"I would advise Sam Smith to bring along a packet of nuts and a bottle of water because you get a bit hungry and there are no snacks.

Image source, Getty Images

The famous after parties... and the art of blagging

Naomie says she loves a party but she's not the queen of blagging.

"The year I went I ended up dancing with Chris Rock until the early hours of the morning, I had a brilliant time.

"The Vanity Fair party is where it's at. There's another exclusive one which my friend and I tried to get into but we got turned away... so embarrassing!

"It was Madonna's party actually, we were invited by Naomi Campbell so we thought that would be enough and that we could just turn up so we were like 'no but Naomi Campbell said we could come in' and [the door staff] were like 'No. Turn around M'aam, just turn around."

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