Outdoor bleachers like the ones pictured above are placed along the red carpet at the Oscars every year. But getting this close-up view of all those celebs is not an easy task

Gaining a seat on these coveted outdoor bleachers is one of the most difficult tasks in the world. There are only about 700 available.

But if you do, your face may be seen by more than 40 million people.

And ironically, once the big event involving these bleachers begins, the seats empty out.

What are we talking about?

The Academy Awards and the outdoor bleachers stationed along the Most Popular Red Carpet on the planet.

It is on these plain aluminum bleacher seats that spectators get to see the glitz and glitter of the biggest night in show business.

It's the ultimate place to be for celebrity worship.

In no other location will you see this many Hollywood big-wigs gathered at one time.

The night consists of a blizzard of flashbulbs, TV reporters, expensive dresses, swanky tuxedos, polished smiles and lots of screaming and cheering.

And as you can imagine, a spot on those special outdoor bleachers is not easy to get.

In fact, an opportunity to sit in those bleachers might not be around much longer. The Academy actually thought about doing away with the outdoor bleachers along the red carpet. But decided to keep the tradition intact…at least for one more year.

The ultimate place for celebrity worship

Outdoor bleachers on the red carpet

So, how does one obtain access to this special big-wig vantage point?

Used to be, stargazers would literally camp out on the sidewalk to gain a spot on a first-come, first-serve basis.

But local businesses, city officials and pedestrians became tired of seeing these camp cities clogging sidewalks for days before the Oscars.

So the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences went to a lottery system.

Now people can enter to win a spot on the outdoor bleachers. If you are so inclined, here's the website page for your shot at the ultimate seat for movie fans.  (The contest for this year's 90th Academy Awards show on Sunday, March 4 is now obviously closed). Apparently, about 20,000 people from all over the world enter every year. Odds of winning are actually pretty good compared to other lotteries.

However if you do win, be prepared for a very long process.

First of all, everybody will have to undergo a thorough security check. Security is tight. Applicants must send in their full identification along with their social security number.

If you do pass the security clearance you will receive a ticket, complete with a photo ID badge.

Next, get ready for a long day. Check-in time is about 9:30 a.m. (the Oscars actually start at 5:30 p.m.).

However, celebs do start arriving on the red carpet at about 2 p.m.

The wait is not all misery.

For one, sometimes sponsors, such as People magazine, will dish out a bunch of goodies.

There's might be a "swag bag" somewhat like the ones the stars receive when they enter the Kodak Theater.

Except in this case, instead of containing $100,000 in premium items like watches and smartphones, the swag bag for spectators may contain some sunglasses, makeup and magazines. Plus a few snack bars.

Sometimes there's a makeup session. (You certainly don't want the public to see a bunch of scraggly citizens next to all those elegant movie stars with their perfect hair and teeth).

Spectators might also be lucky to also avail themselves of hand massages or aural readings (remember, that's why they call this place "La-La" land).

As the limos with the special passengers begin to arrive, there are basically two challenges that the bleacher creatures will face.

One is to scream and yell and try to catch the attention of their favorite Hollywood heavyweights like Meryl Streep, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, Denzel Washington or dozens of other A-listers.

The second will be trying to figure out who the heck is that person dressed in the formal gown or that guy in the weird tuxedo? And why are they being interviewed by Entertainment Tonight? (The B-listers).

Some celebs will acknowledge the crowd. Blow a few kisses. Shake some hands. Others will get immediately snapped up by TV reporters. And then there are the few that will just climb out of the limo and head straight for the entrance of the theater. (What nerve?).

From the bleachers to the theater

At 5 p.m., announcers will inform all those stars hanging out in front that it's time to get inside The Kodak Theater. The Oscars start promptly at 5:30 PST.

At that point, the fans in those outdoor bleachers will be herded away. However, they do get to stay and watch the Oscars on a giant screen in a theater nearby, such as the historic El Capitan.

Entrance to the theater usually includes free popcorn and a buffet dinner.

Once inside, the bleacher creatures can watch the Oscars just like all the millions of others at home, complete with commercials.

But at least they will be able to say they were actually there. In the presence of the stars.

Hopefully, the Academy will keep that bleacher tradition alive.

Few people ever have an opportunity to walk on that famous red carpet.

But for a few hours, the fans perched atop those outdoor bleachers will get closer to their idols than most human beings on the planet ever will and in a way, become minor celebrities for a day themselves.