CAPOTE - HOFFMAN LOVES 'OSCAR TOUR'

CAPOTE star PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN is thrilled with his Oscar nomination, because it means he gets to spend quality time with the other nominees.

The actors in Best Actor category have to attend numerous events leading up to the actual ceremony, and Hoffman is excited to make such prestigious new friends.

He explains, "One of the great things (about being nominated) is getting to know a bunch of other actors like TERRENCE HOWARD, HEATH LEDGER, JOAQUIN PHOENIX, DAVID STRATHAIRN, GEORGE CLOONEY...

"Some of them I have met before, but you make friends and it's a good thing.

"Being nominated for an Oscar is kind of like being on tour- you're all together and you're going from event to event.

"We had this Oscar luncheon with all the nominees. It's a good time and at the end they give you this sweatshirt...this Oscar nominees sweatshirt.

He jokes, "On the tour we all wear them out at night."