What is Oscar Award/Academy Award?
The Academy Awards also known as the Oscars Award, are the most respected and globally recognized film awards. The Academy Award honoring excellent achievements in the motion picture industry.
The annual Academy Award ceremony, organized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) celebrates excellence in filmmaking, including acting, direction, writing, cinematography, production design, and many other technical and artistic disciplines.
Over the decades, the Oscars have shaped the global film making industry, setting benchmarks for cinematic brilliance.
The History of the Oscars Award(Academy Award)
The Oscars award were first held on May 16, 1929, at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles, California.
The oscar award event was a private dinner attended by around 270 guests, and the winners had been announced three months in advance.
At present glamorous live television glorified telecast, the first Oscars award ceremony lasted in just 15 minutes.
The academy awards were dreamed by Louis B. Mayer, co-founder of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM).
Louis B. Mayer aim to unite industry professionals and improve filmmaking to a higher artistic and technical standard.
Louis B. Mayer, along with a group of influential Hollywood figures, founded the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) in 1927.
The Academy Award’s mission was to advance the art and science of motion pictures and recognize excellent achievements.
Since Academy Award start, the Oscars Award have changes many times.
From expanding categories to increasing diversity, the Academy Award has regularly adapted to the evolving/emerging technology in film industry.
Milestones in Oscar Award(Academy Award) History:
- 1929 – First-ever Academy Awards ceremony held, Hollywood, California.
- 1934 – The introduction of write-in votes for Oscar Award nominations.
- 1940 – The first Oscars Award telecast, making Academy award a global event.
- 1969 – First time Katharine Hepburn and Barbra Streisand tied for Best Actress, this was one of the few ties in Oscar Award history.
- 2002 – Halle Berry became the first Black woman to win Best Actress.
- 2009 – The Hurt Locker became the first film directed by a woman (Kathryn Bigelow) to win Best Picture.
- 2020 – Parasite became the first non-English language film to win Best Picture.
The Iconic Oscar Statuette/ Model
The Oscar statuette/Model is one of the most recognizable trophies in the world.
Oscar Statuette/model depicts a knight holding a sword, standing on a reel of film with five spokes, symbolizing the five original branches of the Academy:
- Actors
- Writers
- Directors
- Producers
- Technicians
Oscar Statue Design and Specifications
Height: 13.5 inches
Weight: 8.5 pounds
Material: Originally gold-plated solid bronze, but now made of gold-plated Britannia metal
Created by: Sculptor George Stanley, based on a design by Cedric Gibbons
During World War II, due to metal shortages, Oscar trophies statue were made of painted plaster.
Although, after the war, winners were allowed to exchange them for traditional gold-plated versions.
Oscar Award Categories:
The Oscars award have grown significantly over the years, with 23 competitive categories today.
Some of the most prestigious oscar awards category include:
Best Picture – The highest honor, awarded to the film’s producers.
Best Director – Recognizes outstanding direction and vision in filmmaking.
Best Actor & Best Actress – Honors the best performances in leading roles.
Best Supporting Actor & Actress – Celebrates remarkable performances in supporting roles.
Best Original Screenplay & Best Adapted Screenplay – Rewards outstanding writing in original and adapted scripts.
Best Cinematography – Given for exceptional camerawork and visual storytelling.
Oscar Award Technical and Artistic Categories:
Best Film Editing – Recognizes excellence in film editing.
Best Production Design – Celebrates outstanding set and art direction.
Best Sound Design & Sound Mixing – Rewards excellence in sound engineering.
Best Visual Effects – Honors cutting-edge special effects.
Best Makeup & Hairstyling – Acknowledges exceptional work in character transformation.
Oscar Award Music and Animation Categories:
Best Original Score – Awarded for outstanding musical composition.
Best Original Song – Honors original songs written for a film.
Best Animated Feature – Recognizes excellence in animated filmmaking.
Documentary and Short Film Categories
Best Documentary Feature – Awarded to the best nonfiction film.
Best International Feature Film – Honors films produced outside the United States.
Best Short Film (Live Action, Animated, and Documentary) – Recognizes short-form storytelling.
The Oscar Voting Process
The Oscars have a rigorous voting process involving over 10,000 Academy members. These members are divided into 17 branches based on their profession (actors, directors, cinematographers, etc.).
Nomination Process
- Each branch nominates candidates in their respective category. For example, actors vote for acting nominees, and directors vote for Best Director.
- Best Picture nominees are selected using a preferential voting system, where Academy members rank their choices.
- The final list of nominees is announced in January, ahead of the ceremony.
Final Voting
- After nominations are announced, all Academy members vote in every category.
- The winners are determined through a secret ballot, counted by the independent accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).
- The winners remain a secret until they are announced live at the ceremony.
Memorable Moments in Oscar History
Historic Wins
Hattie McDaniel became the first Black performer to win an Oscar for Gone with the Wind (1939).
Marlon Brando refused his Oscar for The Godfather (1972) in protest against Hollywood’s treatment of Native Americans.
Titanic (1997) won 11 Oscars, tying with Ben-Hur (1959) and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) for the most wins.
Heath Ledger won a posthumous Oscar for his role as the Joker in The Dark Knight (2008).
Controversies
The “La La Land – Moonlight” mix-up (2017) remains one of the most shocking moments in Oscar history. Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway mistakenly announced La La Land as Best Picture before it was corrected to Moonlight.
The Oscars So White controversy (2015, 2016) highlighted the lack of diversity in nominations, prompting the Academy to introduce reforms.
Will Smith’s slap at the 2022 Oscars, when he struck comedian Chris Rock onstage, shocked audiences and led to Smith’s 10-year ban from the Academy.
The Impact of the Oscars on the Film Industry
Winning an Oscar can significantly boost a film’s box office revenue, increase an actor’s career opportunities, and bring global recognition. Oscar-winning films often see a surge in ticket sales, streaming numbers, and critical acclaim.
Cultural Influence
The Oscars also play a role in shaping public discussions on important issues such as representation, diversity, and social justice. Over the years, films tackling racism, gender equality, war, and LGBTQ+ rights have gained recognition, influencing public perception and sparking debates.
Conclusion
The Oscars remain the gold standard in cinema, celebrating excellence while evolving with the times. Despite controversies and changing industry dynamics, they continue to be the most anticipated and prestigious event in Hollywood.
With over 95 years of history, the Academy Awards will likely remain an integral part of global cinema, shaping the future of filmmaking for generations to come.
