“… AND THE OSCAR GOES TO …” Deconstructing the Academy Awards What is an Oscar? ? Oscars are given by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPA) ? AMPA members vote for Oscar winners ? you must be chosen by other members ? the majority are white, aging men who live in . How can I e an AMPA member? The Oscars as a Media Event ? 33% of all Canadians watch all or part of the Oscars (48% adult women, 40% adult men, 12% children) The Oscars as modity ? An Oscar is just a tin and copper, gold-plated statuette of a naked man holding a sword and standing on a reel of film ? An Oscar only costs $200 to make So what ’ s the big deal? Who ’ s makin ’ the big bucks? Oscar Money-Maker #1: THE ACADEMY (AMPA) ? earns $2 million per year on Oscars ? AMPA is a non-anization - so they spend the profit on film-related causes (eg. film restoration) Oscar Money – Maker #2: work that broadcasts the show ? ABC makes millions selling ads ($10 thousand per second) ? Are The Oscars relatively cheap or expensive to make? ? expensive stars appear on TV for free ? cheaper to produce than movie or mini-series. Oscar Money-Maker #3: The Movie Industry ? promotes Hollywood movies ? entire broadcast is virtually mercial Oscar Money-Maker #4: The Winners! ? Along with prestige comes truly international stardom and economic benefits Oscar Money-Maker #5: The Movie Studios ? When are most Oscar potentials released? Why? ? December, to catch the holiday rush, and to ensure that movies are still in theatres. ? Which winning movies don ’ t make much off the Oscars? ? Movies no longer in the theatre ? Winners other than Best Picture The Oscars as a Contest ? AMPAS members nominate 5 and pick 1 winner ? Nominations made by those who work in same category (eg. Directors vote for other directors) ? Once 5 nominees are chosen then all members vote for all categories ? Is there any cheating?
