OSCARS

Atestat realizat de Vlad Armeanu

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

1.ARGUMENT
2.WHAT ARE THE OSCARS?
3.MILESTONES
4.THE STATTUETE OF OSCARS
5.NOMINATION
6.AWARDS CEREMONIES
7.AWARDS OF MERIT
8.CRITICISM
9.NOTABLE HIGHEST WINS AND
NOMINEES
ARGUMENT

I have chosen “The Oscars” as the theme of my English certificate

because of my interest in movies. I love spending my free time
watching movies with friends or family. I’m really into documentary
movies because I like receiving quality information about interesting
subjects such as history and nature. I feel that my attention span spent
watching a documentary movie is way better than reading a book, and I
am sure that I am not the only one who struggles with this. I also like
action movies because they make you feel anxious for the characters.
What if they gets shot or hurt? Of course, most of the time in movies
the good always wins over evil.
Another reason which made me chose “The Oscars” as the theme
of my English certificate is that I am a very competitive person and I
always try to be good at what I do, so it made me very curious on the
process of being elected for winning an Oscar and how much do actors
work for getting their prize.

WHAT ARE THE OSCARS?

The Oscars, also known as the Academy Awards, are a

highly significant recognition in the movie industry,
presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and
Sciences and regarded as the most prestigious film awards.
The ceremony acknowledges excellence in diverse
categories, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor,
Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting
Actress, and Best Original Screenplay, among others. The
winners are determined by the Academy members, who are
professionals in the industry. The Oscars have been held
each year since 1929 and have developed into a crucial
cultural event, attracting millions of viewers globally.
Winning an Oscar is viewed as the ultimate honor for a
filmmaker or actor and can lead to better opportunities in the
industry. Despite some controversies surrounding diversity
and bias, the Oscars continue to be an essential event in the
film industry, with winners frequently making history in
cinema. This project aims to provide a comprehensive
overview of the Oscars, including its history, significance,
categories, controversies, and impact on the film industry.

THE HISTORY OF OSCARS

The Oscars, also known as the Academy Awards, have a fascinating history that dates
back to the early days of Hollywood. The awards were first presented in 1929, in a
private ceremony at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, intended as a small, industry-only
celebration. However, the ceremony quickly gained popularity over the years and has
since become a significant cultural event.

Initially, the Oscars featured a limited number of categories, with just 15 awards
presented in the first ceremony. However, the awards ceremony expanded over time to
include various categories, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress,
Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, and more.

Louis B. Mayer, the head of MGM studios, played a crucial role in the establishment of
the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which oversees the Oscars. Mayer was
a powerful figure in the film industry and a strong advocate for the importance of the
Oscars in recognizing excellence.
Nowadays, the Oscars are held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, with pre-shows, red
carpet events, and post-show analysis. Celebrities and industry professionals present the
awards, and the winners are selected by a panel of Academy members who are industry
professionals themselves.

The Oscars are a crucial part of the film industry, with winners becoming part of
cinematic history. They have played a significant role in recognizing excellence in the
industry and continue to celebrate the achievements of actors, filmmakers, and other
industry professionals.

MILESTONES

One of the most prestigious award shows in the movie industry is the Oscars, also
referred to as the Academy Awards. When the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and
Sciences was established in 1927, the Oscars began to exist. Films released between
August 1, 1927, and July 31, 1928 were recognized at the first Academy Awards
ceremony, which took place in 1929 at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.

The Oscars have changed significantly over time and are now among the most watched
and talked-about occasions in the entertainment industry. The following are some of the
turning points and successes in Oscar history:.

1. The First Academy Awards - The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel hosted the first Academy
Awards ceremony on May 16, 1929. Tickets for the $5 ceremony were sold only
privately. Wings received the first Best Picture award.
2. The 25th Academy Awards ceremony in 1953 was the first to be televised. Millions of
people watched the ceremony, which was live-streamed from the Hollywood Pantages
Theater.

3. The Youngest and Oldest Oscar Winners - Shirley Temple, then 9 years old, was
awarded an honorary Oscar in 1932 for her work in the film industry. In contrast, James
Ivory, who received the Best Adapted Screenplay honor in 2018, was the oldest Oscar
winner at 89 years old.

4. The First Non-English Language Film to Win Best Picture - Bong Joon-ho's South
Korean movie "Parasite," which was released in 2021, made history by becoming the first
non-English language film to win the Best Picture prize.

5. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King has received the most Academy Award
nominations of all time. In addition to Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted
Screenplay, the movie took home all 11 awards for which it was nominated.

6. The record holder for most Oscar nominations for an actress or actor is Meryl Streep,
who has received 21 nominations. For her performances in "Kramer vs. Kramer,"
"Sophie's Choice," and "The Iron Lady.". ".

7. The movie with the most nominations is "All About Eve," which was given 14 nods in
1951. Six Oscars were awarded to the movie, including Best Picture, Best Director, and
Best Screenplay.

8. The Best Hosts - Bob Hope, who presided over the ceremony 19 times, and Billy
Crystal, who presided over it nine times, are two of the most enduring Oscar hosts.
Jimmy Kimmel, Whoopi Goldberg, and Ellen DeGeneres are some additional well-known
hosts.
9. The Oscars have historically served as a platform for political commentary. In 1973,
Marlon Brando turned down his Best Actor Oscar in protest of how Native Americans
were treated in the entertainment industry, and Patricia Arquette spoke out in 2015 in
favor of equal pay for women. These are just a couple of the most enduring political
moments at the Oscars.

10. The Oscars' Effect - An Oscar win can have a big effect on the legacy and success of
a movie. Gaining an Oscar can open doors for new projects and opportunities as well as
increase box office revenue and critical acclaim.

So, to sum up, the Oscars have a nearly century-long history that is both rich and
storied. The Oscars have changed over the years and are now among the biggest
occasions in the entertainment business. The Oscars continue to honor and recognize
the top actors, directors, and producers in the industry with each passing year.

THE STATUETTE OF OSCAR

The Oscar statuette is an iconic symbol of excellence in the film industry. Made of gold-plated
bronze and standing at 13.5 inches tall, it weighs around 8.5 pounds. The statuette depicts a
knight holding a sword, standing on a reel of film, with the sword pointing downwards to
represent the defense of artistic integrity.

The origin of the Oscar statuette is surrounded by mystery and legend, but it is believed that
Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., the first president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences,
saw a sketch by artist Cedric Gibbons and suggested it be used for the award. The statuettes were
first made by R.S. Owens & Co in 1929 and have since become a symbol of achievement in the
film industry.
Each Oscar statuette is made by hand and takes around three months to complete. The statuettes
are cast in bronze, coated with a layer of nickel silver, and then dipped in gold before being
polished to give them their distinctive appearance.

Although the Oscar statuette is an iconic symbol of achievement, it has not been without
controversy. There have been concerns about the environmental impact of the manufacturing
process, as well as questions about the treatment of the workers who produce the statuettes.

Despite these concerns, the Oscar statuette remains a highly coveted award that represents
excellence in the film industry.

NOMINATION

The Oscar nominations are one of the most highly anticipated events in the film industry each
year. They represent the culmination of months of campaigning, screenings, and deliberations, as
the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences selects the best films, actors, directors, and
other industry professionals for recognition.

The nomination process for the Oscars is a complex and rigorous one. The process begins with
the submission of films for consideration. To be eligible for consideration, films must have a
qualifying release date and must meet a number of other criteria, such as running for at least 40
minutes and being shown in a commercial theater for a certain length of time.

Once the The Oscar nominations are a highly anticipated event in the film industry each year.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences selects the best films, actors, directors, and
other industry professionals for recognition. The nomination process is a complex and rigorous
one, beginning with the submission of films for consideration. To be eligible for consideration,
films must meet certain criteria, such as having a qualifying release date and being shown in a
commercial theater for a certain length of time.

The films are then reviewed by Academy committees, which make recommendations for
nominations in each award category. The nominations are announced in January, with a live
broadcast watched by millions of people around the world. Typically, there are five nominees for
each category, selected by a vote of the Academy's members, who are industry professionals
from all sectors of the film industry.

The nomination process involves intense lobbying by studios and producers, who spend millions
of dollars on advertising and promotion to get their films and actors noticed. This can include
special screenings, Q&A sessions, gift bags, and promotional materials. However, the process is
not without controversy, and there have been accusations of bias and favoritism.

To address these concerns, the Academy has made changes to the nomination process, such as
expanding the membership to be more diverse and introducing a preferential voting system in
some categories. Despite the controversies, the Oscar nominations are one of the most
prestigious honors in the film industry, providing increased visibility and career opportunities for
nominees and a celebration of the best in filmmaking and storytelling for audiences.

AWARDS CEREMONIES
Awards ceremonies are a way to recognize and honor individuals or groups who have achieved
excellence in their respective fields. These ceremonies have a rich history dating back to ancient
times and have evolved into major cultural events that attract large audiences and extensive
media attention.

The Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, is one of the most prestigious awards
ceremonies that recognize excellence in the film industry. Other major awards ceremonies
include the Grammy Awards, Emmy Awards, and Tony Awards that recognize achievements in
music, television, and theater, respectively.

Winning an award can have a significant impact on the careers of those recognized, bringing
increased visibility, recognition, and credibility. As a result, awards ceremonies are highly
competitive, with nominees and their teams engaging in intense lobbying and promotion in the
months leading up to the event.
In recent years, awards ceremonies have also become a platform for social and political
commentary, with winners using their acceptance speeches to raise awareness and advocate for
important issues. These ceremonies have also been the subject of controversy over issues such as
diversity and representation.

Despite the controversies, awards ceremonies remain an important part of our cultural landscape,
providing a way to celebrate excellence and achievement in a wide range of fields.

AWARDS OF MERIT

The Oscars, or "Academy Awards," honor excellence in a number of areas related to filmmaking.
These categories are called Awards of Merit. Over time, these categories have changed, with
some being added and others being eliminated.

There are currently 24 Awards of Merit categories available for the Oscars. Best Picture, Best
Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best
Original Screenplay, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Animated Feature, Best Foreign Language
Film, Best Documentary Feature, Best Documentary Short Subject, Best Live Action Short Film,
Best Animated Short Film, Best Original Score, Best Original Song, Best Sound Mixing, Best
Sound Editing, Best Production Design, Best Cinematography, and Best Ma.
The Best Picture award, which honors a movie for its overall excellence, is the most prestigious
of these categories. The other categories are more focused and honor excellence in certain facets
of filmmaking, such as writing, acting, sound, and visual effects.

The Best Animated Feature honor, which was introduced at the 74th Academy Awards in 2002,
is one of the most recent additions to the Awards of Merit categories. The success of animated
films has led to an increase in popularity for this award, which honors the best animated movie
of the year.

The Best Makeup and Hairstyling award, which was introduced to the Awards of Merit
categories in 1992 at the 64th Academy Awards, is another noteworthy addition. Rick Baker's
1982 win for "An American Werewolf in London" earned him this award, which honors the best
hair and makeup work in a movie. It has also produced some memorable Oscars moments.

The Best Original Musical or Comedy Score award, which was last given out at the 66th
Academy Awards in 1994, is one category that has been eliminated. Due to a lack of films that
qualified, this award, which honored the best original score for a musical or comedy film, was
discontinued.

The Oscars' Awards of Merit categories, which honor excellence across a variety of filmmaking
disciplines, have generally changed over time to reflect changes in the industry. The success and
legacy of a movie can be significantly impacted by winning an Oscar, which is one of the highest
accolades in the industry.

CRITICISM
Over the years, the Oscars have drawn criticism and debate. Many detractors have claimed that
the awards are unfair, out-of-date, and lacking in diversity. the following are some of the most
typical criticisms of the Oscars:.

1. Lack of diversity: One of the Oscars' biggest grievances is that neither the nominees nor the
winners are particularly diverse. For more women, people of color, and other marginalized
groups to be included in the awards, there have been calls in recent years.

2. Favoring certain genres and film types: Some critics contend that the Oscars favor certain film
genres, such as dramas and historical epics, while ignoring more avant-garde or experimental
films.

3. Overemphasis on box office success: Another complaint against the Oscars is that they
frequently give more weight to commercial success than artistic merit, which results in
nominations and awards going to films that are more likely to be successful on the box office
rather than those that are truly exceptional.

4. Political bias: Some claim that the Oscars exhibit political bias by favoring works and people
who share the same political views as the Academy members.

5. Lack of transparency: According to some detractors, the Oscars' nomination and voting
procedures aren't very transparent, which can give rise to rumors of bias or favoritism.

In response to these criticisms, the Academy has made a number of changes recently, including
enlarging the membership to be more diverse, creating new categories to honor more genres of
movies and accomplishments, and altering the voting process to be more inclusive and
transparent.

Despite these initiatives, the Oscars continue to be a contentious and occasionally contentious
event in the film industry. While some consider the honors to be the pinnacle of recognition for
artistic excellence in filmmaking, others believe they are unnecessary or even detrimental to the
industry as a whole. Filmmakers, viewers, and critics will likely continue to debate the Oscars
for years to come as they try to understand how the film industry is changing and how award
shows are changing in our culture.

NOTABLE HIGHEST WINS AND

NOMINEES

There have been numerous movies, actors, and directors who have won numerous Oscars or
received numerous nominations and experienced extraordinary success. The following are a
few of the most notable highest wins and nominees in Oscar history:.

1. Walt Disney: With a total of 22 wins and 59 nominations, Walt Disney is one of the most well-
known and successful filmmakers in Oscar history. His movies have taken home awards in
divisions like Best Documentary Feature, Best Animated Short Film, and Best Original Song.
2. The most decorated actor in Oscar history is Katharine Hepburn, who has received 12
nominations and four wins overall. She was awarded Best Actress for her performances in
"Morning Glory," "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," "The Lion in Winter," and "On Golden
Pond.". ".

3. Meryl Streep is another actor with a long list of accolades; she has received 21 nominations
and three wins to date. She has received nominations for her work in movies like "The Devil
Wears Prada," "Sophie's Choice," and "The Iron Lady.". ".

4. Titanic: With a total of 11 wins, the movie "Titanic" holds the record for the most awards
received by a single work of art. Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Song are a few
examples.

5. The Lord of the Rings: With a combined 17 wins and 30 nominations for the three films, The
Lord of the Rings trilogy is another incredibly popular movie franchise. These include accolades
for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Visual Effects, among other categories.

6. La La Land: "La La Land" is notable for receiving an impressive number of nominations,

despite not setting any records for wins. With its total of 14 nominations, the movie tied "All
About Eve" and "Titanic" for the most nominations ever given to a single movie. ".

7. Mank: A recent movie called "Mank" was a big hit at the Oscars. The movie was nominated
for ten different awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. It also took home two prizes
for Best Production Design and Best Cinematography.

These are just a few examples of notable Oscar wins and nominations, but they show the
impressive accomplishments of numerous directors and actors throughout the years. Despite
the controversies and criticisms surrounding them, the Oscars continue to be a significant
source of inspiration for filmmakers all over the world and a way to recognize excellence in the
film industry.
BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. History of the Oscars:

 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. (n.d.). Academy history.
https://www.oscars.org/about/history-and-mission/academy-history
2. Oscar statuette:
 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. (n.d.). The Oscar statuette.
https://www.oscars.org/oscars/statuette
3. Nominations at the Oscars:
 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. (n.d.). Rules and eligibility.
https://www.oscars.org/rules-eligibility
 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. (n.d.). The Oscars voting process.
https://www.oscars.org/oscars/voting-process
4. Awards ceremonies:
 Kelly, A. (2019, February 22). The history of awards season: How Oscars, Emmys, Tonys,
and Golden Globes came to be. USA Today.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2019/02/22/oscars-emmys-tonys-and-
golden-globes-how-awards-season-began/2913204002/
 Perez, C. (2017, February 23). The history of awards ceremonies, from ancient Greece to
the Oscars. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/celiaperez/2017/02/23/the-history-
of-awards-ceremonies-from-ancient-greece-to-the-oscars/?sh=46ccdd2168cc
5. Criticism of the Oscars:
 Brown, H. (2021, March 22). Why the Oscars are still so white. The New York Times.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/22/movies/oscars-diversity.html
 Edwards, K. (2020, January 10). Oscars' bias against genre films is a disservice to cinema.
The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/jan/10/oscars-bias-against-
genre-films-is-a-disservice-to-cinema
 McCarthy, T. (2021, March 18). The Oscars are not about artistic excellence. The
Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2021/03/oscars-academy-
awards-artistic-merit/618124/
 Scott, A. O. (2021, April 22). Politics and the Academy Awards: A brief history. The New
York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/22/movies/politics-oscars-history.html
6. Notable highest wins and nominees:
 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. (n.d.). All-time Oscar® winners.
https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/all-time-winners
 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. (n.d.). All-time Oscar® nominees.
https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/all-time-nominees
• The Oscars were first held on May 16, 1929, at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. The
ceremony was attended by 270 people and lasted for only 15 minutes. The first Best
Picture award went to the silent film "Wings," which starred Clara Bow and Charles
Rogers. The awards were originally created to recognize outstanding achievements in
filmmaking, but they quickly became a way for Hollywood to showcase its power and
influence.
• Over the years, the Oscars have undergone many changes. In the early years, winners
were announced in advance, and the ceremony was held in the afternoon. Today, the
Oscars are a prime-time event broadcast live around the world, with millions of people
tuning in to watch.

• Winning an Oscar can have a profound impact on a film's success. An Oscar win can lead
to increased box office revenue, critical acclaim, and greater recognition for actors,
directors, and other members of the film industry. In some cases, an Oscar win can even
launch a career. For example, after winning Best Director for "Platoon" in 1987, Oliver
Stone went on to direct a series of successful films, including "JFK" and "Natural Born
Killers."
• However, the Oscars can also be a double-edged sword. Winning an Oscar does not
always translate to box office success, and some films have even seen a decrease in
revenue after winning an award. Additionally, there is criticism that the Oscars favor
mainstream, Hollywood films over smaller, independent films. This has led to calls for
the Academy to broaden its criteria for selecting nominees and winners.