![]() While the origins of the moniker aren’t clear, a popular story has it that upon seeing the trophy for the first time, Academy librarian (and eventual executive director) Margaret Herrick remarked that it resembled her Uncle Oscar. Officially named the Academy Award of Merit, the statuette is better known by its nickname, Oscar. The Academy tapped Los Angeles sculptor George Stanley to realize the design in three dimensions – and the world-renowned statuette was born. MGM art director Cedric Gibbons designed a statuette of a knight standing on a reel of film gripping a crusader’s sword. THE MOST RECOGNIZED TROPHY IN THE WORLD, THE OSCAR STATUETTE HAS STOOD ON THE MANTELS OF THE GREATEST FILMMAKERS IN HISTORY SINCE 1929.Īgreeing to institute an annual award, the group turned its attention to creating a suitably majestic trophy. More than 90 years after that auspicious gathering in Hollywood, Oscar’s success as a symbol of filmmaking achievement would probably amaze those who attended the dinner, as it would its designer, Cedric Gibbons. ![]() As in previous years, any surplus awards will be housed in the Academy’s vault until next year’s event. Although the number of categories are known in advance, the possibility of ties and of multiple recipients sharing the prize in some categories makes it impossible to predict the exact number of statuettes to be awarded. ![]() However, the Academy won’t know how many statuettes it will hand out until the envelopes are opened on Oscar Night®. Following the war, the Academy invited recipients to redeem the plaster figures for gold-plated metal ones.Īchievements in up to 25 regular categories will be honored on February 24, 2019, at the 91th Academy Awards presentation at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center. Due to a metal shortage during World War II, Oscars® were made of painted plaster for three years. The statuettes are solid bronze and plated in 24-karat gold. The Academy didn’t adopt the nickname officially until 1939, but it was widely known enough by 1934 that Hollywood columnist Sidney Skolsky used it in a piece referring to Katharine Hepburn’s first Best Actress win. Although the statuette remains true to its original design, the size of the base varied until 1945, when the current standard was adopted. The film reel features five spokes, signifying the five original branches of the Academy: actors, directors, producers, technicians and writers. Oscar stands 13½ inches tall and weighs in at a robust 8½ pounds. Each January, additional new golden statuettes are cast by Polich Tallix fine art foundry in New York’s Hudson Valley. ![]() Since the initial awards banquet on May 16, 1929, in the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel’s Blossom Room, more than 3,000 statuettes have been presented. Among the topics discussed that night was how best to honor outstanding moviemaking achievements and thereby encourage excellence in all facets of motion picture production.Īgreeing to institute an annual award, the group turned its attention to creating a suitably majestic trophy. Shortly after the formation of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 1927, the fledgling organization held a dinner in the Crystal Ballroom of the Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles to set out its goals. The most recognized trophy in the world, the Oscar statuette has stood on the mantels of the greatest filmmakers in history since 1929. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |