The Luminary Legacy
Illuminating the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences: an esteemed institution championing cinematic excellence.
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The Academy
A Pillar of Cinematic Arts
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), often simply referred to as "The Academy," is a distinguished professional honorary organization headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. Its core mission is to advance the arts and sciences of motion pictures, fostering excellence and innovation within the global film industry.
Global Reach and Recognition
Globally renowned for its annual Academy Awards, popularly known as "The Oscars," AMPAS extends its influence far beyond this iconic ceremony. As of April 2020, the organization comprised approximately 9,921 motion picture professionals, with membership open to qualified filmmakers worldwide, underscoring its international scope.
Beyond the Golden Statuette
While the Oscars are its most visible contribution, the Academy's activities are multifaceted. It hosts the annual Governors Awards for lifetime achievement, presents Scientific and Technical Awards, and supports emerging talent through Student Academy Awards and Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting. Furthermore, it maintains vital resources like the Margaret Herrick Library, the Pickford Center for Motion Picture Study, and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.
Origins
The Vision of Louis B. Mayer
The genesis of AMPAS can be traced to Louis B. Mayer, the influential head of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). In 1927, Mayer envisioned an organization that could mediate labor disputes outside of traditional unions and elevate the public image of the burgeoning film industry. This initial concept positioned the Academy, in part, as a company union.
Founding and Early Structure
Mayer convened a formal banquet on January 11, 1927, at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, inviting 36 prominent film industry figures who became the Academy's founders. The organization was officially incorporated on May 4, 1927, dropping "International" from its name. At its first official meeting on May 6, 1927, Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. was elected as the first president, and Thomas Edison received the first honorary membership. Initially, the Academy was structured into five core branches: Producers, Actors, Directors, Writers, and Technicians.
Evolution and Focus Shift
While initially concerned with labor matters, the Academy's role evolved significantly. During the Great Depression, its credibility among studio employees waned after it sided with major film studios during wage reduction efforts. Consequently, AMPAS transitioned into its modern role as a distinguished honorary organization, shifting its focus towards recognizing excellence and fostering the cinematic arts.
Awards
The Birth of the Oscars
A committee for "Awards of Merit" was established early in the Academy's history. By May 1928, serious discussions began regarding the structure of these awards and their presentation. In July 1928, the board of directors approved a list of 12 awards, and the voting and nomination processes were formalized. These "awards of merit for distinctive achievement" are what we now celebrate as the Academy Awards.
Special Recognitions
Beyond the competitive Oscars, the Academy bestows several other prestigious honors:
- Governors Awards: Held annually since 2009, these include the Academy Honorary Award, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, and the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, recognizing lifetime achievement and exceptional contributions.
- Scientific and Technical Awards: Annually acknowledge innovations that significantly impact the motion picture industry.
- Student Academy Awards: Support and recognize emerging filmmakers at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
- Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting: Awarded annually to up to five screenwriters, fostering new talent in storytelling.
Diversity
The #OscarsSoWhite Movement
In 2016, the Academy faced significant criticism under the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite, as all 20 nominees in the major acting categories were white for the second consecutive year. This sparked a crucial conversation about representation within Hollywood and the Academy's membership. Initially, then-President Cheryl Boone Isaacs denied a problem in 2015, but later expressed heartbreak and frustration, acknowledging the need for "big changes."
Initiatives for Inclusion
Following calls for a boycott from prominent figures like Spike Lee, Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Rev. Al Sharpton, the Academy's board voted to implement "historic" changes to its membership. The A2020 initiative aimed to double the number of women and minority members by 2020. This effort led to a significant shift, with the 2016 new class comprising 46% women and 41% people of color. In 2018, a record 928 new members were invited, further diversifying the ranks.
Leadership Milestones
The commitment to diversity has also been reflected in leadership. In 2022, Janet Yang was elected as the first Asian American President of the Academy. As of 2020, 25 of the Academy's 54 Board of Governors members were female, indicating progress in gender representation at the highest levels of governance.
Facilities
Academy Headquarters
Located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills, the Academy's current headquarters opened in 1975. It houses the Samuel Goldwyn Theater, a 1,012-seat venue designed for maximum technical accuracy in film presentation, used for public programming, member screenings, and Oscar nominations announcements. Formerly, it also contained the Academy Little Theater and public galleries, which were closed in preparation for the Academy Museum.
Fairbanks Center & Library
The Fairbanks Center for Motion Picture Study, named after co-founder Douglas Fairbanks, is situated at 333 S. La Cienega Boulevard in Beverly Hills. It is home to the world-renowned Margaret Herrick Library, a non-circulating reference and research collection dedicated to film history. Established in 1928, the library is open to the public and serves students, scholars, and industry professionals. The building itself, constructed in 1928, originally functioned as a water treatment plant for Beverly Hills.
Pickford Center & Archive
The Pickford Center for Motion Picture Study, named for legendary actress and co-founder Mary Pickford, is located at 1313 Vine Street in Hollywood. This facility houses the Academy Film Archive, the Science and Technology Council, and departments for Student Academy Awards and Nicholl Fellowships. It also features the Linwood Dunn Theater, a 286-seat venue. Notably, the building, dedicated in 1948, is the oldest surviving structure in Hollywood specifically designed with television in mind.
Academy Museum
The newest addition, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, opened to the public on September 30, 2021. Located at 6067 Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles, within the historic Saban Building (formerly the May Company Building), it is the United States' first large-scale museum dedicated to the film industry. It boasts over 290,000 square feet of galleries, exhibition spaces, movie theaters, and educational areas.
Former Locations
The Academy's journey involved several moves to accommodate its growth. Early locations included 6912 Hollywood Boulevard and the Roosevelt Hotel. In 1930, it moved to the Hollywood Professional Building, and by 1935, administrative offices were in the Taft Building, with the library at 1455 North Gordon Street. In 1946, the Marquis Theatre on Melrose Avenue became the Academy Awards Theatre, hosting the 21st Oscars. The Academy also maintained a New York City-based East Coast showcase, the Academy Theater at Lighthouse International, which closed in 2015 due to property sale.
Membership
Invitation and Structure
Membership in the Academy is by invitation only, extended by the Board of Governors. Prospective members are typically recommended by two current members within the branch they wish to join, or are considered for membership if they receive an Oscar nomination. Once accepted, membership does not expire. The Academy's membership is categorized into 19 distinct branches, representing various disciplines within motion pictures, alongside "Members at Large" and "Associate Members."
Demographics and Evolution
A 2012 study by the Los Angeles Times, sampling over 5,000 members, revealed that the Academy's membership at the time was 94% white, 77% male, 86% aged 50 or older, with a median age of 62. A third of members were previous Oscar winners or nominees. However, following the #OscarsSoWhite criticism, a significant paradigm shift began in 2016, leading to new classes with increased diversity. As of 2024, the Academy's confirmed membership stands at 10,894, including 9,905 voting members, 949 non-voting emeritus members, and 40 associate members. The Actors branch remains the largest, with 1,258 members.
Modern Screening Practices
To facilitate the awards process, films in contention are now made available to members through a designated streaming application. This digital approach, implemented since 2021, has replaced the traditional distribution of physical "screeners," streamlining the viewing and voting process for the Academy's extensive membership.
Governance
Board of Governors
The Academy's corporate management, control, and general policies are overseen by its Board of Governors. As of April 2020, the board consists of 57 governors: three representatives from each of the 19 Academy branches, and three governors-at-large. The Board is also responsible for appointing the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) to manage the Academy's administrative functions.
Academy Branches
The Academy's structure is defined by its 19 specialized branches, each representing a distinct craft or profession within the motion picture industry. These branches ensure that diverse expertise is represented in the Academy's decision-making and awards processes.
Expulsions and Resignations
The Academy maintains a strict code of conduct, leading to expulsions for serious breaches. Notable expulsions include Carmine Caridi (2004) for copyright infringement, Harvey Weinstein (2017) for sexually predatory behavior, and Bill Cosby and Roman Polanski (2018) for sexual misconduct. Adam Kimmel was expelled in 2021 after being identified as a registered sex offender. Additionally, some members have voluntarily resigned, such as sound engineers Tom Fleischman and Peter Kurland (2022) over changes to the Oscar telecast, and actor Will Smith (2022) following his onstage incident at the 94th Academy Awards.
Founders
The Original Visionaries
The Academy was founded by 36 individuals from various facets of the film industry, invited by Louis B. Mayer to the inaugural banquet in 1927. These pioneers laid the groundwork for an organization that would shape cinematic history.
Presidents
Leadership Through the Decades
The Academy's leadership is guided by its presidents, who are elected for one-year terms and may serve a maximum of four consecutive terms. This rotating leadership has seen a diverse array of industry luminaries at its helm, steering the organization through various eras of cinematic evolution.
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References
References
- Wiley, Mason, and Damien Bona. Inside Oscar. New York: Ballantine Books, 1986 pg. 2
- Osborne, Robert. 60 Years of The Oscar. Abbeville Press, 1989. Page 8.
- Wiley, Mason, and Damien Bona. Inside Oscar. New York: Ballantine Books, 1986 pg. 3
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Disclaimer
Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.
This is not official Academy information. The details provided on this website are for general understanding and should not be considered a substitute for official statements, policies, or historical records from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Always refer to the official AMPAS website (oscars.org (opens in new tab)) for the most current and authoritative information.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.