Probably every American citizen knows what Oscar. Maybe every inhabitant of Earth knows. But the Oscar it's not just the award of the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts, is not just a figurine weighing 3.85 kg and a height of 34 cm. Oscar - it is the dream of every actor or actress, every director or screenwriter, each operator or producer.
The history of this dream totals already 80 ceremonies of delivery. It means that Oscar handed over, when our grandmothers and grandfathers were not born yet! The first ceremony of delivery has taken place still on May 16, 1929 in «Roosevelt» hotel in Hollywood. Since the first ceremony, event translation was spent by radio, and since 1953 — on TV.
Today this event brings the state's economy about $ 700 million (2007) and creates workplaces approximately for 10 thousand people.
For 27 years the manufacture of statuettes is the prerogative of small foundry factory in Chicago. Making an Oscar - is a very complicated process. At first, the molten mixture of tin and lead is poured into the form. Then polishing follows. After polishing a galvanic covering follows. Each figurine has consistently applied a layer of copper, nickel, silver, and, to the last, a layer of gold.
I have told that Oscar is a dream, with an ulterior motive. To achieve this dream (which means - to get an Oscar) is not easy. Under the rules of the American Film Academy film should be in film service in territory of Los Angeles district at least seven consecutive days in a calendar year awards. In addition, the film must be not shorter than 40 minutes and only in a certain format.
There are a lot of nominations Academy Awards of merit: Best Picture, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Sound Mixing, Best Animated Short Film, Best Original Score, Best Original Song, Best Film Editing, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Best Visual Effects, Best Original Screenplay, Best Foreign Language Film, Best Costume Design, Best Sound Editing, Best Makeup, Best Animated Feature, Best Documentary Feature, Best Documentary Short Subject, Best Live Action Short Film. Besides the basic nominations, "Oscars" are handed over as well in special nominations. Their owners are defined by a specially established committee of the Academy and handed over out the main ceremony. At present such nominations are 6. More than 10 nominations have already become outdated.
But, despite high popularity awards "Oscar" in the cinematic world, its politics and choice, especially in recent years, has been criticized. In particular it is noticed that no means always it is possible to name opinion of voting members of Academy impartial. Since the beginning of the season they are subject to a vote, pressure from the film companies in the form of an active advertising campaign of films of applicants.
Fans of cinema notice declining level of requirements for nominees, and also that the financial indicators of hire of a film influence voices of members of Academy. Winners and nominees become king for a day and have no timeless value. Artworks which should be marked by attention thanks to an Academy artistic merit are undeservedly forgotten.