Everything Everywhere Daily: The Academy Awards
Episode: The Academy Awards
Release Date: March 3, 2025
Host: Gary Arndt
Produced by: Charles Daniel, Austin Okun, Cameron Kiefer
Introduction to the Academy Awards
On May 16, 1929, a modest gathering of 270 individuals convened in the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel's Blossom Room to honor cinematic achievements. This event marked the inception of what would become the most prestigious awards in the film industry: the Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars. Gary Arndt sets the stage by highlighting the unassuming beginnings of the Oscars, noting, “they were there to honor the highest achievements in filmmaking over the previous year” (00:00).
Founding of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was established in 1927, spearheaded by Louis B. Mayer, the head of Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM). Initially, the Academy aimed to mediate disputes between Hollywood studios and burgeoning labor unions, with little intention of creating an awards ceremony. Gary explains, “The original intention of the Academy had nothing to do with awards or the art and science of film” (05:30). Despite Mayer's efforts to curb union influence, the film industry eventually became one of the most unionized sectors.
Douglas Fairbanks Sr., a silent film star, was elected as the Academy's first president, with Fred Niblo serving as vice president. The Academy’s inaugural meeting took place on May 11, 1927, with 36 charter members agreeing to unify various film industry branches under one professional association.
The Genesis of the Oscar Statuette
Cedric Gibbons, MGM's art department head, was tasked with designing the iconic Oscar statuette. Gary recounts, “Gibbons initial concept was a knight holding a sword standing on a reel of film” (12:45). Sculptor George Stanley translated this vision into the three-dimensional figure known today. The final design features a knight in a Crusader outfit, standing on a film reel and gripping a sword.
The statuette, originally cast in solid bronze and coated with 24-karat gold, has undergone changes due to material shortages during World War II, temporarily being made from painted plaster. Post-war, the Academy adopted a Britannia metal core with gold plating before reverting to the original bronze design in 2016.
The Name "Oscar"
The origin of the name "Oscar" is debated. Gary shares two prominent theories:
- Bette Davis named the statuette after her first husband, Harmon Oscar Nelson.
- Margaret Herrick, the Academy's librarian, remarked that the statuette resembled her uncle, Oscar Pierce.
The term gained popularity when Hollywood columnist Sidney Slosky used it in a 1934 article, leading the Academy to officially adopt the name by 1939 (20:15).
Evolution of the Oscar Ceremony
The first Academy Awards ceremony in 1929 was a brief, private dinner lasting only 15 minutes, with winners pre-announced three months prior. Emil Jannings became the first Best Actor recipient for his roles in "The Way of All Flesh" and "The Last Command." Janet Gaynor won Best Actress for "7th Heaven," "Street Angel," and "A Song of Two Humans" (25:00).
Over the years, the ceremony transformed into a grand televised event:
- 1930: Introduction of radio broadcasts and sealed envelopes to preserve award secrecy.
- 1953: First televised broadcast of the Oscars.
- 1939: "Gone with the Wind" won Best Picture, significantly boosting public interest in the ceremony.
Expansion and Modification of Categories
The Academy has continuously evolved its award categories to reflect the industry's growth and changes:
- 1936: Introduction of Best Supporting Actor and Actress.
- 1940: Establishment of the Best Visual Effects category.
- 1956: Launch of the Best Foreign Language Film category, later renamed Best International Feature Film in 2020.
- 2002: Creation of the Best Animated Feature category, influenced by successful animated films like Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" and Pixar's "Toy Story."
- 2009: Expansion of the Best Picture category from five to a maximum of ten nominees to increase diversity and representation.
Gary notes, “the categories for which awards were given out have ebbed and flowed,” reflecting the Academy’s responsiveness to the evolving film landscape (35:50).
The Voting Process and Security Measures
Voting for the Oscars is a meticulous process overseen by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), responsible for counting and verifying votes since 1934. The Academy comprises over 10,000 members across 17 branches, each representing different filmmaking disciplines. The voting occurs in two main rounds:
- Nomination Round: Members vote within their respective branches using a ranked choice ballot for Best Picture and a simple plurality system for other categories. Only members from specific branches nominate in their fields.
- Final Voting Round: All members can vote in every category using a simple plurality system, except Best Picture, which continues with ranked choice (50:10).
To ensure integrity, votes are collected electronically but manually verified. Strict secrecy protocols include:
- No Electronic Records: Only physical ballots and handwritten tallies exist.
- Dual Briefcases: Winners' envelopes are transported via separate routes to prevent leaks.
- Memorization of Results: PwC team members memorize the results to avoid accidental disclosures.
Despite these measures, mistakes can occur. Notably, in 2017, "La La Land" was mistakenly announced as Best Picture instead of "Moonlight" due to duplicate envelopes. The error was promptly corrected on stage, highlighting vulnerabilities in the process (60:30).
Critique: Do the Oscars Choose the Best Films?
Gary explores the effectiveness of the Oscars in recognizing the finest films. He argues that while many Best Picture winners are not universally regarded as the best films, they still hold significant cultural value. Examples include iconic films like "Citizen Kane" and "Star Wars," which never won Best Picture despite their enduring legacy. Gary comments, “the Best Picture winners are often subject to industry pressure, voting campaigns, and other factors that have nothing to do with the film itself” (70:20).
He suggests that the Oscars are more a reflection of industry consensus rather than independent critical acclaim or public opinion, emphasizing, “They're awards given out by the industry to itself, not by film critics or the public” (72:45). This viewpoint underscores the difference between industry recognition and broader cultural impact.
Behind-the-Scenes: Scientific and Technical Awards
In addition to the main ceremony, the Academy hosts the Scientific and Technical Awards, which focus on technological advancements in filmmaking, such as IMAX and Dolby Atmos. These awards are presented in a separate, less-publicized ceremony, acknowledging contributions that enhance the industry’s technical prowess (78:50).
Notable Hosts and Traditions
The Oscars have seen numerous hosts over the years, with Bob Hope holding the record for the most appearances at 19 times, followed by Billy Crystal with nine. While traditionally, presenters announce winners with phrases like “and the winner is,” a brief experimentation period from 2019 to 2021 saw different phrasings, though the standard has largely been maintained (85:00).
Conclusion
Gary Arndt’s deep dive into the Academy Awards offers a comprehensive overview of its origins, evolution, and ongoing relevance in the film industry. While acknowledging the Oscars' prestige and historical significance, he maintains a critical perspective on their ability to consistently recognize the best in filmmaking. Ultimately, the Academy Awards remain a cornerstone of Hollywood’s celebration of cinematic achievement, balancing tradition with necessary evolution.
Listener Feedback
The episode concludes with positive feedback from listeners, such as “this girl Heart” praising the podcast for making “boring topics more fun” and expressing particular enjoyment of the World War II episodes. Gary appreciates the support and encourages listeners to engage further by leaving reviews or sending boostograms (90:10).
Note: Timestamps in square brackets refer to approximate points in the podcast where specific topics are discussed.