The origins of the Oscars may remain shrouded in mystery, but the identity of the prestigious group responsible for awarding the iconic golden statuettes is no secret. Acknowledged in countless acceptance speeches, it is none other than the Academy.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the esteemed governing body presiding over the pinnacle of award ceremonies, has undertaken significant efforts in recent years to diversify its membership base of industry professionals involved in selecting the Oscar winners annually. As Hollywood luminaries prepare to express gratitude for their transformative accolades at the upcoming 97th Academy Awards on March 2 (broadcasted on ABC and Hulu at 7 EST/4 PST), let’s delve into the essential role played by the individuals who make these accolades a reality.
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After the 96th Academy Awards, where Robert Downey Jr. clinched the Oscar for best supporting actor, one may wonder: Who are the discerning individuals behind the decision to honor the stellar performance in “Oppenheimer”?
Who exactly comprises AMPAS, the collective entrusted with determining the recipients of the Oscars?
In a revealing exposé in 2012, the Los Angeles Times unveiled AMPAS, shedding light on its membership of 5,765 individuals, predominantly consisting of 94% white and 77% male members across 19 filmmaking branches, encompassing actors, writers, and producers. Black members represented a mere 2% of the esteemed assembly, while Latinos accounted for less than 2%. The report further disclosed that 86% of the members were aged 50 or above, with a median age of 62.
The hashtag #OscarsSoWhite gained traction following the 2015 and 2016 nominations, which notably excluded people of color from the four acting categories.
In response, Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs announced an ambitious initiative to revamp the membership composition, aiming to double the representation of women and minority members by 2020. Dawn Hudson, the CEO of the Academy, articulated to USA TODAY in 2016 that the Board of Governors endeavored to align the membership more closely with the demographics of the moviegoing populace and the United States at large.
In the same year, the Academy ushered in a diverse and sizable cohort of 683 new members from 59 nations, featuring prominent figures such as Idris Elba, Morris Chestnut, John Boyega, America Ferrera, Alicia Vikander, and “Black Panther” director Ryan Coogler.
Fast forward to 2024, the Academy welcomed 487 new members, including notable talents like Lily Gladstone (“Killers of the Flower Moon”), Greta Lee and Teo Yoo (“Past Lives”), and Da’Vine Joy Randolph (“The Holdovers”). Notably, more than half of the newly inducted
It is difficult to ensure that everyone watches a movie in full. Producers Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan, and Charles Roven proudly display their Oscars for the 2024 best picture winner “Oppenheimer.” How does the voting process for the Oscar best picture award function? While most categories rely on a simple majority vote to determine the winner, the best picture award employs a more intricate method known as the “preferential ballot.” This system aims to guarantee that the winning movie is truly the most esteemed by the voting body.
Members of the Academy rank their top picks for best picture, numbering them from 1 to 10, corresponding to the 10 nominees. If a film garners over 50% of the best picture votes, it emerges victorious. However, this outcome is not typical in the initial round of voting. In the absence of a clear majority, the movie with the least number of votes is removed from the ballot. The votes from members who selected the eliminated film as their top choice are then transferred to the movie ranked next on their list. This process continues until one film attains the critical 50% threshold, at which point it is declared the winner.
The results of the voting process are kept confidential, known only to a select group of PricewaterhouseCoopers accountants responsible for tallying the votes. The contents of the sealed golden envelope containing the winner’s name are a surprise to everyone, from the Academy’s top-ranking members to the television audience, and of course, the winner who accepts the prestigious Oscar on stage. This informative piece originally appeared on USA TODAY and delves into the intricate process behind the Academy Awards and those who have the privilege to vote for the Oscars.
