The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) was founded in 1927 by Louis B. Mayer, head of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. His main goal was to create a professional organization that would improve the image of the film industry and mediate labor disputes without unions. As time went on, the Academy moved away from involvement in labor disputes. In May 1928, one of the Academy’s committees began to discuss the structure of what would become the Academy Awards.
The inaugural Academy Awards ceremony was held on May 16, 1929 at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel with about 270 people in attendance. It lasted for 15 minutes. The first film to win the Best Picture Award (then known as Outstanding Picture) was Lucien Hubbard’s Wings. Emil Jannings received the inaugural award for Best Actor (for his roles in The Way of All Flesh and The Last Command) and Janet Gaynor was presented with the first award for Best Actress (for her roles in Street Angel, 7th Heaven, and Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans).
The nickname Oscar was first used in the 1930s. Its origin is still disputed. According to one of the most popular theories, Margaret Herrick who then served as the Academy’s Executive Secretary said that the statuette reminded her of her “Uncle Oscar”. Former Academy President Bette Davis has also claimed to invent the name. One of the earliest mentions in print dates back to 1934. The statuette was officially dubbed “the Oscar” in 1939.
In the first year of the awards, there were 12 categories plus two Honorary Awards (one was received by Charlie Chaplin and the other by Warner Brothers Productions). As of 2016, there are 24 categories not counting the Special Academy Awards. The youngest category is Best Animated Feature. It was first awarded in 2001. Before its introduction the Academy occasionally awarded special Oscars to exceptional animated productions.
The winners are chosen by voting of AMPAS members. The Academy has about 6,000 voting members and doesn’t publicly disclose its membership. The Academy Awards are presented in late February or early March. The ceremony is the culmination of the annual awards season. Since 2002, it has been held at the Dolby Theatre (formerly known as the Kodak Theatre) in Los Angeles, California. The ceremony is broadcast live in more than 200 countries.
Photo: oscars.org
