AND THE OSCAR GOES TO

AND THE OSCAR GOES

TO… A look at the new Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

By Teresa Bitler

Opened in late September 2021, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures celebrates filmmaking. Not only will you learn about great directors and screenwriters on a visit but costume designers, sound technicians, film editors and other specialists. Plan to spend at least two hours visiting the seven-story museum, or longer if you love the technical aspects of movie making.

STORIES OF CINEMA At the entrance to the museum, the Stories of Cinema exhibit kicks things off with multiple screens showing scenes from popular movies spanning the industry’s earliest days to the present. Upstairs, the filmmaking process unfolds, focusing first on influential directors, then diving deeper to introduce the art of screenwriting, sound editing and more.

The second floor also showcases several actual Oscars and video clips from acceptance speeches, but not from any famous actors. These speakers are the movie’s unsung heroes, like the costume designers whose designs are on display around the corner. Sprinkled throughout the exhibit are costumes and props from fanfavorite films, including Dorothy’s ruby slippers from “The Wizard of Oz” and R2-D2 and C-3PO from the “Star Wars” franchise.

OSCARS, PIXAR AND MORE For an additional $15 visitors to the museum have the opportunity

Armor created for the movie “Black Panther” inside the Stories of Cinema exhibit

Photos by Joshua White, JWPictures/©Academy Museum Foundation

to accept an Oscar of their own on the third floor. After roleplaying the experience, the museum will email participants a video showing them walking across the stage at Dolby Theatre, complete with the applause.

On the fourth floor, the Pixar Toy Story 3D Zoetrope features 24 maquettes that bring the characters to life. Across the fifth-floor bridge, the Dolby Family Terrace offers incredible views of Hollywood, including the famous sign.

BEFORE YOU GO For now, guests need to purchase a ticket online and bring either proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID test. Downloading the museum’s app is recommended to access augmented reality experiences and commentary by well-known filmmakers. academymuseum.org.

E.T., from the movie “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial”, now calls the Academy Museum home