And the Oscar Goes to…Old, White Males!
This Sunday, February 26th, is the annual (once a year) ceremony for the Academy Awards, more popularly known as the Oscars. The Oscars are given to the best movies of each year (we talked about them here and here). If you enjoy movies, you probably know about the Oscars, but do you know who actually picks (selects; decides) the winners?
The organization that gives out (presents) the awards is known as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, although it is more commonly referred to simply as “the Academy” here in Los Angeles. The Academy has over 5,700 members, and each member belongs to one of 15 branches or groups, depending on what part of the movie business you are in (actor, director, writer, etc.). In order to become a member of the academy, you have to be selected and approved by other members. You can’t just apply (ask to join) or say, “Hey, I want to be a member!” You have to be asked first. (Some people who are asked decide not to join; George Lucas and Woody Allen have been invited but both declined (said “no”).) Membership is for life; you remain a member until you die, which is somewhat (a little bit) longer than the average Hollywood marriage.
You can find a list of the members of the Academy…nowhere! The list is secret; the Academy won’t officially tell you who is a member and who votes each year for the Oscar winners. But recently the Los Angeles Times investigated and found out the names of almost all of the members (around 89% of them). Here’s what they found about the people who vote for the Oscar winners:
- 96% of all Academy voters are white, 2% African American, and slightly less than 2% Latino/Hispanic
- 77% are men
- All but one of the 15 branches is over 90% white (the actor’s branch is 88% white)
- 50% of the members have been active in making movies in the past 2 years
- The median (average) age of an Academy member is 62; only 14% of the members are under the age of 50
We can compare these statistics (numbers; figures) to the American population, where 64% are white, 16% Latino, 13% African American, and a little over 4% Asian American. As you can guess, a little more than half of the population is female, and less than 20% over the age of 65.
Now, I’m not saying that organizations have to or should reflect (have the same percentage of different groups as) the general U.S. population, and there are many reasons why they may not. I’m also not saying that the Academy’s choices are “wrong” or that its members are not qualified (have the experience) to choose good winners. But there is an irony here. (An irony is when a situation is very different or opposite from what you expect it to be, often in a funny way.) A majority of the members of what we call the “entertainment industry” (movies, television, and music) claim (say) that they are open to diversity, to having different groups represented, and often think of themselves as being more “liberal” politically than the rest of the country (this is especially true here in Los Angeles, where a large percentage of the Academy members live). But the reality (truth), as seen in the Academy membership list, seems otherwise (something else).
Have you seen any of the movies that are nominated for Best Picture (movie) this year? I’ve seen three of the ten: The Help, Moneyball, and Midnight in Paris. I liked all three movies, but I have no idea who is going to win. You see, although I’m white and male (and sort of old), I’m not a member of the Academy.
~Jeff
Photo credit: Oscar statue, Wikipedia
February 21st, 2012 at 11:04 am
Thank you very much Jeff.
I have no any idea about this subject and it is not a nice surprise to me.
It is obvious that money and power have something to do with being selected
to be in The Academy.
For sure that you are not and it would be difficult to be if you do not get enough money
or power.
Giving the English class by free you never could get enough dollars to be in The Academy
but it is possible you´ll be more happy and get more love from all your pupils round the
entire world.
No, Jeff, I have not seen any of the movies yet, I would like but some how it is just
a little difficult for the moment.
Thanks again.
emiliano
February 21st, 2012 at 3:51 pm
Wow
All theses numbers and figures are overwhelming.
Need time to digest:)
February 21st, 2012 at 5:11 pm
I like you posts Jeff
Classy but not stuffy:)))
I read it once ,all Mond boggling.
I need to read it at my down time
It is serious stuff
By the way,a good way of taking the fun out of the oscars.Perfect timing Jeff:))
I lost the will to watch it:))
I was kind of looking forward to it
Just teasing you man
Your post is as perfect as it can get.
The thing is I like this kind of talk
Sometimes I use it as a defense mechanism against people.
Thanks bro
Heavy stuff,need more time to mull over and contemplate on it.
Eslpod works in mysterious ways:()))
Cheer up
February 21st, 2012 at 8:59 pm
Thanks Jeff,
Before your post, I thought those winners are picked up by a”special” board or a group of elite people, like in my country.
Now I know those are being chosen by secret members.
I don’t normally google about the Oscar nor any other movie awards and their associated stuff.
Just read about them when I stumble upon them on media.
Thanks again for bringing it up, otherwise I would have missed about them.
On second thought, by the way,
How about if we, ESL listeners, try to become members of the Academy and try to put Jeff’s anniversary videos for nomination
for Oscar award and …well, you get the idea?
Would be great, just thinking about it.
But I don’t think they will accept it!
Because there is only an “actor” in anniversary videos, where is the “actress” for Jeff?
That is the real problem!
Just trying to be funny!
February 21st, 2012 at 9:49 pm
Thank you for good information another part of the Academy, Jeff.
I like to see a movie especially from U.S. and used to watched annual ceremony of the Academy Award on TV.
However, I didn’t know or think about the members of the Academy before.
I even more surprised by the fact that members are selected by other members who are already dominated Hollywood industry.
That make me think that it will be really hard to success in the film industry in U.S without any connection of those members.
Thank you
February 21st, 2012 at 11:59 pm
Hello guys,
The winner? easy one, The Artist
Actually I have not seen any of those movies.
It’s been years now that I do not go to the movie, I watch them when they are shown on Sky a year later.
Living in a small town, in order to go to the movie I have to take the car and drive to the near city.
I do not feel like of doing that.
To that, you must add that now the price of gas has hit almost 2.00 EUR. per litre which would make in the US almost 10,00 USD per gallon!!
So, I am only using the car to get to the workplace
Thankfully, I live on the border between Switzerlad and Italy (beautiful place you know, lake mountains)
For those of you who does not know that, in Switzerland the gas’ price is roughly 20 cents less per litre than in Italy.
Sorry, I went from the movies to the gas price. No problem, the most important thing is writing…
Buy! guys have a good day
February 22nd, 2012 at 12:54 am
I didn’t know about this secrecy. Why?. Will it be because the Academy hides something … bad?. It doesnt matter. At the end, The Academy is free to choose keeping the secret, as well as the members are free too to choose belonging to it.
Anyway, answering your question, I’ve seen two movies nominated for the best movie. I wouldn’t give The Oscar to any of them because I didn’t like them so much. But don’t worry, I won’t be a spoiler despite I am one of the people that I don’t care somebody spoils me a movie.
In the first place I saw “The Descendants”. I liked George Clooney, despite it didn’t happen almost anything in the movie story.
In the second place I saw “Moneyball”. I have to say that I can’t keep the movie story because I, and mostly of spaniards too, we don’t know who the baseball players are.
Besides, I also saw “The Iron Lady”. This movie is not nominated for best picture, but Meryl Streep is. I liked it because it reflects an interesting historic period. Although there are some parts of the movie a little bored, I enjoyed it because Meryl Streep was amazing, as always.
I bet any of two movies I spoke you before won’t win. However Meryl Streep would be able to win. We will know soon.
Greetings.
February 22nd, 2012 at 2:07 am
Hi people,
I am totally restless,so I figured : what the hell! Get up ,and make the best of it by dropping a line on the blog.
It is 4 am locally.
I went through the article and I realized a Rediculously large portion of the voters are white.
You know what I have a math intelligent of a 9 year-old, still I can tell ,it is a skewed distribution.
What gives chief.
Oh ,speaking of which, do you know if The Oscar rewards has some kind of money value to it as well?
I mean is it just the small status they win or they are sent a check as well.
Like noble prize ,you get 1000000 dollars ,besides the ceremony.
Thanks
February 22nd, 2012 at 6:12 pm
Thank you very much, Jeff, for helping me learn more everyday with this outstanding article.
I have been reading but not writing these few days because I had to prepare for my English Speaking Test which took place yesterday. And I have been doing a lot of cleaning for the new flat that we are going to move to.
The flat had been emptied for a few months and it obviously had been cleaned after the previous tenant moved out. But I would not move in before I cleaned and disinfect it thoroughly myself.
I am tired because of the cleaning and packing. I think I am more tired because of the English Speaking Test.
After I finished the test last night, I had the idea that I might not want to do it next year.
Why not? Well, I asked myself why was I there. There was a ‘group discussion’ part of the test, all the other candidates were so young – at least less than half of my age.
It wasn’t too bad for the written paper because I saw a lot of grey hair candidates. The written paper fails more than 60% of its candidates every year and so people keep trying. I want to use the speaking test to force myself to improve my English speaking skill. But it was not very nice to see myself being the odd one there.
Anyway, thanks again Jeff, I might come back to write sometime about this topic when I have more time and energy later.
Sorry, I nearly forget. I followed the link in the article above to find the blog “And The Winner Is…Not an American!” posted by Jeff on Thursday, February 28th, 2008.
I discovered “ESLPodcast Google Group” by reading the messages. Are any of you a member there?
I will try to find out more about it later when I have time.
Best Regards
Betty
February 22nd, 2012 at 6:33 pm
Sorry, I think I have made a mistake. Again!
“…….all the other candidates were so young – at least less than half of my age”.
I should say:
“…….all the other candidates were so young – must be less than half of my age”.
February 22nd, 2012 at 8:59 pm
Hi Jeff,
this has been my question too, that how the academy’s members are chosen, based on their experience or what we call it relationship or money. some times i happened to see the movies nominated for the Oscar and found that they are not as qualified as I expected a Oscar winner movie to have.
I am not also sure if The academy members are chosen actors or actresses. I mean if there is any chance for you to get a way into the academy, we all podcast members are here to vote for you.
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:02 pm
Oscars is pretty popular name around the world.I know it will has ceremony annually this sunday from my friend just before I got this blog.I have not seen movies for several years so I have no ideas about movies and Oscars a lot more.Thank you Jeff for your pretty interesting blog, which is good chance to learn more culture of American and to improve English as well.I don’t care about what’s persons is and how to choose member of Academy Award.I think it is all the game people need to spend time and get to entertainment. Sometime you may call it could push social forward and get civilization.That’s all.Maybe deserve.
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:49 pm
Betty,
If your goal is to improve your speaking skill, why don’t you consider skyping with someone?
.
There are sites where individuals around the globe can exchange, meaning, you can find a US citizen who wants to improve Cinese,
and you can speak Engl. it is also a way to make new friends.
Morover, these sites are usually out of charge
Congratulation again, my understanding is that you are a hard-working woman.
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:33 am
Hi! I have just admired the stunning view of the Grand Teton National Park.
I was along the Snake River, to Oxbow Bend with view to the mount Moran (3,842 m), with Skillet Peak (3,299 m) and Eagles Rest Peak (3,431 m) in the Teaton Range.
I like very much the name of the peak Eagles Rest Peak. The place where the eagles rest…
Very nice places. Thank you.
All the best to you all,
Tania
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:38 am
Hi! I think it is winter and snow in the Teaton Range.
I have been looking for some snowdrops under the snow. No one.
Under a rock I found just a violet wildflower, Low Larkspur.
It’s for you.
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:46 am
Hi! Thank you for the information regarding the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem with an area over 7,000,000 ha, including:
- Grand Teaton National Park,
- John D. Rockefeller , Jr. Memorial Parkway,
- Yellowstone National Park,
- National Forests.
It’a amazing. Only when you hear of such huge areas can realize how enormous the America is.
February 23rd, 2012 at 2:06 am
Sooo….If I got it straight, they vote for themselves.
And they decide who is in or out?
No offence, but for a country that exports democracy, that does not sound like a democratic system, am I right?
February 23rd, 2012 at 2:14 am
Hi! Thank you for the pronunciation of the words “ecosystem” and “Teton”.
When you pronounce “Teton” I think about “Titan” as we pronounce [titan].
It’s about Zeus, the god of sky and thunder in Greek mythology, in the battle with Titans.
February 23rd, 2012 at 2:22 am
Hi! I know the song “She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain” but not as a religious song.
We don’t sing religious songs at school.
I always imagined it like a romantic song. She’ll be coming…I’m waiting for her… Everything will be wonderful.
Anyway, it is a very nice song. Thank you.
February 23rd, 2012 at 2:32 am
Hi! Of course, taking care of her teeth. She can’t kiss you having dental problems.
Good advice and nice lesson “Taking Care of Your Teeth”. Thank you.
But I think the big problem, like always, money. And our dentist costs a lot.
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:09 am
I saw War Horse last night and, if this movie doesn’t win for Best Picture, then it will certainly will for Cinematography. The art in the movie is amazing, it totally blew me away! I’ve also seen The Tree of Life, but it didn’t speak to me, actually I found it pretty hard to understand, as well as Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (I’m disappointed with this one because I had high expectations for it, considering the plot and the actors that were in it, especially Colin Firth who won for Best Actor last year).
But I anticipate The Artist will win for Best Picture
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:10 am
Oops, I meant “it will certainly win”. Sorry, it was a typo
February 23rd, 2012 at 5:48 am
Indeed Eslpod has sth to Say
Chief,
Seems like ,you have a regimented screening process for my politically wrong comments;)
It is all cool!!!
I don’t mind at all.
I know sometimes I comment out of turn;) you know what I mean
Well,I have a hard time being tactful like you
You know,you always walk on eggshells ,and on the other hand ,I m just blah blah about everything.
I always speak my Mind and get into trouble for it.
I know you are saying:
“Peter,
Shout the pipe hole. just be thankful that I haven’t kicked Your ass yet , but you are walking on a freakishly thin ice.I m on the edge peter . Just Tread carefully.choose your words wisely.
A huge groupi
What you say goes chief
Indeed Eslpod is out of this world
It blows my kind like everyday
U know you have done a good job both on funny side and serious side.
February 23rd, 2012 at 8:59 am
Dan,
Thank you so much for reading my silly message.
Thank you also for congratulating me for being a hard-working woman.
I like reading your messages. They tell us about a clever man living in a beautiful place between Switzerland and Italy where he met many beautiful birds and animals last year.
The reason why I said you are clever is, you use a wireless headphone to listen to your favourite music or podcast at the same time doing some work at home. I read your message last time and I told my daughter I wanted a wireless headphone so that I could listen to English lessons when I cook in the kitchen.
My daughter told me that they were expensive. I checked the Internet for the price, and, yes they were expensive. They are worth the price. I think I will get one soon.
Another reason why I said you are clever is, you suggested me to consider ‘skyping’ with someone in order to improve my English speaking skill.
You see, I did not even know the word skyping until I looked up the Internet after reading your message.
Do you skype with people?
I think I will bore people to death if I skype with, say, an American.
I used to live in England and I found it hard to talk to English people because half of the time I could not hear what they were saying.
I am going to join a Toastmaster Club next month. Hopefully I will improve my English speaking skill with the help of the club.
Thanks again.
Betty
P.S. I hope I have not got it wrong about the wireless headphone and beautiful birds and animals. (Does Dan = Daniel?)
February 24th, 2012 at 2:28 am
Hi! Thank you for the explanation of the meaning of the S.E.C. – the Security and Exchange Commission – English Cafe 333.
For me, a new meaning of the words “exchange” and “security”. In English Cafe 224/2010 you told us only about “to trade stocks” which is the synonym of the verb “to exchange” – buying and selling
stocks or shares or the new synonym “security”. In my dictionary I did not find these explanations.
I have watched on CNN Channel a report on someone was investigated by S.E.C. Thanks to you I was able to understand the idea of the report.
Thank you.
February 24th, 2012 at 2:52 am
Hi! Thank you for the explanation of the word “support”. Political support means support with money.
Thank you for the website Smarty Pig. It is interesting.
We have Piggy bank for children , too. It has and other forms, not only piggy.
February 24th, 2012 at 2:54 am
Hi!
Thank you and for the following explanations:
- I’m moving past a feeling.
- to rise up, ringleader
- I need to take the time. Take your time!
- kudos. A word used by Peter.
February 24th, 2012 at 3:03 am
Hi! I appreciate the topic on Tag Questions from the English Cafe 332. The same topic and in the English Cafe 212/2009 but I like to repeat the Grammar.
Thank you and for the word “soap opera”. I have heard it for the first time in the English Cafe 214/2009.
February 24th, 2012 at 3:41 am
Hi! I think from all Maths I know only the Pythagorean theorem (mentioned by you in the ESL Podcast 766) is impossible to forget it.
Thank you for to teach us how to pronounce this very important theorem. At school, we use it for many, many times.
I like to remember it.
“The Pythagorean theorem is a relation in Euclidean geometry among the three sides of a right triangle.
The Pythagorean theorem can be expressed as the Pythagorean equation: a2 + b2 = c2
The sum of the areas of the two squares on the legs (a and b) equals the areas of the square on the hypotenuse.”
Thank you for the word “leg” in a right triangle. We say “cateta” and “ipotenuza”.
February 24th, 2012 at 7:54 am
Hi, Jeff
Thanks for your article regarding the Academy Award so known as Oscar. Be honest, I never know how to select someone to be awarded for Academy even though I watched Hollywood movies since I was young. You mentioned that there are over 5700 members to vote the someone to be Academy awarded. I am very curious about the voting system. How do they decide on movies, actors, actresses, producers and director to be Academy awarded? And how many kind of Awards are there? Obviously, Hollywood movies are better in production, studio, computer effects and sound quality than others. So I may need to google on this part. This article make me to be curious about Oscar. Let’s see who will be the winner of Oscar Award on 26th Feb.
February 26th, 2012 at 7:21 am
Hi! I have just arrived from the park. I have admired the last snow from this year.
There was an competition for children : the most beautiful snowman.