The Oscars, also known as the Academy Awards, is the most prestigious event in the film industry. Every year, Hollywood comes alive with excitement as actors, directors, and industry professionals gather on the renowned Red Carpet for a night of celebration and recognition.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the organization behind the Oscars, consists of over 10,000 members from various branches of the film industry. These members include actors, directors, writers, producers, and more, all contributing to the vibrant world of cinema.
Oscar nominations are decided by relevant branch members. For Best Picture, all voting members nominate films using online voting, with PricewaterhouseCoopers meticulously tallying the results. The unique ranked-choice voting method ensures the winner reflects majority consensus.
Two PwC partners hold sealed envelopes with winners’ names until the Oscar ceremony, preserving suspense for the awards moment.
Who votes on the Oscars?
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, responsible for the prestigious Oscars, comprises more than 10,000 members from various sectors of the movie business. While the Academy is widely associated with creatives such as actors, directors, and writers, it also includes professionals from executive, marketing, and public relations backgrounds.
This diverse membership ensures a comprehensive representation of the film industry’s professionals in the voting process.
Members of the relevant branch are crucial in nominations, but all Academy voting members can nominate films for Best Picture, promoting inclusivity. Once nominees are chosen, all voting members can cast ballots in any category, ensuring diverse perspectives in recognizing film industry achievements.
Voting Process at a Glance:
- Members of the relevant branch determine the nominations.
- All voting members can nominate films for Best Picture, regardless of their branch.
- Voting members cast their ballots in any category.
Being an Academy member grants individuals the privilege of participating in the voting process and influencing the outcome of one of the most prestigious ceremonies in the entertainment industry.
When does Oscar voting take place?
Oscar voting takes place over a few days shortly before the Academy Awards ceremony. In 2023, voting opened on March 2nd and ended on March 7th, just five days before the big night. This allows the members of the Academy enough time to review the nominated films and cast their votes before the winners are announced.
Voting Schedule for the 2023 Oscars:
| Voting Activity | Dates |
|---|---|
| Voting Opens | March 2nd |
| Voting Closes | March 7th |
During this period, Academy members have the opportunity to carefully consider each nominated film and submit their votes. The voting process is vital in determining the winners and recognizing the outstanding achievements in the film industry.
It is an exciting time for both the members and the nominees, as the anticipation builds up to the highly anticipated Oscar ceremony.
How are votes cast?
The final results of the Oscar voting are determined through online voting. In most categories, the nominee with the most votes wins. However, for Best Picture, the Academy uses ranked-choice voting, also known as preferential voting. Voters rank the nominees by preference, and if one movie receives more than 50% of the first-place votes, it is declared the winner.
If no movie meets the threshold, the film with the fewest first-place votes is eliminated, and the votes of those who ranked it first are transferred to their second choices. This process continues until a movie achieves a majority and is declared the winner.
| Voting Process | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Online Voting | Final results are determined through online voting. |
| Ranked-Choice Voting | Best Picture nominees are ranked by preference, and the film with the majority of first-place votes wins. |
| Threshold | If no film achieves a majority, the one with the fewest first-place votes is eliminated. The votes of those who ranked the eliminated film first are transferred to their second choices. |
Advantages of Ranked-Choice Voting
- Ensures that the Best Picture winner represents the overall preferences of the voting members.
- Allows voters to express their preferences for multiple films, not just their top choice.
- Promotes collaboration by transferring votes to the next highest-ranked film, ensuring every vote counts in the final result.
- Eliminates the possibility of vote splitting, as votes are transferred rather than wasted.
Who Knows the Winners Before They’re Announced?
When it comes to the Oscars, the anticipation of finding out the winners is part of what makes the ceremony so thrilling. But did you know that there are only two people who know the winners before they’re announced? These individuals are partners at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the accounting firm entrusted with tabulating the votes for the Oscars.
PwC partners, stationed at the Dolby Theatre, hold exclusive access to envelopes containing winners’ names, ensuring result integrity. They seal envelopes and provide the correct ones to presenters onstage. Despite tight control, mistakes can occur, as in 2017’s Best Picture mix-up, emphasizing precision in envelope handling.
Partners remain discreet, allowing winners to be revealed onstage and maintaining suspense for the audience and nominees. For current Oscar updates, visit the Academy’s website or watch the live broadcast.
What is the Academy?
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, known for the Oscars, comprises over 10,500 industry professionals, including actors, writers, directors, and more. Membership is by invitation,, with sponsorship required.
The Board of Governors, made up of industry leaders, guides the organization’s direction. Academy membership is esteemed, signifying recognition and respect in the film community, fostering collaboration, and advancing filmmaking. It offers opportunities for professionals to connect, share ideas, and celebrate achievements at events like the Oscars.
How Do People Join the Academy?
If you’ve ever wondered how to become a member of the prestigious Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the organization behind the Oscars, this section will provide all the information you need. However, keep in mind that membership is not something you can simply apply for. Instead, it requires sponsorship from two existing Academy members, and the final decision on membership rests with the Academy’s Board of Governors.
Oscar nominees are eligible for Academy membership, recognizing their exceptional contributions to the film industry. The Academy also administers awards like the Governors Awards, Student Academy Awards, and Scientific and Technical Awards, honoring excellence in various fields and promoting filmmaking. Explore the Academy’s website for more on its membership process, members, and their impactful contributions to cinema.
The Voting Process for Oscar Nominations
Every year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences holds the prestigious Oscar nominations to honor outstanding achievements in the film industry. The voting process for these nominations is a crucial step in determining the films, actors, and technicians who will be recognized for their exceptional work. Let’s take a closer look at how the voting process unfolds.
Submission Deadline
Before the voting process commences, there is a submission deadline for all entries in the various Oscar categories. This allows filmmakers, studios, and industry professionals to submit their work for consideration. Once the deadline passes, the judging and voting process begins.
Preliminary Voting
After the submission deadline, preliminary voting takes place. Academy members, who belong to specific branches such as directing, writing, acting, and more, review the submitted entries within their respective fields.
They vote to create a shortlist of nominees, narrowing down the extensive list of films and performances to a more manageable selection.
Nominee Voting
Once the shortlist has been determined, Academy members cast their votes for the final nominees. Each member can vote only within their branch, ensuring that experts in the field are the ones deciding the nominees. This process allows for a fair and informed selection, as industry professionals recognize excellence and artistry within their specific domains.
Certain categories, like Best International Feature Film and Best Animated Feature Film, follow specific rules for nomination, often involving multiple rounds of voting by all Academy members. The nominations are unveiled in a live ceremony, eagerly anticipated by the industry. The Oscar voting process ensures deserving films, actors, and technicians are recognized, with preliminary voting, shortlisting, and final nominee voting. Stay tuned for the final list of nominees and who will vie for the coveted Oscar statuette.
Conclusion
The Oscars, or the Academy Awards, represent the pinnacle of achievement in the film industry. Academy members vote online, with PwC tabulating results using ranked-choice voting for Best Picture. Winners are announced via sealed envelopes, known only to two PwC partners, adding suspense to the ceremony.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences comprises diverse industry professionals invited based on sponsorship, honoring excellence in filmmaking. The Oscars’ meticulous process and dedication to excellence make it the premier event in the industry, captivating global audiences and creating unforgettable moments.
FAQs
Who votes on the Oscars?
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, with over 10,000 members from diverse movie industry branches, votes for the Oscars. While branch members primarily decide nominations, all voting members can nominate films for Best Picture, ensuring diversity in selections.
When does Oscar voting take place?
Oscar voting takes place shortly before the Academy Awards ceremony. In 2023, for example, voting opened on March 2nd and ended on March 7th, just five days before the big night. This gives the members of the Academy enough time to review the nominated films and cast their votes before the winners are announced.
How do people join the academy?
Membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences requires sponsorship by two existing members and approval by the Board of Governors. Oscar nominees are automatically considered for membership. The Academy also manages other awards like the Governors Awards, Student Academy Awards, and Scientific and Technical Awards.
