Today, Explained Why the wrong movies win Oscars
Feb 7, 2020
Film critic Alissa Wilkinson, known for her sharp insights, teams up with Marshall Curry, the Oscar-nominated director of 'The Neighbor's Window.' They dive into the often contentious selection process of the Academy, revealing how demographics skew the types of films that win. The duo explores the costly and strategic nature of Oscar campaigning, discussing biases that favor certain genres and filmmakers. Highlighting personal anecdotes, they examine the challenges filmmakers face in gaining recognition and the pervasive influence of media narratives on award outcomes.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Oscar Voters
- Many people don't understand how the Oscars work.
- The Academy, composed of about 9,000 film professionals, tends to favor middle-of-the-road choices.
Academy Preferences
- Academy voters have predictable preferences, like movies about Hollywood and historical dramas.
- They also appreciate big, impressive films.
Oscar Campaigning
- Oscar campaigns resemble political campaigns, costing studios millions.
- They involve screenings, events, and extravagant gifts ("swag") like coffee table books, bobbleheads, and vodka.