The Oscars Don’t Matter
Start writing a post
Entertainment

The Oscars Don’t Matter

Enjoy the movies YOU want to enjoy!

18
The Oscars Don’t Matter
Photo by Pexels

It's awards season! Within the next few weeks, we're bound to see dozens upon dozens of articles from sources everywhere, declaring who's been "snubbed" or "upset" by the nominations and winners. But why does it matter? Who decides the Academy Award winners, anyway?

This is a topic that has been shrouded with secrecy for years. One thing we know for sure, though- the voting process is complicated. The rule book this year is 36 pages.

All voting is done by Academy members- people in the motion picture industry who have worked in or for at least one motion picture 10 years prior to voting. But there's no application process- to become an Academy member, one needs to be sponsored by someone already in the Academy. Because of this, the Academy has historically been incredibly "exclusive" (a huge reason for the #OscarsSoWhite trending hashtag in 2015 after no actors of color were nominated in the main four categories).

However, the Academy has taken notice of these complaints. In the past few years, over 700 new "industry professionals" have been invited into the Academy, many of them women and people of color.

It seems that the Oscars award ceremony is rife with controversy every year. Last year's host-less program was expecting fewer viewers than usual (viewers have been dropping substantially for the last 5 years), but actually ended up with a 12% jump in viewership from 2018- the lowest year for viewings, ever. But whether it's announcing the wrong film for Best Picture (who could forget the La La Land/Moonlight mishap of 2017) or the mob of angry fans who riot about the Inevitable Snub that seems to occur every year, it's almost impossible to get through the Oscars without drama we're expected to care deeply about.

But, hang on- why are we supposed to care about it anyway? If the Oscars is just actors voting for other actors, or directors voting for other directors, then why should we, audience members, care about the awards? The obvious answer is the endless bragging rights and the expensive statue- right?

Well, it turns out that may not be the case- at least not for the statue. The Academy, with all its rules and regulations, declared in 2015 that winners cannot sell their Oscar without first offering to sell it back to the Academy for $1, which makes each one worth a mere $1.

So Oscar winners still get bragging rights among their fellow movie industry employees- and that's really it. There's hardly any point in audience members getting excited or furious about the results when they had little impact on the nominations and winners. After seeing how little the Oscars mean, it's almost humorous to think about the state some fans get in over "their" movies.

At the end of the day, the Oscars only matter when we say it does. The Academy Awards will hold its 91st celebration of film on February 9th, 2020. You can decide for yourself if you want to tune in- just remember that regardless of who "wins" or "loses," you're allowed to enjoy the movies you enjoyed this past year- regardless of how many $1 statues they boast.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

52927
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

33999
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

956667
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

181457
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments