Everyone knows about Oscar, the most important award in the film world. Every artist dreams of winning The Golden Boy Trophy. But do you know about the Oscar trophy? Where did this idea come from, what is the trophy made of and in whose name is the Oscar? Know everything about the Oscar trophy here.
Where did the idea of Academy Award come from?
The idea and design of the Oscar trophy emerged during a meeting in 1927. MGM studio owner Louis B. Mayer was the first to think of it. It came to his mind that why not form a group in which the entire film industry could benefit. On this, he called his colleagues and friends and held a meeting in which director Fred Niblo, filmmaker Fed Bitson and actor Conrad Nagel attended. They liked this idea and later 36 top personalities of Hollywood were invited to a hotel. While presenting this idea in front of everyone, the name ‘Academy Award’ was given, which was liked by everyone.
How was the trophy decided and what is its meaning?
When it was decided what would be given to the recipient of the honour, it was decided that a trophy would be given, which would have to be of a different design. The responsibility for this was given to MGM Studio’s art director Kedric Gibbons. Gibbons made a sketch of a knight who is standing on a film reel and holding a sword in his hands. The reel has five spokes, representing the original five branches of the Academy: actor, director, producer, technician and writer. The sword held in the hand symbolizes protecting the progress and welfare of the film industry. Gibbons’ sketch was transformed into the actual statue by Los Angeles sculptor George Stanley. He made this design more sleek and modern, which is almost the same even today.
Mexican actor posed nude for the trophy
According to several reports, it is said that Mexican actor and filmmaker Emilio ‘El Indio’ Fernandes posed without clothes as a model for this trophy. However, the Academy has never officially confirmed this.
How did Oscar get its name?
The official name of this trophy is ‘Academy Award of Merit’. It is said that the Academy’s librarian Margaret Herrick, seeing it for the first time, said that it looked like her uncle Oscar, after which it was named Oscar and now this trophy is more famous by this name.
How was the trophy prepared?
The Oscar trophy was made 13 inches long and weighed 8.85 kg. It was made of 92.5 percent tin, 7.5 percent copper and finally coated with gold. The cost of making an Oscar trophy was 400 dollars i.e. approximately 33 thousand 77 rupees. Today this trophy is made of copper and coated with 24 carat gold.
When did the first Oscar Awards event take place?
The first Academy Awards were held on 16 May 1929. About 270 Hollywood celebrities participated in it. Invitations were sent to all these celebs to come to the Blossom Room of Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. It was here that the first Oscar event took place, in which there was no audience and the function was over in just 15 minutes. This event was paid in which a ticket was sold for 5 dollars.
A dog got its first Oscar nomination
According to many reports, the first Oscar was won by German actor Emil Jannings. However, the first contender for this award was a dog. German Shepherd Dog, whose name was mentioned as Tin Tin, worked in about 27 Hollywood films, out of which 4 films were released in the year 1929 itself. That dog had done excellent work in two of these films. Therefore, the awards committee considered him deserving of the first Oscar. But Fairbanks, the first president of the Academy Awards, thought that giving the first award to a dog might send a wrong message. Therefore, the committee voted between that dog and German actor Emil Jennings, in which Emil got the maximum votes.
