Difference Between Academy Awards & Oscars

Highlights

1. The Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, are the most prestigious and recognized awards in the field of cinema.

2. The Academy Awards started recognizing the achievements of those associated with motion films in 1929, and the tradition of giving away trophies in the shape of a nude person’s statue started at the first award ceremony.

3. The Oscar is the name of the statuette that is given to the recipients of the Academy Awards, and it went official in 1939. The origin of the name Oscar is unknown.

Introduction

The Academy Awards and Oscars are two terms often used interchangeably, causing confusion for those outside the United States. However, the truth is that there is no difference between the two – the Oscars is simply a nickname for the Academy Awards. In this article, we will explore the history and significance of these awards.

Academy Awards

The American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science began recognizing excellence in the field of motion pictures in 1929. Initially, the names of the winners were announced before the awards night, but this system was later changed to create suspense. In each category, multiple nominees await anxiously until the winner is announced. The upcoming 84th annual Academy Awards will be held at the Kodak Theater in February.

Oscars

The statuette given to winners at the Academy Awards is referred to as the Oscar. In 2011, a total of 2098 Oscars were awarded. The tradition of presenting a trophy in the shape of a nude person began with the first Academy Awards ceremony. The Oscar statuette was designed by sculptor George Stanley, who used a Mexican film director as his model. The exact origin of the name Oscar is uncertain, with various stories circulating, including one where Bette Davis named it after her husband and another where Walt Disney thanked the academy by calling the statuette Oscar in 1934. However, it wasn’t until 1939 that the term Oscars was officially adopted by the Academy.

Summary

The Academy Awards and Oscars are synonymous, with the Oscars being the nickname for the statuette given at the Academy Awards. The Academy Awards, held annually since 1929, recognize excellence in the field of motion pictures. The statuette, known as Oscar, was officially named in 1939. Despite the confusing terminology, there is no difference between the two terms.