So, the Oscars have come and gone. They were… memorable to say the least. But it’s never too early to start brushing up on the categories for next year! Everyone knows what a Best Director, Best Actor/Actress and Best Film is, but there’s so many more awards given out during that night that involve various aspects of film. If, like me, you were thinking “What’s the difference between Sound Mixing and Sound Editing?”, this article is for you!
Academy Award for Best Original Song
This award is presented to the songwriters who have composed the best original song written specifically for a film. The performers are not credited, just the writers. In order to be eligible, the song must be recorded for use in the motion picture prior to any other use.
Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay
This award is the award for the best script not based upon material published before. For example, the screenplay for Les Misérables would not be considered as Victor Hugo wrote the book in which the screenplay was based off of.
Fun fact: Woody Allen has been nominated 16 times for this award!
Academy Award for Best Cinematography
This award analyzes the making of a film, and all the complicated computer work put into it. Cinematography refers to the art of “motion picture”, also known as the photography of the film. In essence, cinematography takes photographs and loops them into a film. To win this award, the cinematographer(s) must seamlessly create a film using photographs, which demonstrates creativity and talent.
Academy Award for Best Visual Effects
This award celebrates the visual effects of the winning film. The Academy looks at the contribution the visual effects make to the overall production, in addition to the artistry of the effects themselves.
Academy Award for Best Film Editing
This award usually goes hand in hand with Best Picture. In other words, if you win this one, you’re a shoe in for the big title. This is probably because editing plays such a huge role in the making of a film. Nominees for this award are done by the Editing Branch of the Academy.
Academy Award for Best Production Design
This award encompasses everything fun involved with making a movie! The Best Production Design shows that the film’s art director excelled in set design, costume design, and the overall quality of the artistry of the film.
Academy Award for Best Sound Editing
This award is all about the ears! This award recognizes films with the best sounding… sounds. Sound editing involves selecting the best sound recordings, which should be used in the film. From dropping a pan to gunshots, this category critiques the noises they all make.
Academy Award for Best Sound Mixing
Think of the soundboard in a radio station, with all of its dials and knobs. This award celebrates the sound editors who slide and turn those dials and knobs so that the sound is just right. Wouldn’t it be terrible if films had deafening sounds?
So there you have it! Some Intro to Film tidbits for you! Hopefully by the time the next Academy Awards comes around we’ll all be prepared and ready to critique the decisions of the Academy!
Picture Credits