To honor the best performing films, actors, actresses, directors, and other key players in the movie industry, award shows are created and held annually. Award shows are generally characterized by rushed speeches, fabulous dresses, screaming fans on the side, excited photographers, and sometimes, a little bit of politicking. There are several movie award shows, though they may focus on different styles of films. For example, the Cannes Film Festival focuses on independent and groundbreaking films from all over the world. The British Academy of Film and Television Awards (BAFTA) focuses on British talents though it also recognizes foreign ones, while MTV Movie Awards is a fun, edgy awards show.

The Academy Awards

The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, is one of the most popular award shows. Actors, directors, and the like strive to prove their excellence through a win at the Academy Awards. This awards show debuted in May 1929. The golden statuette given out to each award winner is designed as a deco art knight with a sword. The Academy Awards handed out plaster statuettes during World War II in respect and in support of the Americans? role in the war. Golden statuettes were later given to replace the plaster ones. These trophies were, and still are, regarded as the award winners? property but could not be sold unless first offered back to the Academy.

As for the awards night, the Oscars still hold its claim as one of the most anticipated events in the film industry. The event is associated with the ultimate Hollywood glamour. However, the award-giving body itself is being criticized for being political. This is because the usual nominees are those chosen by the Academy's voters, who are also members of the entertainment industry.

Recognizing the Oscar's best actors and actresses

It is very rewarding and fulfilling for an actor to become a nominee or better yet, an award-winner in the Academy Awards. Not only are there film DVDS marked with the various awards attached to that film, but they also become recognized for what they have been working hard on. While fulfillment can be achieved by being recognized and appreciated by their audiences, actors and actresses want to be recognized by award-winning bodies and film experts. Their awards can even in turn sway fans towards them if they are not yet that popular. This is especially true if a relatively unknown actor or actress suddenly delivers a great performance in one film and gets an Oscar.

Appreciating the best directors of the crop

Directors are the films? captains. Without their expert maneuvering, a movie cannot be produced. You may have the biggest budget and the most talented actors but without a talented director at the film's helm, there will be no coherent narrative. Though writers are known for creating the plot, the directors are the ones who have to make those story images come alive. A director must also guide every member of the team, such as editors and sound engineers. He or she must decide what angles to choose and techniques to use. Some directors are quite legendary and come to mind every time the best director category is mentioned. Such a director is Steven Spielberg.

There is no such thing as bit parts

Not only actors and directors make a movie. In fact, if you want to succeed in your quest to get an Academy Award, you have to keep in mind that there are no bit parts. You have to focus on every detail and every person involved in those details. This means that even ?bit? actors have to act convincingly, the set design must be intricately and correctly detailed, and even background sounds must be authentic. There are many other aspects of movie magic that help provide the film with a great finish. That is what the Academy Awards is reminding us through handing golden statuettes to costume designers, sound editors, and the like.