Academy Gold
Strike it rich!
By Maurice Voltkofsky

How does one get the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Science to look at a new movie, let alone get consideration for an Oscar? The mystery is no mystery and it isn’t as difficult as one may think. You don’t need to submit to festivals with costly entry fees, have a locked distribution deal, or been crowned offspring to the Hollywood elite, even though it has clearly has helped a few in the past. What you do need is to fulfill the criteria of consideration placed forth by the Academy’s rules and regulations.

The movie must play theatrically within the county of Los Angeles for seven consecutive days with paid admission and ticketed tracking and accountability. The industry nickname is "four walling" the movie for Academy consideration. There are numerous movie theaters in Los Angeles that will work with indi filmmakers. The Vine Theater on Hollywood Blvd., the Laemmle on Sunset, and the NuArt are just a few in a very large list.   

The consecutive seven day "four walling" period must begin before midnight on December 31st of the Awards year you are entering. To qualify for the 77th Academy Awards, presented in the spring of 2005, the film must have a first screening time before midnight of December 31st of 2004. For those flickers that have been screened in other cities beyond the Los Angeles County area must not have been theatrically presented earlier than two years. There is a two-year initial release date for Award consideration.

If the motion picture was aired via Television, video, internet, or DVD before theatrically opening in Los Angeles, it will not qualify.

The easy part of the process is the paper work. The Producer and or the film representative must fill out the Academy Awards submission form and return it to the Academy within 60 days of the submissions Los Angeles theatrical release. Why? To inform the Academy that this movie is out there; it should have Academy consideration; so come and view the movie….Please!

The final step is getting as many Academy votes by bribing as many Academy members as possible. Ha Ha! That’s hearsay of course. What must happen is Buzz? The picture must generate public and most importantly Academy member interest. Academy Members need to want to see the film or at least need to become aware of the films existence. Get the Hollywood Reporter and the Daily Variety to review. Send out press releases, EPKs, and postal invites. Create a full promotional campaign.

Regulations can be found at the Academy’s website at http://www.oscars.org/77academyawards/rules/index.html

By the way...never underestimate the power of prayer!

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Until next time, happy filmmaking.
Maurice Vlotkofsky BGF