Imagine a college textbook on Filmmaking 101 coming to life. That’s the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, which celebrates the art of filmmaking. Here’s what you should know before you go.
I was excited when I heard about the new Academy Museum of Motion Pictures that opened in late September 2021 in Los Angeles. Since the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, more commonly known simply as the Academy, awards the Oscars to the best of the best in filmmaking, I expected to see exhibits on all of my favorite movies, from “Casablanca” to “The Godfather” and “Titanic.” I imagined walking up to a “Forrest Gump” tribute to watch movie clips, see Forrest’s box of chocolates (minus the chocolate, of course!) and somehow insert myself into historic newsreels as an interactive activity.
That’s not what this museum is, though. The Academy Museum celebrates filmmaking in a more cerebral way, exploring the movies, directors, and others who have advanced the industry. Instead of an exhibit on Stephen Spielberg, there’s a large section dedicated to international film artists, beginning with director Pedro Almodóvar.
The museum begins with clips of classic movies throughout the ages. Photo by Teresa Bitler
The museum focuses on many of the lesser-known names in cinematography—editors, producers, set designers, even artists who created storyboards for films. Imagine a college textbook on Filmmaking 101 coming to life. That’s the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. It’s a great museum for exploring the stories behind the great movies.
Stories of Cinema at the Academy Museum
The museum kicks off with its multi-level, core exhibit—Stories of Cinema—to your left as you enter. Inside the darkened space, several screens project clips from movies. Although each features a different movie, they all show movies from the same era, rotating from film’s earliest days to the present. Only the sound for one movie plays. I enjoyed seeing clips from many of my favorites.
Rosebud from “Citizen Kane.” Photo by Teresa Bitler
Stories of Cinema continued on the second floor. As you enter, you encounter a wall featuring movie clips connected by theme, such as cityscapes. I continued past that and rounded the corner to where the museum highlights directors. First up, Orson Wells. A clip from “Citizen Kane” looped here, and one of the red Rosebud sleds was one display. This was more of what I expected.
Next up, Bruce Lee. I actually didn’t know he was a director, so it was interesting to learn a little more about him. The exhibit also featured Kathryn Bigelow, the first woman to win the best director for her work on “The Hurt Locker.” Oscar Micheaux, recognized as the first Black director, was the last director featured.
The 3-floor Stories of Cinema also features the behind-the-scenes people who have helped make movies possible, including film editor Thelma Schoonmaker. She collaborated with Martic Scorsese and has edited all of his films since Raging Bull. The talented film editor has won three Academy Awards for Film Editing. It also includes several international cinematographers, including Emmanuel “Chivo” Lubezki,
Bruce the shark from “Jaws” hangs in the museum. Photo by Teresa Bitler
The Oscars at the Academy Museum
Following the exhibit on directors is a display case filled with Oscars. I didn’t note any “famous” Oscars at the time, but I’ve since learned that Sidney Poitier’s award for best actor is on display. For me, this foreshadowed what was to come, though. Take the next room, for example. Screens on the wall eschewed clips of popular actors and directors receiving their Oscars in favor of those in other roles, like costume designer.
I get it. The museum is a celebration of the art of filmmaking. It honors the talented men and women who don’t receive invitations to be a guest on late-night TV. But if you might want to relive the magic of your favorite movies, this museum isn’t that.
A tribute to the Oscars features clips from acceptance speeches and a timeline. Photo by Teresa Bitler
The museum does have one exhibit anyone who has ever dreamed of accepting an Oscar won’t want to miss. On the third floor, you can accept an Oscar in The Oscar Experience and receive an emailed video that makes it look like you’re actually walking across the stage at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. The experience costs $15 per person and is limited to a set number of people per day. Book ahead of time if this is something you really want to do.
The Backdrop and More Exhibits
Stories of Cinema continues through the second and third floors. Highlights for me included the costumes, Dorothy’s ruby slippers from “The Wizard of Oz,” and a demonstration of how sound editing impacts a movie, using a scene from “Raiders of the Lost Ark” as an example. On the third floor, I was fascinated by how “Avatar” was filmed, a small display you could easily miss.
The third floor ends with a room filled with RD-D2, C-3PO, ET, and other sci-fi characters and costumes. My favorite? Edward Scissorhands’ costume. This was more in line with what I came to see.
C-3PO is a visitor favorite. Photo by Teresa Bitler
Because I was on assignment, I tried to visit every exhibit, and yet, somehow, I actually missed the backdrop for Alfred Hitchcock’s “North by Northwest.” I also nearly missed the sound editing display I mentioned earlier. For some reason, the flow wasn’t intuitive to me.
Views from the Terrace
Don’t miss the fourth and fifth floors, even if you aren’t interested in the temporary exhibits. On the fourth floor, The Pixar Toy Story 3D Zoetrope spins multiple models of Woody, Buzz, and other beloved characters on a carousel-like contraption. When viewed through slits, it gives the illusion of an animated scene.
On the fifth floor, walk across the bridge to the Dolby Family Terrace. From here, you can see the famous Hollywood sign in the distance as well as panoramic views of the surrounding city, including the La Brea Tar Pits next door.
Be sure to walk out on the Dolby Family Terrace for views of the Hollywood Sign, the Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Photo by Ricks Mounton via iStock by Getty Images
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A Few More Thoughts About the Academy Museum
One thing that became immediately obvious to me is the Academy Museum strives to create a narrative of diversity and inclusivity. That’s a good thing. Like I said earlier, I appreciated learning about Oscar Micheaux, the pioneering Black filmmaker, and Kathryn Bigelow, the first woman to win the best director for her work on “The Hurt Locker.”
Movie posters celebrating the work of director Pedro Almodóvar. Photo by Teresa Bitler
But at times, I felt the museum was checking boxes. I’m not the only one. The New York Times recently ran an article about how The Academy promoted diversity and inclusivity in the museum at the expense of exploring the organization’s racist and sexist past. It’s a valid point.
In my opinion, the museum allows diversity and inclusivity to sometimes overshadow the movies themselves. And, that was disappointing. Be sure to check out Wander for more ideas of things to see and do when you visit California.
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