A missive out there for any of the future Oscar winners who I know are among our audience: don’t try to sell that thing. To anybody but right back to the Academy. It’s not entirely unknown to the outside world that in order to prevent a “black market” in second-hand Academy Award statues, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences requires all winners of the award to sign a contract including a clause about how if they ever want to sell their statue, they will offer right of first refusal to the Academy, so that the organization can buy it for $10. But it’s more surprising to the average person the lengths they will go to make breaking that contract look like a really bad idea. Most recently in the case of Carol Surtees, daughter-in-law of sixteen-time nominated, three-time winning cinematographer Robert Surtees, who auctioned off the statue he received for his work on The Bad and the Beautiful (1952) for $40,500. From The Hollywood Reporter: The … [Read more...] about Academy of Motion Picture Arts Levels Five Figure Lawsuit At Lady Who Sold Oscar Statue

The long-awaited Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, which is due to open in early 2019 on the site of the former May Co. Streamline Moderne building at the corner of Wilshire Blvd. and Fairfax Ave., is about to enter the next and final phase of construction, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. On June 1, MATT Construction, which specializes in complex projects and which won a bid on March 22, will take on the final phase of the project, overseeing the construction of a spherical dome, while the firm of Morley + Taslimi, which began the project last year, will move to a supporting role. In March 2016, Morley + Taslimi began demolishing the department store's rear wing in order to create space for the signature architectural component of the new museum designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano: "the sphere," a large globe-like structure, held aloft by plinths, which will house a 1,000-seat theater (to be called the David Geffen Theatre) and, above it, a glass-surrounded but not … [Read more...] about Academy Museum Switches Builders for Construction of Final ‘Sphere’ Phase (Exclusive)

Tom Hanks and Annette Bening to serve as co-chairs of the effort to fund construction costs and establish a $50 million endowment. Bob Iger, president and CEO of the Walt Disney Co., has agreed to serve as chairman of the capital campaign that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is launching to raise funds for the new Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Annette Bening and Tom Hanks will serve as co-chairs, the Academy announced Wednesday. PHOTOS: Backstage at the Academy Awards “This is the first step that needed to take place,” Academy president Tom Sherak said. “It says this is real, this is a dream we believe in that now will come true. We have one of the most respected people in our business to spearhead the campaign and two co-chairs who will be our ambassadors to talk about what this means for the industry, for Los Angeles and for the museum community.” The Academy and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art signed a memorandum of understanding in … [Read more...] about Disney’s Bob Iger to Chair the Capital Campaign To Raise Funds for the New Academy Museum

One of just four pairs known to be worn by Judy Garland in the 1939 classic "The Wizard of Oz," the "holy grail of all Hollywood memorabilia" will find a home in the Academy's future museum. Dorothy's ruby slippers have found a new home. The famous footwear, worn by Judy Garland in 1939's The Wizard of Oz, was just acquired by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. One of four pairs used in making the film, they are believed to be the the the ones used for close up shots and the most well-maintained, and will eventually land at the yet-to-be-completed Academy Museum. In a Wednesday announcement, the Academy cites Leonardo DiCaprio as the primary benefactor. "Leo's passionate leadership has helped us bring home this legendary piece of movie history," said Academy CEO Dawn Hudson. "It's a wonderful gift to the Academy museum project, and a perfect representation of the work we do year-round to preserve and share our film heritage." PHOTOS: 10 of Hollywood's Priciest Pieces of … [Read more...] about Leonardo DiCaprio Helps Buy Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers for Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences

David Geffen's $25 million theater was just the beginning as the $300 million project hits a new, aggressive fund-raising phase that includes multiple naming rights. This story first appeared in the May 3 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. David Geffen's $25 million donation ensures that his name will appear on the theater inside the sphere that will dominate the new Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, scheduled to open in 2017. But for a mere $2.5 million, you still can attach your moniker to the adjacent green room. If that seems steep, consider that naming rights for the Film History Gallery are going for $20 million, while the Founders Room and Rooftop Terrace are a relative bargain at $5 million apiece. The incentives are part of the drive to meet the Academy's ambitious new fundraising goal of $300 million, more than the $250 million it originally projected would be needed to design and make over the historic May Co. building next door to the Los Angeles County Museum of … [Read more...] about Academy Motion Picture Museum: $2.5 Million Buys You a Green Room

"We are proud to support the Academy in its efforts to preserve and celebrate motion pictures," says Paolo Ferrari, chairman and CEO of Pirelli's NAFTA Region. Pirelli, the Italian tire manufacturer, has lent its support to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, becoming one of the project’s founding supporters after serving as one of the sponsors of last month’s inaugural celebration at the May Company building on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles, where the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ new museum is scheduled to open in 2017. “We are proud to support the Academy in its efforts to preserve and celebrate motion pictures. The Pirelli brand is founded on excellence in design and innovation, and to join the journey that [architect] Renzo Piano so eloquently envisions for the facility is an honor,” Paolo Ferrari, chairman and CEO of Pirelli’s NAFTA Region, said. “Mr. Piano recently collaborated with Pirelli on our facility in … [Read more...] about Pirelli Lends Support to the New Academy Museum

The director, who was to have produced the 2012 Oscars, is the latest to lend his support to the museum, scheduled to open in 2017. Director Brett Ratner, who was to have produced the 2012 Oscars, has contributed $1 million to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Ratner had been tapped to produce the 2012 Academy Awards, but a series of controversial comments he made that many found sexist and homophobic, let to him withdrawing from that assignment. He subsequently made several P.S.A.’s for GLAAD and in March received GLAAD's Ally Award for his efforts. "I feel blessed to be part of such a magnificent museum. I was blown away by the recent Kubrick exhibit at LACMA, which the Academy co-sponsored. I couldn't be more excited that our Academy will finally have its own museum that will preserve and exhibit cinema's greatest work," Ratner said. Commented Bill Kramer, the museum’s managing director of development, "Brett has a sincere love of movies and film history, and we are … [Read more...] about Brett Ratner Donates $1 Million to Academy Museum

UPDATED: The marketing executive is the first African-American and third woman to head the 86-year-old organization. Plus, Disney/Pixar's John Lasseter elected first vice president. Cheryl Boone Isaacs has been elected president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences by the organization’s board of governors. The Academy announced her election Tuesday night via Twitter. Boone Isaacs, a marketing executive who has served stints at Paramount and New Line, is the first African-American to head the 86-year-old Academy and only the third woman to serve as president. Actress Bette Davis held the post for just two months in 1941, and screenwriter Fay Kanin served for four years from 1979-83. In addition at the July 30 board of governors meeting, John Lasseter was elected first vice president; Jeffrey Kurland and Leonard Engelman were elected to vp posts; Dick Cook was elected treasurer; and Phil Robinson was elected secretary. PHOTOS: Jason Bateman to Jennifer Lopez: The … [Read more...] about Cheryl Boone Isaacs Elected President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

The Academy announced that the two main galleries in the lobby floor will be named after both men and their families. Jeffrey Katzenberg and Steven Spielberg have each donated $10 million to the Academy's Museum of Motion Pictures. In recognition of their gifts, the two main galleries on the lobby floor of the new museum will be named for both men and their families -- The Marilyn and Jeffrey Katzenberg Gallery and The Spielberg Family Gallery -- the Academy announced today. The two galleries will be the only gallery spaces on the lobby level of the museum, slated to open in 2017, and will showcase exhibitions that will explore the past, present and future of moviemaking. PHOTOS: 25 of Fall's Most Anticipated Movies "Steven and Jeffrey share a passion for moviemaking and philanthropy," said Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger, who is chairing the museum's $300 million capital campaign, which was launched in 2012. "With these incredibly generous gifts, they are combining the two, moving … [Read more...] about Jeffrey Katzenberg, Steven Spielberg Each Donate $10 Million to Academy Museum

As he takes the reins at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' new museum, Brougher outlines his goals, talks of the need to acquire more artifacts, and suggests that the museum should be governed by its own board. “The Academy Museum is going to just have to accept the fact it is a place that has to meet the needs of a wide-ranging audience,” says Kerry Brougher, who steps into his new post as the first director of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in July. Having most recently served as interim director, deputy director and chief curator at the Smithsonian Institution’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C., he’ll be charting the course for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ new museum, scheduled to open on the site of the May Co. building on Wilshire Boulevard in 2017. With an eye to both film’s past and its future, Brougher outlines his goals for the museum, talks about how the Academy needs to … [Read more...] about Academy Museum Director Kerry Brougher Reveals Plans

In recognition of the gifts, the museum's rooftop terrace will be called the Dolby Family Terrace. Dolby Laboratories and the family of its founder, the late Ray Dolby, have donated gifts of $12 million to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Academy Museum. LIST The Hollywood Reporter Reveals Hollywood's 100 Favorite Films The Academy announced today that it has received a $7 million gift from Dolby Laboratories to provide audiovisual technology in the Academy's movie theaters. The Dolby family has made a $5 million gift to the Academy Museum's capital campaign. In recognition of the gift, the Academy will name the Museum's rooftop terrace the Dolby Family Terrace. "Dolby Laboratories, founded nearly 50 years ago by Ray Dolby, continues to enhance and transform how we experience the movies," said Bob Iger, who is chairing the Academy Museum's capital campaign along with co-chairs Annette Bening and Tom Hanks. "These generous gifts will help to ensure that the world will … [Read more...] about Dolby Gifts of $12 Million Given to Academy Museum

Aylsworth is the first woman to be elected to her post in the history of the standards-setting and educational society. Peter Lude of Sony has been elected president and Wendy Aylsworth of Warner Bros. is the new executive vp of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers board of directors. Aylsworth is the first woman to be elected to the post in the history of the standards-setting and educational society, which was founded in 1916. In another milestone, Hans Hoffmann has become the first European in nearly four decades to serve as engineering vp as he was appointed to complete Aylsworth’s term. Hoffmann is head of media fundamentals and production technologies for the European Broadcast Union. Rounding out the re-elected SMPTE officers are Ryerson University’s Paul Hearty as editorial vp; CBS executive Robert Seidel as financial vp; and Dolby’s Patrick Griffis as secretary/treasurer. Aylsworth, senior vp technology at Warner Bros. Technical … [Read more...] about Peter Lude, Wendy Aylsworth Named to Society of Motion Picture and TV Engineers Board

From Julia Roberts' 'Pretty Woman' dress (you know the one) to Brad Pitt's 'Fight Club' jacket, Hollywood's most iconic outfits are on display in a new exhibit you should go see now "It's not an exhibition about clothes," costume designer Deborah Nadoolman Landis, the curator of Hollywood Costume — the inaugural exhibit at L.A.'s future Academy Museum of Motion Pictures — announced at the exhibition's preview on Monday. "This is an exhibition about the movies, storytelling, about caring, about how you can see a movie over and over and over again because you want to be in it." The Hollywood Costume exhibition — presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and London's Victoria and Albert Museum, where it was first showcased — does just that, allowing visitors to be part of a cinematic character's development through a sartorial scope, whether through a simple Gap sweatshirt featured in The Social Network or the iconic hat worn by Indiana Jones in … [Read more...] about See This: 5 Reasons to Go to the Academy Museum’s Hollywood Costume Exhibit ASAP

The project, designed by Renzo Piano, will begin construction this summer, with a ceremonial ground-breaking in the fall. The Los Angeles City Council has given its blessing to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, which the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has proposed building on the site of the former May Company Building at the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Fairfax Ave. The $300 million project, which hopes to open its doors to the public by 2017, received unanimous approval from the council, which voted 13-0 in its favor at a meeting Wednesday. Construction will begin this summer, with a ceremonial ground-breaking taking place in the fall. "I am thrilled that Los Angeles is gaining another architectural and cultural icon," Mayor Eric Garcetti said in an announcement issued by the Academy. "My office of economic development has worked directly with the museum's development team to ensure that the Academy of Motion Pictures will create jobs, support tourism, and pay … [Read more...] about Los Angeles City Council Approves Academy Museum

The former Universal exec will be responsible for business operations and strategy for the Adam Fogelson-led company's motion picture group. Michael Joe has joined STX Entertainment as chief operating officer of he company's motion picture group. The announcement was made today by Adam Fogelson, chairman of the STX Entertainment motion picture group. The Stanford grad previously held the title of executive vp at Universal Pictures, where he was responsible for business development, strategy, film financing, digital distribution and corporate oversight of Focus Features and Universal's international production business. Joe later left Universal to join Relativity Media as president. Since 2013, he has has been managing director at Seer Capital, a New York-based investment firm, where he has been responsible for sourcing and managing the firm's media and entertainment activities. While at Seer, he closed a financing deal with his new employer, STX. "I had the privilege of working with … [Read more...] about STX Taps Michael Joe as New COO of Motion Picture Group

He will become a special adviser to the office of the CEO. After four years as co-chair of the Lionsgate motion picture group, Rob Friedman is stepping down from that post and will segue into a new role as special adviser to the office of the CEO, it was announced Friday by Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer. The motion picture group will continue to be run by its current executive team that includes Patrick Wachsberger, who has been serving as co-chair alongside Friedman; motion picture group co-president Erik Feig; Lionsgate co-COO Steve Beeks; chief brand officer and president of worldwide theatrical marketing Tim Palen; president of acquisitions and co-productions Jason Constantine; and president of domestic theatrical distribution David Spitz. Friedman and Wachsberger joined Lionsgate in early 2012, when Lionsgate acquired Summit Entertainment, where, since in 2007, Friedman had served as co-chairman and CEO. Prior to that, Friedman was at Paramount, where he served as vice chairman of … [Read more...] about Lionsgate’s Rob Friedman, co-chair of motion picture group, steps down

As managing director, advancement and external relations, she will lead fundraising efforts on behalf of the new museum, scheduled to open in 2018. Katharine DeShaw has been named managing director, advancement and external relations for the new Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and will lead its fundraising campaign, it was announced Thursday. Beginning Nov. 1, she will direct all aspects of fundraising, including completing the $388 million capital campaign to support the new museum, which is currently under construction and is scheduled to open in 2018. DeShaw succeeds Bill Kramer, who stepped down as chief fundraiser in October 2015 after launching the fundraising effort. DeShaw has led fundraising campaigns for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, the New York City Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society and Gay Men’s Health Crisis in New York City. She most recently led the consulting firm Philanthropology, which focuses on best … [Read more...] about Academy Museum Team Names Katharine DeShaw Managing Director

The veteran Spyglass executive fills a position left vacant by Mary Parent's departure in October. UPDATED Jonathan Glickman has been named president of MGM’s motion picture group, effective immediately. He segues to the job from Spyglass Entertainment, where he was president. The MGM position was vacant after Mary Parent, the previous chairman of the motion picture group and co-CEO, left the company Oct. 15. She had held the office for about 2 1/2 years. The appointment was announced Wednesday in a statement by MGM co-chairmen and Chief Executive Officers Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum and is effective immediately. "Jonathan represents the best in the business. We recognized his talent, taste and acumen when we first hired him 12 years ago at Spyglass and can't wait to continue the journey with him here at MGM," they said. "Between MGM's storied history, the promise of the new leadership team and the chance to continue working directly with Gary and Roger, I can't wait to … [Read more...] about MGM Names Jonathan Glickman as New Head of Motion Picture Group