The Oscar statuette is perhaps the most recognizable award on the planet. He is almost 35 cm tall, weighs 3,85 kg and the official name of the tiny knight is "The Academy Award of Merit". But, everywhere, he is known by his "nickname": Oscar.
The statuette was originally designed by MGM Artistic Director Cedric Gibbons in May 1928. The design was implemented in three dimensions by sculptor George Stanley based in Los Angeles. Where and how the "nickname" came from remains a mystery to the film industry.
Since last year, however, the statuette has been made out of the spotlight in Hollywood, in a small village in the Hudson River Valley, in the state of New York, which goes by the name "Rock Tavern". Nowadays, a group of 80 people make the statuettes at the Polich Tallix Inc. foundry.
The form, from year to year, had undergone subtle changes. However, after discussions with the Academy, it was decided that Polich Tallix would scan the original 1928 Oscar and combine it with a modern design, combining the two aesthetic interpretations to give a new version of the Art Deco design.
In a period of one quarter, the first group of 50 statuettes is prepared. Of course, since no one knows how much they will need on the night of the award, more are being prepared each year. What is left over is kept for future use at the Academy Awards.
In the statuette received by the winner, the base (the film reel) does not contain anything at all. The small plaque with the name - which is also made by Polich Tallix - is placed after the award ceremony.
Source: newsbeast.gr