How to Brush Up on Oscar History

The Academy Awards have a long and glamorous history. Each year a parade of the most talented, fashionable and celebrated people in Hollywood graces the red carpet at the Oscars. Brushing up on Oscar history is more than an exercise in memorizing statistics, it can expose you to some of the greatest films ever made.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Prepare to devote time to investigate thoroughly for understanding of Oscar history. The first Oscars were presented in 1929 by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and have been awarded every year since.
2. Learn about past Oscar winners. Comprehensive lists of winners are readily available on the Internet. Visit the Academy Award's official website (see Resource section). The "legacy" page offers a complete, up-to-date database searchable by year, title, actor and other criteria.
3. Look beyond the winners and investigate the nominees. Learn what film received the most nominations and which won in every category it was nominated. Sharing the major statistics of Oscar history is a great way to demonstrate expertise.
4. Read back issues of trade papers like "Variety" and "The Hollywood Reporter." Learn about the tactics film studios use to market the films and actors leading up to the awards. Look for large ads featuring the words "For Your Consideration."
5. Get the gossip about the ceremony itself. Sources offer cheeky commentary about the proceedings and reveal major slip-ups, upsets and political statements.