Xavier Moreno

Built September 30, 2021, The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is the World’s premier institution dedicated to the art and science of filmmaking and production. The Museum showcases the foreplay and backstage of the makings of movies as well as highlighting some of filmmaking most prominent figures in history such as Hayao Miyazaki.

The Museum’s ongoing exhibits help illuminate the world of Cinema. The ongoing exhibits are Stories of Cinema, Backdrop: An Invisible Art, The Oscars Experience, The Path to Cinema: Highlights From the Richard Balzer Collection and Hayao Miyazaki. 

Stories of Cinema is a three-story exhibit on moviemakers and their individual stories and how they were able to impact the world with their art. It dives into all types of films and explores the arts and sciences of movies such as the Backdrop exhibit which showcases Mt. Rushmore backing from Hitchcock’s North by Northwest.

The Oscar Experience transports you into the Oscars as you step into a simulation of the Dolby Theatre stage. There you can embrace your inner star and hear your name called. You also  get a video of you as you accept your reward.

The Path to Cinema is about the evolution of movies and the history behind it. From shadow plays and peep shows to the Cinématographe Lumière, the world’s first successful film projector. Richar Balzer, an explorer of the pre-history of cinema, collected ancient artifacts (from the 17th century) of cinema history for 40 years to build what is now today’s most prominent collection of pre-cinematic objects

The first exhibit in North America dedicated to its namesake: Hayao Miyazaki, the creator of Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro. This exhibit features more than 300 objects such as original image boards and backgrounds. Separated into seven sections this exhibit takes you through Miyazaki’s life and across his many worlds, showcasing his masterful artistry in the filmmaking industry.

Every piece and every exhibit in the Museum helps to bring to life the world of cinematography and takes a visitor to a new world of films and all of their aspects with more to come like the exhibit Regeneration: Black Cinema 1898-1971 which lights up the importance of African American culture and figures in filmmaking. The Museum is in Los Angeles, and is open 10am-6pm Sunday- Thursday and 10am-8pm Friday, Saturday. The admission is free for anyone under 17 and $25 for adults. Although Los Angeles is far away California is a popular vacation state and the Museum a great attraction to visit.