The simple act of holding an Oscar statuette is a great achievement for figures hungry for success in the film industry and Hollywood. In just a few days, we will know who the fortunate ones of 2024 will be.
The Academy Awards ceremony will take place on Sunday the 10th starting at 6:00 PM EDT and 3:30 PM PDT. Some of the biggest stars will gather at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles to finally carry out the biggest night.
Ryan Gosling and Billie Eilish are just a couple of the artists who will be performing on stage, singing two of the nominated songs (here, check all the details). You can watch the event via streaming on the ABC websites.
What material are Oscar statuettes made of?
The statuettes of the acclaimed Academy Awards are primarily made of bronze and are plated with 24-karat gold. Each of them represents a nude male figure holding a sword and is mounted on a black metal pedestal.
The original design was created by sculptor George Stanley and cast in bronze by George C. Pratt. Although it has undergone minor changes in its design over the years, the use of bronze and gold plating has remained consistent.
The Oscar statuettes have been manufactured by the Polich Tallix company since 2016, using meticulous casting and finishing methods to achieve the quality and detail that characterize them.
Making Oscar statuettes takes work and time
Although many stars end up using the Oscar statuettes as paperweights or decorations in their homes, the process they go through is quite laborious. The manufacturing of each one takes several weeks and involves various stages.
Here, check out the general process and estimated time it takes to produce an Academy Award statuette:
- Mold Modeling: The first step involves creating a master mold based on the original design of the statuette. This process can take several weeks to ensure that the mold captures all the details and features.
- Casting: After the master mold is complete, secondary molds are used to cast the statuettes in metal. Bronze is the primary material used. Casting can take several weeks and is done carefully to ensure quality.
- Finishing and Polishing: Once cast, the statuettes undergo a finishing and polishing process. This includes removing any imperfections, polishing the surface, and applying the gold plating. This step can take several additional weeks.
- Assembly: After gold plating, the statuettes are assembled, placing the bronze figure on the black pedestal. This process also involves ensuring that each statuette is perfectly finished.
