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During the studio era, a symbiotic relationship existed between movie stars and the photojournalists assigned to cover the motion picture industry. Whether documenting the domestic lives of the stars or their more glamorous nighttime exploits, these news photographers helped mold the public images of Hollywood luminaries.Nat Dallinger (1911—2006) was an integral part of this celebrity culture and one of its foremost documentarians from the 1930s until his retirement in 1971. Initially a studio photographer, he later worked for the Los Angeles bureau of The New York Times and for King Features…

In this week's episode of Academy Originals, we examine the impact that Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong's first studio hit "Up In Smoke" had on the history of film. We sit down with Marin, Chong plus the director of "Grandma's Boy" and the writers of "Harold and Kumar." The latter credits the groundbreaking comedy team as their inspiration.  See more from our Moments That Changed The Movies series on our Academy Originals channel today.

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) has been a mainstay of the Hollywood scene since its founding in 1943, when a group of journalists gathered together to efficiently and accurately cover all aspects of the entertainment industry. During the HFPA’s early years, members initially held informal gatherings in their homes, but as they saw their organization grow over the years, their meetings and awards ceremonies became more formal.Headquartered in West Hollywood, California, the approximately 90 Southern California-based members of the HFPA consist of international journalists who…

Nothing says Spring Break like a trip to the beach, and these photographs from the Academy's Margaret Herrick Library showcase one of Hollywood's most famous stars, Marilyn Monroe, enjoying the sand and surf at two different points in her career.First, here are some photos taken by Andre De Dienes on Tobay Beach (Tobay being an acronym for Town of Oyster Bay) in Long Island, NY in 1949. The same year she had a role opposite the Marx Brothers in Love Happy, and the following year would begin her ascent to stardom with All about Eve and The Asphalt Jungle.  Image…

The regular deadline to submit entries for the 2015 Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting competition is Friday, April 10, at 11:59 p.m. PT.  In November, as many as five $35,000 fellowships will be awarded to amateur screenwriters. Deadlines and entry fees are as follows:     Regular deadline: April 10, at 11:59 p.m. PT; entry fee US$55     Final deadline: May 1, at 11:59 p.m. PT; entry fee US$75Online applications and complete rules are available at www.oscars.org/nicholl.For the first time, current entrants also may purchase, for an additional $40, review comments from at least two…

In this week's episode of Academy Originals we spoke with Oscar-winning Special Effects Supervisor George Gibbs who explained about some of the complexities surrounding one of the more dramatic scenes in "Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom" which nearly affected his nickname."I had a reputation in the film industry as 'One Take George,'" he said, because of his ability to pull off a special effect in just one take. While trying to blow up a bridge on "Temple of Doom" One Take George was nearly foiled by Mother Nature.Click here to learn about the making of another Steven Spielberg adventure…

New York, NY – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will present “An Animation Showcase: FromCelluloid to CGI,” an animation series that takes place April 24 – May 29, 2015, in New York.  Aimed at highlighting the techniques that make up the craft of animation, the program will use a variety of panels and screenings to explain and explore hand-drawn, stop-motion and CGI animation.The series will open with a presentation featuring the animation studio LAIKA’s creative team behind the Academy Award-nominated “Coraline” (2009), “ParaNorman” (2012) and “The Boxtrolls” (2014).  The …