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Who benefits from an Academy Award?

Alisa Roth Jan 25, 2011
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Who benefits from an Academy Award?

Alisa Roth Jan 25, 2011
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TEXT OF STORY

JEREMY HOBSON: The Oscar Nominations are out this morning. “The King’s Speech” and “True Grit” lead the pack. Of course, an award — or even a nomination — is a ticket to success for actors and directors. But what does it mean for the rest of the Hollywood food chain? The editors, the sound guys, and the camera operators?

Marketplace’s Alisa Roth reports.


ALISA ROTH: Stick around until the lights go up and you can see exactly how many people it takes to make a movie. Gaffers, and grips and don’t forget the Best Boy.

Edward J. Epstein is the author of two books about Hollywood. He says those people benefit in some way if a movie wins on Oscar night.

EDWARD J. EPSTEIN: It always enhances someone’s reputation to have an Academy Award.

But he says the behind the scenes crew is something of a self-selecting bunch. That to get a chance to edit an award-winning film-or do its sound, or run the camera — you have to be pretty established.

EPSTEIN: The people that create the illusion that we call a movie — the cameramen, the sound men, the editors, the production designers — their skills are such that they already can choose what movies they want to work on.

We’ll find out who — unknown or world-famous — wins at the end of next month.

I’m Alisa Roth for Marketplace.

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