"The envelope please," along with "and the Oscar goes to..." are phrases that have become staples of American society due to the intent interest in the annual award show in which members of the film industry are recognized for excellent work. According to their own web site, the Academy Awards, or Oscars, have been given out since 1927, when a non-profit organization the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) was formed. The 5,607 voting members of "the Academy" select their peers to be recognized for achievement in filmmaking. The Academy is made up of professionals from every aspect of film production, from actors and directors to sound technicians.

This is the voting process according to the Academy web site. Academy members are separated by profession, and are allowed to chose from a large list of eligible films to select who they feel should be nominated for awards in their respective field. Actors and actors alone decide who is nominated for acting awards. After the nominees have been selected, a second ballot is mailed out to all voters. This ballot has the nominees for every category on it, not just the area in which the voter is trained. After selecting one c

The whole show is basically a free advertisement for filmmakers, who can count on millions watching. Because of the obvious economic benefit, film production companies will campaign for an Oscar. The Academy does not arrange for voters to view the films, so studios will set up private screenings with voters (Thayer). While this may help the voter make a more informed decision, it may also create bias or loyalties that can taint the vote. The Academy does nothing to prevent or monitor transactions and meetings between filmmakers and voters (Thayer). Then again how could they, as seeing that all the voters are filmmakers themselves.

The Academy is a generally conservative group of aging filmmakers whose idea of a good film does not always appeal to real people. There is a definite generation gap between most moviegoers and the majority of Academy members. But the Oscars are about filmmakers getting recognized by their peers. Unfortunately, in my opinion the integrity of the awards has been tainted by the undeniable influence of possible economic gain, coming mostly from film production companies. People can and will make money off of what is supposed to be a non-profit organization's award show. Most Academy voters have allegiances within the industry; therefore it is unfair to ask them to make an unbiased vote.

The Academy as a whole has its own biases. For example, if you use your acceptance speech to voice a political

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