Hollywood's Culture of Scientific and Technical Achievement

Abstract

ABSTRACT:This article offers a brief historical analysis of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Scientific and Technical Awards to show how changing notions of achievement in this arena helped shape the American movie business. This examination reveals the shifts and settlements in what the film industry, and its related technological apparatus, was imagined to be. Especially notable is the way these awards acknowledged specialized technology companies as core contributors to the ordinary operations of the film business, a factor that became even more important in the poststudio era.