62-471: Anna Biller is an American filmmaker who wrote and directed the feature films Viva (2007) and The Love Witch (2016). Biller considers herself a feminist filmmaker and consciously explores feminist themes throughout her work, including exploring the female gaze in cinema. She is vocal on both her website and in interviews about gender inequalities in the film industry. Biller was born in Los Angeles to
124-427: A madam who offers to arrange sexual encounters and dates for them. Barbi decides to go by the alias Viva, after the name of an erotic magazine she enjoys reading. As Viva, Barbi goes on several arranged dates and has sexual encounters with various men. She meets photographer Clyde, but refuses to sleep with him until she is ready. However, after performing at an orgy, Clyde drugs and consummates with Viva. Perturbed by
186-481: A "bizarre, Warholian musical fantasy." In 2001, she directed two short films: The Hypnotist , a melodrama written by her frequent collaborator Jared Sanford, and A Visit from the Incubus , a Western horror musical. A Visit from the Incubus tells the story of a woman who is raped by an incubus, and decides to get back at him by challenging him to a singing competition. Robert Nott of The Santa Fe New Mexican called it
248-654: A "must-see". Her 2007 debut feature film, Viva , tells the story of a bored housewife who goes out in search of sexual adventure in the 1970s. It premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam , and won the Best of Fest Award at the Boston Underground Film Festival . The film was also entered into the main competition at the 29th Moscow International Film Festival . Reason magazine called Viva an "uncannily precise rendition of
310-608: A Japanese-American mother who is a fashion designer and a Caucasian father who is a visual artist. She grew up watching her mother design clothes, watching her father paint with a bright color palette, and watching classic cinema, all of which has had a big influence on her filmmaking practice. She has a B.A. in art from UCLA and an MFA in art and film from the California Institute of the Arts . During her time at CalArts, she studied both art and film and began making 16 mm films, and
372-506: A New York City-based East Coast showcase theater, the Academy Theater at Lighthouse International . The 220-seat venue was redesigned in 2011 by renowned theater designer Theo Kalomirakis, including an extensive installation of new audio and visual equipment. The theater is in the East 59th Street headquarters of the non-profit vision loss organization, Lighthouse International. In July 2015, it
434-551: A group known as "Members at Large". Members at Large have all the privileges of branch membership except for representation on the Board. Associate members are those closely allied to the industry but not actively engaged in motion picture production. They are not represented on the Board and do not vote on Academy Awards. According to a February 2012 study conducted by the Los Angeles Times (sampling over 5,000 of its 5,765 members),
496-594: A group of thirty-six people involved in the film industry and invited them to a formal banquet at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles on January 11, 1927. That evening Mayer presented to those guests what he called the International Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Everyone in the room that evening became a founder of the Academy. Between that evening and when the official Articles of Incorporation for
558-593: A joint venture with the University of Southern California , created America's first film school to further the art and science of moving pictures. The school's founding faculty included Fairbanks (President of the Academy), D. W. Griffith , William C. deMille , Ernst Lubitsch , Irving Thalberg , and Darryl F. Zanuck . 1930 saw another move, to the Hollywood Professional Building , in order to accommodate
620-701: A master multi-tasker with her new musical, Viva , which she wrote, directed, edited, designed the costumes, and stars in." It has been compared to the works of Russ Meyer and other sexploitation films of that era. Writing for the San Francisco Bay Guardian , Dennis Harvey listed Biller's performance in Viva as one of the year's "best performances most likely to be overlooked". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences ( AMPAS , often pronounced / ˈ æ m p æ s / AM -pass ; also known as simply
682-408: A phone call from Arthur, a musical producer friend of Clyde's, who offers her a role in his upcoming musical. At an audition, Barbi and Sheila perform a song about the different facets of womanhood. Biller's concept for Viva originally started as a photo series inspired by old Playboy magazines, and the photos inspired her to create a story surrounding these characters. Another major inspiration
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#1733094034257744-399: A teenager who turns into a princess and has the power to transform men into dogs. The film screened at small venues and film festivals. Lane Relyea of Artforum International wrote "the film's humor and graceful perplexity may not have caused any sudden shifts in the local fault lines but did crack a glorious smile on this audience member's face." John Hartl of The Seattle Times called it
806-447: Is "overwhelmingly white" and the question is raised whether conscious or unconscious racial biases played a role. Spike Lee , interviewed shortly after the all-white nominee list was published, pointed to Hollywood leadership as the root problem, "We may win an Oscar now and then, but an Oscar is not going to fundamentally change how Hollywood does business. I'm not talking about Hollywood stars. I'm talking about executives. We're not in
868-481: Is a 2007 American sex comedy film written and directed by Anna Biller and starring, in addition to Biller, Jared Sanford, Bridget Brno, Chad England, Marcus DeAnda, and John Klemantaski. The plot concerns a 1970s suburban housewife who is dragged through the worst excesses of the sexual revolution . In 1972, Barbi is happily married to Rick in suburban Los Angeles. She is friends with Sheila and her husband Mark, an actor, who frequently flirts with Barbi. After she
930-491: Is an international organization and membership is open to qualified filmmakers around the world. The Academy is known around the world for its annual Academy Awards , both officially and popularly known as "The Oscars". In addition, the Academy holds the Governors Awards annually for lifetime achievement in film; presents Scientific and Technical Awards annually; gives Student Academy Awards annually to filmmakers at
992-706: Is busy year-round with the Academy's public programming, members-only screenings, movie premieres and other special activities (including the live television broadcast of the Academy Awards nominations announcement every January). The building once housed the Academy Little Theater , a 67-seat screening facility, but this was converted to additional office space in a building remodel. The Pickford Center for Motion Picture Study , located in central Hollywood and named for legendary actress and Academy founder Mary Pickford , houses several Academy departments, including
1054-485: Is located at 333 S. La Cienega Boulevard in Beverly Hills. It is home to the Academy's Margaret Herrick Library , a world-renowned, non-circulating reference and research collection devoted to the history and development of the motion picture as an art form and an industry. Established in 1928, the library is open to the public and used year-round by students, scholars, historians and industry professionals. The library
1116-468: Is named for Margaret Herrick, the Academy's first librarian who also played a major role in the Academy's first televised broadcast, helping to turn the Oscar ceremony into a major annual televised event. The building itself was built in 1928, where it was originally built to be a water treatment plant for Beverly Hills. Its "bell tower" held water-purifying hardware. The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures ,
1178-579: Is responsible for corporate management, control, and general policies. The board of governors also appoints a CEO and a COO to supervise the administrative activities of the Academy. From the original formal banquet, which was hosted by Louis B. Mayer in 1927, everyone invited became a founder of the Academy: Presidents are elected for one-year terms and may not be elected for more than four consecutive terms. Source: "Academy Story" . Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Archived from
1240-461: Is sexually harassed by her boss, Barbi quits her job. Rick is unperturbed and convinces Barbi to become a homemaker. However, Barbi and Rick begin to fight as he frequently travels for business. After Rick decides to spend a month away from her on a business trip, Barbi decides their marriage is over. Sheila informs her that Mark has also left her, and the two decide to live the single life. While wearing risqué outfits, Barbi and Sheila are picked up by
1302-519: Is what we know now as the Academy Awards . The initial location of the organization was 6912 Hollywood Boulevard . In November 1927, the Academy moved to the Roosevelt Hotel at 7010 Hollywood Boulevard, which was also the month the Academy's library began compiling a complete collection of books and periodicals dealing with the industry from around the world. In May 1928, the Academy authorized
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#17330940342571364-783: The Academy Film Archive , the Science and Technology Council, Student Academy Awards and Grants, and the Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting. The building, originally dedicated on August 18, 1948, is the oldest surviving structure in Hollywood that was designed specifically with television in mind. Additionally, it is the location of the Linwood Dunn Theater , which seats 286 people. The Fairbanks Center for Motion Picture Study
1426-492: The Association of Motion Picture Producers , Fred Beetson to discuss these matters. The idea of this elite club having an annual banquet was discussed, but no mention of awards at that time. They also established that membership into the organization would only be open to people involved in one of the five branches of the industry: actors, directors, writers, technicians, and producers. After their brief meeting, Mayer gathered up
1488-489: The 1930s was the first annual Academy Players Directory in 1937. The Directory was published by the Academy until 2006 when it was sold to a private concern. The Academy had been involved in the technical aspects of film making since its founding in 1927, and by 1938, the Science and Technology Council consisted of 36 technical committees addressing technical issues related to sound recording and reproduction, projection, lighting, film preservation, and cinematography. In 2009,
1550-454: The 2016 Academy Awards, many, including April Reign, were dismayed by the Academy's indifference about representation and inclusion, as the 2016 nominees were once again entirely white. April Reign revived #OscarsSoWhite, and renewed her campaign efforts, which included multiple media appearances and interviews with reputable news outlets. As a result of Reign's campaign, the discourse surrounding representation and recognition in film spread beyond
1612-403: The 2016 Oscars for failing to recognize minority achievements, the board voted to make "historic" changes to its membership. The Academy stated that by 2020 it would double its number of women and minority members. While the Academy has addressed a higher profile for African-Americans, it has yet to raise the profile of other people of color artists, in front of and behind the camera. In 2018,
1674-599: The Academy Cheryl Boone Isaacs , the first African American and third woman to lead the Academy, denied in 2015 that there was a problem. When asked if the Academy had difficulty with recognizing diversity, she replied "Not at all. Not at all." When the nominations for acting were all white for a second year in a row Gil Robertson IV , president of the African American Film Critics Association called it "offensive." The actors' branch
1736-597: The Academy or the Motion Picture Academy ) is a professional honorary organization in Beverly Hills, California , U.S., with the stated goal of advancing the arts and sciences of motion pictures. The Academy's corporate management and general policies are overseen by a board of governors, which includes representatives from each of the craft branches. As of April 2020, the organization was estimated to consist of around 9,921 motion picture professionals. The Academy
1798-419: The Academy at that time was 94% white, 77% male, 86% age 50 or older, and had a median age of 62. A third of members were previous winners or nominees of Academy Awards themselves. Of the Academy's 54-member Board of Governors, 25 are female. On June 29, 2016, a paradigm shift began in the Academy's selection process, resulting in a new class comprising 46% women and 41% people of color. The effort to diversify
1860-609: The Academy invited a record 928 new members. Casting director David Rubin was elected President of the Academy in August, 2019. In 2020, Parasite became the first non-English language film to win Best Picture . In June 2022, Bill Kramer was named the CEO of the Academy. Also in 2022, Janet Yang was elected as the first Asian American President of the Academy. The Academy's numerous and diverse operations are housed in three facilities in
1922-403: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) began with Louis B. Mayer , head of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). He said he wanted to create an organization that would mediate labor disputes without unions and improve the film industry's image. In other words, the Academy was originally founded as a company union . He met with actor Conrad Nagel , director Fred Niblo , and the head of
Anna Biller - Misplaced Pages Continue
1984-467: The Academy was led by social activist and Broadway Black managing-editor April Reign . Reign created the Twitter hashtag #OscarsSoWhite as a means of criticizing the dearth of non-white nominees for the 2015 Academy Awards. Though the hashtag drew widespread media attention, the Academy remained obstinate on the matter of adopting a resolution that would make demonstrable its efforts to increase diversity. With
2046-499: The Academy's initial days was for "Awards of Merit", but it was not until May 1928 that the committee began to have serious discussions about the structure of the awards and the presentation ceremony. By July 1928, the board of directors had approved a list of 12 awards to be presented. During July the voting system for the Awards was established, and the nomination and selection process began. This "award of merit for distinctive achievement"
2108-452: The Academy, while Fred Niblo was the first vice-president, and their first roster, composed of 230 members, was printed. That night, the Academy also bestowed its first honorary membership, to Thomas Edison . Initially, the Academy was broken down into five main groups, or branches, although this number of branches has grown over the years. The original five were: Producers, Actors, Directors, Writers and Technicians. The initial concerns of
2170-867: The Chicago Indie Critics Awards, and also won the Michael Cimino Best Film Award at the American Independent Film Awards. In 2019, she became a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences . Biller said in 2017 that her next film will be a Bluebeard story. She stated that "I want to make this film because I have a yearning to see more quality films for women, like the ones that were made in Hollywood’s golden age." On December 5, 2021, Biller announced she had completed her first novel, Bluebeard's Castle . The book
2232-452: The Los Angeles area: the headquarters building in Beverly Hills, which was constructed specifically for the Academy, and two Centers for Motion Picture Study – one in Beverly Hills, the other in Hollywood – which were existing structures restored and transformed to contain the Academy's Library, Film Archive and other departments and programs. The Academy Headquarters Building in Beverly Hills once housed two galleries that were open free to
2294-531: The Samuel Goldwyn Theater and other facilities within two weeks of their debut, and sometimes before release; in addition, some of the screeners are available through iTunes to its members. Five people are known to have been expelled from the Academy. Academy officials acknowledge that other members have been expelled in the past, most for selling their Oscar tickets, but no numbers are available. The following members have voluntarily resigned from
2356-576: The United States and became a global discussion . Faced with mounting pressure to expand the Academy membership, the Academy capitulated and instituted new policies to ensure that future Academy membership invitations would better represent the demographics of modern film-going audiences. The A2020 initiative was announced in January 2016 to double the number of women and people of color in membership by 2020 . Members are able to see many new films for free at
2418-664: The construction of a state of the art screening room, to be located in the Club lounge of the hotel. The screening room was not completed until April 1929. With the publication of Academy Reports (No. 1): Incandescent Illumination in July 1928, the Academy began a long history of publishing books to assist its members. Research Council of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences trained Signal Corps officers, during World War II , who later won two Oscars, for Seeds of Destiny and Toward Independence . In 1929, Academy members, in
2480-447: The encounter, Viva consults Sheila who reveals she is returning to Mark after realizing she is pregnant and encourages Viva to also reunite with Rick. Right before her reunion with Rick, Mark attacks and attempts to rape Barbi. She fends him off, but when Rick arrives, he smells Mark's cologne and runs off. He ends up with a broken leg and reunites with Barbi. Sheila and Mark have a baby, and the two couples remain friends. Barbi receives
2542-476: The enlarging staff, and by December of that year the library was acknowledged as "having one of the most complete collections of information on the motion picture industry anywhere in existence." They remained at that location until 1935 when further growth caused them to move once again. This time, the administrative offices moved to one location, to the Taft Building at the corner of Hollywood and Vine , while
Anna Biller - Misplaced Pages Continue
2604-641: The film herself because she "wouldn't ask another actress to take off her clothes in the movie and do all these things with the power trip being 'I'm the director, you're the actress.'" Viva premiered at the 36th International Film Festival Rotterdam in 2007. It was also entered into the main competition at the 29th Moscow International Film Festival . The film had a limited theatrical release by Vagrant Films Releasing; it played at Cinema Village in New York as well as in New Orleans, Cleveland, and Los Angeles. Viva
2666-483: The film-maker Biller employing the same sense of celluloid artifice and lusciously heightened reality that characterized her retro horror masterpiece The Love Witch ." In July 2022, Biller announced her next film, the horror film The Face of Horror . Biller lives in Los Angeles with her partner, author Robert Greene . Biller served as director, producer, writer, editor, production designer, and costume designer on all films listed. Viva (2007 film) Viva
2728-616: The group had to do with labor. However, as time went on, the organization moved "further away from involvement in labor-management arbitrations and negotiations." During the Great Depression , the Academy lost all credibility among studio employee members with respect to labor issues when it took the side of the major film studios in the latter's efforts to convince employees to agree to voluntary reductions in wages and salaries. The Academy thus evolved into its modern role as an honorary organization. One of several committees formed in
2790-606: The inaugural Governors Awards were held, at which the Academy awards the Academy Honorary Award , the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award and the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award . In 2016, the Academy became the target of criticism for its failure to recognize the achievements of minority professionals. For the second year in a row, all 20 nominees in the major acting categories were white. The president of
2852-615: The library moved to 1455 North Gordon Street. In 1934, the Academy began publication of the Screen Achievement Records Bulletin , which today is known as the Motion Picture Credits Database . This is a list of film credits up for an Academy Award, as well as other films released in Los Angeles County, using research materials from the Academy's Margaret Herrick Library . Another publication of
2914-510: The line between schlock and kitschy homage successfully, Viva 's lovely visuals and knowing humor are undeniable." On Metacritic , the film has a weighted average score of 58 out of 100, based on 14 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews". Daniel Steinhart of Film Journal International wrote, "Full of campy performances and giggle-inducing period costumes, the film may be destined for cult status." Lauren Horwitch of Back Stage West wrote, "Biller once again proves herself to be
2976-586: The look, sound, mood, and arch dialogue" of seventies sexploitation films, with "high-key, pseudo- Technicolor lighting and spare, colorful set design." Viva had a very limited theatrical release. Biller's second feature film, The Love Witch , premiered in 2016 at the International Film Festival Rotterdam. The film is a twist on classic serial killer films, featuring a woman who kills through calculated sexuality and " love magic ," causing her male victims to fall too much in love. It evokes
3038-441: The newest facility associated with the Academy, is the United States' first large-scale museum dedicated to the film industry. Its scheduled opening was on September 30, 2021, and it contains over 290,000 square feet (27,000 m ) of galleries, exhibition spaces, movie theaters, educational areas, and special event spaces. The museum is located in the historic May Company Building , now named Saban Building. The Academy also has
3100-467: The organization were filed on May 4, 1927, the "International" was dropped from the name, becoming the "Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences". Several organizational meetings were held prior to the first official meeting held on May 6, 1927. Their first organizational meeting was held on May 11 at the Biltmore Hotel . At that meeting Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. was elected as the first president of
3162-512: The organization: The nineteen branches of the Academy are (in no particular order): As of April 2020 , the board of governors consists of 57 governors: three governors from each of the 18 Academy branches and three governors-at-large. The Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch, created in 2006, had only one governor until July 2013. The Casting Directors Branch, created in 2013, elected its first three governors in Fall 2013. The board of governors
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#17330940342573224-660: The public. The Grand Lobby Gallery and the Fourth Floor Gallery offered changing exhibits related to films, film-making and film personalities. These galleries have since been closed in preparation for the opening of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in 2020. The building includes the Samuel Goldwyn Theater , which seats 1,012, and was designed to present films at maximum technical accuracy, with state-of-the-art projection equipment and sound system. The theater
3286-406: The room." Boone Isaacs also released a statement, in which she said "I am both heartbroken and frustrated about the lack of inclusion. This is a difficult but important conversation, and it's time for big changes." After Boone Isaac's statement, prominent African-Americans such as director Spike Lee, actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith , and activist Rev. Al Sharpton called for a boycott of
3348-499: The sexploitation of women in Hammer horror films, and was shot entirely on film in order to recreate the old Hollywood style. The film took Biller seven years to complete because of her attention to detail in directing, writing, costume and set design, and work with her cinematographer. Richard Brody of The New Yorker said of The Love Witch , "Biller puts genre to the test of do-it-yourself artistry, and puts feminist ideology itself to
3410-415: The spring. Press releases announce the names of those who have recently been invited to join. Membership in the Academy does not expire, even if a member struggles later in their career. Academy membership is divided into 19 branches, representing different disciplines in motion pictures. Members may not belong to more than one branch. Members whose work does not fall within one of the branches may belong to
3472-485: The test of style. The film pulsates with furious creative energy throughout, sparking excitement and giddy amazement that it even exists." In May 2016, The Love Witch was acquired for distribution by Oscilloscope Laboratories . The Love Witch was included in many lists for the best films of 2016, including those of The New Yorker and IndieWire . It won in a tie for the Trailblazer Award and Best Costume Design at
3534-701: The undergraduate and graduate level; awards up to five Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting annually; and operates the Margaret Herrick Library (at the Fairbanks Center for Motion Picture Study) in Beverly Hills, California , and the Pickford Center for Motion Picture Study in Hollywood , Los Angeles. The Academy opened the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles in 2021. The notion of
3596-432: Was Luis Buñuel 's film Belle de Jour (1967). Biller used the photos as a proof-of-concept, and was able to secure the full funding to make a feature film from a private investor. The film was made slowly as they had to repeatedly pause production to raise more money. They originally budgeted for $ 100,000, but the final cost of the film was $ 750,000. Principal photography lasted from 2005 to 2007. Biller chose to star in
3658-476: Was announced that the Academy was forced to move out, due to Lighthouse International selling the property the theater was in. Membership in the Academy is by invitation only. Invitation comes from the Board of Governors. Membership eligibility may be achieved by earning a competitive Oscar nomination, or by the sponsorship of two current Academy members from the same branch to which the candidate seeks admission. New membership proposals are considered annually in
3720-428: Was mentored by Morgan Fisher and Paul McCarthy . She started making 8 mm films while she was living in New York. At the beginning of her career, Biller was known for her short films and staged musicals, which played with old Hollywood genres and tropes from the 1930s to the 1950s. She made her first short film, Three Examples of Myself as Queen , while studying at CalArts. In the film, Biller plays Pointsettia,
3782-459: Was published in October 2023 by Verso Books . Bluebeard's Castle was listed as one of the best fiction books of 2023 by The Telegraph , who said it was, "A stylised retelling of the old fable that mixes self-reference and gaudy excess...the sex, death and pricy cognac are of a wildly enjoyable piece." The Times Literary Supplement also praised it, calling it "Both a fantasy and a nightmare, with
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#17330940342573844-406: Was released on DVD by Cult Epics and Anchor Bay Entertainment on Feb. 24, 2009. Viva received mixed to positive reactions, and "illustrates cinema's unique ability to blend high and low culture." On Rotten Tomatoes , the film holds an approval rating of 60% based on 48 reviews, with an average rating of 5.40/10. The site's critics consensus reads, "Though it's lengthy and doesn't always walk
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