From the warm weather to fun-filled theme parks, from exquisite beaches to rip-roaring clubs, Los Angeles is famous for many things. It's the most desirable vacation spot in the universe and is present on almost everyone's bucket list. But there's more you can do in the city than just spend time near the beaches or stroll the parks.
Wondering what we're talking about? Well, it's touring the newly opened Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.
What's the Academy Museum?
After a decade's wait, on September 30, 2021, finally, movie lovers got a place they can call “Heaven on Earth.” Designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano and constructed by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), the Academy Museum pays tribute to different aspects of the global film industry and includes collections dating back to 1927. The most impressive thing about the institution is its board of trustees, which includes award-winning personalities like Tom Hanks, Laura Dern, Whoopi Goldberg, Ryan Murphy, and many more.
Interesting facts about the Academy Museum
Hearing about the museum, you might feel like packing your bag and leaving for the place immediately. But before you make that move, there are things you must know about the structure.
#1 - It’s created with awareness in mind
While most structures are built with tourism and profit in mind, the Academy Museum focuses on making people aware of the film industry's legacy. The galleries in the museum are filled with movie memorabilia like Jeff Bridges’ tattered robe from The Big Lebowski or Judy Garland's ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz, or Florence Pugh's May Queen dress from Midsommar.
#2 - It was a humongous and costly project
It doesn't take a genius to understand that building something extraordinary like the Academy Museum would cost a lot. In 2000, when Washington D.C.’s National Portrait Gallery closed for renovation, it was estimated that the project would be completed within two years at a cost of around $42 million. However, it took seven years for the gallery to stand on its feet, and the overall cost was nearly $300 million. Now coming back to the Academy Museum, it cost $484 million, and trust us every single penny was worth it!
#3 - It adds a kick to your taste buds
If you imagined the museum as a regular one with only artifacts and no fun element, you're dead wrong! This museum has a good amount of eateries too. A two-story or approximately 10,000-square-foot area is dedicated to a European-style café named Fanny's. Again, the café is dubbed after Fanny Brice, a talented model, singer, comedian, and theater and film actress.
#4 - It emphasizes literature
Usually, when people visit museums, they find placards describing the artworks. But that's not the case with the Academy Museum. Here, most of the pieces don't need any introduction. Moreover, there's an entire section dedicated to casting in films and includes handwritten notes from renowned directors. So you see, you can even learn what your idols were thinking when they worked on a particular project.
Wrapping it up
Now that you know what the museum is like, we're sure you will plan to visit it. When you do so, don't forget to share your experience with us. Happy Journey!