I <3 LA: Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
It’s no surprise that Los Angeles is home to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. The nexus of the entertainment industry, LA has dozens of movie studios spanning Burbank to Culver City. For those interested in studying cinematic arts, there’s no better place to be than in the heart of it all. There are tons of internship opportunities—whether at an agency, on the set of a movie or TV show, or for a production house. Plus, with seven undergraduate majors, our School of Cinematic Arts is often regarded as the top school of its kind.
My husband went through USC’s screenwriting program and I’m a TV aficionado, so we’re naturally drawn to various forms of cinematic arts. Though it opened in 2021, we had never been to the Academic Museum of Motion Pictures. The museum is a quick metro ride on the Expo line (with two stops serving USC) to a bus that takes you straight down Wilshire Boulevard.
The huge structure is fitting for a museum of its kind. On the corner of Wilshire and Fairfax, the building has a tall gold cylinder, reminiscent of an Oscar statue. $15 will get you access to permanent and rotating exhibits. For an extra $5, you can have what they call “The Oscar Experience,” where you get to pretend you’ve won an Oscar. You walk on stage at the Dolby Theatre, where you hold a real statuette while receiving a standing ovation from a fake crowd. If you plan to study cinematic arts, this is a must. For free, you can take a picture sitting at the desk of Vito Corleone from The Godfather in a replica of the film’s famous office.
While we were there, we went to see Dorothy’s iconic ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz, along with other important costumes from the film. There was an exhibit all about Jaws and Pixar’s Toy Story (one of my favorites growing up). I most enjoyed the exhibit on Norma Jeane Mortenson, better known as Marilyn Monroe, and how she invented her public persona. And, as a huge fan of Korean entertainment, the exhibit on Bong Joon Ho, who work the Academy Award for Parasite, was a must.
If you’re visiting campus, are a film lover, and have a little extra time to spend in Los Angeles, this unique Museum is a can’t miss!
Written by: Anne Aubert-Santelli, Associate Director, USC Office of Admission