How to win an Oscar

By Kaye Foley

The nominations are in, and Hollywood is gearing up for its biggest night — the Academy Awards. The grand finale of award season is filled with fashion, fun and, of course, competition.

The annual Oscar race proves that it takes more than making a great movie to win big. Some actors and actresses appear to have the Midas touch, turning every movie into Oscar gold.

Meryl Streep has been nominated 19 times and has won three awards. Jack Nicholson has received 12 nominations and has also taken home the prize three times. But some of the greats, surprisingly, have never snagged a statue. Glenn Close has had six nominations, but has zero wins.

So what’s the key to cracking the Oscar code?

First things first: Grab the attention of the members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences with some tried-and-true Oscar bait. True stories, historical dramas and films about desperate situations are always a good route to go.

The next step is to turn on the charm and kick-off the campaign. Studios and stars schmooze members of the Academy at special screenings, breakfasts, parties and receptions. Not to mention the numerous “for your consideration” ads placed in industry magazines to remind everyone why their movie deserves the top honors.

Whether you’re looking to add that gold statuette to your mantel at home or not, at least after watching this video, come Oscar Sunday you’ll be able to say, “Now I Get It.”