If you love movies, visit the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. After a delay due to the coronavirus, the museum was finally able to open last September. However, despite being open for nearly a year, it’s among LA’s most popular new attractions. What’s more, it’s the largest museum devoted to the art of filmmaking, along with its artists.
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
6067 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 930-3000
Where Is The Academy of Motion Pictures?
You can find the Academy Museum at the corner of South Fairfax Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles. The museum occupies the historic Saban Building, formerly the May Company Building. Next door is the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). Just across the street from Wilshire is the Petersen Automobile Museum. Because there is a collection of museums in this area, it’s known as Museum Row.
Is There Parking Onsite?
There are many parking lots within a short walk of the museum. The most convenient lot is the Pritzker Garage at LACMA. The garage is on Sixth Street and costs $20 for all-day parking. On busy days, you may see valet service to accommodate traffic flow. There are pay stations where you can pay the parking fee. Another convenient parking lot is at the Petersen Museum. You can access the lot via South Fairfax Avenue. After parking, you can walk through the automobile museum to Wilshire Boulevard. From there, you can walk to the entrance on South Fairfax. If you visit the Petersen Museum, parking is $17 and $21 for non-visitors.
Public Transportation
The Academy Museum recommends that you take public transportation or a rideshare service if that’s possible. Regarding LA Metro buses, route 786 has stops on both sides of Wilshire Boulevard. Another route, 217, has a bus stop alongside the Petersen Museum on South Fairfax Avenue. Unfortunately, there isn’t an LA Metro subway station nearby. The closest is the Wilshire/Rodeo Station, about 2.3 miles away. On the other hand, if you use rideshare, there is a designated stop at Roddenberry Lane, off Fairfax.
How Much Is Admission To The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures?
General admission for adults is $25 and $19 for older adults. For college students, the admission price is $15. On the other hand, if you have children 17 years or younger, admission is free. In addition to children, members of the museum have free admission. One option you or your family may like is the Oscars Experience. The price for the Oscars Experience is $15, along with the general admission price. Please note that you must select a day and time to visit when you purchase. The policy of time entries is in place until further notice. Please also note that even children 17 and under must have a ticket with a timed entry.
Are There Any Health Restrictions?
There is a health desk currently set up at the entrance. At the health desk, you must provide proof of COVID vaccination. If that isn’t handy, you must give a self-attestation and evidence of a negative test. Please note that the entrance is not on Wilshire Boulevard. Instead, you will see signs directing you around the corner to South Fairfax Avenue. After walking a few steps on South Fairfax, you will see the entrance on the right-hand side. You must wear a protective mask indoors until further notice.
How Long Does It Take To Walk Through The Academy Museum?
Once you arrive at your designated time, you can spend as much time as you like at the museum. However, the average time spent for visitors is approximately two hours. Of course, your visit can be less or much more than two hours. Of course, if you attend a special event such as a movie showing, your visit will be much longer.
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Am I Able To Take Photos and Videos?
Much like any other museum, you can take photos for non-commercial use. On the other hand, you cannot use flash photography at any time. The policy does not mention filming videos as long as they are not intended for commercial use. However, the exception is if you are attending a special event. In this case, you may be unable to take photos, audio, or videos.
Does The Academy Museum Have An App?
Yes, it does! You can download the app directly from the museum website. You can also download the iOS version from the App Store and Android from Google Play. This handy app can help you guide your way through the collection. You might find something you may have missed while visiting. The Academy Museum app is compatible with all iOS or Android mobile devices.
What Should I See At The Academy Museum?
Dolby Family Terrace
Because there are multiple floors, you can decide where to start. You should see the exhibits and the Dolby Family Terrace at the top level. Just take the elevator to the top. Once there, you will walk across the Barbra Streisand Bridge, which connects the building to the terrace. If you continue across the terrace to the railing, you can enjoy terrace views of Los Angeles. That’Terraceo mentions a glimpse of the iconic Hollywood sign in the distance. Because the Terrace is a special events venue, there may be times when this section of the terrace is unavailable to visitors. After you leave the Academy Museum, look at the Dolby Terrace’s glass dome.
The Collection
The primary levels are where you will be spending most of your visit. After all, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures has an extensive collection of movie memorabilia. For instance, you can see a pair of ruby slippers by Judy Garland in the “Wizard of Oz.” This is the pair the actress wore when she clicked her shoes and said, “There’s no place like home.” If that’s not enough, you will see an outfit worn by Jeff Bridges in comedy movie “The Big Lebowski”. Even further, you get to see the gladiator outfit worn by Russell Crowe and the yellow dress worn by Emma Stone in “La La Land.”
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Vintage Costumes/Movie Props
Of course, outfits from the Golden Era of Hollywood are on display. For example, you see an outfit and headdress worn by Carmen Miranda. In the same section you will see Marlon Brando’s outfit from “Mutiny on the Bounty” and a prop from “Citizen Kane”.
Oscar Collection
Several Oscars are on display in a section that’s bound to get larger over time. In fact, among these Academy Awards is Sidney Poitier’s Oscar for Best Actor. That’s not to mention the Academy Award for Special Effects given to the FX team for Star Wars. Yet another impressive Oscar on display is Alfonso Cuarón’s award as Best Director.
Exhibits
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures features ongoing permanent and temporary exhibits for public view.
Museum Stories
Currently on view in the Museum Stories section is a tribute to director Spike Lee. “The Art of Moviemaking: Spike Lee” is an insightful exhibit chronicling his career. The exhibit features several galleries with movie memorabilia. For example, on a wall are movie posters, photos, and handbills about some of his “heroes and sheroes.” In another section, you can see some clothing he wore in his landmark movie “Do the Right Thing.” Yet another section has musical instruments and clapboards.
The Path To Cinema: The Richard Balzer Collection
This exhibit features vintage devices dating from the 17th to 19th century. This enormous collection comes from Richard Balzer, chairman of the Magic Lantern Society. The exhibit shows pre-cinema gadgets, such as zoetropes and the world’s first film projector. In addition, there are optical devices like peepshows and magic lanterns. Balzar’s wife Patricia donated this collection to the Academy Museum and Library.
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Backdrop: Invisible Art
If you’re a fan of Alfred Hitchcock movies, you must see this exhibit. The authentic Mount Rushmore backdrop used for “North by Northwest” is displayed across two levels. If you recall, Mount Rushmore was shown multiple times in this iconic Hitchcock thriller. For example, in the scene where Cary Grant, James Mason, and Eva Marie Saint are inside the park’s restaurant, images and rare artifacts from the film are on the top level of the exhibit.
Regeneration: Black Cinema 1898-1971
This new exhibit on black cinema will cover the entire fourth floor and will also feature Baltimore, a three-screen DVD installation by Isaac Julien Studio. The scheduled opening date for this highly anticipated exhibit is August 21, 2022.
Oscar Experience
If you’ve ever wanted to make an acceptance speech at the Academy Awards, visit the Oscar Experience. A $15 add-on to your general admission ticket allows you to make that speech. In this case, you walk up to the staff at the entrance and then have the ticket scanned. You then type in your email and the name you wish to have for this presentation. Then, you are filmed holding onto an Oscar while making your speech. In front of you is a large audience that honors you for your coveted award. That video is then sent to the email you provided.
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Fanny’s Café and Bar
Also on the historic property is Fanny’s Café and Bar. This impressive upscale restaurant is named after vaudeville star Fanny Brice. If the name’s not instantly recognizable, you may remember the 1968 movie “Funny Girl” starring Barbara Streisand. The restaurant has an extensive food and drink menu open for brunch and dinner. In some detail, you can order items like Caprese quiche ($9), Caesar salad ($15), or chicken club ($16). For dinner, you may like spinach linguine ($23), torched yellowtail ($21), or rib-eye ($62). You can order signature cocktails from the bar, like Easy Rider ($19) and Some Like it Hot ($18).
Academy Museum Store
To complete your visit, you should stop by the Academy Museum Store. Near the entrance, you will find all sorts of souvenirs, branded clothing, and more. You can even purchase a replica of the Academy Award. For example, you can see the Oscar on keychains, snow globes, shopping totes, and holiday ornaments. Of course, you can always visit the online store if you don’t have time to visit.
Film Screenings
In addition to its collection, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures has two entertainment venues onsite. For instance, you have the 288-seat Ted Mann Theater and the 1000-seat David Geffen Theater. Each of the theaters will host several events year-long. For example, the 1995 film “Babe” will screen at the Tedd Mann Theater this month. That was followed by the 1990 sci-fi film “Total Recall”. Moreover, the museum has been the setting for many recent movie premieres. In this case, “Last Night in Soho”, “Belfast” and “House of Gucci” had their premieres here.
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About The Author
Randy Yagi is an award-winning freelance writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS from 2012 to 2019. More than 900 of his stories still appear in syndication across 23 CBS websites, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco. During his peak years with CBS, Randy had a reported digital audience reach of 489 million and 5.5 million monthly visitors. Additionally, his stories have appeared in the Daily Meal, CBS News, CBS Radio, Engadget and Radio.com. He earned a Media Fellowship from Stanford University in 2012.