Virtual Tour of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

In recent days, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures has held the press conference and given the viewers a chance to enjoy the virtual tour. Moreover, the museum will be open to the public on September 30th this year. Now let’s explore the popular cultural attraction of Los Angeles in the days to come.

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

The museum is located in the northwestern part of Central Los Angeles, the world-renowned City of Film. It will be the biggest US institution dedicated to film, science and artists. The architect Renzo Piano who has won the Pritzker Prize was behind the fabulous design. The museum sits at the intersection of Wilshire Blvd and S Fairfax Ave., covering an area of 300,000 square feet (about 27,870 square meters). It’s composed of two buildings and one of them is the renovated and expanded May Company Building, a good example of streamlined modern architecture dating back to 1939. The name has been changed to Saban Building as a tribute to the benefactors Cheryl and Haim Saban. The other is the towering Sphere Building made of glass and concrete. It has been newly built in the north and the well-designed balcony boasts a good view of the Hollywood Hills.

The museum has exhibition areas covering more than 50,000 square feet (4,645 square meters), two theaters, one education studio with advanced technologies and other space used for holding public activities and special events.

Treasurable Exhibits

Ever since 2008, the museum has been trying to collect items relevant to 3D motion pictures. Now the number of such exhibits has exceeded 8,000 and they showcase film, costume design, production design, make-up, hairstyle design, promotion materials, mementoes and awards.

Location

◆ 6067 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036

◆ at the intersection of Wilshire Blvd and S Fairfax Ave.

◆ The new Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will complement the cultural center Miracle Mile together with LACMA, Petersen Automotive Museum, La Brea Tar Pits and Museum and Craft Contemporary around.

Transportation

◆ Self-Driving—Cars can stop at the garages nearby the museum.

◆ By Metro or by Bus—A number of metros stop by the museum, including Metro Local 20 and Rapid 720 on Wilshire Blvd as well as Metro Local 217 and Rapid 780 on S Fairfax Ave. All the bus stations are located nearby the museum.

◆ In 2023, Metro Purple Line Extension will add one station on Wilshire Blvd and S Fairfax Ave.

Events

-In 1939, May Company Building designed by Albert C. Martin and Samuel A. Marx was open to the public.

-In 1992, the streamlined original architecture was listed among the cultural and historic attractions in Los Angeles (No. 566).

-In May 2012, RPBW was appointed as the new architect of the museum. Studio Pali Fekete architects has made earlier contributions to the design concept.

-In October 2012, RPBW published the first design for public review.

-In October 2015, work began on the construction.

-In October 2020, the museum won the LEED Gold Certification.

-On September 30th, 2021, the museum will be open to the public.

Coverage

Total Coverage: 300,000 square feet (about 27,870 square meters)

Saban Building (the former May Company Building): 250,000 square feet (23,225 square meters)

Sphere Building: 45,000 square feet (4,180 square meters)

Main Design

The museum covering 300,000 square feet (27,870 square meters) includes:

◆ seven floors of immersive exhibition areas that are either forever preserved or temporarily used

◆ one education studio

◆ two theaters with advanced technologies

David Geffen Theater with 1000 seats is part of the Sphere Building. It offers speeches on film, film premieres highlighting the renowned producers or rising stars with great potential, and other well-received events.

Ted Mann Theater with 288 seats offers special programs and great films.

◆ other space used for holding public activities and special events, including the massive top-floor balcony, a balcony with Dolby designed for family gatherings.