There are a number of stories about how the Oscar statue got his name. One story suggests a secretary thought the statue looked like her Uncle Oscar. Another story suggests actress Bette Davis, upon winning a statue, remarked the statue had a very similar buttocks to her husband Oscar.
Is there power in a name? Give an example.
Mary did not recognize Jesus until He said her name.
In Isaiah, God says, “I have called you buy your name.”
Saul’s name was changed to Paul.
Simon’s name was changed to Peter.
People believed if you could name something you had power over it. When Moses said, “Who do I say sent me?” God answered, “Tell them I AM sent you.”
God does not give up His name.
What does your name mean? Is it a family name? Would you ever consider changing it?
There is great power and influence in the Oscar statue. If you have one, you get more opportunities and more money, but it also can be a curse. Can you think of an equivalent in your life?
Did you ever win a trophy? What does it look like? What did you win it for?
Although the actors, actresses, director and best picture awards are usually the focus of the program, there are some other awards we should look at. Check out these awards and look at the descriptions. If life were a movie, to whom would you give an award?
Animation: This is about creating movement frame by frame. Sometimes life is about micro-movements. What frame have you recently completed that moves you toward a life goal?
Art Direction: This is the visual language of a film. Look at any of the Dark Knight Series compared with movies susch as The Sound of Music. The overall look of the film is the art direction. What movie art direction is closest to you life? Who sets up the art direction for you? When was the last time you changed your art direction?
Costumes and Make Up: How do you choose your look? Who has the most influence on what you wear or how you comb your hair? Does it matter? Have you ever looked around your high school and wondered why so many people look the same? How does your costume affect your character?
Documentaries: The official Academy Award website states that Documentaries are about searching for the truth. What was the most recent truth you had illuminated for you? Was it something you’ve always known or something you changed your thinking about?
Film Editing: Editing can change the speed of the story. It can change time and space within the movie. Look back on your life. Is there a scene you wish you could delete? Before you make a decision, think about how that scene has changed your present. When was the last time you thought back to a scene and thought, “I wish I had said _____________?”
Screenwriting: Who is most responsible for your story so far? At what point do you think most people take over writing duties of their own story? Is your life currently a:
a.) Summer Blockbuster in 3D
b.) Documentary
c.) Drama
d.) Animated
e.) Foreign Film
f.) Short subject
Sound and Music: The Academy says Sound and Music is there to enhance the story.
What role does music play in your life? Do you have a theme song? What is the most wonderful sound you have ever heard? What is the worst? For whose life are you the music? How do you enhance someone else’s story? If your belief/faith was music, how would it enhance you?
Visual Effects: These allow us to suspend disbelief to be further engaged in the story.
Who provides the flash and boom in your life? What is the most believable effect you’ve seen in a movie? How far are you willing to suspend disbelief for the story? No, a man can’t fly. A bike cannot soar across the moon. There is no such thing as a light saber. However, we are willing to toss logic out the window to enjoy the movie. Have you ever wanted to toss logic out the window in order to believe something you knew wasn’t true?
The Academy Awards website uses the subtitle “Seeing Is Believing” under the Visual Effects icon. Is this true? If a sign says, “Wet Paint,” do you touch it? What is faith?
Look at the list of this year’s Best Picture nominees.
War Horse
The Artist
Moneyball
The Descendants
Tree of Life
Midnight in Paris
Hugo
The Help
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Ignore what the movie was really about. It doesn’t matter if you’ve seen it. Choose a title that best represents your life right now. Choose a title that best represents where you’d like your life to go. Choose a title that you could write under your church name on the sign at the entrance. Which title best represents your current understanding of God?
