The Academy created a production and technology branch

With the 2023 Academy Awards firmly in the rearview mirror, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the creation of a new production and technology branch. It is intended to represent those working in key technical and production positions in all phases of filmmaking, from pre-production to post-production. The branch currently consists of approximately 400 people, who were previously classified as large members.

Jobs under the production and technology branch include chief technology officers, senior department heads of technology and creative services, and conservation and restoration specialists, as well as recognized production roles including stunt coordinators, script supervisors, choreographers, music supervisors, and visual artists. , line producers and associate producers.

“The aim of the new branch is to have people from different backgrounds be part of the Academy, not only the classical arts, but also the science heavy and tech inclusive group, who excel in their respective fields,” said an academy member. IndieWire. “It is a more specific account definition across a wide range of members and is more inclusive. For example, colorists, script supervisors, and stunt coordinators who don’t have a branch definition will now have one. Also, new members do not need to be in the respective branches to be admitted to the Academy.”

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To receive an invitation to the production and technology branch, a candidate must have been actively involved in theatrical motion picture arts and sciences in a key creative or technical position for the past eight years.

If production is his profession, the candidate must also appear in at least eight theatrical feature films that, in the opinion of the executive committee, reflect the high standards of the Academy. If they hold a position as a leader in a subfield of production or film technology, they must hold it for five consecutive years to be eligible for an Academy invitation.

The applicant may have made a scientific and/or technological contribution that created leading creative tools and/or systems for the crafts involved in creating the theatrical motion picture experience, or received or directly participated in a scientific and technical academic award. in the last eight years, not exclusively in an administrative position, in the preservation and/or restoration of the inherited and current content of motion pictures and/or recorded sound, or finally, based on the decision of the Production and Technology Executive Committee, has achieved a unique award, gained special merit, or made an outstanding contribution to motion picture art or science in the fields described above.

With the establishment of the Production and Technology Department, the Academy has a total of 18 branches representing all areas of the film industry. For the 2023-2024 fiscal year, only one member from Production and Technology is currently being elected to the Board of Governors, with the hope that this person will help broaden the Academy’s perspective in board discussions.

The creation of the branch is a sign that the Academy’s game is to move forward with the industry to ensure new voices and professions are represented, and how changes to the governance structure can best support this development.

The last time the Academy established a new branch, in 2013, was the branch of Casting Directors, right after the documentary “Casting By” which called for an Oscar for the casting. The inclusion of stunt coordinators in the new production and technology branch is particularly noteworthy, as there has been a major movement in recent years to establish an Oscar for stunts. As the Academy continues to make changes, it looks like the Academy is well on its way to at least talking about establishing some of the Oscars that fans have been asking for.

Additional reporting by Bill Desowitz and Anne Thompson.

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