Topic: Heath and Jake: AMPAS Membership Invitations

[Jennis]

July 5, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Leslie Unger

Academy Invites 120 to Membership

Beverly Hills, CA — The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has extended membership invitations to 120 artists and executives who have distinguished themselves in the field of theatrical motion pictures. The group will be the only new voting members invited to join the organization in 2006.

“Two years ago the Academy decided to slow membership growth, and to become even more selective in choosing members,” said Academy President Sid Ganis. “Instead of inviting every proposed person who has achieved the minimum qualifications for his or her branch, the membership committees are selecting the most exceptionally qualified names from those lists.”

Procedures instituted two years ago allow the organization to fill vacancies resulting from death and transitions to retired (non-voting) status and grow by a maximum of 30 new members annually.

Candidates for Academy membership are considered by committees made up of prominent representatives of each of the organization’s 14 branches — art directors, executives, film editors, etc. Candidates can either be proposed by the committees or by two current members of their branch. In addition, individuals nominated for Academy Awards®, if not already members of the organization, are considered by the appropriate committees, though not necessarily invited to membership. This year, 39 of the invitees were 2005 nominees and eight won Oscars®.

Though the great majority of AMPAS members are based in the U.S., membership is open to qualified filmmakers around the world. The Academy roster currently includes theatrical motion picture makers from 36 countries.

New members will be welcomed into the organization at an invitation-only reception on Wednesday, September 20, at the Academy’s Fairbanks Center for Motion Picture Study in Beverly Hills.


ACTORS          
Amy Adams          
Eric Bana       
Maria Bello     
Dakota Fanning         
Jake Gyllenhaal       
Terrence Howard         
Felicity Huffman          
Keira Knightley     
Heath Ledger    
Hayley Mills    Randi Hiller       
Barry Pepper          
Joaquin Phoenix          
Jon Polito       
Ving Rhames       
Liev Schreiber          
David Strathairn       
Rachel Weisz


Link to full article:
http://www.oscars.org/press/pressreleases/2006/06.07.01a.html

[dirtbiker]

Even though I don't have much respect for AMPAS anymore mainly because of the long time conservative bigots in it, if Heath & Jake and other younger progressive folks were to accept the invitations, it will at least help sway this stodgy group.

[Jennis]

Even though I don't have much respect for AMPAS anymore mainly because of the long time conservative bigots in it, if Heath & Jake and other younger progressive folks were to accept the invitations, it will at least help sway this stodgy group.

I don't really know anything about AMPAS,so what does being invited to be a member actually entail?And Dakota is just a child,so age doessnt come into it either.It that correct?

As it's an invite Heath and Jake don't actually have to accept do they?

Jennis.x

[dirtbiker]

Even though I don't have much respect for AMPAS anymore mainly because of the long time conservative bigots in it, if Heath & Jake and other younger progressive folks were to accept the invitations, it will at least help sway this stodgy group.

I don't really know anything about AMPAS,so what does being invited to be a member actually entail?And Dakota is just a child,so age doessnt come into it either.It that correct?

As it's an invite Heath and Jake don't actually have to accept do they?

Jennis.x

Jennis, I wouldn't really know what it means to be invited.  I suppose they could decline membership but chances are they would accept for political reasons.  If you don't already know, AMPAS members vote on the Oscars.

[Jennis]

Even though I don't have much respect for AMPAS anymore mainly because of the long time conservative bigots in it, if Heath & Jake and other younger progressive folks were to accept the invitations, it will at least help sway this stodgy group.

I don't really know anything about AMPAS,so what does being invited to be a member actually entail?And Dakota is just a child,so age doesn't come into it either.It that correct?

As it's an invite Heath and Jake don't actually have to accept do they?

Jennis.x

Jennis, I wouldn't really know what it means to be invited.  I suppose they could decline membership but chances are they would accept for political reasons.  If you don't already know, AMPAS members vote on the Oscars.

Oh i see.Seems odd then to invite Dakota at 12 years old?
Thanks for that though

Jennis.x

[*Froggy*]

Congrats to the boys anyway, thankx for posting Jennis x

[tpe]

Not to sound negative here, because our Boys deserve every honor.

But personally, I care not for AMPAS and their hypocrisy.  I have no love for them.  I wish that both actors decline the invitation. 

But I must be pragmatic in my reaction. I know both of them will be pragmatic about this.  And this is perhaps for the best.

[frances]

ACTORS          
Amy Adams          
Eric Bana       
Maria Bello     
Dakota Fanning         
Jake Gyllenhaal       
Terrence Howard         
Felicity Huffman          
Keira Knightley     
Heath Ledger    
Hayley Mills    Randi Hiller       
Barry Pepper          
Joaquin Phoenix          
Jon Polito       
Ving Rhames       
Liev Schreiber          
David Strathairn       
Rachel Weisz

They are in good company at least. Thank you Jennis for sharing.

[lamusica]

I certainly hope both of our guys accept the invitation.  It's only through the membership of courageous artists like these two that anything will ever change in the Academy.  I am so tired of people voting, then admitting they did not watch the nominated offerings!  To me, that is a sin.  How can anyone vote with any integrity if he/she hasn't had the courtesy of watching all the nominations.  I think Heath and Jake will be much more honest and responsible in their membership.  We need more members like them if the Oscars are to continue to mean anything at all.

[tpe]

I certainly hope both of our guys accept the invitation.  It's only through the membership of courageous artists like these two that anything will ever change in the Academy.  I am so tired of people voting, then admitting they did not watch the nominated offerings!  To me, that is a sin.  How can anyone vote with any integrity if he/she hasn't had the courtesy of watching all the nominations.  I think Heath and Jake will be much more honest and responsible in their membership.  We need more members like them if the Oscars are to continue to mean anything at all.

Agreed.  They will be like a breath of fresh air.