1:ib The Michigan Daily eeke d, £tC. Aeazine -"- tf rsday, March' 18: 1999 - o'. Alb_ 1. 1114 Th wi vicinily .-I ekend{{e.a Magazin - {wsM(.{{V -Z ~M aci.-1999W- ,A Academy members sport diverse film experience, Impressive resumes A f By Kristn Long Daily Arts Writer We've all heard it a million times: In acceptance speeches, statuette recipients proudly declare: "I'd like to thank the Academy." But for many folks outside of Hollywood's inner circle, knowing just who or what their favorite stars are thank- ing isn't that simple. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which bestows top honors to the year's best films, is an illustrious body of the acknowledged contributors to the film making industry. Because the organization does not release a formal list of members, the exact number of eligible voting members is unknown - although most believe it does sport more than 6,000 of film's celebrated characters. The Academy was created in May, 1927 and consisted of 36 members of executives and what the Academy calls, "film luminaries of the time." Its aims were to "advance the sciences of motion pictures," to celebrate outstanding cine- matic works and to organize the creative t j (\ minds behind the silver screen. Now, members are categorized into 13 branches representing the various limbs of the filmmaking tree: Actors, art direc- tors, cinematographers, directors, execu- tives, film editors, music, producers, pub- lic relations, short films and feature ani- mation, sound, visual effects and writers. While many organizations are a "sign- -'em-up, take-the-money and keep-'em- on-file group;' Academy membership is not open to everyone. Membership is by invitation of the Board of Governors, and is limited to those who have "achieved distinction in the arts and sciences of motion pictures." In his book, "The Envelope, Please" Arnold Wayne Jones writes that first- time nominees are invited to join, because it makes sense that candidates should be allowed to vote for themselves. Other criteria include persons whose credits meet the "high" standards of the Academy, achievement of "unique dis- tinction, earning of special merit or mak- ing an outstanding contribution to film" After a prospective member has proved that he or she ranks among the industry's finest, the candidate must gar- ner the sponsorship of at least two mem- Ballroom Class 5:30; 7:00. Dance 8:00 Sundays Michigan Union Ballroom. Courtesy of ABC 71st Annual Academy Awards Show host Whoople Goldberg poses with Oscar. bers of the respective branch for which they qualify. Then, the individual must receive a favorable endorsement from that branch's executive committee before even being submitted to the Board of Governors for approval of an invitation. .., I Why A Banquet??? * To Award the Accomplishments of UMME. U . Recognize excellence in your peers.T * For all you last minute ME people who still need to U get a Summer Internship! M Break the ice with your professors.M Saturday March 20th, 1999 - 5:30 - 7:30pm Michigan Union Anderson Room Students must register by March 12th: $5 Call 3-9395 or mackk@engin.umich.edu UnivesitatFhrc-t The actual voting is restricted to active and life Academy members. Those members who have garnered life membership have received a unani- mous vote of approval by the Board of Governors, have full membership priv- ileges and they pay no dues. The pay- ment of dues allows active members a vote and sustains one's membership within the prestigious group. When it comes to nominating time (Jan. 8 - Jan. 29), Jones reports that members of each branch nominate within their field, and a few special merit films are nominated across branches. During the nominating peri- od, members of each respective branch receive a list of all eligible productions, and then are asked to vote for not more than five deemed the best of the year. These rules aren't uniform through- out the Academy, though. The rules for Documentary nominations, for exam- ple, differ slightly in that volunteers from the entire Academy membership vote on the submitted films, and the nominees are chosen from their selec- tion process. All active and life mem- bers nominate and vote for Best Picture. When all this is said and done, one might think that the Academy would be most in tune with the year's greatest accomplishments. So why is it we end up throwing our hands in the air more often than not? Jones notes that because the entire Academy membership (regardless of their branch) can cast a final vote, "there's not even a requirement that you have seen all (or any) of the nominated films you vote for, except in special- ized categories (shorts and documen- taries)." 1200 S. University at Church St. 734-994-9401 A adidas Your Authorized Original Adidas Retailer For All of Your Footwear Needs From Funky Fashion to Cozy Comfort We Also Carry Birkenstock, Doc Martens. Vans, Nike, Dansko, Fluevog. Aluro & Many More Now Carrying a Full line of Adidas clothing and accessories. Coming Soon: Puma Look Your Best For That Big Job interview Dascola Barbers 615 E.Liberty Off State 41-F 8.30-5:20 Sat Til 4:20pm No Appointments Needed 322 E. Liberty 734-662-9401 217 S. Main St. 734-741-9401 a.