Beverly Hills, CA – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is extending invitations to join the organization to 134 artists and executives who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to theatrical motion pictures. Those who accept the invitation will be the only additions in 2009 to the Academy’s roster of voting members.
“These filmmakers have, over the course of their careers, captured the imagination of audiences around the world,” said Academy President Sid Ganis. “It’s this kind of talent and creativity that make up the Academy, and I welcome each of them to our ranks.”
The Academy’s membership would have allowed a maximum of 166 new members in 2009, but as in the previous years, the several branch committees endorsed fewer candidates than were proposed to them. Voting membership in the organization has now held steady at just under 6,000 members since 2003.
New members will be welcomed into the Academy at an invitation-only reception at the Academy’s Fairbanks Center for Motion Picture Study in Beverly Hills in September.
The 2009 invitees are:
Actors Casey Affleck Emily Blunt Michael Cera Viola Davis James Franco Brendan Gleeson Anne Hathaway Taraji P. Henson Emile Hirsch Hugh Jackman Melissa Leo Jane Lynch Eddie Marsan James McAvoy Seth Rogen Paul Rudd Amy Ryan Michael Shannon Michelle Williams Jeffrey Wright
Animators J.J. Blumenkranz Konstantin Bronzit Kendal Cronkhite Rodolphe Guenoden Byron Howard Kunio Kato Doug Sweetland Chris Williams
Art Directors Andrew Ackland-Snow
At-Large Matthew D. Loeb Redmond Morris
Casting Directors John Papsidera Bernie Telsey
Cinematographers Russ T. Alsobrook Anthony Dod Mantle Henner Hofmann Claudio Miranda Rodney Taylor Mandy Walker
Costume Designers Deborah Hopper Louise Mingenbach Michael O’Connor Michael Wilkinson
Directors Rachid Bouchareb Danny Boyle David Frankel Rod Lurie Thomas McCarthy Tyler Perry Henry Selick
Documentary William Gazecki Rachel Grady Rory Kennedy Scott Hamilton Kennedy James Marsh Megan Mylan Doug Pray
Executives Daniel D.A. Battsek Steve Beeks Graham W. Burke Joe Drake Erik Feig Paul Hanneman Donald P. Harris Claudia Lewis
Film Editors Roger Barton Hank Corwin Chris Dickens Elliot Graham Kathryn Himoff Leo Trombetta Brent White Pam Wise
Live Action Short Films Reto Caffi Jochen Alexander Freydank F. Carter Pilcher
Makeup and Hairstylists Howard Berger Mike Elizalde Louis Lazzara Gerald Quist
Music Jeff Danna Andrew Dorfman Peter Gabriel Clint Mansell A.R. Rahman
Producers Mark Ciardi Christian Colson Gordon Gray Broderick Johnson Cathy Konrad Andrew Kosove James Lassiter Russell Smith Paula Wagner
Production Designers Donald Graham Burt Michael Carlin Jane Ann Stewart Kevin Thompson
Public Relations Michael D. Camp Marc Cohen Megan Colligan James C. Gallagher David Kaminow Sal Ladestro Maria Pekurovskaya Elizabeth Petit
Set Decorators Rebecca Alleway Peter Lando Barbara Munch-Cameron
Scenic Artists Robert Topol
Sound Michael Barry Derek Casari Aaron Glasc0ck Ren Klyce Peter F. Kurland Karen Baker Landers Hamilton Sterling Deborah Wallach Kim Waugh
Visual Effects Christopher Bond Matthew Butler Chris Corbould Rob Engle Scott Gordon Hal Hickel Van Ling Shane Mahan Steve Preeg Tim Webber Edson Williams
Writers John August Dustin Lance Black Courtney Hunt Howard A. Rodman
For those wondering about male/female parity coming anytime soon:
Only 25 of the 134 are definitely women; a few others have names that might be. So the overwhelmingly male nature of the Academy continues (which reflects the work force unfortunately of the industry).
I'm a little surprised that Michael Cera is being invited to be a member based on his age and the teen-aged oriented movies he makes... even if one of those teen movies was a best picture nominee.
Posts: 27161 | Location: Phoenix, AZ | Registered: February 02, 2003
One gets into the branch one submits his application to, and there aren't a lot of black directors in the Academy. He also makes very successful movies, works with a lot of acclaimed actors.
Originally posted by seanflynn: One gets into the branch one submits his application to, and there aren't a lot of black directors in the Academy. He also makes very successful movies, works with a lot of acclaimed actors.
So bones are thrown to people by inviting them to be members for making successful movies even if successful movies are avoided like the plague when it comes time to nominate or reward them. Gotta love the hypocrisy or blatant elitism there.
So are Richard Jenkins and Mickey Rourke already members since it looks pretty much all of this year's acting nominees are either invited this year or are probably already members?
FYC: "Up" for Best Picture and Kathryn Bigelow for Best Director
Originally posted by seanflynn: One gets into the branch one submits his application to, and there aren't a lot of black directors in the Academy. He also makes very successful movies, works with a lot of acclaimed actors.
So bones are thrown to people by inviting them to be members for making successful movies even if successful movies are avoided like the plague when it comes time to nominate or reward them. Gotta love the hypocrisy or blatant elitism there.
So are Richard Jenkins and Mickey Rourke already members since it looks pretty much all of this year's acting nominees are either invited this year or are probably already members?
Isn't inviting a director of very popular but not highly critically acclaimed films the opposite of elitism? Sounds like populism to me.
I believe Richard Jenkins was invited to be a member a few years ago. Would not be surprised if Mickey Rourke became a member in the 1980s when he gave several acclaimed performances.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: pacinofan,
Posts: 27161 | Location: Phoenix, AZ | Registered: February 02, 2003
It's odd that Casey Affleck and Amy Ryan became more desirable now as new members than after they were nominated when both had the body of work to merit the consideration back then. If Michael Cera's up for this, then Ellen Page should be too (hopefully applies next year). I wish they had thrown a bone to Sally Hawkins here, but yay for Eddie Marsan, Anne Hathaway, Viola Davis, Jeffrey Wright, Brendan Gleeson, and James McAvoy, among others. Now the guessing game can end with Michelle Williams since she's in. I generally like most of the mentions. Look at Hugh up there! It's nice to see some younger blood there like Emile Hirsch, James Franco, Paul Rudd, and Emily Blunt. Seth Rogen gets the "really?" slot. Also pleased for Anthony Dod Mantle, Michael O'Connor, Danny Boyle, Tyler Perry, Thomas McCarthy (hope that Richard Jenkins is already a member), Rory Kennedy, A.R. Rahman, Courtney Hunt, and Dustin Lance Black.
Congratulations, Primetime Emmy Winners!
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Posts: 24733 | Location: North Carolina, USA | Registered: April 11, 2005
It's part of making the Academy diverse. They do not invite people just because they are successful. There are far lest qualified members of the directors branch than Tyler Perry. And in any event, doesn't more of the criticism of him come from his writing than his directing? His films are at least competent, and he does as part of his directing duties oversee quite a few decent performances (and yes, some seem over the top).
A white director with his level of output also would have been invited.
Yes, thanks pacinofan. Populism was the word I meant to use instead of elitism. I mixed up my intentions there.
Rourke must have slipped in back in the 80s give how he pretty much vanished during the 90s and 2000s. Given that he was considered to be neck-and-neck with Penn to win this year, it would seem amiss if he was excluded.
Without double-checking some of the technical groups, it looks like all of the branches invited their respective nominees from this past year which I fully endorse.
quote:
Originally posted by seanflynn: It's part of making the Academy diverse. They do not invite people just because they are successful. There are far lest qualified members of the directors branch than Tyler Perry. And in any event, doesn't more of the criticism of him come from his writing than his directing? His films are at least competent, and he does as part of his directing duties oversee quite a few decent performances (and yes, some seem over the top).
A white director with his level of output also would have been invited.
I don't have a problem with this.
We have different standards I guess related to his abilities as a director. Nothing wrong with that. It almost seems to me that he is now the Academy's version of "Token" from South Park, no offense to Spike Lee.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: LonePirate,
FYC: "Up" for Best Picture and Kathryn Bigelow for Best Director
I am very glad to see Michelle Williams there. Assuming she applied when she was nominated (she may not have) I hated that she was the only nominee who didn't join. It's unfortunate that she gets announced in a year when she should have been nominated but wasn't, but better late than never.
I am also glad to see Courtney Hunt there. It makes sense that she was invited into the writing branch, but given the directing skill she showed with Frozen River, I would prefer her be a member of that branch instead. God knows we need more acknowledgment of female directors.
Normally one needs more than one credit to be invited; as a writing nominee this year, an exception was made to be included in that branch. There was no chance she would have been deemed eligible at this point in the directing branch.
I like several of Rod Lurie's movies so good for him.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: BTN,
WILLIAM PETERSEN: Well, this is a shock. The only explanation for this is that somehow in the last year, every one of you tried to act with rubber gloves and tweezers.
Posts: 6617 | Location: NY | Registered: December 01, 2002
Originally posted by seanflynn: Normally one needs more than one credit to be invited; as a writing nominee this year, an exception was made to be included in that branch. There was no chance she would have been deemed eligible at this point in the directing branch.
I know she wouldn't be. I just mean long term it would be a nice placement given how impressive her directing debut was and how nice it would be to have additional female directors.
The screenwriting membership would make the directing membership seem unlikely at any point (how often do members switch?), which, as a fan, I find disappointing. Just some musing on my part - that is all.
On a somewhat similar note, I a little surprised to see Thomas McCarthy recognized as a director rather than a writer.
Some bizarro choices, but after the new 10 BP nominees rule, nothing surprises. So, funny boys yes, good actors NO. And evidently being a rich and successful director counts far more than being a good director.
