Does this mean i'm an academy award film voting member?

[emilano]

I received a DVD in the mail from Focus features of Milk, with Sean Penn, currently in theaters. It says "For your consideration as an academy award voter" on it or something to that effect, but no other note was enclosed. I've had friends in SAG who were voters and would get like a hundred of the years films on DVD... Does this mean I am now one of those people? Anyone know how people are chosen or anything about how this works?

Thanks!
(either way, i'm pretty psyched to have a free copy of milk in my hands that I can watch in my studio rather than a theater!)

[garnoil]

I get these DVDs and complementary invitations to film premiers and special screenings. Unfortunately I am based out of Canada so it is hard to make these screenings which are mostly major American Cities. I also got MILK and Kongfu Panda, but I am an active member of CAS (Cinema Audio Society).

Regards

[Carl Kolchak]

As far as I know, you only get a vote if you've been nominated for an academy award yourself at some point, at least that's the case for the people that I know who have a vote - though that doesn't make them necessarily an expert opinion in categories out side of their own field, but that's a different matter.

I've got a bunch of those DVD's, but they didn't come with a nice big hamper full of expensive bribes, so I guess I definitely wont get a vote .

[dr sound]

Getting the DVD's is one of the advantages of being active CAS member.
That along with these free screening for CAS members:
http://www.CinemaAudioSociety.org/casawards/screenings/

As for being an "Academy Member", no you don't have to be nominated for an Oscar to become member, but it doesn't hurt.
It is pretty difficult to become a member. They only grant so many memberships in the "Sound branch".

[philper]

Originally Posted by emilano

I received a DVD in the mail from Focus features of Milk, with Sean Penn, currently in theaters. It says "For your consideration as an academy award voter" on it or something to that effect, but no other note was enclosed. I've had friends in SAG who were voters and would get like a hundred of the years films on DVD... Does this mean I am now one of those people? Anyone know how people are chosen or anything about how this works?

Thanks!
(either way, i'm pretty psyched to have a free copy of milk in my hands that I can watch in my studio rather than a theater!)

Be aware that those screeners come with some strings attached. They are often numbered or watermarked in some way, and if law enforcement finds a piracy operation that is using a screener registered to you as a master, well, you won't be getting any more of them at least. Some even come with a postcard that you return to verify that you destroyed the copy after viewing it. I told my kids to not lend them out, they don't leave the house ever, since I'd like to keep getting them (CAS).

Philip Perkins

[georgia]

easy way to know if you're a voting member... do you receive a ballot...

sometime, frankly it's a pain-in-the-rear to be a voting member... I end up getting a truck load of DVD's and screening invites and I feel obligated to watch all the films that are up for awards since I have to vote for or against them....

cheers
geo

PS: although I was happy to get Kung Fu Panda and Slumdogs DVDs... I wanted to see them and I never got time.. then on the other hand.... Quantum sucked as a film. and I had to sit thru that. I enjoyed the editing, and sound... just didn't like the movie.

[Starcrash]

Originally Posted by emilano

Does this mean I am now one of those people?

No. You have to be voted in by AMPAS and being nominated for an Oscar doesn't necessarily guarantee it.

I know a few other (non-Academy) people that got copies of Milk for some reason. I think they just sent loads of them out to film professionals. I didn't get one.


Georgia - I'm assuming you mean CAS member and not AMPAS member?

[cmaynes]

I got one as well- I am sure they sent them out to the editors guild, MPSE and CAS membership-


As to AMPAS- if you win, your in. Otherwise, you must be sponsored by someone who is a member, and vetted by the sound branch governors. As Pascal I think mentioned - there are very few spots available. It is a big deal to be in that group.

[guitarmongoose]

I just joined the Editors Guild a couple of months ago and also received a copy. I am most definitely not an Academy Member. I'm so new I'm surprised they even let me watch it on TV!

[Starcrash]

I'm a Guild member in good standing. Where's my freebie?