Year book of motion pictures (1930)

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences — 1929 Activities — The service activities of the Academy of Motion *Picture Arts and Sciences have been considerably extended during the year of 1929. Invitation of fifty new members, whose achievements in the motion picture production industry were thus recognized, brought the Academy total membership to 400. Development has been marked in the Academy's threefold functions: furtherance of harmonious relations within the industry, promotion of appreciation outside the industry, and advancement of the arts and sciences of motion pictures. A brief review of principal features of the Academy's work during the year is presented below: Conciliation The Conciliation Committee with the conciliation policy of the Academy as one of the cornerstones of the institution is based on the principle of mutual understanding and is not compulsory in its operation. Complaints may be filed by any person or company in the production industry against any other person or company in the industry whether members of the Academy or not. Each complaint is first considered by the Secretary, who may endeavor to effect an amicable adjustment without reference to a committee. Frequently such adjustments are secured even before formal filing. Should no settlement be reached the case then goes to the Executive Committee of the Branch to which the complainant belongs or would belong if a member of the Academy. For example, matters involving actors go to the Actors' Executive Committee, questions regarding stories and writers go to the Writers' Executive Committee, and so on. The Executive Committee to whom a matter is thus referred then proceeds to examine the complaint together with the response, if any has been received, and endeavors if possible to bring about an adjustment. Failing in that, the Executive Committee refers the complaint to the Conciliation Committee of the Academy, composed of one representative from each Branch. The Conciliation Committee may then make further effoits at conciliation or may proceed to a hearing of the facts, after giving due notice to each party to the controversy. In the language of the Constitution and By-Laws of the Academy, it may hold such hearing "if no answer be interposed on the complaint alone." To ins-ire absolute freedom from prejudice it is provided that when a member of the Conciliation Committee "be either complainant or respondent or be employed by or in1 partnership with any person, fiim or corporation appearing either as complainant or respondent, such person shall be disqualified to sit on the Conciliation Committee." His place is filled by appointment of the President, from the Branch to which the disqualified member belongs, with the approval of the Executive Committee of such branch. Of the 30 cases during the past year which could not be disposed of without formal filing of complaints for action by the Executive Committees or the Conciliation Committee, 21 were disposed of and 9 were pending December 31, 1929. Of the 21 cases disposed of 19 were favorable to the complainants. Merit Awards In token of their achievements having been judged the most outstanding in motion pictures during the year 1927-28 awards of merit are an nually conferred by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences upon a selected group after careful consideration of all feature pictures and judgment and decision by competent boards of judges. The Academy trophy is a statuette in gold -bronze. For achievements during the year ending July 31, 1928, these awards were presented to the following at a dinner on May 16, 1929: First Awards Emil Tannings, for distinguished performances in "Way of All Flesh" and "The Last Command." Janet Gaynor, for distinguished performances in "Seventh Heaven," "Street Angel" and "Sunrise." Frank Borzage, for distinguished achievement in directing "Seventh Heaven." Lewis Milestone, for distinguished achievement in directing "Two Arabian Knights." Ben Hecht, for distinguished achievement in writing the original story for "Underworld." Benjamin Glazer, for distinguished achievement in adaptation of "Seventh Heaven." Joe W. Farnham, for distinguished achievement in writing titles of "Telling the World" and "Fair Co-Ed." Charles Rosher. for distinguished achievement in cinematography of "Sunrise." Karl Struss, for distinguished achievement in cinematography of "Sunrise." ... William Cameron Menzies, for distinguished achievements in art direction of "The Tempest" and "The Dove." Roy J. Pomeroy, for distinguished engineering achievements in "Wings." Paramount-Famous-Lasky Corporation, for production of outstanding photoplay, "Wings." Fox Film Corporation, for artistic quality of "Sunrise." Special Awards Warner Brothers, for producing "The Jaix Singer," marking an epoch! in motion picture history. ... , Charles Chaplin, for his versatility and genius in writing, acting, directing and producing "The Circus." Honorable Mention Richard Barthelmess, for his performances in "The Noose" and "The Patent Leather Kid." Louise Dresser for her performance in "A Ship Comes In." . „ Herbert Brenon, for directing "Sorrel and =on. King Vidor, for directing "The Crowd." 556