The film daily year book of motion pictures (1933)

Conciliation Committee MEMBERS:— J. T. Reed, Lawrence Grant, Reginald Barker. Albert Kaufman, Percy Heath. 1ST ALTERNATES:— William Sistrom, John F. Goodrich, Conrad Nagel, Mervyn LeRoy, George C. Pratt. 2ND ALTERNATES:— M. E. Greenwood. Frank Woods. John Robertson, Antonio Moreno, J. A. Ball. • Writer-Producer Code of Practice The first formal agreement in the history of the motion picture industry between screen authors and producers as groups, a code of practice governing their relations, went into effect on May 1, 1932, following its adoption by representative committees of the writers and producers within the Academy. The code was signed by a majority of leading screen authors and by the major producing organizations. Among the provisions of the code are: elimination of the practice at some studios of ordering stories from established writers, payment to be contingent upon acceptance; agreement that free lance screen authors must give and receive one week's notice of the termination of their employment if they have been employed by a motion picture company for ten weeks or more; and standardization of screen mention to scenarists on a basis of "credit where credit is due" by limiting the mention on titles to the two writers most responsible for the completed scenario. Under the administration of the code by the Academy, a permanent registry of screen credit was set up in August, 1932, so that writers, who have contributed to a film story, but have not received screen credit, may register a certified record of their work for reference by prospective employers and other interested parties. Lester Cowan, Executive Secretary of the Academy, is in charge of the administration of the code, having been delegated by the board of directors as its representative. • Producers' Arbitration Agreement In December of 1931 an Arbitration Agreement, governing contract employment negotiations within the industry, was entered into by a majority of the producing companies. In January, 1932, the Academy board of directors requested an expression of opinion on the agreement from the membership. After recommendations had been received from the Academy branches, the board of directors on July 12, 1932, presented a formal report on the Agreement to the membership and the report was unanimously approved. The report recommended modifications in the existing agreement and the setting up of machinery for arbitration through the Academy of any disputes involving the interests of individuals, that might arise under the Agreement. The Academy was not to become a party to the Agreement but was to observe its operation for a period of one year. The modifications, which had been suggested were agreed to by the producers and a special Academy Arbitration Agreement Committee was organized with two representatives from each of the five Academy branches. This committee was empowered to "investigate upon complaint or on the committee's own motion, any questions or grievances involving the interests of an individual, that may arise under the workings of the Agreement." Producers' Arbitration Agreement Committee ACTORS: — Fredric March, Lewis Stone. DIRECTORS:— Frank Capra, Frank Lloyd. PRODUCERS: — Henry Herzbrun, J. I. Schnitzer TECHNICIANS:— J. A. Ball, Cedric Gibbons. WRITERS:— Oliver H. P. Garrett, Ralph Block. • Awards of Merit The outstanding annual tribute to achievement in the motion picture industry is the traditional gold statuette which is presented to the leader in each professional group as chosen after primary and final elections by the Academy's membership. The fifth presentation of the awards was made this year by the Academy on November 18, 1932, at the organization's annual banquet, held in the Fiesta Room of the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. The presentation ceremony was heard throughout the country over an NBC national broadcast. This year's awards and those of preceding years are listed in another part of this book. Awards winners are chosen and are selected by the Academy's members and are selected from the pictures released in Los Angeles during the 12 months preceding each July 31. Primary voting is held by the Academy branches during October and the achievements polling the highest vo'es from their particular branch are placed upon a ballot for voting by the entire membership. Voting on the final ballot is concluded on November 10. Both the primary and final votings are by sealed ballots. Final ballots are counted on the night of the Academy's annual awards banquet, which is held in the middle of November. The most important change made in the annual awards rules this year was the decision for the first time to present certificates of honor for the outstanding short subjects produced during the year. Other changes were: (1) The number of nominees to go on the final ballot was reduced from five to three, except for the best produced picture award, where an increase to eight was made. 12) The award for best cinematography 501