Hope you don't mind
Hope you don't mind
On Page 10 of the February 2006 issue of the "American Cinematographer" magazine the President at that time of the ASC, Richard P. Crudo, says, “…First, the ASC is an invitation-only organization. You can’t just call up and join, as one Hong Kong based video cameraman was so disappointed to learn from our receptionist a few months ago. Membership is open to directors of photography who have been engaged in that capacity for no fewer than five of the eight years immediately preceding their application. As you might expect, a candidate must have consistently demonstrated outstanding ability. Another important prerequisite is good character. Those who are abusive to their crews or have dodgy reputations are inevitably found out and barred from our ranks.
Assuming these criteria are met, a candidate must then be proposed in writing by three ASC members. Eventually, the applicant will be summoned to an interview by our Membership Committee which meets regularly to adjudicate these matters. Comprising 15 20 members, the group carries out the Society’s due diligence by considering the prospective member’s qualifications – and believe me, they take their job very seriously. This phase of the process also includes a screening of the candidate’s work, usually in the familiar form of a sample reel. Afterwards, the person is sent home and a vote is taken to determine his or her suitability.
The “yea or nay” recommendation of the Membership Committee is presented to the Board of Governors for further consideration. A subsequent vote is then taken during the board’s next scheduled meeting, with a two-thirds majority required for approval. Bear in mind that a positive endorsement by the Membership Committee does not guarantee an automatic thumbs-up from the board. Spirited debate often ensues, and occasionally a candidate’s application stalls at this point.
Even a unanimously positive vote from the board does not fully clear the way for membership. That goal is reached only after board approval and clearance of a 30-day “posting period. “During this interval, the entire ASC membership is informed of someone’s pending invitation into the organization. Members are invited to review the candidate’s sample reel and bona fides and are free to voice any objections. Sometimes further investigation is warranted and a candidate’s advancement is tabled indefinitely. In most cases, though, they pass this stage with flying colors.
In short, the ASC’s membership-selection process is solid, thorough and uncompromising; it’s one of the reasons we have remained an elite organization for more than 87 years…”
Below are other related links here in our forums.
http://www.studentfilmmakersforums.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p=3119&highlight=#3119
http://www.studentfilmmakersforums.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p=3790&highlight=#3790
Kim
