Movies

Motion picture academy lays off staff at archive and library amid broader restructuring

BBG News

As a seasoned film enthusiast with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the ongoing restructuring at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has left me both intrigued and concerned. On one hand, it’s heartening to see an institution as prestigious as the Academy focusing on streamlining their operations for a more efficient and effective future. However, the recent layoffs from the archive and library departments raise some eyebrows, especially given the immense historical and cultural significance of the collections they safeguard.

16 employees from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ archive and library have been let go in a wider organizational rearrangement. This change aims to consolidate all collecting, restoration, and preservation activities within a new department called the Academy Collection and Preservation Department.

In an email sent to staff and leaked to The Times, CEO Bill Kramer, who joined the organization in 2022, presented these modifications as elements of a wider strategic plan spanning the last two years. This strategy aimed to optimize our operations to match the evolving purpose of our academy.

Kramer stated, “We’re putting in a lot of effort to create teams that collaborate on tasks and accountabilities. This process has led some team members to depart the company while others have taken on new positions within it. Although these transitions can be difficult, they are intended to streamline our operations by merging functions with common goals and objectives.

Committed to safeguarding, rejuvenating, and exploring cinematic art, the Academy Film Archive boasts one of the most extensive and varied collections of films globally. This trove encompasses every nominee for Best Picture, along with the personal archives of filmmakers such as Cecil B. DeMille, Alfred Hitchcock, Jim Jarmusch, and Penelope Spheeris. The Academy Library, or Margaret Herrick Library as it’s also known, is a renowned research hub for motion picture conservation and study, housing over 52 million items like books, photos, scripts, and costume design sketches.

In May, as a component of a broader management reshuffle, Matt Severson assumed the role of Executive Vice President for Academy Collection and Preservation. This position encompasses his oversight of all archival preservation, registration, conservation, and cataloging tasks pertaining to the library, archive, and the Academy Museum.

As a passionate cinephile, I’ve noticed some changes within the Academy recently. After trimming down a few team members in different sectors earlier this year, we’ve also seen the closure of our digital magazine, A.frame. The academy is navigating a complex environment for both the film industry and the Oscars telecast alike, striving to adapt.

As a film enthusiast, I find myself straddling two vibrant realms: the dynamic movie industry and the compassionate non-profit arts community. In an email I penned, I expressed this sentiment amidst rapid evolution, yet concluded with hopeful optimism. We’re tirelessly dedicating ourselves to our mission during this critical juncture, and while I acknowledge the challenges that come with such times, I remain confident in our strategic moves to foster a resilient organization capable of meeting our objectives not just today, but tomorrow as well.

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2024-11-01 01:01

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