With the 2023 Oscars now firmly in the rearview mirror, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the creation of a new Production and Technology Branch. Meant to represent those working in key technical and production positions in all phases of filmmaking, from pre- to post-production, the branch already comprises around 400 individuals who were previously classified as Members-at-Large.

Job titles that fall under the Production and Technology Branch include chief technology officers, senior department heads in technology and creative services, and preservation and restoration specialists, as well as credited production roles, including stunt coordinators, script supervisors, choreographers, music supervisors, colorists, line producers, and associate producers.

“The purpose of the new branch is to have different people with various backgrounds to be a part of the Academy, not just the classic arts but the science heavy and tech inclusive group that have distinguished themselves in their separate fields,” one Academy Member told IndieWire. “It is a more specific branch definition for members at large and more inclusive. For example, colorists, script supervisors, stunt coordinators that don’t have a branch definition will now have one. Also, new members don’t have to be in the specific branches to be admitted into the Academy.”

In order to qualify to for an invitation to the Production and Technology Branch, a candidate must have been actively engaged for the past eight years in the theatrical motion picture arts and sciences in a key creative or technical position.

If production is their profession, the candidate must also ​​have credited roles on at least eight theatrical feature films which, in the opinion of the executive committee, reflect the high standards of the Academy. If they boast a position that is head of an aspect of production or film technology, they must have served it for five consecutive years to qualify for an Academy invitation.

A candidate could also have made scientific and/or technological contributions which produced leading creative tools and/or systems for the crafts involved in the creation of the theatrical motion picture experience, or have received an Academy Scientific and Technical Award, or have had direct involvement in the last eight years, not solely in an administrative position, in the preservation and/or restoration of legacy and current content of the moving image and/or recorded sound, or finally, have, in the judgment of the Production and Technology Executive Committee, achieved unique distinction, earned special merit, or made an outstanding contribution to the arts or sciences of motion pictures in the above described areas.

With the establishment of the Production and Technology Branch, the Academy now has 18 branches total meant to represent all facets of the film industry. As of right now, only one branch member from Production and Technology will be elected to the Board of Governors for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, with the hopes that that person will help broaden the Academy’s perspective in board discussions.

The creation of the branch shows signs that the Academy is game to continue advancing with the industry to ensure that new voices and professions are represented and how changes to its governance structure can best support this evolution.

The last time the Academy established a new branch, it was the Casting Directors branch in 2013, right on the heels of the “Casting By” documentary that made a case for there to be an Oscar for casting. The inclusion of stunt coordinators in this new Production and Technology Branch is especially notable, since in recent years there has also been a prominent movement to establish an Oscar for stunt performers. With the Academy continuing to make changes, the Academy looks well on its way to at least talking about establishing some of those awards Oscar fans have been asking for.

Additional reporting by Bill Desowitz and Anne Thompson.

There are a multitude of reasons why “Beau Is Afraid” is one of the most anticipated films of the spring. Director Ari Aster delivered massive indie hits with his first two films, “Hereditary” and “Midsommar.” And the film’s ever-so-whimsical trailer has many cinephiles curious about Aster’s ability to infuse levity into his otherwise dark style. But perhaps the biggest reason to be excited is the pairing of Aster with Joaquin Phoenix, one of his generation’s most exciting actors. 

The film stars Phoenix as a paranoid man who endures a surreal odyssey in an attempt to return to his mother after a visit goes horribly awry. Phoenix’s commitment to exploring deeply broken characters seems like a perfect fit for Aster’s depraved sensibilities — and both men say they worked very well together.

In a new interview with The New York Times, Aster and Phoenix had nothing but good things to say about their collaboration. Aster explained that Phoenix’s physical commitment to the script was a refreshing experience for him as a director.

“Joaquin is ruthlessly investigative,” Aster said. “If something feels false or not right, he won’t be able to do it. It’s not even about him refusing to do something — his body will stop him.”

Phoenix echoed Aster’s sentiments, explaining that an immediate authenticity between them prompted both to do better work.

“I knew that I could never, ever just ‘act’ in front of Ari — it’s something that I find repulsive and difficult to do,” Phoenix said. “You couldn’t do that with Ari. He would sense it immediately. It’s nice to know that you are working with somebody like that.”

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is expanding from 17 to 18 branches following a vote by the organization’s board of governors on Friday afternoon. A production and technology branch has been created and will become the new home of “approximately 400 individuals previously classified as Members-at-Large,” the Academy said in a statement. […]

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez made Emmys history as a trans actress on “Pose.” Now, the “Loot” star is calling out media titans for being transphobic.

Rodriguez, who formerly went by MJ, called out The New York Times for publishing a transphobic column titled “In Defense of J.K. Rowling.” The column was published one day after more than 100 journalists and community leaders shared an open letter calling on the publication to improve transgender coverage; the New York Times was additionally accused of sharing an anti-trans bias by 200 contributors.

“I think that they’ve been transphobic for a long time, unfortunately,” Rodriguez told Variety. “Forgive me, New York Times, but I don’t read y’all that often…It’s the constant disrespect.”

Rodriguez opened up about “Harry Potter” author Rowling’s infamous transphobic tweets and public statements.

“Some of the stuff that she says really doesn’t faze me so much. I’m not here for it,” she said. “I will always remain a trans woman. I will always call myself a trans woman. I will always refer to other biological women as cis women, in a non-derogatory way. But I’m a strong girl. I’m a strong woman. I was raised by a strong Black woman, which J.K. Rowling was not. I would love to have a conversation with her.”

Rodriguez speculated that if she ever met Rowling, she would try to understand her perspective.

“I would start off with something that’s very lighthearted, just to let her know I’m not someone who is abrasive or who is intimidating, because I’m sure there are trans people who are intimidating her a little bit and making her feel this way. I would first start off by saying, ‘Girl, OK, tell me what is the tea? Is there a trans person in your life that’s really making you feel a certain type of way about your womanhood?’” Rodriguez said. “‘Because I can promise you that there are other trans women who will show you what it’s actually like to walk in our shoes. Because I can promise you, as a cis biological woman, you just will never understand, just as we will never understand you. But we’re women, so we have to be there for each other.’”

She added of the continued “Harry Potter” fandom, “It’s a childhood memory that all of us have grasped onto and don’t want to let go, because of the story. We’re not thinking about J.K. Rowling, I can promise you. I’m thinking about Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, and Ron Weasley and their silliness and also their growth.”

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez on The New York Times: “I think that they’ve been transphobic for a long time, unfortunately. Forgive me, New York Times, but I don’t read y’all that often…It’s the constant disrespect.” https://t.co/tJau8MAjpy pic.twitter.com/WQaH06c8Rg

— Variety (@Variety) March 31, 2023

Arianna Bocco has stepped down from her post as head of IFC Films, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. Before ascending to the post in December 2020, Bocco spent a decade overseeing acquisitions and productions for IFC Films and its genre label, IFC Midnight. Head of acquisitions Scott Shooman will serve in her stead in the interim. […]

The exodus at IFC Films continues. Less than 24 hours after longtime executive John Vanco stepped down from his role at the IFC Center for a programming gig at Netflix, IFC Films president Arianna Bocco has left the company, IndieWire has confirmed.

AMC Networks, which owns IFC Films, plans to conduct an extensive search for Bocco’s replacement. In the interim, leadership duties will be handled by IFC head of acquisitions Scott Shooman.

“IFC Films is a vibrant and vital part of our business and we will continue to acquire, produce and distribute films across our IFC Films, Shudder and RLJE Films ecosystems,” AMC Networks said in a statement provided to IndieWire. “We have full and total confidence in Scott’s ability to run the business as Interim head and know that our film team will not miss a beat as it proceeds forward with a robust slate of releases and acquisitions.”

“I have big news to share,” Bocco shared on her Facebook page. “After much thought, I have stepped down from my post as President of IFC Films to pursue other opportunities. I’m so proud of the IFC Films team I’ve worked with over the last 17 years for what we’ve accomplished and for their hard work, compassion and dedication over many amazing years to doing what we all love — which is supporting great artists and great films. I know the team is in great hands with Scott who will continue to carry on the mission that we have all spent our careers promoting. I’m excited for what comes next!”

News of Bocco’s departure was first reported by Variety.

Bocco’s departure marks the end of an acclaimed 17-year run at the arthouse giant. She joined IFC in 2006, working with the company’s marketing, production, acquisition, and publicity departments before taking the reins as president in 2020. She was credited with helping to steer the company through much of the COVID-19 pandemic, which posed an existential crisis to independent theaters and distributors. She was honored with a Women in Film Award last week for her efforts, as well as an insignia from Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres earlier this month.

The news comes at a volatile moment for AMC Networks, which has struggled to make adjustments to compete in an increasingly hostile streaming entertainment landscape. Former CEO Christina Spade recently stepped down from her position at the head of the company after just three months on the job, and extensive layoffs are widely expected.

Lionsgate, Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Global were among the hit Hollywood stocks of the first quarter of 2023, shaking off investor concerns about such industry challenges as record cord-cutting, getting streaming businesses to profitability and economic clouds darkening the advertising outlook, as well as recent stock market volatility due to the collapse of banks. […]