Sound Bits, Bytes And Blurbs

by Elliott Koretz

This is the premiere of a new column devoted to the sound community. The direction and contents will evolve, based upon reader feedback and the difficulty of whatever show I am presently working on. I hope to present topics and information that will interest, educate and certainly at times, amuse you.

MPSE Makes Nomination Changes

I am currently a board member of the MPSE and have been one for about the last four years. As you all may have heard by now, last year we had a bit of controversy regarding how we select our Golden Reel nominees. Well, the end result of much ado and concern has been that we have elected a new Board of Directors with many fresh, eager faces. The new board has set a self-imposed mandate of redefining just what the MPSE is, and what it will be about now and in the future. As our first act, we have revised the entire Golden Reel Award nominating procedure. It defines clearly how we select, view, vote, and tabulate all our entries. The membership of the MPSE voted overwhelmingly to adopt these new guidelines. We are also just about ready to present an entirely updated set of by-laws that reflect current concerns and issues. Your feedback on the topics that are important to you, the members of our community, is vital to our continued growth. Please give this some thought.

A Little History

Last year we moved our awards dinner to a new venue, the Century Plaza, due to the increasing attendance coupled with the lack of space at our prior host, the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. An immediate exit poll confirmed what most of us had thought - that this was the best all around Golden Reel ceremony in quite some time. There was plenty of room, the food was palatable, the program ran fairly quickly without any major glitches or faux pas and most importantly - you could hear what the people on stage said!! This year the banquet is once again at the Century Plaza, on March 21st. If you don't receive an invitation in the mail and want one, please contact Ethel Crutcher, our business manager, at (818) 789-3813.

Those Darn Blue Ribbon Panels

The season is upon us for the dreaded return of the Blue Ribbon Panels. Many courageous individuals form groups that give of their time to screen and vote on our nominated features and TV shows. A counseling service is available to console the family and friends of the dearly departed. But seriously, your participation is key to our organization's success. Thanks to all who have helped to evaluate the work.

Screenings, Movies, And You

Here's something to stick in the back of your mind for next year. The MPSE, along with the various studios around town, sponsor screenings of all nominated feature films for its members and their guests. Get a babysitter and treat the spouse to an entertaining and free evening out. Also, your MPSE membership card will admit you to many regular movie theaters showing Academy-nominated films - a cool perk not everyone knows about. Just flash your card, look indignant and say, I'm a sound editor, dammit! You will save $7.50 and be able to afford one of those delicious hot dogs.

And Now For Something Completely Different

This just in from the home office in beautiful Hawaiian Gardens...

Top Ten Reasons The Reel Didn't Get To The Stage On Time: 10. Dog ate my DAT. 9. 711 out of Jolt Cola 8. They're re-cutting reel-7- again!! 7. What do you mean...we're not doing that show, Soundelux got it? 6. Lousy driver still lost somewhere in Haggar Bldg. 5. Those damn DA-88's! 4. Two words......"Track-It" 3. You said, 48k, 30 frames non-drop...with a pull down...or...was it... 2. Jim Cameron cut in a few new opticals And the #1 reason the reel didn't get to the stage on time: 1. El Niño

The Big Finale

So, that's about all that fits for now. I encourage you to e-mail me. I will give your input all the consideration it deserves and promise not to deduct points for spelling and bad grammar. I think we can have a good time and get a little information out as well, so what more can you ask for? Stay in sync.