Dear Friends, After almost 32 years with the Academy, I've decided to step down from my position as COO. I'm going to continue my relationship with the Academy, however, as a consultant focusing on the show, award rules and categories. I'm excited to be on these projects in addition to serving as a resource to our new…

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences CEO Dawn Hudson sent this letter to staff today informing them that Ric Robertson has stepped down as COO. Dear Staff, Many of you have asked me about Ric and what’s happening after his time off, and now I have your answer: After 32 years of dedicated service, and three…

As Nikki Finke reported first back in May, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences COO Ric Robertson this summer embarked on a very unusual paid leave from June through August that AMPAS called a "sabbatical". Robertson has now decided, not surprisingly, that he’s not coming back and today officially stepped down…

EXCLUSIVE: Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences COO Ric Robertson is  taking what’s being internally called a “sabbatical” from June through August. I have learned this is an unusual paid leave even though the Academy is complaining about a financial crunch. Normally, its staff are restricted to 30 days of unpaid…

With the 85th Oscars in the history books The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has gotten back to doing what it does the other 364 days of the year. The organization held its annual lunch Monday honoring the $25,000 grant recipients chosen as the 2012 Academy Film Scholars. The 12-year-old program started in…

OK, Academy members, this is your last chance to switch from online voting to a paper ballot or simply  even request a paper ballot to vote in the finals for the 2012 Oscars. Balloting begins February 8th and runs to 5 PM PT on February 19th, but if you find yourself frustrated by what some members feel is a…

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences’ brave new steps into electronic voting for Oscars after 84 years of the snail mail routine is proceeding well. Most members seem to be getting the message that they must register to vote, as well as pay dues, before they will be eligible when balloting officially begins…

Now that the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts And Sciences has announced its campaign rules for the 85th Annual Academy Awards, I got on the phone with Academy COO Ric Robertson to clarify what they mean and why they were made. According to him, there was no major surgery involved this year. “I characterize these as…