At 04:46 PM 11/8/96 +1000, you wrote:

>Dear Richard,
> >It is hard to work out from your vigorous campaign of disinformation >whether you are uninformed, underemployed and therefore bored and >fractious, or just plain malicious.

Neither my dear.... Quite the opposite.. Never been busier... Just have a desire for a democratic awards system.. As well as having an open debate on the jury part of the system that was introduced during the peak of the 10BA days... (see my response to the AFI & ACS letters in the new Cinema Papers).. At no time was I getting personal, Bob and I was hoping that you indeed would not take it as such, but a certain little bird handed me a tape of an interview with your good self on Radio National, where rather than arguing the point in a mature fashion as befits the Chairperson of the AFI, you made the mistake (my 'opinion' again) to get very personal indeed... Needless to say, a number of emails and faxes were then sent to members of the press and the whole sordid interchange was placed on the internet not long after... You might like to see...

http://netspace.net.au/~haze/afi.htm

> >Can I suggest that you speak with your guild as to the position you want >them to take as they do represent you in Award matters. You must not >know that there is a process of consultation, that has been ongoing for >many years now, aimed at getting the best voting system. The AFI only >provides a chair for this process and no members on the committee. As
>you have shown such a passionate interest of late perhaps you might like
>to involve yourself in a face to face, democratic process.

Would love to as long as it was in an open meeting of accreditted AFI members or relevant industry personnel...

> >I am sure the Awards Committee would be fascinated to know that the >problems they have struggled with for the past fifteen years could be
>solved in a stroke with your direction.

If you read my letters properly, I have at no time professed to have any answers, but would be all to pleased to add my two cents to an open discussion.. But honestly, Bob.. you'd have to be blind to be unaware of the growing disatisfaction of the industry to the current jury part of the system... Just saying it's better than the Oscars or the BFI is not enough..

>Best wishes and looking forward to your cheery face at the event

I'm looking forward to the crucifixion... ;-)

cheers

Richard.

P.S. I honestly have no personal gripe with your good self or the AFI or ACS... The ACS has very strangely allowed Camera Operators and Stedicam Operators to stand on their Jury panels... That is something I find to to be in contradiction to the AFI's own Award guidelines handed out to every Jury member... But outside of the current Jury system of awards, I not only think you, as Chairman, but also the rest of your staff do a wonderful, wonderful job... And there is no need for ANY antagonism at all and it only defeats the purpose and leaves a bad taste in everyone's mouth... I feel sure there will be some kind of re-assessment of the system before next year's screenings and would be all too glad to participate...

P.P.S. I guess this is not a good time to ask you to produce a movie for me is it...?

;-)

cheers

RML