From 2002 through 2015, the organization leased from Lighthouse International a portion of a building at 111 East 59th Street, which included a 220-seat theater and was where Harrison and Mancusi’s offices were based. Harrison did not respond to a request for comment.Īdditionally, some members griped that, in Harrison’s absence, Tri-State operations have been overseen by L.A.-based Academy officials - primarily its svp member relations and global outreach Dilcia Barrera and evp member relations and awards Shawn Finnie - who they feel are not as familiar with their concerns.įor instance, members are frustrated with the lack of a central Academy “home” in New York.
Kramer said he has been and remains limited in what he can share - “It’s in H.R.’s hands” - while Yang acknowledged, “Things were not handled as well as they could have been, but you’re going to see positive change.” Some members expressed displeasure about the lack of transparency regarding Harrison’s “disappearance” in recent months. The departure of Harrison, a popular figure among the members after 22 years as their main point-of-contact within the Academy and the moderator of most of their post-screening Q&As, was a major topic of discussion. On a Zoom call Friday morning that had been scheduled prior to last week’s email, in response to a variety of other concerns that have been raised in recent months, Kramer and Yang were joined by dozens of Tri-State members, as well as Academy governors Donna Gigliotti of the executives branch (also an Academy vice president and its secretary) and Wynn Thomas of the production designers branch (also an Academy vice president). We thank Patrick for his work, contributions and efforts and continue to wish him the best.” We are writing to let everyone know that Patrick has now left the Academy. “As some of you know, Roger left the Academy in the fall, and Patrick has been on leave. “Since we met with you in October, there have been some changes in the Tri-State operation,” Kramer and Yang’s missive acknowledged. Italy's Far East Film Festival: Malaysian Drama 'Abang Adik' Sweeps Top Prizes