Category: news

Congress schedules hearing on Smithsonian – Showtime deal

press release –Media Advisory: Ehlers schedules hearing on Smithsonian Institution Business VenturesWASHINGTON – Chairman Vernon J. Ehlers, R-Mich., announced today that the Committee on House Administration will conduct a hearing on the operations and investments of Smithsonian Business Ventures, including Smithsonian on Demand, at 12 noon, Thursday, May 25, 2006, in room 1310 of the … Continue reading “Congress schedules hearing on Smithsonian – Showtime deal”

press release –
Media Advisory: Ehlers schedules hearing on Smithsonian Institution Business Ventures
WASHINGTON – Chairman Vernon J. Ehlers, R-Mich., announced today that the Committee on House Administration will conduct a hearing on the operations and investments of Smithsonian Business Ventures, including Smithsonian on Demand, at 12 noon, Thursday, May 25, 2006, in room 1310 of the Longworth House Office Building.
With the growing concerns surrounding Smithsonian on Demand, the Smithsonian Business Ventures’ announced partnership to create and distribute Smithsonian-related programming with CBS/Showtime Networks, Inc., the Committee will call upon experts from the Smithsonian to provide insight on the potential risks involved with curtailing access and use of the Smithsonian collections to filmmakers, rival networks, journalists and scholars. The hearing will also include testimony regarding the overall financial and operational strategy behind Smithsonian Business Ventures.

Hearing on Thursday, May 25, 2006:
· WHAT: Smithsonian Institution Business Ventures Hearing
· WHO: Lawrence M. Small, Secretary, Smithsonian Institution
Alice Maroni, Chief Financial Officer, Smithsonian Institution
John Huerta, General Counsel, Smithsonian Institution
Gary M. Beer, Chief Executive Officer, Smithsonian Business Ventures
· TOPIC: Smithsonian Business Ventures Informational Briefing
· WHERE: 1310 Longworth House Office Building
· TIME: 12 noon

The hearing will be available via live webcast on the Committee website, http://cha.house.gov.
For more information, contact the Committee press office at (202) 225-8281.

AIVF is on the ropes

The Association of Independent Video and Filmmakers, the publisher of The Independent Film and Video Monthly, and host of trainings, films festivals, and filmmaker seminars and networking events for thirty years is in what look like desperate straits. The organization is probably known by every independent filmmaker but its effectiveness and importance have waned during … Continue reading “AIVF is on the ropes”

The Association of Independent Video and Filmmakers, the publisher of The Independent Film and Video Monthly, and host of trainings, films festivals, and filmmaker seminars and networking events for thirty years is in what look like desperate straits. The organization is probably known by every independent filmmaker but its effectiveness and importance have waned during recent years – due to the communication explosion wrought by the internet. Can they retool to regain their former level of relevance? Stay tuned. To learn more about their troubles, visit their website.

Filmmakers up in arms: Smithsonian sells out – Can they do that?

The Smithsonian has cut a deal with Showtime allowing them the right of first-refusal for works created using Smithsonian archival material. This means that if a filmmaker uses materials owned by the Smithsonian in his/her film, then Showtime on demand is given dibs on airing it first, unless they choose not to. Many filmmakers and … Continue reading “Filmmakers up in arms: Smithsonian sells out – Can they do that?”

The Smithsonian has cut a deal with Showtime allowing them the right of first-refusal for works created using Smithsonian archival material. This means that if a filmmaker uses materials owned by the Smithsonian in his/her film, then Showtime on demand is given dibs on airing it first, unless they choose not to. Many filmmakers and lawyers are now wondering what it means to be a public trust, especially a tax-funded one, if the organization has the ability to sign this kind of exclusive deal with a private company for the use of its vast collections. Many thorny issues have been brought to light by the arrangement along with various misconceptions and it has become the subject of much online chatter.

NYT article
Daily Kos Blog article