From Academy Bylaws:
Article III, Section 1. Membership shall be by invitation of the Board of Governors. Invitations to active membership shall be limited to those persons active in the motion picture arts and sciences, or credited with screen achievements, or who have otherwise achieved distinction in the motion picture arts and sciences and who, in the opinion of the Board, are qualified for membership.
To be considered for invitation to membership in the Actors Branch of the Academy, a candidate must:
(a) have a minimum of three theatrical feature film credits, in all of which
the roles played were scripted roles, one of which was released in the past
five years, and all of which are of a caliber that reflect the high standards
of the Academy,
and/or
(b) have been nominated for an Academy Award in one of the acting categories,
or
(c) have, in the judgment of the Actors Branch Executive Committee,
otherwise achieved unique distinction, earned special merit or made an outstanding contribution as a motion picture actor.
From Academy Bylaws:
Article III, Section 1. Membership shall be by invitation of the Board of Governors. Invitations to active membership shall be limited to those persons active in the motion picture arts and sciences, or credited with screen achievements, or who have otherwise achieved distinction in the motion picture arts and sciences and who, in the opinion of the Board, are qualified for membership.
To be considered for invitation to Academy membership in the Casting Directors Branch of the Academy, a candidate must:
(a) must have a minimum of eight years experience as Casting Director on theatrical feature films,
and
(b) be primarily responsible for and have screen credit as Casting Director on at least ten theatrical feature films of a caliber which, in the opinion of the Review Committee, reflect the high standards of the Academy,
and/or
(c) have, in the judgment of the Review Committee, otherwise achieved unique distinction, earned special merit or made an outstanding contribution as a Casting Director.
Optional letters of recommendation from filmmakers will be accepted.
From Academy Bylaws:
Article III, Section 1. Membership shall be by invitation of the Board of Governors. Invitations to active membership shall be limited to those persons active in the motion picture arts and sciences, or credited with screen achievements, or who have otherwise achieved distinction in the motion picture arts and sciences and who, in the opinion of the Board, are qualified for membership.
To be considered for invitation to membership in the Cinematographers Branch of the Academy, a candidate must:
(a) have two theatrical feature film credits, at least one within the last three years, as Director of Photography of a caliber which, in the opinion of the executive committee, reflect the high standards of the Academy. Credits should be inclusive of all film genres, and can be films released theatrically, on streaming services and/or screened at a major film festival,
or
(b) have screen credit as Director of Photography on a picture nominated for the Academy Cinematography Award,
and/or
(c) have, in the judgment of the Cinematographers Branch Executive Committee, otherwise achieved unique distinction, earned special merit or made an outstanding contribution as a motion picture cinematographer.
Proposals must be accompanied by a letter from each sponsor which addresses, as specifically as possible, how the candidate meets one or another of the requirements above
From Academy Bylaws:
Article III, Section 1. Membership shall be by invitation of the Board of Governors. Invitations to active membership shall be limited to those persons active in the motion picture arts and sciences, or credited with screen achievements, or who have otherwise achieved distinction in the motion picture arts and sciences and who, in the opinion of the Board, are qualified for membership.
To be considered for invitation to membership in the Costume Designers Branch of the Academy, a candidate must:
(a) have at least five years’ experience in the motion picture industry, and have screen credits as Costume Designer on at least four feature films of a caliber which, in the opinion of the executive committee, reflect the high standards of the Academy,
and/or
(b) have screen credit on a picture nominated for the Costume Design Award,
or
(c) have, in the judgment of the Costume Designers Branch Executive Committee, otherwise achieved unique distinction, earned special merit or made an outstanding contribution within the candidate's field of endeavors.
Proposals must be accompanied by a letter from each sponsor which addresses, as specifically as possible, how the candidate meets one or another of the requirements above.
12/2017
From Academy Bylaws:
Article III, Section 1. Membership shall be by invitation of the Board of Governors. Invitations to active membership shall be limited to those persons active in the motion picture arts and sciences, or credited with screen achievements, or who have otherwise achieved distinction in the motion picture arts and sciences and who, in the opinion of the Board, are qualified for membership.
To be considered for invitation to membership in the Directors Branch of the Academy, a candidate must:
(a) have a minimum of two directorial credits, at least one of which is from the most recent ten years, on theatrical feature films of a caliber which, in the opinion of the executive committee, reflect the high standards of the Academy,
and/or
(b) have directorial screen credit on a picture nominated for the Academy Directing Award, for the Academy Best Picture and/or for the Academy International Feature Film Award.
or
(c) have, in the judgment of the Directors Branch Executive Committee, otherwise achieved unique distinction, earned special merit or made an outstanding contribution as a motion picture director.
From Academy Bylaws:
Article III, Section 1. Membership shall be by invitation of the Board of Governors. Invitations to active membership shall be limited to those persons active in the motion picture arts and sciences, or credited with screen achievements, or who have otherwise achieved distinction in the motion picture arts and sciences and who, in the opinion of the Board, are qualified for membership.
To be considered for invitation to Academy membership in the Documentary branch of the Academy, a candidate must:
(a.i) have a minimum of two director and/or producer credits on theatrical documentary feature films (one of which must have been within the last five years) of a caliber which, in the opinion of the executive committee, reflect the high standards of the Academy,
or
(a.ii) have a minimum of four director and/or producer credits on theatrical documentary short films (one of which must have been within the last five years) of a caliber which, in the opinion of the executive committee, reflect the high standards of the Academy,
and/or
(b) have director and/or producer screen credit on a picture nominated for an Academy Award in the Documentary category,
or
(c) have, in the judgment of the Documentary Executive Committee, otherwise achieved unique distinction, earned special merit and made an outstanding contribution to theatrical documentary filmmaking.
Proposals must be accompanied by a letter from each sponsor which addresses, as specifically as possible, how the candidate meets one or another of the requirements above.
From Academy Bylaws:
Article III, Section 1. Membership shall be by invitation of the Board of Governors. Invitations to active membership shall be limited to those persons active in the motion picture arts and sciences, or credited with screen achievements, or who have otherwise achieved distinction in the motion picture arts and sciences and who, in the opinion of the Board, are qualified for membership.
To be considered for membership in the Executives Branch of the Academy, a candidate must:
(a) have been functioning for at least five years at a senior executive level and be a driving force in the creation of motion pictures at an organization such as a major / independent studio, production company, streamer, and/or entity that distributes theatrical motion pictures. Qualifying positions, or their equivalent include, but are not limited to, the following key positions:
CEO
COO
Head of Production (Creative)
EVP of Production (Creative)
Head of Production (Physical)
EVP of Production (Physical)
Head of Domestic Distribution
EVP of Domestic Distribution
Head of International Distribution
EVP of International Distribution
Head of Animation
EVP of Animation
Head of Business Affairs
EVP of Business Affairs
In addition, the organization at which the candidate has achieved the qualifying position should be a company which has been producing and/or releasing pictures for the most recent five years, and has released at least three theatrical features (two for Animated features) during that span
or
(b) have been functioning as head of an organization that is not actively producing or distributing motion pictures and whose mission is aligned with the Academy’s to recognize and uphold excellence in motion picture arts and sciences. Organizations include (but are not limited to) festivals, guilds/trade organizations, and non-profits with a mission of education and advancement in the industry.
or
(c) have, in the judgment of the majority of the Executives Branch Executive Committee, otherwise achieved unique distinction, earned special merit, regardless of title made an outstanding contribution, or demonstrated exceptional promise as a motion picture executive.
SPECIAL NOTE:
To keep membership in the Executives Branch active, members must continue to serve in the motion picture industry for a period of no less than twenty years, said length of service to include the years prior to membership as well as those subsequent to joining the Academy.
In the event a member leaves the industry to take up employment in a non-entertainment industry field of endeavor or takes a hiatus from working status prior to completing the required years of service, the candidate will be designated for membership status change to Emeritus, said change to become effective one year after notification.
In the event a member who has been moved to Emeritus status resumes employment in the motion picture industry, the candidate may request to return to Active status.
From Academy Bylaws:
Article III, Section 1. Membership shall be by invitation of the Board of Governors. Invitations to active membership shall be limited to those persons active in the motion picture arts and sciences, or credited with screen achievements, or who have otherwise achieved distinction in the motion picture arts and sciences and who, in the opinion of the Board, are qualified for membership.
To be considered for invitation to membership in the Film Editors Branch of the Academy, a candidate must be approved by a majority vote of the Executive Committee and must:
(a) have a minimum of four feature film credits, two of which must be released theatrically. The four credits must be of a caliber which, in the opinion of the Executive Committee, reflect the high standards of the Academy. These credits must be principal position screen credits as film editor with at least two being single card credits. Shared cards shall count as 1/2 credit. Shared film credits shall count as a full credit, if and only if the editor has served in that position for 18 months or more. Supervising film editor credits also shall count as 1/2 credit. Every candidate, including those who have edited pictures nominated in the Best Picture, Documentary Feature, Animated Feature Film or International Feature Film category, must fulfill these minimum requirements,
(b) have a principal position screen credit as film editor nominated for an Academy Award in Film Editing,
or
(c) have, in the opinion of the Film Editors Branch Executive Committee, otherwise achieved unique distinction, earned special merit or made an outstanding contribution as a motion picture film editor.
Proposals must be accompanied by a letter from each sponsor which addresses, as specifically as possible, how the candidate meets one or another of the requirements
From Academy Bylaws:
Article III, Section 1. Membership shall be by invitation of the Board of Governors. Invitations to active membership shall be limited to those persons active in the motion picture arts and sciences, or credited with screen achievements, or who have otherwise achieved distinction in the motion picture arts and sciences and who, in the opinion of the Board, are qualified for membership.
To be considered for invitation to membership in the Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch of the Academy, a candidate must:
(a.i) have a minimum of seven years experience in makeup or hairstyling for theatrical feature films,
and
(a.ii) have supervisory position on at least five theatrical feature films (at least three within the last seven years) of a caliber which, in the opinion of the executive committee, reflect the high standards of the Academy.
or
(b) have been nominated for an Academy Award in the Makeup and Hairstyling category.
or
(c) have, in the judgment of the Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch Executive Committee, otherwise achieved unique distinction, earned special merit or made an outstanding contribution as a makeup artist or hairstylist.
A letter of recommendation from each sponsor must be included with the proposal.
From Academy Bylaws:
Article III, Section 1. Membership shall be by invitation of the Board of Governors. Invitations to active membership shall be limited to those persons active in the motion picture arts and sciences, or credited with screen achievements, or who have otherwise achieved distinction in the motion picture arts and sciences and who, in the opinion of the Board, are qualified for membership.
To be considered for invitation to membership in the Marketing and Public Relations Branch of the Academy, a candidate must:
(a) have achieved distinction in the marketing and public relations field and, in the opinion of the executive committee, reflect the high standards of the Academy,
and
(b) have a minimum of seven years employment in the field of publicity, creative advertising, creative content, research, media, digital, multicultural marketing, in-theater marketing, or promotion in the domestic, international, or global motion picture industry.
1) Of the seven years employment in the field, five years must have been as a chief strategist or a department head.
In this executive position the candidate must customarily and regularly exercise comprehensive and discretionary powers, specifically the formulation and implementation of creative strategy in the marketing or publicizing of motion pictures.
2) The “chief strategist or department head” requirement can be waived if, in the judgment of two-thirds of the Marketing and Public Relations Branch Executive Committee, the candidate has otherwise earned special merit or made an outstanding contribution within the candidate’s field of endeavor.
or
c) have, after a minimum of two years as a senior marketing and/or public relations executive at a motion picture production/distribution company, made an outstanding contribution within the candidate’s field of endeavor, in the judgment of two-thirds of the Marketing and Public Relations Branch Executive Committee.
Proposals must be accompanied by a letter from each sponsor which addresses as specifically as possible, how the candidate meets the above requirements. The letter should begin with the statement, “I have read and am familiar with the current requirements of membership in the Marketing and Public Relations Branch.” No additional letters of recommendation are allowed.
SPECIAL NOTE:
To keep membership in the Marketing and Public Relations Branch active, members must continue to serve in the motion picture industry for a period of no less than twenty years, said length of service to include the years prior to membership as well as those subsequent to joining the Academy.
In the event a member leaves the industry to take up employment in a non-entertainment industry field of endeavor, or takes a hiatus from working status prior to completing the required years of service, the candidate will be designated for membership status change to Emeritus, said change to become effective one year after notification.
In the event a member who has been moved to Emeritus status resumes employment in the motion picture industry, the candidate may request to return to Active status.
From Academy Bylaws:
Article III, Section 1. Membership shall be by invitation of the Board of Governors. Invitations to active membership shall be limited to those persons active in the motion picture arts and sciences, or credited with screen achievements, or who have otherwise achieved distinction in the motion picture arts and sciences and who, in the opinion of the Board, are qualified for membership.
To be considered for Artists' Representatives membership in the Academy, a candidate must:
(a) have a minimum of ten years experience as an agent representing at least one Academy Award nominated client at an official ATA recognized company.
or
(b) have a minimum of ten years experience as a manager representing at least one Academy Award nominated client and must have been directly involved in putting together the film that resulted in their clients’ Academy Award nomination.
or
(c) have a minimum of ten years experience as an entertainment lawyer representing at least one Academy Award nominated client and must have been directly involved in negotiating the client’s deal that resulted in their Academy Award nomination.
or
(d) have, in the judgment of the Artists’ Representatives Subcommittee, achieved unique distinction, earned special merit, or made an outstanding contribution to the arts or sciences of motion pictures as a representative.
Candidates must be proposed by two current members of the Academy, one of which is part of the Artists’ Representatives classification. Proposals must be accompanied by a letter from each sponsor which addresses, as specifically as possible, how the candidate meets one or another of the requirements above. Once being officially proposed, all candidates will be required to submit a personal statement and full client list for the committee’s review.
SPECIAL NOTE:
To keep membership active, members must continue to serve in the motion picture industry for a period of no less than twenty years, said length of service to include the years prior to membership as well as those subsequent to joining the Academy.
In the event a member leaves the industry to take up employment in a non-entertainment industry field of endeavor or takes a hiatus from working status prior to completing the required years of service, the candidate will be designated for membership status change to Emeritus, said change to become effective one year after notification.
Emeritus status members are exempt from paying dues and can still attend Academy screenings, but do not have voting status and cannot serve on an Academy committee.
In the event a member who has been moved to Emeritus status resumes employment in the motion picture industry, the candidate may request to return to Active status.
From Academy Bylaws:
Article III, Section 1. Membership shall be by invitation of the Board of Governors. Invitations to active membership shall be limited to those persons active in the motion picture arts and sciences, or credited with screen achievements, or who have otherwise achieved distinction in the motion picture arts and sciences and who, in the opinion of the Board, are qualified for membership.
To be considered for invitation to membership in the Music Branch of the Academy, a candidate must:
(a) have a minimum of three on-screen, theatrical feature film credits (one of the films having been released in the past six years) in which the composing, lyric writing or music editing aspects have achieved distinction and, in the opinion of the Music Branch Executive Committee, reflect the high standards of the Academy,
or
(b) have a minimum of three on-screen, theatrical feature film credits and, in the view of the executive committee, have made an outstanding musical contribution in the field of theatrical motion pictures,
(the foregoing paragraphs specifically exclude credits for licensed music not written directly for the motion picture in which it receives a screen credit, as well as screen credits for the duties of Music Producer, Music Supervisor, Orchestrator, or Performer)
or
(c) have been nominated for an Academy Music Award.
From Academy Bylaws:
Article III, Section 1. Membership shall be by invitation of the Board of Governors. Invitations to active membership shall be limited to those persons active in the motion picture arts and sciences, or credited with screen achievements, or who have otherwise achieved distinction in the motion picture arts and sciences and who, in the opinion of the Board, are qualified for membership.
To be considered for invitation to membership in the Producers Branch of the Academy, a candidate must meet one of the requirements below (clause a, b or c), and have performed the majority of producing functions on theatrical feature films of a caliber which, in the opinion of the executive committee, reflect the high standards of the Academy.
In general, candidates must play a major role in originating and overseeing the projects on which they have received credit. Normally, at least one of the credits must be for a picture released within the most recent ten years.
Individuals who receive producer credit but function primarily as talent managers, financiers, executives, sales agents or artists primarily performing other key roles (e.g., actor, director, writer), will generally not be considered for membership in the Producers Branch.
(a) a candidate must either:
(a.i) have earned the PGA “mark” as a credited producer on three theatrical feature films, regardless of the number of additional persons receiving the “mark.”
or
(a.ii) have earned a minimum of 2.0 producer points, based on the number of persons who share a producer or “produced by” credit on each film. Points are calculated by the appropriate fraction for each film: e.g., a producer credit shared by two individuals is calculated as 0.5 for each; three producers is 0.33; four producers is 0.25 and so on.
• On films where the producer received the PGA “mark,” the calculation is based on the number of producers earning the “mark” on each film.
• Producers who share credit (but have not earned the “mark”) still receive the fraction based on the total number of credited producers. The points do not include executive producer, co-producer, associate producer, line producer, “produced in association with,” or any other credit.
or
(b) have been an Academy Award-eligible producer on a picture nominated by the Academy for the Best Picture award.
or
(c) have, in the judgment of the Producers Branch Executive Committee, otherwise achieved unique distinction, earned special merit or made an outstanding contribution as a motion picture producer.
Proposals must be accompanied by a letter from each sponsor which addresses, as specifically as possible, how the candidate meets one or another of the requirements above.
From Academy Bylaws:
Article III, Section 1. Membership shall be by invitation of the Board of Governors. Invitations to active membership shall be limited to those persons active in the motion picture arts and sciences, or credited with screen achievements, or who have otherwise achieved distinction in the motion picture arts and sciences and who, in the opinion of the Board, are qualified for membership.
To be considered for invitation to membership in the Production and Technology Branch of the Academy, a candidate must:
(a) have been actively engaged for the past eight years in the theatrical motion picture arts and sciences in a key creative or technical position, and meet criteria in one of the following two classifications.
(a.i) Production
• have credited roles on at least eight theatrical feature films which, in the opinion of the executive committee, reflect the high standards of the Academy, in the following roles:
o Stunt Coordinator
o Script Supervisor
o Choreographer/Movement Director
o Music Supervisor
o Line Producer
o Colorist (lead only if multiple colorists)
o Associate Producer responsible for post, or
• have served for five consecutive years in a Head Production position such as:
o Head of Visual Effects Production
o Head of Post-Production
o Head of Virtual Production
o Head of Music
o Head of Sound
o Head of Editorial
o Head of Production Services
o Head of Title Design
o CEO or Head of product development in key industry supplier companies, or
(a.ii) Technology
• have served for five consecutive years in Head Technical position such as:
o Head of Preservation and/or Restoration
o Head of Technology
o Chief Technical Officer, or
• have made scientific and/or technological contributions which produced leading creative tools and/or systems for the crafts involved in the creation of the theatrical motion picture experience, or
• have received an Academy Scientific and Technical Award, or
• have had direct involvement in the last eight years, not solely in an administrative position, in the preservation and/or restoration of legacy and current content of the moving image and/or recorded sound, or
(b) have, in the judgment of the Production and Technology Executive Committee, achieved unique distinction, earned special merit, or made an outstanding contribution to the arts or sciences of motion pictures in the above described areas.
Proposals must be accompanied by a letter from each sponsor which addresses, as specifically as possible, how the candidate meets one or another of the requirements above.
From Academy Bylaws:
Article III, Section 1. Membership shall be by invitation of the Board of Governors. Invitations to active membership shall be limited to those persons active in the motion picture arts and sciences, or credited with screen achievements, or who have otherwise achieved distinction in the motion picture arts and sciences and who, in the opinion of the Board, are qualified for membership.
To be considered for invitation to membership in the Production Design Branch of the Academy, a candidate must:
(a) have at least five years of experience in the motion picture industry, and have screen credits as Production Designer, Art Director or Set Decorator on at least four feature films of a caliber which, in the opinion of the executive committee, reflect the high standards of the Academy. For Art Directors working under the supervision of a Production Designer a minimum of six screen credits is required.
and/or
(b) have screen credit on a picture nominated for the Production Design Award.
or
(c) have, in the judgment of the Production Design Branch Executive Committee, achieved unique distinction, earned special merit or made an outstanding career contribution* to the art and science of production design.
* Candidates may be considered if they are key to the creative core of a film in the following additional categories:
Location manager, property master, illustrator, storyboard artist and scenic artist.
Proposals must be accompanied by a letter from each sponsor which addresses, as specifically as possible, how the candidate meets one or another of the requirements above.
From Academy Bylaws:
Article III, Section 1. Membership shall be by invitation of the Board of Governors. Invitations to active membership shall be limited to those persons active in the motion picture arts and sciences, or credited with screen achievements, or who have otherwise achieved distinction in the motion picture arts and sciences and who, in the opinion of the Board, are qualified for membership.
Members of the Short Films and Feature Animation Branch are filmmakers, artistic craftspeople, and those who have made notable contributions to the field. To be considered for invitation to membership, a candidate must:
(a) have met one of the following minimum number of screen credits in a key creative supervising, directing or lead role* on a theatrical film of a caliber which, in the opinion of the Short Films and Feature Animation Branch Executive Committee, reflect the high standards of the Academy.
Live Action:
- four screen credits for Live Action Short Films
Animation:
- four screen credits at Tier 1 (see below) for Animated Short Films
- two screen credits at Tier 1 (see below) for Animated Feature Films
- three screen credits at Tier 2 (see below) for Animated Feature Films
and\or
(b) have been nominated for an Academy Award in a Short Films category (animated and live action short films), or the Animated Feature Film category.
or
(c) have, in the judgment of the Short Films and Feature Animation Branch Executive Committee, otherwise achieved unique distinction, earned special merit or made an outstanding contribution within the person's field of endeavor.**
Proposals must be accompanied by a letter from each sponsor which specifies under which requirement or tier the candidate qualifies and how the candidate reflects the high standards of the Academy.
* Key creative supervising, directing or lead roles are defined as follows:
Live Action Short Films:
- 4 credits – Director, Producer, Writer
Animated Short Films:
- 4 credits at Tier 1
Animated Feature Films:
- 2 credits at Tier 1
- 3 credits at Tier 2
Please note many of the below job title examples may only apply to CGI animation, but equivalent job titles across various mediums will be considered equally under the appropriate Tier that the sponsor letters specify.
TIER 1
Creatively oversees the film from start to finish. Develops processes and tools and manages other artists to achieve the overall vision of the film. Coordinates and prioritizes efforts and communication across the entire film. Responsible for the overall delivery of the film against budget and schedule.
Job titles include:
● Director ● Producer ● Head of Story ● Editor ● Production Designer ● VFX Supervisor ● Screenplay
TIER 2
Executes the creative vision and plan for the film at the interdepartmental level. Responsible for resource management, both fiscal and human, to achieve the overall look and delivery of the film.
Job titles include, but are not limited to:
● Head of Character Animation ● Character Animator Lead ● Supervising Animator ● Animation Director ● Head of Layout ● Director of Photography ● Head of Lighting ● Lighting Supervisor ● Compositing Supervisor ● Head of Effects Animation ● Character Design Supervisor ● Art Director
**Candidates with job titles that fall outside Tier 1 and Tier 2 may be considered under the “C” clause for their overall outstanding contribution to animation.
From Academy Bylaws:
Article III, Section 1. Membership shall be by invitation of the Board of Governors. Invitations to active membership shall be limited to those persons active in the motion picture arts and sciences, or credited with screen achievements, or who have otherwise achieved distinction in the motion picture arts and sciences and who, in the opinion of the Board, are qualified for membership.
The Sound Branch Executive Committee shall weigh each proposal for membership in the Sound Branch of the Academy on its own merit with consideration for the candidate's professional standing in the motion picture industry, providing the minimum requirements below shall also have been met.
(a) The candidate must have had a minimum of eight years' experience in the production of theatrical motion picture sound tracks with five of the most recent years being primarily focused on the day to day making of theatrical sound tracks in one of the following capacities: mixer, engineer, supervising sound editor.
Additionally, supervising sound editors must have been responsible for the concept, planning and composition of the effects and related sound elements in a minimum of five theatrical motion pictures for which they have received film credit.
or
(b) In the judgment of the Sound Branch Executive Committee, the candidates must have otherwise achieved unique distinction, earned special merit or made an outstanding contribution in the candidate's field of endeavor*, providing the candidate has a minimum of fifteen years experience in said field and receives a two-thirds majority of the committee vote.
*Candidates may be considered if they are key to the creative core of a film in the following additional categories (including but not limited to): Boom Operator, Mix Tech, First Asst. Sound Editor.
or
(c) The candidate must have been nominated for an Academy Award in one of the Sound categories in the most recent Awards year.
Proposals must be accompanied by a letter from each sponsor which addresses, as specifically as possible, how the candidate meets one or another of the requirements above.
From Academy Bylaws:
Article III, Section 1. Membership shall be by invitation of the Board of Governors. Invitations to active membership shall be limited to those persons active in the motion picture arts and sciences, or credited with screen achievements, or who have otherwise achieved distinction in the motion picture arts and sciences and who, in the opinion of the Board, are qualified for membership.
To be considered for invitation to Academy membership in the Visual Effects Branch a candidate must:
(a) have been actively engaged for the past 8 years in the production of Visual Effects for theatrical motion pictures in a key creative position including, but not limited to, Visual Effects Supervisor; Mechanical/Special Effects Supervisor/Coordinator; Computer Graphics Supervisor; Creature/Character Effects Supervisor; Visual Effects Director of Photography; Visual Effects Art Director; Model Effects Supervisor; Digital Effects Supervisor; Matte Painting Supervisor; Visual Effects Animation Supervisor; Special Technology Supervisor; Compositing Supervisor or Previs Supervisor.
or
(b) have been nominated for an Academy Award in the Visual Effects category in the most recent Awards year.
or
(c) have been in the Visual Effects field for 4 years and have achieved such special distinction where ¾ of the non-abstaining Visual Effects Branch Executive Committee members agree, membership should be extended.
Proposals must be accompanied by a letter from each sponsor which addresses, as specifically as possible, how the candidate meets one or another of the requirements above.
From Academy Bylaws:
Article III, Section 1. Membership shall be by invitation of the Board of Governors. Invitations to active membership shall be limited to those persons active in the motion picture arts and sciences, or credited with screen achievements, or who have otherwise achieved distinction in the motion picture arts and sciences and who, in the opinion of the Board, are qualified for membership.
To be considered for invitation to membership in the Writers Branch of the Academy, a candidate must:
(a) have at least two theatrical feature film credits of a caliber which, in the opinion of the executive committee, reflect the high standards of the Academy. Credits should be inclusive of all film genres, and can be films released theatrically, in addition to streaming services and/or screened at a major film festival,
and/or
(b) have been nominated for an Academy Writing Award, and/or have a writing credit on a film nominated for the Academy Best Picture Award, Best International Feature Film Award, or Best Animated Feature Film Award,
or
(c) have, in the judgment of the Writers Branch Executive Committee, otherwise achieved unique distinction, earned special merit or made an outstanding contribution as a motion picture writer.