Dear Sir
I believe that since BAFTA decided some years ago to split the Production and Craft Awards the latter has consistently lost any status and credibility within the industry, and consequently with the viewing public. It never ceases to amaze me that it seems acceptable that the presenter of the show feels the need to, or is allowed to, do nothing but make fun of the technical grades.
We are supposed to be rated highly throughout the world but when it comes to the night, where maybe a little drum beating would be in order, we're made to feel nothing but components of rather bad jokes.
I might add that BAFTA Awards are an industry award not just a UK award and therefore worldwide technicians are part of the occasion and deserve better treatment. Maybe the presenter in future ought to be an international star or Sydney Samuelson, Dickie Attenborough or David Putnam, not a TV court jester. I'm firmly of the opinion that the awards should revert back to separate TV and Film nights and with Production/Craft together. The Craft evening also loses class by taking it to the provinces. London is the centre that's where it should be held!
Simon Kaye
Harrow Weald, Middlesex
Dear Sir
I am sure it will not come as a surprise to those who know me, to read that I wholeheartedly endorse the sentiments in the July Newsletter 'A Beef About BAFTA'.
It has been my long held view that the film awards in general, and the film craft awards in particular have for many years been treated as 'padding' (between the rehearsed ad-libs of the comperes) to be disposed of as quickly as possible and to get on with the real show of promoting themselves. I only wish my criticism stopped there. I believe that we will always be second class citizens unless, and until BAFTA adopts the American system of awards, the Oscars for film on one night, and the Emmy for T!
elevision on a separate occasion. This format gives the participants their 'fifteen minutes of glory' and gives space for comperes, music etc to be incorporated. Many years ago I told the BAFTA Committee that I prized my nominations for an Oscar more than the BAFTA awards I had received. Regretfully I see no reason to change my mind.
May I, in closing, quote Alan Alder, who was the compere for one of the Oscar ceremonies I was fortunate enough to attend. At the opening of the evening he asked for "all the nominees to stand up, as no matter who is the eventual winner we were the stars of the evening". If only BAFTA thought so.
Gerry Humphreys
Weybridge, Surrey