LOS ANGELES — “We want our members’ input.”

That is how Dawn Hudson, chief executive of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, summed up her group’s call for an unusual town hall session, on May 4, with the roughly 6,000 film professionals who belong to it.

Ms. Hudson spoke by telephone on Thursday, shortly after the Academy e-mailed official invitations to the session, which is to be held simultaneously, both live and via video, in Beverly Hills, New York and San Francisco.

The invitation mentioned subjects for discussion like the Academy’s planned movie museum, digital voting for the Oscars and programming of its various events. But it also told the members that officials want “to hear what’s important to you.”

Ms. Hudson said she did not know of any precedent for a general conclave of the Academy membership, though she has been holding smaller meetings with the members of the association’s various branches since taking her post about two years ago.

“This has been my mantra since coming here,” Ms. Hudson said of the call for more communication within a group that is best known for its annual Oscar show.

When it comes to questions, Ms. Hudson said nothing was off the table. But member queries must be submitted in advance, by April 25.

Ms. Hudson also confirmed that the Academy was planning another, more private session, on Thursday evening for donors to the planned film museum. At that cocktail reception, officials are expected to unveil details of the museum design, from Renzo Piano and Zoltan Pali.

The museum is to occupy a former department store building that is owned by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and adjoins Lacma’s exhibition halls in the mid-Wilshire area of Los Angeles. The Academy expects to begin construction within a year, and hopes to open the movie museum in 2017, Ms. Hudson said.

Article source: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/05/business/media/oscars-group-prepares-for-town-hall-meeting-with-6000-invitees.html?partner=rss&emc=rss