It was ten months ago that BTJA was officially born.  Organizing for our first Critics’ Choice Television Awards (CCTA) gala followed quickly, dividing the membership into Nominating Committees and taking on the awesome task of judging what we collectively believed to be the finest achievements in television during the 2010-2011 season.  On June 20^th we hosted the inaugural CCTA and were thrilled to have dozens of nominees join us at the Beverly Hills Hotel, including our Television Icon Award winner, Danny DeVito.

Our original plan was to simply have an awards luncheon, but broadcasters came to us and the ceremony wound up being streamed live on VH1.com and televised two days later on ReelzChannel.  In the end, the success of our first CCTA show surpassed our own optimistic expectations.

And now it’s time to do it again.  We are holding Monday evening June 18^th at the Beverly Hilton Hotel as the tentative date of the second annual CCTA.

Led by our BTJA Executive Committee, we need to adopt a voting timeline and determine what our awards categories will be and how many nominees should be announced in each category.  Last year we presented awards in the following categories:

Best Comedy Series

Best Drama Series

Best Actor in a Comedy Series

Best Actress in a Comedy Series

Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Best Actor in a Drama Series

Best Actress in a Drama Series

Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Best Reality Show Host

Best Reality Series

Best Reality Series – Competition

Best Talk Show

Most Exciting New Series

Do we want to add Specials or Movies/Minis this year?  Best Documentary?  Best Picture Made for Television was deleted from the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards show last month, in anticipation of adding the category in our CCTA show.  Obviously there are many more categories that we could consider adding.  But we should not bite off more than we can chew.

Last year, we formed three NomComs – Comedy, Drama and Reality.  Do we want to stick with this arrangement?  Who should Chair each committee?  I recommend that we ask members who feel qualified to volunteer for one NomCom, with the understanding that not everyone will actually step up.  The BEC will then determine the ultimate makeup of each NomCom

There has been some discussion of setting up a rolling voting system to rate primetime TV series or special programs on an ongoing basis.  Such Critics’ Choice Ratings (CCR) would be featured on Criticschoice.com.  I’d like to propose we start this off by offering studios/networks/channels the opportunity to seek a CCR for any program they wish to submit for a rating.  This would require that they service all BTJA members with DVDs or links so that we have a timely opportunity to view and vote.  In practice, this would encourage studios/networks/channels to get us their best shows as early as possible.  In the future, it would be nice to expand the CCR system, but this seems like a good way to get the ball rolling.

It is also time for a referendum to seek membership approval of the organizational systems that have been put into place, including the individuals serving on the BEC and BTJA presidency.  The BFCA Board of Directors will nominate those currently serving and who wish to continue, and there will then be an opportunity presented for other members who wish to be considered for these posts to throw their hats into the ring.  Once the BEC is formally in place, it will address the issue of creating by-laws for BTJA.

This certainly is a daunting agenda.  But with your input and involvement, I’m sure we can build something that will well serve the membership, our audiences, and the television industry.

Please post your comments, suggestions and questions below.

To insure that your outlet is exactly as you want it to appear on your card, please go to criticschoice.com and check your name and outlet on the list of BFCA members.  If you have changes, just let me know.

http://www.criticschoice.com/members/bfca

For those who would like to include more information on their cards, here are some additional possibilities to consider:

Your photo

Home address
Home phone #
Personal e-mail address

Outlet name
Business address
Business phone
Business e-mail

If you would like any of this data on the back of your card, please send me your photo and a list of all the above information you’d like to include by February 17.

Sara Voorhees
svoorhees@bfca.org

Our 17th annual Critics’ Choice Movie awards was clearly our best ever – with spectacular starpower – unforgettable presentations and acceptance speeches – and a range of magical moments from Bob Dylan to the Muppets.

There are a literally hundreds of people to thank for this achievement, but it all starts with YOU, the members of the BFCA who made such wise choices and then lifted their voices to do everything possible to build our audience.

I hope you are as proud of what we accomplished on January 12th as I am.

Please feel free to add your comments, pro or con, below.

Onward and upward!

Photographs by Lisa Rose: Press Room, Floor and After Party

Photographs by Tammie Arroyo: Cocktail Reception and Press Room

GEORGE CLOONEY TO PRESENT SEAN PENN WITH THE JOEL SIEGEL AWARD

MELISSA MCCARTHY, OWEN WILSON, KIRSTEN DUNST, DUSTIN HOFFMAN, DIANE KRUGER AND PAUL RUDD AMONG THE MANY PRESENTERS

Award Ceremony to Broadcast Live on VH1 Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 8:00 PM ET/PT

(SANTA MONICA, CA – January 10, 2012) – The Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) has announced that Leonardo DiCaprio and Olivia Harrison will present “Hugo” director Martin Scorsese with the Critics’ Choice Music+Film Award, in addition to a special musical tribute from Bob Dylan at the 17th Annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards. Hosted by comedians Paul Scheer and Rob Huebel, the show will air live for the fifth straight year on VH1 from the Hollywood Palladium on Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 8:00 PM ET/PT.

The Music+Film Award honors a single filmmaker who has touched audiences through cinematic storytelling, and has heightened the impact of films through the brilliant use of source and original music. In addition to this honor, Scorsese’s film “Hugo” is nominated for 11 Critics’ Choice Awards and he directed the Best Documentary Feature nominee “George Harrison: Living in the Material World.”

Also being honored at the 17th annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards is renowned actor and humanitarian Sean Penn, who will be presented with the fifth annual Joel Siegel Award by George Clooney. Given annually, this special award pays homage to beloved “Good Morning America” film critic and BFCA member Joel Siegel, who lost his long struggle with cancer in June 2007. It seeks to honor those who understand, as Joel did, that the greatest value of celebrity is as an enhanced platform to do good works for others.

The BFCA also revealed an array of presenters for the 17th annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards including Vin Diesel, Kirsten Dunst, Donald Glover, Dustin Hoffman, Mindy Kaling, Ben Kingsley, Diane Kruger, Melissa McCarthy, Elizabeth Olsen, Patton Oswalt, Paul Rudd, Maya Rudolph, Jason Segel and Owen Wilson.

If you haven’t already done so, please cast your votes now by clicking on this link:

http://www.criticschoice.com/bfca-ballot

To place your vote, simply make your selection and then click on the “vote” button underneath each category.  There will be no emailed ballots.  All voting is happening online.

If you run in to any trouble accessing the ballot, please email Lisa Minjares: lisa@jumpthebowl.com

In the members’ area of the Critics’ Choice site we have posted show, ticket, and parking information as well as hints to help promote the show to your audiences prior to Thursday night and announcements about special awards and presenters.

Thanks for voting and for being part of the Broadcast Film Critics Association!

GEORGE CLOONEY TO PRESENT AWARD TO PENN

AWARDS CEREMONY TO BE BROADCAST LIVE ON VH1
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2012 AT 8:00 PM ET/PT

(SANTA MONICA, CA – January 9, 2012) — The Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) announced today that renowned actor and humanitarian Sean Penn will be presented with the fifth annual Joel Siegel Award at the 17th annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards. The award will be presented by fellow actor and 13-time Critics’ Choice Award nominee George Clooney. The ceremony will air live on VH1 on Thursday, January 12 at 8:00 PM ET/PT.

Given annually, this special award pays homage to beloved “Good Morning America” film critic and BFCA member Joel Siegel, who lost his long struggle with cancer in June 2007. It seeks to honor those who understand, as Joel did, that the greatest value of celebrity is as an enhanced platform to do good works for others.

Sean Penn founded the J/P Haitian Relief Organization in the immediate aftermath of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010. Since then J/P HRO has led the effort to raise money and awareness in response to the disaster, which took more than 200,000 lives. Led by Penn, J/P HRO is dedicated to saving lives and bringing sustainable programs to the Haitian people quickly and effectively.

“We are extremely proud to be able to make this presentation to Sean on this night in particular, exactly two years after the devastating earthquake struck Haiti,” says BFCA President Joey Berlin. “While it was heartening to see such an outpouring of support and aid for the Haitian people in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, the long-term commitment made by Sean and his organization is particularly notable. The Joel Siegel Award was created to spotlight such above and beyond efforts by the leading lights of our industry and its spirit is truly personified by Sean Penn.”

Penn has been nominated for seven Critics’ Choice Awards throughout his career, including two wins in the Best Actor category, for “Mystic River” and “Milk.” His five additional nominations included Best Actor for “I Am Sam,” Best Acting Ensemble for “Mystic River” and “Milk,” Best Director for “Into the Wild” and Best Writer for “Into the Wild.” In 2011, Penn starred in “The Tree of Life,” a Critics’ Choice Best Picture nominee.

The evening will also honor Martin Scorsese with the Critics’ Choice Music+Film Award.　In addition to this honor, Scorsese’s film “Hugo” is nominated for 11 Critics’ Choice Awards and he directed the Best Documentary Feature nominee “George Harrison: Living in the Material World.”　Hosts for the star-studded awards gala will be comedians Paul Scheer and Rob Huebel.

The Critics’ Choice Movie Awards are bestowed annually by the BFCA to honor the finest in cinematic achievement. The BFCA is the largest film critics organization in the United States and Canada, representing more than 250 television, radio and online critics.　BFCA members are the primary source of information for today’s film going public.　Eligible films were released in 2011. The accounting firm of CMM, LLP tallied the written ballots.

Since its inception in 1995, the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards has been a star-studded bellwether event of the movie awards season.　Historically, the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards are the most accurate predictor of the Academy Award nominations. Last year, for example, all four of the acting category winners at the Oscars – Colin Firth, Natalie Portman, Christian Bale and Melissa Leo – first accepted their awards in the same categories at the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards.　In all, 18 of the 20 actors nominated for Oscars were first Critics’ Choice Movie Awards nominees.

Final ballots for the 17th annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards will be sent to BFCA members on January 8, 2012 with a deadline for returning final ballots on January 10, 2012. For more information about the show visit CriticsChoice.VH1.com, “Like” VH1 on Facebook, and follow @VH1 on Twitter and use the hashtag #CCMA to talk about the awards!

The 17th Annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards is executive produced by Jesse Ignjatovic for Den of Thieves, Joey Berlin for Berlin Entertainment and Lee Rolontz for VH1.

The most important days to promote tune-in to the 2012 CCMA’s are Wednesday and Thursday this week, and particularly the hours and minutes leading up to the show on VH1, LIVE Thursday at 5:00 pm PT.

Some reminders:

There will be a live interaction Twitter component on the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards.

The official hashtag is #CCMA and this will be messaged on-screen to the home audience. There will be signage around the venue encouraging the nominees and guests to, “Follow @VH1 on Twitter and use #CCMA to talk about the show,” so please use this hashtag in your tweets and advance coverage.

There will also be a live video chat experience on ccma.vh1.com with bloggers and online movie commenters from around the Web talking about the show/winners.

Some members have asked about online banners to promote the show.  We don’t have such banners prepared, but we think it would be much more effective to use some of the promotional material prepared by VH1 as content rather than simply a banner with a link.

For example, VH1 has prepared promotional promos which you are free to download and use at this link:

http://vh1creative.wiredrive.com/l/p/?presentation=fd436c45bce652b12e28d702bb65def3

And here’s another embeddable video “backstage” from the CCMA’s:

http://blog.vh1.com/2012-01-06/things-get-pretty-hectic-behind-the-scenes-at-the-critics-choice-movie-awards/

Meanwhile we would encourage you to pluck anything sharable off http://www.vh1.com/shows/events/critics_choice/_2012/, including the logo and any embeddable video elements for your blogs or online posts.

Also, don’t forget to visit and share links from our Facebook and Twitter pages:

https://www.facebook.com/criticschoicemovieawards

https://www.twitter.com/criticschoice

Make sure to follow us on Twitter and “Fan” us on Facebook!  There are plenty of show-related posts there you might want to share with your audiences.

Virtually every day this week we will be announcing newsworthy items that can help generate interest in the show.  Recently you probably saw our announcement honoring Martin Scorcese with the Music+Film award and the announcement that Sean Penn will receive the annual Joel Siegel award.  Details on both announcements are available in the news section of the CriticsChoice.com site, visible once you log in.

Thanks again for all your help in spreading the word.

DATE: Thursday, January 12, 2012

SHOW TIME: LIVE at 5:00 PM
Doors Open: 3:00PM
Cocktail Reception in Lobby: 3:00‐4:45PM
Red Carpet LIVE: 3:00PM‐4:45PM
Doors Close: 4:45PM SHARP!

SHOW ATTIRE: Black Tie

VENUE: The Hollywood Palladium
6215 West Sunset Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90028

DIRECTIONS
101 Fwy (Hollywood Fwy) – Exit Sunset and head west – Venue is near the corner of Sunset & Argyle.

AFTER PARTY
**Your 2012 CCMA ticket will admit you to the after party**
Location: Boulevard 3
6523 Sunset Blvd ‐ Los Angeles, CA 90028
Time: 7:00PM – 10:00PM
Boulevard 3 is located 6 blocks west of the Palladium.
**Busses will be shuttling guests to and from the After Party. Guests may leave their cars parked at the Palladium**

TICKET & PARKING INFORMATION

WHEN TO PICK‐UP TICKETS & PARKING PASSES

Tickets and Parking Passes will be available for pick‐up on the following dates ONLY!

Wednesday, January 11th / 2:00PM‐7:00PM
Thursday, January 12th / 11:00AM‐4:45PM

WHERE TO PICK‐UP TICKETS & PARKING PASSES

The Hollywood Palladium Ticket Box Office
6215 West Sunset Boulevard, LA, CA 90028

The Ticket Box Office is located at the front main entrance of the venue on Sunset Blvd.

WHAT YOU NEED TO PICK‐UP TICKETS

To ensure that each ticket ends up in its rightful owner’s hands, each person picking up tickets will be required to show picture I.D.  If you are having someone else pick‐up your tickets, arrangements must be made in advance with Audience Dept. KJForbes@roadrunner.com lexstathis@gmail.com

TICKETS ARE NON‐TRANSFERABLE
PLEASE CONTACT US IF YOU SHOULD HAVE TO CANCEL YOUR TICKETS

TICKETING DEPT. CONTACT INFO

Alexis Stathis – EM: lexstathis@gmail.com
Karen Forbes – EM: KJForbes@roadrunner.com

RED CARPET CREDENTIALS

Publicists & Representatives that need to walk their clients down the Red Carpet, please contact:

Alyssa Some ‐ Slate PR
(310) 461-0100
email: AlyssaS@slate-pr.com