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THE DOCTOR BIRD AWARDS |
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IN FILM AND TELEVISION |
As Mediamix approached its 25th Anniversary, a review of the television and media landscape revealed an area of patent neglect. Although far more luminaries shine in the single area of film and television than in any other area of human
endeavor by Jamaicans, neither public nor private recognition has been forthcoming. For Mediamix, it was clear that the inauguration of the Doctor Bird Awards in Film and Television was the most fitting way to celebrate its achievements and simultaneously, that of the many super-achievers in the industry.This initiative is intended to acknowledge and
honor excellence of individual creative contributions in film and television production - in front of and behind the camera - by Jamaicans based on birth, ancestry or citizenship. This year's nominees are drawn from different corners of the world, where their contributions have made a significant impact on the world stage. They are being recognized in four categories - Posthumous, Lifetime Achievers, Performers and Producers.Mediamix and an Awards Committee drawn from both the public and private sectors are responsible for the administration of this year's event. The Committee, chaired by Prof
. Rex Nettleford, with the assistance of an advisory selection panel, are responsible for the selection of the nominees and ultimately, the awardees. Awards are given on the basis of accumulative contributions.At the end of this year's event, a Doctor Bird Awards Foundation will be set up to ensure that the event is self-perpetuating and self-sufficient, and staged every two (2) years. The raising of funds and planning for the next Awards' event will form an important part of the Foundation's work.
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THE DOCTOR BIRD AWARDS |
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THE TROPHY |
THE NAME OF THE AWARD was inspired by the unique features of this bird which is to be found only in Jamaica. Being the national bird, it is readily identified with Jamaica.
Its natural visual beauty together with its deeply rooted cultural symbolism recommended its representation for the Award.
The Doctor Bird shares the beautiful iridescent plumage with, but is distinguished from, other humming birds by the unique long twin tail of the mature male. It is not only visually beautiful but also elegant, colourful and exciting to watch when hovering in mid flight with wings beating at blinding speeds within a second.
It carries an air of mystery and supernatural qualities. Frederic Cassidy in Jamaica Talk (Dictionary of Jamaican English) reminds us that "doctor" is another name for the Obeah man and that the bird is an object of superstition : "Doctor bud a cunny bud, hard bud
fe dead" (Jamaican folk song). The belief in the magical properties of the Doctor bird dates back to the Taino (Arawaks) who called it the "God bird" and believed it was the reincarnation of dead souls. The name still remains.
THE TROPHY IS DESIGNED AND EXECUTED by Phillip Surpersad who is a ceramist and tutor at the the Edna Manley School for the Visual Arts. His introduction to the Jamaican artistic landscape in the 1970s was marked by more than a distinctive style - he stood out from the rest and continues to do so. His career path has led him locally to pursue areas of research and documentation of available minerals for ceramics. Internationally, he has gained scholarships to ceramic centres in Italy and Australia, acted as a consultant to the OAS, and exhibited throughout Jamaica and the wider Caribbean as well as the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany and Australia.
DOCTOR BIRD AWARDS COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
The Committee members were given terms of reference to develop the Doctor Bird Awards in Film and Television and are responsible for the selection of the nominees, from which group, the Awards will be conferred.
| Prof Rex Nettleford | - Vice-Chancellor, U W I |
| Chairman | - Awards Committee |
| Mr. Brian St Juste | - Managing Director, Apex Productions Limited |
| Dr Hopeton Dunn | - Senior Lecturer, CARIMAC |
| Mrs. Fay Pickersgill | - Director of Tourism, Jamaica Tourist Board |
| Mr. James Samuels | - President, Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association |
| Ambassador Peter King | - C.E.O., Peter King and Associates Limited |
| Mr. Kenny Benjamin | - Executive Chairman, Guardsman Group Limited |
| Dr Simon Clarke | - Chairman, Mutual Life |
| Mr. Lennie Little-White | - Executive Chairman, Mediamix |
| Ms Cheryl Ryman | - Project Manager, Mediamix 25th Anniversary/Doctor Bird Awards |
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DOCTOR BIRD AWARDS |
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ADVISORY SELECTION PANEL |
The Doctor Bird Awards Committee members were assisted in the selection process by an advisory panel comprising active participants in local film and television industry.
The panel members worked independently armed with a list of nominees
, the criteria for selection and a rating form for assessment.Their rating sheets were fed to the Committee to assist them in their deliberations.
| Natalie Thompson | - Independent Film maker (Director, Producer) |
| Carolyn Pfeiffer-Bradshaw | - Film Producer |
| Chris Browne | - Independent Film maker (Director) |
| Monica DaSilva | - Film/Television Librarian(CVM) |
| Norman Rae | - Former Film Critic (Daily Gleaner) |
DOCTOR BIRD AWARDS' NOMINEES:
The list of nominees was based on a preliminary process of selection using the available bio-data and criteria. They fall into four main categories. ONLY 14 PERSONS will receive the Doctor Bird Awards, with a SPECIAL AWARD to be presented to an outstanding Caribbean film-maker.
| POSTHUMOUS: | |
| Madge Sinclair | - actress |
| Reggie Carter | - actor |
| Donat Buckner | - producer, director |
| Frank Silvera | - actor |
| LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT: | |
| Harry Belafonte | - actor, producer |
| Chris Blackwell | - producer |
| Evan Jones | - screen writer |
| Martin Rennalls | - producer, director, trainer |
PERFORMER:
| Grace Jones | - actress |
| Sheryl Lee Ralph | - actress |
| Carl Lumbly | - actor |
| Delroy Lindo | - actor |
| Lenny Henry | - actor |
| producer Oliver Samuels | - actor |
| Leonie Forbes | - actress |
| Carl Bradshaw | - actor |
| Jimmy Cliff | -actor, soundtrack composer |
| Paul Campbell | - actor |
| Louise Bennett -Coverley | - actress |
| PRODUCER: | |
| Suzanne de Passe | - producer, director, s/writer |
| Perry Henzell | - producer, director, s/writer |
| Franklyn "Chappy" St Juste | - cinematographer, director |
| Trevor Rhone | - screen writer |
| Wycliffe Bennett | - producer, director, trainer |
| Carey Robinson | - producer, director, s/writer |
| Martin Rennalls | - producer, director, trainer |
Nominees who do not receive an Award in 1998 will be eligible in the year 2000.
SPONSORSMediamix Limited and the Doctor Bird Awards Committee gratefully acknowledge the support of the sponsors and associate sponsors for this landmark event.
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Crowne Plaza, National Investment Bank of Jamaica, |
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Couples, Palace Amusement Co(1921) Ltd, |
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CVM Television Limited, Palm Productions Limited, |
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Desnoes & Geddes -Beers, Red Bones Café, |
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Dunlop, Corbin Communications, |
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CGR Communications Limited, Sandals Resorts International Limited, |
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Guardsman Group Limited, Shocking Vibes Production Ltd, |
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INTEC Research Sound & Light Systems, TCBY Frozen Yogurt, |
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Island Car Rentals Limited, Terra Nova Hotel, |
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J Wray & Nephew Limited, The Gleaner Company Limited, |
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JAMPRO, The Jamaica Observer, |
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Jamaica Tourist Board, The Sunday Herald, |
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Le Meridien - Jamaica Pegasus, The Video Concept, |
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Moo Young Butler Associates, XNews Limited, |
| Air Jamaica, |
| Galaxy Leisure & Tours |
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ASSOCIATE SPONSORS: |
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Fraser Fontaine and Kong Limited, |
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Jamaica National Building Society, |
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Pear Tree Press Limited, |
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Sherwin Williams (WI) Limited, |
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Sun Island Jamaica Limited, |
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UGI Group Limited, |
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Island Life Insurance Company |