Australian Film Television and Radio School chief executive Sandra Levy has come under attack from a member of her own board, who cites an atmosphere of suppression and “sycophantic compliance”.
In a resignation email sent by Katherine Blashki, the school’s director of research and education, to Levy in June, the AFTRS executive has been accused of passing motions on educational policy without the director of education and research present.
“I am at a loss to understand why a motion would be passed on a paper in an area for which research and education is directly responsible and yet have had no part in constructing,” Blashki wrote.
“With this motion you have effectively ensured that I am unable to exercise my experiential knowledge and expertise to arrive at decisions.”
In responding to the allegations, Levy — a former director of television at the ABC — told Crikey that many of the claims were false and that documents correcting the assertions had been forwarded to Blashki.
“There are many factual inaccuracies in that letter, which were included in my response to her and were corrected at the time of her resignation,” she told Crikey.
Levy was unwilling to comment directly on which of Blashki’s accusations were false, as she was concerned about the prospects of defamation. However, she did choose to issue a generic statement to Crikey, which explained how the executive process works at AFTRS.
But Blashki claims that under Levy the correct processes at AFTRS were being ignored and that the integrity of the academic board had been “compromised”.
“Instructing the director of research and education to endorse a program offering is tantamount to assuming that the role of the director is one of sycophantic compliance,” she wrote. “I will not be instructed on how to use my vote in academic board as this not only comprises my own integrity but also the integrity of the academic board.
“Where is the forum for dissension and debate in AFTRS? If not at executive and academic board then where?”
Graham Thorburn, director of screen content at AFTRS, disagreed with Blashki’s claims, telling Crikey that debate within the executive was “rigorous and demanding”.
“There is debate but you have got to be prepared to put your debate strongly and have the facts and figures at hand,” he told Crikey.
Blashki’s accusations are the latest in a series of rumblings from within AFTRS. Crikey understands that senior staff at AFTRS are unhappy with Levy’s micro-management control of the organisation but are “are too afraid to say anything publicly”.
AFTRS is a federal government statutory body and a self-accrediting institution. Last month, Levy was reappointed for a further four years by Federal Minister for the Arts Peter Garrett, who cited “strong leadership credentials” as the reason for her extension.
Levy confirmed that Blashki will be working at AFTRS until September, despite offers from the school to pay her out.
Exodus is an over used term but seems to be a lot of it going on at the moment at AFTRS?! IF too from a year or so ago – http://if.com.au/2008/12/11/article/Production-design-dilemma-AFTRS-disappointed-too/WNASSSUPDI.html
Reminds me a bit of recent political upheavals – does anyone remember a certain, all controlling, not listening, Australian leader, ousted by his close group of disenfranchised deputies?
As a former student at the school I feel very sympathetic to Ms Blashki as I have seen first hand and heard from many disgruntled staff of the way that Ms Levy is not really leading but over managing. I was at the school around the transition to the new building when Ms Levy apparently took over and was expectant of great things, AFTRS had a strong professional learning reputation, but then saddened by seeing a confused and demoralised staff who were trying their best against this old school regime.
I think, given the amount that has been spent on this school there should be an investigation, as from my viewpoint I agree with Crickey from this article “The world has changed but the school has not.” http://uat.crikey.com.au/2008/04/29/our-old-school-film-school-is-a-waste-of-20m/
Once Sandra Levy has become the “CEO” of AFTRS which is effectively a term that is used in private enterprise which AFTRS is not, the previous good name of AFTRS is now akin to being a secondary TAFE.
Previous cinematography students or potential students went through a rigorous screening process before the “cream of the crop” were selected and trained/guided by industry professionals.
Sadly by her so called micro management techniques that have been introduced a number of well respected industry professionals have been made redundant or have resigned in disgust.
The management of team at AFTRS who in some cases earn effectively earn over 160K per annum to be the “yes men/women” of the CEO. Who have no real power or the willingness to say no to the question are we or have we been heading in the right direction.
According to sources she demanded her name to be placed in the credits of AFTRS productions, for effectively creating nothing to the standard that AFTRS once was.
Since her mismanagement regime no real recognition or industry awards has been afforded to students of AFTRS, why is that ?
It is because sadly AFTRS was a training ground to award winning cinematographers, directors of photography, design students etc, several of the cinematographers now have ACS accreditation. Other previous students in different disciplines have also received industry recognition . Now it is a money making machine, demanding fees of students to be guided by individuals who have little or no experience and courses that are shorter in length and depth to make the most of student and the quality of the product.
Sadly in the industry AFTRS is now regarded as a joke, real experience can only be given by the professionals who are now in “the real world” of film and television and those individuals gladly pass on their knowledge and guide for nothing but making great film or television.
No direction,lack of commitment,lack of any sound principles,thoughtless and clueless.
From the best in the world to just another ho hum college.
All down to one thing