TV Acad opens panels

By VARIETY STAFF

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has for the first time opened up a select number of its panels to the general public.

The first, on the art of TV development, drew more than 70 non-members Thursday out of a capacity house of roughly 600.

Upcoming sessions open to non-ATAS members are "The Perils of Pitching" April 28, and a May 10 event on infomercials.

ATAS exec director and activities committee chair James L. Loper attributed the policy change -- which will be on a selective, space-available basis -- to a desire to encourage qualified non-members to consider joining the Academy, as well as to share events with those interested in the subject matter.

Members of the general public will be charged $ 10 each event. Events are free to Academy members.