After airing an astonishingly unnerving advertisement for the new iPad Pro earlier this week, Apple issued an apology on Thursday.
The clip — which shows an array of creative tools such as a guitar, piano, trumpet, and bottles of paint being crushed by a hydraulic press — was widely criticized. Other items being pulverized included an Angry Bird statue and arcade cabinet.
“Creativity is in our DNA at Apple, and it’s incredibly important to us to design products that empower creatives all over the world,” the company’s VP of marketing communications,...
The clip — which shows an array of creative tools such as a guitar, piano, trumpet, and bottles of paint being crushed by a hydraulic press — was widely criticized. Other items being pulverized included an Angry Bird statue and arcade cabinet.
“Creativity is in our DNA at Apple, and it’s incredibly important to us to design products that empower creatives all over the world,” the company’s VP of marketing communications,...
- 5/10/2024
- by Charisma Madarang
- Rollingstone.com
Update, 3:08 Pm: Apple CEO Tim Cook’s X post on the much condemned “Crush” ad for the new iPad Pro has been viewed around 53 million times and the in-house produced promo is still on the tech giant’s YouTube page, but Apple is now saying sorry.
“Our goal is to always celebrate the myriad of ways users express themselves and bring their ideas to life through iPad,” Apple marketing kingpin Tor Myhren told Ad Age today as the backlash intensified. “We missed the mark with this video, and we’re sorry.”
Well, maybe not that sorry – as after two days they still haven’t taken the literally and figuratively destructive ad down.
Previously May 8 Am: Apple’s new iPad Pro isn’t hitting the shelves for another week, but the self-described “thinnest Apple product yet” is already being crushed because of a new ad.
Released yesterday at a virtual...
“Our goal is to always celebrate the myriad of ways users express themselves and bring their ideas to life through iPad,” Apple marketing kingpin Tor Myhren told Ad Age today as the backlash intensified. “We missed the mark with this video, and we’re sorry.”
Well, maybe not that sorry – as after two days they still haven’t taken the literally and figuratively destructive ad down.
Previously May 8 Am: Apple’s new iPad Pro isn’t hitting the shelves for another week, but the self-described “thinnest Apple product yet” is already being crushed because of a new ad.
Released yesterday at a virtual...
- 5/9/2024
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Apple has put out some of the most innovative and memorable commercials ever. We think of the iconic 1984 ad and the early iPod spots with silhouetted music lovers dancing to “Are You Gonna Be My Girl?” Now, Apple has done the exact opposite of those, inadvertently pushing people away from the product.
Apple CEO Tim Cook posted the ad – titled “Crush” – on X this week, accompanying it with: “Meet the new iPad Pro: the thinnest product we’ve ever created, the most advanced display we’ve ever produced, with the incredible power of the M4 chip. Just imagine all the things it’ll be used to create.” The ad itself features a wealth of human achievements – from music to mathematics – being crushed in a hydraulic press, ultimately creating the new iPad Pro. That it is set to Sonny and Cher’s “All I Ever Need Is You” definitely has meaning.
Apple CEO Tim Cook posted the ad – titled “Crush” – on X this week, accompanying it with: “Meet the new iPad Pro: the thinnest product we’ve ever created, the most advanced display we’ve ever produced, with the incredible power of the M4 chip. Just imagine all the things it’ll be used to create.” The ad itself features a wealth of human achievements – from music to mathematics – being crushed in a hydraulic press, ultimately creating the new iPad Pro. That it is set to Sonny and Cher’s “All I Ever Need Is You” definitely has meaning.
- 5/9/2024
- by Mathew Plale
- JoBlo.com
Apple’s Crushing iPad Ad Sparks Outrage Online. (Photo Credit – Instagram)
Actor Hugh Grant ripped into tech giant Apple over their latest iPad Ad, which showed a myriad of creative tools being crushed with an industrial-sized hydraulic press. The ad for the new iPad Pro triggered an uproar on social media on Wednesday, May 8, after many perceived it as a subliminal message of technology replacing human creativity.
The minute-long Ad called Crush, which dropped on Tuesday, May 7, showed a heavy-duty machine pulverizing all creative materials, including musical instruments, sculpture and an analogue camera, as the soundtrack of the Sonny and Cher 1971 tune “All I Ever Need Is You” plays in the background.
The Apple commercial sparked outrage online as many opined it implied generative AI can easily replace human creativity. Several social media users took offense to the ad, rendering the creative tools superfluous in the age of technology. Among...
Actor Hugh Grant ripped into tech giant Apple over their latest iPad Ad, which showed a myriad of creative tools being crushed with an industrial-sized hydraulic press. The ad for the new iPad Pro triggered an uproar on social media on Wednesday, May 8, after many perceived it as a subliminal message of technology replacing human creativity.
The minute-long Ad called Crush, which dropped on Tuesday, May 7, showed a heavy-duty machine pulverizing all creative materials, including musical instruments, sculpture and an analogue camera, as the soundtrack of the Sonny and Cher 1971 tune “All I Ever Need Is You” plays in the background.
The Apple commercial sparked outrage online as many opined it implied generative AI can easily replace human creativity. Several social media users took offense to the ad, rendering the creative tools superfluous in the age of technology. Among...
- 5/9/2024
- by Anushree Madappa
- KoiMoi
Following 118 days on strike, SAG-AFTRA secured a deal with the studios that was worth over $1B that it said had ““unprecedented provisions”.
But the guild isn’t resting on its laurels, it’s already looking ahead to its next contract with the AMPTP in 2026.
Over the weekend, SAG-AFTRA’s EVP, Linda Powell, LA VP Jodi Long, who is also LA Local President and SAG-AFTRA VP, Actors/Performers Shari Belafonte were in Denver at SeriesFest to discuss the contract and what’s next for the guild.
The trio discussed the contract gains, including new money for healthcare, protections on AI, new measures on self-tapes and the guild’s new streaming residual bonus.
But they also highlighted the fact that there’s another contract to negotiate in 2026.
Powell said she was “feeling ready for the next fight”.
“We’re watching A.I., we’ve got a lot of legislation going on to...
But the guild isn’t resting on its laurels, it’s already looking ahead to its next contract with the AMPTP in 2026.
Over the weekend, SAG-AFTRA’s EVP, Linda Powell, LA VP Jodi Long, who is also LA Local President and SAG-AFTRA VP, Actors/Performers Shari Belafonte were in Denver at SeriesFest to discuss the contract and what’s next for the guild.
The trio discussed the contract gains, including new money for healthcare, protections on AI, new measures on self-tapes and the guild’s new streaming residual bonus.
But they also highlighted the fact that there’s another contract to negotiate in 2026.
Powell said she was “feeling ready for the next fight”.
“We’re watching A.I., we’ve got a lot of legislation going on to...
- 5/6/2024
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
It was a movie with a questionable title. A lot of critics were rough on it. Gene Siskel even called it one of the worst movies of the year. It came and went in theatres with few movie-goers paying any attention. But in the years since its release, it has become a beloved cult classic, with a legion of fans that love quoting its memorable lines. Some of its youngest viewers were drawn in by what they saw as a wish fulfillment concept: What would you do if the babysitter croaked on the first day of your mom’s vacation… so you had the house to yourself for two months straight? We get to see what the Crandall kids would do in the 1991 comedy Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead – and it’s time for this one to be Revisited.
Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead wouldn’t exist if...
Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead wouldn’t exist if...
- 4/23/2024
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Actor Winona Ryder met with her frequent collaborator and friend Tim Burton to star in their hit film Beetlejuice. But it took some time before Ryder even realized she was speaking with the director.
Winona Ryder didn’t know that film directors could be like Tim Burton Winona Ryder | Rick Kern/WireImage
Ryder hadn’t done too many movies in the film industry before Beetlejuice. Starting out, she was mostly known for Lucas and Square Dance. But she’d been around the film industry enough to have certain expectations of filmmakers, seeing them as caring but rigid authority figures.
But this was until Ryder met with director Tim Burton, who showed her a different type of filmmaker. In an interview with Collider, she recalled meeting someone in a building while waiting for Burton to show up. And and her newfound acquaintance would have a conversation, with Ryder completely unaware who this person really was.
Winona Ryder didn’t know that film directors could be like Tim Burton Winona Ryder | Rick Kern/WireImage
Ryder hadn’t done too many movies in the film industry before Beetlejuice. Starting out, she was mostly known for Lucas and Square Dance. But she’d been around the film industry enough to have certain expectations of filmmakers, seeing them as caring but rigid authority figures.
But this was until Ryder met with director Tim Burton, who showed her a different type of filmmaker. In an interview with Collider, she recalled meeting someone in a building while waiting for Burton to show up. And and her newfound acquaintance would have a conversation, with Ryder completely unaware who this person really was.
- 3/23/2024
- by Antonio Stallings
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
There are very few Marvel franchises that are as popular and beloved as the X-Men, as every single iteration of the comics, whether movies, cartoons, TV series, or games, have all managed to become iconic in their own right. Unfortunately, it appears one of the notable X-Men stars, Olivia Munn had a horrific battle with cancer once.
Predator
Olivia Munn is one of the better-known actresses in the world right now, who had a terrific role as Psylocke in the 2016 film X-Men: Apocalypse. She has not been used in the X-Men franchise since, but there is hope that that might change.
Olivia Munn Reveals She Was Diagnosed With Cancer X-Men: Apocalypse
Olivia Munn, 43, bravely revealed on Instagram that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy. In a heartfelt post accompanied by a photo of herself in a hospital gown, Munn shared her journey of discovery,...
Predator
Olivia Munn is one of the better-known actresses in the world right now, who had a terrific role as Psylocke in the 2016 film X-Men: Apocalypse. She has not been used in the X-Men franchise since, but there is hope that that might change.
Olivia Munn Reveals She Was Diagnosed With Cancer X-Men: Apocalypse
Olivia Munn, 43, bravely revealed on Instagram that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy. In a heartfelt post accompanied by a photo of herself in a hospital gown, Munn shared her journey of discovery,...
- 3/13/2024
- by Subhojeet Mookherjee
- FandomWire
Olivia Munn has been cast alongside Jon Hamm in Your Friends and Neighbors, Apple TV+’s upcoming drama series from Warrior creator Jonathan Tropper and Apple Studios. Details of Munn’s role are being kept under wraps.
Hamm stars as Coop, a recently divorced hedge fund manager who, after being fired, resorts to stealing from the wealthy residents in his tony upstate New York suburb in order to keep his family’s lifestyle afloat. These petty crimes begin to reinvigorate him until he breaks into the wrong house at the wrong time.
Tropper, who served as showrunner for Apple’s See and has an overall deal with the streamer, created the series and will serve as showrunner. He will exec produce alongside Hamm and Connie Tavel (Confess Fletch).
Munn’s recent film credits include a starring role in Violet, Justine Bateman’s feature directing debut, and The Gateway. On television,...
Hamm stars as Coop, a recently divorced hedge fund manager who, after being fired, resorts to stealing from the wealthy residents in his tony upstate New York suburb in order to keep his family’s lifestyle afloat. These petty crimes begin to reinvigorate him until he breaks into the wrong house at the wrong time.
Tropper, who served as showrunner for Apple’s See and has an overall deal with the streamer, created the series and will serve as showrunner. He will exec produce alongside Hamm and Connie Tavel (Confess Fletch).
Munn’s recent film credits include a starring role in Violet, Justine Bateman’s feature directing debut, and The Gateway. On television,...
- 2/22/2024
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Film Mode has closed multiple sales on the Dermot Mulroney films Breakwater and She’s A Criminal and continues talks with buyers at the EFM.
James Rowe (Blue Ridge Fall) directed Breakwater, which also stars Darren Mann (TV series Animal Kingdom), Alyssa Ross (Tyler Perry TV series Bruh), and Mena Suvari (American Beauty) and screens in the market.
Rights have gone in the UK (Vertical Entertainment), Australia and New Zealand (Eagle Entertainment), Middle East (Eagle Films), Germany (Lighthouse Home Entertainment), Poland (Galapagos), Latin America (Global Media Distribution), Brazil (Telecine), and airlines (Ricochet Digital Media).
Vertical handled North American distribution in...
James Rowe (Blue Ridge Fall) directed Breakwater, which also stars Darren Mann (TV series Animal Kingdom), Alyssa Ross (Tyler Perry TV series Bruh), and Mena Suvari (American Beauty) and screens in the market.
Rights have gone in the UK (Vertical Entertainment), Australia and New Zealand (Eagle Entertainment), Middle East (Eagle Films), Germany (Lighthouse Home Entertainment), Poland (Galapagos), Latin America (Global Media Distribution), Brazil (Telecine), and airlines (Ricochet Digital Media).
Vertical handled North American distribution in...
- 2/16/2024
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: The U.S. studios are aware of the dangers behind “making a wholesale shift to AI,” according to the CEO of a leading artificial intelligence dubbing outfit that says its content has been viewed by more than 1 billion people in the past year.
Jesse Shemen, who runs Papercup, was speaking with Deadline after taking part in a behind-closed-doors panel discussion in London about the use of AI in film, TV and the media.
While AI formed a cornerstone of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strike negotiations and the studios were often criticized for their attitude towards replicating talent’s faces, bodies and voices via the game-changing tech, Shemen said the situation is more nuanced than these traditional players simply being the bad guys.
“The studios are precious about this and are conscious of rattling relationships with others around the world,” he added. “It’s hard to pin down their consensus...
Jesse Shemen, who runs Papercup, was speaking with Deadline after taking part in a behind-closed-doors panel discussion in London about the use of AI in film, TV and the media.
While AI formed a cornerstone of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strike negotiations and the studios were often criticized for their attitude towards replicating talent’s faces, bodies and voices via the game-changing tech, Shemen said the situation is more nuanced than these traditional players simply being the bad guys.
“The studios are precious about this and are conscious of rattling relationships with others around the world,” he added. “It’s hard to pin down their consensus...
- 2/7/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
SAG-AFTRA’s use of an AI image to help promote its upcoming Labor Innovation & Technology Summit has drawn the ire of at least one noted artist who believes it took away jobs from humans.
The illustration features a woman looking into the face of an AI robot, which rattled Karla Ortiz, whose credits include Black Panther, Avengers: Endgame and Avengers: Infinity War. Ortiz pointed out in a tweet that there are “fellow visual unions and locals that are negotiating this coming year. This weakens their efforts.”
The argument is that the illustration takes away the job of a graphic artist and a union model.
@sagaftra advertising a worker focused summit with exploitative generative AI is deeply shameful. The summit is also co-sponsored by @IATSE. Does this mean visual workers, whom IATSE represents, are ok to exploit & replace? This signals you dont care for all workers or solidarity https://t.co/u4toKZYTAp pic.
The illustration features a woman looking into the face of an AI robot, which rattled Karla Ortiz, whose credits include Black Panther, Avengers: Endgame and Avengers: Infinity War. Ortiz pointed out in a tweet that there are “fellow visual unions and locals that are negotiating this coming year. This weakens their efforts.”
The argument is that the illustration takes away the job of a graphic artist and a union model.
@sagaftra advertising a worker focused summit with exploitative generative AI is deeply shameful. The summit is also co-sponsored by @IATSE. Does this mean visual workers, whom IATSE represents, are ok to exploit & replace? This signals you dont care for all workers or solidarity https://t.co/u4toKZYTAp pic.
- 12/29/2023
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s fair to say that many in Hollywood are wishing good riddance to 2023.
Between the brutal Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes, a crumbling TV advertising market, and looming uncertainty over the economy and generative artificial intelligence, it was a year to forget for the business.
While the strikes are over and everyone is back to work (at least after the holidays), 2024 is shaping up to be nearly as uncertain, with venerable Hollywood studios likely to make market-moving decisions, the continuing evolution of generative AI spooking creatives, and macroeconomic factors all taking their toll.
Here are some of the big business questions The Hollywood Reporter has for 2024:
Shari Redstone’s Paramount’s Predicament Buy, sell or…?
What will Shari Redstone do? Does the mogul pursue a deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, now that we know Bob Bakish and David Zaslav talked about a possible deal on Dec.
Between the brutal Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes, a crumbling TV advertising market, and looming uncertainty over the economy and generative artificial intelligence, it was a year to forget for the business.
While the strikes are over and everyone is back to work (at least after the holidays), 2024 is shaping up to be nearly as uncertain, with venerable Hollywood studios likely to make market-moving decisions, the continuing evolution of generative AI spooking creatives, and macroeconomic factors all taking their toll.
Here are some of the big business questions The Hollywood Reporter has for 2024:
Shari Redstone’s Paramount’s Predicament Buy, sell or…?
What will Shari Redstone do? Does the mogul pursue a deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, now that we know Bob Bakish and David Zaslav talked about a possible deal on Dec.
- 12/27/2023
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
After four long months marching on Hollywood picket lines, bargaining inside hostile negotiating rooms, and giving Buddhist sermons, Fran Drescher can finally exhale.
Through the 118-day actors’ strike, The Nanny star turned SAG-AFTRA national president, joined by SAG-AFTRA chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, has served as the face of the 160,000-strong union and says she uses the Nineties sitcom’s message around unity and acceptance in her leadership. “I can be exactly who I am,” she says in her raspy Queens accent, “and still rock a red lip and hold a plushie toy.
Through the 118-day actors’ strike, The Nanny star turned SAG-AFTRA national president, joined by SAG-AFTRA chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, has served as the face of the 160,000-strong union and says she uses the Nineties sitcom’s message around unity and acceptance in her leadership. “I can be exactly who I am,” she says in her raspy Queens accent, “and still rock a red lip and hold a plushie toy.
- 12/9/2023
- by Kalia Richardson
- Rollingstone.com
Members vote 78.33% in favour, with turnout of 38.15%.
SAG-AFTRA members have voted to ratify the tentative three-year deal struck with the studios and streamers last month by a vote of 78.33% to 21.67% with a turnout of 38.15%.
The new contract will run retroactively from November 9 of this year through June 30, 2026. The 18-day strike pasued on November 9 while members engaged in the ratification vote, which ended at 5pm Pt on Tuesday.
SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher said, “SAG-AFTRA members have remained incredibly engaged throughout this process, and I know they’ll continue their advocacy throughout our next negotiation cycle. This is a golden age for SAG-AFTRA,...
SAG-AFTRA members have voted to ratify the tentative three-year deal struck with the studios and streamers last month by a vote of 78.33% to 21.67% with a turnout of 38.15%.
The new contract will run retroactively from November 9 of this year through June 30, 2026. The 18-day strike pasued on November 9 while members engaged in the ratification vote, which ended at 5pm Pt on Tuesday.
SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher said, “SAG-AFTRA members have remained incredibly engaged throughout this process, and I know they’ll continue their advocacy throughout our next negotiation cycle. This is a golden age for SAG-AFTRA,...
- 12/6/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Actors are in favor of the new contract its guild has won from the studios, though not without some dissent among the ranks. SAG-AFTRA members have voted in favor of ratifying the new deal, with 78.33 percent of members who participated voting to approve the contract. The strike is officially over.
The guild said on December 5 that of the 38.15 percent voter turnout, 21.67 percent voted “No.” That’s far from the near-unanimous support with which WGA members ratified the writers deal earlier this fall. But in 2020, the last time the SAG-AFTRA contract came up for ratification, the actors union saw a turnout of just 27.15 percent of its members; 74.22 percent voted to approve it.
Actors will now work under this contract until June 30, 2026.
“I’m proud of our SAG-AFTRA membership,” said SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher in a statment sent to press. “They struck for 118 days to grant the TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee the...
The guild said on December 5 that of the 38.15 percent voter turnout, 21.67 percent voted “No.” That’s far from the near-unanimous support with which WGA members ratified the writers deal earlier this fall. But in 2020, the last time the SAG-AFTRA contract came up for ratification, the actors union saw a turnout of just 27.15 percent of its members; 74.22 percent voted to approve it.
Actors will now work under this contract until June 30, 2026.
“I’m proud of our SAG-AFTRA membership,” said SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher in a statment sent to press. “They struck for 118 days to grant the TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee the...
- 12/6/2023
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Actors have officially given the stamp of approval for their latest deal with the studios.
SAG-AFTRA, which opened the ratification vote on November 14, has revealed that 78.33% of ballots were in favor of the November 8 tentative agreement with the AMPTP. That number is much higher than many expected given some of the noise on social media, particularly around A.I.
The vote by SAG-AFTRA members on the new contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on Tuesday, officially closes the labor actor that saw the Guild on the strike for 118 days — though many productions have already returned to work as permitted by SAG-AFTRA last month.
The 160,000-strong Guild’s rules required a majority vote of 50% + 1 of ballots to ratify the new deal. In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, the last contract was approved by 74% of voting members. In 2017, 76% of voting members said, “Yes” to a new three-year contract.
SAG-AFTRA, which opened the ratification vote on November 14, has revealed that 78.33% of ballots were in favor of the November 8 tentative agreement with the AMPTP. That number is much higher than many expected given some of the noise on social media, particularly around A.I.
The vote by SAG-AFTRA members on the new contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on Tuesday, officially closes the labor actor that saw the Guild on the strike for 118 days — though many productions have already returned to work as permitted by SAG-AFTRA last month.
The 160,000-strong Guild’s rules required a majority vote of 50% + 1 of ballots to ratify the new deal. In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, the last contract was approved by 74% of voting members. In 2017, 76% of voting members said, “Yes” to a new three-year contract.
- 12/6/2023
- by Katie Campione and Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
If approved, new deal will run November 9 through June 30, 2026.
SAG-AFTRA has posted the entire 129-page tentative TV and theatrical deal on its website, making it available to members earlier than usual in the ratification process amid vocal criticism from two prominent members.
“As you may know, traditionally SAG-AFTRA contract ratification votes rely on our detailed summaries of the new agreement, as the drafting of a formal memorandum of agreement (Moa) usually takes many weeks,” Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the union’s national executive director and chief negotiator, wrote on Friday (November 24). “However, for this historic deal some members have asked to review...
SAG-AFTRA has posted the entire 129-page tentative TV and theatrical deal on its website, making it available to members earlier than usual in the ratification process amid vocal criticism from two prominent members.
“As you may know, traditionally SAG-AFTRA contract ratification votes rely on our detailed summaries of the new agreement, as the drafting of a formal memorandum of agreement (Moa) usually takes many weeks,” Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the union’s national executive director and chief negotiator, wrote on Friday (November 24). “However, for this historic deal some members have asked to review...
- 11/25/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
If approved, new deal will run November 9 through June 30, 2026.
SAG-AFTRA has posted the entire 129-page tentative TV and theatrical deal on its website, making it available to members earlier than usual in the ratification process amid vocal criticism from two prominent members.
“As you may know, traditionally SAG-AFTRA contract ratification votes rely on our detailed summaries of the new agreement, as the drafting of a formal memorandum of agreement (Moa) usually takes many weeks,” Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the union’s national executive director and chief negotiator wrote on Friday (November 24). “However, for this historic deal some members have asked to review...
SAG-AFTRA has posted the entire 129-page tentative TV and theatrical deal on its website, making it available to members earlier than usual in the ratification process amid vocal criticism from two prominent members.
“As you may know, traditionally SAG-AFTRA contract ratification votes rely on our detailed summaries of the new agreement, as the drafting of a formal memorandum of agreement (Moa) usually takes many weeks,” Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the union’s national executive director and chief negotiator wrote on Friday (November 24). “However, for this historic deal some members have asked to review...
- 11/25/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Over two weeks after SAG-AFTRA reached a deal with the studios and ended their nearly four-month long strike, the actors guild has just released the full text of the tentative agreement.
We’ll get into the fine print soon with analysis of this draft document (as Guild National Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland notes: “The Moa is not ‘final’ until signed by both parties), but for now read the full Memorandum of Agreement for yourself here.
A Friday news dump by any other name, the publication of the long awaited 129-page 2023 TV/Theatrical Contracts Memorandum of Agreement was promised two days ago by Guild president Fran Drescher.
“As you may know, traditionally SAG-AFTRA contract ratification votes rely on our detailed summaries of the new agreement, as the drafting of a formal memorandum of agreement (Moa) usually takes many weeks,” Crabtree-Ireland said in a note accompanying the “document in progress” Moa link sent to Guild members this afternoon.
We’ll get into the fine print soon with analysis of this draft document (as Guild National Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland notes: “The Moa is not ‘final’ until signed by both parties), but for now read the full Memorandum of Agreement for yourself here.
A Friday news dump by any other name, the publication of the long awaited 129-page 2023 TV/Theatrical Contracts Memorandum of Agreement was promised two days ago by Guild president Fran Drescher.
“As you may know, traditionally SAG-AFTRA contract ratification votes rely on our detailed summaries of the new agreement, as the drafting of a formal memorandum of agreement (Moa) usually takes many weeks,” Crabtree-Ireland said in a note accompanying the “document in progress” Moa link sent to Guild members this afternoon.
- 11/24/2023
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Matthew Modine voted against SAG-AFTRA’s tentative agreement with the studios once, and he’s damn sure going to vote against it again.
“Consent, in the context of this agreement, is tyranny,” says the National Board member in a lengthy pre-Thanksgiving statement decrying the deal, especially its AI provisions. “It is submission.”
Read Matthew Modine’s full statement against SAG-AFTRA’s tentative agreement below
“If ratified, SAG-AFTRA members who consent will be digitally exploited in ways not clearly defined and are currently beyond our individual abilities to control,” Modine exclaimed. “The US Government, with all its resources, doesn’t know how to create AI guardrails to provide protections for citizens,” the Stranger Things actor added. “SAG-AFTRA certainly doesn’t have the financial resources or technology to navigate the AI tsunami crashing upon the shores of the entertainment industry.”
With eligible members of the 160,000-strong Guild currently voting to ratify the...
“Consent, in the context of this agreement, is tyranny,” says the National Board member in a lengthy pre-Thanksgiving statement decrying the deal, especially its AI provisions. “It is submission.”
Read Matthew Modine’s full statement against SAG-AFTRA’s tentative agreement below
“If ratified, SAG-AFTRA members who consent will be digitally exploited in ways not clearly defined and are currently beyond our individual abilities to control,” Modine exclaimed. “The US Government, with all its resources, doesn’t know how to create AI guardrails to provide protections for citizens,” the Stranger Things actor added. “SAG-AFTRA certainly doesn’t have the financial resources or technology to navigate the AI tsunami crashing upon the shores of the entertainment industry.”
With eligible members of the 160,000-strong Guild currently voting to ratify the...
- 11/23/2023
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Justine Bateman has spent the better part of this year warning Hollywood about the potential consequences of artificial intelligence in film and TV, even before the topic became a major part of contract negotiations for both the WGA and SAG-AFTRA.
While both guilds were able to secure guardrails surrounding the uses of AI in their latest contracts with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, Bateman — who is a former member of the SAG board and negotiating committee — thinks the actors union didn’t go far enough.
SAG-AFTRA’s 118-day strike came to an end last week, when the studios finally struck a deal with the guild. While the ratification vote started this week, the union has yet to release the full tentative Mba. Instead, they released a detailed summary of the contract, which includes extensive language about how the studios can and cannot use AI to replace actors or alter their performances.
While both guilds were able to secure guardrails surrounding the uses of AI in their latest contracts with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, Bateman — who is a former member of the SAG board and negotiating committee — thinks the actors union didn’t go far enough.
SAG-AFTRA’s 118-day strike came to an end last week, when the studios finally struck a deal with the guild. While the ratification vote started this week, the union has yet to release the full tentative Mba. Instead, they released a detailed summary of the contract, which includes extensive language about how the studios can and cannot use AI to replace actors or alter their performances.
- 11/17/2023
- by Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
Two members of the SAG-AFTRA board said they voted against the new contract because it does not do enough to protect actors against artificial intelligence.
The negotiating committee unanimously approved the deal last Wednesday, ending the 118-day strike. The national board approved the deal on Friday, with 86% of the weighted vote in favor, and sent it to members for ratification.
Shaan Sharma and Anne-Marie Johnson were among at least eight dissenters on the 80-member board. Both said that AI was key to their opposition, though they also had other reservations.
“There should be no AI. Only human beings should be used in what we create for public consumption,” Johnson said. “Without staving off AI, everything we achieved is for naught. It’s a waste of time.”
Sharma, who also served as an alternate member of the negotiating committee, said he was concerned about “significant loopholes” in the AI language that...
The negotiating committee unanimously approved the deal last Wednesday, ending the 118-day strike. The national board approved the deal on Friday, with 86% of the weighted vote in favor, and sent it to members for ratification.
Shaan Sharma and Anne-Marie Johnson were among at least eight dissenters on the 80-member board. Both said that AI was key to their opposition, though they also had other reservations.
“There should be no AI. Only human beings should be used in what we create for public consumption,” Johnson said. “Without staving off AI, everything we achieved is for naught. It’s a waste of time.”
Sharma, who also served as an alternate member of the negotiating committee, said he was concerned about “significant loopholes” in the AI language that...
- 11/15/2023
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
Last week when SAG-AFTRA reached a tentative agreement on a new contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the details around the issue of artificial intelligence were at the top of everyone’s mind. Now, the union has released specific language around how AI provisions will appear in the contract. A graphic chart breaks down how the union and the studios plan to regulate artificial intelligence for actors across the entertainment industry.
In the case of artificial intelligence, any actor can be digitally recreated. The contract...
In the case of artificial intelligence, any actor can be digitally recreated. The contract...
- 11/14/2023
- by Krystie Yandoli
- Rollingstone.com
Fran Drescher may have injected some Buddhism into SAG-AFTRA’s online meeting today on the new tentative agreement with the studios, but there was almost nothing monastic about the guild president’s opinion of critics of the November 8 deal.
“I just want you to know that nobody was thrown under the bus,” Drescher told a self-described Official Member Informational Meeting on Zoom this morning of less-than-stellar assessments of the agreement that SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP reached last week after a 118 days strike that shut Hollywood down for months.
“If you read things like that, it’s very inflammatory and unfortunate because it’s using social media and chat rooms to advance someone’s personal agenda,” the recently overwhelmingly re-elected SAG-AFTRA president add, stressing she wasn’t “going to name names” Monday.
Still, while not mentioning the likes of Justine Bateman, it was pretty clear who Drescher was referring to in the virtual meeting.
“I just want you to know that nobody was thrown under the bus,” Drescher told a self-described Official Member Informational Meeting on Zoom this morning of less-than-stellar assessments of the agreement that SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP reached last week after a 118 days strike that shut Hollywood down for months.
“If you read things like that, it’s very inflammatory and unfortunate because it’s using social media and chat rooms to advance someone’s personal agenda,” the recently overwhelmingly re-elected SAG-AFTRA president add, stressing she wasn’t “going to name names” Monday.
Still, while not mentioning the likes of Justine Bateman, it was pretty clear who Drescher was referring to in the virtual meeting.
- 11/13/2023
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher and other higher-ups at the union defended the union’s new contract with the studios, especially after some members criticized provisions dealing with the use of artificial intelligence.
As Variety reports, Drescher called out the “naysayers” during a Zoom meeting with members on Monday, Nov. 13, saying they have “exploited this momentum of ours” and “tried to tear down what was being done in the negotiating committee.”
SAG members will vote to ratify the tentative contract this week, and Drescher urged them to carefully consider the details...
As Variety reports, Drescher called out the “naysayers” during a Zoom meeting with members on Monday, Nov. 13, saying they have “exploited this momentum of ours” and “tried to tear down what was being done in the negotiating committee.”
SAG members will vote to ratify the tentative contract this week, and Drescher urged them to carefully consider the details...
- 11/13/2023
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
Actor-director Justine Bateman warns of generative AI uses.
SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher has hit back at critics of the new tentative three-year agreement as the union began its charm offensive this week to sell the deal to members.
The union’s membership is voting on whether to ratify the agreement with studios and streamers. Drescher and national executive director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland are pitching the agreement to the union ahead of the December 5 deadline.
Drescher was moved to comment during a Zoom call to members on Monday after actor-filmmaker Justine Bateman took to X (formerly Twitter) to speak...
SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher has hit back at critics of the new tentative three-year agreement as the union began its charm offensive this week to sell the deal to members.
The union’s membership is voting on whether to ratify the agreement with studios and streamers. Drescher and national executive director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland are pitching the agreement to the union ahead of the December 5 deadline.
Drescher was moved to comment during a Zoom call to members on Monday after actor-filmmaker Justine Bateman took to X (formerly Twitter) to speak...
- 11/13/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Updated: SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher on Monday scolded “naysayers” and “contrarians” who have criticized the union’s new contract.
Drescher defended the agreement during a Zoom meeting for SAG-AFTRA members on Monday morning.
“Sadly there have been some naysayers who have exploited this momentum of ours,” Drescher said, appearing in a jungle-print bathrobe from her home. She said that throughout the negotiation, some people have “tried to tear down what was being done in the negotiating committee.”
The negotiating team reached a tentative deal last Wednesday that ended the union’s 118-day strike. The union’s national board approved the deal on an 86% vote on Friday, and sent it to the members for ratification.
The ratification process began Monday with the Zoom meeting to spell out the terms of the deal and take questions. More than 1,000 questions were submitted, and the union is expected to hold further meetings.
Drescher urged...
Drescher defended the agreement during a Zoom meeting for SAG-AFTRA members on Monday morning.
“Sadly there have been some naysayers who have exploited this momentum of ours,” Drescher said, appearing in a jungle-print bathrobe from her home. She said that throughout the negotiation, some people have “tried to tear down what was being done in the negotiating committee.”
The negotiating team reached a tentative deal last Wednesday that ended the union’s 118-day strike. The union’s national board approved the deal on an 86% vote on Friday, and sent it to the members for ratification.
The ratification process began Monday with the Zoom meeting to spell out the terms of the deal and take questions. More than 1,000 questions were submitted, and the union is expected to hold further meetings.
Drescher urged...
- 11/13/2023
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
Jason Winston George, “Grey’s Anatomy” star and SAG-AFTRA negotiating committee member, is respectfully disagreeing with those arguing that artificial intelligence in the entertainment industry is wholly a bad thing. In a series of tweets directed at union members, he explained that it is “unrealistic and impossible to try and hold back the tide when it comes to technology” and that the new deal will “allow you to surf the wave of AI technology.”
George began, “@sagaftra family, As a negotiating committee member, let’s talk about the important #Consent & #Compensation protections for AI in this new contract Major opponents spoke out before even reading the contract and seem to want want an absolute prohibition on the use of AI.”
@sagaftra family,
As a negotiating committee member, let’s talk about the important #Consent & #Compensation protections for AI
in this new contract
Major opponents spoke out before even reading the contract...
George began, “@sagaftra family, As a negotiating committee member, let’s talk about the important #Consent & #Compensation protections for AI in this new contract Major opponents spoke out before even reading the contract and seem to want want an absolute prohibition on the use of AI.”
@sagaftra family,
As a negotiating committee member, let’s talk about the important #Consent & #Compensation protections for AI
in this new contract
Major opponents spoke out before even reading the contract...
- 11/13/2023
- by Stephanie Kaloi
- The Wrap
The news that SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP reached a tentative deal to resolve the actors strike that brought Hollywood to a halt was met with celebrations from most actors in the industry. But Justine Bateman isn’t ready to rejoice just yet.
The “Family Ties” star and filmmaker, who has spent much of the past year speaking out against the use of AI in creative industries, took to X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday to express her objections to the agreement. While guild leaders have touted the “robust” AI protections in the deal, including rules that require studios to notify and compensate actors whenever their digitally scanned likeness is used in a film or TV show, Bateman says the actual deal doesn’t go far enough.
“I will be taking the actual deal document (and not the ‘summary’ SAG is planning to release) and explaining the violating AI permissions the AMPTP will have over you,...
The “Family Ties” star and filmmaker, who has spent much of the past year speaking out against the use of AI in creative industries, took to X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday to express her objections to the agreement. While guild leaders have touted the “robust” AI protections in the deal, including rules that require studios to notify and compensate actors whenever their digitally scanned likeness is used in a film or TV show, Bateman says the actual deal doesn’t go far enough.
“I will be taking the actual deal document (and not the ‘summary’ SAG is planning to release) and explaining the violating AI permissions the AMPTP will have over you,...
- 11/12/2023
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
Though SAG-AFTRA officially reached a tentative agreement on a new contract with studios and streamers earlier this week, Justine Bateman is not very pleased with the provisions surrounding artificial intelligence.
The actress-writer-filmmaker told MSNBC’s Ali Velshi on Friday that actors should approve the deal only “if they don’t want to work anymore. If they want to be replaced by synthetic objects that are made by generative AI, why not?”
SAG-AFTRA members are set to begin voting to ratify the agreement on Tuesday after the new contract was approved by 86 percent of union board members on Friday.
Velshi went on to reference a recent story from The Hollywood Reporter where DreamWorks founder Jeffrey Katzenberg predicts that AI will drastically cut the number of workers it takes to make animated films.
In response, Bateman, who served as a union advisor for generative AI, said she feels studio executives “are choosing...
The actress-writer-filmmaker told MSNBC’s Ali Velshi on Friday that actors should approve the deal only “if they don’t want to work anymore. If they want to be replaced by synthetic objects that are made by generative AI, why not?”
SAG-AFTRA members are set to begin voting to ratify the agreement on Tuesday after the new contract was approved by 86 percent of union board members on Friday.
Velshi went on to reference a recent story from The Hollywood Reporter where DreamWorks founder Jeffrey Katzenberg predicts that AI will drastically cut the number of workers it takes to make animated films.
In response, Bateman, who served as a union advisor for generative AI, said she feels studio executives “are choosing...
- 11/12/2023
- by Carly Thomas
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Justine Bateman is deeply disappointed with the tentative agreement in place between SAG-AFTRA and the major studios, which ended the strike. While speaking with MSNBC’s Ali Velshi, she explained that members of the union should approve the deal after voting begins Tuesday only “if they don’t want to work anymore.”
Bateman added, “If they want to be replaced by synthetic objects that are made by generative AI, why not?”
The filmmaker, who also serves as the union’s AI advisor, has been fighting against integrating generative AI into the industry all year. As she told Velshi on Friday’s show, Bateman believes that studio executives “are choosing to no longer be in the film and series business.” Instead, she added, they are pushing out positions for humans who make up casts and crews and letting AI do the work instead.
“I think they sort of like to think...
Bateman added, “If they want to be replaced by synthetic objects that are made by generative AI, why not?”
The filmmaker, who also serves as the union’s AI advisor, has been fighting against integrating generative AI into the industry all year. As she told Velshi on Friday’s show, Bateman believes that studio executives “are choosing to no longer be in the film and series business.” Instead, she added, they are pushing out positions for humans who make up casts and crews and letting AI do the work instead.
“I think they sort of like to think...
- 11/11/2023
- by Stephanie Kaloi
- The Wrap
SAG-AFTRA and the studios have finally reached a tentative deal on a new contract after pausing Hollywood for 118 days.
After news broke that the strike would effectively end as the clock ticks 12:01 a.m. Pt on Nov. 9, some of the outspoken guild members took to social media to celebrate.
Related: Watch Zac Efron React In Real Time To News Of Actors Strike Deal On ‘The Iron Claw’ Red Carpet
Harris Dickinson and Zac Efron found out that SAG-AFTRA had reached an agreement with the studios while on the red carpet of The Iron Claw premiere.
“That’s great news,” Dickinson said.
(Watch) The moment Harris Dickinson and Zac Efron found out the SAG-AFTRA strike had ended while at #TheIronClaw premiere pic.twitter.com/LqgzhLIxGu
— Deadline Hollywood (@Deadline) November 9, 2023
Related: SAG-AFTRA Lauds New Deal, Valuing It At Over $1B With “Unprecedented” Provisions & “Extraordinary Scope”
The Producer’s Guild...
After news broke that the strike would effectively end as the clock ticks 12:01 a.m. Pt on Nov. 9, some of the outspoken guild members took to social media to celebrate.
Related: Watch Zac Efron React In Real Time To News Of Actors Strike Deal On ‘The Iron Claw’ Red Carpet
Harris Dickinson and Zac Efron found out that SAG-AFTRA had reached an agreement with the studios while on the red carpet of The Iron Claw premiere.
“That’s great news,” Dickinson said.
(Watch) The moment Harris Dickinson and Zac Efron found out the SAG-AFTRA strike had ended while at #TheIronClaw premiere pic.twitter.com/LqgzhLIxGu
— Deadline Hollywood (@Deadline) November 9, 2023
Related: SAG-AFTRA Lauds New Deal, Valuing It At Over $1B With “Unprecedented” Provisions & “Extraordinary Scope”
The Producer’s Guild...
- 11/9/2023
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Vertical has taken North American distribution rights for James Rowe’s crime thriller Breakwater starring Dermot Mulroney, Darren Mann and Mena Suvari as Film Mode Entertainment kicks off sales at the AFM.
Mann plays a young ex-convict, recently released from a Virginia prison, who embarks on a mission to track down the daughter of a fellow inmate and mentor, played by Mulroney, at his request.
Breaking the terms of his parole he crosses into the state of North Carolina, from where he connects with the woman who is living a seemingly idyllic life in a seaside hamlet in the picturesque Outer Banks area.
As they grow closer against the backdrop of the out-of-season holiday resort, Eve’s dark past closes in on them both.
Further cast members include Alyssa Goss and Sonja Sohn.
The feature recently won the Audience...
Mann plays a young ex-convict, recently released from a Virginia prison, who embarks on a mission to track down the daughter of a fellow inmate and mentor, played by Mulroney, at his request.
Breaking the terms of his parole he crosses into the state of North Carolina, from where he connects with the woman who is living a seemingly idyllic life in a seaside hamlet in the picturesque Outer Banks area.
As they grow closer against the backdrop of the out-of-season holiday resort, Eve’s dark past closes in on them both.
Further cast members include Alyssa Goss and Sonja Sohn.
The feature recently won the Audience...
- 10/31/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
The Hollywood Reporter thanks the following 322 members of the global film community — listed alphabetically — for taking the time to cast a ballot to help us determine the 100 greatest film books of all time.
Seth Abramovitch
The Hollywood Reporter journalist/It Happened in Hollywood podcast host
Jo Addy
Soho House group film and entertainment director
Casey Affleck
Oscar-winning actor
Rutanya Alda
Author/actress
Stephanie Allain
Filmmaker
Victoria Alonso
Filmmaker/executive
Tony Angellotti
Publicist
Bonnie Arnold
Filmmaker/executive
Miguel Arteta
Filmmaker
Chris Auer
Filmmaker/film professor
John Badham
Filmmaker/film professor
Amy Baer
Executive
Matt Baer
Filmmaker
Lindsey Bahr
Journalist
Ramin Bahrani
Oscar-nominated filmmaker
Cameron Bailey
Toronto International Film Festival CEO/former film critic
John Bailey
Cinematographer/former Academy president
Bela Bajaria
Executive
Sean Baker
Filmmaker
Alec Baldwin
Oscar-nominated actor/author
Tino Balio
Author/film professor
Jeffrey Barbakow
Executive
Michael Barker
Executive
Mike Barnes
The Hollywood Reporter journalist
Jeanine Basinger
Author/film...
Seth Abramovitch
The Hollywood Reporter journalist/It Happened in Hollywood podcast host
Jo Addy
Soho House group film and entertainment director
Casey Affleck
Oscar-winning actor
Rutanya Alda
Author/actress
Stephanie Allain
Filmmaker
Victoria Alonso
Filmmaker/executive
Tony Angellotti
Publicist
Bonnie Arnold
Filmmaker/executive
Miguel Arteta
Filmmaker
Chris Auer
Filmmaker/film professor
John Badham
Filmmaker/film professor
Amy Baer
Executive
Matt Baer
Filmmaker
Lindsey Bahr
Journalist
Ramin Bahrani
Oscar-nominated filmmaker
Cameron Bailey
Toronto International Film Festival CEO/former film critic
John Bailey
Cinematographer/former Academy president
Bela Bajaria
Executive
Sean Baker
Filmmaker
Alec Baldwin
Oscar-nominated actor/author
Tino Balio
Author/film professor
Jeffrey Barbakow
Executive
Michael Barker
Executive
Mike Barnes
The Hollywood Reporter journalist
Jeanine Basinger
Author/film...
- 10/12/2023
- by Scott Feinberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Larry Wilmore says “finally.” Greg Grunberg says “Mazel tov! Writers Strike Deal!!!”
Bill Wolkoff promises not to picket Dancing with the Stars.
The Writers Guild has reached a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers to end its strike after nearly five months, and needless to say — the members have thoughts, lots of happy thoughts. And it’s all spilling out on social media.
Here’s a roundup of their reactions so far:
Billy Ray: “To all my fellow writers— You earned this. You saved our profession. Now let’s continue to stand w the actors. And IATSE. And the Teamsters. And labor everywhere. That’s how we’ll save America.”
Wolkoff: “Day 146. It gives me great pleasure to say we will Not be picketing Dancing With The Stars tomorrow! I really can’t wait to watch the premiere on Tuesday, because we did it!
Bill Wolkoff promises not to picket Dancing with the Stars.
The Writers Guild has reached a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers to end its strike after nearly five months, and needless to say — the members have thoughts, lots of happy thoughts. And it’s all spilling out on social media.
Here’s a roundup of their reactions so far:
Billy Ray: “To all my fellow writers— You earned this. You saved our profession. Now let’s continue to stand w the actors. And IATSE. And the Teamsters. And labor everywhere. That’s how we’ll save America.”
Wolkoff: “Day 146. It gives me great pleasure to say we will Not be picketing Dancing With The Stars tomorrow! I really can’t wait to watch the premiere on Tuesday, because we did it!
- 9/25/2023
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
After nearly 150 days, Hollywood studios have finally come to a tentative agreement with the Writers Guild of America for a new contract. Barring unforeseen objections from WGA members, the writers’ portion of the Hollywood strike is effectively at an end.
So, how soon will your favorite shows be back on your screens? When will your most anticipated films head back into production?
The short answer: As soon as possible. WGA members have consistently said they’re eager to get back into the writers rooms, and the studios, represented in guild negotiations by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, have taken a heavy financial hit during the strike and need to restart production urgently to reverse it.
But before that can happen, some other boxes need to be ticked off first, starting with ratification of the contract.
In the coming days, the specific language of the deal will need...
So, how soon will your favorite shows be back on your screens? When will your most anticipated films head back into production?
The short answer: As soon as possible. WGA members have consistently said they’re eager to get back into the writers rooms, and the studios, represented in guild negotiations by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, have taken a heavy financial hit during the strike and need to restart production urgently to reverse it.
But before that can happen, some other boxes need to be ticked off first, starting with ratification of the contract.
In the coming days, the specific language of the deal will need...
- 9/25/2023
- by Andi Ortiz
- The Wrap
The Union Solidarity Coalition — founded over the summer by a group of writer-directors moved to support crewmembers amid the strike — launched an eBay auction last week with lots so unique, it seems they were dreamed up in a writers room. And the bids have been rolling in fast and thick.
A sampling of the offerings and current bids (as of publication time) include dinner with Bob Odenkirk and David Cross ($10,200); the cast of Bob’s Burgers singing a custom song ($7,200); Natasha Lyonne helping solve the New York Times Sunday crossword via Zoom ($6,100); Lena Dunham painting a mural in your home ($5,100); John Lithgow painting a watercolor portrait of your dog ($4,450); a pottery class with Busy Philipps in New York ($3,500); Adam Scott walking your dog in L.A. for one hour ($2,500); a Zoom with Barry Jenkins and Nicholas Britell ($1,250); and a relationship advice squabble over Zoom with Rosemarie Dewitt and Ron Livingston ($1,136).
The...
A sampling of the offerings and current bids (as of publication time) include dinner with Bob Odenkirk and David Cross ($10,200); the cast of Bob’s Burgers singing a custom song ($7,200); Natasha Lyonne helping solve the New York Times Sunday crossword via Zoom ($6,100); Lena Dunham painting a mural in your home ($5,100); John Lithgow painting a watercolor portrait of your dog ($4,450); a pottery class with Busy Philipps in New York ($3,500); Adam Scott walking your dog in L.A. for one hour ($2,500); a Zoom with Barry Jenkins and Nicholas Britell ($1,250); and a relationship advice squabble over Zoom with Rosemarie Dewitt and Ron Livingston ($1,136).
The...
- 9/19/2023
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In a sign of Hollywood’s escalating internal tensions, a prominent Directors Guild of America member openly advocated against the election of 10 writer-directors to the guild’s board earlier this month on the grounds that they were “primarily writers” and hailed from “fringe groups.”
In a leaked email that has been shared widely in the creative community, Linda Montanti, chair of the guild’s Western Ad/Upm Council, urged a bloc of DGA voters to not support the board candidacies of a number of multihyphenates who are members of both the DGA and WGA — some of whom have been outspoken about strike issues. The list includes writer-producer Boots Riley, Oscar-winning “Coda” writer-director Sian Heder, actor-filmmaker Justine Bateman, actor-writer Paul Scheer and “Chernobyl” creator Craig Mazin. The unorthodox move prompted DGA president Lesli Linka Glatter to contact the members affected to assure them that Montanti’s move was not condoned by top DGA leaders.
In a leaked email that has been shared widely in the creative community, Linda Montanti, chair of the guild’s Western Ad/Upm Council, urged a bloc of DGA voters to not support the board candidacies of a number of multihyphenates who are members of both the DGA and WGA — some of whom have been outspoken about strike issues. The list includes writer-producer Boots Riley, Oscar-winning “Coda” writer-director Sian Heder, actor-filmmaker Justine Bateman, actor-writer Paul Scheer and “Chernobyl” creator Craig Mazin. The unorthodox move prompted DGA president Lesli Linka Glatter to contact the members affected to assure them that Montanti’s move was not condoned by top DGA leaders.
- 8/31/2023
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 80 closed its offices Friday after it received a threatening letter referencing the strike in some way. Police in Burbank, where IATSE Local 80 is headquartered, are investigating the matter, but no one has been arrested.
“Burbank P.D. is aware and detectives are investigating the credibility and validity of the threat. No arrests have been made. IATSE, in an abundance of caution, have closed their offices today. No additional information is being released at this time,” representatives for the department told TheWrap.
Dejon Ellis, Jr., IATSE’s business manager, told Variety that the letter came from an unidentified member who “said some very scary things. He’s just mad. He says he’s out of work and homeless. He’s distraught. I don’t know if it’s a cry for help or not knowing how to control his anger.”
IATSE has not yet...
“Burbank P.D. is aware and detectives are investigating the credibility and validity of the threat. No arrests have been made. IATSE, in an abundance of caution, have closed their offices today. No additional information is being released at this time,” representatives for the department told TheWrap.
Dejon Ellis, Jr., IATSE’s business manager, told Variety that the letter came from an unidentified member who “said some very scary things. He’s just mad. He says he’s out of work and homeless. He’s distraught. I don’t know if it’s a cry for help or not knowing how to control his anger.”
IATSE has not yet...
- 8/26/2023
- by Ross A. Lincoln
- The Wrap
TheGrill brings together world-class experts on Artificial Intelligence and Hollywood’s impact on culture to the 2023 edition of the industry’s leading business and technology conference. TheGrill will explore the impact of AI, new breakthroughs and how the future of media and entertainment is being reshaped in real time.
MIT’s Director of Computer Science and AI Laboratory Daniela Rus, Stanford University’s Professor and Chair of Computer Science Mehran Sahami and USC’s Entertainment and Technology Center’s Director of AI and Neuroscience in Media Yves Bergquist join the main stage to discuss whether this paradigm-shifting technology presents a threat to the entertainment ecosystem — or an exciting opportunity.
Ynon Kreiz, CEO of Mattel, also joins the main stage to discuss the cultural phenomenon of Mattel’s blockbuster, “Barbie,” and the slate of upcoming titles. Kreiz will discuss his strategies aimed at redefining Mattel’s identity as not just a toy company,...
MIT’s Director of Computer Science and AI Laboratory Daniela Rus, Stanford University’s Professor and Chair of Computer Science Mehran Sahami and USC’s Entertainment and Technology Center’s Director of AI and Neuroscience in Media Yves Bergquist join the main stage to discuss whether this paradigm-shifting technology presents a threat to the entertainment ecosystem — or an exciting opportunity.
Ynon Kreiz, CEO of Mattel, also joins the main stage to discuss the cultural phenomenon of Mattel’s blockbuster, “Barbie,” and the slate of upcoming titles. Kreiz will discuss his strategies aimed at redefining Mattel’s identity as not just a toy company,...
- 8/24/2023
- by Emily Vogel
- The Wrap
’The Handmaid’s Tale’ director Reed Morano and actor Juliette Lewis are also supporting the initiative.
US actor and filmmaker Justine Bateman has assembled a council of high-profile film and TV names from the US industry, with the aim of issuing films and TV series with a stamp of assurance that no artificial intelligence (AI) was used in the making of the project.
The council, named Credo23, is made up of The Handmaid’s Tale director Reed Morano, The Sopranos producer Matt Weiner, Once Upon A Time In Hollywood costume designer Arianne Phillips and actor Juliette Lewis.
Bateman is the writer-director of 2021 TIFF and SXSW selection Violet.
US actor and filmmaker Justine Bateman has assembled a council of high-profile film and TV names from the US industry, with the aim of issuing films and TV series with a stamp of assurance that no artificial intelligence (AI) was used in the making of the project.
The council, named Credo23, is made up of The Handmaid’s Tale director Reed Morano, The Sopranos producer Matt Weiner, Once Upon A Time In Hollywood costume designer Arianne Phillips and actor Juliette Lewis.
Bateman is the writer-director of 2021 TIFF and SXSW selection Violet.
- 8/15/2023
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
Auctions are one of the latest ways Hollywood workers are coming together to support their fellow industry members amid the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
The Union Solidarity Coalition and Wgarage Sale — an effort launched by WGA writer Kit Boss to support below-the-line talent amid the Writers Guild strike — have launched separate auctions that give fans the chance to buy rare and classic memorabilia, props and more from their favorite shows.
Tusc’s auction — which follows a similar, successful fundraising event earlier in July — will run through Aug. 5 at 4 p.m. Pt, with proceeds from the Tusc Fund at the Motion Picture and Television Fund benefiting movie crew members in California facing a loss of healthcare connected to the writers and actors strikes that have brought Hollywood production to a halt.
The money from winning bids will support MPTF and its Entertainment Health Insurance Solutions, a joint program it runs...
The Union Solidarity Coalition and Wgarage Sale — an effort launched by WGA writer Kit Boss to support below-the-line talent amid the Writers Guild strike — have launched separate auctions that give fans the chance to buy rare and classic memorabilia, props and more from their favorite shows.
Tusc’s auction — which follows a similar, successful fundraising event earlier in July — will run through Aug. 5 at 4 p.m. Pt, with proceeds from the Tusc Fund at the Motion Picture and Television Fund benefiting movie crew members in California facing a loss of healthcare connected to the writers and actors strikes that have brought Hollywood production to a halt.
The money from winning bids will support MPTF and its Entertainment Health Insurance Solutions, a joint program it runs...
- 7/28/2023
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
There was a large crowd in the room when SAG-AFTRA and Hollywood’s major studios and streamers formally began contract bargaining negotiations on June 7.
About 80 participants from both the labor and management sides gathered at the Sherman Oaks headquarters of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers for the first day of what everyone knew would be a difficult negotiation for the performers union, which has been on strike since July 13.
One big presence in the negotiations process who was not there in person on Day One was Fran Drescher, president of SAG-AFTRA. But Drescher had no trouble making herself heard that day. She addressed the gathering via video conference call from Paris, where she was attending a family wedding. But she had no trouble getting management’s attention.
Drescher gave something of a 10 to 15 minute opening statement to the room that set off alarm bells on the management side.
About 80 participants from both the labor and management sides gathered at the Sherman Oaks headquarters of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers for the first day of what everyone knew would be a difficult negotiation for the performers union, which has been on strike since July 13.
One big presence in the negotiations process who was not there in person on Day One was Fran Drescher, president of SAG-AFTRA. But Drescher had no trouble making herself heard that day. She addressed the gathering via video conference call from Paris, where she was attending a family wedding. But she had no trouble getting management’s attention.
Drescher gave something of a 10 to 15 minute opening statement to the room that set off alarm bells on the management side.
- 7/21/2023
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Welcome to the 223rd episode of TV’s Top 5, The Hollywood Reporter’s TV podcast.
Every week, hosts Lesley Goldberg (West Coast TV editor) and Daniel Fienberg (chief TV critic) break down the latest TV news with context from the business and critical sides, welcome showrunners, executives and other guests, and provide a critical guide of what to watch (or skip, as the case may be).
This week, we’re joined by Justine Bateman, the writer, director and producer who most recently served as a consultant on the use of artificial intelligence for SAG-AFTRA’s negotiating committee. Bateman, who rose to stardom with her twice-Emmy nominated role as Mallory Keaton on Family Ties, has a degree in computer science from UCLA and is also a member of the Writers Guild, SAG-AFTRA as well as the Directors Guild. She previously served on SAG’s national board of directors and joins us...
Every week, hosts Lesley Goldberg (West Coast TV editor) and Daniel Fienberg (chief TV critic) break down the latest TV news with context from the business and critical sides, welcome showrunners, executives and other guests, and provide a critical guide of what to watch (or skip, as the case may be).
This week, we’re joined by Justine Bateman, the writer, director and producer who most recently served as a consultant on the use of artificial intelligence for SAG-AFTRA’s negotiating committee. Bateman, who rose to stardom with her twice-Emmy nominated role as Mallory Keaton on Family Ties, has a degree in computer science from UCLA and is also a member of the Writers Guild, SAG-AFTRA as well as the Directors Guild. She previously served on SAG’s national board of directors and joins us...
- 7/21/2023
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Union Solidarity Coalition, a group founded by writers and filmmakers moved by solidarity on the picket lines, has set a fundraising Solidarity Night for Sat. July, 15 to raise money for crew members affected by the ongoing writers’ strike. The event will be held in downtown Los Angeles from 6-10 p.m.
All proceeds from Solidarity Night will go to the Tusc Fund of MPTF, benefitting film crew members who are at risk of losing their healthcare during the work stoppage.
A host committee including Lulu Wang, Boots Riley, Ben Stiller, Jay Roach, Daniel Kwan, Bob Odenkirk, Joe Robert Cole, Natasha Lyonne and many others will welcome attendees to a mixer to underscore Tusc’s mission of inter-union solidarity in the TV and film industry, “creating a space for writers, directors, actors and crew to interact in a casual space where entertainment takes on a different meaning than just a...
All proceeds from Solidarity Night will go to the Tusc Fund of MPTF, benefitting film crew members who are at risk of losing their healthcare during the work stoppage.
A host committee including Lulu Wang, Boots Riley, Ben Stiller, Jay Roach, Daniel Kwan, Bob Odenkirk, Joe Robert Cole, Natasha Lyonne and many others will welcome attendees to a mixer to underscore Tusc’s mission of inter-union solidarity in the TV and film industry, “creating a space for writers, directors, actors and crew to interact in a casual space where entertainment takes on a different meaning than just a...
- 7/11/2023
- by Adam Chitwood
- The Wrap
Meredith Stiehm will seek a second two-year term as president of WGA West in the fall election, and the other top officials of the guild will also seek reelection.
Justine Bateman, the writer-director and former “Family Ties” star, is running for a spot on the WGA West board. Bateman has become outspoken on the need for tight regulation of artificial intelligence.
The guild announced its preliminary list of nominees on Wednesday. Stiehm, who has been active in both the agency campaign and the current strike, will run against challenger Rich Talarico, a “Key and Peele” writer who has faulted the guild for not doing more to fight back against the release of free clips of the show on YouTube.
Michele Mulroney is running for reelection as vice president, and Betsy Thomas is seeking another term as secretary-treasurer. They will run against Isaac Gomez and Jeffrey Thompson, respectively.
The WGA West has a 16-member board,...
Justine Bateman, the writer-director and former “Family Ties” star, is running for a spot on the WGA West board. Bateman has become outspoken on the need for tight regulation of artificial intelligence.
The guild announced its preliminary list of nominees on Wednesday. Stiehm, who has been active in both the agency campaign and the current strike, will run against challenger Rich Talarico, a “Key and Peele” writer who has faulted the guild for not doing more to fight back against the release of free clips of the show on YouTube.
Michele Mulroney is running for reelection as vice president, and Betsy Thomas is seeking another term as secretary-treasurer. They will run against Isaac Gomez and Jeffrey Thompson, respectively.
The WGA West has a 16-member board,...
- 6/21/2023
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
The Writers Guild of America West is holding officer and board elections in the middle of its ongoing strike, which is now in its 51st day. Incumbent president Meredith Stiehm is seeking reelection and will face off against Rich Talarico – both of whom were selected by the guild’s nominating committee.
In the race for vice president, incumbent Michele Mulroney will face challenger Isaac Gómez, while in the contest for secretary-treasurer, incumbent Betsy Thomas will face Jeffrey Thompson.
The guild said Wednesday that the nominating committee also selected 24 candidates to run for eight open seats on the guild’s board of directors. They are incumbents Nicole Yorkin, Dailyn Rodriguez, Adam Conover, Dante W. Harper, and Zoe Marshall, and challengers Molly Nussbaum, Danielle Iman, Maggie Levin, Blake Masters, Rob Forman, Anthony Sparks, Justine Bateman, Alex O’Keefe, Jonterri Gadson, Leah Folta, Susannah Grant, Grant Scharbo, Safia M. Dirie, Sean Presant, Scott Alexander,...
In the race for vice president, incumbent Michele Mulroney will face challenger Isaac Gómez, while in the contest for secretary-treasurer, incumbent Betsy Thomas will face Jeffrey Thompson.
The guild said Wednesday that the nominating committee also selected 24 candidates to run for eight open seats on the guild’s board of directors. They are incumbents Nicole Yorkin, Dailyn Rodriguez, Adam Conover, Dante W. Harper, and Zoe Marshall, and challengers Molly Nussbaum, Danielle Iman, Maggie Levin, Blake Masters, Rob Forman, Anthony Sparks, Justine Bateman, Alex O’Keefe, Jonterri Gadson, Leah Folta, Susannah Grant, Grant Scharbo, Safia M. Dirie, Sean Presant, Scott Alexander,...
- 6/21/2023
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Updated, Day 46: After visiting many, many picket lines over the last month, we’ve learned that lots of pickets signs are reused for conservation purposes. And to that we say — screw the recycling. Bring on more of those sweet corporate burns!
Fortunately, many of the scribes haven’t lost their saucy touch.
“Let them drink Dom,” says one Zaslav-themed confection.
“Ted Sarandos ate my son,” says another.
Related: WGA Strike Picket Line Locations List For Los Angeles & New York
“The only thing that sucks more than corporate greed is Deadline’s comments section.” Way harsh, but so true.
Related: What Went Wrong? Writers & Studios Reveal What They Couldn’t (And Could) Agree On As Strike Is Set
Here is the latest from the front lines:
Representing @NCISHawaiiCBS #wga pic.twitter.com/BEQtNHVs0I
— Jason Antoon (@jasonantoon) June 12, 2023
As a young actor in the 80s – long be4 I became a...
Fortunately, many of the scribes haven’t lost their saucy touch.
“Let them drink Dom,” says one Zaslav-themed confection.
“Ted Sarandos ate my son,” says another.
Related: WGA Strike Picket Line Locations List For Los Angeles & New York
“The only thing that sucks more than corporate greed is Deadline’s comments section.” Way harsh, but so true.
Related: What Went Wrong? Writers & Studios Reveal What They Couldn’t (And Could) Agree On As Strike Is Set
Here is the latest from the front lines:
Representing @NCISHawaiiCBS #wga pic.twitter.com/BEQtNHVs0I
— Jason Antoon (@jasonantoon) June 12, 2023
As a young actor in the 80s – long be4 I became a...
- 6/17/2023
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
2Nd Update: In an Instagram post Tuesday evening, former Everwood co-star Chris Pratt mourned both Treat Williams, who died Monday, and fellow former cast member John Beasley, who died two weeks ago.
“It’s an incredibly sad season for the cast and crew of Everwood. We’re still reeling from the loss of John Beasley and yesterday we lost Treat Williams as well,” Pratt said. “Both men were exceptional actors, wonderful husbands, fathers and friends. They will be missed tremendously.”
Update: Everwood creator Greg Berlanti has shared a remembrance of his first meeting with Treat Williams following the veteran actor’s death Monday in a motorcycle accident in Vermont. Berlanti posted a tribute on Instagram next to a photo of Williams with Berlanti’s sister. “I can still feel the warmth of your presence,” Berlanti wrote.
“I remember our first lunch like it was yesterday. Myself and my fellow producer...
“It’s an incredibly sad season for the cast and crew of Everwood. We’re still reeling from the loss of John Beasley and yesterday we lost Treat Williams as well,” Pratt said. “Both men were exceptional actors, wonderful husbands, fathers and friends. They will be missed tremendously.”
Update: Everwood creator Greg Berlanti has shared a remembrance of his first meeting with Treat Williams following the veteran actor’s death Monday in a motorcycle accident in Vermont. Berlanti posted a tribute on Instagram next to a photo of Williams with Berlanti’s sister. “I can still feel the warmth of your presence,” Berlanti wrote.
“I remember our first lunch like it was yesterday. Myself and my fellow producer...
- 6/14/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
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