Generational Oscars Are a Rarity

 There are only two families that can claim having three generations of Oscar winners: the Hustons and the Coppolas.

The Hustons were the first with three generations of Oscar winners: John (father of Angelica), Angelica (daughter of John and granddaughter of Walter), and Walter (John's father). 

John and Walter both won Oscars for the same movie, "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre". John won it for Best Director and Walter for Best Supporting Actor. Angelica won her Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in "Prizzi's Honor" - which was also directed by her father, John.

John with daughter Angelica

Walter Houston (left) with Humphrey Bogart and Tim Holt

                 in " The Treasure of the Sierra Madre"

The Coppolas were the second family to win Oscars in three generations. Sofia won Best Original Screenplay for "Lost in Translation". Her grandfather, Carmine and her father, Francis both won Oscars for "Godfather II". Carmine of Best Original Score and Francis for Best Original Screenplay.

The Coppola extended family, however, has won many more Oscars.

Francis's sister, Talia Shire has been nominated for two Oscars. His nephew, Nicolas Cage, won a Best Actor Oscar for "Leaving Las Vegas" And, Talia's son, Jason Schwartzman is being nominated this year for his role is "Asteroid City". 

Nick Cage, Francis, Sofia, and Mrs. Coppola

Sofia, her Aunt -Talia Shire, Francis and Mrs. Coppola

Getting the Most Out of Your Cinema - Incremental Sales

 Cinemas have been attempting to increase revenues from incremental sources (referred to as alternative content) for years. Trying, ever so hard, to leverage their venues so as not to be solely dependent on movie admissions - to create income opportunities, fill the void created by poor theatrical releases, and to expand their market reach. 

Fathom Events is the most acclaimed of the 'alternative' providers. Their 'Met Series' (Metropolitan Opera from Lincoln Center NYC) and 'Big Screen Classics' are two of their best. And there is a new Oscar 'Best Film' nominations playlist. Although revenue generation is likely to be moderate from any 'alternative' it does demonstrate a cinema's willingness and need to screen non-film content. 

Cinemas can be described as, weekend businesses, so during the midweek 'alternatives' may draw admissions, filling otherwise empty seats and potentially contributing to the venue's revenue stream. 

Having said that, the massive gorilla in the room of 'Alt-content' is sports programming and concerts, (as will be witnessed by the huge box-office that the upcoming Taylor Swift "ERAS Concert" will generate).

The challenge for securing sports programming has always been obtaining screening rights. Currently, the sands regarding sports programming rights seems to be slowing shifting in favor of cinemas. There are caveats, however.  Rights to screening NFL or NCAA games may preclude exhibitors from screening high-value weekend movies - taking up their time slots. 

Additionally, sporting event screenings may well require tailored advertisements, which are not optional for exhibitors to run. In regard to concerts, only the biggest entertainers, like Swift, would are able to draw enough viewers to their 'theater concerts' to make the process 'work' for cinemas.

Many cinemas, both independents and large circuits have reduced admissions for midweek screenings - bring in moviegoers who don't want to or can't afford regular weekend admission cost. Other revenue enhancement schemes include advanced seating and concession purchase, loyalty programs, and an expanded menu. These, although not great income generators do add incrementally to profits.

Whatever the case, cinemas must strive to 'serve-up' a varied menu of product to keep people wanting to frequent their theater. 

By: Jim Lavorato, Entertainment Equipment Corp EECcinema.com

 

Hollywood Actors and Writers Using AI Technology

 In my post of September 9th, entitled "No End in Sight -The Hollywood Strike", I stated that regarding the AI issue between the striking writers and actors against the studios and streamers, "You cannot stop technology. You can only work with it and maybe find the benefit to your advantage."

It appears that some prominent actors have done just that and are embracing AI technology so as to stay ahead of curve. 

Metaphysic AI, a new company, says it can provide public figures the ability to control their digital image and voice. The company stated that celebrities such as Anne Hathaway, Tom Hanks, and Paris Hilton are using Metaphysic Pro, to scan their likeness which contain the characteristics that make up the individual and store them in a database. The allows users to keep control of the traits required to train an AI model on their likeness and voice. 

The large and very prestigious Hollywood talent agency, Creative Artists Agency, which represents Hathaway and Hanks, would not comment on the issue but it is known that CAA and Metaphysic AI inked a deal in January to develop generative AI tools and services, including photorealistic digital avatars for their clients. 

Owning the dataset that creates a performer's replica is crucial in fighting illegal deepfakes, or AI powered copycat videos and imagery used to create a false impression. It can also help ensure that actors are compensated for using their image and voice.

"Nobody has any right to how their voice sounds or their face looks. You don't have any property in that", says Tom Graham, CEO of Metaphysic AI. "So, if someone creates an unauthorized deepfake based on a bunch of pictures, they can put that online and you can't claim that infringes your IP - which means that you can't very effectively get that taken down."

Metaphysic co-founders Kevin Ume' & Thomas Graham

Metaphysic AI, headquartered in London, is the custodian of the user's data and not the owner. It is a platform that stores the data essential to train AI models. 

What this prevents is the puppetmastering of your presence or create a version of you saying or doing something you didn't do.

By: Jim Lavorato, Entertainment Equipment Corp.

"I'm Terrified of Global Warming" says Spielberg...Really?

Spielberg's 357 ft. Superyacht

Steven Spielberg champions the evils of global warming yet when it comes to fossil fuels... well, he has no qualms about using them.

His pleasure craft is a $250 million superyacht, which guzzles a mind-boggling 700 liters of diesel fuel per hour. The ship boasts two swimming pools, a movie theater, and a helicopter landing pad. 

"I'm terrified of global warming. It's a reality. It's not a political a trick" says Spielberg. Hmmm, in addition to his yacht, he owns a Gulfstream G650 private jet which logged over 17,000 miles last year, at a fuel cost of over $116,000. 

The talk doesn't seem to match the walk. If you want to fancy yourself as a proponent of reducing fossil fuel consumption and believe in the global warming scenario, and tout it - than don't live a lifestyle that consumes tons and tons of carbon-based energy. 

By Jim Lavorato, Entertainment Equipment Corp. eeccinema.com

MoviePass: What's the Definition of Insanity?

 Oh No! Not Again! It's MoviePass, the get cinema admissions on the cheap scheme.

Once failed and bankrupt in 2019 the remnants of MoviePass were acquired by Spikes, a company made up of the original MoviePass management team, in 2021. Spikes, somehow, convinced Animoca Brands, a Hong Kong based gaming software and investment company and others, to pony-up the funds necessary to regurgitate MoviePass.

Under the original scheme, MoviePass subscribers paid $9.95/month for the ability to attend one movie per day. Under the new scheme, launched on September 1st, a subscriber can choose various levels of participation. For $10/month up to 3 movies could be attended per month. For $40/month up to 30 admissions. The new scheme is complicated, as credits are awarded for each participation level. All 3D films are excluded and where you live, for example in NYC or Southern California, you'll pay more. No information as to what MoviePass pays the cinemas for each admission has been provided. 

MoviePass states that over 4,000 theaters are participating in their 'new' program, namely, the large cinema circuits - AMC, Regal, and Cinemark. Although no data is available on how many subscribers signed up, it appears that moviegoers received its launch with a big yawn. 

It's deja vu all over again.

The MoviePass premise to success is that as more people subscribe and attend more movies, concessions will increase at participating cinemas, ergo, the cinemas will 'share' their increased concession profits with MoviePass. The problem, for MoviePass, is that many, if not most, cinemas already have their own version of MoviePass - called customer participation programs. And there are streaming services where you can pay and view premium movies at home.

I predicted back in 2019 that MoviePass would fail as a viable concept and it's going to fail again. Repeating the same thing over again, with a few new twists, does not indicate a road to success.

By: Jim Lavorato, Entertainment Equipment Corp. eeccinema.com

No End In Sight - The Hollywood Strike

 This is the fifth time I've posted regarding the on-going strike by the scriptwriters and actors against the major film studios and content streamers. To me, the strike represents Hollywood's glitterati vs. the media giants - and it's so fun .

The strikers, portraying themselves as the downtrodden Davids against Goliath, can't really muster any support from the average Joe who is currently having a hard time making ends meet. Yes, there are the so called 'starving actors' but they normally have side gigs or full-time jobs. What I'm saying is I can't really feel their pain. If you're an actor or writer that can't make a living at it, you probably shouldn't be in that profession.

As for the studios and streamers (the group that fancy themselves to be the cultural makers and movers) have no reason to lock into contractual agreements that limit their ability to use a developing technology - artificial intelligence. 

Like Web3, AI is evolving as a technology and there is no stopping it. As Web3 is being attacked by sovereign governments and the current controllers and gatekeepers of Web2 so too is AI. 

Regarding the Hollywood strike, there is currently no indication that the studios or streamers would be meeting with the Writers and Actors Guilds anytime soon. Further, the Actors' Guild has now extended its strike to include the major video gaming companies, specifically Activision and ElectronArts - due to their intended use of AI in game development.

Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, Guilds' Prime Negotiator - Really?

Both Guilds have indicated they were steadfast in their bargaining positions, and the far-left has joined their cause, even the likes of Kathy Hochul, the Gov of New York was on the picket line last week. The latest stab by the Writers' Guild was their request that the studios split from the streamers and negotiate alone. This is a non-starter. It's the old divide and conquer tactic, it's laughable.

It appears that both sides are cemented into their positions which means that the strike will be of a very long-term duration - and the Guilds will lose in the end. You cannot stop technology. You can only work with it and maybe find the benefit to your advantage. There are always winners and losers and in this case the losers will be the writers and actors. 

By: Jim Lavorato, Entertainment Equipment Corp. eeccinema.com