Marilyn's 100th Birthday

 

Starting June 1st, year-long events and festivities celebrating Marilyn Monroe's 100th year birth has started. 

Iconic Monroe will be lauded this month by Pantone (color experts) is debuting the 'Marilyn Monroe Collection Palette' - an array of colors honoring the star.

Authentic Brands Group, which purchased the rights to Monroe's name and likeness in 2011 has been inking agreements with Tiffany's, Piper Heidsieck (champagne), Blancpain (watches) and Lele Sedighi (jewelry). 

The year will celebrate the impact Monroe had on art and culture through her films - including 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes', 'Some Like It Hot', and 'The Misfits'.

Last month, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences', new Museum of Motion Pictures announced that it will feature an exhibit entitled, 'Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon'. The exhibit will be featuring the star 'original screen costumes, photographs, production documents, letters, and personal items. The nine-month exhibit will debut on May 1st, 2026.

Monroe was born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926, and died of a drug overdose in 1962 at age 36. 

Latest Movie Memorabilia Auction Sets Record

 

David Lynch, world-class filmmaker

Last week's Julien's Auctions and Turner Classic Movies sale of David Lynch's estate set new records.

Props from the 'Twin Peaks' TV show, and movies like 'Mulholland Drive', 'Eraserhead', and 'Dune' were some of the over 450 items sold.

Lynch's Director's chair

Lynch's director's chair fetched $91,000 as hundreds of collectors and fans, both online and at the Peninsula Beverly Hills Hotel, made their bids. Catherine Williamson, of Julien Auctions, stated, "The global response to the auction speaks not only to the cultural importance of Lynch's legacy, but to the profound admiration he inspired among fans, collaborators, and collectors alike."

Sales included:

- Lynch's unfinished script for a project entitled 'Ronnie Rocket' - $195,000.

- Scripts from 'Mulholland Drive' - $104,000

- Props from Winkie's Diner featured in 'Mulholland Drive' - $7,800

- Script copies of the 'Twin Peaks' pilot episode - $91,000

- A 35mm film print of 'Eraserhead' - $52,000

- Lynch's La Marzocco espresso machine - $45,000

Lynch's espresso machine

People are willing to pay up for entertainment-related memorabilia. This speaks to the robust economy, at least when it comes to the cinema stuff.

Lynch, an American filmmaker, is widely considered one of the greats in film production, which includes: 'The Elephant Man', 'Blue Velvet', and 'Wild at Heart' to name several.

Lynch died in January at the age of 79.

Sex Sells: It's Just Under the Radar

 Think about it... Skydance, a film financing company, has offered to purchase Paramount Pictures for $8 billion. That purchase would include the Paramount studio, CBS, ShowTime, and assets like the Godfather trilogy, among others. Yet, Forest Road, an investment firm specializing in highly creative ventures, is offering to buy porn site Only Fans for $8 billion. 

This demonstrates the disconnect between Hollywood and points to a shift in the entertainment industry, and more importantly what makes money.

Only Fans, is owned and managed by Leonid Radvisky, a 43-year-old Soviet billionaire. The company provides a platform for content creators to post videos (mostly porn related) to their paying subscribers. Only Fans then receives 20% of the fees collected by the content providers. Only Fans is booming.

Lily Allen, an Only Fans content creator put it this way, "Imagine being an artist and having nearly 9 million money paying listeners on Spotify, as compared to earning much more money from having only 1,000 subscribers to your Only Fans posted videos."  

For example, since starting her video postings to Only Fans in 2023, Sophie Rain has earned $76 million. Following porn, the biggest money generators for Only Fans are comedy and sports.

So, what sells? Are the entertainment tastes of the populace changing? What are they willing to pay for? It appears that sex related content, which flies under the mainstream radar, is as impactful as Hollywood productions and, in many cases, more lucrative for its creators. 

'High in the Clouds'

The upcoming animated film, 'High in the Clouds' is based upon Paul McCartney's book by the same name which he authored in 2005.

The film, to be released in 2027, is the story of a squirrel, Wirrel, who embarks on a journey to bring back his mother's (Sugertail) voice after it was stolen by a cruel deva named Gretsch. Gretsch has ban all music and speech freedom. Wirrel, set out to find his mother's old band mates and accidentally starts a revolution.

The voice overs include McCartney, Ringo Starr, Celine Dion, Hamesh Pated, Lionel Richie, Idris Elba, and others.

 McCartney has made it clear that this movie is not a musical but a film about the power of music. He wrote 13 original songs for the film of which six will be featured. 

'High in the Clouds' is targeting family viewing of all ages. McCartney says, "the film is a homage to my first wife, Linda, who inspired the character, Sugartail." Linda McCartney died in 1998.

MPSE Bans Use of AI

The Motion Picture Sound Editors, in a press release, has stated that their association will not accept projects for their Golden Reel Awards that were created with AI generated soundtracks.

"We support the technology advances that assist artists; however, standards for AI generated scores have yet to be adopted and therefore we will not recognize any AI generated sound for our Awards," stated the press release.

The Golden Reel Awards honor achievement in sound editing, sound design, music editing, and foley artistry in films, television, and gaming. The MPSE celebrated its 72nd annual ceremony in February.

The Golden Reel Awards are quite prestigious within the movie industry - remember, sound is one-half the movie's sensory impact.

AMC Decides to CUT Admission Prices

 American Multi-Cinema Theatres, is the largest movie operator in the world, has decided to slash U.S. admissions on Wednesdays.

Arguably the slowest day of the week at the box-office is Wednesday; therefore, starting July 9th AMC's ticket prices for Wednesday presentations will be reduced by 50% - in the hopes of generating more admissions.

Tuesdays have traditionally offered reduced ticket pricing which moviegoing bargain hunters embraced and turned out to be a great success for AMC. Now, its slashing Wednesday pricing as well.  So, both Tuesdays and Wednesdays will be discounted admission days. The goal being to increase attendance overall.

Currently the average adult ticket price is $13 except for Tuesdays when the average price is $11.18. It is true that there is a segment of the moviegoing audience that look for admission discounts and discount Tuesday has been a success in increased admissions. 

Adam Aron, AMC's maverick CEO

Thus far, the U.S.'s next two largest theatre circuits - Cinemark and Regal - have adopted a wait and see posture before moving ahead with reduced Wednesday pricing as they have with Tuesday's.

It will be interesting to see if both Tuesday and Wednesday admission discounts will generate even more mid-week patrons. 

In another announcement, AMC reported that they were adding more commercial ads to all pre-feature presentations. These ads will run before the traditional film trailers. In a press release, AMC was "confident the change would not deter moviegoers, while providing vital revenue, in combination, with our value pricing through our Discount Tuesdays (20% off matinee pricing) and the upcoming 50% off Wednesday admissions."

By: Jim Lavorato

Animation Is and Will Be the Hottest Sector in Movie Industry

 Animation is currently very hot in the movie business and a career in it should be considered if you're looking on entering the entertainment industry and have a technical bent.

Student at DePaul University

How to break-into this discipline may start with attending a program at a school that specializes in animation. Here's the best:

Art Center College of Design - Pasadena, CA

With cutting-edge facilities and a degree program in design, illustration, graphic design with an emphasis on motion design, graduates work in the visual development, directing, art direction, title sequences, etc.

Brigham Young University - Provo, UT

Barring its conservative culture and religious studies, BY's Center for Animation was created with the support of Pixar co-founder Ed Catterall. Although far from Hollywood and its leftist persuasion, BY has strong ties with all of the major studios, and their program is geared to support Hollywood's visual needs.

California Institute of the Arts - Valencia, CA

Founded by Walt and Roy Disney in 1961, this school has a very select admission requirement but offers students the opportunity to develop and produce their own short films.

Cal State University - Long Beach, CA

Cal State offers animation and preproduction curriculums. Students have opportunities to produce short films. Its facilities include a 360-degree theatre, VR rooms, motor capture, and 2D and 3D production shops.

Still rendition from USC student

DePaul University - Chicago, IL

Offering both bachelor's and master's degrees in animation, DePaul uses AI art tools. It has a virtual production stage, as well as a 60,000 sq. ft. production facility with all the bells and whistles.

New York University - New York, NY

NYU's Kanbar Animation School focuses on storytelling and filmmaking through the use of animation. Facilites are top-grade and the first year of tuition for most students is free, if you're accepted.

Rhode Island School of Design - Providence, RI

Students have access to production studios for film, video, 16mm, 35mm, and puppet animation. Students work where they have the most interest and present their works at the school's acclaimed and well-attended annual film festival. 

Animated film from Ringling School

Ringling College of Art and Design - Sarasota, FL

This school offers students the opportunity to make a feature film as its facilities are comparable to that of the major film studios, including Pixar and DreamWorks. Enrollment is kept low, and it prides itself on having won 15 Student Academy Awards.

San Jose State University - San Jose, CA

At only $8,400 for tuition ($21,000 out-of-state) San Jose offers an affordable and very competitive means of obtaining a BA in animation and illustration, color theory, printing, and storyboarding.

Savannah College of Art and Design - Savannah, GA

The animation and motion program allows students to delve into 2D, 3D, stop-motion animation, digital modeling, rigging and lighting for films, TV, and video gaming.

School of Visual Arts - New York, NY

Students can obtain a BA or Master's degree. Programs include motion design, use of AI, and general animation filmmaking from concept to final product. Its new facility features a stop-motion shop and sound and editing studios. 

University of Southern California - Los Angeles, CA

USC's intensive programs teach animation from a filmmaker's perspective. The school promotes career placement and has state-of-the-art facilities.

So, these are the best U.S. schools for training in animation. International schools that rank high include Gobelins (France), Sheridan College (Canada), and VIA University (Denmark).

 

Hollywood's Battle with AI Continues

 The video gaming companies are currently in negotiations with the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and have issued what they are calling the "best, last, and final offer" to the actors. 

SAG strikers protesting gaming companies' use of AI

The rife is all about using AI generated voice and images of actors in their video games. Currently, SAG is striking the video gaming companies. The strike has been on-going since July of last year. 

Some of the gaming companies negotiating with SAG

In their latest offer, the gaming companies are removing, a large sticking point: the unlimited use of digital replicas buyout provision. This removes the one-time payment option for unlimited use of replicas. Therefore, performers who consent to the use of a digital replica would receive compensation equivalent to what they would receive if they had directly provided this service. SAG is reviewing this proposal and its negotiations committee will provide a response and "next steps." 

SAG on strike since July of 2024

And so, it goes. AI is a huge problem for Hollywood guilds and unions as they try to preserve the status quo or, at least, be properly compensated for the use of their voice and images in the gaming world.

By: Jim Lavorato

Movie Exhibitors Push for Oscar Voting Rights

 By month's end, the Academy of Motion Picture and Science will be extending invitations to a new class of members - movie exhibitors.

The Academy's current membership leans towards creative types: actors, directors, producers, craft-people etc. However, movie exhibitors and owners argue that they have a unique perspective and contribution to the movie industry that is not represented or recognized.

Currently the Academy is composed of 19 branches each devoted to a specific area of the movie industry. The Academy is not open to member application; it is by invitation only and sponsorship by at least two existing members within the branch a would-be member wants to join.

Including theatre owners and exhibitors into the Academy is also a way at protecting and promoting the theatrical experience, where streaming has become a major content competitor. The Academy knows that a strong cinema ecosystem is vital to the on-going future of the industry and that includes movie exhibitors.

By: Jim Lavorato

Movie Casting: Most Vital / Least Appreciated Movie Task

 

Aspiring actors waiting for their chance to audition for a movie role

Movie casting directors, for example, hold thousands of auditions to cast for a franchise film. From A-listers to up-and-coming stars to minor roles - yet the casting director is really not seen or appreciated by moviegoers.

Casting is relatively new to the film industry, reaching its current position in the 1960's. Before that most actors were signed to individual studios which employed a stable of actors, both big stars and minor role players. 

Reading a script during a casting audition

It should be noted that casting directors are not casting agents. Casting directors don't make commissions from actors, nor do they share in a film's profits - they are paid a flat fee for their work by the studio or film maker.

Casting is one of the unsung heroic endeavors of movies and TV shows. Great casting can make or break a film. Roles that are miscast could ruin what would otherwise be a terrific film or TV show.

Don't underestimate the role of the casting director, it's one of the vital roles of any successful film.

By: Jim Lavorato