Out of Tragedy Comes Good

The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) in the wake of the shooting incident that occurred on the set of the film 'Rust', appointed a pair of industry experts on firearms to be advisors and experts to the film industry.

Larry Zanoff and Brook Yeaton are both long-term prop masters, arms experts, and movie armorers. Their appointments follow on the footsteps of the theatrical debut (in Poland) of 'Rust' which involved an on-set gun incident that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

Hutchins on 'Rust' set before fatal shooting

The two appointees' role will be to work closely with the studios and other content producers regarding firearm safety issues. "I'm honored to be selected by my peers for this position and look forward to bringing my knowledge and experience to this new role of assisting my fellow industry colleagues in maintaining the highest level of safety on set", said Larry Zanoff.

Following the October 2021 'Rust' incident, star and producer, Alec Baldwin, who shot Hutchins, was originally charged with manslaughter but the charges were dismissed. The Armorer on the 'Rust' set was Hannah Reed, who is currently serving an 18-month sentence for negligence pertaining to the shooting.

Reed says, 'RUST' Producers Overruled Her Safety Requests

The Most Powerful Person in Hollywood

 

Do you know this woman? Well, if you want to make it big in tinsel-town you better get to know her, as she holds sway over who may or may not, for instance, get an Oscar. She is Colleen Camp, who at 71 is the fairy godmother of Hollywood. 

Camp is a character actress turned social networker. She is close friends with very mover and shaker in the film industry. She has built a reputation as one of Hollywood's most influential players with her, no press allowed screenings, big-power parties, star-studded dinners, and assorted receptions which have altered the trajectories of hundreds of Oscar campaigns.

"I'm an enthusiast. I'm also a fixer" is how she describes herself. According to Producer/Director Jerry Bruckheimer, "She's a kingmaker. A great force. You always want her on your side - if you want to win."

Camp's fingerprints are all over scores of Oscar winners, from 'The Joker' to 'Black Swan'. In Hollywood, where everyone says they're friends with whoever, but aren't, she actually is.

Camp, started out as an actress, and has appeared in over 100 films. Her first role was in the 1973 'Love, American Style'. She played Miss May in 'Apocalypse Now' and in 'Wayne's World', Over the years Camp cultivated close connections with Hollywood's big and little which eventually turned her, not merely into an awards playmaker, but an icon in a town where playmaking is an art form.

By: Jim Lavorato

Making Bank in Hollywood

 From the C-suite to the stars to movie extras here's a peek of who makes what in Hollywood.

Workers on movie set

Editor - most TV editors earn $5000/week. Top feature editors can earn $20-25,000/week.

Publicist - Mid-level agency publicists earn $100-150,000/yr. One with their own firm over $1 million.

Studio Executive - Entry-level executive assistant $50,000/yr. but there is huge growth potential.          Executive VPs earn $500,000-600,000. Studio head millions.

Lawyer - Deal makers that work on 5% commission instead of an hourly rate go for $175-250,000.

Director - Early-career directors $1 million. The Director's Guild minimum rate for a big-budget film    is $23,767/week with a 10-week guarantee. Big, named directors can earn up to $20                          million/film.

Stunt Person - $1,200/day but can increase this depending upon stunt person and danger of stunt.

Makeup Artist - $1,000-1,250/makeup job.

Stylist - $1,500/event or job plus extra fees for outside work.

Content Creator - a picture (photo) of a celebrity or event can be worth $1,000 or more. Videos can be worth $5,000 or more.

Gaffer - A union chief lighting technician makes $60.53/hour with a weekly guarantee of $3,647 while on a film set.

Minions on strike

Agent - Entry-level agency representatives earn $80-100,000/year. Older experience agents $600,000    and heavy hitters eight figures. Agency mailroom clerk makes $20/hour.

Intimacy Coordinator - a relatively new job category these people aid actors in shooting sex/nude        scenes and earn $1,200/day.

Actor - A-listers make big bank. Robert Downey Jr. made $80 million as Dr. Doom. Ryan Reynolds        makes about $30 million per film. Big TV names can earn up to $1 million per episode.                            Background or extras in movies or TV shows make $216/day.

Animator - a member of the Animation Guild earns $1,800/week, a supervising writer $3,000/week.

Producer - veteran producers up to $2 million up front and more on the backside of a hit movie.

Screenwriter - the average for a first draft script sells for $350-500,00.

CEO - as with most industries, belt-tighting never hits the tippy-top of the corporate ladder. For              example, the co-CEO of Netflix earned $49.8 million in 2023. Disney's $31.6 million, Warner                Bros. honcho $49.7 million. The highest paid was TKO Group top dog at $83.9 million. Lowest              paid was Amazon's at $1.4 million, but he has a stock grant deal worth $250 million.

By: Jim Lavorato

De-constructing The Ruby Slippers

The ruby shoes (slippers) worn by Judy Garland in the 'Wizard of Oz' film of 1939 sold at auction on December 7th for $28 million. 

Auctioned by Heritage Auctions of Dallas, TX the final price including auction fees was $32.5 million. Prior estimates by Heritage set the value at a mere $3 million, but with over 800 bidders at the auction house, on mobile and online the value rose exponentially.

De-constructed

The slippers were manufactured by the Innes Shoe Co. They have red silk faille (a soft, light-woven fabric having a ribbed texture) heels with the upper shoe and heels covered with hand-sequined silk. They are lined in white leather with leather soles painted red with orange felt adhered to the front foundation of each shoe.

The bows are hand-cut buckram cloth (course linen stiffened with paste) and are slightly different in size. Rhinestones rim the bows, which are filled with red beads surrounding center jewels.

By: Jim Lavorato

 

Fur or No Fur in Films

 

At this year's Toronto Film Festival, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) activists disrupted the debut of the animated documentary, 'Piece by Piece' for its depiction of fur and exotic skins.

This incident speaks to a larger issue, as the entertainment world has recently seen the increased use of fur in films - particularly in period productions. This has spurred many female actors to say they will not work if real fur is used in any film that are associated with. This has spread to studios as well, for example, Disney has banned the use of real fur in all of its TV and movie productions.

Currently, the vast majority of productions use faux fur or recycled fur, but some actors refuse even to wear fake fur in an effort to avoid glorifying it in any way which might entice purchases of real fur. "Even vintage fur risks normalizing the idea of wearing animals" says, Lauren Thomasson, Director of Animals in Film and TV at PETA.

A PETA anti-fur ad

But others say not using fur removes the authenticity of the production. " I believe, in a film for adults, you can depict people in the past smoking, in the same way as you can depict people in the past wearing fur", says Sandy Powell, three-time Oscar winner for Best Costume Design.

I think there will continue to be tension between sensitivity and authenticity on this subject. Faux fur is ok to use especially in period productions, as is vintage real fur - as it already exists.

By: Jim Lavorato

Creative Industry Independent Standards Authority (CIISA)

Kiera Knightley - CIISA supporter

 It's a mouth-full but the CIISA, which will officially launch in 2025, has been formed to "be a single point of accountability for the creative industries...to report behavior of concern." These concerns are bullying, harassment, and assault. The CIISA intends to work with law enforcement where appropriate.

One of the moving forces behind the Creative Industry Independent Standards Authority is Keira Knightley. She and 25 other high-profile movie industry names have signed a letter calling on entertainment industry companies to make financial commitments to the cause. 

Home-based in London, the Group has already gained the support of many companies in the creative industry - from the BBC and BAFTA to Amazon Studios. Its goal is to set standards of behavior expected within the creative industry to enable safe and inclusive working environments. 

Providing unified professional behavior standards, the CIISA will provide mediation and dispute resolution, among other services. 

Knightley's support stems from her experience after the huge success of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise films in which she co-starred ('Curse of the Black Pearl', 2003, 'Dead Man's Chest', 2006, and 'At World's End', 2007). During and after those films she was harassed, stalked, and hounded. She has stated that she would probably not get involved in a franchise movie situation again, "the hours are insane. It's years of your life. And, you have no control over where you're filming, how long you're filming, what you're filming."

Knightley with Johnny Depp in 'Pirates'

Knightley is currently starring in the Netflix spy drama series, 'Black Doves'. 

By: Jim Lavorato

Penn's Outrages are Lame and Superficial

 I normally steer clear of writing about 'personalities' but every once in a while, I can't help myself.

Penn with best 'bud' Hunter Biden

At 64, Sean Penn has bolstered his acting career with social activism. He fancies himself a crusader on whichever social issue is currently brewing. For example, he is a big proponent of the Ukraine war and supports the effort to continue the battle against Russia. He is also a good friend of Hunter Biden.

Penn's latest rant is against the Academy Awards. He slammed the Oscars for "limiting different cultural expressions" - whatever that means. He went on further to say the Academy "exercised really extraordinary cowardice when it comes to being part of the bigger world of expressing, and in fact, have largely been part of limiting the imaginations and very limiting of different cultural expressions."  

What is all this babble about? It's non-specific, in the extreme, and has to be viewed as Penn's effort to, again, bask in the - I'm controversial and relevant limelight - to the left-leaning Hollywood glitterati.

Everyone who reads this blog knows I'm not a huge fan of the Academy but "limiting cultural expressions" is a bad rap given their history. 

Penn is a provocateur. He takes positions on issues that are controversial and demonstrates his outrage by having on-site photo-ops whether it's in Cuba, Venezuela, Haiti, or the Ukraine - he then moves on to his next social outrage never following-up with his past ones. Hmmm...

Penn in Ukraine where he gave one of his Oscars to Pres. Zelensky

But, why the Academy? He eagerly and without any objection accepted two Best Actor Oscars- one for 'Mystic River' and another for 'Milk'.  It begs the question, why now? What's in it for Sean? What's his motivation?

Penn's personal rants are getting very old. It's hard to imagine anyone, at this point, taking him seriously about any political or social stance - and that's my rant.

By: Jim Lavorato 

The Rise of Movie Merch

 

'Dune 2' Cup

The most important thing about going to the movies is... well, the movie. However, since day-one, exhibitors have used something extra to entice moviegoers - movie merch.

Either free with a concession purchase or available for an additional cost, merch can and does draw moviegoers to the cinema. Over the years merch has ranged from dinnerware to movie memorabilia. Today, it's all about popcorn buckets, cup toppers, and all manner of tie-ins - many of which appear on e-Bay for resale to collectors (recently a Deadpool & Wolverine popcorn bucket sold for over $100).

Termed CCVs or collectible concession vehicles, these are exclusive branded items. It all started in 2019, when AMC Theaters sold a drink cup shaped like R2-D2 which completely sold out in one evening. Since that time, it became apparent to the large exhibitors that merch exclusive to their chain was a factor to luring patrons to their auditoriums. Today, in many cases, the exclusive items are sold online when moviegoers purchase their admission tickets.

Many CCVs can take over a year from development to point-of-sale when a film is released. Some items are very elaborate, others simple - like the 'Freddy Pizza Box' in promoting Elm Street reruns.

Both the film studios and movie exhibitors have come to realize how impactful movie tie-ins can be to moviegoers. Movie merch is here to stay and will only get more sophisticated and collectible.

By: Jim Lavorato

Brazil's First Oscar?

 

Brazilians are flocking to the cinema to see the homegrown film 'Anida Estuò Aqui (I'm Still Here)'. Released on November 7th, this film has sold over two million admissions to date, beating out 'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' at the Brazilian box office.

'I'm Still Here' is based on a true story of Eunice Paiva. It was directed by Walter Salles and has won numerous festival awards, and high critical scores. It has been nominated for a Best Screenplay Oscar and it would not be a surprise me if Fernanda Torres, who portrays Eunice Paiva in the film, is nominated for Best Actor award.

If you see it on a marquee or showings at a local cinema, go and see it.

By: Jim Lavorato

Iceland's Push for Film Production

Iceland's famous Blue Lagoon with volcano in background

 Iceland has witnessed a leap in movie production since it increased its production rebate to 35% on qualified large projects. From HBO to BBC Productions, Iceland is the new to-go production destination. With its natural beauty, highlighted by hot springs, volcanos, and pristine landscapes, Iceland offers a unique venue for outdoor film production.

The increased rebate, it was 25%, has brought in millions of production dollars which has greatly helped many local communities with an influx of new monies and knowledge gained in the latest filmmaking techniques. On the production side, for example, using Iceland's famous geothermal energy to power sets and stages offers a huge savings in costs. 

The Icelandic Film Commission has noted that although production has been great, the goal is to develop other areas of the film business, i.e. VFX to music scoring, and other postproduction activities. It is estimated that the delivers a 5-7x return on investment.

In a competitive gesture, Denmark just approved a tax incentive to lure in film production activities. The Danish incentive will launch in 2026 starting with an annual budget of $17.5 million (one of the largest in Europe) and be focused on making Denmark a hub for film production. For example, Netflix has six productions in Sweden, six in Norway, and only three in Denmark, so its 'game-on'.

By: Jim Lavorato

 

Cinemas...Indispensable Community Assets

 Art-house cinemas are an easy fit into urban culture and community but do local cinemas have the same social impact?

Studies by the British Film Institute (BFI) show that cinemas, large circuits to single screen movie houses, are an anchor in a world of change. While restaurants and stores come and go, the local cinemas remain a constant. In fact, the BFI study shows that people, across all demographics, would be willing to donate $15/year just to prevent their local cinema from being repurposed into any other function. 63% of respondents stated that having a local cinema gave them a sense of pride - pushing that number to 70% if the venue included a cafe or bar.

Cinemas are local and global. They present content that has worldwide viewership while employing local friends and neighbors - so the majority of the value they create stays in the community. 

Today, moviegoers are also avid users of all forms of media. For example, 72% of moviegoers are gamers, while 53% stream movies, and 64% are sports lovers and watchers.

There is nothing 'old' about going to the movies. It's an integral part of urban, suburban, and rural life and as a community anchor has no equal.

By: Jim Lavorato

So, How Would You Like to View This Movie?

 If you haven't noticed, your movie admission can be purchased at different prices in different formats. 

• There is the basic, or standard, format which as a digital presentation with a 5.1 sound system. This format can be enjoyed at a large circuit to a small-town cinema.
• Next, is a 3D version with glasses. Usually marketed as RealD-3D. This makes the movie more immersive, but many moviegoers find it disorienting or just plain not worth the extra up-charge and this format has lost favor with the public.
• Dolby Digital Cinema, the next format, uses dual 4K resolution laser projectors. This system provides 500 times the contract ratio and twice the brightness of a standard single projection system. Again, is it worth the up charge?
• Dolby Atmos Sound. Over 90% of cinemas use surround sound, or 5.1 channel sound. This consists of a left, center, right stage speaker channels, left and right surround channels, and a subwoofer channel. The Atmos System carries sound to a new dimension. It can handle up to 64 channel feeds and is calibrated to the specifics of each auditorium - including ceiling, side, and height speakers in addition to five stage channels and three surround channels. 
• Then there is IMAX. This format has been around since the 70's, but not every IMAX Theatre is the same. The largest ones boast a 60'h x 80'w screens but there are plenty with much smaller screens. Most use dual 4K laser projectors with behind the screen speakers, surround speakers, and some utilized 'top center' speakers to take advantage of the large screen height. Is the IMAX worth the admission price? The average admission is between $15-20. It's really up to the viewer.
• Then there are circuit specific formats. For example, Regal Cinemas have the RPX, which is their version of a large-screen format. Basically, the RPX is better than a standard system, but it is not a premium system, such as IMAX, Dolby Digital Cinema, or Dolby Atmos - so it's really not worth the up charge.  

Let's face it, bigger screens, laser projectors, enhanced sound systems do make a difference and provide for a better viewing experience. But one thing that will be noticed is the comfort level of the theater. Moviegoers want comfort and this could be more significant than a larger screen and improved sound.

Different formats for the same film come with different price points. The average movie admission is now about $9 nationwide for standard format viewing. What's nice about all of these format options is just that, they provide choice. And they are all much better than in-home viewing.

By: Jim Lavorato

"The Equalizer' is BACK"

 

Denzel Washington as "The Equalizer'

Like the 'John Wick' franchise, which is scheduled for a 5th series film, 'The Equalizer' will return with 4th and 5th sequels. 

Although it was thought that Denzel Washington, who stars as Robert McCall in the series, was not in favor of any more sequels after the 3rd Equalizer, it has now been reported that the $573 million franchise will be returning to the big screen. 

Washington with Dakota Fanning in 'Equalizer 3'

"We've come to realize that the Equalizer films are for me, too, because they're for the people. They want me to get the bad guys," says Washington.

This is good news for an 'Equalizer' fan, like me. For Washington, the McCall anti-hero role, provides him the franchise series he never had. Known for his serious dramatic roles, the 'Equalizer' role is much less demanding but are guaranteed box office successes.

The past films have co-starred lesser, but very good, B-list actors, i.e. Dakota Fanning, but the next two films can cast bigger stars to supplement Washington and provide bigger box office bank. It is not known if Fanning will return in the 4th and 5th installments.

By: Jim Lavorato

Warner Bros. Discovery Uses AI to Sell Products Embedded In Their Content

 

Secondary Pop-up Screen for Products a Viewer Can Purchase

Warner Bros. is trying to turn their Discovery Channel into a shopping mall for items resident in their shows. This will all be driven by AI programs using QR codes. 

A QR code is scanned from their TV screen, upon which the potential consumer is presented a second screen where they can see the chosen product, read its specifications, and make a purchase.

"We see an opportunity to broaden how we make ads more relevant to the consumer, especially in streaming", says Ryan Gould, Head of Advanced Advertising for WB Discovery.

Wayfair, the online retailer, has inked an agreement with WB to use this new technology. Kara O'Brien, Head Brand Marketing for Wayfair, stated that, "These new solutions will make it easy for viewers to discover and purchase items for their homes inspired by the content they're viewing and enjoying."

Many media companies are eager to tie commerce to streaming content for obvious profit motives. For example, Peacock, the NBC/Universal, streaming hub allows subscribers to order food that is delivered in advance of or during a movie or sporting event.

My feeling is that this is just the beginning of a huge trend in using viewed in-home content as a means to purchase goods and services directly from our TV screens. This type of marketing offers great convenience and fosters the impulse purchase. 

AI is with us, and it will continue to impact our lives in ways we can't even imagine. Buckle-up because we're going to be on a technology-driven ride over the next decade.

By: Jim Lavorato

Hollywood First-ever Faith and Spirituality Awards Ceremony

 

Several sponsors of the Awards

On December 4, Variety will be hosting the first-ever 'Faith and Spirituality Entertainment Honors'. So, what is this new awards show? Well, according to Variety the event celebrates and honors, "Individuals who are supporting often underrepresented themes of faith in storytelling and entertainment. The Awards honor diverse portrayals of faith and spirituality that are broadly compelling and nuanced."

This inaugural event will be honoring:

• Viola Davis, as co-founder of Juvee Productions
• Bob Marley, for 'One Love' which will be accepted by Ziggy Marley
• Erica Lipez, producer/writer of 'We Were the Lucky Ones
• Jessica Matten, for lead actor in 'Dark Winds'
• Arian Moayed, acting in 'Succession' and 'Inventing Anna'

According to the Global Faith and Media Study Group, "82% of the world's population identifies as religious, spiritual, or a person of faith." This annual event is committed to ensuring that faith is meaningfully portrayed in films and other media.

Like it or not, we live in a spiritual world and there is a huge global demographic that cares deeply about this topic. In entertainment this means accurate films that reflect authentic experiences people have every day.

Variety's sponsorship and hosting this event honoring those who are doing faith-based media is meaningful and significant to the movie industry. The ceremony will be available for viewing on Varitiy.com and on Variety's social platforms.

By: Jim Lavorato

'An American Pastoral' - A Tale of Two Ideologies

 As the Democratic Party and its supporters lick their wounds from a decisive defeat in the recent elections, a film ('An American Pastoral') provides a snapshot into the chasm that exists between the left and right in U.S. society.

Aubari Edler

The film captures the election of a local school board in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania in a non-partisan view by French journalist and filmmaker Auberi Edler. There is no narration or commentary on the ideological split between leftist Democrats and rightist Republicans. 

The movie calmly 'watches' the on-going battle between the two opposing sides and lets the viewer decide which to place their support. 

To non-American audiences, school board elections, with voting even by residents without children, seems contrary to normal thinking. But Edler easily makes the micro-issue in this small community a metaphor for the larger social battleground the U.S. finds itself in.

Edler, selected the title to reflect ruralism and the Christian undercurrent that runs throughout the right-leaning thought it is built upon. 

Edler in Tikrit, Iraq war zone, 2003

'An American Pastoral' is an uncovering exercise. Acting as her own camerawoman, Edler avoids interviews and editorials and even omits identification of key figures and locations in the film. She lets the viewer decide and find their own path to the ambiguities it presents. She sits on the sidelines and doesn't participate and that's what makes 'An American Pastoral' a great film. If you get the chance to view it, do so. 

Edler's other works include American Laundry (2022), Etoiles de la SCAM (2020), Clean Torture (2019), and Le Blues de la Nouvelle-Orle'ans (2010).

By: Jim Lavorato

Behind The Camera Awards

 

Not given the attention or accolades they deserve, the Hamilton Behind the Camera Awards, sponsored by Variety, were held on November 14th.

Introduced in 2006, the BTCAs celebrate the visionary artists who help tell stories through their crafts and the work happening behind the scenes which bring films to life.

Ryan Reynolds won for 'Deadpool & Wolverine'

Some of the artists that received Awards this year included:

 

Editing - Joe Walker - 'Dune Part 2'

Stunts - Chris O'Hara - 'The Fall Guy.

Animation - Kelsey Mann - 'Inside Out 2'

Sound - Steven Marrow - 'Joker: Folie a Deux'

Hair & Makeup - Julia Flock - 'Carbonel'

Direction - Gia Coppola - 'The Last Showgirl'

Screenwriters - Ryan Reynolds - 'Deadpool & Wolverine'

Score - Jon Batiste - 'Saturday Night'

Congratulations to all of this year's winners. It the work behind the cameras that make the movies magic.

By: Jim Lavorato

Kimmel Out - O'Brien In

 

                                            https://x.com/i/status/1857416541056225636

Conan O'Brien, the stalworth comedian will emcee the Academy Awards show - which will be aired on ABC, March 2nd, '25. 

O'Brien, 61, will host the 97th Oscars replacing Jimmy Kimmel, who was lackluster in his hosting last year and drew much deserved criticism.

This will be O'Brien's first-time hosting, but he has decades of television experience. He currently presides over a podcasting company called 'Team Coco' - which has a number of well-viewed podcasts, including: 'Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend' 

He has had 31 Emmy nomination, which includes five wins for his work on Saturday Night Live and The Simpsons. 

When asked about the upcoming Oscar gig, O'Brien quipped, "America demanded it and now it's happening: Taco Bell's new Cheesy Chalupa Supreme. In other news, I'm hosting the Oscars."

For me, O'Brien will be a breath of fresh air for the Oscars. He is funny, self-deprecating, and a great announcer. He will be a vast improvement over Kimmel.

By: Jim Lavorato

Asian Governments Fund Coproduction of Movies

 

Not unlike the European model, governments across Asia are moving to expand and extend cross-border film production. 

Last week, during the Taiwan Creative Content Festival, four Asian countries - the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Turkey - discussed their funding and coproduction movie agreement. All of these countries agreed that film policy would be overseen by a film department under their Education Ministries.

Coproductions are to be encouraged, and the participating countries will match funds from private movie producers or from groups such as the World Cinema Fund. This will essentially be a new model for coproduction financing. 

Since its inception in 2004, the World Cinema Fund (a German Federal Cultural Foundation program) has funded hundreds of film projects. These projects are coproduced by the German Cultural Ministry and the partnering country.

The WCF is now the leading entity for obtaining international film funding for artistic and innovative film production. It concentrates its funding for films in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, Central and Southeast Asia, and the Indian sub-continent. 

The Turkish government, through its Ministry of Culture, has stated that they will also fund movie scriptwriting, production consultancy, and pay for Master Classes for aspiring filmmakers in the areas of coproduction and project development.

These are all good projects and certainly aid filmmakers in funding which would otherwise be unavailable to them. Currently, the U.S. is not part of nor a participating member of any coproduction group, as this is seen as a competitor to studio productions. It should be said that funding for U.S. domiciled filmmakers is available from many sources from the Ford Foundation to Netflix and the National Geographic Society, to crowdfunding sources.

By: Jim Lavorato

Motion Picture Association Garners Favor with Trump Administration

 

The Motion Picture Association, the trade/lobbying group, which represents the major movie studios sent congratulations to President Trump on his 2nd Presidential victory. The MPA also congratulated new members of Congress - which now have Republican majorities.

This was a prudent but hypocritical move on the MPA's part given Hollywood's and mass media's very vigorous and outspoken distain and dislike of the MAGA movement and Trump on a personal level. 

In their public statement, the MPA said, "We look forward to working with the Trump Administration on a wide range of important issues for the film, TV, and streaming industry. We commend everyone who worked this year to ensure fair elections and preserve our nation's legitimate democratic processes." 

Wow! Why in the world would the MPA think the Trump administration would want to work on behalf of the movie industry? One can only surmise there are looming issues which impact MPA members and which the new Administration may not favor. So, getting out in front, at the get-go, maybe the best strategy for the MPA to take.

Big Media

For example, big media is very fearful that new appointees at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will approve the auctioning of the radio frequency bandwidth, now used free-of-charge by legacy networks (ABC, NBC, CBS) but which is valued in the billions of dollars. Or a change to the tax code which currently allows the immediate expensing of the full cost of film or TV production, rather than depreciating the expense over time.

On the flipside, the entertainment industry is a major U.S. export industry, to the tune of over $11 billion per year. Other countries, such as the U.K., India, Canada, and Australia, have subsidy programs geared toward building up their domestic film and TV industries. Additionally, due to high labor costs and excessive government regulations content production in the U.S. has the highest cost structure of any country, ergo U.S. based content production is down 40% from pre-pandemic levels.

The MPA is lobbying, not only for favored tax status and subsidies but also for controls on AI, copyright, and online piracy which are big negative impactors. 

To all of this, I say, 'Good luck'. Most of the issues facing the major studios are self-inflicted. Embracing a very woke posture socially, voicing and pushing a rabid distain for MAGA, and agreeing to labor union wage and work demands over the last several years does not bode well for them now. Hollywood needs to do some heavy soul-searching and get out of the business of producing moral message movies and TV shows. Playing it straight and producing content people are interested in and eager to view - a real 180 is called for by MPA members.

By: Jim Lavorato

 

John Willimas the GOAT

 

John Williams is the GOAT

It has been some time since I wrote anything about John Williams. With a career that spans seven decades, John Williams has penned the most iconic movie scores of all time. Scores from 'Star Wars', and Indiana Jones', to 'ET' and 'Saving Private Ryan'.

He is now being honored with a documentary entitled, "Music by John Williams" which will be aired on the Disney+ channel. 

Growing up in a musical household, Williams played the piano at a very young age. In 1951 he joined the U.S. Air Force and played piano and conducted and arranged music for the Air Force Band. He then journeyed to Hollywood where he worked as a studio pianist and session musician. In his early career, he worked on many movie and TV scores and then began to write songs and scores which, to this day, he pens with paper and pencil.

From 1980-1993 he was the conductor for the Boston Pops. He has been prolific in his music compositions and has been intuitive in his uncanny feel for the storyline he is writing for. For example, he composed the 'Harry Potter' score without viewing a single frame of the film and only was inspired by the Potter books.

At 91, Williams was the oldest person to be nominated for an Oscar - his 54th, a record only surpassed by Walt Disney with 59 nominations. 

Williams at 92 - still going strong

Williams has won five Oscars including those from 'Jaws' and 'Fiddler on the Roof' and is the only person to be nominated for an Oscar in seven different decades. His work has influenced many music composers, not only in classical, but in popular and jazz genres. For example, he composed the theme music for the Olympics and Sunday Night Football. 

John Willimas is the Greatest of All Time in composing and arranging musical scores for the most iconic motion pictures and at 92 he is still working.

By: Jim Lavorato

Japan's PM Vows More Yen for Entertainment Industry

Japan is the world's third largest cinema market after China and the U.S. - and the majority of that market is locally produced content. Moreover, the Japanese cinema industry has become the toughest market for Hollywood to penetrate. This year, only one foreign produced film, "Inside Out 2", will crack the top ten of Japanese cinema grossers. 

Shigeru vows more funding for Japanese based film production

To maintain its local dominance of the movie business, Ishida Shigeru, Japan's newly elected Prime Minister, recently stated, "the government is working to lay the groundwork to further encourage the development of Japanese entertainment content."

Big Six Will Spend $126B on Original Content

The six biggest global content producers are projected to end 2024 at a record $126 billion spend. Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, Netflix, Comcast, Google, and Paramount Global will account for over 51% of all entertainment content worldwide.

Disney, the largest spender, will end the year at $35.8 billion, followed by Comcast (NBC/Universal) at $24.5 billion, Google at $17.6 billion, Warners at $16.8 billion, Netflix at $16 billion, and Paramount at $15.1 billion. 

Who owns what in entertainment industry 

Of the $126 billion total, about $40 billion is currently spent on subscription streaming services, as spending on original content remains king.