INDUSTRY NEWS PRO NEWSLETTER FOR SUNDAY, AUGUST 5, 2018

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What Happened Inside The Trader Joe’s Hostage Crisis
The Gist: A survivor discusses the hostage crisis as it unfolded at the Silverlake, CA store – located on Hyperion Avenue – two weeks ago. The store recently re-opened this past Thursday, August 2.
Source Article: The Los Angeles Times
Author: Robin Abcarian

“Inequality in 1,100 Popular Films”: The USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative Study
The Gist: Here is the published study from the University of Southern California on hiring/diversity patterns from the decade of 2007 – 2017.
Authors: Dr. Stacy L. Smith, Marc Choueiti, Dr. Katherine Pieper, Ariana Case, Angel Choi
Source: USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative

 

Headline: Reboots, Remakes & Returns: TV’s Blasts From The Past In 2018-2019
The Gist: Here’s your all-on-one-page look at shows that have confirmed pickups, are in talking stages, in doubt (Heathers, X-Files, Mad About You), and not picked up (Cagney & Lacey).
Source Article: Tampa Bay Times
Authors: Caitlin O’Conner and Steve Spears

 

Movie Pass Is Teetering, But The Takeaways Are Major
The Gist: Movie Pass stock was worth 25 cents a share just 4 days ago. The author of the article takes a look at how the core execs of the company weren’t poised to assume massive debt until they became profitable. On the other hand, the company tapped into the data of what viewers wanted to see and perhaps changed the mindset of Millennials, primarily, to discover movies they may not have opted in for paying as they went.
Source Article: IndieWire
Author: Chris O’ Falt

Weekend Box Office: Sony and Buena Vista Take 5 of the Top 10 Slots
The Gist: The gross for 43 films over this weekend are here as the top 10 is dominated by Buena Vista (Disney’s Christopher Robin, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Incredibles 2) and Sony (The Equalizer 2, Hotel Transylvania 3)
Source: Box Office Mojo

Peak TV Hasn’t Peaked: Streaming Leads The Way
The Gist: John Landgraf, CEO of FX Networks, coined the ‘Peak TV’ term and offers a revised prediction of what the content boom holds in store. Also, see the numbers of original content produced in each sector and how streaming and premium cable are leading those investments.
Source Article: Adweek
Author: Jason Lynch

 Jessica Lange Back For Season 8 of “American Horror Story”
The Gist: It’s been 3 seasons since Jessica Lange left American Horror Story as troubled carnival owner and German snuff film survivor, Elsa Mars. Now, her AHS: Murder House character – failed actress and scary neighbor, Constance Langdon – returns.
Source Article: Vanity Fair
Author: Emma Stefansky

The “Stranger and Sadder” Story of Otto Wambier
The Gist: Otto Wambier was the 21 year old student from Cincinnati, Ohio sentenced to 15 years hard labor in North Korea for stealing a propaganda poster. GQ magazine tackles the true story of the factors leading to his tragic return, beyond the initial talking points.
Source Article: GQ
Author: Doug Bock Clark

Is The Indian Film Industry Struggling? A Veteran of the Industry Says Crisis Is ‘Perpetual’
The Gist: The Indian film industry produces over 2000 films a year for a shrinking number of screens, resulting in roughly 400 of that number making a substantial profit. Indian industry executive Amit Khanna, breaks down the intricacies and roots of Indian cinema from the 1950s to now, as well as the genres popular today. Grab a pen and check your Netflix/streaming service queue for a cinematic history lesson.
Source Article: BloombergQuint
Author: Amit Khanna

#FlashbackRead: “I Have Seen God.” – Nina Simone’s Liberian Hiatus
The Gist: It was in 1974 that Nina Simone and her daughter Lisa went to Liberia for what would be a 3-year stay after Simone’s emotional turmoil in the States. Eclipsed by her global celebrity, yet adored for being her distinct self, here’s an overview of those years before Liberia’s military coup in 1980, which Simone missed by just three years.
Source Article: Guernica
Author: Katherina Grace Thomas

INDUSTRY NEWS PRO NEWSLETTER FOR SUNDAY, MAY 6, 2018

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FACEBOOK’S DATING APP: LONG-TERM LOVE …. OR THE “POOR MAN’S ASHLEY MADISON”?
The Gist: A wry/side-eyed look at the Facebook dating app that stresses long-term relationships vs. hook-ups. FB knows so much about users anyway, here’s a look at what the app can and can’t reveal if you opt-in.
Source Article: Urban Daddy
Article Author: Kady Ruth Ashcraft

 

“CULTS COME IN ALL FORMS” – WHAT EXPERTS THOUGHT OF NXIVM PRIOR TO TRIAL DATE
The Gist: With the leader of proclaimed self-help group NXIVM and former Smallville actress Allison Mack set for an October 1, 2018 trial, here’s what Rolling Stone uncovered last fall when exploring the question: is NXIVM a cult?
Source Article: Rolling Stone
Author: Laura Barcella

YEEZY PEASY: KANYE WESTS GETS SPOOFED IN SNL’S ‘A QUIET PLACE’ VIDEO PARODY 
The Gist: In a week where Kanye West professed to getting liposuction on the world’s behalf, and called American slavery a choice, Donald Glover stars in SNL’s imagining of reacting to the social media storm in a paranormal cornfield.
Source Article: Billboard
Author: Mitchell Peters

CAMBRIDGE ANALYTICA SHUTS DOWN AFTER “VIRTUALLY ALL OF THE COMPANY’S CUSTOMERS AND SUPPLIERS” EXIT
The Gist: The political consultancy firm has filed for insolvency in the UK and will start US bankruptcy proceedings soon. While their global legal challenges loom, the average US internet user still faces everyday “loss of privacy and a gross misuse of their data.”
Source Article: The Washington Post
Article Authors: Tony Romm and Craig Timberg

MARY KARR SAYS ABUSE INFLICTED BY EX, DAVID FOSTER WALLACE, IS “ABOUT 2% OF WHAT HAPPENED.”
The Gist: Author Mary Karr (The Liar’s Club, The Art of Memoir) took to Twitter this week, in the wake of Junot Diaz’s alleged abuse fall-out, to speak about untold abuse instigated by her ex, the late author David Foster Wallace.
Source Article: Jezebel
Author: Whitney Kimball

ONLINE VIDEO VIEWING WILL SURPASS REAL-TIME TV VIEWING IN 2018
The Gist: The average media consumer watches more than 7 hours of media a day. Here’s the predicted split of time viewers will spend online vs. linear TV watching. Also included: what are the percentages for other media, like radio and print?
Source Article: Media Post
Author: Wayne Friedman

INDUSTRY NEWS PRO NEWSLETTER FOR SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2018

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THE ‘POUND CAKE’ PARADOX: HOW BILL COSBY’S PREACHY PERCH BROKE
The Gist: More than a decade before his sexual-assault conviction, Bill Cosby began a moralizing tour scolding the Black underclass for scenarios like being murdered over pound cake theft and a host of exaggerated statistics. The slow and certain end of Cosby’s criminal impunity is discussed.
Source Article: The Atlantic
Author: Adam Serwer

WEEKEND BOX-OFFICE REPORT: ‘AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR’ GROSSES OVER a ½ $ BILLION WORLDWIDE
The Gist: Disney’s Marvel Comic Universe makes history, along with the other Top 10 titles from the weekend, including A Quiet Place, Rampage, Black Panther, I Feel Pretty, and Super Troopers 2.
Source Article: Box Office Mojo
Author:  Brad Brevet

 

THE AT&T vs. DOJ LAWSUIT LOOKS TO BE 75% IN AT&T’S FAVOR
The Gist: Closing arguments are due this week as to whether AT&T’s $85 billion dollar bid to buy Time Warner presents antitrust consequences. While some see the case as a 50-50 split, here’s why some think an AT&T may win.
Source Article: Fierce Cable
Author: Ben Munson

THE GOLDEN STATE KILLER CASE BROKEN BY A RETIRED FORMER INVESTIGATOR VIA DNA SITE
The Gist: The lethal timeline of the rapist, killer, and sadist who seemed “surprised” that he was caught 32 years after killing his last victim. The suspect , 72, was also a former police officer.
Source Article: BBC
Author: Jessica Lussenhop

SCREENWRITER DEALS & PROJECTS THIS WEEK
The Gist: The latest screenwriting deals and projects for the week, including Annabelle 3, an adaptation of Stephen King’s The Long Walk novel, and a new project for Ice Cube.
Source: Go Into The Story
Author: Scott Myers

MOLLY RINGWALD: ‘HOW ARE WE MEANT TO FEEL ABOUT ART THAT WE BOTH LOVE AND OPPOSE?’
The Gist: Molly Ringwald looks back on the legacy of the John Hughes films she starred in, how they have persevered despite cultural and historical differences, and reconciling Hughes’ National Lampoon writing with his teen-film canon.
Source Article: The New Yorker
Author: Molly Ringwald

#TV BUZZ: THE BROADCAST NETWORKS’ PILOT UPDATES
The Gist: Two weeks away from the networks’ upfront presentations, here’s where ABC, CBS, NBC, The CW, and FOX stand with noteworthy pilots
Source Article: Deadline
Author: Nellie Andreeva

50 STATE LAWS THAT YOU NEVER REALLY KNEW
The Gist: From silly string to not being able to pump your own gas (really, New Jersey?), a look at the oddest law in each state, all on one page.
Source Article: Thrillist
Author: Kastalia Madrano

SCREENWRITING: A Q&A ON WORKS IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN
The Gist: Attorney Christopher Schiller talks about what to investigate and what to know if your work involves public domain persons or content. And, as always: “A good pitch creates the movie already starting in the producer’s head immediately.”
Source Article: Screencraft
Author: Natasja Guimond

INDUSTRY NEWS PRO NEWSLETTER FOR SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 2018

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“WHEN I CAME BACK TO MY PHONE, THE WORLD HAD CHANGED.” – TERRY CREWS FIGHTS BACK
The Gist: Terry Crews gives an in-depth, raw interview in the personal and professional wake of his public allegation that he was genitally groped at Adam Sandler’s house by a since-demoted WME agent. Article is from March 15, 2018.
Source Article: Buzzfeed
Author: Alanna Bennett

IS THE MODERN WORK FORCE ‘DYING FOR A PAYCHECK?’
The Gist: The author of the above-mentioned book explains why workplace stress is the 5th leading cause of death in the USA. Also explained, the factors that lead to mortal injury, including stagnant salaries, the gig economy, and the millions not covered by employer insurance.
Source Article: Big Think
Author: Derek Beres

THE PERSONALITY TEST CREATOR WHO PROCESSED FACEBOOK DATA FOR CAMBRIDGE ANALYTICA
The Gist: An interview with one of the researchers whose personality test app gave them the data of 270,000 people who actually took the test and then got access to “tens of millions” of their FB friends. An explanation of the statistical model used and what it means.
Source Article: Nieman Lab
Author: Matthew Hindman

“THE NEAR TERM RISK IS JUST AS SOBERING”: IF USERS ABANDON FACEBOOK?
The Gist: The author notes that the total number of Amazon and Netflix subscribers amounts to just 1/10th of Facebook’s user base. A look, with graphics, about what could happen financially if Facebook’s user kicked it to the curb.
Source Article: Bloomberg
Author: Nir Kaissar

WEEKEND BOX-OFFICE: SPIELBERG’S READY PLAYER ONE SCORES
The Gist: Steven Spielberg’s retro-visual adaptation brings the director a higher opening gross than expected, while Taraji P. Henson’s lead in Acrimony places right behind. The Top 10 films for the holiday weekend are here.
Source Article: Deadline
Author: Anthony D’Alessandro

NOSTALGIA REVIVAL IS BRINGING MILLIONS BACK TO NETWORK TV
The Gist: Roseanne won her time slot in a personal best rating 21 years after she left it, while Will & Grace is renewed through 2 more seasons. With many must-see programs across broadcast networks last month, can the water-cooler moments make for a bigger ratings recoup?
Article Source: Vulture
Author: Josef Adalian

TESLA’S SELF-DRIVING CAR CRASHED ON AUTOPILOT ON THE 101 FREEWAY IN CALIFORNIA
The Gist: Tesla responds regarding the self-driving SUV that crashed into a barrier in Mountain View, CA last month with a 38 year old Apple software engineer inside. The number of lives Tesla says would be saved via self-driving vehicles, as well as why ‘autopilot’ doesn’t mean drivers can take their hands off the steering wheel.
Source Article: The Guardian
Authors: Guardian Staff & Agencies

INDUSTRY NEWS PRO NEWSLETTER FOR SUNDAY, MARCH 18, 2018

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TECH-RIBUTION: “BEHIND THE CARTOONISH FACADE” IS SILICON VALLEY SURVEILLANCE HAPPY?
Surveillance teams to eavesdrop employee conversations when their off-site? Phone tracking your location after-hours? Examples of the alleged ways some of the majors in Silicon Valley safeguard leaking and intellectual property in 2018.
Source Artice Here: The Guardian
Author: Olivia Solon

IS ‘A WRINKLE IN TIME’ BEING “DROWNED OUT BY INDUSTRY NOISE”?
A children’s book classic being made decades after its publication via color-blind casting and a 21st Century take by a female director of color. The debate over ‘A Wrinkle In Time’ is as prevalent, if not more, than the experience of the film; here’s where the flashpoints are.
Source Article Here: Buzzfeed
Author: Alison Willmore

OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND VS. FX and RYAN MURPHY PRODUCTIONS: “THE SHOW WAS DESIGNED TO MAKE IT LOOK AS IF I SAID THESE THINGS AND ACTED THIS WAY.” 
Olivia De Havilland, 101, is a two-time Oscar winner who successfully fought the Studio System in 1943 by ending prohibitive actor contracts. Tomorrow begins the lawsuit based on her fictional portrayal in the FX series Feud; the defendants claim free speech.
Source Article Here: The Guardian via MSN
Author: Rory Caroll

#VIDEO BUZZ FLASHBACK: REMEMBERING CHICAGO’S ROBERT TAYLOR HOMES PROJECTS
The Robert Taylor Homes projects of Chicago, since torn down and now vacant land, were iconic in Chicago for reasons as diverse as the city. They were also home to thousands of people and communities over the decades. Here’s a video doc from last fall, under 10 minutes, from an artist remembering his childhood there.
Source Article Here: AV Club/AV Docs
Authors: Baraka Kaseko and Marah Eaki

MEDIA UPFRONTS & NEWFRONTS CALENDAR 2018: WHEN & WHERE
An interactive, printable calendar, searchable by category and network, of when and where the upfront and newfront presentations will be held in 2018.
Source Article Here: Cynopsis Media

 

PILOT SEASON: NETWORK & CABLE STATUS
Variety‘s updated Pilot Scorecard for the current pilot season, network and cable.
Source Article Here: Variety
Authors: Variety Insights Staff

 

 

#VIDEO BUZZ: “CALL ME BY YOUR TWINS”
The Arnold-Danny Twins is remixed to the tenor of Call Me By Your Name.
Source Here: Funny or Die

 

“I TOOK ALL THE HEAT – ALONE….THEY ALL TOOK OFF FOR THE HILLS.” – ANTHONY PELLICANO NOW
From an audio/electronics expert and expert gov’t witness, to a conviction on over 70 counts of wiretapping and racketeering, Anthony Pellicano’s trial in 2008 put the tawdry lengths of Hollywood fixing on the map. Pellicano, who’ll be released from prison in 2019, talks for the first time in 6 years.
Source Article Here: The Hollywood Reporter (February 14, 2018)
Author: James Andrew Miller