INDUSTRY NEWS PRO NEWSLETTER FOR SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2018

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

“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