Month: October 2020

In high school, 15-year-old Heidi Schreck won enough prize money giving Constitution-themed speeches at American Legion halls to pay her way through college. A quarter-century later, Schreck spun her memories of all that youthful idealism into a hit Broadway show, “What the Constitution Means to Me,” which has proven to be every bit as much
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As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to leave Hollywood studios in flux, there are still key decisions being discussed internally about the Oscars, such as actors’ placements in the acting categories. With six months until the Academy Awards, there are several factors needed in order to set a film up for awards season success. Without events
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Disney’s live-action “Mulan” was supposed to be a huge win for under-represented groups in Hollywood. The $200 million-budgeted film is among the most expensive ever directed by a woman, and it features an all-Asian cast — a first for productions of such scale.  Despite well-intentioned ambitions, however, the film has exposed the difficulties of representation
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United Talent Agency has elevated 19 agents and executives to partner, the largest partnership class in the company’s history. The promotions come from numerous divisions, including television literature, news and broadcast, podcasts, endorsements and voiceover. “These are leaders across our business making substantial contributions to the growth, evolution and resilience of our company,” UTA Co-President
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It’s a gloomy Tuesday afternoon, but the other participant on my Zoom call is beaming with a youthful, bronzed radiance that’s almost overwhelming—it intensifies each time she flashes a smile. I’m speaking to none other than the Kelly Rowland, who’s helping me pick my next fall hair color. I decide on blue. “Blue? Well, when
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“Jagged Little Pill,” a ferocious reimagining of Alanis Morissette’s album of the same name, captured a leading 15 Tony Award nominations on Thursday. The show, which pulls back the curtain on a seemingly perfect suburban family to show their struggles with everything from sexual assault to drug addiction, was a hit with critics and audiences
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In a management shake-up at Studio71, the digital content producer announced that COO Adam Boorstin and chief revenue officer Matt Crowley will be promoted to co-CEOs. Reza Izad, Studio71 co-founder and current CEO, will become chairman of the company. The executive changes will be effective Nov. 1. Boorstin and Crowley take over the day-to-day reins
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Deon Taylor (“The Intruder,” “Black and Blue”) is to direct the horror-thriller “Grave Hill” for CJ Entertainment, the Korean studio behind Oscar winner “Parasite.” The film is an English-language remake of the hit Vietnamese horror film “The Housemaid.” The original romance-horror “Housemaid,” which premiered in the U.S. in 2017, explores racial and social themes. “Grave
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The trailer for “Bruce Springsteen’s Letter to You” has arrived, and it promises a film that, besides being a making-of about his forthcoming album with the E Street Band, is in some ways an unofficial sequel to “Springsteen on Broadway,” with plenty of voiceover from the man about his feelings on music and brotherhood. “I’m
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The Lumière Festival’s Classic Film Market (MIFC) in Lyon, France, is spotlighting efforts in Portugal to digitize and preserve the nation’s film heritage as part of this year’s country focus. Portugal is a good representation of what is happening in Europe, according to MIFC program coordinator Gérald Duchaussoy. The Cinemateca Portuguesa has agreements with rights
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Kristin Scott Thomas made her Hollywood debut in the 1986 Prince vehicle “Under the Cherry Moon.” It was not an acclaimed breakthrough. “It was what people like to call ‘a turkey,’” Thomas says in a crisp British accent that actually makes the word “turkey” sound elegant and prestigious. The reviews were vicious. “After being told
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Patrisse Cullors is making a big step into the television business. The co-founder of Black Lives Matter has signed her first over overall deal with Warner Bros. Television Group. Characterized as multi-year and wide-ranging, the pact will see Cullors develop and produce original programming across all platforms, including broadcast, cable and streaming. Cullors’ agreement encompasses
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After outlining her exec team, recently appointed Universal Studio Group chief Pearlena Igbokwe is adding another studio to that group. Igbokwe has announced, via a letter obtained by Variety, that the Universal Television Alternative Studios is being incorporated into Universal Studio Group. As part of the move, UTAS president Toby Gorman is joining Igbokwe’s leadership team. UTAS
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Securing Endeavor Content to represent a second season of a cross-cultural fantasy rom-com four years after the show’s debut was good news for “Dramaworld” and its producer, Korean-American company Third Culture Content. So, too, was the attachment of major talent, including Daniel Dae Kim, Henry Lau, and feted Korean actor Ha Ji-won (“Secret Garden,” “Duelist”).
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