For a brief, terrible moment in “Sweetness in the Belly,” you fear that icky-cutesy title is about to be spoken out loud. Describing the lilting sensation of new love, a character alludes to “a feeling right here,” as he gently taps his stomach — only for the film to mercifully cut away before he says
0 Comments
Disney Plus has ordered an eight-episode series based on the RL Stine graphic novels “Just Beyond.” Seth Grahame-Smith will pen the series which is described as a horror-comedy anthology. Grahame-Smith will also executive produce along with David Katzenberg through their KatzSmith Productions banner. Stephen Christy and Ross Richie will also executive produce, with Stine co-executive
0 Comments
Executives from Spotify, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Columbia Records are the focus of a “Women in Music” webinar, the third in FYI Brand Group’s #FYIFiresides virtual series via Zoom, taking place today (Thursday, May 7) at 6 p.m. ET/ 3 p.m. PT. The conversation is moderated by Variety’s executive music editor Shirley Halperin and features:Whitney-Gayle Benta (Head
0 Comments
CJ Entertainment, the studio behind multi-Oscar-winner “Parasite,” is poised to remake Korean classic “Save The Green Planet” in English. It will produce with Square Peg, the Ari Aster and Lars Knudsen label behind recent breakout “Midsommar.” The story is an eccentric and particularly black comedy involving a disillusioned young man who captures and tortures a
0 Comments
With cameras halted, theaters shuttered and no festivals in sight, the coronavirus pandemic has sent European film distribution into free-fall, creating a domino effect that has impacted the entire ecosystem across the continent, from sales agents to exhibitors. Although each market in Europe differs widely, most territorial distributors share the same concerns: where, how and when should
0 Comments
Although their impending residential acquisition has been widely rumored for months, it’s only now that property records reveal music superstars Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton have finally closed on their very first house together: a $13.2 million estate in the prime foothills of Encino, out in L.A.’s increasingly desirable San Fernando Valley. The stealthy deal went down
0 Comments
Music Cities Together, a joint initiative between Washington D.C.-based Music Policy Forum (Michael Bracy) and Austin-based Sound Music Cities (Don Pitts) committed to helping local officials in cities across America improve their music ecosystems, is  stepping up efforts to save music venues and clubs nationwide. Portland, Seattle (King County), New Orleans, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Austin,
0 Comments
Film and TV production in the Czech Republic, one of the world’s leading destinations for international shoots, is to resume immediately after the government lifted restrictions on public gatherings, imposed as part of the fight against COVID-19. Among the international productions that will be able to resume their shoots are season two of Legendary Entertainment/Amazon’s
0 Comments
Alamo Drafthouse, the cinema chain that largely popularized in-theater dining, is launching a video-on-demand platform called Alamo on Demand. Alamo On Demand, which was created in partnership with ScreenPlus and Vista Cinema, will allow the theater chain to extend services beyond its 41 locations in the U.S. Moreover, it provides a revenue stream while theaters
0 Comments
Film production incentives have been a success story for the Eastern European territories that have been late to embrace the rebates but are catching up fast. And, despite interruptions caused by the COVID-19 crisis, industry officials and filmmakers remain upbeat. In Romania, where major player Castel Film Studio cancelled four international productions while under temporarily
0 Comments
While its streaming numbers were strong, Warner Music’s earnings took a hit during the second fiscal quarter of 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic wreaked havoc on the economy. The company has placed its IPO, announced earlier this year, on hold for the time being, although plans remain active. Streaming revenues were up 11% to $586
0 Comments
Elle Fanning has spent most of her 12-year career making movies. Now, at 22, she’s jumping into television, starring as Catherine the Great in Hulu’s 10-part satirical comedy series “The Great,” which debuts on May 15. Written by “The Favourite” scribe Tony McNamara, the show follows Catherine’s rise to power, from her arranged marriage to
0 Comments
ViacomCBS said first-quarter profit tumbled as the company suffered a 19% decline in advertising revenue due in part to the cancellation of the NCAA “March Madness” men’s basketball championship this year. The New York owner of the CBS television network, MTV and the Paramount movie studio said overall revenue fell 6%, to nearly $6.67 billion,
0 Comments