Category: News

  • Bet on Movies

    In June the Trend Exchange got federal approval to trade on box office returns — with the Cantor Exchange following close behind. What this means is that people will essentially be able to invest on the box office acting as a stock market; purchasing “contracts” (shares) before movies open.

    Howard Gantman of the MPAA believes that it doesn’t really serve a public purpose, and that it’s open for manipulation that could potentially damage films. According to the MPAA, this is only a form of gambling. Congress can still intervene with the approval.

    I’m on the fence with the issue — I can see where Gantman is coming from, but with that worry; film productions would have more incentive to produce quality work. There would be more at stake.

  • Newcomer Luke Evans Becoming A Leading Man

    The Three Musketeers is being remade by Paul W.S. Anderson with a cast that includes Orlando Bloom and Christoph Waltz. Also in the film will be Luke Evans in the role of Aramis. Evans is a veteran theater actor who just this year made the transition to film — and he’s already scoring lead roles in both independent and big studio movies. It speaks volumes about his craft.

    Here’s his Q and A with Movieline.

  • CEO of NBC Gets an Exit Package

    Comcast is poised to acquire NBC from General Electric. Despite denials from General Electric, sources say that NBC’s CEO Jeff Zucker has been telling friends that a deal has been finalized to give him an exit package. It’s estimated at around $30 million to $40 million. Despite the 28 percent fall in profit, NBC is paying Jeff Zucker for being an effective failure. And keep in mind this is the same man who essentially made the call to bump Conan off the Tonight Show to pander to Leno. Maybe the true American dream is to fail upwards? It seems to be the trend nowadays with suits.

    Source: (New York Post)

  • Pigeon Detained For Spying

    A pigeon with a Pakistani phone number and address stamped on its body has been detained by Indian Police. Allegedly the pigeon landed in India from Pakistan with a message; it’s speculated that the pigeon is a spy. The pigeon refuses to cooperate with officials and won’t speak a word. It’s only a matter of time before it’s subjected to waterboarding. What a brave soul.

    Source: (My Fox LA)

  • “Shrek Forever After” Below Expectations

    Shrek Forever After performed below expectations at the weekend box office. The prior Shrek films garnered more success despite the latest movie having an inflated price. It’s argued that it could be the ticket prices, or movie-goers are already tired of 3-D, or that Shrek isn’t a strong franchise anymore. Others and I had mentioned the hiked up price is a bad idea despite the film being in IMAX 3-D, and it looks to be the case.

    The ticket prices reached a point where it’s competitor is the actual purchase of the movie itself. The distance between the experience of a movie theater and a home theater is edging closer; especially with talk of 3 -D TVs in development. Plus there’s the fact of watching films from the comfort of your own home and without inconsiderate movie-goers to put up with. The performance of Shrek Forever After should be used as a lesson that ticket prices shouldn’t be so obscenely high. It’ll only push movie-goers towards other options.

    Source: (The Week)

  • The Film Academy Sues GoDaddy

    The Film Academy is suing GoDaddy.com under the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act over domain names that abuse the Oscars’ trademark. The Academy stresses that domains in question might be monetized by users by using a “CashParking” program provided by GoDaddy; users along with GoDaddy profit from advertising revenue on parked domains.

    Benefiting from the trademark of another in such a way is a sketchy practice that shouldn’t be valid with a capitalistic and free market ethos. Frankly, I’d like to see the Academy win this lawsuit.

    Source: (Hollywood Reporter)

  • Comic-Con’s Future

    Comic-Con’s continued growth has organizers looking at other possibilities while San Diego plans on expanding their convention center to suit Comic-Con’s needs. A labor union in Anaheim recently warned organizers that a move there could jeopardize future events when there’s heated labor disputes.

    This works in San Diego’s favor even though Anaheim is still on the table — but will organizers really want to take the chance? The only con with San Diego is that Comic-Con is outgrowing the convention center, but with plans for expansion, it shouldn’t be a continued problem. The location works perfect for the event: hotels, bars, malls, and a trolley system that helps ease parking issues. All of these are within walking distance of the convention center. It’s convenient.

    Maybe I’m biased, but I firmly believe that Comic-Con should stay in San Diego. It was conceived here, and it should continue being held here. Each year it helps significantly boost our economy. We should carry through with the plan of expanding the convention center. It’s a San Diego landmark the city should work hard to keep.

    Source: (LA Weekly)

  • Police Engage Robbery Scene

    A robbery scene for a low-budget film was being shot in a Long Island convenience store when police intervened with their guns drawn. Earlier, a witness outside the store saw the actors with guns and called the police who were quick to react.

    Luckily there were no casualties, but quite a few mistakes could have made things a lot worse. A policeman with his gun drawn ordered the actor to drop the gun several times; the actor’s reaction was to hold his hands up with the gun while insisting it’s just a movie, forcing the officer to disarm the man. The cop showed a lot of restraint from harming the actor, despite what the pseudo-robber was saying.

    I have nothing against guerrilla filmmaking; I’ve done it myself; it does have its advantages, but under the right circumstances. Filming a scene guerrilla-style which involves guns is an entirely stupid idea; the aforementioned incident being an excellent example of why.

    What the filmmakers should have done is get the permit to film in the store; inform the police station about the scene taking place, and that weapons will be involved. Usually a policeman will be on location to assure that there isn’t any misconceptions for any bystanders. It keeps everyone safe.

    Hopefully other low-budget, independent productions pay attention to this incident and learn from it. If you’re going to shoot scenes involving weapons, approach it properly so you won’t endanger any lives.

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