SAG-AFTRA Actors Strike
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2023 Writer’s and Actor’s Strikes – A Timeline

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The 2023 Hollywood Writer’s Strike and the subsequent SAG-AFTRA Actor’s Strike were landmark events in the entertainment industry, highlighting the evolving dynamics of the media landscape and the increasing complexities of the digital age. This detailed analysis delves into the causes, timeline, events, and outcomes of these strikes.

Background and Prelude

Streaming Revolution and Residuals

The rise of streaming platforms fundamentally altered the media distribution landscape, leading to a major shift in how writers and actors were compensated. Traditional residuals from broadcast and cable were not keeping pace with the profits generated by streaming services. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) argued that this shift had significantly reduced writers’ average incomes compared to a decade ago.

The AI Controversy

A hot-button issue was the potential use of artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT, in scriptwriting. The WGA expressed concerns about AI being used to replace human writers, advocating for its use only as a supplementary tool for research and script development.

The Pandemic’s Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic’s aftermath saw significant workforce reductions and the cancellation of multiple film and television productions. This period, termed the fall of “Peak TV,” created worsening conditions for writers and actors, as productions sought to save money on residuals and licensing costs.

The Strike: Timeline and Key Events

The Expired Agreement

On May 2, 2020, the latest Minimum Basic Agreement (MBA) became the collective bargaining agreement covering most work done by WGA writers. This agreement, however, only applied to broadcast television writers, leaving those working for streaming services in a precarious position. The MBA expired on May 1, 2023, setting the stage for the strike.

The WGA’s Proposals

The WGA’s proposals aimed to secure better compensation, including mandatory staffing requirements, duration of employment terms, and individual pension and health care funds for each writing team member. These proposals faced rejection from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).

The Strike and Industry Impact

The strike led to widespread disruption across the industry. High-profile projects like “Captain America: Brave New World,” “Dune: Part Two,” and “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse” saw their release schedules delayed. Other productions like “Cleopatra” and “Spawn” faced scriptwriting pauses and indefinite postponements.

The Actors Join: SAG-AFTRA Strike

Following the writers, the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) also initiated a strike. This compounded the industry’s challenges, as actors stood in solidarity with writers over similar issues of fair compensation and working conditions in the streaming era. SAG-AFTRA was also concerned about AI’s intrusion into the space and the possibility that background actors may have their images scanned and re-purposed for use in additional scenes or productions without additional compensation.

The incorporation of the actor’s strike into this movement made it largely impossible for productions to continue, and even affected the promotion of finished productions. Many films that were released in 2023 arguably suffered at the box office due to the inability to have key cast and crew involved in a pre-release promotional tours, for example.

Resolution and Industry Reflection

The resolution of the strikes came with revised agreements that addressed some of the key concerns of the writers and actors. However, the lasting impact of these events was a deeper industry-wide contemplation about the future of content creation, the role of emerging technologies like AI, and the equitable distribution of profits in the streaming age.

The 2023 strikes signified a turning point, underscoring the need for the industry to adapt to new realities. It highlighted the increasing power of streaming platforms, the potential threats and opportunities presented by AI, and the importance of ensuring fair compensation and working conditions in a rapidly changing media landscape.

In conclusion, the 2023 Hollywood Writer’s and SAG-AFTRA Actor’s strikes were not just about immediate grievances but were indicative of deeper shifts within the entertainment industry. As streaming continues to dominate and technologies like AI evolve, the industry faces the challenge of balancing innovation with the rights and roles of the creative individuals who are its backbone.

Marvel Phase Five

So, What Does Marvel’s Phase 5 Promise Audiences?

Announcements, Movie News, TV Series
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Now that Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is upon us, it’s time to reflect on what Phase Five of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is promising to deliver to audiences. Following a fairly middling and inconsistent Phase Four, superhero fatigue has set in for many film fans, so it will take a powerful spark to re-ignite interest in the genre. Does the MCU, under the guidance of Kevin Feige and the Disney team, have what it takes to deliver this jolt of electrifying creativity?

First things first, let’s talk about the movies that have been announced so far. Of course, the latest Ant-Man instalment has been billed as the opening act for this phase. Now, why is Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania so significant, you ask? Well, for starters, it’s going to introduce a new big bad: Kang the Conqueror. If you’re not familiar with the character, Kang is a time-traveling villain who has been causing chaos in the Marvel comics for decades. In the MCU, he’s going to be played by acclaimed character actor Jonathan Majors, who’s already made a name for himself with his incredible performances in Lovecraft Country and Da 5 Bloods. For those who kept up with Marvel’s various Phase Four TV series, you would have already seen Kang in action at the conclusion of the Loki series, which provided Majors with a chance to flex his dramatic form, but without giving away too much about the character’s ongoing significance.

Kang’s appearance in Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania is going to set up the next big storyline for the MCU. Feige has teased that it’s going to be something that we’ve never seen before, and that it’s going to have a huge impact on the entire MCU. Given that the slate of releases for Phase Six includes Avengers: The Kang Dynasty as one of its tentpole offerings, it’s little secret that Kang will overshadow events throughout the entire fifth phase. As such, Ant-Man 3 is seen as a crucial piece of the puzzle in the MCU’s future.

But enough about Kang, let’s venture deeper into the Phase Five rabbit hole. Building upon the platform established by Captain Marvel and the Ms Marvel series, upcoming feature film The Marvels will feature the return of Brie Larson as Captain Marvel, Teyonah Parris as Monica Rambeau, and Iman Vellani as Ms. Marvel. This trio of powerful heroines is going to team up to take on a yet-to-be-revealed villain. It’s going to be a celebration of girl power that promises a lighter tone than some of the other sign-posting releases.

Fan favorite Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is billed as the final chapter in the Guardians’ story, and despite his new role in overseeing development of the competiting DC Extended Universe, it’s likely to see James Gunn occupying the director’s seat. If previous entries are any indication, this should be full of laughs, heart, and classic rock jams. Given that it is the Guardians’ final outing as a team, however, there are likely to be some more tragic and touching moments included also.

If they can pull it together as the PG-13 release that Disney hopes, but many fans critique, a new imagining of Blade will officially bring the popular vampire hunter into the MCU, with Mahershala Ali taking on the titular role. This is expected to deliver a dark and gritty adventure, with plenty of blood and action. If Werewolf By Night is any indication, Marvel is capable of delivering horror gore with creative flourishes and emotional gravitas, but given positive reception to the original Blade movie, many fans of the character are concerned about whether this reboot can capture a similar feeling without excessively lightening the tone of the world that the half-vampire inhabits.

Fewer qualms are associated with yet another reboot of the Fantastic Four. While the 90s version has its fans, the more recent reboot was a commercial and critical failure, yet this band of heroes – often billed as the “first family of Marvel” – is beloved, so this has been calling out for a re-imagining for a while, and one that will see the characters finally embedded into the MCU. Feige has promised that they’re going to do justice to these beloved characters, and fans are eagerly anticipating their arrival.

Last but not least, Deadpool 3 is building momentum largely on the back of Hugh Jackman’s promised return as Wolverine, and the significance that comes with integrating these characters across from the Fox stable to the MCU proper. Fans are expecting that Ryan Reynolds will deliver his usual brand of irreverent and foul-mouthed anti-hero action, and suggestions are that this could land with an R rating, which would be an unusual integration with the MCU’s more family-friendly brand. Time will tell whether Feige and his team can make it work without diluting the character’s edgy appeal, while still satisfying parents’ expectations of what the MCU represents.

As you can see, Phase Five of the MCU promises a number of huge releases, many of which will serve to integrate the characters and other IP assets that Disney acquired from 20th Century Fox. As such, this is an exciting time for Marvel fans. Oh, and we haven’t even spoken about the TV series releases, including the much-awaited Agatha: Coven of Chaos. Bursting with new heroes, villains, and storylines, plus the return of long-time fan favorites, the future of the MCU looks brighter from here, but Disney and Marvel will still need to deliver something special in order to maintain attention from an increasingly jaded and fatigued fanbase. With Kang the Conqueror set to shake things up following his feature film debut in Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania, Marvel may just be able to plug the Thanos-sized hole that caused Phase Four to feel disjointed and directionless. We can’t wait to see how it all plays out!

AI in the Film Industry

How AI Is Set to Transform the Film Industry

Industry News, Technology
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Lights, camera, AI! The film industry is no stranger to technological advancements, and the latest buzz is all about the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) tools. With AI, filmmakers can improve their storytelling abilities and streamline their workflows, ultimately making the production process more efficient and effective.

One of the most significant areas where AI is making an impact in the film industry is visual effects. Traditionally, VFX work was time-consuming and labor-intensive, but AI-based tools have made it more accessible and efficient. From generating realistic facial expressions to creating high-quality synthetic images, AI-based VFX tools are revolutionizing the industry.

But AI is not just useful in the production process. It’s also making its mark in pre-production and post-production stages. Scriptbook is a prime example of an AI-powered tool that analyzes a script and predicts its success at the box office. Meanwhile, Adobe’s Sensei and aspects of Blackmagic Design’s DaVinci Resolve are a few among the many emerging AI tools that streamline the post-production process, from color grading and resolution up-sampling, through to to audio mixing and even music generation.

It’s not just behind-the-scenes work that AI is transforming; it’s also making a significant impact in the marketing and distribution of films. With the vast amount of content available online, AI-powered tools like ScriptHop and Cinelytic help filmmakers identify potential audiences and craft marketing strategies that resonate with them.

The film industry is embracing AI tools, and the possibilities are endless. As AI technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more exciting developments in the coming years. From improving VFX to crafting effective marketing strategies, AI is transforming the way films are made and marketed.

So, grab your popcorn and sit back because the film industry is using AI to take the movie-going experience to the next level!

Short-Form Content App Quibi Reports Bumper Debut

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Perfect timing and a trend towards short-form content have helped smartphone content app Quibi to reach almost 2 million downloads during its launch week.

Cinemas in most countries are currently empty due to the lockdowns triggered by the COVID-19 global health emergency, but audiences’ hunger for filmed content is reaching new heights. Streaming services are seeing spikes in subscriber numbers, content-driven social platforms like TikTok are on the rise, and the appeal of short-form videos of the type popularised on YouTube continues to drive content production to eschew longer-format work in many instances.

Against this backdrop, industry heavyweight Jeffrey Katzenberg founded the short-form video streaming service Quibi, which is headed by CEO Meg Whitman of Hewlett Packard fame. He bills the service as the Netflix of mobiles, which is somewhat curious, since I’m sure Netflix also considers itself to be the Netflix of mobile. That said, short-form content does seem particularly well suited to viewing on smaller devices, so the idea of avoiding the licensing of major motion pictures and switching focus to the production and presentation of original, short-form content may establish Quibi as a niche leader.

“I’m not that smart. I’ve just seen things that have worked.”

Jeffrey Katzenberg, talking about Quibi

In the week since its debut on the Android and iOS platforms, Quibi has chalked up more than 1.7 million downloads, placing it among the ten most downloaded apps on each platform.

Content so far spans three primary categories – those being scripted, unscripted and news/events. Each piece of content is under 10 minutes in length, keeping even dramatic serials bite-sized and well suited to consumption during bus trips, homework breaks and while eating snacks, which seems to be this app’s sweet point. Headline stars of some of the launch content include Sophie Turner (pictured), Liam Hemsworth and Christoph Waltz.

Have you downloaded the app as yet? If so, please leave a comment about your experience below.

Bollywood

Bollywood grinds to a halt as coronavirus takes its toll on industry

Hot Rumours, Industry News, Movie News
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The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting countless businesses and lives around the world, and the creative industry is certainly not immune. Arguably the most prolific film production area in the world, India’s Bollywood, has ground to a virtual standstill this month.

In most parts of the world, cinemas are locked down as this article is written. The effect that this has had on the consumption of filmed media is clear. With audiences unable to attend cinemas, they are remaining at home and engaging in their love of film and TV by watching movies at home. Several movies that were already in theatrical release have been fast-tracked to streaming services or digital download platforms, Netflix, Hulu and Stan are experiencing bumper traffic, and films that were due for release in the first half of 2020 have had their release dates pushed back indefinitely. While it’s a loss for the movie-going public to miss out on the theatrical experience for a while, that’s a small price to pay for health and safety. The impacts on the industries that create this media, however, are being deeply felt.

In my homeland of Australia, film industry professionals are currently petitioning the government for financial assistance, since many have found themselves out of work and ineligible for employer-backed support, as a result of the industry trend to engage specialists as contractors or casuals. In the United States, some companies and teams are shifting their focus to pre-production and post-production tasks, to remain active while operating from home or on skeleton-staffed studio lots. Bollywood has been similarly impacted, with a number of studios, productions and imminent releases brought to a standstill.

Rohit Shetty’s big budget, action extravaganza Sooryavanshi should have been released in March. That film, part of the popular Cop Universe franchise, was expected to top the box office upon release, but it has now been shelved. Similarly, Kabir Khan’s long-awaited cricket biopic, 83, was slated for release on April 10, but now has an uncertain future.

“The whole planet today is on standstill so I think watching a film becomes a much lower priority.”

Indian director Kabir Khan

In the video below, Kabir Khan and other industry figures give their thoughts about what this industry slow-down means for Bollywood; both in terms of audience impacts, and how key figures from the industry are likely to be affected.

It’s clear that COVID-19 is creating challenges beyond its immediate health risks, in the way the pandemic response is placing strain on workers and creative professionals the world over.

“People never forget two things; their first love and the money they wasted watching a bad movie.”Amit Kalantri