This Week in Recap
In the modern world of 2020, it is easy to feel overwhelmed with the amount of information at our fingertips. We are constantly bombarded with news updates, Instagram announcements, and email notifications and it is easy to fall short of completing our to do list. In one of our most recent blogs, we talked about the overwhelming amount of content that is available and that it is impossible to set aside time to watch them all. The same rings true for the constant updates in the entertainment industry. Case in point: yesterday we saw the restructuring of major entertainment businesses, witnessed Kanye West out his record label over ownership of his masters, and received ever-changing updates on the Tik Tok/ Oracle Trump battle. It’s overstimulating.
Most days, we wish we had access to an organized summary of the many important updates from around the world. If there were one centralized place to receive pertinent weekly updates on all relevant topics, maybe the feeling of being behind or overwhelmed would subside. As always, Film Connx values being a source of information and a sense of relief to our community, so we decided to take some initiative: this week’s blog takes a glance at some of the major entertainment industry news that happened this week to keep you updated and hopefully a little less overstimulated.
Film Connx is a source of valuable information on subjects that matter most to the film community. Enjoy!
Production News
Over the past six months, we have witnessed countless productions starting up and shutting down. Months into our new normal for the film industry, nothing has changed. Lately, the trend seems to be cancelations or delays in filming due to Coronavirus related issues. Here are a few news headlines from this week concerning some of our most loved shows:
Law & Order: SVU begins filming along with Dick Wolf’s FBI & Chicago restart production
Starz Developing Female Sports Agent Drama and Anthology Series with 50 Cent
Netflix Orders Animated Version of “Good Times”
“The Batman” Resumes Production after Robert Pattinson gets Covid
Stumptown gets canceled by ABC due to Covid-19 related logistics
Film Industry Resumes in North Carolina
Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis Biopic Returns to Filming as Tom Hanks Heads back to Australia
UK Government Sets out More Details of 500M Insurance Plan Paving Way for Production Restart
Coming Soon
In last week’s “Running Out of Content” blog, we explored the possibility of studios running out of new content going into and during 2021. However, Hollywood seems to be turning the tide! Over this past week, we have seen several announcements for releases coming in late 2020 and early 2021 and from the looks of it, we are in for a treat.
Film Festivals
We are well into film festival season and the topic on everyone’s mind is “how will they deliver on in-person events?.” So far, we witnessed the Venice Film Festival host a successful showcase that featured groundbreaking work, including Regina King’s One Night in Miami. Here are a few announcements involving current and future film festivals:
Company Deals and Updates
Lately there have been plenty of announcements of new projects and recognition wins for diversity in Hollywood, and we are also seeing a lot of restructuring and changes from big companies. Most involve executive leadership but sadly, however some headlines unfortunately involve employee reductions in force. While COVID is still causing setbacks, there are several bright spots that indicate the industry is taking steps in the right direction to a better future:
CAA Signs Deal with Writers Guild
Communications Head Kevin Brockman leaves WarnerMedia
Tracee Ellis Ross Signs Overall Deal with ABC Signature
Frances Berwick Unveils NBC Leadership Team for Entertainment Business Unit
Chris McCumber Exits USA & SyFy president after almost 2 Decades at NBCU
Pearlena Igbokwe Unveils Universal Studio Group Leadership Team Following Production Restructure
Paradigm Permanently Lets go 180 Temporarily Laid Off Employees
Black Canadian Creators Launch Film Development Fund Amid Industry Reckoning
What is Getting Film and Where
As members of this industry, it is important to stay current on what is getting film and where. Not only is it important for news purposes, but also for future job opportunities and networking possibilities. Film Connx prides itself on “keeping our ear to the ground” so that we can keep you informed. Here is a list of what is now filming and updates on the major production hubs that have started filming bigger projects again.
General
Finally, here are additional major headlines of which you should be aware, including box office numbers, award nominations, and general entertainment news. Here are some major general headlines from this week.
Creative Arts Emmy Winners So Far
Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade to go Virtual
Tenet Box Office Numbers Possibly Lower than Mulan
Mandalorian Scores Big at Emmys
“Cuties” Director Responds to Criticism of Sensationalized Film
Late-Night TV Show Musicians Sign Open Letter to Networks Asking for “Economic Parity”
China Box Office: Disney’s ‘Mulan’ has Soft Opening, Drawing Mixed Reviews
Have a great weekend!
– Film Connx Team
