"Hollywood’s video game performers voted to go on strike Thursday after negotiations with industry giants that began nearly two years ago came to a halt over artificial intelligence protections. Leaders of the (union) have billed the issues behind the labor dispute — and AI in particular — as an existential crisis for performers." - AP
The popularity of memes means they have become an important vehicle for political communication. In my research, I have identified four roles of memes: political mindbombs, fast-food media, everyday slang and a soothing device. - The Conversation
The film, which follows the first film’s heroine as she hits puberty, has just overtaken Barbie in terms of global ticket sales, as well as becoming the fastest animated film to make $1bn (in 19 days) and is now the 13th biggest film of all time. - The Guardian
These movies, made outside the the big studio systems, usually in languages other than Hindi, forgo Bollywood's song-dance-melodrama formula in favor of stories about ordinary people's lives. Since the pandemic, theaters avoid these films in favor of crowd-pleasers, while Modi's government has intimidated streaming services away from them. - The Washington Post (MSN)
Disney, Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery are all cutting back to reduce their streaming losses. Amazon has the resources to compete with Netflix, but is still figuring out the best path to streaming sustainability. Even Apple, which has seemingly unlimited resources, is growing a little more cost-conscious. - Bloomberg
The annual tax, currently £169.50 ($219) and mandatory for any household with a television or using BBC's iPlayer online, is the national broadcaster's primary source of funding. Younger people in particular seem willing to do without the BBC's content, worsening the network's financial woes. - The Guardian
After 40 years, the festival seems to be acknowledging that it has outgrown its hometown. Last week organizers announced six finalist candidates for the new host city, and Nate Jones rates them. - Vulture (MSN)
"The BBC will lay off 500 more staff by March 2026 as its annual report paints a worrying financial picture including a near-doubling of its deficit to almost £500M ($646M). BBC headcount has fallen by 2,000 – or 10% – over the past five years." - Deadline
It helps that the Harris memes booted up shortly after Biden’s disastrous debate. It makes it feel as if the internet manifested her candidacy. Her boosters are now tipsy with their collective power. - The New York Times
For months, the outlet has faced complaints from freelancers who say that the new owners, prominent L.A.-based trial lawyers Mark Geragos and Ben Meiselas, have refused to pay freelance writers, reporters, photographers and graphic artists. - The Wrap
In the 12 months since the movie’s release, little has changed in Hollywood. Buffeted by dual labor strikes that went on for months and a general retrenchment by entertainment companies trying to navigate the economics of the streaming era, the industry has retreated to its usual ways of doing business. - The New York Times
Says one key player, "If you compare South Africa to a lot of industries with similar GDPs, the difference here is the lack of intentional focus on this industry." In particular, the government rebate system on which many filmmakers rely is, says one filmmaker, "so dysfunctional as to not exist." - Variety
Some parts involve passive viewing, like a sequence in which the supervillain Thanos is on trial for theft. But there’s also a lot of interactivity: one character explains how to use hand gestures, like making a fist, to defend yourself against enemies and cast magic spells. - NPR
The movie played until the film broke at cinemas across the world. “Made by a white director with funding from the apartheid government yet starring an unusually diverse cast, … The Gods Must Be Crazy delivered an idealized, false picture of South Africa into the international marketplace.” - Slate
“True crime podcasts, movies and investigative TV series are wildly popular, often raking in profits for their producers and platforms. Many, though, are made without the consent or involvement of those most closely affected.” Now, TikTok has changed that. - The New York Times
