Turns out the improvisational process he goes through with his actors is similar for the set designers. "I discover the story as the characters are developed. It is a case of dipping in and out and learning as much as I can,” says designer Suzie Davies. - The Observer (UK)
Maybe it’s The Outlander effect, but “tourism bosses hope successful productions can see Scotland follow the likes of New Zealand - where the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films were shot - and Northern Ireland, which saw a tourism upswing from Game of Thrones fans.” - BBC
“Since producers — genuine producers — have such all-encompassing responsibilities on films, maintaining faith even as doors slam in their faces (and working without much remuneration until relatively late in the process), their claim on the Oscar for best picture is a strong one.” - The New York Times
Part of that is because of the strikes: 2024, not to put too fine a point on it, pretty much sucked for movie theatres. But next year? Things might improve. - BBC
"They’re a dress rehearsal, a campaign event, and a two-minute warning all at once, preparing everyone for the final push to Oscar-nomination morning.” - Vulture
Who polices social media influencers? Turns out, it’s Reddit. “One of the biggest ways you can hold influencers accountable is through their financials. ... Snarkers can demonstrate the power of public opinion and how that public opinion can be swayed to entice folks to drop a brand deal.” - Slate
A three-judge panel of the Sixth Circuit Court Of Appeals in Cincinnati found that the Internet is an "information service" rather than a "telecommunications service," meaning that the Federal Communications Commission does not have the authority to impose regulations on it. - Axios
"She approved the last six state budgets, each of which included an increase for South Dakota Public Broadcasting. The organization’s annual state funding went up 27% during that period. … Now she’s proposed a 65% reduction, which will slash state funding to just under $2 million if legislators go along with the plan." - South Dakota Searchlight
It wasn’t just because those films were artistically accomplished — it’s because inventive ad campaigns helped make them feel like events you needed to experience on the big screen. - Los Angeles Times (Yahoo!)
Even though there’s still $2B-$3B missing in the post-Covid annual domestic box office, there was plenty to be thankful for in 2024 which is coming in at an estimated $8.72B, -3% from 2023’s $9B. - Deadline
The funding application process for local productions has been streamlined, and the cash-back production grant (which covers foreign studios shooting in Germany as well) has been raised from 5% to 30%, making the country more competitive as a location. - Variety
"A little blue dog was the biggest star in the streaming world; the most watched cable series in years took a final bow; sports, specifically the NFL, proved their viability on streaming platforms; and the biggest new broadcast show is a meta-remake that stars a 76-year-old treasure." - The Hollywood Reporter
Bad, yes, but on the other hand, no one thought the industry could even partially recover from the first half of the year’s Furiosa: A Mad Max Story and The Fall Guy bombs, so things … might be looking up? - Los Angeles Times (MSN)
