TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Thursday 22 August 2024
European Film Awards contenders; Netflix hits $698; UK TV's class divide; AI in kids' TV struggles; Naomi Ackie’s rise; Mother Teresa film; Scott Peterson docs; Coppola's Megalopolis trailer released
Today’s Highlights:
European Film Academy Documentary Contenders Announced: Mati Diop's "Dahomey" is among 12 documentaries vying for the 2023 European Film Awards.
Netflix Stock Hits All-Time High: Netflix's stock surged to $698, driven by a 150% increase in US advertising sales, highlighting the success of its ad-supported tier.
James Graham Addresses UK TV's Class Divide: In the MacTaggart Lecture, playwright James Graham urged the UK television industry to address its class divide and improve the representation of working-class talent.
AI's Impact on Children's TV Shows: Kartoon Studios' AI-created educational series has struggled to gain traction, raising concerns about AI's role in children's entertainment.
Naomi Ackie's Rise in Hollywood: Naomi Ackie is set to star in "Blink Twice," a psychological thriller directed by Zoë Kravitz, marking a pivotal moment in her career.
Noomi Rapace's 'Punk Rock' Portrayal of Mother Teresa: In the upcoming film Mother, directed by Teona Strugar Mitevska, Noomi Rapace explores Mother Teresa's complex life.
Scott Peterson Case Revisited in Competing Docuseries: Two new docuseries explore the Scott Peterson case, potentially influencing public opinion and the ongoing legal process.
Francis Ford Coppola's 'Megalopolis' Trailer Released: The trailer for Coppola's epic "Megalopolis," starring Adam Driver, has been released, sparking anticipation and discussion.
Warren Littlefield Predicts Prolonged TV Industry Turmoil: At the Edinburgh TV Festival, Littlefield predicted the global TV industry's challenges would persist until 2025.
Tim Curry Returns to the Big Screen: Tim Curry makes a long-awaited return to the big screen in the horror movie "Stream," marking his first feature film role in over a decade.
Plus: News, Insights, Festivals, Executive Moves, In Development, Deals, Renewals, Opportunities and Jobs with BBC, ITV, SBS, Prime, Netflix, Sky, Sony, Hallmark, CAA, AMC, RAI & SVT.
Subscribe to our daily news roundup for exclusive insights, early access to industry news, and the convenience of having the latest updates in one place.
Our subscribers include executives from:
Streamers: Netflix, Apple, Viaplay, SkyShowTime, Amazon Prime.
Broadcasters: NBC Universal, France Televisions, Sky, ABC, Channel 4, ITV, A+E Networks, CBC, TV2, SVT, ARTE, RTBF, SBS Play, TCL FFalcon, RTL.
Producers: Fifth Season, Banijay, Fremantle, Endemol Shine, Gaumont, Pathé, Warner Bros Television Productions, UFA Fiction, Vivendi, Entertainment One, BBC Studios, Paramount Television International, Warner Bros Discovery, Talpa Studios, Tiger Aspect, Wild Bunch TV, Red Planet Pictures, Go Quest Media, Eureka Productions, The Ink Factory, Nordisk Film, Reel One Entertainment, Bunya Productions, Beach House Pictures, Beyond, The Global Agency, Esha Bargate Productions, blue Entertainment, Paper Plane Productions, Paprika Studios, Playmaker, Off the Fence, Goalpost Pictures, Spin Master.
Also: Aarhus Series Festival, The Wit, Norwegian Film Commission, New Zealand Film Commission, IMDA, MIA, Getty Images, Ottawa Film Office, Simkins, Harbottle & Lewis, Screen Brussels, Sheffield DocFest, FilmChain, Documentary Business, Zero Gravity Management, SXSW, MEA.
NEWS
European Film Academy Unveils Documentary Contenders for 2024 Awards
The 12 feature documentaries competing for the 2023 European Film Awards have been announced, including Mati Diop’s "Dahomey," which won the Berlinale's Golden Bear in February. The film follows the return of 26 plundered royal treasures from Dahomey, now part of Benin, to their homeland. Diop, previously nominated for a European Discovery Award, also won at Cannes in 2019 with "Atlantics."
From: Screen Daily
Netflix Stock Hits All-Time High of $698 After 150% Growth in US Advertising Sales
Netflix's stock surged to an all-time high of $698, driven by a 150% increase in US advertising sales. The company’s ad-supported tier has grown significantly, contributing to this financial milestone. This success reflects Netflix’s ability to diversify revenue streams and adapt to the evolving streaming landscape, solidifying its position as a market leader.
From: C21Media
Share our publication with your network, and if one of your contacts subscribes, you’ll receive a 30-day upgrade to your subscription.
INSIGHTS
Lost Seul
The cast and creative team of Seul (Alone at Sea) preview the France Télévisions TV movie about yachtsman Yves Parlier’s survival during the Vendée Globe race. The film, airing on France 2, follows Parlier, played by Samuel Le Bihan, as he overcomes a broken mast to finish the race. Produced by High Sea Production, the series is written by Julien Guerif and director Pierre Isoard, who long envisioned bringing Parlier's story to life.
From: Drama Quarterly
James Graham Demands Action to Narrow UK TV’s Class Divide in MacTaggart Lecture
In his MacTaggart Lecture, playwright James Graham called for the UK television industry to address its deep-seated class divide. He highlighted the need for more inclusive representation and opportunities for working-class talent, arguing that the current system favours those from privileged backgrounds, leading to a lack of diversity in storytelling.
From: C21Media
New Seasons Boost Viewing for Older Seasons by 86% on Netflix, Says Ampere
Ampere Analysis reports that the release of new seasons on Netflix boosts viewership of older seasons by 86%. This trend highlights the platform's ability to retain audience interest and maximise content engagement across multiple seasons, contributing to its ongoing success.
From: C21Media
AI Is Coming for Our Kids (or at Least Their TV Shows)
Last year, Kartoon Studios (formerly Genius Brands) launched two educational animated series created almost entirely by AI. The series, including Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaires Club, aimed to teach financial literacy, featuring AI-generated scripts, animation, and voiceovers. Despite initial excitement about AI's potential to revolutionize children’s entertainment, the shows have struggled to gain traction, with fewer than 40,000 views across 20 episodes on YouTube. The lacklustre response highlights concerns that AI-driven production may compromise quality, deterring broader industry adoption.
From: The Hollywood Reporter
Who’s Afraid of Naomi Ackie? Meet Hollywood’s New Femme Fatale
How familiar you are with Naomi Ackie might depend on your viewing habits. She gained attention from roles in The End of the F**ing World*, Master of None, and as Whitney Houston in I Wanna Dance With Somebody. Ackie is now stepping into the most significant moment of her career with Blink Twice, a hotly anticipated psychological thriller directed by Zoë Kravitz. Ackie stars as a cater waiter who ends up on a billionaire's private island, uncovering a nightmare. The film, blending social satire and class warfare, is poised to become a major talking point this year.
From: The Hollywood Reporter
The 15 Best Global Film Schools
At these international institutions, students can follow in the footsteps of art house icons like Wim Wenders, Zhang Yimou, and Jane Campion.
From: The Hollywood Reporter
Noomi Rapace Teases ‘Punk Rock’ Portrayal of Mother Teresa in Upcoming Film ‘Mother’: ‘She Was No Saint’
Noomi Rapace offers a glimpse into her portrayal of Mother Teresa in the upcoming film Mother, where she explores the life of the Catholic saint before her canonisation. Speaking at the Sarajevo Film Festival, where she serves on a jury led by Paul Schrader, Rapace revealed her interest in portraying Teresa as a complex character rather than a conventional saint. Directed by North Macedonian filmmaker Teona Strugar Mitevska in her English-language debut, Mother focuses on a crucial week when Teresa leaves the Loreto Entally convent in Calcutta to start her own order.
From: Variety
‘The Piano Lesson’ Trailer: The Washingtons Bring August Wilson to Netflix
With eldest son John David working with acclaimed directors like Spike Lee and Christopher Nolan, daughter Olivia starring in Boots Riley's I’m a Virgo and the West End's Slave Play, and youngest son Malcolm directing an adaptation of August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson, Denzel and Pauletta Washington are shaping a formidable entertainment dynasty, comparable to the Hustons and the Fondas. Denzel is producing Malcolm's directorial debut, which features John David and Samuel L. Jackson, centring on the theme of family legacy, a fitting focus for the Washington family.
From: IndieWire
Two Docs Bring Scott Peterson and the Murder of Laci Peterson Back Into the Spotlight. Which Is More Truthful?
In 2004, Scott Peterson was convicted of murdering his wife, Laci, and their unborn son, Connor, in a case that captivated the nation. Now, 20 years later, the case is being revisited in two new, contrasting docuseries that aim to sway streaming audiences and potentially impact the court of public opinion. Netflix's American Murder: Laci Peterson, released on August 14, sides with the original conviction, dedicating the series to Laci and Connor. Meanwhile, Peacock's Face to Face With Scott Peterson, debuting on August 20, features the first prison interview with Scott, who recounts the events and asserts overlooked evidence, coinciding with new efforts by the Los Angeles Innocence Project to advocate for DNA testing they believe could exonerate him.
From: Variety
How Much Should AI Giants Pay Hollywood? What Insiders Say Has Stalled Any Licensing Deals
Hollywood's major studios have yet to strike licensing deals with tech giants eager to train their AI models despite growing interest since OpenAI unveiled Sora in February. According to sources, several factors contribute to the hesitation, including significant legal risks and fears of repeating strategic mistakes made during Hollywood's early dealings with Netflix. However, one of the biggest concerns is the uncertainty around pricing. Studios lack a clear understanding of how much their content is worth to AI companies, making it difficult to establish a negotiation baseline.
From: Variety
‘Megalopolis’ Trailer: Francis Ford Coppola’s Fever Dream Centers on an Unhinged, Idealistic Adam Driver
Audiences are finally getting a closer look at Megalopolis, Francis Ford Coppola's self-funded epic surrounded by on-set rumours, including reports of crew departures and allegations against Coppola. The film, which premiered at Cannes, is now nearing its theatrical release, promising a wild storyline and visual effects. Adam Driver stars as an architect determined to save a corrupt city and transform it into a utopia, clashing with the city's mayor, played by Giancarlo Esposito. The ensemble cast includes Nathalie Emmanuel, Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf, and Laurence Fishburne.
From: IndieWire
Warren Littlefield Rejects “Stay Alive ‘Til ’25” Concept: “We’re Two Years Out From The End Of The Tunnel” – Edinburgh
Warren Littlefield, producer of Fargo and The Handmaid’s Tale, has predicted that the current turmoil in the global TV industry will likely persist for another two years. Speaking at the Edinburgh TV Festival, the former NBC President of Entertainment noted that many expect the downturn to end sooner, but he believes the challenges will continue until 2025. Littlefield emphasized the difficulty indie producers face as fewer projects are being commissioned, but he also highlighted the positive shift from network cancellations to full-season streaming releases. He shared stories from his career, including pivotal decisions on Friends, Seinfeld, and Will & Grace. Looking ahead, Littlefield is working on a Japanese-language project exploring the concept of 'jōhatsu' (The Evaporated).
From: Deadline
‘Slow Horses’ Duo Gary Oldman And EP Douglas Urbanski Talk New Season 4 & Tease Season 5: “There’s Another Layer Of Jackson Lamb”
Season 4 of Slow Horses will premiere on Apple TV+ on September 4. Lead actor Gary Oldman, Emmy nominee, and executive producer Douglas Urbanski shared insights on what to expect. Oldman’s character, the brilliant but irascible Jackson Lamb, continues leading the Slow Horses as they stumble to success from their dingy Slough House office, far from MI5’s headquarters. Oldman described making the series as a career highlight, expressing gratitude for being part of such a well-received show at this stage.
From: Deadline
Tim Curry Returns to the Big Screen in Horror Movie ‘Stream’
Nearly 50 years after The Rocky Horror Picture Show debuted, Tim Curry is returning to the big screen with a role in the horror film Stream, which opens in select theatres on Wednesday. This marks Curry’s first feature film role since the 2010 comedy Burke & Hare, although he has continued to work as a voice actor and appeared in the 2016 television remake of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Known for his iconic role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in Rocky Horror, Curry is celebrated for his performances as Pennywise in the TV miniseries It and roles in Legend, Clue, and Scary Movie 2.
From: Variety
Germany's Storybook Uses AI Farm to Rethink Animation Production
Storybook Animation Studios in Germany is revolutionising animation production by integrating AI technology into its workflow. The studio's AI farm enables faster and more cost-effective animation processes, allowing for greater creativity and efficiency in producing animated content.
From: C21Media
Bad Wolf's Jane Tranter Calls on TV to Champion New Talent in a 'Crazy Difficult' Time
Jane Tranter, co-founder of Bad Wolf, urged the TV industry to nurture new talent during challenging times, emphasising the importance of investing in fresh voices to ensure television content's future vitality and diversity.
From: C21Media
David Beckham Interrupting Victora ‘Pissed Off’ ‘Beckham’ Director Fisher Stevens | Making a Scene
Netflix's 'Beckham' gives an inside look at the personal lives of David & Victoria Beckham. One scene in which David interrupts Victoria's interview and tells her to 'be honest' about her upbringing has gained particular attention. Director Fisher Stevens, as well as Editor Michael Harte, break down what it was like shooting the surprising scene and why it was ultimately good for the series even though Fisher felt 'pissed off.'
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Further&Better to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.