TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Wednesday 11 December 2024
OpenAI launches Sora AI video tool; PGA h Super/Man; Fighting Spirit rises; Eccho expands Turkish dramas; UP marks 20 years; streaming hits highs; Mandalorian adds White.
Today’s Highlights:
OpenAI Launches Sora, its Text-to-Video AI Tool - OpenAI introduces Sora, a groundbreaking generative AI for creating hyper-realistic videos up to 20 seconds in length, available to ChatGPT Plus and Pro subscribers, with high demand temporarily halting sign-ups.
2025 PGA Awards Announce Documentary Nominees - The Producers Guild of America reveals nominees, including Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, for its 36th Annual Awards, spotlighting excellence in documentary filmmaking.
"Fighting Spirit: A Combat Chaplain’s Journey" Gains Momentum - After early festival rejections, this documentary, boosted by Chris Pratt's involvement, gains acclaim, highlighting military chaplains' roles on the frontlines.
Eccho Rights Expands in Latin America with New Turkish Dramas - Eccho Rights strengthens its presence in Latin America with deals for I Am Mother and plans for co-productions and English-language expansions.
UP Entertainment CEO Reflects on 20 Years of Success - Charley Humbard discusses the company's growth from a single cable channel to a diversified network of SVOD, FAST channels, and uplifting content.
November TV Usage Hits Nine-Month High as Streaming Grows - Streaming reaches a record 41.6% of TV usage, driven by popular platforms like YouTube and Prime Video, despite declines in cable and broadcast shares.
Jeremy Allen White Joins The Mandalorian Spinoff Featuring Grogu - White joins the cast of Jon Favreau's Star Wars film, portraying Rotta the Hutt, alongside Pedro Pascal and Sigourney Weaver, for a May 2026 release.
Chen Zhixi's Impact on China's Film Industry - Chen Zhixi, a former actress, revolutionizes China's film industry with successes like Hi, Mom and other box office hits, showcasing her visionary producing.
Rotterdam 2025 Announces Opening and Closing Films - IFFR 2025 will feature Michiel ten Horn’s Fabula and Mouly Surya’s This City Is a Battlefield, emphasizing diversity and historical narratives.
Halsey Develops Amazon Series Bloodlust with Ti West - Halsey collaborates with Ti West on Bloodlust, a dark comedy series exploring untold narratives, signaling her creative ambitions in television.
Plus: News, Insights, Festivals, In Development, Deals and Jobs with WBD, BBC, NBCUniversal, A24 & MUBI.
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NEWS
OpenAI Launches Sora, its Text-to-Video AI Tool
OpenAI has released Sora, a generative AI capable of creating hyper-realistic videos. Initially available for public use, sign-ups were temporarily paused due to high demand. The tool allows users to create up to 20-second videos with resolutions up to 1080p, offering features like video remixing and text prompts. Sora is available to existing ChatGPT Plus and Pro subscribers, though it faced backlash from artists who criticised unpaid testing efforts. Read More
2025 PGA Awards Announce Documentary Nominees
The Producers Guild of America has revealed the Outstanding Producer of Documentary Motion Pictures nominees for the 36th Annual PGA Awards. The nominees include Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, Gaucho Gaucho, and Porcelain War. Winners will be announced on February 8 at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles. Read More
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INSIGHTS
"Fighting Spirit: A Combat Chaplain’s Journey" Gathers Momentum After Early Festival Rejections
Despite being rejected from over 30 film festivals earlier this year, Fighting Spirit: A Combat Chaplain’s Journey has found unexpected success. The documentary, exploring the role of military chaplains on the frontlines, gained traction with the support of actor Chris Pratt, who joined as an executive producer, helping raise its profile and garnering attention from both the U.S. Army and wider audiences. Read More
My Old Ass Screenplay Available
Megan Park’s My Old Ass, starring Maisy Stella and Aubrey Plaza as the same character at different life stages, explores themes of personal growth and self-reflection. The screenplay is now accessible online. Read More
Joachim Rønning and Jerry Bruckheimer Reflect on 'Young Woman And The Sea' and Portraying a Powerful Female Athlete
Director Joachim Rønning and producer Jerry Bruckheimer discuss the challenges and triumphs in bringing the story of swimmer Gertrude ‘Trudy’ Ederle to the screen in Young Woman and the Sea. Bruckheimer calls it "the highest testing movie" he's ever made, highlighting the effort and determination that went into making the film about the first woman to swim across the English Channel. Read More
UP Entertainment CEO Charley Humbard Reflects on 20 Years of Balancing SVODs, Linear Channels
As UP Entertainment celebrates its 20th anniversary, CEO Charley Humbard credits its success to finding the right balance between SVODs and linear channels. Originally launched as the Gospel Music Channel, UP Entertainment has expanded to include multiple cable channels, SVOD services, and FAST channels, ensuring its uplifting content reaches audiences across various platforms. Read More
The Changing Landscape of Stardom: A Crisis of Talent in Hollywood
The Hollywood industry faces a crisis in talent creation and maintenance as influencers and sports figures increasingly replace new stars. The crisis deepens as the acting profession faces disruption, affecting the development of new talent. As Hollywood moves past the celebrity model, the focus has shifted away from the craft of acting, with studios and media prioritizing earnings and executive shifts over fostering genuine star power. Read More
Eccho Rights Expands in Latin America with New Turkish Dramas and Co-Productions
Eccho Rights continues strengthening its position in Latin America, securing deals for the Turkish drama I Am Mother with broadcasters in Colombia, Chile, Panama, and Spain. Sales Coordinator Violeta Trincado discusses the region's growth potential, citing the rise of daily dramas like Elif and opportunities in co-production. Eccho plans to expand into English-language series and Turkish dramas, with projects like The Cost of Lies and the Queens of Tears remake. Read More
November TV Usage Hits Nine-Month High, Streaming Continues Growth
November saw a rise in overall TV use, driven by the presidential election and the World Series, but both cable and broadcast networks lost some viewing share. Streaming hit another all-time high, accounting for 41.6% of TV usage, marking its fourth milestone in seven months. YouTube, Prime Video, and Roku Channel have all seen their highest share, with The Lincoln Lawyer being the leading streaming content. Read More
Boman Martinez-Reid Defends Reality TV and Explores Its Impact in New Show 'Made for TV'
Boman Martinez-Reid, a viral TikTok creator with over 2 million followers, is challenging perceptions of reality TV. Known for his parody series The Bodashians, Martinez-Reid is now hosting Made for TV, where he explores six genres of reality TV. Acquired by The Roku Channel, the show reflects his belief in the talent within reality TV and his desire to tell stories beyond labels like TikTok or influencers. Read More
Chen Zhixi: From Actress to Powerhouse Producer Shaping China's Film Industry
Chen Zhixi, who transitioned from acting to producing, revolutionized China’s film industry by scouting talent and producing massive hits. After success with Lost in Thailand, she produced box-office hits like The Breakup Guru, Jian Bing Man, and Detective Chinatown. Her crowning achievement was Hi, Mom, which earned $841.7 million, becoming the world’s highest-grossing film directed by a woman then. Read More
Tim Fehlbaum's 'September 5': From Ambition to a Cinematic Triumph
Tim Fehlbaum's ambitious project about the 1972 Munich Olympics tragedy was initially too grand to fund. After a script that could not be scaled down, the director's September 5 project shifted focus to a gripping, 91-minute narrative on media ethics. Despite financial setbacks, the film garnered buzz at Telluride and is set for a limited release, with September 5 gaining momentum and critical attention. Read More
Amy Pascal On ‘Challengers,’ Spidey's Future, And Original Ideas In Today's Hollywood
Amy Pascal discusses getting 'Challengers' made, her first impressions of Zendaya, and the state of the modern movie industry.
Ariana Grande & Paul Mescal | Actors on Actors
Ariana Grande ("Wicked") and Paul Mescal ("Gladiator II") sit down to discuss the "Glicked" phenomenon, working with Ridley Scott, and being in awe of Cynthia Erivo.
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