TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Wednesday 18 December 2024
YouTube & CAA tackle AI; TikTok fights ban; U.K. consults on AI copyright; spec scripts return; Hugh Marks leads ABC; Bluey movie in 2027; Tyson doc; Berlinale AI hub; Emmerich's Exodus; AI film fest
Today’s Highlights:
YouTube Partners with CAA on AI Tools for Celebrities' Likeness Control - YouTube and CAA collaborate to provide celebrities tools for managing AI-generated content of their likenesses, ensuring ethical use and enhanced digital control.
TikTok Petitions Supreme Court to Block U.S. Ban Set for January - TikTok seeks Supreme Court intervention to prevent a U.S. ban, citing First Amendment rights and significant constitutional concerns over forced divestment of its U.S. business.
U.K. Government Launches AI and Copyright Consultation - The U.K. begins a consultation to define AI's use of copyrighted material, balancing innovation with fair compensation for rights holders in creative industries.
Spec Script Sales Are Back: Writers Cashing In - The spec script market is seeing a resurgence, with high-profile sales like Alignment, reflecting renewed demand for original theatrical-ready content.
Hugh Marks Appointed ABC Managing Director - Former Nine Entertainment CEO Hugh Marks takes over as managing director of ABC, marking a significant leadership change for Australia’s public broadcaster.
Berlin Film Festival Introduces Innovation Hub and Distributor Award - The Berlinale’s 2025 edition will feature a new Innovation Hub focused on AI applications and introduce a European arthouse distribution award.
‘Bluey’ Feature Film Set for 2027 Release from Disney and BBC Studios - Beloved animated series Bluey heads to theatres with a 2027 CG-animated feature by Disney and BBC Studios, expanding the franchise globally.
Roland Emmerich Plans Exodus Feature and Lawrence of Arabia Series - Director Roland Emmerich develops Exodus, set in a climate-stricken Sudan, and announces a Lawrence of Arabia series, blending action with historical drama.
Netflix Greenlights Mike Tyson Docuseries - Netflix will explore Mike Tyson’s tumultuous life and career in a three-part docuseries, chronicling his rise, fall, and redemption.
Stars Collective and HashMatrix Partner for AI Film Slate and Festival - Stars Collective teams with HashMatrix to launch a 12-title AI film slate and a dedicated AI film festival in Los Angeles in 2025.
Plus: News, Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals and Jobs with BBC, WBD, Prime, Little Dot, Paramount, Netflix & MrBeast.
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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, DOC, Attraction Distribution, Kaplan Stahler Agency, Passion Distribution, Audible, Screen Queensland, Canada Media Fund, My Smash Media.
NEWS
YouTube Partners with CAA on AI Tools for Celebrities' Likeness Control
YouTube and CAA have announced a partnership to develop tools that allow celebrities to manage their likenesses in videos using generative AI. Initially available to CAA clients like actors and athletes, the tools will expand to creators and professionals. The move, which includes features for identifying and removing AI-generated content, aims to balance ethical AI use with talent rights, giving artists greater control over their digital likeness. Read More
TikTok Petitions Supreme Court to Block U.S. Ban Set for January
TikTok has filed an emergency petition with the U.S. Supreme Court to block a law banning the app in the U.S. by January 19 unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, sells its American business. TikTok argues the law violates the First Amendment rights of its 170 million U.S. users and claims Congress’ action raises significant constitutional concerns. Read More
U.K. Government Launches AI and Copyright Consultation to Support Creatives
The U.K. government has launched a 10-week consultation to clarify how AI can use copyright-protected material while ensuring compensation for rights holders. Aimed at balancing innovation and protection, the proposal seeks to foster trust between creatives and AI developers, enabling growth in both sectors. The Labour-led initiative is part of the government’s strategy to position the U.K. as a leader in AI while safeguarding creative industries. Read More
Unifrance TV Export Awards 2024 Winners Announced
The 21st Unifrance TV Export Awards recognised standout productions across three categories. Xilam Animation’s Zig & Sharko Season 3 won for animation, while Eiffel Tower: Building the Impossible (France tv distribution) won the documentary prize. Cat’s Eyes (Newen Connect) claimed victory in drama, surpassing Marie-Antoinette and Of Money and Blood. International buyers at the Unifrance Rendez-Vous determined winners. Read More
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INSIGHTS
Moses Ingram Shines in Lady in the Lake and Prepares for Kathryn Bigelow’s White House Thriller
Moses Ingram, Emmy-nominated for The Queen’s Gambit, delivers a standout performance as Cleo Johnson in Lady in the Lake, a 1960s Baltimore-set whodunit starring Natalie Portman. Returning to her hometown, Ingram calls the series her most transformative work yet. Up next, she stars in Kathryn Bigelow’s “top secret” White House thriller, showcasing her evolving range and potential. Read More
Hollywood Jobs in 2025
Amid continued contraction in entertainment, major studios like Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery are focusing on roles blending creative vision with technological expertise. Job opportunities are emerging in digital transformation, AI, and data-driven content production while traditional roles shrink. Recruiter Joanna Sucherman calls 2024 a consolidation year, with fewer opportunities and stalled hiring. Producers and creatives face challenges, but evolving hybrid skill sets may define the new media professional. Read More
Spec Script Sales Are Back: Writers Cashing In
The spec script market is resurging, echoing the mania of the 1990s. Recent high-profile sales, like Alignment—a rogue AI thriller preemptively acquired for $1.25M by Fifth Season—signal a growing appetite for original, theatrical-ready content. Industry veterans, including producer Chris Bender, see writers as key to saving theatrical cinema. Amid fewer big packages, spec scripts are drawing buzz, offering hope for a 2025 driven by fresh, creative storytelling. Read More
Justin Kuritzkes and Luca Guadagnino: Challengers and Queer
Justin Kuritzkes wrote Challengers on spec, inspired by Serena Williams vs. Naomi Osaka. The script was quickly sold to Amy Pascal, Zendaya, and Luca Guadagnino, and production was fast-tracking in just five months. A successful playwright turned Hollywood breakout, Kuritzkes’ collaboration with Guadagnino deepened when the director tapped him to adapt Queer during Challengers production. Kuritzkes, now thriving, credits the whirlwind journey to writing movies he desperately wanted to see. Read More
A Different Man: Read Aaron Schimberg's Screenplay
Aaron Schimberg’s A Different Man, featuring Sebastian Stan, dives into themes of identity and transformation. The screenplay is now available for review. Read More
Read the Transformers One Screenplay
The screenplay for Transformers One, the animated prequel exploring the origin story of Cybertron, is available to read. Read More
Queer: Justin Kuritzkes’ Screenplay Brings William Burroughs to Life
Justin Kuritzkes’ adaptation of William Burroughs’ Queer delves into complex narratives and groundbreaking themes. The screenplay is now available to read. Read More
Sing Sing Star Clarence Maclin Hopes His Story Inspires Others
Clarence Maclin, a former Sing Sing Correctional Facility inmate, stars in Sing Sing, portraying his journey through the prison’s Rehabilitation Through the Arts program. After serving 17 years, Maclin credits creative expression with transforming his life. Now a youth counsellor and gang intervention specialist, he hopes the film inspires others to recognise the power of second chances and resilience. Read More
Asian Academy Creative Awards: Best Drama Panel
Producers of Asia’s top dramas discussed funding, narrative techniques, and co-production opportunities at the Asian Academy Creative Awards panel. Shows like Doctor Climax (Netflix), Phantom Squad (Mediacorp Suria), and Barzakh (ZEE5) highlighted the challenges of period accuracy and global storytelling. Panelists emphasized IP adaptability, co-productions, and the importance of culturally specific yet globally appealing content, with Southeast Asia seen as a growing opportunity in an increasingly saturated market. Read More
Pamela Anderson & Mikey Madison | Actors on Actors
Pamela Anderson ("The Last Showgirl") sits down with Mikey Madison ("Anora") to discuss preparing to play dancers in their films, intimacy coordinators and how Pamela spends much of her free time these days in her garden.
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