TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Monday 16 December 2024
Pablo Larraín's iconic trilogy, AI's rise in Hollywood, Dexter's prequel, YouTube's TV boom, Glen Powell's thriller, Winslet & Saldaña unite, and reality TV's labour challenges.
Today’s Highlights:
Pablo Larraín’s ‘Important Women’ Trilogy Explores Iconic Female Figures—Larraín’s films, Jackie, Spencer, and Maria, redefine historical narratives about Jackie Kennedy, Princess Diana, and Maria Callas, exploring their personal struggles and public personas.
Dexter: Original Sin Expands Universe with Prequel Series - The prequel, set in 1991, traces young Dexter's transformation, with Michael C. Hall narrating and producing, building ties to the original series while drawing inspiration from Yellowstone.
For Hollywood, AI Offers Cost Savings but Threatens Jobs - AI’s rising influence in Hollywood, including de-aging tools and automated postproduction, balances cost savings and efficiency against significant job risks for industry workers.
How YouTube and Netflix Are Reshaping Kids' Programming - YouTube dominates kids' streaming, while Netflix's integration of shows like CoComelon exemplifies shifting habits. Global hits like Larva showcase preschool content's widespread appeal.
Labour Complaint Challenges Reality TV Practices - The NLRB's complaint against Netflix’s Love Is Blind highlights contestant misclassification and could drive unionisation, addressing safety and fair pay concerns in reality TV.
YouTube’s TV Takeover Reflects Shifting Viewer Habits—YouTube's billion daily TV hours streamed in 2024 mark a shift towards communal viewing, with a revenue surge driven by sports and kids' content.
Director RaMell Ross Explains Why He Shot 'Nickel Boys' Entirely in First Person - Ross’s innovative first-person narrative style in Nickel Boys captures deep emotional connections, offering a unique filmmaking perspective.
Glen Powell Sparks Bidding War for Erotic Thriller Homewreckers - Major studios compete for Homewreckers, starring Glen Powell, blending sci-fi with psychological drama, following Powell’s recent career successes.
Kate Winslet and Zoe Saldaña Discuss Acting and Self-Doubt—Winslet and Saldaña reflect on working with James Cameron, acting challenges, and their approach to overcoming self-doubt in role selection.
Harris Dickinson and Drew Starkey on Working with Industry Icons: Dickinson and Starkey share their experiences acting alongside Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig and discuss their career beginnings and growth.
Plus: Insights, In Development and Jobs with Paramount, NBCUniversal, A+E, IMAX, Submarine, Netflix & Prime.
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INSIGHTS
Pablo Larraín’s ‘Important Women’ Trilogy Explores Iconic Female Figures
Pablo Larraín’s trilogy—Jackie, Spencer, and Maria—delves into the lives of Jackie Kennedy, Princess Diana, and Maria Callas. Through intimate moments, the films reframe history, emphasising the struggles behind their public personas. Jackie captures the aftermath of JFK’s assassination; Spencer focuses on Diana’s turbulent Christmas before separating from the royal family; and Maria, starring Angelina Jolie, highlights the opera legend’s resilience. Read More
Dexter: Original Sin Expands Universe with Prequel Series
At the NYC premiere of Dexter: Original Sin, creator Clyde Phillips revealed the inspiration behind the prequel. Influenced by Yellowstone and its prequels, Phillips developed the 1991-set series exploring young Dexter’s (Patrick Gibson) transformation into a serial killer. Michael C. Hall, who narrates and executive produces, ties the prequel to the original series while casting drew from Yellowstone’s team. Read More
For Hollywood, AI Offers Cost Savings but Threatens Jobs
AI is reshaping Hollywood, with tools like Metaphysic enabling real-time de-aging for Tom Hanks in Here, cutting VFX costs and allowing smaller-budget films to thrive. Studios like Lionsgate are leveraging AI for storyboarding and VFX design while deals with startups like Runway signal growing adoption. However, AI’s rise risks automating postproduction roles, sparking industry concerns despite labour protections for writers and actors. Hollywood faces a delicate balance between innovation and job security. Read More
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How YouTube and Netflix Are Reshaping Kids' Programming
YouTube dominates kids' streaming, with 83% of children aged 2-12 engaging, while Netflix is the top subscription service for 34% of young viewers. Shows like CoComelon and Little Angel, often originating on YouTube, now thrive on Netflix, showcasing preschool content's massive appeal. Global non-dialogue hits like Larva highlight streaming's reach. Despite challenges, including AI's potential disruption, experts emphasise balancing innovation with quality to sustain high-calibre kids' programming. Read More
Labour Complaint Challenges Reality TV Practices
The National Labor Relations Board has filed a complaint against Netflix's Love Is Blind, alleging contestants were misclassified as "participants" instead of employees, depriving them of rights like collective bargaining. This builds on prior lawsuits claiming unsafe conditions and low pay, with contestants reportedly earning $1,000 per week during filming. The case could push reality TV closer to unionisation, spotlighting calls for industry-wide labour protections. Read More
YouTube’s TV Takeover Reflects Shifting Viewer Habits
YouTube reports a billion daily hours of content streamed on TVs in 2024, driven by podcasts and diverse creator content. As users opt for communal viewing and cord-cutting rises, YouTube consolidates media formats into a single platform, blending podcasts, video essays, and episodic series. Revenue from TV viewers grew by 30%, with sports and kids’ content among the fastest-growing categories. Read More
Kate Winslet & Zoe Saldaña | Actors on Actors
Kate Winslet ("Lee") and Zoe Saldaña ("Emilia Pérez") have an "Avatar" reunion and discuss working with James Cameron, why they consider acting "sacred", and fighting self-doubt while choosing roles.
Harris Dickinson & Drew Starkey | Actors on Actors
Harris Dickinson ('Babygirl') and Drew Starkey ('Queer') sit down to discuss working alongside Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig and how they started their careers.
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