TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Weekend 12-13 October 2024
Lennie James leads Mr Loverman; PGA updates producer credits; BAFTA eases fee rules; Destry Spielberg debuts; Kerry Washington criticises cancellations; Peaky Blinders movie confirms Stephen Graham.
Today’s Highlights:
Lennie James Stars in BBC's Mr Loverman Adaptation Lennie James leads the adaptation of Bernardine Evaristo's Mr Loverman as Barrington Walker, an elderly man grappling with a hidden affair while exploring Britain's older Caribbean community.
Producers Guild Introduces New Code of Conduct for Movie Credits The PGA updates its Code of Credits to curb unearned producer titles and reinforce the integrity of producer roles in the film industry.
BAFTA Addresses UK Distributor Concerns Over Fee Structure BAFTA responds to distributor concerns over costly submission fees for the 2025 Film Awards, easing filmmakers' financial burdens.
Destry Allyn Spielberg Debuts Feature Film at Sitges Destry Spielberg's directorial debut, Please Don't Feed the Children, premieres at the Sitges Film Festival with cast members Michelle Dockery and Giancarlo Esposito.
Kerry Washington Discusses Early Show Cancellations Kerry Washington criticises premature show cancellations, specifically highlighting UnPrisoned's two-season run, drawing comparisons to Scandal.
Netflix's Shift in Original Streaming Content A reduction in original content budgets and the number of new releases reflects a shift toward more efficient spending by platforms like Netflix, HBO, and Amazon.
Roku Chief Advocates for Influencers in TV Production Roku's David Eilenberg suggests leveraging social media influencers to keep bold TV projects alive amidst declining production numbers.
UK Producers Move Towards International Partnerships Film executives at the Dinard Festival discuss structural challenges between the UK and French film industries that hinder closer international collaborations.
Kiyoshi Kurosawa's Success at Venice Film Festival Kiyoshi Kurosawa's Cloud earned critical acclaim in Venice and became Japan's official Oscar submission, cementing his place as a leading director.
Peaky Blinders Movie Confirms Cast Additions The upcoming Peaky Blinders movie confirms Stephen Graham and Sophie Rundle will reprise their roles, with production officially underway.
Plus: Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals, In Development, Deals, Renewals, Opportunities and Jobs with Paramount, ITV, Audible, Channel 4, NBCUniversal, National Geographic, Fox, Prime, Endeavor, CAA Disney & Mediatoon.
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INSIGHTS
Affairs of the Heart
Lennie James stars in the BBC adaptation of Bernardine Evaristo’s Mr Loverman, playing Barrington "Barry" Jedidiah Walker, a 74-year-old Antiguan man hiding a lifelong affair with his best friend Morris (Arion Bakare) from his wife Carmel (Sharon D Clarke). The series blends humour and drama as Barry confronts major life decisions while also exploring Britain's older Caribbean community, building on the themes of Evaristo’s acclaimed novel. Read More
Producers Guild Introduces New Code of Conduct for Movie Credits
In June, PGA president Stephanie Allain criticised the growing trend of unearned producer credits, joking that "somebody’s dog-walker gets it now." Stars, managers, and financiers have been known to lobby for these titles. The PGA recently updated its Code of Credits, defining the qualifications needed for the p.g.a. certification to curb such practices. The 8,400-member trade association aims to uphold the integrity of producer roles in feature films. Read More
BAFTA Addresses UK Distributor Concerns Over New Fee Structure
Bafta has addressed concerns from UK distributors over new submission fee structures for the 2025 Bafta Film Awards, which were financially burdensome and required extra paperwork. Distributors feared they would have to pay £11,000 to submit certain films into the best film category, even if the titles were already entered in other categories like best documentary, film not in the English language, or outstanding British film. Read More
Destry Allyn Spielberg Debuts Feature Film at Sitges
Destry Allyn Spielberg is set to make her directorial debut with Please Don’t Feed the Children at the Sitges International Film Festival. Starring Michelle Dockery and Giancarlo Esposito, the film follows orphans seeking a new life after a viral outbreak wipes out adults, only to encounter a dangerous woman with a deadly secret. Spielberg is committed to showcasing fresh talent and casting young actors with renowned casting director Anne McCarthy. Altitude manages international sales, while WME Independent handles North American rights. Read More
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Kerry Washington Discusses Shows Canceled Too Early, Including UnPrisoned
Kerry Washington expressed disappointment over the cancellation of UnPrisoned after just two seasons on Hulu, comparing it to her experience with Scandal. Speaking at the Bloomberg Screentime Conference, she noted that Scandal took nearly 40 episodes to gain traction, while UnPrisoned had only 16 episodes before being cut. Washington highlighted the challenge shows face today, getting cancelled before having enough time to build a substantial audience. Read More
The Value of Original vs. New Streaming Originals on Netflix
All digital originals aim to attract and retain subscribers for streaming services, with original series playing a pivotal role. New and returning shows contribute to this mission, though the number of new originals has declined. After peaking in 2022, the industry-wide contraction has reduced budgets and content volume. Platforms like Netflix, HBO, and Amazon still lead in original releases, while services like Disney+ and Apple TV+ produce fewer. This trend reflects a shift towards more efficient content spending in a competitive streaming market. Read More
Roku Content Chief Advocates for TV Production to Leverage Social Media Influencers for Major Projects
Roku Media content chief David Eilenberg suggested using social media influencers to maintain creative risk in TV production despite a 20% drop in Los Angeles production and a 40% overall decline since 2022. At TheWrap’s Grill conference, Eilenberg emphasised the potential of blending the digital and TV worlds by nurturing young talent to keep bold, innovative projects alive in an increasingly risk-averse industry. Read More
UK Producers Shift Toward International Partnerships
Structural differences in film financing and production between the UK and France pose significant challenges to closer collaboration, according to film executives at the Dinard Festival of British & Irish Film. Michel Plazanet, deputy director of international and European Affairs at the Cnc, highlighted cultural barriers, particularly regarding the UK's relationships with banks and copyright laws, as critical obstacles. These differences in how the UK approaches film production and financing hinder smoother cooperation between the two industries. Read More
Summer 2024 Box Office: Shorter Theatrical Windows Expected
Of the 32 summer wide-release films from May to Labor Day, all but one have either been released to PVOD or announced a date, with an average theatre exclusivity window of 35 days. This is shorter than last summer's 41-day average and 2023's full-year average of 37 days. With early-year windows averaging 30 days and post-Labor Day expected to be slightly higher, the full-year 2024 window average is likely to be lower than recent post-COVID years. Streaming availability continues to decrease, now around 120 days. Read More
Criterion’s Legacy and Future with Peter Becker
After a brief visit to the mobile Criterion Closet, Screen Talk co-hosts Anne Thompson and Ryan Lattanzio welcomed Criterion president Peter Becker during the New York Film Festival edition of “Screen Talk” Live. The co-hosts debated Luca Guadagnino’s Queer and Steve McQueen’s Blitz. Becker shared the origins of the Criterion Closet, which began as a parting gift package for visitors. Celebrating Criterion’s 40th anniversary, the new CC40 box set features 40 films chosen based on the most popular picks from closet visitors. Read More
Kiyoshi Kurosawa on His Unique Directorial Vision
Kiyoshi Kurosawa has impressed critics with Cloud, a thriller about the destructive feuds of an online reseller, earning rave reviews at Venice and becoming Japan’s official Oscar submission. It’s one of three films Kurosawa released this year, alongside Serpent’s Path, a French-language remake of his 1998 thriller, and the 45-minute horror Chime. Currently on a festival tour, Kurosawa made his first U.S. appearance in 15 years at Beyond Fest, promoting all three films. Read More
WME’s Dan Limerick on the Current State of Hollywood at THR’s Power Business Managers Event 2024
The WME COO talks to THR’s Co-Editor-in-Chief, Maer Roshan, about mergers, consolidations and where the industry goes from here at The Hollywood Reporter’s 14th annual Power Business Managers event presented by City National Bank, held at Spago Beverly Hills.
Yves Bergquist and Melody Hildebrandt Discuss How AI is Reshaping the Studio System
Powerhouse Producers Share Insights From Top Shows and Films in This Awards Season
Protecting Creative Rights & Opportunities in the Age of AI
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