TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Friday 28 June 2024

Paramount redirects to Paramount+; Raindance winners; ElectricCon launches; Reynolds/Lively UK training; Netflix expands hub; 'Janet Planet' debuts; 'Twisters' redefines nature.

Today’s Highlights:

• Paramount Redirects Websites to Paramount+: Paramount has redirected the websites of Comedy Central, CMT, Paramount Network, TV Land, and MTV to its streaming platform, Paramount+, erasing years of content.

• Raindance Film Festival Award Winners: The 32nd Raindance Film Festival announced its jury award winners, with "Sleep" winning the Discovery Award, "The Strangers' Case" winning best international feature, and "Searching for Amani" winning best documentary.

• ElectricCon Fan Convention: Electric Entertainment is launching ElectricCon, a fan convention focused on its TV and film franchises, featuring panels, cosplay, and special guests.

• Reynolds and Lively's Training Program: Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively's Group Effort Initiative is partnering with Dimension and DNEG 360 to offer training for underrepresented talent in the U.K.

• Netflix Expands New Mexico Production Hub: Netflix has expanded its Albuquerque production hub with new soundstages and support buildings, aiming to boost original film and series production.

• Sunny Side of the Doc Event: The 35th edition of Sunny Side of the Doc concluded with 2,100 participants worldwide, highlighting support for the documentary field amid societal polarisation.

• Annie Baker's Debut Feature 'Janet Planet': Pulitzer-winner Annie Baker debuts her feature film "Janet Planet," exploring her signature style of small talk and evocative silences.

• 'Twisters' by Lee Isaac Chung: "Twisters," directed by Lee Isaac Chung, aims to redefine the relationship with nature and inspire positive environmental choices through its action thriller narrative.

• Brand Integration in 'The Bear': The third season of FX's "The Bear" integrates various brands into its setting, attracting over 25 sponsors due to its popularity and focus on food and family.

• IATSE Tentative Agreement: IATSE announced a tentative agreement with Hollywood's major studios, sparking hope for a revival in TV and film production, potentially ending Hollywood's recent uncertainty.

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NEWS

Paramount Cuts Nearly All Content on Comedy Central, TV Land, CMT and MTV Websites

Following the unexpected closure of the MTV News website, Paramount has redirected the websites of several more cable channels to its streaming platform, Paramount+. As of Wednesday, the sites for Comedy Central, CMT, Paramount Network, and TV Land now direct users to Paramount+. On Monday, MTVnews.com was taken down, erasing 20 years of content. Comedy Central’s site states, “While episodes of most Comedy Central series are no longer available on this website, you can watch Comedy Central through your TV provider. You can also sign up for Paramount+ to watch many seasons of Comedy Central shows.” Similar messages appear on the CMT, Paramount Network, TV Land, and MTV sites.

From: The Hollywood Reporter

‘Sleep,’ ‘The Strangers’ Case,’ ‘Searching for Amani’ Top Raindance Film Festival Awards

The 32nd Raindance Film Festival (June 19-28) has announced its jury award winners, highlighting emerging filmmakers. The Korean thriller “Sleep,” directed by Jason Yu and starring Lee Sun-kyun and Jung Yu-mi, won the Discovery Award for best debut feature, marking Lee’s final role before passing. Brandt Anderson’s “The Strangers’ Case,” a drama about Syrian refugees, won best international feature. The documentary "Searching for Amani," directed by Debra Aroko and Nicole Gormley, won in its category. This Kenya/U.S. co-production follows a 13-year-old boy investigating his father's murder within a Kenyan wildlife conservancy.

From: Variety

Dean Devlin’s Electric readying fan convention built around franchises

LA-based producer and distributor Electric Entertainment is launching ElectricCon, a fan convention centred on its TV and film properties. Partnering with Creation Entertainment, ElectricCon will occur on October 12-13 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Featured shows and franchises include "Leverage," "Leverage: Redemption," "The Librarians," "The Librarians: The Next Chapter," "The Outpost," "Almost Paradise," and "The Ark," all from Dean Devlin’s Electric Entertainment. The convention will offer special guests, panels, cosplay, photo ops, autograph sessions, and exclusive merchandise to build stronger connections between Electric’s sci-fi, fantasy, and action-drama properties and their audience.

From: C21

Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively Team Up With U.K. Studio to Fund Training Program

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds' Group Effort Initiative (GEI) has partnered with Dimension and DNEG 360 to offer training for underrepresented U.K. talent at Dimension's new London complex. The Rise Up program, starting August 1, provides hands-on professional experience in real-time and virtual production. GEI, founded by Lively and Reynolds, collaborates with Dimension, DNEG 360, and Sunbelt Rentals to support diverse backgrounds in the visual production industry.

From: The Hollywood Reporter

Netflix New Mexico Production Hub Adds 4 Soundstages, More Across 108 Acres

Netflix has expanded its Albuquerque production hub, adding four new soundstages, three mills, one production office, two-stage support buildings, and two backlot areas across 108 acres. "This is a very special place. And today, we’re making it even bigger,” said Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos at the grand opening. The expansion aims to boost original film and series production and support the local creative community.

From: The Wrap

INSIGHTS

Sunny Side Of The Doc Wraps 35th Edition, Pledges Support For Documentary Field In Time Of “Societal Polarization, Rise Of Extremism”

Sunny Side of the Doc, the world's largest documentary marketplace, concluded its 35th edition on Thursday, with 2,100 participants in La Rochelle, France over four days. The event gathered major broadcasters, streamers, foundations, distributors, financiers, museums, and 90 exhibitors from 40 countries, including Australia, Spain, Brazil, Canada, Nigeria, and China, to acquire, sell, or co-produce nonfiction content. Mathieu Béjot, Sunny Side’s head of strategy and development, reported positive feedback, highlighting productive meetings and a vibrant atmosphere.

From: Deadline

With Her Debut Feature ‘Janet Planet,’ Annie Baker Fractures a Girl’s Love for Her Hippie Mother— and Takes ‘Maniacal Pleasure’ in the Slow Burn

Timing has always been crucial for Annie Baker. In her play "Circle Mirror Transformation," she specifies how to perform silences: a "short pause" is one second, a "pause" is two, a "long pause" is closer to four, and a "silence" is at least five. “If you skip over or rush through these silences, you are performing a different play,” Baker wrote in 2010. Now, 14 years and seven plays later, the Pulitzer-winner debuts her feature film "Janet Planet," starring Julianne Nicholson and Zoe Ziegler. The film, released by A24, explores Baker’s signature small talk and evocative silences in a new cinematic landscape.

From: Variety

‘Twisters’ Director Lee Isaac Chung Wants Nature to Put Us in Our Place

In "Twisters," director Lee Isaac Chung (Oscar-nominated for "Minari") evokes fear and awe of nature. The action thriller, which opened July 19, aims to redefine our relationship with Earth. Unlike the 1996 "Twister," this sequel features a new crew testing ways to "tame" cyclones. Chung hopes to inspire people to view climate scientists as heroes and make better environmental choices, blending entertainment with a positive message about nature.

From: The Hollywood Reporter

Stella Artois, Chef? How ‘The Bear’ Added in Brand Deals for Season Three

In the third season of FX's "The Bear," you might spot brands like Stella Artois, American Express, or Resy integrated into the show's restaurant setting. These sponsors fit naturally into the series, focusing on food, restaurants, and family. Created by Chris Storer and starring Jeremy Allen White, "The Bear" has attracted over 25 sponsors, including Uber Eats, Whole Foods, Talenti, Hellmann’s, State Farm, Dell, and Chime. John Campbell, Disney's senior VP for entertainment & streaming solutions, notes that the show's success has made it highly attractive to advertisers, eager to be associated with its popularity.

From: The Hollywood Reporter

IATSE Has a Deal. Will It Spark a Rebound in TV and Film Production?

On Tuesday night, IATSE announced a tentative agreement with Hollywood’s major studios and streamers, sparking hope for a revival in TV and film production. Members expressed optimism, with Shawn Montgomery asking if studios will start hiring again and Frank Markovic hoping it leads to work. A.J. Catoline of the Motion Picture Editors Guild said the deal could end Hollywood’s uncertainty. FilmLA reports production has plateaued at 85% of last year's level.

From: Variety

YouTube dominates streaming, forcing media companies to decide whether it's friend or foe

In May, YouTube accounted for nearly 10% of all viewership on connected and traditional TVs in the U.S., per Nielsen, with Netflix at 7.6%. "This is on the biggest screen in the house, the TV," noted LightShed analyst Rich Greenfield. Media companies like Netflix, Disney, and Warner Bros. Discovery lack a unified strategy to address YouTube's dominance, extending beyond the internet into living rooms.

From: CNBC

All3Media Unleashed: Inside ‘The Traitors’ Producer’s $1.46B Sale & Jeff Zucker’s Plan To Rouse A Sleeping Giant

Last month, All3Media was acquired for £1.15B ($1.46B) by RedBird IMI, led by former CNN chief Jeff Zucker. While the average viewer may not notice, RedBird IMI's failed bid for The Daily Telegraph made headlines. Unlike the Telegraph's contentious sale, All3Media's acquisition went smoothly. Zucker noted, “The world was focused on The Telegraph and not All3Media.” Known for hits like "1917" and "Fleabag," All3Media's profile is set to rise.

From: Deadline

Inside Amazon Games Chief’s Strategy to Build Up a Triple-A Threat With ‘Tomb Raider,’ ‘Lord of the Rings’ and Leaving Space for New IP

Amazon Games has been quiet for years, unlike Netflix’s gaming division. Six years after joining Amazon Games, VP Christoph Hartmann, co-founder of 2K, is ready to reveal their progress. They’re launching the free-to-play MMORPG “Throne and Liberty” in September and the action RPG “New World: Aeternum” in October, available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. Hartmann emphasises their long-term strategy, focusing on quality over quantity, with eight games in development.

From: Variety

Series to Watch: July 2024

Upcoming schedules to pick ten new series to watch this July, from a Spanish sports period drama and a swords ‘n’ sandals gladiatorial epic to a Jenna Coleman-led crime drama and the return of Betty la Fea, the series that inspired Ugly Betty.

From: Drama Quarterly

Pierluigi Gazzolo Talks ViX Strategy

Since launching over two years ago, ViX has significantly boosted TelevisaUnivision’s financial results with high subscriber numbers and 70,000 hours of content. Generating over $700 million in revenue last year, ViX offers free, paid, and ad-supported ViX Premium tier. CEO Pierluigi Gazzolo highlights partnerships with talents like Eugenio Derbez and Salma Hayek, producing original Spanish-language content for Hispanic audiences. In this interview, Gazzolo discusses challenges, opportunities, and the importance of talent.

From: World Screen

Neuchatel Fantastic Film Festival Finds Deeper Truths in Fantasy

Approaching its 23rd edition, the Neuchatel Intl. Fantastic Film Festival (NIFFF) is renowned for its eclectic selection, attracting a young crowd and becoming a staple in the horror festival circuit. The Swiss festival has expanded to include diverse voices and sociological themes through genre films in recent years. “Fantasy is the cinema of the margins,” says NIFFF director Pierre-Yves Walder, emphasising the festival's mission to showcase underrepresented stories.

From: Variety

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