We are sorry, the requested page does not exist
Bryan Dy teases Biringan cast, wants to continue Mallari success
Mentorque Productions owner John Bryan Diamante revealed the studio's upcoming movie "Biringan" now has a planned cast. .....»»
Bea Alonzo celebrates Valentine s Day watching Brave after ending engagement with Dominic Roque
Kapuso actress Bea Alonzo celebrated Valentine's Day watching Disney's 2012 animation film "Brave.".....»»
WISH granted: Pinoy talent is represented in Disney’s 100-year storytelling
Disney has been churning out well-loved tales in animation for the past 100 years......»»
‘Time to explore ODAs from other countries’ Poe says after Chinese ODA withdrawal
Senator Grace Poe on Thursday expressed her belief that it is high time for the Philippines to look for alternative sources of funding from other countries for the proposed Mindanao Railway Project. According to Poe, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Services, the country may pursue official development assistance from other countries following the Department of Transportation's move to drop China as a funding source for the P83-billion railway project in the southern Philippines. “It’s time to explore ODAs from other countries and seek available funding options from multilateral institutions and international assistance agencies that can deliver the goods,” she said in a statement. Poe noted that the withdrawal of the ODA from China for a railway project “should not derail the implementation of our infrastructure programs,” “In the past years, Chinese banks have also kept us in suspended animation with delays in our loan applications putting in limbo a number of government projects,” she said. “While appearing attractive, the loans are not exactly that benevolent as they come with hefty interest rates and other strings that could be detrimental to the country in the long term,” she added. She also suggested to the government to tap the private sector which she said “holds the potential of accelerating infrastructure development and bringing innovative and efficient services.” She issued the statement after Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista confirmed that the Philippines is no longer loan financing from China for the first phase of the Mindanao Railway Project. The first phase of the railway project aims to reduce travel time between Tagum in Davao del Norte and Digos in Davao del Sur by one hour from the current 3.5 hours. Quoting Bautista, Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri said in August that the Philippine government would no longer engage Chinese state-owned companies for major infrastructure projects in the country. “I talked to Secretary Jimmy Bautista, he was at the Senate recently. We talked one-on-one. I told him: ‘Secretary, you are seeing what they are doing to your Coast Guard, right?’” he said “I told him not to give Chinese state-owned companies projects here in the Philippines such as trains. We have the North to South Railways…. Let us not give it to them. Let us give it to South Morea or Japan instead,” he added. He continued: “I was glad because Secretary Bautista said they would no longer Chinese state-owned companies for their trains, airports, and big-ticket items.” The construction of the Tagum-Davao-Digos segment of the Mindanao Railway Project was supposed to start in January 2019. The post ‘Time to explore ODAs from other countries’ Poe says after Chinese ODA withdrawal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Swift stays on top but ‘Flower Moon’ impresses on North America screens
The new Taylor Swift concert movie held on to the top spot in North American theaters this weekend, but the history-based crime epic "Killers of the Flower Moon" had an impressive debut -- the best for a Martin Scorsese film since 2010. "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour," distributed by AMC Theaters, took in an estimated $31 million for the Friday-through-Sunday period, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations said Sunday. That pushed the two-week domestic total for the film, which includes scenes from three of the pop superstar's concerts to $129.8 million. It is now the only concert film ever to top the box office for two straight weekends, Variety reported. Meantime, Scorsese's new film had a strong debut -- particularly given its three-and-a-half-hour runtime, its upcoming release on streamer Apple TV+, and the inability of stars Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio to promote it as the actors' strike continues -- taking in $23 million. "Reviews and audience scores are superb," said analyst David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research. With a slew of award nominations expected for the director and cast (also including Jesse Plemons and Lily Gladstone), "the picture is set up for a strong run," Gross added. "Flower Moon" tells the true story of the murders of Native Americans in Oklahoma early in the last century by evildoers after their oil rights. In the third spot for the weekend, down from second, was Universal's horror film "Exorcist: The Believer," at $5.6 million. Leslie Odom Jr. and Ann Dowd star in this scary sequel to the 1973 original. Fourth place went to Paramount's family-friendly animation "Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie," at $4.5 million. Taraji P. Henson, Chris Rock, Serena Williams, and McKenna Grace voice the super-pups. And in fifth was Disney's re-release of the 1993 classic "The Nightmare Before Christmas," at $4.1 million. Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, and Catherine O'Hara star in Tim Burton's dark stop-motion fantasy. Rounding out the top 10 were: "Saw X" ($3.6 million) "The Creator" ($2.6 million) "A Haunting in Venice" ($1.1 million) "The Blind" ($1 million) "The Nun II" ($887,000) The post Swift stays on top but ‘Flower Moon’ impresses on North America screens appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
IT-BPM seen key economic driver
The head of the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines or IBPAP, Jack Madrid maintained that the Informatiorn Technology-Business Process Management, or IT-BPM, sector will remain the Philippine economy’s essential pillar, given its large contribution to the government coffers for its nation-building. “This is an important message that we always communicate to our partners in the government and to our employees and to their families. What we do is more than what people think as we are not just call center or contact center work.” “The nature of what we do range from basic customer service to more complex industries such as healthcare, engineering, IT software development, and even creative industries such as animation and game development, “Madrid said in an interview with the DAILY TRIBUNE’s online digital show ‘Straight Talk’. “We do not just do call center work and I think we need to respect the kind of work that we do even more than before, more than what people think it is,” continued Madrid., Export service revenues Madrid said in terms of export service revenues, the IT-BPM sector this year earned a growth rate of 8.8 percent, which translates to an estimated $35.4 billion in revenue, exceeding the global industry’s 7.7 percent average. “We started 2023 with 1.7 million direct jobs for Filipinos, while by revenue, in 2022 the industry generated $32.5 million, the second largest source of foreign exchange to the country, next to OFW remittances. But we are almost at par with them,” he said. “This year, we will grow over $35 million in revenues,” according to Madrid, coming from close to 2,000 IT-BPM firms that are operating in the country. US biggest client GHe said the United States remains the Philippines’ biggest client, in which over two-thirds of businesses come from US companies, serving US customers. “That is why as the flagship association, we oversee all the different industry verticals. But you will be amazed at the number of multinational companies that have been doing very successful shared services operations here in the Philippines. You name the multinational, they are here whether it is in banking, financial services, or healthcare. Even energy. They are all here,” he said. According to Madrid, healthcare companies doing business in the country are at 15 to 20 percent, while the creative side has the smallest workforce, but is considered a sector that has large potential. “The creative side will be quite a bit smaller than that in terms of number of employees but it’s still a sector that has large potential. I think another significant sector would be the global in-house centers. These are all the multinationals who have moved their back-office operations here. Hard to classify by industry because they belong to many different industries. And then, of course, the contact center sector is still the biggest one. About 60 percent of our employees are in the contact center sector and that includes many multinational and global BPO companies who have set up operations here,” Madrid explained. Caring for employees As contact center employees work at odd times, Madrid said the mental well-being of their employees is very important to the industry, which goes along with their aim to make the industry continue growing. “I’m happy that our membership and our industry players are paying a much stronger focus on the mental health and well-being of the employees. Our industry relies primarily on human capital. This is very much a people’s industry. It is the bedrock of how our industry has grown. So, this topic is very important. I think it’s all about balance. I think balancing the demands of work and personal life is very important and nowhere was this more evident than the challenging years of the pandemic, wherein we had to mobilize our employees from working in the office to a work-from-home setup. Something that was not done before,” he said. Madrid said working from home is not as easy for Filipinos as it is for the rest of the world, as Filipinos don’t typically have a home office, unlike Americans and Europeans. Challenging transition “So, the transition for us was quite challenging. Many of our employees don’t have very big homes with an extra room to be used as an office. So, I think I spent a lot of time describing this to investors and locators because it demonstrates the agility, resilience, and survival instinct of the Filipino people,” he said. “And I think we have shown to the world that we were able to perform the work in those challenging years of Covid without any impact on productivity or customer satisfaction. We were able to perform the work so much that there was even more demand from our customers for more jobs to be done here in the Philippines,” he continued. Madrid said that during the pandemic, the ITBPM industry grew as an industry to 255,000 new jobs and will continue to grow. The Philippines is a clear number in terms of ITBPM, next to India, but the Philippines is the number one nation when it comes to delivering customer experience, according to Madrid. The post IT-BPM seen key economic driver appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort to Launch the World’s First and Largest “Frozen” Themed Land World of Frozen on November 20
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort is getting ready for the opening of World of Frozen, the world’s first and largest “Frozen” themed land, on November 20. Inspired by the Walt Disney Animation Studios’ films, “Frozen” and “Frozen 2,” which are among the biggest animated films of all time, World of Frozen will transport guests to the […].....»»
Creative Industries Month to witness ‘the grandest battle of creativity’
The buzzwords this month and until November are "creativity" and "creative industries." September has been declared the "Creative Industries Month" by the Philippine government, and one reason for such declaration is the activation of the law known as Philippine Creative Industries Development Act, or Republic Act 11904. Pangasinan 4th District Representative Toff de Venecia is the principal author of the law, the chairman of the House Special Committee on Creative Industry and Performing Arts. De Venecia's clan on his mother's side used to be entrenched in film production. He is a son of Gina Vera-Perez De Venecia, daughter of Dr. Jose Vera Perez, the patriarch of pioneering film companies Sampaguita Pictures and Vera Perez Productions. Before he joined Pangasinan politics as son of former senator Jose De Venecia, Toff was active in theater, all the way back to his schooldays at the Ateneo de Manila. Sen. Loren Legarda, aside from being Senate President Pro-Tempore, is chair of the Senate committee on culture and the arts. For years a top broadcast journalist at ABS-CBN, Legarda is the principal author of Republic Act 11961, also known as the Cultural Mapping Law. [caption id="attachment_186378" align="aligncenter" width="511"] ODANG Putik Pottery held workshops on basic pottery. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF IG/ ODANGPUTIKPOTTERY[/caption] National competition DTI has announced that it will launch on 24 September a national competition, Young Creatives Challenge (YC2) "through the support of Sen. Imee Marcos." The competition -- described as "the grandest battle of creativity" in the country with a grand prize of P1 million per category -- "aspires to ignite, acknowledge, and spotlight the brilliance of creative minds... in the fields of Songwriting, Screenwriting, Playwriting, Graphic Novel, Animation, Game Development, and Online Content Creation." The semi-finals are set for October 2023, when the Top 30 creators and the Top 10 Grand Finalists will be revealed. At the grand finals on November 2023, cash prizes will be awarded along with millions’ worth of promotions, incentives, registration of intellectual property and possible production or commercialization of creative works. The competition has an Online Content Challenge with distinct mechanics and a separate prize pool. It offers a platform for content creators to showcase their talents and make a significant impact by raising awareness about the vibrant and dynamic Philippine creative industries. The special category will have TikTok as its main channel for entry submission. The DTI invites all natural-born Filipino citizens aged 18-35, regardless of their level of experience, to participate as either individuals or teams. Entrants are required to submit "entirely original creations." The competition theme is deliberately broad, embracing an "open" and "free subject" approach to allow the participants the creative freedom to delve into any topic or subject matter of their choosing. For more information about the competition, visit www.youngcreativeschallenge.com. Capsule workshops On 17 September, the NCCA launched the Creative Industries Month at the Rizal Park Open Air Auditorium in Manila with creative capsule workshops in the afternoon and a grand concert of songs, dances and puppetry in the evening. The festivities had the full support of the National Parks Development Committee and Concert at the Park. The workshops were anchored on various creative industries in the country. For instance, for the audiovisual media domain, the Knowledge Channel Foundation Inc. conducted an introductory workshop on Learning Filipino through Wikaharian. For the digital interactive media domain, Dr. Albert Mulles of METATOKYO tackled “How to Start Your Own Blockchain Game Project” while the Department of Science and Technology presented “Learning Through Minecraft Exhibit.” Under the Design domain, there were workshops on shoemaking, parol and jewelry-making and T-shirt printing Workshop. Under publishing and printed media, Rustico Limosinero offered a basic comics workshop, while the Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation, Inc. discussed book- selling and exhibits. Composer-singer Joey Ayala, meanwhile, held a Songwriting Workshop under the Performing Arts domain and later, at the concert, performed the finale solo vocal numbers. Nanding Josef, artistic director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Tanghalang Pilipino, conducted a capsule workshop on Theater Acting. Also within the Performing Arts domain were the dance and puppetry workshops facilitated by the Samahan ng mga Papetir ng Pilipinas. The other domains that presented workshops included the visual arts, traditional cultural expression and cultural sites. Aside from Ayala, the evening concert featured Noel Cabangon, the revived band Color It Red with Cookie Chua still its lead vocalist, Bayang Barrios and her band, the Sindaw Philippines dance troupe, Halili Cruz Dance Company, Teatro ni Juan and a puppetry group. [caption id="attachment_186377" align="aligncenter" width="1440"] HALILI Cruz Dance Company at the evening concert. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF FB.COM/ HALILI CRUZ DANCE COMPANY[/caption] In his remarks, De Venecia pointed out that there are more than 7 million people in the Philippines employed in the creative industries, and the industries' contribution to Gross Domestic Product in 2022 was 7.3 percent percent or P1. 6 trillion, representing an increase of 12.1 percent from P1. 43 trillion in 2021. "This is a sector that has managed to survive and even thrive on its own, but with institutionalized support from the state, it will really help the creative industry sector grow and accelerate to the point where we want it to be — which is by 2030, the Philippines will be the number one creative economy in all of Asia,” said De Venecia. May we be really number 1 just seven years from today! The post Creative Industries Month to witness ‘the grandest battle of creativity’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Justin Timberlake, Anna Kendrick bibida ulit sa bagong ‘Trolls’ movie, mga bagong karakter ipinakilala na
ISANG bagong animated film ang tiyak na magpapasaya sa maraming moviegoers ngayong holiday season! Makalipas ang tatlong taon, muling magkakasama ang American actress na si Anna Kendrick at international singer na si Justin Timberlake sa bagong chapter ng blockbuster musical franchise ng DreamWorks Animation na “Trolls.” Ito ang “Trolls Band Together” na nakatakdang ipalabas sa.....»»
Japanese man admits starting deadly anime studio fire: reports
A Japanese man reportedly angry that his ideas had been stolen admitted Tuesday to starting a fire that killed 36 people in an animation studio in 2019, local media said. The blaze that ripped through the studios of Kyoto Animation in July 2019 shocked the anime industry and its fans in Japan and around the world. "It's correct I've done" what is in the charges, Shinji Aoba said at the Kyoto District Court, according to the Jiji Press news agency. "I didn't think so many people would die and now I think I went too far," said the 45-year-old who appeared in a wheelchair. Aoba's lawyers however pleaded not guilty, citing mental incompetence, the reports said. Aoba, who nearly died from burns he himself sustained, faces five charges including murder, attempted murder, and arson, according to local prosecutors. He is accused of breaking into the studio's building, spreading gasoline around the ground floor, and setting it alight before reportedly shouting "drop dead". Many of those killed in the blaze were young staff, including a 21-year-old woman. More than 30 others were injured. Firefighters told reporters at the time that the incident was "unprecedented" and the mission to rescue victims and extinguish the fire was "extremely difficult". Aoba's motives were unclear but there have been claims that he accused the studio of stealing his work, which Kyoto Animation has denied. Its president Hideaki Hatta said he was "heartbroken for the employees who lost their lives and people who were close to them" ahead of the hearing, according to public broadcaster NHK. The charges were made after a psychiatric evaluation, local media said. More than 90 percent of Aoba's skin was burnt and a doctor who treated him told the Yomiuri newspaper this week that he required 12 operations. Aoba regained consciousness weeks later and apparently sobbed with relief after undergoing a procedure that restored his ability to speak. The doctor, Takahiro Ueda, said he was not allowed by police to talk about the incident, but he told Aoba that "taking someone's life is not acceptable for any reason". "I want him to explain everything at the court, and express sincere regret and apologize" to the victims and their families, the doctor said on Sunday. Kyoto Animation, known by its fans as KyoAni, is well known domestically and abroad for its role in producing popular TV anime series including "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya" and "K-ON!" While many animation studios are based in Tokyo, the firm reportedly felt strongly about remaining in the ancient western city of Kyoto. The post Japanese man admits starting deadly anime studio fire: reports appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Kuwait bans ‘Barbie’ film over ‘public ethics’ concerns
Kuwait has barred hit film "Barbie" from cinemas over concerns about "public ethics", officials have said, also confirming a separate ban on a horror movie featuring a transgender actor. "Barbie" and "Talk to Me" both "promulgate ideas and beliefs that are alien to the Kuwaiti society and public order", Lafy Al-Subei'e, head of Kuwait's cinema censorship committee, told the official KUNA news agency. While deciding on any foreign movie, the committee usually orders "censoring of the scenes that run counter to public ethics", Subei'e was quoted as saying late on Wednesday. "But (if) a film carries alien concepts, message or unacceptable behavior, the committee decides to bar the stuff in question as a whole," he said. Gulf Arab states including Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia -- all of which outlaw homosexuality -- routinely censor films that contain LGBTQ references. Most recently, they banned the latest Spider-Man animation in June, reportedly over a scene that includes a transgender pride flag. However, "Barbie", which has taken more than $1 billion worldwide, is being shown in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain. In Lebanon, Culture Minister Mohammad Mortada said on Wednesday he had asked authorities to ban "Barbie" for purportedly "promoting homosexuality", though the film does not contain any overt references to same-sex relationships or queer themes. "Talk to Me", which is shown in Emirati and Saudi theatres, features Australian transgender actor Zoe Terakes but no explicit LGBTQ references. "Our film doesn't have queer themes," Terakes said in a statement posted on social media on Sunday, after the ban was first reported. "I am a trans actor who happened to get the role. I'm not a theme. I'm a person," added Terakes who identifies as non-binary. The post Kuwait bans ‘Barbie’ film over ‘public ethics’ concerns appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Kwentoon joins Globe’s Hapag Movement to boost local talent, combat hunger
In a unique blend of art and social awareness, Kwentoon, a Philippine start-up connecting young audiences to thoughtfully selected visual content, has teamed up with the Hapag Movement to help address involuntary hunger. As part of this advocacy, 10 percent of every ticket sold at the recently held Kwentoon Festival 2023 will be donated to the Globe-led movement, a social initiative aimed at eradicating involuntary hunger through supplemental feeding and livelihood training for struggling Filipinos. Kwentoon Festival 2023 was held at SM Megatrade Hall 3, with over 150 exhibitors and artists and 1,439 visitors. The event showcased a range of activities, including workshops, talks and the Mango Boot Camp Graduation in partnership with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines. One of the event's highlights was the Philippine Children's Content Awards, which aims to recognize the creativity and originality of Filipino comic artists or the so called “kwentoons.” "We are excited to be part of the Hapag Movement, not only to promote homegrown talent but to also address pressing societal concerns," said Isa Songco, Kwentoon co-founder. “Filipino artists are actually very good but unfortunately a lot of them get outsourced by firms overseas. That is why when it comes to animation or manga, there is not a lot of intellectual property from the Philippines. So our progression is actually delayed in comparison to our neighboring countries. Recognizing the imperative for local job creation, we hold the Hapag Movement dear to our hearts. This initiative not only fights hunger but also creates a wealth of opportunities for our fellow Filipinos,” Songco added. Yoly Crisanto, Globe Group chief sustainability and corporate communications officer, thanked Kwentoon for its support as she cited the community’s unique opportunity to use art as a way to raise awareness about social issues, particularly hunger. “Art has the ability to evoke empathy and compassion like no other medium can. We are grateful to have Kwentoon as a partner in the Hapag Movement and to have on board visual storytellers who can draw attention to the problem of involuntary hunger through art,” Crisanto said. Established in 2020, Kwentoon aims to inspire and equip local artists to create kid-friendly visual narratives. It connects young audiences to curated content that promotes the values of love of country and family, camaraderie and hope. The post Kwentoon joins Globe’s Hapag Movement to boost local talent, combat hunger appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PTTC, MSU form partnership to boost MSME competitiveness
The Philippine Trade Training Center - Global MSME Academy (PTTC-GMEA) and Mindanao State University (MSU) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on 30 May 2023, solidifying their commitment to collaborate and cooperate in various areas of partnership. The signing ceremony was attended by PTTC-GMEA Executive Director Nelly Nita N. Dillera, CESO III; Deputy Executive Director Dimnatang M. Radia; MSU President Atty. Basari D. Mapupuno; and MSU PMS Director Atty. Rashid V. Pandi. The MOU aims to facilitate joint initiatives that will enhance the competitiveness of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through comprehensive training, skills building, system enhancements, and technology adaptation. With a focus on research and development, the collaboration will pave the way for significant advancements in areas such as Halal food research and development. The collaborative activities outlined in the MOU include aligning the MSU course syllabi with the Philippine Skills Framework on Business Development, Human Capital Development, Digital Arts and Animation, Game Development, and Supply Chain and Logistics, in close cooperation with industry players. Additionally, the partnership will undertake research collaboration, including the conduct of training needs assessments and other trade-related training research projects. This will also involve co-authoring learning designs and modules to facilitate effective skills transfer and knowledge dissemination. As part of their joint efforts, PTTC and MSU will co-organize courses, seminars, and workshops for communities and other identified groups. These initiatives aim to empower individuals and foster inclusive growth by equipping them with essential skills and knowledge. The partnership also includes a community extension program that targets the partner communities of both PTTC and MSU. Through various outreach activities, the collaboration seeks to create a positive impact and contribute to the sustainable development of local communities. Furthermore, the partnership will organize specialized courses, seminars, and workshops tailored to the specific needs of the respective clients of PTTC and MSU. By providing customized training programs, the collaboration aims to address industry demands and enhance professional capabilities. The MOU also encourages exploring additional collaborative opportunities as mutually agreed upon, remaining open to expanding its scope and undertaking joint initiatives that align with their shared objectives. This partnership unleashes the power of education and industry collaboration. As the premier trade training agency in the country, it is our mission to engage the academe in developing PSF-aligned modules and harness their expertise as Resource Persons, and possibly create a regional training hub, delivering industry-aligned courses that leave a lasting impact. We hope that this collaboration will be spread in more regions, where knowledge meets opportunity and encourages transformative growth," said Dillera. The MOU between PTTC and MSU represents a significant step forward in promoting inclusive economic growth and fostering the competitiveness of MSMEs. By leveraging the resources and expertise of both organizations, this strategic partnership aims to empower enterprises, enabling them to thrive in a dynamic and evolving business landscape. The post PTTC, MSU form partnership to boost MSME competitiveness appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Netflix’s first African animation in trailblazing debut
Netflix's first original African animated series premiered on Thursday in a debut its creator said she hoped would pave the way for more productions from the continent. Set in a futuristic version of Lusaka, the capital of Zambia, "Supa Team 4" tells the story of four teen girls who turn undercover superheroes after being recruited by a retired secret agent to save the world. "I'm excited that the world finally gets to see the fantastic show that the incredibly talented super team, from Africa and beyond, have put together," Zambian writer Malenga Mulendema told AFP in a statement. "We hope 'Supa Team 4'... will lead to further investment and collaboration so we can continue to grow the industry." Mulendema created the series after pitching it at a pan-African talent search by animation studio Triggerfish, where she became one of the winners in 2015. When the show was first announced in 2019, Mulendema said she set the story in her home country to "illustrate that anyone from anywhere can be a superhero". "(Animation) series shaped our childhoods and to know young Zambians get to see what they've never seen on TV before is Amazing!!" Zambian singer Sampa the Great, who worked on the theme song, wrote on Instagram this month. Netflix has bet on diversifying its production outside the United States in recent years, scoring big with series including Spanish smash "Money Heist" and South Korean dystopian drama "Squid Game". In April, the firm said it planned to expand operations in Africa and give "more African storytellers an amplified voice on the global stage". The post Netflix’s first African animation in trailblazing debut appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hollywood set for first shutdown strike since 1960
Hollywood actors were poised to go on strike Thursday, joining writers in the first industry-wide shutdown in 63 years after last-ditch talks failed, with nearly all film and television production likely to grind to a halt. The Screen Actors Guild, which represents 160,000 performers including A-list stars, said negotiations late Wednesday had ended without a deal on their demands over dwindling pay and the threat posed by artificial intelligence. Its negotiators have unanimously recommended a strike to its national committee, they are expected to vote on Thursday morning. The vote opens the door to a "double strike" with writers, who have already spent 11 weeks on the picket line -- which would trigger the first Hollywood shutdown since 1960. Popular series set to return to television this year would face lengthy delays. And, if strikes continue, future blockbuster films would be postponed too. Actors, like writers, are demanding better pay, and protections against the future use of AI in television and films. "As you know, over the past decade, your compensation has been severely eroded by the rise of the streaming ecosystem. Furthermore, artificial intelligence poses an existential threat to creative professions," a SAG-AFRTA statement said after the talks fell through. Industry executives have "refused to acknowledge that enormous shifts in the industry and economy have had a detrimental impact on those who perform labor for the studios," it continued. "We are deeply disappointed that SAG-AFTRA has decided to walk away from negotiations. This is the Union's choice, not ours," the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers said early Thursday. Hollywood studios had called in federal mediators to help resolve the deadlock -- a move described by SAG-AFTRA as a "cynical ploy." SAG-AFTRA represents A-list stars such as Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence, and Glenn Close. All members have pre-approved industrial action if a deal was not struck. The last time the union went on strike, in 1980, it lasted more than three months. Premieres and parties A strike would immediately prevent stars from promoting some of the year's biggest releases, right at the peak of the movie industry's summer blockbuster season. In London, a premiere Wednesday night for Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer" was brought forward by an hour, so that cast including Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, and Emily Blunt could attend without breaking union rules, Variety reported. But a strike would derail the much-hyped film's US premiere, due to take place in New York on Monday, as well as a red-carpet launch this weekend at Disneyland for the new "Haunted Mansion" movie. And the annual Comic-Con pop culture gathering in San Diego next week could be stripped of its stars. Even the Emmy Awards, television's version of the Oscars, which is due to take place on September 18, is reportedly mulling a delay to November or even next year. Swift resolution While the writers' strike has already dramatically reduced the number of movies and shows in production, an actors' walkout would shutter almost everything. Some reality TV, animation, and talk shows could continue. On Wednesday, Hollywood unions representing directors, behind-the-scenes film workers, and writers issued a statement of "unwavering support and solidarity" with the actors. "While the studios have a collective worth of trillions of dollars, billions of viewers globally, and sky-high profits, this fight is not about actors against the studios," it said. Workers "across all crafts and departments" stand together "to prevent mega-corporations from eroding the conditions we fought decades to achieve." Actors and writers are demanding higher pay to counteract inflation, and guarantees for their future livelihoods. In addition to salaries when they are actively working, actors earn payments called "residuals" every time a film or show they starred in is aired on network or cable -- helpful when performers are between projects. But today, streamers like Netflix and Disney+ do not disclose viewing figures for their shows, and offer the same flat rate for everything on their platforms, regardless of its popularity. Muddying the waters further is the issue of AI. Both actors and writers want guarantees to regulate its future use, but studios have so far refused to budge. The post Hollywood set for first shutdown strike since 1960 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Hollywood actors poised for strike after studio talks end without deal
The union representing Hollywood actors said Thursday that crunch talks with studios to avert a major industry shutdown had ended without a deal, paving the way for a vote on the first actors strike in more than four decades. The Screen Actors Guild, which represents 160,000 performers including A-list stars, said last-ditch talks had failed to resolve their demands over dwindling pay and the threat posed by artificial intelligence. The union's negotiators had unanimously recommended a strike to its national committee, which was set to vote Thursday morning on whether to carry out industrial action, it said in a statement. A "double strike" of actors and writers, not seen in Hollywood since 1960, would bring nearly all US film and television productions to a halt. Popular series set to return to television this year would face lengthy delays. And, if strikes continue, future blockbuster films would be postponed too. Actors are demanding better pay, and protections against the future use of AI in television and films. "We are deeply disappointed that SAG-AFTRA has decided to walk away from negotiations. This is the Union's choice, not ours," the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers said in a statement early Thursday. Hollywood studios had called in federal mediators to help resolve the deadlock -- a last-minute move described by SAG-AFTRA as a "cynical ploy." SAG-AFTRA represents A-list stars such as Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence, Glenn Close and all members have pre-approved industrial action if a deal is not struck. Premieres and parties A strike would immediately prevent stars from promoting some of the year's biggest releases, right at the peak of the movie industry's summer blockbuster season. In London, a premiere Wednesday night for Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer" was brought forward by an hour, so that cast including Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon and Emily Blunt could attend without breaking union rules, Variety reported. But a strike would derail the much-hyped film's US premiere, due to take place in New York on Monday, as well as a scheduled red-carpet launch this weekend at Disneyland for the new "Haunted Mansion" movie. And the massive annual Comic-Con pop culture gathering in San Diego next week could be stripped of its stars. Even the Emmy Awards, television's version of the Oscars, which is due to take place on September 18, is reportedly mulling a delay to November or even next year. "We hope the ongoing guild negotiations can come to an equitable and swift resolution," said Television Academy chairman Frank Scherma, as the Emmy nominations were announced Wednesday. 'Swift resolution' While the writers' strike has already dramatically reduced the number of movies and shows in production, an actors' walkout would shutter almost everything. Some reality TV, animation and talk shows could continue. Earlier on Wednesday, Hollywood unions representing directors, behind-the-scenes film workers and writers issued a statement of "unwavering support and solidarity" with the actors. "While the studios have collective worth of trillions of dollars, billions of viewers globally, and sky-high profits, this fight is not about actors against the studios," it said. Workers "across all crafts and departments" stand together "to prevent mega-corporations from eroding the conditions we fought decades to achieve," it said. Pay and AI Like the writers, who have already spent 11 weeks on the picket lines, actors are demanding higher pay to counteract inflation, and guarantees for their future livelihoods. In addition to salaries when they are actively working, actors earn payments called "residuals" every time a film or show they starred in is aired on network or cable -- particularly helpful when performers are between projects. But today, streamers like Netflix and Disney+ do not disclose viewing figures for their shows, and offer the same flat rate for everything on their platforms, regardless of its popularity. Muddying the waters further is the issue of AI. Both actors and writers want guarantees to regulate its future use, but studios have so far refused to budge. The post Hollywood actors poised for strike after studio talks end without deal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Insidious’ whips past ‘Indy 5’ to top N.America box office
Sony's horror film "Insidious: The Red Door" scared its way to the top of the North American box office on a slow weekend, taking in an estimated $32.7 million, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday. The dark tale of astral projection and demonic possession, starring and directed by Patrick Wilson, had weak reviews. Still, for the fifth installment of a horror franchise it enjoyed "an excellent opening," said entertainment analyst David A. Gross. The film, a co-production of Screen Gems, Stage 6 Films, and Blumhouse, dethroned Disney's "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny," which had logged weaker-than-expected numbers in its debut last weekend. This fifth "Indy" episode, again starring Harrison Ford as a whip-cracking archeologist, took in $26.5 million for the Friday-through-Sunday period, a long way from recouping the film's estimated $295 million budget. In third, at $17 million, was the surprise hit "Sound of Freedom," a Christian action thriller from Santa Fe Films and Angel Studios. Jim Caviezel (who once played Jesus) stars in a story based on true-life former US government agent Tim Ballard, who says he has rescued more than 100 children from Colombian sex traffickers. The film has found a niche audience among Christian conservatives. Critics, however, say "Sound" plays into wild QAnon conspiracy theories about a dark international cabal kidnapping children and harvesting their blood. While Angel Studios denies that its film warps the truth, Caviezel and Ballard have both embraced some extreme QAnon claims. In the fourth spot was Disney/Pixar's family-friendly animation "Elemental," at $9.6 million. The cross-cultural rom-com (can fire and water ever find happiness?) has done well since a "disastrous opening," according to Variety. And in the fifth was "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse," the second installment in Sony's animated take on the web-slinging superhero. It took in $8 million. Rounding out the top 10 were: "Joy Ride" ($5.9 million) "No Hard Felings" ($5.3 million) "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" ($5 million) "The Little Mermaid" ($3.5 million) "Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken" ($2.8 million) The post ‘Insidious’ whips past ‘Indy 5’ to top N.America box office appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Blur is back at Wembley
Blur, one of the top icons of the Britpop era, performed the first of their two nights at Wembley Stadium to a massive wave of nostalgia. It was perhaps the perfect way to punctuate that Blur is coming out with a new album, The Ballad of Darren, on 21 July 2023. Their last one was Beetlebum in 1997. Blur frontman Damon Albarn never really stopped making music, and in the more than two decades since Blur had been "on hiatus", Albarn had made music with other collaborators or just went on solo projects that were experimental forays into other genres such as gospel and opera. Gorillaz is his most well-known outside of Blur, where perhaps tiring of the excesses of his Britpop era, he chose to present his music without showing his face, presenting animation instead. Recently Albarn was quoted as saying, "Yoga is better than heroin", swearing that Yoga had done more for his anxiety than heroin ever did. He is grateful, he says, for getting out of that era in his life pretty early. In 2014, he had been clean for a decade he said. Guitarist Graham Coxon, bassist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree make up the rest of Blur. The post Blur is back at Wembley appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
EJK docu leads Cinemalaya 2023’s roster
For the first time since its inception in 2005, the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival has a documentary and an animated film in its roster of 10 full-length features competing for top honors, including best picture. The list of finalists in its 19th edition was formally introduced in a press conference yesterday, 5 July. It was attended by Cinemalaya Foundation president Laurice Guillen, festival director Chris Millado and competition chairman Jose Javier Reyes. Also present was Cultural Center of the Philippines artistic director Dennis Marasigan. Cinemalaya 2023 runs from 4 to 13 August. It will have screenings at the Philippine International Convention Center and Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (also known as CCP Black Box Theater). It will also have screening slots at partner venues Ayala Cinemas and SM Cinemas. 10 full-length films Maria by documentarist Sheryl Rose Andes follows the real-life story of a woman who lost her husband and child to extrajudicial killings. When This is All Over, directed by Kevin Mikhail Mayuga with elements of animation, is about the unexpected friendship that developed during a lockdown at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic between two young adults from opposite ends of the economic spectrum. Rookie, whose story revolves around volleyball players, is jointly directed by Samantha Lee and Natts Jadaone. Ang Duyan Magiting by Dustin Celestino is composed of anthology of scenes that depict war, terrorism and politics. It stars Dolly de Leon, Bituin Escalante, Agot Isidro, Miggy Jimenez, Jojit Lorenzo, Frances Makil-Ignacio, Paolo O’Hara, Joel Saracho and Dylan Ray Talon. [caption id="attachment_153740" align="aligncenter" width="525"] 'Rookie,' a volleball flick.[/caption] As If It’s True by John Rogers tackles the blurring line between real love and exploitation between a social media influencer and a struggling musician. Gitling by Jopy Arnaldo is about a young interpreter/translator working on the Ilonggo subtitles for a Japanese film who forms a friendship with the film’s Japanese director. Huling Palabas tells the story of a 16-year-old boy who finds solace in old VHS tapes to reconnect with his long-lost father. [caption id="attachment_153739" align="aligncenter" width="525"] 'ITI Mapupukaw' stars Dolly de Leon.[/caption] Bulawan Nga Usa (Golden Deer) by Kenneth dela Cruz is about a young man who tries to escape reality by going up a mountain, but ends up treading between mystery and self-discovery. Iti Mapupukaw (The Missing) by Carlo Joseph Papa is also about a young man going through a major life change but involving aliens. Lastly, Tether by Gian Arre replaces Killing Time in Manila Traffic by Paul Sta. Ana. Aside from full-length film category, there is the short film category in Cinemalaya. This year’s entries are Ang Kining Binalaybay Kag Ambahanon Ko Para Sa Imo by Kent John Desamparado; Golden Bells by Kurt Soberano, Hinakdal by Arvin Belarmino; HM HM MHM by Sam Villa-real and Kim Timan; and Kokuryo: The Untold Story of Bb. Undas 2019 by Diokko Manuel Dionisio. Also making the cut are Maudi Nga Arapaap (Last Dream) by Daniel James Magayon; Makoko sa Baybay by Mike Cabales; Sibuyas ni Perfecto (Perfecto’s Onion) by Januar Yap; Sota by Mae Tanagon; and Tong Adlaw Nga Nag-Snow sa Pinas by Joshua Caesar Medroso. The post EJK docu leads Cinemalaya 2023’s roster appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DC drops anime Suicide Squad teaser trailer
DC Comics have revealed a teaser for "Suicide Sqaud Iskeai," a new original anime series as collaborated between Warner Bros. Japan and Japanese animation studio WIT Studio......»»