Monday, December 19, 2016
Friday, December 16, 2016
Thursday, December 15, 2016
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
STAND UP TO CANCER WITH MORGAN FREEMAN.
The PSA is part of a collaboration between SU2C and Genentech called Be The BreakthroughTM, a multi-faceted effort that celebrates the people behind progress in cancer: the patients who participate in clinical trials, the scientists and doctors who make medical advances and improve care, and the people who provide support to those living with cancer.
While we have made significant progress, there is much left to do to fight cancer. The disease still affects 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women in the U.S. in their lifetime. The Be The Breakthrough TM PSA is designed to increase awareness of and educate about the critical importance of individual contributions, such as getting screened regularly and participating in clinical trials, to continue advancing progress against cancer.
"I am honored to join Stand Up To Cancer and Genentech in this extremely important PSA campaign," said Academy Award®-winning actor Freeman. "As the executive producer of The C Word documentary, it's important to me to help raise awareness of this disease and the progress being made. I hope through this PSA and also through The C Word that I can help change the way people view cancer."
The PSA will begin airing December 2016 and encourages the public to visit SU2C.org/breakthrough. The website will provide resources and tools for people who want to learn about screening tests and clinical trials that may be right for them.
Freeman adds: "Even the smallest steps against cancer are breakthroughs and can lead to something extraordinary. Getting screened, participating in a clinical trial, caring for patients, teaching prevention or pursuing an uncharted area of research — these are all breakthroughs. Defeating cancer takes breakthroughs, and together we can all be the breakthrough."
In the PSA, Freeman, standing on a dramatically lit stage alongside cancer survivor Tonya Peat, delivers an inspiring and poetic monologue about what it means to "be the breakthrough." Tonya represents all the brave survivors who fight tirelessly.
The PSA was developed by the Creative Direction team of Nate Naylor and Chris Maiorino, and produced by the teams at Blacklist and Tendril, and Executive Produced by Madeline Marotto.
In addition to Be The Breakthrough TM, Genentech is also a collaborator in Catalyst, a program that will use funding and materials from the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, diagnostic and medical devices industries to accelerate research on cancer prevention, detection and treatment.
"We are grateful to Genentech for their continued dedication to Stand Up To Cancer's research and their commitment to discovering science breakthroughs to help saves lives," said Stand Up To Cancer Co-Founder Lisa Paulsen. "We are also grateful to Morgan Freeman for lending his voice to this campaign. His dedication to raising awareness for this disease through his participation in this PSA and through his documentary The C Word, makes him such a powerful ambassador."
"SU2C has made great progress against cancer by combining awareness, public education and cutting-edge research, which is why we've deepened our collaboration with them to include 'Be The Breakthrough,'" said Troy Cox, Senior Vice President of BioOncology at Genentech. "We are excited to have Morgan Freeman bring his voice and advocacy to this public health initiative that empowers everyone to play a role in the fight against cancer."
To learn more about Be The Breakthrough TM, visit www.standup2cancer.org/breakthrough. To join the conversation or share an inspiring personal story of your own breakthrough moment, please use hashtag #CancerBreakthrough, like us on Facebook at @StandUpToCancer or follow us on Twitter at @SU2C.
Monday, December 12, 2016
Friday, December 09, 2016
Thursday, December 08, 2016
Wednesday, December 07, 2016
Tuesday, December 06, 2016
MEGHAN TRAINOR TRIES FOR GOOD MUSIC ,IN A GOOD SMURFS MOVE.
"I'm a Lady," a new song from the multi-platinum reigning Grammy Awards Best New Artist Meghan Trainor, will be featured in Sony Pictures Animation's Smurfs: The Lost Village. The song is performed & written by Meghan Trainor and produced by Martin Rene, Monsters & Strangers and Meghan Trainor.
Fans will be able to hear the song in the new year, in advance of the film's debut in U.S. theaters on April 7, 2017.
Commenting on the announcement, Trainor said, "I love the Smurfs and was honored when they asked me to write a song for this new movie. I was especially excited – I wrote the whole thing in one evening!"
In this fully animated, fresh new take on the Smurfs, a mysterious map sets Smurfette and her best friends Brainy, Clumsy and Hefty on an exciting and thrilling race through the Forbidden Forest filled with magical creatures to find a mysterious lost village before the evil wizard Gargamel does. Embarking on a rollercoaster journey full of action and danger, the Smurfs are on a course that leads to the discovery of the biggest secret in Smurf history!
Directed by Kelly Asbury, the film is written by Stacey Harman and Pamela Ribon, based on the characters and works of Peyo. Produced by Jordan Kerner and Mary Ellen Bauder Andrews, the film features the voices of Demi Lovato as Smurfette, Rainn Wilson as Gargamel, Joe Manganiello as Hefty Smurf, Jack McBrayer as Clumsy Smurf, Danny Pudi as Brainy Smurf, with Mandy Patinkin as Papa Smurf.
Monday, December 05, 2016
Friday, December 02, 2016
Thursday, December 01, 2016
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
A WHOLE CARNIVAL WILL KISS ARNOLD'S ASS ON NBC.
"The New Celebrity Apprentice" premieres on January 2 at 8 p.m. EST on NBC.
The world's largest leisure travel company, today announced it will sponsor the two-part finale of the upcoming season of NBC's "The New Celebrity Apprentice" airing next year on
With "The New Celebrity Apprentice" featuring a component that brings attention to worthwhile charities, the Charity Challenge will give viewers of the hit program opportunities to win cruise giveaways each week while also supporting the charities chosen by the celebrity participants. The initiative will go live in December and run through the duration of the program's eighth season. Further details on the Charity Challenge will be released by Carnival Corporation in mid-December.
Carnival Corporation and its four North American brands – Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Seabourn – will be featured in the show's two-part season finale, details of which will be shared in the coming months. These brands and Carnival Corporation's six other global cruise line brands, comprise the world's largest cruise company.
"Cruise vacations are growing faster than ever in popularity, but there are still many people who have not discovered why cruising is such a great vacation and exceptional value," said Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corporation. "We expect 'The New Celebrity Apprentice' will be a big hit with viewers, and being able to reach millions of people watching the program is a powerful way for us to generate awareness of cruising and help inspire people to consider cruising when they are planning their vacations. We are also looking forward to generating awareness of and support for several well-deserving charitable groups by offering cruise giveaways that will create a lot of excitement."
Carnival Corporation's sponsorship of NBC's popular program is the latest initiative in the company's ongoing strategy to find innovative ways to expand the market and inspire consumers to consider a cruise for their next vacation.
Carnival Corporation recently launched three original television programs that showcase adventures aboard each of the company's 10 cruise line brands, which includes "The Voyager with Josh Garcia," airing on NBC nationwide on Saturday mornings. Additionally, Carnival Corporation exposed a broader consumer audience to cruising with its first-ever Super Bowl commercial in 2015, also on NBC, and an initiative this year with AT&T and Samsung to allow consumers to take a fully immersive virtual reality cruise.
Former two-term California governor, successful businessman and international movie superstar Arnold Schwarzenegger will host the show and work with world-class business leaders as boardroom advisors. The list includes investment guru Warren Buffett, one of the most successful businessmen in the world; former Microsoft CEO and Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer; Tyra Banks, a supermodel, actress, TV host, producer, and CEO of the Tyra Banks Company and cosmetics brand, TYRA Beauty; actress, author and entrepreneur Jessica Alba, founder and chief creative officer of The Honest Company and Honest Beauty; and Schwarzenegger's trusted confidante and nephew, prominent entertainment attorney Patrick Knapp Schwarzenegger.
This season's 16 celebrity contestants vying for the title of Celebrity Apprentice and a $250,000 check to support their designated charity include the following:
Four-time boxing world champion Laila Ali; actress, host and entrepreneur Brooke Burke-Charvet; Pro-Football Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson; Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Boy George; American Ninja Warrior host and comedian Matt Iseman; actress, producer and writer Carrie Keagan; Emmy Award-winning television star and celebrity stylist Carson Kressley; four-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA champion Lisa Leslie; comedian, film and television star Jon Lovitz; Mötley Crüe lead singer Vince Neil; reality TV star Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi; actress and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kyle Richards; former UFC standout mixed martial artist Chael Sonnen; co-host of Dish Nation and Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Williams; Heisman Trophy winner, College Football Hall of Fame inductee and ESPN sports analyst Ricky Williams; and singer and television host Carnie Wilson.
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Monday, November 28, 2016
EXPOSE: SHOULD GSN PULL A CW, AND CATER TO MORE MALE FANS?
The CW network is seeing a renaissance of creativity and decent ratings ,since the UPN and CW merged the best of their former networks. Under Mark Pedowitz who succeeded Dawn Ostroff who turned the female driven channel,in a sea of female networks (Oxygen,OWN, Lifetime,WE, & ABC Family/Freeform,which had become the new WB) into the DC Superhero network. He also been able to continue to extend a hand to the ladies with the horror show that will never die, Supernatural, Jane the Virgin and white soul sister series, Crazy EX Girlfriend. Should the competition based GSN, which has pathetically chased female demo for years, create more guy centric games and save the network, like the CW did?
GSN time slot's are 70% filled w/ Steve Harvey's Family Feud, thanks to binge watching its the ONLY show that averages about 500,000+ viewers all day long. The recent episodes, give the channel an allure of relevance.
Currently president Amy Introcaso-Davis, keeps trying to run the channel ,like its the Oxygen network and only wants to launch women based shows, yet failed to be female compassionate and give away parting gifts to the losers on her shows. She even cancelled: Emmy nominated quiz marathon game (hosted by a woman!) The Chase & a less dark version of often reran series Chain Reaction, which still gets good numbers that exceed or nearly matched the Feud runs.
The self produced hits now, only include Idiot Test (the smartest show ever produced on the channel) and reality show clone Skin Wars.Wars success is troubling, since the network spent almost 20 years to find a reality show hit. Once they did, they just tried to clone Wars,with Steampunk-ed and a spin-off show called Skin Wars:Fresh Paint. Even worse for GSN, Wars numbers are cooling with woman, and men tiring of the non-sexualized female models being painted on this show, not being showcased like a Deal or No Deal model. This is the height of Davis's reign, other than being smart enough to buy the Feud reruns, in the first place.
The network hoped to find more comedy based,knock-offs, that succeed like Feud.This lead to failed clones like, Mind Of A Man with Empire alum Dee Ray Davis or Top Ten Fact Stacker, Winsanity with former Scrubs star Donald Faison.
Putting a man back in charge proves, "that Wu Tang Clan ain't nothing to fuck with" and launch games that appeal to men without running off the ladies,like in the glory days of Head TV programmer Bob Boden. His reign lead to a Renaissance of gaming. It included critical acclaimed and popular games: quizzers Russian Roulette, Friend or Foe and the rerun abused Whammy!,the all new Press Your Luck w/ Emmy winner Todd Newton. Three shows that need to be relaunched, pronto.
The new guy can launch the Feud clones properly with outright looking, like their doing that. This could lead to buying reruns of Wipeout- the hilarious Double Dare style game show, hosted by John Henson & Anderson. Also, another show in this vein, Oh Sit!, basically an indoor knockoff of Wipeout, but as big money musical chairs. The new guy can also launch sex based puzzle games in untried territory, like late night or bring back the prime time interactive games (phone/web) that kept viewers glued to see if they won, during the commercials.
Scum-bag elect Donald J. Trump said, about Hilary Clinton.....on the Epic Rap Battles of History. "We need a STRONG male leader" who deliver games that's appealing to men that satisfy woman- without making stupid,youth chasing programming decisions- that alienate everyone (like Trump himself) and as the Cinema Sins YouTube site deduced, ".....Reasons?!"
GSN time slot's are 70% filled w/ Steve Harvey's Family Feud, thanks to binge watching its the ONLY show that averages about 500,000+ viewers all day long. The recent episodes, give the channel an allure of relevance.
Currently president Amy Introcaso-Davis, keeps trying to run the channel ,like its the Oxygen network and only wants to launch women based shows, yet failed to be female compassionate and give away parting gifts to the losers on her shows. She even cancelled: Emmy nominated quiz marathon game (hosted by a woman!) The Chase & a less dark version of often reran series Chain Reaction, which still gets good numbers that exceed or nearly matched the Feud runs.
The self produced hits now, only include Idiot Test (the smartest show ever produced on the channel) and reality show clone Skin Wars.Wars success is troubling, since the network spent almost 20 years to find a reality show hit. Once they did, they just tried to clone Wars,with Steampunk-ed and a spin-off show called Skin Wars:Fresh Paint. Even worse for GSN, Wars numbers are cooling with woman, and men tiring of the non-sexualized female models being painted on this show, not being showcased like a Deal or No Deal model. This is the height of Davis's reign, other than being smart enough to buy the Feud reruns, in the first place.
The network hoped to find more comedy based,knock-offs, that succeed like Feud.This lead to failed clones like, Mind Of A Man with Empire alum Dee Ray Davis or Top Ten Fact Stacker, Winsanity with former Scrubs star Donald Faison.
Putting a man back in charge proves, "that Wu Tang Clan ain't nothing to fuck with" and launch games that appeal to men without running off the ladies,like in the glory days of Head TV programmer Bob Boden. His reign lead to a Renaissance of gaming. It included critical acclaimed and popular games: quizzers Russian Roulette, Friend or Foe and the rerun abused Whammy!,the all new Press Your Luck w/ Emmy winner Todd Newton. Three shows that need to be relaunched, pronto.
The new guy can launch the Feud clones properly with outright looking, like their doing that. This could lead to buying reruns of Wipeout- the hilarious Double Dare style game show, hosted by John Henson & Anderson. Also, another show in this vein, Oh Sit!, basically an indoor knockoff of Wipeout, but as big money musical chairs. The new guy can also launch sex based puzzle games in untried territory, like late night or bring back the prime time interactive games (phone/web) that kept viewers glued to see if they won, during the commercials.
Scum-bag elect Donald J. Trump said, about Hilary Clinton.....on the Epic Rap Battles of History. "We need a STRONG male leader" who deliver games that's appealing to men that satisfy woman- without making stupid,youth chasing programming decisions- that alienate everyone (like Trump himself) and as the Cinema Sins YouTube site deduced, ".....Reasons?!"
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
Monday, November 21, 2016
Friday, November 18, 2016
Thursday, November 17, 2016
AMERICA DROWNS ITS SORROW OF TRUMP'S WIN,WITH FILMS.
The major motion picture industry picked up millions of unexpected customers this past weekend as Americans flocked to the box office in the wake of the U.S. Presidential election, and there is evidence the surge could last for several weeks.
According to industry reports, the overall box office was just over $157 million, significantly higher than predicted.
"America went back to the movies this weekend," said Jack MacKenzie, EVP of PSB, a leading entertainment market research firm. "It appears we collectively left work Friday or woke up Saturday and chose movies as the way to deal with whatever was on our minds. This upheaval bump could very well last throughout the important holiday season."
Nearly every movie in theaters outperformed expectations, including movies that had opened on previous weekends. "The performance of Dr. Strange and Trolls was stunning," MacKenzie said. "It suggests America held its collective breath the last week of the campaign and exhaled this weekend. It was opening weekend all over again."
According to Box Office Mojo, Trolls took in $34 million, only a 24% drop from opening weekend. Dr. Strange took in $42.9 million, a little more than half of its opening weekend performance of $84 million. Other strong performers included Hacksaw Ridge ($10.6/-30%) and The Accountant, which raked in $4.4m—down only 25% from the prior week.
Leading the opening weekend pack was Arrival, which far exceeded expectations and tracking predictions by bringing in $24 million. According to exclusive exit poll data, VeriTES data shows that more than half of Arrival's customers decided to see it same day. "Not only did nearly 33% more people make the sudden decision to escape to the movies this weekend than normally would – most of them chose to see a film about communicating with an alien species," said Jeff Neuman, President of VeriTES. "While audiences have ever expanding platforms for entertainment, movies remain the most egalitarian and immediately accessible way for social escapism, a collective change the subject narrative."
According to PSB and VeriTES analysis, the weekend performance is a repeat of prior box office performances following social upheaval. "If you go back to the economic crisis of 2009 and more recently the Brexit vote in the UK, movies have served as the nation's salve before, said MacKenzie. "Our data tells us it is happening again."
Given the historical data, combined with the continued social unrest, MacKenzie says it's likely the US box office could be in for a good run. "The studios have tent-poles and big budget moves lined up over the next six weeks. This could be a situation where 1+1 equals more than 2 and could help Hollywood end the year in positive territory," MacKenzie said.
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Monday, November 14, 2016
Friday, November 11, 2016
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Wednesday, November 09, 2016
Tuesday, November 08, 2016
Monday, November 07, 2016
Thursday, November 03, 2016
Wednesday, November 02, 2016
Tuesday, November 01, 2016
Monday, October 31, 2016
Thursday, October 27, 2016
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
VIDEO GAME INDUSTRY RELEASES- BS DOCUMENTS TO BLAME SAG/AFTRA, FOR THE STRIKE.
From PR Newswire:
Video Game Companies today released copies of the Companies' and the Union's last proposals which show that the Companies matched SAG-AFTRA's requests for wages, benefits, and additional compensation before the Union called its strike. The documents also show that the Companies and the Union had reached agreement to collaboratively investigate vocal stress issues during the term of the next contract.
"These proposals exchanged across the table prove the Companies and SAG-AFTRA have largely agreed on the significant issues before us except for the label we have placed on the 'Additional Compensation,' which would be paid above and beyond our proposed 9% pay increase," said Scott J. Witlin of the law firm of Barnes & Thornburg, the chief negotiator for the Video Game Companies. "The documents also demonstrate that the Companies value performers and reached agreement with the Union on the issue of vocal stress."
Witlin reiterated that the Companies have been impressed by the research presented by SAG-AFTRA into the issue of vocal stress. The Companies attempted to address the concerns raised by the SAG-AFTRA bargaining committee during negotiations by offering performers innovative working arrangements including split sessions and multiple performer sessions, but those proposals were rejected by SAG-AFTRA leaders.
"Among their proposals, the Companies offered to split a 4-hour recording session into two, two-hour portions with the second session to be performed within five days of the first session to ease the stress on performers, but this and other offers were rejected by SAG-AFTRA. This is an area that the parties have agreed to continue to collaboratively investigate during the term of the next contract. Exploring ways to further improve working conditions is something both sides should be committed to," Witlin added.
The Video Game Companies released a chart and supporting documentation from both the Companies and SAG-AFTRA to demonstrate that the Companies' final proposal to SAG-AFTRA is almost identical to the Union's proposal.
The chart validates the Companies' position that they have substantially met SAG-AFTRA's last proposal, including the topic of workplace safety. There is nearly no difference between the Companies' final proposal and the Union's proposal. The wages, additional compensation, pension and health contributions, vocal stress, stunt coordination, and transparency proposals are almost identical as summarized below:
9 Percent Wage Hike
The Companies exceeded the Union's request for a 3% raise over each of the next three years by Companiesoffering a 9 percent up-front increase, but only if a new agreement is ratified by December 1.
Additional Compensation
In the Companies' final proposal, the Companies increased the maximum amount of Additional Compensation to match the amount of the Union's request for a 'contingent' compensation buy out of up to $950. While the Companies have held to their position that there will be no 'contingent' compensation, the Companies have proposed a schedule of "Additional Compensation" that largely matches SAG-AFTRA's last demand, including the total aggregated figure and the number of sessions necessary to earn that amount. This offer, too, must be ratified by December 1 to become effective.
Pension and Health Contributions
The Companies agreed to the Union's request for a 0.5% increase and have agreed in principal regarding which of the benefit plans the money should be directed to.
Vocal Stress Issues
After the Union rejected the Companies' proposals concerning modifying voice over sessions to mitigate any risk of vocal stress, the parties agreed on forming a joint cooperative committee to study vocal stress issues.
Stunt Coordination
The expired Interactive Media Agreement between the Companies and SAG-AFTRA already provides for a stunt coordinator to be on site for sessions that include stunts. While SAG-AFTRA made no new proposals in this area, it did seek further clarification about the use of stunt coordinators and both sides agreed to continue those discussions through the cooperative committee during the term of the new agreement.
Transparency
The Union's proposal requested additional up front information when booking performers in video games to know more information (game title name, new role or a reprise of a previous role). The Companies enhanced their proposal to agree to provide the code name of the project and whether the performer will be asked to reprise a previous role. While SAG-AFTRA contends that the video game industry is the only industry not to require an employer to reveal the name of the project on which a performer is working, SAG-AFTRA has no such requirement in Television, Theatrical Motion Pictures or Animation agreements.
Summary
Except for the label on the Companies' 'Additional Compensation' proposal, there are no significant material differences between the Companies' final proposal and the Union's last proposal. The wages, additional compensation, pension and health contributions, vocal stress, stunt coordination, and transparency proposals are almost identical.
"The Union negotiating committee's continued public positioning of workplace safety as a rationale for striking these pro-Union Companies is disingenuous and paternalistic," Witlin said. "SAG-AFTRA should allow its affected members to vote on the Companies' final proposal and determine for themselves whether the semantic difference that does exist between 'additional compensation' and 'residual' is worth the costs of a strike."
USAIN BOLT TO GET DOCU-DRAMA IN THEATERS.
In cinemas around the world on November 28, I AM BOLT will give audiences a unique portrait of the world's fastest man, Usain Bolt. With unprecedented access to the Olympic and sporting legend as he trains, travels, races and relaxes, the film also spotlights Bolt's other roles as best friend, teammate and son. I AM BOLT will be available on Digital HD and On Demand on November 29, 2016 and on DVD on December 6, 2016 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.
With unparalleled access to all facets of his life on and off track, audiences will see for the very first time what being Usain Bolt is really like – from his grueling training schedule, major setbacks and challenges he faces in order to achieve his dreams on the global stage to his downtime with friends and family.
Featuring archive footage from Bolt's youth, in-depth interviews with those closest to him – his parents, best friends, agent, coach and fellow athletes – and fascinating footage shot by the man himself over a legacy-defining period in his career and life, I AM BOLT offers an intimate portrayal of a globally adored icon.
Commenting on the film's forthcoming release, Bolt said: "My aim with making this film is to show people how my life really is… What I've been through to get me where I am today, the ups and the downs, and an insight into what I am thinking and feeling. I know a lot of people around the world feel like they know me already but I'm excited for everyone to see the real me in I AM BOLT."
The Triple Treble Olympic Gold medalist will mark his silver screen debut on November 28 by attending the film's world premiere in London's Leicester Square that night while international cinema audiences will be treated to an exclusive interview with Bolt following the main feature presentation.
Filmed on location at the Beijing World Championships, Rio Olympics, London Olympics and in Germany and Jamaica, I AM BOLT is produced by Fulwell 73, the creators of acclaimed documentaries Class of '92 and In the Hands of the Gods, in association with Doyen Global. Co-directed by Gabe Turner and Ben Turner, I AM BOLTis produced by Leo Pearlman, Executive Produced by Simon Oliveira, Matthew Kay, Ricky Simms and Nugent Walker and distributed internationally by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment Content Group.
BONUS FEATURES ON DVD AND DIGITAL HD
- The Making of I Am Bolt
FILMMAKERS:Cast: Usain Bolt, Pelé, Chronixx, Neymar, Serene Williams, Lord Sebastian Coe, Ziggy Marley, Yohan Blake, Asafa Powell, Michael Johnson, Donovan Bailey
Directed By: Benjamin Turner
Produced By: Leo Pearlman
Executive Produced By: Simon Oliveira, Matthew Kay, Ricky Simms, Nugent Walker, Doyen Global
Director of Photography: Patrick Smith
Edited By: Paul Monaghan
Music By: Michelle De Vries
Directed By: Benjamin Turner
Produced By: Leo Pearlman
Executive Produced By: Simon Oliveira, Matthew Kay, Ricky Simms, Nugent Walker, Doyen Global
Director of Photography: Patrick Smith
Edited By: Paul Monaghan
Music By: Michelle De Vries
Thursday, October 20, 2016
LAST DITCH EFFORT TO STOP SAG/AFTRA V. VIDEO GAME INDUSTY WAR.
Interactive Video Game Companies made a final offer to video game performers that included an immediate 9 percent wage hike if SAG-AFTRA union members ratify the offer by Dec. 1 as part of a Comprehensive Revised and Enhanced Final Package Proposal for a new three year contract. But the union is still scheduled to strike on Friday.
The Companies and SAG-AFTRA brought in a Federal Mediator Wednesday. "We had hoped this would be successful, but union leadership left mediation without providing a counteroffer. We urged union leaders to put the package to a vote of their membership, but union leaders refused," said Scott J. Witlin of the law firm of Barnes & Thornburg, the chief negotiator for the Companies.
The Companies' offer of an immediate 9 percent raise accelerates the 3 percent annual increase sought by SAG-AFTRA negotiators over a three-year period.
As an added component, the Companies also offered Additional Compensation to performers of up to $950 per game based upon the number of sessions a performer works on a particular game. This, too, is conditioned upon a Dec. 1 ratification by SAG-AFTRA members. Together with the wage hike, this package could increase overall compensation by up to 23 percent for typical sessions, and in some cases more.
"We improved our offer to demonstrate our willingness to reach a fair, mutually-beneficial agreement after 18 months of negotiations," Witlin added.
"We value our performers and their dedication," Witlin said. "The union has demanded a contingency fee based upon number of games sold or subscribers. Instead of that, we are offering to immediately reward the hard work of performers through this accelerated raise and Additional Compensation package."
In summary, if ratified by Dec. 1, the Comprehensive Revised and Enhanced Final Package Proposal would bring the typical 4-hour voice over session and on-camera day rate to $900 as well as providing the Additional Compensation of up to $950 per game depending upon the number of sessions worked.
SAG-AFTRA unilaterally announced on Sunday that it will begin a strike on Friday, Oct. 21. The Video Game Companies said they hoped an agreement would be reached, but want fans to know that the majority of upcoming games already in production will be unaffected by any SAG-AFTRA strike due to the nature of the "No Strike Provisions" of the collective bargaining agreement.
The parties largely reached agreement on other outstanding issues including vocal stress and stunt coordination and have made substantial progress on transparency, he said. "We appreciate the hard work SAG-AFTRA has put into studying workplace safety and vocal stress," Witlin added.
"We look forward to working with the performers and SAG-AFTRA to continue to explore ways to further enhance the working environment," he said. "Many of the Companies and people on our committee are the best evangelists for the use of SAG-AFTRA members in this industry. We hope SAG-AFTRA does not precipitously rush into a strike that will immediately and directly take money out of their members' pockets."
The Companies and SAG-AFTRA brought in a Federal Mediator Wednesday. "We had hoped this would be successful, but union leadership left mediation without providing a counteroffer. We urged union leaders to put the package to a vote of their membership, but union leaders refused," said Scott J. Witlin of the law firm of Barnes & Thornburg, the chief negotiator for the Companies.
The Companies' offer of an immediate 9 percent raise accelerates the 3 percent annual increase sought by SAG-AFTRA negotiators over a three-year period.
As an added component, the Companies also offered Additional Compensation to performers of up to $950 per game based upon the number of sessions a performer works on a particular game. This, too, is conditioned upon a Dec. 1 ratification by SAG-AFTRA members. Together with the wage hike, this package could increase overall compensation by up to 23 percent for typical sessions, and in some cases more.
"We improved our offer to demonstrate our willingness to reach a fair, mutually-beneficial agreement after 18 months of negotiations," Witlin added.
"We value our performers and their dedication," Witlin said. "The union has demanded a contingency fee based upon number of games sold or subscribers. Instead of that, we are offering to immediately reward the hard work of performers through this accelerated raise and Additional Compensation package."
In summary, if ratified by Dec. 1, the Comprehensive Revised and Enhanced Final Package Proposal would bring the typical 4-hour voice over session and on-camera day rate to $900 as well as providing the Additional Compensation of up to $950 per game depending upon the number of sessions worked.
SAG-AFTRA unilaterally announced on Sunday that it will begin a strike on Friday, Oct. 21. The Video Game Companies said they hoped an agreement would be reached, but want fans to know that the majority of upcoming games already in production will be unaffected by any SAG-AFTRA strike due to the nature of the "No Strike Provisions" of the collective bargaining agreement.
The parties largely reached agreement on other outstanding issues including vocal stress and stunt coordination and have made substantial progress on transparency, he said. "We appreciate the hard work SAG-AFTRA has put into studying workplace safety and vocal stress," Witlin added.
"We look forward to working with the performers and SAG-AFTRA to continue to explore ways to further enhance the working environment," he said. "Many of the Companies and people on our committee are the best evangelists for the use of SAG-AFTRA members in this industry. We hope SAG-AFTRA does not precipitously rush into a strike that will immediately and directly take money out of their members' pockets."
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
CANDY CRUSH TO BE A $1 MILLION GAME SHOW ON CBS.
- CBS has ordered CANDY CRUSH, a new one-hour, live action game show series based on the globally renowned mobile game franchise. CBS, Lionsgate (NYSE:LGF) and King will join together on the new format created and executive produced by Matt Kunitz that will be distributed domestically by CBS Television Distribution and internationally by Lionsgate.
In the game Candy Crush Saga, players match colorful candies in combinations of three or more to win Candy Crush Saga and its sister title, Candy Crush Soda Saga, are two of the top 10 grossing mobile games in the U.S. On average, 18 billion game rounds are played every month around the world.*
points, defeat obstacles and progress through more than 2,000 levels.
In the series, the game that has become a worldwide phenomenon comes to life as teams of two people use their wits and physical agility to compete on enormous, interactive game boards featuring next generation technology to conquer CANDY CRUSH and be crowned the champions. A host will be announced at a later date.
"We are huge fans of Candy Crush and, like so many others, we know the 'rush' of advancing to the next level of the game," said Glenn Geller, President, CBS Entertainment. "We're excited to work with Lionsgate and King to adapt one of the world's most popular and entertaining game franchises for television and make it available to its massive, passionate fan base who can watch and play along at home."
"The Candy Crush franchise is a world-renowned property, so when the head of our interactive and games division, Peter Levin, brought this IP to Lionsgate, we instantly knew it would make an incredibly visual, physical and fun TV program," said Kevin Beggs, Chairman, Lionsgate Television Group. "CBS is a leader in unscripted television, which makes it the ideal home for CANDY CRUSH, and we're very happy to have Matt shepherding the production as we partner with the team at King on this series with the tremendous second-screen potential."
"We have a very entrepreneurial culture at Lionsgate, so we look for awesome worldwide IP like Candy Crush and work together across divisions to bring it to fans on every platform possible. Everyone who has played it knows that Candy Crush is an exciting, visual switcher game with great characters, and Matt and our alternative television team are working closely with Sebastian Knutsson and his creative team at King to bring it to life on CBS," said Peter Levin, President, Interactive Ventures and Games for Lionsgate, and executive producer on the series. Levin worked with Striker Entertainment's Russell Binder, King's licensing agent in the U.S., to facilitate licensing Candy Crush IP for this television show.
"The Candy Crush franchise lends itself perfectly to the kind of larger-than-life, physical game shows that I love to produce and CBS is the perfect home for it," said executive producer Matt Kunitz ("Wipeout," "Fear Factor"). "As a Candy Crush Saga player myself, I am excited to amp up the action and visuals in our huge Candy Crush Arena."
"The Candy Crush franchise has been loved by players around the world on mobile so it's very exciting to be working with Matt and the team to bring the fun and challenge of theCandy Crush games to television. We hope our players will be entertained by what is set to be a high-energy, challenging game show," said Sebastian Knutsson, Chief Creative Officer, King, and executive producer of CANDY CRUSH.
CANDY CRUSH will be produced by Pulse Creative in association with Lionsgate Television, King Ltd. and CBS Television Studios. Matt Kunitz, Peter Levin, Russell Binder, Nicki Sheard, VP Brand at King, and Sebastian Knutsson will serve as executive producers. Knutsson is King's Chief Creative Officer and is one of the founders of the company. He created Candy Crush Saga.
*Candy Crush Saga average monthly game rounds as of Sept. 2016.
Monday, October 17, 2016
Saturday, October 15, 2016
Thursday, October 13, 2016
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
Monday, October 10, 2016
Sunday, October 09, 2016
Thursday, October 06, 2016
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