Negromancer News Bits and Bites from February 8th to 14th, 2026 - UPDATE #9

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like this, MOVIES PAGE, and BUY something(s).

TREATS: From AnotherCookie?:  There is a new online cookie retailer, "AnotherCookie?" The cookies are delicious.

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NEWS:

MOVIES - From WorldofReel:  Director John Woo's next film is "Gambino," about NYC's notorious crime boos, Carlo Gambino.  The 40-million dollar epic will star Nicolas Cage as Gambino, and will begin shooting this summer. 

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  David Boreanaz has landed the role of "James Rockford" in the pilot for NBC's reboot of its former detective drama, "The Rockford Files" (1974-80), which originally starred the late James Garner as Rockford.

MOVIES - From WorldofReel:  Oscar-winners Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz will return for "The Mummy 4," which is due May 2028.

From WorldofReel:  Director Steven Spielberg and actor Bradley Cooper's "Bullitt" reboot film is not happening.  The project, a planned reboot of director Peter Yates's film of the same name starring Steve McQueen, was first announced in 2022.

NFL - From ESPN:  The Seattle Seahawks beat the New England Patriots 29-13 to win Super Bowl LX on Sunday, February 8, 2026.  This is the Seahawks second Super Bowl victory.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 2/6 to 2/8/2026 weekend box office is 20th Century Studios' "Send Help" with an estimated 10 million dollars.

AWARDS - From Variety:  The Directors Guild of America has announced the winners at the 2026 / 78th DGA Awards.  In the top category, "Theatrical Feature Film," the winner is Paul Thomas Anderson for "One Battle After Another."

OBITS:

From Deadline:  Film and television actor, James Van Der Beek, has died at the age of 48, Wednesday, February 11, 2026.  Van Der Beek's best known TV role was in The WB's beloved former teen drama, "Dawson's Creek" (1998-2003).  His best known film roles include the hit sports film, "Varsity Blues" (1999), and the cult black comedy-drama, "The Rules of Attraction" (2002).

From Deadline:   James Van Der Beek‘s friends have launched a GoFundMe to financially support his wife and kids after the actor died Wednesday, February 11th at the age of 48. He’d been diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2023, which the fundraiser says put significant financial strain on the family. By Wednesday evening, donations crossed the $1M mark.

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From Deadline:  Film and television actor and voice performer, Bud Cort, has died at the age of 77, Wednesday, February 11, 2026.  Cort is known for the many unorthodox characters he played.  He is best known for the role of the death-obsessed young man, "Harold" who falls in love with the Holocaust survivor, "Maude," in director Hal Ashby's "Harold and Maude" (1971).  Cort was nominated for both a BAFTA Award and a Golden Globe Award.  He also appeared in the Robert Altman films, "M*A*S*H" (1970) and "Brewster McCloud" (1970).  Cort also performed voices in such animated television series, "Batman: The Animated Series," "Superman: The Animated Series," "Static Shock," and "Justice League Unlimited."

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OSCARS:

From THR:  The nominations for the 2026 / 98th Academy Awards have been announced.  Director Ryan Coogler's Sinners leads with history-making 16 nominations, including for "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Coogler), and Best Actor (Michael B. Jordan).  The winners will be announced March 15, 2026.

From Truthout:  Directed by Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman, the 2025 documentary film, "The Alabama Solution," is one of five nominees in the category of "Best Documentary Feature."  The film chronicles the horrific conditions inside the state of Alabama's prisons.  The incarcerated men who produced footage for "The Alabama Solution" were abruptly transferred to solitary this month (January).

From TheGuardian:  Director Ryan Coogler's "Sinners" earned 16 Oscar nominations at the 98th Academy Awards, the most in the 98-year history of the awards.  The previous record is 14, held by "All About Eve" (1950), "Titanic" (1997), and "La La Land" (2016).

From Variety:  With her fifth Oscar nomination, for "Best Costume Designer" for "Sinners," Ruth E. Carter is now the most Oscar-nominated Black woman in the history of the Academy Awards.

From Truthout:  One of the five nominees for this year's "Best International Feature" Academy Award is "The Voice of Hind Rajab."  Representing the nation of Tunisia, the film is a mix of drama and documentary, and it tells the story of Hind Rajab, a five-year old girl who was killed January 29, 2024 by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) during the Israeli invasion of the Gaza strip.

From YahooEntertainment:  At the age of 73, actor Delroy Lindo finally gets his first Oscar nomination - in the category of "Best Supporting Actor" for "Sinners."  The actor also talks about being "profoundly disappointed" by previous Academy snubs.

From EW:  Oscar-nominee Kirsten Dunst is not pleased that her husband, previous Oscar-nominee, Jesse Plemons, was not Oscar-nominated for his work in the recent acclaimed film, "Bugonia."

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DON LEMON, TIMOTHY BUSFIELD & OTHER SCANDALS:

From NBCNews:  A grand jury in New Mexico indicted Emmy-winning actor Timothy Busfield on child sex abuse charges, officials said Friday.  Busfield was indicted on four counts of criminal sexual contact of a child, the Bernalillo County District Attorney's office said in a press release.  Busfield two young boys on the set of the former Fox series, "The Cleaning Lady," between November 2022 and spring 2024.

From EW:  Sculptor, actor, and "Home Alone" star, Daniel Stern's legal troubles are over.  He was facing one misdemeanor charge of engaging or agreeing to engage in prostitution from an event that allegedly took place in January 2026 in Camarillo, CA.  The charge has been dismissed after Stern, a first-time offender, entered a diversion program.

From APNews:  The Associated Press lets you know "What to know about the civil rights charges Don Lemon faces for covering church protest in Minnesota"  Lemon, the former CNN anchor, is among nine people, including another journalist (Georgia Fort), have been charged with violating two different federal laws in connection with the protest that interrupted a worship service at the "Cities Church" in St. Paul.

From AlbuquerqueJournal:  A judge has ordered director and Emmy-winning actor Timothy Busfield released from jail as he awaits trial on child sex abuse charges.

From CBS:  Director and Emmy-winning actor, Timothy Busfield (Thirtysomething), surrendered to New Mexico authorities in answer to an arrest warrant for child sex abuse charges.  The complaint involves twin brothers who claim that Busfield molested them on the set on the former Fox suspense drama, "The Cleaning Lady," for which Busfield was a series director.

From NBCNews:  Already facing charges related to claims that he molested twin brothers on the set of a TV series where he was a director, Emmy-winner Timothy Busfield is also facing accusations that he kissed and inappropriately touch a 16-year-old girl years ago.

From THR:   In the wake of his arrest on child sex abuse charges, Timothy Busfield finds himself without a talent agency  The Santa Monica-based agency, "Innovative Artists," has ceased working actor and director.

From Deadline:   Daniel Stern ("Home Alone") is no longer part of ABC‘s comedy pilot, "Do You Want Kids?," which is set to star Rachel Bloom and Rory Scovel.  ABC and the producing studio, 20th Television, will be recasting the series-regular role that Stern was supposed to play.  Stern was recently arrested on a misdemeanor charge of soliciting a prostitute.

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from September 21st to 30th, 2025 - UPDATE #9

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like this, MOVIES PAGE, and BUY something(s).

TREATS: From AnotherCookie?:  There is a new online cookie retailer, "AnotherCookie?" The cookies are delicious.

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NEWS:

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Paramount has signed Oscar-winning filmmaker, James Mangold, to an exclusive deal in which he write and produce films for the Skydance-owned studio.

SPORTS/MUSIC - From CNN:  Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, the Puerta Rican rapper known as "Bad Bunny," will headline the halftime show at Super Bowl LX (NBC, Feb. 8th, 2026 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA). Bad Bunny has won three Grammy Awards and 12 Latin Grammy Awards. He received 12 nominations at the upcoming 2025 Latin Grammy Awards.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 9/26 to 9/28/2025 weekend box office is Warner Bros Pictures' "One Battle After Another" with an estimated take of 22.4 million dollars.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  Lucy Liu will star in and executive produce the new Peacock series, "Superfakes," from creator, writer, showrunner, and executive producer Alice Ju ("Poker Face," "Beef"). The crime-drama follows a small-time Chinatown luxury counterfeit dealer who enters a dangerous black-market underworld in order to fund a life of suburban respectability for her family.

JAMES BOND/AMAZON - From Deadline:  In an exclusive story, "Deadline" reported that director Denis Villeneuve will embark on the search for an unknown male British actor to play James Bond in the 26th James Bond film ("Bond 26").  He will begin the process after he completes production on "Dune: Part Three."

MOVIES - From Deadline:  According to Deadline: "After earning strong reviews for their Lionsgate thriller The Long Walk, David Jonsson and Cooper Hoffman already have found the project they want to reteam on as the two are in talks to star in A24’s The Chaperones. A24 is partnering with Plan B and Icki Eneo Arlo on the project, with India Donaldson directing. The film is written by Sebastian Black in his feature debut."

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  ABC announced that Jimmy Kimmel will return to host his late night talk show, "Jimmy Kimmel Live!." The network suspended him "indefinitely" over some triflin' nonsense related to the murder of anti-African American podcaster, Charlie Kirk.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 9/19 to 9/21/2025 weekend box office is Sony and Crunchyroll's "Demon Slayer - Kimetsu no Yaiba The Movie: Infinity Castle" with an estimated take of 17.3 million dollars.

From Variety:  Sony and Crunchyroll's "Demon Slayer - Kimetsu no Yaiba The Movie: Infinity Castle" is now the highest grossing anime film with 555 million dollars in global box office.

MOVIES - From Variety:  Oscar-winning director-producer Christopher Nolan has been elected the president of the Directors Guild of America.  It's just in time as the next round of film and television union negotiations loom.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from Feb. 11th to 17th, 2024 - Update #16

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

CELEBRITY - From Deadline:  At at the world premiere of "Dune: Part Two" in London, "Dune" star, Zendaya's robot body armor has people talking.  This article talks about the pop culture and cinema history behind it.  Zendaya plays the Freemen, Chani, in Dune: Part One and "Dune: Part Two."

TELEVISION - From Variety:  The CW has given a series order to "Sherlock & Daughter," starring David Thewlis as "Sherlock Holmes."  Blu Hunt will play "Amelia," who may be Holmes' lost daughter.  Dougray Scott will play Holmes' nemesis, "Moriarty."

MARVEL STUDIOS - From Variety:  The superhero quartet, the "Fantastic Four" — the first characters created for Marvel Comics by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby — will be played by Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards (aka Mr. Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm (aka the Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (aka the Human Torch) and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm (aka the Thing).

MOVIES - From Variety:  We now have a first-look image of Jaafar Jackson as his uncle, the late Michael Jackson, in the director Antoine Fuqua's biopic, "Michael."  The film is due April 18, 2025 from Lionsgate (domestically) and Universal Pictures International.

From Variety:  Ashley Olsen and Charles Melton have joined director Todd Solondz's next film, "Love Child."

From Deadline:  Bleecker Street has picked up the U.S. rights to Mikael Håfström’s sci-fi thriller "Slingshot," starring Casey Affleck, Laurence Fishburne, and Emily Beecham.  Bleecker Street is planning a nationwide theatrical release for the film.

MEDIA - From Deadline:  Paramount Global is beginning a round of layoffs today, Tues., Feb. 13th.  The number of people set to be let go (fired) is 800.

AWARDS - From Variety:  The winners at the 38th Spanish Academy Goya Awards were announced.  Director J.A. Bayona's film, "The Society of Snow," won 12 awards, including "Best Picture" and "Best Director."  American actress, Sigourney Weaver, received the "International Goya Award."

MOVIES - From Deadline:  In the wake of the success of "Barbie," it's star and one of its producer, Margot Robbie and her LuckyChap Productions signs a first-look deal with the studio behind "Barbie," Warner Bros. 

SPORTS - From NFL:  The Kansas City Chiefs win Super Bowl LVIII over the San Francisco 49ers in overtime by a score of 25-22.

From Deadline:  Beyonce tries to break Verizon in a Super Bowl ad. Then, she releases two country songs from her upcoming LP, "Renaissance: Part II."

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 2/9 to 2/11/2024 Super Bowl weekend box office is Universal's "Argylle" with an estimated take of 6.5 million dollars.

AWARDS - From Variety:  The Australian horror movie, Talk to Me, topped the 13th Annual AACTA Awards, which are presented by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts.  "Talk to Me" won eight awards, including "Best Film," "Best Direction in Film" (Danny Philippou, Michael Philippou), and "Best Actress" (Sophie Wilde).

MOVIES - From THR:  Oscar-winners Denzel Washington and Spike Lee will team up again, this time for a remake of Akira Kurosawa's 1963 crime thriller, "High and Low," for Apple Original Films.  This will be their fifth team-up and the first since Inside Man (2006).  The film is a partnership between Apple and A24.

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AWARDS:

From THR:  Key award season dates leading up to the 2024 / 96th Academy Awards, which are Sunday, March 10th, 2024.

From Variety: The nominations for the 2024 / 96th Academy Awards have been announced.  "Oppenheimer" leads with 13 nominations, and "Poor Things" follows with 11.  The winners will be announced Sun., March 10th, 2024.

From THR:   The Directors Guild of America has announced the winners at the 2024 / 76th DGA Awards.  Christopher Nolan won the top category, "Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film of 2023," for his work on his blockbuster film, "Oppenheimer."

From AwardsWatch:  The NAACP has announced the nominees for the 2024 / 55th NAACP Image Awards.  By visiting www.naacpimageawards.net, the public can vote to determine the winners of the 55th NAACP Image Awards’ in select categories. Voting closes February 24th at 9:00 p.m. NAACP will also recognize winners in non–televised Image Awards categories March 11–14th, which will stream via naacpimageawards.net.  The winners will be revealed during the two–hour LIVE TV special, airing Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 8:00 PM ET/ PT on BET and CBS.

From THR:  The Art Directors Guild (IATSE Local 800) has announced the winners at the 28th Art Directors Guild Awards.  "Poor Things," "Oppenheimer," and "Saltburn" win top prizes.

From Variety:  The nominations for the 2024 / 77th EE BAFTA Film Awards have been announced.  "Oppenheimer" leads with 13 nominations, and "Poor Things" follows with 11 nominations.  The winners will be announced Feb. 18th.

From Variety:  The Producers Guild of America has announced the nominees for the 2024 / 35th annual Producers Guild Awards.  For the first time in the history of the awards, two international films, "Anatomy of a Fall" and "The Zone of Interest," have made been nominated in the PGA's top category, "Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures." The winners will be announced Feb. 25th.

From Variety:   The nominees for the 2024 / 51st Annie Awards have been announced.  Netflix's "Nimona" leads the features categories with nine nominations.  The winners will be announced Sat., Feb. 17th.

From Deadline:  The Screen Actors Guild nominations for the 2024 / 30th annual SAG Awards have announced. "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" leads the film side of things with four nominations apiece.  The winners will be announced Saturday, Feb. 24th.

From AwardsWatch:  The Latino Entertainment Journalists Association has announced the 6th Annual LEJA Awards.  "Past Lives" won "Best Picture."  Actor Coleman Domingo won "Best Actor" for his role in "Rustin" and "Best Supporting Actor" for his role in "The Color Purple."

From AwardsWatch:  The Vancouver Film Critics Circle has announced its 2023 film awards.  "Anatomy of a Fall" won "Best Picture."

From Variety:  The Directors Guild of America has announced the nominations for the 2024 / 76th DGA Awards.  In the top category, "Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film of 2023," the nominees are Greta Gerwig for "Barbie," Christopher Nolan for “Oppenheimer,” Martin Scorsese for “Killers of the Flower Moon,” Yorgos Lanthimos for “Poor Things,” and Alexander Payne for “The Holdovers.”  The winners will be announced Feb. 10th.

From AwardsWatch:  The London Critics Circle announced the winners of its 44th annual film awards. "The Zone of Interest" won three awards, including "Film of the Year" and "Best Director" (Jonathan Glazer).

From AwardsWatch:  The Kansas City Film Critics Circle (KCFCC) has won the 2023 film awards.  "Oppenheimer" won six awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), and "Best Actor" (Cillian Murphy tied with Paul Giamatti for "The Holdovers").

From Variety:  The American Cinema Editors has announced the nominees for the 2024 / 74th Annual ACE Eddie Awards.  The winners will be announced March 3rd, 2024.

From AwardsWatch:  The Online Film Critics Society (OFCS) has named its 2023 film awards. "Oppenheimer" won eight awards, including "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan).

From AwardsWatch:  The Houston Film Critics Society (HFCS) has announced its 2023 films awards.  "Poor Things" won three awards, including "Best Picture."

From AwardsWatch:  The Chicago Indie Critics (CIC) has announced its 2023 films awards.  "Oppenheimer" won seven awards, including "Best Studio Film." Celine Song's "Past Lives" won three, including "Best Independent Film."

From Variety:  The Motion Picture Sound Editors has revealed the nominations for the 71st annual MPSE Golden Reel Awards in categories spanning feature film, television, animation, computer entertainment and student productions.  The winners will be announced March 3rd.

From AwardsWatch: The Iowa Film Critics Association (IFCA) has announced its 2023 film awards.  Alexander Payne's "The Holdovers" won four awards, including "Best Picture."

From Variety:  The Visual Effects Society has announced the nominations for the 2024 / 22nd Annual VES Awards have been announced.  The winners will be announced Feb. 21st.

From AwardsWatch:  The North Dakota Film Society (NDFS) has announced its 2023 films awards.  "Oppenheimer" won nine awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), and "Best Actor" (Cillian Murphy).

From AwardsWatch:  The Music City Film Critics Association has announces it MCFCA 2023 Film Awards.  Oppenheimer won seven awards, including "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan).

From AwardsWatch:  The Portland Critics Association (PCA) has announced its 2023 films awards.  "Oppenheimer" won nine awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), and "Best Actor" (Cillian Murphy).

From Deadline:  The African-American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) announced the 15th annual African-Ameri an Film Critics Awards. "American Fiction" was voted the #1 film and won four awards, including "Best Comedy." Ava DuVernay's "Origin" was voted the #2 film and won three awards, including "Best Drama." 

From Deadline:  The winners of the 2024 / 29th Annual Critics Choice Awards have been announced.  "Oppenheimer" won eight awards, including "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan).

From AwardsWatch:  The Hawaii Film Critics Society (HFCS) has announced its 2023 films awards.  "Barbie" wins four awards, including "Best Picture."

From AwardsWatch:  The Denver Film Critics Society (DFCS) has announced the winners of its 2023 films awards.  "Oppenheimer" won four awards, including "Best Film," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), and "Best Actor" (Cillian Murphy).

From AwardsWatch:  The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) revealed the nominees for the "2024 / 38th Annual ASC Awards" with categories in feature film, documentary, television and music video categories.  The winners will be announced March 3rd, 2024.

From AwardsWatch:  The Austin Film Critics Association (AFCA) has announced its 2023 film awards.  "Killers of the Flower Moon" won "Best Picture."

From AwardsWatch:  The Seattle Film Critics Society (SFCS) announced the winners in 21 categories for the 2023 Seattle Film Critics Society Awards.  Director Celine Song’s "Past Lives" was named the "Best Picture of 2023."

From AwardsWatch:  The Cinema Audio Society (CAS) has announced the nominations for the 60th CAS Awards.  The winners will be announced March 2nd.

From AwardsWatch:  The Art Directors Guild (IATSE Local 800) has announced the nominations for the 28th Art Directors Guild Awards. The winners will be announced Feb. 10th.

From AwardsWatch:  The Hollywood Creative Alliance (HCA) has announced it 2024 ASTRA Film Awards.  "Barbie" won eight awards, including "Best Picture.

From AwardsWatch:  The Greater Western New York Film Critics Association (GWNYFCA) has announced its 2023 film awards.  "Past Lives" was named "Best Picture."

From NSFC:  The National Society of Film Critics announce its 58th annual NSFC Awards.  "Past Lives" was named "Best Picture of 2023."

From Deadline:  The 2024 / 81st Golden Globes Awards ceremony was held Sun. night, Jan. 7th, 2024.  "Oppenheimer" won five awards, including "Best Motion Picture-Drama," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), "Best Actor-Drama" (Cillian Murphy), and "Best Supporting Actor-Motion Pictures" (Robert Downey, Jr.). "Poor Things" won "Best Motion Picture-Musical or Comedy."

From Deadline:  NIGHT 2 of the 75th Creative Arts Emmys took place Sun., Jan. 7th, 2024.  (Former) President Barack Obama and Keke Palmer were among the winners.

From Deadline:  NIGHT 1 of the 75th Creative Arts Emmys took place Sat., Jan. 6th, 2024.  HBO's "The Last of Us" lead the night with 8 wins, including wins in both "Guest Actor in a Drama Series" categories: Nick Offerman (Guest Actor) and Storm Reid (Guest Actress).

From AwardsWatch:  The 5th annual DiscussingFilm Critics Awards were announced.  "Oppenheimer" won eight awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), and "Best Actor" (Cillian Murphy).

From AwardsWatch:   The Utah Film Critics Association (UFCA) has announced its 2023 film awards. "Past Lives" won three awards, including "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Celine Song).

From AwardsWatch:  The Georgia Film Critics Association (GFCA) has announced its 2023 film awards.  "Oppenheimer" won seven honors, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), and "Best Actor" (Cillian Murphy).

From AwardsWatch:  The San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle (SFBAFCC) has announced its 2023 film awards.  "Oppenheimer" was named "Best Picture."

From AwardsWatch:  The Columbus Film Critics Association (COFCA) has announced its 2023 film awards.  "Killers of the Flower Moon" won six awards including "Best Film" and "Best Director" (Martin Scorsese).

From AwardsWatch:  The Costume Designers Guild (Local 892) announced the official nominees list for the 26th CDGA (Costume Designers Guild Awards). The annual CDGA ceremony will take place Wed., Feb. 21st, 2024.

From Variety:   The British Academy has unveiled the results of the first round of voting across all 24 categories for the 2024 / 77th BAFTA Film Awards.  These results are known as "the longlists."  "Barbie," "Killers of the Flower Moon," and "Oppenheimer" all appeared on the longlist of 15 categories.  The nominations will be announced Jan. 18th, and the winners will be announced Feb. 18th.

From AwardsWatch:  The Oklahoma Film Critics Circle (OFCC) has announced its 2023 film awards.  "Killers of the Flower Moon" won five awards, including "Best Film," "Best Director" (Martin Scorsese), and "Best Actress" (Lily Gladstone).

From AwardsWatch:  The Critics Association of Central Florida (CACF) has announced the winners of its 2023 films awards.  "Oppenheimer" won 10 awards, including "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan). 

From AwardsWatch:  U.K. Film Critics Association (UKFCA) has announced the winners of its 2023 films awards.  "Oppenheimer" won three awards: "Best Film," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), and "Best Actor" (Cillian Murphy).

From Variety: The Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild (MUAHS, IATSE Local 706) has announced nominations for the 11th MUAHS Guild Awards. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 led with five mentions in the film categories and ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" led with four in the television categories. The winners will be announced Sunday, February 18, 2024.

From AwardsWatch:  The Nevada Film Critics Society has announced its 2023 film awards.  "Oppenheimer" won five awards, including "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan).

From AwardsWatch:  Florida Film Critics Circle (FFCC) has announced its 2023 film awards.  Hayao's Miyazaki's anime film, "The Boy and the Heron" was named "Best Picture."

From AwardsWatch:  The Black Film Critics Circle (BFCC) has announced its 2023 films awards.  "American Fiction" won six awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Cord Jefferson), and Best Actor (Jeffrey Wright).

From AwardsWatch:  The San Diego Film Critics Society (SDFCS) has announced its 2023 film awards.  Always trying to be difficult, it named "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" the "Best Picture."  It named Martin Scorsese "Best Director" for "Killers of the Flower Moon."

From AwardsWatch:  The Dublin Film Critics Circle has announced its 2023 film awards.  "Past Lives" wins "Best Film" and "Best Director" (Celine Song)"

From AwardsWatch:  The North Texas Film Critics Association (NTFCA) has announced its 2023 films awards.  "Oppenheimer" wins five awards, including "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan).

From AwardsWatch:  The Southeaster Film Critics Association (SEFCA) has announces its 2023 films awards.  "Oppenheimer" won eight awards including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), and "Best Actor" (Cillian Murphy).

From AwardsWatch:  The Indiana Film Journalists Association (IFJA) has announced its 2023 films awards.  "Poor Things" won six awards, including "Best Pictuere," "Best Director" (Yorgos Lanthmos), "Best Actress" (Emma Stone"), and "Best Supporting Actor" (Mark Ruffalo).

From AwardsWatch:  The Philadelphia Film Critics Circle (PFCC) has announced it 2023 film awards.  "Poor Things" won four awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Yorgos Lanthimos), and "Best Actress" (Emma Stone).

From AwardsWatch:  The St. Louis Film Critics Association (StLFCA) has announced its 2023 awards.  "Oppenheimer" won seven awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), and "Best Actor" (Cillian Murphy)

From AwardsWatch:  The Phoenix Film Critics Society (PFCS) has named its 2023 film awards.  "Killers of the Flower Moon" wins "Best Picture."  Oppenheimer wins six, including "Best Director" for Christopher Nolan.

From AwardsWatch:  The Dallas-Ft. Worth Film Critics Association (DFWFCA) has named its 2023 films awards.  "The Holdovers" wins "Best Picture."  "Oppenheimer" wins four, including "Best Director" for Christopher Nolan.

From AwardsWatch:  The Toronto Film Critics Association (TFCA) have announced their 2023 film awards.  "The Zone of Interest" wins "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (for Jonathan Glazer).

From AwardsWatch:  The 2023 Boston Online Film Critics Association (BOFCA) awards have been announced.  "Killers of the Flower Moon" wins "Best Picture," one of two awards its won.  "Oppenheimer" wins five, including a "Best Director" for Christopher Nolan.

From AwardsWatch:  The nominations for the 2024 / 24th annual Black Reel Awards have been announced.  "The Color Purple" leads with 19 nominations.  The winners will be announced Jan. 16th, 2024.

From AwardsWatch:  The Phoenix Critics Circle (PCC) has announced its 2023 film awards.  "Past Lives" wins "Best Picture."

From AwardsWatch:  The New York Film Critics Online (NYFCO) have named "Killers of the Flower Moon" the "Best Film" of 2023.  Christopher Nolan wins "Best Director" for "Oppenheimer."

From AwardsWatch:  The Las Vegas Film Critics Society have named "Oppenheimer" the "Best Picture" of 2023, with the film's director, Christopher Nolan, winning "Best Director."

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2023 Chicago Film Critics Association Awards have been announced.  "Killers of the Flower Moon" wins "Best Picture," and Christopher Nolan wins "Best Director" for "Oppenheimer."

From THR:   The winners at the 2023 / 49th annual Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards have been announced.  The Holocaust historical drama, "The Zone of Interest," wins four awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Jonathan Glazer), and "Best Actress" (Sandra Huller).

From Deadline:  The nominations for the 2024 / 29th annual Critics Choice Awards have been announced. "Barbie" leads with 18 nominations.

From Deadline:  The nominations for the 2024 / 81st annual Golden Globe Awards have been announced.  The winners will be announced Jan. 7th, 2024 on CBS and Paramount Plus.

From AwardsWatch:  The Las Vegas Film Critics have announced their 2023 LVFC Awards nominations.  "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" are the leading vote getters.  The winners will be announced Wed., Dec. 13th.

From THR:  The winners at the 2023 European Film Awards have been announced.  "Anatomy of a Fall" won five awards including for "Best Film," "Best Director" (Justine Triet), and "Best Actress" (Sandra Huller).

From AwardsWatch:  The 2023 National Board of Review film honors have been announced.  "Killers of the Flower Moon" won "Best Film," "Best Director" (Martin Scorsese), and "Best Actress" (Lily Gladstone).

From AwardsWatch:  The American Film Institute (AFI) names its top ten films: American Fiction, Barbie, The Holdovers, Killers of the Flower Moon, Maestro, May December, Oppenheimer, Past Lives, Poor Things, and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.  It also names its top ten television series: Abbott Elementary, The Bear, Beef, Jury Duty, The Last of Us, The Morning Show, Only Murders in the Building, Poker Face, Reservation Dogs, and Succession.

From AwardsWatch:  "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" lead the nominations for "Astra Film & Creative Arts Awards," which are put on by the "Hollywood Creative Alliance" (formerly known as the Hollywood Critics Association).  The winners will be announced Jan. 6th, 2024 in Los Angeles.

From Deadline:  At the 2023 / 26th British Independent Film Awards, director Andrew Haigh's "All of Us Strangers" won seven awards, including "Best British Independent Film."

From Variety:  The winners at the 2023 / 89th New York Film Critics Circle Awards have been announced.  "Killers of the Flower Moon" (directed by Martin Scorsese) was named "Best Film of 2023."  Christopher Nolan won "Best Director" for his film, "Oppenheimer."

From Variety:  The winners at the 2023 / 33rd Annual Gotham Awards were announced Mon., Nov. 27th.  Writer-director Celine Song's South Korean romantic drama, "Past Lives" won the "Best Feature" award.

BEST PICTURE COUNT:

All of Us Strangers: 1

American Fiction: 2

Anatomy of a Fall: 2

Barbie: 2

The Boy and the Heron: 1

The Holdovers: 2

Killers of the Flower Moon: 9

Oppenheimer: 20

Past Lives: 9

Poor Things: 4

The Zone of Interest: 3

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from September 24th to 30th, 2023 - Update #21

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

DISNEY - From APNews:  The NFL will enter the world of Toy Story tomorrow morning when the Atlanta Falcons face off against the Jacksonville Jaguars at London's Wembley Stadium.  The "animated alternate telecast" will be streamed on ESPN+ and Disney+, with the main live-action game being featured on ESPN+.

MOVIES - From Variety:  This year makes the 20th anniversary of the original theatrical release of the 2003 film, School of Rock. It turns out that many of its young stars faced bullying, physical violence, and harassment when they tried to return to their normal lives after the film's release.

MARVEL STUDIOS - From Deadline:  Marvel Studios reportedly will begin listening to writers' pitches for their "X-Men" movie later this fall with the writer to be chose early in 2024.  The first film in the franchise was 2000's X-Men.

MUSIC/CRIME - From Deadline:  A suspect named Duane "Keefe D" Davis has been arrested and charged with the 1996 killing of the late hip-hop icon, Tupac Shakur.

From Deadline:  Director Allen Hughes (Broken City) is among the filmmakers who have produced projects about Tupac Shakur who are speaking about the recent arrest of Duane Davis for the murder of Shakur.  Hughes directed FX's television miniseries, "Dear Mama: The Saga of Afeni and Tupac Shakur."

ACADEMY AWARDS - From Variety: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will bestow a replacement Oscar for supporting actress winner Hattie McDaniel to Howard University’s Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts during a ceremony titled “Hattie’s Come Home” in Washington D.C. on Oct. 1st.  McDaniel's Oscar, the first competitive Oscar received by a Black performer, has been missing for over 50 years.

From TheColoradoan:  "Inside the decades-old mystery of Hattie McDaniel's missing Oscar" by Erin Udell

MOVIES - From Variety:  Writer-director Sam Esmail was "scared the f*** out" when one of the producers of his new film, "Leave the World Behind" (starring Julia Roberts and Ethan Hawke), sent him script notes.  The producer that sent the notes was none other than former President Barack Obama.

CELEBRITY - From Variety:  Actress Kerry Washington says that she stopped playing "the white girl's best friend" after playing that role in Meg Ryan's 2004 boxing drama, "Against the Ropes."

STREAMING - From Deadline:  ABC's fondly-remembered comedy-drama series, "Moonlighting" (1985-89), starring Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis, will begin streaming on Hulu, October 10, 2023,

MOVIES/MUSIC - From Deadline:  The Taylor Swift concert film, "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour," will get a global theatrical release in more than 100 countries on Oct. 13th, 2023.

VIDEO GAMES - From SAG:  SAG-AFTRA members have voted 98.32% in favor of a strike authorization on the Interactive Media Agreement that covers members’ work on video games. 34,687 members cast ballots, representing a voting percentage of 27.47% of eligible voters.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  The 2023-24 television broadcast season has been saved because the WGA and AMPTP have reached a tentative agreement to end the writer's strike.  Deadline looks at the return dates for some series.

From Variety:  Starz has announced the cancellation of four its series, including the wrestling drama, "Heels," starring scab actor, Stephen Amell.  "Run the World" and Blindspotting have also been cancelled. "The Venery of Samantha Bird" has its first season scrapped without ever being aired.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 9/22 to 9/24/2023 weekend box office is Warner Bros.'s "The Nun II" with an estimated take of 8.4 million dollars... maybe. Lionsgate's "Expend4bles" is close behind.

TELEVISION/SPORTS - From Deadline:  Grammy-winning recording artist Usher has been confirmed as the headline act at halftime of Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas.  Super Bowl 58 will air on CBS on Sunday, Feb. 11th, 2024.

OBITS:

From Variety:  The Irish-born British actor, Michael Gambon, has died at the age of 82, Thursday, September 28, 2023.  Gambon had a long and storied career, but in 21st century, he may be best known for playing the role of "Albus Dumbledore" in the "Harry Potter" films series, beginning with "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban." Gambon replaced the late actor Richard Harris, who played Dumbledore in the first two films before passing.  Gambon's other notable roles include, "The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Love" (1989), Gosford Park (2001), and The King's Speech (2010), to name a few.

From Deadline:  Scottish film and television actor, David McCallum, has died at the age of 90, Monday, September 25, 2023.  McCallum gained fame as "Illya Kuryakin" in the former NBC spy series, "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." (1964-68).  His longest running role is that of "Dr. Donald 'Ducky' Mallard" in the CBS series, "NCIS."  He received three Primetime Emmy Award nominations, two for his work on "The Man from U.N.C.L.E."

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WRITERS/ACTORS STRIKE:

BREAKING - From Deadline:  The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has reached a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) to end its strike after nearly five months. The parties finalized the framework of the deal Sunday when they were able to untangle their stalemate over AI and writing room staffing levels.

From WGAContract:  The WGA contract page has additional information on the settlement.

From WGAContract:  A summary of the new agreement.

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From Deadline:  Television writers rooms are opening again in the wake of the end of the writers strike.  On Monday, such series as "Grey's Anatomy," "9-1-1," and "Family Guy," to name a few, go back to work.

From Variety:  The Writers Guild (WGA) and AMPTP to meet today (Sun., Sept. 24th) after the studios supposedly make their "best and final" offer to the writers.

From Deadline:  A meeting between leading television showrunners, including Kenya Barris and Noah Hawley, and WGA leadership has been cancelled.

From Deadline:   The actors’ strike is now in its 63rd day.  Now, SAG-AFTRA leaders are ramping up their rhetoric against the studio heads, accusing them in the latest issue of the "SAG-AFTRA Magazine" of “behaving like petty tyrants,” “would-be feudal lords” and “land barons in feudal times.”

From Deadline:  Sony Pictures Entertainment CEO Tony Vinciquerra says that Hollywood unions need to embrace AI.

From Deadline:  The AMPTP says that the Writers Guild's claims that their is division in the ranks of the studios about the strike are false.

From Deadline:  The WGA (Writers Guild of America) told its members Friday (Sept. 8th) that despite the united front the streamers and studios (via the AMPTP) have shown in public during the guild’s 130-day strike, several of the legacy companies privately have expressed “both the desire and willingness to negotiate an agreement that adequately addresses writers’ issues.”

From Deadline:  Warner Bros. Discovery boss David Zaslav says the industry must focus and fight to resolve the writers and actors strikes.

From Deadline:  The writers of MTV’s "Ridiculousness" are coming closer to being unionized. The show’s writing team, which was behind over 230 episodes last year, has been going through the process to unionize over the last few months, hoping to join the WGA.

From THR:  As talks with the Writers Guild of America stall, the studio trade association, AMPTP, has retained D.C.-based firm, The Levinson Group, to pursue a fresh messaging strategy.

From Deadline:  Regarding the Hollywood writers strike, the AMPTP (representing the studios) released the details of a proposed labor agreement that it made to the WGA (the Writers Guild) on August 11th.

From Deadline:  A pair of former production assistants-turned-assistant directors have created a nonprofit in hopes of providing financial aid to PAs (production assistants) who’ve been put out of work due to the strike.

From Deadline:  Writers Guild (WGA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) will resume strike talks today, Fri., Aug. 11th.

From Deadline:  Meeting for the first time in more than three months, the Writers Guild and the AMPTP on Friday failed to reach an agreement to resume contract negotiations. The Writers Strike will go on indefinitely.

From Deadline:  Hollywood’s superstars are answering the call from the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, donating $1 million or more each to help their fellow performers during the ongoing actors and writers strikes.  Among the big donors are Leonardo DiCaprio, Meryl Streep, Oprah Winfrey, and Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively.

From Deadline:  If you are interested, here is a list of the film and TV productions SAG-AFTRA has granted waivers to continue filming.

From Variety:  International superstar, Dwayne Johnson, makes a seven-figure contribution to the "SAG-AFTRA Foundation Relief Fund." Foundation president, actor Courtney B. Vance, says the amount will remain confidential.

From Variety:  Why haven't A-list stars joined the SAG-AFTRA picket line?, asks "Variety."

From Deadline:  Author George R.R. Martin, whose works were the basis for HBO's "Game of Thrones," says the strikes will be long and bitter.

From THR:  Production works at Warner Bros. Animation (66) and at Cartoon Network (22) have gone public with their attempt to unionize via The Animation Guild.

From Variety:  Halted film productions due to the writers and actors strikes are costing each Hollywood studio at least 600,000 dollars per week.

From Variety:  Said at a strike meeting: “Without a transformative change in SAG-AFTRA’s current contract with the AMPTP, the acting profession will no longer be an option for future generations of performers, and actors already working in the industry will need to pursue other careers in order to survive.”

From Deadline:  If you are a "social media influencer" who is NOT  a member of SAG-AFTRA, you can be barred from future membership for promoting a film or television series during the actors' strike.

From Variety:  The SAG/AFTRA strike begins in New York and Los Angeles.  Hollywood actors began striking today, Fri., July 14th.

From Deadline:  The site has the video of the powerful strike speech given by SAG-AFTRA president, Fran Drescher, the actress best known for CBS' former sitcom, "The Nanny."

From Deadline:  Concerning the Hollywood writers strike (via the WGA), the Hollywood Studios (as represented by the AMPTP) is to let the writers go broke before resuming talks deep into the Fall.

From Deadline: SAG-AFTRA is already preparing strike picket signs in case the actors' strike begins next week.

From Deadline:  WGA is picketing the New York City filming location of the 12th series of FX's "American Horror Story" (entitled "Delicate") after series co-creator Ryan Murphy threaten litigation against an east coast strike captain.

From THR:  TV super-producer, Ryan Murphy, in a letter from his attorney to the leadership of the Writers Guild of America, threatened litigation against Warren Leight, an East Coast strike captain and Strike Rules Compliance Committee member who has subsequently forfeited those positions.

From Deadline:  The Hollywood studios via the AMPTP has given Canadian actors a new contract, including a 5 percent raise.

From Deadline:  Writers Strike puts the spotlight back on the challenge from writers for animation productions to be covered by the WGA.

From THR:  Studios won't give writers better pay, and now, are laying off janitors.

From Deadline:  The Directors Guild of America (DGA) has reached a tentative new three-year deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). So what does the Writers Guild (WGA), currently on strike and negotiating with the AMPTP, think of that deal.

From Deadline:  Netflix shareholders declined to support the 2023 pay packages of top executives during a non-binding vote at the company’s annual shareholder meeting on Thursday.  The vote won't prevent these execs from getting their loot (an total of $166 million), but this is a rare public rebuke.  The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has urged shareholders to vote "No" because the pay was "inappropriate" at this time.

From Deadline:  Warner Bros Discovery chief David Zaslav gave the commencement address at Boston University. There he was met with jeers and also chants of "pay your writers" from picketers and from some in the audience.

From Deadline:   President Joe Biden speaks on the Writers Guild of America strike.

From Deadline:  Retaliation! The studios have starting informing writer-producers who have "overall" and "first-look" deals that such deals are being suspended.

From Deadline:  Retaliation!  Prolific HBO creator, David Simon, who is best known for "The Wire," is one of the many writers who have had their overall deals suspended the studios due to the WGA strike.  Simon has been with HBO for 25 years.

From Deadline:  The Writers Guild of America (WGA) is on strike.

From Deadline:  Disney, HBO/HBO Max, and CBS have sent letters to showrunners (the TV equivalent of film directors) instructing them to return to work, inspite of the writer's strike.

From Deadline:  The WGA's chief negotiator, Ellen Stutzman, talks about the state of the writers' strike, including the lack of engagement on the part of the strike's other party, AMPTP.

From Deadline:  What went wrong between the WGA and AMPTP? What could they not agree on that led to a strike?

From Deadline:  The site explains the WGA strike: the issues, the stakes, movies and TV shows affected, and how long it might last.

--------------------

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from August 1st to 5th, 2023 - Update #11

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  Because of the strike, CBS has added the Paramount Network's "Yellowstone," Paramount+'s "SEAL Team," and the original UK version of "Ghosts" to its Fall 2023 schedule.

BUSINESS - From Deadline:  Hasbro has confirmed the sale of film and television studio, Entertainment One (eONe), to a new owner, Lionsgate.

POLITICS - From YahooNew: Column: "Black people presiding over the downfall of Donald Trump is poetic justice" by Erika D. Smith

MOVIES - From Deadline:  The next installment of the "Scream" film franchise is in development.  Christopher Landon, director of "Happy Death Day," is scheduled to direct "Scream 7."

DISNEY - From ComicBook:  After the releases of the Blu-ray and DVD release of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" in Australia, Disney will no longer make Blu-ray and DVD releases available in that country.

SPORTS - From Deadline:  Super Bowl LVIII will be broadcast on CBS Sunday, February 11, 2024.  However, there will be an alternate telecast on Nickelodeon, oriented towards kids audiences.

MOVIES - From Variety:  After his star, Joaquin Phoenix, said "I don't know what to do," director Ridley Scott sat with Phoenix for 10 days, talking about their film, "Napoleon," scene by scene.

OBITS:

From Variety:  The film and television actor, Mark Margolis, has died at the age of 83, Thursday, August 3, 2023.  He was best known for the role of the menacing "Hector Salamanca," on the former AMC series, "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul."  He received a 2012 Primetime Emmy nomination for the role. Margolis reportedly appeared in over 50 Off-Broadway plays.

From Variety:  Actor Angus Cloud has died at the age of 25, Monday, July 31, 2023.  Cloud is best known for his breakthrough role in the HBO series, "Euphoria" (2019-22).  He was not a professional actor when he was scouted by Euphoria's casting director.

From Variety:  "Variety" writer, Selome Hailu, talks about the day last summer that she spent with "Euphoria" actor, Angus Cloud, who died Mon., July 31st, 2023,

WRITERS/ACTORS STRIKE:

From Deadline:  Meeting for the first time in more than three months, the Writers Guild and the AMPTP on Friday failed to reach an agreement to resume contract negotiations. The Writers Strike will go on indefinitely.

From Deadline:  Hollywood’s superstars are answering the call from the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, donating $1 million or more each to help their fellow performers during the ongoing actors and writers strikes.  Among the big donors are Leonardo DiCaprio, Meryl Streep, Oprah Winfrey, and Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively.

From Deadline:  If you are interested, here is a list of the film and TV productions SAG-AFTRA has granted waivers to continue filming.

From Variety:  International superstar, Dwayne Johnson, makes a seven-figure contribution to the "SAG-AFTRA Foundation Relief Fund." Foundation president, actor Courtney B. Vance, says the amount will remain confidential.

From Variety:  Why haven't A-list stars joined the SAG-AFTRA picket line?, asks "Variety."

From Deadline:  Author George R.R. Martin, whose works were the basis for HBO's "Game of Thrones," says the strikes will be long and bitter.

From THR:  Production works at Warner Bros. Animation (66) and at Cartoon Network (22) have gone public with their attempt to unionize via The Animation Guild.

From Variety:  Halted film productions due to the writers and actors strikes are costing each Hollywood studio at least 600,000 dollars per week.

From Variety:  Said at a strike meeting: “Without a transformative change in SAG-AFTRA’s current contract with the AMPTP, the acting profession will no longer be an option for future generations of performers, and actors already working in the industry will need to pursue other careers in order to survive.”

From Deadline:  If you are a "social media influencer" who is NOT  a member of SAG-AFTRA, you can be barred from future membership for promoting a film or television series during the actors' strike.

From Variety:  The SAG/AFTRA strike begins in New York and Los Angeles.  Hollywood actors began striking today, Fri., July 14th.

From Deadline:  The site has the video of the powerful strike speech given by SAG-AFTRA president, Fran Drescher, the actress best known for CBS' former sitcom, "The Nanny."

From Deadline:  Concerning the Hollywood writers strike (via the WGA), the Hollywood Studios (as represented by the AMPTP) is to let the writers go broke before resuming talks deep into the Fall.

From Deadline: SAG-AFTRA is already preparing strike picket signs in case the actors' strike begins next week.

From Deadline:  WGA is picketing the New York City filming location of the 12th series of FX's "American Horror Story" (entitled "Delicate") after series co-creator Ryan Murphy threaten litigation against an east coast strike captain.

From THR:  TV super-producer, Ryan Murphy, in a letter from his attorney to the leadership of the Writers Guild of America, threatened litigation against Warren Leight, an East Coast strike captain and Strike Rules Compliance Committee member who has subsequently forfeited those positions.

From Deadline:  The Hollywood studios via the AMPTP has given Canadian actors a new contract, including a 5 percent raise.

From Deadline:  Writers Strike puts the spotlight back on the challenge from writers for animation productions to be covered by the WGA.

From THR:  Studios won't give writers better pay, and now, are laying off janitors.

From Deadline:  The Directors Guild of America (DGA) has reached a tentative new three-year deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). So what does the Writers Guild (WGA), currently on strike and negotiating with the AMPTP, think of that deal.

From Deadline:  Netflix shareholders declined to support the 2023 pay packages of top executives during a non-binding vote at the company’s annual shareholder meeting on Thursday.  The vote won't prevent these execs from getting their loot (an total of $166 million), but this is a rare public rebuke.  The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has urged shareholders to vote "No" because the pay was "inappropriate" at this time.

From Deadline:  Warner Bros Discovery chief David Zaslav gave the commencement address at Boston University. There he was met with jeers and also chants of "pay your writers" from picketers and from some in the audience.

From Deadline:   President Joe Biden speaks on the Writers Guild of America strike.

From Deadline:  Retaliation! The studios have starting informing writer-producers who have "overall" and "first-look" deals that such deals are being suspended.

From Deadline:  Retaliation!  Prolific HBO creator, David Simon, who is best known for "The Wire," is one of the many writers who have had their overall deals suspended the studios due to the WGA strike.  Simon has been with HBO for 25 years.

From Deadline:  The Writers Guild of America (WGA) is on strike.

From Deadline:  Disney, HBO/HBO Max, and CBS have sent letters to showrunners (the TV equivalent of film directors) instructing them to return to work, inspite of the writer's strike.

From Deadline:  The WGA's chief negotiator, Ellen Stutzman, talks about the state of the writers' strike, including the lack of engagement on the part of the strike's other party, AMPTP.

From Deadline:  What went wrong between the WGA and AMPTP? What could they not agree on that led to a strike?

From Deadline:  The site explains the WGA strike: the issues, the stakes, movies and TV shows affected, and how long it might last.

----------------------