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Industry
Productions Go Green: Exploring Ways To Cut Emissions
IASTE's Eco-Committee recently hosted a showcase featuring local union members and companies like Moxion Power, Grip Trix, FlashFish, and Goal Zero, highlighting alternatives to diesel generators. These included portable power stations, electric camera cars, and large zero-emission batteries, aimed at helping lighting technicians use cleaner power sources. With the Sustainable Production Alliance examining carbon emissions and studios implementing sustainability programs, lighting technicians are working to improve their sets and make a positive impact on the industry.
DEI
On-Screen Representation: New Report Saw Boosts in 2022
According to the Entertainment Diversity Progress Report by Luminate, there was a significant increase in representation on film and TV screens in 2022. The report revealed a 2% increase in Asian representation in film and a 7.7% increase in TV, largely due to the success of Everything Everywhere All at Once. The Black community saw the largest increase in main roles with a 20% rise from 2021. Additionally, the report highlighted a substantial increase in intersectional representation, including individuals with multiple identities based on race, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, and ability.
Television
Cannes TV Market: MIPTV Wraps With Focus on Reality Programming
Industry experts gathered in Cannes for a three-day international TV market conference to discuss the state and future of television. The consensus was that the "TV bubble has burst," with original fiction series struggling in the current environment. Conversely, reality TV is flourishing, and nonfiction series are attracting studios with their low-cost and high-volume production, while also appealing to international audiences. Additionally, Free Ad-Supported Streaming (FAST) channels are gaining interest, which could potentially bring significant change to the industry.
Technology
Dialogue Boost: Amazon Launches New Streaming AI Tool
Amazon has introduced a new feature that enables audiences to increase the volume of dialogue in a scene while keeping background music and effects at the same level. This AI-powered function was designed to increase accessibility for the hard-of-hearing community, while also providing a customizable viewing experience for all audience members. The feature, called Dialogue Boost, is currently available only on select Amazon originals but will become more widely available later this year.
International
Growing Demand in the U.K.: BFI Invests $12 Million To Close Skill Gap
The British Film Institute's 2022 Skill Review has revealed that growing demand and the thriving film and television industries in the U.K. will require 20,770 new full-time employees by 2025. To support the industry, with a particular focus on development and training, BFI announced this week that they will invest £9.6 million (approximately $12 million) from the U.K.’s National Lottery over the next three years. This amount will be divided, with £10 million allocated to six BFI Skill Clusters to coordinate and develop new training programs, and £2 million dedicated to nonprofit organization ScreenSkills.
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