Industry
A 399 9-1-1: Teamsters Ratify New Deal
Teamsters Local 399 members just ratified a new three-year film and tv contract that calls for higher wages, overtime penalties, and additional benefits like pension and health plans. With 67% of all eligible members turning out to cast votes, 89% were for ratification and 11% were against. For the first time, this new contract includes a new media deal, which provides a substantial pay raise for those making the lowest on the pay scale. In this new contract, economic gains include 3% wage increases (retroactive to August 1) and additional allowances for meals and cell phones. Triple-time pay will now be enacted once 16 hours of work have elapsed, and additional overtime will be required to discourage shortened weekend turnarounds. In a separate vote conducted by Teamsters 399, an addendum to the Black Book was ratified, which covers drivers, animal trainers, wranglers, dispatchers, mechanics, and similar workers in the film and tv industry. The addendum adds chef assistants and chef assistant-drivers to that list. Lindsay Dougherty, Local 399’s lead negotiator, said “By way of these negotiations, our committee was able to secure significant living wage increases and retirement benefits that bring them closer to industry standards. Something they have deserved for far too long.”
Awards
Oscar’s Back at the Dolby: New Rules for Award Show’s Return
The biggest night in film is set for March 27 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. The 94th Academy Awards are making their triumphant return after the pandemic forced last year’s ceremony over to Los Angeles’ Union Station. In the last twelve months, vaccines have become widely available, though the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences will not require proof of vaccination for attendees. However, current requirements do include a negative PCR test or a negative rapid antigen test taken the day of the event. The requirements echo those of the Los Angeles Department of Health, though they are vastly different from other large industry awards shows. The SAG Awards on February 27 will require all ticketed attendees to show proof of vaccination plus a booster shot, proof of a negative PCR test within 48 hours of the event, and a negative rapid test taken the day of the event. Requirements for the Critics Choice Awards on March 13 will be like the SAG Awards. While this information was acquired by The Hollywood Reporter, the Academy has yet to officially release their testing policy for the ceremony. Insiders predict that the organization will experience some backlash if there are no significant changes to these rules.
Streaming
Testing the Waters: Disney+ Tries Livestreaming With Oscar Noms
Change could be on the horizon for some on-demand video services. With last Tuesday’s presentation of this year’s Oscar nominations, Disney+ ran its first ever livestreaming test. Hosted by actor-comedian Leslie Jordan and actor-producer Tracee Ellis Ross, the event was livestreamed to Disney and Academy Awards-owned platforms. While Disney+ has yet to share plans for future livestreaming, representatives from the Mouse House seem happy with the first test results and will continue to test this type of experience. Disney owns multiple platforms for potential livestreaming, but many suspect Disney+ will be the new hotspot for live sports with the addition of ESPN to the sitemap. Still, the Oscar nomination presentation proved there are opportunities for livestreaming beyond sports. Disney+ saw record growth in 2021, increasing subscribers from 103.6 million in Q2 to 112.1 million by Q4. That momentum has slowed a bit, so live events might be the fresh content Disney needs to bring in new audiences.
Music
Composer Commerce: The Fight for Film and TV Scores
Multimedia Music has acquired nine-time Oscar nominee James Newton Howard’s sought-after music catalog. Though the deal’s price tag has not been disclosed, the news follows a recent $100 million round of funding by Multimedia, which had previous plans to acquire the catalogs of film and TV composers. With recent catalog sales and valuations of those transactions pushing beyond $500 million, streamers are now looking at film and TV scores to offer additional value and as a building block for future screen franchises. The driving force behind this acquisition strategy was the continued rise of video streaming. With multiple platforms emerging, film and TV music is getting significant exposure, making ownership attractive to prospective buyers. James Newton Howard scored over 100 projects across film and TV, including the Fantastic Beasts Series, the Hunger Games films, The Dark Knight, I Am Legend, The Fugitive, Pretty Woman, ER, and Emily in Paris. Phil Hope of Multimedia Music said, “Our thanks go to James and his team for trusting us to deliver the deal in record quick time and we are honored to be the new custodian of such an amazing catalog.”
Broadway
Piano Lessons: ‘The Music Man’ Offers Subsidized Tickets for Students
The current revival of 1957’s hit musical The Music Man is one of the most sought after shows on Broadway. Unlike the con artist in the story, the producers of the show want to educate young minds by offering discounted tickets to New York students. The production is making 10,000 tickets available for only 20 dollars, extending the offer to students, their families, and teachers. This effort was created by Music Man’s Black Theatre Coalition Fellow Amy Marie Haven and made possible with alliances between the New York City Department of Education and a dozen local youth non-profits. This effort is made up of four initiatives, including a “Teachers Night Out” on Tuesdays, “Family Shows” on Wednesdays, “Classroom Tickets” to integrate with school curriculums, and "Student Matiness” in honor of Back-to-School month. These ticket initiatives are part of a larger movement to make Broadway more accessible to under-resourced communities. Hope Knight, Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President and CEO-Designate said that this effort “not only provides meaningful educational opportunities but ensures the future strength of New York’s vibrant entertainment industry.”
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