Industry
Strike Approved: IATSE Vote Gets Over 98% Support
In a show of unity and unwavering support of its union’s fight over two expiring contracts with the studios, IATSE members voted to authorize a strike for the first time in their history. More than 98% of eligible union members—cinematographers, editors, operators, grips, costumers, writers' assistants, and more—from 36 Locals voted to authorize the strike, which has the potential to shut down production across the industry as contract talks continue. The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) has signaled that they will be presenting a new offer, but it is unclear how the IATSE will use the strike in negotiations. IATSE International President Matthew D. Loeb says, “The members have spoken loud and clear,” Loeb said in a statement on Monday. “This vote is about the quality of life as well as the health and safety of those who work in the film and television industry. Our people have basic human needs like time for meal breaks, adequate sleep, and a weekend. For those at the bottom of the pay scale, they deserve nothing less than a living wage.” Meanwhile, the AMPTP responded in a statement: “The AMPTP remains committed to reaching an agreement that will keep the industry working. We deeply value our IATSE crew members and are committed to working with them to avoid shutting down the industry at such a pivotal time, particularly since the industry is still recovering from the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Film
A Pot of Gold: Screen Ireland Invests $3.5M Locally During Production Boom
In an attempt to boost local production crews in the middle of a national filming boom, Screen Ireland has announced that they will invest €3M ($3.5 million U.S.D.) into their ‘Building for a Creative Future 2024’ endeavor, which will open three new regional crew hubs and two new ‘National Talent Academies’ to meet growing job demand. Another program, dubbed “Where To Watch,” will help expose Irish productions to the rest of the world. Further infrastructure is being developed to support top-tier new productions and help offset the problems presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Desiree Finnegan, Chief Executive of Screen Ireland, "We aim to strengthen Ireland’s creative competitive advantage in a world where storytelling on screen is a cultural and economic driver for creativity and innovation, generating highly skilled jobs, export growth and screen tourism. In this rapidly evolving sector, staying ahead of future trends and embracing creative innovation will be fundamental to developing new approaches to creative screen storytelling for next generation audiences.”
Union
Written By…? WGA Holding Referendum on ‘Additional Literary Material’ Credit
In the longstanding debate over film authorship, the WGA is about to further address a hotly contested issue. The guild will hold a referendum on a proposed change to current credit rules, which would authorize the use of an “Additional Literary Material” credit for all participating writers who do not receive traditional writing credits on films. The issue is a frustrating one in the community, as guild guidelines can often leave questionable “gaps” on a writer’s résumé. For the 213 films the WGA determined writing credits for in 2020, “...69 of [those] films—roughly 1 in 3—at least one participating writer received no credit. In total, 185 participating writers wrote on features for which they ultimately received no credit. These are the writers who would be eligible for a new credit.” In a letter to members, the guild’s Screen Credits Review Committee said, “Currently, many screenwriters who have worked for weeks or months on a project do not receive any on-screen credit, nor are they listed in online databases. By comparison, every crew member—even someone who works for only one day—will see their names in the end credits and on IMDb. In television, writers’ names appear on all episodes on which they are employed. The more exclusionary standard for feature writers often results in ‘résumé gaps and empty IMDb pages that may not accurately reflect a screenwriter’s career.”
Film
Plenty of Time To Die: Will ‘No Time To Die’ Be First Pandemic-Era $100M Debut?
After a long delay, Bond appears to be doing big things! Presales for Daniel Craig’s final turn as 007 James Bond are through the roof after opening to $121 million overseas, outpacing all of the character’s previous adventures. Some industry insiders are expecting No Time To Die to wind up as the pandemic-era's first $100 million dollar U.S. debut, beating out films like Venom: Let There Be Carnage and F9. Craig’s last Bond film, Spectre, opened to a respectable $70 million in 2015, and beating that number in current times would be quite a win, full stop. Time will tell if pandemic hesitancy affects No Time To Die’s numbers, but the signs are good. Daniel Craig is poised to end his tenure as the world’s most famous spy on a high note.
Streaming
For Chadwick: Netflix Establishes $5.4 Million Scholarship at Howard University
Chadwick Boseman’s untimely passing has in no way lessened the impact of his life on our culture. Nowhere is his legacy felt more than his alma mater, Howard University. Now, Netflix has generously established a scholarship in the late star’s name, intending it to provide incoming students in the newly named Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts with four-year scholarships that cover the full cost of university tuition. Howard University President Wayne A.I. Frederick, M.D. had this to say: “It is with immense pleasure and deep gratitude that we announce the creation of an endowed scholarship in honor of alumnus, Chadwick Boseman, whose life and contributions to the arts continues to inspire. This scholarship embodies Chadwick’s love for Howard, his passion for storytelling, and his willingness to support future generations of Howard students. I am thankful for the continuous support and partnership of Chadwick’s wife, Mrs. Simone Ledward Boseman, and to Netflix for this important gift.”
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