Abrams, Bad Robot combat racism w/ $10m pledge

Money talks. Following a weekend of peaceful protests that turned violent across the United States, JJ Abrams’ Bad Robot, along with he and his wife’s foundation, pledged $10 million donation over the next five years to groups and agendas that combat racism. Abrams wrote in a statement on Bad Robot’s Instagram account, “Corporate and private … Continue reading “Abrams, Bad Robot combat racism w/ $10m pledge”

Del Toro’s Pinocchio wins 5 Annie Awards

One word can be used to sum up the night the 50th annual Annie Awards were presented – F*ck. Writer, Director, and Producer Guillermo del Toro used it during his acceptance speech. So did Jenny Slate, who famously dropped an F-bomb on her former series SNL, when she took home the prize for Best Voice … Continue reading “Del Toro’s Pinocchio wins 5 Annie Awards”

Pinocchio, Marcel, Turning Red leads Annie noms

ASIFA-Hollywood announced nominations today for its 50th Annual Annie Awards recognizing the year’s best in the field of animation. Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio from Netflix and A24’s Marcel the Shell with Shoes On drew up nine and eight noms, respectively, with Disney/Pixar’s Turning Red next with seven. This year’s Best Animated Feature nominations include: Disney and Pixar’s Turning Red (Pixar Animation Studios), Guillermo del Toro’s … Continue reading “Pinocchio, Marcel, Turning Red leads Annie noms”

From the West Side to Westworld, Ariana Debose joins HBO series

HBO dropped a bit of surprise today. The Emmy-winning drama series Westworld returns for its eight-episode fourth season SUNDAY, JUNE 26 (9:00 p.m. ET/PT) on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max.  Set to Lou Reed’s Perfect Day, the teaser gives us quick glimpses of the show’s main characters. Things seem somewhat normal after the chaos that … Continue reading “From the West Side to Westworld, Ariana Debose joins HBO series”

From Costume Designer to Director, Courtney Hoffman

While the budding filmmaking career of Courtney Hoffman has only just begun, she’s anything but green. This costumer designer turned filmmaker has a lush 10-year career as a successful costume designer, working with the likes of Tarantino and Gia Coppola and on films like The Hateful Eight, Django Unchained, Palo Alto, and Baby Driver – just to … Continue reading “From Costume Designer to Director, Courtney Hoffman”

Courtney Hoffman joins RadicalMedia

This has been a big week for commercial director Courtney Hoffman. Earlier we reported on her first-ever global campaign for WhatsApp and now word comes she has joined RadicalMedia for US representation.   After leaving a prestigious career in Costume Design (Baby Driver, The Hateful Eight, Captain Fantastic, and several Superbowl commercials), Courtney Hoffman wrote and directed … Continue reading “Courtney Hoffman joins RadicalMedia”

Courtney Hoffman makes commercial directorial debut for WhatsApp

Today WhatsApp released the final spot from their global privacy campaign, a collaboration with BBDO Berlin. Courtney Hoffman of London-based production company Lief brings a fresh perspective to the “Message Privately” campaign, marking her commercial directing debut with the collection of three spots. Utilizing a rich visual palette, the ads showcase the Facebook-owned app’s end-to-end encryption feature. End-to-end encryption … Continue reading “Courtney Hoffman makes commercial directorial debut for WhatsApp”

HBO Max, Cartoon Network commit to animated Batman

The Geek has long held the belief that there are two people who should be running the DC Extended Universe and those are visionaries Bruce Timm and Paul Dini. No one has captured the essence of the DC characters, especially the Caped Crusader, Superman and Wonder Woman as these two. Now, HBO Max and Cartoon … Continue reading “HBO Max, Cartoon Network commit to animated Batman”

Will the next Superman be Black?

Well, why not? Hollywood Reporter writer Borys Kit is reporting that Warner Bros. is developing a new Superman movie with J.J. Abrams on board as producer via his Bad Robot label.  Black Panther comic writer Ta-Nehisi Coates is penning the script. “There is a new, powerful and moving Superman story yet to be told. We couldn’t be more … Continue reading “Will the next Superman be Black?”

Golden Globes announce nominees for 78th show

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) has announced the nominees for the 78th Annual Golden Globe Awards. Six-time Golden Globe winner Sarah Jessica Parker and Golden Globe winner Taraji P. Henson announced the nominees. For the first time in the history of the Golden Globes, the nominations were announced virtually, following the current safety measures … Continue reading “Golden Globes announce nominees for 78th show”

Château de Berne celebrates National Rosé Day 2020

On the heels of announcing an exclusive, global virtual ZOOM event celebrating National Rosé Day 2020, Provence Rosé Group and Château de Berne have launched a special promotion featuring a toast with Inspiration Rosé, one of the favorites from the Provence-based winery. Scheduled for Saturday, June 13, 2020 at 1 PM Pacific Standard Time (4 PM EST/9 PM BST/10 PM CEST), … Continue reading “Château de Berne celebrates National Rosé Day 2020”

Paley Center for Media schedules ‘Westworld’ panel

Paley Front Row is a series of new, original programming with the stars of current shows discussing their work, offering insights and anecdotes. Discussions can be viewed on the Paley Center’s YouTube channel. Today, the center announced a new selection to its Paley Front Row series: HBO’s Westworld: A Conversation with the Stars and Creators. The conversation will be available … Continue reading “Paley Center for Media schedules ‘Westworld’ panel”

HBO renews ‘Westworld’ for fourth season

There will be more Delores, Maeve and William, the Man in Black. Hopefully Charlotte, although after last week’s episode, she is fairly burnt up. HBO has renewed the Emmy-winning drama series Westworld for a fourth season, it was announced today by Casey Bloys, president, HBO Programming. “From the western theme park to the technocratic metropolis of the … Continue reading “HBO renews ‘Westworld’ for fourth season”

‘Justice League Dark’ among 3 series coming to HBO Max

It would seem the DC Universe is beginning to thrive more on TV than in movie theaters. Justice League Dark which has been in development limbo and Hell for some time is finally going to seen an appearance on the flat screen. HBO Max today announced it has given production commitments for three new high-octane one-hour … Continue reading “‘Justice League Dark’ among 3 series coming to HBO Max”

RadicalMedia’s Kindrick directs video from fan footage

Social distancing is forcing many in the film, TV, music and advertising industries to get creative with their creative. We just reported on SNL streaming an entire 90 minutes from cast members’ homes. Now comes Radicalmedia director Will Kindrick (director of the award-winning sci-fi short film STORM) and a new fan footage based music video … Continue reading “RadicalMedia’s Kindrick directs video from fan footage”

‘Westworld’ returns for S3 on March 15

The Emmy® winning drama series Westworld returns for its eight-episode third season Sunday, March 15 (9:00-10:10 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO. A dark odyssey about the dawn of artificial consciousness and the birth of a new form of life on Earth, the show was created for television by Jonathan Nolan & Lisa Joy, who are also … Continue reading “‘Westworld’ returns for S3 on March 15”

Production companies react to new Georgia abortion law

Add Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions, JJ Abrams’ Bad Robot Productions and the producers of the indie horror film Along Came the Devil 2, to the growing list of production companies that are taking action to oppose the new anti-abortion “heartbeat bill” signed into law this week in Georgia. This previous Tuesday, Georgia’s Republican Governor Brian … Continue reading “Production companies react to new Georgia abortion law”

HBO renews “Westworld” for a third season

(LOS ANGELES – 02 May 2018) Following the show’s recent season-two premiere, HBO has renewed the Emmy®-winning drama series Westworld for a third season, it was announced today by Casey Bloys, president, HBO Programming. “It’s been an extraordinary pleasure to work with the exceptionally talented Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, as well as their gifted … Continue reading “HBO renews “Westworld” for a third season”

Under the Gunn: DC Chapter One Slate revealed

Up, up and away! After holding a private press event, with partner Peter Safran, yesterday at Warner Bros., a visibly giddy DC Studios Co-CEO James Gunn posted a video on Twitter announcing the new DC Studios slate this morning. There is a lot to unpack to say the least. “One of our strategies is to … Continue reading “Under the Gunn: DC Chapter One Slate revealed”

Avatar, Pinocchio, Rings of Power lead VES noms

The Visual Effects Society (VES), the industry’s professional global honorary society, announced the nominees for the 21st Annual VES Awards. The prestigious yearly celebration recognizes outstanding visual effects artistry and innovation in features, animation, television, commercials and video games and the VFX Supervisors, VFX Producers and hands-on Artists who bring this work to life. Avatar: … Continue reading “Avatar, Pinocchio, Rings of Power lead VES noms”