film basics and bloggings

Looking to the Future

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda) — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 01:50:00 +0000

For the past year I have been diligently working on acquiring my Masters degree in entertainment business. Today marks the final day of that journey as all of my classes come to a close and I look toward my graduation in the coming week. However, that doesn’t mean my time dwelling on the world of entertainment business is coming to a close. In fact, it means quite the opposite. As the door to my education closes, the door to my career is flung wide open. More of the film industry is being thrust upon the shoulders of the up and coming generations of filmmakers. While the great names still hold their own weight, the number of avenues for recognition is increasing and it’s becoming more available for new, young directors and writers to get their names out there. Between video on demand choices, digital platforms, and the multitude of contests and festivals around the world, there is a wide array of choices for the budding teams of filmmakers out there.

Despite the fact that several major studios have closed recently, the film industry is still managing to stay afloat. The price of tickets has been steadily increasing over the past few years, and numbers have managed to dip, but records are still being broke and revenue is still being generated. The key to success now though is keeping your options open. In the old days of Hollywood, the studio system held a tight grip. They become large umbrella corporations that dealt with the inception of a movie idea all the way through which theatres it would be shown at. But these days have long disbanded, and the studios we are seeing that have become defunct are the ones draining their budgets, putting their eggs into one basket for summer blockbusters, yet manage to fall short. Without being able to reap back all of the money spent, the studio has no other option but to cut their losses.

In today’s world it’s all about keeping your mind open and being receptive to fresh ideas. We live in an age where people want more digital content. They want the satisfaction of instantly being able to watch a film; they want it at their fingertips. Having the ability to stream or download films is a no brainer now, and the studios that are in tune with this are the ones who are managing to survive. They may have many small projects in circulation as compared to one behemoth hit, but their studio is still making money for itself. And in today’s world where, especially in the horror genre, the look of first person, hand held, or even cheap films are becoming increasingly popular and it helps keep budgets nicely in check.

Coming in the industry in its current state, I’m proud to have these responsibilities rest on my shoulders. It is the new, creative generations that will make things stand out and find even more ways to deliver content to audiences. It’s fresh and exciting, albeit somewhat scary, but if you want to keep the spirit of film alive through passion, not caring about being a multi-millionaire, it seems like quite an easy task to undertake. I’m ready to make a career out of the industry that I have fallen in love with, and despite these new market trends being a mystery to the generations of old, they are business models that I would be happy to sink my teeth into.

The Road to File Sharing

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda) — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 03:15:00 +0000

Illegal downloading and file sharing on the Internet have been hot button issues since the days of programs such as Napster and Limewire, and one that the U.S. government has been desperately trying to get under control. They have even gone so far as to randomly prosecute individuals, mostly of college age, and charging them with thousands of dollars in fines to attempt to make examples of them to the majority of the public. However, will they truly ever get it under control?

The Internet is such a vast space that it’s hard to keep track of everything. Last year one of the web’s most popular file sharing sites Megaupload made the spotlight when its founder Kim Dotcom was charged with racketeering. This shut down the chain of Mega-themed sites that were under the Megaupload umbrella, but it wasn’t long, mere hours, before other sites were popping up to take their places. How much good does shutting down one site and fining one individual do when there are five more sites to immediately take their places? While the U.S. government would like to think this is an issue they can get under control, file sharing sites in themselves are not illegal, as paying users can use these sites to share their own original content amongst friends, fans, and colleagues. It’s also a good way to share content between computers if someone does not have an external hard drive. Or for universities to be able to utilize them for paper and project sharing between students and staff.

The days of the file sharing site are not short lived, as Kim Dotcom proved today at a press conference in New Zealand where he unveiled his brand new site which would take the place of Megaupload, simply titled “Mega.” It was a bold statement made by the entrepreneur and one that shows the government no matter how proud they may feel of one take down, the service that sites such as these provide is in high demand.

In addition to using websites there are a multitude of other ways that people can share content. It can even be argued that inviting friends over to watch a DVD is illegal file sharing because only one member of the party actually purchased the content. It would be no different than buying a movie and ripping it for a friend, either. However, with the Internet, it just aids in people reaching greater audiences. So instead of sharing with one friend, you can share with one hundred.

Whether people feel they can support their favorite music act and film franchises in other ways, or an individual doesn’t use these sites based on principle, it is certain that they will be creeping up continuously for years to come. While it may be a nice dream to get the dreaded threat of illegal downloading under control, the government has a long and bumpy road ahead of themselves.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/indicted-megaupload-founder-opens-sharing-004242442--finance.html

Business Plan Perspective

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda) — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 02:58:00 +0000

Since I never had the aspirations to begin my own business, I could never understand the importance of needing to take specific business plan classes, which is exactly what I had to do in order to complete my Master’s degree for Entertainment Business. It may sound logical that if one is getting a degree in business that they further have plans to start their own business, however, as someone who takes their job as an office manager and personal assistant quite seriously, I simply wanted to have the greatest amount of knowledge in my arsenal as possible to make me a valuable employee. I wasn’t sure how I was going to use the business plan knowledge and spent my time attempting to come up with a fictional company based off the final project I used to for film degree, and a real life scenario from my previous job and the documentary that we had been working on.

However, the further I got along in the business plan I realized that it was very similar to putting together project proposals, except instead of focusing on one project for the company, you were focusing on the company as a whole. I had put together several project proposals and several funding packets that had many of the same aspects to them and I realized that was going to be how and why this courses helped me so much in the long run.

Even if I never do follow through and open a business, being able to logically put together all of the information about a company, or singular project, is vital. It shows potential investors that you have all your cards in order; that you know exactly what you are doing, what you hope to do, how you will make money, and what you will then do with your profit. They want to make sure they are investing in someone who can help get them their money back and then some, there will be no point in going to someone with a business plan if you cannot tell them how much you will be spending, how much you project to earn, and how you will be earning it. Despite that no company is ever a solid thing, and both the location and economic climate of the area have influences, you need to put some amount of planning into it.

It wouldn’t be smart to open an ice cream shop in Alaska (though I’m sure there are some) however; it would be smart to work with snow mobile repairs in the same area. Knowing your target audience and what you want to do with your business shows investors that you are ready and willing to make money. Your business plan helps get you there.

All of the knowledge that I accrued in the class will be vital, whether I reference it for future funding packets or venture to use it while making my own business plan but I think the most important things I learned were about finances, even if I was a bit shaky on them. I’ve always had the ability to work within a budget and handle money in that respect, but in order to project how much something as vast a company would cost, and then make based off what I was assuming was a fictional product, was quite difficult for me. Even if I didn’t get the numbers quite right, it helped show me the type of planning that goes into working with the finances of opening your own business and I know it will be invaluable information for me in the future.

Business Experts

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda) — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 00:17:00 +0000

Spotlight On: Akira Hirai.

Hirai is the founder, CEO, and managing director of the business consulting company Cayenne Consulting – “business plan consultants with venture capital experience” – where he is currently working. He has had experience in the business industry for over 20 years now, after earning his BA in Engineering Sciences from Harvard University, and working in such places as New York City, Phoenix, and now Orange County, California.

Hirai started Cayenne back in early 2001 with what he says was a very simple mission, aimed toward venture capitalists, “Help entrepreneurs get their act together before they talk to investors.” The world of business can be both time consuming and confusing, therefore, Cayenne was started as an objective third party with a laundry list of services they provide such as strategy development, market research and analysis, competitor research and analysis, business plan preparation, and financial analysis and forecasting. This frees up the client’s time to focus on the rest of the areas that are going to matter most to investors. Cayenne acts as a partner taking on the tedious tasks for the client so they are left to help build a stronger market for themselves that will help investors notice them.

Before Cayenne, Hirai was already well versed in the world of business and had held several prestigious jobs – and founded two more companies. In the Silicon Valley area he kick started MyRaptor.com and ID Networks before he started focusing on the world of venture capital. Before this he had worked his way up through the ranks over four years to become Vice President of the prestigious Salomon Brothers in New York. He has also held several other job titles that include financial risk management consultant, software engineer, and advertising sales manager. He is a man who has had his hand in the world of business for many years now, and someone to be trusted with advice in creating new companies.

Resources for Akira Hirai:

http://www.caycon.com/business-plan-consultants.php

http://www.caycon.com/about-cayenne-consulting.php

http://www.linkedin.com/in/akirahirai

Spotlight On: Carolyn Kepcher.

Kepcher is most highly recognized as appearing on the NBC television show The Apprentice, not as a contestant, but as Donald Trump’s right hand woman and assistant who helped make all the final decisions about who was to be fired. She held this position because of her almost ten years of experience acting as the Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and General Manager for the Trump National Golf Club.

Kepcher started out her business career selling Avon products door-to-door and working as a restaurant manager in Manhattan while she earned her marketing degree from Mercy College. Eventually she found herself in the position of a sales and marketing director for a New York City golf club, which was eventually to be auctioned off. The man who bought the property was none other than Donald Trump. Impressed with her ideas about how he could best use his newly acquired golf course, he hired Kepcher in 1994 as the director of his sales and marketing. After four years in this position, when the current general manager was fired from Trump’s organization, Kepcher landed her the job that would eventually take her to overseeing the National Golf Club.

In 2006 her time working with Trump came to an end as she too was fired, based on Trump’s ideas that her “newfound celebrity status had kept her too busy with speaking engagements and endorsements to focus on her responsibilities for the Trump organization” which he reported to The New York Post. Not letting this stop her at all, she thoroughly developed the idea for her company Carolyn & Co. where she became the CEO. In 2008 she turned to MasterPlans in order to be able to help launch the company’s first campaign with WorkHerWay, which was described as the “ultimate online resource for the working woman” and provided a broad array of services to be able to cater to business minded women who many not always get the best care at other companies. However this campaign has since run its course and the website is no longer available for information.

In addition to founding her company, Kepcher has a wide array of skills and jobs behind her. In 2004 she wrote the business book Carolyn 101 which made it all the way to number two on the New York Best Seller List. She even had plans with Microsoft where they would be able to make an Apprentice-like television show focused on small-business ventures where she acted as one of the three judges. However the show never proved to get off the ground.

She wrote extensive business career columns for the New York Daily News, was a contributor for FOX Business, and has been used as a consultant on various programs such as The Oprah Winfrey Show and The Today Show. Currently she serves on the board of the Back Nine Network and uses her savvy business knowledge as a consultant for the golf industry where she is still highly regarded as an expert.

Resources on Carolyn Kepcher:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carolyn_Kepcher

http://www.speaking.com/speakers/carolyn-kepcher.php

http://www.masterplans.com/clients.php#kepcher

http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Carolyn%20Kepcher

Spotlight On: Shama Kabani and The Marketing Zen Group

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda) — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 21:59:00 +0000

What do you do when you are on the cusp of emerging technology? Not many have caught onto it yet, but you know it’s going to be big. Well if you’re like Shama Kabani, then you build a company and turn this new form of exciting technology into a million dollar business. That’s exactly what she did between 2008 and 2009 when she became the Founder and CEO of The Marketing Zen Group.

While earning her Masters at the University of Texas, she wrote her thesis paper on the impacts of social media, focusing mostly on Twitter. Today this seems like a standard paper topic for any student studying communications, but Shama took a chance on this site in the days when it was new. This was a big gamble when it came to her career because the demand for social media had simply not evolved yet. She often says, “I remember writing my thesis for graduate school on Twitter when the social network had only a few thousand users. I knew then that it would be a powerful force in the new media world. When I speak, I joke with the audience that it was my favorite thing long before it was Oprah’s or Ashton Kutcher’s.”

The hot demand for social media and experts who know how to most greatly utilize these tools to enhance your business seem commonplace in today’s workforce, yet it was Shama and The Marketing Zen Group who helped pave the way. They officially became a million dollar business in 2011, and Shama herself has had several prestigious awards bestowed on her in the business industry. In addition to being featured in magazines such as Forbes, Bloomberg Businessweek, and Entrepreneur, her honors include:

· Being featured as one of Yahoo! Finance’s “Seven Self-Made Immigrant Millionaires” (2012)

· Being one of Business Week’s “Top 25 Under 25 Entrepreneurs in North America” (2011)

· Winning the Technology Titan Emerging Company CEO award (2009)

· Being dubbed “The Zen Master of Marketing” by Entrepreneur magazine (2011) and often being referred to as “Master Millennial of the Universe” and an “online marketing shaman” by FastCompany.com

· Accomplished author with her book The Zen of Social Media Marketing, which is due to be in its 3^rd edition January of 2013

So what exactly is it that The Marketing Zen Group does? They are a full service firm that helps provide online marketing and digital PR so that businesses may be better able to utilize the Internet. This means a site that’s more easy to search for, social media pages to help fans and customers stay informed about that’s happening with your business, and much more. Some of the services they have listed that they perform are: social media marketing, search engine optimization, website design and conversion, content marketing, blog design and development, as well as providing training, consultation, and seminars. You also have the option of using them to handle your entire online presence, or they can lend their services for just one area you have difficulty in.

Just because it was a blossoming industry with no real foothold in the business world at the time, Shama did not let that stop her from developing her company. Now social media and digital marketing are some of the cornerstones of a good PR campaign, and it’s only been a few short years. Some of the advice that she gave Yahoo! Finance was, "If you have an idea, put it out there and then figure out how to improve it. Look beyond the bottom line and toward the bigger impact." This is sound advice for any budding business mogul, or anyone looking to make a name for themselves in this ever-changing industry.

To find more information about Shama you can visit her website http://www.shama.tv/ where, like any savvy social media user, she has ample and immediately recognizable links to her YouTube page, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and LinkedIn so that you can always stay connected to her. To learn more about The Marketing Zen group, or become one of their clients, please check out http://www.marketingzen.com/

How to Make Money in the Film Industry

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda) — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 03:12:00 +0000

When it comes to the realm of going digital, film seems to have a disadvantage. We are living in a time when most people realize that having your content available on the web is absolutely mandatory. Having it available for free is almost just as vital. However, when it comes to things like the films and television shows that you regularly like to watch, you may be spending much less money than you realize.

For the world of music, it’s becoming almost second nature for artists to release the albums, or at least several songs off of their albums for free. People can then go to iTunes and purchase any remainder of the album they wish, or more often than not, they will seek out the rest of the songs elsewhere on the Internet also for free. But artists can still make revenue by offering other things. You can’t download merchandise, and who doesn’t want a t-shirt with their favorite band’s name on it? And concert tickets still need to be purchase. More and more bands are doing more touring these days in an effort to keep revenue up, and are offering special incentive packets to fans for a little bit extra money. While mega-artist tickets, whose price value is already quite expensive, are finding themselves asking even more now. So even if music is being gobbled up for free, there are still ways to make money.

When it comes to the world of books, you would be very hard pressed to find a place where you can just download books for free like you can music. And people don’t seem to have a problem purchasing their books for digital readers such as Kindle or Nook. And comic books have yet to really embrace being fully virtual, so their physical sales are still in good spirits.

But for the film industry it’s hard to actually find ways to make money. If people aren’t going to the theater, merchandising can only go so far, and even then it only works for certain films and franchises. Episodes may be rented or purchased at sites like Amazon Instant Watch. And there are paid options like Netflix or Hulu Plus, but you are still only paying a fraction of the cost (and for more content.) The film world as a whole has to seek out more creative ways to boost revenue and not let digital freebie’s completely run them into the ground.

While the provided chart, courtesy of The Numbers, shows an increase in revenue this is only because of the increase in cost of the movie tickets. You can actually see that the number of tickets purchased has gone down and in order to keep things even, the cost of attending a theatre showing has had to increase drastically.

As Adam Davidson, a columnist with the New York Times, pointed out, two reasons why the film industry has such a hard time with making money lately are as follows:

1.) It is a guessing game. Even when researching trends with moviegoers, it’s hard to truly know why people saw a movie, why a film did so well, and what people want to see in the future. Just because super hero movies seem to be doing well a particular time, does that mean that people like seeing them at that time of the year? Or do people see them simply because that’s what’s available and considered to be “summer blockbuster” material? And it’s very easy to get overly saturated and irritate people with too much of a particular kind of movie in the theaters at once. Or a particular gimmick (think 3-D.)

2.) Everyone wants to believe they were the reason the movie was successful. It’s true that Hollywood is filled with a lot of egos. But it’s hard to every be able to cash in on what makes a film successful when everyone is thanking themselves for it. Was it the acting? Directing? Lighting? Or a multitude of reasons that made a certain film come together and really shine? Not knowing what to forecast for the future is part of what makes the film industry ping-pong with its success.

In order to truly take advantage of making money in today’s market, the film industry will have to seek out new solutions for making money digitally, and also be able to get good reasons under their thumb for just what is making them money. We are in a time when studios can’t afford flops, and definitely more than one in a row.

Is Television Hurting Politics?

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda) — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 01:11:00 +0000

The powers of television and social media are more prevalent than ever, but with the impending presidential election, do they do more harm than good? Presidents and presidential candidates are no strangers to utilizing all the power at their disposal to aid in their campaigns and their images, so it was no surprise that when the invention of television cam out, that this was added to their arsenal as well.

In the past weeks we have seen two presidential debates come and go, and both had a lot to say about the images of those involved, the most outstanding being Vice-President Joe Biden with his large smile and animated gestures. Many say that this was show boating in order to throw off his opponent, and ended up being the most discussed topic about the debate rather than the issues themselves. It even spawned a joke Twitter account called SmilingJoeBiden. We seem to be living in an age where these are the things that pick up the most attention from viewers, especially those in the younger generations. It is almost as though they keep themselves informed through television in order to find the next funny thing to joke about on the Internet.

While television has had its advantages with presidential hopefuls, such as the iconic debate between Kennedy and Nixon, has its power begun to fade? The most obvious advantage is that television allows us to be able to see our president and the opposing candidate. We can see their mannerisms, how they react under pressure, how polite they are or if they are the type of person to barrel into a conversation or debate when it pleases them. These are all subtle indications of character which can help the American people feel more confident in choosing who they feel would be best to run the country. And yet, television can turn entire debates into a mockery, when people begin to talk about what someone was wearing as opposed to their stance on foreign policy.

It is more than obvious that the political system will never go back to the way it once was, and both television and social media have created a vital part of politics that we cannot do away with now. But when the issues begin to be overshadowed, there should be new ways to help combat this, or new protocols to deal with conduct when on television. It should be used as a fruitful tool and not a gimmick for attention.

Broadening Horizens

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda) — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 23:15:00 +0000

With Halloween right around the corner, it has made me realize what a fantastic time of year that it is for filmmakers to shine! I’m not strictly talking about bringing the latest spine-tingling horror film to your theaters, but in many non-traditional ways. A lot of times when the word filmmaker is tossed out, it is in direct relation to the producer or director of a film. While I was in film school, working my fingers hard on no-budget student films, I was taught that if you work on making any aspect of a film, you should consider yourself a filmmaker. If one cog is out of place in a machine, the final product will not be the same. Therefore, the makeup artist should be shown as much gratitude and respect as one would show the director.

And here at Halloween is a fantastic time for all filmmakers to show what they are made of! With the addition of Halloween Horror Nights to both Universal Studio Locations, it gives a lot of extra people an opportunity to show off their talents. Not only does it prove to be a fruitful time for actors, but anyone who has a passion for aspects of the film industry. Here are just some of the ways:

Set Builders: construction is a vital part of any film, and when you are building haunted houses, what better construction crew to get than one especially tailored for film? You don’t want it to be able to be a solid, standing structure forever, like you would get with a traditional construction crew, you want it to be able to be solid enough to be used yet have the luxuries of false walls and other film tricks to enable your ghouls and goblins to scare and move about adequately. Then at the end of a month’s time, you want it to be able to come down just as smoothly as it went up.
Make-Up and Costume Artists: this seems to be the most obvious job to me that really gets to thrive around this time of year. How scary would that witch be if their make-up looked cheap and unconvincing? If you saw a group of zombies coming at you with mildly tattered clothes, and a few smears of blood here and there, you would probably think that you stumbled into an amateur zombie walk, and not exactly get your fright. Having amazing make-up and costume construction is part of what makes these scares so believable and so worth it!
Lighting Crews: those houses need to be lit in just the right spooky way. Even if you’re not in a house, if you’re doing a haunted walk through the woods, there needs to be enough light to where you can see what’s actually scaring you, without revealing too much and keeping the eerie air of mystery. And there needs to be fog, lots and lots of fog! You can never go wrong with a professional lighting crew, simply because lighting is one of the most dangerous aspects of film. You want people who really know how to balance out their power, appropriately attach everything, and keep the equipment (and people) safe in situations like damp spaces or sudden thunderstorms.
Directors and Production Managers: yes this is even a perfect time for the top dogs to shine, because amidst all of the creepies and crawlies, you need people to actually keep things in order. No matter what you still need that “above the line” managerial team who can help coordinate where everyone should be and what they should be doing! Even if there isn’t a set script, it’s always nice to have that directorial touch to help actors get into character and give them new ideas for how to portray any lines they do have.

And haunted houses aren’t just for Halloween anymore! With the introduction of Eli Roth’s Goretorium in Las Vegas, Nevada, people get the opportunity to experience the thrills and chills of Halloween all year round! While his is more-horror based and less of a Halloween theme, the same key players are all important. And no one knows that better than someone who has years of film experience under his belt such as Eli Roth. It’s just one more opportunity out there for those in the film industry to stretch their legs.

So remember not to fret if you don’t find yourself immediately bouncing from set-to-set, keep your options open and to always look for those off the beaten path opportunities such as haunted houses, which will allow you to still stretch your legs and display your talents!

Expert Opinions From Expert Lawyers

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda) — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 23:55:00 +0000

Review One: “Trademark and Copyright Law Podcasts” from Lexis Nexis with Walter Palmer and Christina Pinheiro Palmer of the Pinheiro Palmer Advogados law firm in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - http://www.pinheiro-palmer.adv.br/

The best advice that can be derived from these podcasts, which are a legal update and recap about the new trademark, copyright, and patent laws effecting Brazil in 2010, and the changes being made to the PTO, is that you absolutely must be familiar with foreign law. Working in the film industry, if you plan on shooting in a country that is not the United States (I am saying this a current citizen and using it as a general basis since I am familiar with U.S. law) then you absolutely must look into the different laws affecting the area that you want to travel to. This also extends to the reaches of trademarks and copyrights.

This also leads to being careful about specific cities you are filming in and special events occurring around the area. It was mentioned in the podcast that as soon as the 2016 Olympics were announced that a law preventing ambush marketing went into effect in Rio de Janeiro. This law gives the federal government control to protect signs, flags, emblems, anthems, etc. and all international things relating to the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic games. It even protects the phrase itself. So you have to be very careful that you are not getting in the way of short-term, specialized laws such as these.

This is also true for areas where you should not film. Be mindful of sacred cultural and religious areas, landmarks, ceremonies, and the like. There are many areas around the world where it may be illegal or frowned upon to be filming or trespassing in the area. Always be sure you know the customs and laws of the country and city where you are going to be heading!

http://www.lexisnexis.com/community/downloadandsupportcenter/media/p/51.aspx

Review Two: “The Surefire Way to End Online Piracy: End Copyright” from Legal Talk Network with Dean Baker of the Center for Economic and Policy Research in Washington D.C. - http://www.cepr.net/index.php/biographies/dean-baker/

Mister Baker had a lot of interesting things to say about the concept of how copyright should be done away with. He commented with how the way the entertainment industry works now, and with how vast and accommodating the Internet is, that it seems pointless to have copyright around still today. He concurred that goods should be sold at their marginal value, and with the Internet, that currently makes their value zero. Therefore it only makes sense to put things up for free for consumers. Artists should be compensated for their work, but they will find other ways to make money, such as concerts, etc.

He brought up a good point that has been on the minds of the younger generations: why pay for it if you don’t have to? Baker contends that people will spend money on things like music and movies, but if it’s available for free, honestly what is the point?

This is a huge issue for emerging generations coming into the entertainment industry and something a lot of people have to think about. How can movie companies make money if not for ticket and DVD sales? Future generations will have to learn to adapt and get creative because it’s very obvious that the climate of the industry has changed, people do not make money the same way, and it will not be turning back.

http://legaltalknetwork.com/podcasts/suffolk-law/2012/01/the-surefire-way-to-end-online-piracy-end-copyright/

Review Three: “Entertainment Law & the Challenges of Celebrity” from Legal Talk Network with Gordon Firemark, an independent entertainment lawyer in Los Angeles, California - http://firemark.com/

This was a very interesting take on the demands of being an entertainment lawyer and some of the common subjects that come up. The biggest issues, Mr. Firemark said, were defamation and individual privacy, especially with things like reality TV, documentary style movies, and podcasts being increasingly popular. Even if you are not making profit off of something the basic laws of entertainment apply, and the words “fair use” are far more stretched thin and narrow than most people would like to believe.

If you’re going to be filming something, especially in public, and especially with other people, and you plan on doing anything with it aside from showing your friends and family, there is always the chance that you will run into legal matters. Even if you are doing a film review that you put online, the production company can cite copyright infringement and even defamation or slander depending on the nature of what you have to say.

He also cautioned about working with “troubled actors” which is a very relevant and hot-button issue with celebrities like Lindsay Lohan and Charlie Sheen who we can’t seem to get enough of as we watch them spiral more and more out of control. There is always a large money factor with being able to work with an actor with a reputation such as this. But Firemark warned that you have to remember that they have the reputation for a reason. Productions can lose a lot of money with working with an actor who is in constant trouble and may even have to halt production. Be mindful of who you are working with and the risks you are taking.

http://legaltalknetwork.com/podcasts/lawyer-2-lawyer/2010/10/entertainment-law-the-challenges-of-celebrity/

Three Little Entertainment Legal Cases

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda) — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 02:45:00 +0000

Michael Phelps could lose Olympic medals.

Record setting Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps is in danger of a hefty fine or even being stripped of his gold medals for the promotional photos that leaked on the Internet during the Olympic games that showed him posing for the new Louis Vuitton campaign. The ads violate the International Olympic Committee’s Rule 40, which states that athletes cannot be seen promoting any sponsor other than the Olympics during the games period. This year that period ranged from July 18^th through August 15^th. Had the new ads not premiered until their original, intended date of August 16^th there would be no controversy, but unfortunately that was not the case.

The penitently for this, in accordance with IOC regulations, states that "a competitor or a team may lose the benefit of any ranking obtained in relation to other events at the Olympic Games at which he or it was disqualified or excluded; in such case the medals and diplomas won by him or it shall be returned to the IOC" (Chase, 2012.)

My thoughts: The most reasonable answer to this dilemma would be a fine. Since neither Phelps and his representatives, nor the Louis Vuitton office released the photos – there was no word from famed photographer Annie Leibovitz who snapped the pictures – a stripping of medals seems like an excessive punishment. While it is in direct violation of the contract Phelps entered into when the Olympics began, and a punishment does have to be handed down, since it was not something Phelps did intentionally and maliciously against the Olympics, a fine seems like the best sentence to be handed down to him. It’s a good reminder than no matter how successful ones gets, if a contract or implied contract goes into effect, it must be adhered to until the period where the contract becomes void.

Outside Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/olympics-fourth-place-medal/michael-phelps-could-trouble-louis-vuitton-photos-141804124--oly.html

Modern Family child actors renegotiate their contracts.

The recent renegotiation of the adult cast members of the popular comedy Modern Family resulted in a boycotted table read of the fourth season scripts, suing 20^th Century Fox, and threatened to push back recording new episodes. This was not the case with its younger cast members though their salary discussions came just a day after the decisions for their older co-workers became final. The adult cast, with exception of veteran actor Ed O’Neill who already got paid a higher salary and renegotiated separately, went from making an estimated $65,000 per episode to a staggering $175,000 per episode. This excludes any bonuses or stipends that they were originally demanding per episode ($50,000) as well.

The children banded together much in the same way the adult members did when they went in to renegotiate, with their eyes on a prospective $70,000 per episode, which they were granted. Much like O’Neill though, the oldest of the “child actors” Sarah Hyland, who is actually 21, negotiated separately as she was already paid higher than the rest of the young cast members. The youngest member, 5-year-old Aubrey Anderson-Emmons was denied any renegotiation since she has only been with the show for one season.

My thoughts: The entire process of attempting to be paid more money for the show became grossly blown out of proportion for this cast. They already had a very sizeable payday, and because of the action of actually suing for more money, many loyal fans of the show are now looking at the actors in a different light. In the end the move could prove to be more detrimental to the show than being paid more was beneficial for the actors because it could mean less ratings from a disappointed public who feels they handled themselves poorly. Contract renegotiations are a standard part of any television program that runs for several seasons, especially ones as popular as Modern Family has become. But with such a steep pay increase being demanded, the actors came out looking greedy and demanding in the end.

Outside Sources: http://tv.yahoo.com/news/modern-family-kids-now-seeking-raises-003500158.html & http://tv.yahoo.com/news/modern-family-kids-pay-raises-season-4-003100555.html

Amanda Bynes in continuous distress.

Continuous legal troubles seem to be standard when it comes to the young, Hollywood elite, especially when they’ve been in the industry as long as Amanda Bynes has. However, she never seemed to be the type to stir up trouble until this past year when, after her young retirement, she seemed to start down a slippery slope that has included several DUI’s, hit and runs, and other car accident allegations. She has even been arrested at least once for her recent woes. Yet that is about the extent of the trouble. Her biggest issue just seems to be that she keeps getting in trouble as opposed to having to pay any substantial fines or other punishment.

My thoughts: Whenever celebrities get into consistent trouble like this in such a short period of time (think Charlie Sheen, Lindsay Lohan) nothing ever seems to be done about it. Maintaining public image is very important when you’re a celebrity and showing that you have integrity and ability to follow and uphold the law falls into that category. Few celebrities ever seem to go to jail or really face any harsh punishment for the crimes that they commit. While it is not jail-worthy if you rear-end someone, repeated traffic and DUI violations should warrant more than a slap on the wrist for someone who is looked to so often. The law should fall on everyone equally, and when you’re in the public eye so much, you have an obligation to show that you won’t try to slip under the radar if there is ever a situation, which you need to pay the price for.

Outside Sources: http://tv.yahoo.com/news/amanda-bynes-in-another-car-accident.html & http://omg.yahoo.com/blogs/aline/amanda-bynes-gets-strange-makeover-202418391.html

E-mail Me, Maybe?

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda) — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 00:33:00 +0000

Most of the time it seems like such a hassle having to sign up with your e-mail address for ads and coupons to almost everywhere you go. I know I usually always decline this. However, today after receiving an e-mail from Urban Outfitters (one of the very few places that I do receive notifications from) I realized how important it is for businesses and to move product. It was an e-mail about some new make-up products and collections that they received in, a category which otherwise I wouldn’t find myself browsing on the site because it’s not something I regularly buy. But it caught my interest and I soon found myself picking out a few things I liked, and more importantly, I was checking out what else they had just received on other parts of the online store, and seeing what had recently gone on sale. From there, I decided to see what was going on with other online shopping sites that I buy from regularly.

It dawned on me how vital that e-mail had been; how vital all e-mail updates from a company can be. I would have never been bookmarking things I wanted to buy today had it not been for that e-mail. I would have never known the UO Sparkle Collection Nail Polish that I told myself I just had to have ever existed.

It occurred to me that this happens frequently with Amazon and their products as well. I buy most things off of the mega-shopping site and always get e-mails about products that I may be interested in based off my previous purchases. Sometimes I don’t look, but sometimes I do. And from there I see other related products that may interest me, I may remember something I’ve been wanting to look for on the site, or it will send me into a mini shopping spree were I check all the sites I shop on and pick out things I’ll be ordering either immediately or in the weeks to come.

This is a fantastic way for businesses to immediately let their faithful customers know the new products that they have available for them, and a method which seems to obvious to me that I somehow managed to overlook its significance. It always seemed like a bother, it would be one more e-mail that I would have to delete. However now I can see that it’s a fantastic way to keep updated on new product, new sales, and even receive some exclusive coupons.

During the month of July a site that I use a lot – Always Fits – was having a “Christmas in July” sale where by entering a specific code you got an additional 25% off your purchase. I would have never known about this had it not been for the e-mail update I received from them, which naturally lead me to make some purchases on the site because I didn’t want to let the deal pass me by.

Now in the future I will definitely be accepting more of those e-mail offers and I’ll also be signing up on sites I already use a lot to see all of the exclusive deals that I have been missing. If you were like me before and only bothered for a few select sites, I suggest seeing where you frequently buy, and then take advantage of their mailing list!

Professional Artist Management

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda) — Sun, 05 Aug 2012 20:21:00 +0000

There are many parallels between an Artist Manager and Unit Production Manager that I would like to draw upon. When most people, myself included, hear the words Artist Manager, we immediately think of the manager of a musical singer or group. This may cause some confusion in realizing how someone who manages in this aspect (not solely excluded to musicians, every working artist needs a manager) and the UPM of a project in the film and television industry.

Since the UPM is not in charge of any particular person, and working on the whole scope of the film, in order to make things in a bit more clear, all one simply has to do is envision that the film takes on the role of the final product like anything else would for an artist. The goal is the artist’s CD, finished novel, etc. Here, it is the film. In essence, this makes the client, or artist being managed, the director.

During a Wimba session for the Artist Management course I’m currently taking, I saw a list of duties that immediately made me realize I had the same job as an Artist Manager, essentially. These duties included: planning, advising, organizing, strategizing, overseeing, coordinating details, traveling, and being a friend. All of these things, as well as several more components, go in to what makes a UPM successful. A keen sense of scheduling, a scrutinizing eye for detail, and healthy sense of money management are all essentials.

Since UPM’s create and oversee budgets, and helps work on schedules and call sheets, the similarities are not that hard to see if you only look. The main problem is that people are very unfamiliar with a Unit Production Manager or what it is that they do. Once you have a basic knowledge, you can see that all of the overseeing, organizing, planning, advising, and coordination aspects of both jobs line up perfectly.

A thing that may seem to stand out though is “being a friend”. While working on honing my UPM skills in film school, where I took on this role for almost every in-school and out of school project that I found myself doing, one of the things that was mentioned to me by an instructor, or “producer” for the film, was that it was my job to be there to support our director. We have to support the director’s vision and give them the financial guidance to be able to pull off the film as accurately as they have it worked out in their mind. And if for some reason we have to say no, it’s our duty to do it in such a way, and with several backup plans, that nothing about the director’s true vision will be lost or sacrificed.

To get a little bit more sense of the type of role a UPM has and see if you have what it takes, there are a few very brief videos you can check out:

Terry Bamber, Second Unit Production Manager on Quantum of Solace: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R73rfXI2I6M

Tom Kane’s Film Production Workshop: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2-Qlv-KP4I

How to Hire a UPM: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNp0bXgp5Jk

An Interview With Frank Capri

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda) — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 03:41:00 +0000

In order to get a better grasp on the importance of, and certain approaches to, negotiation, I had the pleasure of getting Frank Capri’s opinion on the matter. Frank is a well-known, fashion photographer who’s had a lucrative career since the early ‘80s and been seen in global publications. In addition to this, he is an accomplished writer, and currently producing his first documentary film - a biographical piece about the Vietnam War and Frank’s struggle as a conscientious objector. He currently resides in New York, and in his free time he enjoys studying theoretical astrophysics, attending movies, and spending time with his wonderful 11-year-old son Neil.

I had the pleasure of working with Frank as his assistant, film office manager, and part-time babysitter to Neil, from January to April of this year. He is a man who truly knows himself, what he wants, and the boundaries that he is comfortable with in achieving his goals. The biggest thing I noticed about working with Frank was that he was very stern in his beliefs and the things he knew to be true, but was very open minded with his negotiations, wanting things to be comfortable for both parties. I knew having a more in-depth look into his ideals on appropriate negotiation skills would be invaluable.

If you would like to know more about Frank and his body of work please visit http://frankcapri.com/

Amanda: When you are trying to negotiate a deal, do you find that using objective criteria (factual numbers, prices, statistics, etc.) is a useful tool that helps sway potential clients or partners, since they are faced with more than just your opinion?

Frank: Yes, I feel factual numbers, such as specific prices are both useful and fair to potential clients. When I use objective criteria, I don't do it so much to sway them, I do it for ethical reasons, which turn out to be practical. For example, by giving out factual numbers and prices ahead of time, the potential client gains more confidence in taking the risk of the investment, and they show more trust in me, which is invaluable for our collaboration.

Amanda: Do you find that working from the angle of positional bargaining or mutual benefit has yielded better results for you when trying to negotiate? Does it simply depend on the other person and what you feel is best for the situation, or do you always try to make the negotiation yield mutual benefit?

Frank: I like the approach of keeping an open mind. I tell my interns, as well as my son, Neil, that there is "no no" - only "yes" or "maybe." The goal is not domination; it's reconciliation (a "win-win" situation). Whether it’s in business or in a personal relationship, my goal is to make the situation mutually beneficial. I come into a business collaboration with a plan, but then I plan to be surprised. I adapt. I'm always seeking the middle, between planning too much and not planning enough. Having no position or plan, to me, is like being in a rowboat without oars. And the danger of over planning is that you try to force a square peg into a round hole. Again, I favor the balanced approach - plan, but plan to be surprised.

Amanda: A BATNA, or better alternative to a negotiated agreement, has been called one of the most important concepts in negotiation theory. When you are talking to potential investors or clients, do you believe your BATNA is simply moving on and finding the next person? – While working for you, I know our plan of action was marking people off the list and moving on until we found the appropriate investor who saw the potential in the film.

Frank: I trust my instincts, and if my instincts tell me that I'm dealing with more negativity than I'm comfortable with, I end the negotiation with that individual in a considerate manner. If the negativity is very strong in the early stages of negotiation, I've found that in the vast majority of times, things go from bad to worse, that it doesn't pay to invest more and more time and energy into a draining situation. Therefore, I cut things off, and never go to war with negative individuals. I like keeping the peace (inner peace and peace with others) and moving on. All my actions stem from positive energy. I realize that many force themselves to negotiate with extremely negative people and accept extremely negative situations in order to gain a stronger foothold in business. That is clearly not my path. I would rather cut my profits than cut my sense of well being.

Amanda: Do you ever feel like changing your main goal would be an acceptable solution to a negotiation or deal being turned down?

Frank: It depends on how important my main goal is to me during that particular negotiation. One of my main goals as a photographer was to get published in prominent magazines, but when the means to that violated my ethics, I dropped my main goal. For example, two of the most lucrative commercial clients I had the opportunity to work with were cigarette and fur companies. However, I felt so strongly against promoting smoking and/or the killing of animals for fashion, that I declined the high-paying work and the chance to have consistent national ads run in high-profile magazines with my photo credit alongside the images. When there is not an ethical conflict, however, I will talk out the possibility of dropping or modifying my main goal.

Amanda: How important would you say self-confidence is in being able to appropriately communicate to, and negotiate with, clients and potential business partners?

Frank: Self-confidence, in my opinion, is a vital part of success and negotiating skill. One of my photo subjects was Donald Trump and I remember hearing him say that he very rarely met a successful person who lacked self-confidence. Some of the key elements that build self-confidence are following one's passion; mastering one's craft; staying positive and persistent; and developing the habit of turning adversities (which we ALL experience) into advantages. Once you develop self-confidence, you increase your power of negotiation, and you tend to enjoy life more. Self-confidence affects the way you view yourself, the way you treat others, and the way you view life. It's a form of positive energy that attracts success, career success as well as inner success.

Guerilla Tactics

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda) — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 18:15:00 +0000

There are many different paths to take in the entertainment industry that can lead you to success, and no one can really say which is the best. Different tactics work for different people, and sometimes, it’s just about being in the right place at the right time. That was one of the biggest things that was stressed to me in my final months of film school, as I was trying to prepare myself to break out into the scary realm of job hunting. As unfair as it seems, my classmates and I were taught that sometimes it doesn’t have anything to do with how well your resume looks, sometimes it’s simply about being around when someone needs help. And sometimes it’s just about sticking out to a person; having a certain trait that makes them remember you. We were told that nine times out of ten they most likely would not sift through a giant pile of resumes on a blockbuster film searching for production assistants. They might take a stack of them and choose the five best looking resumes or most memorable people, but not all would be meticulously scoured as they sought out those with the best credentials. And even then, they may not be looked at at all and two people who happened to be near set that day may be chosen for the job because they were there when the opportunity arose. Sometimes in the world of film, there’s just no time for searching, so you choose someone in the here and now that can assist you.

In order to help with this, you can employ some less traditional though no less successful tactics. Namely, just show up. While not every production will be as welcoming to those wandering by, or eagerly jumping on them to help out, the more productions you put yourself around the higher your chances are of someone needing a helping hand. Don’t purposely get in the way, but ask around to see if there is anyone you can help. Bring your resume just in case. You don’t have to carry it around and flash it in everyone’s face, but make sure you have it handy to prove you know what you are talking about (sometimes no one cares if you do, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.) This is a lot easier to do than you think, especially if you live in high traffic production areas such as Los Angeles or New York.

My second night living in Brooklyn, I was wandering around my soon-to-be familiar neighborhood with my sister when we noticed a lot of bright yellow signs posted on the lamp posts around us. Upon looking at them we realized they were shooting notices for Pan Am saying that the streets would be closed off to traffic. Had neither of us had to already work, it would have been very easy for us to walk down to the set and see if they needed some extra hands. The mindset that you need to have is that the worst thing they could have done is say no. And if they do, then you tell them thank you for their time, see if you can leave a resume for the future, and move on. There will be other opportunities for you. But if they say yes, then you have yourself a small gig, a connection, and possibly even some pay.

Just last week an old co-worker of mine happened to be shooting some photos down in DUMBO when she literally wandered onto the set of White Collar. While she had no interest in asking to help with the set for the day, they did welcome her with open arms, all shared a laugh, and she was able to meet and get some pictures of the cast. No one was cruel to her about it, and had her intentions been for set work, there is a highly likely chance they would have said she could stick around, even if it were just to watch for experience.

Another example I was told of this tactic working was when a professor told my class of a former film school student of his who was in downtown LA one day scoping out a particular set he wanted to be on. And in a very bold move (I’m not sure if I recommend being this bold) he climbed the fence to the set and just started working. When they noticed that he wasn’t part of the crew, he handed his resume to the director and ended up becoming his personal production assistant, which is the job he was really seeking. By already proving himself as a worker and impressing the crew over how much he genuinely wanted to be there, they accepted him as part of the team and quickly put him to work. He was able to jump-start a successful film career just by putting himself exactly where he wanted to be.

I can’t guarantee that this will work, but I firmly believe when you are dealing with film, there are no wrong paths. You can never be too shy to try one, if someone says no to you that is okay. However there are sites out there if you think this is a tactic you want to utilize for yourself. The first mainly keeps track of Los Angeles, Louisiana, and New York, but I find it to be almost invaluable if you live in these areas and want to be able to check out a set here and there. Just go to Before the Trailer’s daily filming page. Another resource is On Location Vacations which cover a much more broad range of locations and sightings. And I’m sure there are magazines and periodicals that you can subscribe to or pick up at local newsstands, which may help inform you of larger film projects and when they are coming to your area.

The Billionaires Club

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda) — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 00:10:00 +0000

Epic super hero film “The Avengers” has officially been inducted into the world’s list of the highest grossing films of all time, ranking in at number three. Not only is it breaking this U.S. record just a month after opening, but it’s also taking this spot on a global list as well.

What does it take to be a top grossing film in today’s market? It’s a list that has always fluctuated, having to take several things into consideration including the price of tickets has increased, there is a substantially larger number of theaters on a global scale, the value of not only the dollar, but most world-wide currency has changed, and the world’s population is also markedly larger than when the film industry first started to bloom.

For twenty-five years, “Gone with the Wind” held the title for top movie, but in today’s film market, you can’t even find it within the top fifty grossing films. When you adjust this list for inflation, or the increases of prices over time in the economic world, this film once again finds itself in the number one spot. In fact, the inflated list, which is largely discredited because of the large time gaps between top films, has a much different look than the most recently and currently accepted list. In fact, only two movies remain on both – both belonging to James Cameron – “Titanic” and “Avatar”. These are two of the only non-disputed movies where critics and box office analysts can agree they belong on each.

Therefore, how much do these numbers really matter? And will they still matter in fifty years when the top contenders today will be considered too old to still be featured on the list, and will only be remembered for their financial feats when once again, adjusted for inflation. I feel that the numbers today are still not as significant as they once were, as less people are making their way out to the theaters with piracy more prevalent than ever, and they are simply a reflection of the rising cost of entertainment in today’s world.

Mystery Box

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda) — Sun, 13 May 2012 04:12:00 +0000

The video that I watched has always been one of my favorite TED speeches, J.J. Abrams’ “Mystery Box” which he made in 2007. Not only do I find Abrams to be a great inspiration in the film industry, but his speech is universal, about everyone finding what their own mystery boxes are and how prevalent they are in everyone’s life. To Abrams, a mystery box is defined as anything that fuels your inspiration and strives to keep you finding the answers. Some of the mystery boxes that Abrams lists for himself are a blank piece of paper, his laptop computer, the progressing plot in a movie, and his actual mystery box that he bought with his grandfather when he was a small boy. It’s no bigger than a shoebox, cream in color, with a large question mark on it; this can be seen in the featured screen capture from his speech.

He starts out with an anecdote about his popular television show LOST, explaining how many people always come up to him and ask, “‘what the hell is that island?’ Followed by… ‘No seriously what the hell is that island?’” He proceeds by showing a clip from the show, explaining how fascinated he is by the amount of technology he has at his disposal these days in order to make the show possible.

The bulk of the twenty-minute speech that follows is Abrams telling the audience about how much his grandfather touched his life and spurred his love for mystery boxes. He always deconstructed things like radios and phones in front of a young Abrams. This experience has stuck with him and began a lifelong fascination with taking things apart. He produces a deconstructed tissue box to demonstrate this.

The story was an excellent tool to help you feel close to both him and his now-deceased grandfather, drawing you in to want to learn more about his explanation of these mystery boxes. In order to explain something that is so close to his heart he very passionately talks about a man who was so important to him and helped introduce him to all the driving forces in his life. Sharing personal stories is a common way to be able to not only bring people closer to you, but also help explain deeply personal things, such as mystery boxes, which are not common occurrences.

“In whatever it is that I do, I find myself drawn to infinite possibility, that sense of potential.” (J.J. Abrams)

Reference: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/j_j_abrams_mystery_box.html

Rating Hollywood

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda) — Sun, 06 May 2012 21:41:00 +0000

Since its formation in 1922, the Motion Picture Association of America, or MPAA, has gotten a lot of scrutiny from filmmakers and patrons alike. It has always been judged for acting as a monopoly for the largest and most successful studios in Hollywood. This is partially why it was created, to help further the business ventures and interests of the original three studios who formed the organization. One of the policies the MPAA quickly adopted was the Motion Picture Production Code, or “Hays Code” nicknamed this for head of the MPAA at the time, Will H. Hays. This system helped determine what was acceptable or unacceptable to show in films. If a film was deemed as unacceptable, the material in question either had to be edited out, or it would not be properly distributed.

The Code was amended in 1968 and replaced with the modern day rating system. Not only did this new system deem what was proper material for films, but also, it determined the age range best suited to attend the film. This was helpful because it gave filmmakers the option to make a conscious decision to make adult, or R-rated films, and not have the looming fear of rejection by the MPAA because it did not suit everyone’s needs. Though this was also trying because the MPAA became very cautious and stern about what levels of sexual and violent content were acceptable for each rating.

The MPAA has always been notorious for allowing harsher levels of violence to be seen as opposed to highly sexual content or extremely harsh language. Many of the films that have managed to wiggle around the rating board have had to fight for years in order not to edit their content. There is an excellent documentary about this flaw in the rating system aptly named This Film is Not Yet Rated. Many have always felt that films should be judged more harshly based on the level of violence as opposed to sexual content, as this is a normal function of life, while violence seems to have a more negative affect on impressionable individuals.

The MPAA’s other large campaign has been its anti-piracy work that began in the early 1980’s. This is to help stop copyright infringement, and more recently file sharing. This helps protect the rights of the filmmakers and artists, and helps try to funnel money back into the industry. While piracy may be a cost-free and effective way to get movies in very little time, it robs theaters and the entire movie industry of valuable revenue needed to keep the entertainment industry functioning. While this campaign has been successful overall, it has caused uproar with the young, modern generation, as more file sharing sites are being taken off the internet and closed for good.

While the MPAA has been doing its share to help keep piracy down and inform the general public about what content may or may not be suitable for them and their children to watch, many argue it is not necessary. There are those out there who believe that the MPAA is just a monopoly of production companies trying to keep as much money as they can within themselves, and that parents should be informed and do research on their own to be able to judge what movies their family can see. While it has been highly controversial since it’s founding, it is unlikely that the MPAA or its rating system will be shut down any time soon.

How to Stay in the Loop

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 06:13:00 +0000

The film industry is always on the go. In a world where there are so many projects going on at once, film aficionados need one place where they can get all their information. MTV has always been a top name in keeping up with the latest in popular culture, and since they branched away from just following all things music and now have their hands in multiple forms of media and entertainment, it should come as no surprise that they have one of the most comprehensive film blogs out there. They’re a big player in the world of entertainment, which means they have access to information, photographs, and interviews you would be hard pressed to find elsewhere on the internet.

They don’t just focus on one genre either, or only talking about weekend box office reviews. They have information from every stage of a film’s life that you could imagine. There are pre-production stills, rumor mills, and interviews with actors and directors about the upcoming projects they have going on. They provide up to date information about the production process and how films are doing, if filming got delayed, just exactly why and how things were resolved, and all the latest pictures to peak your interest. When projects are finally ready to be unleashed upon awaiting audiences you better believe they’ll have the first teasers and trailers, and all the information and pictures from the premiere. They also track box office and DVD sales, completing the entire lifespan of a film.

There’s also award show information and news about cinematic celebrities not relating to any particular project they’re working on at the time, such as events they’ve attended and videos of interviews they have done. And the site is packed full of hyperlinks in each article, which can take you to other amazing sites where you can find out more about film and the article you’re reading about.

It’s hard to keep up with the amount of films being churned out in Hollywood every day, so with MTV’s Movies Blog you are able to stay up to date on your favorite actors, read all the new information about the next big project you can’t wait to see, and get insider information that will impress even your most film-savvy friends.

When to Put a Project Down

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 01:04:00 +0000

It’s almost impossible to think about the iconic film “Titanic” being fifteen years old, as it just celebrated its 3D re-release at the London premiere. The film helped launch Kate Winslet and Leonardo Dicaprio into stardom, gave its generation countless one-liners, forever etched one Celine Dion song onto our hearts, and elevated James Cameron’s career to a startling height.

Cameron is without a doubt one of the most successful and recognized directors of our day. He’s notorious for being hands on and having himself involved in every aspect of his latest film or new underwater expedition. Cameron is, in every sense of the word, a project director. He displays not only the title, but also the traits that make him a trusted and respected part of the film community.

When a project becomes as successful as “Titanic” did, it’s easy to get yourself lost in it. But how much is too much? When does a healthy interest become an obsession? And when is it time to let go? Successful project campaigns can last for years, without even counting development and production stages, and while it’s true that Cameron has moved on to other films since 1997, the movie still keeps finding a way to remain relevant.

It’s understandable about its recent 3D release, Cameron helped pioneer the new 3D craze with his even more successful 2009 film “Avatar”. It’s a treatment that many films are getting, though few have the luxury of being re-releases. Some people may even find this to be too much to stomach; that the film is too old and should be put to rest no matter its success. And thankfully many didn’t have to suffer the straight to DVD disaster that was “Titanic 2”.

With Cameron’s latest dive to the Mariana Trench to check out the wreckage of the historic ship – he returned even yesterday, March 27^th, from another dive for unrelated reasons – he discovered many subtle differences with his team of elite engineers about how the ship most accurately went down. This prompted him to question possibly tweaking some of the film footage for its re-release, as he wanted it to be as completely accurate as possible.

Is such an obsession healthy about one’s projects? We all strive to put out the best material that we can, and it’s hard for many filmmakers to be able to accept something less than perfect. One could spend the rest of their lives editing and re-editing a film to get it down to an absolute science. There must be a sense of self-disciple though where you are able to realize that a project is up to par and ready to be seen by others. Surrounding yourself with a talented, sensible team helps with this decision making process as well. Cameron seems to not have a shortage of this, often talking about how he surrounds himself with only the best.

It’s overwhelming to realize that one of the top filmmakers in today’s world has thoughts of tweaking and perfecting one of his most successful projects. It’s a good reminder that no matter what you are undertaking, you must remember to always draw that line in your mind about when to appropriately stop a project and move on to the next. Never let yourself be consumed by trying to reach perfection, no matter your status as a filmmaker or your ‘success rate’. There will always be a new film waiting to be made, and no matter what your outcome was, your film will always find fans.

Weekend Box Office Review

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda) — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 02:25:00 +0000

The biggest success over the weekend box office continues to be Universal Picture’s “The Lorax” which racked in a stunning $70.7 million during its opening weekend alone, and pulled in another $39 million this past weekend. In comparison, Disney’s big budget action, sci-fi film “John Carter” pulled in only $30.6 million as it opened on Friday. There seems to be a trend with larger than life budget action films (Carter’s being $250 million) that seem to flop at the box office. Could it be that audiences are expecting too much, and not getting enough when it comes to thrills, a convincing story, and believable computer animation?

Family films never seem to be in dire need of a boost at the box office. Partially due to the fact that most children still get very excited about going to the movie theater and haven’t yet discovered the worlds of Netflix or internet streaming. It’s also a good excuse for parents to be able to get their children out of the house for at least a couple of hours of the week, which seems almost vital in today’s hectic world. Animated family films are ageless, and can be enjoyed by grandchildren and grandparents alike, whereas action films are more niche – an age rage which seems to be faltering when heading to theaters. The average movie-goer needs to be extra enticed these days, and if they hear through the grape vine that a movie isn’t living up to standards, their desire to attend quickly fizzles.

This is also true for the new thriller, which opened, “Silent House” – pulling in roughly $7 million cumulatively. Horror and thriller genres are never expected to be huge box office smashes, and the deep fans of the genre are always looking for the newest, most horrifying film to assuage them. When horror flicks seem to fall short, so does the attendance rate.

While it’s most likely that “The Lorax” will continue to flourish, while lagging families get to the theater to enjoy the words of Dr. Seuss brought to the big screen, films such as “John Carter” and “Silent House” may see a slight raise over the next weekend, with sales falling short of opening weekend as their time drags on. “Silent House” perhaps even seeing the fate of many indie horror films and getting dropped from the theaters weeks early.