Karnataka has passed a new bill imposing a cess on TV channels, OTT platforms, and multiplexes to generate funds for the welfare of cine and cultural activists in the state. The bill, aimed at supporting the entertainment sector, levies a 2% cess on revenues from Karnataka, applicable to cinema tickets, subscription fees, and channel revenues.
Lebanese actress Maguy Bou Ghosn, known for her resilience and talent, shares her journey from childhood dreams to tackling challenging roles and overcoming personal adversity. From her early passion for the stage to her impactful performances in recent Ramadan series like ‘A’a Amal’, Bou Ghosn reflects on her career and the importance of embracing life’s challenges, proving that the human spirit is boundless.
Rebel Wilson’s ‘Rebel Rising’ memoir offers a unique perspective on the entertainment industry, with a focus on marketing strategies and self-branding rather than personal revelation. Despite highlighting her financial success, multiple properties, and high-profile collaborations, Wilson fails to delve deeply into her creative legacy or personal growth as an actress and comedian.
Tamannaah Bhatia and Sanjay Dutt have been summoned by the Maharashtra Cyber Cell for their alleged involvement in the illegal streaming of IPL matches in 2023. Tamannaah is scheduled to appear before the cell on April 29th, while Dutt failed to appear on April 23rd and instead requested a different date and time for his statement.
After the end of a lengthy strike, the entertainment industry anticipated a surge in high-profile packages featuring A-list stars. However, the expected bidding wars and massive sales have not materialized. In fact, more than 20 packages with Oscar and Emmy winners or nominees have failed to attract interest, leading industry insiders to label it the “whiff list.”
The lack of demand is largely attributed to the evolving streaming landscape. The streaming arms race that once fueled star-driven projects has subsided as companies prioritize profitability over subscriber growth. Furthermore, with budgets being cut across the board, executives are hesitant to make risky investments in expensive packages.
Additionally, the success of lower-cost acquisitions like “Suits” has made streamers more cautious about spending big. Buyers are more selective, and packages that would have once been straight-to-series are now being relegated to development deals.
The glut of limited series is also contributing to the diminished demand for A-list star packages. With premium networks and streamers relying heavily on limited series to fill the void created by the strike, the genre has become overcrowded and competitive. This has led to a situation where even A-list stars are struggling to secure roles in limited series due to the sheer number of projects vying for attention.
The industry is now facing a shift as executives prioritize developing and owning their own projects, rather than relying on external packages. Additionally, the availability of A-list stars during the casting process has reduced the need for pre-packaged deals with attached talent.
Anne Heche’s son, Homer Laffoon, has filed court documents indicating that he is unable to close the actress’s estate due to outstanding debts totaling $6 million. The estate faces claims from seven creditors, including the couple whose home Heche crashed into, a renter who lost belongings in the accident, and Jane Pinker, who is seeking $149,106.04. Despite some assets, including a posthumous memoir, Laffoon states that the estate’s income has been insufficient to cover the claims. He remains optimistic about reaching fair settlements with creditors without resorting to litigation.
Jon Oakes has joined Alex Lebovici’s Hammerstone Studios as President of Production and Development. Oakes brings over a decade of experience from Bold Films, where he played a crucial role in developing and producing critically acclaimed films such as ‘The Guilty,’ ‘Oslo,’ ‘Colette,’ ‘Whiplash,’ ‘Nightcrawler,’ ‘Drive,’ ‘Stronger,’ and ‘Vox Lux.’ Prior to Bold Films, Oakes worked at Andrew Lazar’s Mad Chance Productions and held development positions at Original Film and Phoenix Pictures. Hammerstone Studios, founded in 2018, has produced nearly 20 films, including ‘Bill & Ted Face the Music,’ ‘Barbarian,’ ‘Sympathy for the Devil,’ ‘Boy Kills World,’ and ‘Don’t Move.’
As the entertainment industry grapples with the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), concerns are mounting over its potential impact on jobs, fair compensation, and intellectual property rights. The industry’s initial reaction has been to fight the inevitable, portraying AI as an existential threat. However, this approach is ultimately self-defeating and prevents Hollywood from engaging with regulators to shape the responsible rollout of AI in the sector. To protect workers and thrive alongside AI, the entertainment industry must shift its focus from fighting to engaging with regulators and developing a vision for a creative sector that embraces both human creativity and AI-powered dynamism. The recent SAG-AFTRA deal with record labels, which mandates consent and compensation for digital replicas of artists’ voices, provides a potential starting point for such a roadmap.
A recent study conducted jointly by McKinsey & Company and the non-profit organization Gold House revealed that while Asian and Pacific Islander (API) representation in the entertainment industry has witnessed notable strides over the past decades, a significant portion of API consumers perceive this representation as falling short of authenticity and failing to accurately reflect their experiences. This study highlights that enhancing API representation in media has the potential to generate an additional $2 to $4.4 billion in industry revenue, as a sizable proportion of API consumers indicate a willingness to invest more in films and television shows that resonate more authentically with their experiences.
Rapper Megan Thee Stallion is facing a lawsuit from a former employee who alleges sexual harassment, unpaid wages, and a hostile work environment. Emilio Garcia, who worked as Stallion’s personal camera operator, claims that the rapper engaged in sexual acts in front of him and made derogatory comments about his weight. Garcia also alleges that he was misclassified as an independent contractor and was not paid for overtime hours.
