film studio – News Stories About film studio - Page 2

Dec 27, 2007 11:53 PM CST

Apple Wants Slice of Movie Rental Biz

Fox deal presages plans to shake up online distribution

(Newser) - Apple is getting ready to formally announce the launch of its online movie rental business, the AP reports. Fox is already on board, as the FT reported yesterday, and other studios are expected to follow in making their movies available for rent through iTunes. Apple's also planning a widespread licensing...

Striking Writers Turn to Web Biz

Dec 17, 2007 4:18 AM CST

Striking Writers Turn to Web Biz

Top writers plan to bypass studios with original online programing

(Newser) - Dozens of striking film and TV writers are creating new companies that would bypass Hollywood studios and present original video entertainment directly on the Internet. Three groups of writers are working on ventures similar to United Artists, the production company created by Charlie Chaplin and other stars who wanted to...

Jackass 2.5 to Have Web-Only Debut

Dec 13, 2007 1:34 AM CST

Jackass 2.5 to Have Web-Only Debut

'First Internet movie', studio heads say

(Newser) - Paramount is moving into uncharted territory by premiering Jackass 2.5 online, the New York Times reports. The December 19 premier on Blockbuster's Movielink service will be the first time a studio-backed feature film has made its debut on the Web. Executives hope that a successful experiment will pave the...

Striking Writers Enlist Kids

Nov 12, 2007 6:20 PM CST

Striking Writers Enlist Kids

Writers use Veterans Day to teach kids and garner attention

(Newser) - Striking scribes took advantage of Veterans Day to bring their kids to picket lines in Los Angeles today, the AP reports. The move garnered attention and gave parents a chance to tutor youngsters in payments and residuals. "It's a little rude for the producers to take so much and...

Hollywood Grows Skittish About Iraq Films

Nov 3, 2007 6:12 PM CDT

Hollywood Grows Skittish About Iraq Films

Nation's volatile mood has producers wary of adapting war books

(Newser) - Iraq war books are hitting stores in droves—with some 40 titles coming out this fall—but Hollywood isn't lining up to adapt them like before. A dicey political mood, huge war flick budgets, and fears of bleak, box office clunkers like Rendition all have producers scared, the Los Angeles ...

My Big Fat
Indie Meltdown

Oct 25, 2007 3:34 PM CDT

My Big Fat Indie Meltdown

Art flicks can't find mainstream success as glut of releases floods market

(Newser) - Small-budget indie flicks become improbable mainstream successes every year—except, the LA Times notes, 2007. Moviegoers are bombarded with art films that have all flopped, from melancholy war pieces to classy, studio-backed star vehicles. “It's as bad a fall as I've ever seen,” says Focus’ CEO. The problem?...

Hollywood Writers Vote to Strike

Oct 20, 2007 6:20 AM CDT

Hollywood Writers Vote to Strike

Studios stockpiling content in preparation for possible walkout

(Newser) - Hollywood writers are headed for the picket line if they don't reach a deal with the studios by Oct. 31. Members of the film and TV writers' union voted by a 90% margin to authorize a strike if the standoff isn't resolved, the first such strike vote since 1988, the...

Hard Work Has Cruise's Studio Poised to Strike

Oct 4, 2007 3:57 PM CDT

Hard Work Has Cruise's Studio Poised to Strike

Now, a big hit would complete resuscitation of United Artists

(Newser) - Tom Cruise and longtime producing partner Paula Wagner, 15 months after being publicly bounced from Paramount, have a line of high-end films ready to roll as they attempt to rejuvenate the United Artists studio. A hit would solidify the pair's rebuilding effort, Business Week reports, and first up is Cruise...

Will Lust, Caution Break NC-17 Taboo?

Sep 29, 2007 5:56 PM CDT

Will Lust, Caution Break NC-17 Taboo?

Producer lobbies theaters to show it despite kiss-of-death rating

(Newser) - Ang Lee, who turned taboo into gold with Brokeback Mountain, hopes theaters will show his new flick despite its NC-17 rating. And Hollywood is watching to see if the film — Lust, Caution, an erotic spy thriller — jumps hurdles for other filmmakers. NC-17 has been box office death for...

Studios Tussle with Piracy

Jun 22, 2007 8:19 AM CDT

Studios Tussle with Piracy

Premature 'Ratatouille' galvanizes film brass; execs try to wrap up illegal distributors

(Newser) - Hollywood is scrambling to crack down after a recent spate of online movie piracy: Disney's "Ratatouille" and Michael Moore's "Sicko" have each surfaced on the net before theatrical release. Studios have been ramping up pre-release screenings to build buzz, which the Journal says makes it easier for camcorder-wielding...