Since his 1990 series “The Civil War” drew record viewership to PBS and crossed over into pop culture, Burns has proven time and again that there’s a robust market for interrogating history with the clear eyes of a journalist and the heart of a patriot. - The Wall Street Journal
Wow, OK: “The agency is targeting professionals at the intersection of arts and technology for recruitment, CIA officers told The Times, and continues to cooperate with entertainment giants to inspire the next generation of creative spies.” - Los Angeles Times (AOL)
Perhaps this is not a surprise in a time of AI slop, but at least the villainous, fictional Saja Boys’s songs are performed by real-life musicians on the high-debuting soundtrack. - Vulture
“The sound team has anxiety-heightening tricks. ‘Whether it’s some repetitive sound that starts speeding up, like some chopping or whatever. Just adding, adding, adding, adding.’” - Variety
Then the (gay) director left; "a number of creatives working behind the scenes left,” and America Ferrera, originally supposed to be Elio’s mom, left the production because there was no longer “Latinx representation in the leadership.” - Los Angeles Times (MSN)
The U.K. government has firmly rejected calls for a 5% levy on streaming platforms and mandatory IP retention rules, instead emphasizing the benefits of a “mixed ecology” that welcomes both international investment and local production. - Variety
“(Many) believe weeks of leaks about Paramount’s legal machinations and of the 60 Minutes staff’s aversion to any kind of settlement have already undermined the show. Paramount has allowed the newsmagazine … to become ‘the opposition,’ says one of these people. ‘It’s so damaging.’” - Variety
Gov. Ron DeSantis cut nearly $6 million in recurring funding to the state’s public radio and TV stations, one day before the state’s 2025 budget took effect. - Inside Radio
“Paramount said the $16 million sum ‘includes plaintiffs’ fees and costs,’ and will not be paid to Trump directly, but instead will be allocated to Trump’s future presidential library — mirroring a settlement agreement that Disney’s ABC struck with Trump last December.” - CNN
Trump filed the suit last year, alleging that 60 Minutes producers deceptively edited an interview with Kamala Harris to benefit her campaign. (Trump won the election anyway, of course.) It’s widely thought that the FCC won’t approve Paramount’s merger with Skydance unless the suit is settled to Trump’s satisfaction. - The Hollywood Reporter
What strikes me most about the list is this: Long-held categories in the movie business are fading, just like they are in the broader culture. - The New York Times
The idea that AI-generated video is both the future of filmmaking and an existential threat to Hollywood has caught on like wildfire among boosters for the relatively new technology. - The Verge
"We are being advised that the curtailing of Palestine Action could have a major knock-on effect for us as it could become not only illegal for others to voice support for them but also for us, as film-makers, to distribute this film.” - The Guardian (UK)
