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Canadian Movie And TV Production Sinks

Volume was down 18.5% to C$9.58B ($6.68B) in the 12 months between April 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024, according to the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA)’s ‘Profile 2024’ report. In 2019/2020, the figure was C$9.38B. - Deadline

Producers Of “The Jerry Springer Show” Look Back On What They Wrought

Says one, "Please tell me the difference between the fight I saw on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills last night and The Jerry Springer Show. Money. That’s the only difference." - The Guardian

This Year, Distributors And Streamers Won’t Go Near Documentaries On Sensitive Subjects

Even when they're getting excellent reviews and prizes, docs like No Other Land (about the West Bank), Union (about labor organizing at an Amazon warehouse), The Bibi Files (the corruption case against Netanyahu), and The Last Republican (former Congressman Adam Kinzinger) are getting cold shoulders from the business types. - The New York Times

Disney’s Excellent Year At The Box Office ($2 Billion)

Disney had three of the top five films in Inside Out 2 ($652.9M), the highest grossing R-rated movie of all-time Deadpool & Wolverine ($636.7M) and Moana 2 ($342M). - Deadline

The Great Documentarian Of Indonesia’s Massacres Makes A Tilda Swinton Musical (Wait, What?)

Joshua Oppenheimer, who convinced participants of the 1965-66 mass executions to re-enact them for his Oscar-nominated films The Act of Killing (2012) and The Look of Silence (2014), has just released The End, a musical (!) set in a rich family's bunker after an environmental apocalypse. - The Washington Post (MSN)

“Sesame Street” Is Homeless As HBO Lets Deal Lapse

"After a nearly decadelong run with HBO, the group that produces Sesame Street is seeking a new television partner to continue production and distribution of the beloved program. One of the world's most recognizable children's shows will launch its 55th season next month — the final season under its expiring HBO deal." - Los Angeles Times (MSN)

How Shirley Temple Saved Fox Studios

"In 1933, Fox Studios was nearly bankrupt. Founded by William Fox in 1915, it thrived during the silent-movie era. By the time the Great Depression arrived, it was operating at a loss, owed millions and share prices had plummeted. To the rescue: one blonde, curly-haired little girl." - BBC

How Netflix Destroyed The Movie And TV Businesses

Netflix, which first emerged as a destroyer of video stores, has developed a powerful business model to conquer television, only to unleash its strange and destructive power on the cinema. In doing so, it has brought Hollywood to the brink of irrelevance. Because Netflix doesn’t just survive when no one is watching — it thrives. - N+1

While Ballet Companies Do “Nutcracker,” Indie Theater Companies Do Parodies Of Hallmark Christmas Movies

"Love ‘em or hate ’em, formulaic meet-cute holiday flicks have become as tied to the yuletide as ugly sweaters and hot chocolate. Theater directors say the movies have universal appeal since most audiences can recognize the story beats. Judging by the high ticket sales, these parodies are gaining a holly-jolly reception." - AP

British Columbia, Losing Film Production, Increases Tax Subsidies

Premier David Eby said the Production Services Tax Credit — which goes to international productions — will increase from 28% to 36%. The domestic credit will also increase from 35% to 36%. - Variety

How YouTube Is Overtaking TV

YouTube’s increasing incursion into the living room highlights just how ubiquitous the platform has become. After all, it is the world’s second-biggest search engine, behind Google. - Fast Company

I Worked For Ozy Right Through Its Collapse. Here’s What I Saw From The Inside.

"The story I saw coming to a grim conclusion in that courtroom was about more than a failed media company. … Carlos Watson may have built Ozy with big dreams and 'diversity' in mind, but as those ideas became corrupted by the superseding desire for capitalistic success, it all came crashing down." - Slate (Yahoo!)

What It’s Like To See Your Sexual Assault Be Made Into An Episode Of “Law & Order: SVU”

"Being violated and brought close to death is (a) psychological abyss, but living with the belief that actors and producers have exploited your rape for money, and that more than 5 million viewers, including some of your own friends, watch it for entertainment … will bring you dangerously close to becoming the Joker." - Slate (Yahoo!)

A Game Company Now Must Pay For Manipulating Players To Buy Shiny In-Game Items

Fortnite “customers could ultimately receive $245 million for what the agency called Epic’s use of ‘dark patterns’ to trick millions of players into unwanted purchases. Another $275 million will settle accusations that the studio violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.” - The New York Times

When Male Euro Directors Try To Go English-Language

Sometimes it works (Wim Wenders, possibly Pedro Almodóvar), and sometimes … hm, you get “European art films in American drag.” - The New York Times

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