In its first 24 hours after release, the video game Halo 2 took in $125 million. “Halo 2 hit the stores Tuesday in the U.S. and Canada, with some retailers opening at midnight to meet the rush. Xbox, the game system Halo 2 is played on, called the launch the biggest in video game history.”
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Canadian Tax Code To Artists: You’re On Your Own (Yay!)
Canada’s artists are now considered self-employed. “Performing artists have had the tax status of independent contractors for many years in Canada. In recent years, however, the Canada Revenue Agency had changed their interpretations of some statutes and concluded that artists were, in fact, employees. While such a move would have given artists some immediate benefits such as EI, it also would have deprived them of numerous long-term deductions that allow them to make ends meet. If performers were employees, they would no longer be able to write off any transportation, housing or other expenses that they incurred while trying to make a living across this geographically vast country.”
The Secret To Pixar’s Success
“In Hollywood, figuring out Pixar’s secret has become a matter of panicky necessity. Since 1995, when Toy Story became the first computer-animated feature film, the company has had an unbroken record of triumphs, as popular with critics as the box office, resulting in 17 Oscars and sufficient millions to make Pixar, movie for movie, the most successful studio of any kind in the history of cinema.”
Seattle Opera, Ballet Asked To Cover Construction Bill
The city of Seattle is telling Seattle Opera and Pacific Northwest Ballet that they’ll have to pay a share of the bill on their new home. “The city is asking the opera and ballet to come up with $114,000 each to pay the first year of debt under the council’s plan. That amount will increase to $227,000 for each of the arts groups in 2006.”
Movies During Video Games – Apples and Oranges…
Video gamers love to point out that video games are now a bigger business than movies. But the two really aren’t comparable. Movies play to much wider audiences. “Playing video games is still a minority sport, though its popularity has soared. Not everybody wants a games console. It is only because games cost so much more than film tickets ($50 versus $7) that games can outsell films, despite their narrower appeal.”
Patently Absurd
The world’s patent system is a mess. Far too many patents are being applied for and too many are being granted. This has led to backups in the system. And America’s changes in patent law have made things worse. “It not only ushered in a wave of new applications, but it is probably inhibiting, rather than encouraging, commercial innovation, which had never received, or needed, legal protection in the past.”
3D TV
Are we close to being able to enjoy holographic 3D TV? Recent research suggests we are…
Stats Show Dance Companies Expanding
Recent stories have told of job cuts at dance companies and generally tough finances. So is the dance world shrinking (again)? With data available from seven of America’s twelve largest companies, “Dance/USA found that in fiscal year 2000 these companies employed a total of 417 full-time dancers and apprentices. In fiscal year 2003, the same seven companies reported 480 full-time dancers and apprentices.”
Afghanistan Bans Cable Channels
The Afghan government has banned some cable channels, including a channel that shows raunchy Bollywood movies. “The high session of the ministers have decided to ban cable TV until a cable broadcasting law is made. More than a dozen cable stations broadcasting from places such as India, Pakistan and Dubai have been available in Kabul.”
MoMA’s New Art
The Museum of Modern Art’s new building won’t be the only new acquistion on display when it opens next week. “In the last three years, the museum has added well over $100 million worth of art and objects, officials there estimate. Some have been purchases, others gifts from trustees or museum lovers.”