Category: media

The “Harry Potter” studio says the Indian movie’s name is too similar. “Hari is a popular Indian name while Puttar means son in Punjabi. It tells the story of a 10-year-old boy who moves to England with his parents and becomes embroiled in a battle over a secret microchip.”

“Americans spent $1.19 billion on video game software and hardware in July, up a whopping 28 percent from the prior year. And that doesn’t include computer-based games, according to market research firm NPD Group, which tracked only sales of new consoles, software and accessories. For the year so far, video game hardware and software sales have soared 35 percent above the year-ago level, to $9.47 billion.”

“Through 16 days of coverage, 211 million viewers tuned in to the Olympics on NBC Universal’s broadcast and cable outlets, according to NBC citing Nielsen Media Research. That’s 2 million more than watched the 1996 Atlanta Games, the previous all-time record-holder.”

Italy’s trumpeted cinematic resurgence, following its Cannes double whammy with nods for “Gomorrah” and “Il Divo,” is likely to get a reality check in Venice.

“Blockbuster producers are being taken to task by a study that singles out the most blatant sell-outs. Marketing monitor Brandchannel, which has tracked product placement in big-budget films since 2001, is handing out some dubious accolades.”

“In Bollywood the motion picture industry remains resolutely star struck, even as special effects have helped to reduce Hollywood’s dependence on big-name actors. As Bollywood has shed its image as an industry notorious for its organized-crime links and unaccounted-for cash and become a streamlined, corporate entity, dozens of players with deep pockets have entered the fray.”

“Decision-making in subsidised cinema is ultimately in the hands of bureaucrats and politically-appointed placemen. Perhaps, if film-makers and critics were in charge, quality would win through? Unfortunately, the admiring commendations offered to the creators of utter dross by all too many of such eminent personages puts paid to that one.”

“Broadcasters have turned to Charles Dickens, Thomas Hardy and Jane Austen for their inspiration this autumn as television executives rely on 19th-century writers to woo audiences in the era of the iPod.”

“The application, called Unwrap Mosaics, makes adding a moustache to a family member in a video as easy as scrawling on a digital picture. For example, drawing a tattoo on a person’s arm requires editing only a single image. The programme makes the change throughout the video, making it ripple realistically with their skin.”

“In the past, Toronto’s allure was in the wallet, Mr. Ferguson said. The city appealed to made-for-TV movies and low-budget films that could shoot in warehouses or on the streets. But Filmport’s hope is that Toronto can face off with Los Angeles, New York and Vancouver to draw big-name films. Filmport’s gem is Stage 4, a gaping cavern of highly insulated space supported by red flying buttresses on the outside. At 45,900 square feet, it is reportedly North America’s largest purpose-built sound stage.”