Category: media

A William Morris agent says big Hollywood stars are now demanding $30 million to be in big blockbuster movies – $25 million in salary and $5 million for perks. “Until recently, for instance, Travolta would only agree to do blockbusters if a private Lear Jet was put at his disposal, fuelled and ready for take-off 24 hours a day. Even Kim Basinger – who is not the draw she once was – demands $100,000 for her personal hairdresser. Most have entourages which also have to be paid for. – The Guardian 05/17/00

Video art has been gaining enormous popularity in recent years, with more museums devoting entire galleries to film and video installations. But what does it demand of its viewers? “It is a difficult medium for those of us who have trouble sitting still for more than 30 seconds. Because it is time-based, in most cases you can’t simply stop for a moment in front of an example, see if it grabs your attention, and then move on. Had the artist intended you to have an instantaneous visual fix, he’d have used some other medium.” – The Telegraph (UK) 05/17/00

The new box-office hit “U-571″ takes some liberties with World War II history and the Brits are none to happy about it. ‘Hollywood is stealing our history – again!’ complained BBC anchor Jeremy Vine. ‘Why don’t they make a film about brave American fliers winning the Battle of Britain?'” – Washington Post 05/17/00

South Korean filmmakers call for an international coalition to break the domination of Hollywood internationally. They “urged governments to resist what they say is the United States’ attempts to use free trade treaties to expand the reach of American movies,” echoing sentiments expressed last week in Cannes by French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin. – CBC 05/17/00

Live TV and internet access on airplanes? It’s coming. – The Star Tribune (Minneapolis) 05/17/00

Film schools in the UK, US, and Australia have joined forces to launch The Global Film School, an online film school which will open later this year. Courses in directing, producing, screenwriting, editing, design and cinematography will all rely on digital technology to provide internet-based lessons. – BBC 05/16/00

When most people think of Cannes, they think art and movies. “When the world’s more than 2,000 film buyers come to Cannes, by contrast, they think purely about commerce. And while many of them believe the work of auteur directors will sell tickets back home, many others have simpler needs better met by titles like ‘Spiders 2’ or ‘Turbulence 3’ (a hijacking saga on sale here with the tagline: ‘One killer. Forty hostages. Ten million Internet viewers.’).” – Los Angeles Times 05/16/00

“‘Quantum Project’ is the vanguard of the new internet movie business, and its makers believe it will change the Hollywood system for ever. The company bankrolling the project, sightsound.com, is keen to position itself at the centre of this new market of downloadable film. ‘I don’t want to overstate this, but there is no other way to say it: it’s absolute history. This is an historic endeavour.'” – New Statesman 05/15/00

Time Warner send a letter to the US Congress expressing its regret about the way a recent dispute with Disney/ABC was handled. TW blacked out ABC from its cable systems a few weeks ago. But now the company is undergoing government scrutiny over its merger with AOL, so apparently it’s time to make nice. – BBC 05/15/00 

Director Mike Figgis has spent his career bucking the Hollywood studio system. Now he’s created a fresh kind of cinematic structure with his newest film. “For Figgis, who received remarkable acclaim for Leaving Las Vegas, Time Code is a culmination of a lifetime of varied pursuits: He has finally succeeded in combining his background as theater director, documentary and narrative filmmaker, composer, and musician into one beautifully complex piece of cinematic deviation.” – Feed 05/15/00