Category: media

“Films, even good ones, can suffer from age more than other arts because film is more immediate, more swiftly enveloping, than any other art except music (which itself often aids films); and that immediacy is frequently based on contemporary bonds with the audience, bonds both explicit and buried.” – New Republic 02/15/00

The estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat threaten legal action against a Basquiat fan website and shut it down. – The Art Newspaper 02/15/00

“American Beauty” leads with most nominations – eight. “Cider House Rules” and “The Insider” get seven each. – Philadelphia Inquirer 02/15/00

• Full list of nominees. – Oscar.com 02/15/00

Almost 50 percent of films ever made have been destroyed due to the ravages of time. “Many Hollywood classics of the 1950s and ’60s, such as “Around the World in 80 Days” may look OK on home video versions. But the original negatives are so far gone that they can never again be used to strike theatrical prints.” – National Post (Canada) 02/15/00

Documentary cameras linger over everything these days. Have the little spy lenses made voyeurs of us all? Here’s a history of “fly-on-the-wall” programming, from revolutionary Russia to “The Real World.” – Feed 02/15/00 

Not long ago, women were only a token presence in power positions in the movie business. At this year’s Sundance Festival, though, one-quarter of the films were directed by women. “There’s no questioning about it. It’s a completely different world for women directors,” says Diane Keaton. – Boston Herald 02/15/00

Los Angeles radio station goes online with what it says is the first 24-hour international news stream, carrying programming from National Public Radio, Public Radio International and the BBC. – Los Angeles Times 02/15/00

TV network signs San Jose station to replace longtime KRON affiliate. – San Francisco Examiner 02/15/00 

• Previously: NBC VS. SF AFFILIATE: Bay Area tycoon buys KRON-TV, the local NBC affiliate, for a record price – $823 million. NBC, a spurned bidder for the station, demands new conditions for remaining network affiliate on new owner. New owner to NBC: Drop dead. We’ll go it alone. – San Francisco Chronicle 02/14/00

Disney announces it will close its Canadian animation studios, after weak revenues last year. – CBC 02/14/00

• 200 artists, producers to lose jobs – Variety 02/15/00

“The secret imperative behind most of Hollywood’s black and white star pairings remains: Look but don’t touch. We’ve all been trained by years of movie-going to know that at some point in thrillers or romantic comedies – after the growing rapport, the looks that linger just a second longer than necessary – the male and female leads will get together. Except, that is, when the leading couple is interracial.” – Salon 02/14/00