Category: media

“All over, filmmakers are looking for new and inventive ways to capture moments. And with the proliferation of digital video technology, this is becoming easier and easier. So how does one stand out when even Oscar-nominated filmmakers are thinking about shooting their next project on an iPhone?”

“TV networks must fight with Netflix for premier projects, and in many cases producers are attracted by Netflix’s talent-friendly culture that allows them to take more creative risks because Netflix is not beholden to ratings or advertisers.”

“Despite [Deadpool]’s Marvel origins, it’s aimed at a more adult audience, with a central character who has been described as closer to an antihero than a superhero. The lead character is a special forces operative who is part of an experiment that leaves him with powerful abilities.”

“Despite the fact that it was showered with accolades at film festivals last year and garnered early Oscar buzz (especially for Larson), ‘Room’ is one of the lowest-grossing movies to ever be nominated for best picture.”

Leading nominees The Revenant (12 noms), Mad Max: Fury Road (10) and The Martian (seven) are popcorn pictures, adventure genre films that put mass entertainment ahead of making artistic statements — although there’s a lot of art behind all three.

“Once again, Academy voters failed to select a diverse group of honorees, something that is bound to raise objections. Other than Alejandro G. Inarritu, none of the other acting or directing nominations were for people of color despite strong work by the likes of Idris Elba in “Beasts of No Nation” and the “Creed” team of Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan.”

“What if Netflix is the Amazon of the entertainment industry — the embodiment of a slow, expensive, high-risk effort to consume the entirety of your business?”

“[Network] brass said the channel’s business model was ‘no longer sustainable'” and that the decision “was not a reflection of the quality of their work. Employees also were told that Al Jazeera will pursue a new global online strategy online with content delivered from the U.S. later this year.”

“After weeks of public outcry after the vote, the UW decided to allow an independent community group to make its own bid for KPLU, effectively giving the station a chance to buy itself out of the deal — if it can raise enough money to match UW’s offer.”