Movie investors are increasingly bypassing Hollywood studios and dealing directly with producers. “The reason is a simple desire for more control. Wall Street financiers want a greater say over what movies they finance and who makes them; producers want more artistic independence and a larger share of the profits. The studios themselves are nudging the trend along, too, since they are making fewer movies.”
Tag: 10.13.06
The Art Of DUMBO
“In some ways, the story of artists in DUMBO is a typical New York story: Artists move into a blighted –– or, in this case, largely empty –– neighborhood and lend it some glamour; then real estate values go up, and most of them are priced out. But in other ways, DUMBO has followed an unusual path, since such huge chunks of the neighborhood are owned by Mr. Walentas, who along with his wife takes a strong interest in art.”
Turkish Pride Over Nobel (Sorta)
Orhan Pamuk’s Nobel win is the first for a Turkish writer. “This year’s prize, then, puts the Turkish government in the awkward position of having to celebrate a writer it only recently tried to put in jail. The Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a lukewarm statement of congratulation, saying in part, ‘For years, it was our public’s expectation to see a Turkish writer awarded the Nobel literature prize’.”
Canada’s National Ballet Posts $504,000 Surplus
Officials are giving new artistic director Karen Kain much of the credit. “Kain brought new energy to every level of the organization and the results were seen on the stage, in fundraising and at the box office.”
That YouTube That You Do So Well (Museums Give It A Try)
Museums are experimenting with technologies such as YouTube. “Much the same way that MoMA and other contemporary museums added photography and film as artists began working with them, the Internet is becoming an increasingly important creative medium.”
Orange County Arts Snapshot (Not Encouraging)
Orange County just opened a big new concert hall. So things are good for the arts in Southern California, right? Not according to a new study. “Prices are up, attendance is down, fewer schoolkids are getting free exposure to the arts, and Orange County’s museums and performing arts presenters are not feeling terribly bullish about the immediate future, according to a study of the O.C. cultural landscape.”
Beating Pirates Is A Matter Of Timing?
The movie industry keeps looking for ways to beat film piracy. So how about releasing DVDs the same time movies open in theatres? Charge a premium and make movies available before pirates have a chance…
Worldwide Music Sales Drop 4 Percent
Total sales of recordings in the first half of 2006 fell to $13.7 billion. “Digital sales rose by 106% to $945m, representing 11% of the worldwide recorded music market.” The increase wasn’t enough to offset the sale of physical formats such as CDs, which fell by 10% under pressure from cheap illegal copies.
Cleveland Institute Prez Resigns
David Cerone is stepping down as president of the Cleveland Institiute of Music after 22 years. “As the longest-tenured president in CIM history, Cerone has overseen enormous growth in enrollment and programs and helped balance the budget for 11 consecutive years.”
TV’s “After-Market”
There’s a growing “after-market” audience for TV shows that didn’t make it because of low ratings but somehow made it to DVD. Trouble is, the TV biz is stuck on this ratings model that requires an audience up-front when shows first air…