John Lasseter has been named Head of Skydance Animation, it was announced today by David Ellison, CEO of Skydance Media. Lasseter, who will report directly to Ellison, will be based in Los Angeles and start later this month. “John is a singular creative and executive talent whose impact on the animation industry cannot be overstated,” said Ellison. “He was responsible for leading animation into the digital age, while telling incomparable stories that continue to inspire and entertain audiences around the globe.” The move raises eyebrows as Lasseter was forced to step down from his posts leading both Pixar Animation and Walt Disney Animation after admittingthat he had committed unspecified "missteps" that left some employees feeling "disrespected or uncomfortable." Ellison said the decision to hire Lasseter was not taken lightly:“John has acknowledged and apologized for his mistakes and, during the past year away from the workplace, has endeavored … [Read more...] about John Lasseter to Head Animation for Skydance
Animator for hire
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West criticized for hiring private team to save their home from wildfire
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are garnering criticism online for reportedly hiring a team of private firefighters to protect their Hidden Hills home from the devastating wildfires in California.TMZ reported over the weekend that Kimye hired the private team, which was armed with hoses and "tirelessly dug ditches to create a fire break" around their $60 million mansion as fires crept up on their property. Ultimately, their efforts worked, preventing their home from going down in flames like so many other stars' properties in Malibu.The couple is reportedly also "getting major props from their neighbors" because, in saving the Wests' home, the private team also prevented the Woolsey fire from destroying other homes on their street, as well.News that the famous couple had secretly hired a private team to protect their own home was faced with backlash on social media this week, with many using their move to highlight the area's wealth gap. 70 PHOTOS Camp Fire, Hill Fire and Woolsey … [Read more...] about Kim Kardashian and Kanye West criticized for hiring private team to save their home from wildfire
Oklahoma governor candidate charged in murder-for-hire plot
Updated 3:29 pm CDT, Friday, September 7, 2018 FILE - In this Aug. 28, 2013, file photo, Joseph Maldonado answers a question during an interview at the zoo he runs in Wynnewood, Okla. Federal prosecutors on Friday, Sept. 7, 2018, announced that the zookeeper, also known as "Joe Exotic," and candidate for governor earlier this year, has been charged in a murder-for-hire scheme alleging he tried to hire someone to kill a Florida woman. Prosecutors allege Maldonado-Passage tried to hire two separate people to kill the woman, who wasn't harmed. Maldonado-Passage finished third in a three-way Libertarian primary in June. less FILE - In this Aug. 28, 2013, file photo, Joseph Maldonado answers a question during an interview at the zoo he runs in Wynnewood, Okla. Federal prosecutors on Friday, Sept. 7, 2018, announced that the ... more Photo: Sue Ogrocki, AP … [Read more...] about Oklahoma governor candidate charged in murder-for-hire plot
Sheriff: Murder-for-hire plot behind good Samaritan’s death
Updated 2:12 pm CDT, Friday, September 7, 2018 In these photos made available by the Volusia County Dept. of Corrections, Fla., shows Kelsey McFoley, left, Melissa Rios Roque and Benjamin Bascom under arrest, Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. The three are charged in the death of Carlos Cruz-Echevarria. Echevarria was to give a deposition in a road rage case against McFoley. Bascom is accused as the shooter, Rios Roque assisted in planning the shooting and helped Bascom get away while McFoley hired to killed Eecevarria. (Volusia County Dept. of Corrections via AP) less In these photos made available by the Volusia County Dept. of Corrections, Fla., shows Kelsey McFoley, left, Melissa Rios Roque and Benjamin Bascom under arrest, Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. The three are charged ... more Photo: AP Photo: AP Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close … [Read more...] about Sheriff: Murder-for-hire plot behind good Samaritan’s death
Jerry Seinfeld Faces Bulked-Up Lawsuit for Allegedly Stealing Hit Show
A man who is his own lawyer has a fool for a client. Although comedians sometimes don't mind playing the fool, Christian Charles is seeing the wisdom of retaining counsel in a lawsuit against Jerry Seinfeld, Sony, and Netflix over the hit show, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. Charles alleges that the idea for this show was his own. The plaintiff contends he has a long history of working with Seinfeld and that he registered copyrights on a treatment and script for a pilot episode. Charles further says he conducted meetings and had e-mail conversations with Seinfeld's reps and that after working on the pilot and demanding backend compensation, Seinfeld began to use his creativity without his involvement. The plaintiff originally sued in February, and at the time, many news outlets wrote about it, but not The Hollywood Reporter. Although we were aware of the case before anyone had published one word on the litigation, it's this publication's policy not to write about pro se … [Read more...] about Jerry Seinfeld Faces Bulked-Up Lawsuit for Allegedly Stealing Hit Show