Leaders for democratic

The Only Way is Essex indie Lime Pictures has unveiled UK entertainment vet Mirella Breda as its Chief Creative Officer, Unscripted. Breda, Escape to the Chateau indie Two Rivers Media’s Head of Entertainment, joins in the newly-created role, which was revealed last month following the departure of Lime’s Sarah Tyekiff and decision by the All3Media -backed indie to forge popular factual division with All3Media stablemates Lion Television and Wise Owl Films. Lime produces reality hits such as The Only Way is Essex and Geordie Shore and scripted shows including Hollyoaks and Free Rein. Breda, whose past credits include Big Brother , Stars in Their Eyes and Tenable and is a former MD of Big Brother producer Initial, will oversee the division that will forge popular factual shows for the domestic and global market. Tyekiff is departing soon to launch her own production company while Rebecca Kenny-Smith was recently promoted to Director of … [Read more...] about ‘The Only Way Is Essex’ Indie Lime Pictures Unveils Chief Creative Officer For Unscripted

The furor over a Chinese spy balloon that flew over U.S. airspace has further chilled D.C.-Beijing tensions, but the entertainment industry already has been swept up in the heightened atmosphere of American hawkishness. Hollywood studios and producers are poised to get a new level of scrutiny over their dealings with China — reflecting a bipartisan hardline toward Beijing and escalating concerns over its influence. A little publicized provision of a recently passed defense bill restricts the U.S. government from spending funds on movies that, to gain entry into the Chinese marketplace, are altered in the face of Chinese government dictates. The provision in the National Defense Authorization Act , approved in a bipartisan vote of Congress and signed by President Joe Biden in December, is the latest example of an increased focus on China’s role, not just in the entertainment industry but also in sports and social media. While Republicans have led attacks on … [Read more...] about Hollywood’s China Predicament: New Law Restricts U.S. Cooperation On Projects Modified To Appease Beijing

EXCLUSIVE : Gina Rodriguez , star and executive producer of Not Dead Yet , has signed an overall deal with 20th Television , the studio behind the new comedy series that premieres Wednesday on ABC. Under the pact, she will develop, direct and executive produce new series across all platforms through her production company I Can & I Will, run by executive Molly Breeskin. Rodriguez and Breeskin will continue to follow the company’s mission statement to create art that tells stories from the unheard and unseen, to discover and expose new talent, and to increase empathy and understanding for all communities. “Gina is a true multi-hyphenate, an extremely talented performer who’s as adept at directing and producing as she is in front of the camera,” said 20th Television president Karey Burke. “She has an incredible eye for IP, an optimistic and uplifting point of view, and a unique ability to spotlight underrepresented voices and stories in a broad and ambitious … [Read more...] about Gina Rodriguez Inks Overall Deal With 20th Television

Florida lawmakers unveiled a bill on Monday for state control of a special district set up to let The Walt Disney Co. largely self govern much of the area around Walt Disney World . The bill, expected to be considered during a special session of the state legislature this month, would allow Gov. Ron DeSantis to appoint the five board members of the district. The legislation also would rename the Reedy Creek Improvement District to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. The bill also calls for the district to continue honoring outstanding debt and will retain powers of taxation. The board members would be appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. The bill also prohibits any one who has been a theme park employee, officer or director in the past three years from serving on the board, along with their relatives. The district was created by the legislature in 1967 as Disney prepared to build its theme park on the property. But last year, DeSantis … [Read more...] about Lawmakers Unveil Plan For State Control Of Walt Disney World Special District

The Grammy Awards tonight took their first direct named hit on Donald Trump and his recently still halted travel ban Executive Order with A Tribe Called Quest attacking the President from the stage of the Staples Center in downtown L.A. “Resist, resist, resist,” chanted ATCQ leader Q-Tip to cheers at the end of the legendary hip-hop group’s performance at the live awards ceremony just before 8 PM PT.  The words came at the end of a politically charged  rendition of the band’s  “Movin Backwards,” “We The People “ and other songs. The words also came as the stage of the arena was filled with people representing the groups that the court blunted immigration policies of the former Celebrity Apprentice host seemingly aimed to block from coming to America. “I’m not digging the political climate right now, said long time ATCQ collaborator Busta Rhymes about a third of the way through the band’s performance. “I just wanna thank President Agent Orange for … [Read more...] about Grammys Slam Donald Trump & “Unsuccessful Muslim Ban” In Tribe Called Quest Performance