Media union

Hundreds of WGA East members employed at Hearst Magazines Media staged a half-day walkout and rally today to demand a fair contract. The walkout at four of the company’s offices – in New York City, Easton, PA, Ann Arbor, MI, and Birmingham, AL – comes after more than two years of negotiations for a first-time contract. The last scheduled day of negotiations is March 28. According to the guild, they’re seeking “fair wage increases, better severance and strong anti-harassment protections,” among other demands. Watch some video of the walkout below. The guild represents some 500 of the publishing giant’s editorial, video, design and photo staff at more than 25 brands including Esquire, Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar, Town & Country, Good Housekeeping, Popular Mechanics, Car & Driver, Oprah Daily, Seventeen, Elle, Redbook and Woman’s Day . “We’re walking out today because more than two years is too long to wait for a fair union contract,” said Joey Capparella, … [Read more...] about Hundreds Of WGA East Members Stage Walkout At Hearst Magazines Media: “So Many Of Us Pour Our Heart And Soul Into These Brands”

EXCLUSIVE : Actor-filmmaker Zach Braff has signed with Range Media Partners ahead of the MGM theatrical release of his newest directorial effort A Good Person , starring Florence Pugh and Morgan Freeman. The film hitting screens this Friday, March 24th, which Braff also wrote and produced, tells the story of Allison (Pugh), whose life falls apart after her involvement in a fatal accident. In the following years, it is the unlikely relationship she forms with her would-be father-in-law (Freeman) that helps her inevitably live a life worth living. Braff landed Emmy and DGA Award nominations for his directing on Ted Lasso Season 1 and also recently reteamed with that series’ co-creator Bill Lawrence as a director on his Apple series Shrinking , with Jason Segel and Harrison Ford, which has been renewed for a second season . He kicked off his career behind the camera with 2004’s Garden State — a drama that had him starring opposite Natalie Portman which … [Read more...] about ‘A Good Person’ Filmmaker Zach Braff Inks With Range Media Partners

France Télévisions boss Delphine Ernotte Cunci is looking to “debunk” and tackle major societal issues such as sexual violence via the public broadcaster’s shows. Addressing Series Mania , Ernotte Cunci said she wants to be “free of constraints” in order to make meaningful programing. She used sexual violence as an example, which she said France Télévisions will spotlight with dramas, documentaries and news. “I want to debunk [major societal issues] like sexual violence and keep tackling them,” she added, citing documentaries the network made about the #MeToo scandal several years ago. Ernotte Cunci, who is also chair of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), praised TV writers for having “a sixth sense” for these topics, which helps with France Télévisions’ dramatic content. She backed TV drama to help build “a common imagination.” “Sometimes as individuals we experience emotions and we don’t know how to analyze them,” she added. “Building a common imagination … [Read more...] about France Télévisions Boss Delphine Ernotte Cunci Talks Debunking Major Societal Issues & “Building A Common Imagination” – Series Mania

The BBC has been told that it must be more transparent about its content acquisitions strategy after being accused by ITV of buying glossy U.S. shows to chase ratings. Ofcom , the UK’s media regulator, said the BBC must explain in its Annual Plan how buying content, as opposed to commissioning British originals, supports “distinctiveness” and engages different audiences. The BBC is funded by the British public to the tune of £3.8B ($4.7B), meaning it has an obligation to be distinct from commercial rivals like ITV and serve all audiences. Ofcom made the intervention as part of plans to update the BBC’s operating licence for a digital age from next month. A guiding principle of the changes is transparency, with Ofcom arguing that the BBC has not always provided proper “detail and clarity” on updates to its output and services. In a submission to Ofcom’s review, ITV said the BBC had “dramatically increased” its spend on acquired content over the past six years, … [Read more...] about BBC Must Explain Glossy U.S. Acquisitions After Being Accused By ITV Of Chasing Ratings

EXCLUSIVE: The John Wick franchise has flourished in its post theatrical market, and strong the Keanu Reeves action series will remain in that sector. Ahead of John Wick: Chapter 4 ‘s opening tomorrow, Lionsgate has unveiled its largest consumer products program to date for the film. Together with the studio’s global consumer products representative, licensing giant IMG, a diverse range of John Wick products have been curated including an apparel collection with American Classics (currently available at Box Lunch, Spencer’s and Hot Topic) as well as a collectible figures line with YouTooz launching later this year. In addition, other partners include Hot Toys for John Wick action figures, Prime 1 for statues, and Medicom for collectibles. There’s also a collection with Ripple Junction featuring apparel and accessories comprised of drinkware, bags, and fleece throws, as well as an in-theatre merchandise deal with Zinc. “We’ve created a world of John Wick … [Read more...] about ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ Consumer Products Line Includes Action Figures, Apparel, Drinkware & Fleece Throws

EXCLUSIVE: Television literary agent Christopher Licata has left CAA — and agenting. He has joined Los Angeles and London-based management and production company 42 ( The Silent Twins, The Flatshare ) as a manager. Based in 42’s Los Angeles office, Licata will continue to specialize in literary talent representation, working with creators and writers across television and film. Licata had been a TV agent at CAA since 2017. He will continue to represent a number of his clients in his new role of manager at 42, including showrunners Alena Smith, Caitlin Parrish & Erica Weiss, Jeffrey Paul King, and Ben Roy; New York Times bestselling author Mackenzi Lee; Australian TV creator and screenwriter Maria Lewis; and Mexican filmmaker and TV creator Carlos Rincones. “Chris is a whirlwind of ideas and creativity, and his exceptional clients have a partner and guide that is built for management,” said Josh Varney, 42 Managing Partner. “As we continue to build our domestic … [Read more...] about CAA TV Lit Agent Christopher Licata Joins 42 As Manager

Picturestart and Picture Perfect Federation have set JC Lee to direct the English-language remake of Thai hit Bad Genius and also announced key cast members as well as a raft of international presales. Lee also takes co-writing credits for the English-language screenplay with Julius Onah, who was previously announced as the director. The pair previously collaborated on the Sundance 2019 title Luce , adapted from Lee’s original play of the same name. Up-and-coming talents Callina Liang, star of ITVX teen drama Tell Me Everything , and Jabari Banks (Bel-Air) will star with veteran UK actor Benedict Wong ( Doctor Stranger In The Multiverse Of Madness ). The English remake is billed as a high-stakes, high-octane thriller about a diverse group of young people who team up to fight the system of injustice and inequity and take down the rigged academic institutions around them. It is produced by Erik Feig and Jessica Switch at Picturestart with Patrick … [Read more...] about Picturestart & Picture Perfect Federation Set JC Lee To Direct ‘Bad Genius’; Unveil Key Cast & Int’l Deals

EXCLUSIVE : Matt Reeves ’ 6th & Idaho is teaming with ZQ Entertainment to produce God’s Country — a new genre film starring Scream VI’ s Melissa Barrera , which will mark the American directorial debut of Egor Abramenko ( Sputnik ). The film going into production this summer will have Barrera playing a young Salvadoran woman who travels to Kentucky to meet her fiancé. What she uncovers is something sinister beyond comprehension, as her American dream curdles into a nightmare of biblical proportions. Will Soodik ( Westworld ) wrote the script. Reeves ( The Batman ) and Rafi Crohn ( Tales from the Loop ) will produce for 6th & Idaho, alongside ZQ Entertainment’s Ara Keshishian and Petr Jákl (who financed the development), Adam Kassan ( End of Watch ), and Barrera. WME reps foreign and co-represents domestic rights with CAA Media Finance, and will introduce the project at EFM. “Egor is an exciting emerging talent,” Reeves told Deadline, “and … [Read more...] about Matt Reeves’ 6th & Idaho, ZQ Entertainment Team On ‘God’s Country’ Starring Melissa Barrera; Egor Abramenko Directing – EFM

EXCLUSIVE : Gersh on Thursday announced their signing of James Wolk , the always-busy actor who most recently led NBC’s drama series Ordinary Joe , exec produced by Matt Reeves . Wolk in that show played Joe Kimbreau, a character followed on multiple timelines after making a pivotal, life-changing decision at his college graduation. He previously led CBS’ sci-fi thriller series Zoo , based on the bestselling novel by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge, which ran for three seasons, also starring opposite Robin Williams and Sarah Michelle Gellar in CBS’ sitcom The Crazy Ones . The actor appeared alongside Regina King, Don Johnson, and Tim Blake Nelson in HBO’s Emmy-winning smash Watchmen , and has also been seen in prominent roles on such series as Tell Me A Story (CBS All Access), Goliath (Prime Video), Billions (Showtime) and Mad Men (AMC). Notable feature credits for Wolk include Chris Sparling’s Netflix thriller Mercy , the dramedy This Is … [Read more...] about Gersh Signs ‘The Boys In The Boat’ And ‘Ordinary Joe’ Actor James Wolk

Social media star Jack Wright has signed with Buchwald for representation, the agency announced on Thursday. Best known as one of the original members of Hype House — the prominent collective of influencers and content creators based in California — 19-year-old Wright has so far amassed 11.4M followers and 740.8M likes on TikTok , with a total social reach of over 13M followers and 1B impressions across all social platforms including Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube. The fashion-focused talent’s social content spans lifestyle vlogs, dance videos, comedy sketches and more. He recently sat front row at Paris Fashion Week for brands including Emporio Armani, Fendi, Prada, Etro, Givenchy, AMI Paris and Valentino Couture, and is currently attached to star in his first feature film, with production set to kick off next year. A passionate advocate for mental health awareness, Wright in 2021 teamed up with Hollister for World Teen Mental Wellness Day. He continues to be … [Read more...] about Buchwald Signs TikTok Star & Original Hype House Member Jack Wright