Hal Dresner , a veteran writer for film and television who is credited for the memorable line, “What we have here is a failure to communicate” in the film Cool Hand Luke, died Friday in Medford, Oregon of cancer. He was 85 and his death was confirmed by his family. Dresner had a long career as a writer and producer, working on The Harvey Korman Show, The Eiger Sanction, CBS Summer Playhouse, MASH, and more. Born in June 1937 in New York City, he graduated from the University of Florida and moved to Los Angeles to pursue screenwriting . He was also the author of The Man Who Wrote Dirty Books, a comic novel. He was a mentor to Garry Shandling and Richard Lewis, according to a family friend. Survivors include his daughter, Amy Paloma Dresner and his sister, Rea Dresner of Pennsylvania. No memorial has been planned. … [Read more...] about Hal Dresner Dies: Writer For ‘Cool Hand Luke’ And ‘Zorro The Gay Blade’ Was 85
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WGA Negotiations Impasse: Why Options & Exclusivity Issue Is So Important To Writers
Issues faced by TV writers again are the sticking point in the WGA negotiations with the studios. In 2007, when the impasse led to a writers strike, it was residuals from series distributed online. This time around, it is the restrictive contracts for writers working in cable and on digital platforms. Under pattern bargaining, the deal between the WGA and AMPTP was expected to be similar to the recent DGA agreement with the studios with two writer-specific issues brought to the table by WGA — parity between cable and broadcast pay and the notion of exclusively and options. One of the two seem to have been resolved. “Every aspect of our contract has been negotiated and agreed upon with two exceptions — options and exclusivity — which remain points of contention between us,” negotiating committee co-chairs Chip Johannessen and Billy Ray wrote to their constituency last night . What are options and exclusivity, why are they so important to writers and what do writers seek to … [Read more...] about WGA Negotiations Impasse: Why Options & Exclusivity Issue Is So Important To Writers
Studios Snubbed WGA’s Contract Proposal To Boost Women & Minority Writers
EXCLUSIVE: The WGA made no major gains in its new film and TV contract regarding diversity, which the guild has been pushing for years. “There was a proposal related to diversity on the table,” an industry source said, “but the guild did not get it.” The union did, however, receive additional funding for its training program for episodic TV writers, which is geared toward improving the lot of women and minority writers. Under the new deal, CBS, ABC and NBC will now be kicking in a total of $250,000 a year for the program in each of the three years of the contract – up from $200,000 a year under the previous contract. The new 69-page memorandum of agreement can be seen here , in full, for the first time. Membership ratification of the new pact began today and will conclude May 24. In its 2016 report, the WGA West found that women made up only 29% of the TV writers; that female film writers earned only 68 cents for every dollar earned by their white male … [Read more...] about Studios Snubbed WGA’s Contract Proposal To Boost Women & Minority Writers
The Black List And Women In Film Set 2023 Episodic Lab Writers
EXCLUSIVE: The Black List and Women in Film said Monday that they have set the participants for their 2023 Episodic Lab, with seven television pilots from eight writers selected. Now in its seventh year, the lab focuses on preparing women writers and writers of underrepresented genders for careers in writing for TV. More than 40 scribes have participated since its launch in 2016, with the organizations saying half currently have jobs in the industry. This year’s list features Bev Chukwu, Deanna Esposito, Eudie Pak, Laura Malatos & Helen Sun, Katherine Ruppe, Lorin Williams and Thea Rodgers. The lab, supported by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and Shivhans Pictures, meets twice a week in March for sessions that include masterclasses, pitch workshops and lectures from guest mentors. This year’s mentors list includes Monica Beletsky ( Parenthood ), Jane Becker ( Ted Lasso ), Glen Mazzara ( The Dark Tower ), Sono Patel ( The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel ) … [Read more...] about The Black List And Women In Film Set 2023 Episodic Lab Writers
‘Willow’ Creator Jon Kasdan Remains Optimistic For A Season 2 — But Not For At Least A Year
Willow creator Jon Kasdan remains hopeful that we will see a second season of the fantasy series, following news that it is ending, at least for now. Kasdan took to social media Thursday to reassure fans that a Season 2 has been written and he has every hope that it will eventually air, but not for at least the next 12 months. “A decision was made last week to release our main cast for other series opportunities that may arise for them in the coming year,” he wrote, taking issue with Deadline’s and other online reports of the series ending. He added that he feels “fairly confident that, if asked, neither I, nor the folks at Lucasfilm, would or have actually characterized it” as a final cancellation. As Deadline noted , while the series won’t continue in its current form as the cast has been released, Willow remains an important IP in the Lucasfilm library, so it may be revisited in the future. “With all the TV and movies in production around the world, it feels … [Read more...] about ‘Willow’ Creator Jon Kasdan Remains Optimistic For A Season 2 — But Not For At Least A Year
WGA Ratifies New Film & TV Contract
Ratification of the new three-year WGA film and TV contract has been overwhelmingly — almost unanimously — approved by members of the WGA East and West, bringing to a close Hollywood’s most contentious contract struggle in a decade. Of the 3,647 valid votes cast there were 3,617 “yes” votes (99.2%) and 30 “no” votes (.8%). There were 9,441 eligible voters. The term of the agreement is from May 2, 2017 through May 1, 2020 . “Our success in these negotiations was due to a highly engaged and dedicated membership, working in tandem with a tireless and informed Negotiating Committee and an extraordinary Guild staff. We achieved new and significant gains that will help today’s writers even as they benefit the next generation,” said WGAW President Howard A. Rodman and WGAE President Michael Winship. “Our thanks go out to all of those who contributed to the process and to the thousands of our fellow writers who participated in the strike authorization and ratification votes.” … [Read more...] about WGA Ratifies New Film & TV Contract
Walt Disney World Workers Picket Outside Park Facilities Flying LGBT Flags & Holding Signs Asking For A Raise
A large group of Walt Disney World workers and their allies looking to be in the hundreds marched outside park facilities earlier today chanting, “Walt Disney workers need a raise!” The event was dubbed the “Rally for a Raise” bu organizers. Many of the protesters come from a coalition of six unions representing close to 42,000 WDW cast members known as the Services Trades Council Union ( STCU ). The coalition and Disney have been negotiating a new contract since the old one expired last October 1. In November, the union asked for a minimum wage of $18 an hour in the first year of a new contract. Disney, for its part, has said it proposed “a path to $20 an hour for starting wages.” According to Orlando Sentinel reporter Katie Rice, Disney’s proposal was to raise the minimum wage $1 a year until it reaches $20, meaning three years hence. Union members reportedly rejected that proposal last month by a margin of 96%. The two entities are still at loggerheads, with … [Read more...] about Walt Disney World Workers Picket Outside Park Facilities Flying LGBT Flags & Holding Signs Asking For A Raise
Eric Feig and Harry Finkel Form New Beverly Hills Law Firm, Feig Finkel LLP
Veteran entertainment attorneys Eric Feig and Harry Finkel are joining forces to form Feig Finkel LLP, a new firm focused in film (including film financing and production legal), television, new media, licensing, merchandising, podcasts, and publishing. They are joined in the venture by three partners: Panayiotis “Pano” Spanos, Andrew Barcello, and Riccardo Maddalosso. “Feig Finkel is dedicated to protecting its clients’ interests with two underlying principles: integrity and creativity,” said Feig. Feig – whose clients include William Zabka ( Cobra Kai ) and Martin Kove( Cobra Kai ), writer Max Borenstein ( Godzilla vs. Kong, Winning Time ), David Berenbaum ( Elf, Haunted Mansion ), Kamillion ( Rap Sh!t ), writer Ashleigh Powell ( Nutcracker and the Four Realms ), Noah Stollman ( Fauda ), Australian Director Elissa Down ( Black Baloon, Ivy & Bean) writer KC Perry ( Paper Girls, Severance) and director Chris Eyre ( Smoke Signals, Dark Winds) – will … [Read more...] about Eric Feig and Harry Finkel Form New Beverly Hills Law Firm, Feig Finkel LLP
‘Parade’ Broadway Review: Ben Platt & Micaela Diamond Lead Exceptional March Through History
Neo-nazis tend to be a noisy bunch, and it takes an extraordinary and confident work of art to drown out their loud, ugly racket. Parade , opening tonight on Broadway at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, is that work of art. With a serendipitous advertising slogan – “This Is Not Over Yet” – borrowed from one of the most powerful songs from a lovely score, the revival of 1998’s Parade arrives just when it’s needed most, providing an eloquent smackdown response to the rise in antisemitism made all too clear by the hate group protesting outside the show’s first preview (they haven’t been back). With a cast as fine as it is large, led by Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond – two of the best singers currently on Broadway – Parade , set in 1913 Georgia, scores its topical points with all the artistry and theatrical know-how to meet and exceed its noble intensions. Parade is as commanding as any musical revival to hit Broadway in years. Directed by Michael Arden, … [Read more...] about ‘Parade’ Broadway Review: Ben Platt & Micaela Diamond Lead Exceptional March Through History
Christopher Hampton Talks Screenwriter Control; ‘Dangerous Liaisons’ Sprint Against Miloš Forman – Qumra Masterclass
Oscar-winning screenwriter, playwright and film director Christopher Hampton was on feisty form in a masterclass in Qatar earlier this week as part of the Doha Film Institute ’s Qumra talent incubator event (March 10-16). Hampton, who won Academy Awards for the screenplays of Dangerous Liaisons and The Father and was Oscar-nominated for Atonement , urged aspiring screenwriters in the auditorium to try to retain some sort of control of their work and creative vision. “I would advise anybody to try to get at least some sort of associate producer credit to maintain a grip on the material and you have to fight… fight with a lot of people,” he said. “They don’t want to give it to you. They don’t want to give you those powers, but I’ve always argued that since the writer is the origin of the piece, they deserve to be respected.” “Don’t be unreasonable because there is a very strong possibility that other people’s ideas will be as good as yours but there comes a … [Read more...] about Christopher Hampton Talks Screenwriter Control; ‘Dangerous Liaisons’ Sprint Against Miloš Forman – Qumra Masterclass