The White House said President Joe Biden will present the 2021 National Medals of Arts in conjunction with the 2021 National Humanities Medals on Tuesday during a ceremony in the East Room. The list for the National Medal of Arts recipients includes Bruce Springsteen , José Feliciano, Gladys Knight, Julia Louis-Dreyfus , Mindy Kaling , Antonio Martorell-Cardona, Judith Francisca Baca, Fred Eychaner, Joan Shigekawa and Vera Wang, along with organizations the Billie Holiday Theatre and the International Association of Blacks in Dance. The honor, the highest award given to artists and arts patrons by the U.S. government, goes to individuals or groups who “…are deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support and availability of the arts in the United States.” The NEA reviews the nominations each year and provides recommendations to the President, who selects the recipients. The National Humanities … [Read more...] about Bruce Springsteen, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Mindy Kaling, Gladys Knight, More To Receive National Medals Of Arts Tuesday
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Imagine That: Ron Howard And Brian Grazer To Give This Year’s USC School Of Cinematic Arts’ Commencement Address
Imagine Entertainment co-founders, Oscar winners and USC School of Cinematic Arts alums Brian Grazer and Ron Howard will deliver the school’s commencement address in May, the university said Thursday. Grazer, who also serves on the School of Cinematic Arts Board of Councilors, received a BA in Psychology at USC in 1974. Howard attended courses at the School of Cinematic Arts. Both received honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degrees from USC in 2022. The pair, who have teamed on the likes of Oscar Best Picture winner A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13 , 8 Mile and 24, Parenthood and Friday Night Lights among other hits join a list of previous commencement addressees that includes Matt Reeves last year along with Ryan Coogler, Jon M. Chu, Donna Langley, Ron Meyer, Paul Feig and more. The ceremony, to be held Friday, May 12 at the Shrine Auditorium, will also see producer-writer-director Tracy Oliver honored with the Mary Pickford Alumni Award, an award Grazer also has … [Read more...] about Imagine That: Ron Howard And Brian Grazer To Give This Year’s USC School Of Cinematic Arts’ Commencement Address
Joe Biden Welcomes “Former President Selina Meyer” To White House For National Medal Of Arts Ceremony
“Vice President Harris, Second Gentleman, former president Selina Meyer, welcome to the White House,” President Joe Biden said Tuesday, opening a ceremony for the 2021 National Medals of Arts and the National Humanities Medals recipients. Veep star Julia Louis-Dreyfus was among “23 extraordinary Americans,” as Biden described them, awarded honors today in a star-studded East Room gathering . Praising “my friend President Julia Louis-Dreyfus” as “one of the most decorated comedic actors of our time,” Biden made a point of noting that “she embraces life’s absurdity with absolute wit.” “I’m going to talk to Julia later about whether she liked being VP or President better,” Biden quipped. Of course, even with the 2019 conclusion of the Emmy-winning Veep , Biden and Louis-Dreyfus/Meyer have a long history on and off the screen. Along with the actor’s appearance at the virtual 2020 Democratic National Convention, it is a relationship perhaps best exemplified by … [Read more...] about Joe Biden Welcomes “Former President Selina Meyer” To White House For National Medal Of Arts Ceremony
Former Marvel And DC Comics Editor-In-Chief Bob Harras Joins Martial Arts Fantasy Outfit Immortal Studios
EXCLUSIVE : Bob Harras , the former editor-in-chief of both Marvel and DC Comics , has joined Immortal Studios as editor-at-large of its senior management team. Harras comes aboard after the fan-driven launch of the company’s four comic book titles — Adept, Assassin G, Chronicles of the Immortal Swordsmen and Fa Sheng — that serve as the foundation of its storyverse. Immortal Studios is a transmedia, direct-to-consumer entertainment company with a focus on the ancient Chinese martial arts-fantasy genre also known as Wuxia. At Marvel, Harras spearheaded titles such as the X-Men , Avengers , Spider-Man , Hulk and Deadpool in addition to the rest of the Marvel line. He was story consultant for the animated Fox TV series X-Men . His writing credits include the Avengers , Namor and the limited series Nick Fury vs. S.H.I.E.L.D . At DC he oversaw editorial for comics including Batman , Superman and Wonder Woman . He also headed up MAD … [Read more...] about Former Marvel And DC Comics Editor-In-Chief Bob Harras Joins Martial Arts Fantasy Outfit Immortal Studios
Lynne Ramsay Talks Love Of Shorts, The Art Of Adaptation & Why She Has No Plans To Make A Series – Qumra Masterclass
UK director Lynne Ramsay enjoyed international recognition early on in her career after short films Small Deaths and Gasman were invited to the Cannes and won the Jury Prize in its short film competition in 1996 and 1998 respectively. “That was the first film festival I went to. It was so overwhelming,” Ramsay told a masterclass for the Doha Film Institute this week . “When Gasman won a prize and [Francis Ford] Coppola gave me the prize, that opened the way for me to make other films.” The film’s reception in L.A., when Ramsay showed them there as part of a British Film Institute talent showcase in the late 1990s, was less enthusiastic. Revolving around a young girl who slowly discovers a puzzling side to her father’s life during an outing to a Christmas party, Gasman shows the protagonist and other characters from the waist down only in the opening scene and other parts of the film. “The Hollywood producers who saw it said, ‘Did the camera slip because you … [Read more...] about Lynne Ramsay Talks Love Of Shorts, The Art Of Adaptation & Why She Has No Plans To Make A Series – Qumra Masterclass
‘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
Fox Unveils Major Expansion Of Century City Studio Lot With 9 New Soundstages, Media Campus
Fox Corp. is planning a major building overhaul and expansion of its Century City lot including nine new soundstages as well as a media campus, office space and focus on related transportation infrastructure. Los Angeles continues to struggle to meet the demand for soundstages, which increasingly is driving production and entertainment jobs outside the region. The project, called Fox Future, will bring the number of stages to 24. Additional stages will be equipped with state-of-the-art technologies and designed for modern film, television and other content. A new LEED Platinum-designed media campus office building will support lot operations. Located on the Lot along Olympic Boulevard, the 24-floor building will focus on creating collaborative open spaces and shared and private offices, all designed specifically for film and TV production. (LEED is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, the widely used green building rating system.) An amended and specific … [Read more...] about Fox Unveils Major Expansion Of Century City Studio Lot With 9 New Soundstages, Media Campus
Brian Walsh Dies: Popular Australian TV Exec Behind ‘Neighbours’ Success And Mentor To Guy Pearce Was 68
Brian Walsh , the popular Australian TV and film executive credited with a key role in Neighbours ‘ global success, has died unexpectedly. He was 68. An outpouring of sadness has come from Australian media industry following the death of Walsh, who was mentor to stars such as Guy Pearce and helped launch the careers of Nicole Kidman and Kylie Minogue. Australian network Foxtel , where Walsh most recently worked, confirmed he passed away yesterday in Sydney. Pearce wrote on Twitter he was “utterly devastated” at the loss of his “long time friend and mentor,” while the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts called him “one of Australia’s most distinguished television producers.” Many of industry figures in Australia and further afield took to Twitter to recognize the influence of the exec, who was a familiar face at events such as the LA Screenings and Mipcom. Walsh’s 28-year career began at Australian public service network the ABC before he feature … [Read more...] about Brian Walsh Dies: Popular Australian TV Exec Behind ‘Neighbours’ Success And Mentor To Guy Pearce Was 68
Tyrese Gibson And Harvey Keitel To Star In Action Thriller ‘The Wrecker’
EXCLUSIVE: Tyrese Gibson ( The Fast and Furious franchise) and Harvey Keitel ( Reservoir Dogs ) have signed on to star in the action thriller The Wrecker . The pic is currently shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada. Filmmaker Art Camacho is directing from an original screenplay by Niko Foster, who also stars in the pic. The film’s plot follows a dishonorably discharged ex-marine named Tony, now turned car mechanic, whose life takes an unexpected turn when his reckless brother makes a bad decision gaining the unwanted attention of a notorious crime boss. Foster produces for Chasing Butterflies Pictures alongside Al Bravo for Al Bravo Films. Additional producers include Colin Bates, Eduard Osipov, Michael Pizzimenti, and Hemdee Kiwanuka. Stuart Alson, Nicole Holland, and Elias Axume, Premiere Entertainment CEO, serve as executive producers. Jiarui Guo and Michelle Wang Deppe co-produce. Camacho recently directed the action film Ruthless , starring Dermot Mulroney … [Read more...] about Tyrese Gibson And Harvey Keitel To Star In Action Thriller ‘The Wrecker’
Costume Designer Jacqueline West On ‘The Revenant’ & ‘Dune’; Spills Beans On Zendaya’s Off-The-Peg Desert Dress – Qumra Masterclass
Jacqueline West is one of Hollywood’s most respected costume designers with four Oscar nominations for Philip Kaufmann’s Quills , David Fincher’s The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button , Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s The Revenant and Denis Villeneuve’s Dune : Part One . She is also Terrence Malick’s go-to costume designer, after a recommendation from his long-time production designer Jack Fisk, working with him on The New World , The Tree of Life , To the Wonder and Knight of Cups , while other credits include Stephen Norrington’s The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen , Ben Affleck’s Argo and Martin Scorsese’s upcoming Killers Of The Flower Moon . Talking about her career in a masterclass for the Doha Film Institute , West said she fell into cinema by chance after connecting with Kaufmann through a clothes store she set up in Berkeley in the 1990s after majoring in art history, having originally planned to study sciences. “I never planned to work … [Read more...] about Costume Designer Jacqueline West On ‘The Revenant’ & ‘Dune’; Spills Beans On Zendaya’s Off-The-Peg Desert Dress – Qumra Masterclass