Industry News : Writers and AMPTP Reach a Tentative Agreement
Los Angeles - In the eleventh hour, the AMPTP (Alliance of Motion
Picture & Television Producers) and the WGA (Writers Guild of
America) reached a tentative contract agreement that will extend
until 2003. The tentative agreement has one hurdle remaining which
is a full vote on June 4, 2001. That’s when the 11,000 members of
the Writers Guild will vote to ratify the agreement.
The tentative agreement would allow a $41 million increase in
writer compensation over a three-year period. (That number is a
sum-total of the individual segments agreed to) Writers also
obtained gains in the residual market and has finally pushed the
Fox network in to paying full scale by 2003.
This tentative agreement has cured “strike fever” which was
running rampant through the industry for more than a year. There
were fears in California of more than 80,000 people losing jobs and
a possible $6 to $7 billion dollar lost revenue.
AMPTP was represented by Nick Counter and the WGA chief
negotiator was John McLean.
JAMES WOODS TO JOIN “SCARY MOVIE 2”
New York - James Woods has signed on to play the role recently
vacated by Hollywood legend, Marlon Brando. “Scary Movie 2” is
currently in production and will be released nationally on July 4,
2001. The Keenan Ivory Wayan’s blockbuster is the highest grossing
film in Miramax/Dimension history. The film was written by Keenan,
Marlon & Shawn with Keenan also anchoring the director’s chair.
DREAMWORKS STILL SLEEPING WITH UNIVERSAL
Dreamworks has inked a five-year extension of its distribution
deal with Universal Studios which encompasses distribution of its
international theatrical, worldwide video, DVD & Music properties.
- Hollywood Reporter
POP A HEINI FOR HALLE & JT
Brewmeister Heineken is spending an estimated $10 Million on a
worldwide media campaign for the film “Swordfish,” which stars
Halle Berry, John Travolta and Hugh Jackman. The big-three
thespians have granted “likeness approval rights” to be used by
Heineken in TV ads as part of the marketing strategy.
- Hollywood Reporter
BOBBY D TO RECEIVE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
New York - Robert De Niro will receive the 2001 Bravo Lifetime
Achievement Award at this years 11th annual Gotham Awards. The
event will be held Oct. 1 at Manhattan's Chelsea Piers and will air
live on the Bravo cable network.
DR.DRE AND BIG-SNOOP DOGG TO STAR IN “WASH”
New York – Dr. Dre & Big-Snoop Dogg have signed on to headline
Lions Gate “The Wash” which will be directed by D.J. Pooh. Dre and
Snoop will also executive produce the project and throw down some
tracks for the “Wash” soundtrack. The film is expected to be
released in the winter season.
COMMUNITY NEWS & VIEWS
BLACKFILM.COM TO SPONSOR INNER-CITY TENNIS PROGRAM
Blackfilm.com has agreed to be a co-sponsor of the Washington
D.C. based Tennis @ Shiloh Summer Instructional Program.
Blackfilm.com's Executive Producer, Shelby Jones, an active member
of the United States Professional Tennis Registry, has taught for
the program for 6 consecutive summers. The program begins in May
and offers tennis lessons to children ages 6-18 free of
charge. Adults also receive lessons for $120.00 for 17
lessons. In 1996 during the programs 20th Anniversary, former
President William Jefferson Clinton took notice of the program. He
declared, “For two decades, your program has maintained and built
upon the ideals of understanding and mutual respect…The strength of
your organization today exemplifies the community spirit and the
ongoing commitment to shared goals that inspired your founders.”
Each year, the program teaches well over 300 children and adults.
For more information, send a note to
mailto:info@blackfilm.com.
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