May 2001
Industry News : WRITERS AND AMPTP REACH A TENTATIVE AGREEMENT

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.