Weinsteins Want Miramax Name Back 
'Saw 3D' vs 'Paranormal Activity 2' Battle … 
TV TUG OF WAR: It's Ellen vs Simon, And … 
Robert De Niro Returns To CAA From WME; Jane … 
Fox Wins Studio War For Robert Rodriguez' … 
Weinstein Co Gets "New Lease On Life"? 
Nicole Kidman Hires Angelina's Manager 
So What Are The Hot Films At Sundance? 
Huge $70M Settlement In TV Writers Age … 
TOLDJA! Momoa Chosen 'Conan' Barbarian 
Oscar Campaign Badmouthing Has Begun! Dates announced today. The BFI London Film Festival is now accepting submissions.
You are viewing the Category: “Film Festivals”
'People vs George Lucas' Debuts At SXSW
A year ago, when I ran the teaser for The People vs George Lucas, comments flooded in both pro and con this documentary. And the pic itself intrigues me because it features so many Industry types talking about Lucas in a negative way as they debate his legacy. (Like calling him the "anti-Christ" and "evil genius of marketing"....) Now the film has been selected for the Spotlight Premiere section at the South By Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival in Austin next month.
2010 Sundance Film Festival Lineup
Here's the Sundance announcement with lots of accompanying ballyhoo about how this is the festival's return to "risky" business. The big question is whether this year there'll be any business. There wasn't much last year, and I hear there could be even less this year. Poor indie film:
PARK CITY, UT – Sundance Institute announced today the lineup of films selected to screen in the U.S. and World Cinema Dramatic and Documentary Competitions for the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. In addition to the four Competition Categories, the Festival presents films in five out-of-competition sections to be announced on December 3. The 2010 Sundance Film Festival runs January 21-31 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah.
As previously announced, the 2010 Sundance Film Festival features several changes including a new section devoted to low- and no-budget filmmaking and Sundance Film Festival U.S.A.- a one-night only event when eight filmmakers from the Festival will visit eight cities nationwide. In addition, the Festival will break tradition by foregoing the conventions of one opening night film and instead focus on launching the total program: one narrative film, one documentary and one shorts program will play the first Thursday (January 21), beginning the roll out of the competitions.
"Being a seasoned programming team and having the support of a healthy organization afforded us the ability to take risks and re-think all programs this year so we chose to do some things a little bit differently," said
... Read More »
Michael Moore And Harvey Weinstein Shut Out At Venice Film Festival; Israeli War Film 'Lebanon', U.S. Helmer Todd Solondz Win
Director Samuel Maoz's hard-hitting Israeli war movie Lebanon won the Golden Lion for best picture at the Venice film festival today. 
The film went inside a tank to focus on a young Israeli conscript during the 1982 war. "I dedicate this award to the thousands of people all over the world who, like me, come back from war safe and sound," the director told the audience at the 11-day cinema showcase. Another frontrunner, American director Todd Solondz's dark comedy Life During Wartime picked up best screenplay.
Two prominent American pictures were shut out of the festival's official jury awards -- Michael Moore's attack on corporate greed, Capitalism: A Love Story, and The Weinstein Company's The Road, which John Hillcoat adapted from Cormac McCarthy's post-apocalyptic novel. This will no doubt affect Harvey Weinstein' release plans for it. Moore's pic did receive the Leoncino d'oro Award from 26 local youths selected by the festival, but nothing from the official jury -- even though he personally came to Venice to premiere his documentary (see trailer here). So did Oliver Stone, whose South Of The Border debuted out of competition. The screening of this indictment of U.S. media's villification of Huge Chavez (trailer here) prompted the Venezuelan president to walk the red carpet alongside Stone.
Iranian video artist Shirin Neshat won the Silver Lion for best director for Women Without Men, set during Iran's foreign-backed coup in 1953. British actor Colin Firth won ... Read More »
Toronto Film Festival And Tel Aviv: Now The Protest About The Protest
I'm sure you are all aware of the protest taking place at the Toronto Film Festival condemning the organizers' choice of Tel Aviv for an inaugural City-to-City Spotlight. Many of the participants have denounced this "celebratory spotlight on a city of "an apartheid regime", and sent an open letter accusing the festival of, "whether intentionally or not, [becoming] complicit in the Israeli propaganda machine". They organized an open letter, and the signatories include Danny Glover, Jane Fonda, David Byrne, Ken Loach and others. Canadian filmmaker John Greyson withdrew his short film after learning of the Tel Aviv spotlight. In response to this, I've learned there will be a full-page ad running Monday in Canada's Globe and Mail signed by Hollywood players on the other side of this issue:
London Film Festival Announces Line-Up
This year's London Film Festival line-up for October 14-29 will be announced today by Artistic Director Sandra Hebron. Among the total of 191 features and 113 shorts screening are the Opening Night film, Wes Anderson’s FANTASTIC MR. FOX presented by the director and cast members including Meryl Streep, George Clooney, Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman and Helen McCrory. There also will be the UK premiere of John Lasseter’s TOY STORY 2 in Disney Digital 3D. And George Clooney will also be in attendance to support his role in THE MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS. New films representing the next wave of American independent filmmaking includes Sophie Barthes’ COLD SOULS, Andrew Bujalski’s BEESWAX, Sam Fleischner and Ben Chace‘s WAH DO DEM, Nicholas Jasenovec’s PAPER HEART, and Suzi Yoonessi’s DEAR LEMON LIMA.
World premieres include Sam Taylor-Wood’s Closing Night Gala NOWHERE BOY, and the Festival’s first ever Archive Gala, the BFI’s new restoration of Anthony Asquith’s UNDERGROUND, with live music accompaniment by the Prima Vista Social Club led by Neil Brand.
The Festival will also host 23 European premieres, including Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s MICMACS, Scott Hicks’ THE BOYS ARE BACK and Robert Connolly’s BALIBO, as well as Umesh Vinayak Kulkarni’s THE WELL and Lucy Bailey and Andrew Thompson’s MUGABE AND THE WHITE AFRICAN. The 4 international premieres that will be featured are "45365" from Bill and Turner Ross, Celine Danhier’s BLANK CITY, Mike Judge’s EXTRACT, and Rumle Hammerich’s HEADHUNTER.
Directors travelling to ... Read More »
Trailer: Oliver Stone's 'South Of The Border'
I've been given the U.S. exclusive look at the trailer for Oliver Stone’s new documentary South of the Border which is sharply critical of the U.S. media's coverage of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez and 6 other Latin American leaders. Stone will personally premiere the film at the Venice Film Festival this Monday:
Tribeca Film Festival Calls For Submissions
The Tribeca Film Festival and Tribeca All Access will run from April 21 to May 2 in New York City and Tribeca Film Institute's Tribeca All Access program from April 19 to 26. The Festival also announced a Call for Submissions for narrative and documentary features as well as for short film entries. TAA has announced a call for qualifying feature length scripts and documentary works-in-progress.
Deadlines to submit U.S. and International films for the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival:
September 14 – SUBMISSIONS OPEN
November 13 – EARLY DEADLINE, FEATURES & SHORTS
December 14 – OFFICIAL DEADLINE, ALL FEATURES AND SHORTS COMPLETED IN 2009
January 11 – LATE DEADLINE, FEATURES STILL IN POST-PRODUCTION AFTER OFFICIAL DEADLINE
Starting September 14, submission forms and complete information regarding eligibility for the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival will be available at www.tribecafilm.com/festival.
Deadlines for U.S.-based filmmakers to submit for the 2010 Tribeca All Access:
September 14 – SUBMISSIONS OPEN
October 26 – EARLY DEADLINE
December 14 – FINAL DEADLINE
Internationally-based filmmakers should apply through one of TAA’s partner organizations (UK Film Council, ScreenAustralia, or the Canadian Film Centre).
Submission forms and complete information regarding eligibility for the 2010 Tribeca All Access program will be available at www.tribecafilminstitute.org starting September 14, 2009.
Hypocrisy, Thy Name Is Tokyo Film Festival
DHD has just received this note from Fisher Stevens:
I have been involved with many films over the years as an actor, director and producer. But working on The Cove has been one of my proudest moments in 28 years of being in the business. Getting the opportunity to make an exciting film, and one that can actually make a difference, is why I got into filmaking in the first place.
That is why I was so disappointed that our film, after winning awards in the last 13 film festivals it had entered, was rejected by the Tokyo Film Festival, whose theme this year is green. Not that it is that much of a shocker, but the main goal for making the film was to shut down the cove in Taijii, Japan, where 2,300 dolphins are killed every year. Most of the Japanese population has no idea that this is going on. What better way to let them know than to premiere it on the green carpet of this years festival.
We have sold the film in over 20 countries and sadly have yet to find any distributor who will go near the film in Japan.
We will continue to do our best to get the film out in Japan but it is a shame that, after being accepted in festivals all over the world, that we couldn't get into this one.
Sincerely,
Fisher Stevens
World's Largest Timed Filmmaking Contest
HUNDREDS OF ANGELENOS WILL RACE ACROSS CITY TO COMPLETE FILM IN JUST 48 HOURS
WHAT: The 48 Hour Film Project Los Angeles Kickoff
WHERE: The York, 5018 York Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90042
WHEN: Friday, July 10th - Contest kick-off, Sunday, July 12th - Teams return to submit their completed films
WHY: The 48 Hour Film Project, the world's largest timed filmmaking competition, will tear through Los Angeles, challenging Los Angeles residents to complete an entire film – from writing and casting to shooting and editing – in a mere 48 hours. On July 12th, participating teams will gather at The York where they will be given a genre, a character, a prop, and a line of dialogue that they must work into their film. Films submitted even one minute late on Sunday, July 12th will be disqualified. This year, Los Angeles will be one of a record 80 cities worldwide – from Beijing to Lisbon - competing in the 48 Hour Film Project.
Films will be screened for the public at The Regency Fairfax Theatres (July 14th -16th), where a panel of judges will choose Los
Angeles's best film. Winners will then be in the running for top honors at Filmapalooza, the 48 Hour Film Project's annual awards. Each city's winning films can be viewed at www.48.tv
Cannes Film Festival Winners
CANNES FILM FESTIVAL International Competition Jury Prizes
Palme d'Or
The White Ribbon, Michael Haneke, Germany-France-Austria-Italy
Grand Prix
A Prophet, Jacques Audiard, France
Special Jury Prize
Alain Resnais, Wild Grass (France)
Director
Brillante Mendoza, Kinatay, Philippines
Jury Prize
Fish Tank, Andrea Arnold, UK
Thirst, Park Chan-wook, South Korea-U.S.
Actor
Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds, U.S.-Germany
Actress
Charlotte Gainsbourg, Antichrist, Denmark-Germany-France-Sweden-Italy-Poland
Screenplay
Mei Feng, Spring Fever, Hong Kong-France
Short Films Jury Prizes
Palme d'Or
Arena, Joao Salaviza, Portugal
Special Mention
The Six Dollar Fifty Man, Mark Albiston, Louis Sutherland, New Zealand
Un Certain Regard Jury Awards
Main Prize
Dogtooth, Yorgos Lanthimos, Greece
Jury Prize
Police, Adjective, Corneliu Porumboiu, Romania
Special Prize
No One Knows About Persian Cats, Bahman Ghobadi, Iran
Father of My Children, Mia Hansen-Love, France
Other Main Jury Awards
Camera d'Or
Samson And Delilah, Warwick Thornton
Special Mention
Ajami, Scandar Copti, Yaron Shani, Israel-Germany
Critics' Week Grand Prix
Farewell Gary, Nassim Amamouche, France
Fipresci Awards
Competition: The White Ribbon, Michael Haneke, Germany-Austria-France-Italy
Un Certain Regard: Police, Adjective, Corneliu Porumboiu, Romania
Directors' Fortnight: Amreeka, Cherien Dabis, Canada-Kuwait-U.S.
Robert Redford & Governor Richardson Announce "Sundance In New Mexico" For Native American & Hispanic Filmmakers
Santa Fe, NM, May 15 – New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson announced a new collaboration between Robert Redford and the State of New Mexico that is currently referred to as “Sundance in New Mexico.” The initiative will partner with the Department of Cultural Affairs and the New Mexico Film Office to create and expand upon training programs in film, arts, and the environment. These programs will be designed specifically for New Mexico’s Native American and Hispanic filmmakers. The Governor was joined by Mr. Redford at a news conference today at the State Capitol in Santa Fe.
“This marks a new level of commitment on the part of Bob Redford and my administration in supporting the underrepresented voices in our culture, to job creation through the arts, and to the power of partnerships built on mutual goals and aspirations,” said Governor Richardson. “The Redford and Sundance names are held in high esteem around the globe, and are synonymous in most people’s minds with innovation in the arts, advocacy of the environment, and public policy reflecting both. This is a tremendous opportunity for New Mexico’s Native American and Hispanic filmmakers, and for the state as a whole.”
“My love of New Mexico goes back many, many years,” said Robert Redford. “My commitment to this state began with The Milagro Beanfield War.”
Sundance in New Mexico will be based at historic Los Luceros in Northern New Mexico, a cultural treasure located along the Rio Grande that is owned and operated by the New Mexico Department of
... Read More »
Top Executive Exits Tribeca Film Festival
Tribeca Film Festival today announced that Peter Scarlet has stepped down from his position as Artistic Director of the Festival, effective immediately, after 7 years.
One Tech World=One Video Game Console
My video game guru Keith Boesky, who sells the most intellectual property and developers into the game business, has some tech for thought:
Games cost a lot, and they take a really long time now. Sure, assets are expensive. But one of the biggest pricetags today is technology, and everyone is building it.
Recently, a bunch of game industry luminaries kicked the idea of a one console future. They said it was too hard to manufacture for of a lot of different platforms. They're right, it is hard, but their conclusion is stupid. Trip Hawkins knew this when he allowed Joe Montana Football to build on Madden tech. He needed a rival in the market. The competition among the consoles not only gives us hardware advances on a regular basis, but it amortizes the expense of market growth across multiple companies. Growth: fueled by in-store promotion, price cuts to consumers, marketing dollars to publishers, and other promotions. Do you see a lot of innovation coming out of your phone company? Why would we want to relegate the console to the status of appliance?
Let’s take a step back and look at the enabling technology, not the hardware. Let the consoles compete at the hardware level, like televisions do. But let’s get enough people behind the technology to force them to modify their consoles to meet our needs.
Every publisher incurs redundant costs. When I try to explain the game development process to every Hollywood executive
... Read More »
JOKER LAUGHING ALL THE WAY TO BANK: 'Dark Knight' Breaks Ten Film Records: $67.1M Fri + $47.6M Sat + $43.5M Sun; Best Ever $158.4M Box Office Weekend; Biggest Non-Holiday FSS At The Movies
MONDAY AM: Bigger... Bigger... BIGGEST! The Dark Knight's weekend tally was more than first thought -- a record-setting $158.4M, according to Warner Bros. That comfortably beats Spider-Man 3's $151.1M for best-ever 3-day non-holiday weekend. The latest Batman installment's Sunday take of $43.5M was down only -8% compared to Saturday's $47.6M and set the best-ever Sunday total for its 9th record. Friday's final figure was lowered to $67.1M. TDK's 10th record beats the all-time first week tally.
SUNDAY 8PM UPDATE: I've just been told by unofficial sources that Warner Bros' The Dark Knight is playing to packed Sunday performances for over $40M and maybe as high as $43M. That would mean a 9th record for the latest Batman installment since Spider-Man 3's Sunday take in 2007 was a record-setting $39.9M. It's also now abundantly clear that the Warner Bros caped crusader will crush the old 3-day weekend non-holiday record set by Spider-Man 3 last year. Also, Dark Knight should break its 9th record by beating the all-time weekly tally. Meanwhile, in its first six days, DK will have grossed more than the entire run of director Chris Nolan's first installment Batman Begins.
SUNDAY AM: Warner Bros is reporting The Dark Knight will finish with a total North American weekend take of $155.3M. Here's the surprising studio breakdown: $67.8 million Friday, including those record-setting opening day midnight shows; $48 million Saturday (-29%), and projected $39.4 million Sunday (-18%). So if Sunday holds up, that FSS (Fri-Sat-Sun) non-holiday figure will be enough to snag the record from Spider-Man 3's $151.1 million. But it'll be close. The latest Batman installment did not set a record ... Read More »
Comic-Con Programming: July 27
Sunday, July 27 (details here)
10:00-11:00 Smallville Screening and Q&A
10:00-11:00 Jack Kirby Tribute
10:00-11:00 The Radio Adventures of Dr. Floyd
10:00-5:00 San Diego International Children’s Film Festival
10:15-11:15 Nickelodeon: SpongeBob SquarePants
10:30-11:30 Muggles, Wizards, and Fans in the World of Harry Potter
10:30-11:30 Spotlight on Jim Ottaviani
10:30-11:30 Zuda Online Comics
10:30-12:00 CBLDF Live Art Jam
10:30-11:30 Marvel: Women in Marvel
10:30-11:30 FX's It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
10:30-11:30 Christian Comics Art Society
10:30-11:30 Comics Construction: Literary and Visual Representations
10:30-11:30 Kids Draw
11:00-12:00 Dave Stevens Tribute
11:00-12:30 Asian Ball Jointed Dolls 101/Collectors Meeting
11:15-12:15 Supernatural Screening and Q&A
11:30-12:30 Spotlight on Kyle Baker
11:30-12:30 Graphic Novel Help in Libraries
11:30-12:30 Growing up with Archie
11:30-1:00 The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning
11:30-12:00 Focus Features: Hamlet 2
11:30-1:00 Postmodernism and Revolution
11:30-12:30 How to Draw Star Wars for Kids
11:45-12:45 DC Nation: One Weekend Later
12:00-1:00 Phineas and Ferb
12:00-1:00 The Business of Cartoon Voices
12:00-12:45 Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay
12:00-2:00 Browncoats Fan Group
12:30-1:30 Emily the Strange
12:30-2:00 The Secret Origin of Good Readers
12:30-1:30 Spotlight on Steve Breen
12:30-1:30 Paranormal State
12:30-1:30 Nick Jr. Presents: Backyardigans and Ni Hao, Kai-lan
12:30-1:30 How to Draw Monsters
1:00-2:30 The Life of Michael Turner Tribute Panel
1:00-2:30 Chowder, TMMIOF, Underfist Sneak Peek
1:00-2:00 Marvel: TV Writers of Marvel
1:00-1:30 Friday the 13th
1:00-2:30 Capes, Tights and Gowns
1:15-2:30 Cartoon Voices II
1:30-2:30 30 Years of Pointed Ears: Elfquest
1:30-2:30 Huntik: Secrets & Seekers
1:30-2:30 CMX: Manga for the Masses
1:30-2:30 Rogue Pictures
1:30-2:30 Manga Art for Kids
1:45-2:45 Ghost Whisperer 4: The New Spirit Mythology of Melinda
2:00-3:00 The Secret Origin of Good Readers Breakouts
2:00-3:30 Starship Smackdown XI
2:00-3:00 Indyfans and the Quest for Fortune and Glory
2:30-3:30 Sunday Conversation with Dan DiDio
2:30-4:00 Pro/Fan Trivia Match—
... Read More »
Comic-Con Programming: July 26
Saturday, July 26 (details here)
10:00-11:00 Spirituality in Comics
10:00-11:00 Spotlight on Forrest J Ackerman
10:00-11:30 The Black Panel ’08
10:00-11:00 Marvel--Iron Man: Armored Adventures Screening
10:00-11:00 Nickelodeon’s The Fairly Odd Parents
10:00-11:00 Looking at Our World: Eye on the Future
10:00-11:00 Emerging LGBT Voices
10:00-10:45 Futurama Secrets Revealed
10:00-11:30 Science, Justice, and the Media
10:00-11:30 Let’s Make Lots of Money
10:15-11:15 Ben 10: Alien Force
10:15-11:15 Spotlight on Ralph Bakshi
10:30-11:30 DC Talent Search 3
10:45-11:30 The Simpsons
10:45-11:45 Heroes: "Villains" and Q&A
11:00-12:00 Spotlight on Ethan Van Sciver
11:00-12:00 IDW Publishing: Ideas and Dreams 2008
11:00-12:00 Watching the Watchmen
11:00-12:00 Hellboy
11:00-12:00 50th Anniversary Famous Monsters
11:15-12:30 Quick Draw
11:30-12:30 Secrets Behind Turning Comics into Games
11:30-12:30 B.E.T. Animation
11:30-12:30 Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
11:30-12:30 Image Comics/Tori Amos
11:30-1:00 Reinventing the Superhero
11:30-12:30 Spotlight on Matt Busch with Drawing Demo
11:45-12:45 Spotlight on Dean Koontz
12:00-1:00 Dark Horse Comics
12:00-1:00 Spotlight on John Howe
12:00-1:00 Hasbro: Transformers
12:00-1:00 Spotlight on Howard Chaykin
12:00-1:00 Writing Prime Time Animated Comedy
12:00-1:00 Steampunk Fan Group Meet-up
12:00-1:00 Lost
12:30-1:30 Spotlight on Rutu Modan
12:30-1:30 ABC Family’s Kyle XY
12:30-2:00 Cartoon Voices I
12:30-1:30 The Role of Anatomy in Training Master Artists
12:45-1:45 Exclusive Q&A with the writers of The Office
12:45-2:00 DC Comics: A Guide to Your Universe— Dan DiDio
1:00-2:00 Aspen Comics in 2008 and Beyond
1:00-2:00 Diamond Select Toys: Minimates
1:00-2:00 Will Eisner Tribute
1:00-2:00 Dollhouse
1:00-2:00 Podcasting Superheroes
1:00-2:00 Twomorrows Publishing and The Academic Community
1:15-2:00 Spotlight on Tite Kubo
1:15-2:00 Warner Bros.: Terminator Salvation
1:30-2:30 Comic Book Law School: Gone But Not Forgotten
1:30-2:30 Things That Go Bump— Monsters
1:30-2:30 SLG Publishing
1:30-2:30 Writing 101: Creating Characters
2:00-3:00 Warhammer Online
2:00-3:00 Attack of the Show!
2:00-3:00 Comics: Across Every Medium
2:00-3:00 Spotlight on Bryan Hitch
2:00-3:00 Lettering Roundtable
2:00-3:00 Customizing Action Figure Fan Group
2:00-3:30 Poster Session
2:15-3:15 Grant
... Read More »
Comic-Con Programming: July 25
Friday, July 25 (details here)
10:00-11:00 VIZ Media’s Shonen Jump Panel
10:00-11:00 DC Comics Talent Search 2
10:00-11:00 Marvel: Your Universe
10:00-11:00 Batman: Brave & Bold
10:00-10:50 Star Wars: Designing the Clone Wars Universe
10:00-11:00 TheOneRing.net: The Hobbit
10:15-11:15 The Big Bang Theory Screening and Q&A
10:30-11:30 Spotlight on Max Brooks
10:30-11:30 10 Years of DC Direct
10:30-11:30 One on One with Terry Moore
10:30-11:30 Focus on Mark Buckingham
10:30-12:00 Comic Book Law School 202
10:45-11:45 Stargate Continuum
10:50-11:35 Star Wars: The Clone Wars 3D Modeling
11:00-12:00 Print The Legend: Mike Grell and Mark Ryan
11:00-12:00 Image Comics Studio Space
11:00-12:00 LEGO and BrickJournal: Brave New World
11:00-12:00 Masquerade 101
11:15-12:15 Powerpuff Girls 10th Anniversary
11:15-12:15 Worlds Collide: Midway's Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe
11:30-12:30 Hey Kids, the First One's in the Library
11:30-12:30 Marvel Cup o’ Joe Quesada
11:30-12:30 Mattel and DC Comics: A Heroic Partnership
11:30-12:30 Spotlight on Jim Starlin
11:30-12:30 Comics Studies: Developing Canon and Theory
11:35-12:35 Industrial Light & Magic and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
11:45-12:15 Stargate MMO
11:55-1:00 Warner Bros.: Watchmen
12:00-1:00 ABC Family: Samurai Girl
12:00-1:00 50 Years of Gay Legion of Super-Heroes Fandom
12:00-1:00 Prince of Persia
12:00-2:00 Steve Rude Painting Workshop
12:00-1:00 Costume Illustrators, Production Illustrators...
12:15-1:15 Stargate Atlantis
12:25-1:15 Star Wars: The Clone Wars: New Books
12:30-1:30 The Art of Adapting Comics to the Screen
12:30-1:15 Spaced
12:30-1:30 Spotlight on Jim Lee: The Art of DC Universe Online
12:30-1:30 Spectacular Spider-Man
12:30-2:00 That ’70s (Comics) Panel
12:30-1:30 Spotlight on Connie Willis
12:30-2:00 Visual Language
1:00-2:00 Introducing Resident Evil: Degeneration
1:00-2:00 Looking at Our World: Eye on the Present
1:00-2:00 Spotlight on Victor Gorelick
1:00-2:00 Production Designers
1:15-2:00 Primeval
1:15-2:00 Hasbro: Star Wars and Indiana Jones
1:15-2:00 Trailer Park—All the latest film trailers
1:30-2:30 Editorial Cartoons
1:30-2:30 Scott McCloud
... Read More »
Comic-Con Programming: July 23 & 24
Wednesday, July 23
Warner Bros. TV screens Fringe, the new Fox series from J.J. AbramsThursday, July 24 (more details here)
10:00-11:00 Click & Clack’s As the Wrench Turns
10:00-11:00 75 Years of Doc Savage
10:00-11:00 Kings: Exclusive Sneak Peek Screening and Q&A
10:00-11:00 Fans’ Guide to Comic-Con
10:00-11:00 The Gene Roddenberry Legacy
10:00-11:00 How new media have affected moviemaking
10:30-11:30 Tripwire Annual 2008 and the future of genre fiction.
10:30-11:30 DC Comics Talent Search Orientation
10:30-11:30 Warner Home Video's Tiny Toon Adventures and Freakazoid
10:30-11:30 Noel Neill celebrating her 60th anniversary
10:30-11:30 The Politics of Representing War in Film and Comics
10:30-12:00 Comic Book Law School 101
10:45-11:45 Stan Lee and Grant Morrison Talk Virgin Comics
11:00-12:00 Indies in comics
11:00-12:00 Professional Writing: Threat or Menace?
11:00-12:00 The Comic Art of J. G. Jones
11:00-12:00 LGBT Portrayals in Comics
11:00-12:00 The Disney Animation Story Process
11:15-12:15 30th Anniversary Battlestar Galactica Panel
11:30-12:30 Spotlight on Neil Googe
11:30-12:30 From the K Chronicles to The Knight Life: Keith Knight
11:30-12:30 SPORE: One-on-One with Will Wright
11:30-12:30 Hasbro: GI Joe, the summer 2009 blockbuster movie release
11:30-1:00 Comics Arts Conference Session #2: Comics Pedagogy
11:30-1:00 20th Century Fox: The Day The Earth Stood Still and Max Payne
11:45-12:45 Knight Rider: First Look at the New Series and Q&A
12:00-1:00 Sideshow Collectibles
12:00-1:00 The New Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s: English-Language World Premiere
12:00-1:00 Spotlight on Paul Gulacy
12:00-1:00 How Not to Break into Comics
12:00-1:00 Doctor Who
12:00-1:00 Comics Experience: How to Build a Comic Book Art Portfolio
12:00-1:00 Classics Illustrated
12:30-1:30 Spotlight on Eddie Campbell
12:30-1:15 Humor in Science Fiction
12:30-1:30 DC: Superman: Man of Tomorrow
12:30-1:30 William Katt: Greatest American Hero Comic
1:00-2:00 Spotlight on Steve Purcell
1:00-2:00 Modern Masters: Live
1:00-2:00 Activision with Stan Lee
1:00-2:00 Mark and Sergio
1:00-2:00 Bongo
... Read More »
All About 'Grand Theft Auto' The Movie
Given that Grand Theft Auto IV blew away the global retail sales record, a day doesn't go by that I'm not asked about when it's going to be made into a movie. Of course, that happens with every best-selling video game. But this isn't a case of the project veering horribly off track like, say, Halo. Nah, this is something altogether different. 
I've learned that Fox Atomic owns the rights to Grand Theft Auto. But to the movie title, not the game. It was, of course, Ron Howard who wrote and directed and starred in the little pic Grand Theft Auto back in 1977 for Roger Corman. So Fox optioned the rights for the Howard/Corman movie title a while back. A studio insider clarifies for me: "Yes, Fox owns the Corman movie. Yes, it has been one of 400 development projects for several years. But they are nowhere on the script. It has certainly not been a front-burner project." Strangely, the success of the video game hasn't put any new impetus on the studio to formulate a plan. And it doesn't matter that a supposed legal settlement over the game/movie/title dictates that Rockstar can't make a Grand Theft Auto movie or Corman/Howard/Fox a video game out of the title. C'mon, the movie can still shrewdly piggyback off the game's global branding. Here's my idea: Fox for old times sake should offer the project to Ron Howard since GTA jump-started his directorial career. Then let him incubate as a producer a new ... Read More »
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