LAIKA continues 15th Anniversary Celebration with Screenings of All Its Films and Key Filmmaker Panels

Posted on September 22, 2021 by admin

LAIKA, whose five films (Missing Link, Kubo and the Two Strings, The Boxtrolls, ParaNorman and Coraline) have all received Oscar® nominations for Best Animated Film, will partner with the Oregon Museum of Science & Industry (OMSI) for multiple screenings of all its films as well as filmmaker discussions and a display of puppets and sets this October.

Last week, LAIKA announced it is currently in production on the animated feature film Wildwood, based on the bestselling novel written by Colin Meloy, lead singer and songwriter for The Decemberists, and illustrated by artist Carson Ellis. LAIKA President & CEO Travis Knight will direct.

LAIKA was awarded a Scientific & Technical Oscar® in 2016 for its innovations in facial animation and won the BAFTA for Kubo and the Two Strings and the Golden Globe for Missing Link. At the heart of every LAIKA film are the artists who meticulously craft every element.
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Marvel Studios’ ‘WHAT IF…?’ Episode 6 Original Soundtrack by Laura Karpman

Posted on September 17, 2021 by admin

Available today, What If…Killmonger Rescued Tony Stark? (Episode 6) features score by Emmy®-winning composer Laura Karpman. The score was produced by Karpman and Nora Kroll-Rosenbaum and album producers are Brad Winderbaum, Bryan Andrews and Dave Jordan.

Release dates for all 9 soundtracks follows:

Aug. 13: What If…Captain Carter Were the First Avenger? (Ep.1)
Aug. 20: What If…T’Challa Became a Star-Lord? (Ep. 2)
Aug. 27: What If…The World Lost Its Mightiest Heroes? (Ep. 3)
Sept. 3: What If…Doctor Strange Lost His Heart Instead of His Hands? (Ep.4)
Sept. 10: What If…Zombies?! (Ep.5)
Sept. 17: What If…What If…Killmonger Rescued Tony Stark? ( Ep. 6)
Sept. 24: What If…? Episode 7
Oct. 1: What If…? Episode 8
Oct. 8: What If…? Episode 9

“What If…?” flips the script on the MCU, reimagining famous events from the films in unexpected ways. Marvel Studios’ first animated series focuses on different heroes from the MCU, featuring a voice cast that includes a host of stars who reprise their roles. Directed by Bryan Andrews with AC Bradley as head writer, “What If…?” launched exclusively on Disney+ on August 11, 2021.

Karpman creates powerful, imaginative scores that push the boundaries of storytelling. Her award-winning music, spanning film, television, theater, interactive media and live performance, reflects an audaciously creative, prodigious, fresh spirit. Karpman collaborates with the most creative filmmakers of our time, including Misha Green, Steven Spielberg, Alex Gibney, Kasi Lemmons, Rory Kennedy, Sam Pollard, Laura Nix plus Eleanor, Francis Ford and Sophia Coppola. The five-time Emmy winner’s scores span the HBO hit series Lovecraft Country, 2020 Oscar-nominated Walk Run Cha-Cha, and the Discovery Channel docuseries Why We Hate, for which she recently won an Emmy Award.

Dave Chappelle’s Pilot Boy Productions Announces The Screening Of ‘Untitled’ Documentary At Hollywood Bowl

Posted on September 17, 2021 by admin

Movie screening of Dave Chappelle’s Pilot Boy Productions ‘untitled’ documentary, set on Thursday, October 7th at The Hollywood Bowl.

For one night only, Chappelle will screen his ‘untitled’ documentary at the Hollywood Bowl. The film is produced by Dave Chappelle and produced and directed by Oscar and Emmy-winning filmmakers Julia Reichert and Steven Bognar (American Factory).

The movie provides a glimpse into the challenges facing a rural village in Ohio during the early days of the pandemic.

The night will also feature special stand-up and musical performances from Chappelle and friends. Tickets On Sale Starting Saturday, September 18th at 10AM Local on Ticketmaster.com

OTT.X Announces Second Annual Impact Awards

Posted on June 26, 2021 by admin

Streaming Video Industry trade association OTT.X seeks nominations for original online programming that inspires positive action and promotes acceptance and equality.

OTT.X, the industry trade association supporting the OTT streaming ecosystem, has opened submissions for the second annual OTT.X Impact Awards. The OTT.X Impact Awards is a program created by and for the over-the-top streaming industry to recognize creators, producers, platforms and channels who are using the power of streaming video to make a positive impact. Submissions are being accepted from June 23 through September 30, 2021 for audio visual works that premiere and are distributed through OTT channels and platforms. Nominations will be announced on November 9 and winners will be announced at the Impact Awards Ceremony to be held on December 9, 2021.

“Our industry has the attention of millions of people globally,” said Mark Fisher, OTT.X President and CEO. “The stories we tell, messages we send and truths we reveal have the power to change the world. Using this power to promote understanding, acceptance, equality and to inspire positive action is a responsibility that OTT.X and our membership are committed to.” Paul Colichman, CEO of Here Media and OTT.X Impact Awards Steering Committee Chair commented, “As streaming transforms the entertainment landscape it also democratizes video content distribution. This allows for more programs that focus on social justice, equality, kindness and compassion.”

The inaugural OTT.X Impact Awards was held virtually on December 10, 2020 and recognized three winners including Here Media’s “Girls Voices Now – ‘Not Quite Here, Not Quite There’” for Impactful Short Title, Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment’s “Going From Broke’ for Impactful Series, and Passion River’s “Intelligent Lives” for Impactful Full-Length Feature. To apply, visit: Visit https://www.entmerch.org/impact-awards/

Live From NYC… Horror Writer’s Play Helps Reopen NY Theatre.

Posted on June 2, 2021 by admin

THE BIG DREAM by Rollin Jewett and directed by Jay Michaels is one of the first plays to open in NYC live — months before Broadway.

Staged immersively, with characters taken from audience members itself, THE BIG DREAM tells the tale of Jack, an arrogant stage-pig who recounts his journey of how he hoofed and whored his way on stage and on film. With only the goading of an enigmatic therapist to keep him on track, Jack goes in and out of reality trying to find who he really is … if he really is.

The cast includes Matt Frenzel as the Jack of this trade; Donna White as the therapist: Zara Zeidman as his long-suffering girlfriend, Sara Minisquero as his juvenile delinquent best friend; with Andrew J. Koehler, Anthony Diaz, Rose Zisa, Michael Pichardo, Melissa Ford, and Paulina De La Parra weaving through this tale as Jack’s family, friends, business associates, teachers, and tormentors.
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AGNES World Premieres At 2021 Tribeca Film Festival

Posted on June 2, 2021 by admin

Directed by Mickey Reece, the horror-Drama is set to premiere at 2021 Tribeca Film Festival on June 12.

See the film’s Tribeca festival page here: https://tribecafilm.com/films/agnes-2021

The film stars Molly Quinn, Jake Horowitz, Sean Gunn, Chris Browning, Ben Hall, Mary Buss, Chris Sullivan

Here is the film’s official synopsis:
A nun’s disturbing behavior sparks rumors of demonic possession at a remote convent. When a priest-in-waiting and his disillusioned mentor are sent to investigate, their methods backfire, leaving a wake of terror and trauma.

Life Is Straange: Coming Home #1

Posted on May 25, 2021 by admin

The new arc featuring backup strips with the first comic appearance of Alex Chen – lead character from the new game, Life is Strange: True Colors.

Max’s attempt to return home enters a thrilling new phase! A shocking discovery offers unexpected hope, and the epic cross-country trip with Chloe and Rachel reveals a new ally. This will be on Sale on July 7, 2021.

Life is strange remastered edition of the original game series is also set to be released on Fall 2021. Available to pre-order now from your local available to pre-order from your local comic book shop, Amazon, Forbidden Planet and ComiXology. Life is Strange 3.1: Coming Home

Zack Snyder Reveals Forbidden Planet’s Army Of The Dead Worldwide Exclusive

Posted on May 20, 2021 by admin

Superstar director Zack Snyder – director of Dawn of the Dead, 300, Watchmen, Sucker Punch, Man of Steel, Batman v Superman & Zack Snyder’s Justice League, has announced via retailer Forbidden Planet that he is launching an exclusive Snyder-curated Forbidden Planet edition of The Army of the Dead: The Making of the Film book.

Speaking exclusively to Forbidden Planet TV, Snyder said: “Titan Books and Forbidden Planet have done amazing work with this curated exclusive edition. It’s been a real pleasure for me to have this exclusive partnership with you guys, we’ve produced “making of” books that span my filmography and they’ve all been amazing. For me as a filmmaker, just to have this record of the work that was done to create these films – all the hard work that the artists have done – these books are a service that really allow fans to connect with how these movies are made. The Army of the Dead book is really fun, it captures a lot of the spirit of the movie and the joy we had making it. Creating this special edition was a real pleasure and I’m excited for the fans to check it out.”

International Olympic Committee Makes Landmark Move Into Virtual Sports

Posted on April 23, 2021 by admin

International Olympic Committee makes landmark move into virtual sports by announcing first-ever Olympic Virtual SeriesInternational Olympic Committee makes landmark move into virtual sports by announcing first-ever Olympic Virtual Series

Inaugural Olympic Virtual Series to include International Federations and Game Publishers in Baseball, Cycling, Rowing, Sailing and Motor Sport

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will partner with five International Sports Federations (IFs) and game publishers to produce the Olympic Virtual Series (OVS), the first-ever, Olympic-licensed event for physical and non-physical virtual sports.

Taking place ahead of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, the OVS will begin on 13 May, continuing through to 23 June 2021. The Olympic Virtual Series will mobilise virtual sport, esports and gaming enthusiasts all around the world in order to reach new Olympic audiences, while also encouraging the development of physical and non-physical forms of sports in line with the recommendations of the IOC’s Olympic Agenda 2020+5.

IOC President Thomas Bach said: “The Olympic Virtual Series is a new, unique Olympic digital experience that aims to grow direct engagement with new audiences in the field of virtual sports. Its conception is in line with Olympic Agenda 2020+5 and the IOC’s Digital Strategy. It encourages sports participation and promotes the Olympic values, with a special focus on youth.”
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Mayling Ng (Suicide Squad, Scorpion) to play opposite UFC Champ Michael Bisping in The Journeyman

Posted on April 22, 2021 by admin

British-born Eurasian actor Mayling Ng (“Wonder Woman,” “The Scorpion King: Book of Souls”) will star opposite retired UFC Middleweight Champion and Hall of Famer Michael Bisping (“xXx: Return of Xander Cage,” “Den of Thieves”) in director Dax Phelan’s boxing film, “The Journeyman.”

Set in Nortwest England, the story is about Kenny “The Beast” Breen (Bisping), an alcoholic, drug-abusing, past-his-prime journeyman boxer who, after being diagnosed with neurological damage, continues his career on the small-hall circuit at grave risk to himself and lands a fight with his former rival who’s gone on to become a star in the division. Ng will play Alina, a woman struggling to start her life over after escaping an abusive relationship, who becomes romantically involved with the boxer.

The screenplay was co-written by Phelan and British author Mark Turley, based on Turley’s book, Journeymen: The Other Side of the Boxing Business, a New Perspective on the Noble Art. The book made the long list for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year in 2015.

“Mayling and I have been wanting to work together for years,” Phelan said. “So, when the opportunity to write a female character from Liverpool arose, Mark and I wrote the part especially for Mayling, who was born there, anxious to show off sides of her talent that audiences haven’t seen yet.”

“Dax and Mark have written a beautiful character who’s as vulnerable as she is strong,” Ng said, “and I can’t wait to explore her many facets with [Bisping] on screen.”
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