Eventive Announces Advanced Anti-Piracy Technology For Virtual Cinema

“Power to the filmmakers. Not to the pirates.”

Eventive, the leading platform for virtual cinema, hosting over 35,000 films for more than 700 festivals and year-round exhibitors in 2020, announced today that starting February 1, 2021, every stream on the platform will be secured with a NAGRA NexGuard forensic watermark. By using this invisible mark to identify each individual user and session, Eventive will be able to track any unauthorized use and trace it right back to the source.

Forensic watermarking is the most advanced form of content protection available and was previously only available at significant expense to a limited number of films. Eventive Advanced Antipiracy brings this level of security to everyone, at no additional cost.

In 2020 the independent film exhibition landscape shifted entirely to virtual cinema screenings, which allowed viewers to enjoy these films at home – however, the threat of piracy also increased dramatically. As pirates continue to improve their techniques, artists need the tools to protect their work, and Eventive’s latest advancement – along with existing multi-DRM, enhanced bitstream, burn-in, and overlay watermarking – grants filmmakers, distributors, exhibitors and film festivals the assurance that content is being streamed safely.

“Eventive Advanced Antipiracy moves content security to an entirely new level,” says Carly-Rose Moser, Director of Production & Operations at the American Film Institute. She adds, “It’s going to help all filmmakers and distributors feel more comfortable showing their work virtually.”

Iddo Patt, Eventive Co-founder and CEO, also added, “Our primary goal with Eventive Virtual has always been to create a sustainable virtual exhibition ecosystem that preserves premium and theatrical release windows, to support all filmmakers and new voices in reaching ever wider audiences while protecting their creative rights. We are delighted to be able to offer this level of security to all filmmakers.” Learn more about the Eventive Advanced Antipiracy suite of features at AdvancedAntipiracy.org.

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Chris Hemsworth Is Officially Hulk Hogan-Level Jacked in New Photo

Like plenty of other leading men, Chis Hemsworth likes to post his workouts on social media, and has even got a side hustle going with his own fitness and wellbeing app, Centr, where he and his team share the workouts and meal plans that have helped him get into godlike shape to play Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

But in his latest progress pic on Instagram, in which he is captured flipping a tire (or “cheat day donut” as his tongue-in-cheek caption reads), the Australian actor is looking even more jacked than he did on the set of the Thor and Avengers movies. It’s in preparation for his next big project, where he will play ’80s and ’90s wrestling star Hulk Hogan.

Hemsworth has previously stated in interviews that his role in the upcoming Hogan biopic will require him to bulk up and physically transform more than any of his previous gigs. “I will have to put on more size than I ever have before, even more than I put on for Thor,” he said. “There is the accent as well as the physicality and the attitude… I will also have to do a deep dive into the rabbit hole of the wrestling world, which I’m really looking forward to doing.”

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Sam Mendes Wins 2020 DGA Award for “1917”

By Creative Media Times

Universal Pictures

The Directors Guild of America has weighed in on the race for best director, and giving 1917’s Sam Mendes the top honor for best feature film.

“I was fortunate enough to win this award two decades ago,” Mendes recalling his DGA Awards win for “American Beauty” in 2000. “And I think if I’m honest with myself, I didn’t feel ultimately like I really knew what I was doing. I feel a little bit more like I do now.”

The win is Mendes’ second major guild win of the awards season, making him a solid frontrunner for best director at next month’s Academy Awards. The DGA Awards are often a strong bellwether for the Academy Awards: since DGA started handing out trophies in 1949, the winner has only lost seven times at the Oscars. Additionally, Mendes won best director at the Golden Globes earlier this month.

Other nominees for feature film were Bong Joon Ho for Parasite, Martin Scorsese for The Irishman, Quentin Tarantino for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Taika Waititi for Jojo Rabbit.

See below for the full list of winners:

Film

Feature Film
Sam Mendes – 1917

Documentaries
Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert – American Factory

First-Time Feature Film
Alma Har’el – Honey Boy
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Billie Eilish To Perform New James Bond Theme

By Creative Media Times

Billie Eilish, 18, becomes youngest person to record a Bond theme. The singer and songwriter is recording the title track for No Time To Die, which she has written and produced with her brother Finneas O’Connell. Eilish recently just turned 18 in December.

“It feels crazy to be a part of this in every way. To be able to score the theme song to a film that is part of such a legendary series is a huge honor. James Bond is the coolest film franchise ever to exist. I’m still in shock,” Eilish said in a statement.

Needless to say, expectations are pretty high. Recent James Bond themes have won an Academy Award for Best Original Song: Adele’s “Skyfall”, the theme song of the James Bond film of the same name, as well as Sam Smith’s Writing’s On The Wall, from Spectre.

No Time to Die is the twenty-fifth installment in the James Bond film franchise, and is expected to be Daniel Craig’s last appearance as Bond.

The film is set for release on April 10 in the United States.

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Miss South Africa Is 2019 Miss Universe

By Armando

Miss South Africa, Zozibini Tunzi, was crowned Miss Universe.
Photo: Armando (aiphotoimaging.com

Zozibini Tunzi was crowned as the new Miss Universe after impressing the judges on her final question and answer portion, as well as her beauty and grace during the swimsuit and evening gown competitions. Miss Mexico and Miss Puerto Rico were the two runners-up.

“I grew up in a world where a woman who looks like me, with my color skin, and my kind of hair is not considered beautiful,” Tunzi said on Sunday. “I think it is time that stops today. I want children to look at my face and I want them to see their face reflected in mine.”

Tunzi is an activist against gender violence. According to the Miss Universe organization, she is a “proud advocate for natural beauty and encourages women to love themselves the way they are.”

During final question and answer portion, Zozibini was asked about what we should teach today’s young girls, to which she replied: “I think the most important thing we should be teaching young girls today is leadership. It’s something that has been lacking in young girls and women for a very long time, not because we don’t want to, but because of what society has labelled women to be,” she said.

“I think we are the most powerful beings on the world, and that we should be given every opportunity. And that is what we should be teaching these young girls, to take up space, Tunzi added”

The event was held on Sunday at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. During the press conference, Tunzi added that it was “very special” to win the crown at the major studio complex owned by an African-American.

Miss Universe 2019 Pre-Show Arrivals
Photos: Armando (aiphotoimaging.com)

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Miss Universe 2019 Press Junket

By Armando

Miss Iceland at 2019 Miss Universe press junket
Photo: AI PHOTO IMAGING
aiphotoimaging.com

Miss Universe 2019 contestants took time out early morning on Thursday to meet with the press at the Marriott Marquis in Atlanta, Georgia.

Ahead of this Sunday’s pageant finals, the contestants answered questions from the media during the early morning event.

Although almost everyone made a great impression, some of the standouts (from talking to the press in attendance) include Miss Iceland, Miss South Africa, Miss Puerto Rico and Miss Vietnam. Towards the end of the event, reining Miss Universe Catriona Gray arrived and fielded questions from the press.

Photo: Armando (aiphotoimaging.com)

The day also featured the unveiling of a new Miss Universe crown by luxury jeweler and new crown sponsor Mouawad. The crown was unveiled by Mouawad co-guardian Pascal Mouawad, Miss Universe Organization President Paula Shugart, along with current pageant titleholder Catriona Elis Gray.

Delegates from 90 countries and territories is set to compete for this year’s Miss Universe beauty pageant. Up next for the candidates will be the preliminary competition that’s set to be held on Friday, December 6. Miss Universe Catriona Gray is also set to appear in the Atlanta Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 7.

Miss Universe 2019 will be held this Sunday December 8, 2019 at the Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia and will air live at 7/6c on FOX. Steve Harvey is set to return as host.

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Scarlett Johansson and Dwayne Johnson Tops Forbest Highest Paid

By Creative Media Times

Forbes has recently published its annual rankings of highest paid actors and actresses, with Dwayne Johnson and Scarlett Johansson, somewhat unsurprisingly topping the lists respectively.

During the 12-month period, Johnson earned 89.4 million, between June 1, 2018, and June 1, 2019. “The Rock” has recently appeared in the Fast & Furious spin-off Hobbs & Shaw, last year’s Skyscraper, and Fighting with My Family, produced this year’s Shazam!, and has endorsed sportswear Under Armour. He is set to appear in this year’s Jumanji: The Next Level with co-stars Kevin Hart and Jack Black.

Though Johansson earned $56 million during the same period, that amount ranks 7th overall, behind her Marvel co-stars Christ Hemsworth, Robert Downey Jr, and Bradley Cooper. Johansson’s earnings is bolstered by “Avengers: Endgame” which recently became the highest grossing film of all time. She’s set to reprise her Avengers role in next year’s Black Widow.

Highest-Paid Actresses Of 2019

10. Ellen Pompeo – Earnings: $22 million
9. Charlize Theron –Earnings: $23 million
8. Margot Robbie – Earnings: $23 million
7. Elisabeth Moss – Earnings: $24 million
6. Kaley Cuoco – Earnings: $25 million
5. Jennifer Aniston –E arnings: $28 million
4. Nicole Kidman – Earnings: $34 million
3. Reese Witherspoon – Earnings: $35 million
2. Sofia Vergara – Earnings: $44.1 million
1. Scarlett Johansson – Earnings: $56 million

Highest-Paid Actors Of 2019
10. Will Smith – Earnings: $35 million
9. Paul Rudd – Earnings: $41 million
8. Chris Evans – Earnings: $43.5 million
6. Adam Sandler (tie) – Earnings: $57 million
6. Bradley Cooper (tie) – Earnings: $57 million
5. Jackie Chan – Earnings: $58 million
4. Akshay Kumar – Earnings: $65 million
3. Robert Downey Jr. – Earnings: $66 million
2. Chris Hemsworth – Earnings: $76.4 million
1. Dwayne Johnson – Earnings: $89.4 million

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Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande Lead VMA Nominations

By Creative Media Times

Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande leads this year’s nominations for the MTV Video Music Awards (VMA), with each artist receiving 10 nominations which was announced on Tuesday.

Newcomers and first-time VMA nominees Billie Eilish and Lil Nas X also received multiple nominations. Both had a big year this year with “Bad Guy” and “Old Town Road” respectively, and will face off in the Best New Artist category.

There are also two new categories this year: Best K-Pop and Video for Good.

The event is set to be hosted by comedian Sebastian Maniscalco, and will air live from the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., on Monday, Aug. 26 at 8/7c.

See the full list of nominees below:

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

21 Savage ft. J. Cole — “a lot” — Epic Records
Billie Eilish — “Bad Guy” — Darkroom/Interscope Records
Ariana Grande — “thank u, next” — Republic Records
Jonas Brothers — “Sucker” — Republic Records
Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus — “Old Town Road (Remix)” — Columbia Records
Taylor Swift — “You Need to Calm Down” — Republic Records

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Cardi B — Atlantic Records
Billie Eilish — Darkroom/Interscope Records
Ariana Grande — Republic Records
Halsey — Astralwerks/Capitol Records
Jonas Brothers — Republic Records
Shawn Mendes– Island Records

SONG OF THE YEAR

Drake — “In My Feelings” — Young Money/Cash Money/Republic Records
Ariana Grande — “thank u, next” — Republic Records
Jonas Brothers — “Sucker” — Republic Records
Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper — “Shallow” — Interscope Records
Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus — “Old Town Road (Remix)” — Columbia Records
Taylor Swift — “You Need to Calm Down” — Republic Records

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Highlights From Comic-Con’s 2019 Panel “The Character Of Music”

BMI and White Bear PR brought together a talented group of composers and directors for the “Character of Music” panel at Comic-Con’s 50th anniversary on Friday, July 19, at the San Diego Convention Center.

The all-star line-up included renowned BMI composer Tyler Bates (R.U.N) and the director of Cirque du Soleil’s new live-action thriller, R.U.N., Michael Schwandt; Emmy-winning BMI composer Frederik Wiedmann along with showrunner Aaron Ehasz (The Dragon Prince); and two-time BAFTA-winning composer Austin Wintory (Abzu) with video game director Matt Nava (Abzu). This year’s panel was a full house and amongst the most popular seats at Comic-Con.

Attendees who secured a spot to see the panel included a mixture of emerging composers, directors and music fans. BMI’s Anne Cecere and White Bear PR’s Chandler Poling co-moderated the ninth edition of “The Character of Music.”

The panelists touched on several key elements that go into producing a successful score for movies, live shows and video games, along with the key ingredients of a productive and creative relationship between composers and directors.

Wiedmann elaborated on the early stages of harmonic development for the characters on The Dragon Prince, and Ehasz emphasized on the importance of finding a composer who can be brilliant and fast when scoring for television. Bates and Schwandt expanded on music’s vital role in the live-action thriller R.U.N. written by Robert Rodriguez.

Wintory and Nava discussed the benefits of developing a short cut piece in the initial stages of game scoring to align visions.

The panelists also answered questions from the audience, and participants received limited-edition swag from the composers.

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The Saturn Awards Announces 2019 Nominations

Nominations for the 45th annual Saturn Awards, honoring motion picture, television, home entertainment and live stage productions, were announced today. A beloved event for many of Hollywood’s top creative talent, the awards show will be available for the first time ever to global fans via a streaming partner, to be announced shortly. All 2019 Saturn Awards winners will be unveiled at the official ceremony on Friday, the 13th of September at the historic Avalon Theater in Los Angeles.

Leading the way with 14 Saturn Award film nominations is Marvel/Walt Disney Studio’s Avengers: Endgame, and Walt Disney Studio’s Aladdin in second place with nine. For television and streaming, HBO’s Game of Thrones leads with nine nominations, with The Haunting of Hill House and The Walking Dead following second with six nominations each. As a studio overall, Disney leads with 44 nominations among 12 film and television projects across its various companies, Marvel, Walt Disney Studios, Pixar, Lucasfilm Ltd. and the Disney Channel.

As part of the show’s revitalization in 2019, the Saturn Awards has moved from its traditional June date to Friday the 13th of September. To accommodate this change, the eligibility window for this year’s nominations is based on a 16-month eligibility period, which includes projects publicly released from March 1, 2018 through July 7, 2019. The 46th annual Saturn Awards will be held at the end of summer/early fall 2020 and will resume a 12-month eligibility period.

2019 SATURN AWARDS NOMINATIONS

FILM
BEST COMIC-TO-MOTION PICTURE RELEASE
Aquaman
Avengers: Endgame
Avengers: Infinity War
Captain Marvel
Shazam!
Spider-Man: Far From Home
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

BEST SCIENCE FICTION FILM RELEASE
Alita: Battle Angel
Bumblebee
Jurassic Park: Fallen Kingdom
Ready Player One
Solo: A Star Wars Story
Sorry to Bother You
Upgrade

BEST FANTASY FILM RELEASE
Aladdin
Dumbo
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
Godzilla, King of the Monsters
Mary Poppins Returns
Toy Story 4
Yesterday

For the full list of nominations, visit www.SaturnAwards.com.

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