HollywoodSouth: Featured Articles
Louisiana
New Orleans
- The all-too-fleeting rules of 'baseball lite'
- Go green(ery) with these tips on how to incorporate plants into your home
- '100 Catholic Things' is a bucket list for New Orleanians, religious and otherwise
- Louis Prima's Sicilian-New Orleans roots on display at Jazz Museum exhibit
- Remembering Dr. John: His greatness came -- but only after this important turning point
Baton Rouge
- Faith Matters: Pastor builds Jubilee Christian Center Church from the ground up
- In new book, Cajun grandmother recounts her walk with God through life
- Religion briefs: Interfaith Federation of Greater Baton Rouge sets slate of online activities in March
- Smiley: When accents clash with academia
- Danny Heitman's 'At Random': In winter storm, Louisiana neighbors mattered most
Acadiana
- In new book, Cajun grandmother recounts her walk with God through life
- Smiley: When accents clash with academia
- Lafayette man recognized for giving others 'time and permission to do art'
- Upcoming SpaceX flight will be only the latest thrill ride for Baton Rouge native Hayley Arceneaux
- Smiley: Don't have to live like a refugee
Stanley B. Gill | Founder & Editor-in-Chief
- Indie Filmmakers Look for Lifeline from Piracy with CASE Actby Stanley B. Gill
This is a typical indie-filmmaker piracy story. Independent filmmakers make a low-budget movie only to be raped by pirates.
- How To Register Your Screenplay with the U.S. Copyright Officeby Stanley B. Gill
A professional screenwriter, or even a novice trying their hand at creating a first screenplay, will want to register the copyright created in their work (a screenplay) with the United States Copyright Office (USCO).
- How To Not Get Hired In Hollywoodby Stanley B. Gill
You have seen the postings all over social media, local municipal websites, newsletters, film websites, etc. etc. etc. Help Wanted ads for crew talent for feature film and series projects. Now you want to get that job.
- A Screenwriter’s Tool: OmmWriter For Writing Storyby Stanley B. Gill
If you were ever looking for something other than Microsoft Word, Apple Pages, for your screenwriting development, you should give OmmWriter a workout. #indieproducerlife
- How To Walk Out on Hollywood Execsby Stanley B. Gill
If you are important enough to sit at the table, then everyone is important enough at the table to respect each other's position. #indieproducerlife
- Your Crowdsourcing Video Sucksby Stanley B. Gill
Wes Anderson promotes his latest stop-motion animated project Isle of Dogs via a very crafty crowdsourcing video aimed at marketing and donations.
- Hollywood Ideas Are Not Sacredby Stanley B. Gill
Though some will opine 'ideas in Hollywood are like butts, everybody has one,' sometimes two, most will not admit to being open to ideas.
- Louisiana Film and TV Tax Credit Programs Near 2015 Revampby Stanley B. Gill
The long Louisiana film and TV tax credit nightmare is nearing an end. State legislature is fixing most of the issues surrounding the tax credits.
- Tax Credits: Realities of Motion Picture Investor Programs in Louisianaby Stanley B. Gill
Louisiana legislators will be hassled for anything from manicuring rights for orphaned crawfish to the diabolical motion picture investor tax credits.
- Indie Filmmakers and the Proverbial Promoby Stanley B. Gill
In today’s independent filmmaking world debate goes on between indie filmmakers as to whether or not to produce a promo.
Podcasts
- 489 - Kingdom of Cringeby John August and Craig Mazin on February 23, 2021
John and Craig tackle the growing mailbag to answer listener questions on writing uncomfortable scenes, options vs. sales, […]
- Michael Martin on THE SONS OF TENNESSEE WILLIAMSby Armak Productions on July 15, 2020
New Orleans theater-scene Renaissance man (and Bloody Nose Empty Pockets star) Michael Martin brings THE SONS OF TENNESSEE […]
- News of the World Q&A - Paul Greengrassby [email protected] (Jeff Goldsmith) on February 27, 2021
Host Jeff Goldsmith interviews co-writer/director Paul Greengrass about News of the World. Download my podcast hereCopyright […]
- Sorry Dude, Amazon Prime Video Direct Does Not Want Your Documentaryby No Film School on February 25, 2021
This week on the No Film School Podcast: a recent report reveals that the HPFA has zero black members. Meanwhile, Amazon […]
- Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom / The Pursuit of Happyness producer: Todd Black!by [email protected] on December 8, 2020
With Warner Bros. shaking up the distribution model, veteran Producer Todd Black talks about studios and streamers, the […]
- Is there a Golden Globes upset brewing in the Best Musical or Comedy Series category?by goldderby / Gold Derby on February 23, 2021
Gold Derby creative and digital director Christopher Rosen discussed potential surprises and upsets in the Best Musical or […]
- Bob Yeoman - Cinematographerby James Ellis Deakins, Roger Deakins on February 24, 2021
EPISODE 92 - BOB YEOMAN - Cinematographer Team Deakins has a great conversation with Bob Yeoman, a cinematographer. He’s a […]
- Alison Wrightby Filmmaker Magazine on February 23, 2021
She’s probably best known for her Emmy-Nominated performance as FBI secretary Martha Hanson on FX’s critically acclaimed […]
- "Golden Globes Don't Predict Oscars, Until They Do" (Episode 322)by Indiewire: Screen Talk on February 26, 2021
"Golden Globes Don't Predict Oscars, Until They Do" (Episode 322) by Indiewire: Screen Talk
Indie Film
Film Independent
- From the Archives: There Are No Guarantees When it Comes to Raising Money. But That’s Nothing New.
NOTE: the below post comes to us from Lunacy Productions founder Stu Pollard, producer and longtime friend of Film Independent. A version of this blog... The post From the Archives: There Are No Guarantees When it Comes to Raising Money. […]
IndieWire
- Sofia Coppola Says She Can’t Watch Movies Without Any Female Characters
Coppola spoke with "Promising Young Woman" filmmaker Emerald Fennell about her sensibilities as a moviegoer.
- ICYMI: Kinetic Storytelling with Videogame Scribe Susan O’Connor
NOTE: the below blog post originally ran in September 2020. It’s being re-posted here with minor edits. Enjoy! *** If growing up you dreamed of becoming... The post ICYMI: Kinetic Storytelling with Videogame Scribe Susan O’Connor […]
- Black Storytellers Experiment With Artificial Intelligence to Address Racial Bias in Modern Technology
Stunning and accessible browser-based media (Web XR) has opened portals into Black ancestry, collective histories, and speculative futures.
- Project Involve is Back! Meet the 30 New Fellows Joining Us in 2021.
Project Involve needs no introduction. But if it did, we’d probably say something like: “For over 28 years, Film Independent’s signature diversity and mentoring program... The post Project Involve is Back! Meet the 30 New Fellows […]
- Russo Brothers Recall How Sony Didn’t Want to Cast Tom Holland as Spider-Man
Holland stars in the Russos' PTSD drama "Cherry" and will soon reprise his role as Peter Parker in "Spider-Man: No Way Home."
- Film Independent Fellows Debut New Shorts on the Netflix Film Club
NOTE: the following blog was originally published in the Netflix’s newsroom to tout the launch of the Netflix Film Club. Keep reading to find out... The post Film Independent Fellows Debut New Shorts on the Netflix Film Club appeared […]
- Rosamund Pike Speaks Out About Body Being Altered for Movie Poster
The "I Care a Lot" star said she was photoshopped on the poster for "Johnny English."
- VIDEO: Step-By-Step Through The Remarkable Career of The Russo Brothers
Indisputably, Anthony and Joe Russo have as enviable a career as any pair of filmmakers in history. The most remarkable part? That this remains true... The post VIDEO: Step-By-Step Through The Remarkable Career of The Russo Brothers […]
- ‘The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run’ Review: Keanu Reeves and Gary the Snail Anchor a Manic Adventure
The world's most famous sea sponge gets a tasteful makeover in a new movie that stays true to its franchise's sweetly demented nature.
- Know the Score: One Year in, How are Hollywood Composers Staying Busy During The Pandemic?
In our regular column Know the Score, writer and composer Aaron Gilmartin steps out of the scoring stage and explores, in detail, some important aspect of movie... The post Know the Score: One Year in, How are Hollywood Composers Staying […]
- Hollywood Won’t Quit the Golden Globes, Despite No Black Members and a Corruption Scandal
With just 87 members, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association is a mighty Oscar marketing tool for studios and streamers alike. Neither side wants to break up this cozy partnership.
- The 2021 Directors Close-Up is Coming Soon to a Laptop Near You. Here’s What to Expect.
This year, the “close-up” part of Film Independent’s Directors Close-Up series is going to be extra literal. Sure, in a pre-COVID era you might be... The post The 2021 Directors Close-Up is Coming Soon to a Laptop Near You. Here’s […]
- Telluride Film Festival Set for in-Person Event September 2-6
The festival is optimistic about an in-person event taking place this fall in Colorado.
- Guest Post: Episodic Lab Fellow Michael Allen Harris, “This is the Way”
In this guest post, 2020 Film Independent Episodic Lab Fellow Michael Allen Harris shares his experiences as a participant of the program. The non-Member deadline to... The post Guest Post: Episodic Lab Fellow Michael Allen Harris, […]
- ‘Losing Alice’: Through the End, the Dreamiest Parts of Apple’s Psychological Thriller Felt Real
Series writer and director Sigal Avin talks about finding an ending, harnessing color and music, and the logistics of directing a fictional director.
Box Office
BoxOffice Pro
- Kinepolis Box Office Revenues Drop 70% in 2020
Multinational cinema circuit Kinepolis reported its 2020 financial year results this week, providing a glimpse into the full scale of disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Box office revenues across the circuit fell by 70 percent, with concessions sales declining by the same margin, in a year that challenged each of the group’s 56 European The post Kinepolis Box Office Revenues Drop 70% in 2020 appeared first on Boxoffice.
- Long Range Box Office Forecast: What NYC’s March Re-Opening and Paramount’s Shorter Windows Mean for the Industry
It's been another busy week for the film industry. Two major announcements with a wide range of implications are still being absorbed by anyone and everyone with an interest in this sector of the entertainment ecosphere. The post Long Range Box Office Forecast: What NYC’s March Re-Opening and Paramount’s Shorter Windows Mean for the Industry appeared first on Boxoffice.
- Independent Cinema Alliance Voices Support for Paramount’s 45-Day Window
The Independent Cinema Alliance, a trade group representing independent cinemas in the North American market, has voiced its support for Paramount’s recent changes to its handling of the theatrical exclusivity window. The Independent Cinema Alliance (ICA) supports Paramount Pictures and its commitment to a 45-day theatrical window for movies, including the upcoming A Quiet Place The post Independent Cinema Alliance Voices Support for Paramount’s 45-Day Window appeared first on Boxoffice.
- Disney Releases Teaser Trailer, Cast Details for Pixar’s Luca
Disney has unveiled the teaser trailer and new details on its forthcoming Pixar release Luca, which is slated for release this summer (date TBD). Directed by the Oscar-nominated Enrico Casarosa (La Luna), Luca is a coming-of-age story with a twist: The eponymous lead character and his best friend, Alberto, are actually sea monsters posing as The post Disney Releases Teaser Trailer, Cast Details for Pixar’s <em>Luca</em> appeared first on Boxoffice.
- Weekend Box Office Forecast: Tom & Jerry Continues the Warner Bros. Experiment, Offers 2021’s First Family Movie In Domestic Cinemas
February's final frame is in sight, and with it arrives 2021's first high-profile family movie. The post Weekend Box Office Forecast: <em>Tom & Jerry</em> Continues the Warner Bros. Experiment, Offers 2021’s First Family Movie In Domestic Cinemas appeared first on Boxoffice.
- This Week on The Boxoffice Podcast: Bringing Back an Iconic South Dakota Single Screen Cinema
Founded in 1926, the State Theatre was for years a staple of the local film community, bringing movies and–in its early years, vaudeville–to downtown Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The one-screen movie palace stayed a first-run movie theater for decades, even though the tumultuous ’70s, when a nationwide trend towards suburbanization caused many downtown movie palaces The post This Week on The Boxoffice Podcast: Bringing Back an Iconic South Dakota Single Screen Cinema appeared first on Boxoffice.
- Moscow’s Karo 11 October Cinema Installs Barco Flagship Laser Projector
Leading Russian cinema chain Karo has opted for Barco’s DP4K-60L laser projector from Cinionic—a joint project of Barco, CGS, and ALPD—for the premiere hall at their “Karo 11 October” cinema. Founded in 1967, the October cinema was converted into an 11-screen multiplex in 2005, with the largest screen—boasting approximately 1,000 seats—serving as a common venue The post Moscow’s Karo 11 October Cinema Installs Barco Flagship Laser Projector appeared first on Boxoffice.
- Showcase Cinemas to Open Three New York City Locations on March 5
Following Monday’s announcement that movie theaters in New York City will be allowed to open on March 5, Showcase Cinemas has announced that three of their locations—two in Queens, one in Brooklyn—will reopen on that date. Governor Cuomo’s announcement—long-anticipated yet sudden—gives theaters in NYC the ability to reopen at 25 percent capacity, with a maximum The post Showcase Cinemas to Open Three New York City Locations on March 5 appeared first on Boxoffice.
The Numbers
- Weekend predictions: $6 million is the benchmark for Tom and Jerry
Warner Bros. wraps up January with what should be the biggest release of the year so far. Under normal circumstances, Tom and Jerry would be looking for an opening weekend somewhere close to the $58 million enjoyed by Sonic the Hedgehog this time last year. Our model says $46 million would be par for the course for a film like this. But, even though there are some signs of improvement in the theatrical market, pandemic-related restrictions and the reluctance of audiences to return to theaters means the movie won’t see anything close to that level of business this weekend.
- Theater counts: Tom and Jerry opens wide
After a week with no new wide releases, Tom and Jerry opens in theaters across North America and on HBO Max this weekend. We will not have an official theater count until estimates are released on Sunday, but it should arrive in around 2,200 locations, given that The Little Things came close to that a month ago.
- Weekend estimates: Croods pulls clear of the pack
The Croods: A New Age will, as expected, finish top at the box office this weekend. In doing so, it becomes the first film in the 21st century to top the chart in its 13th weekend in release. The last film to achieve the feat was Titanic back in 1998. Titanic went on to win 15 weekends during its incredible first run. If A New Age surpassed that number, we’d have to look back to ET’s run in 1982 for something comparable. That film had 16 weekend wins spread through the second half of the year, including the weekend after Thanksgiving—its 26th in release. Interesting as these stats may be to the connoisseur of box office records, Croods was down 18% from last weekend, which is a slight disappointment, although there is some potentially good news lurking when we look at the complete set of weekend estimates…
- Weekend predictions: Croods looking likeliest winner in a close race
With no new releases this weekend, the race for number one at the box office comes down to which film among the top three last weekend has the best legs. The overwhelmingly likely answer to that question is The Croods: A New Age, which enters its lucky 13th week in release doing almost exactly the same business as it was two months ago. The only unknown is how well Judas and the Black Messiah will do in its second weekend.
- Cruella trailer
Crime caper starring Emma Stone is scheduled to open in theaters on May 28. Full movie details… In 1970s London, young fashion designer Estella de Vil becomes obsessed with dogs’ skins, especially Dalmatians, until she eventually becomes a ruthless and terrifying legend known as Cruella.
- Theater counts: three films vie for widest release
After three films ran neck and neck at the box office last week, look for a similar pattern this week as there are no new wide releases to challenge those currently on top. Taking into account the effects of the pandemic, The Croods: A New Age has held on strongly as a consistent top performer at the box office and will play in 23 additional theaters this weekend for a total of 1,913. We will once again have to play the waiting game to see if The Little Things will retain its spot as the widest release of the week, after showing in 2,090 last week, or if Judas and the Black Messiah will make a bid for the top of the theater count list. Currently, the official counts (not taking into account those Warner Bros. films), have The Marksman, Monster Hunter, and Land, appearing in 1,643, 1,311, and 1,251 locations respectively. Worthy of mention this week is IFC Films’, Blithe Spirit, debuting in 239 theaters. Looking ahead to next week, the newest adaptation involving legendary cartoon rivals Tom and Jerry make their entrance to the big screen and at home through HBO Max…
- Weekend estimates: a 3-way tie for number one
The combination of a long weekend and a very tight race means it’s hard to say who’s winning at the box office this weekend. Universal is claiming bragging rights, with a $2.04 million three-day estimates for The Croods: A New Age. It is set to earn around $2.66 million including Monday’s holiday gross. Warner Bros. is projecting $2.0 million over three days and $2.4 million for the long weekend for both its new release Judas and the Black Messiah and the returning The Little Things. (The studio didn’t originally announce a three-day number for The Little Things, but just confirmed that $2.0 million figure with us.) Outside of this minor intrigue at the top of the chart, this week’s estimates contain some promising news…
- Weekend predictions: Judas and the Black Messiah should win the weekend
The welcome arrival of two new wide releases and the combination of Valentine’s Day on Sunday and President’s Day on Monday should cause an uptick at the box office this weekend. Judas and the Black Messiah is the film most likely to top the chart, according to our model, while Land is set for a more modest result but should make it into the top six.