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
- Danny Heitman's 'At Random': Recalling Louisiana holiday that came in a box
- Smiley: Astronaut trainee's first concern
- It's not the Tiger Band, but this LSU alum is blowing her horn in oh-so-fun videos on Instagram
- Smiley: Joyful noises from congregations
- Go with the 'Flow': Baton Rouge rapper Johnny Hustle hosts new local entertainment show
Acadiana
- Smiley: Joyful noises from congregations
- Go with the 'Flow': Baton Rouge rapper Johnny Hustle hosts new local entertainment show
- Maverick's Q-N-Brew to open in Zachary's old train depot by July 1
- Acadiana's Corey Ledet Keeping the zydeco flame burning; 14th album out Friday
- Movie review: 'Locked Down' is a great play, until it adds subplots and cameos.
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
- 483 - Philosophy for Screenwritersby John August and Craig Mazin on January 12, 2021
John and Craig discuss their personal philosophies and how writers can approach philosophical questions in terms of theme […]
- 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 […]
- Synchronic Q&A - Justin Bensen - Aaron Moorheadby [email protected] (Jeff Goldsmith) on January 15, 2021
Host Jeff Goldsmith interviews writer and co-director Justin Benson and co-director Aaron Moorhead about Synchronic. […]
- Is Quentin Tarantino Giving Us Bad Career Advice?by No Film School on January 14, 2021
This week on the No Film School Podcast: HBO Max's strange new way of handling residuals, Tarantino's rallying cry to […]
- 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 […]
- Oscar Predictions Update: Gold Derby editors Joyce Eng, Chris Rosen and Tom O'Neilby goldderby / Gold Derby on January 14, 2021
Which Oscar contenders are rising and falling in our most recent predictions? And WHY? Can Riz Ahmed beat beat Chadwick […]
- Mary Zophres - Costume Designerby James Ellis Deakins, Roger Deakins on January 13, 2021
EPISODE 80 - MARY ZOPHRES - Costume Designer Team Deakins sits down with Costume Designer, Mary Zophres for this episode. […]
- Nat Wolffby Filmmaker Magazine on December 22, 2020
The only thing that makes this a “Special Holiday Episode” of Back To One is a brief mention of Hanukkah, but the […]
- "Your Oscar Questions Answered" (Episode 315)by Indiewire: Screen Talk on January 15, 2021
"Your Oscar Questions Answered" (Episode 315) by Indiewire: Screen Talk
Indie Film
Film Independent
- Fiscal Spotlight: Three Projects About Living, Working and Actualizing During COVID-19
Welcome to Fiscal Spotlight, a special monthly round up of projects—at all stages of production—working their way through Film Independent’s Fiscal Sponsorship pipeline. *** When all... The post Fiscal Spotlight: Three Projects […]
IndieWire
- ‘WandaVision’: All of the Marvel Easter Eggs and and Sitcom References So Far
The first Marvel Cinematic Universe series on Disney+ is a treasure trove of references for superhero fans and sitcom aficionados alike.
- ICYMI: Celluloid vs. Digital, Where Are We Now? Checking in with ‘Side by Side’
NOTE: the below piece originally ran in July of 2020. It’s being re-posted here with minor edits. Special thanks to author Su Fang Tham. ***... The post ICYMI: Celluloid vs. Digital, Where Are We Now? Checking in with ‘Side by Side’ […]
- Academy Lengthens International Feature Oscar Shortlist to 15
Predicting favorites is harder than ever: The International Executive Committee Academy also can't handpick three titles for the list.
- Don’t-Miss Indies: What to Watch in January
After a long layoff thanks to the pandemic, our monthly Don’t-Miss Indies round-up of new indie film releases is back! Our rebooted January list includes... The post Don’t-Miss Indies: What to Watch in January appeared first on Film […]
- The Must-Read Books and Comics That Explore the New Era of ‘Star Wars’ Storytelling: The High Republic
Set 200 years before the prequels, this new era — the setting for an upcoming Disney+ show — spans books and comics for adults and children.
- ICYMI: Catch Up with November’s Film Independent Presents Q&A Lineup
Happy New Year! You may have noticed, but rather than powering down over the Holidays, our December 2020 slate of Film Independent Presents Member screenings... The post ICYMI: Catch Up with November’s Film Independent Presents Q&A […]
- ‘Servant’ Review: Season 2 Is the Creepiest Ad for Apple Products Yet
FaceTime calls, iPads galore, and Apple TV integration stretch the artful design of M. Night Shyamalan's in-house thriller to a breaking point.
- Interview: Storyboard Artist Neil D’Monte on Comics, Creativity and Thinking Visually
Film, you may have heard, is a visual medium. Which means that, more often than not, a script’s first stop on its way to the... The post Interview: Storyboard Artist Neil D’Monte on Comics, Creativity and Thinking Visually appeared […]
- Ethan Hawke to Battle Oscar Isaac as ‘Moon Knight’ Villain in Marvel Disney+ Series
Hawke once said superhero movies were overpraised, which means "Moon Knight" must be pretty good.
- There Are No Guarantees When it Comes to Raising Money. But That’s Nothing New.
NOTE: the below post comes to us from Stu Pollard, producer and longtime friend of Film Independent. The Lunacy Productions Founder will be holding our... The post There Are No Guarantees When it Comes to Raising Money. But That’s […]
- ‘Batwoman’: New to the Role, Javicia Leslie Is the Only Queer Hero of Color on TV
"We're all willing to take this chance for this needed movement in our industry," she said.
- ICYMI: New Queer Cinema HOF Filmmakers Gus Van Sant and John Cameron Mitchell
Happy New Year! To celebrate, we’re re-posting one of our favorite Coffee Talks conversations from last year, originally posted in June of 2020. See what... The post ICYMI: New Queer Cinema HOF Filmmakers Gus Van Sant and John Cameron […]
- New Movies: Release Calendar for January 15, Plus Where to Watch the Latest Films
Staying home? Good. Looking for something new to watch? Even better!
- A Year to Remember: Taking a Look Back at Our Top 10 Blogs of 2020
Look, we all know that things won’t immediately change once the clock hits midnight on December 31. Still, it’s hard not to think that something... The post A Year to Remember: Taking a Look Back at Our Top 10 Blogs of 2020 appeared […]
- After ‘Tenet,’ Christopher Nolan Wants to Film More in India and Work with More Indian Actors
Nolan has no clue what his next project will be, but he "definitely" wants to come back to India at some point in the future.
Box Office
BoxOffice Pro
- Studio Movie Grill Kicks Off National Popcorn Day With Pair of Special Offers
Throughout the month of February, every visitor to a Studio Movie Grill location will be able to get a free popcorn per day. The promotion is in celebration of National Popcorn Day, taking place on January 19. In addition, SMG is also offering two free movie tickets through the end of January. When guests join The post Studio Movie Grill Kicks Off National Popcorn Day With Pair of Special Offers appeared first on Boxoffice.
- Fathom Celebrates Black History Month With Film Series This February
PRESS RELEASE This February, Fathom Events will launch the company’s first Black History Month film series, Fathom Events Celebrates Black History Month, in cinemas across the U.S. Moviegoers will have the opportunity to delve into the diverse lives, historic accomplishments, and award-winning filmmaking of some of the most influential African American entertainers in modern history. The five-film series includes acclaimed feature The post Fathom Celebrates Black History Month With Film Series This February appeared first on Boxoffice.
- Global Box Office Down 71% in 2020, China Supplants North America as Top Market
The global box office suffered a steep 71% decline in 2020, the largest year-over-year drop on record, stemming from the disastrous impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. ComScore is reporting a $12.2 billion tally in global ticket sales at cinemas worldwide in 2020. The decline comes after three consecutive years where the global cinema industry registered The post Global Box Office Down 71% in 2020, China Supplants North America as Top Market appeared first on Boxoffice.
- Weekend Box Office Forecast: Neeson’s The Marksman Targets Wonder Woman 1984’s Pandemic Throne During the MLK Frame
Like every other holiday frame over the past ten months, this year's Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend box office will look very different from what the industry is accustomed to. The primary bright spot will be a new wide release from Open Road Films and Briarcliff Entertainment, The Marksman. The post Weekend Box Office Forecast: Neeson’s <em>The Marksman</em> Targets <em>Wonder Woman 1984’s</em> Pandemic Throne During the MLK Frame appeared first on Boxoffice.
- This Week on the Box Office Podcast: L.A.’s Iconic Vidiots Plans Its Return In Late 2021
This week on the Boxoffice Podcast, co-hosts Russ Fischer and Rebecca Pahle talk to Maggie Mackay, Executive Director at Vidiots. Founded in 1985 in Santa Monica, for decades the alternative video store Vidiots was a Southern California institution until rising costs forced it to close its doors in 2017. But the dream was not dead, The post This Week on the Box Office Podcast: L.A.’s Iconic Vidiots Plans Its Return In Late 2021 appeared first on Boxoffice.
- Cinemark, Showcase Announce National Popcorn Day Promotions
National Popcorn Day is coming to the U.S. on Jan. 19 – and to celebrate, exhibitors are offering special deals in an attempt to lure moviegoers to the multiplex. Cinemark, North America’s third-largest theater chain, has announced it will hold a week-long “Cinemark Popcorn Fest” between Jan. 18 and Jan. 24, during which guests will The post Cinemark, Showcase Announce National Popcorn Day Promotions appeared first on Boxoffice.
- WEEKEND BOX OFFICE: Wonder Woman 1984 Continues No. 1 Reign During January Release Drought
On yet another weekend without any new wide openers, Wonder Woman 1984 easily retained the No. 1 spot at the domestic box office with an estimated $3 million, a drop of 45% from last weekend’s $5.5 million total. That represents something of a leveling out for the Warner Bros. release after the 67% plummet between The post WEEKEND BOX OFFICE: <em>Wonder Woman 1984</em> Continues No. 1 Reign During January Release Drought appeared first on Boxoffice.
- A Guide to Studios’ Shifting Stances on Theatrical Exclusivity
By Daniel Loria and Rebecca Pahle The economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc across the entertainment industry, cinemas being among the most damaged sectors. Studios scrambled to develop new distribution plans for their 2020 slate as movie theaters around the world began to suspend operations without a return date in sight. The The post A Guide to Studios’ Shifting Stances on Theatrical Exclusivity appeared first on Boxoffice.
The Numbers
- Weekend predictions: Marksman and Wonder Woman in head-to-head battle
MLK Weekend could have a close race at the box office as new release The Marksman goes head-to-head with Wonder Woman 1984. Our model thinks Wonder Woman has the edge, but it’s likely to be a close-run thing. Liam Neeson has an impeccable pedigree when it comes to action thrillers—this isn’t even his first outing in such a film during the pandemic—and Honest Thief beat expectations with a $3.6-million opening weekend back in October. Here’s what the model thinks about Marksman…
- Theater counts: Marksman may challenge Wonder Woman for the widest release of the week
Coming off one of the slowest weeks of the year, things will improve slightly as The Marksman opens wide this week. The Liam Neeson action film will debut in 1,975 theaters and should be either the biggest or second biggest release of the week, depending on how many locations Wonder Woman 1984 plays in. Universal Pictures's, News of the World and The Croods: A New Age take the next two spots, playing in 1,953 and 1,855 theaters respectively. Walt Disney is bringing back The Emperor’s New Groove this week, which will be playing in 744 locations. For the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, IFC Films is releasing MLK/FBI in 120 theaters. Here are the numbers for this weekend…
- Weekend estimates: Wonder Woman stays top, but continues to decline steeply
Wonder Woman 1984 will easily top the box office chart again this weekend, according to studio estimates released on Sunday morning, but it will fall 45% from last weekend. That’s a significantly larger decline than the rest of the films in the top 12, and The Croods: A New Age will overtake it in a couple of weeks if this trend continues. Wonder Woman’s total will stand at $32.6 million after today, compared to Croods’ $36.9 million, so there’s a strong probability that the two films will end up roughly tied at the domestic box office.
- Weekend predictions: Wonder Woman stands atop desolate box office
The theatrical market has everything working against it this weekend: a pandemic at its peak, a national constitutional crisis, and no new wide releases. All happening on what’s traditionally one of the slower weekends of the year. We’re not quite going to return to the lowest ebb in business since theaters started to reopen, according to our model, but it looks as though we might come close. Here’s what our latest analysis run says about likely business this weekend.
- Theater Counts: A likely three-peat for Wonder Woman 1984 as no wide releases debut.
This week will presumably be one of the slowest weeks of 2021, with only a handful of films arriving in theaters — and none opening wide — until The Marksman opens next weekend. Wonder Woman 1984 is still tops at the box office and is expected to remain the widest release entering its third week. Universal Pictures has three of the next four widest releases on our list in News of the World, The Croods: A New Age, and Promising Young Woman, with all three increasing location counts from last week Here are the numbers for this weekend…
- January preview: 2021 starts with the quietest month since July
There’s precious little good news in the theatrical market as we start 2021. Although Wonder Woman 1984 had a relatively good opening weekend after its launch on Christmas Day, it declined steeply at the box office last weekend, and the combined earnings for all films reporting is only a shade over $10 million right now. Unfortunately, there are only two films scheduled to open wide in the whole month of January, which means we won’t see much of an improvement in the market, and likely some back sliding, particularly given the growing COVID-19 case counts and the high likelihood of continued restrictions on public gatherings around North America. The (slow) rollout of a vaccine is the one piece of good news, but it’s unlikely to have much of an effect on the things for several months. For now, here’s what’s in store for January…
- Weekend estimates: Wonder Woman stays top over New Year’s Weekend
Wonder Woman 1984 will remain top at the box office this weekend, according to studio estimates released on Sunday morning, but it’ll do so in spite of a sharp fall from its opening weekend. Warner Bros. projects a $5.5-million weekend for the super hero pic, down 67% from last weekend. That’s not a huge fall for a film like this by historical standards, but it is a surprisingly-sharp decline for the New Year weekend, and considerably worse than any other film reporting, many of which increased their box office from Christmas weekend.
- Theater Counts: Wonder Woman 1984 leads the way into 2021
While we do not yet have a count, we expect that Wonder Woman 1984 will be the front runner once again entering its second weekend after debuting on Christmas Day. The film amassed an estimated $16.7m on its opening weekend, but like Tenet before it, Warner Brothers is laying low on its reporting for the super hero film. Of our official counts, News of the World comes in at the top of our list, showing on 1,928 locations, which is an increase of 28 theaters from its opening weekend. Still going strong is another Universal Pictures film; the animated Croods sequel, Croods: A New Age, which also increases locations this week from 1,726 to 1,751. For the first time Walt Disney has no recent movies out in theaters, as both The New Mutants and The Empty Man have ended their theatrical run. That said, the studio is re-releasing the 1979 sci-fi classic Alien on their Fox banner in 505 theaters this weekend. We will update any counts for Wonder Woman 1984 as well as any other films when we get them. Here are the numbers for this weekend…