hollyblog

Donald Trump's Brand Takes a Self-Imposed Plunge

May 17, 2011 By Frankie Stone 2 years ago

How the would-be presidential candidate's political shenanigans have damaged his other endeavors

  

The Indelible Legacy of John Hughes and the Brat Pack

May 15, 2011 By Mali Perl 2 years ago

I just finished reading a book about the Brat Pack by Susannah Gora called “You Couldn’t Ignore Me If You Tried” and it dusted off fond day-glo memories

  

The Good and Bad News About ePublishing

May 9, 2011 By Michael Stroud 2 years ago

It's a boon for writers looking to break into the business. For publishers, well ... not such a boon

  

The Importance of Always Hedging Your Currency

May 8, 2011 By Jeff Steele 2 years ago

In this volatile world market, currency losses create sinkholes in your budget that are large enough to kill the project. That's why you need to stabilize your currency from the get-go

  

Are You Sure You Want to Friend Facebook?

May 2, 2011 By Michael Stroud 2 years ago

If information is power, we are handing power on an unprecedented scale to a company that wants to sell it marketers

  

Today's Film Stars vs. Yesterday's: It's Like Comparing Sausage to Filet Mignon

April 27, 2011 By Mali Perl 2 years ago

When it comes to newer movies, I can’t remember the last time I was both moved and impressed by a performance

  

'Hanna' Is a Fairytale - One the Brothers Grimm Would Be Proud of

April 25, 2011 By Michael Lee 2 years ago

Hanna has been called an art-house "Sucker Punch." I prefer to call it a "Sucker Punch" that remembered to make its central character interesting

  

Why 20% Deposits on Foreign Pre-Sales Are Going Bye-Bye

April 24, 2011 By Jeff Steele 2 years ago

All these delayed or problematic indie film projects spread across the world have received their 20% deposits while the buyers wait forever for their notice of delivery. This can't last

  

So How Much Should You Allocate to the Producer of Marketing & Distribution?

April 17, 2011 By Jeff Steele 2 years ago

Most producers are too mired in the daily demands of physical production, post-production and delivery to have the time and clarity to contemplate all the facets of a film's marketing campaign

  

Why Reading the Script Is Fun-damental

April 11, 2011 By Jon Zimmerman 2 years ago

It astounds me how many people in this industry treat reading like a chore, and how many needless mistakes are made in the production process because people don’t read their scripts

  

Seeking Film Finance? You Get What You Pay For

April 10, 2011 By Jeff Steele 2 years ago

Before looking for funding, producers should spend $10,000-$25,000 to nail down their budget, schedule, finance plan, incorporation, script option, casting director, investment package, etc.

  

From 'A.I.' to 'Taxi Driver,' the Week's New Blu-rays

April 6, 2011 By Jordan Riefe 2 years ago

A look at the week's new hi-def disc bounty, which also includes "Babe" and "Fiddler on the Roof"

  

David Schwimmer's 'Trust': A Garden-Variety Family-in-Crisis Film

April 4, 2011 By Jordan Riefe 2 years ago

The former "Friends" star understands acting and actors and knows how to get the most from them. What he doesn’t seem to understand is filmmaking

  

Does It Really Matter if Natalie Portman Did Her Own Dancing in 'Black Swan'?

April 4, 2011 By Naomi Serviss 2 years ago

Granted, the tiny thespian had ballet training as a young sprite, and managed to transform her body into ballerina perfection. But why is it necessary to deconstruct the wonderful fable that is “Black Swan”?

  

'Rubber': The Film That Could Make Quentin Dupieux the Next Michel Gondry

April 3, 2011 By Jordan Riefe 2 years ago

The homage-filled horror movie about a demon radial is not just an intellectually-compelling comedy, but a purely visual narrative that careens through genre-movie conventions

  

'Barefoot' and Ignorant: The Makings of Celebrity PR Meltdown

March 30, 2011 By Frankie Stone 2 years ago

Celebrity chef Ina Garten, aka the Food Network Barefoot Contesssa, has cooked up a real PR disaster for herself; how could this happen?

  

'White Irish Drinkers' Feels Washed Away in Clichés and Cheap Sentiment

March 29, 2011 By Jordan Riefe 2 years ago

As good as Nick Thurston is, he’s not enough to save the film from director John Gray

  

The Illinois Tax Incentive: Why Studios Aren’t Moved by It

March 28, 2011 By Jeff Steele 2 years ago

Even if the state is able to rescue its film credit, it’s not going to make a difference to studios, premium independents or primetime networks

  

Why Young Filmmakers Should Get Out of the Country More

March 27, 2011 By Stephen Ujlaki 2 years ago

A global political awareness results in more enlightened moviemaking, while thinking critically is vital to creating powerful art

  

Keep Questions About Reality TV Out of the SAT Exam

March 24, 2011 By Suzette Valle 2 years ago

What happened to questions necessitating historical reference, or eliciting deep self-analysis?

  

'Sucker Punch': A Movie That Plays Like a Videogame

March 23, 2011 By Jordan Riefe 2 years ago

Zack Snyder's film is a hybrid: call it a "goovie" or a "mame"; judging by the title, I’d go with the latter

  

Crowd-Funding: How to Make it Work for Filmmakers

March 20, 2011 By Jeff Steele 2 years ago

Highlights from the Film Finance Forum: Part Deux

  

Chris Dodd, Piracy & Tax Credits: The State of Hollywood Influence

March 16, 2011 By Maury Litwack 2 years ago

Here are a few recent events and issues that offer insight into Hollywood’s influence at the legislative level

  

Highlights From Winston-Baker’s 3rd Annual Film Finance Forum

March 13, 2011 By Jeff Steele 2 years ago

With a standing-room audience of mainstream financiers, producers, executives, attorneys and more, this annual event has become the preeminent financial gathering of its kind

  

Why Can't Today's Media Be as Easy to Play as a CD?

March 10, 2011 By Michael Stroud 2 years ago

Want to stop people from pirating music, movies and TV shows? Make them as easy to play as a compact disc

  

Now More Than Ever, It's Time for a Three Stooges Movie

March 8, 2011 By Naomi Serviss 2 years ago

With the Mideast roiling, parts of Africa in chaos and even Wisconsin stealing front-page real estate, it’s time for a feel-good flick to distract the hoi polloi from the terror of reality

  
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