As Netflix prepares for its Q3 earnings report, speculation grows over whether the company will change its talent compensation structure. Netflix pioneered the “upfront buyout” model, paying substantial sums to secure A-list talent. However, rumors suggest a shift towards a traditional studio approach—less money upfront with potential backend payouts based on success. Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria, speaking at Bloomberg’s Screentime conference, denied these claims, stating, “We are not changing our compensation model,” despite acknowledging a few bespoke deals that [...]

SAG-AFTRA and the major video game companies are set to resume in-person negotiations on October 23, as the strike that began on July 26 nears its third month. The strike, which affects some of the largest names in the video game industry, was triggered after prolonged negotiations over the Interactive Media Agreement stalled, leaving both sides operating without a contract since November 2022. The union's dispute with video game companies centers on the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in the [...]

Edward Berger, the acclaimed director of All Quiet on the Western Front, might soon find himself on the Oscar stage again. His latest film, Conclave, based on Robert Harris’s 2016 novel, has been gaining praise globally. This time, we’re not on the trenches of World War II amid terror and explosions, but within the walls of the Vatican, recreated among the staircases of the Reggia di Caserta, the narrow streets of Rome, and the stages of Cinecittà. The story follows [...]

Hollywood is sending an SOS to Sacramento. Recent data reveals a dramatic 19.7% decline in filming activity in the Los Angeles area from 2022 to 2023. This sharp downturn highlights a worrying trend, with California’s share of the global production market shrinking from 22% to 18%. FilmLA, the quasi-public agency that handles film permits in Los Angeles, is urging the state Government to expand its movie and TV tax credit program, warning that without broader measures, filming in the city [...]

Limp Bizkit, the iconic nu-metal band that shot to fame in the late '90s, has filed a massive lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), one of the largest music companies in the world. The litigation, led by frontman Fred Durst, accuses UMG of concealing royalties owed to the band, amounting to over $200 million. The legal battle is poised to send shockwaves through the music industry, raising questions about transparency and royalty payments for artists. In the legal proceeding, filed [...]

Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, recently unveiled the highly anticipated Orion AR glasses at the company's annual Meta Connect event, a major step forward in the social technology corporation’s ambitions. While virtual reality (VR) has long been their main focus, it is now augmented reality (AR) that is gaining traction, signaling a shift in the company’s strategy for its metaverse vision. Zuckerberg aims to boost the momentum by engaging developers and improving the current generation of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, targeting [...]