Showbiz Sandbox 560: Should Hollywood Get Rid of the (Real) Guns?
November 2, 2021
In European film and television productions, real guns with either live or blank rounds are rare to non-existent. Instead, plastic replicas or airsoft blowback guns are used with muzzle flashes added during post-production. So why do Hollywood productions continue to rely on working firearms when it would be cheaper and safer for them not to? This is one of the questions the industry is asking itself after a tragic gun accident on Alec Baldwin’s latest film left the cinematographer dead.
In more positive news, October turned out to be the biggest for movies all over the world as the box office works its way back to pre-pandemic levels. Meanwhile, in Germany, exhibitors are rebelling against movies that are showing day and date on Disney+, while in France, cinema operators freaked out when Netflix tried to show movies in theaters instead of just streaming them.
Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including how “Squid Game” has dominated the streaming conversation, the controversy over Spain’s top literary prize and a glimpse at some post-COVID Broadway grosses.
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Showbiz Sandbox 333: Predicting The Biggest Box Office Flops of 2016
August 31, 2016
Much has been made about the decline in box office this summer, with franchise sequels underperforming and certain pricey movies failing to attract an audience. Kevin Lincoln, a senior editor at New York Magazine and Vulture, takes a look at this summer’s biggest flops and predicts which mega-budget releases might suffer a similar fate as we round out the year.
In China it might be more difficult to know which movies are box office disappointments or crowd favorites since online and mobile ticketing companies have been offering hefty subsidies to cinemagoers in their heated battle for market share. This means the gross of any release is almost always higher than what moviegoers actually paid to see it.
We’ll also dip back into audience figures from the recently completed Summer Olympics in Rio. This time however we have some data about viewership in Europe, Canada and elsewhere. To nobody’s surprise, more people streamed coverage online than ever before.
Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including how Netflix international subscribers will soon outnumber those in the United States, a changing of the guard at Twentieth Century Fox gets expedited and the late Prince’s home and music studio is set to become a museum.
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Showbiz Sandbox 193: Getting The Scoop On Great Live Music
June 3, 2013
If you ever wonder whether you should really go see a new hype band perform live or want to warn friends not to bother with a legendary act’s latest reunion tour, then then you’ll be happy to learn about ShowScoop. The new social media website and mobile app bills itself as a “Yelp for concerts”. Company founder Micah Smurthwaite tells us how you’ll never have to see a bad show again and how bands can use the service to help promote their work.
We also have a complete rundown of BookExpo America, the largest North American trade show for book publishers. Held in New York City over the last week, Michael Giltz fills us in on the event, specifically detailing how digital technology has shaken up the industry.
Broadway’s best and brightest will be honored this weekend during the Tony Awards. Unfortunately, attendance at Broadway productions declined six percent over the past season, though revenue remained flat.
Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including Disney’s ambitious long-term release schedule, Dan Harmon’s return to “Community” and a request to shorten the length of movie trailers.
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