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July 07 - July 13

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Apple TV+ unveiled the premiere date and a gripping first look at season two of its ambitious series “Invasion,” which will return globally on Wednesday, August 23, 2023. “Invasion” is a sweeping, character-driven science fiction drama series that follows an alien invasion through different perspectives around the world. “Invasion” will debut with the first episode of its ten episode second season, followed by one new episode weekly, every Wednesday through October 25, 2023, on Apple TV+...

The Directors Guild of America has formally ratified the new collective bargaining agreement that its leaders struck with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on June 4. The deal, which passed with the support of 87% of DGA members, officially ensures that the guild will not join Hollywood’s writers in striking this summer. The three-year deal included a 76% increase in foreign streaming residuals for projects produced for the largest studios and streaming platforms. Other highlights included increased parental leave benefits and language stating that artificial intelligence is “not a person” and cannot replace directors on film and television projects...

When asked about his optimism for the state of creativity in general right now, Guillermo del Toro said, “I remain enthusiastic but skeptical, meaning I know we are a horrible human race, but we do great stuff, and many people are great. What brings me hope and makes me think that it’s worth it? “When I see people who are fearless, I get inspired and I like it, and I like the possibilities when people talk about now, and how it’s all dire, and [how] people are afraid of artificial intelligence… I don’t fear artificial intelligence, I fear natural stupidity. Any intelligence in this world is artificial. When I look at the people coming into the art scene and how they are in spite of all the things that are hardships and all the things weighing against it, they love art, and that’s what makes my spirit sing.”...

Sundance Institute has laid off 11 employees — about six percent of its 180-person staff — on Wednesday, with the non-profit organization citing a drop in earned revenue, rising inflation, and a “more challenging fundraising climate.” Sundance Institute CEO Joana Vicente informed the team on Wednesday in a memo sent to staff and obtained by IndieWire, and the laid off employees were informed earlier today. The cuts impacted multiple departments, but no specific names or roles were revealed. Vicente said one other staff member is moving to a “reduced work schedule,” and the organization has had to make other tough decisions regarding seasonal labor requests. A source said the moves are necessary in the changing economic landscape and to move forward by redesigning aspects of their work and staffing...

The Barbie movie has seen one of the most prolific, memorable marketing campaigns in recent memory. The Barbie movie has become synonymous with the color pink, with the film going so far as to contribute to a worldwide shortage of pink paint. The film’s marketing has kept up this commitment to Barbie’s favorite color, with numerous pieces of advertising relying heavily on a blitz of pink. In L.A., a bus stop bench became an influencer hotspot after it received a hot pink Barbie makeover. L.A .has also seen several monochrome pink billboards advertising Barbie. They are devoid of any text save for a small release date in the corner. The intention of the billboards is clear: Barbie is pink. Pink is Barbie. The Barbie production refused to hold its press junkets in just any ordinary space. As a video from journalist Jake Hamilton reveals, the Barbie team converted an entire floor of a hotel into a Barbie-themed, hot pink landscape. The floor is decorated in Barbie style down to the smallest detail, with rooms complete with pink carpet, pink doors, pink roses, Barbie inflatables, and even a life-sized doll packaging box. The Barbie movie’s biggest marketing stunt of all has to be the real Malibu Dreamhouse that seemingly appeared from nowhere on the Malibu coast. Fans can even apply to stay in the idyllic, hot-pink mansion for free via Airbnb. The house is complete with an infinity pool, a fully stocked closet, an outdoor dance floor, and a home gym, and guests walk away with their very own set of Ken’s rollerblades and surfboard. Coinciding with the film, Barbie co-producer and toy company Mattel launched the US tour of World of Barbie, an immersive experience. The touring production allows the general public to experience the Barbie lifestyle, entering a Barbie Dreamhouse complete with numerous rooms and areas nodding at the hundreds of careers Barbie has occupied over the decades. The experience includes a Barbie-themed laboratory, fashion runway, music studio, and camper van. Barbie continued its tour of star Margot Robbie’s home country of Australia with a massive makeover of Sidney’s Bondi Icebergs Swimming Club. The Bondi beach swimming pool, home to the famous winter swimmers’ club, saw its exterior extensively redecorated in the Barbie aesthetic, including a repainted pool emblazoned with the film title and release date, as well as pink-and-white umbrellas hearkening back to the Barbie property’s 1959 beach party aesthetic, which Robbie obliged by dressing in a black-and-white outfit reminiscent of her look in Barbie’s teaser trailer...

“Beyond Utopia,” “A Still Small Voice,” “Deep Rising,” “It’s Only Life After All,” “Going Varsity in Mariachi,” and “The Grab” are all documentary titles that garnered good reviews, positive audience feedback and plenty of media attention at major film festivals including this year’s Sundance and last year’s Toronto International Film Festival. But despite the high visibility, each title is still seeking distribution. The chances of any of the six titles garnering a highly coveted distribution deal isn’t likely given the state of the entertainment industry at present. The dismal distribution landscape has forced some nonfiction filmmakers to turn to substantially less lucrative alternatives, such as ad-supported VOD, or AVOD channels, and revenue-sharing arrangements to get their work seen....