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North American box office revenues in 2020 hit a 40-year low, struggling to reach $2.2 billion in total amid the coronavirus crisis. Movie theaters were forced to stay closed for a significant portion of the year beginning in late March and struggled to recover when some cinemas were able to reopen months later in August. That resulted in an 80% year-over-year decline from 2019, according to Comscore. Box office returns from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2019 brought in a near-record $11.39 billion, thanks to the smash success of “Avengers: Endgame,” “The Lion King” and “Spider-Man: Far From Home.”

Benoît Jutras, the composer behind many Cirque du Soleil productions, is developing a slate of original musicals for the stage and screen. The first project will be a rock opera that traces Japan’s Imperial Family through the final days of World War II. The show, which has the working title “十” (the Japanese symbol for 10), was written to be performed by an entirely Asian company. , Jutras believes that theater will help people heal from the challenging COVID-19 crisis.

The Casting Society of America announced today that it is now accepting commercial casting directors as part of its organization, and celebrating casting in all forms, including film, television, theatre, short form and now commercials. “Commercial casting directors apply their craft to an impactful form of storytelling, and we know that their insight and experience will add additional depth to Casting Society of America’s membership,” said Zora DeHorter and Caitlin Jones, Vice Presidents of Communications, CSA and Co-Chairs, Commercial Committee. “The artistic merit of our commercial colleagues helps further CSA’s mission to advocate and promote the profession of casting in all of its forms.”

The British Film Institute (BFI) has opened applications for the vacant position of director of the BFI Film Fund. Responsibilities include overseeing National Lottery investments in production and development; national talent development programmes delivered through BFI NETWORK and other partnerships; support for producers, including through the BFI Vision awards; and support for documentary filmmaking, currently delivered in partnership with Doc Society.The advert for the role also notes responsibilities regarding episodic, interactive and immersive work, stating - this means exploiting the potential to create culturally rich narratives through new forms, and anticipating arising opportunities in emerging media.The job is being advertised as a three-year fixed term role at a salary of around £100,000 per year including pension and benefits, with potential to extend for a further 1-2 years.