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Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019

Czech filmmaker Vojtech Jasny dies at age 93

In this November 30, 2015, file photo, Vojtech Jasny, Czech film director and scriptwriter, poses for photographers as he receives gold medal of Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (AMU) on the occasion of his 90th birthday and AMUs 70th anniversary in Prague, Czech Republic. (Michal Dolezal/CTK via AP)

PRAGUE (AP) --

Vojtech Jasny, a filmmaker who belonged to the new wave of Czechoslovak cinema in the 1960s, has died. He was 93.

Slovacke divadlo, a theatre he frequently visited, said that Jasny died Friday. A family representative confirmed his death to the CTK news agency.

From the 1950s, Jasny made some 50 movies in Czechoslovakia and later in the West when he emigrated after the 1968 Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia.

His most famous film, “All My Good Countrymen,” from 1968, about the brutal changes in the country under communism, was banned in his homeland. It won the best director award at the Cannes Film Festival in 1969.

He also won a Cannes special jury prize for his 1963 film, “The Cassandra Cat.”

In the 1980s, Jasny settled in the United States, lecturing at Columbia University. He later returned home.

Jasny’s “Hell on Earth,” featuring testimonies of Holocaust survivors, was part of 2002’s “Broken Silence,” a More

Friday, Nov. 15, 2019

Pierce Brosnan’s sons named Golden Globe ambassadors

Dylan Brosnan, from left, Pierce Brosnan, and Paris Brosnan attend the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and The Hollywood Reporter celebration of the 2020 award season and Golden Globe Ambassador reveal at Catch LA on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019, in West Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Dan Steinberg/Invision/AP)

By Jonathan Landrum Jr., Entertainment Writer

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (AP) --

Pierce Brosnan’s sons have been chosen as the Golden Globe ambassadors to assist with the glitzy awards ceremony.

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced Thursday evening that 22-year-old Dylan and 18-year-old Paris Brosnan will assume the ambassador roles for the 77th annual Golden Globes Awards in January.

An ambassador is traditionally the child of a celebrity who assists with award presentations, handing out trophies to winners and escorting them off stage.

The Brosnan brothers said they are more excited than nervous to appear on stage at the awards.

“We watched the Globes growing up ... and I’ve gone with him a few times. So it’s truly an honor to be here in this capacity and pay homage to our father’s legacy,” said Dylan Brosnan about his father, a two-time Golden Globe nominee.

Dylan and Paris are the first male ambassadors after the HFPA rechristened the role, formerly known as Miss Golden Globe, in More

Friday, Nov. 15, 2019

A fresh batch of producers selected for the 92nd Oscars

Lynette Howell Taylor (l) and Stephanie Allain

LOS ANGELES (AP) --

The 92nd Oscars is getting some fresh faces behind the production.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences says Friday that Lynette Howell Taylor and Stephanie Allain will produce the February show.

While newcomers to the Academy Awards, both are veteran producers in the industry. Howell Taylor is an Oscar-nominated producer of “A Star Is Born.” Allain, who runs the company Homegrown Pictures, has been behind films like “Hustle & Flow” and “Dear White People.”

Film academy president David Rubin says they’ll bring dynamism and excitement to the show, but it remains unclear whether there will be a host.

Last year’s host-less Oscars saw an uptick in viewership after a record-low year.

The 2020 Oscars will be broadcast live on ABC on Feb. 9.

Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019

Behind the Scenes' industry mental health survey draws strong response

NEW YORK --

Behind the Scenes--a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support to entertainment technology professionals during times of need due to serious illness or injury--has reported that more than 3,300 people completed its recent “Survey to Assist in the Development of a Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Initiative in the Entertainment Industry.” Respondents shared their stories about personal challenges and struggles or those of friends and family, feedback that is invaluable as Behind the Scenes begins development of this initiative.

Behind the Scenes is analyzing survey responses to gain a deeper understanding of the issues industry members face and the obstacles that might prevent them or those they care about from seeking and utilizing mental health resources. Members of the BTS Mental Health Initiative Steering Committee expressed their appreciation for everyone who participated in the survey--reaching out directly to thank to those More

Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019

"Blade Runner" production designer Lawrence G. Paull dies at 81

Lawrence G. Paull

LA JOLLA, Calif. --

Production designer Lawrence G. Paull, who received an Academy Award® nomination and won the BAFTA Film Award for the visually stunning Blade Runner, died on November in La Jolla at the age of 81.

“I was very saddened to read of Larry’s passing,” said Blade Runner director Ridley Scott, “I haven’t seen him in a number of years. But I remember I was always struck by his staunch and faithful support of the strange plan for the unique world of Blade Runner. Between Syd (artist Mead) and myself, and Larry, it was a challenging, monumental task for him and against all odds. The proof is in his work in the film. So I guess WE won. My hat comes off for him, and he was an always pleasant and agreeable man.”

Paull’s distinctive design style can be seen in a wide variety of films including director Robert Zemeckis’ top-grossing movies Back to the Future (which earned Paull a second BAFTA Film Award nomination) and More

Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019

“Schindler’s List” producer Branko Lustig dies at 87

In this Wednesday Aug. 20, 2008 file photo, Croatian born movie producer Branko Lustig looks on at the festival square during the Sarajevo Film Festival, in Sarajevo. (AP Photo/Hidajet Delic, file)

ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) --

Branko Lustig, an Oscar-winning Croatian film producer and Holocaust survivor, died Thursday. He was 87.

The Yad Vashem center in Jerusalem said Lustig died in Zagreb, the capital of his native Croatia. No other details were immediately released.

Lustig is best known for winning Academy Awards for Best Picture for Steven Spielberg’s “Schindler's List” and for Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator.”

He was also an assistant director on Volker Schlondorff's Oscar-winning “The Tin Drum” (1979) and was a local production supervisor on Alan J. Pakula's “Sophie's Choice” (1982), another Oscar winner.

Lustig was born in the eastern Croatian town of Osijek, which was part of the Yugoslavia at the time. In World War II, he was imprisoned at Auschwitz and later in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camps.

Most members of Lustig's family were slain during the wartime rule of Croatian pro-Nazi puppet Ustasha regime.

"Branko Lustig's life More

Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019

Patricia Neal/Roald Dahl movie begins shooting with Kelly Hawes, Hugh Bonneville

Keeley Hawes

NEW YORK --

Align and Goldcrest Features announced that the currently untitled (f.k.a An Unquiet Life) feature starring Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey), and Keeley Hawes (Bodyguard, Misbehaviour), is beginning principal photography today (November 14) in Surrey, England.

The story of the world’s most beloved children’s author, Roald Dahl (Bonneville) and his film star wife, Patricia Neal (Hawes) will be directed by John Hay (Lost Christmas, There’s Only One Jimmy Grimble). Hay also wrote the film alongside David Logan. The picture is being produced by Donall McCusker (The Hurt Locker), Adrian Politowski (The Artist), Martin Metz (Mandy) and Nick Quested (Danger Close).

The film is an Align/Goldcrest presentation, produced by Atticus Films and financed by Align, LipSync Productions LLP and Goldcrest Features Inc.

Goldcrest represents the worldwide rights, and has already More

Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019

TV campaign nominees set for ICG Publicists Awards

This image released by FX shows Michelle Williams as Gwen Verdon, right, and Sam Rockwell as Bob Fosse in a scene from the series "Fosse/Verdon," which is nominated for Maxwell Weinberg Award for Television Publicity (photo by Craig Blankenhorn/courtesy of FX)

LOS ANGELES --

The International Cinematographers Guild (ICG, IATSE Local 600) Publicists have announced the nominees for the Maxwell Weinberg Award for Television Publicity Campaign to be presented at the 57th Annual ICG Publicists Awards on Friday, February 7, 2020, at The Beverly Hilton Hotel. The award honors active members working in television whose achievements in publicity and promotion during the previous calendar year are deemed outstanding. More than 800 industry leaders are expected to attend this year’s luncheon, which traditionally occurs the week leading up to the Academy Awards®.

“Today’s television viewers have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to options of what to watch, but only so much time to consume all of what TV has to offer. A good, innovative, creative and strategic publicity campaign is essential in pairing programs with as large an audience as possible. These six inspiring campaigns are proof of such success,” said Tim More

Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019

Disney Plus hits 10M subscribers in 1 day

In this Jan. 9, 2019, file photo, guests watch a show near a statue of Walt Disney and Micky Mouse in front of the Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Disney Plus says it hit more than 10 million sign-ups on its first day of launch, far exceeding expectations. Disney’s mix of Marvel and Star Wars movies and shows, classic animated films and new series appears to be a hit out of the gate after its launch on Tuesday, Nov. 12. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

NEW YORK (AP) --

Disney Plus says it hit more than 10 million sign-ups on its first day of launch, far exceeding expectations.

Disney’s mix of Marvel and Star Wars movies and shows, classic animated films and new series appears to be a hit out of the gate after its launch on Tuesday.

Disney has invested billions in its streaming service, which costs $7 a month or $70 a year after a 7-day free trial. Customers of some Verizon wireless and home-internet plans were offered a year free.

Disney didn’t break down where the subscriptions came from or if they were free or paid monthly or yearly. Some analysts thought it would take Disney a year to reach 10 million subscribers.

Netflix has garnered 158 million subscribers since launching its streaming platform in 2007.

Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019

Art Directors Guild To Present Jack Johnson With Lifetime Achievement Honor

Jack Johnson, ADG

LOS ANGELES --

Jack Johnson, best known for his work on films such as Edward Scissorhands, Toys and Jurassic Park III, will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Art Directors Guild’s (ADG, IATSE Local 800) Illustrators and Matte Artists (IMG) Council at the 24th Annual “Excellence in Production Design” Awards. The 2020 ADG Awards will be held at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown in the Wilshire Grand Ballroom on Saturday, February 1, 2020. This is the final of four Lifetime Achievement Awards to be announced by the Art Directors Guild.

“Jack’s cinematic eye, combined with his amazing artistic talent, has been an integral part of over 60 critically acclaimed films in his over four decade career. We are thrilled to honor that legacy and his contributions to the craft as this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient,” said Tim Wilcox, ADG Illustrators & Matte Artists Council chair.

Johnson has worked in More