News Briefs

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Monday, Dec. 9, 2019

AMP Awards set for May 2020, will return to NY’s Sony Hall

Pictured at the 2019 AMP Awards are (l-r): Vicky Ferraro, EP of Wave Studios in New York, which won Best in Show for “Fearless” for The New York Times out of Droga5; AMP president Elad Marish of Swell Music + Sound; and AMP Show chair Katy Hornaday, EVP, executive creative director at Barkley.

NEW YORK --

The AMP Awards for Music & Sound has announced its date and venue for the 2020 gala awards presentation, honoring excellence in music and sound for brands in all media. Sponsored by the Association of Music Producers, the show will take place on Tuesday, May 19, 2020, and returns for the second time to the incredible venue, Sony Hall in New York.

An official AMP Awards call for entries, which signals the opening of its online entry portal, will be announced early next year, to be followed by more news about the competition, including naming of the AMP Awards Show chair, its Curatorial Committee and its inductee into the AMP Hall of Fame.

The 2019 AMP Awards show was a sold-out affair and included a number of major highlights. Apple was honored with induction into the AMP Hall of Fame, where it was recognized for Outstanding Achievement in the Use of Music to Define the Brand. It joined a list of past honorees that includes Mars, Inc., More

Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019

Sesame Street puppeteer Caroll Spinney dies at age 85

In a May 21, 2000 file photo, Carrol Spinney, center, best known for his TV character "Big Bird" from Sesame Street, receives an honorary doctor of Humane Letters degree from Eastern Connecticut State University President David G. Carter, right, during commencement in Willimantic, Conn. Spinney, who gave Big Bird his warmth and Oscar the Grouch his growl for nearly 50 years on “Sesame Street,” died Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019 at his home in Connecticut, according to the Sesame Workshop. He was 85. (AP Photo/Steve Miller, File)

By Andrew Dalton, Entertainment Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) --

Caroll Spinney, who gave Big Bird his warmth and Oscar the Grouch his growl for nearly 50 years on "Sesame Street," died Sunday at the age of 85 at his home in Connecticut, according to the Sesame Workshop.

The Sesame Workshop said in a statement that the legendary puppeteer lived for some time with dystonia, which causes involuntary muscle contractions.

Spinney voiced and operated the two major Muppets from their inception in 1969 when he was 36, and performed them almost exclusively into his 80s on the PBS kids' television show that later moved to HBO.

"Before I came to 'Sesame Street,' I didn't feel like what I was doing was very important," Spinney said when he announced his retirement in 2018. "Big Bird helped me find my purpose."

Through his two characters, Spinney gained huge fame that brought international tours, books, record albums, movie roles, and visits to the White House.

"Caroll was an artistic genius More

Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019

Veteran producer of "WarGames," "Blue Bloods," dies at 85

In this Sunday, Aug. 7, 2011 file photo, Executive producer Leonard Goldberg talks about "Charlie's Angels" at the Disney ABC Television Group summer press tour in Beverly Hills, Calif. Leonard Goldberg, a network and studio executive and producer whose TV credits ranged from “Starsky and Hutch” in the 1970s to the current drama series “Blue Bloods” and whose independent movies included “WarGames” and “Sleeping with the Enemy,” has died on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond, File)

LOS ANGELES (AP) --

Leonard Goldberg, a network and studio executive and producer whose TV credits ranged from "Starsky and Hutch" in the 1970s to the current drama series "Blue Bloods" and whose independent movies included "WarGames" and "Sleeping with the Enemy," has died. He was 85.

Goldberg died Wednesday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center from injuries suffered in a fall, according to a statement issued Thursday on behalf of his family, who were with him at the hospital.

During his tenure as president of Twentieth Century Fox, the studio produced hit films including "Broadcast News," "Big," "Die Hard" and "Wall Street."

Goldberg was head of programming for ABC when the network's lineup included "Mod Squad," "That Girl" and "Marcus Welby, M.D."

Starting in the 1970s, he joined with prolific TV producer Aaron Spelling to make shows including "Charlie's Angels," "Hart to Hart" and "Fantasy Island" and TV movies including "The Boy in the Plastic More

Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019

Henderson, Lewis named recipients of special DGA Awards

Duncan S. Henderson (l) and Arthur E. Lewis (photo of Henderson by Howard Wise; Lewis photo by Marcie Revens; both photos courtesy of DGA)

LOS ANGELES --

Unit production manager Duncan S. Henderson and stage manager Arthur E. Lewis will receive special Directors Guild of America (DGA) Awards recognizing their extraordinary contrubutions to the Guild. Henderson and Lewis will be honored at the 72nd Annual DGA Awards on Saturday, January 25, 2020, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in downtown L.A.

Henderson will receive the DGA’s 2020 Frank Capra Achievement Award, which is given to an assistant director or UPM in recognition of career achievement in the industry and service to the DGA.

Lewis will receive the DGA’s 2020 Franklin J. Schaffner Achievement Award, which is given to an associate director or stage manager in recognition of service to the industry and to the DGA.

“Duncan Henderson and Arthur Lewis represent the highest examples of Guild service through their dedication, advocacy and representation on behalf of their fellow members, all while maintaining successful, demanding careers More

Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019

Don Mischer to receive ICG Publicists Lifetime Achievement Award

Don Mischer

LOS ANGELES --

Don Mischer has been named the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Cinematographers Guild (ICG, IATSE Local 600) Publicists, honoring his prolific career as an internationally acclaimed producer and director of television and live events. The 57th Annual ICG Publicists Awards ceremony, which traditionally occurs the week leading up to the Academy Awards®, will be held in the International Ballroom of The Beverly Hilton Hotel on Friday, February 7, 2020. More than 800 industry leaders are expected to attend this year’s luncheon, celebrating excellence in publicity and promotion for motion pictures and television programs.

“Having spent the early years of my career working in live event television, the name Don Mischer is legendary to me. I am so pleased that Don will be receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s ICG Publicists Awards. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this honor,” said Lewis More

Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019

Farrelly brothers to receive award for casting people with disabilities

In this Aug. 10, 2015 file photo, Peter Farrelly, left, and Bobby Farrelly attend The Project Greenlight Season 4 premiere of "The Leisure Class" at The Theatre At The Ace Hotel in Los Angeles. The Boston-based Ruderman Family Foundation said Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019, that the brothers are recipients of its sixth annual Morton E. Ruderman Award in Inclusion for pressing Hollywood to do a better job of casting and portraying people with disabilities. (Photo by Paul A. Hebert/Invision/AP, File)

By William J. Kole

BOSTON (AP) --

In Peter Farrelly's 2018 Oscar-winning film, "Green Book," chauffeur Tony Lip quips: "The world's full of lonely people afraid to make the first move."

Neither Farrelly nor his brother, Bobby Farrelly, the director of 1998's "There's Something About Mary," fits that description. Both are being recognized for pressing Hollywood repeatedly and publicly to do a better job of casting and portraying people with disabilities.

The Boston-based Ruderman Family Foundation, a leading voice in calling for more opportunities for the disabled, said Wednesday the brothers are the recipients of its sixth annual Morton E. Ruderman Award in Inclusion.

The foundation told The Associated Press it picked the Farrellys for their outspoken efforts to make movies more inclusive and authentic. They'll be presented with the award next spring.

"When you tell a story, you want it to take place in a real world — and it's not a real world if they don't More

Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019

Serviceplan's global CCO Alex Schill named New York Festivals’ executive jury president

Alex Schill

NEW YORK --

Alex Schill, global chief creative officer and partner of Serviceplan Group, has been named 2020 executive jury president of the New York Festivals International Advertising Awards®.

This is the 10th year NYF’s executive jury will come together and the second year a jury president will preside over this elite panel of CCOs and executive creative directors from around the globe. Schill, along with the 2020 executive jury, will convene in New York City for four days (March 31-April 3) to select the World’s Best Advertising® across all mediums.

Schill brings 25 years of global leadership skills, innovation and creativity to his role as executive jury president. He thoroughly understands the demands of judging NYF’s finalist entries as he previously served as an executive jury member for three consecutive terms.

As global CCO and partner of Serviceplan Group, Schill has led the entire agency group worldwide since 2008. He is presently More

Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019

Framestore to open studio in Mumbai

Framestore's new Mumbai facility will be located in Nesco IT Park, the heart of the city's technology district.

LONDON --

Academy Award-winning global creative studio Framestore plans to build on its Indian presence with the opening of a full digital production facility in Mumbai next year.

Drawing on India’s growing creative talent pool, the studio will be located in the Nesco IT Park in Goregaon, putting it at the heart of Mumbai’s technology district.

The news is reflective of Framestore’s continued ambitions in India, after having made a major investment in Jesh Krishna Murthy’s VFX Studio, Anibrain, in 2017.

“Mumbai represents a rolling of wheels that were set in motion over two years ago,” said Framestore’s founder and CEO, Sir William Sargent. “Our investment in Anibrain has grown considerably and we continue in our partnership with Jesh Krishna Murthy to develop and grow that business. Indeed, they will become a valued production partner to our Mumbai offering.”

Framestore looks to make considerable hires in the coming months, aiming to More

Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019

Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild to present Distinguished Artisan Award to Sir Patrick Stewart

Sir Patrick Stewart

LOS ANGELES --

Award-winning actor Sir Patrick Stewart, best known for his work in the Star Trek and X-Men series, will receive this year’s Distinguished Artisan Award at the 7th Annual Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards (MUAHS, IATSE Local 706) celebrating his prolific acting career on stage and screen spanning nearly six decades. The black-tie awards gala, honoring outstanding achievements of both make-up artists and hair stylists in motion pictures, television, commercials and live theater, returns to The Novo in L.A. LIVE on Saturday, January 11, 2020.

“Sir Patrick Stewart is a legendary actor whose myriad of characters live in our hearts forever. He is so deserving of this special recognition spotlighting his award-winning stage and screen performances, and we celebrate his great collaboration with our talented artists,” said Julie Socash, president of IATSE Local 706.

Presenting the Distinguished Artisan Award More

Monday, Dec. 2, 2019

Facebook removes Conservative Party ad with BBC presenters

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove, left, gestures during a media conference with Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson, right, in London, Friday, Nov. 29, 2019. Britain goes to the polls on Dec. 12. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

LONDON (AP) --

Facebook says it has removed a Conservative Party ad that used BBC news footage on the grounds that it infringed on intellectual property rights.

The BBC had complained about the ad last week, arguing material involving some of its well-known presenters was taken out of context and could damage its impartiality.

Facebook said Monday that whenever it receives "valid IP claims against content on the platform, in advertising or elsewhere,'' it will "act in accordance with our policies and take action as required."

Britain's election laws were written for a time when campaigns pushed mass-produced leaflets through mail slots, rather than flooding Facebook and Twitter accounts with individually targeted messages. As a consequence, political parties are pushing the boundaries of the internet campaigning in the upcoming general election.