When The New York Times starts to talk about monkeying around with its books section, a large sector of the publishing industry sits up and takes notice. So the rumors currently circulating have to be causing some near-aneurysms, particularly among writers, editors, and readers of fiction. The Times is planning to cut way back on the number of novels it reviews, with arts editor Steven Erlanger saying that, “To be honest, there’s so much s—” in the current fiction market. Non-fiction will get the lion’s share of the focus in the future, and there will be fewer straight reviews, and more coverage of the publishing industry in general, as well as a new focus on reviewing the type of “popular” books once shunned by high-minded books sections.
Tag: 01.21.04
The Electric Kool-Aid Writing Test
Two new Ken Kesey books have recently been posthumously released, begging the question of exactly what Kesey could have accomplished in life, had he just been able to focus on writing, rather than on the drugs which so many of his contemporaries insist were the source of much of his creativity. “When Kesey forsook literature in 1964 to become a man of letters—LSD—did he blow it? Or did he ignite a refining fire that still burns bright at the heart of every rave in America? Did drugs make him, or undo him?”
Taking The Fight To The Dorm Rooms. In Norway.
Several U.S. film studios and the Motion Picture Association of America have taken their anti-piracy crusade to Nordic lands, informing officials at Oslo University that Hollywood expects the school to bar certain specific students from its IT program as a result of the MPAA’s suspicion that the students have been illegally trading copyrighted films online. The university has suspended the students’ internet privileges temporarily, but Norwegian privacy advocates are incensed at the tactics.
Atlantic Theatre Alive For Another Season
“Officials with the Atlantic Theatre Festival, a premiere classical theatre venue in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, announced Tuesday that they have secured the financing they need to go ahead with its 10th anniversary season… Earlier this month, the festival had announced it was $300,000 in debt. While some creditors had agreed to a restructured payment plan of the $150,000 owed to them, others did not. Also, the Wolfville town council voted against a motion to guarantee a loan for the festival to repay its creditors. The ATF board had set a goal to stabilize its finances before beginning its new season and announced that if it couldn’t find the funds, it would cancel the festival.”
532 More File-Traders Sued
“The Recording Industry Association of America is suing 532 more individuals it says are illegally sharing copyright music over peer-to-peer networks, the group announced Wednesday. It’s the largest group of copyright-infringement lawsuits that the music trade group has filed since it began its crackdown on file traders in September. The latest batch of traders targeted by the RIAA are accused of distributing, on average, 858 music files. Currently the RIAA doesn’t know exactly who these people are, so it must use a ‘John Doe’ process to obtain the names of those it says are illegally sharing music. Defendants are identified by their IP addresses.”
Seeing Stars – Billington Replies
Theatre critic Michael Billington responds to David Hare’s criticism of the newspaper stars system for reviews. “The problem is there are two sides to the case. As a critic, I often curse star ratings. Yet I know that a four- or five-star review can cause a stampede at the box office for a show that might easily be overlooked. As an occasional moviegoer and CD buyer, I also find the star system helpful in sorting wheat from chaff.”
Sunday Morning’s Top-Rated Show (Quietly)
What’s the attraction of the arts/newsmagazine CBS Sunday Morning, which is celebrating 25 years on the air? “Sunday Morning” viewers, Osgood says, defy conventional wisdom. They do not watch with a clicker in their hand. They sit or lie in front of the TV for much of the show’s 90 minutes. It is the highest-rated Sunday morning program, easily outdistancing “Meet the Press” with more than 4 1/2 million viewers a week. They tune in for stories that are not told anywhere else on TV.”
Blighted Reality (And It’s Getting Worse)
“In the weeks ahead, channel surfers will find it virtually impossible to avoid aspiring pop stars, scheming careerists, thrill seekers, lovelorn geeks and all-star survivors. Why is this happening? The long answer might involve a florid excursion into the cyclical nature of television. A commentary on why pop culture is inherently disposable. Or how “reality” shows generate buzz and ratings by creating an artificial sense of urgency. But let’s start with the short answer: TV execs are big, fat liars.”
The End For Toronto Theatre Alliance?
The Toronto Theatre Alliance, which runs the city’s discount dicket booths and coordinates annual theatre awards, is in dire financial straits. Unable to meet expenses, and “in the face of what the organization’s new Executive Director, Jacoba Knaapen, calls ‘a major financial crisis,’ she gave four weeks notice to herself and her entire staff.”
All About The FX
“Once upon a time – say, back in the 1970s – the visual trickery employed by filmmakers was meant to look real. In many of today’s movies, however, the effects are meant to look cool. The difference is huge.”