Random House has put up its first complete book online. “Most publishers have realized they need to either post more content from the book or include extra content not in the book,” said Greg Durham, director of online publishing initiatives for Random House. “The ante has been upped.” – Wired
Tag: 03.08.00
BUDDY OR BULLY?
Independent bookstore owners in Canada say superstore giant Chapters pushes them around (“we are absolutely unable to compete with a monolith”). Because Chapters controls distribution, the book you buy for $9.95 in the US costs you $16 in Canada. But Chapters says it is good for the Canadian book business: “We believe we will bring efficiencies to the book industry that will actually make publishers more profitable, rather than less profitable.” – CBC
SERIOUS ABOUT SLIMMING DOWN
For the first time in 20 years the cost to market movies dropped last year. At the same time, ticket prices climbed an average 8 percent. Slimming down to a more profitable Hollywood. – Variety 03/08/00
DUBBA DUBBA DO
Hollywood wins battle to be be allowed to dub their movies into Spanish in Mexico. Mexican law had decreed all movies had to be subtitled. The Hollywood majors have long claimed the statute discriminated against the estimated 20 million illiterate Mexicans as well as the elderly and those with poor vision. – Variety 03/08/00
INTELLIGENT DIALOGUE
Terry Gross’s “Fresh Air” turns 25 this year. Playing to an audience of 3 million, it is a tastemaker sorting through an ocean of culture. – New York Times 03/08/00
DUBLIN PRIZE FINALISTS
Dublin Literary Award is the richest prize for literature in the world. This year’s finalists: Dubliner Colum McCann, London’s Nicola Barker, Jackie Kay, a Scottish writer, and Americans Philip Roth, Toni Morrison, Michael Cunningham and Alice McDermott. Prize this year is £80,000 for a work of fiction. – The Independent (UK)
BESSON DEFENDS HIMSELF
Last week a popular French magazine accused filmmaker Luc Besson of persistent plagiarism in his films. He strongly denies it. – Times of India (AP) 03/08/00
A CHILD BEING TOLD SHE’S GOING TO FAIL
Midori was the classic prodigy, with a brilliant career. “The press constantly talked about how prodigies never succeed when they grow up. Imagine a child being told she’s going to fail. It was pretty terrible,” she says. After a crisis in her early 20s, she set up a foundation to help kids. Now 28, the violinist is about to graduate from NYU with a degree in psychology and gender studies. – The Globe and Mail (Canada)
FINDING NEW WRITERS FOR THE THEATER
Theater hasn’t made much of a murmur in Soho for years – it’s the center of film and TV land. Now the newly-energized Soho Theater and Writer’s center has become a creative hotbed. – The Times (UK)
INVISIBLE THEATER
The best new British theater? Not the RSC or the National Theatre, many think. Artsadmin is a largely invisible supporter of experimental theater, exported to the world – Artsadmin sorts out its artists’ petty cash, finds them rehearsal space, administers their lives – a curious hybrid of producer, manager, facilitator and promoter. Most of all, it has become a champion of new work. – The Guardian