Tag: 06.23.05

The Flesh-And-Blood Stars Of Online Gaming

Online games are big business, and now players are making real money and becoming stars at it. In South Korea, at least a quarter of the population has participating in a game called Kart Rider. “Kart Rider competitions have been broadcast on two cable channels, and Kim Hyun Wook — who has won several of them — has emerged as a pop idol among gamers. A local apparel company, Spris Corp., sponsors Kim and three others as professional Kart Rider players. Some tournaments have been sponsored by the likes of Coca-Cola Co. (KO ) and offer as much as $50,000 in prize money.

On Golden Pond To Close On Broadway

Broadway’s On Golden Pond will close this week because of James Earl Jones’ serious bout of pneumonia. “Jones’ doctors determined on June 23 that “the seriousness of recuperating from pneumonia would prevent his return until sometime in August,” according to a press statement. The show was to have run through Labor Day. Jones is expected to eventually fully recover from his illness.”

CPB named New President

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has a new president. “Patricia S. Harrison, the assistant secretary of state for educational and cultural affairs, was selected after three days of closed meetings by the corporation’s board of directors. She was co-chair of the Republican National Committee from 1997 to 2001.”

Successful Indie Needs Downloads

How to make indie films rich and famous? By emulating the success of indie music, which has used internet downloads with great success. “European cinema currently has a 26.5% penetration inside Europe – and only makes a 3.3% chink in the US market. By digitally delivering film with a new initiative, the 35% market share that independent music enjoys in North America could be achieved with cinema.”

Do We Need Arts Prizes Just For Women?

“Years after feminism was declared history, is there a new trend to single out women for special recognition? Until the 1970’s, in most cultural fields, men created and women consumed. Today, across the West, women are well represented in art, architecture, music and film schools and account for a majority of students attending college literature and creative writing courses. Yet while women no longer regard the creative arts as a male province, when it comes to winning or even making the short list of prizes in fiction, poetry, art, architecture and music, they still fare poorly. Are there fewer women in these fields, are they less talented than men, or are women simply being denied equal opportunity?”

Vilar Makes Bail

Esrtwhile philanthropist Alberto Vilar gets out of jail after some help from a friend. “The conductor Valery Gergiev has put up $500,000 in cash to help secure Mr. Vilar’s freedom on bail, in what Mr. Gergiev’s manager called an act of deep friendship.”

Making Arts Accessible (How About $15 Tickets?)

Off-Broadway’s Signature Theatre slashes ticket prices to all its shows to $15 (the deal is underwritten by Time Warner). “At $15 the Signature tickets will run about the price of a movie and soda. (And a small soda at that.) Most Off Broadway companies, looking at declines in corporate, public and private giving, have steadily raised prices in recent years, with seats now regularly going for $50 or more. (The Signature generally charges $55.) On Broadway, orchestra seats commonly go for $100, while premium tickets can reach nearly $500.”