“If your career starts in your teens, there’s the danger that you miss out on a normal childhood, and you’re trapped in this unnatural way of travelling the world. It’s a tricky time.”
Tag: 11.28.07
Death Of A Wagner – Whither Bayreuth?
“Gudrun Wagner, wife of Bayreuth Opera Festival director Wolfgang Wagner and a key partner in helping him stage the annual event, died Wednesday, officials said. She was 63.” Her death was a surprise, and will rekindle debate over who will eventually take over the helm of Bayreuth.
The World’s Most Expensive Egg
“A rare enamel-and-gold Faberge egg that had been in the Rothschild banking family for more than a century sold for record-setting $18.5 million at auction Wednesday. The sale of the translucent pink egg topped with a diamond-studded cockerel was a record for a Faberge work of art.”
Writers, Studios Talking, But Quietly
“The sound of silence gripped Hollywood for a second straight day as striking writers negotiated with studios and nets behind closed doors to end the 23-day work stoppage. Both sides agreed early Tuesday evening to return for more talks this morning.”
Challenging The Academy’s View Of Animation
Pre-Oscar film hyping is nothing new in Hollywood, but the makers of Ratatouille, the animated hit from Pixar, are taking the unconventional route of asking voters to consider their movie for Best Picture, rather than Best Animated Feature. “More than a technical issue, the dilemma goes to the heart of Hollywood’s evolving attitude toward animated movies.”
Africa Lags In Cultural Funding
“Lack of sponsorship, commitment and infrastructure in some Southern African countries contributed to the demise of the arts festival meant to create a mutual understanding among the people of the region… The cost of holding these festivals was unbearable to most member states, while the idea of accommodating the private sector in funding the festivals was not taken up by the corporate world.”
Gotham Awards Kick Off Statue Season
“Sean Penn’s Into the Wild, a drama about a disaffected young man who wanders North America, nabbed the top prize as the movie kudos season opened with the Gotham Awards.” Other honors went to Ellen Page for best breakthrough actor, and Michael Moore for best documentary.
Stagehands’ Strike Almost Over?
Sources are saying that Broadway stagehands and producers are “very close” to settling the strike that has shut down much of the Great White Way for the last 3 weeks. “Local 1, which represents the stagehands, has agreed to change some work rules but is still holding out for some kind of ‘salary compensation’ in exchange for those concessions.”
Indie Film Portal Has Influential Backers
“Seven key Spanish arthouse film companies have teamed to create Filmin.es, an ambitious Internet movie portal aimed at the indie film community. Launch is scheduled for March 2008, with Filmin offering consumers a range of options, including download-to-own, download-to-rent, streaming view and DVD store.”
Spirit Nominees Unveiled
“The whimsical Bob Dylan narrative I’m Not There, featuring Cate Blanchett, Richard Gere and four others playing incarnations of the enigmatic singer, led nominees Tuesday for the Spirit Awards honoring independent film… The Spirit Awards will be presented Feb. 23, the day before the Academy Awards.”