‘They’ve Done a Great Job’

All summer long, writers and actors led a backlash against artificial intelligence outside studio gates. “AI has no soul,” one picket sign read. “ChatGPT doesn’t have childhood trauma.” But in the end, the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA embraced a balanced approach to the technology. Both guilds obtained job protections against AI abuse, including … Read more

Risa Gertner to Retire From CAA in January

Longtime CAA film agent Risa Gertner is set to retire in January after nearly 30 years with the agency. Gertner’s list of clients over the years has included such writers, directors and producers as Tony Gilroy, Barry Jenkins, Kenya Barris, Ron Howard and Simon Kinberg. At present she serves on the CAA board and as … Read more

Dominican Republic’s ‘Tiger’ Reflects on Machismo in Latin America

Among the Copia Final titles in Ventana Sur, the Dominican Republic’s “Tiger” (“Tiguere”) by lauded filmmaker José María Cabral (“Woodpeckers”) casts a harsh light on the machismo culture of the Caribbean nation and by extension, Latin America. Shot in a lush mountain retreat, “Tiger” is set in a boot camp where families drop off their … Read more

The Monty Python Musical Gallops Back Onto Broadway

As the supporting actors rotate around comedic parts and don Jen Carpio’s eye-popping costume designs, the Round Table is rounded out with the talents of SNL alum Taran Killam as the brash Sir Lancelot (Killam does little compelling with Lancelot, but excels at other roles), Michael Urie as the timid Sir Robin, Jimmy Smagula as … Read more

Private Credit Financing for Film & TV Will Only Grow After Strikes 

In a low-growth, illiquid market, growth and liquidity are priceless.  The recently ended concurrent strikes in Hollywood seemed to threaten the overall film and TV production ecosystem, but they actually wound up strengthening an emergent source of finance for the industry: private credit.   So, what is private credit, and why the interest in media production?  … Read more

Stuart Ford’s AGC Studios Teams With Egyptian Star Mohamed Karim

Stuart Ford’s independent content company AGC Studios is partnering with Egyptian star Mohamed Karim’s MK Global Entertainment to produce “Judgment of the Dead,” an English-language thriller steeped in ancient Egypt’s lore. Karim is known across the Middle East as a former host of talent show “The Voice of Arabia” and for roles in popular Ramadan … Read more