The Business

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Gloria Calderón Kellett calls for equitable storytelling, ‘Barbenheimer’ wins the box office Jul 29, 2023

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Barbie and Oppenheimer have proven to be massively successful at the box office, but where does that leave the comparatively underwhelming performance of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One and other tentpole hopefuls?
Then, The Horror of Dolores Roach Executive Producer Gloria Calderón Kellett talks to NPR TV critic Eric Deggans about the challenges of making a screen adaptation of a hit podcast. She also explains the significant impact of residuals throughout her career, and why she thinks writers need a better deal in the streaming age.

Hollywood VFX expert weighs in on AI, studios and guilds dig in Jul 21, 2023

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On the strike lines, rhetoric from studios and guilds makes it difficult to reach a resolution, while Disney’s CEO digs in. Plus, Netflix and streaming services face growth challenges.

Then, Emmy-nominated VFX specialist and AI expert Mike Seymour talks about the various ways Hollywood has benefited from AI. He discusses the risks of human misuse of the technology and the need for regulation, and explains how AI can be harnessed — and in some cases, already is — to help rather than hurt creatives.

Bigger Banter: SAG-AFTRA strikes, Bob Iger extends contract Jul 14, 2023

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The Business analyzes SAG-AFTRA’s strike, which will effectively shut down Hollywood at an already perilous time. Plus, Bob Iger announces a contract extension until 2026, and the summer box office heats up.

Screenwriter Billy Ray on WGA battle with AI; Amazon CEO probes shows’ budgets Jul 07, 2023

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Amazon CEO Andy Jassy asks for detailed budgets of all the biggest shows made by its Hollywood studios. Why now? Plus, another polemic involving David Zaslav. Oscar-nominated screenwriter and director Billy Ray talks with Kim Masters about the guilds' battle surrounding AI, its limitations and dangers in the workplace, and whether it can really take over the WBD CEO’s job.

Maureen Ryan burns it down, Netflix union-busts, TCM reverses course Jun 30, 2023

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Following the decision to fire top execs at Warner Bros. Discovery’s TCM, WB’s CEO David Zaslav feels the blowback and is forced to reverse the channel’s course. Plus, Netflix’s union busting tactics, exposed. Kim Masters and Matt Belloni discuss.

Plus, diving into her debut book ‘Burn It Down,’ journalist Maureen Ryan dispels myths about Hollywood, exposes industry misconducts and coverups, and offers fixes.

Randall Poster on life as a music supervisor, plus WBD’s struggles Jun 24, 2023

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To pay debt, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav is licensing HBO original series to Netflix, and fires the head of TCM. Meanwhile, Disney/Pixar’s “Elemental” underperforms at the box office. Kim Masters and Matt Belloni break down what it all means and the potential impacts.

NPR contributor and guest interviewer Jeff Lunden talks to music supervisor Randall Poster about his career in film and television, his work with Martin Scorsese over the years, his long relationship with Wes Anderson, and why finding the right music for a project is a deeply collaborative process.

Summer previews: Will movies deliver at the box office? Plus, Emmy changes, predictions Jun 17, 2023

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A summer banter: Will the season bring the big box office returns studios are hoping for? Plus, Disney pushes back franchise releases, and The Golden Globes undergoes another massive change. Kim Masters and Matt Belloni break it down.

Then, as the 2023 Emmy Awards voting begins — with nominations announced July 12 — Masters and Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter’s Executive Director of Awards Coverage, talk about the award show’s recent voting changes, and Feinberg gives a special preview of what to expect.

Carol Burnett on her sprawling career in entertainment, CNN fires CEO Chris Licht Jun 10, 2023

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CNN CEO Chris Licht is out from the network following a damning article in The Atlantic reporting his “alienating” behavior towards his staff. Was he a bad match for the job?

Then, Kim Masters speaks to legendary actress, singer, writer, and comedian Carol Burnett about her sprawling career in entertainment, her close relationship with friend and mentor Lucille Ball, how she created her long running CBS variety show, and why she says working with "Better Call Saul" creator Vince Gilligan was one of the greatest experiences she’s ever had.

The resilience of the movie theater industry and Cannes during the writers’ strike Jun 02, 2023

Show notes

While the WGA strike continues in the U.S., many writer-directors, actors were off promoting their films at Cannes. Did that weaken the WGA effort?

Then, former National Association of Theatre Owners CEO John Fithian speaks about the industry navigating the pandemic, and why he is optimistic about its future.

Encore: ‘The Great’ creator on swearing, sex and ‘fun’ violence in 1700s Russia May 26, 2023

Show notes

As week three of the writer’s strike continues, other unions and guilds show solidarity while studios cut costs to see quarter stock increase. Plus, we revisit our long pre-strike conversation with Tony McNamara, whose viciously satirical series “The Great” has just returned for its third season on Hulu. McNamara talks about his fascination with Catherine the Great, working with Hulu, and how he transported a world he originally created for the theater stage to the small screen.

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