October 2021 – Below the Line

Director Series: Swagger Director Reggie Rock Bythewood on the Apple Youth Basketball Series

October 29, 2021 Ian Spelling Comments Off

Over the course of his film and television career, Reggie Rock Bythewood has worn multiple hats: actor, writer, producer, showrunner and director. His acting credits include Brother from Another Planet and Vampire’s Kiss. He wrote for A Different World, wrote and produced New York Undercover, wrote and directed the film Biker Boyz, and created, wrote, produced, and directed the show Shots Fired. His latest project, the Apple TV+ drama Swagger, […]

Candyman Production Designer Cara Brower: Telling Story through Art and Environment

October 29, 2021 Edward Douglas Comments Off

Filmmaker Nia DaCosta‘s Candyman has been out for a couple months now — and soon to come to DVD and Blu-ray, in case you missed it — but one thing that really stands out in her reinvention of the 1990 cult horror classic, and that’s the Chicago location where the film was shot. That includes all the homes and galleries we see, as well as the Cabrini-Green projects that played […]

Doc Spotlight: Bobcat Goldthwait and Dana Gould Take a Joy Ride

October 29, 2021 Max Evry Comments Off

Comedians Bobcat Goldthwait (the Police Academy franchise, World’s Greatest Dad) and Dana Gould (The Simpsons, Stan Against Evil) both started their careers in Boston and came to fame doing standup in the 1980’s. It took them a bit longer to become friends, however. That friendship, along with their decades-honed comedic chops, is on full display in director Goldthwait’s new documentary Joy Ride, which opens in theaters and on demand October […]

End of Week Production Notes 10/29/21: Jeff Nichols Quits A Quiet Place 3, de Armas May Play Ballerina, and More “Meta” News

October 29, 2021 Edward Douglas Comments Off

Well, it’s the last weekend of October, and then we’re into November and December and the holidays, and the next thing you know, this crazy year is over. In the meantime, you won’t have Mark Zuckerberg‘s Facebook to kick around anymore, but that’s only because he changed the name of the company to… get this… “Meta.” If you don’t know what the term means, then look it up, but it’s kind […]

Loeb,13 IATSE Locals Urge Members to Vote Yes for Contract Ratification

October 29, 2021 Edward Douglas Comments Off

We’re currently in Phase 2 of the Basic Agreement ratification process for IATSE members to get a new Basic Agreement and Area Standards Agreement. On Thursday, IATSE President Matthew Loeb and the heads of the 13 West Coast Studio locals — which includes Local 600 (International Cinematographers Guild) , Local 700 (Motion Picture Editors’ Guild), and Local 800 (Art Directors Guild) — came together to release a statement urging members to vote “Yes” for ratification […]

Vinten Launches Weatherproof, Heavy-Payload, Robotic Pan & Tilt Head FHR-155E

October 29, 2021 Staff Comments Off

Vinten, a world leader in manual and robotic camera support systems, today introduced the new FHR-155E — a robotic pan and tilt head designed to support full size broadcast cameras and lenses as remote-controlled robotic devices in outdoor locations. With a maximum payload capacity of 90kg/200lb, the FHR-155E combines sophisticated software and mechanical engineering to enable exceptionally accurate, smooth, and quiet camera movements in challenging open-air environments. “As the latest […]

Rising Sun Pictures Invests in Developing AI-Driven VFX Capabilities

October 29, 2021 Staff Comments Off

Rising Sun Pictures (RSP) has added two post-doctoral researchers from the Australian Institute for Machine Learning (AIML) to lead a new initiative centered on the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to its visual effects pipeline. Dr. John Bastian and Dr. Ben Ward will develop pipeline tools based on machine learning and other AI applications as a means of streamlining visual effects (VFX) production and creating visuals that look more photo-realistic. […]

My First Job in Film Career Planning Site Launches in North America

October 29, 2021 Staff Comments Off

My First Job in Film, a UK-based career planning community focused on aspiring film and television industry professionals, has launched in North America. The program helps students and others get a foot in the door in the entertainment industry through a wealth of career planning tools and access to short- and long-term employment opportunities and internships across a range of production and post-production roles. Begun in 2011, the company’s UK […]

Last Night in Soho Filmmaker Edgar Wright and Co-Writer Krysty Wilson-Cairns Offer Nostalgic Scares

October 28, 2021 Edward Douglas Comments Off

By now, filmmaker Edgar Wright probably needs little to no introduction, each of his films having built a fairly hearty audience of fans. With Last Night in Soho, Wright is doing something a little different, not because it’s a horror film — he’s had elements of that in all three movies he’s done with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost aka “The Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy.” No, this one is a […]

Muppets Haunted Mansion Editor Alexandra Amick On Balancing Suspense with Comedic Muppet Shenanigans

October 28, 2021 Sarah Musnicky Comments Off

With the Halloween movie season comes a variety of different things for people both young and old to watch to get into the spooky spirit. While many focus on horror films that will raise the hairs on the back of the neck, room should always be made for zany childlike fare. And, this Halloween season, the Muppets team has done just that with a Disney+ special titled Muppets Haunted Mansion. For […]