Building off of Parasite’s success, we see ambitious Oscar entries bloom

Satire-mysticism. Claustrophobic horror. Quirky fables…. These are not the things that previous International Feature Film nominees have evoked in the imagination. Building on the indisputable success of Parasite in the 2020 Oscar season, we’re finally seeing a flourishing of novel ideas and intriguing settings among the foreign film selection. BLAKE & WANG P.A takes a closer look.

For 2021, we see the following 4 nominees:

Never gonna snow again (Poland)
Beginning (Georgia)
Apples (Greece)
Jallikattu (India)

This year, there is no theme or message to unite the four nominations, except possibly an urge to confound and dazzle their audiences. Let alone the need to find moralistic worth in the films nominated. Here we see films delighting in the weird and the wonderful, setting unlikely scenarios and abstract concepts off against absurd backgrounds and hints of mysticism. In short, they maintain staggering story-telling, deliciously thought-provoking ambiguity, and evocative cinematography, but there’s no art-house pretension to be seen. In fact, humor laces several of the entities. This is in noted contrast to the typically somber predecessors in the International Feature Film category.

For the most part, this can be chalked up to the previous season’s Oscar win for the exceptional South Korean film, Parasite. Parasite represented a genre-busting addition to the Oscar category sometimes called ‘the art house’ category, and in destroying the boundaries of what was deemed acceptable to put forward.

The approaching 2021 Oscar season is already one with many dark horses running. With the COVID-19 crisis keeping many big-ticket films off of our screens, it’s given smaller pictures and unique projects a chance to flourish. The International Film Feature category, in particular, has proven to be a fertile and imaginative selection unlike anything we’ve ever seen here before. It will be interesting to see how this trend develops over the next few years- but one thing is certain. Interesting viewing lies ahead!

Other side-effects of the proposed COVID-19 bail-out for the entertainment industry

Just this week we’ve finally seen some signs of the long-hoped-for bail-out package for businesses struggling in the wake of the pandemic-caused economic recession. News that the bill has passed the senate, and has just to head to the President’s desk for final signing, is certainly positive. Yet- slightly oddly- the bill itself goes far beyond actual COVID-19 relief. BLAKE & WANG P.A best entertainment lawyers in Los Angeles have the details you need.

Odd inclusions

For example, the bill includes a measure making illegal streaming services a felony. Likewise, there will now be a ‘small claims panel’ to weigh in on disputed copyright claims. Whether or not you feel these things are necessary, they seem like strange additions to a much-needed bill that’s supposed to focus on being a lifeline to decimated sectors of industries like the entertainment industry.

Much good news

Despite the oddities, however, the passing of the bill is certain to bring relief to many in the entertainment industry. Alongside expansions to Save our Stages and a direct employee retention scheme, the bill also caters for a federal tax incentive for TV/movie productions. Productions will be able to write off $15 million of expenses in the year incurred, rather than as depreciation, and it has been extended to 2025. As such incentives are typically rolled out year-on-year, that’s exciting in itself. There’s also loans for local media to provide a paycheck protection program under key circumstances.

Alongside the provisions directed at the entertainment industry specifically, we also see exciting extensions to the unemployment insurance fund that will impact those working in the entertainment industry, a direct stimulus, rent payment assistance, propositions to increase broadband access, and a PSA campaign focusing on promoting confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine.

Overall, the news is overwhelmingly positive. We can only hope the bill rolls into full legislation soon.

WGA vs WME: What the judge has to say

Judge André Birotte Jr of the Federal Court this week has weighed in on the ongoing dispute between the WME and WGA, as the matter was brought to (virtual) court last week. Like most of us, shocked at the lengthy boycott of major agencies by the WGA, he seemed keen to see a speedy conclusion to the matter. BLAKE & WANG P.A one of the best entertainment law firms los angeles examine the matter.

Judge Birotte opened with an overview of the case to date. He frames the matter as two sides who want the same thing, swiftly, but disagree on how to about them. He also pulls attention to the possibility of ‘lost focus’, mentioning “exceptional lawyers and executives- and the egos that may sometimes come with that.” He seems keen to reframe the matter as both sides caring about writers, albeit in different ways, and losing focus on the end goal by pursuing litigation. He even went as far as to scold them that “It’s the writers and the agents who have been in this state of tumult while you all fight loudly and publicly about this.”

He’s quick to take some of the sting out of that, noting that he appreciates great lawyers and the zeal that powers them, but perhaps the gentle rebuke isn’t so far fetched, in that they are not directly affected by the permanent pause that’s been placed on the WGA/WME relationship by the ongoing refusal to see eye-to-eye. Into this concern for the people most affected by the lack of agreement, he also brought mention of the unprecedented global health crisis and its unforeseen effects on livelihoods, wellbeing, and the same business relationships under threat with the boycott. He called the WGA’s demands an attempt at a “paradigm shift,” and urged all parties to bear this in mind in negotiations.

All in all, while the Judge ended by agreeing to take the matter under submission, his words read like a sensible, yet firm, urging to drop any posturing and get negotiations back on track. It’s clear he’d rather see the 2 Hollywood stalwarts settle the matter themselves, rather than be forced to settle it in his court. Will he get his Festive wish? BLAKE & WANG P.A Entertainment Lawyer will be watching the situation with interest.

How we progressed through the year of COVID-19, according to our Netflix accounts

With social isolation being the predominant theme of 2020, there was a concurrent spike in demand for streaming services. As a bit of festive fun from BLAKE & WANG P.A Entertainment Lawyer Los Angeles, we’re taking a look at what shows trended when during this tumultuous year of lockdowns, restrictions, and more- and what it says about ourselves as a whole, too.

Firstly, and as a positive, Netflix would see a boom in foreign-language dramas throughout the year as it opened itself to a wider subscriber base. This was accessed by viewers willing to use subtitles as well as native speakers. Romance and action would also remain key parts of the 2020 landscape no matter what happened- indicative, perhaps, of an urge to escape a lonely year with something escapist.

A very surprising boom would come at the start, however- baking shows! Perhaps accompanying the social media ‘banana bread’ challenge (or causing it), many anchor programs revolving around the soothing art of creating comfort food would see an uptick- well over 50% extra demand!

The euphoria would not last long, however. As lockdown stretched into April and beyond, we would instead see a 30% uptick in demand for sad content and tearjerkers, alongside a greater interest in true crime documentaries and, of course, the phenomenon that was Tiger King. Alongside it would come a demand for stand-up comedy in all its forms. Dating shows and other ‘fluffy’ unscripted reality would also stay strong throughout the year.

In a move that can be seen as positive for humanity as a whole, in the three weeks following the controversial murder of Geroge Floyd, there was a peak in demand for content focusing on the experiences of people of color. This would be the push behind Netflix’s launch of their Black Lives Matter collection.

All in all, it’s a telling look into the mood of a year that’s been like no other, especially for the entertainment industry. The trends we see here will doubtless shape the 2021 orders Netflix places, which means it could also be an interesting knock-on effect for the industry as a whole. BLAKE & WANG P.A will continue to watch (pun intended) with interest.

With red carpets rolled up, how will the Oscar votes be decided in 2020?

The year-end Awards season, culminating in the Oscars, is usually an occasion for glitz, glamour and many cocktails sipped on red carpets. With the disaster that 2020 has wrought on many aspects of the entertainment industry, however, the usual ‘wow’ factor in-person events have been packed away ‘til next season. That doesn’t mean the Oscars won’t be going ahead, however, leaving those with films in the running an interesting conundrum or two to solve. BLAKE & WANG P.A Entertainment Lawyer takes a closer look.

Perhaps the most pressing question in the industry currently is, ‘How will I get them to see my film at all?’ Most typical Oscar season campaigning is designed to lure bums-on-seats for the big screen. This year, with even the Award ceremony itself going digital, contenders have to face the fact that their films will be viewed on laptops and home systems, no doubt to be paused frequently and competing with smartphones, snacks, and other distractions. So much of a successful Oscar campaign hinges on getting people to watch the film at all, and preferably in a situation as close to the director’s ideal as possible. A laptop screen just isn’t that.

Nor has this been the ideal year to generate hype or snag pop-culture prominence for your movie. People are burned out by the pandemic, more interested in bingeing something light from Netflix than engaging with complex commentary with a movie. It’s a year where Box Office hits were postponed, little of ‘blockbuster’ status produced, and movies play very much second fiddle to other, more corporeal worries for most. Those who do have contenders have to keep interest in their movies alive until April, too, meaning even the festive season won’t create much momentum for them. Last year saw ‘Parasite’, the first non-English Best Picture winner, take the title through social media hype. Many more will inevitably win through online campaigns this year. How will these be managed, however, is the real question, and it will be interesting to see what contenders bring to the table. BLAKE & WANG P.A, as always, will be here to keep you clued in on new developments.

Will changes to the ‘Best Picture’ qualifying criteria make actual change in the industry?

With new changes tabled as to how the American Motion Picture Academy determines if a production qualifies for Best Picture, opinions are divided. Today BLAKE & WANG P.A takes a look at some of the key issues.

Have the changes gone over well?

To date, the only fair description is ‘mixed’. This would possibly have gone better if the new changes weren’t leaving people completely confused about when and where they apply. Of course, not every AMPAS voter has actually given the matter the thought it needs- some have just seen the word ‘diversity’ and let a knee-jerk reaction take over. Some have catastrophized that dream projects and creativity will grind to a halt. Others have taken the time to look at the matter in depth. While many are still considering all implications, it seems they’re viewing the changes with optimism for the industry.

In short, it’s probably too early to tell. Once the immediate feelings of excessive control and ‘false diversity’ have settled, however, cooler heads are likely to see this as an overall positive move forward for the film industry as a whole and the Academy and Oscars in particular.

Will these new regulations make a difference?

There’s no way we can tell at the moment. It’s certainly good that we’re seeing some movement towards these goals, and the intentions are excellent. It’s a forward-looking strategy that not only attempts to address diversity, but also ‘future-proof’ the Oscars to stay relevant as times (and audiences) change.

Nor are the changes just about race. Women, for example, and the LGBTQ+ community have been drastically underrepresented in both the industry and the awards ceremony, and the ‘underrepresented communities’ part of these rules seeks to address this. It’s difficult to know how to reach into the systemic societal mess around these issues and create change, but at least this is trying to make a difference.

There will be no real indication of what wider effects this new ruling has until we’ve seen it in action. With the changes not due to go into effect until the 2024 Oscar season, it will be a while before we fully understand how this pans out. In the meantime, it seems like an interesting step forward.

ROKU- A Streaming Service to Watch?

Steaming has certainly seen it’s already-rising prominence in the entertainment industry rocket during the tumultuous year that has been 2020. Super-streaming video platform ROKU is not alone in seeing huge growth, but it’s one that’s well worth watching. Generally seen as an ‘onramp’ to full internet TV services for consumers, it has boomed during the global health crisis.

The company has humble beginnings. Based in California, it was a unit of Netflix, primarily producing the company’s first set-top boxes. They parted ways in 2007, however, when the more famous streaming partner moved away from hardware. That didn’t slow the company down much. Continuing to make their set-top boxes, they diversified into streaming sticks so they could offer internet video services like Hulu, Amazon Prime and, of course, Netflix, as a third-party ‘super streamer’. It would also go on to license an OEM operating system for Smart TVs, too.

ROKU’s revenue generation model hinges on advertising through the platform and ad-supported services like its own ROKU channel. It also takes a chunk of all pay-per-view and subscription revenue for third-party services it hosts on the platform. In turn, customers are offered convenience as all these niche streaming platforms are compressed into one product.

It’s a model that may well serve the platform well. We’re seeing a rising trend of consumers turning away from subscription streaming to free, but ad-supported internet video networks. Especially as consumers face pressure to tighten budgets and trim the fat from their entertainment allowances.
In short, ROKU has proven able to weather huge revolutions in its business structure and show smart predictive sense regarding trends. While they remain a smaller player in the streaming market, they’re certainly one it’s worth watching.

Nowadays, due to complicated entertainment law policy not easy for every media house to comply with them. You could take the services of an Entertainment Lawyer If you are feeling difficulties in publishing content, contracting, licensing and taxation.

A new administration brings new interest from the entertainment industry

Donald Trump may have been the more ‘obvious’ showman, possibly best known for his fame from The Apprentice, but the upcoming Biden-Harris administration could actually herald a closer tie to the entertainment industry than ever before. Today BLAKE & WANG P.A entertainment law firms los angeles take a closer look at the potential future for the entertainment industry.

If we flashback to the Obama presidency for a moment, there was a Hollywood-D.C social scene that has lapsed in recent years, with the White House hosting celebrity-led workshops, concerts, and even movie screenings. Biden himself also has a history intertwined with the entertainment industry, with issues like trade and piracy having featured in his platforms before. Likewise, many of his incoming advisors have links with the MPA. Not to mention their current chairman was a veteran of the Obama administration.

The National Association of Broadcasters also has Gordon Smith, who served with Biden in the Senate. It’s not all about Biden, however. Harris herself has also campaigned for statewide offices and has many friendships in the Hollywood limelight. She, too, could prove a big asset to the entertainment industry going forward

We may even see broadband access and net neutrality once again rear their heads. The Republican-led FCC repealed it in 2017, and have also been looking to modify Section 230. It’s undeniable that it has been seen as retaliation for what the Trump presidency perceived as ‘bias’ against conservatives by social media, however. It will likely be dead in the water for now. Nevertheless, the Supreme Court is set to hear arguments this session from the FCC, which should prove interesting if nothing else.

In short, with a Biden/Harris presidency close at hand, things are not looking bad overall for the entertainment industry’s relations with the White House. It will be interesting to see how things develop further as we inch towards Inauguration Day.

California Theaters Finally Set To Reopen

With harsh COVID-19 pandemic restrictions still in place, California has been one of the very last states to see its beleaguered exhibition industry return to business. Finally, we are seeing an increasing number of Santa Clara and San Francisco theater locations owned by Cinemark reopen, albeit with a revised way of doing business designed to still cater to local lock down restrictions.

That’s not to say all will be back to normal. A key part of these restrictions involves the 25% occupancy limit placed on movie theaters. As if this wasn’t bad enough, the total occupancy limit remains at a 100 person total occupancy limit and concessions cannot be sold at all in key markets like Santa Clara and San Francisco.

While reopening under these restrictions has, in fact, been an option in the state since late September, it’s no surprise that we’ve seen an across-the-board delay in any movement to get the screens up and running. With concessions off the table in some areas, and such harsh bums-on-seats restrictions, many theater owners are reluctant to open the doors at all, seeing it as less expensive to simply stay shuttered. Yet they will need to reopen to prove to studios that exhibition is still a relevant market, creating an interesting catch-22 situation.

We’ve finally seen Cinemark opt to reopen as of late October, however. With a San Francisco multiplex, several San Francisco Bay locations, Alameda County, and many locations in Santa Clara County all on the table to reopen, this is perhaps the biggest development in state-wide reopening we’ve seen in recent weeks.
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We may not see a huge buy-in from other theater chains while concession sales stay off the table, but at least this move towards reopening the state can be seen as a positive step forward for the exhibition industry overall. BLAKE & WANG P.A one of the top entertainment law firms Los Angeles hopes they see a rapid return of the theater-going public and plenty of state-wide support.

Georgia’s studios banking on filming returning to the state, but the tax incentive under pressure

On the back of news of Fayette County’s Pinewood Atlanta Studios surprise rebranding, studios are confident business will be returning to the area. Trilith Studios, as the site will now be renamed, will be focusing on a mixed-use model, retaining the 1,400 homes and 60 on-site businesses already. As we’ve noted before, Georgia has been pushing since May to get the film industry reopened within the state, and both studios and local government seem confident that the increase in filming in the area will continue to boost the state economy. What’s the attraction? A 2005 tax incentive program that allows up to 30% tax credit if more than half a million was spent in the state and the peach logo is included in the work. Despite its popularity among producers, It hasn’t been without its detractors, who suggest it’s generated less economic impact than hoped. It’s also been suggested that some projects have claimed tax credits through fraud. It’s also become a talking point now COVID-19 has impacted state budgets so heavily.

Despite introducing new restrictions to iron out these issues as of January, the state has remained very film-friendly, pushing the idea that entertainment production will be a backbone of the state’s post-COVID recovery. Georgia’s been able to open up early in comparison to more well-known filming locals, and this is enabling them to make bank off of Hollywood projects looking for a place they can get down to businesses.

Hollywood’s unions have already created a framework agreement with film studios on what constitutes adequate safety on set, including strict testing protocols, and Georgian studios have taken care to comply, adding safety protocols of their own too.

Overall, the state of the entertainment production industry in Georgia is looking positive and set to grow, perhaps fulfilling the predictions that it will be a key part of stimulating the rest of their economy, too.

Blake & Wang P.A.

Blake & Wang P.A is an entertainment attorney assisting media related businesses and resolve their taxation matters professionally. Blake & Wang P.A is always the best choice for the media industry in licensing, contracting and taxation.