With Hollywood under orders to stay out of the office, away from theaters, off the set and especially at a safe social distance from those most germ-friendly of mass gatherings — film festivals — coronavirus suddenly has clarified a change that crept over movie culture in the decades just past.
As recently as the late 1980s, perhaps into the 1990s, releasing a motion picture was something a studio could do without getting too sticky with people. To oversimplify just a bit, the process involved a few test screenings, a trailer, some billboards and bus posters, an expensive wave of television advertising, a celebrity appearance or two on the late-night shows and a whole lot of prayer. Win or lose, a producer or executive might get through it without having shaken a customer’s hand.
More from DeadlineCoping With Covid-19 Crisis: 'Come From Away' Producers Sue Frost & Randy Adams Talk Shutdown, Salaries...
As recently as the late 1980s, perhaps into the 1990s, releasing a motion picture was something a studio could do without getting too sticky with people. To oversimplify just a bit, the process involved a few test screenings, a trailer, some billboards and bus posters, an expensive wave of television advertising, a celebrity appearance or two on the late-night shows and a whole lot of prayer. Win or lose, a producer or executive might get through it without having shaken a customer’s hand.
More from DeadlineCoping With Covid-19 Crisis: 'Come From Away' Producers Sue Frost & Randy Adams Talk Shutdown, Salaries...
- 3/18/2020
- by Michael Cieply
- Deadline Film + TV
The state of Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria while Potus concerns himself with NFL politics — just some of the subjects set to be discussed on tonight’s Real Time with Bill Maher. Maher welcomes noted environmentalist Paul Hawken as the top-of-show interview guest. Hawken’s book, Drawdown — The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming, is a concise call-to-action using research by a coalition of scientists, PhDs, policy-makers, business leaders and activists. It looks at the best information available on climate solutions to mitigate negative environmental impact over the next thirty years. Author Kurt Andersen is the mid-show...read more...
- 9/29/2017
- by April Neale
- Monsters and Critics
Alec Baldwin has found a new way to mock Donald Trump. Baldwin is teaming with author Kurt Andersen on the satirical book “You Can’t Spell America Without Me: The Really Tremendous Inside Story of My Fantastic First Year as President Donald J. Trump”, Penguin Press announced Wednesday. Watch Below: Trump takes federal judges who struck […]...
- 3/1/2017
- by Jordan Appugliesi
- ET Canada
Alec Baldwin, who regularly portrays President Trump on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” will co-write a political parody book titled, “You Can’t Spell America Without Me: The Really Tremendous Inside Story of My Fantastic First Year as President Donald J. Trump.” The book will be co-written by Kurt Anderson and published by Penguin Press, which announced the project on Twitter, saying, “We’re so excited to publish it.” Kurt Andersen and @AlecBaldwin to Write Satirical Book About @realDonaldTrump… and we're so excited to publish it. https://t.co/Rau7zdNo0N — Penguin Press (@penguinpress) March 1, 2017 Also Read: Every '...
- 3/1/2017
- by Brian Flood
- The Wrap
She likes to drink. She likes to smoke. And she is super sexually aware. The classic newspaper comic strip Broom-Hilda is on its way to the big screen thanks to a Tales From The Crypt producer. Created by cartoonist Russell Myers in 1970, the strip is distributed by Chicago's Tribune Media Services. Broom-Hilda acted basically the opposite of every other female cartoon character of her time. Here's how her official website describes her: Living in an enchanted forest with surrealistic landscapes, the engaging characters of Broom Hilda happily have no connection with reality. Other comic characters are extensions or distortions of reality, but Broom Hilda deals in pure fantasy, making the strip bewitchingly unique. Here in the forest, the inhabitants maintain a standard of madness where total irrelevance is the only relevancy. The strip is simply a loony-bin where what’s said and done often makes no sense whatsoever, much to...
- 6/22/2016
- by Jill Pantozzi
- Hitfix
East End denizen and talk-show host Baldwin, a key backer of the series, will chat with Dick Cavett and public radio’s Studio 360 ringleader Kurt Andersen after the July 11 opening night screening of The Best Of Enemies. The seventh edition of the Hamptons International Film Festival’s SummerDocs series will run at East Hampton’s Guild Hall. Best Of Enemies will be followed by Listen To Me, Marlon on August 1st and Peace Officer on August 28th. Best Of Enemies directors…...
- 6/9/2015
- Deadline
Film, television and stage director Mike Nichols - whose work included The Graduate and Working Girl among many others - passed away today (November 20) at the age of 83.
The entertainment world has paid tribute to the successful director, writer, producer and comedian. Digital Spy has round up just some of the messages of condolences from friends, colleagues and fans around the world.
Mike Nichols leaves behind a staggering body of work. He's one of the best filmmakers and stage directors ever. Influenced everyone. #Genius
— Ben Stiller (@RedHourBen) November 20, 2014
Oh No, #MikeNichols Nice man brilliant director!!!! Your vision will be missed
— octavia spencer (@octaviaspencer) November 20, 2014
Rip the Great Mike Nichols - elite member of the pantheon of directors whether stage screen or tv. Any conversation was rich w/wit & wisdom
— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) November 20, 2014
Sad to hear of Mike Nichols passing - eternal in his gifts to American culture: "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolfe?...
The entertainment world has paid tribute to the successful director, writer, producer and comedian. Digital Spy has round up just some of the messages of condolences from friends, colleagues and fans around the world.
Mike Nichols leaves behind a staggering body of work. He's one of the best filmmakers and stage directors ever. Influenced everyone. #Genius
— Ben Stiller (@RedHourBen) November 20, 2014
Oh No, #MikeNichols Nice man brilliant director!!!! Your vision will be missed
— octavia spencer (@octaviaspencer) November 20, 2014
Rip the Great Mike Nichols - elite member of the pantheon of directors whether stage screen or tv. Any conversation was rich w/wit & wisdom
— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) November 20, 2014
Sad to hear of Mike Nichols passing - eternal in his gifts to American culture: "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolfe?...
- 11/20/2014
- Digital Spy
More than a month after its release, David Fincher’s latest thriller "Gone Girl" is still sparking debates about its themes of marriage and betrayal, as well as its bevy of twists and turns. Recently, Kurt Andersen conducted a 50-minute interview with Fincher for his radio show Studio 360, discussing “Gone Girl” as well as the director's overall career. On “Gone Girl,” Fincher admits that the premise didn’t strike him as something he’d like to pursue as his next project, since it felt like it examined many of the themes he explored with his previous work. However, delving further into the characters and being taken in by author and screenwriter Gillian Flynn’s description of marriage as a delicate social contract, Fincher decided to take on the challenge of turning such a literary narrative into a cinematic one. The most fascinating part of the interview concerns Fincher’s early inspirations for becoming a filmmaker,...
- 11/17/2014
- by Oktay Ege Kozak
- The Playlist
Two of HBO's finest -- the creator of a murderous family man and an actor portraying a 1920s gangster -- spoke at The Greene Space at Wnyc and Wqxr in New York last night about why TV's best characters are morally corrupt. David Chase, the creator of "The Sopranos," and Steve Buscemi, who plays Nucky Thompson on "Boardwalk Empire" (and who also appeared on "The Sopranos") sat down with Kurt Andersen to discuss the past, present, and future of television antiheroes. These are the highlights: Steve Buscemi believes Nucky Thompson sees himself as a businessman, not a bad guy. After showing a few clips from "The Sopranos" and "Boardwalk Empire," moderator Kurt Andersen asked Buscemi if he played Nucky as someone who thought of himself as a bad guy. "Nucky really does see himself more as a businessman or a politician and having to run this town and this is how you do it,...
- 3/4/2014
- by Ben Travers
- Indiewire
World War Z has begun screening across the United States, and given all the negative buzz surrounding the movie's trials and tribulations, you may find yourself pretty damned surprised at the reactions Hollywood, fans, and critics are having!
In the film Brad Pitt plays a U.N. employee racing against time and fate as he travels the world trying to stop the outbreak of a deadly zombie pandemic, and his Plan B shingle is producing. Mireille Enos ("Big Love", "The Killing") plays his wife, a mother of two girls. Their co-stars include Eric West, Matthew Fox, David Morse, and James Badge Dale.
Look for World War Z in theatres on June 21st!
Just saw World War Z. Sooo much better than World War A-y. #WorldWarZ
— jimmy fallon (@jimmyfallon) May 23, 2013
World War Z: a big, solid zombie movie. Makes up for in scope what it lacks in blood.
— Scott Collura...
In the film Brad Pitt plays a U.N. employee racing against time and fate as he travels the world trying to stop the outbreak of a deadly zombie pandemic, and his Plan B shingle is producing. Mireille Enos ("Big Love", "The Killing") plays his wife, a mother of two girls. Their co-stars include Eric West, Matthew Fox, David Morse, and James Badge Dale.
Look for World War Z in theatres on June 21st!
Just saw World War Z. Sooo much better than World War A-y. #WorldWarZ
— jimmy fallon (@jimmyfallon) May 23, 2013
World War Z: a big, solid zombie movie. Makes up for in scope what it lacks in blood.
— Scott Collura...
- 5/24/2013
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
There many celebrities and movie critics at last night's surprise screening of "World War Z," for which Brad Pitt was in attendance. This gave people a chance to find out just how terrible the film turned out after all the arguments, re-shoots, and major script changes that took place during production. The first Twitter reactions are now up and it appears that "World War Z" is not a terrible movie. In fact, it's a fantastic movie that may just be one of the most entertaining movies of 2013. Check out some reviews below and watch the movie in theaters on June 21st. * Jimmy Fallon: Just saw World War Z. So much better than World War A-y. * IGN: World War Z: a big, solid zombie movie. Makes up for in scope what it lacks in blood. * ScreenCrush: So after all that fuss, 'World War Z' turned out to...
- 5/23/2013
- WorstPreviews.com
Are we entering a golden age for women directors in Hollywood? I've been trying to figure out the troubled relationship between women and the film business for decades, so I unloaded for Studio 360's Kurt Andersen, who also talked with Sarah Polley ("Take This Waltz") and Lynn Shelton ("Your Sister's Sister"), about how the industry favors independents--as its glass ceiling remains intact. Clearly, Kathryn Bigelow's Oscar win for directing "The Hurt Locker"--the first for a woman--has not brought any significant change. She remains the exception that proves the rule. "She’s known for being a man’s director, " I tell Anderson. "She puts men in her movies, she does action, she’s not doing female genres. And she’s resolutely not interested in doing them. But what she did was do them independently. And the Bin Laden movie that’s coming up later this year was raised overseas as well.
- 7/18/2012
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Kurt Andersen's new novel, True Believers, purports to be a memoir by Karen Hollander, a celebrated attorney and law professor who removed herself from consideration for appointment to the Supreme Court because she has a dark secret to hide: "I once set out to commit a spectacular murder, and people died." The novelist — and former New York editor-in-chief — then sets up a story that travels through time, back to the sixties as Karen and her friends begin to take an obsession with 007 to extremes Ian Fleming would never have predicted, and to the near future, as Karen writes the book itself and uncovers unsettling truths while checking in on old ghosts and chaperoning her granddaughter Waverly to an Occupy protest in Miami that feels like it could happen today. (Watch the book trailer, below.) Andersen chatted with Vulture about his own early spycraft, his crush on Daniel...
- 7/11/2012
- by Jennifer Vineyard
- Vulture
On May 21, One Man, Two Guvnors star James Corden visited BBC America in midtown Manhattan for a QampA with WNYCs Kurt Andersen. A sneak peak at their conversation can be seen in the video clips below Corden discusses his journey back to Broadway from The History Boys to now, how came to star in One Man, Two Guvnors and his experience on Broadway.
- 6/1/2012
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
Is New York still the cultural capital? Find out at the Public Theater's forum discussion on May 7, where critics and experts from New York Magazine will join authors, composers, and dancers to explore the state of contemporary creative life, how it's changed in recent years, and whether the city still provides a nurturing environment for emerging artists. Our own Kurt Andersen, Jerry Saltz, Justin Davidson, and Amy Larocca will weigh in, and the event includes a performance from the upcoming musical February House. Tickets are on sale now.
- 4/17/2012
- Vulture
The presenters of the fourth annual Shorty Awards – which honor those creating cool stuff on social media networks – will announce later today the nominees for categories like Foursquare Mayor of the Year (including chef Mario Batali and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg) and best microblog (including the Tumblr sites “The Obama Jog” and “NPR Fresh Air.”) The awards will be given at a ceremony to be held in New York City on March 26. “Daily Show with Jon Stewart” correspondents...
- 2/28/2012
- by Katherine Rosman
- Speakeasy/Wall Street Journal
Time Magazine named “the protester” its Person of the Year for 2011. The magazine’s website introduces Kurt Andersen’s cover story as follows: “No one could have known that when a Tunisian fruit vendor set himself on fire in a public square, it would incite protests that would topple dictators and start a global wave of dissent. In 2011, protesters didn’t just voice their complaints; they changed the world.” The protests began in Tunisia, setting off the Arab Spring, and continue to the present with anti-government sentiment in Russia. In between, Andersen writes about...
- 12/14/2011
- by Lucas Shaw
- The Wrap
Time Magazine has named The Protester as its 2011 Person of the Year, honoring the millions of idealistic and frustrated people around the globe who have awakened from a generational slumber to bring down governments in several countries and transform the political discourse in others. In his cover story, Kurt Andersen wrote, “2011 was unlike any year since 1968 — but more consequential because more protesters have more skin in the game. Their protests weren’t part of a countercultural pageant, as in ’68, and rapidly morphed into full-fledged rebellions, bringing down regimes and immediately changing the course of history. It was, in other words,...
- 12/14/2011
- by Jeff Labrecque
- EW.com - PopWatch
New York — Alec Baldwin is preparing for life after "30 Rock," working with New York public radio on an interview show that will be available via podcast starting Oct. 24.
The first interview posted will be with actor Michael Douglas, who talks about watching "Glee" with his young daughter. Other interviews to follow will be with Republican campaign strategist Ed Rollins, reality-show celebrity Kris Kardashian Jenner, comic Chris Rock, actress Kathleen Turner, author Erica Jong and veteran talk-show host Dick Cavett, station Wnyc said Thursday.
Baldwin said that he's been exploring other things to do, knowing that his small-screen life as crazed corporate executive Jack Donaghy is heading toward its end.
Baldwin has won Emmys for his comic portrayal of a TV network boss. He said he likes to use his spare time to satisfy the need to do other things.
His mixture of guests on the radio show will take in several fields,...
The first interview posted will be with actor Michael Douglas, who talks about watching "Glee" with his young daughter. Other interviews to follow will be with Republican campaign strategist Ed Rollins, reality-show celebrity Kris Kardashian Jenner, comic Chris Rock, actress Kathleen Turner, author Erica Jong and veteran talk-show host Dick Cavett, station Wnyc said Thursday.
Baldwin said that he's been exploring other things to do, knowing that his small-screen life as crazed corporate executive Jack Donaghy is heading toward its end.
Baldwin has won Emmys for his comic portrayal of a TV network boss. He said he likes to use his spare time to satisfy the need to do other things.
His mixture of guests on the radio show will take in several fields,...
- 10/13/2011
- by AP
- Huffington Post
Alec Baldwin is preparing for life after 30 Rock, working with New York public radio on an interview show that will be available via podcast starting Oct. 24. The first interview posted will be with actor Michael Douglas, who talks about watching Glee with his young daughter. Other interviews to follow will be with Republican campaign strategist Ed Rollins, reality-show celebrity Kris Kardashian Jenner, comic Chris Rock, actress Kathleen Turner, author Erica Jong and veteran talk-show host Dick Cavett, station Wnyc said Thursday.
Baldwin said that he’s been exploring other things to do, knowing that his small-screen life as crazed corporate...
Baldwin said that he’s been exploring other things to do, knowing that his small-screen life as crazed corporate...
- 10/13/2011
- by Associated Press
- EW - Inside TV
Steve & Anita Shevett From left: Jeremy McCarter, Richard Nelson, Carl Bernstein, Kurt Andersen and Alec Baldwin.
A new play by Richard Nelson, “Sweet and Sad,” opens today at the Public Theater in New York. The play takes place on Sept. 11, 2011 in Rhinebeck, New York, and explores one family’s struggle to find meaning in the attacks, ten years later.
After a preview of the play this week, actor Alec Baldwin hosted a public forum that included Nelson, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Carl Bernstein,...
A new play by Richard Nelson, “Sweet and Sad,” opens today at the Public Theater in New York. The play takes place on Sept. 11, 2011 in Rhinebeck, New York, and explores one family’s struggle to find meaning in the attacks, ten years later.
After a preview of the play this week, actor Alec Baldwin hosted a public forum that included Nelson, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Carl Bernstein,...
- 9/12/2011
- by Barbara Chai
- Speakeasy/Wall Street Journal
It appears that Bert and Ernie won't be registering at Crate & Barrel any time soon.
After days of not commenting on the widely-circulated online petition encouraging the "Sesame Street" roommates to marry, Sesame Workshop issued a statement. And it appears there won't be any nuptials, and, worse yet, the two aren't even dating.
"Bert and Ernie are best friends," the company writes on their Facebook page. "Even though they are identified as male characters ... they remain puppets, and do not have a sexual orientation."
The petition was launched by Chicago resident Lair Scott who is urging Sesame Workshop, the organization behind "Sesame Street," to allow its long-standing denizens to marry. As of Thursday (Aug. 11), the petition has received more than 5,000 signatures and volumes of media coverage.
According to petition organizers, the objective of marrying the two is to teach viewers "that homophobia is not okay. They need to know that...
After days of not commenting on the widely-circulated online petition encouraging the "Sesame Street" roommates to marry, Sesame Workshop issued a statement. And it appears there won't be any nuptials, and, worse yet, the two aren't even dating.
"Bert and Ernie are best friends," the company writes on their Facebook page. "Even though they are identified as male characters ... they remain puppets, and do not have a sexual orientation."
The petition was launched by Chicago resident Lair Scott who is urging Sesame Workshop, the organization behind "Sesame Street," to allow its long-standing denizens to marry. As of Thursday (Aug. 11), the petition has received more than 5,000 signatures and volumes of media coverage.
According to petition organizers, the objective of marrying the two is to teach viewers "that homophobia is not okay. They need to know that...
- 8/11/2011
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
Auteur director Steven Soderbergh says he's done with filmmaking, telling Studio 360's Kurt Andersen that "When you reach the point where you're, like, 'if I have to get into a van to do anther scout I'm just going to shoot myself,' it's time to let somebody else who's still excited about getting in the van, get in the van." The prolific Soderbergh has made twenty-two films since his 1989 debut, Sex, Lies, and Videotape, helped kickstart the American indie '90s. And he currently has four more in various stages of completion. So he may have said his piece creatively. His career has taken an interesting and meandering path, spanning from crowdpleasing blockbusters like Erin Brockovich and Ocean's Eleven to formalist experiments like Bubble and Schizopolis to colossal epics like Traffic and Che. (Not to mention one-off larks like The Informant!, etc., etc.) [...]...
- 3/14/2011
- Nerve
The credits look set to roll on Steven Soderbergh’s film career, after the director announced his plans to retire from the industry following his final two projects.
Soderbergh – who is famous for rebooting Ocean’s 11 into a full blown franchise starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt – told Studio 360's Kurt Andersen he would be calling time on his career very soon.
"When you reach the point where you're, like, 'if I have to get into a van to do anther scout I'm just going to shoot myself,' it's time to let somebody else who's still excited about getting in the van, get in the van."
"And so it's just time. For the last three years, I've been turning down everything that comes my way, so you're not going to have Steven Soderbergh to kick around anymore," he quipped.
Soderbergh cited his final films; Liberace, starring Matt Damon and Michael Douglas,...
Soderbergh – who is famous for rebooting Ocean’s 11 into a full blown franchise starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt – told Studio 360's Kurt Andersen he would be calling time on his career very soon.
"When you reach the point where you're, like, 'if I have to get into a van to do anther scout I'm just going to shoot myself,' it's time to let somebody else who's still excited about getting in the van, get in the van."
"And so it's just time. For the last three years, I've been turning down everything that comes my way, so you're not going to have Steven Soderbergh to kick around anymore," he quipped.
Soderbergh cited his final films; Liberace, starring Matt Damon and Michael Douglas,...
- 3/14/2011
- by jennifer.trevorrow@lovefilm.com (Jennifer Trevorrow)
- LOVEFiLM
Los Angeles, California (X17online) - Oscar-winning filmmaker Steven Soderberg said in an interview with Studio 360's Kurt Andersen, after he shoots his next two films, he will retire from filmmaking. Soderbergh told Andersen: "When you reach the point where you're like if I have to get into a van to do anther scout I'm just going to shoot myself, it's time to let somebody else who's still excited about getting in the van, get in the van. And so it's just time. For the last three years, I've been turning down everything that comes my way, so you're not going to have Steven Soderbergh to kick around anymore." The filmmaker says after he shoots Liberace, starring Matt Damon and Michael Douglas, and Man From U.N.C.L.E., starring George Clooney, he'll call it quits.
- 3/11/2011
- x17online.com
In an interview with Studio 360's Kurt Andersen Steven Soderbergh (Traffic, Erin Brockovich, Ocean's Eleven) confirmed recent rumors he was going to retire from filmmaking after directing Liberace with Matt Damon and Michael Douglas and Man From U.N.C.L.E. starring George Clooney.
The Hollywood Reporter quotes Soderbergh saying: "When you reach the point where you're like if I have to get into a van to do anther scout I'm just going to shoot myself, it's time to let somebody else who's still excited about getting in the van, get in the van... It's just a sense of having been there before.
"The making of any art is problem solving, and as you work at it, you're able to eliminate the versions that aren't any good faster, but at a certain point the salves sort of become the same. And when I started feeling like I've done this shot before,...
The Hollywood Reporter quotes Soderbergh saying: "When you reach the point where you're like if I have to get into a van to do anther scout I'm just going to shoot myself, it's time to let somebody else who's still excited about getting in the van, get in the van... It's just a sense of having been there before.
"The making of any art is problem solving, and as you work at it, you're able to eliminate the versions that aren't any good faster, but at a certain point the salves sort of become the same. And when I started feeling like I've done this shot before,...
- 3/11/2011
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Having previously reported that director Steven Soderbergh is planning to completely retire from filmmaking, Soderbergh has confirmed this. [THR, via Studio360]
After 25 years, he’s apparently had enough. Soderbergh reveals his feelings toward the film industry and process in a radio interview with Studio 360′s Kurt Andersen – after his next two films, he’s done:
“When you reach the point where you’re like if I have to get into a van to do anther scout I’m just going to shoot myself, it’s time to let somebody else who’s still excited about getting in the van, get in the van,” he said in the interview that airs on Radio 360 Friday night. “And so it’s just time. For the last three years, I’ve been turning down everything that comes my way, so you’re not going to have Steven Soderbergh to kick around anymore,”
Soderbergh’s output alternated between experimental,...
After 25 years, he’s apparently had enough. Soderbergh reveals his feelings toward the film industry and process in a radio interview with Studio 360′s Kurt Andersen – after his next two films, he’s done:
“When you reach the point where you’re like if I have to get into a van to do anther scout I’m just going to shoot myself, it’s time to let somebody else who’s still excited about getting in the van, get in the van,” he said in the interview that airs on Radio 360 Friday night. “And so it’s just time. For the last three years, I’ve been turning down everything that comes my way, so you’re not going to have Steven Soderbergh to kick around anymore,”
Soderbergh’s output alternated between experimental,...
- 3/11/2011
- by Anthony Vieira
- The Film Stage
Before there was snark and irony littered on a million blogs all over the World Wide Web –- in fact, before there was a World Wide Web — there was Spy magazine. Published from 1986 to 1998, Spy was a phenomenon among the media and political cognoscenti. Since, only those who keep dusty old magazines in attics have enjoyed its archives. But on Wednesday, Spy co-founding editor Kurt Andersen tweeted, “Google’s digitized every issue of Spy magazine. Half up now, the rest soon.
- 2/18/2011
- by Katherine Rosman
- Speakeasy/Wall Street Journal
You've seen how husband and wife team at UnderConsideration re-envisioned the holiday of love. Now see the other winner of Studio 360's Redesign Valentine's Day challenge, as picked by this week's guest, author and modern love expert Elizabeth Gilbert. And, yes...it's bacon.
First place goes to the Broquet, a bacon bouquet, which was cooked up by Portland-based industrial designer Sarah Tisdale. Last fall, Tisdale had just fallen for for her next-door neighbor when something brought his spirits down. Tisdale brainstormed an appropriate way to cheer him up. "I wasn't going to get him flowers or anything like that," she remembers, "but I wanted to bring a smile to his face." The two had bonded recently over their love for a winning combination: whiskey and bacon. So Tisdale realized there was really only one option: A bacon bouquet. Her house swirling with smoke, she presented the neighbor with a dozen juicy pork blossoms.
First place goes to the Broquet, a bacon bouquet, which was cooked up by Portland-based industrial designer Sarah Tisdale. Last fall, Tisdale had just fallen for for her next-door neighbor when something brought his spirits down. Tisdale brainstormed an appropriate way to cheer him up. "I wasn't going to get him flowers or anything like that," she remembers, "but I wanted to bring a smile to his face." The two had bonded recently over their love for a winning combination: whiskey and bacon. So Tisdale realized there was really only one option: A bacon bouquet. Her house swirling with smoke, she presented the neighbor with a dozen juicy pork blossoms.
- 2/12/2010
- by Alissa Walker
- Fast Company
Hopeless romantics, you have a new way to express yourself come Sunday. And for all of us who can't bear to face this most ooey-gooey of holidays, here's a more contemporary way to celebrate it. Studio 360's Redesign Valentine's Day Challenge, which I helped launch a few weeks ago, unleashed hundreds of both warm and not-so-fuzzy solutions, but the show also enlisted married graphic designers Armin Vit and Bryony Gomez-Palacio of Austin-based UnderConsideration to create an entire branding package. You can hear them discuss their strategy with Kurt Andersen and see the entire system on their logo and identity blog, Brand New. Here's the visual support behind some of their decisions.
The heart symbol is not owned by Valentine's Day. So they took the two major lines intersecting through the heart and turned it into its own symbol.
This becomes a more recognizable icon for the holiday, and also makes a nice "V.
The heart symbol is not owned by Valentine's Day. So they took the two major lines intersecting through the heart and turned it into its own symbol.
This becomes a more recognizable icon for the holiday, and also makes a nice "V.
- 2/12/2010
- by Alissa Walker
- Fast Company
Peter Bogdanovich hasn't made a theatrical feature film since 2001's poorly received The Cat's Meow, but The Last Picture Show director has been out and about all this time, tantalizing his fans with the prospect of directing another feature at age 70. Now the fans can rejoice-- Variety is reporting that Bogdanovich will write and direct and adaptation of Kurt Andersen's novel Turn of the Century, a satiric look at New York City at the beginning of the new millennium. Compared to Tom Wolfe's Bonfire of the Vanities, Turn of the Century is a take on the Manhattan elite set in a slightly alternative universe, in which people work for networks called Mbc and Bill Gates may or may not be dead. You can read an excerpt that was published in The New Yorker in 1999 at Andersen's official site. At this point the book is probably a period piece-- pre 9/11, pre-Bush,...
- 2/9/2010
- cinemablend.com
According to reports, Peter Bogdanovich will direct and co-script with writing partner Parish Rahbar, an adaptation of author Kurt Andersen's 'scathingly funny' 1999 novel "Turn of the Century."
The Das Films feature will shoot in New York City.
Set in February 2000, "Turn Of The Century" follows 'George Mactier', who has parlayed a Newsweek magazine writing job into a PBS documentary, leading to a $16,575-a-week job as a producer at the sinister 'Mbc Network'.
Mactier's series, titled "Narcs" is a mix of fact and fiction in which actors get to participate in real drug busts, getting all the best lines because they are working from scripts. In one sequence, an arrested dealer, also turns out to be an Actors Equity member (thanks to a gig in the musical "Rent"), so he gets union scale for his 'appearance' in the series and a recurring role.
Meanwhile Mactier's wife 'Lizzie Zimbalist', a brilliant...
The Das Films feature will shoot in New York City.
Set in February 2000, "Turn Of The Century" follows 'George Mactier', who has parlayed a Newsweek magazine writing job into a PBS documentary, leading to a $16,575-a-week job as a producer at the sinister 'Mbc Network'.
Mactier's series, titled "Narcs" is a mix of fact and fiction in which actors get to participate in real drug busts, getting all the best lines because they are working from scripts. In one sequence, an arrested dealer, also turns out to be an Actors Equity member (thanks to a gig in the musical "Rent"), so he gets union scale for his 'appearance' in the series and a recurring role.
Meanwhile Mactier's wife 'Lizzie Zimbalist', a brilliant...
- 2/9/2010
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Peter Bogdanovich ("The Last Picture Show," "The Cat's Meow") will co-write and direct an adaptation of "Turn of the Century" for Das Films says The Hollywood Reporter.
Kurt Andersen's 1999 social satire novel following a Manhattan power couple, George Mactier and Lizzie Zimbalist, in a troubled marriage thanks to the pace of their professional lives. Bogdanovich and Parish Rahbar will co-pen the screenplay.
Sriram Das and Melanie Shanley will produce. Filming kicks off next spring in New York City.
Kurt Andersen's 1999 social satire novel following a Manhattan power couple, George Mactier and Lizzie Zimbalist, in a troubled marriage thanks to the pace of their professional lives. Bogdanovich and Parish Rahbar will co-pen the screenplay.
Sriram Das and Melanie Shanley will produce. Filming kicks off next spring in New York City.
- 2/9/2010
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Peter Bogdanovich will write and direct an adaptation of Kurt Andersen's best-selling novel "Turn of the Century." Set in February 2000 in the bizarre world of the newly arrived millennium, the story centers on a Manhattan power couple and their three private school-reared kids. Das Films' Sriram Das is producing alongside Melanie Shanley. Bogdanovich's writing partner, Parish Rahbar, will co-pen the script. Filming is scheduled to start in New York in spring 2011.
- 2/9/2010
- Comingsoon.net
Sometimes the prospect of using our past, present and potential future just isn't good enough for a story's setting and an alternate timeline with familiar elements but vast differences really sets the stage. The most recent example is Watchmen, where Richard Nixon was elected to a third-term and Dr. Manhattan and The Comedian fought in Vietnam. THR reports another bizarro world will be seen as Peter Bogdanovich (above) will direct an adaptation of the Kurt Andersen novel Turn of the Century which takes place in the year 2000 where BarbieWorld opens in Vegas and Charles Manson's parole hearing is live on TV. Crazy. Though the setting for Turn of the Century seems a bit high concept, the actual story is anything but, as it follows a Manhattan power couple with three kids who are managing their troubled marriage. This has the potential for plenty of hilarious satire, so hopefully Bogdanovich...
- 2/9/2010
- by Ethan Anderton
- firstshowing.net
Peter Bogdanovich is set to write as well as helm an adaptation of Kurt Andersen's 1999 novel "Turn of the Century" for Das Films. Parish Rahbar, Bogdanovich's writing partner, will co-write. The novel follows the MacTiers, a Manhattan couple with three kids in a struggling marriage with three children in a world where BarbieWorld has opened in Vegas as well as Charles Manson's parole hearing being seen live on TV. Filming is scheduled to start next spring in New York. Sriram Das of Das Films will produce with Melanie Shanley. "Peter is one of the great minds of cinema," Das said.
- 2/9/2010
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Director Peter Bogdanovich, the '70s enfant terrible who's been absent from the director's chair since 2001's The Cat's Meow, is due to return to filmmaking with an adaptation of bestselling novel Turn of the Century, by Kurt Andersen. Don't hold your breath just yet, however, as it isn't even due to start shooting until early 2011.The novel is a social satire that tells the story of a Manhattan couple around the turn of this millenium. Both successful in their chosen fields - he produces a semi-reality show; she develops a video-game that can read your emotions - the couple are wealthy and send their three kids to private schools, but naturally all is not going to go smoothly for them. The book's been compared to Tom Wolfe's Bonfire of the Vanities; we can only hope that this film adaptation goes rather better than that did.Bogdanovich is planning...
- 2/9/2010
- EmpireOnline
Peter Bogdanovich will write and direct an adaptation of Kurt Andersen's 1999 novel "Turn of the Century" for Das Films. Bogdanovich's writing partner Parish Rahbar will co-write the screenplay.
The novel, which opens in early new-millennium 2000, follows the MacTiers, a Manhattan power couple with three kids who are managing their troubled marriage in a world where BarbieWorld has opened in Vegas and Charles Manson's parole hearing is live on TV.
Das Films' Sriram Das will produce along with Melanie Shanley. Filming is scheduled for next spring in New York.
"Peter is one of the great minds of cinema," Das said. "His vision for this film and passion for the novel will bring an incredibly funny and powerful story to audiences around the world."
Repped by Media Talent Group, Bogdanovich most recently directed the documentary "Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Runnin' Down a Dream." He also directed "Mask," "The Last Picture Show...
The novel, which opens in early new-millennium 2000, follows the MacTiers, a Manhattan power couple with three kids who are managing their troubled marriage in a world where BarbieWorld has opened in Vegas and Charles Manson's parole hearing is live on TV.
Das Films' Sriram Das will produce along with Melanie Shanley. Filming is scheduled for next spring in New York.
"Peter is one of the great minds of cinema," Das said. "His vision for this film and passion for the novel will bring an incredibly funny and powerful story to audiences around the world."
Repped by Media Talent Group, Bogdanovich most recently directed the documentary "Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Runnin' Down a Dream." He also directed "Mask," "The Last Picture Show...
- 2/8/2010
- by By Jay A. Fernandez and Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
It's Groundhog Day, and you know what that means: No more holidays left between now and Black Sunday (also known as Valentine's Day). Instead of cavity-causing confections, why not give that special someone your best idea for redesigning the holiday from hell? You'll remember a few weeks back I helped Kurt Andersen launch the Redesign Valentine's Day Challenge at Studio 360. The deadline to submit your idea is midnight on Saturday, February 7, so upload your redesign to the Flickr group and you might be mentioned on a special Valentine's weekend Studio 360 show!
Last week, we got a peek at some of the first entries. This week, husband-and-wife design team Armin Vit and Bryony Gomez-Palacio chime in about the assignment, and a very special celebrity judge has joined the team: Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat Pray Love and Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage. And now, a few more of our...
Last week, we got a peek at some of the first entries. This week, husband-and-wife design team Armin Vit and Bryony Gomez-Palacio chime in about the assignment, and a very special celebrity judge has joined the team: Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat Pray Love and Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage. And now, a few more of our...
- 2/3/2010
- by Alissa Walker
- Fast Company
If the helium hearts starting to creep into your local corner store are making you queasy, why not re-examine your devotion to this rosy-red holiday? About a week ago I helped Studio 360 launch a contest to redesign Valentine's Day, and as of today there are a little over two weeks left to add your contribution. There are about 50 submissions already uploaded to the Flickr group, where Studio 360's Kurt Andersen and some surprise guests will be plucking their favorites from to mention on the air. Here are some of my favorites so far:
We now know that true emotional attachment is forged in the nervous--not the circulatory--system, right? So jbrunner2020 adjusted our iconography to reflect current scientific data.
Craigslist "Missed Connections" illustrated by SophieBlackall reflect very contemporary (and often fleeting) feelings of attraction and longing.
This image's caption by michael.nicolson is too awesome not to include: "I used to...
We now know that true emotional attachment is forged in the nervous--not the circulatory--system, right? So jbrunner2020 adjusted our iconography to reflect current scientific data.
Craigslist "Missed Connections" illustrated by SophieBlackall reflect very contemporary (and often fleeting) feelings of attraction and longing.
This image's caption by michael.nicolson is too awesome not to include: "I used to...
- 1/25/2010
- by Alissa Walker
- Fast Company
Remind me again what exactly is romantic about a canned poem on a card, a dozen cellophane-wrapped roses, a box of diabetic-inducing chocolates? Does a $300 prix-fixe dinner or an eight-foot red teddy bear really say 'I love you'? How about the fact that this holiday purposefully leaves out an entire portion of the population, who spend the day ashamed about their singles status on Facebook?
I discussed the heartwrenching topic of Valentine's Day with Kurt Andersen on this week's Studio 360 and we decided that this celebration of love sure is something that a lot of people hate. You can listen to our whole conversation, including why I think cupid's stupid, right here:
Yes, it's chintzy, it's commercialized, it's childish. So Studio 360 is launching another of its now-famous redesign challenges--remember X.mas and the gay flag redesign?--and they need your help, designers! What about Valentine's Day would you change? Submit...
I discussed the heartwrenching topic of Valentine's Day with Kurt Andersen on this week's Studio 360 and we decided that this celebration of love sure is something that a lot of people hate. You can listen to our whole conversation, including why I think cupid's stupid, right here:
Yes, it's chintzy, it's commercialized, it's childish. So Studio 360 is launching another of its now-famous redesign challenges--remember X.mas and the gay flag redesign?--and they need your help, designers! What about Valentine's Day would you change? Submit...
- 1/19/2010
- by Alissa Walker
- Fast Company
Thanks to Arts & Letters Daily, a new, bookish set of brainiacs is geeking out over Kurt Andersen’s electrifying (sorry) article about the Large Hadron Collider at Cern. But you don’t even have to know how to read to get a kick out of this genius (sorry again) rap video that explains, in classic old-school rhythm, the inner workings of what Andersen called “a $9 billion cathedral of science that is in any practical sense quite useless.” Check it: Also, how is it possible that this is the best song by a white rapper since Eminem’s third album? Related: The Genesis 2.0 Project, by Kurt Andersen...
- 12/22/2009
- Vanity Fair
New York -- Barry Diller is ready to press the content-creation envelope again, having unveiled in quick succession digital and TV programming production firms with Ben Silverman and one of the founders of CollegeHumor.com, which is part of Diller's Internet firm Iac.
The two new production outfits seem ready to use a Web 2.0-type approach in that they intend to commit less money upfront than is typical in the entertainment world, meld brands and content more aggressively and look for ways to finally bring TV and the Web closer together.
Iac has had mixed success with its content strategy so far. In December, it shut down its programming group as part of its separation into five companies. Headed by TV veteran Michael Jackson as president and former MTV Networks Games executive Nicholas Lehman as COO, the group was responsible for acquiring and developing content-based sites, including the successful CollegeHumor.
The two new production outfits seem ready to use a Web 2.0-type approach in that they intend to commit less money upfront than is typical in the entertainment world, meld brands and content more aggressively and look for ways to finally bring TV and the Web closer together.
Iac has had mixed success with its content strategy so far. In December, it shut down its programming group as part of its separation into five companies. Headed by TV veteran Michael Jackson as president and former MTV Networks Games executive Nicholas Lehman as COO, the group was responsible for acquiring and developing content-based sites, including the successful CollegeHumor.
- 7/27/2009
- by By Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Kurt Andersen takes a cheap shot at Donald Trump in his new book -- and the developer is firing back. In "Reset," his take on the financial crisis, Andersen writes: "Who do you think enjoys life more, Donald Trump or Warren Buffett? They are both symbols of an era just ended, but one is a clownish reality-show artifact living the high life in Manhattan and Palm Beach, and the other a respected and beloved avatar who lives in a modest...
- 7/13/2009
- NYPost.com
In his monologue that closes out the industrial design film Objectified, reviewed here back in March, it's clear that columnist and author Rob Walker is perplexed by our obsession with material culture. He even goes so far as to propose a campaign that would entice people into appreciating the mountains of stuff they already possess: "Things you already own, why not enjoy them today?"
Turns out Walker was pondering these issues long before Gary Hustwit's camera was focused on him--writing the book Buying In, he started toying with ways to make objects worth more. "While doing the book I was thinking a lot about what makes a thing matter, and I sort of end the book on the idea that it has more to do with personal narrative than anything else--the meaning comes from us, not the object," he says. "So that led to 'Well, what if you made up a narrative,...
Turns out Walker was pondering these issues long before Gary Hustwit's camera was focused on him--writing the book Buying In, he started toying with ways to make objects worth more. "While doing the book I was thinking a lot about what makes a thing matter, and I sort of end the book on the idea that it has more to do with personal narrative than anything else--the meaning comes from us, not the object," he says. "So that led to 'Well, what if you made up a narrative,...
- 7/9/2009
- by Alissa Walker
- Fast Company
New York -- Veteran comedy producers and masterminds of the defunct U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen are returning to the mountain resort as part of this week's Aspen Ideas Festival to try out a format mixing politics and comedy called "The News Has No Clothes."
If the stage show works, producers could end up pitching the concept -- described as "The View" and "Politically Incorrect" meet old BBC show "That Was the Week That Was" -- to TV networks for a possible late-night slot.
The team behind the idea includes Joe Lang, director of festival producer Jazz Aspen Snowmass and former local producer for Uscaf; Craig Minassian, assistant press secretary and director of TV news in the Clinton White House and Uscaf director; Robert Morton, former executive producer of "Late Show With David Letterman" and Comedy Central's "Chocolate News"; and Stu Smiley, executive producer of "Flight of...
If the stage show works, producers could end up pitching the concept -- described as "The View" and "Politically Incorrect" meet old BBC show "That Was the Week That Was" -- to TV networks for a possible late-night slot.
The team behind the idea includes Joe Lang, director of festival producer Jazz Aspen Snowmass and former local producer for Uscaf; Craig Minassian, assistant press secretary and director of TV news in the Clinton White House and Uscaf director; Robert Morton, former executive producer of "Late Show With David Letterman" and Comedy Central's "Chocolate News"; and Stu Smiley, executive producer of "Flight of...
- 6/29/2009
- by By Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Branding's a pretty brutal business, as any designer will tell you. But for a look at the complicated issues around pushing a product you can't quite get behind, it doesn't get much better than this hilarious prank by the sweet, sadly-defunct Spy Magazine, founded by editors Kurt Andersen and Graydon Carter. As part of a 1994 TV pilot--which is hosted by a practically teenage-looking Kevin Nealon--Spy's pranksters designed a logo, business cards, and a 24-page business plan for a revolutionary new product: Bunny Burgers. Among the highlights in their plot to unleash this bunny-eared concept upon America's fast food fans: Contributor Joe Queenan lures three PR flaks to the Ritz Carlton to gauge their reactions, focus groups have trouble swallowing the hype, and there's even some authentic in-store promotion complete with hip-hoppity mascot. We won't give the rest away, but if you're looking for some guidance for your next product launch,...
- 6/5/2009
- by Alissa Walker
- Fast Company
While you were sleeping, innovation worked a double shift, popped a couple of brewskis, and then fell asleep in his work clothes. Here's today's innovation news:
The family can stop worrying: Jeff Bezos got a warehouse job in Kentucky. Jeff, I thought we told you to write when you find work! (And send money home.) Seriously, if every executive truly experienced the rank-and-file jobs inside their organization like Bezos did with his one-week stint at a company warehouse, not only would they improve their business, but layoffs of the lowest-rung workers might not be the default cost-cutting move. Like when the imperious CEO of some company called Amazon decided to close three distribution centers. The good news is that some of the employees will be transferred to other centers. Hope they like Kentucky! [Via Silicon Alley Insider's Henry Blodget and WSJ's Geoffrey A. Fowler] Austin stays weird, and that may be why it gets smarter. The city, still clearly a bit...
The family can stop worrying: Jeff Bezos got a warehouse job in Kentucky. Jeff, I thought we told you to write when you find work! (And send money home.) Seriously, if every executive truly experienced the rank-and-file jobs inside their organization like Bezos did with his one-week stint at a company warehouse, not only would they improve their business, but layoffs of the lowest-rung workers might not be the default cost-cutting move. Like when the imperious CEO of some company called Amazon decided to close three distribution centers. The good news is that some of the employees will be transferred to other centers. Hope they like Kentucky! [Via Silicon Alley Insider's Henry Blodget and WSJ's Geoffrey A. Fowler] Austin stays weird, and that may be why it gets smarter. The city, still clearly a bit...
- 3/27/2009
- by David Lidsky
- Fast Company
Hugh Jackman is heavily promoting Baz Luhrman’s Australia, which opened on Wednesday and has happily spoken of his next big film, X-Men: Origins: Wolverine.
''If it’s clear to us on May second or third that that’s gone, then I’ll walk away happily," Jackson told Moviehole about his tenuous future as Logan. ''I’m not going to flog something – or flog a dead horse, or try and make movies that people don’t really want to go and see. I have no interest in that. Even no matter how much I love the character. So there are many prerequisites".
Jackman has made the character his pet project, taking on production chores and as a result is already thinking about future installments. "There’s a few story lines that are running my head which I think would be really cool, but unless the script is right, then...
''If it’s clear to us on May second or third that that’s gone, then I’ll walk away happily," Jackson told Moviehole about his tenuous future as Logan. ''I’m not going to flog something – or flog a dead horse, or try and make movies that people don’t really want to go and see. I have no interest in that. Even no matter how much I love the character. So there are many prerequisites".
Jackman has made the character his pet project, taking on production chores and as a result is already thinking about future installments. "There’s a few story lines that are running my head which I think would be really cool, but unless the script is right, then...
- 11/28/2008
- by Robert Greenberger
- Comicmix.com
Hugh Jackman, star of stage and screen, is said to next be on the Broadway stage as legendary magician Harry Houdini.
{sidebar id=1}FOXNews.com had the news,
Last night at 20th Century Fox.s swellicious premiere of .Australia. at the Plaza Hotel, the talk was of the movie.s Hugh Jackman starring in the Broadway musical of Houdini.s life.
Danny Elfman, once the leader of pop group Oingo Boingo and now often a composer of movie scores, is writing the music. Kurt Andersen, a former magazine editor and current radio host here in New York, is said to be working on the script although no one.s seen anything yet.
The main thing is that Hugh is already working on magic routines. The show, when it materializes, would include Jackman replicating big Houdini tricks on stage. Hugh has already played a magician in the movie, .The Prestige,...
{sidebar id=1}FOXNews.com had the news,
Last night at 20th Century Fox.s swellicious premiere of .Australia. at the Plaza Hotel, the talk was of the movie.s Hugh Jackman starring in the Broadway musical of Houdini.s life.
Danny Elfman, once the leader of pop group Oingo Boingo and now often a composer of movie scores, is writing the music. Kurt Andersen, a former magazine editor and current radio host here in New York, is said to be working on the script although no one.s seen anything yet.
The main thing is that Hugh is already working on magic routines. The show, when it materializes, would include Jackman replicating big Houdini tricks on stage. Hugh has already played a magician in the movie, .The Prestige,...
- 11/26/2008
- by Stephanie Sanchez <stephanie@iesb.net>
- IESB.net
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