Updated with more signatories: Reaction continues to The Zone of Interest director Jonathan Glazer’s acceptance speech after his film won the Oscar for Best International Feature Film this month.
Some 1,215 Jewish show business professionals now have signed a letter denouncing the filmmaker’s speech, in which he decried the “dehumanization” of the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas. See the updated full list below.
“We refute our Jewishness being hijacked for the purpose of drawing a moral equivalence between a Nazi regime that sought to exterminate a race of people, and an Israeli nation that seeks to avert its own extermination,” the letter states (read it in full in full below).
This list includes among its signatories Eli Roth and Amy Sherman-Palladino, Amy Pascal, Debra Messing, Gail Berman, Hawk Koch, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gary Barber, Lawrence Bender, Tovah Feldshuh and Rod Lurie.
You can watch Glazer’s speech here,...
Some 1,215 Jewish show business professionals now have signed a letter denouncing the filmmaker’s speech, in which he decried the “dehumanization” of the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas. See the updated full list below.
“We refute our Jewishness being hijacked for the purpose of drawing a moral equivalence between a Nazi regime that sought to exterminate a race of people, and an Israeli nation that seeks to avert its own extermination,” the letter states (read it in full in full below).
This list includes among its signatories Eli Roth and Amy Sherman-Palladino, Amy Pascal, Debra Messing, Gail Berman, Hawk Koch, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gary Barber, Lawrence Bender, Tovah Feldshuh and Rod Lurie.
You can watch Glazer’s speech here,...
- 3/20/2024
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Between 2006 and 2017, Barry Blumberg played an integral role in the development of Smosh, which began as two guys making silly videos in a bedroom and evolved into a full-fledged network of comedic content. Blumberg left his post as Chief Content Officer of Defy Media last year, leaving us wonder what he would do next.
Now we know. According to Variety, Blumberg has been working since February as the Chief Content Officer of Mammoth Media, a mobile media company that has launched multiple apps aimed at Gen Z consumers.
As Mammoth's Cco, Blumberg will oversee the company's content operations, which will be spread across multiple platforms. Mammoth's Wishbone app is based around polls, while its Yarn app is one of several up-and-coming apps that features "chat stories" -- fast-paced narratives that are displayed as message threads.
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Now we know. According to Variety, Blumberg has been working since February as the Chief Content Officer of Mammoth Media, a mobile media company that has launched multiple apps aimed at Gen Z consumers.
As Mammoth's Cco, Blumberg will oversee the company's content operations, which will be spread across multiple platforms. Mammoth's Wishbone app is based around polls, while its Yarn app is one of several up-and-coming apps that features "chat stories" -- fast-paced narratives that are displayed as message threads.
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- 3/22/2018
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
Defy Media, the digital powerhouse behind brands like Smosh, Clevver, and Screen Junkies, has partnered with The Elks Drug Awareness Program (Elks Dap) and the federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) on a first-of-its kind digital campaign.
Comprising a hero video published today on Smosh’s massively popular -- and recently re-branded -- second Smosh Pit channel, the campaign aims to teach younger audiences about the devastating and long-term effects of drug usage. Titled ‘What Wouldn’t You Give Up to Drugs?,’ the spot will ultimately seek to combat the fact that teen deaths from drug overdose have been on the rise since 2015 -- with opioids like heroin being chiefly to blame.
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Comprising a hero video published today on Smosh’s massively popular -- and recently re-branded -- second Smosh Pit channel, the campaign aims to teach younger audiences about the devastating and long-term effects of drug usage. Titled ‘What Wouldn’t You Give Up to Drugs?,’ the spot will ultimately seek to combat the fact that teen deaths from drug overdose have been on the rise since 2015 -- with opioids like heroin being chiefly to blame.
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- 10/3/2017
- by Geoff Weiss
- Tubefilter.com
For more than five years, Honest Trailers has served as YouTube gold for Defy Media, the company that owns and operates channels like Smosh and ScreenJunkies. Now, for the second time, the Emmy-nominated series is getting an expansion, this time to the world of anime.
As in the movie and video game versions of Honest Trailers, Honest Anime Trailers pokes fun of popular franchises by skewering questionable character development, world-building inconsistencies, half-baked plots, weird scenes, and several other topics in between. The first anime in Defy’s crosshairs is Naruto, the popular series about ninjas-in-training, which produced its fair share of mockable moments across its 720-episode run.
In launching its latest Honest Trailers spinoff, Defy Media is adopting a new distribution strategy for its prized franchise. This time, instead of using a free, ad-supported channel like ScreenJunkies or Smosh Games to distribute its epic-voiced videos, Defy is bringing Honest Anime Trailers to ScreenJunkies Plus,...
As in the movie and video game versions of Honest Trailers, Honest Anime Trailers pokes fun of popular franchises by skewering questionable character development, world-building inconsistencies, half-baked plots, weird scenes, and several other topics in between. The first anime in Defy’s crosshairs is Naruto, the popular series about ninjas-in-training, which produced its fair share of mockable moments across its 720-episode run.
In launching its latest Honest Trailers spinoff, Defy Media is adopting a new distribution strategy for its prized franchise. This time, instead of using a free, ad-supported channel like ScreenJunkies or Smosh Games to distribute its epic-voiced videos, Defy is bringing Honest Anime Trailers to ScreenJunkies Plus,...
- 3/27/2017
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
Prominent digital media executive Barry Blumberg announced in a memo to staffers today that he is departing Defy Media, where he most recently served as chief content officer and helped develop Smosh into one of the nation’s foremost digital brands. As chief content officer at Defy, Blumberg also oversaw its Break, Clevver, Made Man, and Screen Junkies properties, and launched the positive prank franchise Prank It Fwd.
Prior to joining Defy, which was formed in 2013 following a merger between Alloy Digital and Break Media, Blumberg was the president of Smosh, which he co-founded in 2006 alongside YouTube stars Ian Hecox and Anthony Padilla, Variety reports. At Smosh, Blumberg spearheaded channel spinoffs, musical ventures, merchandising, mobile apps and games, and feature films. Prior to joining Smosh, Blumberg served as the president of Walt Disney Television Animation.
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Prior to joining Defy, which was formed in 2013 following a merger between Alloy Digital and Break Media, Blumberg was the president of Smosh, which he co-founded in 2006 alongside YouTube stars Ian Hecox and Anthony Padilla, Variety reports. At Smosh, Blumberg spearheaded channel spinoffs, musical ventures, merchandising, mobile apps and games, and feature films. Prior to joining Smosh, Blumberg served as the president of Walt Disney Television Animation.
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- 3/7/2017
- by Geoff Weiss
- Tubefilter.com
In our second Horror Highlights of the day, we have photos of Horror Decor's Monster Squad-inspired collectibles, details on El Rey Network's new Danny Trejo-hosted series, Man at Arms, home media info for Detour, SXSW screening details for The Transfiguration, and details on Isle of the Dead's VOD release.
The Monster Squad-Inspired Items from Horror Decor: "For this release, we looked to our favorite squad of monster hunting kids for inspiration! We tried hard to make sure these items aren't bogus. Here are the details:
First up, Wolfman Nards hanging ornaments! Wolfman's got nards, now you can, too! Perfect for hanging on your car rear-view mirror.
Scary German Guy makes a killer pie! This strawberry-rhubarb scented candle is available as a medium or large glass candle and features red wax, with a tan crust colored top layer.
Next up is the cuddly version of Frankenstein's crate. This...
The Monster Squad-Inspired Items from Horror Decor: "For this release, we looked to our favorite squad of monster hunting kids for inspiration! We tried hard to make sure these items aren't bogus. Here are the details:
First up, Wolfman Nards hanging ornaments! Wolfman's got nards, now you can, too! Perfect for hanging on your car rear-view mirror.
Scary German Guy makes a killer pie! This strawberry-rhubarb scented candle is available as a medium or large glass candle and features red wax, with a tan crust colored top layer.
Next up is the cuddly version of Frankenstein's crate. This...
- 3/2/2017
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Ian Hecox and Anthony Padilla from Smosh have created a digital space where over 41 million YouTube subscribers and 39 million social media followers track their every moves and enjoy their bountiful creations. Their latest project is the film “Ghostmates,” a digital comedy that tests the terrestrial limits of friendship.
Directed by Jack Henry Robbins, the movie follows Charlie (Padilla), a socially-awkward and unemployed dude who finds a great apartment only to discover that it’s inhabited by ghost Eddie (Hecox), the previous tenant who unexpectedly died inside. Now Eddie won’t vacate the premise and can’t move on to the afterlife until he makes amends with the living, specifically his ex-girlfriend. It gets even better when ghost T-Pain – who somehow also died – unexpectedly helps Eddie move on.
“You want to be best friends,” Eddie asks the rapper. “No, no, no. I’m probably going to go find Tupac,” he replies as he ascends into heaven.
Directed by Jack Henry Robbins, the movie follows Charlie (Padilla), a socially-awkward and unemployed dude who finds a great apartment only to discover that it’s inhabited by ghost Eddie (Hecox), the previous tenant who unexpectedly died inside. Now Eddie won’t vacate the premise and can’t move on to the afterlife until he makes amends with the living, specifically his ex-girlfriend. It gets even better when ghost T-Pain – who somehow also died – unexpectedly helps Eddie move on.
“You want to be best friends,” Eddie asks the rapper. “No, no, no. I’m probably going to go find Tupac,” he replies as he ascends into heaven.
- 12/9/2016
- by Liz Calvario
- Indiewire
Defy Media, the digital media company behind top YouTube channel Smosh, has announced this morning a seismic $70 million Series B funding round, led by Wellington Management Company, a Boston-based investment firm. Defy said it would use new funds to “aggressively expand programming” across its cross-category portfolio on both traditional and emerging platforms. This roster comprises 72 original weekly series from digital brands like Smosh, ClevverTV, Screen Junkies, Awe me, Break, and Made Man.
All told, Defy says twenty of its top digital brands generate 1 million views per episode, totaling 800 million views per month. The company adds it reaches 125 million viewers monthly, including 100 million social followers and 65 million YouTube subscribers. Its shows primarily target viewers aged 13 to 34.
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All told, Defy says twenty of its top digital brands generate 1 million views per episode, totaling 800 million views per month. The company adds it reaches 125 million viewers monthly, including 100 million social followers and 65 million YouTube subscribers. Its shows primarily target viewers aged 13 to 34.
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- 9/13/2016
- by Geoff Weiss
- Tubefilter.com
Defy Media, the studio behind digital “channels” like Smosh and Screen Junkies and Teen.com, has just closed another round of funding, to the tune of $70 million. The cash infusion comes courtesy of Wellington Management Company. And what will Defy be using this money for? Pouring it into its current batch of 72 series that premiere episodes every week and figuring out what the next Smosh is. “We’re focused on IP,” CEO Matthew Diamond told TheWrap. In common parlance: Defy is less worried about distribution or going into different formats like virtual reality than simply finding shows people will watch.
- 9/13/2016
- by Oriana Schwindt
- The Wrap
A troubling trend at the NewFronts is the tendency of some brands to hype up shows that remain in production for years. When I put together our guide to the annual event, I noted how many presenters used their 2015 spiel to promote programming that, one year later, is still unreleased.
Defy Media, however, does not follow that trend. The digital studio has already rolled out all of the programming it presented in 2015, and with its latest pitch, it announced a host of new offerings, all of which it promises to produce over the next 12 months.
Defy’s business is built around its suite of owned-and-operated brands, which can use the passion of their existing viewers to build audiences for new shows. Smosh, for example, is about to celebrate its 11th year on YouTube, and it will soon direct its fans to These 5 People, a sketch series that will examine different...
Defy Media, however, does not follow that trend. The digital studio has already rolled out all of the programming it presented in 2015, and with its latest pitch, it announced a host of new offerings, all of which it promises to produce over the next 12 months.
Defy’s business is built around its suite of owned-and-operated brands, which can use the passion of their existing viewers to build audiences for new shows. Smosh, for example, is about to celebrate its 11th year on YouTube, and it will soon direct its fans to These 5 People, a sketch series that will examine different...
- 5/3/2016
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
It’s not often that a YouTube prank leaves you feeling a little emotional, but that’s precisely what Smosh accomplished when the duo surprised two of their biggest fans, who had recently lost their dad.
The clip (below) is part of a five-season-old initiative called Prank It Fwd, in which Smosh owner Defy Media has reimagined the popular prank video genre for a charitable good. On April Fools’ Day, the digital media company pulled off schemes in collaboration with a handful of its big-name channels including Break, Tom Mabe, and Whatever.
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The clip (below) is part of a five-season-old initiative called Prank It Fwd, in which Smosh owner Defy Media has reimagined the popular prank video genre for a charitable good. On April Fools’ Day, the digital media company pulled off schemes in collaboration with a handful of its big-name channels including Break, Tom Mabe, and Whatever.
Visit Tubefilter for more great stories.
- 4/12/2016
- by Geoff Weiss
- Tubefilter.com
In terms of preferred video platforms among today’s millennial and Gen Z viewers, YouTube continues to reign supreme -- by a longshot. According to the fourth annual Acumen Report conducted by Defy Media (the digital powerhouse behind Smosh, Clevver Media, and more), 85% of respondents aged 13 to 24 sited YouTube as their go-to video service, followed by Netflix (66%), television (62%), and Facebook (53%).
In terms of social video, Facebook is gobbling up a huge piece of the pie, according to Defy. Interestingly, 60% percent of the 1,354 study participants aged 13 to 24 said they use Facebook for both social and video purposes, as opposed to 40% who said they use it for social networking alone. For other platforms, including Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, and Tumblr, this ratio is much more evenly distributed.
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In terms of social video, Facebook is gobbling up a huge piece of the pie, according to Defy. Interestingly, 60% percent of the 1,354 study participants aged 13 to 24 said they use Facebook for both social and video purposes, as opposed to 40% who said they use it for social networking alone. For other platforms, including Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, and Tumblr, this ratio is much more evenly distributed.
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- 3/29/2016
- by Geoff Weiss
- Tubefilter.com
On January 11th, Smosh will share one of its most ambitious ventures so far, and a week before that date, a trailer has provided one more look. The comedy duo has offered up a second preview for Part Timers, an upcoming web series.
Part Timers takes place at Pork E. Pines, a fictional establishment that serves as an analogue to Chuck E. Cheese. Five Nights At Freddy’s this ain’t; instead of killer animatronics, Pork E. Pines will be populated by a diverse array of wacky characters, who will together engage in all sort of wacky hijinks. The new trailer teases a lot of physical comedy and plenty of the in-your-face dialogue for which Smosh is known. I don’t know what else to expect, though this Reddit thread may provide some ideas.
Smosh also released a teaser for Part Timers back in November, when the show’s release date was first announced.
Part Timers takes place at Pork E. Pines, a fictional establishment that serves as an analogue to Chuck E. Cheese. Five Nights At Freddy’s this ain’t; instead of killer animatronics, Pork E. Pines will be populated by a diverse array of wacky characters, who will together engage in all sort of wacky hijinks. The new trailer teases a lot of physical comedy and plenty of the in-your-face dialogue for which Smosh is known. I don’t know what else to expect, though this Reddit thread may provide some ideas.
Smosh also released a teaser for Part Timers back in November, when the show’s release date was first announced.
- 1/5/2016
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
One of the series born from YouTube’s recent investment in its own creative community is set to go live, and it will feature two of the video site’s biggest stars in a scripted comedy. Part Timers, which stars Smosh duo Ian Hecox and Anthony Padilla as employees at a run-down Chuck E. Cheese analogue, will premiere for free on the Smosh YouTube channel on January 11th.
Part Timers, which is looking to reclaim the pizzeria-arcade setting from a certain series of horror video games, will follow an underpaid, overworked weirdos as they have the “best time ever at the worst job ever.” A trailer, recently released on the Smosh YouTube channel, forecasts plenty of silly comedy as well as a gigantic porcupine costume that will surely be involved in all sorts of shenanigans.
"We're thrilled to announce our partnership with YouTube for Part Timers, continuing Smosh's expansion...
Part Timers, which is looking to reclaim the pizzeria-arcade setting from a certain series of horror video games, will follow an underpaid, overworked weirdos as they have the “best time ever at the worst job ever.” A trailer, recently released on the Smosh YouTube channel, forecasts plenty of silly comedy as well as a gigantic porcupine costume that will surely be involved in all sorts of shenanigans.
"We're thrilled to announce our partnership with YouTube for Part Timers, continuing Smosh's expansion...
- 11/5/2015
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
Content Media has landed worldwide sales rights to Higher Power, the multi-platform feature-length sci-fi pic teaming Transformers producer Lorenzo di Bonavenutra and Defy Media, the digital producer whose young-demo stable includes YouTube staples Smosh, Break and Screen Junkies. The pic is a sci-fi thriller about a regular guy who acquires the power of a demi-God and stars Ron Eldard, Colm Feore, Jordan Hinson, Austin Stowell and Jade Tailor. The effects-driven film is…...
- 10/29/2015
- Deadline
Defy Media is rapidly expanding its original content offerings, and has hired two new executives to help lead the charge. The digital media company has brought on Christopher Willey and Alex Lin to work on Defy’s slate of originals, including three new series for Verizon’s go90 mobile video service.
Willey, a former MTV executive, comes to Defy Media from Condé Nast Entertainment and will serve as VP of Development. Lin hails from NBC Entertainment’s comedy division, and will work as Defy’s Director of Development. The digital media company’s Chief Content Officer Barry Blumberg told Variety Willey and Lin, who will work under him, were necessary because Defy was “barely keeping up and not necessarily innovating enough” with its content demands.
“Chris and Alex are instrumental hires as we ramp up development and production to meet the increasing demand for our content as we expand our...
Willey, a former MTV executive, comes to Defy Media from Condé Nast Entertainment and will serve as VP of Development. Lin hails from NBC Entertainment’s comedy division, and will work as Defy’s Director of Development. The digital media company’s Chief Content Officer Barry Blumberg told Variety Willey and Lin, who will work under him, were necessary because Defy was “barely keeping up and not necessarily innovating enough” with its content demands.
“Chris and Alex are instrumental hires as we ramp up development and production to meet the increasing demand for our content as we expand our...
- 10/13/2015
- by Bree Brouwer
- Tubefilter.com
April Fools Day is a big time of year in YouTube's prank community, and for the second year in a row, the company that works with many of the most popular practical jokers on the Internet is using the unofficial holiday as a chance to do good. Break has brought back its popular Prank It Fwd series for a second straight April Fools Day full of "positive pranks."
In each Prank It Fwd video, Break and its band of pranksters team up provide a heartwarming surprise for someone in need. In one of the new episodes, Break teams up with sponsor Barefoot Wine to provide a movie theater wedding for a cancer patient and her fiancée. Several partners from the Defy Media network join the fun: Greg Benson hosts, and Honest Trailers voice Jon Bailey lends his pipes to the fake movie trailer that serves as the episode's defining prank.
In each Prank It Fwd video, Break and its band of pranksters team up provide a heartwarming surprise for someone in need. In one of the new episodes, Break teams up with sponsor Barefoot Wine to provide a movie theater wedding for a cancer patient and her fiancée. Several partners from the Defy Media network join the fun: Greg Benson hosts, and Honest Trailers voice Jon Bailey lends his pipes to the fake movie trailer that serves as the episode's defining prank.
- 3/31/2015
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
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