There’s a new union in town: the Producers Union, which is the first all-new Hollywood labor union to be formed in decades.
More than 100 indie feature filmmakers have unanimously ratified its constitution, and more than 300 have signed letters of intent to join. “After decades of working without basic protections, low and/or inconsistent wages, no employer healthcare contributions and an industry insistence that they should work for free to demonstrate their commitment, film producers are taking a stand,” organizers said in a statement.
The Producers Union website launches today.
Rebecca Green is the new union’s first president. Green, whose producing credits include It Follows and I’ll See You in My Dreams, is the founder and editor-in-chief of Dear Producer, a website designed “to challenge archaic business models that stifle diverse and original voices and to advocate for innovation, transparency, and fiscal responsibility from our industry.”
She teamed up...
More than 100 indie feature filmmakers have unanimously ratified its constitution, and more than 300 have signed letters of intent to join. “After decades of working without basic protections, low and/or inconsistent wages, no employer healthcare contributions and an industry insistence that they should work for free to demonstrate their commitment, film producers are taking a stand,” organizers said in a statement.
The Producers Union website launches today.
Rebecca Green is the new union’s first president. Green, whose producing credits include It Follows and I’ll See You in My Dreams, is the founder and editor-in-chief of Dear Producer, a website designed “to challenge archaic business models that stifle diverse and original voices and to advocate for innovation, transparency, and fiscal responsibility from our industry.”
She teamed up...
- 5/20/2021
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
As Disney quietly disappears huge swathes of film history into its vaults, I'm going to spend 2020 celebrating Twentieth Century Fox and the Fox Film Corporation's films, what one might call their output if only someone were putting it out.***Robert Aldrich was an in-between-days kind of filmmaker, flourishing as television was conquering cinema, graduating from being an assistant director to Lewis Milestone and Joseph Losey. Hollywood was already in decline/transition as he found his footing. Aldrich rarely knew the security of a studio contract, was usually a struggling independent, was pushed around by stars and producers, and went into a career decline in the seventies with a series of projects which either failed to find an audience or failed to deserve one. Some of these films have enthusiastic admirers, but Aldrich was unable to realize passion projects like The Sheltering Sky, which he had hoped to film from Paul Bowles' novel,...
- 12/10/2020
- MUBI
The special “In Memoriam” segment on the 2019 Emmy Awards ceremony will be especially tearful this year. Beloved television legends Tim Conway, Doris Day, Bob Einstein, Valerie Harper, Katherine Helmond, Peggy Lipton, Penny Marshall, Luke Perry, John Singleton and Rip Torn will certainly be just a few people honored with in a musical tribute performed by pop star Halsey.
Let’s take a look back at these TV icons as well as over 60 others who have died since mid-September last year. Many will be included in the memoriam for the live Emmys ceremony for Fox on September 22.
SEECelebrity Deaths 2019: In Memoriam Gallery
Tim Conway died on May 14 at age 85. The comedy legend won six Emmy Awards during his lengthy career, including four for “The Carol Burnett Show,” one for “Coach” and one for “30 Rock.” He was inducted into the TV Academy Hall of Fame in 2002.
Legendary singer and actress...
Let’s take a look back at these TV icons as well as over 60 others who have died since mid-September last year. Many will be included in the memoriam for the live Emmys ceremony for Fox on September 22.
SEECelebrity Deaths 2019: In Memoriam Gallery
Tim Conway died on May 14 at age 85. The comedy legend won six Emmy Awards during his lengthy career, including four for “The Carol Burnett Show,” one for “Coach” and one for “30 Rock.” He was inducted into the TV Academy Hall of Fame in 2002.
Legendary singer and actress...
- 9/21/2019
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
Christopher Knopf, the former president of the Writers Guild of America West, died on Wednesday at age 91 of congestive heart failure.
The Emmy nominated writer also served as president of the International Writers Guild and national chairman of the WGA. He received 10 Writers Guild nominations, winning three.
Knopf’s credits included “Scott Joplin: King of Ragtime,” “Mrs. Sundance,” “Baby Girl Scott,” “Peter and Paul,” and the pilot for “The Big Valley.” His Emmy nominations came for “The Girl Who Spelled Freedom” and “Loudmouth.”
He also won an Asian Pacific Media Award and a Christopher Award for “The Girl Who Spelled Freedom.”
Born in New York City, Knopf attended UCLA, leaving during his senior year to join the Air Force during World War II. He later finished his degree at Uc Berkeley before embarking on a long writing career.
Knopf received the Morgan Cox Award in 1991 and the Edmund H. North Award in 2002 from WGA West.
The Emmy nominated writer also served as president of the International Writers Guild and national chairman of the WGA. He received 10 Writers Guild nominations, winning three.
Knopf’s credits included “Scott Joplin: King of Ragtime,” “Mrs. Sundance,” “Baby Girl Scott,” “Peter and Paul,” and the pilot for “The Big Valley.” His Emmy nominations came for “The Girl Who Spelled Freedom” and “Loudmouth.”
He also won an Asian Pacific Media Award and a Christopher Award for “The Girl Who Spelled Freedom.”
Born in New York City, Knopf attended UCLA, leaving during his senior year to join the Air Force during World War II. He later finished his degree at Uc Berkeley before embarking on a long writing career.
Knopf received the Morgan Cox Award in 1991 and the Edmund H. North Award in 2002 from WGA West.
- 2/16/2019
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Prolific Emmy-nominated television writer Christopher Edwin Knopf, former president of the Writers Guild of America West, died in his sleep of congestive heart failure on Feb. 13. He was 91.
Knopf was born in New York and attended UCLA, leaving during his senior year to join the Air Force during World War II. He finished his studies at U.C. Berkeley, graduating in 1950, and began a 50-year career as a writer for motion picture and television.
He served as president of the International Writers Guild, national chairman of the WGA and president of the WGA West during 1965-67. He received 10 Writers Guild nominations and won three of them.
Knopf received the Morgan Cox Award in 1991 and the Edmund H. North Award in 2002 from WGA West.
Knopf’s credits include “Scott Joplin: King of Ragtime,” “Mrs. Sundance,” “The Girl Who Spelled Freedom,” “Baby Girl Scott,” “Peter and Paul,” and the pilot for “The Big Valley.
Knopf was born in New York and attended UCLA, leaving during his senior year to join the Air Force during World War II. He finished his studies at U.C. Berkeley, graduating in 1950, and began a 50-year career as a writer for motion picture and television.
He served as president of the International Writers Guild, national chairman of the WGA and president of the WGA West during 1965-67. He received 10 Writers Guild nominations and won three of them.
Knopf received the Morgan Cox Award in 1991 and the Edmund H. North Award in 2002 from WGA West.
Knopf’s credits include “Scott Joplin: King of Ragtime,” “Mrs. Sundance,” “The Girl Who Spelled Freedom,” “Baby Girl Scott,” “Peter and Paul,” and the pilot for “The Big Valley.
- 2/16/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Christopher Knopf, the prolific screenwriter behind Emperor of the North, 20 Million Miles to Earth and a host of TV Westerns in the 1950s and '60s, has died. He was 91.
Knopf died Wednesday of congestive heart failure at his home in Santa Monica, a family member told The Hollywood Reporter.
Knopf wrote for the CBS Western Zane Grey Theater, starring Dick Powell, and its spinoff, Trackdown, starring Robert Culp; penned the pilot episode for ABC's The Big Valley; and created CBS' Cimarron Strip, starring Stuart Whitman.
His much-admired television work also included 1977's Scott Joplin: King of Ragtime (for which he won a Writers ...
Knopf died Wednesday of congestive heart failure at his home in Santa Monica, a family member told The Hollywood Reporter.
Knopf wrote for the CBS Western Zane Grey Theater, starring Dick Powell, and its spinoff, Trackdown, starring Robert Culp; penned the pilot episode for ABC's The Big Valley; and created CBS' Cimarron Strip, starring Stuart Whitman.
His much-admired television work also included 1977's Scott Joplin: King of Ragtime (for which he won a Writers ...
- 2/16/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Christopher Knopf, the prolific screenwriter behind Emperor of the North, 20 Million Miles to Earth and a host of TV Westerns in the 1950s and '60s, has died. He was 91.
Knopf died Wednesday of congestive heart failure at his home in Santa Monica, his wife of 44 years, Lorraine, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Knopf wrote for the CBS Western Zane Grey Theater, starring Dick Powell, and its spinoff, Trackdown, starring Robert Culp; penned the pilot episode for ABC's The Big Valley; and created CBS' Cimarron Strip, starring Stuart Whitman.
His much-admired television work also included 1977's Scott Joplin: King of Ragtime (for which he ...
Knopf died Wednesday of congestive heart failure at his home in Santa Monica, his wife of 44 years, Lorraine, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Knopf wrote for the CBS Western Zane Grey Theater, starring Dick Powell, and its spinoff, Trackdown, starring Robert Culp; penned the pilot episode for ABC's The Big Valley; and created CBS' Cimarron Strip, starring Stuart Whitman.
His much-admired television work also included 1977's Scott Joplin: King of Ragtime (for which he ...
- 2/16/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sometimes a small cast and an intriguing premise are all that’s needed for effective TV horror. (And it makes it a hell of a lot cheaper to produce too.) Case in point: 1973’s A Cold Night’s Death, starring Eli Wallach and Robert Culp, a two man tour de force pitting man against man against the fragility of the human mind. Plus monkeys!
Acnd originally aired on Tuesday, January 30th as an ABC Movie of the Week, which was always a top 20 performer, getting trounced only by Maude and Hawaii Five-o over at CBS. (It’s hard to beat the combined star power of Bea Arthur and Jack Lord.) But fans of finely turned horror always knew that ABC was the place to be.
Let’s check out our brittle and frosted faux TV Guide to see what’s in store:
A Cold Night’S Death (Tuesday, 8:30pm,...
Acnd originally aired on Tuesday, January 30th as an ABC Movie of the Week, which was always a top 20 performer, getting trounced only by Maude and Hawaii Five-o over at CBS. (It’s hard to beat the combined star power of Bea Arthur and Jack Lord.) But fans of finely turned horror always knew that ABC was the place to be.
Let’s check out our brittle and frosted faux TV Guide to see what’s in store:
A Cold Night’S Death (Tuesday, 8:30pm,...
- 1/1/2017
- by Scott Drebit
- DailyDead
What would seem the perfect project for tough-guy director Robert Aldrich still commands a high reputation with some. Ambitious top-dog hobo Lee Marvin squares off against Ernest Borgnine's nearly demonic railroad conductor who routinely murders bums that dare to hitch a ride. The mayhem culminates in a battle on a moving flat car, between Ernie's log chain and Lee's fire ax. But the poetic dialogue and allegorical pretension may be more lethal. Emperor of the North Blu-ray Twilight Time Limited Edition 1973 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 120 min. / Ship Date September 8, 2015 / available through Twilight Time Movies / 29.95 Starring Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine, Keith Carradine, Charles Tyner, Malcolm Atterbury, Simon Oakland, Harry Caesar, Hal Baylor, Matt Clark, Elisha Cook Jr., Joe Di Reda, Liam Dunn, Diane Dye, Robert Foulk, Sid Haig, Vic Tayback, Dave Willock, Lance Henricksen. Cinematography Joseph Biroc Art Direction Jack Martin Smith Film Editor Michael Luciano Original Music Frank De Vol...
- 9/29/2015
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Actress Joan Taylor, best remembered for two sci-fi / horror B movies of the late 1950s, died March 4 in Santa Monica, in Los Angeles County. Taylor was 82. According to various sources, Taylor was born Rose Marie Emma in Geneva, Illinois, on August 18, 1929. She was the daughter of Austrian vaudeville player Amelia Berky and an Italian-born immigrant who later became a Hollywood prop man. Curiously, last Friday night I watched for the first time the 1957 Columbia release 20 Million Miles to Earth. Though wasted in a non-role in this King Kong rip-off with stop-motion animation by Ray Harryhausen, Taylor looked quite pretty (as an Italian) whether angry at leading man William Hopper (son of gossip columnist Hedda Hopper) or screaming at the ballooning Martian creature. I guess it says something about her screen presence that I was rooting for the Martian Monster to gobble up the film's director (Nathan Juran), writers (Robert Creighton Williams...
- 3/7/2012
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
"At least you can see they're really trying to make a good festival," commented, with typical dry wit, one of the (very) few international colleagues the Brigade considers at least something of a crypto-Ferronian. Hard to argue with that, as Locarno's program still shows the signs of having to battle back and forth with the two heaviest lifters on the festival calendar, Cannes and Venice—yet mostly, the Ferroni Brigade had a grand time this year.
Of course, more often then not, when dispirited acquaintances met a merry Brigadier in between screenings, the answer to their inevitable question would be: "Coming from (and returning to) a retrospective, of course!"—but also among new films, we ended up with more truly interesting stuff than in the previous year. Not all of it true donkey material, for different reasons. Nevertheless, there were quite a few Ferronian pleasures out there, some of them more touching than others,...
Of course, more often then not, when dispirited acquaintances met a merry Brigadier in between screenings, the answer to their inevitable question would be: "Coming from (and returning to) a retrospective, of course!"—but also among new films, we ended up with more truly interesting stuff than in the previous year. Not all of it true donkey material, for different reasons. Nevertheless, there were quite a few Ferronian pleasures out there, some of them more touching than others,...
- 9/21/2011
- MUBI
Tonight "the American Cinematheque will present Los Angeles moviegoers with a rare opportunity to see Robert Aldrich's masterful Emperor of the North (1973) projected on the Lloyd A Rigler Auditorium's massive screen inside the Egyptian Theater," writes Dennis Cozzalio. "The Cinematheque will also feature as its special guest the movie's screenwriter Christopher Knopf.... Emperor of the North is, as far as I can perceive, well-regarded, but I think it deserves a more rarified position in Aldrich's filmography, if not on the grand stage of movie history, as one of this rugged, nail-hard director's very best achievements. My enthusiasm for the movie, which I first saw on a drizzly summer night at my hometown drive-in during the summer of 1974, was gloriously confirmed when I finally had the chance to revisit it again four years ago for the Robert Aldrich Blog-a-thon."...
- 8/12/2010
- MUBI
The WGA rolled out pickets on two coasts Monday after Sunday's last-ditch bargaining session failed to mark sufficient progress to prevent the first Hollywood writers strike in 19 years.
In Los Angeles, the WGA West's well-rehearsed strike captains marched out troops to populate picket lines at 14 studio and network sites starting at 9 a.m.
Film and TV scribe Christopher Knopf, one of the WGAW strike captains at Sony, said there were two main criteria in assigning members to picket at the various company locations throughout the L.A. area.
"One, it's where they live, and two, where they work," Knopf said.
Batches of about a few dozen pickets were broken down into at least three groups for posting at gates around Sony's Culver City lot. A few members of SAG, though still under contract to the studios, were on hand to help with picket duty.
"I'm just here to support the writers," film and TV actor John Dennis Johnston said. "We're all part of the creative team."
He noted that the guild's talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers ultimately broke down over terms for compensation of writers for new-media content.
"You do your work, and it lives forever, and you should be paid forever for it, including (residuals) on all the new technologies," Johnston said.
Screenwriter Rob Adetuyi (Stomp the Yard) said he was solidly in support of the strike action. "We're doing what we need to do", Adetuyi said.
Asked why Sunday's session ended in failure despite some clear shifts in previous positions by both parties, the WGA writer said he was supporting the strike based on his faith in guild leadership.
"Our negotiators were in the room and know the tone (of the eleventh-hour talks)," he said. "You have to trust your negotiators."
Jay Leno rode his motorcycle to a picket line at NBC in Burbank to pass out doughnuts to the strikers there. Down the street, the striking writers took to the main gates at Warner Bros., crossing traffic, shouting chants and waving their signs to passers-by. Picket coordinator Brian Hartt said he expected at least 300 writers, actors and other supporters to walk the picket lines at each of the main entrances throughout the day.
"I have no idea what (the AMPTP) is thinking," Hartt said. "From Day 1, it's been very confusing. I hope they realize we are serious about our future, and we'll stay out as long as we need in order to get a fair deal."
Added The New Adventures of Old Christine star Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who joined the show's writers at Warner Gate 2: "As a member of another union, the Screen Actors Guild, I'm here to show my solidarity."...
In Los Angeles, the WGA West's well-rehearsed strike captains marched out troops to populate picket lines at 14 studio and network sites starting at 9 a.m.
Film and TV scribe Christopher Knopf, one of the WGAW strike captains at Sony, said there were two main criteria in assigning members to picket at the various company locations throughout the L.A. area.
"One, it's where they live, and two, where they work," Knopf said.
Batches of about a few dozen pickets were broken down into at least three groups for posting at gates around Sony's Culver City lot. A few members of SAG, though still under contract to the studios, were on hand to help with picket duty.
"I'm just here to support the writers," film and TV actor John Dennis Johnston said. "We're all part of the creative team."
He noted that the guild's talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers ultimately broke down over terms for compensation of writers for new-media content.
"You do your work, and it lives forever, and you should be paid forever for it, including (residuals) on all the new technologies," Johnston said.
Screenwriter Rob Adetuyi (Stomp the Yard) said he was solidly in support of the strike action. "We're doing what we need to do", Adetuyi said.
Asked why Sunday's session ended in failure despite some clear shifts in previous positions by both parties, the WGA writer said he was supporting the strike based on his faith in guild leadership.
"Our negotiators were in the room and know the tone (of the eleventh-hour talks)," he said. "You have to trust your negotiators."
Jay Leno rode his motorcycle to a picket line at NBC in Burbank to pass out doughnuts to the strikers there. Down the street, the striking writers took to the main gates at Warner Bros., crossing traffic, shouting chants and waving their signs to passers-by. Picket coordinator Brian Hartt said he expected at least 300 writers, actors and other supporters to walk the picket lines at each of the main entrances throughout the day.
"I have no idea what (the AMPTP) is thinking," Hartt said. "From Day 1, it's been very confusing. I hope they realize we are serious about our future, and we'll stay out as long as we need in order to get a fair deal."
Added The New Adventures of Old Christine star Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who joined the show's writers at Warner Gate 2: "As a member of another union, the Screen Actors Guild, I'm here to show my solidarity."...
- 11/6/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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