Thompson on Hollywood

Agent Predicts End of Hollywood

Nancy Nigrosh, a long-time lit agent-turned-talent agent at Innovative Artists Agency, has sent me a disturbing essay that reflects more than a strike-related industry downturn:

By Anne Thompson
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August 11, 2008 8:40 AM
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End of an Era: Shaye and Lynne Ankle New Line

Well, we've been waiting for the details to emerge on New Line Cinema, and here they are: Warners is absorbing the studio, as a label, and company founder Bob Shaye, who can claim to be one of the longest surviving indie mavericks in Hollywood, and his co-chairman Michael Lynne, are gone. This was expected.

By Anne Thompson
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February 28, 2008 8:00 AM
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Strike Watch: It's Not Over 'Til It's Over

While much of the entertainment industry is holding its breath that on Saturday thousands of members of the Writers Guild in NY and LA will signal thumbs up on the tentative deal that could end the strike, there are rumblings that it could go either way. UPDATE: Here's Dave McNary's latest report on the details of the deal, posted at 3:38 AM Pacific Time (!).

By Anne Thompson
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February 8, 2008 7:39 AM
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Oscar Watch: The Nominees Luncheon

[Posted by Tim M. Gray] If there were any lingering doubts about the Oscarcast, AMPAS president Sid Ganis put them to rest on Feb. 4 by announcing, in a calm voice, "There's no doubt about it, we are going to do it."

By Anne Thompson
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February 4, 2008 7:49 AM
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Actor-Directors: Affleck's Gone Baby Gone, Hopkins' Slipstream, Redford's Lions for Lambs

Actors who reach a certain prominence are often able to get a movie made. This fall, Anthony Hopkins and Ben Affleck have both directed debut feature films. But the two movies couldn't be more different. Hopkins came to my UCLA class with his second film Slipstream (trailer), which premiered at Sundance in January. The word on the street was that it was arty, experimental, and pretentious. All true.

By Anne Thompson
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October 30, 2007 6:03 AM
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Writers Strike Watch: Triple Witching Hour

As the writers' strike looms, there's a palpable sense of rising anger as the entertainment industry faces a long-term work stoppage and a crazy frantic shaking out of projects trying to go forward against all odds. It was one thing to be preparing for a strike next summer by the Writers and Screen Actors Guilds. It's another to actually proceed with TV and film production with no writers.

By Anne Thompson
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October 30, 2007 6:00 AM
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Movie Musicals: Singing Along with The Sound of Music

I've always wanted to go to the annual Sound of Music singalong at the Hollywood Bowl. So when a friend organized a group dinner and bought tickets, I happily went along. Besides, I wanted to see Nora in her usher uniform.

By Anne Thompson
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July 3, 2007 5:25 AM
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Oceans Gang and Hollywood Salute Pacino at AFI

At the Oceans Thirteen premiere in Cannes, the movie's arch-villain, Al Pacino, was noticeably absent. The actor was back in L.A., producer Jerry Weintraub told the Cannes press corps, because he was prepping for his AFI Life Achievement Award. On the beach in Cannes, the Oceans gang taped a video tribute (in Cantonese) which played at the AFI ceremony on June 7, because most of them went to Vegas to promote the film. Andy Garcia did show up, however, and gave the best and most revealing tribute to his The Godfather: Part III costar of the long night at Hollywood & Highland's Kodak Theatre. (The show will air June 19th on USA Network.)