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In the news
Compiled from Times wires Britain worries about actors strikeFilmmaking in the United Kingdom is going ahead as normal despite an actors strike that has gone on for eight weeks, according to a trade magazine. But there are concerns the strike could become increasingly damaging to the country's film industry if an agreement is not reached soon. Actors Equity told its 36,000 members to refuse new work after Dec. 1 because of a disagreement over payment from sales of videos and DVDs, and fees for repeat showings of flims. But the union has allowed studios making 14 films to sign individual deals with actors to ensure productions do not grind to a halt, Screen Daily says. Those deals include the second Harry Potter film, scheduled for release in November, and the new James Bond movie. But the situation has been described as "extremely grave" by British Film commissioner Steve Norris. He says there is an impression in Hollywood that no work can be done while the dispute is ongoing. Equity spokesman Martin Brown said he did not know of any films being canceled or moved to another country. Movie notesSidney Poitier and Robert Redford will receive honorary Academy Awards at the ceremony in March. Poitier is being recognized "for his extraordinary performances and unique presence on the screen, and for representing the motion picture industry with dignity, style and intelligence throughout the world," Academy president Frank Pierson said. Poitier won the best actor Oscar in 1964 for Lilies of the Field. Redford is being recognized for his work as an actor, director and founder of the Sundance Institute for aspiring filmmakers. He won an Oscar for his movie directorial debut, 1980's Ordinary People. . . . With a box-office take of more than $20.8-million, Amelie has become the highest-grossing French-language film released in North America. It surpasses 1978's La Cage aux Folles. Music notesRapper C-Murder, the younger brother of Master P, is charged with second-degree murder in the shooting of a 16-year-old boy at a New Orleans nightclub Jan. 12. C-Murder, whose real name is Corey Miller, is being held on $1-million bail in Gretna, La., for the murder charge and $5,000 for a charge of defrauding an innkeeper, Launch.com says. C-Murder's attorney, Roy Maughan Jr., tells MTV.com the case is one of mistaken identity. . . . Mariah Carey is in talks with Def Jam Records CEO Lyor Cohen for a two-album deal valued at $3-million to $5-million per album, the New York Post says. A Def Jam spokeswoman said she was unaware of such talks and that Cohen was unreachable. . . . Janet Jackson told the syndicated TV show Extra she may retire from touring if she can't figure out a way for the process not to be exhausting. . . . John Mellencamp says he's satisfied with the sentence given a home builder who pleaded guilty to overbilling him. Timothy O. Eldredge pleaded guilty to a felony charge of theft of $134,471 in an effort to bilk the singer, the Marion County (Ind.) prosecutor's office said. Eldredge received a four-year suspended sentence last week and was ordered to pay a $10,000 fine. He also paid restitution.
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From the wire |
