Latest news with #Academy-Award
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Duffer Brothers and Jerry Bruckheimer Join Program for Entertainment and Technology Summit
Variety has announced first speakers for its annual Entertainment and Technology Summit in Los Angeles on Sept. 25, 2025, including producer Jerry Bruckheimer, 'Stranger Things' creators Matt and Ross Duffer, actress and podcaster Nicole Byer, Sony Pictures Television's Katherine Pope and Warner Bros. Television Group's Brett Paul. Bruckheimer, the prolific Academy-Award nominated producer will speak on the latest trends in filmmaking, including his most recent work on the summer breakout 'F1: The Movie,' which has recently raced past $500 million globally at the box office More from Variety 'Crimson Tide' Sequel in Development, Jerry Bruckheimer Hopeful Denzel Washington Will Return: 'I Think He'd Do It' 'Stranger Things' Season 5 Editing Is Ahead of Schedule, Duffer Brothers Promise at SCAD TVfest: 'We're Definitely on Target' for 2025 Netflix's 2025 Preview: Even With 'Stranger Things,' Ben Affleck, John Mulaney and More Than 190 Titles, the World's Biggest Streamer Still Sees Itself as an Underdog Paul, president of Warner Bros. Television Group and Pope, president of Sony Pictures Television will be featured in a conversation alongside Lisa Katz, president of scripted content, NBCUniversal, about where the streaming content industry will head next, given new pressures to connect with audiences who are more fragmented than ever across entertainment options. The day's events will dive into the evolving entertainment landscape, featuring discussions on the future of streaming, the rise of live experiences, creator-driven marketing, and the creative potential of AI. Matt and Ross Duffer, creators, showrunners and executive producers of 'Stranger Things,' will take us behind the scenes of the fan favorite series as it enters its final season, launching over three parts this November. In other event highlights, the 'Storytelling Entrepreneurs' panel, which examines the movers and shakers redefining storytelling across various platforms, including gaming, podcasts, digital content, and more. Headlining the panel is Nicole Byer, host of 'Why Won't You Date Me?'; Jake Shane, host of 'Therapuss,' Benito Skinner, creator, star and executive producer of 'Overcompensating'; and Matt Rogers, host of 'Las Culturistas.' Josh Simon, VP, Consumer Products and Experiences at Netflix, Rahul Gautam, Global TMT Consulting Leader and Americas Media and Entertainment Consulting Leader for EY, Simon Robinson, COO of Warner Bros Discovery Studios, and Judy Lee, Global Head of Experiences, Pinterest, headline the 'Booming Live Experience Economy' panel. This session highlights leaders who are successfully developing live strategies that deepen fan engagement and unlock new revenue streams. Jody Gerson, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group, Phil Schermer, Founder and CEO of Project Healthy Minds, and others come together to discuss how the entertainment industry is utilizing new technologies to raise awareness about mental health. Karen Kovacs, President of Advertising and Partnerships, NBCUniversal, Julian Franco, President of Operations & Strategy, FOX Entertainment, Amy Reinhard, President of Advertising, Netflix and Lisa Siskind Bilgrei, Global Head of GTM & Content Programming, Google TV join the 'TV Industry Transformed' panel to examine how innovation is expanding opportunities for viewers and brand partners alike. Shahrzad Rafati, founder and CEO, RHEI; Jenn Lockhart, SVP of sales, Midwest & West Coast, Teads; Pouya Shahbazian, producer, ('Love, Victor'; 'Shadow and Bone'; 'Divergent') and CEO, Staircase Studios, AI, among others will be featured in the conversation 'AI to Unlock New Creative Frontiers,' exploring how AI is being put into action across the entertainment industry. Additionally, the 'Groundbreakers of Creator Marketing' panel discussion will feature Spencer Collantes, VP of creative marketing, Neon; Margaret Walker, EVP, entertainment marketing, NBCUniversal; and Dustin Sandoval, VP digital marketing, The Walt Disney Studios. 'Champions of Sports Culture Across Platform' will include Pamela Duckworth, head of Fubo Studios, Fubo; Carlos 'Olek' Loewenstein, global president, Sports TelevisaUnivision; and Robert Gottlieb, president of marketing, Fox Sports. 'From streaming and AI, to live experiences and creator-led content, the conversations happening at this year's summit highlight innovation, creativity, and adaptability within the art of storytelling,' said Variety's chief operations and marketing officer Dea Lawrence. 'We're honored to give a platform to some of the brightest minds at the forefront of the intersection of entertainment and technology.' Additional speakers and sessions to be announced. Ernst & Young is a premier partner of the event. Wells Fargo is an official partner. RHEI & Teads are supporting partners of the summit. Reserve your ticket here. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Disney+ in August 2025 What's Coming to Netflix in August 2025 Solve the daily Crossword
CNA
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
AR Rahman meets The Lord Of The Rings: How the acclaimed Indian composer brought Middle-earth to life
When the musical adaptation of The Lord Of Rings opens in Singapore this August, it won't just bring Middle-earth to life on stage, it will also celebrate the music of one of the world's most celebrated composers, AR Rahman. The Academy- Award winning musician behind global hits such as Slumdog Millionaire and Bombay Dreams is the musical force behind the musical, which makes its Asia premiere at Marina Bay Sands' Sands Theatre from Aug 12 to 31. In an interview with CNA Lifestyle via Zoom, Rahman, who was in San Francisco for his concert tour, spoke candidly about his journey with the musical, his creative ambitions and his deep connection with Singapore. BUILDING A TIMELESS LEGACY IN MUSICAL THEATRE 'The Lord Of The Rings came about because I did Bombay Dreams with Andrew Lloyd Webber,' he shared. 'The CEO of the production was Kevin Wallace, when he went out and started his own company, he remembered me and said, it would be awesome to have AR in this thing.' At the time, Rahman admitted that he was not familiar with author JRR Tolkien's work. That changed in 2001 when Peter Jackson's film trilogy came out. He dove into the world of hobbits, elves and dark lords just in time for the musical that debuted in 2004. By the time he was invited to work on the musical, he was no stranger to London's creative circles. Having already spent two to three years in the city, he was immersed in its musical theatre scene while also working on projects back at home in India. What excited Rahman most was the opportunity to bring his cultural identity to the global stage and give a fresh perspective. 'My question always is, what have Indians contributed to the world? How can we contribute to the mainstream kind of a thing rather than just doing basic Asian, Indian stuff,' he shared. 'I don't want to be pigeonholed into being an Indian composer, Tamil composer or Hindi composer. Music is universal and I want to see what I can bring to something new to this Middle Europe, Middle-earth kind of thing.' He added: 'It was an exciting project, because it was a non-Indian project and that's the kind of thing I want to do more. In that perspective, it was a big achievement." Rahman is well-known for his seamless blending of musical traditions and The Lord Of The Rings was no exception. He curated music using his signature approach of using emotionally resonant and culturally expansive melodies. 'Even though it doesn't have an Indian kind of influence in it, melody is melody,' he said. To bring the mythical world of Middle-earth to life on stage, he also worked alongside some of the biggest names in theatre, including playwright Matthew Warchus, known for his critically acclaimed productions, such as Matilda. '[Working with the team] helped me to realise what I have to learn or what I have to unlearn,' he shared. 'Matthew Warchus is a very critically acclaimed kind of director. And his vision for musical theatre is completely different from what Andrew Lloyd Webber would do. So it was nice to see both sides of musical theatre with – Webber on Bombay Dreams and Warchus with The Lord Of The Rings.' He also worked alongside Finnish folk band Varttina, who handled the earthy, ancient textures of Middle-earth. Rahman, meanwhile, focused on the cinematic elements – the orchestration of war, the emotional highs and lows, and the sound of darkness. 'It was a cool process. Because the Lord Of The Rings goes to a very, very dark stage, unbearably dark stage,' he said laughing. 'So while writing and recording, it was a bit too much. But I think we did it.' For Rahman, his music has never been just about sound. It's about crafting an experience. He approaches his work like a director, considering everything from poster design to font choices, ensuring that every detail aligns with his creative vision. "We are what our choices are, our work is our choice of listening or writing,' he said. 'Lately, I've been kind of controlling that. So that my real feel of what I want the people to see of myself, my evolution comes through better. 'So people don't think that some third person is doing it... when we do like musical theatre or anything produced from India, it'll have a certain kind of quality which will be very unique,' he added. For the musical, Rahman turned to an eclectic mix of instruments such as the nyckelharpa (a Swedish string instrument), violin, brass, flutes and even voices. For the vocals he collaborated with a Bosnian singer, Alma Ferovic. The collaboration blossomed into a long-standing friendship and Ferovic later worked with him on the Bollywood hit film Rockstar. With the musical being reimagined for a new era, Rahman believes it's the perfect time for the production to take the spotlight once again. 'The musical is being reinvented,' he shared. 'I think right now the adaptation is very cool, it's very immersive and it can still contain the whole story.' AR RAHMAN ON THE REAL CHALLENGE BEHIND THE PRODUCTION Were there any challenges when he composed the music for the beloved classic? Rahman admits that the hardest part wasn't the epic scope or the extensive work, but being away from home. With a laugh, he recalled the one thing he missed the most during his time in London: 'Home food'. 'I was really missing home,' he said. 'I had to stay there for like a month or two and come back, go back again. I was trying to manage film scores in India.' 'When my mother was there, it was a compulsion that I should eat with her. Because that's the kind of love she has. Even if my sisters come, she's like, 'Go, I'll do it for my son',' he said. Beyond homesickness, there were practical hurdles too. 'I didn't have a studio there, I had to rent a studio,' he added. 'Going out of the comfort zone is when you realise what life is, what people go through. And that is probably an exercise for further bigger things you do in life,' he said with a smile. SINGAPORE: WHERE IT ALL BEGAN While his music makes his way to Singapore next month, turns out, the city holds a far deeper meaning for him. Decades before he became a global icon, Singapore was the first country he travelled to, a gateway from his hometown in Tamil Nadu to the wider world. 'We couldn't afford to go to the USA and UK and all of Europe and all those places. So the nearest place where we can get electronic instruments and musical instruments was Singapore for us,' he shared. 'I have fond memories of Singapore and the energy which the city brings – it's not faded, even after I've been there in 1986, it's going to be almost 38 years since I visited.' Today, the same city where he once searched for his instruments now hosts his virtual reality film Le Musk, along with the upcoming musical. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ARR (@arrahman) AR RAHMAN AND HANS ZIMMER'S FULL CIRCLE MOMENT When Rahman recently posted a selfie with Hans Zimmer, the legendary German film composer behind The Lion King, Inception and Interstellar, it was not just another backstage moment. It was the soft launch of a monumental collaboration on the upcoming Bollywood film Ramayana, one of the most ambitious projects in Indian cinema to date. When we asked him about the collaboration and his eyes lit up. '[The story of] Ramayana is a cultural identity for India and I'm so proud that I'm part of it,' he shared. In fact, he revealed that Zimmer had invited him for a collaboration 15 years back. '[He said] let's do something together. But I was busy with my own work. And it's nice to take that invitation, which he wanted. It's all coming together and it's like a full circle.' Having pushed creative boundaries, with his work outside of just composing music, Rahman remains restless. 'I don't want to limit myself just as a composer or as a musician,' he said. 'Art is like an ocean and we have a lot of challenges now. We have to reinvent everything to engage people.' So what is the project he's most proud of? Rahman, the man with over hundred accolades, cheekily smiled.
USA Today
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Ryan Gosling stars in 'Project Hail Mary': See trailer, cast, release date
Ryan Gosling is humanity's last chance for survival in the upcoming film "Project Hail Mary." Based on Andy Weir's epic sci-fi adventure novel, Amazon MGM Studios' latest movie adaptation stars the three-time Oscar nominee as a middle school teacher who is sent to space as the world comes to an end. As the trailer posted Monday, June 30 shows, middle school teacher Ryland Grace, played by Gosling, must see if humanity can survive somewhere else in space after the sun and every other star begins to die for unknown reasons. In space, he discovers and befriends an extraterrestrial being he names Rocky. Despite having no experience as a astronaut, Gosling's character is understandably out of his depth, telling officials, "I put the not in astronaut. I've never done anything. I've never done a space walk. I can't even moonwalk. " "It's an insanely ambitious story, expansive in scope," Gosling said in April during a CinemaCon presentation. "Literally, we tried to put it on a TV once. It didn't fit." Moviegoers can expect to see familiar faces, including Academy-Award nominee Sandra Hüller, "The Bear" actor Lionel Boyce and "Industry" star Ken Leung. Here's what to know about the upcoming project. When does 'Project Hail Mary' come out? Amazon MGM Studios' sci-fi adventure film "Project Hail Mary," starring Ryan Gosling, is set to release in theaters nationwide on March 20, 2026. Watch the 'Project Hail Mary' trailer When did the 'Project Hail Mary' book come out? Sci-fi suspense novel "Project Hail Mary," of which the movie of the same name is based, was written by Andy Weir and published on May 4, 2021. Another sci-fi novel by Weir, "The Martian," was adapted into a 2015 movie directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon. 'Project Hail Mary' cast
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Downton Abbey' Steps Into 1930 With Sensational Teaser for Final Movie
'Downton Abbey' is officially moving into the 1930s with the latest teaser trailer for its upcoming movie, 'The Grand Finale.' The movie from Focus Features will premiere theatrically on Sept. 12. The teaser begins with three couples elegantly strolling down the green at a horse race. The teaser then jumps between several more stunning visuals, including a packed theater and Lady Mary Talbot (Michelle Dockery) wowing in a red dress before being dubbed a 'sensation.' The video ends with several shots of the estate as various characters tip their hats and give knowing, somber looks. 'As the beloved cast of characters navigates how to lead Downton Abbey into the future, they must embrace change and welcome a new chapter,' a press release about the upcoming movie reads. Watch the teaser below: Directed by Simon Curtis, the screenplay for 'The Grand Finale' comes from 'Downton' creator as well as Academy-Award winner Julian Fellowes. Fans will be pleased to see several familiar faces in this last installment, including Hugh Bonneville (Robert Crawley), Laura Carmichael (Edith Pelham), Jim Carter (Charles Carson), Raquel Cassidy (Phyllis Baxter), Brendan Coyle (John Bates), Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary Talbot), Kevin Doyle (Joseph Molesley), Michael Fox (Andy Parker), Joanne Froggatt (Anna Bates), Paul Giamatti (Harold Levinson), Harry Hadden-Paton (Herbert 'Bertie' Pelham), Robert James-Collier (Thomas Barrow), Allen Leech (Tom Branson), Phyllis Logan (Elsie Carson), Elizabeth McGovern (Cora Crawley), Sophie McShera (Daisy Parker), Lesley Nicol (Beryl Patmore), Dominic West (Guy Dexter), Penelope Wilton (Isobel Grey), Paul Copley (Albert Mason) and Douglas Reith (Richard 'Dickie' Grey). The movie will also star newcomers Simon Russell Beale, Alessandro Nivola, Arty Froushan and Joely Richardson, whose roles are currently unknown. 'Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale' is executive produced by Nigel Marchant with Fellowes, Gareth Neame and Liz Trubridge producing. The movie is produced by Focus Features and Carnival. 'Downton Abbey' first premiered in the U.K. in 2010 before coming to the U.S. in 2011. The examination of British aristocracy quickly became a critical darling, amassing 27 Emmy nominations for its first two series alone and becoming the most watched TV series on both ITV and PBS. The series came to an end in 2015 and was followed by three movies: 2019's 'Downton Abbey,' 2022's 'Downton Abbey: A New Era' and the upcoming 'Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.' The post 'Downton Abbey' Steps Into 1930 With Sensational Teaser for Final Movie appeared first on TheWrap.
The Hindu
27-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Vizag Cinephiles screens ‘Five Broken Cameras'
Vizag Cinephiles, a film club, organised the screening and discussion of the Academy-Award nominated documentary, 'Five Broken Cameras,' on Sunday, in solidarity with the Palestinian liberation movement. The documentary chronicles the resistance by the villagers of Bil'in—a small Palestinian farming town, against the Israeli occupation of the West Bank. It highlights the brutality meted out by the Israeli defence forces while occupying the land on the residents of Bil'in and surrounding villages, where they have lived for centuries. After the screening, the attendees discussed the themes of freedom, oppression, occupation, and resistance. The discussion also touched on the history of occupation by Israel, India's historical stance of supporting the Palestinian resistance to occupation, and the current BJP-led government's change of stance. The organisers spoke about the necessity to support the Palestinian people's struggle for freedom. They urged the attendees to take part in the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement to bring pressure on the State of Israel and companies supporting Israel in helping it occupy Palestinian land.
