Latest news with #DavidFreeman
Business Insider
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
Hollywood's new obsession is a twist on the classic soap opera
Mini-drama apps made popular in Asia are surging in the US — and Hollywood is taking notice. These apps are best known for their soapy melodramas featuring princes, werewolves, and more, which are presented in bite-sized vertical episodes and meant for mobile phones. China-backed ReelShort is the most prominent purveyor of these, with typical titles like "The Double Life of My Billionaire Husband." Another top player is DramaBox. Hollywood has been trying to figure out how it can capitalize on the mini-drama craze, and studios like Lionsgate have been evaluating opportunities in the space. "I get an overwhelming number of questions about this topic every week," said David Freeman, head of digital media at CAA. " Talent is actively exploring the space, creators are drawn to it due to the low cost of content production, and major companies are evaluating their strategic approach." Freeman said some key questions were which categories work well and whether the format could be expanded to the unscripted realm. "In time, I anticipate that Netflix will find a way to successfully integrate vertical video and potentially make it part of their strategy to engage Gen Z audiences," he continued. As TV and streaming giants spend more money on sports at the expense of traditional TV and film, producers, studios, and other players are casting around for other entertainment markets and ways to serve audiences on the cheap. Social-media stars have already been getting a second look from Hollywood. And now, so are mini-dramas. Industry players said they'd taken note of the marketing on TikTok that the mini-drama apps are throwing behind their stars. App tracker Appfigures counts 215 short drama apps in the US and estimated US spending on them more than doubled in the past 12 months, to more than $100 million a month in gross revenue. Hollywood is curious about mini-dramas Agents and others told Business Insider that while Hollywood is buzzing about mini-dramas, companies are generally still in the initial stages of exploring the format. One traditional player that's making concrete moves in the space is TelevisaUnivision. It's planning to debut 40 telenovela-style minidramas on ViX, its streaming platform, and intends to expand to other genres like docs and comedy. Others are at least mini-drama curious. Lionsgate, for one, has been in the early stages of exploring the format, a person familiar with the studio's plans said. Hallmark is another studio that's discussed the format internally, a person familiar with the company's thinking said. Select Management Group, an influencer talent management firm, is looking for mini-drama actors to sign, primarily those prominent on ReelShort. Select's Scott Fisher said verticals have "become another place you find talent," much like YouTube birthed digital stars like MrBeast and Emma Chamberlain. People have questions Despite Hollywood's interest, it's unclear how these vertical dramas could fit into the traditional film and TV system, which emphasizes high production values and guild-protected talent. And people in Hollywood told BI they had plenty of questions. Here are a few: These mini-dramas often fall below the budget threshold that would trigger certain rules from the Hollywood guilds. But how can legacy companies take advantage of these productions' low costs without alienating the guilds and their members? Soapy melodramas are the most popular form of vertical series, but are they extendable to other genres such as reality TV, docs, and true crime? A+E Global Networks is taking the unscripted route, launching a slate of original series for mobile around its History brand in an effort to reach young viewers. Can they make real money? The appeal is that they're cheap to make, but how big of a business can they be? And what's the right mix of revenue between ads and viewer payments? ReelShort parent Crazy Maple Studio's founder Joey Jia said last year that viewers typically paid $5 to $10 a week. How should they distribute them? TelevisaUnivision has its own platforms to post such shows. But production companies that don't have their own distribution arms could use the likes of TikTok or YouTube and share the revenue with the platform. Are these dramas too far out of Hollywood's comfort zone for it to get right? Hollywood insiders remember how Quibi, Jeffrey Katzenberg's idea to make quick-bite shows, went down in ignominy. The big difference is that Quibi's episodes were more highly produced than today's vertical dramas and didn't employ a "freemium," pay-as-you-go model. 'It's just a matter of time' Some media insiders think it's inevitable that big streamers and studios will at least test the format's potential. They've already shown some willingness to play with different formats and distribution platforms. For example, Paramount put "Mean Girls" on TikTok in 23 segments lasting one to 10 minutes. And YouTube and Amazon's Prime Video could make sense as distributors because they're already set up as platforms that allow people to rent or buy individual movies or shows. "There's just a question of how far are they going to stray from doing what they normally do," Fisher said of the Hollywood players. Industry analyst Evan Shapiro sees mini, vertical-shot dramas as "toilet television," something made for watching on mobile phones and fitting the scrolling mentality. He added that he believes the format is a natural way for companies to incubate shows for TV. "It's just a matter of time before you see a drama from one of these players and a fast follow into other formats," Shapiro said. "The big question is, how do we monetize that. But if it takes off, it converts to a premium, wide-screen format for TV."
BBC News
03-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Oxford United: When a potential new stadium was national news
For half an hour on 6 May 1981, Oxford United and its prospective football stadium was national Take The Mic programme was broadcast from the city and its 100 guests – including the U's chairman, manager and a future city MP – discussed how a potential new stadium could impact the Marston the end, the stadium didn't happen – one of many potential sites the club had hoped to use over a number of decades but ultimately was unable club only moved from The Manor to the Kassam Stadium in 2001 but, 24 years later, it is looking to move to The Triangle near Kidlington. The Take The Mic programme reveals that some of the arguments for and against football stadiums in Oxford have been used before. Back in 1981, Oxford was still awaiting its first "superstore". Several firms were hoping to build it in Marston but the rub was that if there was no superstore built, there would be no new Oxford United stadium either. "Oxford's more than a university town. It's a major manufacturing base, with British Leyland at Cowley and a regional centre, surrounded by small towns and villages," presenter David Freeman said. "Marston used to be such a village and it's at the centre of [the] argument." Marston resident Lynne Isaac, who told the audience she was a mother of five children and grandmother of nine, said the development would be "at the bottom of her garden"."We've watched this development for nine years. We have seen everybody over there working. We have watched it, we've put up with it for nine years," she said. Ian Greaves, who by May 1981 had managed Oxford United's first team for four months, sat next to the club's chairman Bill Reeves and coach Ray Graydon on the show. Greaves and Graydon had helped lead the U's to a 14th-placed finish in the then Third Division four days before the programme aired."The overall idea of the stadium has got to be excellent," said Greaves, who left Oxford in 1982. "Wherever the stadium is, whether it's Marston or wherever, it's got to be excellent. We are just about 100 years behind others in this respect [of community]."Remember a soccer club is only used once a fortnight. That's why the club's losing money - because there's only people going into the soccer club once a fortnight."The thing should be used every day. With the idea that is being mooted at the moment, this stadium will be used every day. Not just by the soccer club but by the local community." Andrew Smith was then the chairman of Oxford City Council's recreation committee. Mr Smith said the stadium would be a "plus when local authorities, because of the attacks on our ability to spend money by the current Conservative government, haven't got the money to put into these sorts of facilities ourselves".While he said residents had "legitimate concerns", the potential benefits for the football club and community outweighed the disadvantages. He was elected Oxford East's MP in 1987 and retired in 2017. James Simmonds, who lived in Marston, said that "faceless people in Jersey" stood to benefit from the scheme, which he said would lead to the "despoiling of our local village"."God created grass, trees, birds, tranquillity in Marston. We still require that tranquillity and it should not be despoiled just to make profits for faceless people. And that's what it's all about," he said. One guest, Carol, who lived in the Blackbird Leys area of the city, was aggrieved at the lack of facilities available there. "The Marston people don't want this stadium," she said. "They have got their beautiful views and their lovely birds singing in the trees. They want to live in Blackbird Leys with 4,500 kids and see what views those have kids got."Little could she have known that eventually the football club - and a leisure park, which itself could be built upon soon - would be based a stone's throw away at the site formerly known as Minchery Farm, between Blackbird Leys and Littlemore. Marston did get eventually a football stadium and sports complex at Court Place Farm in 1993, which is used by Oxford City, but the scale of it is much smaller than the one planned in the early 1980s. About 3,700 people, groups or businesses have commented on the current planning application for the potential Oxford United stadium at the Triangle near Kidlington. A decision on that is expected in the summer. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Wales Online
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Jason Donovan talks Wales, The Rocky Horror Show, In It Together and his one man show Doin' Fine
Jason Donovan talks Wales, The Rocky Horror Show, In It Together and his one man show Doin' Fine The Australian entertainer will visit south Wales three times in the next year to showcase his 35-year career in music, theatre, TV and film Jason Donovan will be performing in Swansea Bay three times within the next year (Image: David Freeman ) Jason Donovan will be something of a regular in south Wales in the coming year. The beloved Australian entertainer, who shot to fame alongside Kylie Minogue on Neighbours, has gone on to be a household name, selling more than three million records in the UK. And despite reaching a 35 year career in music, theatre, TV and film, the 56-year-old is proving that he isn't slowing down yet, with three shows lined up in Swansea Bay showcasing his diverse talents. First, he will take to the stage on the Sunday billing of In It Together Festival at Old Park Farm in Margam on May 25, performing alongside the likes of Ronan Keating and James Morrison. And just weeks later, he will return to perform at Swansea Arena, in Richard O'Brien's legendary rock 'n' roll musical, The Rocky Horror Show, as part of a new world tour. He will reprise his iconic role as Frank-n-Furter, following a sold-out Australian Tour in 2024. The Swansea show takes place from Monday, June 9 to Saturday, June 14, with Donovan performing from Wednesday June 11 to Saturday June 14, and Adam Strong taking on the role on the other nights. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here . Article continues below And not content with just one visit to the city, he will be back at Swansea Grand Theatre on March 17 next year, with his Doin' Fine 25 tour, which is a celebration of his career, taking fans on a journey through his life on both stage and screen, including performances of his hits Especially For You, Too Many Broken Hearts, Any Dream Will Do and Sealed With A Kiss. Ahead of his string of performances in, WalesOnline caught up with the entertainer. Jason Donovan On... The Rocky Horror Show Jason Donovan in the Rocky Horror Show (Image: Photo by David Freeman ) He said: "I love the show. I say to everyone, and I don't get bored of saying it, I get to be a rock star every night, what's not to love? "Rocky Horror is not a Les Miserables or a Joseph, or a Phantom of the Opera, or a Sweeney Todd, but it is a part of pop culture and I love it for its enduring qualities and its complexities, it's an authentic piece, and there's a lot of people who can relate to Frank's dark journey, but there's also a lot of light. "Richard O'Brien writes some great songs - there's a femininity, a masculinity, it's not caught in one time, and it's a twist on everything." Pictured with the cast of The Rocky Horror Show (Image: Photo by David Freeman ) He added: "I love playing that character. I think it's well-written. It's a short show as well which I love, I'm into the idea of that. "Going to work each day is not a chore, it's a labour of love. "I think the show is great entertainment, it has such audience participation, and it's not just an evening at the theatre, it's an event. And with me steering the ship, and I'll say this because I can, it's going to go off. I put 100 percent into that character, I do something different every night, I like to be creative with it." Jason Donovan on... In It Together He said: "The company behind the event is always a very high grade. I hope I can live up to that, I'm sure I can. I think that will be a short little set of songs that we put together for those shows. In those sort of shows, you don't have a lot of time to really be creative, you want to hit the audience with the songs that they know, and that's what I intend to do." Jason Donovan on... Doin' Fine He said: "The show has caught the imagination of people. It's the first real tour of mine where I feel we've struck the right chord between all the shows on my catalogue, even some covers with my dad. "I look back a lot at my career, but I don't stand still. I'm always working, and I like to keep busy. I like to work with people and different casts and productions. The good thing is, I can jump from a Rocky Horror to my own show, and I get to do a broad range of different stuff, and I am not stuck in one genre." Jason Donovan on... Wales He said: "I have spent time in Wales in the past, not a lot of time in Swansea, but I am excited to be bringing the shows there. The last time, I think I was bringing my Midlife Crisis show to Swansea, which was my autobiographical show, but I guess the last time I was in that part of the world doing a show was probably Rocky Horror again, actually. "In Cardiff I did Joseph recently, I did Rocky recently in Cardiff, and Doin Fine, that was actually on Valentine's Day. "The country is great, the people are great, and I can't wait to get back there and perform again. "I am looking forward to performing at Swansea Arena. I hear it's big. I think the show (Rocky Horror) is a rock show, a concert with words. It's got that tone to it. "I know the coastline in Wales is pretty special. I'm always into exploring the coastline. I think it's the right time of year to do that. "I love coming to Wales. I love all the audiences across the UK. "I'm looking forward to seeing my Welsh friends for a few great shows and we'll see you in the summer." Article continues below Ticket information for Jason's In It Together Festival performance can be found by clicking here. For more on the Rocky Horror Show, click here, and you can find out more about his Doin' Fine tour by clicking here.
