Latest news with #DirectorsGuildofAmerica
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Helen Mirren celebrates 80th birthday: Have a look at her marriage to director Taylor Hackford
Helen Mirren turns 80 on Saturday, July 26, 2025, and she is marking the occasion with the man who has been by her side for nearly three decades - director Taylor Hackford. The two have been married for 27 years, though marriage was not something Mirren ever saw as essential. While Helen Mirren's career spans everything from The Queen to Prime Suspect, she has been busy in recent years with roles on TV.(IMDb) 'I always said I have nothing against marriage,' she told AARP back in 2016. 'It just wasn't to my taste, like turnips. I just had to meet the right turnip,' she said. That 'right turnip' turned out to be Hackford, who she met on the set of his 1985 film White Nights. They got married in 1997, a full decade after they began dating. 'We got married in the end because we realized that we were going to be together forever,' Mirren said. Also read: James Bond star Pierce Brosnan is on board with Helen Mirren's criticism of 007 films:'Certain agreement there…' Helen Mirren birthday: Her relationship with Taylor Hackford While Mirren's career spans everything from The Queen to Prime Suspect, she has been busy in recent years with TV roles. She was part of the second season of 1923, the Yellowstone prequel, and appears in Guy Ritchie's gritty drama MobLand. Hackford, now 80, is no stranger to the spotlight either. The Oscar-winning director has helmed classics like An Officer and a Gentleman, The Devil's Advocate and Blood In, Blood Out. He is also a former president of the Directors Guild of America. Hello! Magazine noted that the couple's connection began on set, when Helen Mirren was 38. They eventually married in a small ceremony in Scotland. Also read: I never liked James Bond, the way women were in it, says Helen Mirren Life at home and the secret to 27 years Over the years, the pair have split their time between Los Angeles, New Orleans, London, and Nevada. During the pandemic lockdowns, they stayed at their home in Lake Tahoe. 'It's given me the opportunity to be with my husband in a sort of normal everyday way, which has been fantastic,' Mirren told The Independent. As for the secret to their long marriage? 'My theory has always been that this is why we're still together: because we've spent so much time apart, we're always pleased to see each other,' she told You Magazine. FAQs Who is Helen Mirren's husband? She is married to Taylor Hackford, the Oscar-winning director. When did Helen Mirren marry Taylor Hackford? They married in December 1997. Where did Helen Mirren and Taylor Hackford meet? They met on the set of the 1985 film White Nights. What's the secret to Helen Mirren's long marriage? She credits time apart for keeping her marriage strong.
Los Angeles Times
02-07-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
California's film tax credit boost officially signed into law to lure back Hollywood jobs
Nine months ago, Gov. Gavin Newsom pledged to more than double the annual amount of funds allocated to California's film and television tax credit program. Flanked by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, legislative leaders and union representatives, Newsom said the state 'needed to make a statement and to do something that was meaningful' to stop productions from leaving the state for more lucrative incentives in other states and countries. Though Hollywood was born in California and the entertainment business became the state's signature industry, 'the world we invented is now competing against us,' he said at the time. On Wednesday, Newsom signed a bill that will increase the cap on California's film and TV tax credit program to $750 million, up from $330 million. Industry workers say the boost will help stimulate production that slowed due to the pandemic, the dual writers' and actors' strikes of 2023, a cutback in spending by studios and streamers and the Southern California wildfires earlier this year. 'We've got to step up our game,' Newsom said in a speech before he signed the bill. 'We put our feet up, took things for granted. We needed to do something more bold and significant.' The bill was passed by the state legislature last week and came after intense lobbying from Hollywood. Rebecca Rhine, Directors Guild of America executive and Entertainment Union Coalition president, credited Newsom for staying committed to the production incentive boost even after the wildfires in Southern California, federal funding cuts, the state's budget deficit and the deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles. 'You understand that our industry is vital to the state's economy and cultural vibrancy, while also sustaining thousands of businesses and attracting visitors from around the world,' she said during the signing ceremony. 'Now, let's get people back to work.' Critics of the program and taxpayer advocates have said, however, that the tax credit is a corporate giveaway that doesn't generate as much economic effect as promised. California's increase also comes as states like Texas and New York have also ramped up their own film and TV tax credit programs. But the fight isn't over yet. Lawmakers and Hollywood industry leaders are gearing up for a vote Thursday in the legislature on a separate bill that would expand the provisions of the film tax credit program, which they say is key to making production more attractive in California and must pair with the increased program cap. That bill, AB 1138, would broaden the types of productions eligible to apply for the program, including animated films, shorts, series and certain large-scale competition shows. It would also increase the tax credit to as much as 35% of qualified expenditures for movies and TV series shot in the Greater Los Angeles area and up to 40% for productions shot outside the region. California currently provides a 20% to 25% tax credit to offset qualified production expenses, such as money spent on film crews and building sets. Production companies can apply the credit toward any tax liabilities they have in California. The bump to 35% puts California more in line with incentives offered by other states such as Georgia, which provides a 30% credit for productions. 'This bill is the second step,' Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur said during Wednesday's press conference. 'It's about maximizing economic impact, prioritizing equity and turning the tide on job loss.' Newsom also held out hope for the possibility of a federal film and TV tax incentive, which he had floated in May after President Trump called for tariffs on film produced overseas. 'We'd like to see [Trump] match the ambition that we're advancing here today in California with the ambition to keep filmmaking all across the United States, here in the United States,' Newsom said. 'I am hopeful that we, in the hands of partnership, continue to work with the administration.'
Buzz Feed
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Anna Camp Calls Out Hollywood's Age Gap Double Standard
Anna Camp had a little message for anyone who still has something negative to say about the age difference between her and her girlfriend, Jade Whipkey. Earlier this month, Anna celebrated the premiere of her new film Bride Hard, at the Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles. While at the event, Anna, 42, and Jade, 24, made their red carpet debut as a couple. The two were all-smiles the entire night. Despite this being their first red carpet together, Anna and the celebrity stylist confirmed their relationship back in March, after posting a photo of them together on her Instagram story dressed for the Renaissance Pleasure Faire. News of their relationship caused a stir online, ranging from comments from fans being surprised that Anna is now dating a woman after being in two heterosexual marriages, to shock about the 18-year age gap she shares with Jade. So, the Pitch Perfect star hopped in the comments to set the record straight, saying, "I dated men exactly my age and Jade is FAR more mature than any of them." Well, with conversations on the topic still happening, Anna subtly addressed the naysayers again on Instagram, this time through her own post. On June 24, Anna shared a carousel of photos and videos, with the majority of them including Jade. And while pitcures just kept getting cuter... ...and cuter... ...there was one image that really stood out. In the middle of the carousel was a photoshopped photo of Leonardo DiCaprio with his current girlfriend, Vittoria Ceretti, with the caption "25 years" written across it, emphasizing their age gap. Outside of being an extremely talented actor, Leo is also known for dating models in their 20s. Leo is 50 (1974) and Vittoria is 27 (1998). The two were spotted celebrating Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's wedding at Hotel Gritti on June 26, 2025, in Venice, Italy. Despite the image Ana posted saying "25 years," the two actually have a 24-year age gap. You can see everything she posted below: What are your thoughts on this? Let me know in the comments! Looking for more LGBTQ+ or Pride content? Then check out all of BuzzFeed's posts celebrating Pride 2025.
Buzz Feed
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Anna Camp Defends 18-Year Age Gap With Girlfriend
Celebrity age-gap relationships have been the talk of the town recently, but Anna Camp isn't interested in hearing your negative opinions on hers. Last week, Anna celebrated the premiere of her latest film Bride Hard at the Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles, California, alongside her costars Rebel Wilson, Sherry Cola, Anna Chlumsky, Justin Hartley, and Gigi Zumbado. The 42-year-old actor attended the event with her 24-year-old girlfriend, celebrity stylist and writer, Jade Whipkey. This marked the couple's red carpet debut. The Pitch Perfect star confirmed her relationship with Jade back in March, after posting a photo of them together on her Instagram Story dressed for the Renaissance Pleasure Faire. When news of their red carpet moment began to hit news outlets, fans were not only surprised to find out that Anna was dating a woman, but also that there was an 18-year age gap between them. Pink News, an outlet that prides itself on delivering LGBTQ+ news, features, and opinion pieces, shared an Instagram post highlighting Anna and Jade hitting the red carpet together for the first time. It included a video of them at the event with a headline/caption that listed their ages. The comment section was filled with mixed opinions of those who disapproved of the age difference, and those who supported it: After noticing some of the backlash, Anna stepped into the comments to defend her relationship: "Thought I'd jump on here since I follow @pinknews," Anna wrote. "And just say I've dated men exactly my age and Jade is FAR more mature than any of them." "We have more in common than anyone else I've ever dated and can literally talk about anything and everything." "Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I'm wishing everyone well :) Especially this Pride month." You can read her full statement below: What are your views on age gaps in general? Let me know in the comments! Looking for more LGBTQ+ or Pride content? Then check out all of BuzzFeed's posts celebrating Pride 2025.
Gulf Today
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Marlee Matlin tells her story in an intimate documentary
When American Masters approached Marlee Matlin about doing a documentary, Matlin had one name in mind to direct: Shoshanna Stern. Like Matlin, Stern is deaf. She also hadn't directed before. But Matlin, who herself became the first deaf person in the Directors Guild of America just a few years ago, was certain she was up to the task. The resulting film, 'Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore' is an intimate look at her life: Growing up in a hearing family; winning the best actress Oscar at 21 for her first movie role in 'Children of a Lesser God,' which film critic Rex Reed at the time called a 'pity vote'; what she's described as an abusive romantic relationship with her co-star, the late William Hurt, which he denied; getting sober; and her experiences in an industry not equipped to accommodate deaf actors. It's also an evocative portal into the world of the deaf community that uses groundbreaking techniques and sound design to put American Sign Language (ASL) and visual communication first. The film opens in select theaters Friday. While Matlin told much of her story in the memoir 'I'll Scream Later,' on some level it wasn't a completely satisfactory experience. Before the #MeToo movement, its revelations were not treated entirely seriously in the media. But a documentary also provided an opportunity. 'We communicate visually,' she said. Matlin and Stern spoke though translators to The Associated Press about the 'CODA' effect, making the doc on their terms, and why they hope Reed sees this film. Shoshanna, what was your approach? STERN: I had never seen a deaf person direct an episode of TV or film. Never. I thought, what does that even look like? I didn't realize until I took the job that really the whole form of documentary as we know it is really rooted in sound, in the assumption that people will be speaking and they can speak. I thought, what are we going to do when we're using American Sign Language? I have to reframe a whole form of documentary. We have to be able to see what a visually-based documentary is going to look like. We wouldn't do justice to Marlee's life if I had forced this form that really wasn't rooted in the way that she experienced this life. And that was exciting to do. Scary for some people out there, but I never felt scared in making this documentary because she believed in me. MATLIN: If I had had a hearing director approach me to do this project, we could have done a very good job, but that person would not have seen me in the same way. They would not have the same lens as a deaf person. What were some techniques you used to spotlight the deaf experience? STERN: I did want to film with captions in mind, so I made sure that we did have a wider frame. We figured out visual voiceover with a split screen that we added. We did this little surgery with words and syllables in one of the scenes where we mixed them all around to be able to bring people into how Marlee experiences conversations and the world. We wanted to make this documentary an immersive experience for the audience members, a sensory experience to help them understand. 'CODA' felt like a big moment, but in the years since it won the Oscar, have you seen things change? MATLIN: 'CODA' certainly was a milestone and respected by so many people in the industry. It tackled a lot of things that both deaf and hearing people or audiences can identify with. I love the fact that they burnt in the captions. That you can't just turn it off. And I hoped that all the love we received and the three Academy Awards that we got would make a difference. It was honored on so many other levels too as well, whether we're talking about (director) Sian (Heder) or you're talking about Troy (Kotsur) or the SAG award which was just a dream come true, specifically of mine. I took that opportunity to specifically address that that we 'exist,' that we want to be actors just like you, we want to be directors, we want be producers, we want to be hair and wardrobe stylists. STERN: Marlee said something really brave when we were at Sundance. She said, 'It won't last.' The moment, yes, in the moment. But I don't know if we have movement. Associated Press
