Latest news with #HouseofDavid
Los Angeles Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
AMC Networks partners with AI startup Runway
AMC Networks, known for series such as 'Breaking Bad' and 'The Walking Dead,' is partnering with AI startup Runway to use AI tools for marketing and developing its TV shows. Runway's AI technology will help AMC Networks ease access to standout scenes for promotional use. The tech will also be used to speed up 'pre-visualization' during development, which is when studios use images to plan scenes before filming takes place. Runway also said AMC Networks is exploring AI to be used for honing special effects ideas. 'As we explore the transformative potential of AI across our business, we see powerful opportunities to enhance both how we market and how we create,' said Stephanie Mitchko, the executive vice president of global media operations and technology at AMC Networks, in a statement. 'Our objective is always to use every tool at our disposal to help our creative partners fully realize the stories they want to tell,' Mitchko said. Entertainment companies have been exploring how to use AI in their processes, which supporters say can help reduce costs and allow creatives to test bold ideas without as many financial constraints. Last year, Runway announced a partnership with Lionsgate, in which Runway will create a new AI model for the studio to help with behind-the-scenes processes such as storyboarding. The company's technology has also been used in series like 'House of David' on Amazon Prime Video, according to Variety. 'We're building the foundations for a new era of media — the way content gets made and green-lit is changing rapidly, and that's impacting everything from production timelines and methodologies to distribution models and marketing tactics,' said Cristóbal Valenzuela, co-founder and CEO of Runway in a statement. AI remains a controversial topic in Hollywood. Some creatives and unionized workers have expressed concerns about how AI could reduce jobs. Writers have complained that AI models are being trained on their scripts without their permission or adequate compensation. Tech industry executives have said that they should be able to train AI models with content available online under the 'fair use' doctrine, which allows for the limited reproduction of material without permission from the copyright holder. AI filmmaking technology is advancing rapidly, such as with Google's introduction of its Veo 3 text-to-video tool and its Flow editing software. But experts say that artificial intelligence companies need to license content from professional studios in order to take the tools to the next level.
Business Upturn
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Upturn
Is ‘House of David' returning for season 2? Everything we know so far
By Aman Shukla Published on May 10, 2025, 18:00 IST Last updated May 10, 2025, 15:13 IST The biblical drama House of David has captivated audiences with its compelling storytelling and historical depth. Following the success of its first season, which premiered on February 27, 2025, on Prime Video, fans are eager for updates on House of David Season 2. Here's everything we know so far about the highly anticipated second season. Is House of David Season 2 Happening? Yes, House of David Season 2 is officially confirmed! The show was renewed shortly after its Season 1 finale aired on April 3, 2025. Posts on X from influential figures, such as pastor Greg Laurie, have celebrated the renewal, noting the series' impact in inspiring viewers to engage with biblical stories. The rapid renewal reflects the show's popularity, with Season 1 reaching #1 on Prime Video. House of David Season 2 Release Date While an exact release date for House of David Season 2 has not been announced, production is moving swiftly. Filming for the second season began shortly after the Season 1 finale, as reported by sources like Show Snob and Collider. Given the quick turnaround—Season 1 wrapped in April 2025 and filming for Season 2 is already underway—a release in late 2025 or early 2026 is plausible. However, Prime Video has not yet confirmed a specific premiere date, so fans should stay tuned for official updates. What Will House of David Season 2 Be About? House of David Season 1 explored the rise of David, from shepherd to king, weaving together themes of faith, leadership, and divine purpose. While specific plot details for Season 2 remain under wraps, the series is expected to delve deeper into David's reign, his challenges as a leader, and key events from his life as depicted in the Bible. Aman Shukla is a post-graduate in mass communication . A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication ,content writing and copy writing. Aman is currently working as journalist at
Daily Mail
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Iconic Muscle Shoals musician who worked with Elvis Presley and Dolly Parton dies aged 82
Keyboardist David Briggs has died at the age of 82 in Nashville. Briggs, who made hits with the 20th century biggest starts, including Elvis Presley and Dolly Parton. He is credited with helping popularize country music and making his hometown of Muscle Shoals as hub for the genre. The Alabama native died on April 22 in a hospice facility from complications of renal cancer, as reported by The New York Times. Briggs was an unmissable presence in country music, also working with Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson. The musician played on legendary R&B singles like Arthur Alexander's You Better Move in in 1962 and Jimmy Hughes' Steal Away in 1964. He also provided accompaniment for Dolly Parton's beloved single, Coat of Many Colors, in 1971. Briggs was a constant presence on stage with Elvis during the last 11 years of his life of the King of Rock's life. The two started working together after Briggs played piano for Elvis' 1966 single Love Letters. Briggs then went on tour with the King and his TCB band. Briggs started his musical career as a teen, playing with the original rhythm section at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals. He then spent some time in Nashville, where his career soared as he began working with Elvis, Parton and James Brown. In 1969, he went back to Alabama and founded the iconic studio Quadraphonic Sound with bassist Norbert Putnam. The two also founded a publishing house, Willin' David Music, that went on to produce hits including Whitney Houston's Didn't We Almost Have It All. In the 1970s and 1980s, Briggs wrote and arranged jingles for companies like Coca-Cola and Kentucky Fried Chicken. The musician later opened a studio called House of David in Nashville. He was elected to the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1999 and awarded with the Cecil B. Scaife Visionary Award in 2011. In 2019, he was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame. 'David Briggs could play keyboards in any style. For more than four decades, his deft touch graced countless country, R&B, rock, and pop recordings,' said Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum., as reported by Fox 54. 'He was eighteen years old when he played piano on Arthur Alexander's epochal Muscle Shoals hit 'You Better Move On.' Recruited to Nashville by producer Owen Bradley, Briggs immediately became a studio fixture, enhancing records by Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, and many more. He further shaped Music City in co-founding Quadrafonic Studio and opening his own House of David studio. 'He was a man of music through and through.'
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Wall Street Journal highlights Birmingham filmmaker Jon Erwin as part of new generation of religious storytellers
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — One half of a Birmingham-born filmmaking duo who has made their mark telling stories from a religious perspective recently received a glowing writeup in one of the country's biggest newspapers. Barton Swaim, an editorial page writer at The Wall Street Journal, recently used the pages of the national newspaper to write a profile of Jon Erwin, a filmmaker and creator of the Amazon series 'House of David,' chronicling the Biblical story of David and his journey from a lowly shepherd to the king of Israel. 'House of David,' which Erwin also directed and co-wrote all eight episodes of its first season, has been widely lauded since first premiering earlier this spring, becoming one of the highest viewed Amazon series the week it premiered as well as receiving a 71% overall critical grade on Rotten Tomatoes. The show was recently renewed for a second season. For years, Erwin and his brother, Andrew, made several films together, many of them filmed in their hometown of Birmingham, such as 'Woodlawn' and 'Mom's Night Out,' as well as a documentary exploring the history of contemporary Christian music called 'The Jesus Music.' The brothers also run their own production company, Kingdom story Company, which also produces 'House of David.' In his piece, Swaim celebrates Jon Erwin in the care he took in creating 'House of David,' from speaking with religious scholars and theologians in forming the show to finding the emotional core of the story. 'I have felt for many years that the story of David is ripe for cinematic treatment. But I worried that any attempt by a Hollywood studio to dramatize it would ride roughshod over the Book of Samuel's beautifully constructed narrative and extract from it 21st-century social-political messages that aren't there,' Swaim wrote. 'Mr. Erwin can be trusted not to commit those errors, believing as he does—readers may agree or disagree—that the text is revelatory of God's character.' Swaim heralded the Erwin brothers as being part of a growing group of faith-based filmmakers in Hollywood who are slowly reaching a wider audience than before. 'I wonder if the success of the Erwin brothers' films, and of other faith-adjacent productions generally, signifies some broader cultural shift: a new openness to unironic virtue, perhaps, or a discontent with stories that studiously ignore the sacred,' he wrote. The full piece can be read here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
What's next for faith-based studio Wonder Project
Kelly Merryman Hoogstraten, the Austin-based CEO of Wonder Project, is on a mission to create television and movies for a global faith-based audience. Driving the news: Wonder Project premiered its debut series "House of David" on Prime Video on Feb. 27. The series tells the ascent of the biblical figure David, who becomes king of Israel. "House of David" garnered 22 million viewers in its first 17 days, according to Wonder Project, and Prime Video has renewed the show for a second season. The final episode was released April 3. We chatted with Merryman Hoogstraten about "House of David" and what's next for Wonder Project. This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity. What's been the most surprising reaction so far to the premiere of "House of David?" "This story touches everybody in some way. ... There's something that I love, that my husband loves. I have younger kids, but a lot of my friends that have older kids say, 'I just sat down and had a conversation with my son or my daughter about fear being the thief, and I wouldn't have expected to have that conversation.' There's something very special about opening up conversations." This is Wonder Project's first release. Why was "House of David" the right story to lead with? " Our founder, Jon Erwin, has wanted to tell this story. He and his father went to Jerusalem when he was 16 years old, and he felt a connection to David's story at that moment, and has always wanted to tell a story, and started writing versions of this story 10 or 15 years ago." Do you think there's been a shift in how audiences are consuming faith-based content? "I think one of the things that's happened over the course of the last few years is that there have been a number of films and TV series that have come out, whether that's ' The Chosen ' or ' Jesus Revolution ' or ' Sound of Freedom,' that gave you a sense that this is a broad story that lots of people are interested in." What's next for Wonder Project? More faith-oriented content? "Our mission is to tell courageous stories that restore faith and things worth believing. I love this idea of restoring faith, and that can be in God, but it can also be in country and in family and entrepreneurs and coaches and teachers. We produced a film last year that will be theatrically released by Amazon in Q4 this year called ' Sarah's Oil,' and it's a wonderful story about one of the first Black female millionaires — and she happens to be an 11-year-old girl. ... We also are working alongside Sony TriStar on a film with Nate Bargatze. Amazon greenlit a second series called ' It's Not Like That.'" What role does Austin play in the Wonder Project's production and growth? "I like to say that much of the faith audience lives in the heartland, and we really believe in the heartland values. I think Texas is a great place to be immersed in that.
