Latest news with #filmproduction
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Decision on major Holyport Studios pushed back by government
A decision on whether one of the UK's biggest film and TV studios is granted planning permission should be made next company Greystoke Land submitted plans to build sound stages, offices and workshops near the village of Holyport, near Maidenhead, Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead refused the application last year, citing its impact on the green on behalf of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said a decision on the plan was delayed until on or before 26 June. It had been expected by Thursday. The project, first announced in 2022, could create 1,500 would extend over 43 hectares (106 acres) of land on Gays Lane in three sound stages, workshops and offices would allow multiple film and TV productions to be shot on the same day and at the same time.A "media village" would include a virtual reality studio offering CGI creation, augmented and virtual reality and gaming, while there would also be an area for open-air Land appealed to the government's planning inspectorate after the council dismissed its application. The council previously said that the case for the studios was "overstated" as a number of others have already been built in the south east of cited statistics from the British Film Institute that film and TV production volumes fell by 25% between 2022 and 2024. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Demonstrators arrested over protests at new Gal Gadot film set
Five demonstrators have been arrested after they allegedly targeted the production of a new action film featuring Gal Gadot movie. Scotland Yard said police were deployed to a filming location in Westminster on Wednesday to identify suspects wanted in connection with offences at earlier protests and to deal with any new offences. The Metropolitan Police said protesters have disrupted filming at various locations across London in recent weeks. A force spokesperson added the film was targeted 'solely because an actress involved in the production is Israeli '. The 40-year-old, who has been vocal in her support of Israel, is believed to currently be filming the action thriller The Runner. Five people were arrested for harassment and offences under Section 241 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act, which deals with wrongfully and unlawfully obstructing access to a workplace. They remain in custody. Two of the arrests relate to incidents at previous protests, while three relate to offences that took place on Wednesday, the force said. Superintendent Neil Holyoak said: 'While we absolutely acknowledge the importance of peaceful protest, we have a duty to intervene where it crosses the line into serious disruption or criminality. 'We have been in discussions with the production company to understand the impact of the protests on their work and on any individuals involved. 'I hope today's operation shows we will not tolerate the harassment of or unlawful interference with those trying to go about their legitimate professional work in London.'
The Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Pro-Gaza demonstrators disrupt filming of new Gal Gadot film in protest of Israeli actress as Met arrests five
FIVE protesters have been arrested after they allegedly targeted the filming of Gal Gadot's new movie. The demonstrators disrupted production at several locations across London in recent weeks, the Metropolitan Police said. 2 The force said the protestors targeted sets "solely because an actress involved in the production is Israeli". Gadot, 40, who served in the Israel Defense Forces, previously showed support for Israel's invasion of Gaza after the October 7 Hamas attacks. The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic & Cultural Boycott of Israel (Pacbi) has since argued people who support their group should boycott Gadot films. Gadot is understood to currently be filming an action thriller called The Runner in the capital. Police were called to a set location in Westminster on Wednesday. Officers detained five people on suspicion of harassment and offences under Section 241 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act. Two of the arrests were in relation to previous protests, while three were in response to incidents that unfolded on Wednesday. All five remain in custody. Supt Neil Holyoak said: "While we absolutely acknowledge the importance of peaceful protest, we have a duty to intervene where it crosses the line into serious disruption or criminality. "We have been in discussions with the production company to understand the impact of the protests on their work and on any individuals involved. "I hope today's operation shows we will not tolerate the harassment of or unlawful interference with those trying to go about their legitimate professional work in London." The Runner, produced by David Kosse, stars Gadot as a lawyer on a mission to rescue her kidnapped son. Gadot has been pictured back on set this week, despite the protests. Demonstrations also followed the actress to her Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony after her role in the latest Snow White movie. A Pro-Palestine group stood outside the ceremony carrying signs reading: "Viva Viva Palestina". In a Variety interview earlier this week, Gadot said: "After October 7th [2023], I don't talk politics — because who cares about the celebrity talking about politics? "I'm an artist. I want to entertain people. I want to bring hope and be a beacon of light whenever I say anything about the world. "But on October 7th, when people were abducted from their homes, from their beds, men, women, children, elderly, Holocaust survivors, were going through the horrors of what happened that day, I could not be silent. "I'm not a hater. I'm a grandchild of a Holocaust survivor who came to Israel and established his family from scratch after his entire family was erased in Auschwitz. "And on the other side of my family, I'm eighth generation Israeli. I'm an indigenous person of Israel. "I am all about humanity and I felt like I had to advocate for the hostages. I am praying for better days for all. "I want everybody to have good life and prosperity, and the ability to raise their children in a safe environment." 2
The Independent
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Stunt performer sues Kevin Costner over his direction of a rape scene in his film series 'Horizon'
A stunt performer has sued Kevin Costner, alleging she was subjected to an unscripted rape scene without proper warning, consent or protocols while shooting his film 'Horizon: An American Saga: Chapter 2." Devyn LaBella filed the lawsuit Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court. It names Costner — the director, star and cowriter of the 'Horizon' series of Westerns — and its production companies as defendants. 'The impact of this impromptu work demand on Ms. LaBella has been profound, not only upending a career Ms. LaBella spent years building but leaving her with permanent trauma that she will be required to address for years to come,' the lawsuit says. Costner's attorney said the lawsuit has no merit, and LaBella's assertions are contradicted by both the facts and her behavior. A former gymnast, the 34-year-old LaBella has worked steadily as a Hollywood stunt performer since 2020, with credits including 'Barbie' and ' Yellowjackets.' LaBella's lawsuit says she was the stunt double for one of the 'Horizon' leads, Ella Hunt, throughout the production. The shoot included a planned sexual assault scene, shot in May of 2023, that LaBella performed much of because of its violent and physical nature, the lawsuit says. For that scene, protocols were followed, including meetings, rehearsals, the presence of an intimacy coordinator and minimal crew. But it alleges that the following day, in an unscripted scene with no warning, rehearsal or choreography, Costner directed an actor to pin LaBella down on a wagon and simulate rape. The lawsuit says Costner asked for many takes as he experimented with the violent action and did not make it clear when a shot was beginning or ending. 'There was no escaping the situation, and all Ms. LaBella could do was wait for the nightmare to end,' the suit says. It alleges that safeguards were ignored in violation of union contracts and industry standards. Costner's attorney, Martin Singer, said that while Costner wants everyone to be comfortable on his sets, LaBella's claim has 'absolutely no merit, and it is completely contradicted by her own actions –- and the facts.' 'The scene in question was explained to Ms. LaBella, and after she performed the rehearsal in character with another actor, she gave her Stunt Coordinator supervisor a 'thumbs up' and indicated her willingness to then shoot the scene, if needed (which she was not),' Singer said in a statement. 'That night, Ms. LaBella had dinner with her supervisor, the stunt coordinator, and with the assistant stunt coordinator, and she was in good spirits and made no complaints to them. She continued to work on the movie for a few more weeks until her wrap date, and she took the stunt coordinator to a thank-you dinner.' Singer provided an image of a text message LaBella sent her stunt coordinator at the end of production saying, 'Thank you for these wonderful weeks!' Singer said LaBella 'is a serial accuser of people in the entertainment industry,' but her 'shakedown tactics won't work in this case.' The lawsuit says the rest of the shoot brought LaBella 'continuous reminders of the shame, humiliation and complete lack of control she had experienced during the May 2 filming; she experienced sudden bouts of crying on and off set.' The Associated Press does not typically name people who say they have been sexually abused unless they come forward publicly, as LaBella has done. The lawsuit seeks damages in an amount to be determined at trial, and it seeks a judge's order for the defendants to undergo sexual harassment training, to be required to use an intimacy coordinator on future productions and to issue LaBella a public apology. Costner sought to make the ambitious, four-part Western epic 'Horizon: An American Saga" for 30 years. The first part was released in June of 2024, but plans to release the second immediately after were put on hold after the poor box office performance of part one.
Malay Mail
6 days ago
- Malay Mail
Freelance production crew, including ex-cop, arrested for police impersonation during drama shoot
SEPANG, May 27 — Three individuals, including a former police officer, were detained for impersonating police personnel while working on a local drama production. The arrests occurred after a police station chief confronted the suspects during a routine crime prevention patrol near Lakefront Residence, Cyberjaya, on May 25. Selangor police chief Commissioner Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the suspects were apprehended while loading items into a vehicle. "Upon inspection, various police-related items, including toy guns, were discovered in the vehicle's trunk," he said during a press conference at the Sepang police headquarters. An investigation revealed that the items, which included police cones, roadblock signs, uniforms, berets, vests, boots, handcuffs, beacon lights, and toy gun replicas ranging from pistols to assault rifles, were used in the film production without official permission from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM). The suspects, aged between 29 and 64, were providing freelance acting services to production houses, taking roles as officers conducting police checkpoints or searches. "One of the suspects is a retired sergeant major. They have been active for about four months and were just finishing a filming session at the time of their arrest," Hussein said. Hussein emphasised that the use of PDRM assets without official authorisation, especially for film or drama production, is a serious offence. "Any parties wishing to utilise such assets must obtain approval from Bukit Aman's Corporate Communications Department. "Failure to do so not only violates the law but also risks damaging the credibility of the nation's security institution. PDRM remains committed to upholding the agency's image and preventing its misuse in any context that may mislead the public," he added.
