AWARDS HEADLINES
The 2016 Oscar Shortlist Cues Innovative Theatrical Distribution in Arab Markets
The 2016 Oscars shortlist has prompted the theatrical re-release in the region of Jordanian director Naji Abu Nowar’s desert adventure pic Theeb, and also of pluriprized short Ave Maria, by Palestinian director Basil Khalil. (VAR)
12 Films’ Strategic Keys to Winning at This Year’s Oscars
Now’s as good a time as any to step back, take a widescreen look at the field and identify the key things each of the dozen hopefuls needs to do to wind up at the podium at the end of the night Feb. 28. (THR)
OTHER HEADLINES
Box Office: A List of All the Records ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Broke in a Weekend
Here is a list of records that Star Wars has beaten in the space of a weekend. Note that box office numbers are still being adjusted, as is the case with the global box office, which hit $528 million to beat Jurassic Park’s $524 million. (THR)
What Effect Has ‘Star Wars’ Epic Weekend Had on Disney Stocks?
If you thought that the weekend’s record shattering sales for Star Wars: The Force Awakens would lead to a rally for Disney and exhibition stocks, you might be surprised by the group’s performance this morning. (DL)
Host Steve Harvey Crowns Wrong Miss Universe Contestant Before Real Winner
Colombia contestant Ariadna Gutierrez Arevalo was already wearing the crown as this year’s Miss Universe winner when host Steve Harvey returned to apologize. Just minutes after the flub, Harvey took to Twitter to once again apologize and Donald Trump’s comments weren’t far behind. (CBS)
‘The Man in the High Castle’ Becomes Amazon’s Most Streamed Show After Record-Setting Pilot Views
Alternative history Nazi drama The Man in the High Castle only needed a month to become Amazon’s most-streamed original show, overtaking shows like the detective-centric Bosch and Jill Soloway’s feted dramedy Transparent. (VG)
Breaking Down the TV Guest Actor Pay Squeeze: Recurring Are The New Regulars
It is getting harder and harder to make a living as a TV actor, with series regular roles harder to come by and guest starring gigs regularly relegated to day players. (DL)
Multi-Platform Prod. House Fullscreen Nabs Hires From MLB, Netflix, XBox and to Build Design Team
Youth-oriented multi-platform production company and multi-channel network Fullscreen isn’t messing around and has brought on execs from Major League Baseball, Netflix and Xbox Entertainment Studios to lead its design team and upcoming SVOD service. (VI)
Screenwriters: Which Screenplay Should I Write Next?
Sources for ideas are infinite. You can adapt a news story, find a novel in the public domain, or even modernize a fairytale, to list just a few options. But, no matter where the idea springs from, here is a list of what you need to ask yourself before sitting down to write your next script. (SM)
Lifehack: 10 Products to Get You Moving at Work
You’ve probably heard by now, most likely while you were parked in front of your TV or computer, that sitting kills. But mixing moving and sitting is easier said than done with a hefty workload. Here are the new gadgets and gear that can help. (CNN)