AWARDS HEADLINES
Awards 2016: Bryan Cranston to be Honored at Palm Springs Fest with Award that’s a Solid Oscar Predictor
Bryan Cranston will venture into the valley’s west side Saturday to accept the Spotlight Award, Actor, at the Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala. All past recipients received Academy Award nominations in the year they were honored. (DN)
OTHER HEADLINES
From Russia with Love – Gerard Depardieu to Play Joseph Stalin in Film Adaptation
French actor and Russian citizen Gerard Depardieu will star as Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin in a planned movie with the working title Le divan de Staline (Stalin’s Sofa). (THR)
Hollywood Publicist and Awards Consultant Murray Weissman Passes Away at 90
He was a trailblazer in the field of awards campaigning and his clients included Frank Sinatra, the Television Academy, Miramax, Judy Garland, Danny Kaye, Red Skelton, Dick Van Dyke, the Smothers Brothers. (VAR)
2015 in Review: Cable Ratings Plummet as Live Viewership Dwindles
According to Nielsen live-plus-same-day data, only three of the top 25 cable nets in 2015 demonstrated year-over-year prime time ratings growth. AMC and HGTV managed to squeak out wins in the freezing climate. (AA)
Legal Fight Breaks Out Over ‘Big Bang Theory’s’ “Soft Kitty” Song
A lawsuit over the rights to a lullaby sung on The Big Bang Theory is challenging the ownership of “Soft Kitty”. The song was so popular that CBS built a marketing campaign around it, featuring “Soft Kitty” t-shirts, plush toys, key chains, coffee mugs and hoodies. (DL)
How ‘Star Wars’ Gave New Hope to the People of Tunisia
As Star Wars: The Force Awakens continues its global box office domination, it’s worth remembering that George Lucas’ original 1977 classic tale of Jedis and the Dark Side was far from a sure thing. One fascinating side-note from Star Wars: A New Hope is the impact the film had on the small Mediterranean country of Tunisia. (DL)
Broadway Grosses Down from 2014, But There’s a Silver Lining for Disney
Despite the disappointing total overall, a healthy 18 shows grossed more than $1 million apiece, with three productions crossing the $2 million threshold. Disney’s The Lion King led the field taking in $2.5 million. (THR)
What the ‘Kim Kardashian of China’ Can Teach You About Celeb Endorsements
Chinese model-turned-actress Angelababy is about to get her big Hollywood break, playing a fighter pilot in summer 2016’s Independence Day: Resurgence. In January 2015, Angelababy had around 46 million followers on Weibo, China’s version of Twitter and knows how to plug products like no other. (AA)
Trailer Buzz: DC’s ‘Legends of Tomorrow’
The new superhero series, takes place in the same universe as Arrow and The Flash and surrounds “eight outcasts” who team up to fight a supervillain who’s trying to destroy the world. Legends of Tomorrow premieres on Thursday, January 21 at 8pm on the CW. (COL)
Online Film School: 6 Tips to Get Your Film Financed and Distributed
In an increasingly confusing world for independent film, industry heavyweights weigh in on how to get your film made. (IW)