“A TRIUMPH with Groundbreaking Sound Design

ADVEERTISEME ENT

“A TRIUMPH with groundbreaking sound design. Riz Ahmed is astonishing. It is one of the outstanding performances of this or any year. Paul Raci is a real revelation and the cast is just right”

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

MARCH 18, 2021 US $9.99 CHINA ¥80 CANADA $11.99 HONG KONG $95 UK £ 8 RUSSIA 400 AUSTRALIA $14 INDIA 800 JAPAN ¥1280

0318 WV AMAZON - metal_BARCODE_CVR1.indd 1 3/16/21 3:13 PM

ALTERED HOLLYWOOD’S WORKPLACE CULTURE BY BRENT LANG, HAS BEEN UPENDED BY COVID-19 ELAINE LOW — AND WILL BE FOREVER CHANGED & IN A POST-PANDEMIC WORLD GENE MADDAUS REALITY

Deen van Meer 03.18.2021 Cover illustration byIsabel Seliger P.

28 FEATURES 36 P.36 P.28

a safereturntotheaters Broadway isstartingtoplot year duetothepandemic, After beingshutdownfora Curtain Raiser industry playersforthescoop are lifted?Wetalkedto workplace lookoncelockdowns How willtheHollywood Scene Change to Sydneylaunchaproduction Caissie Levy onBroadway, under Disney Theatrical Prods. went Australia’s safety protocols. of “Frozen,” whichstarred VARIETY Gordon Cox By Gene Maddaus Elaine Low& Brent Lang, By P.36 ● 3

4 ● CONTENTS 03.18.2021

P.41 Variety’s Awards Season experts break down the Oscar nominations and FOCUS what the show might look like

P.54 WGA Award nominees talk about the challenges of writing in lockdown

BIZ + BUZZ P.41

P.13 21

P.13 Ratings may be slipping, but the NFL continues to push for big-money deals with its media partners

P.15 Showbizzers aren’t yet ready to jettison the scandal-plagued HFPA

P.16 Jason Derulo talks about how he reju- venated his career with TikTok videos

P.18 Andy Cohen’s “For Real: The Story of Reality TV” dives deep into the genre

P.19 Nischelle Turner nabs a historic P.45 gig on “Entertainment Tonight” “Mank” leads the Oscar nominations with 10, including one for best picture and one for its star, Gary Oldman, for actor.

OUR TOWN ARTISANS REVIEWS

FILM TV

“Zack Snyder’s “Waffles + Mochi” Justice League” P.61 P.59 P.25 27 P.55 57 P.59 61

P.25 WME’s Richard Weitz and his daughter P.55 App Castifi helps productions cut Demi have raised more than $20 mil- down on paperwork, keep costs in line lion for charities with “Quarantunes” and monitor health safety protocols

P.26 Self-help author and poet Cleo Wade P.56 Location scouts have had to change the hits the “Road” with children’s book way they search for shooting sites

P.27 Actor Jeff Lima is working to boost P.57 Tom Holkenborg started over on score Ringo Latino representation in film for “Zack Snyder’s Justice League” FACETIME P.62 Starr

Variety, VOL. 351, NO. 12 (USPS 146-820, ISSN 0011-5509) is published weekly, except the first week of September and the last week of December, with 20 special issues: Jan (1), March (4), June (5), July (5), and Aug (5) by Variety Media LLC, 11175 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025, a division of Penske Business Media. Periodicals postage paid at Los Angeles, CA and at other mailing offices. Postmaster send address changes to: Variety, P.O. Box 15759, North Hollywood, CA 91615-5759. Canada Post International Publications Mail Product (Canadian Distribution) Publications Mail Agreement No. 40043404. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: RCS International Box 697 STN A, Windsor, Ontario N9A 6N4. Sales agreement No. 0607525. Variety ©2021 by Variety Media, LLC. Variety and the Flying V logo are trademarks of Penske Business Media. Printed in the U.S.A. Mank: Netflix; Starr: Scott Robert Ritchie “BILLIE HOLIDAY IS A BRILLIANT, CAPTUREDBEAUTIFUL TALENT THRILLINGLY FOR THE AGES BY ANDRA DAY. IT’S A STUNNING PERFORMANCE.”

“ANDRA DAY’S SEARING PERFORMANCESHE SIMPLY IS BECOMES A MUST-SEE. BILLIE HOLIDAY, WITH A PRESENCE AS SINUOUS AS HER VOICE.”

A ORIGINAL FILM

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8 ● PLUGGED IN 03.18.2021

The company says it uses a data-driven Stars approach to greenlight projects, analyz- of The Biggest ing metrics from its global audience. In 2020, BuzzFeed Studios and Lionsgate Upcoming announced a partnership to develop a TV Stories of slate of feature ﬁlms aimed at millen- Premieres nial and Gen Z audiences. Also last year, BuzzFeed inked a ﬁrst-look deal with the Week From Universal Television, under which the studio will produce scripted content based on BuzzFeed News stories and Our Reporters original reporting. — Todd Spangler Compiled by Joe Otterson Hollywood Publicists to Clients: Don’t Work 2 With HFPA

More than 100 publicity ﬁrms are formally warning the HFPA that they expect to see tangible changes when it comes to diversity within the organization. A letter from the ﬁrms informed the organi- Anthony Mackie zation behind the Golden Globe Awards The Falcon and the that publicists will advise their clients not Winter Soldier to take part in HFPA press conferences or Vscore = 82 interviews until the group proves it has a He’s Captain of his own score — but plan for transforming practices that have can the series add recently come under scrutiny, including a boost? the fact that the press association has not had any Black members since at least

2002. Some of the PR firms on board Images; Donald Traill/Invision/AP Images; Byer: Agostini/Invision/AP Isabel Seliger; Mackie: Evan include ID, Viewpoint, The Lede Co., True Lucy Hale Public Relations, Shelter PR, Relevant, to Star in AMC Kovert Creative, Rogers & Cowan PMK, Crime Series Narrative, Imprint, Slate PR, Independent From ‘Killing Public Relations, and Wolf Kasteler Public Relations. — Marc Malkin Eve’ Producers Kaley Cuoco to 4 Nicole Byer Play Doris Day in The Pole Lucy Hale has signed on to star in the Vscore = 70 Limited Series BuzzFeed This animated in Development Studios Signs AMC-Alibi series “Ragdoll.” In the show could be the With CAA six-episode show, which was ordered to gift that stabilizes at Warner series in February, six people have been her number. 1 Bros. Television murdered, dismembered and sewn into the shape of one grotesque body — nick- Following their collective success with “The Flight Attendant,” 3 named the “Ragdoll.” Hale will play DC Kaley Cuoco’s Yes, Norman Prods. will again join forces with Lake Edmunds. The show is based on the Berlanti Prods. and Warner Bros. Television, this time to develop BuzzFeed Studios has signed with novel of the same name by Daniel Cole. the story of Doris Day as a limited series, having secured the CAA for representation in all areas, Filming is set to start this spring for a pre- rights to A.E. Hotchner’s “Doris Day: Her Own Story.” Hotchner as the digital media company looks to miere later this year. It will air on AMC wrote the 1976 biography based on a series of interviews with expand its slate of projects across TV, in the U.S. and Alibi in the U.K. Hale is Day, and it’s considered to be her autobiography. Cuoco will film and subscription VOD platforms. best known for her starring role in the hit JD Pardo play Day, the iconic actor, singer and animal rights activist. No BuzzFeed Studios previously was series “Pretty Little Liars,” which ran for Mayans MC network is yet attached to the project. Day, who died at age repped by WME. The division develops seven seasons and 160 episodes. She has Vscore = 54 97 in 2019, started in show business as a singer, and made her scripted and unscripted projects based also starred in the shows “Life Sentence,” His VScore is up; film debut in the late 1940s in movie musicals. In the ’50s and on existing BuzzFeed intellectual prop- “Katy Keene” and “Privileged,” among finding the reason ‘60s, she was a huge star and box office draw.— Kate Aurthur erty, including BuzzFeed News articles. others. — Joe Otterson might be EZ. Uncovered

Katharine McPhee Foster Isabel Seliger is a freelance artist and the layered approach in my work — Country Comfort illustrator based in Berlin. Her illustration and I loved working with it on this cover,” Vscore = 51 for this week’s cover captures various she says. Seliger has been published The new Netﬂix aspects of post-pandemic workplaces in in The New York Times, The New Yorker, series has put a Golden Globe: Image Group LA/HFPA; Cuoco: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Images; Hale: Blair Raughley/AP Images; Seliger: Courtesy Images; Hale: Blair Raughley/AP Strauss/Invision/AP Cuoco: Jordan LA/HFPA; Golden Globe: Image Group Hollywood. “I got requested because of Bloomberg and The Atlantic. song in her heart. Images Canadian Press/AP Lahodynskyj/The Andrew Images; Foster: Shotwell/Invision/AP Richard Pardo: TALENT MANAGEMENT

P R O U D LY C O N G R ATUT U L AT E S AARON DESSNER GRAMMY WINNER ALBUM OF THE YEAR “folklore” DANIEL PEMBERTON OSCAR NOMINEE BEST ORIGINAL SONG “Hear My Voice” from “The Trial of the Chicago 7”

0318 WV FORTRESS.v4.indd 1 3/16/21 6:31 PM 10 ● FIELD NOTES 03.18.2021

Time’s Up for the HPFA

It was a really big deal this week that more than the years, the Los Angeles Times’ recent exposé 100 of Hollywood’s most powerful public rela- containing new revelations as well as what many tions firms told the Hollywood Foreign Press in the community already knew — that HFPA Assn. they would urge their high-profile clients counts only one Black journalist among its 87 to avoid working with the organization until it can members — spurred the current outcry. “swiftly manifest profound and lasting change” So why did it take so long for any Hollywood to address its longtime discriminatory, unethical power players to finally take a hard stand against and corrupt practices. the group? The explanation is clear: Studios, net- “To reflect how urgent and necessary we feel works, streamers and publicists and their A-list this work is, we cannot advocate for our clients clients have always turned the other cheek for obvi- to participate in HFPA events or interviews as ous reasons — they want to win Globes and Oscars! we await your explicit plans and timeline for That’s why the letter from the industry’s most transformational change,” the PR outfits said in prominent publicists was so unprecedented a March 15 letter addressed to the president and and important. board chair of the HFPA. “The eyes of the indus- But even the signatories know it’s not enough. try and those who support it are watching,” the “We’re waiting for the cavalry,” a high-powered EDITOR-IN-CHIEF letter concluded. publicist told me. “We need the talent agencies, Time’s Up, which prior to the Feb. 28 Golden the streamers, the studios, the networks to be Globes broadcast called on the group to out- part of this. They need to step up.” line specific and transparent reform measures, This week, the HFPA board pledged to increase concurred. “We agree that anything less than its membership this year to at least 100, with a transparent, meaningful change will no longer “requirement” that at least 13% will be Black jour- be acceptable,” said Time’s Up president and nalists (Black people currently make up 13% of the CEO Tina Tchen. “The entire world is watching U.S. population). “They still don’t comprehend #TIMESUPGlobes.” what they need to do. Saying they’ll fill a quota Claudia Eller While the HFPA’s unscrupulous behavior has — it’s offensive,” said a publicist who asked to been the subject of countless press reports over remain anonymous.

Studios, networks, streamers and publicists and their A-list clients have always turned the other cheek for obvious reasons — they want to win Globes and Oscars!” BID NOW at zachys.com/ConsciousCollection and join co-hosts Antonio Galloni, Dave Portnoy and Guy Fieri on Friday, April 9, at 6 p.m. EST for a livestream auction of celebrity experiences and exclusive wines and spirits, beneǙ ting The Barstool Fund’s eǖ orts to support the struggling hospitality industry.

Variety Ad_The Conscious Collection.indd 1 3/12/2021 3:38:02 PM Untitled-1 1 3/15/21 7:28 PM Untitled-2 1 3/12/21 10:28 AM 03.18.2021 VARIETY ● 13 BIZ+ BUZZ

The NFL is squeezing Down, Set … Price Hike media partners, even as ratings decline

By Cynthia Littleton

They’re on the 10-yard line. Five media giants are close to finaliz- ing new TV deals with the NFL that will solidify the rights holders and the platforms that will showcase professional gridiron action for the coming decade. The NFL bills will amount to steep, nearly 100% increases in some cases over the last major round of football pacts set in late 2011. The price hikes, for deals expected to run at least 10 years, come at a challenging time for four of the five companies involved. The ones that aren’t named “Amazon” and buoyed by a market cap of more than $1 trillion face the pros- pect of paying significantly more for less at a time when they are also pressured

Ben Liebenberg/AP Images Ben Liebenberg/AP CBS’ deal with the NFL gave it the right to air the most recent Super Bowl, won by Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. to invest in streaming platforms and 14 ● BIZ + BUZZ 03.18.2021

other innovations for the fast-changing, increasingly global content business. Disney, Comcast and ViacomCBS have to dig deeper to cover the NFL bill (starting with the 2022 football season for Disney and in 2023 for the others) even as all three conglomerates are in the transition phase of forgoing highly prof- itable movie and TV content licensing deals in order to stock in-house streaming platforms with marquee content. It’s a perfect storm of the expense and revenue lines going in the wrong direction, at least for a little while. Fox Corp. is also bracing for higher pigskin prices starting in 2023, although the slimmed-down Murdoch empire has yet to place a large bet on a streaming strategy. Not only have live football ratings indis- putably been trending down in recent years, but the league is believed to be carving out more discrete streaming rights to games that were previously exclusive to its TV partners. The respected audiences. That matters to the networks Lead CBS NFL Disney is deep in investment mode as it acknowledged “the most likely scenario” media research firm MoffettNathanson that bank on having the largest reach. The sideline reporter boldly pivots to direct-to-consumer plat- would be giving up “TNF” and retaining hope is that making the game available in Tracy Wolfson covers forms. The runup in the company’s stock its Sunday NFC conference rights, which described the dynamics as “broadly nega- a Cowboys-Giants tive” for Disney, Comcast and ViacomCBS. new formats and new places will bring game at Metlife price even as the pandemic has walloped keeps it in Super Bowl rotation. along a younger generation of fans that Stadium in New Disney’s parks division speaks volumes Amazon is expected to take on a bigger profile as an NFL partner by grabbing at present seem to be tuning out linear Jersey; Al Michaels about Wall Street’s faith in the company VIACOMCBS TV at alarming levels. and Cris Collinsworth to figure out the right path for a new era of the “Thursday Night Football” package work the booth at Of all the incumbent players, ViacomCBS previously held by Fox. Here’s a look at what the NFL renew- “NBC Sunday Night TV. Plus, the ESPN infrastructure allows is going to feel the pinch of NFL inflation Sports is seen as one of the last pillars of als mean for each of the expected Football.” Disney to do more with its costly football on its balance sheet the most. the traditional linear TV bundle that has major partners. content than most of its rivals. ViacomCBS is already in a delicate been anchored for decades by ESPN, local position, with Wall Street scrutinizing sports channels and more recently Fox DISNEY/ESPN/ABC COMCAST/NBCUNIVERSAL every penny of affiliate fee and adver- Sports. But media observers see the move- Disney is likely to see the lowest rate of NBCUniversal is looking at a 100% tising revenue for signs of earnings ment of more sports to niche streamers à deal-to-deal increase because the com- price jump to hang on to “Sunday Night erosion among its suite of vintage cable la ESPN Plus and Peacock as accelerating pany has historically paid higher prices Football” in the coming decade. It’s networks. The Redstone empire is cord-cutting and the continued reduction than broadcast rivals for the “Monday understood that carving out games and attempting to reinvent itself by expand- of linear MVPD subscribers. And unlike Night Football” package that has been on other content to be shared on Peacock ing into subscription and free streaming a decade ago, this time around it will be ESPN since 2006. Disney also shells out and possibly USA Network is also a focus platforms and by growing its linear and nearly impossible for the networks to for the array of highlight reels needed of NBCU’s talks with the league. digital footprints overseas. leverage the higher cost of sports rights to power coverage on ESPN and its NBCU’s announcement that its NBC The company is doing all this under into higher retransmission consent fees many offshoots. Sports Network cabler will shutter at the strain of debt that piled up during from the largest cable and satellite dis- The new deal will bring ABC back year’s end is a sign of how the sports the previous decade. For full-year tributors. Instead, the cable MVPDs have onto the field for the first time in more TV marketplace has taken a turn for 2020, the conglomerate had free cash vowed to focus on the growing numbers of than 15 years — a move that Disney needs the worse. NBCSN was hatched on the flow of about $1.9 billion, according to broadband subscribers as they lose video in order to improve the broadcast net- heels of Comcast’s January 2011 takeover MoffettNathanson research, and nearly customers at a steady clip. work’s standing with MVPD partners. of NBCUniversal, when the MVPD uni- $20 billion in long-term debt. Like Disney In this round of negotiations, the NFL is It’s expected that select “MNF” games verse was still growing and Netflix was and Comcast, ViacomCBS is now in the the only force with real leverage because will be simulcast on ABC, and that ABC nowhere on the horizon. position of giving up revenue from syn- even with ratings declines, the league’s will rejoin the Super Bowl rotation with NBCUniversal intends to fold in some dication and international sales to divert games still consistently draw TV’s largest CBS, Fox and NBC. of the higher-profile sports rights that movies and TV shows like “A Quiet Place had been on NBCSN, including NHL II” and “Younger” to the Paramount Plus games, to USA Network as of next year. streamer. In this environment, layering USA was once the No. 1 general enter- on an extra $1 billion for rights fees may Moneyball Here’s what media giants are expected to pay for NFL rights tainment cabler, but now NBCU’s cable require looking under some couch cush- flagship needs to be bolstered by sports ions — or belt-tightening in other areas. • • • • • content to maintain its distribution and DISNEY/ COMCAST/ VIACOMCBS FOX CORP. AMAZON subscriber fees. AMAZON ESPN/ABC NBCUNIVERSAL The e-commerce giant has a deal with Market cap: Market cap: Market cap: Market cap: Market cap: FOX CORP. the NFL to air “Thursday Night Football” $357.9 billion $261.5 billion $58.8 billion $24.6 billion $1.6 trillion The old Fox Broadcasting Co. was pro- games through 2022, and is seen as the Estimated new Estimated new Estimated new Estimated new Estimated new pelled significantly in the mid-1990s when leading candidate to take on that fran- NFL rights fee: NFL rights fee: NFL rights fee: NFL rights fee: NFL rights fee: Rupert Murdoch shocked the industry by chise if Fox lets it go (Amazon streams $2.5 billion- $1.9 billion $2 billion $2 billion $700 million- $2.6 billion $1 billion stealthily elbowing CBS out of its Sunday the Fox feed of the game). If that comes Previous Previous Previous NFL package. But the new-model Fox isn’t in to pass, it will be a nod to the looming Previous NFL deal: NFL deal: pacts: Previous NFL pact: $960 million $1 billion $1.1 billion NFL pact: N/A the market for loss leaders. power streaming media could have over $1.9 billion (NFC conference) Fox executives were quick to telegraph sports. But there are still questions con- % increase: % increase: % increase: $660 million % increase: 100% 100% N/A in earnings calls and investor confer- cerning how Amazon will produce a tele- (“Thursday Night 30%-40% ences that the network would not seek cast without a major media company like Football”) to renew its “Thursday Night Football” Fox to assist. % increase: package beyond its 2022 expiration date. approximately 100%

Sources: Variety research; MoffettNathanson Earlier this month CEO Lachlan Murdoch Brian Steinberg contributed to this report. Rosenthal/NBC Zade CBS; Michaels/Collinsworth: Wolfson: Brown/Watson: Image Group LA/HFPA: Vivero: Warner Music Group 03.18.2021 member Academy). bers, asopposedtothenearly10,000- group ofjournalists(almost90mem- influence wieldedby the notoriously lean cial irregularities andthequestionable ing two damningreports aboutfinan- the nearly80-year-old franchise, follow- dios considered anoutrightboycott of HFPA totake ahike. and stars aren’t quiteready totellthe agents andcelebritywranglers, studios lost theirluster. if theGoldenGlobeshave permanently many inshow businessare wondering members andshoddyethicalpractices, mired inascandalover itslackofBlack With theHollywood Foreign Press Assn. By MattDonnelly Ready to Quit theGlobes Studios, Stars Aren’t Quite — itwould threaten themicro-economy decades, itwould bemore thansymbolic included aBlackjournalist inatleasttwo the HFPA, whosemembershiphasnot declined tocommentforthisstory. opportunity topassup. TheHFPA of millionsviewers was toogoodan chance totearfullyacceptaprizeinfront younger actorsandnewshows, andthe in thepastistohelpraise theprofile of nominees. OnethingtheGlobeshasdone cast stalledduetoasurplusoffirst-time of anA-list boycott ofthisyear’s tele- actors andfilmmakers says discussion stage attheBeverly HiltonHotel. invites itsstarhosts tomockitfrom the a criticalmasswithbodythatopenly ous sources say, exasperation reached to theOscarstage. Yet thisyear, numer- as akey momentumbuilderonthe road secret thattheGoldenGlobesare seen wants this,’” theexecutive says. It’s no another, lesstoxic awards show. eye toinvesting inraising theprofile of theHFPA,explored withan “icingout” condition ofanonymity says hiscompany ruary’s broadcast, two majorfilmstu- If studios and stars took a stand against If studiosandstarstookastandagainst Another high-profile adviserto “The feedbackwe gotwas, ‘Thetalent One studio executive speakingonthe In thedays leadinguptolast Feb- According totopfilmexecutives, O a s th al uld threaten the micro-economy uld threaten themicro-economy i P ll d t d r - o d e h u ast istohel rces sa ts star scar sta , itwou momentum t n o tearfu list bo actorsan A, w ios an s. Onet e aB ns ofviewers was too tocommentfort h at masswit nit d er d e Bever fi

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G Globes onFeb. 28. Watson present anaward attheGolden Brown andSusanKelechiSterling K. ture thatcurrently defineit.” the institutionalinequityandinsularcul- companies read, “and thosewhosanction Association,” ajointstatementfrom 102 clients andtheHollywood Foreign Press relationship between ouragencies, our immediate andirreparable damagetothe and ourglobalaudiencewillresult in dignity ofourclients, theircolleagues respects andhonors thediversity and transparent, meaningfulchangethat in whichtoconductsit-downs. between lavish spreads andhotelsuites up to$40k apop, anothersource says, ences withtheHFPA canrunstudios until itcleansupitsact.Press confer- in events andinterviews withthegroup advise theirclientstostopparticipating open lettertotheHFPA saying theywill show business publicityfirmssignedan for aliving. Thisweek, dozensoftop especially inatown thatdoesjust that prime placement. ers, drivers andbrands thatpaybigfor ists, fashionhouses, luxuryhotels, cater- including stylists, hair andmakeup art- that hassprunguparound theshow, argues oneentertainmentattorney, lob Dialing upthedrama isnecessary, “Please know thatanything lessthan es o n Feb. 28 . Source: eMarketer estimates, January2021 alums Ben JacobsonandDavid alums Ben Stone. Shehadbeenalitagent have joined the Lede Co. public have joinedtheLede Co.public global publicityandawards for has joinedTCM asVPof brand in DisneyandNike marketing. Guitar Centerandhasworked had beencreative director for the shinglelaunchedbyWME Lori Burns has joinedTFC Management, STX hadheaded Films.Chang relations firm. Burns was with relations firm.Burnswaswith and creative marketing. He with Paradigm since2013. COVID KICK DIGITAL MEDIA’S Warner Bros. Pictures. *Traditional media includesTV,newspapers,magazines andradio Average timespentperdayinU.S. (inhoursandminutes) 2021 2020 2019 Traditional* Digital Dexter Fedor Ellie Klein and IN Emmy Chang EmmyChang

decades agoandsoldtoBMG the companyhefounded two of theDAZN sportsstreamer. duction venture Meadowlark is leavingS-CurveRecords, has steppeddownaschair in 2015.Hewillcontinueto 15 years withtheSpanish- Media withDanLe Batard. language giant.Shemost He launchedcontentpro- has exitedUnivisionafter manage thepoptrioAJR. communications ofﬁcer. recently servedaschief Rosemary Mercedes Steve Greenberg researcher eMarketer. three extraminutesfortraditionalmedia,per zoomed upjustoveronehour,comparedwith Americans’ dailyusageofdigitalmediain2020 media. ButCOVID-19crankedthatintooverdrive: than onold-fashionedTVandothertraditional video, digitalaudioandsocialnetworks— more timewithdigitalmedia—includingstreaming Before thepandemic,peoplewerealreadyspending John Skipper OUT and execVP,globalcommercial — Todd Spangler Todd — brand marketing for Hallmark part of RedArrow Studios.He Channel parentChannel Crown Global production anddevelopment senior director of marketing. at Warner MusicGroup since joined thecompanyin2015. 1988, has been upped to GM 1988, hasbeenuppedtoGM services at WMG’s label and services atWMG’slabeland has beenpromoted toVPof has advanced toexecVPof 5:30 Brand Group. Hehadbeen at KargaSevenPictures, artist servicesarmWEA. 5:44 5:47 Michael Grover Elsa Vivero, Jason Wolf UP 6:49 VARIETY 7:50 7:57 ● 15 16 ● BIZ + BUZZ 03.18.2021

How singer Jason Derulo The TikTok Effect cracked the code on the video platform and resurrected his career

By Jem Aswad

At the end of 2019, singer Jason Derulo’s career was at a low ebb. While the singer had enjoyed a string of multiplatinum singles and Teen Choice Awards in the early 2010s, he hadn’t had a major hit in several years, and an attempt at branch- ing into acting — in the epic star-studded ﬂop “Cats” — hadn’t really worked out. He was a 30-year-old former pop star who’d just split from Warner Bros., the only record company he’d ever called home. Then the pandemic hit. But while hunkered down at home, Derulo began experimenting with TikTok, ﬁlming videos — some music-based, some not — in his Los Angeles home: short, funny clips starring him, his girlfriend and their dogs. The posts caught on fast, rack- ing up millions of views and likes, showing a dedication to feeding the pipeline with content, discipline he’d developed from years of performing, and a previously unrevealed gift for comic timing. “I tried a dance challenge or two when TikTok started,” Derulo recalls. “But because I was at home, I started to experiment with it. More than half of the top TikTok videos are comedy, so I’d post things and be like, ‘OK, they don’t respond to this, but they seem to like that,’ and learned what made it tick,” he laughs, “for lack of a better word. And it all just kinda exploded.” Early in the process, he met with Isabel Quinteros Annous, TikTok’s head of music partnerships and artist relations. “He said, ‘Isabel, I want to be No. 1,’” she recalls. “So we spent about two hours going through best practices, how to cre- Jason Derulo has been the most ate content and talking through a content followed music artist strategy. That was last March, when he on TikTok since March 2020. had about 6 million followers — and now Martin Depict 03.18.2021 VARIETY ● 17

VARIETY INTELLIGENCE PLATFORM VIP+

AWARDS SHOWS’ PANDEMIC PLUNGE By Gavin Bridge

The COVID-19 pandemic can add televised awards shows to the list of media content it has negatively impacted. The Grammys were the most recent program to see a huge decline, down by 52.9%, or 8.8 million viewers, following in the footsteps of the Critics’ Choice TV Awards (-69.4%, or 828,000 viewers) and the Golden Globes (-62.3%, or 11.4 million viewers). VIP’s analysis of 12 awards shows taking place during the pandemic saw an astronomical he has 43.7 million. That is having two or three sentences on the average audience decline of -37.6% versus the prior year. More concerning: growth in just 12 months.” screen, but just long enough for people Not only was Derulo the most followed to read just the first one, so they have to Viewing declines have accelerated in recent months. Given this trend, all eyes artist on the platform (he ranks 12th over- watch the whole video again to read the will be on the audience figures for the Oscars when they’re released on April 26. all, behind social media personalities rest of it.” He pauses. “I have a million Charli D’Amelio and Addison Rae) but he things like that.” For more data from VIP+, visit variety.com/vip. has a graphic novel, a podcast, a vodka line But the biggest coup from his TikTok and a book about social media strategy in success is his new record deal, which the works. Most significantly, last month came after he and his longtime man- he inked a long-term deal with Atlantic ager, Frank Harris, launched a series Pandemic Year Two years year prior prior Records, after launching several singles of singles on their own label that they embraced by a rabid TikTok audience. licensed to different distributors, includ- Many of the songs by older artists that ing Atlantic. After parting ways with have exploded on TikTok have been Warner, “we thought about going back flukes — like Fleetwood Mac’s 45-year-old to the major label system, but the right “Dreams” — but Derulo is downright sci- deals weren’t out there,” Harris says. “So entific about his posts and made sure that we said, ‘We’re gonna do this our way,’ Grammys 8.8m 18.7m 19.9m he’d established himself on the platform and we started rolling out music.” Derulo before he tried promoting music to his had five successful singles — including followers. How did he accomplish that? the smashes “Savage Love” (with Jawsh “It’s kinda deep,” he says. “Everybody 685) and “Take You Dancing” — inside of has a different audience, and you have to a year by the time he signed with Atlantic, spend some time to get to know yours. a deal that also includes his and Harris’ Then, the most important thing is good label, Future History. lighting, and use trending songs because It’s all no accident, according to Golden 6.9m 18.3m 18.6m they capture people’s interest instantly. Quinteros Annous. “Jason is the king Globes Also, start your [video] with a close-up of TikTok because he not only delivers — you have literally one second to stop amazing content that goes viral all the people from scrolling, so what are you time, but he also delivers on the music,” going to do with that second? Quick cuts she says. “If you look at his body of work, keep people’s attention,” he continues he’s had at least four songs trend on the enthusiastically, “and there’s tricks like platform. The sky is the limit for him.”

CMAs 7.1m 11.3m 10.1m

Emmys 6.4m 7.0m 10.2m

MTV 3.7m 5.1m 4.9m VMAs

Critics’ 365k 1.2m 1.5m Choice Everybody has a different audience, and you have to spend some time to get to know yours.” — Jason Derulo Source: Variety Intelligence Platform Analysis 18 ● BIZ + BUZZ 03.18.2021

Bravo’s griller-in-chief Andy Cohen Gets His goes deep with a new docu-series about Reality TV Ph.D. the genre he adores

By Kate Aurthur

he traveled to Los Angeles for the premiere episode to talk to the Kardashian family at Khloé’s house. Cohen points to interviews he did with Jason and Molly Mesnick of “The Bachelor” about how the contestants are manipulated by producers, and an interview with Black women of reality TV, as conversations in which he learned things himself. Vivica A. Fox, who appeared on Donald Trump’s “Celebrity Apprentice” in 2015, recounts to Cohen her experience of Ivanka Trump telling her she’s “articulate.” As he winces, Fox says, “I don’t think she knew at the time she was insulting us.” He replies, “I don’t think she knows now.” “It’s a total microaggression, and awful,” Cohen says to Variety. Cohen remembers one marital breakup on an early season of “The Real Housewives of Orange County” as the moment he realized that the show wasn’t merely providing silly, escapist entertainment but was chronicling people’s actual lives —as riveting as soap operas, which Cohen loves. “Oh, my God, Jeana is separating from her husband! What do the kids think? Is she going to start dating now?” he remembers thinking after hearing that cast member Jeana was splitting up with Matt Keough. “These are the reactions you have about a friend or someone you care program’s host and executive pro- wanted to work with the company, he about. But it’s also the reaction you have ducer, is moved to tears at the sight says: “This is the perfect marriage.” With when you’re watching ‘All My Children’ of four of the cast members of the origi- Bunim/Murray, Cohen, who has an and Erica says, ‘I want a divorce.’” nal “Real World.” Wiping his eyes as Julie overall deal with NBCU and a first- Cohen is well aware of the criticism Gentry, Heather B. Gardner, Norman look deal at Bravo, quickly sold the pitch leveled at reality television — as one of Korpi and Eric Nies greet one another, to E!, where it ﬁt in with the channel’s its most prominent producers, he’s often a choked-up Cohen tells them, “It’s beau- docs programming. its target. But as “For Real” illustrates, tiful to see you all together.” The unscripted genre, spanning nearly one striking thing about the genre is that Cohen’s tears surprised him, he 30 years since that “Real World” pre- it can’t help revealing the world as it is, tells Variety: “I had been excited about miere, which kicked off the modern age whether that’s how people live in the it, but I never expected to start crying.” of reality, is, as Cohen says, “a vast topic.” COVID era, or how this season of “The “For Real,” a seven-part series about To make sense of it, “For Real” divides Bachelor,” meant to be the franchise’s the history of reality television that pre- the seven episodes into subgenres, victory lap for casting its first Black mieres on E! on March 25, is the 14th such as celebreality (“The Osbournes,” man as a lead in Matt James, instead If you think that Andy Cohen — the exec- show Cohen has produced for NBC “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” and has imploded from the weight of the rac- utive producer of Bravo’s many “Real Universal, a total that includes the everything in between) or romance (“The ism inherent in the show itself. “You want Housewives” shows and the host eight “Real Housewives” installments Bachelor,” “90 Day Fiancé”), with each to create these escapist shows,” Cohen of the network’s late-night talk show currently in rotation on Bravo. Bunim/ episode anchored by sit-down interviews says, “but the truth is, the real world as “Watch What Happens Live” — has Murray — a production company iconic conducted by Cohen. it is will always seep in. seen it all over his years in televi- in the world of reality TV, having cre- “For Real” was entirely produced “And I know that a lot of people say it’s sion, think again. In the second epi- ated MTV’s archetypal “The Real World” during COVID, and Cohen ﬁlmed most Andy Cohen on horribly detrimental to society. But I think sode of his E! docu-series, “For Real: in 1992 — approached Cohen with the of the interviews in a Brooklyn studio “For Real: The Story that if you think it’s terrible to society, you of Reality TV” The Story of Reality TV,” Cohen, the idea for the series in 2019. He’d always in late summer, he says, except when probably don’t watch the shows!” E! Entertainment 03.18.2021 VARIETY ● 19

Gayle King Spills Nischelle Turner the Royal Tea Becomes First Black By Manori Ravindran Woman to Co-Host ‘ET’ By Angelique Jackson

conversation with Harry and then have Gayle King report it.” Fitzwilliams’ response reflects a wari- ness among British media about Markle and Prince Harry’s revelations in their interview with Winfrey. U.K. outlets In one week, Meghan Markle and Prince have focused efforts largely on debunk- Harry’s nuclear CBS interview with ing points made by the couple regarding Oprah Winfrey became a global televi- their son Archie’s eligibility for a title, sion event that toppled incendiary pre- rather than interrogating racism within senter Piers Morgan from “Good Morning the royal family or a lack of mental health Britain” and now leaves a sizable question support for Markle. mark over Sharon Osbourne’s future as a On March 12, the results of a poll by co-host at “The Talk.” data analytics firm YouGov revealed that But it’s the war of words being played the couple’s ratings have fallen to their out across the Atlantic that has prompted lowest levels ever in the U.K. extensive pearl-clutching from British Around 45% of Brits have a positive Nischelle Turner, on the “ET” set, will co-anchor the show with Kevin Frazier. royal watchers puzzled by U.S. outlets opinion of Prince Harry, while 48% see controlling the narrative about the him negatively, giving a net score of -3 — a Johnson. “Celebrities respect her skills British royal family. precipitous drop of 15 points from March as a seasoned journalist, and our audi- In the latest jaw-dropping develop- 2, and the first time U.K. attitudes have ence has taken notice of her fun chem- ment, Gayle King, a co-host on “CBS This tipped into the negative for the prince. istry with Kevin [Frazier]. There is no Morning” and Winfrey’s BFF, revealed As for Markle, 31% have a positive one more deserving to lead ‘ET’ in our on March 16 that Prince Harry has been opinion of her, while 58% view her history-making 40th season and beyond.” in touch with his father, Prince Charles, negatively, giving her a net rating of -27, “Entertainment Tonight” has found The pairing of Frazier and Turner and brother, Prince William. down from -14. its newest co-host, elevating Nischelle is also significant; they’ll be the first “The word I was given was that those In comparison, a Morning Consult poll Turner to the top job alongside current two Black people to host “ET” in a full- conversations were not productive,” King of 2,200 U.S. adults before the interview host Kevin Frazier. With the promotion, time capacity. declared live on TV. “No one in the royal and 838 post-interview found the share Turner makes history as the first Black “If I’m being honest,” says Turner, family has talked to Meghan yet.” of Americans with a favorable view of woman to serve as co-host of “ET.” “there was always a thought in the back To see a major update on private Markle surged from 45% to 67%, while “It means everything to me,” Turner of my head, ‘Is the audience in America family conversations revealed by an Harry rose from 46% to 69%. tells Variety of the historic moment. ready for two Black hosts up there American broadcaster rather than the Chris Ship, royal correspondent for “Make no mistake about it: I believe and together?’ and the answer that America British press is unprecedented, says royal broadcaster ITV, which aired the pro- have always believed that I was the best gave us was ‘Yes.’” commentator Richard Fitzwilliams. gram in the U.K., tells Variety that the person for the job, but it was never lost Turner was on location in Philadelphia “If you’d told me, I wouldn’t have impact at home is “slightly bigger” than on me that it was also bigger than just filming her upcoming CBS reality series believed it,” a flabbergasted Fitzwilliams even Princess Diana’s landmark inter- me. I would be representing an under- “Secret Celebrity Renovation” when she tells Variety. “This is one of the royal fam- view with the BBC’s “Panorama” pro- served group of people who are finally got the call. Almost immediately, the tears ily’s worst nightmares.” gram in 1995. getting a moment in the spotlight — and began flowing. “I’ve heard from so many Buckingham Palace is likely “very wor- “What Harry and Meghan have done a well-deserved moment.” women of color who have aspirations ried” but, notably, is in uncharted terri- has really damaged the royal family’s rep- Turner has won four Daytime Emmys to be in this business and have so many tory and “won’t know how to respond,” utation in the U.S.,” Ship says. “You have as an “ET” correspondent and weekend questions, and say how they have followed Fitzwilliams says. “It’s not possible to think: How long does that international co-host since joining the show in 2014. my career or look up to my career,” says to kknownow hhowow on eartearthh you can hhaveave a reputationreputation for thethe royalroyal familyfamily last?”last?” In her new role, announced by executive Turner. “In taking this next step, I feel like producer Erin Johnson, she joins an elite I’m taking them all with me.” PPrincerince HarryHarry and (and small) group of women who have News of Turner’s promotion comes MMeghaneghan Markle were co-hosted the top-ranked entertainment during a challenging time for the show, iinterviewednterviewed bbyy OprahOprah news show — Mary Hart (who anchored where the entire “ET” team has had to WiWinfreynfrey on MMarcharch 7.7. from 1982-2011) and Nancy O’Dell (2011 make major shifts due to the pandemic. to 2019). “We’ve tackled new topics, social THISTHIS IS ONE “Nischelle can do it all. She can go justice angles and how this is affecting OF TTHE ROYAL from a heartfelt conversation with Oscar Hollywood, and expanded our minds FAMFAMILY'S WORWORST winner Viola Davis about the impact of and our coverage, and it’s been great NNIGHTMARES."IGH Cicely Tyson to singing karaoke on a bal- to see,” says Turner. “And our audience --RICHARDRIC cony with Jimmy Fallon. She is warm, is expanding with it. I think that puts a FFITZWILLIAMSITZ Meghan/Harry: Joe Pugliese/Harpo Productions; Turner: Kevin Frazier Frazier Kevin Turner: Meghan/Harry: Joe Pugliese/Harpo Productions; thoughtful and full of energy,” says great stamp on the 40th season.” 20 ● BIZ + BUZZ 03.18.2021

Who Will Win Best Picture?

These five Oscar contenders have a fighting chance

By Clayton Davis

The Oscar nominations announced on ensemble at the SAG Awards. One year thriller was the special number it needed March 15 didn’t offer too many surprises, after Neon’s big victory for “Parasite,” if to make the case: It’s a spoiler in the but the race for best picture in this uncon- A24 can get the SAG voting body to check best picture category. Carey Mulligan ventional year is still wide open. Here’s off “Minari” for cast ensemble, the movie may have missed an actress nomination how one of these five nominees could win can be an upset winner in the midst of from BAFTA, but so did more than half the top trophy on April 25. an unpredictable year. The film will need of her Oscar-nominated counterparts. more trophies from its six nominations, in Emphasis on original screenplay could “MANK” (NETFLIX) categories like supporting actress (Yuh- showcase that the first-time director’s If you’re the most nominated film of Jung Youn), original screenplay and film is widely popular and could garner the lot — “Mank” leads all films with perhaps even original score, if the studio the No. 2 and 3 votes that help in a pref- 10 nominations — that typically makes wants to pull another “Moonlight”-style erential tally. you a heavy favorite to win it all. Despite upset from its hat. the movie missing out on an original “THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7” screenplay nom, director David Fincher “NOMADLAND” (NETFLIX) is overdue by Academy standards, with (SEARCHLIGHT PICTURES) Aaron Sorkin’s historical drama came up AWARDS CIRCUIT big losses for “The Social Network” and Chloé Zhao’s historic four Oscar nomi- short in best director, but in recent years, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” nations are the most for any woman. As that hasn’t stopped films like “Argo” Old Hollywood is catnip for the Academy, producer, director, writer and editor, and “Green Book” from winning best and the streamer would be wise to key she received most of her film’s six nom- picture. SAG ensemble would give it a in on its production elements and find a inations. “Nomadland” is an important needed boost, and if the film can prove way to have Amanda Seyfried become the slice of Americana, showcasing another its worth by winning the Producers Guild Film Awards Editor new Regina King (“If Beale Street Could side of the country in a divided time. If of America Award, then we’ll have a bona Clayton Davis provides his analysis, Talk”), who won the supporting actress it focuses on the thematic strengths and fide race on our hands. This could end up predictions and perspective on Oscar without a SAG nomination, one of an outstanding performance by Frances going the way of “Spotlight,” which won the battle for Oscars, Golden Globes only three people to pull that off. McDormand, it could land crucial No. 1 the top category and original screenplay and other honors. votes. It also helps that McDormand seems only, and seems plausible at this juncture. “MINARI” (A24) a shoo-in to win the DGA. Lee Isaac Chung’s touching drama net- Other nominees: “The Father” (Sony ted nearly everything required of a best “PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN” Pictures Classics), “Judas and the Black picture winner, showcasing broad guild (FOCUS FEATURES) Messiah” (Warner Bros.), “Sound of

support and even pulling a nom for cast Five noms for Emerald Fennell’s revenge Metal” (Amazon Studios) Shawna X/© A.M.P.A.S. Frank Ockenfels/Showtime calculus for programmers Fell to Earth,’ reflecting new shuffle ‘Halo,’ Who ‘Man Showtime, Paramount Plus By CynthiaLittleton STRICTLY BUSINESS Into Place Pieces Fall How the 03.18.2021 deals anddealmakers who drive Co-editor-in-chief Cynthia entertainment business. Littleton examines the the globalmediaand send “Halo,” thelong-awaited adapta- half ofthedecisionmadelastmonthto show’s seguetoShowtime isthesecond Paramount Plus, néeCBSAllAccess. The at Showtime. “The Man WhoFell toEarth”haslanded broad-appeal drama than“Man WhoFell.” “Halo” was shapinguptobemore ofa Earth” was driven by therealization that swap for“Halo” and“Man WhoFell to officer ofCBS, explainsthattheplatform Showtime Networks andchiefcreative window onasiblingchannel. or not,togive ashow asecond(orthird) form optionsandstrategize how quickly, Today, execs stare atgridsofmultiple plat- be besttoturnanewshow intoabighit. figure outwhichnightandtimeslotwould content-hungry streaming platforms. entertainment’s biggest players launch networks andstudios allacross town as tion ofthecalculationsgoingonatmajor the makingatcabler. Paramount Plusafter ithadbeenyears in tion ofthepopularXbox videogame, to Ejiofor was originally developed for The drama seriesstarring Chiwetel David of Nevins, chairman-CEO Programmers were oncechallengedto The seriesshuffleisaperfectillustra- As ViacomCBS refines itsthree-pronged judge, was aquietsmash,ranking asone ring Bryan Cranston asacompromised Honor,” the limitedseriespotboilerstar- care and feedingofParamount Plus. “Your even ifthefocusforViacomCBS isonthe it themost samplingandmedia attention. downstream windowing strategy toget a show andplottingthemosteffective art thesedaysisknowing where toplace outlets underasinglecommand.The programming decisionsformultiple giants have reorganized tocentralize engines. Most ofHollywood’s media of theconglomerate’s various content council, aregular gatheringofleaders making thesekindofbrand decisions.” with Showtime, we’re really divinginto with Paramount Plusandpremium pay doing free withPluto, broad pay streaming Paramount Plus. Now thatwe know we’re before we really laidoutthestrategy for ence,” Nevins says. “It was [ordered] Showtime toamore four-quadrant audi- Plus andShowtime are tryingtoreach. in termsoftheaudiencesthatParamount service), theseriesshufflemakes sense voluminous PlutoTVfree streaming streaming strategy (which includesthe Showtime iscomingoffastrong year, “‘Halo’ was anattempttobroaden Nevins oversees ViacomCBS’ content Paramount Plus. divert allcontentto too valuable to Showtime brand considers the all time.ViacomCBS watched seriesof Showtime’s most Bryan Cranston, was Honor,” starring Limited series“Your strategic aboutit.” windowing. You’ve gottobesmartand going tohelpeachother withinternal leaders “have tothinkabouthow they’re says. ViacomCBS’ platform andcontent to buildlong-term assetvalue,” Nevins be supremely objective. budgets andshows, programmers must a different way tothinkaboutthings.” demic, hasforced mediaCEOsto“find the marketplace, accelerated by thepan- world,” hesays. Thegeneral disruptionin streaming world andthetraditional TV Showtime brand isvaluable inboththe tion overwhelms viewers withchoices. give upatatimewhenPeak TVproduc- the Showtime brand istoovaluable to pay TVstalwart since2010, countersthat ing streamer. Nevins, whohasheadedthe resources shouldbediverted tothefledg- lysts aboutwhetherShowtime’s content has spurred questionsfrom mediaana- a metricthatisimportanttostreamers. completion rates,” Nevins notes, citing 45-year history. “It had incredibly high of themostwatched seriesinShowtime’s show isgoingtohave thebestchance “We needtothinkaboutwhere a Instead ofwrestling internallyover “We thinkthepureness ofthe The March 4debutofParamount Plus VARIETY ● 21 Ȃ ǻǹǻǺ

BEST FILM EE BRITISH ACADEMY THE FATHER Philippe Carcassonne, SUPPORTING ACTRESS MAKE UP & HAIR ěĖǓ COLLECTIVE Alexander Nanau NIAMH ALGAR Calm With Horses THE DIG Jenny Shircore THE MAURITANIAN Adam Ackland, Leah Clarke, ɇ KOSAR ALI Rocks HILLBILLY ELEGY Patricia Dehaney, Eryn Krueger FILM AWARDS Beatriz Levin, Lloyd Levin Alastair Fothergill, Jonnie Hughes, MARIA BAKALOVA Ǔ Mekash, Matthew Mungle NOMADLAND Mollye Asher, Dan Janvey, Keith Scholey DOMINIQUE FISHBACK Judas and the MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM űĖ Frances McDormand, THE DISSIDENT Bryan Fogel, Thor Halvorssen Black Messiah Larry M. Cherry, Sergio Lopez-Rivera, Mia Neal Ǻǹ–ǺǺ ǻǹǻǺ Peter Spears, Chloé Zhao MY OCTOPUS TEACHER Pippa Ehrlich, ASHLEY MADEKWE County Lines MANK Kimberley Spiteri, Gigi Williams PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN Ben Browning, James Reed, Craig Foster ɚ Minari PINOCCHIO Mark Coulier Emerald Fennell, Ashley Fox, Josey McNamara THE SOCIAL DILEMMA űĖ bafta.org | #EEBAFTAs ȀStuart Besser, Larissa Rhodes SUPPORTING ACTOR SOUND Marc Platt DANIEL KALUUYA Judas and the Black Messiah GREYHOUND Nominations TBC ANIMATED FILM BARRY KEOGHAN Calm With Horses NEWS OF THE WORLD Michael Fentum, OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM ONWARD Dan Scanlon, Kori Rae ALAN KIM Minari William Miller, Mike Prestwood Smith, CALM WITH HORSES Nick Rowland, SOUL Pete Docter, Dana Murray LESLIE ODOM JR. One Night in Miami… John Pritchett, Oliver Tarney Daniel Emmerson, Joe Murtagh WOLFWALKERS Tomm Moore, Ross Stewart, CLARKE PETERS Da 5 Bloods NOMADLAND Sergio Diaz, Zach Seivers, THE DIG Simon Stone, Gabrielle Tana, Paul Young PAUL RACI Sound of Metal M. Wolf Snyder Ų SOUL Coya Elliott, Ren Klyce, David Parker THE FATHER Florian Zeller, Philippe Carcassone, DIRECTOR ORIGINAL SCORE SOUND OF METAL Jaime Baksht, Nicolas Becker, ěĖǓĖ ANOTHER ROUND Thomas Vinterberg MANK Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross Phillip Bladh, Carlos Cortés, Michelle Christopher Hampton BABYTEETH Shannon Murphy MINARI Emile Mosseri Couttolenc HIS HOUSE Remi Weekes, Martin Gentles, MINARI Lee Isaac Chung NEWS OF THE WORLD James Newton Howard Edward King, Roy Lee NOMADLAND Chloé Zhao PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN Anthony Willis SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS LIMBO Ben Sharrock, Irune Gurtubai, QUO VADIS, AIDA? ¨ SOUL Jon Batiste, Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross GREYHOUND Pete Bebb, Nathan McGuinness, Angus Lamont ROCKS Sarah Gavron Sebastian von Overheidt THE MAURITANIAN Kevin Macdonald, CASTING THE MIDNIGHT SKY Matt Kasmir, Chris Lawrence, Adam Ackland, Leah Clarke, Beatriz Levin, CALM WITH HORSES Shaheen Baig David Watkins Lloyd Levin, Rory Haines, Sohrab Noshirvani, JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH Alexa L. Fogel MULAN Sean Faden, Steve Ingram, M.B. Traven ANOTHER ROUND Tobias Lindholm, MINARI Julia Kim Anders Langlands, Seth Maury MOGUL MOWGLI Bassam Tariq, Riz Ahmed, Thomas Vinterberg PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN Thomas Benski, Bennett McGhee MANK Jack Fincher Lindsay Graham Ahanonu, Mary Vernieu Santiago Colomo Martinez, Nick Davis, PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN Emerald Fennell, PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN Emerald Fennell ROCKS Lucy Pardee Greg Fisher, Ben Jones Ben Browning, Ashley Fox, Josey McNamara ROCKS Theresa Ikoko, Claire Wilson TENET Scott Fisher, Andrew Jackson, ROCKS Sarah Gavron, Ameenah Ayub Allen, ȀAaron Sorkin Andrew Lockley Faye Ward, Theresa Ikoko, Claire Wilson JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH Sean Bobbitt SAINT MAUD Rose Glass, Andrea Cornwell, MANK Erik Messerschmidt BRITISH SHORT ANIMATION Oliver Kassman THE DIG Ų THE MAURITANIAN Alwin H. Küchler THE FIRE NEXT TIME Renaldho Pelle, Yanling Wang, THE FATHER Christopher Hampton, Florian Zeller NEWS OF THE WORLD Dariusz Wolski Kerry Jade Kolbe THE MAURITANIAN Rory Haines, Sohrab NOMADLAND Joshua James Richards THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT Mole Hill, WRITER, DIRECTOR OR PRODUCER Noshirvani, M.B. Traven Laura Duncalf HIS HOUSE Remi Weekes (Writer/Director) NOMADLAND Chloé Zhao EDITING THE SONG OF A LOST BOY Daniel Quirke, LIMBO Ben Sharrock (Writer/Director), THE WHITE TIGER Ramin Bahrani THE FATHER Yorgos Lamprinos Jamie MacDonald, Brid Arnstein Irune Gurtubai (Producer) NOMADLAND Chloé Zhao [also produced by Angus Lamont] LEADING ACTRESS PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN Frédéric Thoraval BRITISH SHORT FILM MOFFIE Jack Sidey (Writer/Producer) BUKKY BAKRAY Rocks SOUND OF METAL Mikkel E.G. Nielsen EYELASH Jesse Lewis Reece, Ike Newman [also written by Oliver Hermanus and produced RADHA BLANK The Forty-Year-Old Version ȀAlan Baumgarten LIZARD Akinola Davies, Rachel Dargavel, by Eric Abraham] VANESSA KIRBY Pieces of a Woman Wale Davies ROCKS Theresa Ikoko, Claire Wilson (Writers) FRANCES MCDORMAND Nomadland PRODUCTION DESIGN LUCKY BREAK John Addis, Rami Sarras Pantoja SAINT MAUD Rose Glass (Writer/Director), WUNMI MOSAKU His House THE DIG Maria Djurkovic, Tatiana Macdonald MISS CURVY Ghada Eldemellawy Oliver Kassman (Producer) ALFRE WOODARD Clemency THE FATHER Peter Francis, Cathy Featherstone THE PRESENT Farah Nabulsi [also produced by Andrea Cornwell] MANK Donald Graham Burt, Jan Pascale LEADING ACTOR NEWS OF THE WORLD David Crank, EE RISING STAR AWARD FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH RIZ AHMED Sound of Metal Elizabeth Keenan ɒ ɓ LANGUAGE CHADWICK BOSEMAN Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom REBECCA Sarah Greenwood, Katie Spencer BUKKY BAKRAY ANOTHER ROUND Thomas Vinterberg, ADARSH GOURAV The White Tiger ɚ Sisse Graum Jørgensen ANTHONY HOPKINS The Father COSTUME DESIGN MORFYDD CLARK DEAR COMRADES! Andrei Konchalovsky, MADS MIKKELSEN Another Round AMMONITE Michael O’Connor SƢƜE@r Alisher Usmanov TAHAR RAHIM The Mauritanian THE DIG Alice Babidge CONRAD KHAN CONGRATULATIONS LES MISÉRABLES Ladj Ly EMMA Alexandra Byrne MINARI Lee Isaac Chung, Christina Oh MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM Ann Roth QUO VADIS, AIDA? ¨Ė MANK Trish Summerville Nominations are correct at the time of TO ALL NOMINEES Damir Ibrahimovich publication. BAFTA reserves the right to make changes to the names listed at any time up until 10 April 2021.

film21_nomsAnnounceAdVariety_01.indd All Pages 11/03/2021 09:58 Untitled-1 1 3/12/21 10:27 AM Ȃ ǻǹǻǺ

BEST FILM THE FATHER Philippe Carcassonne, SUPPORTING ACTRESS MAKE UP & HAIR ěĖǓ COLLECTIVE Alexander Nanau NIAMH ALGAR Calm With Horses THE DIG Jenny Shircore THE MAURITANIAN Adam Ackland, Leah Clarke, ɇ KOSAR ALI Rocks HILLBILLY ELEGY Patricia Dehaney, Eryn Krueger Beatriz Levin, Lloyd Levin Alastair Fothergill, Jonnie Hughes, MARIA BAKALOVA Ǔ Mekash, Matthew Mungle NOMADLAND Mollye Asher, Dan Janvey, Keith Scholey DOMINIQUE FISHBACK Judas and the MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM űĖ Frances McDormand, THE DISSIDENT Bryan Fogel, Thor Halvorssen Black Messiah Larry M. Cherry, Sergio Lopez-Rivera, Mia Neal Peter Spears, Chloé Zhao MY OCTOPUS TEACHER Pippa Ehrlich, ASHLEY MADEKWE County Lines MANK Kimberley Spiteri, Gigi Williams PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN Ben Browning, James Reed, Craig Foster ɚ Minari PINOCCHIO Mark Coulier Emerald Fennell, Ashley Fox, Josey McNamara THE SOCIAL DILEMMA űĖ ȀStuart Besser, Larissa Rhodes SUPPORTING ACTOR SOUND Marc Platt DANIEL KALUUYA Judas and the Black Messiah GREYHOUND Nominations TBC ANIMATED FILM BARRY KEOGHAN Calm With Horses NEWS OF THE WORLD Michael Fentum, OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM ONWARD Dan Scanlon, Kori Rae ALAN KIM Minari William Miller, Mike Prestwood Smith, CALM WITH HORSES Nick Rowland, SOUL Pete Docter, Dana Murray LESLIE ODOM JR. One Night in Miami… John Pritchett, Oliver Tarney Daniel Emmerson, Joe Murtagh WOLFWALKERS Tomm Moore, Ross Stewart, CLARKE PETERS Da 5 Bloods NOMADLAND Sergio Diaz, Zach Seivers, THE DIG Simon Stone, Gabrielle Tana, Paul Young PAUL RACI Sound of Metal M. Wolf Snyder Ų SOUL Coya Elliott, Ren Klyce, David Parker THE FATHER Florian Zeller, Philippe Carcassone, DIRECTOR ORIGINAL SCORE SOUND OF METAL Jaime Baksht, Nicolas Becker, ěĖǓĖ ANOTHER ROUND Thomas Vinterberg MANK Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross Phillip Bladh, Carlos Cortés, Michelle Christopher Hampton BABYTEETH Shannon Murphy MINARI Emile Mosseri Couttolenc HIS HOUSE Remi Weekes, Martin Gentles, MINARI Lee Isaac Chung NEWS OF THE WORLD James Newton Howard Edward King, Roy Lee NOMADLAND Chloé Zhao PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN Anthony Willis SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS LIMBO Ben Sharrock, Irune Gurtubai, QUO VADIS, AIDA? ¨ SOUL Jon Batiste, Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross GREYHOUND Pete Bebb, Nathan McGuinness, Angus Lamont ROCKS Sarah Gavron Sebastian von Overheidt THE MAURITANIAN Kevin Macdonald, CASTING THE MIDNIGHT SKY Matt Kasmir, Chris Lawrence, Adam Ackland, Leah Clarke, Beatriz Levin, CALM WITH HORSES Shaheen Baig David Watkins Lloyd Levin, Rory Haines, Sohrab Noshirvani, JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH Alexa L. Fogel MULAN Sean Faden, Steve Ingram, M.B. Traven ANOTHER ROUND Tobias Lindholm, MINARI Julia Kim Anders Langlands, Seth Maury MOGUL MOWGLI Bassam Tariq, Riz Ahmed, Thomas Vinterberg PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN Thomas Benski, Bennett McGhee MANK Jack Fincher Lindsay Graham Ahanonu, Mary Vernieu Santiago Colomo Martinez, Nick Davis, PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN Emerald Fennell, PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN Emerald Fennell ROCKS Lucy Pardee Greg Fisher, Ben Jones Ben Browning, Ashley Fox, Josey McNamara ROCKS Theresa Ikoko, Claire Wilson TENET Scott Fisher, Andrew Jackson, ROCKS Sarah Gavron, Ameenah Ayub Allen, ȀAaron Sorkin Andrew Lockley Faye Ward, Theresa Ikoko, Claire Wilson JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH Sean Bobbitt SAINT MAUD Rose Glass, Andrea Cornwell, MANK Erik Messerschmidt BRITISH SHORT ANIMATION Oliver Kassman THE DIG Ų THE MAURITANIAN Alwin H. Küchler THE FIRE NEXT TIME Renaldho Pelle, Yanling Wang, THE FATHER Christopher Hampton, Florian Zeller NEWS OF THE WORLD Dariusz Wolski Kerry Jade Kolbe THE MAURITANIAN Rory Haines, Sohrab NOMADLAND Joshua James Richards THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT Mole Hill, WRITER, DIRECTOR OR PRODUCER Noshirvani, M.B. Traven Laura Duncalf HIS HOUSE Remi Weekes (Writer/Director) NOMADLAND Chloé Zhao EDITING THE SONG OF A LOST BOY Daniel Quirke, LIMBO Ben Sharrock (Writer/Director), THE WHITE TIGER Ramin Bahrani THE FATHER Yorgos Lamprinos Jamie MacDonald, Brid Arnstein Irune Gurtubai (Producer) NOMADLAND Chloé Zhao [also produced by Angus Lamont] LEADING ACTRESS PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN Frédéric Thoraval BRITISH SHORT FILM MOFFIE Jack Sidey (Writer/Producer) BUKKY BAKRAY Rocks SOUND OF METAL Mikkel E.G. Nielsen EYELASH Jesse Lewis Reece, Ike Newman [also written by Oliver Hermanus and produced RADHA BLANK The Forty-Year-Old Version ȀAlan Baumgarten LIZARD Akinola Davies, Rachel Dargavel, by Eric Abraham] VANESSA KIRBY Pieces of a Woman Wale Davies ROCKS Theresa Ikoko, Claire Wilson (Writers) FRANCES MCDORMAND Nomadland PRODUCTION DESIGN LUCKY BREAK John Addis, Rami Sarras Pantoja SAINT MAUD Rose Glass (Writer/Director), WUNMI MOSAKU His House THE DIG Maria Djurkovic, Tatiana Macdonald MISS CURVY Ghada Eldemellawy Oliver Kassman (Producer) ALFRE WOODARD Clemency THE FATHER Peter Francis, Cathy Featherstone THE PRESENT Farah Nabulsi [also produced by Andrea Cornwell] MANK Donald Graham Burt, Jan Pascale LEADING ACTOR NEWS OF THE WORLD David Crank, EE RISING STAR AWARD FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH RIZ AHMED Sound of Metal Elizabeth Keenan ɒ ɓ LANGUAGE CHADWICK BOSEMAN Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom REBECCA Sarah Greenwood, Katie Spencer BUKKY BAKRAY ANOTHER ROUND Thomas Vinterberg, ADARSH GOURAV The White Tiger ɚ Sisse Graum Jørgensen ANTHONY HOPKINS The Father COSTUME DESIGN MORFYDD CLARK DEAR COMRADES! Andrei Konchalovsky, MADS MIKKELSEN Another Round AMMONITE Michael O’Connor SƢƜE@r Alisher Usmanov TAHAR RAHIM The Mauritanian THE DIG Alice Babidge CONRAD KHAN LES MISÉRABLES Ladj Ly EMMA Alexandra Byrne MINARI Lee Isaac Chung, Christina Oh MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM Ann Roth QUO VADIS, AIDA? ¨Ė MANK Trish Summerville Nominations are correct at the time of Damir Ibrahimovich publication. BAFTA reserves the right to make changes to the names listed at any time up until 10 April 2021.

film21_nomsAnnounceAdVariety_01.indd All Pages 11/03/2021 09:58 Untitled-1 2 3/12/21 10:27 AM The Post-Pandemic Future of the Entertainment Industry

TUESDAY, MARCH 23 9:30 AM PT / 12:30 PM ET

Join media leaders as they discuss their path forward for success following a major transformation of their industry.

FEATURED SPEAKERS KATRINA CUKAJ Lead of Marketing, Creative & Network Partnerships WarnerMedia Ad Sales

MARK GATHEN VP Content Aquisition Cox Communications

DEVIN GRIFFIN EVP & GM BET+

JOHN HARRISON Americas Media & Entertainment Sector Leader EY

VIKKI NEIL EVP & GM Discovery Digital Studios

MODERATED BY ELAINE LOW Senior TV Writer, Variety

JUST FOR VARIETY (1) (4)

Now that the Oscar noms are in and planning for the 93rd Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre and Union Station is under- way, I’m hoping the next announcement we hear is that evening will serve as a fundraiser for COVID relief. Following the Academy's $6 million donation last April to The Actors Fund, the Motion Picture & Television Fund and its own grant program, it would be great to see cinema celebrated on the big night while also acknowledging the loss and sorrow of the past year by supporting those who continue to need… help the most. Perhaps Oscar producers could ask WME agent (1) Richard Weitz and his (2)(2) (5)(5) daughter (2) Demi to get involved. The two have raised more than $20 mil-

Richard Shotwell/Invision/Images AP; AP; Shotwell/Invision/Images Richard lion for 43 charities through their Zoom series “Quarantunes.” The more than 400 performers have included Shawn Mendes, Andra Day, John Mayer and Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. There are two icons Richard Weitz says he’s still hoping to book: (3) Bruce Springsteen and (4) Billy Joel. As COVID restrictions ease, “Quarantunes” could become a live-and- virtual hybrid. “I think people are going to start getting out more, which is wonderful,” Weitz says. “The great thing about ‘Quarantunes’ was that I can call anyone at any moment, and they’d be at home. When we started, people were lonely. They couldn’t go anywhere.… They wanted community.” (5) Jamie Chung has had enough of society's treatment of people of Asian descent. “Xenophobia is nothing new,” says the “Lovecraft Country” actor. “I have no doubt that there’s not one Asian American who has not heard, ‘Go back to your country.’” Chung is the ambassador for HBO’s fifth annual Asian Pacific American Visionaries Short Film Competition. The cabler awards cash prizes to filmmakers of Asian and Pacific Islander descent, whose films also will premiere on HBO and be available on HBO Max. “Hopefully we can open the minds of non-Asian Americans,”… Chung says. (3)(3) (6)6) Congrats to (6) Jesse Tyler Ferguson. He’s just released his first cook- book, “Food Between Friends,” with co-author Julie Tanous. His worst kitchen nightmare? “I bought a rack of lamb. It’s a recipe I’ve made before, and for some reason I wasn’t paying attention when I turned the grill on. I cranked up the heat way too much,” the former “Modern Family” star tells me on this week’s “Just for Variety” podcast. “This poor rack of lamb got so scorched. … It was a dinner party, and I had nothing else to give anyone, so we just ordered in pizza.” He also has a fear of pie crust. “Not eating it but making it,” Ferguson says. “I’ve cried over pie crusts that I’ve tried to make.” Also joining me on the podcast is “Firefly Lane” star Sarah Chalke. Head over to Apple Podcasts, or wherever you find your favorite programs, to find R. Weitz: Alex J. Berliner/ABImages/AP Images; Joel: Albin Lohr-Jones/Sipa USA/AP Images; D. Weitz: Courtesy Demi Weitz; Chung: Courtesy Demi Weitz; Images; D. Weitz: USA/AP Images; Joel: Albin Lohr-Jones/Sipa R. Alex J. Berliner/ABImages/AP Weitz: Springsteen: Jeremy Smith/imageSPACE/MediaPunch/IPX/AP Images; Ferguson: Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP Images Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP Images; Ferguson: Smith/imageSPACE/MediaPunch/IPX/AP Springsteen: Jeremy out what Chalke has to say about a second season of the hit drama series. 26 ● OUR TOWN 03.18.2021

On the ‘Road’ With Cleo Wade Newborns & Nuptials

By Haley Bosselman Kellan Lutz and Andy Dick and Elisa Jordana Brittany Gonzales are engaged. “Yay!!!!! Me Cleo Wade welcomed their and @elisajordana celebrating Poet, artist and activist has amassed nearly ﬁrst child, Ashtyn Lilly, on engagement and Kermit 735,000 Instagram followers with her posts of inspirational Feb. 22. “She ushered in a And Friends,” Dick wrote on new season for us and we love Instagram. Dick is a mantras. In 2018, she extended that project to a self-help her beyond comprehension,” comedian; Jordana is a radio book, “Heart Talk: Poetic Wisdom for a Better Life,” and is Gonzales wrote on Instagram. and TV personality. following up with a new children’s book, “What the Road Lutz and Gonzales are both actors. Said,” out March 23. Variety caught up with the New Orleans native from her home in New York City.

What inspired you to write a That speaks to the uncertainty of the children’s book? past year. I had these words I’d written on a If you can just take it one day at a time, Post-it note and put on my inspiration and be as present as you can and just give board: “I said to the road, ‘Where do yourself as much grace and be as gentle on you lead?’ The road said, ‘Be a leader yourself as you can through the journey, and find out.’” I thought I could turn that is how we survive this thing. this into a poem, and I wanted it to be kind of a love letter to my childhood Do you have plans to adapt the story self when I felt my most alone or my for film or TV? most vulnerable or my most con- I think with any creative work that Patrick DeLuca and fused, and I wanted to create the book someone makes, it’s all about finding the Cristina DeLuca that gave you answers in a way, but right partnerships that honor the reason welcomed their daughter, Gabriela Sofia also just comfort during life’s uncom- why you made it in the first place. ... If , on March fortable moments. there was ever a space that that could 4. Patrick is a TV producer; be done in film and television, I would Hunter McGrady Cristina is the director definitely be open to it. and husband Brian Keys are of strategic partnerships Variety expecting their first child. at . “Of all the things I’ve done or created, you are by far the greatest. can’t wait to welcome you this summer,” McGrady wrote on Instagram. McGrady is a model; Keys is a creative director.

Cleo Wade’s children’s book “What the Road Said” is out March 23.

Jenni “JWoww” Farley and Zack Clayton Carpinello were engaged on Feb. 27, Farley Jason Fuchs and announced on Instagram. “On Alixandra von Renner 2.27 I said yes on the top of the were engaged on Feb. 24. Empire State Building ,” Fuchs is an actor and a she wrote. Farley is a television screenwriter, best known personality; Carpinello for co-writing “Wonder is a professional wrestler. Woman”; von Renner is an actor, known for her role in “Hatﬁelds & McCoys.”

Compiled by Haley Bosselman Wade: Liza Voloshin; McGrady: Jessica Elbar; DeLuca: Michael Buckner; Renner/Fuchs: Courtesy Renner & Fuchs Michael Buckner; Renner/Fuchs: Elbar; DeLuca: Jessica McGrady: Liza Voloshin; Wade: 03.18.2021 VARIETY ● 27

Opening Doorss for Latino Stories on Film MUST ATTEND

By Rob LeDonne

When Jeff Lima, an actor of Puerto Rican “It’s about creating opportunity,” descent (“Chicago Fire”), began audition- explains Lima, whose judging panel March 18 ing for television and film work, he noticed includes NYU faculty members. “As something dejecting. “Early on, I can’t tell much as I love being in front of the cam- УRita Wilson receives the Lifetime you how many of the same characters I was era, the hope is that this award opens Achievement Award at the going out for,” says Lima, 30, of the ste- doors for younger talent.” Hollywood Chamber of Commerce’s reotypical hardened-Latino roles he was The scholarship is paying off: 2019 Board Installation & Awards Gala. presented with. “Back then I tried to make recipient Max Walker-Silverman’s hollywoodchamber.net sense of it and wouldn’t say no to work, short film “Chuj Boys of Summer,” У Lupita Nyong’o and Juan Castano but it took a great deal of stepping outside about a Guatemalan teen in Colorado, star in “Romeo y Julieta,” The the dream.” screened at this year’s SXSW after Public Theater’s bilingual podcast In turn, Lima launched the Jeff Lima premiering at the Hamptons Intl. production adapted by Saheem Production Award three years ago to bolster Film Festival. Ali and Ricardo Pérez González. Latino representation in film. A $10,000 Submissions for the 2021 scholarship publictheater.org prize is given to a New York University the- are open until April 23. The winner will sis student or alum to fund a short film that be announced in late May. For more info, advances the Latino presence on-screen. email [email protected]. March 19

Molly Sims wears У Eric McCormack, Oliver Dench, Will the Molly Sims X Swenson, Jonathan Scarfe, Nylora jacket ($288), tank ($98) and Colm Feore, Luke Humphrey, Lucy leggings ($135). Peacock and Zuleikha Robinson take part in a virtual reading of “Wil,” a new feature project written and produced by Dan Rosen, Savannah College of Art & Design professor of dramatic writing. Through March 23. Beneﬁts The Actors Fund. muchadoaboutwil.com УJustin Vivian Bond joins Isaac Mizrahi for the fourth and ﬁnal show of his Isaac@CaféCarlyle series. helloisaac.com March 24

УThe 32nd Producers Guild Awards are handed out, with streamers ruling the film category — Amazon Studios and Netflix each earned three nods in the field of 10 nominations. Molly Sims’ Design Debut producersguildawards.com Molly Sims has teamed up with everyday blush-colored collection comprising a womenswear line Nylora for her first ath- jacket, a tank and leggings made from leisure capsule, designed with women on high-performance fabrics with quick-dry the go in mind. Creative director Carolyn capabilities. “I’ve been wearing Nylora Jang, who founded the line (celeb fans for quite some time now, and they have include Chrissy Teigen, Emma Roberts a beautiful aesthetic. Carolyn puts a and Jessica Alba) in 2018, turned to the lot of effort into the materials and the former model for her appreciation of colors they choose and to make sure it Lupita Nyong’o style and her perspective as an entrepre- fits and looks its best,” Sims tells Variety. nylora.com —Lesley McKenzie Lima: Johnny Rodríguez; Nyong'o: Sthanlee B. Mirador/Sipa USA/AP Images USA/AP Lima: Johnny Rodríguez; Nyong'o: Sthanlee B. Mirador/Sipa neur and a mom. The result: a three-piece THE

NEW

NORMAL

Going to work in Hollywood Illustrations won’t look anything by like it did before COVID-19 Brian Rea By Brent Lang, Elaine Low 28 & Gene Maddaus

“People are fooling themselves if they think we’re going back to a pre-pandemic work lifestyle,” says Arianna Bocco, president of IFC Films. “Yes, we all want to be able to gather together again, but some aspects of our virtual existence are going to remain. It’s been an awful year, but it allowed us to think in a more progressive way about how we achieve a work-life balance by giving people more flexibility.” Big media companies such as WarnerMedia, Disney, Amazon and Comcast have been surveying staff as they contemplate overhauling their workplaces. On the topic of reopening offices, the common refrain is “No sooner than the summer.” And that may be overly optimistic according to various executives who still express a lot of trepidation about going back in the foreseeable future. W ICM Partners is a good example of how the back-to-office effort will play out once health officials offer the green light for orking in entertainment may never look the same again. people to gather en masse. Just a handful of its most essential To hear numerous executives tell it, the past 12 months have workers are in office. When the agency reopens its Los Angeles shifted the paradigm for modern office life. Gone are the days headquarters and New York and D.C. bureaus, only every other of staying tethered to a desk until the boss leaves for the night. workstation in its open-office areas will be occupied, reducing Showing up to work with a nasty cold is no longer a badge of workspace capacity by 50% — and each station will be divided honor but a mark of disregard for your colleagues. And getting by plexiglass. hired for a job that is headquartered in a totally different city or The agency’s hallways will be marked one-way-only to prevent working remotely from a distant location might become more people from passing each other in walkways and potentially commonplace. contaminating airspace. Only four people can be in an elevator Masks, social distancing and hand sanitizer will become sta- at any given time, restroom capacity has been limited and each ples of workplace culture in the way that copy machines, water- floor is equipped with hand sanitizer stations. Masks are a must, coolers and desktop computers were once emblems of corporate obviously. When employees trickle back in, they can expect to life. At the same time, companies are reassessing travel budgets. be welcomed with PPE goody bags on their desks filled with a Far-flung set visits, meetings on different coasts or continents, mask, hand sanitizer, disinfectant spray and a stylus (so they premieres in multiple locations and globe-hopping press junkets don’t have to touch the buttons in the elevator with their hands). may all be a thing of the past even as it becomes safer to travel. It will also contain a smart thermometer from Kinsa, which “Face-to-face interaction is still going to be important and can’t has a contract with ICM for no fewer than 600 thermometers; be replicated,” says Michael Burns, vice chairman of Lionsgate. employees must check their temperatures daily and answer a “But I still think our approach to travel will be altered. We’ve wellness questionnaire two hours before they arrive at the office. discovered a lot of problems can be resolved via Zoom.” Jennifer Dodge, president of Spin Master Entertainment, a To get a sense of the new contours of a business that has been subsidiary of toymaker Spin Master, also has a temperature-check battered by the pandemic, Variety spoke with dozens of enter- system in place. While she’s itching to get back into the studio — tainment industry players, almost all of whom predicted that and even resume a life that involves trips through airport security the nature of office life and how movies and television shows are — she does not foresee a return to her downtown Toronto office made, marketed and distributed will be fundamentally changed. earlier than the summer. For the 20,000-square-foot studio, which employs 70 full-time employees, she has modeled out a few scenarios that include staggered seating arrangements and fewer seats in boardrooms. “[There’s the] hoteling approach, where people just come in and grab a desk that’s socially distant,” says Dodge. “Then others will be planned out: having certain productions coming in on odd days and certain productions coming in on even days, for instance.” Former Lionsgate motion picture group chief Erik Feig just signed a five-year lease for a bigger, airier office for his shingle Picturestart, after the pandemic nudged him toward not renew- ing the lease at the company’s current space. The free-standing building will feature “revamped airflow systems.” And he, like others, is installing distanced workstations and plexiglass dividers, and asking for self-reported temp checks. But Feig, for one, misses the “casual serendipity” of running into people in the office. “I’ve always found unplanned encoun- 30 ters are the most fruitful kinds of things that end up happening,” he says. “So we wanted to have a place that was a wider space than what we would normally have thought.” Hollywood Whether everyone will want to physically come back to work is another matter. Studies suggest that between 15% to 30% of staff would prefer not to return to the office full time, and that is an desire is leading corporations to come up with novel ways to accommodate their rank and file. Among the ideas being dis- cussed are allowing staff to work remotely for at least one to industry two days per week or to occupy shared office spaces that they would sign up to use on certain dates. Even those spaces might look different. Instead of a desk, a chair and a phone, there might that runs on power lunches and premieres, where handshakes be collaborative rooms where several colleagues could gather and hugs are ubiquitous. That will likely change given how much to tackle projects. more conscious people are, after months of avoiding COVID-19, Nearly 80% of ViacomCBS’ more than 20,000 staffers will of the way diseases spread. work in a hybrid environment after the pandemic — up from “I’m never going anywhere without sanitizer,” says Eric B. the 70% it previously disclosed — with most employees sharing Fleischman, the producer of “Sleight.” “I feel like all of us have desks at the office and working part of the week from home. The become Howard Hughes, washing our hands obsessively with model is intended to offer flexibility but also give the merged the bar of soap that our mother gave us.” Viacom and CBS the chance to cut real estate costs as it seeks Fleischman says movie sets, where cast and crew members out synergies over the next few years. often spent hours huddled together in confined spaces or comb- Freeform president Tara Duncan, who stepped into her role ing over the food at the craft services table, were often a hotbed at the top of the cable network in June, has not yet set foot in the of colds, flus and other diseases. Going forward, productions company’s Burbank headquarters. But she connected with her are expected to take a different approach, encouraging people new staff through team-building activities like virtual cooking to stay home if they’re not feeling well. That extends to the classes and cocktail nights. actors themselves. “It’s been completely bizarre,” she says. “I work in my din- But don’t expect those expense-account meals at the Four ing room, where I joke with the team that it feels like I’m in an Seasons to vanish. Many of those interviewed were quick to episode of ‘Black Mirror.’ But I have to say, there’s also been point out that TV and film is a “relationships business.” something nice about everyone dropping a little bit of the office “Lunches are the things that are going come back very strong, guard, if you will.” very fast, because lunches are where those personal relation- Industrial Media CEO Eli Holzman had an oracle that sounded ships are established that go a little beyond just this project or the pandemic alarm earlier than most, one that came in the form that project but ‘How are your kids doing? How’s your family of colleague Matt Sharp, the CEO of Sharp Entertainment, a doing?’” says CBS Entertainment chief Kelly Kahl. “Those things division of Industrial Media. Sharp is the unscripted TV pow- are important. That’s also a great part of our business. The rela- erhouse behind “90 Day Fiancé,” “Man v. Food,” and most nota- tionships, not just in the company but outside the company. And bly, a NatGeo show about people preparing for the end of the that really feels like it’s suffering.” world. Sharp phoned Holzman in late January 2020; Holzman The loss of building a rapport doesn’t just apply to high-pow- recalls him saying, “Listen, keep in mind: I created ‘Doomsday ered studio and network executives. Preppers,’ and I’m a little paranoid. But if they close the schools “When I was still an assistant, lunch culture and coffee here in New York, my editors won’t be able to do their jobs.” culture was massive for my network,” says TV writer and Industrial Media switched to a remote, cloud-based editing #PayUpHollywood co-founder Liz Alper. “There’s such a tre- system in February ahead of the lockdowns. Now, Holzman has mendous loss because it’s so hard to make a personal connection become more open to conducting business from afar. over video. … What you’re missing is energy.” “We hired lots of people that we’d never met in person,” he That extends to post-production work. Filmmakers figured says. “Borders are drawn by people, by government. They don’t out ways to finish their films remotely even as communities actually corral talent. There is a great opportunity to work with went into lockdown last spring, but they missed the spirit of people from around the world.” teamwork that exists in the editing bay. “We’ve discovered a lot of problems can be resolved via Zoom.”

— Michael Burns, Lionsgate vice chairman

“Film is a collaborative process, so nothing replaces being in and socializing. People want to get in there, get the work done person to exchange ideas and vibe off these artists,” says Diane and get home so they can take their mask off.” Paragas, director of “Yellow Rose.” “The editing process in the Keeping the cameras rolling during the COVID lockdown beginning is the easiest to do remotely since the editor can make has been excruciatingly challenging, leading filmmakers to be their initial cuts, but as it gets more into the finer cuts, I find it that much more resourceful. better to do it in the same room, where you can audition different Collaborators and friends Mark Duplass and Natalie Morales takes or alternate shots.” were fed up with quarantine and eager to get back to work after Zoom may be part of the fabric of the future, but junior execs several projects they were supposed to shoot were scuttled or and assistants are likelier to feel the pang of not being in the delayed indefinitely as production ground to a halt and forced office, which can function as a critical milieu for observing the actors to remain largely confined to their homes. But last industry veterans thriving in their natural habitats. And where a summer, Duplass and Morales were among the first wave of shared elevator ride or break room encounter might have served filmmakers who figured out a way to get back to work during as a useful way to exchange pleasantries, younger staffers are the pandemic. Using the advice of health experts, the pair shot now challenged with finding new opportunities to get on the a low-budget movie, “Language Lessons,” that used a small radar of top brass. ensemble of actors and a skeletal crew. Some precautions, such “I think working from home has been challenging, specifically as applying their own makeup and handling costumes, were a for younger agents who are building their careers and their concession to a raging public health crisis. Other elements of relationships,” says ICM partner Adam Schweitzer, manag- the scrappy production helped them shoot more economically ing director of talent and branding. “Not having that in-person and more efficiently in ways that could help shape the industry’s [relationship] with the buyers who they typically work with, or approach to post-pandemic work. want to get to know, is hard.” “As I went forward in this business, the budgets got bigger The brave new world has made buyers and managers more and the size of the sets grew,” says Duplass. “The pandemic accessible online, however, and the agency can hold bigger meet- forced me back down to working minimally just to be safe. But ings with studios, networks, production and management com- it also ended up revitalizing me and reminding me of what it panies. “You wouldn’t necessarily go out to lunch with someone was like when I was making the props myself and hanging the and bring 10 colleagues along, but it’s easy to put them on a lights myself and doing my own hair and makeup and all of Zoom and give your younger colleagues the opportunity to have those things. There is a place for that moving forward. There access and a bit of face time,” he says. needs to be a resurgence of this kind of streamlined approach, For TV writers, the marathon video sessions that have replaced because it will free up budgets and that will free us creatively.” physical writers’ rooms have been exhausting. It isn’t the same, It’s been nearly a year since the pandemic forced filmmakers many say, in a creative profession that feeds off the energy in like Duplass and Morales off the set and into an unprecedented the room. Still, says Alper, some writers are discussing the pos- period of isolation. However, there are signs that society, with sibility of moving out of state to be closer to family should the the help of critical scientific advances, is sucking the air out of virtual environment persist. “I think we’re going to be on the a virus that upended cultural life and reshaped the media and Zoom model for a very long time,” she predicts. “It’s saved the entertainment industry. Vaccinations are rising, and COVID- studios a lot of money and they like that. They like having a 19 cases, at least in the U.S., are declining. More movies and reason to cut their costs wherever they can.” shows are going into production than at any time since the pandemic struck, and with cinemas reopening in cities like New York, there’s a sense that Hollywood is easing back into the old ways of doing business. The COVID protocols that have been instituted on sets have Since been largely effective, but they are costly, adding as much as $10 million to $12 million to the budget of a major tentpole production resumed last summer at a time when the pandemic release, while tacking on an additional 15% to the film’s bud- showed no signs of abating, movie and TV sets have taken on a get. That’s expected to be the cost of doing business for the very different atmosphere. foreseeable future. But that’s not the only financial challenge. “The work got more efficient,” says Jason Blum, producer of Even as the pandemic recedes, there will be no going back to “Get Out” and “The Purge.” “There’s not a lot of chitter-chatter normal anytime soon in the world of film production. Producers “The pandemic forced me back down to working minimally just to be safe. But it also ended up revitalizing me and reminding me of what it was like when I was making the props myself.”

— Mark Duplass 33 Redeﬁning the Ofﬁce By Cynthia Littleton The post-pandemic work environment will force companies to focus more on results than process

Even after the COVID-19 cloud lifts, other areas, employers will experts in labor, workplace embrace new methods of work to culture and human behavior see the remain competitive. impact of the pandemic as nothing “Employers will ask themselves, short of devastating for low-wage ‘Is this effective?’” Wong says. workers and transformative for He predicts a period of shaking out white-collar employees. when the public health risk “I’m not sure we have fully come lifts and workers begin returning to to terms with how this pandemic traditional routines. “There’s still is going to fundamentally alter the a lot that is fluid and won’t be sorted way people work,” says Kent Wong, out until people ultimately return.” director of UCLA’s Labor Center. Even with sophisticated The pervasive virus has only videoconferencing systems, there’s exacerbated the issue of income no question that the loss of inequality. Many essential workers face-to-face and in-person group in jobs at or near minimum wage The rise of Zoom and other interactions has taken its toll. Chatman predicts that in the future, faced the brutal choice of losing cutting-edge connectivity tools Chatman is particularly interested office work will be much less income or continuing to work at the is making employers rethink in future studies of employees focused on process and much more risk of contracting COVID. At the traditional workspaces. who moved to new jobs during the on results. If people can generate same time, many of those working “The smart organizations will get pandemic where working remotely the same or better results by working in media and entertainment much more deliberate in making was mandated. It’s much harder to from home or in remote settings, were able to quickly transition decisions about what jobs people understand an organization’s basic employers will focus on that and not to remote options because need to be together to do and culture, hierarchy and protocols the hours logged. of the nature of tasks that can be what can be done remotely,” says if you’ve never met your co-workers “I think people will gain autonomy, completed on laptops, cellphones Jennifer Chatman, management in person. and that could lead to greater and videoconference calls. professor at UC Berkeley’s Haas For work tasks that are intensely focus on outcomes,” she says. “In “We have seen huge consequences School of Business. The pandemic, collaborative — like running a that case, organizations that have within groups of essential workers she says, “has been a wake-up call TV writers’ room, producing a movie a strong culture of responsibility and who literally risk their lives going to giving more options to how we work, or crafting a marketing campaign accountability are going to get work every day,” Wong says. “This how we allocate our time and how — the restrictions on gathering much better at deciding what tasks is a huge tragedy that we have all much travel we do. I see that together are likely to rewire how are essential to accomplish in a witnessed in the past year” that as having a big positive impact on ideas are developed, shared, face-to-face setting and those that has only widened the divide between our physical health and the health accepted and rejected. Chatman are less so. The gift of this pandemic the haves and have-nots in of the planet.” says the key to managing large is that it’s pushed us to identify urban areas like Los Angeles, he says. Chatman suggests that at groups is to pick up on nonverbal exactly those things in ways that can forward-thinking firms, flexible cues about what a person is really be hugely beneficial to workers.” scheduling, job sharing and thinking and feeling. other worker-friendly options will “No matter what you do, the become much more the norm. virtual environment deprives us of Wong predicts that the physical a cue-rich environment, and layout of traditional offices will that’s a problem,” Chatman says. change in ways that feel overdue. “The intonation, the rapidness of “Even the structure of offices is a person’s response, how they sit or going to be reconsidered. Is it the stand — all of that stuff ends best use of people’s time in places up being super-important to the task like Southern California to spend and to telling everyone else what hours and hours commuting?” the norms and expectations are for Wong says. Now there are plenty the group. It’s particularly important of tools to help employers monitor when you’re trying to develop productivity and attendance. If large creative ideas and you need that enterprises that transition to work- spontaneity. Technology can’t from-home mode continue to see do as good of a job at that as being financial growth or make strides in [there] in person.” have had a hard time planning projects without knowing how Hollywood could help shape the cultural understanding of the exactly they will reach audiences. Even when in-person film fes- COVID pandemic, says Joshua Loomis, author of “Epidemics: tivals return and theaters are fully reopened, there will still be a The Impact of Germs and Their Power Over Humanity.” Loomis lag in the production pipeline. pointed to three potential historical parallels: the influenza pan- “We’re a good 18 months — even with the best news in the demic of 1918; the polio outbreaks in the ’30s-’50s; and the AIDS world — before people feel comfortable with the production plan epidemic of the ’80s and ’90s. Though the Spanish flu killed more they might have had in place two years ago,” says Jean Prewitt, than 50 million people worldwide, few movies or books were president and CEO of the Independent Film & Television Alliance. made about it in the decades that followed. The IFTA is keenly focused on the issue of production insur- “People just wanted to forget it,” Loomis says. ance, which affects midrange independent films more than any In the case of polio, Hollywood took a leading role in raising others. Major insurance carriers are refusing to cover losses money for the March of Dimes and celebrating the medical pro- associated with the COVID pandemic. And even when vac- fessionals who fought the disease. During the AIDS epidemic, cines are widely available, insurers will exclude coverage for Hollywood helped foster empathy with the suffering of its vic- future pandemics. tims in films like “Philadelphia” and “The Ryan White Story.” So Brian Kingman, managing director of the entertainment far, Loomis believes that the polio experience provides the best practice at Arthur J. Gallagher, says he got a call from a well- guide to how Hollywood will address COVID-19. As an exam- known producer who was planning to have his whole cast and ple, he noted that the Golden Globes invited first responders to crew vaccinated in Israel, and wanted to know if he could get attend the ceremony, much the way that Hollywood celebrated COVID coverage. the nurses and doctors who fought polio. “And my answer is no,” Kingman says. “There’s just no insurance “The focus becomes on these amazing heroes — these frontline or reinsurance support in the marketplace to allow for coverage workers that dealt with unimaginable hardship,” Loomis says. of COVID-19 or any other pandemic.” In each public health crisis — even in the AIDS epidemic Some smaller projects have been able to go without COVID — Hollywood has also avoided the harshest realities of the coverage. They tend to build into the budget a contingency to disease. Loomis expects that will be the case this time as well. cover a possible shutdown, and front-load the scenes with the A movie could be made about the race to invent the COVID bigger actors in hopes of getting them to finish their work as vaccine, but probably not one about the realities of intubation quickly as possible. or life inside a nursing home as residents die one after the “And then you’re just running for it, going as fast as you can other. Other producers and filmmakers believe that, at least and just trying to get through it,” Prewitt says. initially, audiences won’t have much appetite for content that But that won’t work on a larger project — say, more than $5 grapples with a plague that society just spent more than a million — that needs financing from a commercial bank, which year battling. Instead, many producers are focused on making has always required insurance for such contingencies. Larger stu- escapist films or programs. dios are able to get along without COVID coverage (though they “Stories that are more uplifting and optimistic will be at a may not like it), but the projects in the middle are in big trouble. premium,” predicts Milan Popelka, chief operating officer of “The true independent producer is kind of in a jam,” Kingman FilmNation, the company behind “Arrival” and “Late Night.” says. “The unfortunate thing is that’s where some of the best “There’s more than enough stress in the world. I don’t think peo- movies come from.” ple will be interested in watching something that adds to their Another key question is whether film productions can require stress levels.” crews to be vaccinated. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity What awaits on the other side of this COVID crucible remains Commission announced in December that employers can require to be seen, but everyone seems to agree that many aspects of vaccines. However, Republicans in state capitals around the coun- Hollywood life as it relates to customs and cultural norms will try are pushing bills that would prevent employers from issuing inevitably look different. such a requirement. “No one has a crystal ball, but I would imagine that nothing “That could result in different rules in different states that will look the same way it did pre-pandemic, and that’s in almost companies would have to look at in deciding where to shoot films,” every category you could list,” says Adam Fogelson, chairman of says Ivy Kagan Bierman, a labor attorney who works with several STXFilms. studios and production companies. But as Hollywood focuses on redefining the workplace, more Even in liberal states like California, it could still become tricky productions get rolling and movie theaters on both coasts begin to fire someone or deny them a job because they refuse to get opening their doors, there is good reason to be hopeful that the vaccine. The person could claim that demand goes against brighter days are ahead. their religion, or that they have an underlying health issue that “It’s been a very long tunnel that we’ve gone through,” says prevents them from getting vaccinated. John Fithian, head of the National Assn. of Theatre Owners, “but “There’s no protected class for anti-vaxxers,” Bierman says. we’re finally starting to see the light at the end of it.” “But there are other protected classifications. We are already starting to see some claims related to COVID based on age Jazz Tangcay contributed to this report. discrimination.” Trade unions played a critical role in negotiating COVID safety protocols and would likely weigh in on any vaccine requirement. SAG-AFTRA did not comment on whether it would oppose such 35 a mandate. KIM HOKYOUNG BY ILLUSTRATION COX GORDON BY RETURN CAN AUDIENCES WHEN UNCLEAR STILL IT’S AND YEAR, A FOR DOWN SHUT BEEN HAS BUSINESS THEATER THE BACK? BE BROADWAY WILL WHEN

Gutter Credit Gutter Credit NOBODY – LITERALLY NOBODY – social distancing impossible even relations committee, says it could be KNOWS before factoring in a business model the end of March, or later, before details that can’t sustain a show that plays to are finalized. less than two-thirds of capacity, and In broad strokes, though, most WHEN one that relies heavily on international Broadway players expect SVOG funds travelers and group sales. to benefit the shows that were up and On top of all that, Broadway isn’t a running when the pandemic struck, OR single entity but a loose, idiosyncratic qualifying for funds equal to 45% of coalition of theaters, landlords and their gross earned revenue (based on producers. Each production is essen- 2019 figures) and capped at $10 mil- HOW tially its own small business, vying for lion for a single grant. Producers and success in a market ripe with history, theater owners are among those eli- tradition and all the complications that gible to receive funds, but individual BROADWAY come with them. eligibility will vary based on the spe- “Every Broadway show operates cifics of each entity. Disney Theatrical with 14 different unions and 16 con- Prods., for instance, will not be eligible WILL tracts within those 14 unions, and the for a grant because Disney is a publicly labor is divided between those who traded company. work for the producer and those whose According to The Broadway League’s REOPEN. payroll comes through the theater current understanding of the regu- owners,” says Kevin McCollum, the lations, many of the eligible shows producer (“Rent,” “Avenue Q”) who in and organizations on Broadway and spring 2020 had one show, “Six,” set to around the country stand poised to open the night Broadway shut down receive only one grant regardless of and another one, “Mrs. Doubtfire,” in size or number of venues. In addi- previews. “And that’s just one of the tion, each recipient must spend all ways that Broadway is a very compli- grant money on specific expenses cated Rubik’s Cube that miraculously approved by the SBA or return it. But now, a year into a shutdown that the international company that lines up eight times a week.” Meanwhile, productions that hadn’t began March 12, 2020, the road map to counted “Tina — The Tina Turner How exactly the puzzle pieces of the begun performances by early 2020 are recovery has begun to take shape. The Musical” on Broadway as one of 18 theater industry fit into a broad pro- more likely to benefit from the state’s pace and scope of vaccinations con- productions it had running around the gram of government relief for arts and proposed $25 million in tax credits for tinue to accelerate and expand. The world when the virus struck. performance companies of all kinds is musical and theater productions in Shuttered Venue Operators Grant, the The current best guesses have pen- still being hammered out. That leaves New York City. $15 billion program formerly known ciled in a restart date for sometime many producers and organizations in However the finalized eligibility as Save Our Stages, stands poised to after Labor Day, more than 18 months a state of tentative optimism about shakes out, SVOG represents unprec- support commercial and nonprofit pro- after theaters went dark. It’s been how, and how much, the SVOG will edented funding and support for the ducers alike. New York Gov. Andrew a long wait for an industry whose help them. arts from the U.S. government. It was Cuomo has announced a program shutdown has left most arts workers “We are hopeful that we are going secured in large part thanks to advo- of special live events at indoor ven- stranded without wages or health to get some relief, but none of us are cates, from The Broadway League ues across New York City, including insurance for months on end, scram- counting those pennies until we actu- to the nonprofit sector to grassroots some Broadway houses. And theaters bling for unemployment benefits or ally see them,” says Sue Frost, one of movements like Be an Arts Hero, on the other side of the world, freshly grants from organizations like The the lead producers of “Come From that emphasized not just the cultural reopened after a prolonged shutdown, Actors Fund. The halt also marks the Away,” the musical that was playing import of live events but also the offer glimpses of what theatergoing extended stoppage of a national eco- in five cities around the world, includ- massive employment and economic will look like in the era of pandemic nomic engine: Arts and cultural activity ing New York, when the pandemic hit. impact. A Broadway League report management. accounts for 4.5% of the country’s gross The negotiation and interpretation pegs the theater industry’s overall With the science evolving and the domestic product, according to the U.S. of SVOG regulations is ongoing, with economic impact to New York City at specifics of government support still Bureau of Economic Analysis. the Small Business Assn. releasing the $14.7 billion during the 2018-19 season, pending, major questions remain. But Anyone wondering what’s taking so latest version of its FAQs about the pro- supporting more than 95,000 jobs. it all seems to point toward the cer- long need only look at theater itself, an gram March 12. It’s the sixth version “Broadway and theater in general tain, if incremental, rehabilitation of art form that relies on presence and so far, and Jeff Daniel, the co-CEO of is in a very unique position to reopen an industry stuck in purgatory for more shared spaces. Audiences sit elbow Broadway Across America and chair of both our economy and our culture,” than a year. to elbow as performers sing, kiss, cry The Broadway League’s government sayssays Daniel. “I’ve been quite a realist about all and engage in any number of other this, but this is probably the first time activities that now qualify as high-risk I’m feeling cautiously optimistic,” says — not just once but multiple times a Tali Pelman of Stage Entertainment, week. Cast and crew cram into back- stage warrens, bathrooms are tight and crowds bottleneck in doorways during intermission. On Broadway, P. 3838 the aging physical spaces make full But the lights can’t go on all at once. Every production will need lead time ranging from weeks to months before it can resume performances, to allow for preparations both on the creative side — including rehearsals, tech work and costume construction and fittings, all of which will require new COVID safety protocols — and on the business side, as producers get tickets back on sale and ramp up marketing and advertising to ensure the show has an audience to play to. That all takes money, which might not be readily available to businesses that have been devoid of revenues for more than a year. Daniel notes that productions will “Six,” starring Abby Mueller, Samantha Pauly, Adrianna Hicks, Andrea need support not only to reopen but Macasaet, Brittney Mack and Anna Uzele as Henry VIII’s wives, was among also to weather the months afterward, the shows that had to cease performances due to the pandemic. as tourism finds its feet and audiences in general gradually feel safe enough to gather. On Broadway, shows expect to stagger their openings, depending on that has happened throughout America industry initiatives at BAC. “It’s about fall or even later, despite nominations a production’s individual needs and in and all throughout theater, I’m really deconstruction and then rebuilding being announced last October. recognition of the fact that attendance excited to have a title like ‘Thoughts of toward a sustainable and accountable Although it’s impossible at this point — which hit a record 14.62 million in a Colored Man’ to continue the conver- workplace that is there even after to predict what Broadway’s new normal 2019 — will take time to recover. sation,” he says. you leave.” will look like, we can catch hints of what For returning productions, the funds Throughout the past several As Broadway moves toward reopen- might lie ahead from the international from SVOG will make up one compo- months, existing organizations like ing, racial equity and the lessons of the musicals that have begun to reopen nent of a financial cushion that will also the Broadway Advocacy Coalition and Time’s Up movement are as much sub- in Australia. include the payouts of each show’s busi- new ones like Black Theatre United jects of discussion as virus protocols. As “Frozen” geared up to begin per- ness interruption insurance policy, plus, have produced public-facing digital “Safety is a broad concept,” says formances in Sydney in December, for the lucky ones, whatever money they forums while engaging in behind-the- Mary McColl, the executive director the head of Disney Theatrical Prods., saved while they were running. scenes advocacy to push for equity, of Actors’ Equity Assn., which main- Thomas Schumacher, spent six weeks “I can’t imagine there’s any show diversity and inclusion in all areas of tains a greenlight/redlight list of pro- Down Under following a stringent two- where SVOG alone will do the trick,” the industry. ducers the union has approved for week quarantine. “It was like living in says Vivek Tiwary, one of the lead pro- For instance, BTU not only partici- live production during the pandemic. the future,” he says, painting a picture of ducers of “Jagged Little Pill.” “It’ll be pated in census and voter registration “Yes, we have to talk about ventilation audiences and crew members in masks, one part of a mix of things that will get campaigns during the run-up to the and COVID mitigation and hopefully touchless ticketing with contact-tracing us back and running.” 2020 election but also has focused on some therapeutics, but safety also QR codes, audience traffic controlled In addition to how Broadway mentorship and education in the theater has to include a change in the entire to minimize congestion and capacity returns, there is the question of how itself, alongside ongoing discussions work environment, so that we are capped at 85% to avoid chokepoints. it will operate when it does. Sparked by with business and creative leaders. looking at cases of harassment, bullying Of course, the U.S. and Australia dif- the protests for racial justice over the “We’re building the resources so we and intimidation.” fer in the specifics of government relief summer, the nationwide movement for don’t ever again have to hear, ‘Oh, I For now, the whole industry is doing and COVID management, and none of equity has reframed the way employers don’t know where to find a Black light- all it can to ready itself while contend- the protocols in place for “Frozen” in and workers alike think about the the- ing designer,’” says the actor Vanessa ing with fluctuating guidelines and an Sydney has yet been set on Broadway. ater industry’s long-standing systems Williams, who is one of BTU’s found- unclear timeline. It amounts to know- By the time the first productions and structures. ing members alongside other well- ing for certain something will happen, reopen, the science will likely have Producer Brian Moreland, whose known Broadway regulars like Audra but having no idea when or what it will shifted the safety parameters several production of “Thoughts of a Colored McDonald and Billy Porter. look like. times over. Man” is set for a run at the Golden Meanwhile, BAC has stepped Case in point: the Tony Awards. The “Yes, protocols will keep changing, Theatre, anticipates an enduring up industry activities including an two-week voting period for the trun- and we’re going to be very thoughtful change in which shows get the chance expanded version of its Theater of cated 2019-20 season wrapped March and careful about when we reopen, and to play a Broadway house, and in the Change program, a new fellowship 15, but every single detail about the how and where you enter a theater,” audiences that turn out for them. for activist artists, a scholarship that ceremony — date, location, broadcast Schumacher says. “But we’re all going Following the lives of seven Black men supports Black, Asian, Latino and component — is up in the air. The plan to be back in the theater again. This is in Brooklyn over the course of a sin- Indigenous theater students and a is to coordinate the timing with the going to happen.” gle day, “Colored Man” had been on its developing workshop program called reopening of Broadway to boost atten- way to New York before the pandemic Reimagining Equitable Productions. tion to the industry just as shows get but now seems to resonate even more “It’s not about cancel culture,” says back up and running. That means that P. 3399 Liz Lauren strongly. “Coming out of this huge shift Zhailon Levingston, the director of the Tonys might not take place until the ANNOUNCING THE RELAUNCH OF THE VARIETY APP

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Oscar Noms Open Up With Some Fresh Faces

Variety runs down the tight races for the Academy Awards and notes that while there’s more work to be done in diversity and inclusion, this year’s contenders rep a good start — and some fabulous filmmaking 42 ● AWARDS CIRCUIT ● OSCAR NOMINATIONS 03.18.2021

and personal films, including this year’s nominees. Voters have occasionally nominated blockbusters for best picture, such as “Avatar” and “Black Panther,” but in general, they have omitted those films from the all-important race. That’s understandable, because many CGI spectacles have been eye-popping but mindless. However, by ignoring anything that hints of CGI showcases, voters have missed out on some gems in the best picture race, such as “The Dark Knight,” “Logan,” “Mission: Impossible — Fallout,” “Rogue One,” “Skyfall,” “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” and “War for the Planet of the Apes,” to name a few. The public/industry divide also shows up in the perception of the awards. To millions of people around the world, modern Oscars are what they’ve always been: A chance to see movie stars all dressed up, with some emotional moments. (Will Brad Pitt finally win? What will Lady Gaga wear?) But to 21st century film people, Oscar has become a measuring stick: “How does this reflect our industry?” and, more recently, “Are we woke enough?” The industry is goaded by the mainstream media, in which every nominee is ana- lyzed for socio-economic symbolism. This is both good and bad. On the plus side, it’s a constant reminder to Hollywood execs that inclusion matters. A lot. That’s an important truth that needs to be frequently stressed. The downside is that without seeing voting tallies, an analyst is forced to jump to a lot of conclusions, which may not be right. When Greta Gerwig didn’t get a director nomination for The Great Divide: “Little Women,” the conclusion was clear: She probably got zero votes and women were shut out AGAIN. Each new Oscar slate is put in the context of 100 Megahits vs. Awards years of exclusion. The other downside is that nominees are being held responsible for Hollywood’s failings, even though people in charge of hiring are the real culprits. So we get moments such as presenter Natalie Portman at an awards show last year sneering at the “all-male” director lineup, as if those five nominees were Since 2003, Oscar best pic winners have failed to crack the top of the B.O. By Tim Gray personally responsible for all the years of thwarted women directors. Hollywood once churned out crowd- ominees for the 93rd Gump” and “Titanic.” Aside from being effects, which Hollywood embraced too pleasers that were also Oscar bait. If stu- Academy Awards are a impressive moviemaking, they were eagerly; unlike Jackson, studio people dios want to recapture that, they could reminder that Oscar is like populist fare. often made CGI the top priority, ahead stop thinking of awards fodder and hit a Rorschach test: It means This trend climaxed with the 11 of storytelling. movies as separate classifications. And different things to differ- Oscar wins for “The Lord of the Rings: And with so many entertainment maybe the ceremony could find a way to ent people. And in the 21st The Return of the King” (2003), which options, moviegoers wanted some- acknowledge movie fans’ favorites (and century, there is a growing earned $1.1 billion at the box office. thing “safe” for their money. So Holly- no, not via a Most Popular Oscar). gap between awards and the public. Since then, not a single best pic win- wood served up a flood of familiarity. But maybe everyone is OK with the sta- For decades, Oscar’s best picture winner has managed to crack the B.O. top In 2019 (the most recent “normal” B.O. tus quo. The collateral damage includes ner was often the year’s top box office “The Lord of the 10. In fact, in the 16 years following year), every movie in the top 10 was a the Oscar ratings, which are important hit, including “Gone With the Wind,” Rings: The Return “LOTR,” the best picture winner has sequel (e.g., “Avengers: Endgame”) or because ABC’s license fees help support of the King,” “The Best Years of Our Lives,” “The averaged being in the No. 47 slot for remake (“The Lion King”) or spinoff so many worthwhile AMPAS efforts like starring Elijah Greatest Show on Earth,” “The Bridge Wood, was the last global box office. from an established movie universe the library, scholarships, mentorship on the River Kwai,” “Ben-Hur,” “West global blockbuster What happened? (“Captain Marvel”). programs, grants, etc. Side Story,” “The Sound of Music,” to grab a best Peter Jackson and his Weta Digital AMPAS voters have actively resisted Until then, we’ll continue to live with

“The Godfather,” “Rain Man,” “Forrest picture Oscar. artists created breakthrough digital these trends, generally opting for small the Great Divide. Vinet/NewLine Pierre 03.18.2021 VARIETY ● 43

for a director Oscar. The film, about middle-age friends who experiment with Promising Young Noms drinking to jazz up their humdrum lives, is anchored by a strong performance by Mads Mikkelsen. Meanwhile, Alexander Nanau’s “Collective,” which has pulled a “Honeyland” and is nommed for international film as well as documentary, is based on the true story of victims of a nightclub fire who are traumatized again by a shoddy healthcare system. Bosnia- Herzegovina’s “Quo Vadis, Aida?,” Gender parity and diversity are already big winners this year helmed by Jasmila Žbanić, another strong contender, is set against the back- drop of the 1995 Srebrenica massacre. In a year when the Academy is paying attention to women, it could get a boost from being one of two films in this category directed by a female helmer. Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania’s “The Man Who Sold His Skin,” the other female- helmed nominee, beat out some critic favorites include Taiwan’s “A Sun.” It’s the tale of an immigrant who becomes a canvas for a tattoo artist. Rounding out the category is Hong Kong’s “Better Days” by Derek Tsang, with a story about a bullied schoolgirl who gets a tough guy to protect her. — Shalini Dore

DOCUMENTARY

A strong year in nonfiction filmmaking was reflected in the nominations for the Oscar’s documentary feature category, which offered up five first-time nominees assaying a wide range of sub- jects and approaches. Coming in with the wind at its back, Garrett Bradley’s “Time,” a study of long-term incar- ceration through the story of a single family, has already amassed a wealth of laurels, including multiple critics prizes, a Gotham Award and director honors from the Intl. Documentary Assn. and at Sundance, where it premiered last year. Fellow Sundance 2020 alumni Nicole Newnham and James LeBrecht were also running strong with “Crip Camp: BEST PICTURE whose economic struggles lead her to a piece of filmmaking; however, its head-on A Disability Revolution,” a worthy slice resilient community of nomads exposes take may put off voters not in sync with of history about the origins of the dis- “Promising Young — Carole Horst The eight best pic contenders rep a a piece of American society that few see, Woman” earned the film’s tone. ability- rights movement, which won the mature, sober collection of polished film- or care to see. “Minari” (A24) seems to be Emerald Fennell audience award at the festival and later making, and despite many theaters across gaining traction, as its story of immigrants (center) three INT’L FILM picked up best feature honors from the the U.S. being closed for most of 2020, in rural Arkansas resonates with voters. Oscar noms while IDA. The other three nominees are all five of the films are enjoying enhanced “The Trial of the Chicago 7” (Netflix) and Carrie Mulligan Denmark’s “Another Round” and international. Pippa Ehrlich and James audience access via streaming platforms. “Judas and the Black Messiah” (Warner (left) grabbed an Romania’s “Collective” each scored Reed’s natural world doc “My Octopus All eight deal with urgent issues impact- Bros.) both follow the true stories of actress nod. an additional nom elsewhere, perhaps Teacher,” from South Africa, was a ing society, whether through the lens political prosecutions by the establish- giving them a leg up for the interna- crowd-pleaser on Netflix; Maite Alberdi’s of history or through black comedy or ment in the late 1960s-early 1970s, and tional film trophy. “Another Round” playful detective tale “The Mole Agent” through the eyes of a dementia patient. while each is a powerful film — both have is the frontrunner here, with helmer was also Chile’s shortlisted international And seven of the eight films nominated six noms a piece — voters may want to Thomas Vinterberg is also nominated feature entry; and Alexander Nanau’s have also grabbed a PGA nod — a kudo reward something more subtle as best almost essential to winning this cate- pic. Sony Pictures Classics’ “The Father” gory. Leading the Oscar race with 10 deals with the lead character’s dementia, nominations, Netflix’s “Mank” charms and how his family is also handling it, in in its tales of how “Citizen Kane” made an innovative and heartbreaking way, but it to the big screen and its indictment that might not be enough to land the big of how big media can distort political trophy here. “Sound of Metal” (Netflix) A strong year in nonfiction discourse. Riding into the Oscar race is a bit of a surprise here — it’s got a lot of on a wave of accolades — including a fans but most of the momentum was for filmmaking was reflected in the Golden Globe best picture drama win lead Riz Ahmed (who did indeed grab a nominations for the Oscar’s — “Nomadland” (Searchlight) looks to lead actor Oscar nom). “Promising Young

Merie Weismiller Wallace/Focus Features Wallace/Focus Merie Weismiller be the frontrunner. Its story of a woman Woman” (Focus Features) is a bravura documentary features category. 44 ● AWARDS CIRCUIT ● OSCAR NOMINATIONS 03.18.2021

only Amy Adams (“Hillbilly Elegy”) not making the cut for Oscars. Frances McDormand, who has two Oscars in this category already, was recognized for her role as a woman who chooses a life on the road in “Nomadland.” And Viola Davis, a winner in the supporting actress category, landed a nomination for her role in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” Davis made history not only as the first Black woman nominated twice in the lead actress category, but also as the Black woman with the most acting nominations of all time — her total of four puts her just ahead of Octavia Spencer’s three nods. Also returning to the race is Critics’ Choice Award winner Carey Mulligan for her knockout turn as a woman avenging her late friend in “Promising Young Woman.” New to the race is Vanessa Kirby, playing a mother mourning the loss of her baby in childbirth in “Pieces of a Woman,” which also happens to be the actor’s first lead film role. The fifth slot went to Andra Day, who made her film debut in “The People vs. Billie Holiday” and won the Golden Globe Award for lead actress in a drama. — Jenelle Riley SUPPORTING ACTOR

The supporting races are often the most with dementia in “The Father,” and Gary challenging to predict and always full Oldman as the screenwriter of “Citizen of surprises, and this year comprises Paul Raci grabbed a supporting Kane” in “Mank.” The rest were new- largely first-time nominees to the act- actor nom for comers to the Oscars, with Riz Ahmed ing category. Daniel Kaluuya, who won “Sound of Metal.” (“Sound of Metal”) becoming the first the Critics’ Choice Award and Golden Muslim actor to be recognized in this Globe Award for his turn as Black category for his performance as a recov- Panther Fred Hampton in “Judas and ering addict and drummer who loses his the Black Messiah,” is the only previ- hearing. Steven Yeun (“Minari”) is the ous acting nominee. He’s joined by his first Asian-American actor to land a lead co-star LaKeith Stanfield, who plays actor nod for playing Jacob, the patri- the undercover FBI informant William arch of an immigrant family that moves O’Neal, with his first-ever Oscar nomi- Viola Davis, with Taylour Paige and to Arkansas to farm. The fifth nominee, nation. Stanfield was submitted as lead, Dusan Brown, made Chadwick Boseman (“Ma Rainey’s Black but voters chose to recognize him in sup- history with her Bottom”) became only the eighth actor porting. Joining the pair is Paul Raci, the actress nomination to land a posthumous acting nomina- 72-year-old character actor who broke for “Ma Rainey’s tion, and the first actor of color to do so. through in a major way as Joe, the leader Black Bottom.” Thus far, Boseman has dominated the of a deaf commune, in “Sound of Metal.” major awards shows, landing a Critics’ Despite being a critical fave, Raci had yet “Collective,” a searing account of gov- Cartoon Saloon, which has Oscar noms Choice and Golden Globe Award for to score nods from either Golden Globes ernmental malfeasance after a nightclub for previous films “The Breadwinner,” his role as trumpet player Levee Green. or SAG Awards, so his inclusion was a fire in Romania, managed nominations “Song of the Sea” and “The Secret of The nominees in the category ended up pleasant surprise. Also nominated is for both doc and international feature, Kells.” Pixar’s “Onward” debuted at matching up perfectly with the SAG Leslie Odom Jr. for his role as Sam Cooke as well as prizes from the European Film the Berlin Film Festival last year and Award nominations, the only category in “One Night in Miami” — he’s actually Awards and the National Society of Film pivoted to Disney Plus after the COVID to do so. — Jenelle Riley a double nominee, as he’s recognized for Critics, respectively. — Andrew Barker lockdown. It’s a heartfelt and sweet tale song “Speak Now” from the film. Like of family and loss that has gained fans ACTRESS Kaluuya and Odom, the fifth nominee ANIMATION over the last year. Also dealing with fam- was also singled out by Golden Globe ily and loss is Netflix’s gorgeous “Over The lead actress race matched up four and SAG Awards: Sacha Baron Cohen “Soul” (Pixar) will be hard to beat, as it’s the Moon,” from animation legend Glen out of five with the SAG Awards, with was the sole acting nomination from coming into the Oscar race with a ton Keane. Aardman logs another Oscar nom of acclaim. “Soul’s” journey also takes here with “A Shaun the Sheep Movie: viewers on an existential trip, which Farmageddon.” The Academy once again brought out the best in the animators, recognizes Aardman’s mastery of tell- who were inspired by Joan Miró and ing a story with no dialogue and through Pablo Picasso for the amorphous Great stop-motion characters. — Carole Horst Before world. “Wolfwalkers” (Apple The supporting actress races are often TV Plus/GKids) also deals with heavy ACTOR topics, notably personal identity, colo- the most challenging to predict and nization and the environment. This is Two previous winners of this category always full of surprises, and this year it a tight race though, as the poignant and landed nominations: Anthony Hopkins, action-filled “Wolfwalkers” comes from playing the titular character grappling comprises largely first-time nominees. Metal: Amazon Studios; Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom: David Lee/Netflix Sound of 03.18.2021 VARIETY ● 45

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY and Shaka King), “Promising Young Bulgarian thesp Woman” (Emerald Fennell), “Sound of Maria Bakalova In terms of pure cultural and political Metal” (Darius Marder and Abraham earned her first Oscar nomination in relevance, it’s hard to imagine a more Marder) and “The Trial of the Chicago “Borat Subsequent timely film and screenplay than “Borat 7” (Aaron Sorkin) netted WGA nomina- Moviefilm.” Subsequent Moviefilm.” Written by tions, while “Minari,” penned by Lee Isaac Sacha Baron Cohen, Anthony Hines, Dan Chung, who also directs the film, has been Swimer, Peter Baynham, Erica Rivinoja, accumulating ever-mounting awards Dan Mazer, Jena Friedman and Lee Kern, buzz since its Golden Globes win for the satirical comedy is perhaps the most foreign-language film. Chung’s semi- apt cinematic reflection of America’s cur- autobiographical drama about a Korean rent state of affairs, just one substantial immigrant family in 1980s Arkansas has reason that the screenplay could nab the also scored points with voting members prize in this category. While others in of Broadcast Film Critics Assn. and Austin the group have fielded industry acclaim Film Critics Assn. Fennell’s candy-colored — “The White Tiger” (Ramin Bahrani) yet darkly subversive drama — her debut and Kemp Power’s “One Night in Miami” feature — has been fielding raves since each picked up a WGA nom, while Chloé day one, and Sorkin, one of Hollywood’s “The Trial of the Chicago 7” ensemble year. Only once, of course, has a woman Zhao’s “Nomadland” earned a Golden most estimable wordsmiths, is a peren- for his turn as Abbie Hoffman. Cohen actually won, but Zhao is a strong favor- Globes screenplay nom — they haven’t nial pick for the category. “Sound of has previously been nominated for the ite to double those numbers if the Oscar made as much of a collective societal Metal,” while not a frontrunner, remains “Borat” adapted screenplay in 2007 and oddsmakers have anything to say about splash as “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm.” a serious contender, and the fanfare sur- is recognized again in that category for its it — the “Nomadland” helmer has been Christopher Hampton and Florian Zeller, rounding “Judas,” as well as Berson and sequel, “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm.” running the table all year with armloads of who adapted Zeller’s successful stage King, also first-time Oscar nomineess, But this marks the multi-hyphenate’s awards from critics groups and festivals. play “The Father” for the big screen, are has yet to subside. “Palm Springs,” which first acting nod. — Jenelle Riley Like Zhao, Lee Isaac Chung ascended both seasoned writers (Zeller being a bit did earn a WGA nomination for Andy from the festival circuit to the mainstream of a wunderkind who published his first Siara’s script, is arguably the one snub SUPPORTING ACTRESS with his fourth feature, “Minari,” winning novel at age 22). Hampton won the Oscar in the lot, but the others in the race have a grand jury prize from Sundance and a for writing Stephen Frears’ three-time been consistent favorites both critically The supporting actress race is a show- Spirit Awards nomination along the way. Oscar-winning 1988 romance-drama and commercially. — Malina Saval down between veterans and newcomers And while he may be the most surprising “Dangerous Liaisons” and was nommed — and one actor who technically fits both of the nominees, “Another Year’s” Danish for 2007’s “Atonement.” — Malina Saval CINEMATOGRAPHY descriptions. That would be Yuh-Jung director Thomas Vinterberg does have Powerful ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY Youn, who plays the untraditional grand- some recent history on his side: after nine performances by An interesting stat to observe here is mother in “Minari”; though she’s a veteran decades of shutouts, the last two years Daniel Kaluuya that five of the past 10 cinematogra- actor and star in South Korea, this marks have seen two best director winners go and LaKeith There weren’t any eye-opening surprises phy Oscar-winners have paired with her American film debut. Also making to films not in the English language. Of Stanfield in “Judas in this year’s crop of original screenplay the director winner. Will that happen her American debut is Maria Baka- course, all four will still have to contend and the Black noms, with scripts and writers previ- this year? “Nomadland’s” Joshua James lova, the Bulgarian actor who portrays with the three-time best director nominee Messiah” were ously feted this awards season finding Richards earned his first nod for his Borat’s daughter in “Borat Subsequent David Fincher, whose “Mank” amassed recognized by the themselves in the coveted Oscar cate- third collaboration with Chloé Zhao, Academy. Moviefilm.” Both Youn and Bakalova have more Oscar nominations than any other gory. Nominated screenplays for “Judas and has been a steady frontrunner in been picking up critics’ awards all season 2020 film. — Andrew Barker and the Black Messiah” (Will Berson this race since winning the Golden and both are nominated for SAG Awards; Bakalova was nominated for a Golden Globe, but in the lead category. They are joined by Amanda Seyfried for her turn in “Mank,” which also scored the actor a Golden Globe nod and her first Oscar nomination. Balancing out the category are two previous nominees, Olivia Colman as the loving daughter in “The Father” and Glenn Close as the strong-willed Mamaw in “Hillbilly Elegy.” Colman won the lead actress statuette for 2018’s “The Favourite” while this nomination marks Close’s eighth Oscar nomination. Both were nommed for Golden Globe and SAG Awards, as well. — Jenelle Riley DIRECTOR

Fresh faces abound in the final stretch of this year’s best director race, with four of the five nominees entirely new to Oscar contention. None are quite so new as Emerald Fennell, whose direc- torial debut “Promising Young Woman” made a splash in late 2020, earning her nominations from the Spirit Awards and the DGA, among others. Fennell has already made Oscar history along with fellow nominee Chloé Zhao, with this year being the first time two women have been

Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Amazon Studios; Judas and the Black Messiah: Warner Bros. Warner Amazon Studios; Judas and the Black Messiah: Subsequent Moviefilm: Borat nominated for best director in the same

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Frog at the Camerimage Festival and the black-and-white film. Bina Daigeler film-dramatic went to “Parasite’s” Yang thriller; and “Sound of Metal’s” Mikkel scooping up the prize with the National scored her first Oscar nomination for Jin-mo, and “Parasite” went on to scoop E. G. Nielsen conveys the journey of a Board of Review. Sean Bobbitt earned Disney’s “Mulan.” Although Daigeler best picture. This year’s frontrunner is musician who loses his hearing. The only his first nomination for “Judas and the received criticism when the film first Alan Baumgarten for “The Trial of the film to miss a nomination with the guild Black Messiah.” Phedon Papamichael came out for her comment about her Chicago 7.” The film marks Baumgarten’s here is “The Father.” — Jazz Tangcay was recognized for “The Trial of the research, her work was also recognized third collaboration with director Aaron Chicago 7.” His previous nomination by the Costume Designers Guild in the Sorkin. Baumgarten cuts between the MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING was in 2014 for “Nebraska.” “Mank’s” sci-fi/fantasy film category. “Pinocchio” courtroom trial and protests surrounding Erik Messerschmidt nabbed a nom costume designer Massimo Cantini the Democratic National Convention of History was made in this category as “Ma for his feature debut; the DP worked Parrini received his first nomination 1968. Baumgarten will be recognized at Rainey’s Black Bottom’s” Mia Neal and with “Mank” director David Fincher here, too. — Jazz Tangcay the Santa Barbara Film Festival where Jamika Wilson became the first Black on “Mindhunter.” Fittingly, the rookie Variety will honor him at the Artisans women to be nominated for Oscars in said he was inspired by “Citizen Kane” FILM EDITING Awards on April 5. Chloé Zhao, who also this category. Hair department head DP Gregg Toland. “News of the World” scored in director and adapted screen- Neal worked with Wilson, who served earned cinematographer Dariusz Wolski If you want to try predicting the Oscar play categories, lands a nom in editing, as Viola Davis’ stylist, to create the film’s his first Oscar nomination. Wolski race, start with the editors and look to too. While she became a historical first wigs. Sergio Lopez-Rivera, who is Davis’ said he was inspired by old-fashioned the ACE Eddies. Although the guild with the director nod, Zhao is also the makeup artist, landed his first nomi- Hollywood Westerns. However, women splits its race into comedy/musicals and first Asian female to be nominated in nation. Mark Coulier scored a nod for were once again shut out in this race as drama, its accuracy rate is at 87% when editing. Other nominees include Yorgos “Pinocchio.” The film relied on makeup the Academy opted to favor all white it comes to predicting film editing at the Lamprinos for “The Father,” in which he and prosthetics rather than visual effects men. — Jazz Tangcay Oscars. It also has a good track record for effectively conveys the shifting percep- to transform actor Federico Ielapi into forecasting the Oscar best picture race tions of a dementia patient; “Promising a wooden puppet. Landing her first COSTUME DESIGN and has predicted 18 out of the past 29 Young Woman’s” Frédéric Thoraval nomination was Eryn Kruger Mekash, winners. Last year, the Eddie for feature walks the line between black comedy and who worked with prosthetic designer The costume designers love a period Matthew Mungle to transform Glenn film and there’s no shortage vying for Close into the family matriarch Mamaw the prize in this category. Ann Roth “Midnight Sky,” for “Hillbilly Elegy.” The Golden Age scored her fifth Oscar nomination for with Felicity Jones, of Hollywood glamour of “Mank,” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” but the grabbed a VFX brought to life by Kimberley Spiteri, legendary and prolific costume designer nomination. Gigi Williams and Colleen LaBaff; and hasn’t taken home the trophy since 1996’s the Georgian splendor of “Emma,” “The English Patient.” Variety Artisans from Marese Langan, Laura Allen and Award recipient Alexandra Byrne’s Claudia Stolze, round out the category. work for Autumn de Wilde’s retelling The frontrunner here won’t become of the Jane Austen classic “Emma” is clear until the Hair and Makeup Guild also a strong contender. Byrne delivers “News of presents its awards April 3, although a fresh spin on the early 1800s clothes the World’s” “Hillbilly Elegy” and “Ma Rainey’s Black by using a vibrant palette, especially for production design, Bottom,” which lead the guild’s noms, the film’s star Anya Taylor-Joy. Frequent score, sound and seem to have the edge. — Jazz Tangcay David Fincher collaborator Trish cinematography Summerville landed her first nomina- were all feted by ORIGINAL SONG the Academy. tion for Fincher’s “Mank.” Summerville had to find colors that would dazzle in Could the 12th time be the charm for songwriter Diane Warren? Of the dozen songwriters nominated for five songs in the current Oscar race, Warren is the only one who’s been to the awards before — 11 times over the past 33 years without a win, to be exact. Her “Io Sì (Seen),” sung in Italian by co-writer Laura Pausini, concludes the Sophia Loren movie “The Life Ahead” and has already won the Golden Globe. Warren’s strongest competitor may be “Speak Now,” from “One Night in Miami,” which benefits from having a writer who’s actually in the movie: Leslie Odom Jr. (co-writer with Sam Ashworth), a double nominee this year for his performance as singer Sam Cooke. You can’t count out anyone, however, in this fairly level playing field: the amusing “Húsavik” from “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga” (by Savan Kotecha, Rickard Göransson and Fat Max Gsus) is the only one actually performed during the movie. “The Trial of the Chicago 7” ends with a ’’60s-style protest song, “Hear My Voice,” by Daniel Pemberton and English soul singer Celeste. And “Fight for You” from “Judas and the Black Messiah” was penned by Grammy’s newly crowned song of the year writer H.E.R. (with Dernst Emile

II and Tiara Thomas). — Jon Burlingame Pictures Talamon/Universal Bruce W. the World: Midnight Sky: Netflix; News of 03.18.2021 VARIETY ● 47

ORIGINAL SCORE

Composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross are up against themselves in this year’s original-score race. The duo, who won the Oscar for 2010’s “The Social Network,” are nominated for both the ’40s-era music of “Mank” and the mag- ical ambiance of Pixar’s “Soul.” But, in a departure from Oscar tradition, there is a third nominee for “Soul,” and that could be the key to winning on April 25. Jon Batiste is also nominated, and his original jazz is not only central to the story, but also much of it is performed on-screen. “Soul” is the first movie with three composers to receive a score nomination since 1987’s “The Last Emperor.” It also won the Golden Globe and Critics Choice awards. Their competitors demonstrate a wide range of styles. Terence Blanchard’s second nomination for a Spike Lee film, “Da 5 Bloods,” is a massive orchestral work, while James Newton Howard (his ninth nomination, still without a win) provided an authen- tic Western feel for “News of the World” that incorporated fiddles, banjo and gui- tars. The sole newcomer in this category is Emile Mosseri (“The Last Black Man in San Francisco”), the indie-rock writer-performer who supplied “Minari” with its intimate, dream-memory quali- Blood.” Christopher Nolan’s time-travel team for Apple’s “Greyhound” had to team — Matthew Kasmir, Christopher ties including piano, detuned guitar and puzzler “Tenet” rounds out this cate- re-create the Battle of the Atlantic; this Lawrence, Max Solomon and David “The Trial of 1980s synthesizer. — Jon Burlingame the Chicago 7” gory. The film favored practical effects nomination marks his first Oscar nom. Watkins — brought skills honed on over CGI to create dramatic, believable Shaw won an Emmy for his work on previously nominated projects such as PRODUCTION DESIGN earned six Oscar nominations, physical encounters, relying on the talents “The Night of.” He shares the sound “Catch-22,” “The Martian,” “Mowgli” including one for of production designer Nathan Crowley credit with three-time Oscar winner and “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Perhaps the most surprising nominee Alan Baum- and set decorator Kathy Lucas. Crowley Michael Minkler, who has received 13 Find Them.” Lawrence won an Oscar in the category, “The Father,” a limit- garten’s editing. has been nominated for six Oscars. Could nominations. Scoring his fourth nomi- for “Gravity.” A live-action remake of an ed-budget, single-location gem in which his eighth collaboration with Nolan be nation was Oliver Tarney, who worked animated film, “Mulan” relied on more Anthony Hopkins plays an increasingly the charm? — Peter Caranicas on the sound of Paul Greengrass’ than 2,000 VFX shots supplied by top bewildered man dealing with demen- “News of the World.” He reunites with shops including Weta Digital, Sony tia, owes its spot-on look to production SOUND “Captain Phillips” sound mixer Mike Pictures Imageworks and Framestore. designer Peter Francis and set decora- Prestwood Smith, who scored a second The film’s effects team — Sean Faden, tor Cathy Featherstone. Francis won an This is the first year since the Academy nomination. — Jazz Tangcay Anders Langlands, Seth Maury and Art Directors Guild award for “Casino merged sound design and sound edit- Steve Ingram — assembled knowhow Royale.” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” ing into one sound category. A steady VISUAL EFFECTS derived from “Game of Thrones,” “The which served up two acting nominees frontrunner has been Nicolas Becker Martian,” “War for the Planet of the (Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman) for “Sound of Metal.” The film explores “Love and Monsters,” a family-friendly Apes” and “The Lord of the Rings: The vividly evoked 1920s Chicago, bring- Riz Ahmed’s character Ruben as he loses film populated by cold-blooded mutants, Two Towers.” CGI/live action hybrid ing recognition to production designer his hearing; the audience is brought into wormed its way into the list of Oscar “The One and Only Ivan,” a family ani- Mark Ricker, previously nominated for the experience through Becker’s clever VFX finalists thanks to the team of mal fable voiced by Angelina Jolie and multiple Emmys and ADG awards, and use of condenser mics. Ren Klyce played Matt Sloan, Genevieve Camilleri, Matt Sam Rockwell, relied on the prowess set decorators Karen O’Hara and Diana with sound and modern technology to Everitt and Brian Cox, who created a of the VFX team of Nick Davis, Greg Stoughton. “Mank,” which received the re-create Hollywood circa 1930 for unique, creepy dystopia. Sloan, Everitt Fisher, Ben Jones and Santiago Colomo most Oscar noms in this year’s race, may David Fincher in “Mank,” while Klyce and Cox have all been nominated for Martinez. Davis was previously Oscar- nab that kudo for production designer also scored a nom for the animated film Visual Effects Society awards. George nommed for “The Dark Knight” and Donald Graham Burt and set decorator in “Soul.” For Pixar, he had to create two Clooney’s “The Midnight Sky” awed Jones won an Annie award for “The Jan Pascale. They brought to life a bygone soundscapes, a jazzy world for New York audiences with striking images from a Jungle Book.” Finally, in time-travel era in Hollywood that may tug at the City, and an ethereal one for the Great moon of Jupiter and snowscape vistas thriller “Tenet,” VFX were deployed heartstrings of many voters. Burt already Before. Warren Shaw and the sound from a dying Earth. Its visual-effects mainly to supplement in-camera creativ- has an Oscar on his shelf for 2008’s “The ity, telling a story that carries director Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” In Christopher Nolan’s worlds-within- “News of the World,” the latest reimagin- worlds “inception” several steps further. ing of the Western, production designer The team behind the visual trickery — David Crank and set decorator Elizabeth Andrew Jackson, David Lee, Andrew Keenan created a dramatic post-Civil Lockley and Scott Fisher — bring a War world in which scars from that con- “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’s” Mia Neal pedigree of eye-popping imagery from flict dominate an outlaw, imperialistic past work, which includes “Mad Max: Texas building itself through the displace- and Jamika Wilson became the first Fury Road” and “Dunkirk.” Lockley ment of people. Crank won an Emmy and Black women to be nominated for Oscars won Oscars for Nolan’s “Interstellar” ADG award for miniseries “John Adams” and “Inception,” sharing the latter with

Niko Tavernise/Netflix Niko and an ADG Award for “There Will Be in the hair and makeup category. Fisher. — Peter Caranicas. Oscar Show the Basics Goes Back to in 1950s-style format traditional ceremony Academy opts for By TimGray 48 earliest days. and remote linkupsgobacktoOscar’s of just theDolby. Intruth,afluiddate spread amongmultiplevenues instead orienting andbecausetheshow willbe because thelatedate(April 25)isdis- ceremony won’t feellike thereal thing, Some punditsworry thattheOscar York, atacticthatcontinued through had cameras inbothHollywood andNew The first televised ceremony in1953 ● GRAY’S GOLD AWARDS CIRCUIT translates toabout $1milliontoday. to stagethetwo-venue show, which reported athen-huge $100,000 pricetag five years, thatwas discontinued: and Gotham’s NBC Intl.Theatre. After with cameras atHollywood’s Pantages Ferrer andJudy Holliday. paid off, sinceLaZambra hosted winners a radio linkupwithHollywood, which Variety ballooned and280peopleshowed up, as people discovered the plan,theguestlist La Zambra nightclub. OnceABC’s PR birthday partyforheratManhattan’s so hescheduledamodest Oscar-night with fellow nomineeGloriaSwanson, onBroadway starring in“20thCentury” Lead actorcontenderJosé Ferrer was Oscar have always mixed.) address toshowbiz. (Yes, politics and its firstlive remote ofFDR’s six-minute radio andin1940, theshow stoppedfor live segments. 1957. Even before that,Oscarincluded when Oscarmadehis1953TVdebut, That bicoastal setupwas retained In 1951,ABCRadioaired theOscars. Early ceremonies were broadcast on reported. Ofcoursethere was Variety

global reach. and theseare all reminders ofOscar’s Technology hasevolved alotsince 1953 lite remotes haven’t beenmore frequent. why not?Thereal question iswhy satel- a betterplaceforthisglobalapproach. Brown, RachelWard). Andtheworld was Natalya Negoda) andSydney (Brian Mel Gibson),Moscow (Jack Lemmon, Norma Leandro), London(GlennClose, ers inBuenosAires (CharltonHeston, Chandler Pavilion, featured present- 26, 1990. Thatshow, basedinthe winner “Argo.” Dolby, astheyannouncedbest picture White House andJack Nicholson atthe combo: firstladyMichelleObamaatthe Hanks, whowas onstageattheShrine. to present adaptedscreenplay withTom was patchedinfrom SriLanka in 2001 winner George Lucas. ArthurC. Clarke Shuttle Atlantis sent congrats to Thalberg but memorable. In1991,thecrew ofSpace Is the93rd Academy Awards show Why did theydothesesegments?Well, eventThe most multi-site was March The 85thawards offered astriking Since then,live remotes have beenrare we’ve adapted. were horrifiedattheearlydate. Clearly, the King,” 2003).Punditsandstrategists “The Lord oftheRings:Return of starting withthe76th event (the winner: period was withinonecalendaryear. for thefilmsof1934, that theeligibility early-’28 andsoon. early awards honored filmsoflate-1927/ eligibility periodwas Aug. 1toJuly 31,so combined. For Oscar’s first sixyears, the more than“Palm Springs” and“Tenet” Picture Arts&Sciencesfiddledwithtime to November astheAcademy ofMotion years, theevent moved from May toApril geous by oldstandards. For thefirstsix Ending Story, butthedateisn’t outra- awards seasonseemslike theNever- announced their2020winners. This the New York, critics, Boston andL.A. date, fourmonthsaftergroups, including definitely beinteresting. Stacey Sherare smartpeople, soitwill ers Steven Soderbergh, Jesse Collinsand going toseemodd?Maybe, butproduc- Oscar thenjumpedamonthearly this yearThe other“oddity” isthelate It wasn’t untiltheseventh ceremony, that same year. in Los Angeles Award Me morial G. Thalberg and theIrving Show onEarth,” Greatest“The for best picture, shows off hisOscar Cecil B. DeMille Oscar ceremony. York for 1953’s Theater inNew International arrive at the Rosemary Clooney José Ferrer and 03.18.2021

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A New Annual Franchise That Includes

Awards Circuit Section on Variety.com Featuring the latest awards news throughout the year Awards Circuit Column Clayton Davis dissects the biggest trends and contenders Awards Circuit Podcast Listen to the weekly talent interview series wherever your favorite podcasts are found Awards Circuit Video Variety's top award pundits Clayton Davis, Michael Schneider, Jenelle Riley and Jazz Tangcay analyze all components of a contending project read. watch. listen. share. variety.com/awardscircuit 03.18.2021 VARIETY ● 51 FOCUS Italian Celebration Hones Hollywood Ties

Filming Italy — Los Angeles bridges cinematic cultures and aims to promote production restart effort ● By Nick Vivarelli

Alice Rohrwacher’s short “Omelia Contadina” screens at Filming Italy — Los Angeles. The Match Factory GmbH The Match Factory 52 ● FOCUS ● FILMING ITALY — LOS ANGELES 03.18.2021

As Italy’s film and TV song recently scored a Golden Globe for industry forges ahead Warren. “The Life Ahead” will be the Pietro Castellitto’s after bearing the brunt fest’s opener. dark comedy of the pandemic in 2020, “The entire industry is suffering,” “The Predators” the Filming Italy — Los says Rocca. “So I worked to broaden the screens at A Angeles fest, which is scope to all industry sectors and also Filming Italy a bridgehead between bring the event to film students across — L.A. Italy and Hollywood, is pulling out all Italy and in the U.S. the stops to drive and promote the coun- “I want Filming Italy — Los Angeles try’s restart effort. to be a stimulus and provide hope for After Filming Italy miraculously future filmmakers.” managed to hold its sister shindig as a Italy, which was initially among coun- physical edition on the island of Sardinia tries hardest hit by the coronavirus cri- last summer, the upcoming March 18-21 sis, is also among the first countries in Los Angeles event will be mostly online. the world where film and TV production But going virtual has just prompted restarted after the peak of the pandemic Italian marketing guru Tiziana Rocca, and is now trying to become among the a longtime Italian industry promoter, first in Europe to reopen movie theaters to double her efforts. in the next couple of weeks. This year the former Taormina Film The Filming Italy — Los Angeles selec- Festival general manager is serving up tion features standout titles from last twice the number of titles — a selection year’s Venice Film Festival — one of the of more than 50 features, TV skeins, docs few major international fests to take place and shorts — and a marathon medley of physically — such as Susanna Nicchiarelli’s “Pinocchio” production 25 master classes, starting with Edoardo “Miss Marx,” about Karl Marx’s ill-fated designer Ponti, director of Oscar-buzzed Sophia younger daughter Eleanor, a fervent fem- Dimitri Capuani Loren-starrer “The Life Ahead,” in con- inist pioneer, and emerging actor-direc- is slated for versation with Diane Warren who wrote tor Pietro Castellitto’s dark comedy “The a Filming Italy

the ﬁlm’s theme song “Io Si (Seen).” The Predators,” which won the screenplay master class. Attractions Distribution; Pinocchio: Regina De Lazzaris/Roadside Matteo Vieille/01 Predators: 03.18.2021 VARIETY ● 53

prize in Venice’s Horizons section. Also featured are standout Italian Filming Italy — Los Angeles Highlights titles from other international fests, including dark drama “Bad Tales” by twin brothers Damiano and Fabio D’Innocenzo, which won the Berlin 2020 screenplay award. Italian artisans will be celebrated in Gianfranco Giagni’s documentary “Sartoria Tirelli — Vestire il cinema,” Virtual event brings the best of Italo creatives to hungry audiences about multi-Oscar-winning Italian costume design house Tirelli. The arti- san house regularly works with direc- ‘The Life Ahead’ panel “The Life Ahead” director Edoardo tor Matteo Garrone, whose live-action “Pinocchio,” was released in the U.S. by Ponti, which is an Italian Netflix Original, will hold an online conversa- Roadside Attractions and made the Oscar tion with Diane Warren, who wrote the shortlist for hair and makeup. “Pinocchio” film’s theme song “Io Si (Seen).” “The production designer Dimitri Capuani Life Ahead” will be the fest’s opener. and his multi-Oscar-winning colleagues Dante Ferretti and Francesca Lo Schiavo will be participating in Filming Italy ‘It Was Spring Outside’ master classes. This life-in-lockdown doc by Oscar- Italy’s restrained and realistic winning director Gabriele Salvatores approach to visual effects will be on dis- will have its U.S. premiere at Filming play in the TV series “Romulus,” shot in in Italy after launching at the Rome Archaic Latin by director Matteo Rovere. Film Festival. Using material from The project takes its cue from the myth- social media and cellphone videos ical tale of twins Romulus and Remus, sent to Salvatores and other sources, founders of Rome, and launched from this collective project assembled by the the Rome Film Festival in October, which prolific helmer, who won an Academy was also held physically. Award for “Mediterraneo,” provides a As always, Rocca is championing tapestry of fresh first-hand accounts of how Italians experienced the coro- women through her partnership with Gabriele Salvatores’ “It Was Spring Outside” makes its U.S. premiere at Filming in Italy. Women in Film, TV & Media Italia, the navirus crisis — from empty piazzas to Italian branch of Los Angeles-based the heroes on the front lines when the Women in Film, headed by former Warner country was among the hardest hit by ‘Caliber 9’ Film industry Bros. Italy TV distribution chief Domizia the first COVID-19 wave. Set in present-day Milan, “Caliber 9” stars restart panel De Rosa. The org will select several shorts Marco Bocci (“Crime Novel”) as a crim- Italian and U.S. film industry execs and by emerging Italian female filmmakers ‘Omelia Contadina’ inal defense lawyer, unlike his criminal talents will discuss the impact of the that will be showcased at the event. Alice Rohrwacher presents this short father, played by Michele Placido. The pandemic on distribution strategies as This year’s Woman Power Award she made with French artist JR, in plot revolves around a cybercrime scam in streaming giants become the big win- will go to Cecilia Peck, co-director of which a community gathers on the which the defrauded company is a mon- ners. Panelists include prominent direc- doc series “Seduced: Inside the NXIVM Alfina plateau in central Italy to partici- ey-laundering front for the Calabrian mob. tors Carlo Verdone and Francesco Bruni, Cult,” about the modern-day sex-slave pate in a symbolic funeral of traditional Pic is inspired by cult director Fernando who both have new films that are await- cult NXIVM, which will screen. agriculture, symbolized by a giant piece Di Leo’s 1972 noir “Milano Calibro 9.” ing releases, RAI Cinema CEO Paolo Del Italian actors Stefania Sandrelli, Paola of land art covered in dust, a monument “Caliber 9” is having its U.S. bow after pre- Brocco and Disney Italia CEO Daniel Frigo. Cortellesi, Margherita Buy, Elena Sofia of sorts to mourn the small farmer. After miering at the Turin Film Festival. Pic also Ricci and Valentina Lodovini will attend premiering in Venice, this cinematic stars Ksenia Rappoport (“The Unknown Tiziano Ferro talks master classes. Prominent Italian direc- call to action against the destruction Woman”) and Barbara Bouchet playing about Amazon Prime tor Alice Rohrwacher’s short “Omelia of agricultural landscapes due to indus- the same character as the original, albeit Contadina” (“Peasant Homily”) about trial farming, is making its U.S. debut. 47 years later. Video Italian original preserving Italy’s ancient agricultural doc series ‘Ferro’ traditions, will have its U.S. premiere Pop star Ferro will be on a panel pre- at the fest. senting this docuseries, which follows The event’s honorary president is his career over the past 20 years in Milan, Italian actor Claudia Gerini (“Suburra”), Los Angeles and his native Latina. One of who will hold an opening day master Italy’s best-selling artists, Ferro, besides class. Harvey Keitel reps the U.S. as the being a singer, is also a songwriter and event’s other honorary president. producer. He has released a Spanish ver- As a special event, Filming Italy — Los sion of each of his albums, and has also Angeles will also celebrate the 700th sung in English, Portuguese and French. anniversary of the death of poet Dante In 2019 Ferro married his partner, former Alighieri on March 25 with a screen- Warner Bros. consultant Victor Allen, and ing of 1911 silent film “L’inferno,” by told the Italian press he considers himself Francesco Bertolini, recently restored both “gay and Catholic.” by the Cineteca di Bologna archives, and a taping of Roberto Benigni’s stage Bella Thorne feted adaptation of Dante’s “Divine Comedy,” The U.S. actor, model and influencer, which toured in Italy and internation- The entire industry is suffering, so I worked who recently shot director Elisa ally. There will also be readings of the Amoruso’s English-language teen pic poet’s works by special guests, including to broaden the scope to all industry sectors “Time Is Up” in Italy alongside Italian Danny Huston, William Baldwin and and also bring the event to film students pop star Benjamin Mascolo, will attend Italian actors Monica Guerritore and a panel and be celebrated with a Filming

01 Distribution Michele Placido. across Italy and in the U.S.” --Tiziana Rocca Italy — Los Angeles Award. 54 ● FOCUS ● WGA AWARDS 03.18.2021

Writing Out the Pandemic

For Hollywood scribes, isolation has its perks — but also its challenges ● By Malina Saval

Ernest Hemingway famously once said, “There Andy Siara, is nothing to writing. All you who wrote do is sit down at a typewriter the WGA- and bleed.” nominated What Papa Hemingway “Palm Springs,” meant, of course, is that the says Zoom is no substitute Ecraft of writing is emotional, draining for in-person and often psychologically taxing, espe- meetings. cially when mining stories that bring to the fore crucial social issues such as racism, sexual harassment and civil rights. Writing is also very much a sol- itary pursuit, perhaps the one aspect of filmmaking that can, in most cases, be carried out in the cocoon of one’s home — and mind — before the process takes on a decidedly collaborative bent, with producers, directors and editors working their collective magic. Many screenwriters have, in fact, used the mandated quarantine period to their creative advantage, hibernating bear style and pounding out new projects. But how has the COVID-19 pandemic, and the resulting lockdown, affected the screenwriting biz on the whole? For the nominees in the Writers Guild Awards original and adapted screenplay categories, several of whom are first-time nominees (e.g., Emerald Fennell, “Promising Young Woman”; Will Berson & Shaka King and Kenny “But I have to say, it has actually Kemp Powers, nominated for “One the world and being social, I do miss that,” Lucas and Keith Lucas, “Judas and the helped force me to make a schedule for Night in Miami,” points out that while he says. “For ‘Palm Springs,’ for example, Black Messiah”) there have been chal- myself in a way that’s different from “there’s nothing stopping people from the director and I, Max [Barbakow], we’d lenges, but also certain perks. (The before, where I was on set for upwards developing ideas,” screenwriters, lacking get in a room together and have these end- WGA Awards will be handed out in a of 12 hours a day,” he continues. “I’ve the pre-pandemic structure of filmmak- less conversations. And now we have to do virtual ceremony hosted by writer-di- “Judas and the learned time management, I guess you ing, run the risk of developing “burnout.” it through Zoom or the phone.” rector Kal Penn on March 21.) Black Messiah” could say. So I think the pandemic has “The work-life balance doesn’t really Without the benefit of being in a writ- “I was in the middle of production on writers Kenny affected the way I approach my writing. exist anymore,” says Powers. “It’s just ers’ room, says Siara, it’s much more and Keith Lucas a show I was working on,” says rookie And, honestly, the flexibility of not having being locked up in my house — we’re going difficult to sometimes access the “emo- say there’s screenwriter Andy Siara, nominated for uncertainty about to drive anywhere has also helped.” on a year now. You lose track of what day tional core” of the stories screenwriters “Palm Springs.” “I was on set every day projects moving But there has been a drop in “fluidity,” of the week it is. It’s not uncommon for me seek to tell. during productio and then everything forward since the says Keith Lucas. Before coronavirus, to find myself writing seven days a week “When you’re a writer working shuts down, everything changes. pandemic began. when a project got greenlit, one gener- sometimes, which is a pretty bad habit together with other writers or a direc- ally had a solid sense of when produc- that’s hard for me to break when you’re tor and crew, you develop a shorthand tion would begin. Now, unpredictability stuck in the house. So, sure, I’m incredibly with each other wherein you can go looms in the air. productive, but almost to a fault. When straight to the vulnerable stuff in terms “There was always that degree of cer- I’m done with the project I’m working of story and characters,” he says. “Now, tainty,” he notes. “Now, so many things on now, and when people are vaccinated, you’re Zooming with people you’ve have been delayed. People are still writ- I’ll definitely get the hell out of Dodge. never actually met in person, it takes ing scripts, there are a lot of assignments, I absolutely have found myself kind of more time to kind of get to those types we’re staying busy, but whether or not missing life.” of heavy conversations. I miss being in a these scripts go into production — that’s As for Zoom, says Siara, it’s no substi- room and talking about things. So that is the question.” tute for in-person meetings during which what’s difficult. And that is what I miss “I wouldn’t say that COVID has dras- writers and directors can hash out ideas the most. It’s going to be great when tically and fundamentally altered the and brainstorm. the world opens up and I can get back into industry, but I would say, anecdotally, “When doing the actual screenwriting, a room full of people that are smarter than that there’s probably about a 5% drop in I work best when I’m locked away0 in a I am and we can throw around ideas.” terms of projects going into production,” room by myself, but, you know, that part

adds Kenny Lucas. of just being a normal human being out in For the full list of nominations go to wga.org Bros. Judas: Glen Wilson/Warner Springs: Christopher Willard/Hulu; Palm 03.18.2021 VARIETY ● 55 ARTISANS

Former production Accounting App staffer’s firm helps producers cut carbon footprint, Pays in More monitor health protocols Ways Than One

By Jazz Tangcay

Illustration by Rose Wong

Former production accountant Rumala Sheikhani was working on the TV show “State of Affairs,” paying the background cast, when one day the stacks of paperwork seemed to mock the sustainability Hollywood strives for. “There had to be a better way of doing it,” she says. The key was finding a way to stream- line the system of vouchers that background actors must fill out in order to get paid. “I knew technology could help alleviate a lot of the back and forth with vouchers, and that’s when I first came up with the idea,” says Sheikhani, who created an app to digitize the process. Five years later, Castifi, the product solution company she founded and for which she serves as CEO, has been used on more than 1,000 productions, including 56 says Gates. “One majorchallengewas pandemic posedseveral challenges,” sis. “Working inproduction during a a bigdifference duringthehealthcri- sketch show saysthatCastifi hasmade for MichaelChe’s untitledHBO Max to getthempaidandprocessed.” “And we have onboarded 50,000 people production inAugust,” Sheikhanisays. beentested. firming they’ve are duetobackground actorsforcon- the set—andkeep track ofbonusesthat can instantlyseewhoiscleared toenter test results sothattheproduction team hire, manage and pay background actors. as production assistantsusetheappto reduce contactbetween peopleonset and containcosts —ithasalsohelped “You,” “Grown” and“Outer Banks.” — RumalaSheikhani, CastifiCEO a lot of the back and forth with vouchers.” I knew technology could helpalleviate business sincewe startedreopening app canreport real-time coronavirus more thanjust alleviate paperwork influenced world, Castifihasdone “We’ve seena250%growth inour Perhaps even more important,the But inthecurrent COVID-19- Jenny Gates, production accountant ● ARTISANS eligibility status. Thecompany says up matchesaswell asconfirmingunion to search through 70,000 namesandpull a databasethatallows casting directors ductions inhiringinclusively, providing of paper. Buttheapphasalsoaidedpro- having saved more than3millionsheets has madegoodonitsoriginalobjective, ing officer, estimatesthatthecompany day’s workdigitally. ground actorscouldsignoffontheir of thepapertrailentirelyandback- production companiescoulddispose 70,000 actorsinitsdatabase.Now, mainly providingcastingservicestothe stone forthecompany,whichhadbeen vouchers lastsummer,itbecameamile- the setandbackground performers.” ability tocommunicateremotely with were simpletoresolve, offeringusthe had pre-COVID. Revisions anddisputes simple, offeringthesame workflow we solution. Theirsetupwas extremely background?’ Castifioffered usthebest ‘How willwe process payroll forour When SAG-AFTRAapproveddigital Ebrahim Bhaiji,Castifichiefoperat- championed bystipulationssuchas ing thekindoffairhiringstandards can moreeasilycertifythatthey’remeet- in Castifi’sservicessothatproductions routinely incorporatediversityreports improve the apphashelpedcastingdirectors to he says. and narrative ofrestarting production,” were abletobecomeapartofthefabric quently partofpitchpresentations. “We resume lastsummer. Theappwas fre- the pandemicasproduction startedto to findaway tosafelyhire peopleduring duction teamswere desperately looking digital vouchers topayroll companies. data, keeps accountsstraight andsends port —acentral hubthatincorporates shopofproductioninto aone-stop sup- sure thatoutfitsare properly returned. store actors’measurements andmake has benefitedfrom theapp, whichcan inclusion riders. Sheikhani addsthatshe’shopingto Bhaiji says growth tookoffwhenpro- Ultimately, thegoalistoturnCastifi Wardrobe isanotherdepartmentthat diversityhiringbyatleast20%. accounting services. has provided for whichCastifi is amongtheshows and Penn Badgley, Victoria Pedretti “You,” starring By JazzTangcay Pandemic Pinch of the Feels the Scouting Location Managers Guild, Levine noted during one Managers Guild,Levine notedduringone As productions gear upagainwith back todirectors orthescout team. ture 3Dfootage, which hethensends Rakish hastaken tousing drones tocap- people getinavan tolookatalocation.” he says. “It’s notlike before where 35 whenscopingoutasite,photography” scouting. “There’s alotmore digital dent, hasalsonoticedamove tovirtual John Rakish,theguild’s 2ndvicepresi- have touseitatsomepoint,” sheallows. locations. “Iknow I’mprobably goingto detection andranging capability, toscout her newiPhone12, whichhasLidarlight scouted], ‘Ineedroof access.’” hear [afteralocationhasalready been will take place,” sheexplains, “and I’ll department headsgathered, andsidebars proximity. “There willbe20to30crew smoothly wheneveryone isn’t inphysical communication doesn’t always flow as on real estatesites. Butshehasfoundthat locations. It’s atechnologywidelyused ogy forvirtualwalkthroughs ofpotential interested inusingappsand3Dtechnol- location managershadbecomemore of theguild’s recent Coffee Tuesdays that this locationwork?’” department, ‘Whatdoyou needtomake she says. “You’re usedtoaskingeach scouting crew withher. “It was hard,” since shecouldbringonlyasmaller municated over ZoomandFaceTime, reveal thetitle),Levinehasmainlycom- a dramedy, butshe’s notpermittedto sites are procured. hasalsoseenchangesintheway Cut”) and remote filming. crews andexperimenting withvirtual emphasized working withsmaller the pandemic.COVID protocols have that setswon’t lookthesameasbefore more cameras startingtoroll, it’s likely Levine saysshehas witnessedother “American Gods”locationmanager As the1st vicepresident oftheLocation For theshow she’s working on(it’s Levine wonders ifshe’llsoonbeusing Location managerJ.J. Levine(“TheD 03.18.2021

Beth Dubber/Netflix 03.18.2021 VARIETY ● 57

Tom Holkenborg Delivers Epic Score for ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’

By Jon Burlingame

office disappointment of Whedon’s 2017 “Justice League.” Holkenborg never saw that one, out of loyalty to Snyder, with whom he has now done six projects including “300: Rise of an Empire” and the forthcoming “Army of the Dead.” When Warner Bros. greenlit Zack Snyder’s Working alone in his studio for eight return to the troubled “Justice League,” months, the composer says, “I had time vastly expanding and reediting the film to really look at my strengths. I wanted to into a new edition that debuts March 18 create a score that was going to show my on HBO Max, one of Snyder’s first calls full spectrum without losing a distinctive was to composer Tom Holkenborg. throughline: strong thematic statements, The Dutch-born, L.A.-based composer orchestrational and electronic colors, an (known in the pop world as Junkie XL) arc of four hours and 20 minutes that had written some 40 minutes of music needed to be properly filled.” for the original “Justice League” back in One of Snyder’s only specific requests 2016, before Snyder departed the project was for “a national anthem” for the and was replaced by Joss Whedon (who Justice League — and Holkenborg deliv- brought in Danny Elfman as composer). ers a rousing, heroic theme as the team Holkenborg — who had collaborated comes together. He wrote new themes with Hans Zimmer on Snyder’s two for most characters, including an espe- previous DC Universe movies, “Man of cially evocative one for Wonder Woman Steel” and “Batman v. Superman: Dawn featuring wordless vocals by Iranian of Justice” — looked at the earlier music soprano Delaram Kamareh; a delicate and asked Snyder: “Would you mind if I piano and strings treatment for the tor- start over?” The director’s response, per mented Cyborg; a huge brass signature the composer: “‘The shackles are off. Go for Aquaman; and dark, clashing, atonal for it. Do whatever you feel is right.’” sounds with “a crazy choir from hell” for The result is nearly four hours of supervillains Steppenwolf and Darkseid. music for the so-called Snyder cut: what While the composer created most Holkenborg calls “my Mount Everest in of the score in his private studio, using film scoring” — his longest-ever score and “two small synths, some percussion, one one that calls upon all his skills from his bass, one guitar and a few pedals,” he years as an electronic-music producer, his required nearly 60 London musicians for 1980s and ’90s work with world music and the string and brass elements. Warner’s his love of classical orchestration. WaterTower Music is releasing the entire From top: Emily Browning and Omid Abtahi are the only actors on camera for a scene in “American Gods”; an area for cast and crew is socially distanced on the project J.J. Levine is working on. “This score is extra-personal and four-hour score along with the movie. extra-intense for me,” says Holkenborg. And Holkenborg isn’t done with “The fans made this happen,” he adds, world-shaking battles: He also wrote the changes on set, not just in scouting. For In one instance — a site in Santa Clarita referring to internet demand for Snyder’s score for “Godzilla vs. Kong,” which HBO instance, before COVID-19, up to 100 crew that was supposed to double for Florida original after the much-maligned box Max will unveil March 31. members at a time would dine on craft — the space just didn’t work under the services in expandable trailers. “Now we existing conditions. But the crew found put six people in [the trailer],” she says. a solution with CGI: “Virtual shooting “One show I was working on outfitted plates were used against a blue screen, and those trailers with shower curtains as the sequence, in which a mother is teach- separators, and they were used as hair ing her daughter how to drive, was shot and makeup stations.” on a soundstage instead of on location.” PUTTING TWO Levine says that even such basics as the Levine points out that it’s not just PEOPLE IN logistics of a car scene are impacted by location managers who are pivoting. AN ENCLOSED health considerations. “We would nor- Writers, too, are rethinking big back- SPACED IN A Tom Holkenborg mally drive around with a camera car and ground sequences. A scene that was once COVID WORLD composed the the car would be on a tow dolly,” she says. on the page as taking place in a crowded — YOU CAN’T DO THAT ANYMORE.” four-hour score “But putting two people in an enclosed bar is now just a lone bartender stocking — J.J. LEVINE, for “Zack Snyder’s spaced in a COVID world — you can’t do a shelf while a customer walks in. “We’re LOCATION Justice League” MANAGER American Gods: Jasper Savage/Starz (2); Holkenborg: Dirk Kikstra (2); Holkenborg: American Gods: Jasper Savage/Starz that anymore.” all adapting to change,” she says. in his home studio. The Rebirth of a Legend

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read. listen. share variety.com/justforvariety 03.18.2021 VARIETY ● 59 REVIEWS

Zack Snyder’s Justice League By Owen Gleiberman

FILM REVIEW

Director: Zack Snyder

Starring: Ben Afﬂeck, Gal Gadot, Henry Cavill, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller, Jason Momoa, Gal Gadot and Ray Fisher star in “Justice League.” Ciarán Hinds

It takes an extraordinarily diverse skill set to direct a great comic book movie. You’ve got to be a visual effects wizard; a maestro of story and pace; a popcorn humanist who can ﬁnd the relatable dimension of a bunch of freaks in capes and breastplates and spandex; and enough of an artist to tie the whole thing together into an indeli- ble Big Vision. It’s no wonder that in the years since Hollywood got eaten alive by comic book culture, the superhero movies that have achieved a genuine sweeping transcendence can just about be counted on one hand: “The Dark Knight,” “Spider- Man 2,” “Black Panther,” a few others. To that hallowed list I would now add “Zack Snyder’s Justice League,” the thrillingly restored four-hour-long director’s-cut version of the 2017 DC Comics extravaganza. The new movie — and make no mistake, it really is a new movie — is more than just a vindication of Snyder’s original vision. It’s a grand, nimble and immersive entertainment, a team-of-heroes origin story that, at heart, is classically conventional, yet told with such an intoxicating childlike sincerity and ominous fairy-tale wonder that it takes you back to what comic books, at their best, have always sought to do: make you feel like you’re seeing gods at

HBO Max HBO play on Earth. 60 ● REVIEWS 03.18.2021

The ﬁlm is such a feast of bravura eye candy and emotionally serious spectacle that it seems to be delivering all the excitement we’ve been missing.”

It was online fans who first dubbed this excitement we’ve been missing. The four that’s the thing, it was just … there. Here, book movies ever made. The clash- project “the Snyder cut.” In March 2017, hours of it glide by in an addictive trance. the hard-won reawakening of Superman Ciarán Hinds’ ing battles never give you that weary, Snyder, after creative conflicts with the But the other way the experience of becomes a transporting saga of its own. Steppenwolf here’s-some-more-CGI feeling, because studio (and the suicide of his daughter), “Justice League” is shaped by timing is The new “Justice League” exudes a has been they’ve been staged with a supreme con- left the movie and saw it handed over to that now that Snyder has restored the majestic sense of cosmic historical evil. reimagined from viction that’s more “Seven Samurai” Joss Whedon, who rewrote and reshot film to its pop operatic grandeur, it strik- Its tone is less reminiscent of other DC the 2017 iteration than super invincible. Ciarán Hinds’ more than half of it. In the minds of the ingly echoes the sinister extravagance of or Marvel movies than of Peter Jackson’s of the film. Steppenwolf, with his horns of evil, is Warner Bros. executives, reeling from the “Avengers” saga, notably the last two “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. The cama- still the prime antagonist, but while he the bumpy launch of their DC multi- installments of it, which hadn’t come out raderie among the superheroes is vastly seemed a trifle effete in the 2017 version, verse, Snyder’s version was too long when the bowdlerized, trimmed-to-the- deepened — with the cheeseball wise- he has been reimagined as a splendid and too dark. Whedon chopped out the bone “Justice League” appeared in 2017. cracks excised, they develop a moving hulk covered in gleaming herringbone backstory, and a fair amount of the front Snyder’s “Justice League” accom- affinity for each other. In one of many platelets that bristle with his emotion, story, swapping in jokes and glib patter plishes in four hours what those films did examples of how sharpened Snyder’s and he’s also a disgraced assassin who and a kind of brightly lit gee-whiz aura. In in nine. It unites a team of superheroes filmmaking is, Ezra Miller’s Flash is will stoop to the unspeakable. “Justice other words, he churned out a hastily shot but never forgets that each of them is introduced with far wittier dialogue than League” ends with what may be the best “audience-friendly” version of “Justice seriously worthy of his or her own story. anything Joss Whedon came up with, post-comic book movie teaser ever, as League,” synced to the processed beats It pits them against a humungous slab of followed by a mesmerizing bullet-time Jesse Eisenberg’s Lex Luthor and then of corporate storytelling, that wound up rock-jawed evil — in this case the molten sequence in which he saves a young Jared Leto’s Joker hold court in twin pleasing next to no one. Darkseid (who got trimmed out of the woman from a car accident — an epi- lectures of doom that make you hungry Timing, they say, is everything, and 2017 version) and his loyal demon hench- sode that beautifully sets up the hidden to see the movies they promise. It’s not there are two ways that the new “Justice man Steppenwolf — who seeks to control empathy of his speed-of-light character. just that these characters are back. So League” turns out to be karmically well- all life in the universe. And it’s a startling Gal Gadot’s Diana has the stalwart but is the thing that too many comic book timed. It’s premiering a year into the tale of death and resurrection. The five trepidatious presence that got fumbled films have destroyed: the sensation that pandemic, which means that audiences members of Justice League, gathered up in “Wonder Woman 1984,” Ray Fisher’s something’s at stake. have now gone for 12 months without by Batman and Wonder Woman, real- Cyborg has acquired the resonance of a CREDITS: An HBO Max release of a Warner Bros. Pictures, experiencing the primal joys of high-fly- ize that they can’t save Earth without half-machine Hamlet, and Ben Affleck’s HBO Max, DC production. Producers: Deborah Snyder, Charles Roven. Executive producers: Christopher Nolan, ing fantasy escapism on the big screen. Superman, who is no longer with them. Batman is like a different character: With Emma Thomas, Wesley Coller, Jim Rowe, Curtis Kanemoto, We’re starved for it, and though “Justice So they use one of the three Monster all that Ben-friendly banter gone, he Chris Terrio, Ben Affleck. Director: Zack Snyder. Screen- play: Chris Terrio. Camera: Fabian Wagner. Editor: David League” will be seen, by and large, on HBO Boxes, the sources of infinite energy embraces the gruff-voiced sinister Bruce Brenner. Music: Tom Holkenborg. Reviewed online, New York, March 10, 2021. MPAA Rating: R. Running time: 242 Max, the film is such a feast of bravura everyone’s fighting to possess, to raise with sterling command. MIN. Cast: Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Henry Cavill, Jason eye candy and emotionally serious spec- Clark Kent from the dead, a plot twist Beyond that, this has to be one of Momoa, Ezra Miller, Ray Fisher, Amy Adams, Jeremy Irons, Diane Lane, Connie Nielsen, Joe Morton, J.K. Simmons, tacle that it seems to be delivering all the that was there in the 2017 version, but the most visually spellbinding comic Willem Dafoe, Ciarán Hinds, Joe Manganiello, Harry Lennix

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Waffles + Mochi By Daniel D’Addario

Zach Galifianakis joins Michelle Obama in an episode of “Waffles + Mochi.”

TV REVIEW

Kids TV: Netﬂix (10 episodes; all reviewed); March 16

With: Michelle Obama, Michelle Zamora, Russ Walko

As first lady, Michelle Obama grew a vegetable garden at the White House to make children more curious about what they eat. These days, what she grows takes a more widely visible form. Obama produces (with her husband) and appears (with puppets) in the Netflix series “Waffles + Mochi,” part of the former first couple’s Higher Ground Prods. deal with the streamer. This is less lofty than other Higher Ground projects, but it will likely appeal to the most inquisitive among the younger set. Waffles, performed by puppeteer closely track media culture may wonder belong in all sorts of cuisines … and so Lee sense of “Is that all there is?” All the Michelle Zamora, is a creature — why the tomato is wearing Sia’s wig from too do they themselves belong with access in the world and the skill to com- half-waffle and half-Yeti — that emerges the “Chandelier” era. And Tan France of Mrs. O., a dose of sentimentality serv- municate one’s philosophy, and the result from a grocery-store freezer to explore “Queer Eye” attempts to find garments ing as dessert at the end of an otherwise is a Spotify podcast and a Netflix show? the world outside. Waffles’ friend, Mochi for a potato before concluding potatoes cerebral episode.) The former first lady “Waffles + Mochi” cannot answer (Russ Walko), communicates, like R2-D2, need no special clothes to be tasty and seems refreshingly unrehearsed here, these questions, but taken on its own in a series of whirs and beeps that only nutritious — a piece of Netflix cross-pro- delivering lines with a natural, ad-libbed terms, it’s productive. Teaching kids a best pal can understand. The pair are, motion that feels less than fully baked. quality. She feels more like a neighbor- to appreciate the sources of their meal if not as instantly distinctive as, say, Bert Kids have the rest of their lives to engage hood mom than like a globally famous and to eat with a spirit of inquiry is a and Ernie, possessed of a winning goof- with celebrity culture, and star-driven figure — which suits the show, whose good thing, and if future iterations of the ball spirit. Together, they learn about one bits like these are the one element that’s viewers may not have been alive when program pare back some excesses, this ingredient each episode, guided by the always one too many in each episode. she was in the White House. may become a family favorite for seasons store’s gardener, Mrs. O., played by Obama Describing the uses of food, “Waffles Though its star seems more chilled to come. That’s exciting less as a brand in a series of cameos alongside a friendly + Mochi” will likely excite children out than she was allowed to be in official play by two famous figures than as an bee named Busy (Jonathan Kidder). when showing particular things to do functions, more than a whiff of her time opportunity for further culinary explo- The concept is appealingly mutable, together; for example, in the episode in public life remains. It’s the Obama- ration. It’s worth being dubious of the and the production has the sort of in which Sia’s song falls flat, chef José era ethos: earnest, inclusive, merging a tightening alliance between politics and resources that allow it to travel inter- Andrés — at just the right energy level wonky eagerness to share as much infor- celebrity culture, but this show tempts nationally (several scenes take place in for kids to vibe with — makes a gazpa- mation as possible with an overreliance even a cynical viewer to give it a pass — Japan, for instance), or to book top-flight cho for his new buddies. But the show on the tools of celebrity to convey that not least because the intended audience guests. But the show can at times feel is less effective when it defaults to just information. This is a big-tent show that does not care about the Obamas’ past overstuffed, as if trying to please too listing all the different ways a food can occasionally gets too maximalist, and is achievements. When “Waffles + Mochi” many people, and parents may find them- be prepared, as happens multiple times at its best when looking closely at a given works, it’s not because of the names in selves wondering what might have been throughout. Episodes that dive in are the subject. Relative to other kids shows, it the credits but because of what those trimmed to make the experience a little most interesting. trusts its audience’s intelligence. This names bring to it. less chaotic. To wit: A Sia song about Obama’s presence is fleeting — encapsulation of the Obamas’ sensibil- CREDITS: Executive producers: Erika Thormahlen, Jer- the confusion over whether a tomato is appearing to reframe what her two pals ities comes as no surprise. Indeed, the emy Konner, Tonia Davis, Priya Swaminathan, Barack and Michelle Obama. 30 MIN. With: Michelle Obama, Michelle a vegetable or a fruit adds little more than have learned. (In the first installment, pair’s post-presidency media endeav- Zamora, Russ Walko, Jonathan Kidder, Diona Elise Burnett, Taleia Gilliam, Piotr Michael, Zach Galifianakis Adam Rose/Netflix dazzle to the subject, and kids who don’t the two puppets learn that tomatoes ors can sometimes fill one with a Peggy 62 his secondplanned summertourwith vided relieffrombroodingoverhaving got farbeyondthewelcomemat.Itpro- L.A. homestudio,evenifsomenever allow afewvettedfriendsinsidehis ed-play mini-album,RingoStarrdid In ZoomOut,”hisfive-trackextend- ing wasinevitableinmaking“Zoom Although someZoom-stylecollaborat- By ChrisWillman COVID-19 pandemic. StarrZoomed his AllStarrBandcanceled duetothe Ringo Starr ● FACETIME had out—Ithought, “That’s thelast CD “What’s My Name?” —thelastalbum I shorter more feasible? the pandemicmadedoingsomething EP, after 20 soloalbums. Is thatbecause •> “Get Back.” upcoming filmof1969Beatlesfootage, his newrecord,plusPeterJackson’s into aroomwith “Zoom InZoomOut”isyour first Variety After Ifinished totalkabout “It’s been alifesaver for me—abit of socializing.” F-demented, andIwas like,F-demented, “Fuck!” With Of course, shesentit over inthekey of and shesentover “Here’s totheNights.” started, Iasked DianeWarren forasong, always have tobetheco-writer. WhenI And Iwanted tochangethingssoIdon’t there. Ilike having four orfive tracks. in Hamburg whenIplayed withbands Charles collectionofEPs thatIfound EPs.” Iloved EPs growing up;IhadaRay I’m goingtomake. I’mgoingtomake he loves drums.” Giles, because drums now. Ilove can hear the interest. “You partly out of self- by Giles Martin, albums overseen editions of Beatles remastered boxed sets and Starr loves the Boxing day: --- edition. $500 special the autographed out, except for house. But it’s sold Julien’s auction exclusively via of touring, three decades recapping hislast of the All Starrs,” Rocks: 30 Years and text, “Ringo book of photos Starr released a In December, Selling out: --- Bailey Rae Crow andCorinne Stapleton, Sheryl Finneas, Yola, Chris Dave Grohl, Paul McCartney, to theNights” are song “Here’s backup onnew the choir singing go-go: Among Guest list-a- --- Liverpool Hometown: --- Age: 80 Ringo Starr didn’t know about Things you me —abitofsocializing. We’ve gotthe the pandemic? •> key tosomewhere ahumancansing. Benmont Tench’s help, we lowered the And it’s minutes], butnow it’s 43minuteslong. [In ‘LetIt Be,’ itwas editeddown to21 roof really great, witha lotofcameras. the roof.” Michaelshotthatstuff onthe ues, andthen,“Wait, let’s justgoupon band. Andwe didthinkofotherven- We’d decidedtoplay together, asalive will bearevelation in“Get Back”? •> but we’re having funaswell. just having fun—Imean,we’re playing, his iPad andshow mesceneswhere we’re he’dtime hecametoL.A., comeover with together theninNew Zealand,andevery lots ofhumorthere.” Peter was puttingit I was there, andIsaid,“Iknow there’s came alonganddecidedhe’d take thegig. of theshots. [Laughs.] ThankGodPeter that MichaelLindsay-Hogg was inmost moment. And,laughingly, Ilike tosay in 1970. Hogg’s editsforthe“LetIt Be”movie happy withdirector MichaelLindsay- Back” film.You’ve saidyou weren’t version ofyou thisyear inthe“Get •> himself inthemirror], “OK, brother!” morning, andI’mlike [mimingadmiring got somuch!Ilove it.Igetupinthe my COVID not-haircut. I’mshocked I’ve ber. Thisismy COVID haircut now. Or myself ever since;Inever went toabar- I firstgotabuzzcutin’96anddidit You’re lettingyour moptopflyagain? decades ofhaving itclose-cropped. •> could bedeath. the alternative, ofgettingyour own way, 2021]. Ilove goingoutandplaying. But forthesummersof2020and [planned up. Themiseryhasbeenlosingtwo tours Some days, you’re down andyou’re fed tracks, standingby thedoor. [Laughs.] East cameover andplayed bassonthree masks onwithpeopleworking. Nathan What was itlike recording during Anything besidesfunyou think People willseea50-years-back Your hair isgrowing after out, It focused onlyontheonedown great . It’s beenalifesaver for 03.18.2021

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CONGRATULATIONS

2021 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD HONOREES

Presented by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce

www.hollywoodchamber.net

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