Showstopper Coronavirus Has Decimated Live Entertainment — and It Isn't Letting Up

Showstopper Coronavirus has decimated live entertainment — and it isn't letting up

JULY 14, 2020 US $9.99 JAPAN ¥1280 CANADA $11.99 CHINA ¥80 UK £ 8 HONG KONG $95 EUROPE €9 RUSSIA 400 AUSTRALIA $14 INDIA 800 By Brent Lang, Jem Aswad and Manori Ravindran Matt Galsor,

Congratulations on being recognized as a Variety Legal Impact Honoree.

Irayo - thank you for all you do!

Jim Cameron + Lightstorm Entertainment

Untitled-7 1 7/9/20 5:40 PM CONTENTS

Dave Franco makes his directorial debut in IFC Films’ “The Rental,” bowing July 24.

P.2 2 P.3 0 P.3 6 P.9 3 The Shows Making Variety’s PBS Marks Can’t Go On His Move Power of Law Its 50th Year The live entertainment biz has been With “The Rental,” Dave Franco Entertainment attorneys have had to The public broadcaster is hard hit by the ongoing pandemic. steps away from acting to fulfill find new ways to serve clients due acknowledging the milestone by By BRENT LANG, JEM ASWAD a lifelong dream to direct. to the COVID-19 pandemic. Plus: continuing its mission of service. and MANORI RAVINDRAN By MATT DONNELLY The Legal Impact Report. By DANIEL HOLLOWAY (COVER) PHOTOGRAPH BY SPENCER LOWELL; (THIS PAGE) PHOTOGRAPH BY JOYCE KIM JOYCE BY PHOTOGRAPH (THIS PAGE) SPENCER LOWELL; BY PHOTOGRAPH (COVER)

VARIETY 3 CONTENTS

TOP BILLING

13 GLOBAL IMPACT National security law in Hong Kong is being felt around the world, including Hollywood

15 CARRIAGE CONCERNS Amazon and Roku are playing hardball with new streamers like HBO Max and Peacock

18 THE BIG TICKET Luke Evans discusses the new season of “The Alienist” and all the rings he’s kept from roles

EXPOSURE P.4 2 19 DEVOUR Mírame restaurant is making Music attorney Dina its debut in Beverly Hills with LaPolt is Variety’s Power Variety, VOL. 348, NO. 20 (USPS 146- alfresco dining 820, ISSN 0011-5509) is published of Law honoree weekly, except the fourth week of June, the first week in July, and the 21 DIRT fourth and fifth weeks in December, with 40 special issues: Jan (8), Feb (8), Producer Gary Barber puts his June (7), Aug (6), Nov (5) and Dec (6) by Variety Media LLC, 11175 Santa L.A. penthouse on the block 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, FOCUS North Hollywood, CA 91615-5759. Canada Post International Publications Mail Product (Canadian Distribution) Publications Mail Agreement No. 40043404. Return undeliverable 101 SARDINIA FESTIVAL Canadian addresses to: RCS International Box 697 STN A, Windsor, Filming Italy Sardegna is Ontario N9A 6N4. Sales agreement No. 0607525. Variety ©2020 by Variety taking a number of precau- Media, LLC. Variety and the Flying V tions for a safe event logo are trademarks of Penske Business Media. Printed in the U.S.A.

P.2 0 ARTISANS SCHOFIELD/PEACOCK STEVE NEW WORLD: BRAVE O/SHUTTERSTOCK;

Actor Eddie Kaye 105 DOUBLE EXPOSURE Thomas lists his “Palm Springs” offered a dual Venice Beach home challenge for DP Quyen Tran with its time-looping story

106 TURNING CENTURIES Production designer Ruth Ammon creates 1897 New York for Season 2 of “The Alienist”

107 FINDING HER ‘VOICE’ Elements of Sara Bareilles’ life make their way into her new Apple TV Plus series P.1 0 9

“Gaslighter” REVIEWS review

“I think once you ingest the 109 MUSIC “Gaslighter” source material and it’s in you, the best way to serve it is just to 111 FILM give yourself to it and make it as “The Hater” personal as you possibly can.” Alden Ehrenreich on playing John the Savage in 113 TV the Peacock series adaptation of Aldous Huxley’s “The Capture” “Brave New World” P.114 LAPOLT: PHOTOGRAPH BY NICOL BIESEK; MAKEUP: MELINA FARHADI; HAIR: TROY PENN; THOMAS’ HOUSE: THE AGENCY; CHICKS: SUZANNE CORDEIR SUZANNE CHICKS: HOUSE: THE AGENCY; PENN; THOMAS’ TROY HAIR: MELINA FARHADI; MAKEUP: NICOL BIESEK; BY PHOTOGRAPH LAPOLT:

4 VARIETY Congratulations to Julie Swidler and our entire legal team.

Untitled-12 1 7/9/20 5:42 PM 0714 WV Wolf Entertainment spread.FINAL2.indd 1 7/8/20 5:35 PM 0714 WV Wolf Entertainment spread.FINAL2.indd 2 7/8/20 5:35 PM VARIETY IS OWNED & PUBLISHED BY PENSKE MEDIA CORPORATION

Cynthia Littleton Michelle Sobrino-Stearns Jay Penske Interim Editor-in-Chief Group Publisher & Chief Revenue Ofﬁcer Chairman & CEO

EDITORIAL FEATURES SALES MARKETING George Grobar Chief Operating Officer Lesley McKenzie Steven Gaydos Donna Pennestri Dea Lawrence Managing Editor Executive Vice President, Associate Publisher Chief Marketing Officer Gerry Byrne Vice Chairman Global Content/Executive Editor Millie Chiavelli Daniel Holloway Tim Gray SVP, Sales & Global Partnerships John Ross Mark Howard Executive Editor, TV VP, Features & Events Senior Vice President Dawn Allen Chief Advertising and Brent Lang VP, Film & Talent Tim Boyer Partnerships Officer Executive Editor, Film & Media Andrew Barker Creative Director Michelle Fine-Smith Sarlina See Senior Features Writer Shirley Halperin VP, Global Consumer Partnerships Susanne Ault Chief Accounting Officer Executive Editor, Music Leo Barraclough Director, Programming Jason Greenblatt International Features Editor, London Craig Perreault Ramin Setoodeh VP Digital Sales Dayna Wolpa New York Bureau Chief Peter Caranicas Director, Event Marketing Chief Digital Officer Eric Legendre Managing Editor, Features Kate Aurthur Co-Managing Director, International Sales Jamie Aronson Todd Greene Editor-at-Large Shalini Dore Director, Event Marketing EVP, Business Affairs & Lindsey Elfenbein Features News Editor General Counsel Manori Ravindran Managing Director, Global Summits David S. Cohen International Editor Diane Garrett & Strategic Partnerships Senior Producer, Variety Content Studio Debashish Ghosh Editor, Features Kate Roach Holly Dillon Managing Director, Jem Aswad John Hopewell Sales Director Senior Producer, Variety Content Studio International Markets Senior Music Editor International Features Editor, Madrid Henry Deas Lauryn Kistner Gordon Cox Jenny Connelly Carole Horst Director, Markets & Festivals Senior Brand Marketing Manager SVP, Product Legit Editor Managing Editor, Features Patrice Atiee Emma Schmidt Matt Donnelly Ken Delalcazar Jenelle Riley Director, Strategic Partnerships Manager, Event Marketing Senior Film Writer Associate Features Editor SVP, Finance Judi Pulver Alex Bullard Bill Edelstein Malina Saval Director, Music Advertising Manager, Features Tom Finn Associate Editor Editor, Features SVP, Operations Christie Ricci Whitney Cinkala Terry Flores Danielle Turchiano Associate Brand Manager Director, Business Development Nelson Anderson Senior Editor Senior Features Editor, TV Valerie Fatehi Bianca Caloca VP, Creative Angelique Jackson Chris Willman Director, Strategic Partnerships Associate Manager, Event Marketing Events & Lifestyle Producer Editor, Features Joni Antonacci Amy Jo Lagermeier Victoria Lennox Justin Kroll VP, Production Operations Director, Strategic Partnerships Media Partnerships Associate Film Writer ART & PHOTOGRAPHY Cristina Quitania Robyn Ozaki Rebecca Bienstock Elaine Low Manager, Summits & Strategic Partnerships Designer VP, Talent Relations Senior TV Writer Raul Aguila Creative Director Kevin Tague Casey Kwan Gene Maddaus Gerard Brancato Manager, Consumer Brand Partnerships Junior Designer Senior Media Writer VP, PMC Digital Acquistion Jennifer Dorn Natasha Millman Luana Pinto Marc Malkin Jacie Brandes Photo Director Associate Manager, Strategic Partnerships Junior Designer Senior Film Awards, Events & Ted Keller Hanna Hensler VP, Portfolio Sales Lifestyle Editor Sean Soper Design Director Associate Manager, Strategic Partnerships Marketing Coordinator Anne Doyle Dave McNary Elliot Stokes Maya Steinberg VP, HR Film Writer Stefan Nicoll Event Marketing Coordinator Art Director Account Manager (Spain, Portugal, Mackenzie Nichols Mara Ginsberg James Slocum Latin America) Ana Geoana Staff Writer VP, HR Business Development Coordinator Special Projects Art Director William Lin Joe Otterson Young Ko Haley Kluge Sales Executive, Asia Senior TV Writer PRODUCTION & CIRCULATION VP, Finance Deputy Art Director Kimberly Cervantes Michael Schneider Richard Maltz Sales Planning Manager Gabriel Koen Senior Editor, TV Awards Ellen Dealy Senior Photo Editor Amanda Schulze VP, Audience Marketing VP, Technology Todd Spangler Alex Gitman Media Planner New York Digital Editor Natalie Longman Kevin Labonge Photo Editor Isabella Dalena Production Director VP, Global Partnerships Brian Steinberg Tarryn Silver Sales & Marketing Coordinator & Licensing Senior TV Editor Mike Petre Production Designer Sadi Kuperman Director, Distribution Sylvia Tan Noemi Lazo Michael Buckner Sales Coordinator Film & Television Associate Editor Andrea Wynnyk VP, Customer Experience and Chief Photographer Production Manager & Graphic Designer Marketing Operations Jazz Tangcay Artisans Editor ONLINE Brian Levine William Thorne VP, Revenue Operations TV Writer William Earl Judith R. Margolin Director of Digital Development, PMC VARIETY INTELLIGENCE PLATFORM Adam B. Vary VP, Deputy General Counsel Senior Entertainment Writer Meredith Woerner Lauren Utecht Elizabeth Wagmeister Andrew Wallenstein Deputy Editor VP, HR & Corporate Senior Correspondent Chief Media Analyst & President Pat Saperstein Communications Deputy Editor CRITICS Mike Ye Dan Doperalski Gavin Bridge Senior Media Analyst VP, Strategic Planning & Owen Gleiberman Cheyne Gateley Digital Art Director Kevin Tran Media Analyst Acquisitions Chief Film Critic Creative Director Maane Khatchatourian Kaare Eriksen Information Editor Christina Yeoh Peter Debruge Senior Online News Editor Chief Film Critic VP, Technical Operations Alex Stedman Daniel D’Addario Senior Online News Editor Julie Zhu Chief TV Critic VP, Audience Marketing Rebecca Rubin VARIETY BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE & Subscriptions Caroline Framke News Editor Chief TV Critic Meg Zukin Nici Catton Senior Social Media Editor Mark Hoebich Associate VP, Product Delivery INTERNATIONAL REPORTERS President Audrey Yap Karl Walter Rebecca Davis News Anchor/Reporter Associate VP, Content Beijing Preston Northrop Hanna Pachman Gurjeet Chima Patrick Frater Supervising Producer Carolyn Finger Senior Coordinator Senior Director, International Hong Kong Senior Vice President Mackenzie Johnson Ryan Pigg Markets Elsa Keslassy Video Producer/Editor Senior Coordinator Paris Geoff Elsner Nicholas Stango Eddie Ko Executive Director, Business Development Julie Sesnovich Video Producer/Editor Senior Director, Advertising OPERATIONS Jennifer Nieves Senior Coordinator, Film Research Operations Tucker Morrison Senior Director, Business Development Lindsay Strach Sheila Dixon Howard Video Producer/Editor Andy Limpus Brian DePasquale Senior Coordinator Editorial Coordinator Jordan Moreau Senior Director, Talent Director, Research Bailey Wildman Associate Web Editor Acquisition Stephanie Diehl Senior Coordinator BreAnna Bell Amit Sannad Director, Research Keelan Brown Junior Content Specialist Senior Director, Development Kevin Kelly International TV Coordinator Yoomi Choi Constance Ejuma DIRT.COM Director, Business Development Christine Morente International Research Coordinator, Asia Director, SEO Mark David Director, Film Research Bathilde Odolant Laura Ongaro Real Estate Editor Chris Svehla Film Research Coordinator Editorial & Brand Director, James McClain Director, TV Research Alix Kalaher International Editor-At-Large, Real Estate TV Research Coordinator Jimmy Doyle Katie Passantino Mae Hamilton Manager, Business Development Brittney Poole Director, Business Development Editorial Assistant Jordan Leipzig Research Coordinator Derek Ramsay Manager, Business Development Aubree Schaefer Director, Product Management Sime Silverman Schuyler Fastenau TV Production Research Coordinator Variety Founder, 1873-1933 Senior Coordinator Chelsea Tam Sales Coordinator

8 VARIETY An American heroine’s legendary story dressed for the ages

She’s a small-town Kansas girl who, against all odds, created a fashion empire, selling 75 million dresses under the Nelly Don label, to become the largest dressmaker in the world during the 20th Century. Beloved by her employees as a visionary in the workplace, she profoundly influenced how women attired themselves with her aff ordable flair for fashion. Along the way she endured a drunken and philandering husband who threatened to kill himself if she became pregnant. She had an aff air with a U.S. Senator and when she became pregnant, concocted a story to adopt her own child. She then was kidnapped, held ransom and rescued by the KC Mafia. She fought unions, refused to be a war profiteer and posed for Stanley Kubrick. Nelly Don embodies the American entrepreneurial experience with her life’s mission to make women - of all shapes and sizes - more beautiful through quality design. “Nelly Don ~ Just Try One On!”

FOR OPTIONING, PURCHASE OR REPRESENTATION Terence O’Malley | 816-714-4962 | [email protected] | NellyDon.com

0714 WV Terence OMalley.FINAL.indd 1 7/9/20 6:21 PM PLUGGED IN WHAT’S ON VARIETY.COM

Stars of Upcoming TV Premieres

600

David Schwimmer Intelligence The “Friends” star’s number has been steady in advance of his Peacock debut. News Disney 544 Wo rld Will Sasso United We Fall His Vscore has embraced Reopens the prospect of the arrival of this family comedy.

DISNEY WORLD reopened to the public July 11. The UCLA Fielding School of Public Health and leader of the 533 Orlando, Fla., resort has promised a safer experience for UCLA COVID-19 Rapid Response Initiative, says it’s a the eager Disney enthusiasts clamoring to reenter after “terrible idea to be opening right now,” with the num- Kylie Bunbury many months cooped up indoors. While several employ- ber of coronavirus cases surging in Florida. The state Brave New World Variety Her score may not exist ees who spoke with were optimistic about the pre- recorded nearly 9,000 new cases July 9 and recently in a utopia, but it’s up five cautions that the complex of theme parks have taken to extended its state of emergency for another 60 days. points since July 1. keep staff and guests safe, not all Disney workers were Despite the public health risks, there are economic convinced. And one epidemiologist warns that reopening realities workers face as the pandemic stretches on. Disney World at this moment would make the park “the “In Florida, we have to open up,” says Diego Henry, a For the full Vscore, powered by Variety Business happiest place on Earth … for the coronavirus.” 34-year-old attraction host. “A lot of cast members can’t story, head to Intelligence, identifies the social footprint, INVISION/AP/SHUTTERSTOCK HAAS: EPHEN LOVEKIN/SHUTTERSTOCK; familiarity and availability of over 25,000 Dr. Anne Rimoin, a professor of epidemiology at the stay on unemployment.” Variety.com. actors. For more info please visit Vscore.com

Variety Poll Say What?

TV Shows in 2020 “I’m not thankful for that, but I’m thankful for what it brought to me. I don’t know what would happen without it, but it’s really Spur Less Engagement made me who I am as a person, I think. I was a mature child. I was like a 40-year-old when I was 8. I wrote stuff so deep. I on Social Media saw a letter that I wrote when I was about 11, and I’m like, ‘Calm The volume of social media posts this year about broadcast, down, girl. You’re just 11.’” cable and streaming TV shows has often been below 2019 “Unorthodox” Star Shira Haas on how surviving childhood cancer levels, content analytics firm Diesel Labs has found. Reasons changed her include a lack of sports on TV and fewer megahits such as “Game of Thrones” on air — and in June, a decline in “I’m so grateful to the fans and the writers and the cast and entertainment posts in favor of ones on current events. producers and everybody for hanging in there, and like I said, the fans for continuing to watch because it was a big change. JANUARY -17% We feel like the stories are important. Telling the stories of the middle class is something that not a lot of people do, or not FEBRUARY 19% a lot of people do always accurately. Like showing the true MARCH 23% struggles — showing the power really being shut off.” Star and producer Sara Gilbert on continuing with “The Conners” after APRIL -26% Roseanne Barr was dropped from “Roseanne”

MAY -27% “It certainly has made me look at the world differently.I do not JUNE -28% have Alexa. I turn Siri off. It genuinely has perked my ears up a little more about things and [made me] ask more questions.”

Data provided by Diesel Labs for Variety Intelligence Platform Analysis. Evan Rachel Wood on how her time on “Westworld” has changed

For more analysis, please visit variety.com/vip/ her perspective ST BUNBURY: LATOUR/VARIETY/SHUTTERSTOCK; ROB SASSO: ANTHONY HARVEY/SHUTTERSTOCK; SCHWIMMER: JOHN RAOUX/AP/SHUTTERSTOCK; DISNEY:

10 VARIETY ENNIO MORRICONE November 10th, 1928 - July 6th, 2020

...Rest forever here in our hearts, The last and ﬁnal moment is yours... from “Here’s to You” Sacco e Vanzetti (1971) Ennio Morricone / Joan Baez

Untitled-1 1 7/10/20 10:17 AM CLAIRE DANES

IT’S ABOUT THE WORK

TUNE IN JULY 17 & 24 8 PM PDT

& ON PBS STATIONS NATIONALLY CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS ADDITIONAL CONVERSATIONS AVAILABLE NOW ON VARIETY.COM

DAMIAN LEWIS

KERRY WASHINGTON & SANDRA OH DAN LEVY & KIERAN CULKIN ZENDAYA & MJ RODRIGUEZ CHACE CRAWFORD & PENN BADGLEY PAUL RUDD & CHRIS EVANS REGINA KING & REESE WITHERSPOON HUGH JACKMAN & ANNE HATHAWAY JENNIFER ANISTON & LISA KUDROW NICOLE KIDMAN & RUSSELL CROWE PAUL MESCAL & NICHOLAS HOULT RAMY YOUSSEF & TESSA THOMPSON CLAIRE DANES & DAMIAN LEWIS HENRY CAVILL & PATRICK STEWART DAVEED DIGGS & ANTHONY MACKIE TOP BILLING TOP BILLING

Hong Kong Clampdown Has Global Implications

FROM STREET PROTESTERS TO WORLDWIDE MEDIA GIANTS, THE REGION’S NATIONAL SECURITY

LAW GIVES EVERYONE A REASON TO BE AFRAID By Patrick Frater and Rebecca Davis

WITHIN DAYS of Hong Kong’s controver- to dissent southward to encompass Hong decided to stop operating in China rather sial new national security law taking force Kong — a move that amounts to a takeover, than submit to government censorship on July 1, scenes once unimaginable in the experts say. demands, says Charles Mok, a Hong Kong financial hub have nightmarishly come In the space of a week, major U.S. tech legislator representing the IT sector. true: a 15-year-old girl arrested for wav- firms have found themselves facing the TikTok, whose parent firm is China’s ing an independence flag; books poten- thorny question of whether continuing to Bytedance but does not itself operate on tially offensive to China’s Communist Party do business in Hong Kong, within reach of the mainland, said it was removing its app removed from public libraries; protesters, NOT LYING China’s increasingly long arm, is desirable from Hong Kong immediately. Facebook, DOWN fearing life imprisonment for wielding slo- or even feasible. Google and Twitter say they have temporar- Hong Kong gans, holding up blank sheets of paper — protesters take “Now [Western] companies must reeval- ily suspended cooperation with Hong Kong but getting detained anyway. to the streets uate whether they can effectively, legally or authorities’ requests for user data until By imposing the law, Beijing is forci- July 1, the day safely operate within Hong Kong, similar they gain further clarity on the law’s scope. the new national bly and abruptly moving its Great Fire- security law to what they did in the last 10 to 15 years” The law makes the companies liable for wall of censorship and illiberal approach took effect. when Google and Facebook, among others, political speech that occurs outside Hong WILLIE SIAWILLIE SIAU/SOPA IMAGES/SHUTTERSTOCK SIAU/SOPA WILLIE SIAWILLIE

VARIETY 13 TOP BILLING

filmmaker runs into political headwinds. All co-productions, like local China-based films, must receive the approval of PRC censors on two occasions: at script stage and again prior to release. These new indemnities, however, put the financial responsibility solely on the Hong Kong party, as junior partner. Liu Chun, head of the China Film Co-production Corp., tells Variety that PRC authorities have not made such requirements. Instead, he speculated that the mainland’s private sector companies may be imposing the measure themselves to lay off risk. Liu says there have been only 40 applications for Hong Kong-mainland ENDANGERED TITLE co-productions so far this year — a drop Brad Pitt starrer “Seven Years in compared with 2019, but one that’s more Tibet,” thematically controversial to the PRC, might be among films banned by likely due to the coronavirus-related platforms doing business in Hong Kong. economic slowdown than to the new national security law. More than ever, Hong Kong’s filmmakers will have to ask themselves if they want Kong’s borders, explains Mok. Global plat- but the new law will “result in the effective to play by China’s rules, knowing that many forms must remove “certain messages nullification of this distinction,” says one subjects will be taboo and that an out-of- about Hong Kong, Taiwan or other parts Beijing-based lawyer who requested ano- favor actor’s gaffe could cause an entire of China that our authorities deem to be nymity. “Expect local Hong Kong content movie to be canned. Compliance earns illegal here … everywhere in the world,” to be required to comply with mainland them access to the world’s second-largest he says. regulatory settings.” theatrical market, valued at $9 billion last The lengthy law criminalizes the four This would formalize a shift that’s in year. Spurning China means continuing to offenses of secession, subversion, terror- progress, as many Hong Kong filmmakers play in a minor league. ism and collusion with foreign forces in are already operating according to “Top players will be just fine since vague terms that give Beijing broad range mainland diktats. Last November, when they’ve been politically neutered for over whom it wishes to target. Punishments Chinese authorities called for all Chinese years anyway,” says one former employee include up to life imprisonment. nationals to boycott Taiwan’s Golden Horse of a major U.S. studio in China who asked Meanwhile, it remains unknown Awards, most Hong Kong producers also to remain anonymous. Filmmakers push- whether journalists will face legal duly stayed away. For some, it was an ago- ing harder against red lines may find repercussions for quoting government nizing decision that betrayed principles their careers at an end or wind up in exile, critics, reporting on penalties against and promises. he says. offenders of the law or even speaking Hong Kong’s mainstream entertain- Another veteran producer who up critically outside China or Hong ment industry so far hasn’t been at requested anonymity says that Hong Kong Kong’s borders. the forefront of the debate around the producers have been focused for too long That confusion is itself problematic. new law, despite growing concern on the “silly money north of the border,” Right now, “perhaps what is of the most among professionals about the statute’s which has distracted them from capitaliz- concern is the uncertainty, leading to a deliberate vagueness. ing on the booming new market of Asia’s degree of self-censorship,” says Charmaine “I don’t believe that the national secu- pay TV and streaming platforms, which are Koo, one of Hong Kong’s leading entertain- rity law targets creative freedom and the all hungry for original local content. ment lawyers. “People don’t know what the film industry, but I’m worried about the “In future, more Hong Kong producers law means and are just scared. They there- gray areas,” says Tenky Tin, chairman of will have to look outside China for finance. fore stop saying and doing things that may the executive committee of the Federation “Companies They should have done so years ago, but be legal.” of Hong Kong Filmmakers. “What if some- it has been too easy,” she says. “They have The law could also be an inflection one films another ‘Ten Years’? Would that must allowed Taiwan studios to catch up and point for many of Hong Kong’s film com- breach the new law?” reevaluate overtake [them].” panies that have so far tried to have their “Ten Years” was an ultra-low-budget And if library books that were accept- cake and eat it, too, enjoying their own portmanteau film made in 2014-15 during whether able in June can be deemed illegal in July, territory’s greater freedoms while main- the pro-democracy Umbrella Movement. they can so, too, can movies and TV shows. taining access to China’s larger, strictly It predicted a dystopian future in which Variety asked leading Hong Kong-based censored market. the local language, Cantonese, is replaced effectively, pay TV operator PCCW and Netflix if they For years, Hong Kong studios’ stock- by Mandarin, and depicted self-immo- legally plan to remove films such as “Seven Years in-trade has been ribald comedies, action lation by Hong Kong citizens protesting or safely in Tibet,” “Red Corner” and “Ten Years” thrillers and crime dramas featuring cor- against a national security law. from their servers. Netflix declined to com- rupt officials and other content that runs Hong Kongers are not the only operate ment. The response from a PCCW spokes- afoul of Communist Party narratives and ones worried. within Hong person was terse but nonconfrontational: patriotic standards. Now the jig may be up. Variety has established that H.K. par- “As always, PCCW Media will operate its “Co-production and cooperation to date ticipants in Hong Kong-mainland film Kong.” businesses in accordance with all applica- have rested on the express understand- co-productions are now being required to ble laws and regulations.” Charles Mok, ing that the mainland and Hong Kong are, sign side deals indemnifying their part- Hong Kong

for those purposes, different countries,” ners in the People’s Republic if the ﬁlm or legislator Vivienne Chow contributed to this report. ENT/KOBAL/SHUTTERSTOCK APPLEBY/MANDALAY DAVID

14 VARIETY TOP BILLING

A central sticking point: WarnerMedia wants to remove HBO from Amazon’s Prime Inside the New Video Channels and the Roku Channel. That’s so the media conglomerate can keep customers within the HBO Max app experience, Streaming Blackouts giving it the ability to gather data for recommendations and (down the road) ad targeting. WHY HBO MAX, PEACOCK AND OTHERS Apple, which offers the HBO Max app, agreed to stop selling HBO through Apple ARE DEADLOCKED IN TALKS WITH ROKU TV Channels. But Amazon and Roku are

AND AMAZON By Todd Spangler resisting. “Now Amazon and Roku have a real problem because if HBO is not in their channels, that model falls apart,” says an industry exec familiar with the talks. Indeed, the channel-aggregation biz has become lucrative for Roku and Amazon. According to Amazon, almost 5 million HBO subscribers access the service through Prime Video Channels. In a state- ment, WarnerMedia said, “We look forward to reareaching agreements with the few outstanding distribution partners left [for HBO Max], including with Amazon and on par with how they provide customers access to Netflix, Disney Plus and Hulu on Fire devices.” Meanwhile, Peacock chief Matt Strauss tells Variety, “We are certainly engaged in discussions with every platform,” and says NBCU is open to various forms of “value exchange” in such deals. For the streaming services, the problem isn’t revenue sharing per se. (Roku takes a standard 20% cut of subscription fees, while Amazon’s take is believed to range from 15%-45%.) Apple and Google slice off a comparable piece of the subscription dollars that flow through their platforms. The issues are the extras Roku and Ama- zon want thrown in, including ad inven- tory (Roku’s standard ask is 30%), rights to THE “STREAMING WARS” are widely under- The OTT platforms’ leverage is real. resell services in their channel stores and MARKET CLOUT stood to be a clash of content titans Both say they have more than 40 million “free content” for the ad-supported Roku fighting for a piece of consumers’ enter- active accounts (and growing). “Amazon Roku and Channel and IMDb TV. Roku also asks for a tainment wallet. But behind the scenes, and Roku are beginning to play hardball Fire TV represent marketing-spend commitment from part- a big chunk of another intense business brawl is hap- with a lot of these services,” says Parks video streamed to ners, which among other things grants their pening between streaming services and Associates analyst Kristen Hanich. televisions. channels preferred placement on the menu. the industry’s two connected-TV heavy- The blackouts are akin to TV networks’ (Roku and Amazon declined to comment on weights: Roku and Amazon. feuds with cable and satellite operators. specific negotiating points.) WarnerMedia launched HBO Max in And many in the industry expect them to Roku and Amazon are arguably a duo- late May, and more than six weeks later, continue. poly, says a media exec: “It’s the classic ‘Get it’s still a no-show on Roku or Amazon’s For WarnerMedia, the absence of HBO everybody on the platform’ and then change Fire TV. Coming up is NBCUniversal’s July Max on Roku and Fire TV has caused con- the game.” 15 national unveiling of Peacock, and it, fusion and likely stunted signups. The The companies in these disputes under- too, is unlikely to be on either platform, AT&T-owned company’s plan was to convert stand that app blackouts are frustrating for sources say. legacy HBO to HBO Max for the same $14.99 their respective consumers. But, as one OTT The standoffs, of course, revolve around monthly price, on the theory that the bigger platform exec puts it, “We’re not going to money. More than that, the distribution content bucket will lure new customers. [make] a bad deal just to get a new streaming disputes are about long-term strategic But the impasse with Roku and Ama- service on the platform.” access to rapidly growing streaming-first zon has thrown a wrench into that. Warner- Andrew McCollum, CEO of low-cost TV 56.6% 46.9% 35.1% 33.9% 15.8% 13.0% 12.2% audiences, as well as advertising inven- Media’s HBO Now app deal for Fire TV streaming provider Philo, acknowledges tory. One media company exec says Roku expires July 31, sources familiar with the there are inevitable disagreements about and Amazon are asking for “egregious” wrangling tell Variety. So unless the sides economic terms with platforms. “I think terms. On the other side, an insider at can agree on an HBO Max pact before then, it’s going to be more adversarial over time,”

one of the over-the-top platform provid- Fire TV users will no longer have access to Roku he says. Like cable and satellite TV compa-

ers says they’re simply looking for “a rea- an HBO app (but they will be able to stream Apple TV nies before them, platforms like Roku, Fire Smart TVs sonable share” of the value they create for HBO content on the devices through Prime TV and Apple TV are becoming increasingly Game consoles partners — and adds that companies like Video). Roku has a deal to keep an “HBO” Amazon Fire TV powerful gatekeepers. Blu-ray players

WarnerMedia and NBCU are coming to the app, which is replacing HBO Now as of Aug. Google Chromecast Says McCollum, “‘Direct to consumer’ is

GOLDEN SIKORKA/SHUTTERSTOCK (2) GOLDEN SIKORKA/SHUTTERSTOCK table with an “old TV mindset.” 1, while talks over HBO Max continue. a bit of a myth.”

USERS BY PLATFORM AS % OF TOTAL U.S. CONNECTED-TV AUDIENCE SOURCE: EMARKETER, FEBRUARY 2020 VARIETY 15 TOP BILLING

Morrison developed an adaptation that Brave New Voice leaned into character and away from the slew of recent science fiction pieces that presented the future as packed with horrors. “We got the gig based on a pitch that COMIC BOOK VETERAN GRANT MORRISON ESTABLISHES HIMSELF approached it as a utopian fiction rather AS AN ICONOCLASTIC TV WRITER By Daniel Holloway than a dystopia,” Morrison says. Showrunner and fellow exec producer David Wiener worked with Morrison and Taylor to execute on their core concept. First developed for Syfy, then USA, “Brave New World” became GRANT MORRISON HAS BEEN riding out make it redeeming and hopeful.” the original-content centerpiece of Com- the coronavirus pandemic at a safe distance Morrison signed an overall deal with cast’s Peacock once the company shifted its from Hollywood. UCP in 2018 while working on the second energies to the new streaming service. “As a writer, you’re self-isolating your season of “Happy!,” which starred Christoph- Though fundamental elements of the entire life anyway,” Morrison says from his er Meloni as an alcoholic ex-cop and Patton story have been changed, Morrison views home in his native Scotland. “So it hasn’t Oswalt as the tiny cartoon unicorn that the new version as faithful in spirit to been that difficult. We’re in the country, so appears only to him. The show was canceled Huxley’s book. you barely notice what’s been going down. around the same time that UCP and Amblin “The notion of the individual’s But we’re looking at the news every day, and Television were trying get “Brave New empowerment has been celebrated for it just keeps getting weirder and wilder.” World” off the ground. An initial treatment hundreds of years — ever since the Enlight- TV writers are accustomed to work- hewed closely to the 1932 novel about enment — in Western culture,” Morrison ing in close quarters. But Morrison spent a future in which a strict global order is says. “In actual fact, the notion of the indi- the bulk of his career in comics, creat- propped up by genetic and social engineer- vidual has allowed a lot of monstrous char- ing hugely popular science fiction-fantasy ing, easy access to zero-consequence drugs acters to take the stage. I think the idea of series such as “The Invisibles,” “Happy!” and sex, and a complex caste system. the collective has actually been an evolu- and “The Filth,” and put his stamp on But Olmstead felt the story needed a tionary jump for society.” linchpin DC and Marvel properties such as fresher take. With help from Brian Tay- Though Morrison continues to work Batman, Superman and the X-Men. In com- lor, with whom he worked on “Happy!,” with comics’ Big Two publishers (he’s cur- ics, he has a reputation for blending meta- rently writing “The Green Lantern” for DC), physics, pop culture, humor and genre none of his attempts at big-screen treat- tropes. He has carried that formula over to ments of the corporate-owned characters a burgeoning television career — first to a whose mythologies he built upon has ever version of “Happy!” that lasted two seasons taken root. He consulted DC for a while on on Syfy, and now to an ambitious adapta- its plans for its marquee characters, pitch- tion of Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World,” ing film versions of Superman, Wonder which premieres July 15 as the tentpole Woman and Aquaman that were ultimately original series on Comcast’s new stream- rejected. HBO Max’s “Doom Patrol” draws ing service, Peacock. heavily from Morrison and artist Richard “When he goes into a world, he builds Case’s run on the comics series of the same it completely from his imagination,” says name — “It proves that our model was the Universal Content Prods. president Dawn correct one,” Morrison says, “but I wish Olmstead. “He goes to dark, dark places of they’d put our names in the credits.” the human psyche, but he knows how to Morrison continues to work with UCP on new TV projects, including one based on his fan-adored, creator-owned comics PATH TO THE FUTURE series “The Invisibles,” about a secret Grant Morrison and group of paranormal fighters. He is helping UCP Content Prods. UCP launch a comics line, UCP Graphic, president Dawn in coordination with publisher Boom! Stu- Olmstead attend the NBCUniversal dios, and will write a graphic novel for it Press Tour in 2019 that’s intended for development into a TV in Pasadena (top); show. And he’s working on a series called Jessica Brown Findlay and Kylie “Chronicle” from his spec script about a Bunbury star in fictional comic book company. “Brave New World.” Though Morrison plans to keep making comics — which he notes provided him a comfortable enough living that he didn’t

need to move to television for the money — SCHOFIELD/PEACOCK STEVE VE NEW WORLD: he seems pleased by his sojourn into TV. “I was looking for a challenge,” he says. “And writing for television I could escape from the comic book fandom that was kind of controlling my life. I was able to go do something else and work in an environment that was collaborative where I could learn new skills, and learn to write in a different way. For me it’s

been invigorating.” BRA CHRIS HASTON/NBCUNIVERSAL; MORRISON/OLMSTEAD:

16 VARIETY TOP BILLING

IN THE RUNNING “Disqualifications happen less fre- Michael Schneider quently at the Emmys, but they do happen, and I’m sure that Britell was simply being honest and careful about his Emmy submissions,” writer Jon Burlingame, who cov- ers TV and film music for Variety, tells me. Even without “L to the OG,” the award No E to the MMY for outstanding music and lyrics is perhaps my favorite category in the entire Emmy race, perhaps because of how for ‘L to the OG’ delightfully bonkers it’s become in recent years. Last year, for example, the winning song was “Antidepressants Are So Not THE CRINGEWORTHY ‘SUCCESSION’ RAP WON’T BE COMPETING IN a Big Deal,” from “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” ONE OF THE TV ACADEMY’S MOST CONSISTENTLY WEIRD CATEGORIES lyrics by Rachel Bloom, Jack Dolgen and the late Adam Schlesinger, with music by Bloom and Schlesinger. Among its com- THE EMMY BALLOTS ARE OUT, and after the authenticity of how we created imagin- petition: a song titled “Holiday Party (I scouring this year’s entries, I was sad to ing what Kendall would have produced for Did a Little Cocaine Tonight),” from “Doc- see that “Succession” composer Nicholas his father. The first thought I had was about umentary Now!” Britell didn’t submit the show’s seminal wondering what Kendall would have lis- Things really took off for the category Season 2 rap, “L to the OG.” tened to in college and would that inform in 2007, when “Saturday Night Live” song Featured in the “Succession” episode the track that he did.” “Dick in a Box” won against entries such “Dundee,” the song was one of the cringi- Britell, who was in a hip-hop group in as “My Drunken Irish Dad” from “Family est, most memorable moments of the last college, went back to some beats he cre- Guy” and “Everything Comes Down to Poo” TV season: At a black-tie dinner celebrat- ated at the time, including one he felt from “Scrubs.” ing mega-mogul Logan Roy’s 50th year would work for Kendall. After “Succes- This year’s submissions in the song running Waystar Royco, his son Kendall sion” creator Jesse Armstrong gave the category are the usual mix of earnest (Jeremy Strong) — dressed in a baseball go-ahead, Will Tracy and Adam McKay tracks from important series, sweet songs jersey, which had been under his tuxedo — wrote the “L to the OG” lyrics and Britell from kids’ shows … and silly, satirical stuns the crowd by rapping about his dad’s put it all together, with Strong giving his or just plain sassy songs from the rest. career. That embarrassing moment solidi- input on the track as well. Superstar The Weeknd is in there with fied for many viewers why they love to hate But because it was an old beat, Britell a song from a guest spot on “American and hate to love the deliciously dysfunc- closely followed the TV Academy rules, Dad!,” animated Apple TV Plus musical tional family at the heart of “Succession.” which are very rigid when it comes to “Central Park” is submitting three songs From that moment on, I’ve been look- whether anything repurposed for a song (including one from Sara Bareilles) and ing forward to the Emmys figuring out a can be submitted: “No reedited, rear- Disney Plus’ “High School Musical: The way to recruit Strong to re-create that per- ranged, reorchestrated, reimagined, Musical” has entered four. formance on the telecast. Even though it reworked, rerecorded works are allowed.” Among other submissions: “Full Fron- won’t be a contender, perhaps there’s still Alas, “L to the OG” will have to wait for tal With Samantha Bee” has a song about a way to get our “L to the OG” moment the Grammys, where it can compete in the 2020 Census, “Jimmy Kimmel Live” during the ceremony. But more important, the best song written for visual media has one about the “Bagel Boss” of Long why wasn’t it submitted? category (although TV songs are rarely Island and “Saturday Night Live” has five “I never even considered submitting it nominated there, and only one has won: songs in contention, including another for an Emmy,” Britell recently told my Vari- “Boss of Me,” from “Malcolm in the Mid- one from The Weeknd. ety colleague Jazz Tangcay. “It goes back to dle,” in 2002). And then there’s the unique case of FX’s comedy “Dave,” which ended its season with a storyline in which Dave (Dave Burd, aka Lil Dicky) pitches his new record label on “Jail,” a nine-min- ute opus that tells the entire story of the rapper being arrested for indecent exposure and being sent to prison, then con- fronting being behind bars in the most explicit way imaginable. In the episode, the label execs are horrified and stop the song midstream because of its depiction of racial gangs and sexual assault. Dave defies them and takes the number to the

IT’S A RAP “Breakfast Club” radio show to argue it’s Dave Burd as Dave actually a comment on the criminal jus- (right) regales Evan tice system. After being grilled about Arnold as Jim and Kat white appropriation of Black culture, Purgal as Pam with his scabrous musings Dave comes to his senses and decides not on “Jail,” a song to share the song. that’s up for Emmy In real life, even “Jail” has been submit- consideration in the outstanding music and ted for an Emmy. Told you: This category

RAY MICKSHAW/FX RAY lyrics category. is bonkers.

VARIETY 17 TOP BILLING Luke Evans Is Lord of the Rings

FROM ‘THE ALIENIST’ TO ‘BEAUTY AND THE BEAST,’ THE ACTOR SAYS LITTLE PRODUCTION DETAILS MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE

LUKE EVANS has quite the jewelry collec- pockets. And I had a beautiful drawing kit I’m excited about because I like comedy tion, thanks to his career in Hollywood. “I because obviously he was an illustrator in and I like dark comedy, and I don’t get to started to collect the rings of my characters the ﬁrst season. They made this incred- do very much of it. because I seem to have a ring with all my ible folder with handmade paper inside, characters,” the 41-year-old Welsh actor and all the things that an artist from the You and Josh Gad are also starring in the THE BIG TICKET tells Variety. late 1800s would have had. They were all “Beauty and the Beast” prequel series for Marc Evans has pieces acquired from play- authentic — real historical pieces. Disney Plus about Gaston and LeFou. Tell Malkin ing Dracula in “Dracula Untold,” Gaston in me everything. “Beauty and the Beast” and most recently And your wardrobe, with the high-waisted Josh and I have read two or three episodes the newspaper illustrator-turned-New pants and vests. now. We’ve heard some of the new songs Hear the entire conver- York Times reporter John Moore in “The And the hard collars. It was this cardboard written by Mr. [Alan] Menken himself. We sation on this week’s episode of Variety and Alienist.” Set in the 19th century, the TNT collar and braces. You can’t get dressed are so excited about this. It’s going to be a joy iHeart’s “The Big Ticket” drama is an adaptation of Caleb Carr’s alone. No gentleman from that time would to work with Josh again. Me and Josh have podcast, which will be available on July 14. book series. The second season, titled have been able to dress themselves. They all chemistry. As friends we had it, and luckily “Angel of Darkness” and premiering on had to have somebody to help them. it transferred to the screen and people got July 19, also sees the return of Dakota it. It’s all come together very nicely, rather Fanning as Sara Howard, now a private Do you want another season? quickly actually, and hopefully production detective, and Daniel Brühl as Dr. Laszlo I don’t know. I know the three of us are will start sometime next year. Kreizler, the city’s most regarded alienist, extremely busy over the next couple of or criminal psychologist. years. I know that our schedules are very Who are we going to see making cameos “I had the crest on John Moore’s ring, so tight, but never say never. It’s always very from the movie? I kept that,” Evans says. “I mean — I asked sad when you like the people you work Oh, my God. I mean a smorgasbord of cam- for it. I’m a good boy. I don’t steal props.” with and you like the character that you’re eos — can you imagine? [Laughs] You never playing. I think if people like it enough, know who will pop up on this show. The attention to detail on “The Alienist” is and there’s a good story to tell, and another so incredible, from the wardrobe to Dakota murder to solve, we might see that three- Did you ever think when you were making Fanning’s office. I want to pause it just to some pop up again maybe. the movie, “You know what? There’s a see all the little things that are in her office. limited series in here for a backstory.” It’s absolutely magical. I remember walk- You’re going to Australia to film David Because we were sort of the fun characters ing onto the set for the ﬁrst time — and I’ve E. Kelley’s adaptation of “Nine Perfect that people laughed at, we would often talk worked on some incredible sets, and very Strangers.” It’s based on a novel by “Big about doing an at-home with Gaston and lucky to work on huge productions where Little Lies” author Liane Moriarty and stars LeFou, or LeFou and Gaston go on a road I’ve seen that kind of detail — but that pro- Nicole Kidman. Are you feeling the pres- trip, or LeFou and Gaston have a cooking duction blew me away. It was as good as, sure to live up to “Big Little Lies”? show, or a men’s [gym]. It went on and on if not better than, some of the big movie Yeah, no pressure there. [Laughs] It doesn’t and on. Fans put our names together and sets I’ve worked on. [For more on the pro- feel anything like “Big Little Lies” at all. made us GaFou. No, we didn’t think it, but duction design, see “Re-creating Fin de I don’t feel there is any comparison to be we joked about it a lot. Siècle New York in Budapest,” page 106.] drawn there. It’s a very funny story. It’s

I even had insignias on my hankies in my very dark, but it’s incredibly funny, which This interview has been edited and condensed. BARON/SHUTTERSTOCK MATT

18 VARIETY DEVOUR

Mírame’s expansive, tiled bar awaits the reopening of indoor dining.

Eat Drink Read Alfresco for Now LiveWire ‘Memoirs and Former Harvard & Stone bartender Misinformation’ Aaron Polsky takes the canned- AS RESTAURANTS TAKE CAUTIOUS steps toward cocktail concept to a whole new Jim Carrey’s fictionalized level, with light, fresh flavors like the autobiography, co-written with Dana reopening, the full-service Mírame has taken the plunge vodka Heartbreaker with grapefruit Vachon, uses the comedian’s real-life by debuting in Beverly Hills. Along with overseeing an and kumquat and the Golden God experiences as a jumping-off point for agave-intensive cocktail program, chef Joshua Gil, a vet- with rye, elderflower and apricot. imaginative musings on celebrity. eran of Tacos Punta Cabras, and Matthew Egan are put- ting fresh spins on contemporary Mexican dishes: Think tuna belly asada tacos, activated charcoal masa gnocchi Watch with Dungeness crab or salmon skin chicharones with Bruce Lee: His fermented garlic aioli. An airy dining room stands ready for when restaurants can reopen indoor facilities; until Greatest Hits then, patio and sidewalk tables are available along with Criterion’s box set includes five curbside pickup. 419 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills classics from the martial arts master, including two versions of “Enter the Dragon,” along with a bounty of EDITED BY PAT SAPERSTEIN | [email protected] docs, soundtracks and interviews.

Finding a Place to Walk With Nary a Soul in Sight Los Angeles cemeteries offer a graduate-level course in Hollywood history

During the early days of the pandemic, when even the Charles were laid to rest at Inglewood Park Cemetery. At hiking trails were closed, it wasn’t easy to find some- Pierce Brothers Valhalla in North Hollywood, find the where to walk without running into too many people. memorials for makeup legend Bud Westmore along with The many cemeteries in the Los Angeles area pro- a lovely Spanish-style dome that houses a shrine to avi- vide not only plenty of uncrowded spaces for strolling ation pioneers. Culver City’s Holy Cross hosts the grave but also a fascinating look at the final resting places sites of John Candy, Bing Crosby and John Ford, to of everyone from early Hollywood moguls to wildly name just a few, along with an unusual stone grotto fea- popular stars. Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills is home to ture. Mount Sinai Hollywood Hills is home to the memo- Paul Walker and Carrie Fisher, but don’t overlook less- rials for Cass Elliot, Don Rickles and Bonnie Franklin, as

MIRAME: RICH MARCHEWKA; CEMETERY: MATTHEW CHERNOV MATTHEW CEMETERY: MIRAME: RICH MARCHEWKA; er-known spots. Stars including Ella Fitzgerald and Ray well as a series of impressive mosaics. PAT SAPERSTEIN

VARIETY 19 DIRT DIRT

$2.75M

LOS ANGELES 1,300 SQ. FT. 3 BEDROOMS 2 BATHS

series “American Dad!,” isn’t seeking much A Slice of Venice From of a profit on the Craftsman-inspired cottage, which he scooped up about 4½ years ago for a whisper less than $2.6 million. Eddie Kaye Thomas Listings held by Laura Stupsker of The Agency indicate the house was built in 1910, making it one of the neighborhood’s original homes. Expanded and updated NOT QUITE AS GRAND or famous as the palazzo-lined canals of Venice, Italy, the since then, the just-over-1,300-square-foot nevertheless historic canals in Los Angeles’ Venice Beach are picturesquely lined three-bedroom and two-bathroom resi- with charming homes built in a variety of architectural styles. One of those, a mod- dence retains a smattering of original fea- estly proportioned shingled bungalow owned by stage-trained film and television tures casually mixed with modern-day actor Eddie Kaye Thomas, is available at not quite $2.75 million. creature comforts and retro-1960s-inspired The “American Pie” star, who more recently held down a pivotal role on crime flourishes, such as two flying saucer-shaped wood stoves. Outdoor spaces include a faux- drama “Scorpion” and has long voiced the character Barry Robinson on animated grassed courtyard, a canal-side deck and a spacious roof terrace partly shaded by retractable canvas awnings. Thomas previously owned a tiny cottage MARK DAVID in the Hollywood Hills he picked up in 2004 THE REAL ESTALKER for $700,000 and sold in 2016 for $900,000. TTHOMAS’ HOUSE: HE AGENCY; THOMAS: MICHAEL BUCKNER/VARIETY/SHUTTERSTOCK THOMAS: HOUSE: HE AGENCY; TTHOMAS’

20 VARIETY DIRT

Producer Gary Barber The eat-in kitchen spills out to a large terrace through floor-to-ceiling glass slid- Lists L.A. Penthouse ers, and the owner’s retreat pampers with An airy, light-filled penthouse atop a pres- three closets and two travertine-tiled bath- tigious tower along L.A.’s ritzy Wilshire rooms with open views over the city. Build- Corridor, owned by Spyglass Media Group ing residents are provided with an array co-founder Gary Barber, has come to of amenities, including a secured and market at nearly $6.5 million. The pro- attended lobby, a private library and sepa- lific film producer, whose dozens of cred- rate entertaining lounge, private wine stor- its include the money-minting thriller age, tranquil gardens and a heated lap pool. “The Sixth Sense” and the blockbuster “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,” has owned $4.4M the close-to-4,300-square-foot city-view Lyle Waggoner’s Beach aerie since 2003, when tax records show it OXNARD, CALIF. 5 BEDROOMS traded at $3.5 million. House Lands Buyer 4,600 SQ. FT. 5 BATHS Co-listed with Stephen Apelian and Over the spring of 2016, late actor and Joyce Rey at Coldwell Banker Realty, the sculptor Lyle Waggoner, best known for impressive if somewhat dated four-bed- his work on “The Carol Burnett Show” Brand-new when purchased by the room and 5.5-bathroom duplex penthouse (1967-74) and lesser known as a Playgirl actor, who died in March at 84, the more- carries homeowner fees that run more magazine seminude centerfold, shelled than-4,600-square-foot beach house stands than $3,800 a month. Some of the more out $3.95 million for a beachfront con- three stories tall and is serviced by a pri- unique features of the generously terraced temporary along sleepy Mandalay Beach vate elevator. There’s certainly plenty of unit include a double-height living room in Oxnard, Calif. The property, listed with room for friends and family, with five bed- with fireplace, automatic window shades Gary Cuoco at RE/MAX Gold Coast, is now rooms, 4.5 bathrooms and a six-car garage and, in addition to a grand semicircular in escrow, less than two months after it with additional parking in the driveway. staircase, a private elevator between the was set out for sale at $4.4 million by Wag- There are several lounges throughout penthouse’s two floors. goner’s estate. the house, one with a wet bar, another with a stone-faced minimalist fireplace, and, finally, a combination living and dining room with a second fireplace and clad in smooth wood paneling. A full wall of floor- to-ceiling windows opens the living-dining room to a terrace with direct access to the beach and sunset views over the ocean to the Channel Islands. Arranged around a large island snack bar, the clean-lined kitchen is at the heart of the main floor and offers all the modern culinary equipment an amateur or professional chef might require. Upstairs bedrooms include a master bedroom with a room-wide row of windows that frame a cinematic ocean view, a fireplace and a crisply tailored spa-style bathroom sheathed in marble with a deep soaking tub and an oversize shower. In addition to his acting career, the $6.5M entrepreneurial Waggoner founded Star Waggons in 1979, a family-run company that leases location trailers to the LOS ANGELES entertainment industry. He maintained a 4,300 SQ. FT. sprawling portfolio, with homes in West- 4 BEDROOMS lake Village, Calif.; Jackson Hole, Wyo.; and 6 BATHS Manzanillo, Mexico.

DIGS UniqueUn Home Comes stairs. Inside, the three-bedroom WiWith Hillside Tram and three-bathroom house is packed with architectural charm Live Like Bardot for $6.5m.5m JustJust half an hour east of the throughout its 2,729 square sstreetstre of San Francisco and feet: The unique mishmash of A charming estate once frequenteded a sshorth cloud car flight from ’80s and midcentury aesthetics by French actor and pop culture iconcon SSkywalkerky Ranch, a rather include generous floor-to-ceiling Brigitte Bardot is available for $6.49.49 ununusual-lookingu home designed windows, exposed beams, million. Located in the Côte d’Azur,r, by TThird Bay Tradition architect rocky coast, the home is perched geometric wall cutouts, keyhole the property is known as Le Casteletelet JoJohnh Nance has come to market on a hillside atop 35 eight-foot archways and retro sunken beds. and was occupied for a few years in for tthe star-worthy price of $3.3 piers and can be accessed by Outside, amenities include a large the late 1950s by Bardot followingg hherer mmillion.ill Inspired by Sea Ranch, the property’s cable tram; those pool, a barn and, adding to the divorce from director Roger Vadim.m. the midcentury modern planned seeking to burn calories can rustic charm, a horseshoe pit.

BARDOT: ANONYMOUS/AP/SHUTTERSTOCK BARDOT: MAE HAMILTON cocommunitym on Sonoma County’s choose to hoof it up five flights of MAE HAMILTON

VARIETY 21 22 The live businessbleedsmoney entertainment asthecoronavirus Jem Aswad andManori Ravindran by BrentLang, pandemic offers noendinsight Illustration by Max-O-Matic

GUTTER CREDIT GUTTER CREDIT 24 I rehearsal,” hesays. stress ofgetting throughthat finaldress Hickey feeling hiswork, sick. he juggled started son’s hottest As inApril. tickets whenitopened Boston andwas oneof thesea shapinguptobe in Simon revival asmashtryout hadfinished andSarahJessicaBroderick Parker. TheNeil tic comedy starring real-life couple Matthew directing debutwith“PlazaSuite,” aroman but Hickey was alsomakinghisBroadway Inheritance,” AIDSepic“The Lopez’s two-part playing roleinMatthew apivotal supporting Benjamin Hickey. few monthsfor agrueling JohnIt hadbeen to return, barring a medical breakthrough. amedical barring to return, until 2021.It’s able whenthey willbe notclear willmostlycontained spaces remainonhiatus onattractingthat depend large gatherings in andconcerts, suchastheater entertainment, last towelcome customers. back Forms of live of theeconomy amongthe tobe isdestined cess for ofreopening business. But onesector to professional theU.S. sports, isinthepro capsized Americancivicandculturallife. well-known that harbingers has ofadisease any ofothersymptomsthat have the become aloss oftaste andsmellalit breathing, followed were days of fevers, chills, labored sands of New Yorkers, What hehadthevirus. fortested COVID-19. Like of thou hundreds hisdoctor’s visited soon office, wherehewas atre, where“PlazaSuite”was inpreviews, and Hickeynite shutdown. lefttheHudsonThe- intoanindefi itslightsandlurched dimmed es risingexponentially inNew York, Broadway andcas- across thecountry spreading navirus one of the most left-leaning parts of the very ofthevery one ofthemost left-leaning parts the opticsofthrowing afinanciallifeline to controlled by Republicans, whowouldn’t love aficionadoandtheSenatethem asatheater is Presidentforthcoming. doesn’t Trump strike But there’s skepticism that assistance willbe limbo. ofprotracted aperiod what issuretobe tohelpadevastated port community survive WhiteWayGreat callingfor government sup Opening nightneverOpening came. With thecoro “I felt butIthoughtitwas awful, just the upalongrun Not onlyhadhewrapped From restaurants to retail, film production From filmproduction restaurants toretail, That hasmany whomake theirlivingonthe

------on bythecoronavirus. York Cityface massive budget deficitsbrought either:BothNewcoming, York state andNew sector. arts liberal helpisn’t Local likely tobe all theirlives toget toBroadway, andthen musical “Come From Away.” “People work says Caesar Samayoa, of acast the member alternate work inaterriblejobmarket. eight shows aweek suddenlyforced toseek choreograph dance andperform numbers way employs todesigncostumes, take tickets, takingtheirlifethey’re intotheirhands.” People aren’t going toseeplays ifthey feel like crowded andsitting elbow-to-elbow. room haveor people tofeel safe intoa going back avaccine Thereeitherhastobe that mean? we fightthisthing,” says Hickey. does “What progress unless ismadeinhow real perform 2021. early least throughat outjobprospects demic haswiped thathad toconfront thepan theharshreality who hadplanstowork thisyear intheater has down anyone stretches intoitsfifthmonth, et salesalone. Asthehistoric Broadway shut- $5.55billionintick toursgrossed 100 global tradePollstar’sConcert industry 2019Top anestimated 96,900jobs. 2019 andsupported notonpurpose,”least says Martin. St. tially tolureaudiences back. en that tickets may have discounted ini- tobe seats. That’s aneven giv harderproposition a profit withoutfilling would impossible be weekly.under $600,000tooperate Turning andmusicalstypicallycost justweek torun, Playster tohalffull. cost roughly$300,000a however, isplaying tohousesthat areaquar es won’t tooneanotherfor exposed aslong. be timesofless thantwo hours,run soaudienc that atshows have productions andlooking also discussing mountingmoreone-person distance other.social fromeach Producers are have play orchestra members offstage orat a outfit HVAC systems filtersandto withbetter show, toimplementcontactless ticketing, to in place totest casts every andcrewsbefore ly, even ifthere’s novaccine Plansare yet. option may todeviseaway be safe toreopen power brokers andonly believe theirbest tion TheBroadway League. presidentof thenationaltin, tradeassocia- out areslimtonone,” says Mar- Charlotte St. “The chances that Broadway“The gets abail “The abruptness ofthedamage abruptness issohard,”“The That’s Broad leftthethousandsofpeople “I don’t know how we’re able going to tobe inarecordBroadway $1.8billionin took “We won’t at distancing, doingsocial be One thingthat’s considered, notbeing Given prospects, Broadway thosebleak “People aren’t goingto seeplays ifthey feel like they’re taking theirlife intotheirhands.” ------is devastating.” go totheirfirst show. To have that taken away of awe inanaudience to whoisabout member Times Square. It’s sadnottowitness thelook day in andpushingthroughallthepeople Theater. “It’s weird not takingthetrainevery Kenny Nunez,housemanager oftheLongacre make itthat long.” make itayear withzero income. No onecan stops. You’re tofigureouthow to lefttrying something like andeverything thishappens JOHNBENJAMIN HICKEY

“The theater ismy theater second“The home,” says There’s anemotionaltollas well. Fans attend Coachella in Indio, Calif., in 2019.

(TOP) KOURY ANGELO BROADIMAGE/SHUTTERSTOCK week holdintheU.S. thecoronavirus took anddropanew albumthe 10-week America andEurope tourofNorth whowas soloartist settolauncha light Anthem—isanindependent chandise. That model is on life support because of COVID-19. ofCOVID-19. chandise. because isonlife That support model make theirliving:concerts, wherefansnot onlybuytickets butmer music isafairexchange for drawing audiences totheplace they really to accept that fromrecorded thesmallamountmost musiciansearn thecostly reduced ofdiscovering andeffort music. Thus, came artists People rarelypaytoseeactsthey don’t know, drastical andstreaming year fortours each decade. thepast Therelationship isasymbioticone: spawningmultiplenine-figure-grossing tohealth, that broughtitback —itwas duetoillegaldownloading actuallytheconcerted industry — whichlost halfitsvalue aughts asCDsalesplummet intheearly cians, technicians, dancers andothersinitssprawling supplychain. alone —andthat figuredoesn’t includethelosses of income by musi could loseasmuch$9billionin2020 estimated theconcert industry professionals,for industry Pollstar was outright. canceled hassince ence, avitalshowcase gathering point for new talentandtheprimary have majorlive company; entertainment theSXSW hitevery confer indefinitely;layoffs, orpostponed furloughsorpay cuts scrubbed been demic inamatter ofdays. All majorconcert toursandfestivals have erate $12.2billioninbox office thisyear —was flattened by thepan- engine ofthemusicbusiness, whichPollstar would had projected gen that involve mass gatherings, —thefinancial thelive musicindustry Singer-songwriter BrianFallon —former frontmanof theGas asthesavior isoftencited While streaming of themusicbusiness Alongwithmostbusinesses

------

Thompson

Studios panel at Comic-Con Chris Hemsworth

appear at the Marvel

in San Diego in 2019. IGN, ratherthanasinglepartner. video gameandentertainmentsite outlets, includingYouTube and posed toanassortmentofdigital and masqueradeball— trans- film titlestoacostumecontest from panelsfor and popularTV with many familiar elements— on itsoriginaldates,July22–26, ic-Con@Home. Theevent willrun for whatthey’ve dubbedCom- re-create allofitonavirtualstage in April,organizers have strived to all mannerofpopgeekery. been adelightfulcross-section of the colossalconvention floorhas Marvel CinematicUniverse, while like “Game of Thrones” andthe die-hard fandoms for franchises ture panelshave helpedtosustain ture events oftheyear. Itssigna- of themostmomentouspop-cul- 2000s, SDCChaslongbeenone attendees annuallysincethelate wethat thought:Can doit?” “But thencamethesecondhalfof wanted todo event insomefashion online.“We decided theyhadtosalvagethe zer says, Comic-Con’s organizers office were crying.” had tobecanceled.“People inthe derCon inAnaheim,whichalso SDCC anditssisterevent, Won- the organization thatoversees strategy officeratComic-ConIntl., chief communicationsofficerand ing decision,” says David Glanzer, it would nottake place. history ofthefan convention that was thefirsttimein50-year 2020 SanDiegoComic-Con,it ic causedthecancellationof WHEN THECOVID-19 and Since Comic-Con’s cancellation With more than130,000 Almost immediately, Glan- “It was really aheartbreak-

Tessa

digital in the service ofself-preservationdigital intheservice something RESCUING COMIC-CON The annualfandom festival goes pandem- ,” hesays. BY

ADAM B.VARY We’ tha ing tha We’re learningagreat deal.” that couldexist inthefuture. ing thegroundwork for something that [Comic-Con@Home] islay- with adeepsigh.“It’s possible future would be,” Glanzer says convention, Idon’t know whatthe and we weren’t abletohave a reach thoseheightsagain. whether, fan conventions could profoundly uncertainwhen,or ing andtreatments imp 2019. Buteven ifCOVID-19 test- ed $149 millionfor theregion in the event generatedanestimat- Diego Convention CenterCorp., in 2017, andaccording totheSan reported $19 millioninrevenue really frightening.” cancel we ever thoughtwe’d have to year,” Glanzer says. “Idon’t think little bitofseedmoneythenext ey tomeetourobligationsanda reason, we’d have enoughmon- the show for somecatastrophic tary] buffer, so if we hadtocancel tion, inadiceyfinancialposition. ic-Con Intl.,anonprofit organiza- decision, butonethatputsCom- be free toall.Itwas anobvious crucially, Comic-Con@Homewill out afirmanswer — whichiswhy, ‘OK, whowillbewatching this?’” of themasked, astheyshould, ticipate wasn’t ano-brainer. “Many ing studiosandnetworks topar- shows, butGlanzersays convinc- als” andallthree “Walking Dead” Trek: Picard,” “HisDark Materi- scheduled panels,including“Star a group,” Glanzer says. nity engagementandwatching as exhibit tourstuff, sometocommu- to programming videos,someto forms thatlendthemselves better thegroundwork for somethi t couldexist inthefut t [ “We felt there were someplat- “If thiswere tocontinue Comic-Con brought ina “We always hadthis[mone- For now, that’s aquestionwith- Several well-known titleshave re learningagreat deal.” Com two ic- shows. Itwas really, Con @Ho me]

rove, it’srove, ure is la . y - 2 ng ng 5 26 VREY VARIETY

GUTTER CREDIT NEIL HALL/EPA-EFE/SHUTTERSTOCK which currentlyhave little revenue butsub money tomy andcrew.” band company that sentthemout—andgave allthe my manager, lawyer, even themerchandise an hour. Igot towaive everyone theirfees — andtheyand asked soldoutin for $200each, soIdid140ofthem lyrics andsellingthem, seen that were someartists writingoutsong of away tohelpbymakingmoney quickly. “I’d for income,on thetour” hesays, sohethought were depending “They precarious situation. andcrewwere inanevenbut hisband more — much as$80,000duetothepostponement that he’s outat as $20,000andpossibly least tosellontour.manufactured Heestimates andcrewbutalsofor band thevinyl andCDs so hewas notonlyfor responsible paying his day tour!” home.’ goes then everybody We hadaone- were ‘You’re told, doingthisoneshow and — andonthemorningoffirst show, we kept places about getting hearing shutdown on March11,” hesays. “During rehearsals, we lobbyists. Ultimately, NIVA thegiant selected she isD.C.-based andhasconnections with fer able toplay hasbeen akey as role inthat, fer agree, isgovernment assistance; Schae- thepandemic. venues willnotsurvive ment assistance, some90% of independent Venue estimates Assn., that withoutgovern as therecently formed National Independent several Washington, D.C.-area venues aswell will onlytake you sofar.” advance acts planningandpromotion; local areontour,we book andthat takes monthsof venuespendent arefacing:“Most of theacts what you make onlive shows.” concerts), but“noneofthemcome closeto “show vouchers (discounted bonds” for future concerts, livestreamed sponsored T-shirts or to generate asmallamountof income from across Texas, says venues have able been ents, whichpromotesshows at multiplespots — most arestruggling. withnolive performances audience treamed tomakehas managed abusiness outoflives sixfigures;Nashville’sraised GrandOleOpry Saint Vitus programthat aKickstarter created metalmecca creative solutions—Brooklyn independence. Although somehave found and AEGareexperiencing thedownside of withlargeiated like companies Live Nation that Spaces aren’tlaid offorfurloughed. affil and thesalariesofemployees they haven’t stantial overheard: utilities, rent, insurance The situation isdirefor smallervenues, ofhisbusiness,Fallon aspect every runs first date ofthetourwas“The inDelaware The oneremedy, Williams andSchae Audrey Fix Schaefer, whohandlesPRfor torecovery inde He outlinesthesteep road Graham Williams of MarginWalker Pres “This isn’t andkeeping justaboutart anightclubgoing— independentvenues areeconomicdrivers for theircommunities.” ------ticket, there’s $12 ofeconomic activitygener Schaefer says. “For ona dollarspent every economic drivers for theircommunities,” nightclub going venues —independent are themission. understood itsadvocate,firm Akin Gumptobe it because plenty else, AChaseRice show tothewind. in ly distanced and rallies—that threwcaution, by President Trump’s flagrantly non-social concerts heldinlate inspired June—possibly withtwo country compared of responsibility distancing; that event seemslike aparagon face masksandsocial andmandatory capacity vis McCready was heldwiththevenue at 20% singer Tra-mance inArkansasbycountry ule concerts anyway. Amid-May perfor- someartists,led agents andvenues tosched impatience and(many believe) stupidity has major economic drivers ofrenewal.” andwe willbe hold onuntilthereopening, That government allow usto funding“would ists saidthey hadnever seenanything like it.” constituent out,” reach shesays. lobby “The of Congress singlemember hashada every sent 600,000emailstotheirlegislators, and our website —saveourstages.com —people enthusiastic.from thepublichasbeen “From er businesses.” forated lotsandoth- restaurants andparking

“This isn’t“This andkeeping just art about a However, acombination ofdesperation, have theirefforts The support seensofar

in tape, in celebration celebration in tape, in

the West End is wrapped wrapped is End West the

The Lyceum Theatre in in Theatre Lyceum The of live theater. live of

AUDREYFIXSCHAEFER

- - - - to reopen on July 4, albeit without live shows performed toaudienc withoutlive onJuly 4,albeit showsto reopen performed some venues enactinglayoffs. were Whiletheaters technicallyallowed the industry, and withseveral going regional theaters intobankruptcy acripplingblow darksincebeen March16,dealing that hasparalyzed Industries Federation, tocost thecoronavirus isprojected the a majorshow willtake theriskofreopening.” There’sing. awholerange of tocome thingsthat need together before West we have End, anissue withaudiences distanc aswell associal al tourismarenonexistent soifyou’re at themoment, at the looking like ofLondonTheatre.organization theSociety internation “Things up,”audience back says chiefexecutive Julian Bird, of West End trade audiences to apublicspace, tocome back andwe tobuildan need still limitmostrequirements at tooperating 30%-40%capacity. (abitmorethan 3feet)distancing es, social one-meter newlyreduced According commissioned bytheCreative toarecent report “We distancing togo social [away]. need We conﬁdence need by getting tonormal.” back stopping they’re usfrom distancing, social they have event asocial withoutmasksor don’tpeople seemtounderstand is that when ing aroundwithoutmasks,” hesays. “What “depending walk onallof theknuckleheads tomid-2021— concerts returninginearly we’recontrol, just inbusiness.” notgoing tobe butuntilweus, get itunder for someperiod, isgoing toslow virus usdown,ifnotstop “The Azoff. withIrving company he co-founded facilities Group, andsports anentertainment patient,” says TimLeiweke, CEOof OakView it’s timeline—andwe have thevirus’ tobe “It’sing moredifﬁcult. notourtimeline— that suchrecklessness willonlymake reopen from many intheconcert industry, whosay from thousandsof onlinecommenters but forprocedure futureconcerts. its next show andsaiditwas reconceiving its those recommendations. Thevenue canceled went down, ithadnoeffective way toenforce whenthelights well, but, distancing, social andmany capacity signscallingfor reduced the show according tostate guidelines, with explanation —essentially saying that itheld TheTennesseeing. venue offered adetailed distanc1,000 to2,000andlittle tonosocial audiences of close-packed in Idahofeatured Tennesseerural andaChrisJansonconcert IntheU.K., theaters have In thebest-case scenario, Leiweke sees Those events metwithblowback notonly 27

------3 There’s oneplace Webber “Joseph andtheAmazing Tech- ‘That’s why. That’s why Iwant to among other hit musicals among otherhitmusicals of four monthsaftershuttering Variety elaborate plan to get the theater elaborate plantogetthetheater stands onstageandlooks outat nicolor Dreamcoat” sector up and running without the sector upandrunningwithoutthe na’s MadameXTour inJanuary, maestro behind need for socialdistancing. when theWest Endimpresario virus-monitoring equipmentfrom Phantom oftheOpera” the 2,300-seat venue, “Ijustsay, $300,000 worth ofheavy-duty Palladium, whichhostedMadon- Korea —thekey instrumentsinan in mid-March. Butitsstage,once be intheater,’” Lloyd Webber tells has beendarkfor thebetterpart bare, isnow chock-full ofaround just wants tolove you.” the bad day inthebusiness— largest ofhisLondon theaters, Like otherWest Endhouses,the Lloyd Webber —theBritish Palladium . “Becausethatbuilding

gravitates to aftera 2 “Cats” “Cats” Andrew Lloyd . Lateatnight, 4 and

3 5 , , The The — hatchedtheideainmid-Febru- July, whenthegovernment finally 72-year-old composer. “We imme- on theseverity ofthecoronavirus, guards inplace,andlargely unin- great priority.” going oninKorea asamatterof could bereplicated efficientlyin due totwo coronavirus casesthat ed from theshow. diately startedtofollow whatwas at Really UsefulGroup thatthey ary, whenagroup ofleadingscien- package for theartsuntil early which hadonlybeguntoaffect weren’t believed tohave originat- with anumberofhygienic safe- vinced Lloyd Webber andhisteam tists at a private dinner filled him in tists ataprivatedinnerfilledhimin terrupted save for abriefclosure tinued throughout thepandemic, the viewwas grave,” says the the U.K., whichdidn’t seearelief Europe insmallpockets. LOOKING EASTTOSAVETHEWESTEND 1 “I asked, ‘What’s theview?’and The stringentmeasures con- In Seoul,“Phantom” hascon- Andrew Lloyd Webber turnstohispandemic-proofKorean production asamodeltoresuscitateLondon’s theaterbiz 4 BY

MANORI RAVINDRAN “We canabsolutelysay thatthe cameras thatsurvey theaud- contactless thermometersand operate atonly30%-40% capacity. of atleastonemeter(abitmore disinfecting fogging machines. es, and social distancing rules es, andsocialdistancingrules scheme, thenonehastosay, ‘Well, selves,” declares Lloyd Webber. “If and share thatwitheverybody.” son, Itryandseeifthere’s away revealed a$1.9 billionlifeline. Still, ment, includethermalimaging there are nodatesfor reopening the Palladium,whichisconduct- than three feet) meantheaterscan ience, self-cleaning doorhandles, ing trialsusingtheKorean equip- it proves tobeapie-in-the-sky live indoorshows withaudienc- lutely vitalthat,asatheaterper- look, we tried,’ butIfeel it’s abso- “We’ve gottoshow theleadour- The measures inplaceat 6

AndrewAndrAndAnA Lloyd Webber reopenreop the London Palladium withwitwithout social distancing.

it dr

ewe ene ou w

utu

L t t lo heh s o e

April debut,now waits for more go inan[airplane] andyou’re not allowed togointoanauditorium,” a bitwrong Ifyou’re allowed to formal government backingofthe Palladium model.“Something’s ing thatwe need.” he says. “It’s thejoined-upthink- operate atfullcapacity. others to“get theatersopenas designed toallow audiencesto quality ofairinthePalladium soon assafe.” marks from Culture Secretary Oli- musical meantime hasbeenpreparing his measures inplace,” promising to work withtheorganization and will bepurer thantheairoutside visit, complimentedReally Use- ver Dowden, who, afteraJuly2 fill every seat,sothetheatercan ful’s “very comprehensive safety ing. Crucially, themeasures are it, says Lloyd Webber, beam- The experiment received high

aims to Lloyd Webber, whointhe “Cinderella” 6 for an 2 5

CATS: ALASTAIR MUIR/SHUTTERSTOCK; WEBBER/FLETCHER: STORYHOUSE PR; JOSEPH AND THET AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT: DAN WOOLLER/SHUTTERSTOCK; PALLADIUM: PETER PHIPP/TRAVELSHOTS.COM/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO; PHANTOM OF THE OPERA: KEN MCKAY/SHUTTERSTOCK KOURY ANGELO over scenes or tosocialize. Inthecaseof They havetouch. callstogo weekly Zoom ers have come upwithnovel ways tostay in able toafford sensors,” heat hesays. if I’m theater, a200-seat running Iwon’t be helpful…but allofwhichcouldthing at be it, resources. “Lloyd Webber isthrowing every warns that smallervenues lackthesame more money for us?’” from thegovernment? Why don’t you print canwe ‘Oh haveing, God, somemoremoney than sitting aroundonourhandsandsay ways of getting open,’ ourtheaters rather andseewhetherwe cansuggest duty totry that says, we have people astheater a ‘Look, says Lloyd Webber. avoice hastobe “There throughoutthepandemic. uninterrupted, of largely “Phantom” running, that hasbeen onaKoreanhave production modeled been and disinfectant-loaded archways, allof which thermal sensors, handles door self-cleaning ofsafety$300,000 worth measures, including the Opera” about composer hasinstalled ing inplace. London Palladium distanc —withoutsocial his own venues —hisbiggest, the2,300-seat oneof ambitious planlast monthtoreopen hands. AndrewLloyd Webber unveiled an world have taken matters intotheirown right now.” The Musical.” possible might notbe “That ya Tayeh, choreographerof “MoulinRouge! andweave andbob space together,” says Son navigatehave bodies alotofintertwined hard tomanage sixfeet apart. —activitiesthat are ﬁght onanightlybasis ontheshow,Depending kiss and actors sing, dressing. they’re closetothepeople ers tobe Costumes design have requiring ﬁtted, tobe areusuallyshared. Dressing rooms cramped. risky.ing towork too could be Backstages are ers andcreatives areconcerned that return- England. northern Royalic Theatre inNewcastle in Tyne Upon Philip Bernays, chiefexecutive ofthehistor- arts industries is wearing thin. industries iswearingthin. arts for thegovernment’s tothe response belated until 2021quietlybecome reality, tolerance aters can’t budget for themonthsahead. ance dates, onreopening withoutwhichthe- ly July, thesectorstill waits guid- for clear $1.9 billionreliefpackage inear for thearts 2020. Although thegovernment delivered a outofmoney bytheendof willrun theaters and managers, indicates that around70%of producers, owners theater London-based London Theatre, of 230 whichactsonbehalf of Research andtheSociety byUKTheatre lion) inrevenue, withupto70%ofjobslost. sectoraround $3.8billion(£3bil- theater While theaters have been closed, perform haveWhile theaters closed, been Jon directorof Trust, Theatres Morgan, “We’ve got to[take] ourselves,” thelead the“Cats”Instead, and“Phantomof someinthetheater of indecision, Tired “My innate way dances ofcreating isto Even withmoresafety measures, perform “We can’t hangonmuchlonger,” says As warnings that venues could closed be ------

Coachella in Indio,

Gryffin

Calif., in 2019.

appears at “The institutionsthathouse theseshows couldbenefitfromself-examination. Ifwe didn’t have the pandemic, I’m notsure we’d take thatlook.” onstage. Theinstitutions that housethese sity inourcrewsbackstage andourcasts ter intermsof tacklingthelackof diver- that we present,” says “We Leon. candobet when itwelcomes audiences. back fundamentally different the business willbe Hebelieves when thecoronavirus struck. indictmentofracisminthemilitary,searing of“Aending aBroadway run Soldier’s Play,” a issues of diversity. DirectorKenny Leonwas to business lipservice todomorethanpay the world have putpressure onthetheater and theprotests that around have erupted pions. TheBlackLives Matter movement tochange thekindsofneed shows itcham itwill ans that whenBroadway return, does andbingo games.” parties ties andbirthday stage, sowe’ve themintococktail turned par “We’re noteven closetoreturningthe thought itwasn’t healthy,” says Patti LuPone. lines, away andIbacked I fromitbecause evolvedrehearse intoinformal hangs. asaway what started night, to ing anopening forced tostop before ever performances hav al oftheStephenSondheimmusicalthat was Broadway production of“Company,”Broadway production areviv “We intermsof candobetter thestories There’s alsoagrowing senseamongveter “At we were running beginning, thevery ------we’d take that look.” If we didn’t have thepandemic, I’m notsure shows from self-examination. could benefit before. Just please God, letuscomebefore. back.” God, Just please I know we’ll bigger come than andbetter back butfoundwho lost livelihoods away toendure. celebrate allthoseactorsandcrewmembers for finallylifts. that momentwhenthecurtain in totake —andtoholdhisbreath theirseats vacant for monthsfillwith crowds shuffling that outastheaters haveon —tolook been wings asthelightsonBroadway flicker back likewill be tostand onstage orwatch fromthe That’sdream. what whenhethinksabout it But Hickey hasalsoallowed himselftoday whom suffered farworse casesthanhedid. friends whohave hadthedisease, someof andthe careers that have disrupted been Hereflectsonthe how willreopen. theaters nagging anxietyof notknowing ifor when, curtailed. that abruptly found itsrun evenBroadway thantheone willbe better “Plaza Suite”sothat theshow that returnsto andParker with Broderick fine-tuning about he got better, having conversations hestarted toahouseintheHamptonsrecover.ed As KENNYLEON After getting hisdiagnosis, Hickey retreat “It’s incredible,” going tobe hesays. “To It’s headmits, hard, tolive been withthe 2 9 - - MOVING 30 VREY VARIETY ‘The Joyce Joyce With Story Kim Photographs Donnelly Matt Franco Dave Rental,’ decade the camera debut, directorial a two- and fulfills by by by promise behind his steps UT

GUTTERGUTTER CCREDITREDIT

AVE FRANCO has long struggled against being labeled the “kid brother” type, from the time he was an unknown growing up in Palo Alto, Calif. “My first job was at a mom-and-pop video store when I was 14, and I’ve always looked young for my age,” says Franco. “People would come in wondering why this 9-year-old-looking boy was renting them ‘Silence of the Lambs’ and ‘Basic Instinct.’” Deceptive looks aside, he still was not of legal age to work. “They paid me by allowing me to take home as many movies as I wanted. That became my film school,” he says. That early training, along with some 13 years of professional acting, finally brings Franco to his lifelong dream of the director’s chair for “The Rental,” an IFC Films title that, when it hits on July 24, will represent one of the few summer theatrical releases amid the coronavirus pandemic. It’s a moment 20 years in the making, some of Fran- co’s lifelong colleagues tell Variety, one that he has achieved through relentless curiosity on the job. Much of his experience was earned alongside his brother James, whose career has stalled amid sexual harassment allegations from former students, which the older Franco denies. Known affectionately as Davey to friends and family, Dave Franco has been no one’s little brother D for quite some time, and this breakout as director is the next phase of the evolution. Franco has delivered breakout comedic performances in films like Nicholas Stoller’s “Neighbors” and empa- thetic dramatic turns in work like Barry Jenkins’ “If Beale Street Could Talk” and “The Disaster Art- ist,” directed by James. He’s also quick to remind that he began his career as a creator in the digital space; he wrote, directed and edited comedy shorts in the early days of Funny or Die while he was studying at the University of Southern California. “I felt like I could take huge risks because the worst thing that could happen is that no one would watch them,” Franco says. “But because I was taking big swings and making unique choices, I started to gain a bit of a following. Over time, I realized that my videos that went viral had more viewers than the indies I was acting in. That was gratifying, and made me want to take the next step into writing and directing a feature.” His entry into directing arrived with the help of Joe Swanberg, the longtime indie filmmaker who cast Franco on his Netflix original series “Easy” in 2016. On that set, the two discovered similar artis- “OVER TIME, tic sensibilities and a love of horror movies. I REALIZED THAT Together they wrote “The Rental,” which follows startup executives Mina and Charlie (Sheila Vand MY VIDEOS THAT and Dan Stevens), who escape the city for an idyllic WENT VIRAL HAD MORE VIEWERS THAN THE INDIES I WAS ACTING IN.” Dave Franco

32 VARIETY

film. upcoming in the co-stars Vand Sheila beware Renter with Swanberg. ing intheshadows,” Franco says of hiscollaboration thrilling asthefactthat there’s apsycho killerlurk issues thecharactersarejust between personal as atenserelationshipto create dramawheretheinter tionships, was soourintentionfromthebeginning more insidiousforce awaits outsidethehouse. secrets andnewbetrayals whileamuch arerevealed ofthefoursome’s theleast becomes problems, asold Thisaffront shewas raciallyprofiled. becomes clear at whohurlsmicroaggressions Mina,it local gruff checking inwiththeproperty’s groundskeeper, a ner Charliewas accepted onlymomentslater. After whilewhitemalebusiness part app, home-sharing why shewas inapplyingfor rejected theplace ona diately questions whenMina,ofIraniandescent, tubs andfecund luxury. But tensionsriseimme rental house—allpicturewindows, frothy hot in thedays ahead. company working andwillonlybe longer andcloser who have amajorinvestment just secured intheir that flybetween MinaandCharlie,lectual sparks isexactlyin theequation comfortable withtheintel Charlie’s younger brother. Neither significantother Brie). Thedynamicsarecomplicated,asJosh isalso Josh andMichelle(Jeremy Allen WhiteandAlison withtheirrespective partners,mountain retreat “Joe’s mainstrengths lay incharacterandrela A reprieve seeminglycomes intheform ofthe : ------opposed to some directors who run theirsetlike a tosomedirectorswhorun opposed wins,idea nomatter whoit’s coming from…as is,will improve thebest Themainrule thefilm. upifthey have tospeak thatber they anidea think ronment wherethey crewmem- encourage every Franco says. suchacomfortable create envi “They Rogen alsohadanimpact. influentialonhisprocess.very Working alongside andPhilLordChrisMilleras Baumbach Noah but you.” hewashe finallydecided ready. No onedecides cinematographers. He’s always and hadthistrait, ducer, director, writer. Hewas always talkingto understanding of what was asapro happening but Franco “always togain trying tobe seemed Disaster Artist.” filmsand“The the “Neighbors” Rogen, whohasseenFranco throughprojectslike selves want tooneday make things,” says Seth ognize whothem- isonlycommon amongpeople theprocess,about inaway that grown I’ve torec this year’s BerlinFilm Festival. and Endeavor Content soldworldwide rightsoutof project, budgeted Pictures financed themodestly than anyone.” Prolific indieproducerBlackBear andthesecharactersmoreintimatelythe story were whenFranco jettisoned that “realized Iknew Francotors andpegged tostar, butthoseplans “I think I took themost fromSethandhisteam,”“I thinkItook Franco citespreviousemployers like Jenkins, Rogen says plentyof actorsaskquestions, “He hasalways outwardly inquisitive been The writing team initiallysoughtotherdirec The writingteam 34 VREY VARIETY TO ONEDAY MAKETHINGS. COMMON AMONG PEOPLE COMMON AMONGPEOPLE ABOUT THEPROCESS, INA OUTWARDLY INQUISITIVE - - - - WHO THEMSELVES WANT looked atlooked what hedid with‘Martha,’ whereheseta ror filmthat doesn’t relyonjumpscares. I Instead “HegaveDurkin. metheconfidence tomake ahor histaste inherently,”and Itrusted Franco says of that didn’t tricks. usetheexpected Marcy May Marlene,” tocraftatensegenre thriller theacclaimedfilmmaker “Martha Durkin, behind series “Atlanta.” Sean onproducer Healsoleaned Christian Sprenger, directorofphotography for TV the film’s Franco ominousbutplacidlook, landed of afew positive reviewsonline?” staying inthehomeofastranger simplybecause other,” each one trusts Franco says. “Yet we trust asit’s isas divided the country ever andno been my own that about as concept, paranoia especially of others. by offering consumers thecomfort of thehomes todestroythreaten thehospitalityindustry of thesharingeconomy, whereappslike Airbnb voyeurism andprivacy, inthecontext especially discussions between Swanberg andFranco about collaboration.” dictator andlettheirego get intheway of healthy TO CREATE TO RECOGNIZE ISONLY WAY THAT I’VE GROWN “HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN “He was amentortomethroughouttheprocess, “A of theinspiration [for bigpart themovie] is The concept Rental” for “The was from born Seth Rogen -

”

GUTTER CREDIT ALLYSON RIGGS/IFC FILMS GUTTER CREDIT IFC FILMS meetings withadistributor. inmarketing bay orparticipate intheedit observe whetheraskingtositinthewriters’room, beyond, himasanactorwillingtogo abovedescribes and Disaster Artist.” Little Hours”and“The “The She comedy intheperiod times asaromanticinterest, to remindmethat we were work.” doinggood tobe, andher theretobuildmeupwhenIneeded todoubt myself.and start Itwas invaluable tohave there were momentswhereIwould get inmy head there throughtheprocess. Asafirst-time director, “and itwas just socomforting for metohave her dramawithmomentsoflevity,”heavy Franco says, a uniqueactorintheway that she’s able tobalance pullhimoutofhisinsecurities.star “She’s helped working together, Franco says casting the“GLOW” wife. couples shy away WhilesomeHollywood from takes itspunches, hard.” they landreally takes itstimetodraw you andwhenitfinally in, nothing overtly Ourmovie creepyon-screen. really could at any happen momenteven whenthere’s audience member, you somethingscary believed tonewithhismusicandvisuals. specific Asan very clock research. At various research. throughout points clock offering ways Dave tosolve them. istheopposite.” happy tocome upwithproblemsonsetwithout fectionist nature. I’ve worked withactorswhoare far outofmy IthinkDave control. hassuchaper Iwould considerthing. theseotherthingsreally andthrowing yourselfing, intoaroleonsetisone “To me, that’s admirable,” Briesays. “Ilove act Franco opposite Brie hasstarred twice, both onwas thatAnother shouldertolean ofBrie, his The couple insomeoff-the- alsoindulged - - “The Rental.” dailies of wife Alison watches Brie in Franco Dave Family time: Molly (theubiquitousmusicfestival MDMA). drug Rental,”“The thecharactersexperiment with his brother. accusations civilactionsagainst andsubsequent Dave Franco onthe tocomment declined further those, andsomethat I’m doingonmy own.” ment for years, andmy brotherhashadahandin ferent stages, someof whichhave indevelop- been says. have “Ipersonally abunchofprojectsindif a chance tocollaborate againinthefuture,” Dave weing creative doget Ihope experiences had. I’ve Disaster Artist,’ anditwas oneof themost reward together since we were little kids. We made‘The include James asacollaborator. someofwhich direct, andpotentially to produce Franco hashadnumerousprojectsindevelopment these videos.”” like, ‘We’ve before. donethisdrug We don’t need tures. We sentthemtotheotheractors, whowere Ifthere’spreparation. aDVD, fea inspecial be it’ll takingnotesandvideosindid alittle experiment, ‘Yousaid, test shouldprobably itoutagain.’ We the nightthat we met8years ago,” says Brie. “He “We that we realized hadn’t doneMollysince Sundance release “Zola,”Sundance release thoughJames removed The brothers produced thisyear’sThe brothersproduced buzzy It’s how Jamesmightattach unclear himself. “My brotherandIhave tellingstories been Rental”While “The first, cametofruition 35 VREY VARIETY - - -

suit tied tothemisconduct allegationssuit tied (asprevi sothat theongoing credit civilhis producing trying toﬁndthem.”trying are camerasinthehouse. Iknow thereare, andI’m wrapped,” Franco says. “I’m notwondering ifthere is growing. in onewhilefilming [‘The Rental’].” still usehome-sharing,” heallows. “Iwas staying — butFranco tovacation remainsopen rentals. “I the actingis.” how they areandhowremember grounded great ‘Pretty Woman.’ Whenyou at thosefilms, look you MetSally,’ Harry like ‘When ‘Sleepless inSeattle,’ acting isn’t We grounded. onclassics back looked aesthetic andtheconcepts sillyandthe arereally havea trendwhererom-coms anoverly bright feels low,” like issetreally thebar hesays. “There’s over ofrom-coms decade,the landscape thepast it a genre that we love, both butwhenwe at looked quarantine, for himtodirectandherstar. “It’s romanticcomedy scripthewrotewithBrieintled its release. by ously reported “My paranoia has reached a new peak since we anewpeak hasreached “My paranoia But heacknowledges therisk that inhismind, projectwas written inahomethetwoThe own onDaveImmediately Franco’s plate isanunti Variety ) wouldn’t distract from - -

Powe of Entertainment attorneys win for their clients, while navigating through the r pandemic and social unrest 2020 Law

WHAT VARIETY’S POWER OF LAW VIRTUAL BREAKFAST WHEN JULY 15 WEB VARIETY.COM Untitled-7 1 7/9/20 12:37 AM GUTTER CREDIT the Pandemic Legal During Keeping It pandemic andbeyond. pandemic attorneys have continued tomake andadviseclientsonissues tothe related deals months, oneonJuly15.Duringtheintervening intoavirtual hasturned breakfast toJuly 14;thePower waswas rescheduled well whenthereport underway of Law forcedpandemic massive business shutdowns aroundthecountry. Work onit Floyd ondiversity and othershave thespotlight andinclusionissues. increased ative andinnovative ways, even ofGeorge asracialtensionsurroundingthedeaths It’saround. awholenew world, andthelegalprofession isadaptinginmyriad cre FaceTime sessions fromat-home offices andkitchenswithchildrenscurrying ating contracts meetings inManhattan hasgone fromin-person to skyscrapers lunches at thePalm have callsandnegoti withmarathon replaced Zoom been ness inHollyw dramatically changingtheway lawyers have entertainment theirbusi- conducted The coronaviruspandemichaswreakedhavocontheglobal economy, entertainment law How COVID-19hasreshaped Variety selected theattorneys selected before the Report onourannualLegalImpact ood, New Y ork and everywhere inbetween since March.Powerork andeverywhere WORKING FROMHOME THE POWEROFLAW - - MALINA SAVAL STORY BY last spoke,” part &Loeb Kagan says aLoeb Bierman, Ivy all that. And, certainly, And, all that. thedemand for content ishigh, to figure outamechanismtosafely do studios aretrying and up andproducers arekindofstarting productions mance? Thosearethetwo bigissues. Andwhat’sin earnest? withlive going tohappen perfor issue, going torestart iswhenproduction asIseeit, we’re at 100%,” Cohen continues. “You know, thebig the industry. workingactors, artists in comediansandotherassorted arenas, arostertechnology of boasting high-profile and media resentation for clientsintheentertainment, went hislaw ontoearn degreefromUCLA. asachildand Goonies” says in“The Cohen,whostarred we’re inconstant contact viaemailandphoneZoom,” like butwe that, have staff ourweekly meetingsand Zoom know, asmy inthesamelocation andthings colleagues “completelyly hasbeen seamless.” law firmCohenentertainment Gardner, working remote Los Angeles County its“Safer issued at Home”order. ness &legalaffairs, working whohasbeen fromhomesince either, according toJohn Biondo, Lionsgate exec VPofbusi arebuyingandsellingcatalogs.”people “People arestill makingrecord deals, publishingdeals; ness,” toaccount for changes streaming-related to thebiz. “All1991 book, You toKnow Need theMusicBusi About Tyre, Ramer, Brown &Passman, his whorecently updated is pretty robust,” says withGang, DonPassman, partner during thepandemic. ing income, continue even andpublishingdeals asartist clients findnewrevenue tomake streams upfor lost tour advisingclientsonwork-cultureshe hasalsobeen issues. shutdowns andnowup.” onrampingback Sheaddsthat onthe with allof theguildsandunionsontheirbehalf duetothepandemic. Ihaveof productions dealing been navigate companies ing entertainment theshutting down time over onhelp few thepast spent monthshasbeen andlabor. onentertainment ner focusing “Muchofmy “So much has certainly changed intheworld changed “So muchhascertainly since we “Certain productions are already commenced, other commenced, “Certain arealready productions of itis, perspective, truth fromaproductivity “The At Cohen Gardner, hefocuses ontransactionalrep physically, miss“I certainly thecamaraderiebeing you For ofL.A.-based Jeff andpartner co-founder Cohen, COVID-19 hasn’t slowed down work onthestudio side “Interestingly, I’ve found that therest ofthebusiness Music attorneys have working been hardtohelptheir VARIETY VARIETY 39 3 39 ------40 VARIETY THE POWER OF LAW WORKING FROM HOME

the deal volume is high for the development of new proj- Especially with the number of COVID-19 cases spiral- ects and animation is something that is certainly booming back up. ing because you don’t need to be physically present in a What is clear is that with the industry evolving at such room with people to do that. But as for live performances a rapid pace — six months ago, nobody predicted at-home — it seems like that’s not going to perhaps begin in ear- concerts would prove such a marketable endeavor — the nest until 2021.” demand to iron out deals has grown tenfold. One of the challenges for lawyers during the era of “There was already a sense of urgency doing deals just COVID-19 has been negotiating the ubiquitous force in general, but now there’s even more of a sense of urgen- majeure clause which, in normal circumstances, relieves cy,” says Jodie Shihadeh partner at the New York-based parties from liability in the event of an occurrence beyond Davis Firm. “Our clients are constantly innovating every anyone’s control — war, crime, Category 5 hurricane. But day and improvising ways to get their music out to their in the case of a pandemic for which numbers are spiking audience. For me, it’s really about staying on top of the with no established treatment or end in sight, entertain- daily development of what is happening in this business, ment attorneys have had to reconfigure their understand- and then predicting what revenue streams are going to ing of what force majeure entails. become increasingly important to clients now that tour- There hasn’t been a pandemic that has ravaged the ing is paused temporarily.” world to this extent since the flu of 1918. The key, she says, is keeping up with the clients and “Force majeure clauses are typically boilerplate, executing their vision, citing Swizz Beatz as an example. they’re at the back of an agreement and maybe not giv- “He did that whole Versuz battle live on Instagram, en a whole lot of thought,” says Neema Sahni, a litigation and it’s totally taken off,” she says. “Now we’re figuring partner at Covington & Burling in Los Angeles. “I would out how to scale that idea and make it a business. That definitely say this is the first time in my career where so was something that blossomed literally overnight.” much attention has been given to those clauses and what In the early days of they mean. Every single word of the clause — what mean- COVID-19, Tom K. Ara, ing does it have? How does it change the meaning of the co-chair, entertainment contract? I’ve had to learn that area of the law, which in transactions practice at some cases is very dated. You’re going back and looking DLA Piper, performed a “People are at how courts have interpreted this for decades and cen- considerable amount of turies and trying to analogize it to a circumstance that is “professional legal tri- still making very different than anything we’ve experienced before. age” for his clients. Now, record deals, It’s not black and white, it’s not straightforward and you the focus has shifted to really do have to dig into the law.” what comes next? publishing Sahni has thus been tasked with guiding her clients “Once the shellshock deals; people through the process of entering into entertainment busi- wore off, we then saw ness contracts while contemplating the ramifications of people figuring out, ‘OK, are buying COVID-19. what are we gonna do and selling “Unlike other contracts which speak in general terms, in lockdown mode? Are clients are interestingly trying to define real parame- we gonna just sit here catalogs.” ters around this pandemic,” she says. “There’s not a lot and twiddle our thumbs Don Passman of clarity or certainty about what this will look like in or are we going to keep six months or a year and, in some ways, one of the chal- busy with something?’ lenges of contracting is guarding against the unknown. “When production The exact impact [of COVID-19] on businesses month to had shut down, most new financing transactions were on month is really fluid and so working with clients and try- w hold or shut down, particularly bank financing. Now, the ing to develop the right level of detail in their contracts to focus is more on anything that’s completed — distribut- guard against that certainly has been really interesting ing it, getting it out there, if it’s not going to be theatrical, and incredibly challenging.” getting it out on the [online] platforms as soon as possible Paul Bernstein, vice chair of Venable’s Entertainment so that there’s fresh, new content out there. So very busy and Media Group, likewise says, “everybody has had to with doing those types of deals.” take a hard look” at both their existing force majeure Of course, lawyers, like the rest of us, are dealing with clauses and any agreement going forward. the fallout from new hobbies and spending so much time “The tricky part,” he says, is that these clauses are at home. ambiguous in a lot of existing contracts. “For example, Cohen, who’s taught himself how to play harmoni- take government shutdowns caused by a pandemic. Well, ca during quarantine — “a client and friend bought me a it used to be you had the old catch-all phrase of ‘an act of great harmonica,” he says — has also gotten intimate with God.’ And so you might say a pandemic is an act of God. OK, the refrigerator in his kitchen. maybe. But the state of California telling you that you can’t “I’m getting back to my Chunk weight,” he quips, a nod make your TV show and your movie — that’s not an act of to the chubby geeky character he plays in “The Goonies.” god. That’s an act of the governor of the state of California.” NEW ROUTINES “I went from Chunk to hunk and now I’m sliding back With productions slowly starting up again, and those From top: Child actor-turned-attorney into Chunk,” Cohen laughs. “I’d look for representation involved mandated to comply while on set with what’s Jeff Cohen in his office; Covington & again as an actor, but, you know, the agents are way too called “an autonomous” COVID-19 compliance officer, Burling’s Neema Sahni with her young smart to sign me.” helper; Davis Firm’s Jodie Shihadeh in her it will be interesting, Bernstein says, to see how this all Brooklyn loft; DLA Piper’s Tom Ara juggles shakes out in practice. dad duty with his legal work at home. Geoff Mayfield contributed to this report Carolyn Hunt Jason Karlov Film, Television Music & & Digital Media Live Events AT THE HEART OF ENTERTAINMENT, MEDIA AND SPORTS

Barnes & Thornburg applauds our own Carolyn Hunt, Jason Karlov, Rebekah Prince, Steve Weizenecker, Bryan Thompson, Scott Witlin and Rebekah Prince Steve Weizenecker Amanda Taber for being recognized Sports & Entertainment Production Incentives: Film, in Variety’s 2020 Legal Impact Corporate Transactions Television & Video Games Report. Congratulations to you and all the honorees!

Bryan Thompson Scott Witlin Amanda Taber Television, Digital Media Union & Guild Music & & Financing Agreements Live Events

ATLANTA CALIFORNIA CHICAGO DELAWARE INDIANA MICHIGAN MINNEAPOLIS NEW YORK OHIO RALEIGH SALT LAKE CITY TEXAS WASHINGTON, D.C. BTLAW.COM

Untitled-35 1 7/7/20 10:40 PM Dina LaPolt Hono Powe 42 naming herMusicLawyer of theYear in2018. ney toreceive itandonlythesecond woman todoso. came That ontheheelsof MIDEM the Recording award; honored Industry herwithitsservice shewas theyoungest attor nection withtheDOJ’s mandate requiring 100%licensing byASCAP andBMI.Last year orchestrated theﬁlingof alawsuit against of Justice theDept. onSONA’s behalfincon law andintellectual property inthickNew Yawk-ese withaheapingdollop of f-bombs. She isalsooneof thefew executives you’ll everhearunpack theintricacies of copyright ing therelease of rapper 21Savage, incarcerated byICEinearly2019,afterninedays. first reform majorcopyright formusiccreators indecades, andforherrole inobtain herworkmunity onCapitol onthepivotal2018MusicModernization Hillvia Act, the oree hasarguably made abigger nameforherselfrepresenting thesongwriting com- and, for many years, theTupac Shakur estate. But Law represents artists includingStevenTyler, BritneySpears, 21Savage, Deadmau5 putably Outspoken theloudest. andseeminglyf Dina LaPolt leadingattorneys isoneof themusicindustry’s —andsheisalmost indis- Tupac’s momalongthe way overcame obstacleswith help from Leading musicattorney 42 In 2015,shehelpedfoundtheSongwriters of North America andayearlater (SONA) VARIETY VREY VARIETY ee ofLaw earless, theowner andfounderof LaPolt THE HONOREE POWER OFLAW Variety ’s 2020Power of Law hon - - - - AS TOLDTO JEM ASWAD stay intheBay Oneof my hadashowcase Area. bands at Ididn’t to months hedied. anddecided make ittoL.A. withabraintumor,Eric was diagnosed andwithinnine stay withrelatives intheBay WhileIwas driving, Area. and threeweeksas well,andtook todrive cross-country at to, aroundthetimeIwas soIdecided graduating, L.A. as apart-time assistant andtourmanager. Kiss moved to Kiss at thetime, Eric Carr, working for andI started him professor.theater one musicprofessor would me, sponsor soIhadtoget a me develop my administration own minorinarts —not tolet at thetime, themusicdepartment soIpetitioned side ofmusic. They didn’t have amusicbusiness program musician thanme, andthat withthebusiness Iwas good was two abetter realized thingsincollege: that everybody whichwasn’tdent union, tomake money. supposed SoI theshowsbecause were makingmoney —itwas astu president ofthecollege andgot introuble concert board withadegreeinclassicalgraduated guitar. Iwas alsothe upgoing toSUNYNewed Paltz; Iplayed and inbands ble alcohol problemthat stalked meuntilIwas 32.Iend- scholarship butgot kicked outinayear —Ihadaterri music asakidandwent toConcordia College withamusic was my anactivist, father Igot was into aprisonguard. artsy-fartsy,very community. hippie-type Mymother I grewupinNewPaltzupstateYork, our clientsandget shitdone.” are scrappy, we know how tomove through acrisis, protect through thechallenges that 2020hasbrought. done allof thosethings andmore —andcontinues tofight ofschool asawoman Justice. andevensuetheDept. But she’s told hershecouldn’t thenget intolaw get ajobasmusician, has beenthebiggest motivator inherlife, quotingthosewho clean andsoberherselffor22years. having beendy Goodman—andforthe12StepProgram, cate forgay rights—shehastwo children withherwife, Wen- later Aerosmith’s Tyler, over recovery. LaPolt isavocal advo she metTupac’s mother, AfeniShakur, her, bondingwith and realizing herfuture really was inthelegal profession. out asanassistant tothelate Kiss drummerEricCarr before al path from upstate New York tomusicpower broker, starting andWashingtonthe musicindustry D.C. over thepast 20-plusyears, asalesbianintheboys’ clubsof harassment and many prejudices asafemalemusicianand, naturetake-charge hasrankled some. Shealsoencountered shestruggled withsubstance abuseforyears;herspoken, she accomplished allthat shehassofar. My ex-girlfriend’s sister in was dating thedrummer Yet herpath hasnotbeenasmoothone. Dyslexic andout Below, inherown inimitablewords, shetells is aresilient musicindustry bunch,”“The shesays. “We During aTEDxtalkin2016,sheadmitted theword “no” whenShe madeanotherkeyconnection afterlaw school, But sheovercame thosehurdles, charting anunconvention NICOL BIESEK PHOTOGRAPHS BY Variety how - - a

- - -

GUTTER CREDIT Makeup:GUTTER Melina CREDIT Farhadi; Hair: Troy Penn VARIETY 43 law school, but mostly because it’s butmostly because law school, I’m because don’t have any experience, Ididn’t go totheright a lawyer butI’m —I’m unhire-able awoman, I off.Bynow, took really I’m 32years oldandI’m you wanted there, somy drinkinganddrugging night—you couldMansion every get anything Oaks withMiss June1997.Iwas at thePlayboy and inmatter ofdays Iwas livinginSherman boy’s Miss andlive June, withme,” come toL.A. “Yes,lawyer yet?” asoftwo days ago.” “I’m Play friend’s sister, “Hey, areyou anentertainment knows how —andgot acallfrommy ex-girl moving toL.A.” —God thebar Ihadjust passed but oneday“You’re shesaid, —andyou’re ﬁred Ididn’t tomoveme that Ineeded toL.A. want to, DeenaZacharinwho’dlawyer named always tell your mouth. running are nostandardized tests, casesand onlyreading that’s Iloved law There what school: happened. exam, and year andstay the “baby bar” ifIpassed toletmeinfor Heagreed a get intolaw school?” goingare gay tochange people thelaws ifwe can’t at John F. Kennedy University intheEast Bay. “You’ve Itoldhim, gotta letmein!How met thisAfricanAmericanwomanof thelaw whosaidIshouldcallthedean school “Iwanna go andsaid, tolawafter thepanel school!” attorney, thisoldguyinabowtie. SoItalked tooneofthelawyers, Tony Berman, had two earrings. Ihadanepiphany, theonlylawyer I’d because ever metwas Kiss’ likemusic lawyers: one looked alinebacker, theotherhadlonghairand a musicbusiness conference inSanFrancisco, andIwentwiththree toapanel 44 In my last for year Iinterned oflaw a school Within two weeks theLSAT Itook I’m miserably because andfailed dyslexic, butI VARIETY - - THE HONOREE POWER OFLAW “In my last year of “In mylastyearof Dina LaPolt you ‘You but onedayshesaid, L.A. Ididn I neededtomove always tellmethat Deena Zacharinwho for alawyernamed law schoolIinterned ’ re movingtoL.A. ’ re fired—and ’ t wantto, ’ d ’ ” tice, butoneday David ofbusiness affairsat head Cohen, ing onTupac’s estate. Ididn’t my plantoopen own prac- mybecame work sponsor, myself andIburied inwork “AreI said, you “Yes inrecovery?” honey, 13years!” She dropping allthesesloganswe usein the 12StepProgram. Panther Party —andasIwas tellingherthis, shestarted my activist motherfor thework she’d done withtheBlack ers. Iwas excited towork withher—Afeni was aheroto he hadnocontracts andsongwrit withproducers because was suing withouta willandeverybody Tupac died just two years before. Theestate was because inprobate ents was Afeni Shakur —motherofTupac, whohaddied “I’m ready.” Ihaven’t hadadrinksince. off my ass, drunk April Michael, 18,1998.Icalled andsaid that you have aspiritualawakening, andthat was theone: my relationship withyou.” They have asaying in12Step factthat you don’t “The and said, know jeopardizes better Hewalked metomy embarrassed. car and hewas very keptpeople bringingmedrinks;Igot away alittle carried interning for. OnenightIwas at arestaurant withhimand still didn’t get sober. easy. inhislap, BytheendofnightIwas butI crying and I’d never anyone heard admititlike sofreeand that, eight years.” I’d known Ihadaproblemfor alongtime, away fromme!I’m analcoholic —Ihaven’t hadadrinkfor die Mercury, “Hey, andIsaid, let’s “Get doashot!”Hesaid, Michael Holdaway like helooked —hewas Fred amazing, myself. tosupport OnenightImetastylist wood named out all night drinking, soI’mout allnightdrinking, waiting tables inWest Holly I kept interningfor that lawyer, andoneof the ﬁrm’s cli Through Miss June, I’d metanattorney up who Iended Tom Dean. Jessie Winkler, (from left)Kristin LaPolt Lawstaffers TEAMWORK Scott, Dina LaPolt, Alexandra Roseand Arrington, Dale Melidosian, Chaklos, Wenning, Lindsay Sarah Dominic - - - - -

GUTTER CREDIT Untitled-45 1 7/7/20 10:58 PM 46 46 VARIETY VREY VARIETY THE HONOREE POWER OFLAW paparazzi. tated lawsuitsagainst of privacyandfacili- the definitionofinvasion legislation thatwidened of Tyler’ssuccessful Committee in2013,aspart Hawaii’s wood testifiesbefore look onasMickFleet- Steven Tyler(belowleft) and Aerosmithsinger (left) andWilson; LaPolt Goodman andsonsBuddy LaPolt withwifeWendy FRIENDS ANDFAMILY but Isleepwell at night. know whichsideI’m on. or Idon’t, I have whentheshithits fan, because to And also, noconflicts ofinterest —Ieitherrepresentyou wantsanother label toknow how I’m much, notgonna lie. a biddingwar gives andonelabel mean advance and cannot lie, soifIhave who’s anartist inthemiddleof comes fromtheprinciplesof my 12StepProgram: You to work withpeople. talize But that that’s element. able ofpolitics, being part Republicansthem areTrump andIhave tocompartmen Ican’thelped. mentionsomeof theirnames—someof ofCongressa lotofinfluentialsenators andmembers richer thanSavage therefor whohadbeen months—but of there. ninedays Ittook —therewere five people times my Week anddidnotsleep, orchestrating getting himout takenage hadbeen byICE.Iworked allthroughGram- p.m. onSaturday sign—saying night—never Sav agood state.California isasanctuary Igot acallfromherat 11 for meto Atlanta onFriday because tobringhimL.A., before thegame, butIliterallyflewalawyer whoworked hehadashowend, at thePepsi ArenainAtlanta thenight at your looking guy.”“They’re Itwas Bowl Super week in D.C. person highlyplaced ICE —avery andsaid called off that 21Savage was taken going tobe by intocustody office. We’ve together ever been since. and theday hedrove hegot out, straight heretomy law We negotiated thewhole“American Idol” fromrehab, deal to Betty Ford Sunday theday andspend withhim. every yer. Hewas inrehab, of2010I’d andfor thefirst part drive fornated anAcademy Award. “Resurrection” called thatand adocumentary was nomi and over theyears we putoutfive albums [posthumous] things onebyone. Isetupajointventure withInterscope ly. settling Sowe “Isthat started mad?” why everybody’s so Iexplained that theroyalties were splitincorrect being Afeni werethese producers couldn’t suing. understand it, all because heldbyInterscope but $13millionwas being owned therightstoallof Tupac’s material, unreleased [singer] AndyVargas Afeni Ed and[comedian] McMahon. — Fergie fromtheBlackEyed Peas was inthat group— who camewithmewere theTupac Estate, Wild Orchid your own law firmandIhave tohelpyou!” “AfeniInterscope, meandsaid, called says you’re opening I might not be therichest lawyerI mightnotbe inthemusicbusiness, How doIstay business? Itall moralinsuchasleazy The week before the2019Grammy Awards, Igot tipped Late hislaw in2009ImetSteven andbecame Tyler So LaPolt Law was founded in2001,andtheclients Senate Judiciary

------

GUTTERTyler/LaPolt/Fleetwood: CREDIT Oskar Garcia/AP/Shutterstock DAVID ISRAELITE & THE NATIONAL MUSIC PUBLISHERS’ ASSOCIATION CONGRATULATE 2020 POWER OF LAW HONOREE Dina LaPolt partner. advocate. warrior. winner.

You turn up the volume for songwriters. Thank you.

NMPA is the leading voice for promoting and advancing the intereststtfiblihdthi of music publishers and their songwriting itiit partners.

Untitled-13 1 7/9/20 12:43 AM CCONGRATULATIONSONGRATULATIONS DDINAINA YOU CONTINUE TO SHOW US WHAT TTHEHE POWERPOWER OFOF LAWLAW CAN DO! YOU ARE A RELENTLESS ADVOCATE FOR CHANGE, A SELFLESS LEADER FOR THOSE IN NEED, AND I AM SO PROUD TO CALL YOU MY FRIEND. I’LL BE YOUR WINGWOMAN ANYTIME. LOVE YOU, DEBBIE

DINACongratulations to LAPOLT on being honored as VARIETY’S 2020 POWER OF LAW HONOREE Honored to work with you, proud to call you a friend.

0714 WV Stacked Ads_Debbie White & Valerie Allen.indd 6 7/10/20 10:34 AM Untitled-16 1 7/9/20 12:45 AM THE RECORDING ACADEMY® AND MUSICARES® CONGRATULATE

Thank you for your untiring and enthusiastic support for the creator community

Dina LaPolt, 2019 Recording Academy Entertainment Law Initiative® Service Award recipient

Untitled-11 1 7/9/20 5:42 PM SYLVIA RHONE & EPIC RECORDS CONGRATULATE

DINA LAPOLT 2020 POWER OF LAW HONOREE

HER CAREER LONG DEDICATION TO ADVOCACY & ARTIST RIGHTS IS CRUCIAL TO THE MUSIC COMMUNITY.

Untitled-6 1 7/9/20 12:34 AM on theWay Finally Be Law Might racial, social andnational linesin away social racial, that I’ve never seenbefore,” says African 52 50.8% shareofU.S. population. female attorneys hasgrown 5.2%gainsince oftheir 2009,butstill fallsshort ulation/2% ofattorneys). worse for Latinx ofattorneys) (18.1%ofpopulation/5% andAsians(5.8%ofpop only 5%of thecountry’s lawyers, thesamepercentage were as2009.Thenumbers Blacks accounted for 13.4%ofthe U.S. in2019,they population accounted for neys ABA’s ofcolor andwomen areunderrepresented. found that survey while that indicate tracksdemographics,tion survey that clearly attor- andthenumbers law. conduct But anannualnational does theAmericanBarAssn. lawyer popula law who isChineseAmerican. in entertainment Cassandra Seto, inO’Melveny apartner Cityoffice &Myers’ specializing Century table andhave notseenany ofcolor, otherpeople letalonewomen ofcolor,” says inclusivenessto talkabout inpractice. butfallsshort chosen profession, andyou’ll plentyof hear Ask entertainmentattorneysofcoloraboutdiversityintheir inclusion inentertainmentlaw there’s agrowingappetiteformore Attorneys expressoptimismthat Dive Greate 52 rate America. individualsandcorpo- fromboth protests that support have widespread earned andelsewhereinthewaketemic change isat ofrecent handinHollywood racial in recent years. But there’s lawyers sys- that optimismamongentertainment real “There’s notjust Blackoutrage, there’s acollective humanoutrage across all These figuresmightseemdiscouraging given ondiversity theamplespotlight Male attorneys accounted for 64%of U.S. of thenumber lawyers surveyed; It’s ontheamountofdiversity hardto get anactualread withinentertainment “Many timesinmy career, oraconference aroundacourtroom I’ve looked VARIETY VREY VARIETY sity in examples about an industry thatexamples anindustry loves about DIVERSITY POWER OFLAW: - - TODD LONGWELL STORY: are working hardtoensurethat theirown firmsaretru of color, clients, attorneys serving butbetter say. law fieldisnotjust hiringandpromotingattorneys about Femalesional Entertainment Attorneys. Lawyers andProfes Assn. &Sports Black Entertainment yers, theBlackWomen Lawyers ofLosAngeles, Assn. the John Langston theCalifornia BarAssn., ofBlackLaw Assn. Council onLegalDiversity, suchastheLeadership field, the involved inorganizations promotingdiversity inthelegal doesn’t like look them.” but talented, dition andhiresomeonewhoisequally that talentisn’t there. People togo just against need tra says:schild, “It’s not attorney withFox Roth an AfricanAmerican offyourand pay debt.” makefirm, your money, take your lumpsat abig law, toldyou people to get intoentertainment “Even ifyou didwant to is Mexican American. Donaldson +Callif who Chris Perez, at apartner corporate law,” says going into tobe seemed withatuated USCwho of Latinos that Igrad risky.too even onthelegalside— biz— the entertainment munities may consider lawyers fromtraditionallymarginalized comfledgling duetopragmatic careerchoices: be some could inpart that menwere going tohave tocome along,” Ramosays. only women,butwe just got sobigthat itwas inevitable 14-attorney firmisroughlyhalf-female. “We tobe used American andMexican respectively, American, andher MichelleChangandErikaCanchola areAsian partners ly diverse. She’s afirst-generation her SyrianAmerican, to thefire.” for years.sity inHollywood “People’s feet held arebeing stein &Lezcano callingfor diver- whohasbeen greater DelShaw City-based Moonvesat Tanaka Century Finkel- inent AfricanAmericanattorney NinaShaw, apartner darity that you’re going toget away withit,” says prom- you’re announcement ofsoli- just makingalip-service be suppressed.”be they don’ttrol because want theirvoice orthemessage to andwanting tomaintaincreativetivities intheirart con- West, Cardi BandA$APRocky. “SoIcanrelate tosensi- Granderson DesRochers, whoseclientsincludeKanye says AfricanAmerican attorney DamienGrandersonof man, Warren,man, Kaller Rush, &Gellman. Richman, Hills-based Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Jacobson, Hansen, Hills-based New Hoberman, American attorney John MeigsJr., at Beverly apartner Attorneys includingElsaRamo, founder ofRamoLaw, “I don’t thinkthisisoneofthosesituations whereif “My background issimilartotheirbackground,”“My background In the end, increasing diversity increasing intheentertainment In theend, Many attorneys groupsarealso fromunderrepresented But Joshua Edwards, “There were plenty “There Attorneys acknowledge that underrepresentation

- - “People just Joshua Edwards like them.” doesn talented, but who is equally hire someone tradition and against need togo ’ t look ------

GUTTER CREDIT Congrats to honorees Darrell D. Miller Marc H. Simon

TV & Film | Digital Media | Music | Theater

® Entertainment & Sports Law. Coast to Coast.

Attorney Advertising.

Untitled-41 1 7/7/20 10:46 PM MORRIS YORN BARNES LEVINE KRINTZMAN RUBENSTEIN KOHNER ENDLICH & GELLMAN

CONGRATULATES ALL OF THE HONOREES IN VARIETYS LEGAL IMPACT REPORT

MORRIS Y ORN BAR NES LE V INE KRINTZMAN RUBEN STEIN K O HN ER ENDLICH & GELLMAN LAVV FIRM

0714 WV Morris Yorn - Legal Impact.v3.indd 1 6/25/20 10:25 AM GUTTER CREDIT Legal Report Litigators p56 for entertainmentindustry clients, deals andlitigatedthornydisputes hs ea alsmd asv massiveThese legaleaglesmade COMPILED BYJEMASWAD, Transactional studios andnetworks ROBERT MARICHANDGEOFFMAYFIELD p69 Impact THE POWEROFLAW NICK CLEMENT, Music p83 TODD LONGWELL, In-House p86 Up Next p90 56 VARIETY THE POWER OF LAW: LitigatorsLEGAL IMPACT REPORT LITIGATORS

NEIL HERSH JOSEPH MANNIS Founding partners Hersh Mannis

Hersh and Mannis’ boutique Beverly Hills family law practice made a name for itself taking care of extremely confidential personal matters for high- profile clients. Standout recent cases include handling post- separation financial matters for a major international celebrity whose share of assets exceeded $100 million, and a multimillion- dollar child support and palimony case for an NBA star. They also won a hotly contested move-away child custody case for a female film and TV star, and helped a client recoup $10 EXIT STRATEGY million-plus in post-separation Bryan Freedman back-end compensation from represented approximately 58 major motion Gabrielle Union pictures. “[Divorce] is a very in her departure emotional business,” Hersh says. from “America’s “If someone loses a chandelier Got Talent.” in the dining room, that could be more important than getting a million dollars in the bank.”

Klutch Sports Group in its part- nership with UTA, also handling the formation and capital raise for Ntwrk, an e-commerce shop- ping show platform. Over in New York, Snyder’s work with big celebrity clients (including Jerry Seinfeld and Lady Gaga) BRYAN J. FREEDMAN PATRICIA L. GLASER RICHARD B. KENDALL was overshadowed by his efforts Founding partner Partner and chair of the litigation Managing and founding partner in the social-media space, where Freedman + Taitelman department PHILIP M. KELLY Glaser Weil he’s been leading the legal team Named partner Kendall Brill & Kelly for Facebook in several privacy- Repping women in high- related issues, including its $5 profile employment disputes, The always busy Glaser has billion settlement with the FTC. Freedman advised Deborah been involved with many Kendall represents CAA in its SCOTT A. EDELMAN He’s also repping the founders Dugan departing the Record- significant projects, including ongoing battle with the Writers KEVIN S. MASUDA of Tinder in a billion-dollar ing Academy, Gabrielle Union representing popular late-night Guild and defended the estate ORIN SNYDER breach of contract suit against exiting “America’s Got Talent” comedian Conan O’Brien, his of Hollywood business manager prolific production company, Partners and co-chairs, media, its current parent companies. and Sharon Tal Yguado leaving Bob Philpottin in a legal battle entertainment and technology He’s working with Edelman to Amazon programming. The and the TBS network in a involving a client’s divorce. Kel- practice group defend AMC in profit-partici- Century City-based litiga- copyright infringement suit ly’s clients include CBS, com- Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher pation suits over its series “The tor works video games exten- concerning comedic material poser Hans Zimmer, NBCUniver- Walking Dead.” “We’re repping sively, including Turner “Tfue” that aired on the “Conan” sal, Sony Music Entertainment show in 2015. Glaser cautions In the L.A. office, Edelman the new tech economy, the Tenney challenging an e-sports and financers in a multinational that the current and volatile led the legal teams fighting old tech economy and the old collective as an unlicensed film completion bond dispute. sociopolitical climate can class-action lawsuits for MGM brick-and-mortar entertainment talent agency. Other clients The two L.A.-based litigators sometimes create unwanted Studios, UMG Recordings and industry, which in order to com- include screenwriter Michael represented New Regency in anxiety. “Nobody is listening to Sony Music. Masuda repped pete and win has to increasingly Bacall and attorney Jake its winning claims over a movie each other anymore, and we’re DirecTV in various content trans- move to the digital and gig Bloom and his former law firm. marketing campaign, and also living through a tremendous actions with major studios and Freedman believes there will Viacom, Paramount Pictures, economy,” Snyder says. amount of unwarranted and be a raft of new workplace Nickelodeon and VH1 in various unnecessary divisiveness,” says protocols for employees, busi- matters. A former federal pros- Glaser, who earlier this year nesses and government due ecutor, Kendall says the unfold- flagged intellectual property to the coronavirus pandemic, ing antitrust battle between tal- and employment law as growing including physical distancing ent agencies and writers will set “I’m most proud of getting sectors. “I’m most proud of and remote work. “That will “an important precedent gov- getting things settled without be an interesting concern erning unions’ powers to restrict things settled without having having to go to litigation.” in the next year as we work how the Hollywood ecosystem to go to litigation.” Patricia Glaser through this.” does business.” America’s Got Talent: Justin Lubin/NBC; Hersh, Mannis: TCK Photo (2); Masuda: Laurel Hungerford; Kelly: Spiderbox Photography Spiderbox Kelly: Hungerford; Photo (2); Masuda: Laurel Hersh, Mannis: TCK Justin Lubin/NBC; Got Talent: America’s 56 VARIETY CONGRATS AARON ROSENBERG

on being recognized as VARIETY’S 2020 LEGAL IMPACT REPORT HONOREE

JOHN LEGEND & FRIENDS AT WORK

Untitled-4 1 7/10/20 10:50 AM 58 VARIETY THE POWER OF LAW: LEGAL IMPACT REPORT LITIGATORS

NEVILLE L. JOHNSON IVY KAGAN BIERMAN DALE KINSELLA MICHAEL KUMP CHRISTINE LEPERA Founder partner Partner, entertainment department Founding partner Founding partner Partner Johnson & Johnson Loeb & Loeb SUANN MACISAAC SHAWN HOLLEY Mitchell Silberberg Partner Partner & Knupp Johnson reps Sylvester Stallone Kagan Bierman has been busy Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kump & Aldisert Kump & Aldisert in net-profit disputes over three advising guilds and unions on Lepera has been at the center movies, settling last year for their pandemic shutdowns and of several of the most conten- “Demolition Man” with Warner startups; she also represents Kinsella handled a landmark The duo had an extremely pro- tious, high-profile cases in the Bros. The Beverly Hills-based Fremantle in SAG-AFTRA investi- $179 million arbitration award ductive 2019, working with music industry, most notably as attorney also handles a pending gations of racial bias allegations for veteran executive producer A-list clients such as Kim, Kourt- the representative of producer class action on artist streaming by Gabrielle Union (“America’s Barry Josephson (“Bones”) in a ney and Khloe Kardashian, Ken- Dr. Luke in his ongoing defama- royalties versus Sony Music. Got Talent”) and Orlando Jones profit-participation lawsuit and dall and Kylie Jenner and San- tion case against Kesha. She’s Though his practice tilts to (“American Gods”). A lead- arbitration against 20th Century dra Bullock. Anticipating their also served as the lead defense litigation, Johnson also handles ing legal light of the #MeToo Fox Television, while MacIsaac clients’ potential issues is one counsel in a copyright infringe- transactions for singer Michelle era, she helped draft Time’s Up represented “Fast and Furi- of the ways they stay ahead of ment suit over the Katy Perry Phillips, William Shatner, safety guidelines for auditions ous” franchise producer Neal the game. “I really enjoy work- song “Dark Horse” and success- teenage personality JoJo Siwa and sex scenes, serving as out- Moritz in his claims against Uni- ing with clients to avoid prob- fully defended Drake and oth- and rights-holders for the Buck side labor counsel for the Acad- versal regarding his dismissal lems before they become prob- ers in a copyright suit over the Rogers property. Whenever emy of Motion Picture Arts and from “Hobbs & Shaw.” The duo lems,” Kump says. Holley, who track “Pound Cake/Paris Morton new distribution media arrives, Sciences in its sexual-harass- defeated Universal’s efforts to started her career as a public Music 2.” “Movie cases are rou- Hollywood talent invariably ment investigation of its former keep the dispute private, an defender, adds: “I don’t think tinely thrown out on motions to gets short-changed, says president John Bailey. Other cli- important win, MacIsaac says, my clients realize they’ll need as dismiss because the two things Johnson, an adjunct professor ents include AMC Networks “because it allows Moritz to much emotional support as they just have generic things in com- at Southwestern Law School and Lionsgate. “I couldn’t work publicly tell his account of how do. And they’re incredibly grate- mon,” says Lepera, who is based since 2012. “Underpayment is for clients if I didn’t think they Universal has treated him in ful to find that I’m as available to in New York. “But it’s hard for a given in the industry, which understood, appreciated and connection with the uber-suc- hold their hand and offer reas- people who aren’t trained in is why my law firm will never were very focused on having cessful franchise he helped surance as I am to resolve their music to understand the same suffer for lack of work.” good cultures,” she says. build for the studio.” legal problems.” principles apply with music.”

We congratulate our colleagues and friends recognized in Variety’s 2020 Legal Impact Report including our partners Ivy Kagan Bierman, Marc Chamlin, and Debbie White.

LOS ANGELES WASHINGTON, DC NEW YORK SAN FRANCISCO CHICAGO BEIJING NASHVILLE HONG KONG loeb.com Bierman: Gittings; Lepera: Dave Cross Dave Bierman: Gittings; Lepera: As the media and entertainment landscape continues to evolve, new entrants and industry veterans alike count on a team of savvy advisors and industry experts to help them navigate new paths to growth.

We congratulate all of the honorees recognized in Variety’s 2020 Legal Impact Report, including our partners: TRANSACTIONAL

Craig David Erik Mickey Stephen Susan Emanuel Hernand Hyman Mayerson Saltzman Williams

LITIGATORS

Steven Bo Marenberg Pearl

Variety_2020_Legal_Impact_Ad_4c_10.25x13.25-Bleed_062220.indd 1 6/22/2020 8:43:18 AM Untitled-14 1 7/9/20 12:43 AM Untitled-2 1 7/9/20 12:31 AM Modabber,GUTTER Weiner: CREDIT Gittings (2) and reacting.” more thinkingandlesstalking larly asalawyer, you needtodo Los Angelesoffice.“Particu- yogi whois basedinthefirm’s says Levin, aself-proclaimed ple react soquicklythesedays,” ney, Warner Bros., CBS).“Peo- employment disputes(Fox, Dis- other majormediacompaniesin case anddefended numerous an employment discrimination nia Supreme Courtfor CNNin won avictoryintheCalifor- and federal laborlaws. Healso their agentsviolatesantitrust union’s callfor members tofire ent Agency, allegingthatthe WGA onbehalfofUnited Tal- last year whenhesuedthe of Americaandtalentagents pute between theWriters Guild ter oftheindustry-altering dis- Levin found himselfatthecen- Mitchell Silberberg&Knupp Partner ADAM LEVIN

NFL safety EricReid. Hockey Diversity Allianceand Camp. Meiselasalsoreps the through his Know Your Rights ney andlauncedaCOVID fund signed afirst-lookdealwithDis- 49ers quarterbackwhojust Colin Kaepernick,theformer lawyer isgeneral counselfor ond-generation entertainment fast-trending videos.Thesec- tent, includingpodcastsand Touch, itswebsite isrichincon- try rightnow.” Meidas- Called action committeesinthecoun- ing “one ofthetop political dan —filledthevoid by launch- Brett andmarketing pro Jor- Emmy-winning videoeditor dates, heandhisbrothers — orders erasedMeiselas’ court bread, butwhenstay-at-home Some triedbakingsourdough Geragos & transactional chair Civil litigationand BEN MEISELAS LEGAL IMPACTREPORT THE POWEROFLAW:

a juryhadpreviously awarded reduced theamountofmoney fornia appealscourtdrastically share royalties; inMay, aCali- producer Quincy Jones’ bidto suit over vocals andmusic son estateinaclass-action He defended theMichaelJack- in thefirm’s CenturyCityoffice. leads thelitigationtriobased Music-focused, Modabber Katten Partner Partner, deputygeneralcounsel partner, LosAngeles litigation practiceandmanaging Chair media/entertainment JOEL R.WEINER DAVID HALBERSTADTER ZIA F. MODABBER

LITIGATORS

the ecosystem. stakeholders,” destabilizing real damagetooneofthe impact becausethat“could do sector suffers disproportionate attorney hopesthatnosingle accounts for lostbusiness.The sift through contractssettling says Hollywood players will remote work andModabber down, thefirmshiftedto Following thepandemicshut- dios andPilgrimMediaGroup. Rodriguez’s Troublemaker Stu- Sports Management,Robert Endemol ShineGroup, Excel Sony Pictures Entertainment, reps NBCUniversal Media, putes inentertainment.Weiner and businesspersonaldis- spans copyrights, medialaw Networks. Weiner’s practice mount Pictures andShowtime including CBSStudios,Para- Entertainment; andViacomCBS gate/Starz Media;Netflix; STX North America;HBO; Lions- Works Studios;FremantleMedia Amblin PartnersandDream- for thefirm:hisclientsinclude and right-of-publicity disputes property,lectual defamation Halberstadter works onintel- Trent Reznor invarious matters. sented NineInchNailsfrontman Modabberalsorepre-Jones.

ent,” says Oncidi. how itwillbereceived by acli- terms ofwhatyou’re saying and have emotionalintelligencein ment contracts.“You have to high-level executive employ- suing Netflixfor interfering with eral clients(includingViacom) He’s alsoleadcounselfor sev- that was resolved inNovember. of itscharitablearmMusiCares, Dana Tomarken, theformer VP orah Duganandalawsuit by former president andCEO Deb- — anongoingdisputewithits ing ArtsandSciences(NARAS) National Academy ofRecord- two high-profile casesfor the year, hewas busy handling employment issues.Thispast companies lookingtoresolve media giantsandproduction Oncidi isatopattorney for Proskauer group, LosAngelesoffice Partner, headlaborandemployment TONY ONCIDI VARIETY VARIETY

61 6 61 62 over series“Bones” TV profit vacating ahugepunitive award appeals, Petrocelli repped Fox in poaching. Brought intohandle for Fox versus Netflix for executive manent injunctioninDecember won asummaryjudgmentandper- Petrocelli, Lens andGodesky O’Melveny &Myers Partners committee Partner/chair, trialpractice 62 CASSANDRA SETO DAVID MARROSO AMY LUCAS MOLLY LENS MATT KLINE LEAH GODESKY DREW BREUDER DANIEL PETROCELLI VARIETY >>>W9,'66!8&1<££-2W$31 VREY VARIETY

'-('8=!2;'9 &''-29;'-2 '!£93$32+8!;<£!;';,'6'?; 3238''9T-2$£<&-2+3<8!993$-

3='8-2+;,'38£&3( 2;'8;!-21'2; “2020 was always going to be “2020 wasalwaysgoingto 32+8!;<£!ধ329;3!££;,''+!£ 16!$; 3238''9T-2$£<&-2+3<8 tion withradio stations. Petrocelli ent GlobalMusicRightsinlitiga- and Marroso rep tunes-rightscli- infringe “Zootopia” two copyright helped Disney prevail defending Petrocelli, Breuder andSeto over “Columbo” talentroyalties. Universal for gettinganew trial participation rulingandNBC- Marvin Putnam by be utterly changed tumultuous, ment claims.Petrocelli ,<£8 3';8'£#£- -&-,'92!=-&!2&9 -2&!-$,!'£932 3##£'-2 3#'8;!8>'££ ,!<2£!80

LEGAL IMPACTREPORT THE POWEROFLAW:

and nowthingswill the industry’s evolution.” adapts andreshapes toreflect are alsochanging,asthelaw ment andprofit participation— tional areas oflaw —like employ- adds: “With thesechanges,traditional profit participations.Lens compensation, replacing tradi- negotiating financialformulas for headaches, talentisincreasingly same company. To avoid future buyers andsellerswithinthe says, citingcontentdealswith affiliated transactions,” Petrocelli participation suitschallenging “we are seeinganuptickinprofit theirown digitalventures, launch As legacy Hollywood companies the Time Warner mega-merger. anti-trust victoriessupporting A year ago, Petrocelli ledAT&T’s involving themovie “War Dogs.” reps Warner Bros. inclaims Kline retailer. Grande againsta licity claimsfor singerAriana and Lucas pursueright-of-pub- COVID - 19. LITIGATORS ” very different.” “The environment isgoingtobe joined thefirmfive years ago. COVID-19,” says Puttnam,who will beutterlychangedby and theWGA, andnow things ongoing issuesbetween ATA change intheindustry, tothe year, from therateofoverall going tobeavery tumultuous their agents.“2020 was always prompting somewriters tofire talent agenciesinApril2019, the guildsuedfour major the Writers GuildofAmerica; between Hollywood agentsand battle over packagingfees of Talent Agents initsongoing been representing theAssn. practice. Mostrecently, he’s entertainment, sports&media litigation teaminLatham’s Putnam leadsthenational Latham &Watkins trial department,LosAngeles Partner, chairoflitigationand MARVIN PUTNAM !;'V

6!8;2'89V '8-223>

Reynolds says. guilty inthisenvironment,” cases becauseyou’re presumed so difficulttodefend [#MeToo] for topHollywood execs. “It’s guilds and#MeToo defenses disputes withHollywood labor as well asproduction company nanny for breaching theirNDA, on’s suitagainstherformer ican Housewife” starKatyMix- sonnel matters, handling“Amer- also involved inmore juicyper- revenues ofthosefilms.He’s “Traffic” for understating the “Ali,” “Gangs ofNewYork” and a suitagainstthedistributorsof ket thefilm,andspearheading represented itsabilitytomar- distributor Aviron Pictures mis- ducer of“After” inasuitalleging world, representing thepro- a go-tolitigatorintheindiefilm basedReynolds hasbeen L.A. Eisner Partner JEREMIAH REYNOLDS

Petrocelli,GUTTER Breuder, CREDIT Kline, Marroso, Seto: Andrew Zinn (5) CONGRATULATIONS AARONTO OUR PARTNER ROSENBERG ON BEING HONORED AS A LEGAL IMPACT HONOREE

0714 WV Myman Greenspan.v2.indd 1 7/6/20 2:34 PM Nina, it’s such a privilege to call you our friend and we’re so proud of you being recognized by Variety as a LEGAL IMPACT HONOREE You deserve this honor and so much more. We love you madly and look forward to building many more memories with you.

LOVE, JOHN, MIKE, TY AND THE REST OF THE GET LIFTED FAMILY

0714 WV Get Lifted Film Co.v4.indd 1 7/7/20 1:59 PM DEAREST NINA, CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING RECOGNIZED AS A 9$5,(7<ǶǴǶǴ/(*$/,03$&7+2125((

You deserve this honor and so much more. You are an industry leader, a voice for equity and inclusion, a shrewd negotiator DQG D WUXVWHG DGYLVRUb :H FRXOGQŠW EH SURXGHU WR EH FRXQWHG DPRQJ \RXU FOLHQWVb :HŠUH OXFN\ WR KDYH \RX DV D IULHQG

na_Variety.indd 1 7/9/20 9:03 AM Untitled-6 1 7/9/20 5:39 PM 66 it’s publicandit’s definitive.” her day incourtbefore ajudge, als “the clientliterally getshisor gart notesthatwithformal tri- ments andarbitrations,Rosen- often favors pre-trial settle- and Verizon. WhileHollywood Three SixZero Group, EDM’s “Z” the SharkGroup, SeanPenn, Affleck, CAA, Daymond John/ Other clientsincludeCasey Six Ltd.andactorAmberHeard. “London Fields” producer Nicola reached asettlementbetween with rapperTravis Scottand agement company, inadispute Three SixZero Group, aman- les-based litigatoralsoreps Circle Films. TheLos Ange- trial over aninvestment inGold inaNew York-basedton Capital judgment for hedgefundSand- Rosengart won a$14 million Greenberg Traurig entertainment litigationpractice Shareholder, LosAngelesmedia& 66 MATT ROSENGART VARIETY VREY VARIETY

across allthree.” mon interests tobeaddressed work, aclientoftenhascom- be three different categories of work isthat,whilethesemay transactions andregulatory front ofpractices inlitigation, we stay engagedatthefore- have,” Scibiliasays. “One reason touchpoints thatourclients ness between thedifferent legal nition oftheinterconnected- year. “We seeagrowing recog- Board rulingmadeeffective last 44% underaCopyright Royalty ing royalties; ratesrose nearly writers towinhigherstream- by musicpublishersandsong- partners inthesuccessfulbid the musicbizandwere thelead some ofthebiggestnamesin The powerhouse duorepresents Pryor Cashman Partners BEN SEMEL FRANK SCIBILIA LEGAL IMPACT REPORT LEGAL WE ARE TO HONORED BEP 2020 LEGAL IMPACT AND CONGRATULATE ALLAND THE LEGAL IMPACTREPORT THE POWEROFLAW:

VARIETY’S VARIETY’S her legaldegree. School, where shereceived for George Washington U. Law chair oftheboard oftrustees the litigatorwas alsoelected sis management.Lastyear, lic accommodationsandcri- tion, discriminationinpub- in employment discrimina- sulting teamandspecializes the firm’s workplace con- ington, D.C., Speightsleads trial decision.BasedinWash- ing apivotal role inajury instance ofsuchaclauseplay- morals clause. Itwas arare $1.5 millionfor violatinghis pany was ordered topay PBS whose personal servicescom- former hostTavis Smiley, contract claimsbrought by casting againstbreach-of- defended broad- publicTV Speights successfully Morgan, Partner GRACE SPEIGHTS E. Lewis &Bockius

HONOREES LITIGATORS creativity.” try’s “fear isthatthiswillstifle will proliferate, andthe indus- arten expects suchlitigation infringement lawsuits, Weing- After surprisevictoriesinsong Ferrell andAnonymous Content. provides generaladvicetoWill Vevo andUniversal Music. He Other clientsincludeSpotify, group 5SecondsofSummer. blood,” Weingarten reps music claims over hitsong“Young- ing copyright infringement fest Woodstock 50. Indefend- Gomez onIPmattersandmusic claims againstretailers, Selena repped Brooke Shieldsfor her stepmother. Thelitigatoralso musical catalogwithhisclients’ over control ofthesinger’s arten worked outasettlement of thelateTom Petty, Weing- Representing theadultchildren Venable Partner ALEX M.WEINGARTEN ART OF

Angeles-based litigator. into thebottle,” says theLos is difficulttoputthegenieback ments. “Once alawsuit isfiled,it arbitration andpre-trial settle- more front-loaded pointingto Weinsten says, wrangling gets and discriminationlawsuits, confidentiality inharassment ter Nicky. AsCalifornia narrows family members includingsis- Paris Hilton,hercompany and David andinfluencer Caruso; ing aninfringementclaim;actor house DigitalDomaindefend- company. Otherclientsare FX suits involving thebuyer oftheir settlingduelinglaw-Dynasty”) and Deirdre Gurney (“Duck executivesunscripted TV Scott ments; andhusband-and-wife for false product endorse- suing marketing companies Weinsten reps EllenDeGeneres Lavely &Singer Partner MICHAEL E. WEINSTENMICHAEL E.

GUTTERSPEIGHTS: CREDIT FITTINGS; WEINGARTEN: ELI MEIR KAPLAN; WEISNTEN: DENNIS TRANTHAM NŷŗµǊǻȕĵǻrǢ

ƻǋǼŘsǋŘ_NÌÞǋŸ¯ǼÌsĵÞǼÞ¶ǼÞŸŘ^sƼǋǼŎsŘǼ ƻǻǊÝNÝĵʳµĵǢrǊ ƻǋǼŘsǋŘ_NÌÞǋŸ¯ǼÌsrŘǼsǋǼÞŘŎsŘǼ^sƼǋǼŎsŘǼ DǊDǊǊȕDÝŗ

əǋÞsǼɴ˅ǣ ĵs¶ĶÝŎƼOǼǊsƼŸǋǼ

ǢƼsOÞĶōsŘǼÞŸŘǼŸˆȕƼŗsɮǼˇËŸŘŸǋss ĵÞǼÞ¶ǼÞŸŘǣǣŸOÞǼs ōDrǊËŗŗË

ɠɠɠʳµĶǣsǋɟsÞĶʳOŸŎ

Untitled-42 1 7/7/20 10:47 PM Untitled-8 1 7/9/20 5:40 PM SouthGutter Park: ComedyCredit Central 69 shot post-sale. Italsohandleda by Rupert Murdoch) would be based ontheFox lot(still owned ing determinewhere shows 21st CenturyFox’s assets,help- ney’s $71.3 billionacquisitionof team was akey player inDis- The DLAPiperentertainment DLA Piper Associate Of counsel Partner finance practice Partner, co-chair,entertainment transactions practice Partner, co-chair,entertainment entertainment financepractice transactions practice,co-chair, Partner, co-chair,entertainment KATHERINE IMP SCOTT BRADFORD AFSHIN BEYZAEE ROBERT J. SHERMAN DAVID MARKMAN TOM ARA “The BookofMormon.” “South Park”and company behind ANIMATED ISSUES DLA Piperreps Park Country,the

VREY VARIETY

we’re growing very fast.” creates auniquepractice, and and experienced attorneys that have amixofyoung, diverse next generation,” says Ara. “We tainment law practice for the to viewourteamasanenter- VR/AR innovator Talespin. “Ilike ship agreement withImaxand platform Vindex initspartner- repping e-sportsinfrastructure the entertainmenttechspace, musical. Itwas alsoactive in and “TheBookofMormon” long-running “South Park”series production company behind matters for ParkCountry, the all corporateandtransactional acquisition ofPulseMusic, and deal, aswell asConcord Music’s year production andfirst-look mouse (“BigMouth”) in amulti- in itssaletothestreamer, Tit- tion studios,repping StoryBots pair ofNetflixdealsfor anima-

Transactional myriad of areas.” more thanever, befluentina tions, it“requires attorneys, upendsconven-revolution tal notes Black, butasthedigi- to follow standard templates, looms. Film dealsused andTV as generationaltransfers and separation agreements pals, strengthening theirequity including talent-agencyprinci- tive employment agreements, attorney alsohandlesexecu- tury City-based transactional with Turner Sports.TheCen- groundbreaking contentdeal Entertainment’sand Caesars Michael Sugar (“Spotlight”), form Sugar23from producer his GatesVentures, multiplat- soft’s co-founder BillGatesfor Other clientsincludeMicro- other toy-to-screen initiatives. mount Pictures, aswell as Nickelodeon Movies/Para- erty for thesilver screen via adapting itsPaw Patrol prop- Black advisedSpinMaster Greenberg Traurig & mediapractice Vice chair,globalentertainment DAN BLACK DAN

Gavin Polone, Davis Entertain- son, Walter Hill,JohnOliver, include ConanO’Brien, MelGib- talent andcompanies;clients pals. Brecheen reps Hollywood ing theretirement ofitsprinci- from BloomHergott follow- firm inJanuary, decamping actional five openedtheirlaw The CenturyCity-based trans- Silver &Thompson Brecheen, Founding partners RICHARD THOMPSON ASHLEY SILVER STEPHEN BREIMER DAVID FELDMAN B. LEIGH BRECHEEN

Feldman, Breimer,

actually calculated.” dios’ revenues andprofits are compensated from how thestu- ing toseparatehow thetalentis Adds Feldman: “Studios are try- follow suit,” laments Brecheen. rest ofHollywood istryingto to derivative works, “now the contingent bonusesandrights bie streamers crimpedtalent’s ent-built businesses.Afternew- rights, digitalmediaandcli- immersed infinancing,copy- tal andlicensing—frequently on motionpictures, TV, digi- rate clients,Thompsonfocuses Repping talentandcorpo- venture andco-branded deals. licensing, endorsements,joint and influencers—oftenworking talent intraditionalHollywood lywood writers. Silver handles playwrights, producers andHol- (Andrew DabbandJamesDuff), showrunnersHurwitz), TV elists (Jordan Peterson, Gregg directors (Peter Hedges),nov- Diane LaddandShemarMoore), includes actors(Lucas Hedges, imer’s talent-centricpractice Munster/Elise Doganieri.Bre- kler andproducers Bertramvan Naughton, producer IrwinWin- gan-Michael Key, JetLi,Naturi screenwriter Will Fetters, Kee- ents includeOscar-nominated during thepastyear; hiscli- than $100millionintalentdeals Films. Feldman negotiatedmore vision andSerendipity Point ment Television, PlanBTele- VARIETY VARIETY 69 6 69

GUTTER CREDIT 70 Anka’s large musiccatalogto negotiating thesaleofPaul deals intheindustry, including and mosthigh-profile music involved insomeofthebiggest Recently, theteamhasbeen Manatt, Music partner Senior partner Senior partner Music partner entertainment financepractice transactions practice,co-chair, Partner, co-chair,entertainment 70 MONIKA TASHMAN LEEPHILLIPSL. GARY GILBERT BIEDERMAN “JEFF”CHARLES JORDAN BROMLEY VARIETY Phelps &Phillips VREY VARIETY

tainment financepractice. practice inadditiontoitsenter- entertainment transactions Bromley, co-chairofthefirm’s ing platform economy,” says ous experts inthenew stream- clients, andwe’ve becomeseri- and closelucrative dealsfor our everyone’s abilitytonegotiate from thesizeofourstaff, to “Our competitive edgestems in Manatt’s CenturyCityoffice. importance tothegroup, based pating trends isofparamount ahead ofthecurve andantici- Music Publishing.Staying istration dealwithDowntown Properties initsnewadmin- and representing MilesDavis Primary Wave Entertainment,

LEGAL IMPACTREPORT THE POWEROFLAW: profile attempted initialpublic including Endeavor initshigh- transactions for industrygiants, advises onarangeofcorporate and ParticipantMedia.Hamill Entertainment, ContentPartners Content, MediaRes Studio, STX with A24, MGM,Anonymous Bruington hasbeenworking and Platform OneMedia. PictureStart, Skydance Media include Warner Bros., Some ofOffsay’s key clients Latham &Watkins Partners RICK OFFSAY JUSTIN HAMILL KEN DEUTSCH NANCY BRUINGTON

TRANSACTIONAL

“The explosion highs,” Deutschsays. need for qualitycontenttonew geographies keeps pushingthe of platforms across mediaand theatrical sector, theexplosion the industry, particularlyinthe are certainlychallengedareas of to catastrophize, butwhilethere remains optimistic. “People love rapidly changing,theteam Entertainment. With theindustry tion filmstoSony Pictures Home entertainment rightsofRevolu- a multi-year licenseof home advised Revolution Studiosin offering, andDeutschrecently to newhighs. quality content the needfor keeps pushing and geographies across media of platforms Ken Deutsch

” compensation model.” are changing toamore up-front streams thatpeoplerelied upon systems oflong-termrevenue Calabrese says. “Theeco- solutions tocomplex problems,” and comingupwithelegant of thedealmakingprocess, Inc. “Ilove thecreativity Entertainment andWestbrook Skydance Media,Warner Bros. Films, SonarEntertainment, as A24 Films, Disney, Miramax distribution companiessuch major independentfilmand advising long-timeclientsand business transactions, while sports andcontent-related full spectrumoffilm,television, experienced perspective ona around theglobewith Calabrese provides clients Latham &Watkins practice entertainment, sports&media Partner, globalchairof JOSEPH CALABRESE

Hamill:GUTTER Gittings CREDIT Photography Untitled-4 1 7/9/20 12:33 AM &RQJUDWXODWLRQV

to all the honorees of Variety’s 2020 Legal Impact Report including members of Latham’s Global ESM Team

Joseph Calabrese 1DQF\%UXLQJWRQ Marvin Putman Global Chair Century City Century City

Ken Deutsch Justin Hamill 5LFN2ႇVD\ Century City New York Century City

LW.com Follow us:

Untitled-24 1 7/7/20 12:06 AM Chamlin:Gutter Gittings Credit Photography Partner andchair,television 73 streaming services.” under thelarger umbrella of cable and premium will“live TV future,” andthatbroad castTV, isinthe ofwhatTV nition services willbe Sarnoff. Hebelieves “streaming Warner Bros. chair-CEO Ann ment contracts including IP, andalsoexecutive employ publishers aboutadaptingtheir Truly Original.Chamlinadvises ers SharpEntertainmentand and alsonon-scriptedproduc- (“Watch WhatHappensLive”), Woman”) andAndyCohen Ree Drummond(“ThePioneer talent Mike Rowe (“DirtyJobs”), pact. Healsohandlesunscripted Prods., includingitsApple and OprahWinfrey/Harpo (Ron Howard’s “HillbillyElegy”); long-time clientGlennClose New York-based Chamlinreps Loeb & MARC CHAMLIN 2020 Congratulations to GREENBERG TRAURIG,LLP | ATTORNEYS ATLAW | 2 Our Colleagues: ESPECIALLY GT_Law GreenbergTraurigLLP GT_Law Greenberg Traurig,LLP

come thedefi-

VREY VARIETY

LEGAL IMPACT REPORT HONOREES

“Film, world ofcontent. converging intoonebroad place,” Chathamsays. become even more common- the next five to10years, thiswill ambassadors, andIthinkover taking ontherole ofbrand into consumerproducts and shift hasbeencelebritiesmoving last year. “Thebiggestrecent with 800 hoursofprogramming stretching over avariety ofgenres, across multiplecontentplatforms Bello. Chatham’s clientsfunction as well asTiller &HatchandHello rated daytime talkshow “Dr. Phil” counsel assignmentsincludetop- Chatham’s roster ofgeneral Chatham LawGroup Partner CHRIS CHATHAM LEGAL IMPACTREPORT THE POWEROFLAW: TV and gaming is TV andgamingis Amsterdam Los Angeles Germany San Francisco The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision andshouldnotbebasedsolelyThe hiringof alawyerisanimportant uponadvertisements. Before youdecide, ask ust Traurig, P.A. andGreenberg Traurig, LLP.*Operates asaseparate UK registered legal entity. dono Imagesinthisadvertisement Attorneys at Law. All rightsreserved. Attorney Advertising. °Thesenumbersaresubject to ﬂ experience. Prior resultsdonotguarantee asimilaroutcome. Greenberg Traurig isaservice mark andtradenameof Greenberg Daniel H. Black

¬ +49(0)30700171100| +31(0)203017300| 310.586.7700| 415.655.1300| Variety’s ” themselves asleadersinthe attorneys have established These three NewYork-based & Selz Frankfurt KurnitKlein finance group Co-chair, Partner, Counsel, DEBORAH WOLFEDEBORAH DAVISLISA E. MARCIE CLEARY Lindsay Conner Miami

entertainment group entertainment group Silicon Valley corporate & Atlanta 305.579.0500| Las Vegas

TRANSACTIONAL

200 ATT 678.553.2100|

650.328.8500|

702.792.3773| ob oebomMathew S. Rosengart Bobby Rosenbloum Nashville

ORNEYS | 41LOCATIONS WORLDWIDE uctuation. ¬Greenberg Traurig’s Berlinoffi

manage development costs.” to how tofinancethings seriously withalotmore thought now takingthemselves alotmore been inbusinessalongtimeare Wolfe says. “Companies thathave of platforms andjointventures,” before, includingacquisitions doing dealsthey’ve never done players inthepodcastindustry Sunday Morning.” “We’re seeing Giles andNancy Wyatt of“CBS Jonathan Goldstein,andNancy authors MalcolmGladwell and restaurateur Marcus Samuelsson, Amanda Seales(“Small Doses”), (“The DinnerParty Download”), Read”), Brendan Francis Newnam Kid Fury andCrissieWest (“The ments for personalities including hosting andemployment agree- ous otherpodcastdevelopment, cast. Theyalsohandlednumer- their “TheBodegaBoys” pod- ship andsponsorship dealsfor & theKidMero intheirowner- mergerSpotify andDesusNice in the$200 million-plusGimlet/ the Gimletpodcast“Reply All” They repped theco-creators of companies inthepastyear alone. involving podcastshows and more than25transactions podcast space,working on Austin 615.324.7400| Washington, D.C London 512.320.7200 | VARIETY * +44(0)2033498700 . 202.331.3100 t depictGreenberg Traurig attorneys, clients, staff New York ce isoperated by Greenberg Traurig Germany, anaffi Traurig, LLP and Greenberg Traurig, P.A. ©2020Greenberg Traurig, LLP. o sendyoufree written information aboutourqualiﬁ Denver 212.801.9200 303.572.6500 models,” says Conner. nal boundariesofolderbusiness media, whileremoving theinter- aries oftechnologyandnew ing topushtheexternal bound- content, andwe’re always look- verging intoonebroad world of andgamingiscon- of film,TV series “Yellowstone.” “Theworld for theproduction ofhitTV with aloanfacility agreement ern California, inconnection Bank, headquartered inSouth- co-representation ofEastWest ning film“1917,” aswell as Entertainment over Oscar-win- Republic Pictures andAmblin ment agreement between New ing aneight-figure invest- in somemassive deals,includ- The duohave beeninvolved Manatt, Partner, ManattEntertainment Entertainment Partner andleader,Manatt SOPHIA YEN LINDSAY CONNER VARIETY GTLAW.COM Phelps &Phillips rfclte. 34249 orfacilities.

liate of Greenberg ° cations and our our and cations

73 7 73

GUTTER CREDIT 74 VARIETY THE POWER OF LAW: LEGAL IMPACT REPORT TRANSACTIONAL

VICTORIA COOK DAVID C. EISMAN Partner, entertainment group Partner, head of Frankfurt Kurnit Klein entertainment group & Selz Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom Cook cut career-advancing deals for female filmmak- Eisman repped Qatar-based ers Augustine Frizzell (to direct beIN Media selling a 49% stake CRAIG EMANUEL the pilot of HBO’s “Euphoria”), in Miramax to ViacomCBS/Para- ERIK HYMAN producer Quincy Jones and Alternative Investments Nicole Kassell (to direct and mount for about $375 million in DAVID HERNAND actor Anthony Ramos (“In the (acquired 300-title Lakeshore executive produce HBO’s “The December. Other clients include STEVE MARENBERG Heights”). The mostly transac- library). Saltzman focuses on Watchmen”) and Tayarisha Poe Entertainment Partners, David MICKEY MAYERSON tional group is based in Century international, repping China’s (for an Amazon TV series adap- Maisel’s animation Mythos Stu- BO PEARL City, except Saltzman, who Huayi Bros. (“Moonfall”), tation of her film “Selah and dios, new production studio STEPHEN SALTZMAN is in London. Hernand works in and Nic Crawley-led H Collec- SUSAN WILLIAMS the Spades”). Her clients also Project X Entertainment, Quix- corporate transactions including tive establishing Asian film joint include iconic independent ote Studios, Saban Capital and Partners Viacom buying ad-supported ventures. The firm recently Paul Hastings filmmakers Jim Jarmusch and UTA for acquisitions including streamer Pluto TV for $340 lured two top entertainment Todd Solondz, breakout direc- athlete-representative Klutch million last year. Mayerson litigators to its ranks: Maren- tors David Lowery and Robert Sports Group. Eisman predicts For talent clients, Emanuel repped Indian Paintbrush licens- berg, formerly of Irell & Manella, Eggers, and social media stars “a boom once things go back reps Netflix-based Ryan Murphy/ ing “The French Dispatch” to in March, while Pearl made Desus Nice & the Kid Mero (aka to normal” after the virus lock- Ryan Murphy Prods., multi- Searchlight Pictures, Old Hill the shift from O’Melveny & the Bodega Boys). “Directors down, observing that “demand hyphenate Robert Rodriguez Capital in P&A funding, Fibo- Myers last month. Financiers who would’ve been considered for fresh content will be higher (Netflix’s “We Can Be Heroes”) nacci Films and Motion Picture need predictability to comfort- super-indie a few years ago are than ever given that many sub- and Marisa Tomei (“All in the Co. of America’s Brad Krevoy. ably extend financing, but now directing pilots for major scribers have exhausted” old Family” revival). Hyman handles Williams’ clients include Bank Hollywood’s on-demand revo- series because their vision is favorites during shelter-in-place TV showrunner Jac Schaeffer of America, CIT Bank, First lution upends economics, considered more interesting,” and isolated consumers yearn (Disney Plus’ “The Vision and Republic Bank, MidCap Finan- Mayerson notes. “I don’t think Cook says. for shared experiences again. the Scarlet Witch”), music cial, SunTrust Bank and Vine we’re settled in a new normal.”

Covington & Burling

The Covington team is a go- to for TV programmers (including AMC, NFL Network and ALAN J. EPSTEIN JAMIE FELDMAN MATT GALSOR Pac-12 Network) in their deals Chair, entertainment and Managing partner Partner and disputes with distributors, media group Lichter Grossman Nichols Greenberg Glusker with D.C.-based DelNero han- Venable Adler Feldman & Clark dling regulatory, Polashuk

ogrpahy Century City-based Galsor serving as the transactional top Epstein handles corporate trans- Feldman brokered Steven closed big deals for some of gun, and Kamin and Sahni lead- actions for companies and tal- Soderbergh’s mega-deal with Hollywood’s biggest stars, ing litigation efforts. They were ent, with a specialty in tax law. WarnerMedia to create televi- including Chris Hemsworth at the center of one of Holly- The Century City-based attorney sion and film content across (“Thor: Love and Thunder,” wood’s all-time biggest deals, repped actor Ryan Reynolds for multiple platforms including Netflix Hulk Hogan biopic for advising Disney on its $71.3 Mint Mobile, and also advises HBO Max, HBO and Warner Bros “Joker” director Todd Phillips), billion acquisition of 21st Cen-

PictureStart, founded by ex- Pictures, while also negotiating Tom Cruise (next two “Mission: tury Fox, completed last year, Lionsgater Erik Feig. A year ago, the Safdie brothers’ deal with Impossible” movies) and Vin MATT DELNERO and the subsequent $9.6 billion he repped exec Gary Barber in A24 to write and direct the crit- Diesel (numerous “Fast & Co-chair of communications and sale of the Fox Regional Sports a business combination trans- ically acclaimed “Uncut Gems,” media industry group and co-chair Furious” projects, “Bloodshot,” of the diversity & inclusion Networks to Sinclair. Addition- action with Lantern Entertain- which won three Indie Spirit overall Universal deal). He initiative ally, Polashuk repped CBS on ment to leverage Weinstein Co. Awards, including one for the also represents top directors MITCH KAMIN its contract renewal with AT&T’s assets in a relaunched Spyglass siblings’ directing of the Adam including James Cameron and Co-chair of communications DirecTV, U-verse and AT&T TV Media. “Access to cheap capital, Sandler movie. “Even before Jaume Collet-Serra, along with and media industry group and Now and Viacom on its $340 an insatiable desire for premium the latest events, our indus- co-chair of commercial litigation producers such as Dan Farah practice group million acquisition of Pluto TV, content and constantly evolv- try was in a period of wild vol- and Dallas Sonnier. “I like it ROBYN POLASHUK while DelNero, who returned to ing distribution models have atility,” Feldman says. “To do when both buyer and seller Co-chair of communications and Covington in 2017 after a four- created opportunities for media our jobs well, we need to invent want to figure out something media industry group and managing year stint at the FCC, served as entrepreneurs including talent new doors when old ones close. new where it’s not, ‘Hey, this partner of Los Angeles office counsel for Cox Enterprises in NEEMA SAHNI and producers who want There will continue to be a lot deal has been done 28 times a $3.1 billion deal with Apollo to reinvent themselves in the of opportunity for that kind of in the last month, let’s do it a Partner Global Management affiliates. Covington & Burling digital age,” Epstein says. creativity in the next few years.” 29th time,’ ” says Galsor. “The industry is changing with companies like Netflix, Apple and Amazon creating their own programming and distributing it, and I think we’re a very strong “Even before the latest events, our industry resource given our expertise in that space,” Kamin says. was in a period of wild volatility.” Jamie Feldman Emanuel, Hernand, Mayerson, Saltzman, Williams: Bob Long PHOTOGRAPHY (5); Pearl: JON DIDIER PHOTOGRAPHY; Kamin: Jeff Lewis Phot Kamin: Jeff Lewis (5); JON DIDIER PHOTOGRAPHY; Pearl: PHOTOGRAPHY Bob Long Saltzman, Williams: Emanuel, Hernand, Mayerson, 74 VARIETY Gardner:Gutter Beverly Credit Hills Photographer 75 take somepridein that.” disrupt thestatusquo, andI help filmmakers andstorytellers says Gardner. “I’m lookingto definitely embrace outsiders,” live-action short“Skin”). “I Nattiv (Oscar-winner for 2018 Minhal Baig(“Hala”) andGuy reps up-and-coming directors of “Parasite.” Gardner also writer, director andproducer winning three Oscars asthe a decade,madeheadlinesby Ho, aclientofmore thanhalf year, SouthKorea’s BongJoon (“Sorry toBotherYou”). This andBootsRiley Panther”) Station,” “Creed,” “Black Ryan Coogler(“Fruitvale success, includingdirectors to criticalandcommercial artists andguidingthem knack for signingemerging Gardner hasdemonstrateda Cohen Gardner Partner JONATHAN GARDNER VREY VARIETY

talk,” Gendlersays. so there’s plentyofroom to their [deal] templateslooklike, beginning ofestablishingwhat tin. “Thestreamers are inthe ing MerylStreep andSteve Mar- other big-nameclientsinclud- on topofmultipledealsfor Netflix, Hulu,Disney Plus).That’s platforms (ABC, CBS, HBO, Kelley’sE. sixnewshows for six and “HigherLoyalty”) andDavid (including “Picard,” “Clarice” ous seriesfor Studios CBSTV work onAlex Kurtzman’s numer- pact). He’s alsobeendoinglegal and/Shondaland Netflixmega- isting (e.g., theShondaRhimes Sony agreements) andpre-ex- Gansa andHankSteinberg’s (Howard Gordon andAlex writer-producers, bothnew big overall dealsfor top Gendler hasbeenbusy with Gendler &Kelly Co-founder MICHAEL GENDLER

he says. re-engineering theirapproach,” entertainment landscapeand interested in sizingupthenew and Walmart. “Myclientsare Jerry Bruckheimer, Microsoft given”), ImagineEntertainment, dra Bullock(Netflix’s “Unfor- (CBS AllAccess’ “Picard”), San- deal atNBCU), Patrick Stewart including Tina Fey (newterm deals for hisotherbigclients dramas. That’s ontopofbig his trilogyofNBC “Chicago” als for “Law &Order: SVU” and as well asthree-season renew- sive catalogofprocedural hits, streaming rightstoWolf’s mas- reported ninefigures. Itcovers Universal Television worth a and hisWolf Entertainmentwith year pactfor producer DickWolf closed aheadline-makingfive- In February, Gilbert-Lurie Ziffren Brittenham Senior partner CLIFF GILBERT-LURIE

she says. put togetherinonebigpot,” you have allthecomplications in thecontext ofARandVR, when you have toclearcontent increasingly complicated,and rights to] content isbecoming companies. “Clearing [the ity andresponsibility ofmedia the playbook for onlineliabil- that isfundamentallyrewriting copyright directive (Article17) EU’s April2019 adoptionofa erous by emerging techandthe It hasbeenmademore treach- European regulatory landscape. Believe navigate acomplex SoundCloud, Square Enixand help clientssuchasNetflix, law andtechnologyto right using herexpertise incopy- between London andParis, Goossens splitshertime Reed Smith industry group Partner, entertainment&media SOPHIE GOOSSENS

“I definitely that. some pridein and Itake status quo, disrupt the storytellers makers and to helpfilm- I’m looking outsiders. embrace Jonathan Gardner VARIETY ” VARIETY 75 7 75

GUTTER CREDIT it istoourclients.” flourish isasimportanttous breathing room itneedsto focus. Givingeachproject the favors thosewhoare ableto buyer market thesedays trends,” Ginsburg says. “The within thecontext ofindustry situate ourdeal-related advice based attorney. “We tryto priority for theBeverly Hills- landscape for hisclientsistop Maisel”). Navigating atricky Zegen (“TheMarvelous Mrs. Is MyHomeboy”) andMichael Stanfield (“Knives Out,” “Jesus (“Little Women”), LaKeith including Timothée Chalamet of up-and-comingtalent, deals andworking withabevy Ginsburg hasbeenoverseeing Ginsburg Daniels Partner LEV GINSBURG 76 Barnes &Thornburg Associate employment lawpractice Partner, headofCalifornialabor& Partner Partner Partner Partner sports practicegroup Chair, entertainment,mediaand 76 AMANDA TABER SCOTT WITLIN STEVE WEIZENECKER BRYAN THOMPSON REBEKAH PRINCE CAROLYN HUNT JASON KARLOV VARIETY VREY VARIETY

“The buyer market these days favors those who are able “The buyermarketthesedaysfavorsthosewhoareable Hercules Films. Thompson Paris Kasidokostas-Latsis’ financing) represent financier on TV, digitalmediaand Thompson (concentrating White Knight.Huntand 50 Degrees Entertainment/ Bank andMohamedAlRafi’s Entertainment, MUFG Union Republic Bank,Hyde Park Coficiné, EastWest Bank,First Hunt alsoadvisesNatixis represent CityNationalBank. and incentive financing) programming, videogames Weizenecker (focused onTV finance anddistribution) Burnett. Hunt(specializing in administration andTBone matters, MGMfor music NFL/NFL Network inmusic live events FiveCurrents, represent MichaelBolton, Wainwright. Karlov andTaber Publishing, Twitch andRufus Dragons, GratefulDeadMusic Dylan, JohnFogerty, Imagine Karlov’s clientsincludeBob flourish isasimportanttousitourclients. to focus.Givingeachprojectthebreathingroomitneeds ment (Netflix’s “Locke &Key”). adaptations for IDW Entertain- for Amazonandgraphic-novel len KidsofSarahLawrence” York magazine’s “TheSto- vision, whichisadaptingNew tice handleBlumhouseTele- Sheppard’s entertainmentprac- Cowan DeBaetsAbrahams & The partners andco-chairs of & Sheppard Cowan DeBaetsAbrahams entertainment practice Partners andco-chairs SIMON N.PULMAN BRIANA C. HILL

LEGAL IMPACTREPORT THE POWEROFLAW:

and creative involvement.” table for thefinancialupside rights holderswant atthe aseat their properties. Says she:“The harder Hollywood dealsfor IP owners increasingly drive he notes.Hillobserves that for fresh ideasandconcepts,” driven by theintensehunger tent, according toPulman.“It’s adapt toEnglish-languagecon- ingly scouringoverseas IPto and TV. Hollywood isincreas- adapting theirworks tofilm streamer Venn, andauthors represents gaming/e-sports Audio. NewYork-based Pulman don” andaudiobooks Podium ning limitedseries“Fosse/Ver- Fosse Legacy for Emmy-win- Nicole Fosse/the Verdon Angeles-based Hilladvised Wiip shingleandCNN.Los They alsorep PaulLee’s localities now.” Hunt notes.“It’s coming from state programs succeed, for production, afterseeing offering financial incentives of thebusiness.” Cities are we’ve ever seeninthehistory Karlov says. “It’s asrobust as can besoldfor bigmoney, but now suchroyalty streams their songwritingincome, obstacles whentryingtosell talents encountered industry quarter centuryago, music for Weizenecker in Atlanta. A based inCenturyCity, except Prods. Theattorneys are Animation andWatch This represents AnimalHead employment matters, Witlin, whohandles player Russell Westbrook. ParkerCandace andNBA Mark Wahlberg), WNBA star (and itsagreement with deals for fitnessoutfit F45 Worldwide; andendorsement clients includeWolfgang Puck and corporate transactions; sports, entertainment,media Viacom Intl.Princefocuses on cable network Oneand TV Ingenious Media,MGM,basic eOne, U.K.-based financier Financial Services,Canada’s &CrewBounce Media,Cast multicasteradvises digitalTV programs,TV Weizenecker for tax-credit financingof distribution. Meanwhile, promoter Top Rankfor TV also represents boxing TRANSACTIONAL fluent inSpanish,who does citizen of the U.S. andFinland, Cervantes deReinstein, adual Pathé), andthebackground of France (Gaumont,StudioCanal, (Disney Animation,Amazon) to tion companiesfrom theU.S. of majorstudiosandproduc- includes aglobalcollection ent inDarwell’s clientlist,which entertainment practice isappar- of Sheppard Mullin’s L.A.-based The broad internationalreach Sheppard Mullin Partners digital mediateam Co-leader oftheentertainmentand group corporate andsecuritiespractice Practice groupleaderofthe practice group technology andadvertising Leader oftheentertainment, ROBERT DARWELL SHAUN CLARK REINSTEIN LEIF CERVANTES DE DAVID SANDS LINDA MICHAELSON ROBB KLEIN U.K.-based HandmadeFilms, FremantleMedia NorthAmerica, Netflix), Epix,AMCNetworks, of Cards” and“Ozark,” bothon Television (producers of“House Debmar-Mercury, MRC programLionsgate TV unit practice, Hobelrepresents With abroad Hollywood Katten Partner media transactionalpractice Partner, headofentertainment& MELANIE TOMANOVMELANIE MICHAEL S. HOBEL

nian andHebrew.” tuguese, French, Farsi, Arme- least oneforeign language:Por- associates ontheteamspeakat of Hollywood, andalotofthe our clientsare locatedoutside well says: “A large percentage of financing of“Bombshell.” Dar- sion toCreative Wealth Media’s launch ofSpotify’s podcastdivi- include everything from the Clark’s dealsfrom thepastyear ture withPoint Grey Pictures. ners andLionsgate’s jointven- minority stake toCrestview Part- including ICMPartners’ saleofa porate transactionsandM&A and Michaelsonfocus oncor- ing Booth.” Meanwhile, Sands to itsNetflix movie “TheKiss- Komixx Entertainment’s sequel and gamessuchassettingup distribution dealsfor film,TV plex financing,production and dios. Kleinspecializes incom- time, Fremantle and101Stu- for companiessuchasShow- andstreamingbig TV deals programming” that’s durable. need acore ofreally good I thinkthey willallfindthey cautions that“in thelongrun programming, butTomanov quantity, or“good-enough” the industryistiltingtoward animation production booms, Katten’s CenturyCityoffice.As transactional duoisbasedin United PlanktonPictures. The Legendary Entertainmentand Sony Pictures Animation, Netflix’s “Disenchantment,” Groening’s UluluCo. for “Simpsons” creator Matt and apps.Herclientsinclude animation, interactive games merchandising, publishing, streaming content,licensing, trademark, motionpictures, practice spanscopyright/ Tomanov’s wide-ranging HBO, Huluandmobile’s Quibi. ”

Lev Ginsburg

Hill, Pulman:GUTTER CityCREDIT Headshots (2); Hobel, Tomanov, Karlov, Hunt, Prince, Thompson Weizennecker, Witlin, Taber, Darwell, Sands: Gittings Photography (11); Klein: Spiderbox Photography Krintzman:Gutter Benjo Credit Arwas Photography; Carlo: Dennis Trantham Named partner 77 cal filmsgetre-positioned. direct streaming” whentheatri- how pay they’ll talentifthey go wrapped theirheadsaround studios still“haven’t fully According toKrintzman,major Wendi McLendon-Covey. (“Schitt’s Creek”) andactress multi-hyphenate DanielLevy multi-hyphenate Mike Judge, Terry Crews, actorAnselElgort, ents includeactor/on-air host series “Redeemer.” Othercli- McConaughey tostarintheFX attorney alsorepped Matthew Max. TheCenturyCity-based tral animatedseriestoHBO the long-runningComedyCen- Stone. Itwillbringepisodesof for clientsTrey Parker and Matt “South Park” streaming deal Krintzman worked onthebig Kohner Endlich&Gellman Krintzman Rubenstein Morris YornBarnesLevine DAVID KRINTZMAN VREY VARIETY

RICHARD PETRETTI RUSTY WEISS RUSTY Sidley congratulates ourpartners MATTHEW THOMPSON MATTHEW “I believewe longtime clientBillyBushinhis busy, withLangerepresenting The triohave remained intensely & Carlo Kleinberg LangeCuddy Partners Founding partner for streaming. the upswingofabullmarket JILL SMITH CANDACE CARLO LANGE BOB

’ re still in re stillin ” Bob Lange is multiplyingrapidly.” product for streaming services undertaking for clientsmaking The amountofwork we’re cable andsatelliteusersyet. adopters, buthasn’t hitolder demographic andearly prevalent amongtheyounger Lange says. “Cord-cutting is a bullmarket for streaming,” we’re stillintheupswing of many services,Ibelieve getting saturated withtoo “Although somesay we’re superhero film“Samaritan.” connection withupcoming Stallone’s BalboaProds. in working closelywithSylvester Hedgehog” movie; andSmith deal for thehit“Sonic: The hammering outthefinal Sega’s MarzaAnimationon “Extra”; working Carlo with of thenewly reformatted as hostandmanagingeditor high-profile return totelevision and allof and Variety TALENT. RESULTS. TEAMWORK. global business objectives. global objectives. business legal across seamlessly works team entertainment and disciplines and time zones to help clients achieve their their achieve clients tohelp zones time and disciplines Harnessing decades of experience, Sidley’s media media Sidley’s ofexperience, decades Harnessing ’s Legal Impact Honorees ’s Impact Legal can tellstories.” are multipleplacesourclients across allplatforms. There able tomake innovative deals content every day, sowe’re delivering, newways ofseeing companies, new methodsof was accelerating, withnew of changeinthebusiness recent healthcrisis,thepace robust market. “Upuntilthe about thecapacityfor a (“Wendy”). She’s optimistic (“Mulan”) andBenhZeitlin Eternals” for Marvel), NikiCaro Rider,” now busy with“The Gotham award winnerfor “The filmmakers ChloeZhao(a Some ofherclientsinclude in theentertainmentindustry. staunch advocate for women entertainment law, anda Lichter’s attheforefront of Adler Feldman&Clark Lichter GrossmanNichols Founding partner LINDA LICHTER Attorney Advertising - Sidley Austin LLP, One Chicago,South Dearborn, IL Austin 60603. -Sidley Advertising Attorney +1 312 853 7000. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. MN-13342 outcome. asimilar +1 guarantee not do 312 results 853 7000. Prior AMERICA

• ASIA PACIFIC says Marcus ofthecontract. benefits andpensioncredits,” forthem qualify theirhealth get paidupfront, whichhelps benefit for performers isthey the previous agreement. “The that modernized andsimplified mercials contractinApril2019 new three-year, $3billioncom- from theSAG-AFTRA Board for a secured unanimous approval the JointPolicy Committee,she deals. Aschiefnegotiatorfor and branded entertainment buys, corporatesponsorships celebrity endorsements, media including talentagreements, tising andentertainmentlaw, clients onallfacets ofadver- million inthepastyear, advising deals valued atmore than$58 the Ohionative was involved in A third-generation attorney, Reed Smith industry group Partner, entertainment&media STACY MARCUS 1999 Avenue of the Stars Stars the of 1999 Avenue VARIETY Los Angeles, CA 90067 CA Angeles, Los • sidley.com Century City Century EUROPE EUROPE VARIETY

77 7 77

GUTTER CREDIT 78 78 VARIETY VREY VARIETY LEGAL IMPACTREPORT THE POWEROFLAW: Alex Kurtzman’sseries Michael Gendlerhas including “Picard.” done legalworkon TREK WORK TRANSACTIONAL attorney says. than anindividualtalent,” the the ideathatbrandisgreater players inthemarketplace, and in embracing technology, new ris. “For me,successhascome Randolph andTeyonah Par- out starssuchasDa’Vine Joy on theirlives), aswell asbreak- ’N Pepa (a Lifetime movie based ence Avant”) andrap duoSalt Godfather: TheStoryofClar- Hudlin (Netflixdoc“TheBlack “Heist 88”), producer Reginald series “Lovecraft and Country” (Netflix film“Uncorked,” HBO her husbandCourtney B.Vance “Gunpowder Milkshake”) and edy “Otherhood,” theindiefilm Angela Bassett(Netflix com- for establishedactors suchas Miller hasbeenclosingdeals A one-timeprofessional singer, Fox Rothschild tainment &sportslawdepartment Partner, foundingchair,enter- DARRELL D. MILLER Los AngelesLasVegas New York RhodeIsland

stay quiet.” talk aboutcreative issues,Ijust business guy, andwhenguys ies atall,” Moore says. “I’m the ite Pictures. “Idon’t watch mov- sale ofhisinterest inRed Gran- producer JoeyMcFarland onthe Red Arrow Studiosandrepped Gravitas Ventures onitssaleto advised indiefilmdistributor scooped upby Netflix.Healso Trial oftheChicago7,” recently and director Aaron Sorkin’s “The David Ayer’s “TheTax Collector” shot,” andfinanceproduce the Vin Diesel-starrer “Blood- including dealstoco-finance eral high-profile transactions, Cross Creek Pictures onsev- duction company andfinancier Moore worked withindiepro- cross-border transactions, An expert inhigh-dollar, Greenberg Glusker Partner MOORE SCHUYLER “SKY”

Star Trek:GUTTER Picard: CREDIT Aaron Epstein/CBS Mulrooney:Gutter Eli Credit Meir Kaplan; Ramo, Chang: Dennis Trantham (2) 79 fers,” shesays. erate generational-wealth trans- revisions inthelaw andaccel- will becomeconcernedabout tration, itispossiblethatclients we have achangeofadminis- often takes aseriousturn.“If talk withclientsaboutpolitics der. Mulrooney says thatsmall- and taxaudits,iscross-bor- tion, pre-nups, taxplanning fers, estate/trust administra- on generationalwealth trans- estate planningwithemphasis based attorney’s work spans producers andwriters.TheL.A.- artists, directors, executives, profits. Clientsincludeactors, personal companiesandnon- worth individuals,andtheir estate planningfor high-net Mulrooney handlespersonal- Venable planning group Chair, WestCoasttaxandwealth MULROONEY MICHELE M. VREY VARIETY

“There ing content-makers. exciting timetoberepresent- and legalservicesfor all-star comprehensive businessaffairs staff of10attorneys andprovide Together, thethree managea Ramo Law Partners Founder andmanagingpartner MICHELLE CHANG ERIKA CANCHOLA ELSA RAMO ’ s never been a more s neverbeenamore

different way.” at thelife ofcontentinavery we’re now beingforced tolook consumed for granted, and never take how contentisbeing of business,” Ramosays. “We ways toconductnewmodes always implementinginnovative ing content-makers, andwe’re exciting timetoberepresent- “There’s never beenamore sionate dedicationtotheirjobs. that speaks tothegroup’s pas- of theirmulti-talentedclients the breadth andeclecticnature all stagesofproduction. It’s Jim HensonCo. for projects at production company) andthe Balboa (Sylvester Stallone’s Collins, JoelChiodi),Skydance, Scout Prods. (Rob Eric, David Friend, DaneLillegard), Boardwalk Pictures (Andrew Paradise,” “HillbillyElegy”), Entertainment (“Rebuilding clients suchasImagine ” Elsa Ramo what theycancurate,” hesays. users, they canbeselective in media. As“incidental music deals ingaming,fitness,social cense-everything stancefor its traditional buyers-must-li- music industryshouldeaseoff Tesla. Rosenbloum feels the chat, Twitter, Samsungand ments, GrandOleOpry, Snap- Nast, Fender MusicalInstru- clients includepublisherCondé caster Luminary Media.Other Media &SoulCycle andpod- dios, Amazon’s Twitch, Equinox lated matters for AmazonStu- attorney alsohandlesmusic-re- transactions. TheAtlanta-based and Facebook for musiccontent musical apps,andreps Spotify Bytedance’s TikTok andResso counsel incontentdealsfor Rosenbloum serves aslead Greenberg Traurig media practice Chairman, globalentertainment& BOBBY ROSENBLOUM

Rubin adds. tive way tomaximize profits,” the outset,butit’s amore effec- they explode may becostlyat Removing landminesbefore the process, priortosigning. an auditoratthebeginningof entertainment attorneyengage more effective istohave their says. “However, whatwould be the CenturyCity-based attorney audit willyieldhiddentreasure,” ily thesedays, hopingthatthe ipants are auditingmore read- “Television seriesprofit partic- (Netflix’s “Grace andFrankie”). “Killing Eve”) andMartinSheen (AMC Networks/BBC America’s executive producer JeffMelvoin recently worked ondealsfor television anddigitalmedia, companies andtalentinfilm, Rubin represents production Glaser Weil entertainment department Partner andchairofthe BARBARA M.RUBIN VARIETY VARIETY 79 7

GUTTER CREDIT 80 franchises. VH1’s popular“Love &HipHop” also handlesalllegalwork for goals,” Seniorsays. Thepair achieve intermsoftheircareer exactly whattheywant to always pushingthemtoachieve our clients’ success,andwe’re Braun. “Our passioncomesfrom FromCat Hell”)andScooter Roth (“TheBiggestLoser,” “My which brought togetherJ.D. for GoodStoryEntertainment, restructured thepartnership company clients,andrecently reality producer andproduction million ofcontentfor theirtop responsible for more than$200 the CenturyCityfirmandare the unscripteddepartmentat Weinstein andSenioroversee Finkelstein Lezcano Del ShawMoonvesTanaka and alternativepractice Partners andco-heads,unscripted 80 TODD WEINSTEIN TARA SENIOR VARIETY VREY VARIETY

.DWWHQèV(QWHUWDLQPHQWDQG0HGLDSUDFWLFHSURXGO\VHUYHVLWVZR :HPDNHRXUFOLHQWVèJRDOVRXUJRDOVDQGHPSOR\RXUWDOHQWVWL stantly evolving industry.” return,” Shaw says. “It’s acon- for ways tomaximize ourclient’s years, andwe’re always looking the businessover thelastfew has definitelyhelpedtodrive Simien’s “BadHair.” “Streaming Sundance withHulufor Justin securing an$8milliondealat Gods” for Warner Bros., while to direct thefeature film“New her HBOMaxpilot“DMZ,” and Ava DuVernay ontheaccord for Bobb kept busy working with production company atABC. John Legend onadealfor his Miami,” whilealsoworking with the feature film“One Nightin flix, andherpacttodirect King’s multi-year dealwithNet- Shaw recently brokered Regina Finkelstein Lezcano Del ShawMoonvesTanaka Partner Co-founding partner GORDON BOBB NINA SHAW RQEHLQJQDPHGWR 'DYLG+DOEHUVWDGWHU0LFKDHO+REHO=LD0RGDEEHU

LEGAL IMPACTREPORT THE POWEROFLAW:

LONDON: KATTENATTORNEY | MUCHINROSENMAN UKLLP ADVERTISING 0HODQLH7RPDQRY

&RQJUDWXODWLRQVWRRXUSDUWQHUV .DWWHQ0XFKLQ5RVHQPDQ//3 partly ashrinklotofthetime.” to beasmartbusinessman,and Stewart. Says Shire: “You have Mariska Hargitay andMartha Kaepernick, David Byrne, tify, BruceSpringsteen,Colin Live Nation,iHeartMedia,Spo- De Niro, EltonJohn,Madonna, Other clientsincludeRobert for basketball starLeBron James. ment andendorsementmatters He alsohandledallentertain- dora tocreate a24/7 channel. pact withSiriusXMandPan- CBS andfinalizingrapperDrake’s tract aspresident andCEO of ing George Cheeks’ new con- pler’s dealatApple,negotiat- former HBO CEO Richard Ple- list ofA-list clients,settingup had abusy year withhisdiverse The NewYork-based attorney Grubman ShireMeiselas&Sacks media andsportspracticegroup vision, theater,publishing,new Head ofthemotionpicture,tele- LAWRENCE SHIRE 9DULHW\ èV/HJDO,PSDFW5HSRUW

DQG

-RHO:HLQHU TRANSACTIONAL

HOHYLVLRQGLJLWDODQGPXVLFLQGXVWULHV finalized and Pandora. Lawrence Shire Drake’s deal with SiriusXM SIRIUS PACT UOGFODVVFOLHQWVLQERWKWKHLU UHOHVVO\WRDFKLHYHWKHP

NDWWHQFRP ASHINGTON, DC

Senior,GUTTER Weinstein: CREDIT Hugh Williams Photography (2); Shire: Daphne Borowski; Drake: JLN Photography/Shutterstock Simon:Gutter David Credit Michael Howarth Photography; Spicer, Burke: DENNIS TRANTHAM (2); Miller, Roman: David Blattel (2) & sportslawdepartment Partner, chair,entertainment 81 far more lucrative.” “Now, theunscriptedworld is (2008) and“Unraveled” (2011). the docs“Nursery University” tent,” says Simon,whodirected clivity for unscriptedcon- ago, pro- Ihadtoalmostjustify nant Films. “Five to10years and BrianKnappenberge’s Lumi- Pesci, Swedish prodco B-Reel El Dorado Pictures, actorJoe ents includesAlecBaldwin’s Simon’s broad stableofcli- exec producer oftheseries. New York” withJenjiKohan as “Worn Stories” and“Worn in of authorEmilySpivack’s books unscripted Netflixadaptation tographer Pete Souzaandan about former WhiteHousepho- Focus Features documentary include closingdealsfor a Highlights from thepastyear Fox Rothschild MARC H.SIMON

VREY VARIETY

John Lesher’s Le GrisbiProds.’ for financialtransactionsinclude and SunTrust Bank.Clients West Bank,MUFG UnionBank CIT Bank,ComericaEast of America,J.P. Morgan Chase, Their lenderclientsincludeBank Burke, Griffith,MillerandRoman. based group thatincludes Spicer leadstheLos Angeles- Akin Gump Partners Founder andmanagingpartner ROMAN VANESSA FOLTYN ALISSA MILLER GRIFFITH MARISSA ROMÁN P. JOHNBURKE CHRISTOPHER SPICER

he says. on internationalexpansion,” one focuses theirattention tainment companiesasevery- in overseas mediaandenter- look toincreased investment to popoverseas. “Iwould Spicer seesitjuststarting settles intoagroove Stateside, Films. Whilevideostreaming actions for distributorXYZ and separatelyvarious trans– Guaranty andAMCNetworks) Funding (owned by Assured 191-title libraryfor Portfolio The teamalsoadministersa in spy dramamovie “355.” and Takai Enterprisesinvesting Moon”; MediaRightsCapital; investing inmovie “Blood

“Five to10yearsago,Ihad far morelucrative. Now, theunscriptedworldis for unscriptedcontent. to almostjustifyproclivity to-consumer distribution premium pay-TV Epixfor direct- and separatelyMGM-owned top serviceinLatinAmerica, HBO businessanover-the- WarnerMedia inmakingits transactions, Syrkin represented insights toguidedigital Emphasizing tech-based Hughes Hubbard&Reed transactions group media, technology&commercial Partner andglobalchair- MATTHEW SYRKIN

legacy media. previously navigating around has beenweaponized” after attorney: “Thedigitaleconomy New York-based transactional on-demand access.Says the that contentproviders boost as thehomeboundinsist to direct-to-consumer delivery, further galvanizeamigrawtion that theviruslockdown will Corp. andTiVo. Hepredicts Major League Baseball,News school, previously worked at a graduate ofUCBerkeley law Varvatos Enterprises.Syrkin, Co. andluxury brandJohn app, MadisonSquare Garden AMC Networks, theBumble Publications/Condé Nast, include ViacomCBS, Advance partnerships. Hisotherclients VARIETY ” Marc H.Simon VARIETY 81 8 81

GUTTER CREDIT 82 They rep theRaineGroup brand withMast-Jägermeister. of Johnson’s Teremana Tequila 19) andalsorepped thelaunch to October2021dueCOVID- Endeavor’s IMG(now postponed new Athleticon event with Johnson/Dany Garcia for their trio. They represented Dwayne leads theCenturyCity-based mergers &acquisitions,and Thompson specializesin Sidley Austin Partners group firmwide Head ofmediaandentertainment 82 G. WEISS RUSSELL (RUSTY) RICHARD S. PETRETTI MATTHEW C. THOMPSON VARIETY

VREY VARIETY

entertainment andmedialitigationtransactions, aswellother practicesservingthecreative community. Building ontheadditionf

[email protected] Matt DelNero to supporttheindustry.” their transactionstocontinue them intheway they structure backers are adaptingalongwith evolve, Petretti says, “financial sumer.” Asdelivery modes indistinguishable tothecon- converging andare becoming separate media,buthave been and streaming were viewed as points outthat“initially TV mercial transactions.AndWeiss rate mergers com- toHollywood talent compensationtocorpo- to changeeverything” from “are on consumer streaming revolution implications ofthedigital-to- Fox. Thompsonbelieves the J.P. Morgan and20thCentury ents includeCityNationalBank, tions andstrategic advice;cli- ers whileWeiss handlestransac- represents lenders andborrow- Valence Mediafunding.Petretti Wars: TheLastJedi”)with Johnson/Ram Bergman (“Star ment; andT-Street for Rian Thrill OneSports&Entertain- investing inaction-sports Robyn Polashuk andNeemaSahni going andwillcontinue Matt DelNero, MitchKamin, LEGAL IMPACTREPORT THE POWEROFLAW: i for beingnamedto ve years ago of our Los Angeles office, ofourLosAngeles Covington hasbecomealeaderinhigh-stakesve yearsago Covington congratulatesourcolleagues [email protected] Mitch Kamin © 2020Covington &BurlingLLP. Allrightsreserved. Grupo Televisa. They share cli- nel inpartnershipwithMexico’s chan- sion launchingTUDNTV for $375 million,andUnivi- to acquire 49% ofMiramax advised ViacomCBS inadeal The transactionallaw group O’Melveny &Myers media corporatepractice Partner, entertainment,sports& corporate practice Partner, mergers&acquisitions media corporatepractice partner, entertainment,sports& Century Citymanagingpartner/ media corporatepractice Chair, entertainment,sports& SILVIA VANNINI SEAN MONROE AMY SIEGEL BRUCE TOBEY Variety’s

Robyn Polashuk LegalImpactReport [email protected] TRANSACTIONAL

moved toclientLegendary. co-chair Matthew Erramouspe One notablechange:former to bedifferentiated from.” brand andwhothey are going tal medianeed“to definetheir tech giantsbarging intodigi- uct,” Tobey says. Siegelsays monetize qualitylocalizedprod- and extra-territorial tomake and opportunity bothin-country world dueto“a new economic tions are boomingaround the pation. Local-language produc- show creator’s royalty partici- Century Fox purchasing TV aTV search investment and20th Group ina$50 millionmedia-reworked for advisoryfirmRaine and alsoBron Ventures. Vannini thriller “Violence ofAction” 30West infinancingfor action- Monroe repped mediainvestor co-financing anddistribution. endorsement, andBron for Epson for aShaquilleO’Neal in Hollywood.” Siegeladvised investing in“Once UponaTime and separately BonaFilm Group tures Intl.(CAA MediaFinance), an investment inLibrary Pic- mount Pictures. Tobey repped and ViacomCBS anditsPara- Entertainment; Skydance Media; ents Bron Studios;Legendary

Neema Sahni [email protected] content thatcanbreak through.” bolts, focus insteadoncreating the platforms andtheirnuts-and- Yorn: “Ratherthanlookingatall of digitalmediaoutlets.Advises aboutthethicket-mazepuzzle food. Yorn counselstalentnotto especially inenvironmental and ments inconsumerbrands, financiers consideringinvest- City-based attorney alsoadvises “West TheCentury SideStory”). Ansel Elgort(Steven Spielberg’s Zoe Saldana,Laura Linneyand son, “Avatar” film-seriesstar atrical actorScarlettJohans- practice includestop-paid-the- sonal lifestyle brand.Yorn’s talent hosting andgrowing herper- her talkshow, hergame-show Ellen DeGeneres for renewing Yorn reps mediajuggernaut Kohner Endlich&Gellman Levine KrintzmanRubenstein Morris YornBarnes Managing partner KEVIN YORN

Petretti,GUTTER Weiss: CREDIT JON DIDIER PHOTOGRAPHY (2); Sigel, Vannini: G. Andrew Zinn (2) Swift: GUTTERChelsea Lauren/Shutterstock; CREDIT Kim: Juan Patino; King, Paterno: Ron Lyon (2) and JeannettePerez. Ryan Press, Ezekiel “Zeke” Lewis executives asLarryJackson, Kotecha, LLCoolJandsuch Mike Will MadeIt, Savan diverse clientlistthatincludes especially proud torepresent a Coalition. Inthatspirit,he’s joined theBlackMusicAction Lives andrecently Matter” rights movement thatisBlack by “the globalsocialand civil- time.” Davis istrulyinspired unwrapping ofrightsinreal battles, it’s beenathrilling million eyeballs totheir weekly with Timbaland. “Bringinga long-time clientSwizz Beatz platform Verzuz, launchedby work withquarantine-perfect a bigdealfor Davis. Soishis 3 billionstreamed songs,was has therare distinctionof decisions for DJ Snake, who Having ahandinkey career The DavisFirm Principal DOUG DAVIS Taylor Swift’s recording and publishing deals negotiated client Donald Passman with Universal BIG DEAL Music Group.

as musiccreators, Kimsays. aspect oftheircompensation” rights.“It’smance animportant giving upmusicpublicperfor- buyout dealsfrom producers advises musiccreators toresist ulatory consentdecree. Kim tice reviewing ASCAP’s reg- with theU.S. DepartmentofJus- estate. Further, Kiminterfaces Billie EilishandtheTom Petty members MariahCarey, Diplo, agreements withnewASCAP mittee. Shealsocompleted Television MusicLicenseCom- versal, andtrade group Spotify Fox Networks, Cable NBCUni- Discovery Communications, licensing dealsinvolving Apple, music publishers. Sheworked for songwriters,composers and billion inannualmusicroyalties transactions involving $1.2 New York-based Kimoversees ASCAP & generalcounsel Executive vicepresident CLARA KIMCLARA

Music in recent years, including Lil music’s biggestlegaldisputes in themiddleofsome of thefirm,whichhasbeen King isthemanagingpartner & Soriano King, Partners Managing partner LAURIE SORIANO PETER PATERNO MARJORIE GARCIA FRANKLESLIE HOWARD KING Holmes,

Paterno

Van Morrison andLaurynHill. Rondstadt, AliceinChains, clients includeLinda in development.” Additional of related initiatives thatare Frank. “We have awishlist communities ofcolor,” says toward advancementin that fightandaiming organizations undertaking day’s pay tovarious nonprofit I, asakickoff, donateda racism. “Mycolleaguesand working toeliminatesystemic lost tothepandemicwhile make upfor touringincome other revenue channelsto firm ishelpingclientsfind March release “Colores.” The deals for thereggaeton star’s Garcia busy, negotiating Iver andDr. Dre. Balvinkept Juanes, JBalvin,Zedd, Bon Steve Aoki, PinkMartini, the Creator, 21Pilots,Skrillex, Harris,TylerOcean, Calvin include Metallica,Sia,Frank their stepmother. Itsclients daughters inadisputewith on behalfofTom Petty’s the Decembersettlement Universal MusicGroup and behalf ofartistsagainst class-action suitfiledon Money, thewarehouse fire dollar settlementwithCash Wayne’s 2018multimillion-

come from.” that firstopportunitycould “But you never know where other opportunities,” hesays. and working hard tocreate advantage ofevery opportunity luck combinedwithtaking comes tocareer, it’s allabout efforts. “Ithinkwhenit and alsomany philanthropic Gaga’s LasVegas residency — deals for hisclients—notleast himself. Meiselashelms big angry, Diddyhired Meiselas a project; ratherthangetting young executive, fired from famously gotCombs,thena A former musicianhimself, he attorneys inthemusicindustry. powerful andestablished Meiselas isoneofthemost Gaga, theWeeknd andUsher, Combs,Lady Sean “Diddy” With aroster thatincludes & Sacks Grubman ShireMeiselas Partner, headofmusic buying andsellingcatalogs.” publishing deals;people are still makingrecord deals, is pretty robust. People are that therest ofthe business income thisyear, “I’ve found obviously sanktouring book.” Upside: WhileCOVID the update than normalto It literallytookayear longer listening andconsumption. selling somethingbut not by in history, musicismonetized ecosystem. For thefirst time changed themusicbusiness’ streaming hassoradically of thebookbecause I’ve ever doneinthehistory the mostextensive update released inOctober. “Itwas About theMusicBusiness,” book “All You Need to Know the 10theditionofhis1991 biggest recent feat: prepping his sidejobrepresents his Hills-based Passman says Pink andGreen Day, Beverly includes Taylor Swift, Adele, Even withaclientlistthat Brown &Passman Gang, Partner KENNY MEISELAS DONALD PASSMAN VARIETY Tyre, Ramer, VARIETY

83 8 83 84 resilient andstrong.” shesays. before. “We have proven tobe industry willprevail, asithas expresses optimism themusic holding pattern.Butshe has leftsomany inanindefinite time linefor reopening,” which the unnervinguncertaintyona isn’t theshut-down itself, but says. “The most complex issue live-event business,” Reinhold completely frozen theglobal 19 isatectonicevent thathas music andtelevision.“COVID- behalf ofproducer clientsin artists performance dealson negotiated more than100 tours worldwide; sherecently reps more than15festivals and William MorrisAgency, andnow in 2003whileshewas atthe the Lollapalooza musicfestival Reinhold beganrepresenting Lollapalooza Tours including General counsel 84 BERKELEY REINHOLD VARIETY Terry Crews You’re thebest! youLove man! ImpactLegal Report! for beingrecognized in Dave Krintzman Congratulations

VREY VARIETY

Abaidoo andTunde Balogun. Ramong,Junia McNichol, Carlon Justice Baiden,SeanFamoso the Interscopelabelfounded by RCA by Tunji Balogun;andLVRN, Cool label,launchedthrough amplified.” Hereps theKeep “It’s amazingtoseetheissue criminal justicereform,” hesays now through hisinitiatives in the Show MeFoundation and of socialjustice, firstwith really beenfocused onissues and therest ofourteamhave of BLMislongstanding.“John client, andRosenberg’s support issues; JohnLegend was hisfirst and COVID-19’s impacttop Black Lives Mattermovement Justin Bieberconsidersthe Grande, Jennifer Lopez and The manwhorepresents Ariana & Light Rosenberg MobasserYounger Myman GreenspanFox Partner AARON ROSENBERGAARON LEGAL IMPACTREPORT THE POWEROFLAW:

“Providing legalcounsel describes asspecious. copywright claimsthathe “Stairway toHeaven” willcurb the recent appealsrulingon who expresses hopethat precipitously,” says Sedlmayr, new hitsongshasrisen letters andlawsuits against ‘evocation’ infringementclaim ago, thenumberofbaseless Lines’ decisionfive years claims. “Since the‘Blurred copyright infringement feels strongly aboutmusic Malone andDJ Khaledalso Eminem, Drake, Post feats. Themanthatreps Sedlmayr’s more satisfying recordings” are among ownership oftheirmaster of my clientstosecure that helpedenableseveral and negotiationexpertise Sedlmayr &Associates Founding partner THEO SEDLMAYR

MUSIC Variety

’s ’s South Koreanboyband BTS isamongDebbie White’s clientsat K-POP KINGS Loeb &Loeb.

Reinhold:GUTTER DOME CREDIT NAMMALI; BTS: Sara Jaye Weiss/Shutterstock Harleston:GUTTER Universal CREDIT Music Group; Robinson: WMG; Swidler: Sony Music Entertainment Stay tuned. Michael Jackson andHBO?” from a1992 agreement between old non-disparagementclause “Can you enforce a27-year- ing hispractice,heresponded: quest. Asked thetopissuefac- ures intoWeitzman’s next big issue. TheJackson estatefig- Cirque duSoleil shows, were at concert film“ThisIsIt”andtwo Jackson’s 2009 death,including from $9.4 million.Projects since liability toaround $2.5 million reducing theJackson estate’s dict for producer Quincy Jones, reversed anunpaidroyalties ver- umph. InMay, anappealscourt Weitzman’s biggestrecent tri- Michael Jackson figured into loyal clients,buttheestateof kingChuckLorreand TV remain Movie producer Ivan Reitman Kump &Aldisert Kinsella WeitzmanIser Partner HOWARD WEITZMAN for negotiating deals that keep our clients at the forefront of the Entertainment Industry.for negotiatingdealsthat keep ourclientsattheforefrontof theEntertainment

VARIETY’S 2020 LEGAL IMPACT TEAM BRIANA C. HILL&SIMONN.PULMAN 41 Madison Avenue CDAS isaleadingentertainment andmedialaw ﬁ large transactions.” and we are involved inseveral side haven’t slowed down either on themasterandpublishing sales artists andwriters.Catalog both developing andestablished and independent,onbehalfof labels anddistributors,major having dailytalks withrecord not slowed down, andwe are ing sideandpublishinghave that “artist dealsontherecord- tipping point,” says White,noting with BMG, asthepandemichita tures albumagreement, both ing administration dealandfea- to closealarge ex-U.S. publish- ent DianeWarren, “We were able in recent months.For newcli- seen herdealmakingdrop off Tencent,nese mediagiant hasn’t tainment, Duran Duran andChi- Aguilera, BTS andBigHitEnter- White, whohandlesChristina Loeb & Partner andvicechair,musicindustry DEBBIE WHITE Cowan, DeBaets,Abrahams &SheppardLLP | New York

212.974.7474 is proudtocongratulate mean for ourbusinessoverall.” a shareholder andwhatthatcan very excited tohave themas ture isalittle different, butwe’re Harleston says. “Thedealstruc- final closeattheendofMarch,” ing alltheway untilwe hadthe starting around ayear ago, motor- “It was anexhaustive process, which bolstered UMG’s valuation. cent’s $3.4 billioninvestment, team labored mightilyonTen- tice andracialequality. Hislegal causes promoting socialjus- contributing $25millionto Meaningful Change, thelatter of UMG’s new Task Force for CEO ofDefJamandco-chair Harleston alsoserves asinterim Universal MusicGroup EVP ofbusiness&legalaffairs General counsel, JEFF HARLESTON

www.cdas.com

and rm, with offi

In-House MusicCounsels Up Next Attorney AMYSTEIN

9454Wilshire Blvd. niably goodfor business.” to dobutalsobecauseit’s unde- only becauseit’s theright thing on diversity andinclusion,not “We allneedtodoabetterjob the legalfirmsWMGengages. of thestaffingonhisteamand counsel since2006, he’s mindful inson. Warner Music’s general attorney by training,” says Rob- rate legalteam,isasecurities general counselonourcorpo- “Luckily, Trent Tappe, deputy in JuneafteraCOVID-19 delay. a proposed IPO, whichlaunched with owner Access Industrieson company begancollaborating a handfulofothersfrom the Last September, Robinson and Warner MusicGroup EVP andgeneralcounsel PAUL ROBINSON ces inNew York andLos Angeles.

| Los Angeles in thepodcastingsector. has closedseveral jointventures investment inpodcasting;SME revenue through itsstrategic eral counsel,alsoenablednew Swidler, inher12thyear asgen- address piracyonitsnetwork.” failed tomeetitsobligation $1 billionlawsuit over anISPthat the musicindustry’s successful works, “especially reflected in continuing toprotect artists’ safety ofSony Music’s staffwhile worked toensure thehealthand lenge for herteam,whichhas demic hasbeenanaddedchal- Records, says theglobalpan- labels ColumbiaandEpic Swidler, whosepurview includes Sony MusicEntertainment & generalcounsel EVP, businessaffairs JULIE SWIDLER |

310.340.6334 VARIETY

VARIETY 85 8 85 86 in theworld.” work remotely from anywhere and more peopletoseamlessly tinue todevelop toallow more trends intechnologywillcon- video calls,” Biondosays. “The from homeandhaving alotmore Home’ order, I’ve beenworking Angeles Countyissueda‘Safer at slowed theirefforts. “Since Los Burr (“Cruella”). COVID-19 hasn’t Wick” films)andproducer Kristin Chad Stahelski(allthree “John Point Grey Pictures, director recently negotiateddealsfor the BookofSaw.” Stylideshas “Bombshell” and“Spiral: From “Knives Out,” Oscar-nominated tiating andfinalizingdealsfor Biondo ledhisteaminnego- Lionsgate & legalaffairs Executive vicepresidents,business 86 BONNIE STYLIDES BONNIE JOHN BIONDO VARIETY VREY VARIETY

competition,” says Bramhall. against thefact there’s somuch ing andaccesstotoptalent— ming —exclusivity, position- on todistinguishourprogram- the thingswe’ve typicallyrelied television, we’ve hadtoweigh “With theadvent ofpeak tion anddirect-to-talent deals. and variousscriptedco-produc- Fox Alternative Entertainment, initiatives tofruition,including integral inbringinghigh-profile ties. Heandhisteamwere company’s ownership capabili- strategize andbroaden the a crucialrole inhelpingto Fox Entertainment,andplays and businessaffairs for Bramhall oversees alllegal Fox Entertainment business affairs Executive vicepresident, SAM BRAMHALL LEGAL IMPACTREPORT In-House THE POWEROFLAW:

says Dormer. pictures onamassive scale,” content, includingglobalevent our abilitytocreate allforms of affords us,andunderscores flexibility our businessmodel demonstrates thekindof legal eagle.“‘Red Notice’ really is exciting for thein-house profile releases withbigtalent Horse. Rolling outwithhigh- as first-lookdealswithDark Grace” and“TheProm,” aswell Hills CopIV,” “A Fall From including “Red Notice,” “Beverly original features for Netflix, the legalwork onupcoming his dedicatedteamsupervised among streamers, Dormerand year ofincreasing competition Over thecourse of2019, a Netflix Films Senior counsel STEPHEN DORMER

and Live Nation. who previously worked atITV experience,” says Grant-Selma, represent theAfrican-American that capture theculture and American castorwithstorylines a predominately African- produce holiday movies with are stillvery few outletsthat endless talkofdiversity, there “Even duringthisperiodof into theholiday movie business. recent focus onOWN’s entry digital properties, withabig unscripted programming and network’s slateofscriptedand deals, concentrating onthe all ofOWN’s majorbusiness negotiation andexecution of a year agoandoversees the from DreamWorks Animation Grant-Selma joinedOWN OWN: SVP, business&legalaffairs KAREN GRANT-SELMA Oprah WinfreyNetwork Parabellum” director Stylides negotiated Lionsgate’s Bonnie the dealfor“John Wick: Chapter3— FILM PARTNER Chad Stahelski.

integration deals,” shesays. ship, endorsementandbrand other ancillaries,tosponsor- to producing andgaming on-camera filmandtelevision, the industry, from musicto grow theirbusinessesacross with theteamtohelpclients album “MyLife.” “It’s funtowork 25th anniversary ofhericonic agreements related tothe hit series“Power” andvarious involvement inStarz’s spinoffto deal withStarz,toMaryJ. Blige’s “$150 millionoverall production Curtis “50 Cent”Jackson’s crossover talentrangingfrom Johnson advisesondealsfor APA business affairs&generalcounsel Executive vicepresident,global put together. this report was originallybeing and me,” shetold for my now-9-month-old son so itwas apersonalachievement it whileninemonthspregnant, ship structure. Plus,Iworked “on elements regarding Hulu’s owner- tion withoverarching corporate “This was asignificanttransac- between HuluandNBCentities. ous contentlicensingagreements required negotiationofnumer- over thesubscriptionstreamer transaction givingDisney control for Fox andDisney. TheComcast licensing andlive agreements while alsoworking onthecontent the controlling owner ofHulu, deal inwhichDisney became Kang Parkfacilitated the2019 Hulu and legalaffairs Vice president,business JULIA JOHNSON ANGIE KANGPARK

Variety when

John Wick:GUTTER Mark CREDIT Rodgers/Lionsgate/Kobal/Shutterstock; Bramhall: Fox Entertainment Marcus:GUTTER John P. CREDITFilo/Showtime; Oh: ABImages; Perroni: Annie Shak general counsel Executive officeofthe not list-toppers. in otherplaces,thoseissuesare ated,” Krumwiede says, whereas something that’s heavily negoti- Europeans, so“that’s goingtobe security matters are crucialto For example, privacy andcyber- ent prioritiesinvarious regions. deals proliferate, there are differ- Pictures Intl.Ascross-border content-financing venture Library tives, includingthelaunchof initia- dles variousfilmandTV tum Sports.Krumwiede alsohan- merging CAA Chinawith Momen- basketball’s Wade Dwyane and strategy agency CAA Ampwith Agency, establishingacultural on dealsacquiringBaseSoccer the massive agency. Sheworked and mergers andacquisitionsfor across sports,film,television, Krumwiede works transactions CAA KATERINA KRUMWIEDE

more OTT distribution.” dealing withthemove towards and pay-per-view. Now, we’re all tronic sell-through, on-demand media withtheadvent ofelec- started, itwas moving todigital this industry,” says Lee. “WhenI year. “Change isthenormalin is settoroll outin20 more this in five countrieslastyear and consumer app, whichlaunched including itsStarzplay direct-to- expansion oftheStarzservice, instrumental intheinternational New Year’s Eve. Shewas also eight days before itexpired on Comcast thatwas finalizedjust renewal ofitscarriagedealwith legal strategyinthechannel’s end blackout, overseeing the Lee helpedStarzavoid ayear- Starz general counsel Executive vicepresidentand AUDREY LEE

experience. says Marcus ofthefloat had ontheLBGTQ community,” show andthecompany have manifestation oftheimpact Q.” “To me,itwas aconcrete series “TheLWord: Generation on thefloatfor thecabler’s where sherode withherwife celebration inNYC inJune, the WorldPride/Stonewall 50 Showtime’s sponsorshipof to herheartwas securing Channel. Butthematterclosest ownership oftheSmithsonian well thefinalizationofits100% additional OTT platforms, as bring theShowtime appto A24 Films andagreements to with topindiedistributor a multi-year exclusive pact with somebigdeals,including her 35thyear atShowtime Last year, Marcus marked Showtime Networks EVP, generalcounsel GWEN MARCUS

everything,” says Oh. this jobisIgettohave handsin est BeerRun.” “Part ofthejoy of tor Peter Farrelly’s “TheGreat- ize Theron; andwriter-direc- Old Guard,” starringCharl- War,” starringChrisPratt; “The ing features “TheTomorrow talent contractsfor theupcom- slate, includingabove-the-line cuting allthedealsfor itsfilm tive gamesdivisionsandexe- sion, animationandinterac- and legalaffairs for itstelevi- top ofoverseeing business ation to$2.3 billion.That’s on brought thecompany’s valu- studio behind“Parasite”), which ment andMerchandising (the Bird andCJ Capital Entertain- equity partnershipwithRed- ating Skydance’s $275 million Oh played akey role innegoti- Skydance Media legal affairs President ofglobalbusinessand JUN OH

entertainment we need.” of upliftingandconnective times, thisisexactly thekind she says. “Duringuncertain comedy, musicandpure fun,” audiences ofallageswith transcend genres andunite Show,’ becausetheseprograms Kacey Musgraves Christmas ‘The Masked and‘The Dancer’ Singer,’ theupcomingspinoff of working on‘TheMasked Singer.” “I’m particularlyproud deal for Fox’s “TheMasked renewed aseriespackage at herformer agency. Shealso Mehdi Debhi(“Messiah”) while Sheeran (“Yesterday”) and Titus Welliver (“Bosch”), Ed for BrianCox (“Succession”), A3, negotiatedagreements as headofbusinessaffairs for Paradigm for hernew perch Perroni, whorecently exited A3 ArtistsAgency Head ofbusinessaffairs APRIL PERRONI VARIETY VARIETY

87 8 87 88 Tasvibi says. works for bothparties,” some kindofsolutionthat concerns are andformulating other side,hearingwhattheir good dealsislisteningtothe Rosenbaum. “Part ofgetting emerging platforms headOren of podcastdealswithUTA as well asnegotiatea string Showtime’s “BlackMonday,” executive produce andstarin and setDonCheadleto ducers of Netflix “Hustlers”) at Gloria Sanchez Prods. (pro- Elbaum’s production company for Will Ferrell and Jessica a three-year, first-look pact the pastyear, he’s helped close clients behindthescenes.In for ten-percenters andtheir found hiscallingcraftingdeals to beanagent,butinstead Tasvibi originallyplanned United TalentAgency Business affairsexecutive 88 PASHA TASVIBI VARIETY VREY VARIETY

which recognizes the best legalmindsworkingin television, film,theatre anddigitalmedia. sion,” shesays. keep SchuratUniversal Televi- innovativeidentifying ways to creative andlegalgroups in upper management,finance, collaborative effort by our Office.” Thepactwas “a true “Parks &Recreation” and“The work hitsas“TheGoodPlace,” Schur, akey player onsuchnet- deal for prolific producer Mike saw therenewal oftheoverall this month.Lastyear, sheover- streaming service, Peacock, full launchofNBC the future, especiallywiththe to navigate newdirections for ing landscape, whilehelping company makes inashift- deals She’s shapingtheway the across NBCentertainment. unscripted programming tiations for allscriptedand Yamamoto handlesnego- NBC Entertainment President, businessoperations MASAMI YAMAMOTO VARIETY’S 2020 LEGAL IMPACT REPORT CHRISTINE LEPERA Mitchell Silberberg &KnuppLLP LEGAL IMPACTREPORT THE POWEROFLAW: Universal’s ADAM LEVIN and othershonorees ontheir inclusionin

is pleasedtocongratulate ourpartners IN-HOUSE

Cheadle’s dealfor ‘MONDAY’ DEAL Tasvibi setDon “Black Monday.” UTA’s Pasha

Black Monday:GUTTER Erin CREDIT Simkin/Showtime Congratulations to our Media and Entertainment team

Tom Ara Afshin Beyzaee Scott BradfordKatherine Imp David Markman Robert Sherman

DLA Piper proudly applauds our colleagues for their selection as Honorees in Variety’s 2020 Legal Impact Report.

dlapiper.com

Stuart A. Liner, 2000 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 400 North Tower, Los Angeles, CA 90067 | Attorney Advertising | MRS000153899

CONGRATULATIONS CHRIS CHATHAM ON YOUR WELL-DESERVED RECOGNITION AS ONE OF THE TOP LAWYERS IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY

FROM ALL YOUR FRIENDS AT THE LAUNCHED LA TEAM

0714 WV Stacked Ads_DL PIPER & LAUNCHED LA.indd 6 7/10/20 10:37 AM for BobMarley’s estate. He alsoworks onlicensingandrightsdeals Aaron Sorkin’s “TheTrial oftheChicago7.” on director David Ayer’s “Tax and Collector” for “WhatIsLife Worth, Cross Creek Pictures and rightsdeals,production andfinanc Revelations Entertainment’s development a slewofimportantmatters,including company’s coronavirus taskforce. content creators, andisco-chairfor his cians, graphicartists,andotherindependent companies, video-gamepublishers,musi- licensor. Herepresents studios,production million-dollar trademark award for amajor Circuit, andinoneinstancesecuringamulti- issues oftrademarkdamagesbefore the9th 90 90 VARIETY VREY VARIETY but hasalready handled the barbackin2017, Milostan onlypassed Greenberg Glusker Associate worked oncomplex property litigation,having tainment andintellectual Geller focuses onenter- Greenberg Glusker Counsel MILOSTAN BRANDON JOSH GELLER 191 9 010 TO ALL VARIETY’S 2020 LEGALIMPACT REPORTHONOREES 1

A AND UPNEXTHONOREE vev

ing nun u e of f BRYAN J. FREEDMAN t Dish Network. dollar breach ofcontractactionagainst sented Voom HDHoldingsinamultibillion- and was amemberoftheteamthatrepre- litigations concerning“TheWalking Dead,” profit participationandbreach ofcontract counseling. Samplinrepresented AMCin Assn. ofLos Angeles. a memberoftheBlackWomen Lawyers studios andproduction companies.She’s and hasrepresented major Hollywood on matters offraudandunfair competition, Hannah works withFortune 500companies with experience instateandfederal courts. ness andentertainment-related disputes, CONGRATULATIONS heh e S LEGAL IMPACTREPORT Up Next THE POWEROFLAW tat a rsr s , SuS u INCLUDING OURVERY OWN it t Glaser Weil Associate property litigationand disputes andintellectual entertainment industry Samplin focuses on Gibson, Partner broad spectrumofbusi- clients throughout a attorney whorepresents Hannah isalitigation ILISSA SAMPLIN AMBER HANNAH e 505 0 0,0 Dunn &Crutcher L oos s A SEAN M. HARDY ngn g

ele ese s , CAC Illustrated Studios. Authentic BrandsGroup tocreate Sports dios inconnectionwithitsjointventure with ners, andsherecently represented 101Stu- minority equityinterest toCrestview Part- Partners inconnectionwiththesaleofa tainment industries.Snow represented ICM vate companiesacross themediaandenter- industry, includingMegynKelly. tives andtalentintheentertainment difficult exit packages for high-level execu- vast litigator’s knowledge toward closing has achieved great success inapplyinghis practice, anddisputeresolution. Hardy include pleadings,discovery, law andmotion and entertainment,Hardy’s areas offocus A 9 000 0 676 7 | advising publicandpri- group, placingafocus on the corporatepractice Snow isanassociatein Sheppard Mullin Associate intellectual property, business, real estate, with anemphasison A generallitigator Freedman +Taitelman Litigator AERIN SNOW SEAN HARDY (3( 3 101 0 ) 202 0 1-1 000 0

050 5 |

“I haven www Brandon Milostan perspective. to changemy it many yearsso issues fortoo listening to film, televisionanddigital-mediaindustries. development, andproduction dealsinthe Stein alsofocuses onrightsacquisition, people tostay homeduringthepandemic. part ofYouTube’s globalcampaignurging Yungblud, for “Stay HomeWith: Yungblud,” ment between YouTube, Interscopeand Entertainment, aswell asadistributionagree- w w.w ’ s easier for me s easierforme ftf t lll l p.p . coc o m ’ t been of producer StickFigure and closedonbehalf Stein recently negotiated Abrahams &Sheppard Cowan DeBaets Associate AMY STEIN ”

Stein: GUTTERMartin Bentsen CREDIT We salute you. Manatt is pleased to congratulate our partners Lindsay Conner, Sophia Yen, Jordan Bromley, Jeff Biederman, Gary Gilbert, L. Lee Phillips, and Monika Tashman on being recognized by Variety as 2020 Legal Impact Report honorees.

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP manatt.com

LLP

0714 WV Stacked Ads_MANATT & HUGHES HUBBARD.indd 6 7/10/20 10:41 AM Educating, inspiring, and entertaining the American people for 50 years and counting.

We’re honored to carry the legacy for Southern California.

Untitled-10 1 7/9/20 5:41 PM PBS AT 50 FOCUS

ESSENTIAL SERVICE “Frontline” has been documenting important news stories, such as protests at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, since its debut in 1983.

PBS’ 50TH ANNIVERSARY wasn’t supposed to be quite ‘OUR NATION so interesting. What the public broadcaster had expected was WANTS MORE’ a forward-looking celebration of a half-century of service. But as with any other organization, PBS was PBS CELEBRATES FIVE DECADES forced to change plans in the wake of the coronavirus IN THE MOST APPROPRIATE WAY — pandemic. As a result, PBS has seen its mission made THROUGH SERVICE as clear as ever as it has spent its 50th year doing

By DANIEL HOLLOWAY exactly what it was created to do — serve viewers of all ages with an array of programming designed to educate, enlighten, and yes, entertain. “In many ways I feel that everything that we’ve done over the last 50 years has prepared us for this moment, for everything that we’ve done,” says PBS CEO Paula Kerger. “And so in a strange way, I can’t think of a better way to mark our 50th anniversary than to really be in deep service.” FAI WAN/FRONTLINE FAI

VARIETY 93 “Everything thatwe’ve years hasprepared particularly PBSways.particularly Itsfirst signifi PBShaspivoted in inMarch. pandemic had topivot since theU.S. onsetof the consisted of onlythreecommercial net —andthepowermedium of broadcast 1967, televisionwas still arelatively young Act thePublicBroadcasting ofsigned sion,’” says Kerger. tity. “We as‘educational started televi- and “Odd Squad” intoitsiden —isbaked to“DanielTiger’sStreet” Neighborhood” ter Rogers’ Neighborhood” and“Sesame children’s programming—from“Mis closed. schools nities nationwide lockdown entered and stations ascommu across thecountry atemplate forbecame publictelevision lineup, onPBSSoCal, first implanted we offered upasat-home learning.” That we putacore together, schedule which some programmers,” Kerger says. “And District superintendent. School Unified Kerger acallfromtheLosAngeles fielded shutdownschools inSouthernCalifornia, after shortly when, of itsmost important cant programmingmove proved one tobe 94 FOCUS us for thismoment done over thelast50 Paula Kerger draws viewerstoday,aslivesportsareshutdown. Ken Burns’“Baseball”premieredin1994andstill TIMELESS DOCUMENTARIES Every institution inAmericanlifeEvery has When President Lyndon Johnson PBS’ longstanding association with “We worked and withsometeachers PBSAT 50 VREY VARIETY . ” - - - - - cuit, ashave brandsincluding long-standing become outsizepresences onthefestival cir- such asHuluandAmazonPrimeVideo have there was HBO. Andthatwas kindofit.” Sundance Film Festival. “There was PBS, and having worked asadocprogrammer for the producer of“IndependentLens” in1999 after Vossen, who becamethefounding executive weren’t thatmany intown,” games says Lois alltoitself.nearly jumped intoafieldthatatonetimePBShad have tofragmentedaudiences ing toappeal new entrantsandlegacy available instantly. space, Inthedocumentary than consumershave ever tois hadaccess era, inwhichmore programming ofallkinds gaveon-demand services TV tothepeak birth mediumtoonedominatedbyear digital media landscape. that hasevolved asPBSadaptstoachanging dren’s programming orcostumedrama—one apieceofPBS’as important identityasischil- PBS’ efforts. is documentary Anddocumentary an individual.It’s of oneofthecornerstones bysocial issues tellingthehuman-level of story ture-length films,many ofwhichtake onbroad PBS landscape.” “POV.” “Thatistherole thatwe provide inthe 50th anniversary. its about thatlinequiteabitasPBScelebrates franchise“POV,”mentary hasbeenthinking served audiences.” addresses theneedsofunserved andunder- gramming thatinvolves creative risks andthat interest toencouragethedevelopment ofpro- thedirective,the actincludes “Itisinthepublic the way for thefounding ofPBS. Section396of ated theCorp. for PublicBroadcasting, paving THE 1967 PUBLICBROADCASTING AND STRENGTHEN AMIDSTIFF COMPETITION PBS’ DOCUMENTARY BRANDCONTINUESTO GROW TRUTH BE TOLD BE TRUTH But inrecent years, new streaming entries “When Icametopublictelevision,there The transformation oftelevisionfrom alin- Launched in1988, “POV” showcases fea- “We sitdirectly atthatlocus,” Nagansays of Justine Nagan,executive producer ofdocu-

seasons todate. has delivered47 launched in1974, “Nova,” which SCIENTIFIC SCORE By DanielHolloway programmers look-

ACT ACT cre- it’s given totheAmericanpublic.” thing we’ve always enjoyed, that andthegifts munity-based. ofitissome- Theuniqueness It’s andit’s in300millionhomes free andcom- cable television.Andthat’s ofPBS. thebeauty John Kamen.“Noteveryone caneven afford one canafford that,” says RadicalMediaCEO everyone musthave DisneyPlus,butnotevery- featuresmentary are setfor next early year. pandemic aired onPBSinMay, andfour docu- “American Portrait” specialonthecoronavirus aboutthewaytaries Americanslive now. An itintobroadcastonline andcurates documen- ers, presents thatcontentinmultipleforms material through anonlineplatform from view- PBS’ 50th anniversary, theproject gathers initiative from thebeginning.Developed for pany RadicalMedia,hasbeenamultiplatform documentaries.” real hungerfor ourfactual, long-form Raney Aronson. “And we found onYouTube a form,” says “Frontline” executive producer kind offact-based, trustedjournalisminthis younger than44years old. watching “Frontline’s” contentonYouTube are six monthsof2019. Sixty-two percent ofthose — up4.1 millionstreams offullfilmsinthelast average perstream viewingtimeof29minutes garnered more 20millionstreams —withan the firstsixmonthsof2020itsfullfilmshave found audienceonYouTube, asizable where in “Frontline,” produced by WGBH Boston,has affairs. Longform investigative-journalism series work ofKen andcurrent Burns),socialissues focus onscience(“Nature,” “Nova”), (the history by staying truetoitsbrandwithacontinued crowded, PBShasgrown itsvolume ofofferings the format sincethenhadbeensignificant. 2015’s “MakingaMurderer,” in anditssuccess with mercial series viabilityofdocumentary Showtime andESPN.Netflixproved thecom- “We assumeeveryone musthave Netflix,that “American Portrait,” from production com- “Younger peopleare really for hungry this Even fieldhasbecome asthedocumentary

GUTTERBASEBALL: CREDIT NATIONAL BASEBALL LIBRARY AND ARCHIVE; NOVA: WGBH EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION/BHA ®

cnSr{{NAnoÍ- 1UAoINNaNLsJArVaT AaLVaScn`VaTÍNarNnrAVaVaTAaLVaokVnVaT`NnVJAÌ And we’re just getting started.

Judy Woodruff, courtesy of Robert Severi. Ed White: Chasing the Moon, American Experience, courtesy of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, June 1965. Nature Jaguar: Super Cats, A Nature Miniseries, courtesy of BBC/Paul Williams. Sesame Street © 2020 Sesame Workshop. ó1NoA`N1rnNNrôAaLVro^cTcAnNrnALN`An]ocS1NoA`N:cn]oUckÌ^^nVTUronNoNnxNLÌ"VorNn0cTNnoö#NVTUIcnUccLī3UNnNL0cTNno c`kAa{Ì^^nVTUronNoNnxNLÌAaVN^3VTNnöo#NVTUIcnUccLīnNL0cTNno c`kAa{Ì^^nVTUronNoNnxNLÌ Na snaoÍJcsnrNo{cSxAa An^cyÌyNa^^Í courtesy of PBS Newshour. Misty Copeland, A Ballerina’s Tale, courtesy of Oskar Landi. Julia Child’s Best Bites: Dishing with Julia Child, courtesy of the Julia Child Foundation. Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr: Reconstruction: America After the Civil War, courtesy of McGee Media. Victoria, courtesy of ITVS.

Untitled-9 1 7/9/20 5:41 PM FOCUS PBS AT 50

with PBS come from exposure to chil- recent months. Shortly after the pan- dren’s programming. But it also has long demic shut down Major League Baseball’s since established itself as a leader in a regular season, Burns called Kerger to type of thoughtful programming that has propose that PBS rebroadcast “Baseball,” difficulty finding a home on commercial the filmmaker’s series about the history television — even in the peak TV era. of the so-called national pastime. But works dominating the airwaves. The BEING THE The documentarian Ken Burns the conversation soon shifted to another act created the Corp. for Public Broad- HELPERS debuted his first film, “Brooklyn Bridge,” Burns’ landmark film, “The Civil War,” casting, which paved the way for PBS “Mister Rodgers’ on PBS in 1981, 11 years after the broad- and the role it might play in serving high- Neighborhood” and NPR. Johnson said upon signing (above left) aired caster launched. He has since become as school age students and adults living in the act, “It announces to the world that on PBS until 2001. closely associated with the PBS brand as isolation during quarantine. That con- our nation wants more than just mate- Its successor, the late Fred Rogers. versation led to a reconfiguration of PBS’ “Daniel Tiger’s rial wealth; our nation wants more than Neighborhood” “Public television is exactly what it schedule, with Thursday night reimag- a ‘chicken in every pot.’ We in Amer- (above right) says it is,” Burns says “Remember PBS’ ined as a home for historical documen- ica have an appetite for excellence, too. debuted on PBS Kids initials. It’s not the Public Broadcasting tary programming. in 2012. While we work every day to produce new System. The ‘S’ is for ‘Service.’ That’s the Another, more current documentary goods and to create new wealth, we want word — ‘service.’” project, “American Portrait,” had been most of all to enrich man’s spirit.” Burns’ programming has played a set to serve as the centerpiece of PBS’

Most viewers’ earliest associations key role in PBS’ service to its viewers in 50th anniversary celebration. Hailing PBS TIGER: JOHN BEALE/PBS; DANIEL RODGERS: MISTER

CONGRATULATIONS TO

on 50 Years Of Success! From Your Friends at

9 Story is a registered trademark of 9 Story Media Group Inc., used under license. Grateful to live in the

neighborhood for 50 years. It’s such a good feeling!

Happy Birthday

more! to 50 re’s He

0714 WV Stacked Ads_Fred Rodgers & WNET.indd 6 7/10/20 10:45 AM FOCUS PBS AT 50

ter movement after the killing of George “PBS has never shied away from telling ... Floyd and others. important stories.” “PBS has never shied away from us telling those important stories,” Raney Aronson Aronson adds. But just as Johnson hoped that public media would “enrich man’s spirit,” from producer Radical Media, “American “American Portrait” has become a PBS, 50 years on, is doing more than Portrait” was intended from the outset potential new addition to the stable of informing — it is providing viewers to be a multi-platform experience — with PBS programs that have themselves something more substantial, more an emphasis on the digital platform — become institutions. For PBS and its curated than is often available from that would document how Americans are long-running franchises, credibility has commercial platforms via its arts pro- living now, by asking them to respond been a watchword. As misinformation gramming, its science and nature pro- to questions such as “What does it mean moves freely and trustworthy sources of gramming and its enduringly popular to be an American today?” The material news are attacked routinely by no less “Masterpiece” dramas. And as it diver- gathered from users would live ﬁrst and than the president of the United States, sifies its platforms beyond broadcast, foremost on the “American Portrait” dig- PBS enjoys an exceedingly rare, broad it is increasingly sourcing its relation- ital platform, and some of it eventually public trust. That trust extends to shows ships to its local member stations for processed into a documentary series. from “PBS NewsHour” to “Nova,” but is content and ideas and more. But in spring how Americans were liv- also derived from them, too. “People contribute to their pub- ing changed radically, and PBS realized “PBS is absolutely essential to lic television stations locally because that “American Portrait” could be the ‘Frontline’ — our brands are symbiotic,” they trust them,” says Kerger. “They ideal vehicle through which to address says Raney Aronson, executive pro- trust them, that they’re going to pro- the pandemic. In May, PBS aired “In This ducer of the WGBH-produced documen- vide accurate information, that they’re Together: An American Portrait Story,” tary series. going to play an important role in the a documentary that relied on material Focusing on current affairs “Front- life of their community. And so for us, submitted by everyday people to tell the line” has tackled not only COVID-19, trust has been very much at the heart story of the onset of the pandemic. but also, through digital extensions of how we’ve stayed rooted all these “The platform that we’ve built is such as podcast “The Frontline Dis- years. Really, trust is something that allowing us to crowdsource everybody’s patch,” moved quickly to address even is very carefully earned over time and story across the country,” says John more rapidly evolving stories such as can and can be lost in a moment if one Kamen, CEO of RadicalMedia. the reemergence of the Black Lives Mat- isn’t vigilant.” DAVID BUCHAN/VARIETY/SHUTTERSTOCK nization,” shesays. knew thatI’d berunningamembershiporga- the dynamicbetween “I PBS anditsstations. resources they needtobesuccessful.” and make sure theyhave allthetoolsand help themfigure out how towork together, possiblepeople,brush andtofindthebest egy. I always feel thatmy the jobistoclear togetherandtohelpdirectteam thestrat- work with—thejobisreally toputagreat have alotofgreat creative peoplethatwe of ourcontentthrough andwe ourstations, PBS,— andparticularly becausewe getmost for anybody thatrunsanorganization like this people. Idohave alotofopinions.ButIthink television,” Kerger says. “Iknow tohire great tionship withlocalstations. membersandutilizingPBS’team uniquerela- empoweringership stylethatemphasizes 2006. Hertenure hasbeenmarked by alead- WNET, thenwas namedtoherPBSpostin economic challenges. WNET’s financialfooting whenitfaced serious infirming ence. Butshehadbeensuccessful Kergerthe station. hadnopriormediaexperi- thereafter namedgeneralmanagerof shortly gramming role, butafundraisingone.Shewas in 1993 ofdevelopment ashead —notapro- the nonprofit sector, joiningNewYork’s WNET we’ve ever had.” is far andaway chiefexecutive thebest that been through many, many presidents, andshe tenure there ’80s datingbacktotheearly Kendocumentarian Burns.“Ihave inmy long forleader theperfect time for PBS,” says the much Ifeel thatPaula’s beentheperfect ated change. and hasguideditthrough aperiodofacceler- topexecutivegest-serving inPBS’ — history Kerger atitshelm.Sheis now thelon- PBS’ 50THYEAR PBS HAS PROVIDED STABILITY AMIDCHANGE PAULA KERGER’S DECADE NEAR ANDAHALFATOP PUBLIC TRUST PROFESSIONAL

Having comefrom WNET, Kerger understood “I amnotthecreative director ofpublic Kerger went ontobecomepresident of Kerger entered publicbroadcasting through “Idon’t thinkIhave words toexpress how By DanielHolloway is alsoits14th withPaula sion: “People willtrustustogetitright.” aspects ofPBS’ programming andits mis- their children.” oftheirlife, part the mostimportant whichis ofwhatwe’reothers —part trustedwithis or you lookatthework ofFred Rogers and “When you lookatthework ofJimHenson, time thatthey’re very small,” Kerger says. ard andprotect thattrust. ofherrolethat part tobestew- continues that isincreasingly rare. Kerger understands PBSengendersabroadattack, publictrust nels andon-demandservices. tent notavailable through PBS’ chan- linear ofcon- adeeplibrary donors thatincludes available anon-demand service port, to age.”into thedigital Paula’s beenvery goodaboutmoving PBS than willbewatching live television.And people shouldbewatching thingsdigitally changing. Somewhere in2021or’22, more WNET. “And now everybody knows that’s Shapiro, thecurrent president andCEO of the web was anafterthought,” says Neal media. been theincursionofdigital changeinrecentBut thebiggest years has bers ofCongress oftheaisle. onbothsides strong between ties publicmediaandmem- come tofruition,thanks inlarge to part lic Broadcasting continue,buthave yet to even presidents todefundtheCorp. for Pub- —theperiodicthreatsstant by politicosand jokes.) that Hawaii was thelastplaceIvisited,” she ofPBSinJanuary.head (“How stupidamI Hawaii,50th state, as and50thstation grounded her, butnotbefore visitingher facetime. Thecoronavirus pandemic tenure ontheroad logging visitingstations, That trust, she continues, extendsThat trust,shecontinues, intoall “We are ofpeople’s apart lives from the And asAmericaninstitutionsare under ofPass- asevidencethesuccess He cites “There was atimewhenthere and was TV aspectsofrunningPBSareCertain con- She therefore hasspentmuchofher Paula Kergerjoined PBS AT 50 LONGEST-SERVING PBS in2006. LEADER FOCUS

RUFF RUFFMAN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE FETCH! WITH OF SHOWCASING THEBEST ARTHUR FROM YOUR WGBH FAMILY WE CAN’TWAIT TO SEE Y OU JUST YOU JUST HOW YOU WILL SHAPE NOVA GETTING GETTING CONGRATULATIONS BETTER OF PUBLICMEDIA. ON 50YEARS THE FUTURE. KEEP KEEP ZOOM PBS, PBS, DESIGN SQUAD MASTERPIECE ANTIQUES ROADSHOW THE FRENCHCHEF MOLLY OFDENALI FRONTLINE VICTORY GARDEN THE

AWARDS HQ

with Michael Schneider

DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX EVERY MONDAY

JOIN OVER 75,000 SUBSCRIBERS IN THE KNOW Michael Schneider looks at the week ahead, cuts through the buzz & hot topics and maps out the Emmy® race as it unfolds. &RQVLGHULW\RXUɌLUVWVWRSHDFK0RQGD\RQWKH(PP\nH[SUHVV

ISLAND FEST MOVES FORWARD

SARDINIA LINES UP FILMS, GUESTS AND MEDICAL PROTOCOL FOR A SAFE AND HAPPY EVENT

By VARIETY STAFF

rounds on the pre-pandemic international festival circuit. Then there are the Italian premieres of more recent U.S. studio and indie titles such as Ben Afﬂeck drama “The Way Back,” from Warner Bros.; Nico- las Cage action thriller “Primal,” from Lionsgate; and time-travel sci-ﬁer “Syn- chronic” by directorial duo Justin Ben- son and Aaron Moorhead, to be released by Notorious Pictures in Italy. The Italian selection is geared toward pics that were forced to skip a theatrical outing and were released online locally due to the pandemic, most notably Ginevra Elkann’s “If Only,” a sentimental comedy about kids of divorced parents that earned strong reviews at festivals. In May, the debut feature scored a strong 450,000 views during its first week on pubcaster RAI’s RAI Play platform. “I want to support Italian films that were released in streaming during the pandemic by bringing over the cast to WHILE LOTS OF SUMMER EVENTS around “I have more European actors com- boost their visibility,” Rocca says. “This the world are opting to go online due to ing because they are the ones who can is the festival’s mission this year.” the coronavirus crisis, the Filming Italy travel [to Italy],” says Rocca. “It’s tough As for TV series making their way to Sardegna fest will be holding a physi- getting talents to come from the U.S. the fest, HBO’s “The Plot Against Amer- cal edition on the island of Sardinia in since they are quarantined once they ica,” based on the Philip Roth novel the Forte Village resort near the capi- get to Europe.” that reimagines an America during tal city of Cagliari, where all guests will Travel restrictions did not get in the WWII with President Charles Lindbergh undergo complimentary COVID-19 tests way of Rocca luring Disney Plus for an steering the nation toward fascism; upon arrival. opening-night gala that will feature Kevin Costner drama “Yellowstone,” “We consulted with a medical com- pop star Arisa perform the Italian ver- which centers on a powerful family of mittee and decided to follow a proto- sion of “He’s a Tramp” (E’ un briccone) ranchers; and the final installment of col combining two very fast non-in- for a special screening of the live-action hit French TV series “The Bureau” will vasive [coronavirus] tests to all our “Lady and the Tramp” that’s part of the all have their Italian launches prior to guests,” says Tiziana Rocca, the former platform’s global launch. The Sardinia airing locally on Sky Italia. Taormina Film Festival chief who two fest’s family-friendly kickoff will also see Sardinia will also host two panels/ years ago launched this international Disney and Pixar’s animated suburban webinars (part physical, part virtual), event, which combines film and TV with adventure fantasy “Onward” unspooling. one featuring film world players and a strong accent on women in the biz. More esoteric fare with greater gravi- the other centered on TV talk. Both Rocca says she never really consid- tas will unspool as part of a curated topics will take in post-pandemic ered canceling and “talked to lots of U.S. Variety Critics’ Picks section. Those restart efforts. talents” during the lockdown. films are Taiwanese director Chung On the film side, U.S. producers Bill Among these is Matt Dillon, who Mong-Hong’s “A Sun,” about two sons: Gerber (“A Star Is Born”) and Charles this year is the fest’s honorary presi- one an ace student poised to attend med Roven (“Wonder Woman”) will be dent and, luckily is in Italy, so will be school, the other a raging delinquent; joined by Paolo Del Brocco, chief of Ita-

able to attend. Other guests expected Hong Kong actor-director Derek Tsang’s PUP-ARAZZI ly’s RAI Cinema. to be present for the July 22-26 Sardin- youth drama “Better Days” about bul- Disney’s live-action The TV webinar will mark the first ian shindig include Isabelle Huppert, lying in Chinese high schools; and hor- “Lady and the Tramp” public appearance by former RAI head Naomie Harris, who will be traveling to ror-tinged social drama “Jallikattu” marks a family- of drama Eleonora Andreatta, who friendly opening Sardinia from the U.K., and Rossy De from India’s Lijo Jose Pellissery. These night for Filming recently left the pubcaster to join Net-

DISNEY+ Palma, arriving from Spain. are films that had been making the Italy Sardegna. flix as VP of Italian Original series.

VARIETY 101

GUTTER5 IS THE CREDITPERFECT NUMBER: GIORGIO MARTURANA/01 DISTRIBUTION; DOMINO: SABAN FILMS producers inCOVID-19 safety protocols onset. practices friendly best who haslongbeenachampionofeco- oftheSardinia head Satta, Film Commission, Netflix, AmazonandDisney,” says Nevina streaming giants. ductions, includingseveral from global scouting isunderway for prospective bigpro- shoots for food andtravel shows while TV coast andancientmonumentsisnow hosting islandknowncrisis, theItalian for itsemerald ready for itscloseupagain. Clooney-directed “Catch-22,” series TV is classic “TheSpy WhoLoved Me” toGeorge tional productions spanning from Bond James SARDINIA, SARDINIA COURTS INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS BUTPUTS SAFETY FIRST FOREIGN SHOOTS BLOSSOM She hasbeenbusy training localexecutive “We are doinglotsoflocation scoutingwith Following ahiatusduetothecoronavirus alongtimemagnetfor interna- dinia willbecoming-of-age drama“Pantera,” no comment. tion atPinewood StudiosinLondon. had Satta inJanuary,starting itresumes produc- after expected for extensive shooting inSardinia of“TheLittleMermaid”istion adaptation sure agreements, sources say Disney’s live-ac- kept tightlyunderwrapsduetonon-disclo- set,” says. Satta between andsecurityon eco-sustainability of protocols nottolosetheties andtry improve ofothertypes theimplementation lowest ofcoronavirus rates infection inItaly. tally, duringthepandemic, Sardinia hadthe the filmcommissionhadinplace.Inciden- alongside previous “green set”directives that The next indiefeature settoshootinSar- Though anything comingfrom is Hollywood “COVID to canactuallybeanopportunity its shoot. the Sardeniafor of locationson took advantage thriller “Domino” Brian DePalma’s on theisland(top); Perfect Number” film “5Isthe Igort lensedhis Sardinia native ISLAND LIFE FILMING ITALY SARDEGNA “COVID canbean

fessionals’ confab. theEuropean animation pro-Digital digital mation specialists. and justspawned 2Dani- itsfirstcertified training didnotstopduringthepandemic a localproduction-ready workforce. This They setupspecializedworkshops tocreate Disney, Pixar, DreamWorks andNickelodeon. software usedby studiossuchas Hollywood software maker Toon Boom,which makes forged withCanada-based apartnership to theglobalanimationindustry, having the nameIgort. illustrator-turned-film-director by whogoes directed by native Sardinian IgorTuveri, the and thriller“5 IsthePerfect Number,” which launchedatthe2018Toronto fest; last year; LauraLuchetti’s “Twin Flower,” opened theFilming Sardegna Italy festival De Palma’s politicalthriller“Domino,” which productions shotinSardinia includeBrian directed, starred inandproduced, recent 80% oftheincentive whiletheyshoot. back structure allowing producers touse roughly $22millioncap)thatalsohasacash- rebate ontopofItaly’s credit 30%tax (witha co-production cash fundandhospitality Poland’s Lava Films andItaly’s KinoProduzioni. Land”isbeingco-producedmaterials. “Dry by comfort zone,” according topromotional dent subsequentlytakes them“out oftheir drops infront dead ofthem,thoughthisinci- holiday whoare initiallyunfazed whenaman being postponed. inSardiniaset tostart inSeptemberafter 2014 Directors’ Cannes Fortnight, isalsonow film“Fragments”short was presented inthe director Woszczyńska, Agnieszka whose gle behindMarco Bellocchio’s “TheTraitor.” ofKavacSimone Gattoni,head Film, theshin- bodies,”thers anddead says itsproducer and Juliet-like lovers, butalsoinvolves “pan- follows two Sardinian teenswhoare Romeo Venice Critics’ Week, thesophomore outing debut “Banat”(“IlViaggio”) was inthe2015 ritual. Directed by Adriano Valerio, whose set againstthebackdrop ofatribalcarnival lose tiesbetween eco-sustainability to…notopportunity and securityon-set.” Nevina Satta Next year, Sardinia willalsohostCartoon The emeraldislandisalsolookingtocater Hulu’sBesides “Catch-22,” whichClooney intoSardinia’s picswilltap These local It’s adramaaboutmarriedPolish coupleon Land,”Shooting of“Dry adramaby Polish VARIETY FOCUS 103 NICHOLAS BRITELL COMPOSER, SUCCESSION

VARIETY.COM / ARTISANS

WATCH THE VARIETY ARTISANS VIDEO SERIES FEATURING MASTERS FROM THE WORLD OF TELEVISION

FOLLOW US / VARIETY JESSICA PEREZ/HULU ‘Palm Springs’ DP Was Stuck inDual Time Loop MAX BARBAKOW’S ‘GROUNDHOG DAY’-STYLE STORY CINEMATOGRAPHER QUYENTRAN FACED THECHALLENGEINFRAMING TWICE Day”-like that often time loop leaves them find themselves stuck ina“Groundhog titular California cityandsoon desert whomeetat aweddingand Sarah, inthe andCristinAndy Samberg Milioti asNyles of thisfilm,” apart be shesays. crashes’ and‘dinosaurs’ andknewIhadto “IsawHulu. thewords ‘car chases,’ ‘plane directorial debutthat’s now on streaming “Palm Springs,” MaxBarbakow’s feature thescript for theminutesheread hooked CINEMATOGRAPHER QUYENTRAN The movie, written by AndySiara,stars was was TOP BILLING TOP ARTISANS “Palm Springs.” during filmingon and AndySamberg in onCristinMilioti Quyen Tranfocuses Cinematographer ON THECLOCK ence of Paul ThomasAnderson’s 2002dark citingthevisual influ- the entireproject, human elementinthismovie.” of the theimportance mately understood touchstones,” Barbakow says. “She inti- ourownbut creating outof disparate astyle from theinsideout—notimposing theme andcharacter, designingthemovie strategy sessions. intheir early not action, and Barbakow onrelationships, focused for escapes. Butlooking spectacular Tran Tran used anamorphic lenses to shoot Tran anamorphiclensestoshoot used “We alotof timetalkingabout spent

yJz Tangcay By Jazz in time,” sheexplains. thesamemorningandmomentlocation, thesame we at thesamebed, areback instantly withoutany otherindicator that to oursubjectsothat you would know match thelensfocal distanceto perfectly era leftintheirrespective scenes. “Itried camerarightandSarahcam- Nyles looks acters waking upagain inthesameday, leads. To establish theimage of thechar- fatesers know of thetwo of theintertwined letview-on cameraanglestoimmediately the scriptsuggests.” element,” says theDP, isjust what “which lens characteristics provide amore surreal upsidedown. “The family dynamicturned “Wildﬂower,”the documentary a about anamorphics, on whichshehadjust used tential themes.” Tran shotwithTSeries — “and tobringouttheﬁlm’s darker, exis- ing theshotssomefuzziness at theedges was tofocus inontheprotagonists by giv- ety whoattempts togo onadate. Theidea anxi- which centered onamanwithsocial Love,”romantic comedy “PunchDrunk Tran sweat thesmallstuff. Sherelied VARIETY ARTISANS 105 ARTISANS

“I tried to perfectly match the lens focal distance to our subject so that you would know instantly that we are back at the same location, the same moment in time.”

Quyen Tran, DP

A DARK PLACE The DP leaned on lighting as a way to Dakota Fanning, Daniel Brühl and Luke depict the two characters’ different emo- Evans gather at the detective agency in tional states. Sarah’s room was dimly lit “The Alienist: Angel of Darkness”; below: Sara’s private office at the agency. with a single shaft of illumination to show the viewer the sadness in her soul at the start. “It looks like a very dark place to wake up, both physically and mentally,” Tran explains. In contrast, “Nyles wakes up in a very bright and cheerful place,” oblivious to his situation. Tran says she also chose to show the heat of Palm Springs, setting up outside in glaring daylight. “We were out there shooting with no coverage and in the full sun,” she says. “We didn’t want to beautify it at all,” even if that meant getting hard shadows in the process. The most challenging scene to film was the one at the house where Nyles is staying, when Sarah experiences her first day in the time loop. She confronts a floating Nyles and demands an explanation, then pelts him with beer cans and jumps into the water to continue the attack. Tran had four hours to shoot the scene on location, including the action underwater. And she needed to consider both characters’ per- spectives to tell the story. She built a meticulous shot list that helped underwater operator Robert Settlemire (“Booksmart”) capture the Re-creating Fin de Siècle needed images. She also brought in the heavy artillery, using two additional cameras — a handheld on the ground and New York in Budapest another that could capture the action from above. “That was so crazy,” Tran PRODUCTION DESIGNER STEPS BACK IN TIME says, “but we got the third camera for that sequence, put it on a technocrane FOR LOOK OF TNT’S ‘THE ALIENIST’ By Jazz Tangcay and everything was done to a T.” Lighting was also integral to the work in the cave, in a nearby tent and during RUTH AMMON doesn’t normally come in on investigate the kidnapping of a baby. a scene in which the pair ingest hallu- the second season of shows as a produc- Ammon expanded on the period-appro- cinogens and imagine they’re seeing tion designer, but for “The Alienist: Angel priate sets built by LePere-Schloop (who dinosaurs. Since starting a fire around of Darkness,” set in 1897 New York, she picked up for Ammon in the second sea- the cavern area was prohibited, the DP was willing to make an exception. son of “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan”), using instead chose a fire-like radiance to illu- Ammon picked up where Mara LePere- locations like the Metropolitan Ervin Szabó minate the surroundings. Schloop left off in Season 1, having turned Library for Delmonico’s steakhouse and “We used it in only very specific areas in Budapest into New York’s Gilded building a meat market to visually enhance instances,” Tran says. “The orange Age for the show’s murder mystery, in the show’s macabre and mysterious world. glow of the cave became a symbol of which Sara (Dakota Fanning) reunites Here, she highlights key locations for the

hope and love.” with Dr. Laszlo Kreizler (Daniel Brühl) to TNT series, which premieres July 19. VERMES/TNT KATA (TOP) ALIENIST

106 VARIETY ARTISANS

The Direction of Season 2 “Mara did a beautiful job building that Sara Bareilles Takes backlot, and I felt there was room for me to come in there. The backlot had aged a year, so it had wear and tear and Big Step With ‘Little Voice’ had a nice feel to it. But it required more moving around than building from a THE ‘WAITRESS’ STAR COMPOSES HER LIFE STORY FOR NEW blank slate. We made changes to what existed through layering, building up APPLE TV PLUS SERIES By Chris Willman architecture and changing types of carriages. We created the Bowery from last season and added 100% more to FOR “LITTLE VOICE,” the new Apple TV Some other songs Bareilles had written create the Ganesvoort meat market, Plus series that reunites Sara Bareilles when she was younger but never recorded which is our dark underbelly world. We with showrunner Jessie Nelson, her col- also worked their way into the show. But added in the train station and designed it laborator on Broadway’s “Waitress,” there many were composed for the series. Nel- to the story.” was little doubt that a lot of touchstones of son says she wanted the pilot episode to Bareilles’ life would make their way into the be about a person who knows where she’s Sara Howard’s Detective Agency storylines. It probably counts as an Easter going but doesn’t have the tools or the con- “We made Sara’s office quite dark to egg for the singer-songwriter’s fans when fidence to get there. “I said to Sara, ‘You separate it from the world outside. the lead character, an aspiring young song- know, it’s a lot about that age of “I don’t When I first moved to New York as a writer in New York named Bess, played know, I don’t know.”’ And the next day, young woman, I was on 87th Street, by Brittany O’Grady (“Star,” “Black Christ- an MP3 arrives: ‘I Don’t Know’ — Sara had and this place had that exact glass mas”), casually tries on a man’s hat — an written the episode’s title song.” hallway that allowed light to enter the early hallmark of Bareilles’ image. Bareilles says that in Episode 2, the tune dark building. I felt the diffused glass And if Bess using a storage locker as “Coming Back to You” is from a time in would add to the layer of mystery. her rehearsal space seems far-fetched, her life “where I was trying to get back to We wanted her office to be very that’s pure autobiography. “That’s where the purest connection between me and the smart and well-tailored. She has I used to rehearse, at a storage unit facil- muse — and that’s what that moment is for wealthy clients, so we made the street ity in Marina del Rey — rolling that metal Bess as well. She’s trying to sing for herself have a middle-class feel to it among door and seeing all my keyboards there,” again, in a way.” other office buildings so [clients] could Bareilles says, “although Bess’ storage unit The newer songs fall somewhere feel safe. There’s a space for tea in the is slightly nicer than mine was.” between the writing-for-character of front room. The show features previously unheard “Waitress” and what Bareilles would write We had a separate entrance for Sara to material by Bareilles, who wrote or co-wrote for an album. “We want Bess to be a char- come in and out, and clients couldn’t see the music (with the likes of Justin Tranter, acter who has this special, natural ability Sara’s private area and her desk. It’s some- Hillary Lindsey and Lori McKenna). Nelson to write a beautiful pop song,” Bareilles thing you didn’t see at that time in history says one reason nine episodes was set as says, “and they didn’t have to be exposi- — a woman having her own office.” a target for the inaugural season was to be tional songs to move the plot forward. But able to showcase and carefully integrate just we did want to capture the theme of the Absynthe Bar the right amount of original songs. moment and watch her metabolize her “I love the Absynthe Bar. It’s one of my The showrunner explains the origins of world through song, which is what I natu- favorite sets because my grandfather was the title tune: “Sara actually had written a rally do anyway. It was a really fun exer- a bar owner. I love that it was for Cyrus song called ‘Little Voice’ 20 years ago for cise to get into the psychology of where [Robert Wisdom]. We wanted him to have her first album, which was also called ‘Lit- she might be at that moment.” a nice place. That [one] had elements of tle Voice,’ and they had told her she couldn’t Will there be a soundtrack? “Oh, we’re beautiful things in it, like some of the put it on her album. So there it was, waiting doing all kinds of stuff, honey,” Bareilles fabrics we use — velvets and worn silks. for us, like a love letter from her 23-year- laughs. “We’re doing soundtrack album, We found a quilt that reminded me of an old self to now. It was perfect and kind of concept record, playlists — lots of music African American quilt from Southern set us on what our theme was.” from the world of ‘Little Voice.’” Colonial times. We hung that over by the bar and piano.”

Sing Sing Prison BACK PAGES Brittany O’Grady stars “At that point, Sing Sing was this in “Little Voice.” revolutionary new institution [for holding] prisoners, but it’s still dreadful. I found the perfect location on the outskirts of Budapest, which worked for the exteriors and the suffragette protests. There was a lot of prep work with 3D models, concept sketches and virtual- reality models. I spent time in close collaboration with cinematographer Cathal Watters. He asked if we could cut half the light out of the windows and add an extra window. That change he made in lower- ing the horizon line of the light was so

APPLE TV+ impactful.”

VARIETY 107 INTRODUCING Variety Global Daily Newsletter The business of global entertainment delivered daily

SIGNSIGSISIGGNN UPUP TODAYTOTOODDAYAY Variety.com/NewslettersVariety.com/Newsletters/NeNewwsslleettteers > GlobalGlGloobbala DailyDaDailily REVIEWS TOPREVIEWS BILLING

XXXXXPULLING NO PUNCHES SiEmily perius Strayer tant. andM. Natalie EvignatMaines reiof the patum Chicks perform inin tem Austin ingulique in 2018. eresendeo aperbes ignocciem atiam iam inul te quempli ntemusatu qua erem, nost virium ex sed

MUSIC REVIEW happened in Helsinki?” Otherwise, though, BY CHRIS WILLMAN it’s a different hell Maines has on her mind. The marital theme is established right off the bat with that title track, which eschews Gaslighter any topical connotations in favor of something closer to the 1940 ﬁlm “Gaslight,” in which a woman becomes aware her hus-

ARTIST: The Chicks band is trying to drive her insane. The bus- LABEL: Columbia tling, harmonically layered music for this thematic overture — co-written and co-produced, like the rest of the album, by Jack Antonoff (Taylor Swift, Lorde) — is almost absurdly cheerful. But don’t get too used to IN A LONG-DISTANT era of discord suspi- when she was taking on mere presidents. that — the music soon comes to match the ciously similar to the current day, Natalie She’s got your civil war right here: “Gas- weighty subject matter. Maines, the singer for the group that was, lighter” might count as the boldest and most Moments of jolting, autobiographical until last month, known as the Dixie Chicks, bracing entry ever in popular music’s long detail abound on “Gaslighter.” The title track lit a forest fire with an offhand insult about and storied history of divorce albums. is already famed for the line “Boy, you know George W. Bush in 2003. Since then, she’s When the collection’s title was first exactly what you did on my boat.” In the tell- owned her political words more deliberately announced, some fans mindful of Maines’ ing “Sleep at Night,” Maines ruefully recalls by laying into Donald Trump on social media, political leanings may have been led to think her naiveté: “Remember you brought her to not onstage. But listening to her now, all you it would be a musical op-ed. It fulfills that our show at the Hollywood Bowl / She said, ‘I can think is: Man … the politicians got off just once, in the song “March March,” which love you, I’m such a fan’ / I joked that you can easy. Because on the newly renamed Chicks’ name-checks Emma Gonzáles and her love me as long as you don’t love my man.” first album in 14 years, Maines savages her anti-gun-violence youth brigade, and which It’s like hearing Beyoncé’s line about “Becky ex in ways that make it seem as if she were only glancingly references Trump (and with the good hair” play out at album length. mincing words or pulling punches back Putin) with the pointed line, “What the hell If her ex, Adrian Pasdar, were a singer- STRAYER/MAINES: SUZANNE CORDEIRO/SHUTTERSTOCK SUZANNE STRAYER/MAINES:

VARIETY 109 ARE YOU A

LEADER?

The Ultimate Index of Influence CALL FOR ENTRIES & UPDATES SUBMISSIONS [email protected] by 7/31 INCLUDE Name of individual & why they merit consideration

VARIETY.COM/500 PLEASE ONLY SUBMIT YOURSELF OR AN INDIVIDUAL YOU REPRESENT REVIEWS

songwriter, too, maybe we’d get an interesting response record out of him. Since he’s not, it may be useful to remember that we’re only getting one side of a 20-year story in “Gaslighter.” But it’s some story, with Maines making for such a transfixing firebrand that CON MAN Maciej Musiałowski it might take a second listen to register how toplines Jan Komasa’s devastatingly she conveys deeper levels of “The Hater.” hurt. In other words: Come for the come-up- pance, stay for the vulnerability. Back-to-back tracks deal with the effects of divorce on kids — “Julianna Calm Down,” FILM REVIEW fragile protagonist into a spiral. Something a song of encouragement that gets around BY PETER DEBRUGE similar happens here, only this time, we to naming all of the children of Maines experience things from the point of view and bandmates Emily Strayer and Martie The Hater of the virtual manipulator, Tomasz (Maciej Maguire, followed by “Young Man,” which Musiałowski), who uses social media and an urges Maines’ son to “take the best parts of” ultraviolent role-playing game to carry out her ex; “leave the bad news behind.” The his sinister agenda. DIRECTOR: Jan Komasa record returns to first-person aches with Both movies focus on the frightening CAST: Maciej Musiałowski, Vanessa Aleksander, “Hope It’s Something Good” and “Set Me Agata Kulesza impact virtual communities can have on Free,” which is your standard pop ballad susceptible young people, and many of the urging an ex, in the most anguished terms, details in “The Hater” refer to that earlier to just sign off on the paperwork. On these film. For example, Tomasz’s new employer final numbers, Maines’ famous sideman RETEAMING PROVOCATIVE Polish director (Agata Kulesza) is the mother of the victim in father, Lloyd Maines, slides in with subtle, Jan Komasa with screenwriter Mateusz Pace- “Suicide Room,” who would almost certainly soothing steel guitar, much as a dad might wicz, “The Hater” hits Netflix mere months disapprove of Tomasz using a chat room to try contributing quiet solace in real life. after the duo’s acclaimed drama “Cor- manipulate someone else’s behavior. But as The one truly frisky track, “Texas Man,” pus Christi” was nominated for the Oscars’ the second entry in what’s shaping up to be a is a successor to “Cowboy Take Me Away” in newly renamed international feature award. very twisted franchise, “The Hater” has beats spirit, if not its eccentric sound (with fellow Timing wise, that’s a savvy acquisition of a it’s obliged to hit — namely, that bad things Texan St. Vincent adding guest licks). But youth-targeted thriller that deals with such happen to those who hang out in chat rooms. while the initial singles might have made topics as ethics, elections and online obses- Coming to “The Hater” without that con- it sound like Antonoff was abandoning sion, further boosted by the movie’s win at text, audiences may be inclined to sympa- the simple approach of Rick Rubin on the the Tribeca Film Festival — the event was thize with Tomasz, although the film doesn’t band’s previous release in favor of his knack canceled by the coronavirus, but the jury still make that easy. Looking like Michael Cera’s for ear candy, he does gets to that sweet spot CREDITS: A Kino Świat voted, picking “The Hater” as the best of its demented kid brother, lead actor Musia- (in Poland), Netflix as the album progresses. Even the poppier (in U.S.) release of a international competition. łowski plays Tomasz as a blank-faced socio- dFlights, TVN, Canal Plus, numbers are finger-picking good, and he ColorOffOn produc- Such bona fides may inspire the streams path — in public, at least. At home, he’s far tion. Producers: Jerzy knows when to leave a tender moment alone, Kapuściński, Wojciech for this compelling if frequently unbeliev- more pathetic. Listening to secret record- Kabarowski. Co-produc- or spotlight Maines’ dry, emotive vocals, ers: Domnika Kulczyk, able foreign-language offering, about a com- ings of childhood crush Gabi (Vanessa Alek- Marta Schmude, Anna Strayer’s banjo and Maguire’s fiddle in a Waśniewska-Gill, Anna puter prodigy kicked out of law school who sander) and stalking her Facebook page for Limbach-Uryn, Małgor- reverb-free room. Antonoff knew what he zata Jurczak, Jakub goes to work smearing rivals for a cutthroat status updates, Tomasz looks borderline sui- Szurmiej, Magdalena had on his hands here: an album in which Widuch, Janusz Janicki. digital consulting firm. But Netflix has oddly cidal. Just what might he be capable of? Director: Jan Komasa. each new incendiary lyrical moment seems Writer: Mateusz Pace- omitted one key detail in touting the film: “The Hater” positions Tomasz as a devi- wicz. Camera: Radek to top the last, before grievance gives way to Ładczuk. Editor: Aleksan- “The Hater” is a sequel to Komasa’s 2011 ous mastermind, but his plans strain cred- dra Gowin. Music: Jaca- beautiful grief. Candor, take them away. szek. Reviewed online, button-pusher “Suicide Room.” ibility. In theory, he wants to impress Gabi, Los Angeles, July 7, 2020. Running time: 135 MIN. In that film, a game of truth or dare who comes from a well-to-do, left-wing fam- Cast: Maciej Musiałowski, CREDITS: Producers: Jack Antonoff, the Chicks. Songwriters: Natalie Agata Kulesza, Danuta inspires a popular high school kid to kiss ily. Tomasz is presented as a lower-class Maines, Martie Maguire, Emily Strayer, Jack Antonoff, Julia Michaels, Jus- Stenka, Vanessa Alek- tin Tranter, Annie Clark, Teddy Geiger, Ross Golan, Ian Kirkpatrick, Dan sander, Maciej Stuhr, another guy, an act that’s caught on camera hick, and audiences are meant to marvel at Wilson, Ben Abraham, Sarah Aarons, Ariel Rechtshaid, Charlotte Law- Jacek Koman, Adam Gra- rence, Hayley Gene Penner, Joseph Spargur dowski, Piotr Biedroń and shared online, driving its emotionally his transformation, represented by skeletal

NOTICE OF DISPOSITION OF COLLATERAL BY PUBLIC FORECLOSURE SALE

Name of Debtor: Aviron Releasing, LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company Name of Secured Party Novira Capital, LLC (assignee of Blackrock Multi-Sector Income Trust and Aviron Capital, LLC) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Novira, LLC (the “Secured Party”) will sell (the “Sale”) certain assets (the “Collateral”) belonging to Aviron Releasing, LLC (the “Debtor”) to the highest or otherwise best qualiﬁed bidder at a public auction to be conducted on July 24 , 2020, at 10:00 a.m. (PT) at the offices of Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP, 10100 Santa Monica Boulevard, 13th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90067, either in person or via Zoom teleconference. The Collateral being sold by the Secured Party consists of all of Debtor’s right, title and interest in, to and under the following, whether now owned by or owing to, or hereafter acquired by or arising in favor of Debtor: (i) all rights under License Agreements with respect to the motion pictures (collectively, the Pictures”) currently entitled: “MY ALL AMERICAN’; “KIDNAP”; “THE STRANGERS: PREY AT NIGHT” (A/K/A “THE STRANGERS 2”); “DESTINATION WEDDING”; “A PRIVATE WAR”; “AFTER”; and “INFORMER” (or under whatever title said motion pictures may ultimately released), including, without limitation, all Company Rights (as deﬁned in said licenses) and all of Debtor’s rights and remedies under any and all collection account management agreements relating to the Pictures, and each of them, (ii) all rights under all licenses and agreements (collectively, the “Sublicenses”)entered into by Debtor with third parties for sub distribution of the Pictures, and each of them, (iii) all rights to receive moneys and other property or assets due and to become due under or pursuant to each of the Sublicenses, (iv) all claims for damages arising out of or for breach of or default under each of the Sublicenses, (v) the right of Debtor to perform under each of the Sublicenses and to compel performance and otherwise exercise all rights and remedies thereunder, (vi) all liens granted to Debtor under each of the Sublicenses to secure obligations due to Debtor thereunder and (vii) all accounts and general intangibles relating to or arising in connection with or out of each Sublicense. The Secured Party reserves the right to: (a) adjourn or cancel the Sale without notice; (b) alter the terms of payment; (c) abandon or elect not to dispose of certain Collateral; (d) submit a credit bid for the Collateral; and/or (d) reject all bids for the Collateral. If the Secured Party accepts a bid, the prevailing bidder will receive a secured party bill of sale with no representations or warranties of any kind or nature whatsoever. Additional terms of Sale may be announced at the time of the Sale. The Debtor is entitled to an accounting of the unpaid indebtedness secured by the Collateral that the Secured Party intends to sell, which the Debtor may request by contacting the Secured Party’s counsel, as set forth below. EXCEPT AS THE SECURED PARTY OTHERWISE AGREES, THE COLLATERAL IS BEING OFFERED AS A SINGLE LOT ON AN “AS IS/WHERE IS” BASIS WITH ALL FAULTS, WITHOUT RECOURSE TO THE SECURED PARTY OR ANY OF ITS AGENTS OR REPRESENTATIVES, AND WITH NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, RELATING TO TITLE, POSSESSION, QUIET ENJOYMENT, MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR THE LIKE. JAROSLAW SOSINSKI/NETFLIX JAROSLAW For information regarding the Sale, please contact counsel to the Secured Party: Jeremy V. Richards, Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP, 10100 Santa Monica Boulevard,, 13th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90067, (310) 772-2346, email: [email protected]. 111 VARIETY VARIETY 111 DANIEL D’ADDARIO VARIETY STAFF 2 NOMS OWEN GLEIBERMAN IN-HOUSE OR CORPORATE PUBLICATION CHRIS WILLMAN MAGAZINES ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR ANGELIQUE JACKSON, PETER DEBRUGE 2 NOMS MACKENZIE JOHNSON & OWEN GLEIBERMAN MEREDITH WOERNER OBITUARY/IN APPRECIATION - AUDREY YAP, FILM/TV PERSONALITIES TUCKER MORRISON & GREG GEORGIANNA ENTERTAINMENT PERSONALITY DANIEL D’ADDARIO PROFILE/INTERVIEW TIM GRAY TELEVISION/FILM BROADCAST COMMENTARY/ANALYSIS OF TV/FILM GORDON COX DANIEL D’ADDARIO 2 NOMS ANCHOR/HOST RADIO CRITICISM OF TV NICK VIVARELLI ANDREW BARKER NEWS - GOVERNMENT/POLITICS ONLINE RAMIN SETOODEH CHRIS WILLMAN CRITICISM OF MUSIC BRIAN STEINBERG NEWS - CULTURE ONLINE

CHRIS WILLMAN HEADLINE PRINT MATT DONNELLY ENTERTAINMENT NEWS, FILM ONLINE NOMINATIONS DIANE GARRETT RAMIN SETOODEH & JEM ASWAD & ELIZABETH WAGMEISTER SHIRLEY HALPERIN GENDER/LGBTQ REPORTING PRINT CHRIS WILLMAN ENTERTAINMENT NEWS, LA PRESS CLUB’S 62ND ANNUAL MUSIC/PERFORMERS ONLINE SOCAL JOURNALISM AWARDS BRIAN STEINBERG SPORTS PRINT BRIAN STEINBERG CHRIS WILLMAN ROBERT FESTINO, NEWS FEATURE - RADIO/TV ONLINE JENNIFER DORN & KELIA ANNE CHRIS WILLMAN COVER ART NEWS FEATURE - MUSIC/THEATER ONLINE The Honorees

* FROM LEFT * JIM PARSONS HANNAH GADSBY DON LEMON MJ RODRIGUEZ ASIA KATE DILLON BILLY EICHNER DANIEL D’ADDARIO ELAINE LOW NEWS FEATURE NEWSPAPERS RAMIN SETOODEH NEWS FEATURE - CULTURE ONLINE ZOE HEWITT INVESTIGATIVE MAGAZINES JAMES MCCLAIN k LIFESTYLE FEATURE ONLINE

PLUSS THEE STALLION EGAA − MEGAN HitmakersAEE LEE SWASWAE EILISH − PGRAINGE W E R OF P R I D E

LI LIKE A BOSS − ELLIOTELL SENSATION BILLIE STREAMING ASWAD THE JEM AS BY MICHAEL SCHNEIDER TEEN MUSIC VOICE REIGNS SUPREMEN’S SINGULAR GENERATIO BRIAN STEINBERG ANGELIQUE JACKSON FEATURE - BUSINESS/GOVERNMENT MAGAZINES GENDER/LGBTQ REPORTING ONLINE

RAMIN SETOODEH OWEN GLEIBERMAN FEATURE - CULTURE/ARTS MAGAZINES POLITICAL COMMENTARY, NATIONAL ONLINE

TIM GRAY OWEN GLEIBERMAN FEATURE, UNDER 1,000 WORDS MAGAZINES JENELLE RILEY ENTERTAINMENT COMMENTARY, FILM/TV ONLINE KATE AURTHUR DANIEL HOLLOWAY & MATT DONNELLY SHIRLEY HALPERIN DANIELLE TURCHIANO ENTERTAINMENT NEWS OR FEATURE MAGAZINES CHRIS WILLMAN ENTERTAINMENT COMMENTARY, MUSIC/THEATER ONLINE KUDOS TO OUR DANIEL D’ADDARIO CYNTHIA LITTLETON ESTEEMED NOMINEES JENELLE RILEY VARIETY / VARIETY.COM WEBSITE, TRADITIONAL NEWS PERSONALITY PROFILE, FILM/TV ORGANIZATION ONLINE PERSONALITIES MAGAZINES

SHIRLEY HALPERIN MEG ZUKIN BEST USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA TO ENHANCE PERSONALITY PROFILE, AND/OR COVER A STORY SOCIAL MEDIA POLITICS/BUSINESS/ARTS PERSONALITIES MAGAZINES REVIEWS

eye makeup and an all-black wardrobe. TV REVIEW at the end of a night celebrating the result, After being booted from law school for BY DANIEL D’ADDARIO he is caught on closed-circuit security cam- plagiarism, Tomasz lands a job at a shady eras assaulting his lawyer (Laura Haddock). PR agency, where he’s assigned to investi- The Capture Briefly freed thanks to security footage, gate and potentially sabotage Pawel Rudnicki Emery is now bound up by tape once more, (Maciej Stuhr), the liberal politician run- even as he insists that what our eyes show ning for mayor. It’s a sign of Tomasz’s com- us is not reality. A police detective inspec- mitment — and also how much the movie DRAMA: Peacock (six episodes; all reviewed); tor (Holliday Grainger) investigating the case expects audiences to swallow — that the July 15 eventually lands upon a conspiracy involving STARRING: young man joins Rudnicki’s political team Callum Turner, Holliday Grainger, the creation of “deepfake” videos, digital rep- Ron Perlman, Famke Janssen and, exploiting the rumors that he’s a clos- licas of crimes that never occurred. eted homosexual, proceeds to seduce him. What follows is a show that — like a deep- On a date, Tomasz drugs the candidate fake itself — keeps the appearance of reality and drags him to a gay club, where he’s NBCUNIVERSAL’S STREAMING SERVICE Pea- even as it depicts the seemingly impossi- arranged for an accomplice to record a com- cock is borrowing prestige from across the ble. Written and directed by Ben Chanan, promising video. The scene makes zero Atlantic for its launch, airing the series “The the series has a “Bodyguard”-like ability to sense, but superficially ties things back to Capture” after its debut on the U.K.’s BBC deliver thrilling reversals grounded in truths “Suicide Room.” The goal of the sequel is to One. The series — a crime thriller that’s eas- of characters and their situations. Grainger, raise the stakes, and that Tomasz does by ily comprehensible but that has provoca- a TV veteran (“Bonnie & Clyde,” “Patrick Mel- orchestrating a handful of events in which he tive ramifications — seems right on target rose”), sells the grit of a detective as well as seems determined to assassinate Rudnicki. for a service seeking content that can appeal her abject confusion over the case’s unfamil- Until that moment, Tomasz’s scheme has broadly. With strong performances and an iarity; Turner seems made to lead a series been meticulously laid out, like an expert unabashed willingness to state its points like this one, with enough bluff roguish- chess player thinking several moves ahead. plainly, “The Capture” suggests solid possi- ness to suggest a figure under suspicion but Suddenly, “The Hater” finds him impromp- bilities for Peacock as a space for shows that with an underlying sweetness that keeps us tu-planning a pro-Rudnicki political march are brainier than can thrive on broadcast TV on his side. At times, elements of the story and a White Power protest within blocks of but still retain broadcast’s punch and verve. involving the conspiracy itself can verge on each other — for the very next day! — using “The Capture” starts with one alleged too fanciful, but the momentum prevails. fake accounts to amplify the animosity crime, veers into another, then announces What isn’t fanciful is the urgency of the between the two camps. Tomasz expects a the presence of a third overlaying the whole show’s warning. Even if the way it is brought confrontation that never comes, and though thing. Shaun Emery (Callum Turner), a vet- about is a bit choked with conspiracy tropes, Komasa probably should have skipped that eran of the war in Afghanistan as a lance cor- deepfake videos are a reality, and not hard to set-piece, the bloody finale takes things fur- ALTERED poral in the British armed forces, is acquitted imagine being brought into the lives of citi- REALITY ther than anyone might have imagined. of murdering a prisoner of war. His getting zens in a society defined by surveillance. If Holliday In the end, “The Hater” represents a Pol- Grainger stars off on a technicality — a flaw in the video evi- one character’s lectures about the power of ish spin on those glib Hollywood thrillers — in “The Capture.” dence — comes to seem bitterly ironic as, deepfake land heavily, then perhaps “The like “Primal Fear” or “The Usual Suspects,” Capture” is doing what a mass-appeal show minus the twist — in which a brilliant under- about a social crisis should do, in educating dog outsmarts everyone around him. Such bluntly and with individuals who compel in movies hinge on audiences underestimat- part through their obviousness. “The public ing their protagonists. The formula shouldn’t are content in their ignorance and a lot bet- work in this case (Musiałowski is too clearly ter off that way,” the character says. No lon- conniving), except that Pacewicz’s deeply ger: That anyone watching “The Capture” cynical, keep-’em-guessing script does such will likely find spurious those convictions an effective job of integrating concerns about obtained via video is the victory of this ele- how readily people are manipulated today. gant little series. Unlike “Corpus Christi,” which was loosely based on factual events, “The Hater” parts CREDITS: Executive producers: Ben Chanan, David Heyman, Rosie Ali- ways with plausibility early on — and yet, it’s son, Tom Winchester, Tom Coan, Ben Irving. 60 MIN. Cast: Callum Turner, Holliday Grainger, Ron Perlman, Famke Janssen, Ben Miles, Laura Had- relevant enough to prey on our anxieties. dock, Lia Williams, Sophia Brown, Paul Ritter NICK WALLBBC/HEYDAY FILMS NICK WALLBBC/HEYDAY City of West Hollywood California 1984

VARIETY 113 FACETIME

How does having source material Alden Ehrenreich affect your interest in a project and what you want to do with a character? You have a sense of the world from the ‘That Vision Resonates start, and you know that there’s a level of philosophical depth and emotional depth to it from the book. But I think Every Time I Click “Yes”’ once you ingest the source material and it’s in you, the best way to serve it is just to give yourself to it and make it as By Danielle Turchiano personal to you as you possibly can and trust that it will be more alive as a result.

ALDEN EHRENREICH IS no stranger to stepping into the worlds of iconic How does your John the Savage com- intellectual property: In 2013 he starred in the big-screen adaptation of pare to the book’s? In the book, John Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl’s “Beautiful Creatures,” and in 2018 he has, from Shakespeare, this romantic joined the “Star Wars” universe as Han Solo in “Solo: A Star Wars Story.” and large sense of what life should Now comes his ﬁrst television series regular role as John the Savage in be and that it’s very much about love and feelings and emotional things David Wiener’s take on Aldous Huxley’s early 1930s novel “Brave New and depth. And that looks different in World,” which premieres July 15 on Peacock. the series, but it’s still the same plight and the same cause. For me that was really exciting, not entirely unlike

UTOPIA LOST “Solo,” where you’re the character in the midst of this enormous and incredibly Alden Ehrenreich stars as John the Savage in dominant and overbearing system and the Peacock adaptation you have a feeling or a belief that you’re of Aldous Huxley’s fighting to get across. “Brave New World.”

What informed the way you wanted John to move through the world? It’s all about the people around him — the way in which the relationships he’s in are completely different. He goes from being totally the bullied runt of this town and a low man on the totem pole and everyone around him has a kind of power over him, and then he gets to the new world and everybody’s fascinated by him. That happens in the middle of the season, and that got really fun, where he realizes, “I can start doing things I’ve always dreamt of doing.”

The show expands on some of the novel’s themes and fears about society, given where the world is today. What piece of it do you find to be the most cautionary tale? [David] told me this story about George Orwell, who was a student of Aldous Huxley, and Huxley wrote him a letter after [Orwell] wrote “1984” saying basically, “Great job with the book — it’s a great book — but my concern for the future is not that there’s going to be an overtly totalitarian Big Brother that takes us and controls us. I’m concerned that we’re going to be so lazy and unaware, and our servitude is going to be made so comfortable and convenient for us, that we are going to happily and willingly recline into their hands.” And that resonates way more to me every time I click “yes” to some [online] permission I’m being asked to THINGS YOU AGE: 30 BIRTHPLACE: Los Angeles HOW HE UNWINDS ON SET: “I always read.” click to — that I don’t read at all because DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT LAST BOOK HE READ: “The Stories of Bernard Malamud” CAUSE HE CARES MOST ABOUT: United Way I don’t have the time or patience to read ALDEN EHRENREICH LAST SHOW HE BINGE-WATCHED: “Hillary” HIDDEN TALENT: “I’m a great whistler.” through the thing. That’s a vision of the

world to me that feels very dangerous. PEACOCK

114 VARIETY ida documentary awards 36

2020 call for entries ends The world’s most July 28 prestigious event dedicated to the documentary genre, celebrating the best nonﬁction ﬁlms and programs of the year.

documentary.org/awards

Untitled-8 1 7/9/20 12:38 AM Congratulations to VARIETY’S 2020 LEGAL IMPACT REPORT HONOREES From your friends at City National Bank, proudly supporting the entertainment industry for more than 65 years.

Visit cnb.com

Untitled-1 1 7/9/20 11:22 PM