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P.1 8

SHOES: TOM FORD; JEANS: JOE’S JEANS; GLASSES: MAYBACH JEANS; GLASSES: JEANS: JOE’S FORD; SHOES: TOM Showman of the Year Media mogul Tyler Perry isn’t afraid to take on new challenges — and now he’s ready to get political. By ANGELIQUE JACKSON

P.3 8 Healing Through Music Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy finds solace from the pandemic with a new solo album and a second book. By DANIEL HOLLOWAY

P.4 3 Contenders Preview Variety’s awards season experts offer their best predictions about what the race to the Oscars may look like. (COVER & THIS PAGE) PHOTOGRAPHS BY AB+DM; STYLING: CRYSTAL HAYSLETT; MAKEUP: SYRETTA BELL; HAIR: BYRON JOHNSON; JACKET, SHIRT, JOHNSON; JACKET, BYRON BELL; HAIR: SYRETTA MAKEUP: HAYSLETT; CRYSTAL AB+DM; STYLING: BY PHOTOGRAPHS & THIS PAGE) (COVER

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P.4 9

Variety Billion Dollar Animator Glen Keane TOP BILLING looks back on his storied career and ahead at his feature directing debut. 7 BATTLE LINES DRAWN Sony, Microsoft have different strategies as they unveil new game consoles

10 ONE TOUGH JOB Abou “Bu” Thiam shares how he goes about managing Kanye West

11 THAT’S THE TICKET As the pandemic hampers Fandango’s core business, the firm turns to streaming

12 AWARDS CIRCUIT Clayton Davis makes the case that women directors could score big this year

Variety, VOL. 349, NO. 16 (USPS 146- 820, ISSN 0011-5509) is published weekly, except the first week of EXPOSURE September and the last week of December, with 21 special issues: Jan (6), Feb (1), June (4), July (5), and Aug (5) by Variety Media LLC, 11175 Santa Monica Blvd., Los 13 PARTIES Angeles, CA 90025, a division of Penske Business Media. Periodicals Resy Drive Thru; “Clouds” postage paid at Los Angeles, CA and at other mailing offices. Postmaster premiere; Best in Drag send address changes to: Variety, P.O. Box 15759, North Hollywood, CA 91615-5759. Canada Post 15 DEVOUR International Publications Mail Product (Canadian Distribution) Watch Spike Lee’s film of Publications Mail Agreement No. David Byrne’s “American 40043404. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: RCS Utopia,” streaming on HBO International Box 697 STN A, Windsor, Ontario N9A 6N4. Sales agreement No. 0607525. Variety 17 DIRT ©2020 by Variety Media, LLC. Variety and the Flying V logo are Mark Duplass and Katie trademarks of Penske Business Aselton put Silver Lake Media. Printed in the U.S.A. home on the market P.1 6

ARTISANS “S.W.A.T.” actor Alex Russell buys home in Studio City 63 UPDATED CLASSIC Costume designer Julian Day gave the new “Rebecca” a modern twist

64 HIGH-LEVEL ENTRY “On the Rocks” editor, costume designer enabled Bill Murray’s big entrance

65 SCARE TACTICS Casting director Terri Taylor shares her secret for building Blumhouse casts

REVIEWS

“I remember saying, ‘This is about 67 MUSIC something very important. It’s about “Letter to You” P.6 7 a kid who, in the face of adversity, 68 FILM decided to live ... and create music “Rebecca” as a way to say goodbye to the “Letter to You” people he loved.’” 69 TV review Neve Campbell on why she wanted to be a part “The Undoing” of “Clouds,” the new film in which she stars P.70 KEANE: NETFLIX; RUSSELL’S HOUSE: JONATHAN PARIS/VISUAL OPEN HOUSE; CAMPBELL: LAURENT GUERIN/DISNEY; LETTER TO YOU: APPLE TV+ YOU: LETTER TO GUERIN/DISNEY; LAURENT OPEN HOUSE; CAMPBELL: PARIS/VISUAL HOUSE: JONATHAN RUSSELL’S KEANE: NETFLIX;

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#SALUTETOSERVICE SPIDER-MAN: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT; HALO: XBOX GAME STUDIOS Video Game Market Levels Up MICROSOFT STRATEGIES ARE AWIN-WIN WITH MOREPLAYERS SPENDINGMORETIMEAT DUELINGSONYAND HOME, When itcomes analysts to sales, industry But that’s wherethesimilaritiesend: about impressive andnotable newfeatures. specs days later by thePlayStation 5.Bothhave different games.very giants, Sony andMicrosoft areplaying of console wars between thehardware for companies. both But inthelatest round tion products, thestakes aresky-high tounveilXbox prepare theirnext-genera- AS SONY’S PLAYSTATION Xbox SeriesX isoutNov. 10,followed two and Microsoft’s TOP BILLING TOP next year. available sometime Xbox SeriesX,willbe to launchwiththe which wassupposed 12. “HaloInfinite,” PlayStation 5onNov. along withthe Morales” willdebut “Spider-Man: Miles PLAY DATES

yAe Stedman By Alex 2020, according tomarket firm research gamingmarket$159.3 billionglobal in toaccountpected for $45.2billionof the nity isimmense. Console gamesareex - of exclusive opportu- Theglobal content. Pass. Sony istoutingitsmarqueelineup Xboxgrowth Game of subscriptionservice consumers. taking tocourting that Microsoftapproaches andSony are the exclusive anddifferent games, services say thenext generation by defined willbe Microsoft is banking heavilyMicrosoft onthe isbanking head of DFChead Intelligence, firm aresearch Station 5has theedge, says David Cole, revenuerecord-breaking outcomes.” into,which hastranslated insome cases, inconsole gamingin2Q20, sharp increase “clear that theCOVID-19 drove pandemic a IDC, that it’s inarecent noted report gaming andVR/AR for marketing firm themarkethas primed for agrowth spurt. Newzoo. What’s more, crisis thehealth In termsof console salesalone, Play- Lewis Ward, directorof research VARIETY TOP BILLING 7 (0.8b players) Console $45.2b Consoles’ BigBang 8 name.” henotes, But, Microsoft their first-party franchisesandtheirbrand advantagepretty clear onthat frontwith the gamesoutthere,” hesays. “Sony hasa cause moreconfusion for consumers. versionpowerful willonly of theSeriesX, er-priced Series S,acomparable butless $400.But Coletion willrun thinksthelow- come inat $300,whilethePS5DigitalEdi- costboth $500,buttheXbox SeriesSwill drives. ThePlayStation 5andSeriesXwill optionsthat don’tcheaper include disc ing two versions of theirconsoles, with BothSony andMicrosoftareoffer-pricing. months andyears. have confirmed for been thecoming Fantasy XVI”to“God of War: Ragnarok,” titles,of highlyanticipated from“Final and aremake of “Demon’s Souls.” Dozens debut with“Spider-Man: MilesMorales” lineup ofexclusive games. At itwill launch, years, inpast been itsblockbuster will be after itwas introduced. evenof theholiday threeyears season, thebest-sellingble Switchwillbe console Nintendo’s predict experts industry dura- even asSony andMicrosoft go intobattle, according Yet firmVGChartz. toresearch million since theirrespective releases, lion unitsandtheXbox Onehassold48.4 soles. PlayStation 4hasmoved 113.7mil- in linewiththepreviousgeneration ofcon- whichwouldthe Xbox be SeriesX2-to-1, thePlayStationHe predicts 5willoutsell ontrackingdigitalentertainment. focused Though mobile, more NOTE: GAMERSFREQUENTLYPLAYONMORETHANONEPLATFORM.SOURCE: NEWZOO TOP BILLING “It’s whocanget about be going toreally competitive tobe Microsoft in hastried Sony’s asithas majorsellingpoint, (1.3b players) $36.9b PC than less the half VREY VARIETY console than $159.3b the a Total third annual market the sales. delivers delivers size (2.6b players) $77.2b Mobile of of how you play, it,” we support shesays. gamingoptions. “Nocloud-based matter menuofnotes Microsoft alsohasabroad experience.” At thesametime, Hamren our players theliving-room careabout Weing. ourconsoles careabout because we’ve builtfor thisnext generation ofgam- andthat’sXbox, informed theecosystem is at that thecenter we of everything doat player “The ing andhardware at Microsoft. of platform head Liz Hamren, engineer- theplayer,”this neweraisallabout says debuting day-and-date Pass. onGame or controlled by theconsole maker) are As of 2018,first-party titles(thoseowned soles, PCsandAndroiddevices viaxCloud. of gamesfor of hundreds Xbox con- library on thetierandoffers avast subscribers which costs $10-$15amonthdepending Pass, bulkingupGame Microsoft hasbeen scription service. heavily onitsXbox Passbanks Game sub- longera different, gamenow —onethat andisplayingthe short-term console war” has “almost can’t conceded that [it] win Tim Gettys, 5 andXbox Game Pass.” get aNintendoSwitch, aPlayStation there isavery, very goodreason to I thinkthat for thefirsttimeever, Sony have does asimilaroffering with “Gaming isnolonger device-centric; Since theservice’s launchin2017, The than Global Games Market Forecast 100 150 200 50 Kinda FunnyGames 0 sector $40 2018 $138.5b billion is expected 2019 $145.7b by 2023. to 2020

$159.3b add E more more 2023 $200.8b E there arenolosers.” that isthriving —second inanindustry ever been,”they’ve Gettys says. “Beingin grow tomeetthedemand. sumer optionsareonlycontinuing to thanever,more mainstream andthecon- however, themessage is Gaming isclear: more of themass market that is,” hesays. audience that’s price-sensitive to notvery togo fromthecore ing intermsof trying thenthingsget moreinterest-demand, and May of 2021,we get past theinitialrush toshowstart monthsdown theline. results, Thereal Piscatellament. says, will and live experiences tohomeentertain- incomedisposable shiftsfromvacations to selloutquickly, asconsumers’ especially Series XandthePlayStation 5are expected to physically BoththeXbox them. produce consoles, it’s alsoputstrains ontheability demandfor videogamesandincreased get theirhandson. whichonethey about can be want —it’ll aboutwhichconsolenot be consumers hesays, may rollsaround, season thestory But4 own whenthe2020holiday both. whoownpeople anXbox OneorPlayStation shows thatwhose research oneoutofthree market company research NPDGroup, Piscatella, executive directorof gamesat ing amorecommon occurrence, says Mat that’s wherethey seetheirfuture.” maintain thesubscriptionforever, because they want tocontinue togive you to reason want you inthat subscription service, and They want you Pass. for paying Game They Xbox SeriesXoryour eventually. xCloud, whetherit’sing, onyour Xbox One, your Pass, andthey don’t carewhereyou’re play- X,” tosellGame hesays. aretrying “They Pass —notice Ididn’t say anXbox Series aPlayStationSwitch, 5andXbox Game is avery, toget aNintendo reason good very Series Xornot. —whetherfansarebuyinganXbox labor” oftheir fruits seeing“the scription service system that willhave Microsoft anditssub- leadership, henotes, hasbuiltupaneco- But underPhilSpencer’s Xbox, top-notch. Station’s exclusive gamesaregoing tobe Games, says Sony hasproven that Play- network KindaFunnychannel andpodcast to comment for this story. Pass’ day-and-date releases. Sony declined play, skews olderthanGame anditslibrary ing service, whichdoesn’t allow for ofﬂine consoles andPCs, PSNow isastream- directly downloading thegamestotheir unlike Pass, Xbox Game whichhasusers PlayStation andPC.700 gamesonboth But that grantsaccessservice tomorethan PS Now, a$10-per-month subscription “Video games are in the best place“Video gamesareinthebest No matter whocomes outontop, “Once we get into, say, April, March, has As thecoronavirus pandemic ownership isbecom- Multiple-console “I thinkthat for theﬁrst timeever, there Tim Gettys, co-founder of YouTube

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Untitled-15 1 9/28/20 11:00 AM TOP BILLING

president of A&R at Def Jam — the youngest person ever to hold that position — and Managing the from there he was introduced to West, when the label’s then-CEO, Antonio “L.A.” Reid, brought him along to West’s Hawaii stu- Unmanageable dio as he was recording “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.” “I met him, and we just kinda clicked,” Thiam says. “And then when I was supposed Kanye West to leave, Ye told L.A., ‘Yo, can he stay here with me?’ L.A. was surprised — he was like, ABOU ‘BU’ THIAM SAYS OF HIS LONGTIME FRIEND AND CLIENT: ‘What the fuck?’ I was like, ‘I don’t know either, man.’” ‘I HAVE TO ALLOW HIM TO BE WHO HE IS’ By Andrew Barker The two developed a friendship, and West asked him to A&R his 2011 Jay-Z collaboration, “Watch the Throne.” Thiam began to set his sights on artist management, but it took some time before he agreed to hook up with West. “I never wanted to manage Ye,” he says, “because when you’re close with someone “I NO LONGER HAVE a manager. I cannot be and you work in a business setting, it could managed.” Those were the words of Kanye either go two ways: really good or really West on Twitter roughly two and a half bad. But he just persisted, and the trust years ago, already deep into his continuing between us was what sparked the idea.” run as one of pop music’s most contentious As someone with experience working and unpredictable figures. Ever since then, with both artists and labels, Thiam found Abou “Bu” Thiam has been trying to prove himself in the midst of a miniature firestorm his star client wrong. late this summer, when West made head- As West’s manager, Thiam is in charge lines with a series of incendiary tweets of juggling all of the variegated aspects demanding to be released from his label of what he calls “Yeezy City,” a business deal and to regain ownership of his masters. metropolis populated by 150 employees, “I never took the stance of ‘Fuck the which on any given day might entail work- labels,’” Thiam says. “I’m all for fair part- ing on West’s Adidas sneaker line, his nerships. But at a certain point they have to music, his nascent fashion partnership change from the way things were done 60 with the Gap, his ventures into urban plan- or 70 years ago. … They have to remodel the ning or whatever else happens to pique system, and until that time, there are gonna the man’s interest. (Just about the only ele- be more Kanye Wests who stand up.” ment of West’s portfolio that Thiam has Of course, there’s one inescapable no part in is his controversial presiden- question anyone would have about man- tial candidacy: “I’ve never ran a [political] aging West: What becomes of a manag- campaign in my life,” he says. “I wouldn’t er’s role when his superstar client is, in his want to do things I’m not fully educated on own words, unmanageable? At times West in that way.”) has almost seemed to go out of his way to It isn’t a gig for the faint of heart. alienate longtime fans, and his penchant “I always say Ye is the hardest-working for provocative political outbursts makes man on Earth,” Thiam says. “He gets up at implementing any traditional PR strategy 5 in the morning, and he’s there texting or impossible. Here, Thiam takes the long view. calling you about how things are moving, “When Ye talks to the world, he’s also so it challenges you. And it also sharpens talking to himself,” he says. “That’s how his you up, because you have to try to be on the process works; he’s also having conversa- same page as him.” tions with himself. He doesn’t know how to Thiam already had time to sharpen his hold things back or play the political chess skills before West entered his narrative. game. Everything he feels is what he says. Raised mostly in New Jersey, Thiam nursed And I can appreciate that. dreams of making music, but quickly found “Obviously there are times when I tell a more fitting role as a sounding board of him, ‘Listen, we should maybe say it like sorts for his brother, who was starting to this …’ but for the most part I have to allow craft his own songs under the mononym him to be who he is. If not, what’s the point? Akon. When Akon was negotiating his first Kanye West has said things in the past that label deal, he insisted his younger brother later turned out to be true. Multiple times. come on board as his A&R. “I didn’t even So what if you had told him, ‘No, don’t say

know what that term meant at the time,” YE’S RIGHT HAND that. Don’t be an artist; just be a producer. Thiam remembers. Abou “Bu” Thiam is Don’t do fashion. Don’t do shoes.’ We would As Akon became a multiplatinum R&B involved in practically never have so many of the great things that star, Thiam began branching out, playing a every aspect of Kanye he’s provided us. So I have to allow him West’s portfolio — role in the early careers of Lady Gaga, Jer- except his presidential to be who he is, but also protect him from

emih and T-Pain. At 28, he was hired as vice campaign. himself and others.” BOKO CÉCILE

10 VARIETY TOP BILLING

Apple and Amazon Video, according to market researcher NPD. Fandango Does Vudu brings Fandango a large and loyal audience (Yanover won’t say exactly how big it is), as well as a deep bench of more the Pandemic Pivot than 150 engineers and other employees who remain based in Sunnyvale, Calif. The service adds a larger catalog lineup, HAMMERED BY THEATER CLOSURES, THE NBCU UNIT HASN’T its free-to-watch ad-supported streaming GONE INTO HIBERNATION: IT’S LEANING INTO STREAMING business and support for hardware devices

By Todd Spangler like Sony’s PlayStation. “We’ve had Fan- dangoNow for a number of years, but it hasn’t been at the same scale we are able to accomplish with Vudu part of this network,” Yanover says. PAUL YANOVER has not visited Fandango’s “other” category — which largely comprises Fandango eventually expects to merge Beverly Hills headquarters since March. Fandango — plummeted 40.8%, from $503 Vudu and FandangoNow into a unified While holed up at his home office the past million in 2019 to $298 million this year. offering. “We feel really strongly about seven months, he’s seen the company’s core Asked whether Fandango’s movie-tick- the Vudu brand having a lot of consumer business — selling movie tickets— crash to eting sales have dropped to a negligible value,” he says. virtually nil. amount, Yanover says, “You’re in the right Fandango’s streaming strategy has never It’s “certainly not the most fun spot to neighborhood.” been more critical as it tries to survive the be in, in the back of 2020,” acknowledges A silver lining for Fandango is that rev- “multiplex massacre,” says Jeff Bock, box Yanover, the longtime president of NBC- enues from Vudu and the FandangoNow office analyst with Exhibitor Relations. At Universal’s Fandango. The group cut back transactional VOD platform are up more this point, “‘FandangoNow’ stands for ‘now as part of NBCU’s companywide layoffs in than 30% year over year in 2020, according more than ever,” he says. “I’m sure they August with a “small amount of cost-cut- to Yanover. That has included the compa- never suspected it would be their primary ting,” Yanover says. ny’s best-selling sales of premium titles like moneymaker.” But the executive remains optimistic “Bill & Ted Face the Music” and Universal In a signal of how NBCU sees Fandan- that once theaters reopen in a bigger way Pictures’ “Trolls World Tour.” The compa- go’s future, CEO Jeff Shell in August moved in 2021, Fandango’s movie-ticketing busi- ny’s Rotten Tomatoes reviews site has also Fandango out of the filmed entertainment ness will rebound, benefiting from pent-up pivoted due to the dry spell of theatrical group into the newly created direct-to- demand. In the meantime, Fandango has releases, expanding its content coverage to consumer and international group under shifted its focus to building up its home-en- streaming and at-home releases. Matt Strauss, who also oversees Peacock. tertainment streaming strategy. The big After COVID hit, “we just powered “It’s great to be part of an organization development here: its mid-pandemic clos- forward on our strategy to have a broad- that talks how we talk,” Yanover says of ing of the deal to acquire Vudu, the digital based, diversified platform around the the change. movie and TV service, from Walmart in July. discovery and fandom of entertainment,” During the pandemic, Yanover has tried “We literally couldn’t get the deal teams in Yanover says. to raise morale by holding regular all- the same room together,” notes Yanover. Fandango has been readying for the con- hands virtual meetings. Fandango also NBCU doesn’t break out financials for sumer shift to streaming since 2016, when offers online yoga and meditation classes Fandango (in which WarnerMedia retains it bought M-Go, the transactional movie and three times weekly. The exec has tried to about a 25% stake). But parent com- TV digital storefront, from DreamWorks keep his team focused on the big picture pany Comcast’s financial filings provide Animation and Technicolor (and rebranded rather than despairing over the studios’ a glimpse into the carnage. For the six it FandangoNow). Combined, Vudu and constantly shifting movie-release slate. months ended June 30, revenue in the FandangoNow represent the third-largest As he recently told a colleague: “You have NBCU filmed entertainment segment’s transactional VOD service in the U.S., after to go to keep your eye on the horizon line. Do not look down at the water — because you’re going to get seasick.” Regardless of how consumers opt to get their Hollywood fix, Yanover argues, Fan- dango is well positioned to deliver. But he’s betting people will flock back to cinemas in droves soon enough, once the “unnatural” absence of theatrical runs reverses course. “I am confident that there is a massive appetite for first-run content. We may see an explosion [of moviegoers],” Yanover says, adding: “I can’t wait to get out of my house.”

“We just powered forward on our strategy to have a broad-based, diversified platform around the discovery and fandom of entertainment.”

Paul Yanover, Fandango president

VARIETY 11 TOP BILLING

AWARDS CIRCUIT Clayton Davis Women Directors Could Make History at the Oscars

WITH SO MANY WORTHY CONTENDERS, THIS MIGHT BE THE YEAR A WOMAN OF COLOR IS FINALLY NOMINATED IN THE CATEGORY

A DIRECTOR’S CHAIR folds from side to side, Liesl Tommy is transitioning from the The COVID-19 pandemic presented vari- holding the full weight of the user. Not just stage to the screen with the Aretha Frank- ous challenges for filmmakers who debuted their body, but the dreams of a career in lin biopic “Respect,” starring Jennifer their movies at the Sundance Film Festival cinema that is about to be realized before Hudson in the lead role. but still needed to finish tasks like coloring or the world. What’s even more profound: Radha Blank is impeccably savvy and sound mixing, or just needed to finish their how many of those chairs are occupied by brilliant in Netflix’s “The 40-Year-Old films, period. Chloé Zhao, who produced, women of color this year, many in their Version,” which she wrote, directed and adapted and directed “Nomadland,” also had feature debuts. stars in — and could be a dark-horse con- to edit and complete the film during lock- Regina King has been at the forefront of tender for original screenplay. More proj- down. The Searchlight Pictures release has the discussion with her first feature, “One ects could be coming Blank’s way. received outstanding reviews at the fall festi- Night in Miami,” from Amazon Studios. Channing Godfrey Peoples helmed the vals, including the Toronto International Film She’s looking to become the seventh Black marvelous “Miss Juneteenth,” which stars Festival, where it won the People’s Choice director nominated for an Oscar, following Nicole Beharie and delivers the story of Award. Zhao could be the first Asian woman in the footsteps of the late John Singleton the Black American dream with attentive- to receive a director nomination if things con- (“Boyz n the Hood”), Barry Jenkins (“Moon- ness and appreciation. With George Floyd OPEN FIELD tinue to go her way. light”) and Spike Lee (“BlacKkKlansman”), and Black Lives Matter still on the minds of Clockwise from right: Zhao isn’t the only Asian filmmaker in the who is also in the conversation for “Da 5 Americans, Oscar voters could respond — “Respect,” directed awards conversation. Lee Isaac Chung’s beau- by Liesl Tommy Bloods.” After winning her fourth Emmy, for if enough of them get to the film on the (right) and starring tifully intimate “Minari” from A24 is a touch- HBO’s “Watchmen” — making her the sec- Academy streaming platform. Jennifer Hudson; ing tribute to his family and could hit a sweet ond-most-awarded Black woman in Emmy On the outside looking in at the “One Night in Miami,” spot with audiences and voters. The film also helmed by Regina history — King is one of the top contenders moment are Gina Prince-Bythewood, who King and featuring presents an opportunity for star Steven Yeun in the director race and the front-runner for elevates the action genre with “The Old Kingsley Ben-Adir; to be nominated, making him just the third the DGA Award for first-time feature. Guard” and Stella Meghit, who infuses and “The Forty- actor of Asian descent to be tapped in the Year-Old Version,” No Black woman has ever been nomi- Universal Pictures’ “The Photograph” with written, directed lead category, following Oscar winners Yul STUDIOS TI PERRET/AMAZON nated in the director category at the Oscars. sensitivity and romance. And “Farewell and starring Radha Brynner (“The King and I”) and Ben Kingsley This year that could change. Just look at Amor,” from Ekwa Msangi, has been mak- Blank, are strong (“Gandhi,” though he was also nominated contenders for Oscar the encouraging number of films that are ing the regional festival rounds following nominations for best for “House of Sand and Fog”). set to qualify. Sundance and could gain momentum. director. With so many strong contenders this year, it’s a real possibility that the Oscars’ director category could include at least two female nominees — a first in the 93-year history of the Academy Awards. A record number of Black filmmakers might even make the lineup, including George C. Wolfe for “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and Shaka King for “Judas and the Black Messiah.” The DGA’s first-time feature category is a litmus test for debut filmmakers perhaps breaking into the best picture and director races. The guild introduced the award in 2015 and has previously recognized Alex Garland (“Ex Machina”), Garth Davis (“Lion”), Jordan Peele (“Get Out”), Bo Burn- ham (“Eighth Grade”) and most recently Alma Har’el (“Honey Boy”), the first woman to win the prize. Peele is the only one to have crossed over to the Academy’s director race; though he lost, he walked away with an original screenplay statuette, in addition to being nominated as a producer. What happens in this DGA category could serve as a telling

sign for one of the year’s female auteurs. ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI: PAT PICTURES; COLBERT/METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER D. QUANTRELL RESPECT: PARK/NETFLIX; JEONG VERSION: FORTY-YEAR-OLD

12 VARIETY EXPOSURE | Edited by Marc Malkin

Jesse Tyler Ferguson

Nancy Silverton (Chi Spacca) andd Jen Yee (Konbi)

Oct. 15 Resy Drive Thru Roller-skatingRoller-skating ententertainmentertainment

Hollywood Palladium Tyra Banks and Jesse Tyler Ferguson were among the 1,200 guests who enjoyed the drive-thru 10-course tasting menu, featuring some of Los Angeles’ best chefs, including Nancy Silverton (Chi Spacca) and Jon Shook and Vinny Sara Kramer and Sarah Dotolo (Jon & Vinny’s). The 45-minute Hymanson (Kismet) experience, presented by American Express Gold, began with spicy deviled eggs with rice cracklings from chef Keith Corbin of Alta Adams and ended with a ricotta cake doughnut with coriander brittle, lemon curd and strawberries from Gwen’s Curtis Stone. The evening was COVID-safe: Attendees were given temperature checks before being allowed to drive through and also handed a bottle of hand sanitizer and a face mask from L.A.-based Hedley & Bennett.

ChadChad ValValenciaencia ((Lasa)Lasa) TyraTyra Banks

Curtis Stone (Gwen)

Keith Corbin and Daniel Patterson (Alta Adams)

“Top Chef” star Nyesha Arrington Photographs by Michael Buckner 14 ● VARIETY 10.21.2020

Sabrina Carpenter and Justin Baldoni

Oct. 12 ‘Clouds’ MadisonMadison Premiere Isemanseman

Barker Hangar, Santa Monica Director Justin Baldoni’s ﬁlm is based on the memoir of Laura Sobiech, whose son, Zach Sobiech, had a viral YouTube hit in late 2012 with his original song “Clouds” while he was battling osteosarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer. He died in May 2013. The movie, starring Fin Argus as Zach Fin Argus and Neve Campbell as Laura, went straight to streaming on Disney Plus after the studio bought it from War- ner Bros. “When Disney said that they wanted it, and it became their ﬁrst- ever acquisition [for the streaming service], I framed the email from Bob Neve Campbell Iger,” Baldoni told Variety, adding, “I believe that Zach has been guiding this process from the beginning. This movie was always supposed to be on Disney Plus. I just can’t imagine it ever going another way.” Jena Frumes and Jason Derulo

Oct. 18 Menorah Secaucus and Etta Pig Best in Drag TaraTara NewholeNewhole

Rose Bowl, Pasadena The 18th annual amateur drag queen pageant, featuring six queens competing for the crown, raised $325,000 for housing group Aid for AIDS. Celebrity judge Jamie Lee Curtis donated $5,000. Fellow judge Kathy Kinney gave $10,000. The show was recorded the day before at the Orpheum Theatre, so editors had just 16 hours to put it together in time to Johnny Wujek screen at the Rose Bowl. This year’s winner, who was announced in real time at the end of the night, was the swine-inspired Miss Iowa, Etta Pig.

Kay Sediadia and Hollylly Hobby

Alaska Thunderfuck, George Lopez and Willam and Lana Parrilla Alessandra Torresani Photographs by Michael Buckner DEVOUR

“American“American Utopia”Utopia” mixesmixes TalkTalkinging Heads songssongs withwith politicalpolitical relevance.

WatchWth Eat Readd Listeni Little Dom’s Instagram ‘We Are Who A David Byrne- Seafood Whimsy We A re’ Los Feliz’s popular Italian spot has The wildly popular Instagram Luca Guadagnino’s visually Spike Lee Joint grown a beachy sibling, with squid account that finds cityscapes sumptuous HBO series has an ink pasta and wood oven-roasted around the world reminiscent of equally cool soundtrack from Blood BROADWAY MAY BE SHUT DOWN, but home audiences fish joining pizza and the meatball Wes Anderson movie sets is now Orange, Klaus Nomi, David Bowie, can get a taste of a recent hit with Spike Lee’s ﬁlmed ver- burger. 686 Linden Ave., Carpinteria a book, filled with candy-colored Radiohead and Francesca Scorsese. buildings and vintage oddities. sion of David Byrne’s “American Utopia,” now available on HBO. The Talking Heads founder includes some of the band’s classics, like “Road to Nowhere” and “Once in a Lifetime,” along with more recent songs, interpreted by a troupe of gray-clad dancers who help bring a quirky hopefulness to the tunes. Lee’s direction gives a close-up view of the proceedings that theater audiences would miss, so score one for the small screen.

EDITED BY PAT SAPERSTEIN | [email protected]

Galleries Offer a Welcome Chance to Feed the Eyes Art exhibits by appointment present a safe way to keep up with culture

It’s been quite a while since any non-Zoom cultural West Hollywood’s MAK Center, the historic Schindler activities have been accessible, and most muse- House is hosting the exhibit Demo until Jan. 10, with ums are still closed. But galleries are open, many by Nazgol Ansarinia, Margarethe Drexel, Lexis-Olivier Ray appointment only, with limited numbers of visitors and Yan Tomaszewski displaying their interpretations and temperature checks. The cinematic photos of of architectural destruction in various media. Mean- Gregory Crewdson are best experienced in person, while, Unreachable Spring, through Dec. 19 at La where their massive scale creates an immersive expe- Cienega Boulevard’s Luis De Jesus gallery, shows how rience. See his latest exhibit, An Eclipse of Moths, at artists June Edmonds, André Hemer, Laura Krifka, Gagosian in Beverly Hills through Nov. 21, or pay a Kambui Olujimi, Edra Soto and Peter Williams have

DAVID BYRNE’S AMERICAN UTOPIA: DAVID LEE/HBO; PHOTOS OF GREGORY CREWDSON: © GREGORY CREWDSON/COURTESY GAGOSIAN CREWDSON/COURTESY © GREGORY CREWDSON: OF GREGORY PHOTOS LEE/HBO; DAVID UTOPIA: AMERICAN BYRNE’S DAVID 3D visit to the exhibition at the gallery’s website. At responded to the pandemic. PAT SAPERSTEIN

VARIETY 15 bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths incloseto3,200squarefeet baths over andtwo-and-a-half twobedrooms ﬂoors. accented tan-stucco homewas of anacrewiththree builtin2008onabout one-third cameras, anddecked outwith acomprehensive system, home-automation thestone- rolling foothills of L.A.’s StudioCity. gates with multiplesecurity behind ¶Sequestered million purchaseof ahomeinoneof inthe themore sought-after neighborhoods commemorated hisupwardly mobileprofessional status withthemore-than-$2.1 drama “UnderMySkin,” seenonthesilver tobe screeninthenonbinary soon has Australian actor Home inStudio City Alex Russell Stakes Out 16 DIRT THE REAL ESTALKERTHE REAL MARK DAVID $2.1 3 BATHS 3 BEDROOMS 3,200 SQ. FT. STUDIO CITY VREY VARIETY M

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19 Tyler Perry is entering a new phase — not just It’s hard to stay positive in 2020, a year in his career as a media mogul who owns a rife with so much political and social tur- 330-acre studio bearing his name, nor in his moil. The leadup to the impending election tax bracket, after being designated a billion- has been particularly charged, with added aire by Forbes. Perry, who has consistently weight given by the coronavirus pandem- stayed above the fray for much of the time he ic and renewed focus on racial injustice in has been a celebrity, is getting political. America. Perry has made headlines on both “We’ve all been drafted on the worst fronts, becoming one of the ﬁrst major Hol- reality show that’s ever been produced, lywood players to ﬁnd a safe way to get back and none of us have been paid for it,” Per- to production during the worldwide health ry says. “For the last four and a half years crisis and donating time and money to social or so, we have been dragged through the justice causes. For these efforts, he has been wringer, and it is completely exhausting. named Variety’s Showman of the Year. So many people are exhausted at the divi- Perry says of the distinction, “Just to try

• sion, at the hate, at the pandemic — people and use what I’ve been given — this platform are just exhausted and angry and frustrat- [and] the gifts that I’ve managed to have — to ed. And if the people who bring hope [and] celebrate and encourage and lift other peo- positivity give up, then the world has lost ple, that feels pretty awesome. I keep hear- its balance. ing the lyrics from ‘This Is Me’ [from ‘The “Negativity screams, and positivity whis- Greatest Showman’] in my head,” he laughs.

pers. So we just need more whisperers to With lyrics like “When the sharp- MAYBACH SHOES: MEZLAN; GLASSES: ETON; help people,” he adds. “I know this sounds est words wanna cut me down / I’m gon- cliché and some people may think it’s bull- na send a ﬂood, gonna drown ’em out” or shit, but the truth is, I’ve lived long enough “And I’m marching on to the beat I drum / and experienced enough good and bad I’m not scared to be seen / I make no apolo- to know that good wins when everybody gies,” there may be no better theme song for showman of the year year the of showman pushes in that direction.” someone who has conquered Hollywood by •

20 negativity screams, and positivity whispers. so we just need more whisperers

to help people.” —tyler perry SHIRT: ULYSSES; TIE: CARL & BOW JOHNSON; TUXEDO BYRON BELL; HAIR: SYRETTA MAKEUP: HAYSLETT; CRYSTAL STYLING: (PREVIOUS SPREAD) Untitled-1 1 10/13/20 11:22 AM doing things his own way in the face of nay- “As I entered into Hollywood, it was “We’re both fortunate in that Tyler has sayers. He’s a DIY mogul who crashed the always about finding a way,” Perry says. his own movie studio, where you can con- A-list by leveraging success on the stage “I’ve never had an open door, or an invi- trol that world. And I shoot in the middle into an extended run atop the box office tation or opportunity, while I watched my of nowhere in Montana on a giant ranch, charts as the man behind Madea — then white brothers and sisters get opportunity where I can do the same thing.” turned around and transformed that suc- after opportunity, no matter if their shows Trading notes is a hallmark of their cess into a media empire that spans books, or movies fail or not. friendship. “We invented the frickin’ Zoom plays, movies and television shows. “I understand that this is the hand that I drink years before the rest of the world “This Is Me” holds special significance for was dealt. This Black skin that encompass- found out about it,” Sheridan laughs. The Perry, who had singer Morgan James peres me is beautiful. I’m not going to apol- two hit it off when Perry cold-called the form the anthem during the grand-opening ogize for it. I’m not going to be ashamed “Sicario” and “Wind River” scribe after gala of the Tyler Perry Studios complex in of it. But I’m going to make it work for me watching his films. Sheridan has gotten Atlanta last October for a crowd that includ- and for us.” only a couple out-of-the-blue calls like ed megastars Beyoncé, Denzel Washington Perry is defined by a number of things that — the other was from Steven Spiel- and Samuel L. Jackson. Perry purchased — among them his work ethic and his pro- berg — and he says, “I’m sure glad I did the former Confederate Army base for $30 pensity for innovation in entertainment. He answer because he’s become a great friend million in 2015, turning it into Hollywood’s broke the mold in TV, taking a wildly inno- and someone in this business who I trust.” largest studio lot with a $250 million ren- vative approach to producing series with The pair are teaming on-screen for Sher- ovation and expansion. Whoopi Goldberg his first comedy, “House of Payne,” and reg- idan’s upcoming film, “Those Who Wish Me was also on hand to witness the dedication ularly surpasses tracking forecasts for his Dead,” with Perry playing a small role. of a soundstage in her honor. films, which consistently open at or near “He understands all facets of what we “He’s doing life the way we all would like to the top of the box office thanks to his home- do,” Sheridan says. “He’s extremely cre- do life,” she says of Perry. grown — and ultra-dependable — audience. ative; he’s extremely business savvy; he is Goldberg, who has teamed with Perry But in 2020, the writer, director, produc- extremely loyal to his cast and crew. Which three times (acting in “For Colored Girls” er and entrepreneur “found a way” while is extremely important because when you and “Nobody’s Fool” and making a cam- facing one of the greatest challenges to hit push a crew as hard as he does, as hard as eo in “Madea Goes to Jail”), believes the the industry — the COVID-19 pandemic. I do, they have to be believers. Aside from entrepreneur hasn’t gotten his full due. Working with medical professionals, Per- being such a leader to the people around “This wasn’t inherited; he earned every ry and his team drafted a 30-page plan to him, he commands respect because he has dime. Every piece of that studio he bought make television shows as safely as possible worked so hard and is so kind and doesn’t with his dough,” Goldberg says. “I think the and created Camp Quarantine at Tyler Per- distinguish between speaking to the exec- idea of letting people know that this wasn’t ry Studios. From July to September, Per- utive or the boss of a network or the fifth a gift, this was hard-earned, [is important]. ry completed production on four projects PA. He treats them with the same respect.” And in any other place, he’d be at the tip of (BET’s “Sistas” and “The Oval” and BET everybody’s tongue, the talk of the town — Plus’ “Ruthless” and “Bruh”). That meant

• it would be a huge thing. And yet somehow, about 360 people were living and working people haven’t really stepped up to recog- at his Atlanta-based studio. nize it as far as I’m concerned.” Though Perry was one of the first to Perry faced adversity from an early age. come up with a plan for getting back to “Every statistic said that I will be dead or work, his good friend, writer-director in jail,” he says about growing up Black Taylor Sheridan, was also planning to and poor in New Orleans in the 1970s, in restart production on his Paramount addition to having an abusive father. But series “Yellowstone.” his beloved mother, Maxine (who died “It made me feel like I wasn’t alone,” Per- in 2009 at 64), laid a solid foundation for ry says of the timing. “Just to have some- his entrepreneurial spirit by encouraging body to talk to and just tell them what we Tyler Perry is a trailblazer. He is one of a him to “find a way” to be successful despite were doing and to hear what he was doing.” handful of Black moguls in a monochromat- showman of the year year the of showman the hardships. Sheridan shared similar sentiments: ic industry, someone who has total control of •

22 He’s extremely creative; he’s extremely business savvy; he is extremely loyal to his cast and crew.” —Tyler Sheridan Untitled-9 1 10/16/20 1:24 PM his destiny by owning every part of the production process, from the studio where he films his projects to the intellectual property. Once asked by a teacher what he wanted to be when he grew up, the young Perry said, “A millionaire,” and the teacher laughed at his dream. Now he’s a billionaire — and a Black billionaire at that, joining a club made up of entertainment heavyweights such as Jay-Z and Perry’s mentor Oprah Winfrey. Of his friendship with Winfrey, he says, “That, for me, is surreal.” “I’d run home from school at three o’clock every weekday to see her on television — this Black woman who looked like my sis- ter, aunt, friend,” he explains. “[She] was one of the first Black people I saw on television, certainly the first Black woman to control and own a television show and studio. So now to be able to pick up the phone and call her a friend is part of the miracle.” Throughout his career, Perry has maneu- vered like Winfrey — not just going “from rags to riches,” but moving strategically around those who underestimate his vision, never stopping at no and focusing on creating generational wealth through ownership of his properties. Perry’s Hollywood journey began with his most popular character, the tough- talking, gun-toting grandmother Mabel “Madea” Simmons. When Madea made her big-screen debut in “Diary of a Mad Black Woman” in 2005, Perry’s plays had generated more than $70 million at the theater

• box office. He had not been an overnight success: Only 30 people arrived on opening weekend for his first play, “I Know I’ve Been Changed” in 1992. Perry spent his life sav- ings of $12,000 to mount the production and fought through extreme poverty and home- lessness as a result of the failure. But he did not give up, restaging the show in 1998. That time it was a hit, and after he created Madea in his 1999 play “I Can Do Bad All by Myself,” audiences began rolling in by the church busload. But getting his first show made into showman of the year year the of showman a movie was a battle. The industry simply •

24 He’s doing life the way we all would like to do life.”

—Whoopi Goldberg MAYBACH JEANS; GLASSES: JEANS: JOE’S FORD; SHOES: TOM SHIRT, JACKET, SPREAD) (FOLLOWING you’re the showman every year!

LOVE, WHOOP

CONGRATULATIONS

on your SHOWMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD

Now please teach me how to do ¨ at too! LOVE, TIFFANY HADDISH

1021 WV Stacked Ads_WHOPPI & TIFFANY HADDISH.indd 6 10/19/20 10:35 AM • showman of the year • 26 27 tyler’s orbit A few of the many actors (or directors) who have worked with Perry ES; ROBINSON: JC OLIVERA/SIPA USA/AP IMAGES; OWENS, K. K. OWENS, IMAGES; USA/AP JC OLIVERA/SIPA ES; ROBINSON: BATES: JEREMY SMITH/IMAGESPACE/SIPA USA/AP IMAGES USA/AP JEREMY SMITH/IMAGESPACE/SIPA BATES: WIRE/AP IMAGES; SCOTT, RIBEIRO, LATHAN, SMITH: STHANLEE SMITH: STHANLEE LATHAN, RIBEIRO, SCOTT, IMAGES; WIRE/AP

Kim Coleman Darrenn GrGrantant Casting director since 2012’s ( Director ) “Good Deeds” “Di“Diaryary of a Mad Black Woman”

Janet Jackson, Jill Scott “Why Did I Get Married?” KiKimm KardashKardashianardd hiani WtWest, TiffanyTiffany Haddish VanVanessaesssaW Williams, “If Loving You Is Wrong,” Jurnee Smollett “Nobody’s Fool”Fool” “Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor”

Tessa Thompson “For Colored Girls” YoungYoung DylDylan “Young Dylan”

Mary J. Blige, Taraji P. Henson “I Can Do Bad All by Myself” •

Keshia Knight Pulliam Trevante Rhodes “House of Payne,” “If Loving You Is Wrong” Alfonso Ribeiro “Madea Goes to Jail”

(Director) IMAG MAX/IPX/AP ZZ/MICHAEL GERMANA/STAR PERRY: IMAGES; RHODES: CHARLES SYKES/INVISION/AP IMAGES; USA/AP CAO/SIPA ENSON: YICHUAN “Meet the Browns” IAN WEST/PA SMOLLETT: IMAGES; MAX/IPX/AP NACION/STAR ZZ/JOHN (6); KARDASHIAN: IMAGES USA/AP AGENCY/SIPA PRESS VIER COLLIN/IMAGE IMAGES; STARBUCK/GEISLER-FOTOPRESS/PICTURE-ALLIANCE/DPA/AP DAVE WOODARD: IMAGES; STRAUSS/INVISION/AP MANNS: JORDAN TTY IMAGES;

Soﬁa Vergara “Meet the Browns,” “Madea Goes to Jail”

CraigCiRbi Robinson showman of the year year the of showman “Peeples” Idris Elba • (produced(prroduced by Perry) “Daddy’s Little Girls” Kim Fields,ds, Chip FieFieldselds Directors,t “Meet the Browns,” Geoffrey Owens “House of Payne,”P “Young Dylan” “The Haves and the Have Nots”

DavidDavid & TTaTamelamela MMannann Frequentnt associates startingtti withwi iith ththe 1999 play “I Can Do Bad All byby MMyself” Tasha Smith Frequent associate since 2007’s “Daddy’s Little Girls”

AlfreAlf Woodard,Woodard Sanaa Lathan, Kathy Bates “The Family That Preys” 28 FIELDS: EVAN AGOSTINI/INVISION/AP IMAGES (2); ELBA: IAN WEST/PA WIRE URN/PRESS ASSOCIATION/AP IMAGES; C. FIELDS: BYRON COHEN/GE BYRON FIELDS: C. IMAGES; ASSOCIATION/AP WIRE URN/PRESS IAN WEST/PA (2); ELBA: IMAGES AGOSTINI/INVISION/AP EVAN FIELDS: COLEMAN: BLAIR RAUGHLEY/AP IMAGES; GRANT: EARL GIBSON III/AP IMAGES; WILLIAMS, JACKSON, HADDISH, THOMPSON, PULLIAM, VERGARA: XA HADDISH, THOMPSON, PULLIAM, VERGARA: JACKSON, WILLIAMS, IMAGES; EARL GIBSON III/AP GRANT: IMAGES; COLEMAN: BLAIR RAUGHLEY/AP B. MIRADOR/SIPA USA/AP IMAGES (4); DYLAN: MARCUS INGRAM/GETTY IMAGES; BLIGE: JOHN BARRETT/PHOTOLINK/MEDIAPUNCH/IPX/AP IMAGES; H IMAGES; BLIGE: JOHN BARRETT/PHOTOLINK/MEDIAPUNCH/IPX/AP IMAGES; INGRAM/GETTY MARCUS DYLAN: (4); IMAGES USA/AP B. MIRADOR/SIPA small-screen empire through a series of key deals, tyler perry became one of television’s most influential producers by will thorne

Tyler Perry’s career as and we were in a position to help to a whole new level, signing As for the future, Perry says a TV producer came full each other,” Sneed says. “At that a wide-ranging, lucrative deal he sees himself taking a step circle earlier this year, time, the deal was up with Turn- with BET and Viacom (now Via- back and letting “fresh, excit- when the first series he er, OWN was looking for content comCBS). According to Sneed, ing talent” take the writing and became truly known and Tyler had that content. It was the move has allowed Perry and directing reins. for, “House of Payne,” just the perfect fit.” his studio to “step out from the Sneed says Perry is eager to returned to the airwaves after Having produced comedies kinds of shoes that he was known pass the torch. “We’re super an almost decade-long absence. almost exclusively up until that for,” and step into weightier dra- excited about the young, Reflecting on his prolific run point, the OWN deal also her- mas like "Ruthless.” up-and-coming filmmakers to date as a producer, Perry says alded Perry’s move into drama “It's just a natural fit, espe- and new writers that we’re the response to the new season — or melodrama more specifi- cially for BET,” Sneed says. working with,” she says. “Tyler of “House of Payne” on BET has cally, Sneed says. “They are all about Black cul- has solidified his place in the “blown me away,” especially giv- At OWN, Perry produced a ture, and that is what our con- industry; his brand is amaz- en how significant the project pair of soaps, “If Loving You Is tent is. It caters to this audi- ing, and we'll continue to grow has always been for him. Wrong” and “The Haves and the ence that is often overlooked. that. Then on the other side, In 2006, Perry produced 10 Have Nots,” the latter of which That’s what Tyler has built his we’re working on promot- syndicated episodes of “House is still running after an impres- career on. That is what is the ing, providing a platform and of Payne” before TBS picked sive seven seasons. very foundation of BET. We’re advocating for this new talent, up the series for an additional Then in 2017, Perry took just thinking, ‘Why didn’t we both in front of and behind 90. Tyler Perry Studios presi- the scale of his TV operation do this sooner?” the camera.” dent of production and development Michelle Sneed, who has worked with Perry since 2009, says an order of that magni- RUTHLESS IF LOVING YOU IS WRONG tude was “groundbreaking and Nirine S. Brown and Lenny D. Thomas star in In this ensemble show about relationships in a middle-class unprecedented.” the drama about escaping a cult. community, everything is not always as it seems. But Perry has always kept his own counsel. “I didn't know all of the things that trap you into thinking it has to be done a certain way. ALFEO DIXON/TBS/EVERETT COLLECTION; HAVES AND THE HAVE NOTS: CHARLES BERGMANN/OWN/EVERETT COLLECTION CHARLES BERGMANN/OWN/EVERETT NOTS: AND THE HAVE HAVES COLLECTION; DIXON/TBS/EVERETT ALFEO Had I come up in the Hollywood system, I would have believed that sitcoms could only be done one way, that I couldn't do 10 episodes,” Perry reflects. “Everybody told me to do one, that I couldn't turn that into 100 for immediate syndication. But my gut and what I felt and my faith was this is the way that I need to do it.” After producing a couple more series for TBS, Perry and his YOU IS WRONG: OWN/EVERETT COLLECTION; HOUSE OF PAYNE: COLLECTION; OWN/EVERETT IS WRONG: YOU self-titled studio banner signed a deal with Oprah Winfrey Net- work, the new kid on the cable block at the time. Sneed says the OWN deal represented “a fresh start” for Tyler Perry Studios. “For any producer, you want every deal to be better than the HOUSE OF PAYNE THE HAVES AND THE HAVE NOTS last, to provide more opportuni- Keke Palmer, LaVan Davis, Tyler Perry and Larramie Doc John Schneider and Tika Sumpter topline this show about rich Shaw play members of a multigenerational family. families and poor. ties. I think that's what the OWN deal was for us. Tyler always had a personal relationship with Oprah, 29 RUTHLESS: CHARLES BERGMANN/BET/TYLER VISION/EVERETT COLLECTION; IF LOVING IF LOVING VISION/EVERETT COLLECTION; CHARLES BERGMANN/BET/TYLER RUTHLESS: didn’t understand Perry’s appeal, with exec- from the beginning, it’s always been about on “Oprah” where Perry talked about the his- utives telling him, “Black audiences that go to being true to them.” toric feud between Zora Neale Hurston and church don’t go to movies.” The average Metacritic score for Perry’s 21 Langston Hughes, in which Hughes called “Those are the only things that I’ve said films is a lackluster 41.6 (out of 100), and crit- Hurston “a perfect ‘darkie.’” That interview publicly,” he says. “There are some stories ics on Rotten Tomatoes give them a dismal prompted Lee to make the trek to Atlanta to that I could tell that are really, really bad, but average of 27.38% on the Tomatometer scale talk things over. for the sake of the town, and for the sake of (his movies are almost 2.5 times more popu- “I opened the door. I said, ‘Come in here, the people who said it, I’ve never said them, lar with audiences on the site, with a 67.23% so I can beat your ass,’” Perry laughs. “And because especially in this climate [when] it’s approval rating), but he doesn’t let the nega- [Lee] said, ‘Fair enough.’ And we sat and we so charged, it would blow people’s minds.” tive reviews get to him. had a conversation. … He laid out his views Mike Paseornek was one of the rare exec- “I grew up with a man who criticized me and his opinions, which I respected. And utives who recognized the potential of the and said all kinds of horrible things to me he heard mine, and he respected them. So newcomer — and his massive following. He every day of my life. And if that 2-, 3-, 4-, we can both exist in the same world with began pitching the creator to his bosses at 5-year-old, beautiful kid can endure that and very different views and opinions and still Lionsgate after receiving a script from Per- find a way, what kind of man would I be to be respect each other.” ry’s agent. Paseornek, at the time president hurt or bothered by some other criticism?” of production at Lionsgate Films, says that he explains. “I never see a lot of it, but if it even though Perry had no experience in Hol- does get to me, I look for truth in it. There’s lywood, he had a preternatural confidence in a lot of it that’s just vitriolic; that’s just ‘I’m his own profitability. going to hate on him because he’s Tyler Per- “Tyler had no leverage, [other than say- ry.’ I get that. But when there’s truth in the ing,] ‘Well, I’m not going to do it your way. criticism, like, ‘Why did he do this, this and I’m going to take my ball and go home,’” this?’ I go, ‘Hmm, let me think about that.’ Paseornek says. “And he was willing to do “And if I start writing for the critics, the only that because he had such a clear-cut vision movie that I ever wrote that got some critical of how he saw his business.” acclaim [2010’s ‘For Colored Girls’] didn’t do The studio hoped for a $20 million box very well. I know to speak to the audience — The issue underlying the Perry-Lee debate office return on “Diary of a Mad Black Wom- that is the business; that is the voice; those over the on-screen representation of Black an.” Perry knew he could deliver that on are the people that matter the most to me.” people persists: Not enough Black filmmak- opening weekend — and he did; the film Other critiques have come from Black ers are getting studio jobs, so fewer types of grossed $55 million, 10 times its budget. creators. In a 2009 interview, Oscar win- stories and experiences are being told. But Twenty movies later (10 of them starring ner Spike Lee appeared to take aim at Per- Perry is encouraged by the most recent calls Madea), Perry’s films have earned more than ry when he described modern depictions for diversity in Hollywood on both sides of $1 billion at the box office. of Black characters as “coonery and buf- the camera, hoping they will lead to more But he hasn’t been without detractors. foonery,” leading to a public back and forth Black voices being heard.

• Some skeptics believe his ﬁlms offer ste- between the ﬁlmmakers. “Ten or 15 years ago, I could call any Black reotypical or negative depictions of Black “If any criticisms stung, it would have been actor from Idris Elba to Viola Davis and Ker- people. Others dismiss the quality of the his, because I had so much respect and admi- ry Washington — they were all ready to go productions, suggesting that since Perry ration for him,” Perry says. Indeed, in naming to work,” Perry says. “But now it’s like, ‘Oh, writes them all himself, he’s stretched a lit- the 12 soundstages at his studio after Black their schedule is [booked] out two years. tle thin and it shows. Hollywood icons, Perry reserved one for Lee. There’s this surge of Black is in, hire Black “When I hear that kind of stuff, I’m think- “People’s opinions are their opinions, but and diversity is in.” ing, ‘Are y’all looking at the ratings? Do you that doesn’t negate the fact of the work that Over the years, Perry has been celebrated understand that the audience is in love with he’s done. And he’s due the honor of hav- by Black actors such as Elba (“Daddy’s Little this?’” he says. “Because if you’re complain- ing a stage named after him and more than Girls”), Taraji P. Henson (“I Can Do Bad All by ing about my writing, you’re not the audi- that,” he says. Myself”), Tika Sumpter (“The Haves and the ence. My audience loves the way that it’s Explaining how the two reconciled, Perry Have Nots”) and the legendary Cicely Tyson showman of the year year the of showman done and the way the stories are told. And says Lee called him after seeing an interview for helping to reinvigorate their careers. He •

30 This Black skin that encompasses me is beautiful. ... I’m going to make it work for me and for us.” —Tyler Perry

words of wisdom tyler perry has learned the business from a number of A-list mentors during his career, and he also pays it forward By Angelique Jackson

oprah cicely whoopi will armani winfrey tyson goldberg smith ortiz

Winfrey has been Tyson has lent her Goldberg prais- Perry tagged along Perry also is focused a consistent pres- formidable talents to es Perry for paying on Smith’s interna- on cultivating the ence in Perry’s life. five of Perry’s films, special respect to tional press tour for next generation, He was inspired beginning with his Black actors, echo- “Seven Pounds” in like his “brilliant” to begin keeping a debut, “Diary of a ing Tyson, Idris Elba 2008 so the mov- filmmaking protégé journal while watch- Mad Black Woman.” and Taraji P. Hen- ie star could dispel Ortiz. “I just can’t ing an episode of But Perry learned son, who credit the the myth Perry was wait for him to get “Oprah,” which led the most when the mogul with reinvigo- hearing from Hol- his moment,” Per-

• him to write plays. pair took a trip to rating their careers. lywood: that “Black ry says. “He’s got an While working as Africa with Sidney “I don’t have a direc- ﬁlms don’t travel eye that blows me a housekeeper in a Poitier. “I literal- tor who says, ‘I have overseas.” But the away.” Currently

New Orleans hotel, ly sat at their feet an ensemble of peo- trip came with an director of commu- ASHFORD CALVIN ORITZ: IMAGES; USA/AP AGENCY/SIPA PRESS COLLIN/IMAGE XAVIER he got her auto- and listened to their ple — let me just let unfortunate sur- nications & engage- graph. Then, in stories,” Perry says. Whoopi know I wrote prise, as the whole ment at Tyler Per- 2001, he booked a “Harry Belafonte, this thing for her and crew came down ry Studios, Ortiz guest appearance on Diahann Carroll — boom,’” Goldberg with a bad stom- says Perry inspires her show. Their rela- these people came says of her experi- ach bug. “He got me him to work hard- tionship has evolved through so much so ence on 2010’s “For really, really sick, er. “If he’s gonna from mentor-men- that I could just even Colored Girls.” “So but he did show me go 18-hour days, I tee to business part- have this moment. for him to invite me what he meant,” have to go 20 hours. showman of the year year the of showman ners to Winfrey It’s incredible to to come and do this Perry laughs. In It pushes you to be • being a friend he can just have had an piece with him was 2019, Smith ﬁlmed better than what text anytime. “She’s opportunity to know crazy.” “Bad Boys 3” at you are because T.P. hilarious, by the them.” Soundstage Tyler Perry Studios, is not working for way,” Perry says, and No. 4 is dedicated to before Soundstage himself — he’s work- calls their friendship Tyson. No. 3 was ofﬁcially ing for the people a “miracle.” Sound- dedicated to him. around him.” stage No. 1 at Tyler Perry Studios is dedicated to her.

32 WINFREY: TONY AVELAR/AP IMAGES; TYSON: RICHARD SHOTWELL/INVISION/AP IMAGES; GOLDBERG: ANTHONY BEHAR/SIPA USA/AP IMAGES; SMITH: IMAGES; USA/AP ANTHONY BEHAR/SIPA GOLDBERG: IMAGES; RICHARD SHOTWELL/INVISION/AP TYSON: IMAGES; AVELAR/AP TONY WINFREY: the trailblazer In the early 20th century, Black moviemaker Oscar Micheaux was a studio unto himself by tim gray

Oscar Micheaux, the pio- — showed product from their way,” a perfect summation of only a few theaters before general neering Black filmmaker respective studios, plus occa- Micheaux’s work. The story release. That turned out to be his who wrote, directed and sional indie fare. If Black audi- recaps how such films as “Birth- final film. As the 1993 Variety sto- produced movies from ences wanted to see mainstream right” (1924), “The Spider’s Web” ry recaps, “When Micheaux, then 1919 through 1948, was Hollywood movies, they were rel- (1927) and “Wages of Sin” (1929) 67, died in 1951 in Charlotte, N.C., a one-man studio — the egated to the balcony, while white were shot in 10 days on budgets he was once again on the road, Tyler Perry of his day. people sat on the main floor — from $10,000 to $20,000. film cans under his arm, drum- And like Perry, he had to overcome they never intermingled. In gen- When Micheaux was making beating his movies and books.” overwhelming odds, systemic rac- eral, “race movies,” as films with films, Variety regularly report- For many years, his films were ism and many other obstacles Black talent were called in the ed on his progress, such as forgotten; their low-budget pro- to make sure his work was fund- early decades of the film indus- his first feature-length talking duction meant that the tech quali- ed and distributed. As Perry tells try, played in segregated theaters film in 1931, “The Exile,” and ty wasn’t great, so TV station buy- Variety, “Had it not been for an throughout the U.S. a talking short the same year, ers generally ignored them. Even Oscar Micheaux, there certainly Micheaux not only wrote, pro- “Darktown Revue.” There were more distressing, many of the couldn’t be a Tyler Perry.” duced and directed his films; he also “A Daughter of the Congo” films are lost. The search contin- So it’s fitting that Perry is also promoted and distributed (1930) and “Harlem After Mid- ues for prints of Micheaux’s lost planning a biopic for HBO on them “by personally knocking night” (1934, advertised as “hot works, particularly “The Home- the 20th-century film pioneer. on theater doors across the coun- … sizzlin’ … melodrama with steader,” as well as the movies of He says the wheels of develop- try,” Variety reported. With his music!”). Variety said in 1937 other Black filmmakers. ment are slow on the project, but films, he fought to correct Hol- that the musical he was work- Micheaux’s accomplishments “it’s moving forward. Our lives lywood’s negative stereotypes; ing on would be getting the title have been heralded by contem- are parallel in so many ways — aside from mixed marriages, “Swing,” to be distributed by porary cinephiles. After the birth the way he wrote his books, told he tackled such taboo subjects Sackamuse Enterprises, and of blaxploitation movies in the his stories, carried his own films as judicial and racial prejudice, reported the 1939 completion of early 1970s, film historians start- to different theaters, and just lynching, poverty and Black peo- his gangsters-and-boxing moved to rediscover his work, includ- his tenacity and his believing ple passing for white. To his fans, ie “The Notorious Elinor Lee” at ing “Body and Soul” (1924) with and investing in himself,” Perry he was a major force, and “An New York’s Biograph Studios. Paul Robeson in his film debut; explains. “So it means a great deal Oscar Micheaux Production” was In 1948, Variety said that and “Veiled Aristocrats” (1932), to be able to stand in those shoes. printed large on movie posters. Micheaux and distributor Astor a talkie adaptation of “House I’m looking forward to it.” In 1993, decades after his Pictures were planning a road- Behind the Cedars.” In 1926, Variety hailed Micheaux death, Variety carried an appre- show engagement for “The Micheaux’s story has been as “the best known and most pro- ciation under the headline, Betrayal,” meaning it would get a chronicled in several documen- lific” Black filmmaker at the time. “He found a way, then led the prestige treatment by opening in taries, including 1994’s “Mid- Among his milestones: the first night Ramble: Oscar Micheaux feature film and the first all-sound Among the movies of prolific filmmaker Oscar Micheaux were & the Story of Race Movies” and 1948’s “The Betrayal” and 1940’s “The Notorious Elinor Lee,” with movie to spotlight Black talent in Robert Earl Jones and Gladys Williams. 2014’s “The Czar of Black Holly- front of and behind the camera. wood.” In May 1986, the Directors Micheaux, who died in 1951 at Guild of America gave him a post- the age of 67, appeared regularly humous Golden Jubilee Award. in the pages of Variety during the In 1987 he received a star on the 1920s through ’40s. He wasn’t as Hollywood Walk of Fame, the first well known as mainstream Hol- black director to be so honored. lywood filmmakers during that Earlier this year, Variety period, but his name was a major launched an educational out- selling point to Black audiences. reach program with Los Angeles He made his film debut as a writ- Center for Enriched Studies, part er-director in 1919, adapting his of the Los Angeles Unified School own novel “The Homesteader.” He District, to introduce high school was first mentioned in Variety six students to potential careers in years later. the entertainment industry. With In 1923, he shot “The House the goal of opening the pipeline Behind the Cedars” about a of opportunity to students from mixed-race marriage; the film marginalized communities, the was revived in 1925 to capitalize program was christened the on a highly publicized mixed-race Micheaux Project. divorce case of New York social- As Perry sums up for Vari- ites, the Rhinelanders. On May ety, if he had a time machine, he 13, 1925, Variety reported that would love to meet Micheaux. “I “House Behind the Cedars” was wouldn’t want to live in that time doing “turnaway business at each period, because it was really hard [movie] house, with Micheaux for us. Even as we look at the hor- lamenting the lack of more prints rors of what we’re going through and finding it necessary to use a now, that was far worse. But I wish motorcycle in shifting the picture I could have just met him.” from house to house.” In those days, major the- Angelique Jackson contributed to this ater chains — like Fox, Loews, report. Paramount, RKO and Warners EVERETT COLLECTION (3) EVERETT COLLECTION an eclectic soundtrack marks the beating heart of a tyler perry film by Jazz tangcay

Music supervisor Joel C. deck was Perry’s first movie, knows his audience,” says High, Crisis High distinctly remem- based on one of his stage plays. who acknowledges that he end- Response bers meeting Tyler Per- No stranger to soundtracks, ed up taking lessons from Perry. ry for the first time in High, who had procured music “[He’s] the most decisive, creative 2004 on “Diary of a Mad for “Crash” and “The Rules of person I’ve ever worked with. Black Woman.” “It changed my Attraction,” came in armed with He’ll tell me if I didn’t nail it.” life,” says High of what was the ideas. “I was thinking, ‘Great! I’ll That’s not to say the two beginning of a beautiful ﬁlmmak- show him the ropes and how we always get what they want. For er-music supervisor partnership do things and how film music 2018’s “Tyler Perry’s Acrimo- Tyler Perry has met that continues to this day. works,’” he says. ny,” High says the negotiation the hardship of The secret to their harmo- Perry, who grew up in New to secure Nina Simone’s “Ne Me the pandemic and fallout ny is simple. As Perry divulg- Orleans, where he was surround- Quitte Pas” was complicated. “We from ongoing racial es, he doesn’t “change partners ed by music — “from jazz and ban- had to get the rights to the song injustice with care and once at the dance.” Says Variety’s jo to hip-hop to soul to house,” [written by Jacques Brel], the compassion. Showman of the Year: “[Joel] says the mogul — was respectful in rights to the recordings and all gets the exact tone and feel of listening, but as High recalls: “He the compositions,” he explains. what I was thinking.” would stop me and question why High and Perry were also mind- k High, who now serves as things were done or why music ful of Simone’s legacy, and while president of the Guild of Music was being put where it was. There they could use Simone songs like 21 Supervisors, was head of music would be a big orchestral moment “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood,” at Lionsgate overseeing film and I’d want to underscore it, and “I Put a Spell on You” and “Save Amount gifted to 42 servers at an and television when Michael he would ask, ‘Why are you put- Me,” Brel’s estate wouldn’t sign Atlanta-area Houston’s restau- Paseornek, the studio’s then ting so much music there?’” off on “Ne Me Quitte Pas.” Says rant after COVID closed its doors to president of production, brought The pair’s discussion blos- Perry: “We couldn’t use the song in-restaurant dining Perry to High’s attention. On somed into collaboration. “He because of the violence at the end of the movie.”

• Perry’s philosophy when it comes to music aligns with his view of storytelling. “It’s an 73 eextensionxte of the dialogue,” he saysays. “If I’m writing a song, I Number of grocery stores in wanwant it to sound like the charac- Atlanta and New Orleans tterer wwould be singing a song.” where Perry anonymously picked TThere isn’t, however, a spe- up the tab for senior shoppers ccificific sound to a Perry film, and whiwhile the gamut of artists from SSisterist Sledge to Janet Jackson ttoo BBeyoncé to Bill Withers have showman of the year year the of showman 4 beebeen featured in his projects, • botbothh High and Perry also seek out new artists to showcase. Number of college funds he SaySays High of Perry’s taste: “It’s is said to have set up for the eeclectic.cle It really is all over the children of Rayshard Brooks, who mapmap. Sometimes it’s totally left was killed by Atlanta police in June Joel C. High has worked on the fifieldeld and I’ll love it. He has such soundtracks a ggoodo ear for good singers, writ- of a number of Tyler Perry films, iingng and musicians.” from 2005’s AAdds Perry: “You can’t pin me “Diary of a Mad 8:46 Black Woman” dowdown to one [genre]. My Apple through 2018’s MusMusic selection is schizophrenic.” “Acrimony.” Running time of video essay he posted on social media in which he speaks on the death of George Floyd and his experiences as a Black man 34 in America HIGH: TARA ZIEMBA/GETTY IMAGES ZIEMBA/GETTY HIGH: TARA 23 secret weapon beyond tyler perry’s ‘find a way’ attitude and intense work ethic, there’s another keY to his success — his email list By Angelique jackson

at the Before Facebook, Insta- The same thing happened “Tyler will perform 260-300 gram and Twitter, Tyler with Perry’s first foray into Hol- days a year. And he’s getting movies Perry communicated lywood, “Diary of a Mad Black instant feedback every night.” with fans the old-fash- Woman.” Debuting the Friday Perry has continued to go ioned way — by chatting before the Oscars in February onstage after the final curtain with audience members 2005, the comedy earned $21.9 up through his most recent out- at the end of his plays and collect- million in its opening weekend, ing on “Madea’s Farewell Play,” ing their email addresses. It was a knocking Will Smith’s “Hitch” off which wrapped in February. way to stay in touch with his fans the top spot. Though loyal, Perry’s fan both personally (sending infor- “I don’t know if anyone would base is often underestimated. mation about banal activities like have predicted it — other than “That mailing list, that hunger 1.09 going to the store) and profession- Tyler, who told me we were that they have, can’t be tracked; ally (tipping them off to upcoming going to open at No. 1,” remem- nobody can really reach them. shows). “It endeared us together,” bers Mike Paseornek, the Lions- That’s why the tracking for all Worldwide box office for Tyler he explains. And, over time, the gate executive who championed of my movies was always so far Perry-made films growing list has become a power- the project. “I wasn’t sure that off,” Perry explains, referring ful tool in his arsenal. we’d open at No. 1, but I felt pret- back to the box office numbers m The industry got its first taste ty confident that we were going to for “Diary.” “It blew their mind of the power of Perry’s audience do big business.” because [Hollywood] didn’t 671 in 2003, after the playwright Lionsgate’s marketing team got know how to penetrate into booked six shows at the Kodak a big assist from Perry, who would the community.” Theater for his production of routinely send out email blasts to When Perry sent the email to Worldwide box office for 11 “Madea’s Class Reunion.” his fans reminding them that the his fans about the production of “Madea” movies “I asked them how many peo- film was coming out. “Madea’s Class Reunion,” there ple they had working the box “There’s big movie stars out were about 170,000 names on M office, and [they said], ‘We have there, and granted, they have the mailing list. That number one,’ Perry recalls. “I replied, ‘No, audiences that come to see has since grown to 800,000. But 418 you may want to bring in four or them. But when someone would does he still use the list today? five,’ [and they said], “Oh, no, we say to me, ‘Oh, you have to meet “It’s been quite some time don’t need that for this.” I sent the so-and-so — he’s the next Tyler because of Facebook, Instagram Worldwide box office for email out, sold out all those shows. Perry,’ I would say, ‘Well, does and Twitter, and people are con- other Perry films The woman [at the theater’s] wig your artist have a firsthand rela- suming their information that (“Daddy’s Little Girls,” was crooked, she was so shocked tionship 300 days a year with way,” Perry says with a sly smile. “Why Did I Get Married?,” at what had happened.” his audience?’” Paseornek says. “So I use it when I need to.” “The Family That Preys,” Tyler Perry, Claudette Ortiz, Rhonda Davis, Tony Hightower, Latoya London, Dorsey Levens “Why Did I Get Married (back center), Maurice Lauchner, David Stewart, Tasha Page-Lockhart and Cassi Davis star in the 2017 play Too?,” “For Colored Girls,” “Madea on the Run.” The movie adaptation earned almost four times its budget. “Good Deeds,” “Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor,” “Peeples,” “The Single Moms Club,” “Acrimony,” “Nobody’s Fool”) 5e

Number of live-action films Perry has appeared in: “Star Trek” (2009), “Alex Cross,” “Gone Girl,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows,” “Vice” Source: IMDbPro LIONSGATE/EVERETT COLLECTION LIONSGATE/EVERETT says that making sure performers of their Brian Kemp signed it in May 2019. In reac- “When you have influence, you have to be caliber got opportunities was a big part of tion, many Hollywood power players threat- careful of how you use it and be specific in his mission as a creator. ened a production boycott of the state, but your choices of what you use,” he explains. “In my ‘finding a way’ there were a bunch Perry proclaimed that he would stay, tell- “This is going to affect the country in the of people that were coming through the door ing Variety that October, “First of all, when future. And the great thing about a democ- with me. The doors and the tables that I was you put a quarter of a billion dollars in the racy is every four years, you have an oppor- building for myself, they were allowed to sit ground in one place, you can’t just go, ‘OK, tunity to make a change, and I’m hoping at and create,” he says. “That’s why I tell peo- I’m out.’” that there are enough decent people who ple when they come to work for me, this is a The fight over the legislation, which has are seeing that we need to make a change.” place for you to come and build your base, a since been struck down by a federal judge, One of the main reasons Perry is speak- great audience that will support you.” followed a fraying of relations between Tin- ing out now comes down to his 5-year-old Perry doesn’t only give back in business; seltown and Georgia over claims of voter sup- son, Aman. he is set to be honored as the People’s Cham- pression by Kemp in his 2018 gubernatorial “If it were just me, I could step back pion of 2020 at the People’s Choice Awards race against Stacey Abrams. During those and maybe have a different opinion,” he in November for his philanthropic work. fraught political moments, Perry played a explains. “But I want him to be able to go to The mogul and his eponymous foundation conciliatory role. The mogul made a point of the national parks and they’re not drilling also received the Governors Award at the inviting both Kemp and Abrams to his stu- inside of them, to be able to turn on a debate 72nd Primetime Emmys. There, Perry gave dio’s opening gala as a sort of olive branch. and see two men stand professionally, giv- an inspiring speech about a patchwork quilt “I really, truly don’t want to get political. ing each other the respect to finish their two his grandmother had given him, using it as What I want people to do is vote because minutes that they’re allotted and not talking a metaphor for diversity. everybody has very strong opinions about over and screaming at each other.” “That speech I wrestled with a lot, because this. As do I,” he says. “I have very, very For Perry, the choice is clear. there’s just so much going on in the country strong feelings about the current adminis- “If you want more of the same, then you and there’s so much that I want to say,” Per- tration. I have very strong feelings about a vote the way that you did in 2016,” he says. ry recalls. “And there’s so many sides of my lot that’s going on. But I’m neither Demo- “If you want something different, then experiences that want to speak, and they’re crat [nor] Republican — I’m an independent we need to have a landslide out voting for all battling for the microphone at the same thinker. I vote for who I think is best to run Joe Biden.” time within my head. the country.” Outside politics, Perry is focused on cre- “But for me, what the country, what the Perry may avoid party affiliations, but that ating a better future for the local Atlan- world, what we all need now is hope and heal- doesn’t mean he’s unwilling to take a stand. ta community, with plans to use his studio ing. And if I can speak to that, then that’s my This election cycle, he’s using his consider- space to house battered women, displaced purpose. Anything that doesn’t serve that, I able influence to support the Biden-Harris LGBTQ+ youth and sex-trafficking survivors don’t want to do, because there are enough ticket. He’s been actively involved in voter and introduce them to the inner workings of people who are working very hard to divide registration behind the scenes and is reach- the entertainment industry. and destroy and tear us apart.” ing out to his audience to get it engaged. “I don’t know if people really realize how That’s why Perry is speaking out politically. It’s a bold move given how much is at stake important it is for young Black and Brown

• Though he hosted fundraisers for Pres- — not just in the election but for his business. children to be able to see examples of what ident Barack Obama and invited former A key part of the entertainer’s appeal comes it means to be successful outside of what President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton to from being middle of the road, almost relent- they see in the neighborhoods,” he says. his studio’s grand-opening bash last Octo- lessly centrist, much like his longtime men- “Growing up, for me the only people that ber, Perry has primarily taken a nonparti- tor Winfrey, who stayed out of the political were doing well were the pimps and the san point of view. arena before famously throwing her inﬂu- preacher. And now to be able to set an exam- It’s a tough position for a man who makes ence behind Obama’s 2008 run for ofﬁce. ple for kids that there are other options out- his home base in Georgia — a red state with The decision also calls to mind self-pro- side of sports and what everybody tells you a host of hot-button political issues, includ- claimed centrist Dwayne Johnson’s recent — ‘These are the only things you can do’ — ing the controversial “heartbeat bill,” aimed endorsement of Biden. Johnson received [is important]. You can be CEO; you can run at limiting access to abortion, which rocked criticism on social media, but Perry has not a studio; you can use everything you have to the local entertainment industry when Gov. been deterred. help someone else.” showman of the year year the of showman •

36 Tyler had such a clear-cut vision of how he saw his business.” —Mike Paseornek

With a new solo album and his second book, Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy heals himself and returns to his roots crafby daniel hollowayt 39 tsman jeff making art) was by Dutton. published making art) guide tomakingmusic (andaspiritualguideto “How to Write One Song,”ond book, apractical will drop. Itarrives just 10 days afterhissec- “Love soloalbum, 23, hisfourth IstheKing,” ative impulsesoheavily asTweedy has. OnOct. into thecre- hasleaned artist But notevery of contemptible newsfromTrump’s America. the siege of COVID andtherelentless barrage by inflicted thepain tomusic toheal turned cycle of Tweedy touringandrecording, rupted to Judaism in2013.) children were Jewish, andheconverted raised Jewish prayer (Tweedy’s wife for and healing. playedband that night was “MiSheberach,” a that happens. That’s what musiccando.” na go away.’ Ihave Anditdid. somuchfaiththat butit’s come back, sadness gon- Andit’ll went. not going toknow whereallof this anxietyand few songs, you. themusicisgonna You’re heal walked outonstage, ‘Once we get thefirst past experience. Icould tellmy kidsbefore we But headds, that, is“what’s about sobeautiful news that you have tocrawl outfromunder.” the audience. Andthenalsohaving theterrible scious notgetting from that rush immediate ago. Imighthave really, been self-con- really their carswould have meout20years freaked in being by people muted being the response aPA. hearing “Ithinkthating asoundcheck, taken for my granted wholelife” —conduct- small joys I’ve inagainexperiencing “things hefoundBut having years ontheroad, spent hislongtimestudio inChicago.from theLoft, ittobe,”I pictured Tweedy says viaZoom Bader Ginsburghaddied. showtime, that Justice SupremeCourt Ruth was thenews, whicharrived just anhourbefore was strange Warping enough. further thevibe from quarantinetoplay musictoafieldofcars for adrive-in show inMcHenry, Emerging Ill. ect that includeshissonsSpencer andSammy, stage ofTweedy, withthemembers asideproj- 18,theWilco weird. OnSept. the frontmantook Tweedy’s first concert was of thepandemic 40 Like somany toan uninter- used artists The first songthat Tweedy andhisfamily “Nothing that about what nightgot tobe the collection, “A Robin oraWren” andcon- together notlongago), inviting feedback. acampingtripSaunders (thethreetook actor NickOfferman andtheauthorGeorge hisworkhe shared dailywithtwo friends, the over album, astretch oftwoa country weeks write asongday for what heenvisioned as result of thosehabits. AsTweedy setoutto habits. “Love muchthe was very Is theKing” indaily indetailaprocess rooted describes Tweedy has been sober for sober 15 years.Tweedy hasbeen Hishair of Today, hisbattle withopioidaddiction. story Italsotoldthe have mostly lousyfor been rock. of two bands decadesthat rock great truly his enduringsuccess withWilco —oneofthe UncleTupelo to band roots-music breaking ship andsplitwithJay Farrar intheground- SouthernIllinoisyouthurban tohispartner- ofTweedy’s journeytold thestory fromsub- “Let’s Go(SoWe Can GetBack).” That book the photooncover of his 2018memoir bushy-haired in young musicianwhoappears wholly intouchwith.” have thisbottomless well that ofcreativity he’s an effortless creative Hejust burst. seemsto tear,” Saunderssays. “I’venever seensuch hejust went bystunned it, onthiscreative was kindofjust off, starting andeverybody amid thechaosof 2020. “Warm,” at his friend’s marvels ability tofocus linernotestoTweedy’stributed 2018album Saunders, who co-wrote one of the songs on Saunders, oneof thesongson whoco-wrote In “How toWrite OneSong,” Tweedy At 53, Tweedy is no longer the full-cheeked, At 53,Tweedy isnolonger thefull-cheeked, “Right whenthiscoronavirus thingwas That’s for what musichasbeen me.” that that’s what it’s always my been wholelife. sharp.get really AndIdon’t know why, except my tendsto focus bad, when thingsget really “Just blink. a virtual Tweedy-ism withnary myself more,” hesays, droppingatrademark “Schmilco.” Wilco records —2015’s “Star Wars” and2016’s Sue’s nickname),aswell astwo playfully titled year’s “Sukierae”(themoniker istaken from thefirst Tweedy albumwithSpencer,ed that that yield- aprolificperiod in 2014,heentered his wife, SueMiller, withcancer was diagnosed To toturmoil. his natural response wit:when It’ssight. aself-aware process herecognizes as self intohiscreative in routine withagoal wascitizens Hisresponse to throw arein. him- ous emotionalstate that somany of theworld’s tical challenge. alogis- started, whichis“almostrecord, half” it madecontinuing work onthenext Wilco gone withoutplaying ashow indecades. And for what he’s hebelieves isthelongest period King.” leftTweedy homebound Thepandemic that istoshow day.” upat work every Andoneof thewayssong tosing. that Iget todo Ilikeing somenewsongtosing. having anew some routineandsmallcontrol over hav- Ienjoycomplete feeling bullshit. like Ihave just inspired,’” hesays. “And it’s That’s bullshit. I don’t even have really. it, tothinkabout I’m Thingsjusta conduit. come throughme, and this atmosphere of ‘I’m achosenone. I’m just ly basis. “Ithinkthat like artists togive off it’s toinvite inspiration inonadai- important Ashewritesinthebook, withwork. twined one.”with Jeff deepandmeaningful —areally likehis proseisreally having aconversation lyrics, it’sthey’re because music. But reading ics arecoming fromadifferent place, because tor at says Dutton, ofhiswritingstyle. “Hislyr- to talkJeff,” Tweedy’s JillSchwartzman, edi- over thelast few years, that thisiswhat it’s like canhave artist good morethanonegear. to how muchthat guyhasevolved andhow a over againisnoteworthy. It’s atestament both like tothankyou allfor nothingat all,” over and 1996’salbum, “BeingThere,” “I’d by shouting, the sameguywhokicked off Wilco’s second for one’s That thismessage soul. comes from over isgood ly andwithoutworry talentorskill, whenengaged inserious- something, creating “How toWrite OneSong,” it’s that theactof If there’sencouraging. abigtakeaway from cé morethanonce. uses exclamation points. Hereferences Beyon- Hemakes jarring. cornyprose canbe jokes. He begins, “Iassassintrot” down theavenue”), his co’s seminal2002album“Yankee HotelFox- (“I amanAmericanaquariumdrinker,” Wil- intimate withTweedy’s impressionistic lyrics outlines in“How toWrite OneSong.” For those commodity.rare social his work isanincreasingly at atimewhenease is scraggly. withhimselfand Heseemsat ease “I need music more when I need toconsole musicmorewhen Ineed “I need itputTweedy inthesametenu- Most ofall, in“Love resulted That approach Isthe inTweedy’sMeaning creative life isinter- “I cantellyou, having gotten toknow him even upbeat, But most of allheisearnest, totheprocess that heThis isdueinpart

(PREVIOUS SPREAD & THIS PAGE) SAM TWEEDY (2) Back to Basics Jeff Tweedy follows 41 up his 2018 album “Warm” with “Love Is the King” and his second book, “How to Write One Song.”

“Love Is the King,” he adds, was born of a — by virtue of being solo stuff — fits comfortably need “to sit downstairs in my house and think into the singer-songwriter bucket. But Tweedy of the stupidest country song I can think of, just insists that none of his work has ever ventured so I can say I made a country song” that day. in spirit too far from a particular core. That the album is self-consciously — and “I think I’ve come to realize that I love being perhaps loosely — a country record should identified with an American song tradition — excite those fans who still clamor for an Uncle a song tradition that in this country is most Tupelo reunion. That band ended up becoming, evident in country music and in folk music,” somewhat against its will, the standard-bear- he says. “To me, those are just the forms and er for an independent Americana movement shapes that are easiest for me to think in.” whose early proponents held up the group’s In his younger years, Tweedy bristled at 1990 album “No Depression” as a sort of beau those associations. Now, he realizes, “what I ideal. Wilco, formed after Tweedy and Far- was negatively reacting to for a long time was rar parted ways in 1994, clung to that identi- being associated with other artists that were ty in early, less celebrated records. The release using those shapes and those forms and, in my of 1999’s “Summerteeth,” with its debt to the opinion, not bringing anything to them” aside Beach Boys’ “Pet Sounds,” saw the band begin from clichés about “whiskey and trucks.” But his to draw the rapturous acclaim that would make critique of contemporary country music has no it one of the most critically beloved rock acts anger in it. Instead he seems awestruck at how of its time. (“Summerteeth” celebrated its a genre whose beginnings he likens to the early 20th anniversary last year and will receive a days of punk rock could evolve into something deluxe five-LP/four-CD limited edition set to be “that doesn’t sound anything like what I feel like released on Nov. 6.) Subsequent albums would I’m drawing upon,” but seems like it “has more burnish Tweedy’s reputation as a rock artist in common with Journey or even hip-hop. It’s who embraced experimentation, technology an incredible transformation over my lifetime. and multiple forms. And I like a lot of it, but those aren’t the shapes Tweedy also never gave up on roots music, that I think in.” even as dad rockers of a certain age filled ven- “Love Is the King,” though it draws on those ues coast to coast for Wilco’s many tours. He shapes, also employs fragments of the various delved into Woody Guthrie’s archives with the recording styles Tweedy has developed over punk rock troubadour Billy Bragg for the “Mer- the years. He compares the electric guitar on maid Avenue” albums, a project that was cov- the new album to that heard on “Yankee Hotel ered in two documentaries. And his solo stuff Foxtrot,” as formally daring a release as there is in the Wilco catalog. Tweedy assures that there will be more Wilco “I’ve never seen records. But he also confesses that, as he and its other members get older, the band has become such an effortless “something that’s more like a great treat” to creative burst. He indulge in when the timing is right. He is enjoy- ing the flexibility of making solo music, and just seems to have foresees more of his energy being extended in that direction. this bottomless Regardless of form or style, or whether writ- well of creativity ing for a full band or just himself and his guitar, his process remains the same.

(TOP) SAM TWEEDY SAM (TOP) that he’s wholly in “Nothing has ever really been that far from me playing an acoustic guitar and writing a touch with song,” Tweedy says. “That’s the part I have the —George Saunders most control over.” KUDOS.

TYLER PERRY VARIETY’S SHOWMAN OF THE YEAR 2020 GUTTER CREDIT THE RACE STATE OF CREATIVE AND WHOHAS THEEARLY BUZZ INANUNPREDICTABLE YEAR OUR AWARDS EXPERTS TAKE ALOOK AT HOW STUDIOS AREGETTING CONTENDERS VARIETY VARIETY VARIETY 43 43 THE CONTENDERS PREVIEW: A LOOK AHEAD

Oscar Ready for Change HISTORY OFFERS PROOF REINVENTION CAN BENEFIT AWARDS SEASON

By Tim Gray

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR. In recent years, industryites have com- plained that awards season has gotten too big and exhausting, and we needed a change. We certainly got our wish: Clearly, this season won’t be like any other. Traditionalists may hope for an eventual return to the old ways. But to optimists, this is a great opportunity to reboot. First, a reminder that awards traditions are not eternal, and have changed many times over the decades. To use Oscar as metaphor for all awards, major changes in 2020 are not erasing history — they’re continuing the tradition of reinvention. SCREEENING For example, on Feb. 20, 1929, Variety SALUTE covered the first Academy Awards, with the Frances McDormand addresses the winners announced in advance. The cere- crowd at the Sept. mony lasted 15 minutes because most hon- 11 premiere of orees trooped to the stage, accepted the Fox Searchlight’s “Nomadland” at statuette and silently returned to their din- the Rose Bowl ner tables. Darryl F. Zanuck decided to say in Pasadena. a few words, single-handedly inventing the acceptance speech. For several years, Oscar voting was done by the guilds plus AMPAS members. After This year, the eligibility calendar has AWARDS CEREMONIES “Citizen Kane” lost to “How Green Was My been amended, and the over-reliance on Television’s first Oscarcast in March Valley,” a Variety analyst attributed it to the the Venice-Telluride-Toronto fests has 1953 set the template for every awards 6,000 extras who voted. been reduced to a manageable size (e.g., show since: cameras and audience in And of course World War II and later TV 50 Toronto films, as opposed to 300). one auditorium. Though the format changed the DNA of the ceremonies. One key campaign angle this year: remains, technology has made quantum So this is a great time for reinvention in Strategists need to tell voters what’s eligi- leaps, so this is a great year to rethink the three areas: campaigning, screenings, and ble because some streaming debuts ARE entire approach. Reginald Hudlin, Jimmy the show itself. considered movies, others aren’t. Kimmel and the Emmy team opened the door to new ways of presenting awards, CAMPAIGNING SCREENINGS with remotes, pre-taped segments and Campaigning has become a mini-indus- Fox Searchlight did a spectacular job with some safe-distancing interaction; other try, the tail wagging the dog. Back in 2003, “Nomadland,” creating a pop-up drive-in ceremonies can study what they’ve Variety reported that Academy of Motion at the Rose Bowl parking lot. Somehow, it learned. It’s a wakeup call to kudos pro- Pictures Arts & Sciences’ then-president perfectly suited that film about loners in ducers: Don’t focus on the people in the Frank Pierson had formed a committee vehicles who form a community. Subse- auditorium; think of the viewers around aimed at “reducing the intensity of the quent films have also offered great drive-in the world. campaigning.” screenings, but in general, this year is see- Personally, I think the Hollywood For- ing a reliance on digital links. Some Hol- eign Press Assn. should retain its famil- lywood notables have spoken out against iar format when it can. The Beverly Hilton streaming, but it’s worth remember- setup creates a fun atmosphere, which ing that in 1984, the studios sued to stop makes a fun telecast; other kudocasts can’t home-taping, until they realized they could quite capture that magic. make money off it. So resistance to change We all get caught up in the industry-in- will break down because it always does. It’s sider aspect of awards season and often not a good year for theaters, but vinyl has forget the original goal of all film kudos: made a comeback in music, so one hopes to celebrate good work and, crucially, to that cinema-going and the big- screen encourage audiences to go see movies. experience will be newly appreciated when So, at the start of awards season, cele- the pandemic’s over. brate the changes. Vive la difference! PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHAEL BUCKNER BY PHOTOGRAPH

44 VARIETY THE CONTENDERS PREVIEW: A LOOK AHEAD

Oscar Race Is Off and Running

VARIETY’S AWARDS TEAM TRIES TO PREDICT AN UNCERTAIN YEAR

Though most theaters are shuttered, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has said it will continue as planned with next year’s Academy Awards, albeit with a few new rules and a new date — April 25, 2021. That means it’s still very early and much remains to be seen, including which movies might move into the following season. Variety’s awards experts took a stab at imagining what the Oscars will look like next year, and what films have already made waves — along with which pics could be coming down the line. Participating in the roundtable are awards editor Clay- ton Davis and artisans editor Jazz Tangcay, with deputy awards and features editor Jenelle Riley leading the discussion. You can also tune in every week to hear their take on the race on Variety’s new Awards Circuit Podcast, available on Apple Podcasts,

Stitcher or anywhere you THRILLS AND CHILLS “The Invisible Man” listen to podcasts. was an early hit.

VARIETY 45 THE CONTENDERS PREVIEW: A LOOK AHEAD

Jenelle Riley: So obviously we have an unprecedented awards season ahead of us. There have been virtual screenings and drive-in premieres and Zoom Q&As and some really great swag going out to voters already. How do you think studios are faring so far in this new era of campaigning? Jazz Tangcay: I think they have pivoted to the new land- scape as well as they possibly can. They’ve taken to the drive-ins, although are voters really going to travel two hours for a drive-in when they hate going to Hollywood or Beverly Hills? Voters barely will travel. So, it’s how they make their ﬁlms available and how easily? Clayton Davis: I think some studios are adapting well. They are really getting ahead of this unknown time and starting to think outside the box in terms of how to campaign, and which items to focus on. It’s going to be interesting to see how many things from this year will stick and become the norm. Tangcay: The only criticism I’ve heard is the Q&As aren’t really interactive ...

Riley: There’s really no way around that. People miss live AN EARLY LOOK events and meeting up in person. Films that have Tangcay: But overall they have done really well. And I agree, already screened to how much will stick and become the norm? I think it’s going positive responses include (clockwise to be a long time before people feel safe doing screening from top left) “Dick rooms again. People don’t want to go to screening rooms Johnson Is Dead,” until there’s a vaccine. “Minari,” “The Father” and “One Riley: I’d say Amazon took the early lead in the swag game Night in Miami.” with their premiere dinners — they sent meals to people along with “tickets” to watch their films online. They themed them well to the movies and they were pretty amazing. But those were for early premieres; let’s see what they do for their awards slate! Tangcay: They went right for it, and they did it with a cause. Which made it even better; supporting small businesses. Riley: Onto the movies! Every now and then I hear grum- bling about how can there be an Oscars with no movies, and this aggravates me to no end. There have been so many great contenders that have come out or played festivals already. Off the top of my head, I’m talking about recent fest faves “One Night in Miami” and “Nomadland” and “Ammo- nite” or films out of Sundance like “Minari” and “Promis- ing Young Woman” and “The Father.” I’m a big fan of “The Sound of Metal,” which actually premiered at Toronto last year. “First Cow” also premiered at Telluride last year and could be a dark horse contender. Or you’ve had films that are out now, like “I’m Thinking of Ending Things” and “The Trial of the Chicago 7” and “Tenet.” The latter might get a boost from hitting DVD release in December, where people can finally check it out. Tangcay: “Da 5 Bloods” is also out and “On the Rocks” has played festivals. Riley: Speaking of horror, “His House” is one of country will be in with the election and the Davis: Agreed on all of those mentioned, but this also offers my favorite movies of the year. If genre films outcome. There are a lot of films that have bet- up a great opportunity for the Academy to think outside have made some recent headway at the Oscars ter or worse chances based on the outcome. the box some. While all the films mentioned are in conten- thanks to “Get Out,” this film deserves to as well. In addition to those you mentioned, there are tion, they would also be in a “conventional” year. We could Davis: For sure. And as the Academy announces more great docs. “John Lewis: Good Trouble” see some voters lean in on films like “Miss Juneteenth,” first their diversity and inclusion initiative set to and “The Way I Am” are both directed by Dawn film that distributor Vertical Entertainment has made avail- take effect in 2024, this is a year where they can Porter, and she’s going to be a powerhouse this able on the platform, or “Palm Springs,” hardcore comedy show some independence and look at films and season. “Dick Johnson Is Dead” and “MLK/FBI” but something that Hulu truly believes in since it was so performances they haven’t before. could also be dangerous on the circuit. I’m also beloved at Sundance. I’d also like to see them lean into some Tangcay: The docs are great this year; so many keeping a close eye on “Totally Under Control” new genres too. “The Invisible Man” for horror or dare I say, good ones: “All In: The Fight for Democracy,” from Alex Gibney. “John Lewis: Good Trouble” or “Boys State” on the documen- “Boys State,” “Crip Camp,” “I Am Greta,” “The Riley: Embarrassed to admit I’ve only seen a tary side of things. The whole expansion to 10 nominees was Dissident.” I wonder; will the election docs fare couple of those, but I adored “Dick Johnson Is supposed to allow these types of movies a chance to break well if [Democratic candidate Joe] Biden wins? Dead” and think it absolutely deserves best pic- into the top category, and we’ve yet to really see it. Davis: It’s hard to tell what kind of mood the ture consideration. (PREVIOUS PAGE) MARK ROGERS/UNIVERSAL PICTURES (THIS PAGE) DICK JOHNSON: NETFLIX; DICK JOHNSON: NETFLIX; (THIS PICTURES PAGE) MARK ROGERS/UNIVERSAL (PREVIOUS PAGE) PERRET/AMAZON ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI: PATTI

46 VARIETY THE CONTENDERS PREVIEW: A LOOK AHEAD

Davis: I think Delroy Lindo (“Da 5 Bloods”) is going to have his time in the spotlight this year while I’m crossing my fin- gers for something as subtle but profound as Steven Yeun (“Minari”). In supporting categories, my standouts in the big ensemble films like “The Trial of the Chicago 7” and “One Night in Miami” seem like they may have a hard time breaking through. I’m looking at Frank Langella and Eli Goree as those performers. Riley: I generally don’t like speculating too much on films that have yet to be seen, but let’s do it anyway. Obviously, everyone is anxiously awaiting David Fincher’s “Mank.” With that cast and crew and a film about Hollywood? That’s cat- nip to voters. Tangcay: The stills are stunning. It’s a stab at the debate on authorship of “Citizen Kane.” Also, yes, Hollywood loves a story about itself. I’m also looking forward to “French Exit,” just to see the return of Michelle Pfeiffer. We also have Tom Hanks in “News of the World” and obviously Gary Oldman for “Mank.” Riley: And both Amy Adams and Glenn Close in “Hillbilly Elegy.” They have 13 nominations between them! I’m also excited for Jennifer Hudson in “Respect” and Andra Day in “The United States vs. Billie Holiday,” as voters tend to love biopics and particularly musical ones. Davis: At first glance best actor was looking top-heavy and not “traditionally deep” of talent as we’ve seen in the past. There are so many question marks and things moving to next year. The Chadwick Boseman campaign for “Ma Rain- ey’s Black Bottom” is still working itself out and there’s no telling where they’ll land on lead or supporting. We still have no date for “Judas and the Black Messiah” so Daniel Kaluuya and/or Lakeith Stanfield may or may not factor in, plus it’s said they have similar screen time. The wind seems to be blowing towards Kingsley Ben-Adir going the lead route for “One Night in Miami” while we await the drop of Tom Hol- land (“Cherry”) and George Clooney (“The Midnight Sky”). It’s such a bananas year. Tangcay: Wherever Chadwick Boseman ends up, he has to be a lock, right? Davis: Posthumous nominations and wins are a rarity, plus I never use “lock” this early. Things change in an instant but he’s definitely the favorite at the moment, but again, the campaign will be key. Riley: Speaking of “Ma Rainey,” Viola Davis could land another nomination. Just just based on the roles in the play, it would be hard to deny her and Chadwick. Finally, I want to ask, what do you think the Oscars themselves will look like? Are we thinking it will be a virtual show? Or something more along the lines of the Video Music Awards, which was done on several stages and locations? Tangcay: I think if anyone can pull off a virtual Oscar show, Davis: Thinking outside the box should also “Pieces of a Woman” and Frances McDormand it would be the producers of the Academy Awards. And I extend to below the line. I’ll be looking for the could win a third Oscar for “Nomadland.” Two bet they would still hold it to high regard. Tuxes and gowns! Academy to do some killer moves in the artisan smaller films with great performances I want to It’s the Academy Awards. I’m sure we’ve learned from the categories. “Sound of Metal” will be an inspired mention: Carrie Coon in “The Nest” and Sienna Emmys. I would probably expect a stellar opening number inclusion in sound but also “The Invisible Man.” Miller in “Wander Darkly.” On the actor side, I’m too. So don’t be surprised. I think it would be dope for something from a big fan of Anthony Hopkins in “The Father” Davis: The Oscars are preparing for multiple types of “looks.” “Promising Young Woman” to pop up in cos- and Riz Ahmed in “Sound of Metal” along with If I were a betting man, I would imagine a Dolby Theatre tumes and makeup. the entire cast of “Minari,” which I loved. that will just have the nominees and selected press, spread Riley: I would give whoever did Carey Mulli- Tangcay: Mulligan is fabulous, I agree. I liked out among the seats and balconies. And would carry on as gan’s nails a special award. Speaking of, let’s Dev Patel in “The Personal History of David “normal” that would emulate the Emmys in some way. The take a quick look at the films that have already Copperfield.” Bill Murray will probably reso- alternative would be similar to the Emmys but with every screened where actors have stood out. Mulligan nate in “On the Rocks”; they just seem to love best picture nominee looking like the “Schitt’s Creek” paris fantastic in “Promising Young Woman” and him. Rashida Jones is also excellent in that film. ty-room table with microphones there in an offsite location. Kate Winslet always delivers in “Ammonite.” Rachel Brosnahan could cross over with her Riley: I’m happy to hear this because above all, I do believe We’ve seen a star turn from Vanessa Kirby in lead role in “I’m Your Woman.” the show must go on. MINARI: MELISSA LUKENBAUGH/A24; THE FATHER: SONY PICTURES CLASSICS SONY PICTURES THE FATHER: LUKENBAUGH/A24; MINARI: MELISSA

VARIETY 47 GET IN ON THIS ACTION! The Celebrity Sale4Hope is an exciting opportunity to own an item that was once owned by your favorite celebrity. From dresses worn to famous award shows to props used on the set of famous movies, there’s something for everyone.

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Artist Glen Keane in 1991 at work on Beast, for Disney’s groundbreaking “Beauty and the Beast.”

BILLION-DOLLAR ANIMATOR GLEN KEANE REFLECTS ON HIS STORIED CAREER AND HIS NEW FILM, “OVER THE MOON” ©WALT DISNEY CO./COURTESY EVERETT COLLECTION DISNEY CO./COURTESY ©WALT

VARIETY 49

FOCUS BILLION DOLLAR ANIMATOR

KEANE DRAWS INSPIRATION FROM THE GREATS

‘OVER THE MOON’S’ LEGENDARY DIRECTOR STARTED WITH SUPPORTIVE PARENTS AND LEARNED FROM THE BEST IN MUSEUMS AND AT DISNEY

By Peter Debruge

OSCAR-WINNING ANIMATOR and SCAD Savannah Film Festival honoree Glen Keane knew he wanted to be an artist from a young age. The evidence is right there in the archives of his father Bil Keane’s daily newspaper comic, “The Family Circus.” You see, Glen served as an inspiration for 7-year-old Billy, who would, from time to time, step in to scribble a few install- ments of the beloved single-panel strip. In reality, those crudely drawn “guest” And now, the animation icon finally makes “When I got to Disney, I was 20 years entries were daddy’s invention, although his feature directing debut, overseeing CG old, and I had so much to learn,” Keane it’s true that Glen displayed an early inter- musical “Over the Moon” for Netflix. says. “The old guys who had done ‘Pinoc- est in art, and the encouragement from Looking back on his formative years, chio’ and ‘Snow White’ were looking for both parents set him on the course that Glen Keane describes his father, Bil, as a a new generation to pass this [legacy] on would make him responsible for some of key influence in pursuing the career path to. It was very much a master-appren- the best-loved animated characters of the he did. “Any time I needed it, I would go tice approach. You would stand over the last half-century. out to his studio and knock on the door,” shoulder of a master, and they would draw During his run at Disney, Keane served recalls the director, who would bring what- over your work.” as supervising animator for Ariel in “The ever he was drawing along to share. “Dad, That was different from the train- Little Mermaid,” the Beast in “Beauty I’m trying to draw this horse but it looks ing he’d received during his two years at and the Beast” and the title characters in like a dog,” he might say, and Bil would lift CalArts. Keane and his father had visited “Aladdin” and “Tarzan.” Forever drawn to his arm and sweep his desk clean of the CalArts during spring break, when the new technology and what it could do for “Family Circus” to make room for his son’s school was closed, and Glen’s fine-arts the medium, Keane worked on a comput- CREATIVE JUICES work — a gesture that always made Glen portfolio somehow found its way to the er-animation test with John Lasseter for Glen Keane, who feel like his own work was important — film graphics department. “Where the Wild Things Are,” and later created such be- and show him how to improve it. “I knew I wanted to paint and sculpt, loved characters experimented with pioneering 360-degree In a way, Bil was Glen’s first mentor. and film wasn’t part of it,” says Keane, as “The Little Mer- tools on his Google Spotlight Stories short maid’s” Ariel, says Years later, Glen Keane had the good so CalArts’ invitation to attend its exper- “Duet.” He partnered with Kobe Bryant, he was always able fortune to receive such guidance from the imental animation program perplexed to tap into his hand-drawing “Dear Basketball,” the late last surviving members of the “Nine Old him. But he was delighted by what he father, cartoon- Lakers legend’s homage to his beloved ist Bil Keane, for Men” — veteran Disney animators who’d discovered in the field of animation. “I

sport, which earned them both Oscars. advice and support. been with the studio since the early days. found that this was the ultimate art form. NETFLIX

50 VARIETY

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It was a combination of dance and music, painting, drawing, sculpting, design, acting, everything.” Keane admits he still had a lot to learn after graduating, and considers himself grateful that his ﬁrst years at Disney coin- cided with a period in which the veterans were encouraged to pass on their exper- tise. Keane’s ﬁrst lesson came from artist Eric Larson on “The Rescuers.” “I had this

first little animation I was supposed to do TALE AS OLD AS TIME of Bernard sweeping the floor in the back- Glen Keane’s Beast ground of a shot,” Keane recalls. After a from “Beauty and couple weeks of struggling, he went in to the Beast” became an iconic character Larson’s office. “He said, ‘Well, Glen, what in the Disney canon, kind of a guy is Bernard? Well, does he and solidified the want to do a good job?’ He started talking Mouse House’s toon renaissance with about Bernard as if he was a real person, big B.O. and a best and I realized that sincerity is believing in picture Oscar nom. the character. “Later, when I worked with Ollie John- ston, he told me, ‘Don’t animate what nologies could do for a medium that, in While working on “The Fox and the the character is doing. Animate what his estimation, still has enormous room Hound” at Disney, Keane was assigned the character is thinking and feeling,’” to evolve. “I really believe that if you took to work on a bear fight. “I thought, ‘How says Keane, who passes the same lesson [artists like] Rodin, but did not show any do I express the power, the fear, the enor- on to young animators. Audiences can of what’s been done with animated mov- mity of a bear?,’”so he started drawing see the application of Larson and John- ies now, they would move this artform the scene in charcoal. “I wanted a way to ston’s principles in the animated perfor- into something so new and fresh and dif- capture the charcoal in film, and I real- mances Keane created for all his charac- ferent. There’s part of me that longs for ized how much the look of animation was ters, but especially in 2014’s post-Disney animation to move this way, and I’ve because of a technical limitation of doing “Duet,” wherein a boy and girl are born, always said that I’m an artist first, an ani- it on film.” Whereas earlier Disney proj- grow up and fall in love over the course of mator second, and whatever it is that I’m ects, like “Bambi,” had used multi-plane a three-minute, hand-drawn 3D dance. doing, I’m trying to find some way to take technology to move through space dimen- That Google-backed project allowed all that I love in classical art and bring it sionally, “Our animation in ‘Fox and the Keane to experiment with what new tech- into animation.” Hound’ was pretty much relegated to a flat surface,” Keane says. Then, in 1982, Keane and Disney colleague John Lasseter saw “Tron,” in which GLEN KEANE’S GREATEST HITS computer-generated “light cycles” cut glowing trails through 3D space, and they

THE ARTIST IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SOME OF THE MOST-BELOVED CHARAC- both saw the potential of applying this new (2) EVERETT COLLECTION PICTURES/COURTESY N, ©BUENA VISTA TERS IN THE ANIMATED FEATURE WORLD. HERE ARE SOME OF THE BEST: technology to animation. Together, they collaborated on a primitive short-film test for “Where the Wild Things Are” of a cartoon Max drawing on a CG wall to show their superiors how computers might change the game. They were too far ahead of the curve. Lasseter lost his job, and Keane was Ariel Beast Aladdin Pocahontas pulled into other hand-drawn projects — “The Little Mermaid” “Beauty and the “Aladdin” (1992) “Pocahontas” (1995) (1989) Beast” (1991) Supervising animator Story/supervising “The Black Cauldron,” “The Great Mouse Character designer/ Supervising animator animator/visual Detective” — in what. many see as a low supervising animator development/ point in Disney animation, before the character design resurgence that began with “The Little Mermaid” and put Keane at the center of the Disney renaissance. Walt Disney kept a library on the second floor of the animation studio stocked with art books. “When I would get stuck, I would roam through there and find a book about Tarzan Captain Long Rapunzel Degas or Lautrec or François Boucher. “Tarzan” (1999) John Silver “Tangled” (2010) Story/supervising “Treasure Planet” Executive producer/ Boucher, who had a way of drawing just like animator (2002) animation supervi- Disney, but in the 1700s,” Keane says. Supervising animator sor/character “The Little Mermaid” co-director Ron

designer Clements describes an example of Keane ALADDI (5); BEAST, EVERETT COLLECTION DISNEY CO./COURTESY RAPUNZEL: ©WALT SILVER, TARZAN, ARIEL, POCHAHONTAS, AND BEAST, BEAUTY

52 VARIETY Untitled-3 1 10/19/20 11:22 AM FOCUS BILLION DOLLAR ANIMATOR

“Any time I found that new technology crossed my path, it always forced me to be a better artist.”

Glen Keane

in that world, I laughed and cried at the same time,” Keane recalls. According to Desrumaux, that reaction isn’t unusual for Keane. When he reacts emotionally to the team’s work, “It’s the best compliment we can have,” she says. Before collaborating at Netflix, Des- rumaux respected Keane’s many accomplishments as an animator. “But I really discovered the artist when I worked on ‘Over the Moon.’ I was surprised because one of the first references Glen gave me was [French symbolist painter] Odilon Redon, which is not an animation-friendly reference.” But if there’s one thing that’s clear about Keane — besides being an artist — it’s that he’s determined not to color within the traditional lines of animation. “I just love the idea of sculptural drawing,” Keane says, describing the appeal of embracing digital tools in his directorial debut. “Being an artist is wonderful, but it’s the blend of being an entertainer at the same time” that makes animation the ideal medium for him. incorporating fine art references on that GAME RECOGNIZES GAME When Melissa Cobb, VP of original ani- project: “It was Glen’s idea to use Georges Glen Keane and Kobe Bryant won an mation for Netflix, approached him back de La Tour’s ‘The Penitent Magdalene’ Oscar for “Dear Basketball,” when the department had just 60 people Bryant’s homage to the game that in Ariel’s grotto when she contemplates, Keane’s animation brought to life. (now it numbers closer to 800), he was ‘What’s a fire and why does it, what’s the excited to see how the kind of creative word ... burn?’ There’s an emotion in this not happy if I’m sitting back watching freedom she offered might work at this painting that works perfectly in underly- everyone else do it,” he says. new “algorithm-driven studio,” as he calls ing what is going on in Ariel’s head.” When the opportunity to make “Over it. The project was based at Sony Pic- Over the next few projects, Disney the Moon” came along, he found a way to tures Imageworks in Vancouver, where slowly began to embrace digital innova- balance helming duties (last summer, he the team was always eager to learn from tions. “Any time I found that new tech- brought on John Kahrs to co-direct) with the master — although Keane insists that nology crossed my path, it always forced what he loves most: “I drew more on this inspiration flows both ways: “For me, now me to be a better artist. Like for ‘Tarzan,’ movie than I did on ‘The Little Mermaid,’” I’m really trying to live something differ- I wanted Tarzan not just to be swing- says Keane, who drew the enchant- ent, a kind of reverse mentorship, where ing laterally on a vine, but to physically ing early sequence in which characters I am surrounding myself with young peo- surf down canvas, and we had this way of printed on a scarf come to life himself. ple I really want to learn from.” doing it now,” he says, referring to a CG On “Over the Moon,” Keane’s vision Maybe the same thing was true for breakthrough called Deep Canvas. for the world of Lunaria blends inspira- Keane’s father when Glen was first show- On “Treasure Planet,” Keane ani- tion from artists who have come before ing promise. He remembers a day when mated a character, John Silver, with a CG with original concepts designed to push Bil called him aside. “I want to talk to arm on a traditional cartoon body. A few the bounds of the medium. you,” the cartoonist beckoned, telling his years later, Disney studio chief Michael One day, while sitting at a café in Paris, son, “Glen, you’re an artist.” Eisner asked Keane to direct an all-dig- he happened to meet the grandson of “Those were the most wonderful ital Rapunzel movie, “Tangled.” Keane Spanish artist Joan Miró. That chance words. It was like being knighted,” Glen had planned to make that his feature encounter gave him the idea for the float- Keane recalls now. His father lived until directing debut, working with the team to ing abstract shapes that define this realm 2011, long enough to see many of Glen’s explore the possibilities of the new tech- — although he credits production designer accomplishments. “Dad always felt I nology, but had to step away over health Celine Desrumaux for suggesting the ethe- would be an amazing animator,” he says. issues in late 2008. real way that the lunar world (and its styl- “My dad was really my biggest fan.” Keane has played a vital role in so ized inhabitants) appear to glow within. The SCAD Savannah Film Festival hosts many beloved projects, but didn’t neces- “When she showed me an image of a virtual In Conversation event Oct. 26 sarily feel a pressing need to direct. “For our main character, Fei Fei, standing on with Glen Keane (filmfest.scad.edu/sched-

me, it’s such an expressive art form. I’m one of these glowing illuminated spheres ule#in-conversation). GO90

54 VARIETY BILLION DOLLAR ANIMATOR FOCUS

‘MOON’ DELIVERS HEARTFELT MESSAGE

KEANE AND INTERNATIONAL CREW TAKE CARE WITH CHINESE CULTURE AND SCRIBE WELLS’ LAST SCREENPLAY

By Terry Flores

NETFLIX ANIMATION and Pearl Studio’s maker Kobe Bryant earlier this year. ing with the animators. I could describe “Over the Moon,” longtime animator Glen “Some films are much bigger than you the pose that I wanted [or] how a charac- Keane’s feature directing debut, lifts off are. This was one of those. We were given ter would move.” on Oct. 23 after a journey that, in some an opportunity to communicate such an The Pearl Studio-Netflix co-production ways, mirrored that of the film’s young important message of Audrey’s.” was truly an international one with artists heroine, Fei Fei. Pearl Studio’s Peilin Chou offered the working in China and Canada, and an all- Fei Fei, still mourning the death of project to Wells after it was pitched in Asian cast. her mother some years earlier, builds a 2015 because of her work creating strong “Given the subject matter of the film, rocket so she can go to the moon and ask voices for female characters. “I remember we really felt like [Pearl] was going to be the goddess Chang’e to help persuade her she said, ‘You want me to write the story such a wonderful resource for the film, father not to remarry. Halfway through of a little girl who wants to build her own to have people that really grew up in the production, screenwriter Audrey Wells rocket ship to go to the moon? That’s the culture, and live and breathe the culture, died after battling cancer and her script most amazing thing I’ve ever heard.’ She a part of creating this world and these “was a love letter to her daughter and for connected with it right away.” characters,” Chou says. “And our wonder- her husband,” says“Over the Moon” pro- Wells’ script connected with Keane and ful partners at Sony Imageworks in Van- ducer Gennie Rim. Rim, too, when Chou and Netflix’s Melissa couver. Their crew is also really diverse “When we first met her, she said, Cobb shared it with them after meeting and international as well.” ‘All of my movies are about healing. And up at Annecy in 2017. Keane put aside Being true to the Chinese culture was this is no different. This, if anything, is another project to do it. key for Keane, who had never been to the most important job I’ve ever done.’ “It just felt like something that I had to China before making “Over the Moon.” At the time, I didn’t understand exactly do,” Keane says. “Sometimes something “When I was actually visiting, it was an what that meant.” Rim says she and comes along and you just feel like this is explosion to all my senses,” Keane says. Keane didn’t know Wells was ill when what you were born for. And this is one of “It was the way the light reflected off the they signed on in 2017. “I think about a those projects.” textures of the walls, and it was the peo- few weeks before she passed [in 2018], As an animator, Keane took a literal ple, the importance of food.” Keane used she shared it with us.” hands-on approach to directing “Over the that new knowledge in the film. “I ended “Our team went though so many per- Moon.” “I would say this was the oppo- up really wanting the beginning of the sonal losses during the making of [“Over site of hands-off,” he says. “I think pretty film to be everything that I smelled, saw, the Moon”],” says Keane, who lost his much every shot in the movie I drew over, tasted, heard and felt there in this little friend and fellow “Dear Basketball” film- because this was my way of communicat- water town of Wuzhen.”

ADVENTURE TIME Glen Keane makes his animated feature directing debut with Netflix’s “Over the Moon,” which turns on a precocious girl. NETFLIX (2)

VARIETY 55 FOCUS SCAD SAVANNAH FILM FESTIVAL

from James McBride’s award-winning SOUTHERN COMFORTED novel about Antebellum America. While in-person screenings and parties GEORGIA FEST GOES VIRTUAL, YET CONTINUES TO are on hold, Christina Routhier, executive director SCAD Theaters and Festivals, is FOSTER STRONG SENSE OF COMMUNITY By Malina Saval making sure that the fest will remain an interactive experience for all attendees. “What makes the fest special is that you are engaging with other people that are SCAD SAVANNAH Film Festival prides ing is “Minari,” which will be followed by with you in this virtual environment,” says itself on involving the students at Savan- a Q&A with star Steven Yeun and director Routhier. “We wanted to make sure that nah College of Art and Design in almost Lee Isaac Chung. the screenings and conversations are live every aspect of its annual event, from wel- SCAD Savannah Fest’s line-up of — not prerecorded. And with the platform coming talent on the red carpet to weigh- honorees this year duly reflects its com- that we are using, there are functions so ing in on cinematic programming. This mitment to showcase a variety of talent that people can chat with one another year, while the fest, running Oct. 24-31, from across the board. “Watchman” actor or even with the artists. Everything that goes virtual in the wake of the coronavi- Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is receiving the we are doing with this festival, we want rus pandemic, this tradition of inclusion fest’s Distinguished Performance Award, to make sure that there is some kind of remains alive and well. Just as they were Brosnahan will receive the Spotlight engagement for all involved.” in pre-COVID America, SCAD students are Award and Millie Bobby Brown will be “Production across the state is up and integral to the fest’s collective sense of honored with the Maverick Award. Other running — safely, responsibly — and so is diversity and community. honorees are Jennifer Hudson (Virtuoso our historic, beloved SCAD Savannah Film “I really appreciate the festival for Award); famed animator Glen Keane Festival,” adds Paula Wallace, president consciously including content and guest (Lifetime Achievement in Animation and founder of SCAD. “Georgia is home speakers with diverse backgrounds,” says Award); and “Da 5 Bloods” actor to the first and largest virtual film festi- Elina Itugot, a junior pursuing a BFA in Delroy Lindo (Spotlight Award). Other val at any university in the world because film and television. “I cannot stress enough honorees include Samuel L. Jackson, SCAD knows this is how careers get made. how important it is to see people like your- Tessa Thomson and Steven Yeun. Learning and industry networking are self represented and recognized in the Ethan Hawke, who has been nominated nonstop at SCAD, just like our insatiable industry, especially as a young filmmaker. for four Oscars over the course of his desire for new films and stories that illu- As a 20-year-old, queer, non-binary, Fili- career as an actor and filmmaker, will be minate the human experience.” pino immigrant filmmaker with mental ill- feted with the Outstanding Achievement When asked what professional advice ness, I find it very empowering to provide in Entertainment Award. he might share with budding SCAD film- my perspective and have a say in the films “For me, the engine of my life is makers, Hawke notes that it’s not “wis- that were reviewed for the festival.” acting,” says Hawke, whose Showtime dom,” but “experience” that leads one on Itugot, who won the 2020 Coca-Cola limited series “The Good Lord Bird,” in a path toward success. Refreshing Films competition for a which he stars and executive produces, “For me, authenticity is the game,” short film she wrote and directed, cred- will screen at the fest. “Acting brings NATURAL ‘WOMAN’ says Hawke. “What do you love? I find its SCAD’s film fest programming for me close to collaborators, allows me to Julia Hart’s 1970s that when I get close to an authentic love, encouraging “minority artists.” be intimate with great writing and the crime drama “I’m Your it expands and gives back to me, and I Woman,” which stars The festival will open with “I’m Your audience ... any other appreciation or Rachel Brosnahan grow. If the point of life is to care for Woman,” directed by Julia Hart and fea- experience with the other artistic disci- as a mother forced ourselves and others this is essential. To turing Rachel Brosnahan and will close plines extend from my relationship to to go on the run, will grow. Get inside what you love and good play opening night with “One Night in Miami,” helmed by acting,” adds Hawke, who also co-wrote of SCAD Savannah things will happen. May sound simple, Regina King. The gala spotlight screen- “The Good Lord Bird,” which is adapted Film Festival. but it works for me.”

Tipsheet

WHAT: 23rd annual SCAD Savannah Film Festival WHEN: Oct. 24-31 WHERE: Savannah, Ga. WEB filmfest.scad.edu AMAZON STUDIOS AMAZON

56 VARIETY RICHARD HARRIS REMEMBRANCE FOCUS

DINNER WITH THE BOYS Richard Harris, second from right with his sons, Damian, Jamie and Jared.

plans include “Brave the Dark,” the ﬁrst RICHARD HARRIS: ﬁlm outing to bring them all together with Damian directing and Jared and Jamie co-starring. They’re also at work on the THE SONS’ production of a documentary about their father’s life and work. Here are their memories of Rich- REMEMBRANCE ard Harris as an engaged father, brilliant actor, often-irascible raconteur and all- THE VENERABLE ACTOR’S CAREER AND LIFE SEEN around unforgettable personality.

THROUGH THE EYES OF THE PEOPLE WHO KNEW HIM BEST

By Steven Gaydos Jared Harris on:

IN NORMAL TIMES, the idea of a Richard Albus Dumbledore on film in “Harry Pot- Richard Harris, the Original Bad Boy Harris Intl. Film Festival (which runs Oct. ter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” (2001) or Damian once said, “He sort of did it 20-26; richardharrisfilmfestival.com) co-starring in Oscar best pictures such as to himself.” seems entirely appropriate to the legions Clint Eastwood’s “Unforgiven” (1992) and He understood the outrageous stories of fans of the late legendary Irish stage Ridley Scott’s (2000) “Gladiator.” But while and behavior, not playing by the rules, and screen actor, but since Oct. 1 marked there’s no disputing the lasting quality fed an image that the press would print. Harris’ 90th birthday, it feels absolutely of those performances, there’s so much At the detriment of him being taken seri- essential. Oscar-nominated twice, first for more to the Harris legacy, which begins ously as an actor. Lindsey Anderson’s “This Sporting Life” on West End stages back in the mid-’50s. This comes to a head in the ’90s when in 1964 and then for Jim Sheridan’s “The To commemorate Harris’ birthday, he’s not that interested in the stuff that Field” in 1991, Harris is perhaps best- Variety reached out to his sons, director he’s being offered. Then he does Pirandel- known today for creating the character of Damian and actors Jared and Jamie. Their lo’s “Henry IV” on stage. It’s going to stand

VARIETY 57 FOCUS RICHARD HARRIS REMEMBRANCE

alongside Peter O’Toole’s “Macbeth,” but him up and said, “I’m in agony.” been knocking back whiskey all night. at the time, after he’d gone through two Four days later, Richard was in and And Burton turns to my father and says, directors and was on his third leading he owned a piece of the show and all “Look at you. Don’t you realize what lady, word was drifting through the West the merchandise. He toured all around you’ve done. If I start to drink again, all End: “It’s going to be a disaster.” the United States, Australia, Canada. It of Africa will burn!” I remember I was having dinner, and flopped in the U.K. but everywhere else it there were some new people at the table. consistently broke box-office records. But One asked about the current theater most importantly, he got his discipline scene. “What’s good to see?” And someone back. Then “The Field” came his way and Jamie Harris On: said, “You’ve got to see Richard Harris in he was Oscar-nominated and suddenly the Pirandello “Henry IV.” An Australian people were remembering that Richard woman at the table asked, “Does anyone Harris was a very talented actor. Richard’s Fatherhood take him seriously anymore?” Dad was the power, the center force of The Other King Richard our family. My parents divorced when I King Richard’s Return Richard Burton had quit drinking. was 4, split up when I was 2, but he was My father’s power as a screen actor He’d been on and off the wagon. But it’s always incredibly loving and protective of was clear to everyone in the ’60s and a birthday party and my father tells him our mother, and her well-being was fun- ’70s, but he had to renew that gift and “Come on! Everyone will be having a damental to dad. the way he did it was onstage. And I saw good time.” But Burton says “No, I don’t Evenings with my father were so exactly how he worked in the Pirandello. drink.” Now Burton was a bit of a loner, memorable. We used to spend so many I saw that play 20 or 30 times on the but everyone loved him and wanted to nights around the dinner table in the road and believe me, it was electric. get to know him. Bahamas, talking about religion and Here’s what he did: So dad says, “Come on come on, it everything except acting. This was back The play opens with a long pream- will be fine.” And Burton comes to the when I was determined to NOT to be an ble. It seems like forever before he comes party and he’s drinking tea all evening, actor. He always saw me as the joker and on in the last 10 minutes of the first act. which amazes my dad, until he check out the guitar player and he knew I was deter- He comes in from a door where no one’s the tea cup and realizes that Richard’s mined not to follow in his footsteps. expecting him, and he’s over-made up. And he’s outrageous. There’s the intermission. I hear a couple discussing what they’ve seen. One of them says “Oh, dear. What happened to him? He’s terrible. He was so great when he was younger.” The other says, “If it’s just as bad in the next act, we’ll leave.” Then halfway through the second act there’s a big turn in the play. The court is discussing what’s happened so far. Then Henry comes back from behind a pil- lar, pulls the cloth off and the wig and the makeup is gone. He says, in essence, “I’m so fucking bored with all of this.” The character in the play has been pretend- ing to be crazy. And he has this amazing speech in the play. “Are you laughing at me? You! I’m talking to you!” I will never forget the courage of that performance and the risk he took with the audience. It was fucking ballsy, but what happens there in that Pirandello is impossible without doing “Camelot” for 10 years.

King Arthur’s Royalties Back in the early ’80s, when Richard Burton was touring with “Camelot,” he started to have this terrible pain in his shoulder. He had to stop halfway through, and put the understudy on. Which meant NEW PROJECT that four-fifths of the audience walked Jared, left, Damian out. So the producers reached out to and Jamie Harris are planning on teaming Richard and he said, “I’m best friends up for a film “Brave with Richard. I’m not replacing him the Dark.”

unless he calls me.” And Burton called LEGOFF OF TOM COURTESY

58 VARIETY RICHARD HARRIS REMEMBRANCE FOCUS

I went to live in Dublin for a few they were going to make. My father Passing the O’Toole Test years and I joined a band and struggled told Anderson he saw it as “Moby Dick,” Dad was great friends with Peter O’Toole. to play the guitar and I was the singer in the story of a man obsessed with a I remember one year, it was late summer those days. We’d hang around the table creature. And then he said, “I’ll tell you and cricket was on the telly and my father there and chat and he was in a sense what this isn’t. It isn’t ‘Jaws.’ ” And I saw said to Peter, “How the hell could you like imposing. He was Richard Harris! But Michael Anderson’s face drop. That’s cricket?” He was rugby man, you know. he always took his time and told us silly why the film didn’t work. The actor saw But on this day, he was a captive audience. stories about himself and bloopers that it one way and the director saw it The test match was on and my father sat happened. He was a very warm man and another way. I visited him on the set in and reluctantly watched it for a while. any friend of mine became a friend of his. Malta. They had big water tank. Then Then he turned to Peter and said, “I’ve He would talk to me and my friends as they had a screening of the film and he judged you wrongly.” worthy characters and would listen to was devastated. our opinions. Richard’s Motherland: Take Two He would always bring himself down, A few years before he passed, Christine so he was not being a film star, but a Amanpour arranged to do an interview fun-loving father. I didn’t realize at the with him. I believe it was for his birthday. time why he was doing that, but now I see She told him, “For us to film the inter- he wanted me to see him as just a guy. view, you have to be in Limerick. We want you to take us on a tour of your Richard’s Motherland homelife.” So it’s all arranged and they Ireland was everything. Start with the get on a bus and he directs them to an poetry. Dad digested all of the poetry empty field and says, “I’m so sorry, this is from Ireland. where my house was. It must have been His passion came from his upbringing demolished.” And Amanpour says to

in Limerick. And that includes his polit- Brendan Gleeson, him, “Richard, you should know we are ical feelings. Without those he wouldn’t left,and Richard Harris journalists and we do our research. Your have been Richard Harris. He held strong in “Trojan Eddie” house was not in this field.” And so she opinions, but everything he said came directed the bus driver and they went to from his heart and was backed with facts the actual house. There was a part of and historical accuracy. RICHARD my father that was very private and he I remember, many years ago now, tried to keep parts of his life separate my godfather died and I went over to HARRIS FILMS or to himself. Limerick and dad took us to the Harris TO WATCH Mill, which his father owned, and to the How the Actor Prepared bars he went to. Wherever we went, I was young, but over time I learned of course, we were immediately loved. Per Jared Harris: from my father how much work goes into He took us to the house where he grew I have a soft spot in my heart for “To Walk wanting to get something. You don’t take up. We knocked on the door and a nun With Lions.” There’s a particular moment no for answer and you just stay at it. You answered the door. where he’s sitting on a rock with lions. And prepare for the race and train and train. He said, “My name’s Richard Harris he starts to imitate the roar of the lions. At first, I couldn’t understand what and this is the house where I grew up.” He’s fucking brilliant in “Trojan Eddie.” he was doing. I was little boy and we And the nun looked at him and said, “I would go out for a walk and he was always He’s quite good in “Wrestling Ernest know who you are, Dickie Harris. We’ve singing these songs. He’d be singing “How Hemingway” and obviously “The Field” been exorcising those demons from the to Handle a Woman” and I didn’t know is a must-see. house for years!” When he asked again to what it was. see the house, the nun said, “Evil shall not “The Wild Geese” still holds up. And that’s I learned that the songs were from when he met Richard Burton and they pass this threshold! You shall not come “Camelot” and he really wanted that part became friends. in!” But she was laughing. and that film. So he was understanding “Robin and Marian” is a must because the lyrics, being comfortable singing, he has a huge performance as Richard the because he knew that once the cameras Lion-Hearted. started rolling, he had to be comfortable. Damian Harris on: “Echoes of a Summer” with Jodie Foster is It was a musical and at a point in time, good and it’s not a violent film, so that’s as part of the narrative, as an actor you nice to show his range. have to understand and go over your Harris in the Wilderness “Man in the Wilderness” and “A Man lines. So he was singing and singing and When I was 18 or 19, I was visiting Called Horse” shook me up because you getting it right. my father when he was making “The see him hung up by his tits. Years later, I was having dinner with Cassandra Crossing.” And I really got upset seeing Gene Nic Roeg, who started as a cinematogra- It was an Italian production, a big Hackman beat the shit out of him in pher, and he told me my dad had hired disaster film directed by George Pan “Unforgiven.” him to shoot a screen test for “Camelot.” Cosmatos, and he did a pretty good job. “Molly Maguires” wasn’t a success. Maybe He wanted to be taken seriously by Director Michael Anderson, who wound there were too many elemental forces Warner Bros. and it worked. up directing “Orca” with [my dad], visited going up against each other, but I still find Two years after we were going for dad in his hotel room and I was there it pretty fucking entertaining. walks and he was singing, l saw him and

©CASTLE HILL/COURTESY EVERETT COLLECTION HILL/COURTESY ©CASTLE while they started talking about the ﬁlm — as told to Steven Gaydos he was dressed up as King Arthur.

VARIETY 59 FINDING FUN IN SAFE STREAMING

would ever be written? — the Seuss,” “Mother Goose,” KIDOODLE.TV’S FEE-FREE MODEL PROVES Internet brought families “Talking Tom,” “Mini Ninjas” ALLURING FOR KIDS, PARENTS AND ADVERTISERS together. and “Wallace and Gromit.” It proved an ideal moment It also recently announced for an emerging player in the LWVͤUVWIRUD\LQWRRULJLQDO children’s television space: programming, with Wes nce pandemic asking: “What are you Kidoodle.TV®. Tank’s “StoryRaps,” based shelter-at- watching?” The ad-supported app, on the viral sensation where home restric- STORY BY It had become an geared to families with chil- the performer raps classic Otions began, Tara urgent query. Parents dren under 12, curates over children’s storybooks. millions of McNamara juggling work-from- 25,000 episodes of chil- Kidoodle.TV plans to families found them- home without childcare dren’s content intended for unveil more originals over selves deprived of contact suddenly had to become co-viewing or safe indepen- the next year. with friends and relatives, content curators for their dent viewing. “With the growing concern not to mention favorite forms kids, even co-viewing shows The service’s lineup is about open, user-generated of recreation. Forced to that previously would have been ͤOOHGZLWKIDPLOLDUWLWOHV content platforms for kids or connect through video calls, the sole province of the little ones. including Jim Henson’s channels with adult-skewed everyone seemed to be With that — and who thought this “Wubbulous World of Dr. content, families have been

60 PARTNER CONTENT

Untitled-7Kidoodle_101520.indd 1 60 10/16/20 1:221:17 PM ‘STORYRAPS’ SPINS UP NEW SLATE

uring the pandemic, families discovered a streaming Dmarvel: a man who musically rapped children’s classic books. Word of “StoryRaps” was passed from family to family, who watched in awe, some responding with their own rap videos. That rapper, Wes Tank, transcended his streaming platform by creating a IDPLO\H[SHULHQFH With the series moving to children’s safe streamer Kidoodle.TV, Tank is LQͥXHQFLQJWKHIXWXUHRIVWUHDPLQJ “Families taking what they see from a show like ‘StoryRaps’ and making their own videos demon- strates a movement in our culture where parents can build memories with their children based upon a piece of interactive, highly engaging FRQWHQW̹VD\V%UHQGD%LVQHU .LGRRGOH79̵VFKLHIFRQWHQWRͦFHU Tank, a child of educators, says the DSSHDOLVͤQGLQJFRPPRQJURXQGLQ diverse styles. “The mashup is particularly capti- looking for a channel increased more than 1035 YDWLQJEHFDXVHRIWKHXQH[SHFWHG like ours where kids percent since January. pairing of rap and children’s liter- won’t be subjected Parents concerned about ature — both of which are utilizing to inappropriate Families have been inappropriate auto-recom- rhyme and rhythm to communicate content or ads,” says looking for a channel mendations for children impactful messages despite their Neil Gruninger, presi- “ like ours where kids coming from services built GLIIHUHQWFXOWXUDOFRQWH[WVDQGURRWV̹ dent and chief product for adults are turning to The virality can also be credited RͦFHURI.LGRRGOH79 won’t be subjected Kidoodle.TV. to Tank’s broad approach. “When With no subscrip- to inappropriate Kidoodle.TV’s chief I talk into the camera, I am Uncle tion fee, Kidoodle.TV is content or ads. FRQWHQWRͦFHU%UHQGD Wes speaking directly to my nieces, accessible to families %LVQHUH[SODLQV but I’m aware that their parents are at every income level. Kidoodle.TV’s “Whether parents are behind them and may have to see Says Gruninger, “Our Safe Neil Gruninger co-viewing with their and hear this video more than a few Streaming™ standard — ” children or allowing them times,” he says. where we vet every single independent, safe screen When looking for a new home, Tank SLHFHRIFRQWHQWWKDWH[LVWV time, we offer an array of says Kidoodle.TV offered something on the platform, from our options that kids and fami- unique: growth and protection for episodes to our advertise- continuing in the majority lies equally love.” him and his young audience. ments — gives parents of homes around the globe, Viewing statistics suggest “For a technology company, they peace of mind.” Families in Kidoodle.TV has curated Kidoodle.TV has spotted a are surprisingly human,” Tank says. more than 160 countries playlists focusing on educa- trend. “I don’t want my videos to send have signed up. tional content to serve a Even when restrictions younger viewers down any unsavory Kidoodle.TV’s vetting growing need for families. were lifted, co-viewing rabbit holes that may arise due to doesn’t rely solely on tech- The Safe Streaming™ through connected TVs unchecked algorithms or Internet nology. In addition to a real- strategy is paying off with continued. trolls.” WLPHDGYHULͤFDWLRQV\VWHP dramatic growth. Kidoodle.TV’s CEO, Mike He adds a word for other consci- it has enlisted grandparents The Kidoodle.TV app has Lowe, says, “[Co-viewing] entious creators: “I also think it’s around the world to view been ranked as the No. 1 can support early literacy really cool that Kidoodle doesn’t steal all content episodes before trending app for Android skills and boost empathic people’s data.” — Tara McNamara anything goes live. phones and the number responses and relationships With remote learning of families signed up has in children.”

: SAFE STREAMING 61

Untitled-7Kidoodle_101520.indd 1 61 10/16/20 1:221:17 PM introducing

A New Annual Franchise That Includes

Awards Circuit Section on Variety.com Featuring the latest awards news throughout the year Awards Circuit Column Clayton Davis dissects the biggest trends and contenders Awards Circuit Podcast A weekly talent interview series premiering Thursday, October 22 Awards Circuit Video Variety's top award pundits Clayton Davis, Michael Schneider, Jenelle Riley and Jazz Tangcay analyze all components of a contending project

read. watch. listen. share. variety.com/awardscircuit ARTISANS TOPARTISANS BILLING

Mrs. de Winter starts to wonder about the ‘Rebecca’ Characters late Mrs. de Winter [Rebecca]. That’s where I wanted to develop her wardrobe, based on what she thought that look was. The late Get Modern Makeover Mrs. de Winter was fashionable and went to London for her clothes. So I looked at tweeds and brushed cotton for Lily’s character. I wanted to make sure that the charac- COSTUME DESIGNER FASHIONS AN UPDATED LOOK FOR THE NETFLIX ters were modern in appearance within the REMAKE OF HITCHCOCK’S BEST PICTURE WINNER By Jazz Tangcay world of the ’30s, and I did that by putting Mrs. de Winter in trousers at one point. At Manderley House, there’s this naiveté to her and an innocence. I put her in blouses DIRECTOR BEN WHEATLEY called on cos- An Updated Yet Classic Mrs. de Winter with collars, but as she learns about Rebecca tume designer Julian Day to dress the “When we meet Lily James’ character she’s de Winter’s disappearance, she starts to iconic characters in “Rebecca,” the remake inexperienced; she’s idealistic and she become harder and stronger, and there’s a of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1940 best picture doesn’t have the wealth. The suit she’s wear- shift of power as she rises — and she has her winner, based on Daphne du Maurier’s ing the first time we see her reflects that. It’s own gold suit.” classic novel. a standard 1930s look and very matronly. In the current movie, which premieres We’re in the French Riviera and it’s hot, but Maxim: Mrs. de Winter’s Oscar on Netflix on Oct. 21, Lily James stars the fabrics of that suit are heavy wool, so “He’s gone to the French Riviera to get away as Mrs. de Winter; Armie Hammer plays she’s almost too hot and claustrophobic in from things after being recently widowed, MISMATCHED PAIR Maxim; and Kristin Scott Thomas portrays it. In contrast, the color palette for the extras and what I was going for here is a reminder Armie Hammer as the notoriously foreboding housekeeper, Maxim is dressed in that sequence is pale and sun-drenched that he’s very enigmatic and wealthy. Mrs. Danvers. Day (“Rocketman,” “Inferno,” formally, while and avant-garde. I used lightweight cotton I spoke to Ben about putting Armie Lily James as Mrs. “Bohemian Rhapsody”) discusses how he on them, so when we see her that first time, Hammer in linen when we first meet him. de Winter sports a updated the characters’ appearances for a continental look she sticks out like a sore thumb. The idea was to put him in this cool sum- new millennium. in “Rebecca.” “When she moves to Manderley House, mer fabric that was yellow. The first thing KERRY BROWN/NETFLIX KERRY

VARIETY 63 ARTISANS

Ben said was ‘That’s like an Oscar.’ When you think about it, Maxim is Mrs. de Win- ter’s prize. She’s looking at the prize that she wanted to capture, and so that observa- tion by Ben was great. When Mrs. de Winter and Maxim arrive at Manderley House, they’re newly married, and there’s a relief by the staff because she brings some of that French Riviera look with her with the beret. Maxim runs off to change into this stiff awkward country out- ﬁt. It’s a subdued, cold and hard look. “By the time we get to the end and the trial [he’s been arrested for the suspected murder of his wife], Maxim’s power has diminished and he’s in a dark suit; he’s almost reduced to a silhouette. I wanted to make her character more dominant at this point. She’s now wearing the lighter color, a gold suit. I found the fabric for that while shopping in vintage markets in Paris. It was a slight representation of what Armie is wearing in the beginning in his ‘Oscar suit,’ and her suit is that, but it’s a power suit — and she’s taken on the role of saving his life.”

The Dominant Mrs. Danvers “Kristin Scott Thomas is the psychological heart of the ﬁlm with her obsession for the dead Mrs. de Winter. When we meet Mrs. WHISTLER’S FATHER Rashida Jones and Bill Murray travel in style while problem-solving in Manhattan. Danvers, she’s this austere character. She’s quite a dominatrix character in a way. I wanted to give her this one look and this one suit. It’s a uniform as such. I didn’t want to give her black because all the other household staff wears black and white. I gave her this beautiful navy suit, and what I wanted to express with that was this domi- neering look that complemented the severe look of her hair. Crew Crafts Bill Murray’s For me, she represents the angst of Manderley. While the suit stays the same, her blouses change color and they represent Big Start in ‘On the Rocks’ the color of a bruise. It starts where she’s wearing blue, then she’s in a red blouse, and EDITOR, COSTUME DESIGNER STACK THE DECK FOR by the end, she’s in yellow. Mrs. Danvers is a bruised woman.” CHARACTER’S GRAND ENTRANCE By Jazz Tangcay

EDITOR SARAH FLACK and costume designer Nyman’s “In Re Don Giovanni” plays. A STEPPING OUT The look book for Mrs. de Winter features this Stacey Battat helped director Sofia Coppola black Mercedes with tinted glass pulls casual pantsuit. give Bill Murray the entrance he deserves in up, and the window slowly rolls down. “On the Rocks,” his first film with Coppola “That music cue was [precisely] timed so since 2003’s “Lost in Translation.” that when the music ends, he’s revealed,” This time Murray is Felix, father of Flack says. CAPTION HED New York mom Laura, played by Rashida A frequent collaborator of Coppola’s Poreiciet laccabo. Jones. Laura is married to Dean, a suc- since “Lost,” Flack found the sequence Oditinumqui volorepudam que pa cessful businessman who travels a lot and easy to cut because she had been brought non pli spends a great deal of time with his beau- in from day one. Coppola had also scripted tiful assistant Fiona (Jessica Henwick). the music cue. “Sofia had always planned Laura is suspicious and enlists her father, for this music to be part of the section early an art dealer and renowned ladies’ man, to in the movie, which illustrates Laura’s daily use his male intuition to get to the bottom routine as she goes to meet her dad for of what might be going on. The movie, now lunch,” the editor says. showing in select theaters, comes to Apple The initial cut took Flack a few hours, TV Plus on Oct. 23. including the music edits, with the sus- When we’re about to first encounter tained final chord of Nyman’s song to Felix, Laura is standing on a fairly empty coincide with the window coming down

Wooster Street in Manhattan as Michael to reveal Felix. But she and Coppola APPLE TV+ ON THE ROCKS: WARNER/NETFLIX; DARRELL DE WINTER:

64 VARIETY continued to work on the scene, making VARIETY HORROR MONTH slight adjustments. “I can’t tell you how long it took me to edit in the end because it was always evolving, and the music Blumhouse Casting edits changed along the way whenever we adjusted that montage.” Director Builds Family In the back of her mind, Flack was thinking about Rita Hayworth’s entrance in the 1946 film “Gilda.” “I was always joking TERRI TAYLOR HAS BEEN BRINGING A WHOLESOME VIBE TO with Sofia about that moment where [Gilda] JASON BLUM’S HORROR FACTORY SINCE ‘PARANORMAL 2’ flips her hair back and you see her face for By Jazz Tangcay the first time,” she recalls. Costume designer Stacey Battat wanted Felix to exude a worldly and sophisti- cated charm in his initial scene. He travels around the city in his chauffeur-driven Mercedes, almost kinglike — the polar opposite of Laura. “When we see him, we know about him right away because most New York- ers don’t have drivers and Felix is always dressed up,” Battat says. The light blue seersucker suit he’s wearing when we SCARE TACTICS Chloe Csengery and Jessica Tyler Brown star in “Paranormal Activity 3.” finally see him was purchased off the rack from Brooks Brothers but was sleek enough to play into the notion that here TERRI TAYLOR has been the in-house casting stories are relatable because we see the was a man who had his clothes tailored. director for Jason Blum’s Blumhouse Prods. family. The stories are about families in “That suit reflected this larger-than-life since 2013, a job that’s unusual at the studio jeopardy, or families dealing with extraor- character. It was a tailored and fitted look level. Blum and Taylor have built a language dinary circumstances. We search for actors that elevated him. He could be someone and relationship that goes back even fur- who can approach the role from a human who easily had his shirts monogrammed,” ther, to the studio’s 2010 “Paranormal Activ- level, not some sort of overarching broad Battat explains. The scarves he wears to ity 2.” With “The Craft: Legacy,” the reboot of performance, but bring real human emo- accentuate his wardrobe with a pinch of Andrew Fleming’s 1996 classic, debuting on tions and fear. Applying that [persona] to chic were scripted by Coppola. demand on Oct. 28, Taylor talks with Variety scary movies has been very successful for “Making Bill look good for this and about the type of actors the studio is looking us in keeping things human and relatable. turning him into this irresistible charac- for, and shares her process for matching tal- ter,” laughs Battat, “was one of my greatest ent to story. We’re approaching “Paranormal 7” in 2021. pleasures.” How do you tackle casting a franchise You and Jason Blum go back almost 10 movie that has had so much success? years. How has the relationship grown? Casting a “Paranormal Activity” film is dif- I met Jason in 2010 when I was at Para- ferent than anything else we do. All audi- mount and the first “Paranormal Activity” tions are improvised. We don’t have a had been released, and we started talking screenplay, and we don’t provide slides. We about the second one. That was our first col- just provide a fictional character descrip- laboration. Between 2011 and early 2014, tion that says, ‘You are a coach, a father; you I cast six movies for Jason. That time was have two kids.’ We build upon that and pair about building trust and getting to know his actors together. There are times when we take, helping to build the Blumhouse model can see a [bigger] opportunity. An example and helping to educate agents and actors on of that was “The Craft.” We wanted to build how we wanted to make scary, low-budget that cast thinking it could be a franchise. movies for wide release. By late 2013, Blumhouse had grown “The Craft” is a cult classic. What’s the and Jason needed someone in-house to pressure in casting a reboot that’s so syn- cast all of the Blumhouse films and over- onymous with its original cast? see television. For me, it was an exciting There is a fair amount of pressure. You and incredibly rich opportunity to deepen never want to lose sight of how beloved the my relationship with Jason and to have this title is. We were faithful to the story the position that none of my colleagues are director and screenwriter of the reboot, Zoe doing in the audition space — and having a Lister-Jones, wanted to tell — all while try- voice at the conference table in an executive ing to meet or exceed the high bar set by “When we see him, we capacity and as a department head. the first film. There were major challenges know about him right because those characters are so specific and away because most Were you always a fan of horror, psycholog- not necessarily ones we’ve seen before. We ical thrillers and paranormal films? did a major search for Zoey Luna, who plays New Yorkers don’t have I wasn’t. I could probably name five mov- a transgender young woman. She fit so per- drivers and Felix is al- ies that I bought tickets to see in the the- fectly with the other girls, and that chemis- ways dressed up.” ater, including “Cape Fear” and “The Sixth try is hard to capture. We work hard to make Sense.” I had so much to learn about the sure we achieve that in our casting process

©PARAMOUNT/COURTESY EVERETT COLLECTION ©PARAMOUNT/COURTESY Stacey Battat, costume designer genre and its history. The Blumhouse with more than one chemistry read.

VARIETY 65 A Virtual Summit Featuring Today’s Most Relevant Female Content Creators New Panels Include an Exclusive First-Look of the Upcoming Season of “The Crown,” #represent Roundtable, Keynote Conversation with Sia, and More

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MUSIC REVIEW respond rather forcefully, if metaphorically, what would you expect him to do, try to feed BY CHRIS WILLMAN to the Bush years. But on the new “Letter people experimental cuisine at a wake? to You,” he’s just responding to … the years. The “service” he’s providing isn’t Letter Mortality, it may not surprise us to learn, so much for dearly departed E Street- is even bigger, scarier and more creatively ers Clarence Clemons and Danny Fed- motivating than Donald Trump. erici, although they are memorialized, to You Actually, scratch the “scarier.” Spring- and toasted, in Zimny’s documentary. As steen takes a sanguine attitude toward all- Springsteen explains in the film, he was things-must-pass subject matter in the motivated to write this batch of songs by lyrics of “Letter to You,” and also in the the death two years ago of George The- ARTIST: Bruce Springsteen LABEL: Columbia monologues he offers about death in the iss, the last other surviving member of Thom Zimny documentary about the mak- his 1960s New Jersey quintet, the Cas- ing of the album, “Bruce Springsteen’s tiles. Even without filmic verification, fans Letters to You.” (The Apple TV Plus film could readily figure out that’s what this IF YOU PREDICTED that, in the fall of 2020, arrives simultaneously with the album Oct. album’s “Last Man Standing” is about Bon Jovi would release an album about 23.) It’s not coincidental that his rumina- from the title, and there are three more

the malaise of Trumpian politics and the TIME ON THE MIND tions on facing the end coincide with the songs about the thin veil between life and demise of the American dream, while fel- Roy Bittan, Bruce first album he’s tracked live in the studio death where that came from: “Ghosts,” low Jersey son Bruce Springsteen would Springsteen, Jon with the E Street Band since 1984’s “Born “I’ll See You in My Dreams” and “One Min- put out a record that barely alludes to Landau (background) in the USA” — and the first that really has ute You’re Here.” Max Weinberg, Charlie social justice or the national mood ... raise Giordano and Stevie all the band’s classic sonic tropes in place If devoting one-third of a 12-song col- your hand and collect your prize. Spring- Van Zandt in session since “The River.” You could see returning lection to eulogies sounds a bit much, steen’s not shy about expressing elec- in a scene from the to this late-’70s signature sound at full-al- fear not: The opening “One Minute You’re documentary “Bruce toral feelings in interviews, and in his best Springsteen’s bum length as finally caving and giving the Here,” presented as a somber, synth- 21st-century album, 2007’s “Magic,” he did Letters to You.” people what they want: comfort food. But backed prelude about impermanence, APPLETV+

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is pretty much the only non-corker on the entire album. From that outlier on, no matter how quietly the other songs may open, you can count on Max Wein- berg to suddenly interrupt the reserve with his cherry-bomb-style introductory snare battering. Springsteen is nothing if not committed to overloading these mortal-coil meditations with as many of these visceral Weinberg fills as possible, along with blaring triplicate guitars, as proof of life. Those four songs anchor the record, but Springsteen ventures really afield when he devotes another quarter of the album to numbers he wrote in the early ’70s and only ever demoed at the time. “Janey Needs a Shooter,” “If I Was the Priest” and “Song for Orphans” sound so much the product of a different writer — a hilariously wordy one who’s a fanboy for Dylan’s streams of consciousness — that it’s as if Springsteen were interrupting FILM REVIEW If Rebecca was the first Mrs. de Winter, an otherwise straightforward record for BY PETER DEBRUGE and Joan Fontaine’s character was the sec- a few bizarre covers. But maybe there’s a ond, what does that make the two wives in way to reconcile their inclusion as giving Rebecca Wheatley’s latest update of the oft-adapted us some baby Bruce to complement the classic? The third and fourth? Or 31st and elder-statesman Springsteen. And it does 32nd? No doubt, many out there have never satisfyingly answer the musical question read du Maurier’s novel, nor seen any ver- of what his debut, “Greetings From Asbury DIRECTOR: Ben Wheatley sion thereof. Those audiences are the most STARRING: Lily James, Armie Hammer, Kristin Park, N.J.,” would have sounded like if the likely target for this retro-styled period Scott Thomas E Street Band had yet existed. (Answer: It thriller distributed by Netflix, which will would’ve sounded great.) inevitably be compared with Hitchcock’s If you miss the Boss’ sociopolitical per- first American production, on which the bud- spective, it does show up, cloaked in sym- “LAST NIGHT I dreamt I went to Mander- ding British auteur melded visions with clas- bolism, in one cynical track, “Rainmaker.” ley again,” begins both Daphne du Mauri- sic Hollywood producer David O. Selznick. Otherwise the album is bereft not only of er’s 1938 best-seller “Rebecca” and nearly That makes Hitch’s “Rebecca” the that conceit but of the character songs that every adaptation of the Gothic novel that Rebecca for this remake: The earlier film filled “Western Stars,” as he keeps things has followed, including Alfred Hitch- looms so large over anything Wheatley does surprisingly personal. “Age brings per- cock’s atmospheric 1940 best picture win- that it necessarily gives the new project an spective,” Springsteen says in one of many ner. With such a definitive version on the inferiority complex. But neither Wheatley voice-over monologues in the Zimny film — books, why reboot “Rebecca”? Well, as nor his writing team (led by Jane Goldman) and his perspective right now seems to be: the opening line itself suggests, one can is trying to do a straightforward remake You can go home again … even if it’s just a and does return to the film’s tragi-roman- here. Their “Rebecca” is more of a re-adap- warm-chill way station along the route to a RETURN TO tic estate — shrouded in fog and mystery tation, restoring certain key ideas that the greater beyond. MANDERLEY as it is — as often as one pleases. A fresh Hays Code scrubbed clean. Lily James stars take may be foolhardy, but it’s not with- In du Maurier’s novel, a young woman as Mrs. de Winter out interest, and “High Rise” director Ben of modest origins (played here by Lily CREDITS: Producers: Ron Aniello with Bruce Springsteen. Mixer: Bob in Ben Wheatley’s Clearmountain. Musicians: Springsteen, Roy Bittan, Nils Lofgren, Patti adaptation of Wheatley aims to entice those who may be James) is swept off her feet by recent wid- Scialfa, Garry Tallent, Stevie Van Zandt, Max Weinberg, Charlie Giordano, Jake Clemons “Rebecca.” visiting for the first time. ower Maxim de Winter (Armie Hammer,

MUSICAL SCREENPLAY SEEKS PRODUCERS OR AGENT “A Fine White Dress” 1930’S ERA • SWING MUSICAL/COMEDY • LOVE STORY Set in the Louisiana Bayou. Featuring a black cast. STORY AND MUSIC WRITTEN, RECORDED AND REGISTERED. SCRIPT AND SCORE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST CONTACT DENNIS MAGUIRE | [email protected] | 310.963.0341

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looking more than ever like a vintage J.C. TV REVIEW Grace’s world turns upside down the day Leyendecker model) while accompanying BY CAROLINE FRAMKE after a young New York City mother is grue- her fussbudget employer (Ann Dowd) in somely murdered the night of her glitzy pri- Monte Carlo. Romance sparks quickly, and vate-school beneﬁt. News pundits debate before our heroine has time to make sense The the hazy facts, pointing out that the vic- of her emotions, she’s being escorted back tim, Elena Alves (Matilda De Angelis), was to Manderley, Maxim’s castle-like British Undoing unlike the other manicured Reardon School manor. mothers. When turning to the prime sus- Whatever heat Maxim and the new Mrs. pect, Grace’s husband, Jonathan (Grant),

de Winter enjoyed on the Riviera takes a DRAMA: HBO (6 episodes; 5 reviewed); Oct. 25 they highlight that he’s not just a charming dour turn once they’re back at Manderley STARRING: Nicole Kidman, Hugh Grant, Noah children’s oncologist but a wealthy white — a place that is haunted by the memory of Jupe, Donald Sutherland man. As the skeptical reports make plain, Rebecca, and hovered over by head house- there’s little doubt about who usually wins keeper Mrs. Danvers (Kristin Scott Thomas, these kinds of cases. Victors don’t usually the casting of whom feels like the film’s look like Elena and her taciturn husband, true raison d’être). Mrs. Danvers is one of Fernando (Ismael Cruz Cordova), of Har- those iconic female roles whose influence NICOLE KIDMAN is unparalleled in the art lem, but rather “upstanding citizens” like resurfaces throughout modern cinema, of playing a woman who’s equal parts Jonathan and his statuesque therapist wife, complicated by the queer subtext actor flinty determination and distraught pain. who’s modeled her entire life on being help- Judith Anderson insinuated in her original When her face falls in shock, her charac- ful and presentable. performance. The temptation must have ter is likely to fight the instinct to collapse, These are among the useful, interesting been great to camp it up, but Scott Thomas instead steeling herself for whatever’s yet to points that lie at the heart of a growing class makes the more effective choice of reveal- come. It’s a balancing act that found a par- divide. So it’s frustrating that “The Undo- ing dimensions of her motivations. ticularly remarkable equilibrium in David ing” raises these issues almost as a cour- For about three-quarters of the running E. Kelley’s “Big Little Lies,” where Kidman tesy before almost glossing over them. As time, “Rebecca” does a commendable job of played a woman on the edge of shattering with “Big Little Lies,” Kelley’s scripts show navigating between respect for the source within her abusive marriage. In “The Undo- just enough awareness of those people and establishing its own distinct identity. ing,” Kelley reenlists Kidman to play a wife who don’t plan fundraisers from their lav- And then, at precisely the moment where it overwhelmed by her husband’s potential ish mansions to acknowledge them, but not stands to make a few enlightened improve- for perfidy, a role she once again owns with enough to shed any real insight. More disap- ments, this Rolls-Royce of an adaptation an irresistible force. But not even Kidman’s pointing still, Elena spends most of her time veers off the road. The idea was clearly to performance, nor sharp turns from Hugh on-screen as a mysterious object of lust — boost the agency of James’ character, mak- Grant and Donald Sutherland, can quite or else horribly murdered, her face bashed ing her more actively involved in clearing center the show’s diffuse interests. in beyond recognition. It’s a terrible com- her husband’s name. But she’s been a doe- The new HBO limited series is ably acted bination of stereotypes too often relegated eyed ingénue until this point, so the third- and handsomely made. Director Susanne to Latina characters, and it’s unsettling to act Nancy Drew routine doesn’t really fly Bier (“The Night Manager”) shoots the chilly watch the show indulge in them. — nor is it necessary to put the case to rest. New York winter with an eye for the unset- That “The Undoing” crumbles under There was an opportunity here for tling. When Kidman’s character Grace gets scrutiny probably won’t matter. Plenty of the macabre-minded Wheatley to steer overwhelmed, we see flashes of the hor- viewers will tune in to a glossy HBO drama “Rebecca” into darker territory, but he rors running through her head — and it’s starring two of the world’s most telegenic and longtime DP Laurie Rose have instead just about impossible to tell if it’s the past people in a story fit for true-crime podcasts. embraced an elegant, golden-hued idea or some imagined version thereof. In these It’s just a shame that it couldn’t resist those of the 1930s far from Hitchcock’s sinister moments, when Grace acts as an unreli- clichés to become something much more realm of impressionistic shadows. Instead, able narrator in the increasingly bizarre powerful than another case of the week. his update opens in the decadent glow of story of her life, “The Undoing” is effective “To Catch a Thief,” then allows the exqui- as a psychological thriller. Where it gets lost CREDITS: Executive producers: Susanne Bier, David E. Kelley, Nicole Kid- site production and costume design to is in chasing the scattered interests of its man, Per Saari, Bruna Papandrea, Stephen Garrett, Celia Costas. 60 MIN. Cast: Nicole Kidman, Hugh Grant, Noah Jupe, Donald Sutherland, Matilda clash with that feeling the latest Mrs. de ever-twisting plot. De Angelis, Ismael Cruz Cordova Winter must have that there are termites swarming beneath all these decadent sur- faces — which has been a signature of Wheatley’s other films. In a way, the director seems to have fallen into a similar trap to the one that snared Hitchcock: In both versions, the producers take a dominant hand, overriding some of the directors’ instincts. But here they’ve stopped short of where the helmer’s natural tendencies could have taken things, making this return to Manderley softer and less per- verse than either Wheatley or the material might allow.

CREDITS: A Netflix release of a Working Title production. Producers: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Nira Park. Executive producers: Amelia Granger, Sarah-Jane Robinson. Director: Ben Wheatley. Screenplay: Jane Gold- MENTAL TRICKS man, Joe Shrapnel & Anna Waterhouse, based on the novel by Daphne du Maurier. Camera: Laurie Rose. Editor: Jonathan Amos. Music: Clint Hugh Grant and Mansell. Reviewed online, Los Angeles, Oct. 14, 2020. Running time: 126 MIN. Cast: Lily James, Armie Hammer, Kristin Scott Thomas, Keeley Nicole Kidman star

NIKO TAVERNISE/HBO NIKO Hawes, Sam Riley, Ann Dowd, Tom Goodman-Hill, John Hollingworth in “The Undoing.” FACETIME

Did you know about Zach’s story before signing on for the movie? I didn’t. I was sent Neve Campbell the script, and when I read it, it moved me so much. I was like, who is this kid? So I went down a rabbit hole of Zach Sobiech on the internet ‘Laura Is Such a and started listening to his music and watching Justin [Baldoni’s] documentary about him. I really wanted to be a part of [“Clouds”], but my Courageous Woman team wasn’t sure. I don’t think it was because of the script, but teams are always apprehensive if there isn’t a big name attached to it. I remem- and So Unselfish’ ber saying, “This is about something, and that something is very important. It’s about a kid who in the face of adversity, decided to live, NEVE CAMPBELL admits she was relieved not to have her kids with decided to enjoy his life and create music as a her when she was filming “Clouds.” way to say goodbye to the people he loved.” Variety “I’d have some stuff to shed every evening,” she tells . When did you meet Laura and the rest of “There were days of heavy crying, and I’d just be drained.” Zach’s family? I met them before we started The Disney Plus drama is based on Laura Sobiech’s memoir “Fly filming. I finished Laura’s book the night before a Little Higher: How God Answered a Mom’s Small Prayer in a Big I was supposed to go meet her. I was so concerned that I would meet her and just start cry- Way,” about her son Zach’s battle with bone cancer. Before Zach’s ing, which actually she would have been totally death at 18, a video of him performing his song “Clouds” went viral. cool with because she’s just so open about her “We had a director’s chair with Zach’s name on it,” says Campbell, story and she understands how it affects people. who plays Laura. “It was always on set.” We met for coffee, and we talked about being moms. We talked about her loss. We talked about her other kids and how it was for them. We hit it off, and we went deep real fast. I would call her the night before certain scenes and ask her about the experience and what that was like for her. I took some of her dialogue from the book and put it in the script because I had only recently read it so it was fresh in my mind.

What was the hardest scene for you to shoot? When I’m telling my youngest daughter [played by Summer H. Howell] that she has to go say goodbye to her brother. That was heart-wrench- ing mainly because Laura is such a courageous woman and so unselﬁsh. She would tell me, “I didn’t want Zach to be low,” or “I didn’t want the kids to be thinking about it all the time.” It’s like, how do you as a parent just not be bawling your eyes out all the time? But she would bolster herself up in order to carry this family.

There’s also the scene when you ask Zach [Fin Argus] where he would prefer to die and if he wanted to be an organ donor. You know, it’s all real. It’s all in her book. Yes, it’s very sad and hard to watch, but there are also a lot of happy moments and a lot of funny moments. I think it’s also a timely movie when so many of us are living in fear and anxiety and panic mode. It reminds us to just be present, to choose joy and don’t sort of go down that dark hole of what-ifs. It’s a really good reminder for all of us.

For more on “Clouds,” check out Variety’s coverage of the premiere, page 14.

AGE: 47 BIRTHPLACE: Guelph, Ontario THINGS DANCING SHOES: She was accepted to the YOU DIDN’T National Ballet School of Canada when KNOW she was 9 STAGE WORK: After auditioning ABOUT for Hal Prince, she landed her first NEVE professional gig when she was 15 as a CAMPBELL dancer in the Canadian production of “Phantom of the Opera” in Toronto. LAURENT GUERIN/DISNEY LAURENT

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We are proud to announce the fi nalists for the 7th Annual LMGI Awards: (Winners to be announced at the show) OUTSTANDING LOCATIONS IN A PERIOD TELEVISION SERIES BABYLON BERLIN: SEASON 3 – X Filme Creative Pool, Netfl ix, David Pieper /LMGI THE CROWN: SEASON 3 – Netfl ix, Pat Karam /LMGI, Pedro “Tate” Aråez /LMGI PERRY MASON – HBO, Jonathan Jansen /LMGI, Alexander Georges /LMGI, Brian Kinney /LMGI, Alex Moreno /LMGI SEE: SEASON 1 – Apple TV+, Trevor Brokop, Nick Bergstedt, Michael Gazetas /LMGI (posthumous) WESTWORLD: SEASON 3 – HBO, Mandi Dillin /LMGI, Michael Wesley /LMGI 2020 VISION: WE SEE IT FIRST WU-TANG: AN AMERICAN SAGA – Hulu, Rob Coleman, Mike Mizrahi, Dexter Wiseman

THE FIRST ONLINE STREAMING LMGI AWARDS OUTSTANDING LOCATIONS IN A Saturday, October 24, 2020 CONTEMPORARY TELEVISION SERIES GIRI/HAJI – Netfl ix, Antonia Grant, Idris Ahmed, Tooru Hayakawa, Katsumasa Morita Pre-show: 1:30 PM • Show begins 2 PM PDT GOLIATH: SEASON 3 – Amazon Prime Video, Scott Poole, Errol Reichow /LMGI HOSTED BY KILLING EVE: SEASON 3 – BBC America, Jamie Parsons, Jordi Utset, Lucian Asan MESSIAH ISAIAH MUSTAFA – Netfl ix, Wendell Hinkle, Marco Giacalone /LMGI, Hilton Clay Peres /LMGI TREADSTONE – Captivate Entertainment, USA Network, Imre Légmån /LMGI, —WITH SPECIAL HONOREES— Rosita Cannata, Bong Cho, Wesker Hsing SPIKE LEE WHITE LINES – Netfl ix, Germån Traver, Leon Seth TRAILBLAZER AWARD OUTSTANDING LOCATIONS IN A LIMITED ANTHOLOGY TELEVISION CHRISTOPHER McQUARRIE BELGRAVIA – Epix, Mark “Sparky” Ellis EVA MONLEY AWARD CATHERINE THE GREAT – HBO, Vytautas Riabovas, Kestas Cicenasas, Svetlana Lukash GARY SINISE LITTLE AMERICA – Apple TV+, Mike Hartel, Rocco Nisivoccia, Adrian Knight /LMGI HUMANITARIAN AWARD THE PLOT AGAINST AMERICA – HBO, Matthew Kania THE SPY – Netfl ix, Rabi El Bakki, Zsuzsa Gregua, Zsolt Valkony VERONIQUE VOWELL ZEROZEROZERO – Amazon Prime Video, Gianni Antonio Grazioli, Christian Peritore, LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Juan Pablo Noval, Lily Flaschner, Virginia McCollam, Babacar Seck, Zoubir Belgsir, Hicham Jamaledine OUR SPONSORS OUTSTANDING LOCATIONS IN A COMMERCIAL PLATINUM LEVEL SPONSOR FORD: HUMAN POWER – Primo, Alejando Bresciani GEORGETOWN OPTICIAN: EYES SAY MORE THAN WORDS – Design Army, Dean Alexander GUCCI: OF COURSE A HORSE – GE Projects, Beau Bright MASK OF THE ZODIAC – Stink Shanghai, Ben Qian, Allen Cao RENAULT CLIO: THE FRENCH EXCHANGE – Academy Films, GOLD LEVEL SPONSORS Mark Jones, Eugene Strange SPRITE “YOU ARE NOT ALONE” – Primo, Hernan Dal Maso

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OUTSTANDING FILM COMMISSION ABU DHABI FILM COMMISSION – 6 Underground BERLIN BRANDENBERG FILM COMMISSION – Babylon Berlin MEDIA SPONSORS THE MUNICIPALITY OF PORT HOPE MARKETING & TOURISM OFFICE, ONTARIO – It 2 NEW JERSEY MOTION PICTURE & TELEVISION COMMISSION – The Plot Against America TOSCANA FILM COMMISSION – 6 Underground

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