By A SHOOT Staff Report
A Quiet Place Part II, Paramount Pictures’ sequel to the original hit thriller directed by John Krasinski, has started production in Western New York.
Howard Zemsky, president, CEO and commissioner of Empire State Development, New York’s chief economic development agency, said, “Film productions stimulate economic growth and job creation in Upstate New York, and A Quiet Place Part II will continue the trend by creating 400 hires and investing over $10 million (in the regional economy).”
The film will be shot in Upstate New York, with approximately 35 days in Erie County, 10 days in Chautauqua County, two days in Dutchess County, and one day in Ulster County, booking over 10,000 hotel nights in the process. Approximately 300 background actors will work a total of 1,335 shoot days.
Lee Rosenthal, Paramount Pictures’ president of physical production, said, “Paramount is thrilled to be returning to Buffalo, a city with ideal backdrops for this film as well as access to fantastic local partners and talented crew.”
The film will be released by Paramount Pictures on March 20, 2020.
Bonnie King Re-Elected Film Florida President
Bonnie King, known for representing the Space Coast Film and Television Office, a committee of the Brevard County Tourist Development Council (TDC), has been re-elected president of Film Florida, a statewide not-for-profit entertainment production trade association that serves a leadership role in Florida’s film, TV, production and digital media/tech industry by representing all aspects of the business including film commissions, industry, labor, associations and education.
King recently retired from the Space Coast Office of Tourism/Film. Among her accomplishments was being heavily involved in bringing the new NatGeo TV series The Right Stuff to the Space Coast and Orlando areas. With her company, 321BonnieKing, she now contracts with various companies to do film assistance, marketing and special events.
King heads a slate of 2019-’20 Film Florida executive board officers which also includes 1st VP Gail Morgan of the Emerald Coast Film Commission (Film Commission Council); 2nd VP Sandy Lighterman, Miami-Dade Office of Film and Entertainment (Film Commission Council); secretary Leah Sokolowsky, Teamsters Local 769 (Labor Council), treasurer Matt Wohl, Traveling Dog Films (Industry & Association Council); at-large officer Anne Russell, Full Sail University (Education Council); and immediate past president Kelly Paige, Level Talent Group (Industry Council).
Oregon Lensing Resonates With A Shrill Tone
Oregon Film welcomed back lensing of Hulu/Warner Bros.’ Shrill for its second season. Created by Aidy Bryant (who also stars), Alexandra Rushfield and Lindy West, Shrill has garnered critical acclaim for its poignant brand of comedy.
Meanwhile recently completing production in Oregon are the indie features The Rental directed by Dave Franco, The Water Man helmed by David Oyelowo, and a new undisclosed series for Facebook.
Currently Oregon is playing host to three stop-motion animated films and a TV series, according to film commissioner Tim Williams, executive director of Oregon Film.
European Union moves to compel Apple to open up operating system to rival tech
The European Union said Thursday it will outline steps to compel Apple to open up its iPhone and iPad operating systems to competing technologies under the bloc's tough new digital rulebook, which threatens hefty fines for breaches.
The EU's executive branch, the European Commission, said it has opened two "specification proceedings" that will spell out what Apple needs to do under the 27-nation bloc's Digital Markets Act.
The DMA is designed to prevent Big Tech "gatekeepers" from dominating digital markets, including by breaking up closed tech ecosystems. It requires tech companies to make their systems operate with rivals, allowing consumers to switch more easily between platforms.
One proceeding will focus on how connected devices like smartwatches and headphones will have "effective interoperability" with Apple's operating system. The other will look at how Apple deals with interoperability requests from software developers for iOS and IPadOS, which should be done in a "transparent, timely and fair" way, the commission said.
During this process, which will take up to six months, the commission will send its findings to Apple. It's the first time the commission has used this process since the DMA took effect earlier this year. The bloc is already investigating Apple over its App Store rules for developers.
The commission's executive vice president in charge of competition policy, Margrethe Vestager, said in a press release that the process will "provide clarity" for developers and Apple.
Apple said it has "created ways for apps in the European Union to request additional interoperability with iOS and iPadOS while protecting our users."
"Undermining the protections we've built over time would put European... Read More