Changes At The Helm
Giraldi Gets Honey Of An Honor; Signings at MRB, Prodigy, Annex
Director Bob Giraldi, a commercialmaking veteran, has seen his short film Honey Trap become a Remi Award winner for creative excellence at the 39th annual Worldfest-Houston. In addition to receiving the Remi Award, Giraldi will be honored by having the film screened at the festival itself, which runs from April 21-30. Honey Trap is what director/writer Giraldi described as a “cold, dark story of sex, betrayal and murder.” The short, which stars Debbie Harry, Abbey Fox and Ewan Ross, was produced through 149 Wooster, a New York shop Giraldi formed with Patti Greaney and Carol Case, to develop and produce films. Case and Adam Cohen executive produced Honey Trap, with Greaney, Bryan Littman and Emily Plunkett serving as producers. The short was shot by DP Jonathan Sela using the Grass Valley Viper Filmstream digital cinematography camera…..MRB Productions, Beverly Hills, has added director Michael Wang. He joins a directorial roster that includes Mark Teitelman, Rico Labbe, Jeremy Haft, Brian O’Connell and Gary Califano. Wang’s previous production house affiliations include V12, Santa Monica, Trio Films, Venice, Calif., and now defunct Cognito Films. At the latter, he directed Bud Light’s “Centerfold” for Dieste & Partners, Dallas; the spot was short-listed at the 2001 Cannes International Advertising Festival…..Director Michael Gracey has joined Prodigy, a production company with offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland. His reel contains a mix of animation and live-action for such ad clients as Mitsubishi, McDonald’s and Cadbury. Gracey’s music video work includes clips for the Wil Young and the band Sugarbabes . He has also directed live shows at London’s Wembley arena. Prodigy is headed by owner/exec producer Jonathan Samway…..Director Miles Goodall of Suburban Films, Cape Town, South Africa, has linked with Annex Films, London, for representation in the U.K. He is repped stateside via The A List, New York. Earlier this year, the Goodall-directed “Village/Old Man” for AIDS Awareness via TBWA, Paris, won a Gold World Medal at the New York Festivals…..
New 2025 Laws Hit Hot Topics–From AI In Movies To Social Media
Name a hot topic, and chances are good there’s a new law about it taking effect in 2025 in one state or another.
Many of the laws launching in January are a result of legislation passed this year. Others stem from ballot measures approved by voters. Some face legal challenges.
On the entertainment and social media fronts there are several notable state laws taking effect, including:
Hollywood stars and child influencers
California, home to Hollywood and some of the largest technology companies, is seeking to rein in the artificial intelligence industry and put some parameters around social media stars. New laws seek to prevent the use of digital replicas of Hollywood actors and performers without permission and allow the estates of dead performers to sue over unauthorized AI use.
Parents who profit from social media posts featuring their children will be required to set aside some earnings for their young influencers. A new law also allows children to sue their parents for failing to do so.
Social media limits
New social media restrictions in several states face court challenges.
A Florida law bans children under 14 from having social media accounts and requires parental consent for ages 14 and 15. But enforcement is being delayed because of a lawsuit filed by two associations for online companies, with a hearing scheduled for late February.
A new Tennessee law also requires parental consent for minors to open accounts on social media. NetChoice, an industry group for online businesses, is challenging the law. Another new state law requires porn websites to verify that visitors are at least 18 years old. But the Free Speech Coalition, a trade association for the adult... Read More