The leadership of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) have endorsed a plan to consolidate their unions—a move they contend will increase their negotiating power in the entertainment industry. Last weekend (4/12-13), the national boards of SAG and AFTRA voted overwhelmingly to send the plan out for a membership vote in June. In order to come to pass, the plan must gain approval from 60 percent of each union’s members. Per the plan, three affiliates dedicated to actors, broadcasters and recording artists, respectively, would operate under a single umbrella union, tentatively called the Alliance of International Media Artists. Whether there are enough membership votes for the plan to gain passage remains to be seen. SAG members in opposition to the proposal are organizing in an effort to defeat the formation of a consolidated union….Industry vet Jeff Devlin has formed Media Logic, a New York-based venture through which he will serve as an executive producer and head of New York sales operations for two production houses: the Los Angeles-headquartered Original Film, headed by exec producer Bruce Mellon; and bicoastal Aero Films, recently launched by executive producers Skip Short and Lance O’Connor and director Klaus Obermeyer, Jr. Devlin becomes a partner in Original….Bicoastal HKM Productions has signed director Eden Diebel, formerly of bicoastal Headquarters, and the directing duo Jacobs/Briere—Kim and Alain, respectively—who had been with HSI Productions, bicoastal….The Haus, New York, has signed still photographer Jonathan Miller for spot representation in the U.S. and Canada….Directors Michael Imperioli and Mark Perez have joined City Lights Productions, New York, for commercials. Both helmers come over from Perretti Productions, New York. Additionally, City Lights has entered into a partnership with Sal Del Guidice, founder of Tangerine Films, New York, whereby he serves as executive producer for City Lights Productions…. Bicoastal Cosmo Street Editorial has signed editor Lucas Spaulding, formerly with Mackenzie Cutler, New York. Additionally, Cosmo Street has entered into an agreement with London-based editorial house Peep Show to represent that company’s editors nationwide. The Peep Show talent now available to the U.S. market through Cosmo Street comprises Andrea MacArthur, Mark Edinoff, Jim Weedon and Amanda Perry. Coming over to Cosmo Street’s New York office fulltime is former Peep Show editor Jinx Godfrey. Joining Cosmo Street with Godfrey is her longtime producer, Lisa Greenleaf. Godfrey and Greenleaf will still be available for select jobs via Peep Show…..Editor Martha Kelley, formerly of Avenue, Chicago, has come aboard the roster of Phoenix Editorial, San Francisco….Judges have selected Krystyn Campbell and Jennifer Perry of Lowe, New York, as the creative team that will represent the U.S. in the Young Creative competition on June 14 in Cannes during the International Advertising Festival. The competition pits teams from some 30 countries against each other, with a panel of international judges determining which artisans create the best ad in a 24 hour turnaround time on behalf of a public service/nonprofit client…..
“Dog Man” Fetches $36 Million To Top Weekend Box Office
DreamWorks Animation's "Dog Man" fetched $36 million in ticket sales at the weekend box office, according to studio estimates Sunday, making it the biggest debut yet in 2025.
It was a big opening for the Universal Pictures release adapted from the popular graphic novel series by author Dav Pilkey. The big-screen launch for the cartoon canine was produced for a modest $40 million, meaning it will easily coast through a profitable run. Audiences gave it an "A" CinemaScore.
Only one animated film before has had a better January launch: 2016's "Kung Fu Panda 3." "Dog Man," though, was soft overseas, collecting $4.2 million from 29 international markets. The voice cast of the Peter Hastings-directed movie is led by Pete Davidson, Lil Rel Howery and Isla Fisher.
Family movies last year buoyed the box office, with PG-rated films accounting for $2.9 billion, or 33% of all ticket revenue, according to data firm Comscore. So far, they're lifting 2025, too. The Walt Disney Co.'s December release "Mufasa: The Lion King" topped the weekend box office three times in January. In its seventh week of release, "Mufasa" held in third place with another $6.1 million, bringing its global tally to $653 million.
"The PG animation family film wave that was so prevalent in '24 continues in '25," said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for Comscore.
The horror comedy "Companion," from Warner Bros. and New Line, also opened well, with $9.5 million in 3,285 locations. Drew Hancock's sci-fi tinged film set in the near future is about a group of friends on a weekend lakeside getaway.
"Companion," starring Sophie Thatcher ( "Heretic" ), was lightly marketed and made for just $10 million. It will depend on glowing reviews (94% fresh on Rotten... Read More