The average cost of producing a 30-second national TV commercial in 2000 decreased three percent as compared to ’99, according to the American Association of Advertising Agencies’ (4A’s) annual Television Production Cost Survey. Extrapolating from a database of 1,230 national :30s as reported by 20 participating ad agencies (including 15 of the country’s top 20 ad shops), the 4A’s report found that the "average" gross cost of a national :30 before agency commission was $332,000 in ’00. That’s down slighly from $343,000 in ’99. Next week’s SHOOT will contain a full report on the 4A’s study, including what can be learned from ’00, a year marked by the six-month-long actors’ strike against the advertising industry….Word is that director Jeffrey Fleisig, who signed with the since closed Propaganda Films earlier this year (SHOOT, 5/18, p. 1), is slated to join Biscuit Filmworks, Los Angeles….Director Zack Snyder has joined bicoastal Believe Media. He comes over from bicoastal HSI Productions….Director Lance Kelleher is coming aboard Copper Media, the Los Angeles shop headed by executive producer Mel Gragido. Kelleher had been helming spots via Los Angeles-headquartered Ritts/Hayden….Metro Pictures, with bases of operation in Marina del Rey, Calif., and Hong Kong, has launched a shop in Auckland, New Zealand, under the aegis of executive producer William Grieve. Director signings are in the offing….Editor Steve Prestemon is set to come aboard Mad River Post/Santa Monica. He had been at Santa Monica-based Swietlik Inc….Director Andre Marcell has launched Rip Tide Films, New York. Marcell had been directing spots via Tapestry Productions, New York. Joining Marcell at the new company is executive producer Tom Romano and production coordinator Dale Glickman….Michael Angelo has joined Rough House Editorial, San Francisco, as its lead Flame/Smoke artist….Sally Kapasalis has been named managing director at Spontaneous Combustion, New York….
India’s Official Oscar Entry, Which Failed To Make The Cut, Tops Bollywood Awards Show With 10 Wins
The film that was submitted as India's official Oscar entry but failed to make the final list of nominees has swept the International Indian Film Academy Awards, which recognize outstanding work in the country's film industry.
Director Kiran Rao's critically acclaimed "Laapataa Ladies" — renamed "Lost Ladies" for its Oscar campaign — emerged as the biggest winner at the 2025 IIFA Awards, bagging 10 wins, including best picture and best direction.
The 2023 comedy is about two veiled brides who are accidentally swapped during a train ride, and tackles issues of patriarchy and gender roles, a shift from decades of male-centered mainstream Indian movies.
"It's a rare privilege to win an award for a film like 'Laapataa Ladies.' It's been a wonderful night. It's a rare privilege to make a film like this," Rao said in her acceptance speech.
Rao's film — a rare departure from most Bollywood films, which typically feature song-and-dance routines, violence and melodrama — also won in categories for best story, best screenplay and best actress in a leading role.
The annual ceremony of IIFA began in the western city of Jaipur on Saturday and concluded Sunday.
Indian cinema's most recognizable names took part in the glitzy event and Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and actor Shahid Kapoor were among those who performed at the ceremony. The event was hosted by veteran director and producer Karan Johar and actor Kartik Aaryan.
The awards show also presents an opportunity for Indian celebrities to showcase their fashion, and this year was no exception. Notable figures such as Madhuri Dixit, Katrina Kaif and Kareena Kapoor Khan displayed their fashion choices on the green carpet.
Read More