Major Hollywood unions, including AFM, DGA, IATSE, Teamsters, SAG-AFTRA, and the Writers Guild of America East, sent a joint letter to entertainment workers to stress the importance of solidarity as the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact the world and the entertainment industry. 16 more words
via Hollywood Guild Leaders Send Solidarity Message to Members — Variety
Dwayne Johnson, Issa Rae, and Dany Garcia are set to executive produce a half-hour series in development at HBO about the creation of a backyard wrestling promotion, Variety has learned exclusively. 31 more words
Herb Stott, a trailblazing director and producer of TV commercials, died Feb. 8 in Hollywood. He was 85. The cause of death has not been made public. 33 more words
via Herb Stott, Television Commercial Producer, Dies at 85 — Variety
Collections of films by iconic directors such as François Truffaut and Charlie Chaplin are heading to Netflix as part of a wide-ranging deal struck with distributor MK2 Films. 32 more words
via Francois Truffaut, Charlie Chaplin, David Lynch Titles Hit Netflix — Variety
An average of 6.1 million viewers tuned in to watch the first two episodes of the much-anticipated documentary series “Last Dance” across ESPN and ESPN 2, a boon to the Walt Disney-owned sports networks as they scramble to maneuver in a climate where nearly all live sports have been canceled. 7 more words
Between the Beastie Boys’ retrospective book (“Beastie Boys Book”), their 2018 “event tour” (featuring readings and Q&A) and “Beastie Boys Story” documentary — which comes out Friday on Apple TV+ — one might wonder what’s left to talk about. 22 more words
“I’m not a scientist, but …” That’s how an awful lot of opining is framed these days, as columnists, pundits and sources offer a quick disclaimer before proceeding to predict how the coronavirus crisis will play out. 23 more words
via Movie Theaters Might Reopen Sooner Than Expected, But Is It Safe? (Column) — Variety
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp will allow movie theaters to reopen starting April 27, but exhibition insiders stress that it would be nearly impossible for most major chains to start business back up by next week. 23 more words
via Most Movie Theaters in Georgia Won’t Reopen Next Week Despite Governor’s Plans — Variety
Retired baseball star Alex Rodriguez and his fiancé, recording artist and actor Jennifer Lopez, have retained JPMorgan Chase to raise capital for a possible bid on the New York Mets, people familiar with the matter said. 22 more words
via Alex Rodriguez, Jennifer Lopez Retain JPMorgan to Raise Money for Mets Bid (EXCLUSIVE) — Variety
“One World: Together at Home,” the two-hour star-studded virtual concert featuring Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Hudson and numerous other artists, drew in nearly 21 million viewers across the 26 networks on which it aired live on Saturday night, according to Nielsen data. 14 more words
via ‘One World: Together at Home’ Concert Draws 20.7 Million Viewers — Variety
Festival Reviews 