LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!

Decisive steps have been taken to create greater equality and fairness for stunt performers.

New Rules For Stunt Performers

Policies are now in place for more diverse hiring practices in the stunt world along with a task force appointed to ensure the rules are followed.

The move follows outcry from stuntwomen about stuntmen putting on wigs and women’s clothes to double for actresses and from stunt performers of color outraged at white colleagues doubling for actors of color.

The new code has been put in place by performers’ union SAG-AFTRA.

The union’s National Executive Director David White said, “In this long and distinguished profession, there is a dark reality. The hiring practices and the expansive set of aggressions against people of color and women have existed for a long time, and the time has arrived that we must address it.”

This new policy is in step with industry wide calls for greater inclusion and diversity.

WARNERMEDIA’S SHOCK DECISION TO PUT ITS WHOLE 2021 SLATE OF FILMS ON ITS HBO MAX STREAMING SERVICE IS BEING SEEN AS THE MOMENT EVERYTHING CHANGED IN HOLLYWOOD.

Now every other studio is changing its distribution model in order to best monetize its titles in a Covid changed world – and deep-pocketed streaming companies appear to be the best customers.

Paramount sold Eddie Murphy sequel Coming 2 America to Amazon, while Sony did a deal with Hulu over Kristen Stewart comedy The Happiest Season having earlier sent Tom Hanks war epic Greyhound to Apple +. Lionsgate has sent some titles to VOD and Hulu while holding onto others.

Now Paramount has announced its own streaming platform but it will be playing catch up against established and rich rivals.

Netflix has acquired global rights to a string of prestige films like Aaron Sorkin’s The Trial of the Chicago 7 which put them at the forefront of awards season. Universal has given streaming rights to its upcoming blockbusters, like Fast & Furious 9 and Jurassic World 3, to its streaming partner, Peacock.

Disney released both Mulan and Soul straight to its own streaming service, Disney Plus, but is still planning a traditional release for upcoming blockbusters Black Widow and Jungle Cruise. Meanwhile not everyone is taking Warners move lying down. Director Christopher Nolan has launched a blistering attack on the studio’s strategy saying it will destroy the business model which supports film worldwide. And Legendary, the company which produced two of Warners 2021 films – Dune and Godzilla v Kong – plans to fight the release plan in court. Others dismiss such protests and say the streaming revolution has begun and the traditional powers will just have to adapt and jump on board.

The pace of change has put theater chains on the brink of bankruptcy and left the entire future of the the exhibition system in doubt.

As USC cinema professor Jason Squire said of the current situation: “This is the worst threat to moviegoing since the business began.”