New Projects Casting - IATSE Strike Authorized - Major Agent Merger - Industry Intel

By Sean Gregory, October 05, 2021

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It's hard to believe we're nearly a week into October already. I'm a fan of spooky season as much as the next person, so no complaints from me, but the busy fall season is definitely taking everyone for a ride these last few weeks!

Don't forget we'll be hosting our first Up-To-Date Actor Tutorial this Thursday, October 7th at 2 PM EST; we encourage any users (old or new) to check it out and get an in-depth look at some of the amazing features that Abi has built into the site. The first tutorial will start with a brief overview on how to use & take action on your daily notifications. The tutorial will then be open to a Q&A where Abi will answer your specific questions about the Up-To-Date Actor. No active account is necessary, hope to see you there!

Let's talk news!

COVID Reopening

Are you planning your triumphant return back to a Broadway house this fall? Make sure you're up-to-date on all of the current COVID safety guidelines for entering theatre houses in NYC:

You must be 14 days out from your final COVID vaccine dose by the date of the show
Proof of vaccination, in the form of either your physical vaccine card, a photo of your card, or one of the digital vaccine apps, will need to be presented with your ticket
Masks are required whenever inside the venue, with the exception of eating and drinking breaks

Not everyone is thrilled with NYC's COVID mandates, however: A group of Off-Broadway theatres is taking the city to court over its Key to NYC program, saying that the initiative mandating proof of vaccination to enter their venues discriminates against entertainment venues specifically, while houses of worship in the city are not required to abide by such a directive. The mandate currently also applies to indoor dining, movie theaters, concert halls, and gyms in the city.

Talks between Hollywood's major unions and producers have tentatively extended the Return to Work protocols through the end of the month, with no word on a more structured layout of safety measures being discussed past that date. Members of the SAG-AFTRA, IATSE, the DGA, Basic Crafts, and the Teamsters have been working to solidify what a long-term set of COVID protocols may look like through the upcoming fall and winter months, as infection rates decrease but still remain a factor as colder months approach. As of now, all of the previously-agreed-to zone and testing strategies will remain in place.

IATSE Strike Authorization

IATSE members took another step in their looming strike movement last week by canceling their streaming subscriptions en masse, in the hopes of sending messages to the largest online platforms that their voices must be heard, and heard as soon as possible. "I'm assuming somewhere along the way, some algorithm will pop up saying, 'Hey, we’re losing business because of this,'" said United Scenic Artists, Local 829 member Kevin Lee Allen. "I hope my friends who aren’t in the business do the same kind of thing, so it sends the economic message." Talks have stalled between the union and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents the studios. The unions have been negotiating since May on a new contract, and are seeking to address long-standing concerns, including long hours on set, streaming wage scales and residuals, and the stability of the pension and health funds.

UPDATE: Yesterday, IATSE members voted to approve a strike authorization, giving the union president the power to shut down film and TV production across the country. The vote passed with 98.7 percent support, and 90 percent turnout — a resounding outcome that the union hopes will strengthen its bargaining position.

CAA & ICM Merger Continues to Shape Up

The entertainment world is still reeling from last week's announced merger between agency giants CAA and ICM, consolidating the long regarded "Big Four" entities - WME, UTA, CAA, and ICM - effectively into the Big Three, if approved by regulators in the coming weeks, It was a deal months in the making, some believing being in response to the growth of WME since their modest IPO in April, though it's no secret that bargaining power is at a premium in Hollywood these days, and strength in numbers seems to be the name of the game.

Analysts are nonetheless worried about what the new partnership may mean for the future of smaller agencies. CAA taking ICM under its wing was seen as an industry giant taking on a "runner-up" rival, a trend that may endanger boutique agencies' independence in the years to come. Others remain more optimistic - Verve co-founder Bryan Besser says he's "excited about the opportunity this creates" for his agency and others like it. "We are sticking to the path we’re on, the one that’s been working for us, which is to go left when most go right."

In any case, a merger of this magnitude doesn't come without its casualties. CAA is said to be taking a "careful and measured" look at staffing across the board, but significant cuts are almost guaranteed in order to make the venture viable. WME underwent a slimming down period during their merger in 2009, and while the same is bound to occur in the months ahead, CAA execs are doing their best to shift emphasis to their clients: "[O]ur whole strategy is about representation, and about being aggressive advocates for artists," CAA's Bryan Lourd said. "With this deal, we feel really righteous about it, and it’s going to serve the clients in every capacity."

SAG-AFTRA officials, meanwhile, are no strangers to changing agency landscapes either, pledging to keep a keen eye on the upcoming proceedings: "We will carefully scrutinize this combination of two storied talent agencies to ensure that performers will benefit from, and are not disadvantaged by, the deal," SAG-AFTRA national ED Duncan Crabtree-Ireland wrote in a statement.

Streaming

Netflix has teamed up with organizers of the United Nations’ COP26 international climate conference to create a group of films and shows aimed at promoting themes of sustainability and eco-friendly content. The "Together for Our Planet" collection features 30 series, films, and documentaries meant to engage audiences of all ages on the topic of climate change. 62% of viewers polled in a recent survey found that they were interested in watching climate-minded content on the streamer.

With more and more actor contracts being consolidated by way of digital media buyouts and streaming licensing agreements, union advocates and industry analysts are continuously revising how to best protect actors' work once the final scene is wrapped. Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel, however, says it's never been a better time for actors to sit at the contract talk table. "Talent is getting paid throughout this process, and they’re getting paid very, very well," Emanuel said of WME's negotiation strategy, saying that platforms' rush for solid content has given actors and agents "massive leverage" in landing big deals. Go out there and land yours! 💰

Has anyone else been obsessed with SQUID GAME in the last few weeks? The Korean drama has catapulted to the head of the Netflix viewing chart, drawing widespread support across the industry, with even Jeff Besos taking to Twitter to acknowledge the show's meteoric rise and praise Netflix growing international strategy. Previous streaming juggernaut BRIDGERTON is set to be eclipsed by the up-and-coming drama, making it one of the most popular international releases to date. Check out Netflix' full list of top shows and movies!

Industry Intel

The latest iteration of the Bushwick Film Festival has officially set its lineup for this year's hybrid event, which will feature over 135 indie films from 27 countries. The festival will also feature a smattering of NFT's in the form of short films, events, and panels, showcasing the future of digital/cryptoart from some of the industry's leading designers. Interested participants can purchase tickets for the live events, or stream the offerings for free on BFF's online platform.

After a nearly 12 year hiatus, the original LAW & ORDER is set to make its triumphant return to NBC. "There are very few things in life that are literally dreams come true," L&O creator Dick Wolf said. "This is mine." And understandably so: the storied writer/producer signed a five-year, nine-figure deal with Universal Television in 2020, outlining provisions for several series across multiple platforms, with the revived LAW & ORDER being just one of several new titles in the Wolf World. The details on the original cop drama are few and far between at the moment, but NYC actors should definitely keep it on their radar as casting begins to shape up!

The TV industry's embrace of non-Nielsen rating systems continues to pick up speed with the announcement that ViacomCBS will team up with VideoAMP to develop a new tracking system for digital and linear ad viewers. ViacomCBS COO of ad revenue John Halley still believes that Nielsen will be paramount in the future of ad measurement, saying that the traditional rating house will need to explore new types of methodologies to adapt to the growing needs of advertisers in the digital space.

The intensely restrictive Georgia abortion ban will not be taken back up for review at this time, a federal appeals court ruled last week. The state received massive backlash from its booming film and TV industry when the bill was originally passed in 2019, before an ACLU lawsuit before a district judge had the motion overturned in July of last year. The eyes of the entertainment industry now remain on Texas, which is currently navigating its own abortion ban set to be presented in a new Supreme Court case in December. Several productions have already made their intentions to leave the state known if the bill stands, prompting state film and TV agencies to do what they can to keep projects from crossing state lines.

A new app currently in beta in the UK is seeking to streamline the reporting structure for workplace harassment in the film and TV industry. Call It! asks users three questions after every work day, starting with "How were you treated at work today?" followed by a green, orange or red button corresponding to the employee's treatment that day. At a time when 84% of workers in the UK's film and TV industry have reported experiencing or witnessing bullying or abuse at their place of employment, Call It! hopes to serve as the necessary game-changer in creating a more safe and equitable workplace in the years ahead.

Immigration in the Spotlight for Fall Premieres

A major storyline across networks this fall has been tackling immigration in an authentic light, and a group of female writers and studio heads sat down with WBTV to discuss the importance of telling these stories in 2021. For Gina Yashere, who's holding down a triple title as actor, co-creator, and EP on BOB HEARTS ABISHOLA, it was important for her to show how the main character's love found an even stronger bond through their immigration story: "It’s just a story about love and their triumphs raising their kids in another country. BOB HEARTS ABISHOLA is the coming together of two families from different cultures finding commonality, love, and inclusion."

The production team of UNITED STATES OF AL found themselves recounting part of their own stories in this season's premiere, as many returned to Afghanistan to evacuate their families during the swift rise of the Taliban in August. "I had never experienced anything like that," EP and co-creator Maria Ferrari said. "So we chose to tell that story in the premiere, hoping that some of the fear and urgency we were feeling in that room would come through in the story."

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The most recent iteration of Variety's Women's Impact Report is celebrating the triumphs of a group of LA-based women who kept the industry afloat during some of the most difficult days of COVID. Studio execs, agency partners, marketing gurus, and more highlight this list of incredible women that ensured some of the industry's largest players - Netflix, Disney, CAA, and more - were continuously moving forward, while still emphasizing the importance of work-life balance and taking time to process the never-ending 2020-2021 news cycle.

The Howard Entertainment program officially opened applications for its third year of applicants, promising to widen the pipeline for Black and other underrepresented talent in the film, TV, and other areas of the arts and entertainment industries. Originally formed as a partnership between the university and Amazon Studios in 2019, program participants receive training through their spring semester related to their desired business, before taking on an internship in the field the following summer. "[W]e are more committed than ever to helping new voices join the conversation and continuing to mentor our Howard Entertainment students," Amazon Studio head Jennifer Salke said. "We know these programs will benefit our industry as a whole and create future leaders."

The UK entertainment landscape continues to struggle with diversity in key leadership positions, as a new study from media regulator Ofcom found that companies' focus on filling entry-level positions with diverse talent has left a dearth of such employees at the C-suite level. Just 16% of TV broadcasting staff are from diverse ethnic backgrounds, and only 10% of the same group occupy roles in the radio industry. "[F]or the first time, more people are leaving the industry than joining, particularly women, while disabled people remain significantly underrepresented," Ofcom's Vikki Cook said. "So we’re calling on broadcasters to slow the revolving door and focus on retaining and progressing talented people from all walks of life."

Oscar-winner Aaron Sorkin says he and TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD director Bartlett Sher have been making adjustments to Sorkin's script ahead of the show's reopening to reflect the events of the past 18 months. "[R]acism in this country didn't begin in the last 18 months. It didn't begin in 1960, when Harper Lee published the novel, or in '61, when the film came out. So, unfortunately, it's a pretty sturdy story," Sorkin told Vanity Fair. "But everything that's gone on-George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, the BLM movement-is on our minds as we're doing this."

Broadway's first Black-owned merchandise business is making waves with its first round of merch for THOUGHTS OF A COLORED MAN, which started previews last Friday. Founded in July, merch. seeks to create affordable price points for every level of theatre-goer, pledging to put an emphasis on local sourcing, inclusive sizing, gender neutral designs, and supporting minority owned vendors. "As the first Black-owned merchandise company in the Broadway community, we created merch. to not only be included in the conversation but to add to it," co-founder Brandon Gloster said. "We couldn't be more excited that Thoughts of a Colored Man gave us the opportunity to join the table!"

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What to Watch & Read

Lover of podcasts AND Broadway? Then do we have a list for you 👀

Looking for some industry viewing this week? Three new Broadway-centric docs are dropping in theatres and/or PBS, showcasing the Great White Way of yesterday, as well as a glimpse of where we could expect live theatre to head in a COVID world. Check them out! 🎬

Atlantic Theatre Company's Practical Aesthetics program focuses on using all that is available to an actor to make the most of both a scene and a career, and actor Langston Darby perfectly captured what the program has meant to him. 📖