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Showing posts from May, 2021

International circuit switches theatrical lights back on

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Brandon Blake - Entertainment Lawyer   After 7 months of dark screens, this week we see both the UK and France give their theatrical industry the green light to open up. BLAKE & WANG P.A takes a look at this exciting step forward in recovery. Currently, England, Scotland, And Wales have been allowed to resume showings from Monday, May 17th. France followed with a Wednesday 19th reopening. England maintains a 50% capacity restriction, but there’s been a little issue with this figure. Stats suggest 20% occupancy figures will provide a fairly normal day-to-day run, especially with many workers still working from home and able to use flexi-time to choose showings. When cinemas were allowed to reopen for a period last year, the 50% capacity limit did not cause issues. France, meanwhile, has opted for 35% capacity, rising to 65% when in-person dining resumes on 9th June. This positions both markets to shuffle Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway , the precursor to which netted over $54M in 2...

Is Netflix dabbling in 50 Shades territory?

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  Like it or loathe it, the release of the much-anticipated 50 Shades of Grey franchise to film was a hot property for cinemas back in the day. It was also notable as one of the first ‘mainstream’ titles to delve heavily into the world of sexual kinks and generated a notable controversy around aspects such as consent and assault which many felt were poorly addressed and glorified. BLAKE & WANG P.A Entertainment Attorney Los Angeles has received word that Netflix will be going ahead with its own 50 Shades- like franchise, amidst similar controversy. Brandon Blake - Managing partner at Blake & Wang P.A The piece in question is Polish erotic drama, 365 days . Steamy content aside, it’s been hit by critics and the general public alike. With a plot that features an imprisoned Polish woman given a year to ‘fall in love with a Sicilian gangster, it’s hard to defend the series from accusations of glorifying sexual assault. Yet it has ma...

Cinemark secures Netflix deal

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  In addition to the news that Cinemark has reached a deal with 5 U.S studios to ensure a healthy supply of theatrical releases, we’ve also seen them reach a once-off deal with Netflix that could prove an industry-changer. BLAKE & WANG P.A one of the top entertainment law firms Los Angeles has the details you need about this new theatrical innovation. We know that Cinemark has acquired a one-week exclusive showing for Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead before Netflix releases it to their streaming service, a theatrical first. While we’ve seen several studios offer side-by-side streaming and exhibition release in the tentative months after the industry reopened, this will be the first time Netflix , which has become synonymous with streaming, will send one of its titles to the silver screen. It’s not expected to be the last, however. Cinemark CEO Mark Zoradi has described a ‘very strong relationship with Netflix on (Cinemark’s) film team up through the executive ranks.’ He also sp...

What does 2022 hold for the Oscars?

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  In a season that’s been more of a bust than a boom, despite some well-deserved wins, what lessons can we learn for the future? The Oscars are not having an easy run of things at the moment, as BLAKE & WANG P.A one of the top entertainment law firms Los Angeles breaks down. Despite so many productions resuming, both indies and blockbusters like A Quiet Place 2 , we’re still seeing a lot of hesitance in distribution arms. It’s no exaggeration to say that many business models have shifted completely. Movies and streaming have blurred, and despite this year’s heavy slate of indie productions, the conditions created by the industry-wide corporate restructuring are not exactly conducive to easy maneuvering from indie filmmakers. How can producers hope to pitch quirky, but worthy, film projects to execs who spend most of their time hunting for the next big streamer hit series (and inevitable spinoffs)? There are accusations that this year’s ceremony only highlights how the film ind...