Jon Cryer, William H. Macy, Leslie Mann and James Spader star in Warner Bros.’ family comedy adventure “Shorts,” directed by Robert Rodriguez from his own screenplay. Rodriguez (“Spy Kids” trilogy) is also producing the film with Elizabeth Avellan under their Troublemaker Studios banner. Dan Lin, Hunt Lowry and Stacy Cohen exec produce the film, which [...]

Dear AFTRA Member: I am delighted to report that after 17 days of some of the hardest bargaining in which I’ve participated during the past decade as a union leader, your Primetime Negotiating Committee has reached a tentative agreement with the television producers that achieves higher pay and improved working conditions for AFTRA members working [...]

The latest information on SAG and AMPTP negotiations from DAILY VARIETY: Hollywood’s strike fever has dropped a few degrees as SAG and the majors resumed talks Wednesday with the majors after AFTRA signed a primetime pact in the middle of the night. AFTRA’s deal, completed at 3:30 a.m. Wednesday on the 18th day of talks, [...]

AFTRA and the AMPTP have announced agreement on a new primetime contract that, per Daily Variety, ” will ease — but not eliminate — the town’s fears of an actors strike.” The announcement of the AFTRA deal comes as SAG is scheduled to reconvene meetings with AMPTP this morning. Per Daily Variety: The deal includes [...]

Let’s recap the SAG and AFTRA negotiations with AMPTP: SAG and the AMPTP negotiated until May 6 when AFTRA refused to postpone their own negotiations so SAG could complete their contract talks. AFTRA began negotiations with the general perception that the work would be swift and that there would be a settlement between AFTRA and [...]

That seems to be the feeling in the film industry trades as talks between the two parties continued over the weekend and even over the Memorial holiday. The letter sent from AFTRA to members (published here in a previous post) struck an optimistic tone and that tone, combined with a lot of wishful thinking has [...]

This is the latest email blast from AFTRA to members regarding negotiations with the AMPTP: May 25, 2008 Dear AFTRA Member: For more than two weeks, your Primetime Negotiating Committee has been working hard to achieve significant gains in wages and working conditions for AFTRA members who work under our contract covering primetime network dramatic [...]

I’m becoming a real fan of actor and author Markus Flanagan. I’ve already put up a review of his excellent book, ONE LESS BITTER ACTOR. Since reading the book I’ve started keeping up with Flanagan’s blog as well. I must say that this guy must have tremendous confidence because he is fearless in exposing details [...]

Abandoning the Nest is a must read article in the Austin Chronicle by Joe O’Connell. Consider the facts: Between 1998 and 2006, Hollywood studio films had combined production in Texas of more than $530 million, averaging eight or nine films a year, according to Texas Film Commission figures. The entire year of 2007 eked out [...]

Recently I recommended a book by Markus Flanagan called ONE LESS BITTER ACTOR. This really is a terrific book for all actors and particularly so for actors at the beginning of this journey. Below is a video of an interview with Flanagan talking about his book and his philosophies on the business of acting. There [...]