In The News
This 82nd Airborne veteran is the writer behind ‘Kandahar’, a new Gerard Butler feature film
Kandahar brings viewers on a heart-racing journey of an operator and his interpreter in the midst of a never-ending war and the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan. It’s a real-life experience suddenly lighting up the big screen but every moment was lived by the military community, including the writer behind the movie.
Mitchell LaFortune, a Maine native, came from a long line of service. “My grandfather is a World War II veteran and served in the Pacific theater. He was one of those guys who joined before legally being able to. He was 15 or 16 and lied about his age to serve his country,” he shared. “His story was definitely a motivator for me but I also grew up watching 9/11 unfold.”
Technologies like AI & Unreal Engine are having a big impact on the entertainment business, but where will it go from here?
The Greek philosopher Heraclitus once said, “Change is the only constant in life.” The entertainment sector is no exception to this adage. It’s an industry that has long benefited from advancements in technology that have increasingly enriched the quality of films and programs and have also condensed the filmmaking process across the entire pipeline from pre-production to distribution and exhibition.
But while it’s easy to look back and see how digital tech has improved the sector, assessing the future of the business as it stands on the threshold of two hot button topics — Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Epic Games’ Unreal Engine — is much less clear.
From Southern Maine Community College, a six-pack of student-made films
Are you ready for Maine Mayhem? It may sound like a night of professional wrestling, but Maine Mayhem is actually a festival that showcases the work of student filmmakers from Southern Maine Community College’s Department of Communications and New Media Studies. The festival will feature six films, each of which runs between 15 and 20 minutes. The students write, produce, and direct, and often they act as well.
WGA Strike Explained: The Issues, the Stakes, Movies & TV Shows Affected — and How Long the 2023 Work Stoppage Might Last
The WGA strike started just one minute after its contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers expired. The guild confirmed that the strike indeed would happen about three hours prior to the midnight deadline. Following is a primer covering the issues, the parties involved and what’s at stake for the entire industry during the work stoppage.
NAB Wrap: Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Production and Future of Broadcasting in Focus
The 2023 National Association of Broadcasters Show, which wrapped Wednesday in Las Vegas, attracted an estimated 65,000 delegates, according to show organizers, which many viewed as a healthy number for a post-pandemic show. Artificial intelligence was arguably the most widespread topic this year, as NAB marked its centennial. As the potential of AI rapidly evolves, it’s a topic that clearly will continue to cause significant anxiety, as well as staggering potential opportunities.
