In The News

Hollywood was in a collective state of shock last month when Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment forged a multiyear deal to make movies for Netflix. Two years ago, the legendary director reportedly opposed the idea that streaming films should qualify for Oscars. The new pact was seen as a sign that the old guard was finally embracing the realities of a shifting business forced to adapt to changing consumer habits.

“It was a big moment for us,” says Scott Stuber, Netflix’s movie chief. “Throughout Wall Street, throughout the industry, there was recognition about the possibilities that this deal presents. We’re going to do great things together.” – Variety

Audiences are showing up for the summer’s blockbusters, and the shuttered Cinemagic locations are drawing interest from movie theater operators, but streaming options and health concerns still pose a threat. – Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinal

Netflix’s ‘Bridgerton’ and HBO’s ‘House of Dragon’ are among the major shoots closed down as the U.K. becomes a global hotspot for the Delta variant: “On too many productions, COVID supervisors are not listened to and their advice is ignored.” – Hollywood Reporter

Mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations on film and TV productions now will be allowed, on a restricted basis, under a new agreement reached Monday between Hollywood’s unions and the major companies. The new protocols, they said in a joint statement, will give producers “the option to implement mandatory vaccination policies for casts and crew in Zone A on a production-by-production basis.” Zone A, where unmasked actors work, is the most restrictive of the safe work zones on sets. – Deadline

The coronavirus pandemic hasn’t slowed down independent film production, as evidenced by the flood of new titles on offer at the Cannes market, but the lack of COVID-19 insurance is making it harder, and more expensive, to get movies made. – The Hollywood Reporter