Tag: hollywood

OpenAI Releases Sora to the Public, Shocking Hollywood

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In a move that has shocked Tinsel Town, OpenAI has released Sora, its buzzy generative AI tool capable of creating hyper-realist videos for the public. Upon issuing a post on Monday, OpenAI said that the text-to-video generator is available for public use. While an account must be made to use Sora and sign-ups have been temporarily disabled due to heavy traffic, this software launch has the potential to single-handedly and drastically accelerate Hollywood’s incorporation of AI.

Over the past several years, the entertainment industry has been actively grappling with how to implement AI into its business models. On the one hand, the deployment of the technology has the potential to significantly slash production costs. On the other hand, there has been vehement backlash from audiences and creators alike regarding studios utilizing AI to replace human creatives.

AI in Hollywood

Despite this, mainstream adoption in Hollywood has been slow but steady. In September, Lionsgate announced a partnership with Runway in a deal to see the New York-based AI startup train a new generative AI model on company content.

Shortly after that, some of the directors of the most successful blockbuster films of all time, the Russo Brothers and James Cameron joined the board of directors of AI companies. Many in Hollywood watch These video-focused models closely, particularly in the visual effects industry, where AI has been pitched as a one-size-fits-all solution to many pipeline problems developed over the last decade.

As the quantity of blockbuster television shows and films has increased, more pressure has been placed on visual effects houses to crank out better, faster work at an insane pace. This has resulted in workers being unfairly compensated, “crunched,” and ultimately doing work that isn’t as high-quality as it could be. AI seeks to answer these dilemmas, eliminating human workers despite pleas from everyone in the VFX community to the contrary.

According to the post, Sora’s Capabilities, videos up to 1080p resolution and 20 seconds long can be created in widescreen, vertical, or square aspect ratios. Users can upload their assets to extend, remix, and blend videos, generating new content with a text prompt.

Last month, OpenAI said that ChatGPT now has more than 200 million active users weekly. It plans to introduce ChatGPT Pro, a new $200 monthly subscription tier with unlimited access to OpenAI o1, GPT-4o, and Advanced Voice mode. It’ll continue to offer a Plus tier for $20 per month, which includes early access to new features.

Sora was initially limited to a pool of safety testers, who reported on vulnerabilities related to misinformation and bias, and visual artists, designers, and filmmakers, who gave feedback on improvements. In November, a small group of artists testing Sora leaked access to the tool to protest the company’s treatment of them as “free bug testers” and “PR puppets.”

In an open letter, they stated, “Hundreds of artists provide unpaid labor through bug testing, feedback and experimental work for the program for a $150B valued company.”

Will It Change Hollywood?

A study issued earlier this year surveying 300 leaders across Hollywood reported that three-fourths of respondents indicated that AI tools supported eliminating, reducing, or consolidating jobs at their companies. Over the next three years, nearly 204,000 positions will be adversely affected. Sound engineers, voice actors, concept artists, and workers in visual effects were cited as particularly vulnerable.

OpenAI no longer discloses the sources of data used to train its systems. Artists, authors, and publications have sued the Sam Altman-led company over allegations that it illegally pilfered their work without consent and compensation. Courts ruling against fair use—a legal doctrine that allows the use of copyrighted works without a—could have significant implications for AI leaders.

December 17, 2024
Michael Douglas Says Hollywood Is Being Dumbed Down by Silicon Valley

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With a career that spans over 50 years, Oscar-winning actor Michael Douglas recently discussed his thoughts about changes in the movie business and being called a “nepo baby” during an informal conversation at the Red Sea Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Throughout his acting career, Douglas has seen how the rise of digital technology and streaming platforms are impacting Hollywood.

“The biggest change in my lifetime and career has been digital,” especially in sound production, Douglas said during an informal conversation last Friday. In the 1970s, filmmakers had more control over the production process, while studios focused more on the distribution business.

“It’s gone the other way in terms of both studios or, in this case, streaming services, and now this latest chapter is the advent of Silicon Valley dumbing down and just taking over what we thought was this big industry,” Douglas stated.

“Between Apple, Amazon, and Netflix, the designs of their companies are so huge, and they can afford so much,” he added.

Response to Being Called a “Nepo Baby”

A large part of the wide-ranging conversation focused on Douglas’s early acting achievements, with the actor recalling how challenging it was to make it in Hollywood in the shadow of his father, legendary actor Kirk Douglas.

Douglas doesn’t take kindly to being referred to as a “nepo baby,” which is short for nepotism baby and is a term used for individuals whose parents have succeeded in the same or similar careers. As criticism rises for actors, musicians, and other celebrities whose fame and fortune come behind that of their families, implications that these individuals receive a leg up from their families in competitive industries have circled around.

Douglas shared his thoughts on being called a “nepo baby,” stating, “I don’t know a father in whatever business, be it a plumber or a contractor or a carpenter, who doesn’t try to help his son join him … I’m a nepo baby too, you know? So that’s the way it goes,” he added.

While Kirk expressed early his reluctance at Douglas following him into acting, Douglas remembered convincing Kirk to let him executive produce Milos Forman’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. This film went on to become a best-picture Oscar winner and raked in a fair few dollars for Kirk.

When Douglas entered the acting scene again, he established himself as an entertainment star with roles in hit movies like Fatal Attraction and Wall Street. He later added to his portfolio the lead role in the 1992 drama Basic Instinct.

Douglas shared that making it as an actor required him to overcome his early anxieties about stage fright. He said, “There’s a risk factor that also gives you the nerves when you’re starting a project. But then the nerves are just part of your career, part of your work.”

Adapting to Change

In August 2010, Douglas disclosed that he had developed a throat tumor, which required medical treatment. The actor has now recovered, sharing, “Now, I’m having a very nice time enjoying my life. I’m not retiring.” His more recent roles include Netflix’s The Kominsky Method and the Benjamin Franklin TV miniseries. Douglas also entered the Marvel Universe with his roles in Ant-Man and The Wasp, which got him into green screen acting—a first for the actor.

But Douglas is still on the lookout for new films that venture outside his comfort zone. “I still have to find a horror movie,” he added.

Douglas’s wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones, was also at the Saudi Arabia festival, where she had a similar wide-ranging informal conversation. The actress reflected on her recognition for Chicago, her theater background, and the next foray into the indie film world.

“I want to turn up. I want to do some interesting work,” she said of her next project. “It goes back to my theater thinking because I don’t feel I have to prove anything to anybody. I don’t have to work hard for other people,” Zeta-Jones said.

The Red Sea Film Festival continues through Dec. 14.

December 11, 2024
New Hollywood Heartthrob Nico Hiraga, Never Leaving His SF Roots

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Nico Hiraga, the star of the new Max romantic comedy movie Sweethearts, puffs with pride hearing his beloved hometown’s name. With his heart in San Francisco, the actor and skateboard enthusiast declared, “Loud and proud. I was born and raised in San Francisco. That’s my home. My city.”

The 26-year-old, who celebrates his 27th birthday on December 19, spent his youth launching himself in skate parks across the city, particularly at Golden Gate Park. At 14, this skater boy got a sponsorship, officially setting out on his journey to become a pro skater.

“I had tunnel vision towards skateboarding,” he says. “I did it so much that I thought it was all I was ever going to do.”

Unfortunately, when Hiraga was 19 years old, he suffered a big injury that pushed away his dreams of becoming a professional skateboarder. As he started to recover, he decided to give acting a try, and in the years since—thanks to roles in films such as Moxie, Booksmart, and Love in Taipei—he quickly became one of Hollywood’s most promising young actors. And quite the heartthrob, too.

A Near Miss on “Sweethearts”

With a calendar that was full of auditions and scripts piling up at a time when Hiraga “was enjoying skating a little too much,” Sweethearts was a script that was set to the side. Hiraga shared, “I remember thinking, ‘I’ll skip this one,’” but with his reps reminding him to give the script a read, he gave it a try. Reading through the script, the actor immediately saw the potential. “Instantly, I was like, ‘This is good, dude. This could be a sick one.’”

Hiraga was attracted to Sweethearts because he was finally getting the opportunity to appear in an R-rated, raunchy comedy. “I’d been playing more high school-age rom-coms. So reading this script, it was very different,” he says. “I thought it was creative, hilarious, and cool.”

Sweethearts features Hiraga opposite Kiernan Shipka, most well known for her role as Don Draper’s drink-making daughter in Mad Men. As first-year college students who have been best friends since the eighth grade, Ben (Hiraga) and Jamie (Shipka) plan to end their long-distance relationships with their high school sweethearts over Thanksgiving break. This leads to a wild night out in their hometown that puts their friendship to the test.

Reflecting on almost missing out on Sweethearts, Hiraga called the experience “life-changing” and “super dope.” The actor said, “It’s about friendships and, even as you get older and things change, keeping close to the people you grew up with.”

A Different Life But The Same Roots

While the Hollywood heartthrob is climbing the Hollywood ladder, Hiraga still skateboards to stay close to his childhood friends and to make sure he stays grounded. Hiraga shared that both acting and skateboarding are important to him, so he tries to balance his acting pursuits with his skateboarding passion—keeping them separate so he doesn’t lose the joy and satisfaction both of them bring.

Between acting projects, Hiraga says he plays a little harder at the parks, taking more risks now that he has recovered. “I’m able to hurt my body and know that I don’t have to get up at like 6 a.m. the next day,” he says.

While not giving up his skateboarding passion, Hiraga wants to continue sharpening his acting skills. In his next role, he is moving away from his comfort zone and portraying a character Hollywood hasn’t seen him act yet. In January, Hiraga starts working on an indie film where he plays a college student who is a genius. The actor shared that, while he believes he has more “street smarts than book smarts,” he is hard at work practicing his words.

But whatever the future may hold, one thing is certain for Hiraga: he isn’t moving to Los Angeles, or anywhere else, for his acting career. No matter where his acting and skateboarding may take him, he will always end up back in San Fransisco. Hiraga said, “It crafted who I am. To be honest, I don’t think I’m ever gonna leave.”

December 10, 2024
Chris Hemsworth Honored with Hollywood Walk of Fame Star

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Hollywood. Wander along Hollywood Boulevard, and you’ll stumble upon a couple thousand names of folks who’ve spun their dreams into reality. As you stroll down Hollywood Boulevard, you’ll find thousands of names etched in fame, from timeless legends like Marilyn Monroe to gigantic fictional characters like Godzilla. In a fitting addition to its illustrious lineup, Chris Hemsworth received his very own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, just a day before the U.S. premiere of the eagerly awaited film, “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.”

On Thursday, Hemsworth thanked his fans, castmates, and family, taking a moment to specifically thank his parents. The God of Thunder said his parents raised him “with the belief that if you do choose something you’re passionate about, if you lean into something you love with your heart and soul, then the purpose and the meaning is laid out in front of you.”

Gathered for the grand star reveal at the Ovation Hollywood shopping hub on Hollywood Boulevard was none other than Robert Downey Jr., Hemsworth’s fellow superhero from four “Avengers” escapades. Also on hand were George Miller, the mastermind who directed and co-wrote the post-apocalyptic action saga, along with his “Furiosa” co-star, the illustrious Anya Taylor-Joy.

Born in Melbourne, Australia on August 11, 1983, Hemsworth kicked off his acting journey Down Under in 2002, appearing in a pair of episodes of the fantasy series “Guinevere Jones” as none other than King Arthur. While the actor gained more experience and recognition in Australian television, Hemsworth headed for the big, American screen. Hemsworth’s inaugural American film gig came in 2009’s sci-fi flick “Star Trek,” where he popped up in the opening scene as George Kirk, the first officer of the Federation starship USS Kelvin and the father of James T. Kirk, the future captain of the Enterprise.

Despite those memorable five minutes, Hemsworth’s love and passion propelled him toward an impressive film career. With a career marked by a slew of successful franchises, he’s also made his mark on streaming platforms with record-breaking viewership. Recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Hemsworth continues to be a versatile and celebrated figure in the cinematic world.

Hemsworth is the 2,781st star on the American landmark since its completion in 1961 with the initial 1,558 stars. On his momentous day, Hemsworth mused, “We don’t say rising into love, we say falling into love, so take the plunge. There’s a leap of faith involved, and there’s risk in that tumble. But if you have folks around to catch you and cheer you on, the risk feels much lighter. I’m deeply grateful for my parents’ cheerleading along the journey and the confidence they instilled in me and my brothers to chase after something we were passionate about, something that sparked curiosity and creativity.”

May 29, 2024
Hollywood Protesters Call for Cease-fire in Gaza

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Hollywood protestors called for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war on the afternoon of Wednesday, November 15. Hundreds flooded the major intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue, forcing the Los Angeles Police Department to close the area to traffic.

The Hollywood and Highland intersection is a major tourist attraction, as it contains the Dolby Theater and the TLC Chinese Theater, among other famous sites. Many demonstrators sat down in the street, effectively shutting the area down. The LAPD closed Hollywood Boulevard between Orange Drive and Las Palmas and Highland Avenue between Franklin Place and Sunset Boulevard. The disruption in the flow of traffic caused frustration for drivers, who were encouraged to seek alternate routes and avoid the area.

“The LAPD’s objective is to ensure public safety for ALL while facilitating the First Amendment rights of those peacefully demonstrating,” the agency said in a statement. “Equally, the Department will enforce the law when individuals engage in acts of violence.” No arrests were made at the Wednesday protest, and no acts of violence were reported. Roads were cleared by 9 pm that night.

The protest was organized by the groups Jewish Voice for Peace and IfNotNow, who released a joint statement ahead of the demonstration. The news release stated that the Hollywood and Highland protest would be “one of the largest-ever acts of civil disobedience in Los Angeles. It will take place in Hollywood, which has long been a site of organizing for labor rights, critiquing of state violence, and storytelling that speaks truth to power—of which Jewish creatives have often been part.”

The same groups have organized similar demonstrations across the country, particularly in Washington, D.C., to catch policymakers’ attention. Also on Wednesday, protestors gathered outside the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee, calling for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip. U.S. Capitol police responded to the demonstration and claimed that the group of 150 was “illegally and violently protesting.” Several members of Congress were evacuated from the building as tensions escalated.

The Capitol police and protestors have put forth conflicting accounts of the protest. Demonstrators have claimed that the police rushed them without warning, already armed in riot gear, and began pushing and pulling people to the ground at random. Democratic Representative Brad Sherman of California took to Twitter to accuse protestors of “pepper spraying police officers and attempting to break into the building.” Those who attended the protest denied that was the case, saying that the objective was to position themselves near entrances and exits so that committee members would witness a peaceful, candlelight vigil. Footage has since been released showing police locked in an intense scuffle with protestors and attempting to control a chaotic scene.

The conflict between Israel and Hamas has escalated in violence following the devastating attack on October 7 earlier this year. Hamas’ reprehensible actions toward innocent civilians in Israel shocked the world and invited many differing opinions about fraught relations between Israel and Palestine. The United States’ decision to support Israel continues to cause tension socially and politically across the nation.

November 22, 2023
Mansion Bonus: Bag a Bentley When You Buy a Hollywood Estate in LA’s New Mansion Tax Era

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Luxury homes in Los Angeles are up for grabs, with mansion owners getting extremely creative with their sales tactics. Picture this: a majestic manor plus a gratis luxury vehicle to cruise the glitzy boulevards.

As the clock ticks toward the enactment of Measure ULA on April Fools’ Day, purveyors of LA’s swankiest dwellings scramble to entice buyers with irresistible markdowns and closing boons. Dubbed the “mansion tax,” the measure aims to bankroll affordable housing by imposing heftier levies on home sales exceeding $5 million. Property sales exceeding $5 million and homes over $10 million will attract a 4% transfer tax and a 5.5% tax, respectively.

Los Angeles City’s homeless situation has recently worsened, with people building tents in parks, sidewalks, and under freeways. Following a rigorous campaign by housing advocates and labor unions to get Measure ULA on the ballot, it was approved with 57% of the vote in November 2022. The tax’s backers previously projected that it could raise $1.1 billion for affordable housing projects, but last week, the city reduced that forecast to $672 million.

Desperate to beat the taxman’s deadline, real estate impresarios are devising all manner of inventive inducements. In one instance, an exquisite Bentley dangles like a shimmering carrot to beguile potential buyers. Since the seller must pay the tax, individuals with houses on the market use all possible measures to encourage quick closing.

Josh Altman, celebrity realtor and CEO of Altman Brothers Real Estate, explains that these extravagant enticements are, in fact, prudent cost-saving maneuvers once the ULA tax kicks in, offloading these lavish residences will prove even costlier than dispensing decadent perks. “We gave out a one million dollar perk to every realtor who brought a buyer to our properties if we closed the deal by April 1,” he said.

The ULA supporters perceive that the money collected from the levy would fund affordable housing initiatives and lower the city’s homeless population. The money will also help low-income seniors and increase housing affordability.

However, many top brokers and realtors oppose the new regulation and believe there may be more effective ways to fund low-income housing efforts. They claimed the tax is ill-advised and has caused a sudden sell-off among the city’s wealthiest homeowners. According to them, there are many available funding programs and more options to get the money than taxing individuals. “Are the programs operating properly? Are they being managed most effectively?” one of the agents asked.

Another argument against the tax from the opponents is that since it will be applied to all real estate transfers, including those of commercial and multifamily properties, it might have the unpremeditated consequence of encouraging developers to build homes outside the city limits. “The housing market is in trouble. And we’re discouraging housing developers from building. Therefore, it makes no sense to me at all,” added Mr. McKillen, a luxury agency broker.

LA’s quest for supplementary tax revenue to combat homelessness is not new. In 2016, the city greenlit a $1.2 billion bond proposal, “Proposition HHH,” earmarked for constructing thousands of affordable housing units. Regrettably, progress has been sluggish. Merely a third of the projected 12,000 units have materialized, while construction costs have skyrocketed. A 2022 audit revealed some units’ expenses surpassing a staggering $800,000.

Since Proposition HHH’s approval, LA’s homeless population has swelled by a disheartening 45%. As the mansion tax looms, it remains to be seen whether this novel strategy will succeed in its mission to alleviate homelessness or become another well-intentioned but ultimately faltering effort in the City of Angels.

September 12, 2023