Tom Morello, Amanda Palmer, Speedy Ortiz, Kimya Dawson, and more have signed an open letter calling for the restoration of net neutrality, stressing the benefits of an open internet for artists.
Net neutrality, as initially codified during the Obama administration in 2015, broadly established regulations for a more open, accessible internet: The rules ensured that internet providers couldn’t do things like restrict access to certain content, slow or accelerate connection speeds, or hamstring connectivity for customers who didn’t pay a premium fee.
Those rules were scrapped during the Trump administration,...
Net neutrality, as initially codified during the Obama administration in 2015, broadly established regulations for a more open, accessible internet: The rules ensured that internet providers couldn’t do things like restrict access to certain content, slow or accelerate connection speeds, or hamstring connectivity for customers who didn’t pay a premium fee.
Those rules were scrapped during the Trump administration,...
- 1/16/2024
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
M-i-c-k-e-y will soon belong to you and me.
With several asterisks, qualifications and caveats, Mickey Mouse in his earliest form will be the leader of the band of characters, films and books that will become public domain as the year turns to 2024.
In a moment many close observers thought might never come, at least one version of the quintessential piece of intellectual property and perhaps the most iconic character in American pop culture will be free from Disney’s copyright as his first screen release, the 1928 short Steamboat Willie, featuring both Mickey and Minnie Mouse, becomes available for public use.
“This is it. This is Mickey Mouse. This is exciting because it’s kind of symbolic,” said Jennifer Jenkins, a professor of law and director of Duke’s Center for the Study of Public Domain, who writes an annual Jan. 1 column for “Public Domain Day.” ”I kind of feel like the pipe on the steamboat,...
With several asterisks, qualifications and caveats, Mickey Mouse in his earliest form will be the leader of the band of characters, films and books that will become public domain as the year turns to 2024.
In a moment many close observers thought might never come, at least one version of the quintessential piece of intellectual property and perhaps the most iconic character in American pop culture will be free from Disney’s copyright as his first screen release, the 1928 short Steamboat Willie, featuring both Mickey and Minnie Mouse, becomes available for public use.
“This is it. This is Mickey Mouse. This is exciting because it’s kind of symbolic,” said Jennifer Jenkins, a professor of law and director of Duke’s Center for the Study of Public Domain, who writes an annual Jan. 1 column for “Public Domain Day.” ”I kind of feel like the pipe on the steamboat,...
- 1/1/2024
- by The Associated Press
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Digital database Internet Archive lost the first ruling in a copyright infringement lawsuit filed against the “nonprofit library” by four of the biggest publishing companies.
In June 2020, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, John Wiley & Sons, Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins and Penguin Random House sued Internet Archive over their attempt to create a “National Emergency Library” by uploading countless e-books — or scanned versions of printed books — for users to “borrow” while bookstores and libraries across the nation were shuttered due to the pandemic.
“Its goal of creating digital copies of books...
In June 2020, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, John Wiley & Sons, Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins and Penguin Random House sued Internet Archive over their attempt to create a “National Emergency Library” by uploading countless e-books — or scanned versions of printed books — for users to “borrow” while bookstores and libraries across the nation were shuttered due to the pandemic.
“Its goal of creating digital copies of books...
- 3/25/2023
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
The Pink Panther started with the classic 1963 film, which grew into a media franchise so much bigger than expected. The first episode went on to achieve more than many audiences remember, making an impact during the awards season. The Pink Panther Season 1 Episode 1 won an Oscar, but here’s a look at why it’s still such an inspired Academy Award win.
‘The Pink Panther’ Season 1 Episode 1 won an Oscar L-r: The Little Man and The Pink Panther | MGM
“The Pink Phink” was the first animated short to come from Blake Edwards’ The Pink Panther. It follows the rivalry between the Pink Panther and an unnamed painter, who’s credited as the “Little Man.” The former tries to paint a house pink, while the latter wants it blue. The rivalry becomes increasingly intense, as the Pink Panther does everything necessary to undo all of the Little Man’s work.
The...
‘The Pink Panther’ Season 1 Episode 1 won an Oscar L-r: The Little Man and The Pink Panther | MGM
“The Pink Phink” was the first animated short to come from Blake Edwards’ The Pink Panther. It follows the rivalry between the Pink Panther and an unnamed painter, who’s credited as the “Little Man.” The former tries to paint a house pink, while the latter wants it blue. The rivalry becomes increasingly intense, as the Pink Panther does everything necessary to undo all of the Little Man’s work.
The...
- 3/22/2023
- by Jeff Nelson
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
This year, Disney celebrates 100 years of creating wonder. But although the entertainment behemoth has brought fans magic through movies, music, cruises, and theme parks, its choices haven’t always been perfect. One Disney theme park ride was supposed to give guests a fun trip through Hollywood, but Princess Diana’s death turned the attraction into a grim reminder.
Disney’s Superstar Limo ride was cursed from the start Disney California Adventure Park | Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images
In the mid-1990s, Disney executives planned to open Disney California Adventure Park. They had a vision for the layout of the new theme park at Disneyland Resort, but their ideas led to a terrible concept.
California Adventure was designed to take visitors through different areas of the Golden State, with lands celebrating places such as the Santa Monica Pier, the Redwoods, and wine country. The Hollywood section would feature three attractions.
Disney’s Superstar Limo ride was cursed from the start Disney California Adventure Park | Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images
In the mid-1990s, Disney executives planned to open Disney California Adventure Park. They had a vision for the layout of the new theme park at Disneyland Resort, but their ideas led to a terrible concept.
California Adventure was designed to take visitors through different areas of the Golden State, with lands celebrating places such as the Santa Monica Pier, the Redwoods, and wine country. The Hollywood section would feature three attractions.
- 3/18/2023
- by Kira Martin
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Movie star John Wayne had conservative politics, so his feelings toward adult topics, such as drugs, including weed, would seem quite obvious to most. It certainly wasn’t a topic that he openly talked about on a frequent basis, but he didn’t have an issue talking about it when asked. Wayne once recalled in an interview about his experiences trying weed and opium, but not at the same time.
John Wayne loved his liquor John Wayne | Archive Photos/Getty Images
In an interview with Playboy, Wayne called Conmemorativo tequila “as fine a liquor as there is in the world.” He was known to be a regular drinker, using it to enhance his game night with close friends. Additionally, Wayne had many intimate conversations with those close to him over a drink, such as with Gunsmoke lead actor James Arness. After all, he didn’t trust a man who didn’t drink.
John Wayne loved his liquor John Wayne | Archive Photos/Getty Images
In an interview with Playboy, Wayne called Conmemorativo tequila “as fine a liquor as there is in the world.” He was known to be a regular drinker, using it to enhance his game night with close friends. Additionally, Wayne had many intimate conversations with those close to him over a drink, such as with Gunsmoke lead actor James Arness. After all, he didn’t trust a man who didn’t drink.
- 3/10/2023
- by Jeff Nelson
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
A group of authors and other creative professionals are lending their names to an open letter protesting publishers’ lawsuit against the Internet Archive Library, characterizing it as one of a number of efforts to curb libraries’ lending of ebooks.
Authors including Neil Gaiman, Naomi Klein, Cory Doctorow and Daniel Handler, aka Lemony Snicket, lent their names to the letter, which was organized by the public interest group Fight for the Future.
“Libraries are a fundamental collective good. We, the undersigned authors, are disheartened by the recent attacks against libraries being made in our name by trade associations such as the American Association of Publishers and the Publishers Association: undermining the traditional rights of libraries to own and preserve books, intimidating libraries with lawsuits, and smearing librarians,” the letter states.
A group of publishers sued the Internet Archive in 2020, claiming that its open library violates copyright by producing “mirror image copies...
Authors including Neil Gaiman, Naomi Klein, Cory Doctorow and Daniel Handler, aka Lemony Snicket, lent their names to the letter, which was organized by the public interest group Fight for the Future.
“Libraries are a fundamental collective good. We, the undersigned authors, are disheartened by the recent attacks against libraries being made in our name by trade associations such as the American Association of Publishers and the Publishers Association: undermining the traditional rights of libraries to own and preserve books, intimidating libraries with lawsuits, and smearing librarians,” the letter states.
A group of publishers sued the Internet Archive in 2020, claiming that its open library violates copyright by producing “mirror image copies...
- 9/29/2022
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Den of Geek is hosting this giveaway in partnership with
When I talked to Cory Doctorow during TorCon back in June, the author spoke about speculative fiction as “a sort of diagnostic tool,” comparing storytelling to the scientific process a doctor goes through when using a nasal swab to diagnose an illness.
“When you want to solve something, you often simplify it,” said Doctorow, “like when the doctor sticks a swab up your nose, sticks it into a petri dish, and looks at it later. She’s not trying to build an accurate 1:1 scale model of your body, because it’s too complicated. She wants to build a little world in a jar in which one fact about your body is the whole world, whatever that gunk is that’s growing in your nasal tract.”
Click here to enter via our official giveaway page!
Doctorow continued: “Science fiction writers...
When I talked to Cory Doctorow during TorCon back in June, the author spoke about speculative fiction as “a sort of diagnostic tool,” comparing storytelling to the scientific process a doctor goes through when using a nasal swab to diagnose an illness.
“When you want to solve something, you often simplify it,” said Doctorow, “like when the doctor sticks a swab up your nose, sticks it into a petri dish, and looks at it later. She’s not trying to build an accurate 1:1 scale model of your body, because it’s too complicated. She wants to build a little world in a jar in which one fact about your body is the whole world, whatever that gunk is that’s growing in your nasal tract.”
Click here to enter via our official giveaway page!
Doctorow continued: “Science fiction writers...
- 10/20/2020
- by Kayti Burt
- Den of Geek
Nowadays, The Walt Disney Company prides itself on its family-friendly and politically-correct content, but that wasn’t always the case. Back in the day, the entertainment giant was much less progressive when it came to the films that they produced.
One famous example, a live-action and animation hybrid called Song of the South, which was set in the Reconstruction-era South, has long been criticized for its racist depictions of African American culture. Conscious of these outdated representations, the studio has long tried to erase the film from history, but some people are wondering whether they’ve been going at it the right way.
Although Song of the South, which was released in the mid-1940s, has been a subject of controversy for several decades, interest (or disinterest) in the picture has been rekindled by the ongoing protests. These events, which are taking place in response to the killing of an...
One famous example, a live-action and animation hybrid called Song of the South, which was set in the Reconstruction-era South, has long been criticized for its racist depictions of African American culture. Conscious of these outdated representations, the studio has long tried to erase the film from history, but some people are wondering whether they’ve been going at it the right way.
Although Song of the South, which was released in the mid-1940s, has been a subject of controversy for several decades, interest (or disinterest) in the picture has been rekindled by the ongoing protests. These events, which are taking place in response to the killing of an...
- 6/11/2020
- by Tim Brinkhof
- We Got This Covered
Den of Geek is teaming up with Tor Books to bring you a virtual convention featuring some of your favorite speculative fiction authors, including Neil Gaiman, V.E. Schwab, Brandon Sanderson, Christopher Paolini, Cory Doctorow, and Nnedi Okorafor. From June 11th to June 14th, we will be presenting seven panels in conversation with these authors (and many more)—and with you!
This is the place where you can find information on all participating TorCon authors’ books. Follow the links to find out where you can buy or pre-order their novels!
Click here to see the complete TorCon schedule.
TorCon Featured Authors To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini
Release date: September 15, 2020
Kira Navárez dreamed of finding life on new worlds.
Now she has awakened a nightmare.
While exploring a distant planet, she discovers an alien relic that thrusts her into an epic journey of transformation and discovery.
Her...
This is the place where you can find information on all participating TorCon authors’ books. Follow the links to find out where you can buy or pre-order their novels!
Click here to see the complete TorCon schedule.
TorCon Featured Authors To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini
Release date: September 15, 2020
Kira Navárez dreamed of finding life on new worlds.
Now she has awakened a nightmare.
While exploring a distant planet, she discovers an alien relic that thrusts her into an epic journey of transformation and discovery.
Her...
- 6/6/2020
- by Kayti Burt
- Den of Geek
Tor Books & Den of Geek Present:
TorCon 2020
In partnership with Tor Books, we are proud to announce the launch of TorCon, an all-new virtual convention that brings all the fun of panels directly to the fans. From Thursday, June 11th through Sunday, June 14th, Tor, Tor.com Publishing, and Den of Geek will be presenting eight panels featuring over twenty of your favorite authors across different platforms, in conversation with each other—and with you!
Join authors including Cory Doctorow, Neil Gaiman, Nnedi Okorafor, Christopher Paolini, Brandon Sanderson, V. E. Schwab, and many more for four days of pure geekery, exclusive content, sneak peeks, and more… all from the comfort of your own home!
Check out the lineup below, featuring moderation from Den of Geek Books Editor Kayti Burt and Den of Geek Contributor Natalie Zutter, and save the date to stay home and geek out with us!
Thursday 6/11:...
TorCon 2020
In partnership with Tor Books, we are proud to announce the launch of TorCon, an all-new virtual convention that brings all the fun of panels directly to the fans. From Thursday, June 11th through Sunday, June 14th, Tor, Tor.com Publishing, and Den of Geek will be presenting eight panels featuring over twenty of your favorite authors across different platforms, in conversation with each other—and with you!
Join authors including Cory Doctorow, Neil Gaiman, Nnedi Okorafor, Christopher Paolini, Brandon Sanderson, V. E. Schwab, and many more for four days of pure geekery, exclusive content, sneak peeks, and more… all from the comfort of your own home!
Check out the lineup below, featuring moderation from Den of Geek Books Editor Kayti Burt and Den of Geek Contributor Natalie Zutter, and save the date to stay home and geek out with us!
Thursday 6/11:...
- 6/3/2020
- by Kayti Burt
- Den of Geek
Exclusive: In a surprise deal that could represent a shift within the publishing industry, Blackstone Publishing — the largest independent publisher in the multi-billion dollar audiobook business — has set up a partnership with The Story Factory to expand in the print and e-book markets. The centerpiece of the deal: Blackstone is making a three-author deal with New York Times bestselling and two-time Edgar Award-winning Steve Hamilton, five-time New York Times bestselling and four-time Edgar Award-nominated Reed Farrel Coleman, and Edgar Award-winning Meg Gardiner. All three authors, who are Story Factory clients, are leaving Penguin Random House to join Blackstone.
The partners said that at a time when even well-established authors are seeing advances and promotional budgets slashed, the three authors will receive career best paydays in a deal in the seven figures. The authors get creative and promotional approvals throughout the publishing process, and guaranteed publicity budget for each book launch.
The partners said that at a time when even well-established authors are seeing advances and promotional budgets slashed, the three authors will receive career best paydays in a deal in the seven figures. The authors get creative and promotional approvals throughout the publishing process, and guaranteed publicity budget for each book launch.
- 4/1/2019
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Brit musician Stormzy has joined the cast of BBC One drama Noughts + Crosses, Mammoth Screen’s adaptation of Malorie Blackman’s dystopian young adult book series currently being filmed in South Africa. The popular grime artist will play newspaper editor Kolawale, a character created for the series. Jack Rowan (Peaky Blinders) stars with newcomer Masali Baduza, Helen Baxendale, Paterson Joseph and Ian Hart. The show charts the story of first love in a dangerous, alternate world where racism divides society. Exec producers on the show include Participant and Jay-z’s Roc Nation. International distribution is handled by ITV Studios Global Entertainment.
Anthony Kimble, who recently left Cineflix Rights after five years as Svp acquisitions and co-productions North America, has formally launched new content outfit Fugitive. Kimble will be at next week’s Series Mania, where he will be repping projects including Uncanny Valley: The Truth About Thinking Machines, a six-hour hybrid event series about A.
Anthony Kimble, who recently left Cineflix Rights after five years as Svp acquisitions and co-productions North America, has formally launched new content outfit Fugitive. Kimble will be at next week’s Series Mania, where he will be repping projects including Uncanny Valley: The Truth About Thinking Machines, a six-hour hybrid event series about A.
- 3/21/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Anthony Kimble, formerly of Cineflix, National Geographic, and Viacom’s Channel 5, has launched Fugitive and will develop, finance, and exec produce drama and unscripted TV through the new banner.
Its first projects include “Uncanny Valley: The Truth About Thinking Machines,” which comes from producers Topic and Jigsaw. A series about A.I. and the future of mankind, it will combine non-fiction elements from Alex Gibney and scripted elements from Cory Doctorow.
Fugitive also has a female-driven World War II series, “The Line,” from Australian shingle Essential. It is written by Yolanda Ramke, the screenwriter and director of Netflix’s first Australian feature, “Cargo.”
On the unscripted side the new firm is working with “Intervention” producer Grb and will find partners and finance for new shows on its slate.
“I am thrilled to have Fugitive up and running and most delighted that my first projects are such strong titles – and...
Its first projects include “Uncanny Valley: The Truth About Thinking Machines,” which comes from producers Topic and Jigsaw. A series about A.I. and the future of mankind, it will combine non-fiction elements from Alex Gibney and scripted elements from Cory Doctorow.
Fugitive also has a female-driven World War II series, “The Line,” from Australian shingle Essential. It is written by Yolanda Ramke, the screenwriter and director of Netflix’s first Australian feature, “Cargo.”
On the unscripted side the new firm is working with “Intervention” producer Grb and will find partners and finance for new shows on its slate.
“I am thrilled to have Fugitive up and running and most delighted that my first projects are such strong titles – and...
- 3/21/2019
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
MySpace, which was once the most trafficked website on the internet, has admitted that some 50 million user-uploaded songs as well as other files have been lost due to a server malfunction.
Concern has been mounting on Reddit and on social media over the past year as users who kept their files on MySpace started having trouble accessing their music. The affected files are from 2003 and 2015 and come from about 14 million recording artists.
The company, now a unit of Meredith Corp., blamed a server migration gone wrong, replying to users inquiring via email that files had been “corrupted” during the process. “Any photos, videos, and audio files you uploaded more than three years ago may no longer be available,” a MySpace statement said, according to numerous media reports over the weekend. “We apologize for the inconvenience and suggest that you retain your back up copies.”
On message boards and on social media,...
Concern has been mounting on Reddit and on social media over the past year as users who kept their files on MySpace started having trouble accessing their music. The affected files are from 2003 and 2015 and come from about 14 million recording artists.
The company, now a unit of Meredith Corp., blamed a server migration gone wrong, replying to users inquiring via email that files had been “corrupted” during the process. “Any photos, videos, and audio files you uploaded more than three years ago may no longer be available,” a MySpace statement said, according to numerous media reports over the weekend. “We apologize for the inconvenience and suggest that you retain your back up copies.”
On message boards and on social media,...
- 3/18/2019
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Electric scooter rental company Bird Rides has sent a letter to alternative news site Boing Boing, asking that they remove an article the company claims infringes on its rights.
The scooters, which have swarmed Santa Monica and other cities across the country, can be used and then left in a public space. The scooters are then collected and returned to various locations for recharging. The scooters allegedly can’t be used without activation via an online app.
The article on Boing Boing talked about ways to modify the scooters that are discarded so that they work without going through the Bird app, using a Chinese modifying kit. The article talks about purchasing scooters from city impound lots, where many wind up, not stealing one off the street.
Bird took offense at the article and sent a Notice of Claimed Infringement to Boing Boing, citing the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. The...
The scooters, which have swarmed Santa Monica and other cities across the country, can be used and then left in a public space. The scooters are then collected and returned to various locations for recharging. The scooters allegedly can’t be used without activation via an online app.
The article on Boing Boing talked about ways to modify the scooters that are discarded so that they work without going through the Bird app, using a Chinese modifying kit. The article talks about purchasing scooters from city impound lots, where many wind up, not stealing one off the street.
Bird took offense at the article and sent a Notice of Claimed Infringement to Boing Boing, citing the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. The...
- 1/14/2019
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Topic Studios is developing a scripted TV series based on Benito Cereno, the 1855 Herman Melville novella about the fictionalized revolt of a Spanish slave ship. The series, which will be adapted to take place in deep space, is created by The Knick scribe/co-executive producer Steven Katz, who will write and executive produced project.
Topic Studios will also executive produce alongside Manage-ment’s Dan Halsted and Corinne Hayoun.
Inspired by the novella — considered one of Melville’s finest works as a commentary on slavery, the nature of man and good versus evil — the series will be a science fiction thriller centered on an accidental encounter between a human commercial ship and an alien slave freighter, where the human captain navigates a world of inter-species slavery in a distant future with frightening parallels to our past.
“Benito Cereno is one of Melville’s most thought-provoking short stories, and Steven has been able to retain its essence,...
Topic Studios will also executive produce alongside Manage-ment’s Dan Halsted and Corinne Hayoun.
Inspired by the novella — considered one of Melville’s finest works as a commentary on slavery, the nature of man and good versus evil — the series will be a science fiction thriller centered on an accidental encounter between a human commercial ship and an alien slave freighter, where the human captain navigates a world of inter-species slavery in a distant future with frightening parallels to our past.
“Benito Cereno is one of Melville’s most thought-provoking short stories, and Steven has been able to retain its essence,...
- 11/28/2018
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
If you partook in the incredible celebration surrounding Action Comics #1000 earlier this year and hoped for Batman to receive similar treatment when he hits a similar milestone, well, then today’s the day we can guarantee your wish being granted.
You see, DC Comics have finally released the first details concerning Detective Comics #1000, and it looks like something none of us will want to miss. In fact, the landmark issue will introduce a new version of the Arkham Knight, thus bringing the familiar name into proper continuity.
As you may remember, the eponymous antagonist was first introduced in Rocksteady’s hit video game Batman: Arkham Knight, where he was ultimately unmasked as being Jason Todd. But considering how Jason’s well-established as the Red Hood within the DC Universe, it makes sense for someone else to be under the mask this time around.
Right now, I imagine that’ll go...
You see, DC Comics have finally released the first details concerning Detective Comics #1000, and it looks like something none of us will want to miss. In fact, the landmark issue will introduce a new version of the Arkham Knight, thus bringing the familiar name into proper continuity.
As you may remember, the eponymous antagonist was first introduced in Rocksteady’s hit video game Batman: Arkham Knight, where he was ultimately unmasked as being Jason Todd. But considering how Jason’s well-established as the Red Hood within the DC Universe, it makes sense for someone else to be under the mask this time around.
Right now, I imagine that’ll go...
- 11/15/2018
- by Eric Joseph
- We Got This Covered
In Today’s TV News Roundup, “Dirty John” has an official premiere date and Variety has obtained an exclusive clip from the upcoming season finale of “Carter.”
Dates
Bravo’s new limited series “Dirty John” is set to premiere Nov. 25 at 10:00 p.m. Et/Pt. The show, which stars Connie Britton and Eric Bana, is based off of a popular true-crime podcast of the same name hosted by Los Angeles Times reporter Christopher Goffard. In the podcast, Goffard narrated the cautionary romance between Debra Newell (Britton) and the charismatic conman John Meehan (Bana), which spiraled into a web of deception and terror that almost tore the family apart. Universal Cable Productions, in association with Los Angeles Times Studios and Atlas Entertainment will produce the show, alongside show creator Alexandra Cunningham and director Jeffrey Reiner. Bravo also released a trailer for the series, which can be seen below.
Showtime has...
Dates
Bravo’s new limited series “Dirty John” is set to premiere Nov. 25 at 10:00 p.m. Et/Pt. The show, which stars Connie Britton and Eric Bana, is based off of a popular true-crime podcast of the same name hosted by Los Angeles Times reporter Christopher Goffard. In the podcast, Goffard narrated the cautionary romance between Debra Newell (Britton) and the charismatic conman John Meehan (Bana), which spiraled into a web of deception and terror that almost tore the family apart. Universal Cable Productions, in association with Los Angeles Times Studios and Atlas Entertainment will produce the show, alongside show creator Alexandra Cunningham and director Jeffrey Reiner. Bravo also released a trailer for the series, which can be seen below.
Showtime has...
- 10/8/2018
- by Nate Nickolai
- Variety Film + TV
Topic Studios has acquired film and TV rights to Cory Doctorow’s upcoming science-fiction novella, “Unauthorized Bread,” the first in a four-part short story series that will debut next year.
“Unauthorized Bread” is set in a near future America where the usage of everyday technology falls under the control of corporations — including all the appliances being designed to extract as much cash as possible, from the toasters that only accept “authorized bread” to the refrigerators permitting only authorized groceries.
“We’re in the grips of a long-overdue debate over whether technology will improve our lives or destroy us, but that debate has been oversimplified to the point of uselessness,” said Doctorow. “The question isn’t ‘which technology is best?’ but rather, ‘How do we make technology that serves us, rather than exploiting us?’ The answer always starts with control: if you can’t control your technology, there’s a good...
“Unauthorized Bread” is set in a near future America where the usage of everyday technology falls under the control of corporations — including all the appliances being designed to extract as much cash as possible, from the toasters that only accept “authorized bread” to the refrigerators permitting only authorized groceries.
“We’re in the grips of a long-overdue debate over whether technology will improve our lives or destroy us, but that debate has been oversimplified to the point of uselessness,” said Doctorow. “The question isn’t ‘which technology is best?’ but rather, ‘How do we make technology that serves us, rather than exploiting us?’ The answer always starts with control: if you can’t control your technology, there’s a good...
- 10/8/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Topic Studios has acquired film and TV rights to sci-fi author Cory Doctorow’s upcoming novella Unauthorized Bread, the first in a four-part short story series Radicalized that will debut in early 2019.
A cautionary tale about the impact of continued technological advancement and class divisions, Unauthorized Bread takes place in a near future America where the usage of everyday technology falls under the control of corporations. Refugee Salima is thrilled to be accepted into subsidized housing in Boston but it comes at a real price: every system, including all the appliances, are locked and designed to extract as much cash as possible, from the toasters that only accept “authorized bread” to the fridges that will only permit authorized groceries. When the situation proves uninhabitable, Salima leads a rebellion to jailbreak all the locked appliances in her building — a golden age until they are put at risk of being caught, charged,...
A cautionary tale about the impact of continued technological advancement and class divisions, Unauthorized Bread takes place in a near future America where the usage of everyday technology falls under the control of corporations. Refugee Salima is thrilled to be accepted into subsidized housing in Boston but it comes at a real price: every system, including all the appliances, are locked and designed to extract as much cash as possible, from the toasters that only accept “authorized bread” to the fridges that will only permit authorized groceries. When the situation proves uninhabitable, Salima leads a rebellion to jailbreak all the locked appliances in her building — a golden age until they are put at risk of being caught, charged,...
- 10/8/2018
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
MaryAnn’s quick take… This sci-fi riff on the end of privacy is not as provocative as it would like to be, and its mystery completely falls apart in the end. But its visual worldbuilding is fascinating. I’m “biast” (pro): love Clive Owen; love some of what Andrew Niccol has done; big science fiction fan
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto) women’s participation in this film
(learn more about this)
In the not-too-distant future, privacy has been eliminated via neural implants that absolutely everyone has. Your “Mind’s Eye” records everything you see and hear and stores it in “the Ether” for you to revisit later or share with friends; the system also offers a kind of mega-augmented reality that layers pop-up IDs over everyone you see, as well as, naturally, advertising on many surfaces and shopping links...
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto) women’s participation in this film
(learn more about this)
In the not-too-distant future, privacy has been eliminated via neural implants that absolutely everyone has. Your “Mind’s Eye” records everything you see and hear and stores it in “the Ether” for you to revisit later or share with friends; the system also offers a kind of mega-augmented reality that layers pop-up IDs over everyone you see, as well as, naturally, advertising on many surfaces and shopping links...
- 5/11/2018
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
I finished up my reread of Ready Player One, by Ernest Cline — soon to be released as a major motion picture by Steven Spielberg — today on Twitter. (Part 1.) Here’s my commentary.
#ReadyPlayerOne, where we are: High-school dork Wade, who is secretly Incredibly Amazing, is now living in the Oasis mecca of Columbus, Ohio, as he attempts to solve the second puzzle in Internet billionaire madman James Halliday's online puzzle. #ReadyPlayerOneReread
— MaryAnn Johanson (@maryannjohanson) March 18, 2018
Chapter 17: Wade refuses to accept Art3mis's request for him to stop engaging with her, and we also learn that "most gunters [easter egg hunters] are male." So feminism has made no progress by the 2040s. Damn. #ReadyPlayerOneReread
— MaryAnn Johanson (@maryannjohanson) March 18, 2018
Oo, some transphobia, too! Fun. #ReadyPlayerOneReread
— MaryAnn Johanson (@maryannjohanson) March 18, 2018
Art3mis Again requests that Wade not contact her. But he does, becoming a pest on email. She gives in and they begin to correspond,...
#ReadyPlayerOne, where we are: High-school dork Wade, who is secretly Incredibly Amazing, is now living in the Oasis mecca of Columbus, Ohio, as he attempts to solve the second puzzle in Internet billionaire madman James Halliday's online puzzle. #ReadyPlayerOneReread
— MaryAnn Johanson (@maryannjohanson) March 18, 2018
Chapter 17: Wade refuses to accept Art3mis's request for him to stop engaging with her, and we also learn that "most gunters [easter egg hunters] are male." So feminism has made no progress by the 2040s. Damn. #ReadyPlayerOneReread
— MaryAnn Johanson (@maryannjohanson) March 18, 2018
Oo, some transphobia, too! Fun. #ReadyPlayerOneReread
— MaryAnn Johanson (@maryannjohanson) March 18, 2018
Art3mis Again requests that Wade not contact her. But he does, becoming a pest on email. She gives in and they begin to correspond,...
- 3/18/2018
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
Inspiring generations with their uncanny abilities to bring us closer to the great wonders (and horrors) of this universe, Guillermo del Toro and H.P. Lovecraft are among the group of creators and works being inducted this year into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a new exhibit at the Museum of Pop Culture.
Press Release: Seattle – The Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) announced a new exhibition commemorating the 20th anniversary Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame and named the new inductees for 2016. The Hall of Fame honors the lives, work, and ongoing legacies of science fiction and fantasy’s greatest creators, and as the program marks its 20th year, it has expanded eligibility to recognize the genre’s most impactful creations. For the 2016 year, the Hall of Fame will induct Star Trek, Blade Runner, and authors Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams.
Press Release: Seattle – The Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) announced a new exhibition commemorating the 20th anniversary Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame and named the new inductees for 2016. The Hall of Fame honors the lives, work, and ongoing legacies of science fiction and fantasy’s greatest creators, and as the program marks its 20th year, it has expanded eligibility to recognize the genre’s most impactful creations. For the 2016 year, the Hall of Fame will induct Star Trek, Blade Runner, and authors Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams.
- 1/18/2017
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Corey Doctorow's Little Brother is not your typical, dystopian Ya novel. For one thing, it doesn't take place in some far-flung future, but right here in our world where real problems of government surveillance are actually happening all around us. The best selling book published by Tor back in 2008 spawned a sequel called Homeland, but no third book has materialized to complete a traditional trilogy.
Paramount must see promise in the story for a franchise and have acquired the feature rights for the book that "follows a teenage Edward Snowden-type of character who, after a terrorist attack on the Bay Bridge in San Francisco, finds himself wrongfully pursued by a corrupt Department of Homeland Security agent. Using technological tricks that are very much based in realit [Continued ...]...
Paramount must see promise in the story for a franchise and have acquired the feature rights for the book that "follows a teenage Edward Snowden-type of character who, after a terrorist attack on the Bay Bridge in San Francisco, finds himself wrongfully pursued by a corrupt Department of Homeland Security agent. Using technological tricks that are very much based in realit [Continued ...]...
- 9/10/2015
- QuietEarth.us
Release Dates
A couple of new key release date announcements today starting with the Ewan McGregor as Jesus & The Devil project "Last Days in the Desert" which Broad Green Pictures has acquired for the United States and is planning an early 2016 release.
Meanwhile the collapse of Relativity Studios has seen the studio quietly pull three titles - "The Disappointments Room," "Before I Wake" and "The Bronze" - from its calendar with no dates currently set. [Source: Variety]
Men and Chickens
Drafthouse Films has bought North American distribution rights to Anders Thomas Jensen's comedy "Men and Chicken" starring Mads Mikkelsen. The film will have a limited theatrical release in North America in 2016.
The story centers on two brothers who, through meeting their long-lost family, also discover a horrible truth about themselves. [Source: Variety]
Untitled Cop Comedy
"Bad Words" writer Andrew Dodge is set to pen a re-write of an untitled cop comedy at Perfect Storm Entertainment.
A couple of new key release date announcements today starting with the Ewan McGregor as Jesus & The Devil project "Last Days in the Desert" which Broad Green Pictures has acquired for the United States and is planning an early 2016 release.
Meanwhile the collapse of Relativity Studios has seen the studio quietly pull three titles - "The Disappointments Room," "Before I Wake" and "The Bronze" - from its calendar with no dates currently set. [Source: Variety]
Men and Chickens
Drafthouse Films has bought North American distribution rights to Anders Thomas Jensen's comedy "Men and Chicken" starring Mads Mikkelsen. The film will have a limited theatrical release in North America in 2016.
The story centers on two brothers who, through meeting their long-lost family, also discover a horrible truth about themselves. [Source: Variety]
Untitled Cop Comedy
"Bad Words" writer Andrew Dodge is set to pen a re-write of an untitled cop comedy at Perfect Storm Entertainment.
- 9/10/2015
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Exclusive: Paramount Pictures has acquired the feature rights to Little Brother, the New York Times bestselling novel by Cory Doctorow, for Angry Film producers Don Murphy and Susan Montford. The plan is to create a successful, reality-based Ya franchise for the studio with the book that follows a teenage Edward Snowden-type of character who, after a terrorist attack on the Bay Bridge in San Francisco, finds himself wrongfully pursued by a corrupt Department of Homeland…...
- 9/9/2015
- Deadline
The man, the myth, the legend, Slash is launching a crowdfunding campaign for his second feature film, The Hell Within. Also: details on both The Dark Below Fantasia world premiere and Vintage Tomorrows Comic-Con 2015 screening.
The Hell Within: Press Release: "Iconic guitarist Slash announced today that he will produce his second feature film “The Hell Within” and is looking to engage fans in the making of the film from start to finish. Fans will have a variety of unique on-going incentives and exclusive rewards that will be offered starting today and expanding through every stage of the film’s completion at TheHellWithin.com.
The campaign commences today with a selection of opportunities with more to be unveiled over the coming weeks. Many of the rewards will provide unprecedented access behind the scenes of both “The Hell Within” film and Slash’s concerts. On-going reward opportunities include: private screenings, premiere tickets,...
The Hell Within: Press Release: "Iconic guitarist Slash announced today that he will produce his second feature film “The Hell Within” and is looking to engage fans in the making of the film from start to finish. Fans will have a variety of unique on-going incentives and exclusive rewards that will be offered starting today and expanding through every stage of the film’s completion at TheHellWithin.com.
The campaign commences today with a selection of opportunities with more to be unveiled over the coming weeks. Many of the rewards will provide unprecedented access behind the scenes of both “The Hell Within” film and Slash’s concerts. On-going reward opportunities include: private screenings, premiere tickets,...
- 7/11/2015
- by Tamika Jones
- DailyDead
The Flatiron Hex Created by James Godwin Directed and co-written by Tom Burnett Dixon Place 161A Chrystie Street, NY, NY 10002 May 15-30, 2015
The best way to describe James Godwin's wildly inventive The Flatiron Hex is that it is like watching a big-budget summer sci-fi action-comedy performed by one man, with puppets and a couple of projectors. Making its world premier at Dixon Place, a space that grew out of salons held in Artistic Director Ellie Covan's living room and is primarily dedicated to helping artists create and develop new work, The Flatiron Hex brings to mind Neil Gaiman's American Gods and the works of William Gibson and Cory Doctorow, as well as films such as Night Watch and Hellboy, through a lens of 1940s and 50s hardboiled noir. Godwin, who made his own debut at Dixon Place in 1988, creates a future New York City, now known as Nyorg,...
The best way to describe James Godwin's wildly inventive The Flatiron Hex is that it is like watching a big-budget summer sci-fi action-comedy performed by one man, with puppets and a couple of projectors. Making its world premier at Dixon Place, a space that grew out of salons held in Artistic Director Ellie Covan's living room and is primarily dedicated to helping artists create and develop new work, The Flatiron Hex brings to mind Neil Gaiman's American Gods and the works of William Gibson and Cory Doctorow, as well as films such as Night Watch and Hellboy, through a lens of 1940s and 50s hardboiled noir. Godwin, who made his own debut at Dixon Place in 1988, creates a future New York City, now known as Nyorg,...
- 5/18/2015
- by Leah Richards
- www.culturecatch.com
Aliya tackles Steven Bach's account of the making of 1980 epic Western Heaven's Gate in this month's non-fiction film book club...
When I think of big business in the United States at the end of the 1970s I think of something out of Dallas or Dynasty: deals being brokered over chunky telephones or long lunches; penthouse offices with granite desks and shag-pile carpets; male executives with heart conditions, bleeding ulcers, and good-looking secretaries. This is absolutely the world you step into when you read Final Cut. The first thing to say about the book is that feeling of glee you get from that realisation that your mental image of Hollywood at that time turns out to be true.
Steven Bach was the Senior Vice President of United Artists at the moment when Michael Cimino became the hottest director in Hollywood. His film The Deer Hunter (1978) was proclaimed a masterpiece by many and won five Oscars,...
When I think of big business in the United States at the end of the 1970s I think of something out of Dallas or Dynasty: deals being brokered over chunky telephones or long lunches; penthouse offices with granite desks and shag-pile carpets; male executives with heart conditions, bleeding ulcers, and good-looking secretaries. This is absolutely the world you step into when you read Final Cut. The first thing to say about the book is that feeling of glee you get from that realisation that your mental image of Hollywood at that time turns out to be true.
Steven Bach was the Senior Vice President of United Artists at the moment when Michael Cimino became the hottest director in Hollywood. His film The Deer Hunter (1978) was proclaimed a masterpiece by many and won five Oscars,...
- 11/17/2014
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
The Internet’s Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz
Starring: Aaron Swartz, Tim Berners-Lee, Taren Stinebrickner-Kaufmann, Corey Doctorow, Ron Wyden, Cindy Cohn
Directed by: Brian Knappenberger
Written by: Brian Knappenberger
USA, 2014
Sometimes there is a heavy price to pay for being a vocalized genius. In the case of the late computer programming prodigy and internet innovator in Reddit co-founder Aaron Swartz the brilliance and the burden of a young man’s crusade for basic justice in computer-sharing information and technology reached a tragic ending. However, the triumph in Swartz’s shortened twenty-six years of existence is celebrated and remembered in the aftermath of this gifted online political activist whose shocking suicide quieted a vibrant voice in the cause for the power of freely attaining knowledge no matter how sensitive its revelation may be at large.
In writer-director Brian Knappenberger’s absorbing and conscious-minded documentary The Internet’s Own Boy:...
Starring: Aaron Swartz, Tim Berners-Lee, Taren Stinebrickner-Kaufmann, Corey Doctorow, Ron Wyden, Cindy Cohn
Directed by: Brian Knappenberger
Written by: Brian Knappenberger
USA, 2014
Sometimes there is a heavy price to pay for being a vocalized genius. In the case of the late computer programming prodigy and internet innovator in Reddit co-founder Aaron Swartz the brilliance and the burden of a young man’s crusade for basic justice in computer-sharing information and technology reached a tragic ending. However, the triumph in Swartz’s shortened twenty-six years of existence is celebrated and remembered in the aftermath of this gifted online political activist whose shocking suicide quieted a vibrant voice in the cause for the power of freely attaining knowledge no matter how sensitive its revelation may be at large.
In writer-director Brian Knappenberger’s absorbing and conscious-minded documentary The Internet’s Own Boy:...
- 11/15/2014
- by Frank Ochieng
- SoundOnSight
This month's fiction book club choice is Cory Doctorow's politically themed Little Brother. Here's what Kaci made of it...
It's taken me a long time to write this review. In a way, I think this is the most difficult book I've reviewed yet. I find that particularly ironic, given that the book is written in undeniably immature prose, and yet the things it's talking about are incredibly mature.
I really want to hear from you all this month, because I believe that the perspective of non-Americans is going to be really interesting.
Security theatre has been a huge issue here in America since 9/11. I was 14 when it happened, and I'm 27 now. I've lived in a post-9/11 world for nearly half my life. I've never gotten on an airplane without a full-body scan or while carrying more than 3 ounces of liquid. It's hard for me to even remember a time...
It's taken me a long time to write this review. In a way, I think this is the most difficult book I've reviewed yet. I find that particularly ironic, given that the book is written in undeniably immature prose, and yet the things it's talking about are incredibly mature.
I really want to hear from you all this month, because I believe that the perspective of non-Americans is going to be really interesting.
Security theatre has been a huge issue here in America since 9/11. I was 14 when it happened, and I'm 27 now. I've lived in a post-9/11 world for nearly half my life. I've never gotten on an airplane without a full-body scan or while carrying more than 3 ounces of liquid. It's hard for me to even remember a time...
- 10/15/2014
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
An essential — and enraging — documentary about the life, career, and death of Internet activist Aaron Swartz, a danger to corporate hegemony whose work could not be allowed to continue. I’m “biast” (pro): nothing
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
If you don’t know who Aaron Swartz is, you should. If we manage to end up with an Internet — and a larger culture — that values freedom and creativity over corporate profits and mass surveillance, we will have Swartz, in part, to thank for it. And for his efforts, he was, basically, hounded into suicide in January 2013, at the age of 26, after the U.S. federal government decided to make an example of Swartz and pursue a malicious prosecution that could have resulted in 35 years in prison and a $1 million fine for an act of civil disobedience intended to highlight...
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
If you don’t know who Aaron Swartz is, you should. If we manage to end up with an Internet — and a larger culture — that values freedom and creativity over corporate profits and mass surveillance, we will have Swartz, in part, to thank for it. And for his efforts, he was, basically, hounded into suicide in January 2013, at the age of 26, after the U.S. federal government decided to make an example of Swartz and pursue a malicious prosecution that could have resulted in 35 years in prison and a $1 million fine for an act of civil disobedience intended to highlight...
- 8/29/2014
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
In January 2013, an incandescently brilliant American political activist and computer programmer named Aaron Swartz was hounded to suicide by the overzealous U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts, Carmen Ortiz. Anyone who argues differently has a desk drawer full of government paystubs.
Brian Knappenberger's The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz connects the dots of Swartz's past, assembling a vivid portrait of a sensitive genius with a strong moral sense. The film incorporates interviews with his friends, family, girlfriend, and a range of digital luminaries that includes activist lawyer Lawrence Lessig and author Cory Doctorow.
Have you used the social sharing service Reddit? Swartz was one of the site's founders. If you read websites via RSS, you're...
Brian Knappenberger's The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz connects the dots of Swartz's past, assembling a vivid portrait of a sensitive genius with a strong moral sense. The film incorporates interviews with his friends, family, girlfriend, and a range of digital luminaries that includes activist lawyer Lawrence Lessig and author Cory Doctorow.
Have you used the social sharing service Reddit? Swartz was one of the site's founders. If you read websites via RSS, you're...
- 6/25/2014
- Village Voice
Chuck Palahniuk is planning to follow-up his 1996 "Fight Club" book -- and it will arrive as at least one graphic novel, likely more. The original book, of course, was adapted into a movie in 1999, directed by David Fincher and starring Brad Pitt and Edward Norton. Palahniuk's original announcement fell somewhat under the radar during the craziness that was Comic-Con. He mentioned it during the "Ode to Nerds" panel with fellow writers D.C. Pierson, Patrick Rothfuss, Cory Doctorow, Austin Grossman and Robyn Schneider, according to ChickPalahniuk.net.
- 7/23/2013
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
Author Steve Niles has been around slinging ink longer than a lot of people think. He has also seen the industry from both sides and from the corporate versus indie perspective. Since he just made another major move in his life and career in leaving Southern California behind and heading to Texas I thought it would be a good time to talk with him about his history in the publishing and film business.
When you did the Clive Barker portfolio in the late '80s / early '90s you were doing graphic novels. Were those your first graphic novels?
Those were the first ones I did, yeah. That first awful thing was "Bad Moon" followed by "Fly in my Eye". I did all of those through Arcane. Then after "Fly in my Eye" is when I got the rights to Clive's stuff. At that point I realized I was in way too deep.
When you did the Clive Barker portfolio in the late '80s / early '90s you were doing graphic novels. Were those your first graphic novels?
Those were the first ones I did, yeah. That first awful thing was "Bad Moon" followed by "Fly in my Eye". I did all of those through Arcane. Then after "Fly in my Eye" is when I got the rights to Clive's stuff. At that point I realized I was in way too deep.
- 3/5/2013
- by Del Howison
- FEARnet
Not every English-speaker hopping over to Wikipedia for a quick look-up today will have heard about the 24-hour blackout or what's prompted it, which is partly what makes the action so effective. As Wikipedia Executive Director Sue Gardner explains, this "blackout is a protest against proposed legislation in the United States — the Stop Online Piracy Act (Sopa) in the Us House of Representatives, and the Protectip Act (Pipa) in the Us Senate — that, if passed, would seriously damage the free and open Internet, including Wikipedia." As to why the protest has to be taken global and has to go forward now, even as the White House threatens a veto and "some American legislators appear to be in tactical retreat," she adds: "The reality is that we don't think Sopa is going away, and Pipa is still quite active. Moreover, Sopa and Pipa are just indicators of a much broader problem.
- 1/18/2012
- MUBI
I was going through all my bookmarks and I came along this one that I have not shared with you all yet! Shame on me! Courtesy of GeekDad.
Whether you’ve been using Twitter since 2006, are determined never to use it unless dragged kicking and screaming, or are somewhere in between, you probably know that it’s wildly popular with all sorts of people. In addition to the celebrities who make a big deal about Twitter (e.g., Ashton Kutcher), there are tons of people, both famous and not, who tweet about lots of interesting things.
Here's a updated list of people to follow on Twitter.
Name Twitter ID Why They’re Listed Here Phil Plait BadAstronomer The Bad Astronomer himself; a source for great space-related info and a dose of healthy skepticism. James Urbaniak JamesUrbaniak The voice of Dr. Venture on The Venture Brothers, and a very funny tweeter.
Whether you’ve been using Twitter since 2006, are determined never to use it unless dragged kicking and screaming, or are somewhere in between, you probably know that it’s wildly popular with all sorts of people. In addition to the celebrities who make a big deal about Twitter (e.g., Ashton Kutcher), there are tons of people, both famous and not, who tweet about lots of interesting things.
Here's a updated list of people to follow on Twitter.
Name Twitter ID Why They’re Listed Here Phil Plait BadAstronomer The Bad Astronomer himself; a source for great space-related info and a dose of healthy skepticism. James Urbaniak JamesUrbaniak The voice of Dr. Venture on The Venture Brothers, and a very funny tweeter.
- 8/23/2011
- by Mars
- GeekTyrant
Animation, Art, and Technology.
Vancouver, BC – Hey U Guys had a chance to attend Siggraph 2011 (Aug 7 – 11), a computer graphics conference that encompassed a wide array of topics relating to the entertainment, and graphic design industry. A celebration of technology and the digital art community, everything from advances in software, to videogames development, animated film screenings, and more.
Having been previously held in cities such as Los Angeles, San Diego, and Boston, this is the first time the conference has been hosted north of the border in Vancouver,Canada.
Divided into workshops, production sessions, an exhibition hall and the world renowned Computer Animation Festival, the five-day conference is one of the biggest in the world. One part educational, another part entertaining. Representatives from major studios Disney, Dreamworks, Ilm, Digital Domain, Weta, gave panels, and talks to discuss their technology.
Vancouver Convention Centre
Siggraph networking reception
Cory Doctorow co-editor of Boing Boing,...
Vancouver, BC – Hey U Guys had a chance to attend Siggraph 2011 (Aug 7 – 11), a computer graphics conference that encompassed a wide array of topics relating to the entertainment, and graphic design industry. A celebration of technology and the digital art community, everything from advances in software, to videogames development, animated film screenings, and more.
Having been previously held in cities such as Los Angeles, San Diego, and Boston, this is the first time the conference has been hosted north of the border in Vancouver,Canada.
Divided into workshops, production sessions, an exhibition hall and the world renowned Computer Animation Festival, the five-day conference is one of the biggest in the world. One part educational, another part entertaining. Representatives from major studios Disney, Dreamworks, Ilm, Digital Domain, Weta, gave panels, and talks to discuss their technology.
Vancouver Convention Centre
Siggraph networking reception
Cory Doctorow co-editor of Boing Boing,...
- 8/18/2011
- by Albert Art
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
"if there’s one thing the file-sharing wars have taught us, it’s that there’s more profit in figuring out how to let honest people do the right thing than there is in chasing down cheapskates who don’t want to pay up – especially when the anti-cheapskate measures make life miserable for the honest cits," so says Cory Doctorow, and he's come up with an interesting way to encourage fan merch of On Demand Objects (Odo), while making life simpler & better from those that inspire the action (generally the copyright holder). Definitely read Cory's whole article, as it has great implications…...
- 7/11/2011
- Hope for Film
indieWIRE Recaps is a daily column that curates indie news and stories from around the film world. If you’d like to suggest an article, you can find us at editors@indiewire.com. Blame it on the third world. Cory Doctorow from The Guardian writes on the new findings that Social Science Research Council director Joe Karaganis oversaw from a team of 35 researchers that took 3 years to write a 440-page report ...
- 5/3/2011
- Indiewire
Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom is a book I've been reading about for quite a long time. Disneyland is only a 45 minute drive for me, so once I got past the crippling fear of damn near everything that crept its way into my childhood, I became a theme park addict, especially when the Happiest Place on Earth is the park in question. While Cory Doctorow's work takes place in a nifty, futuristic Disney "World," I was drawn to the concept all the same.
Basically, rival adhocracies control different attractions in the park, which has become virtually an entire city unto itself, competing for guests' Whuffie. Whuffie is the only currency left in this world, a way to gauge esteem and respect from anyone and everyone you come in contact with (everyone is able to give equal Whuffie, no matter how "broke" they might be), and anybody's Whuffie...
Basically, rival adhocracies control different attractions in the park, which has become virtually an entire city unto itself, competing for guests' Whuffie. Whuffie is the only currency left in this world, a way to gauge esteem and respect from anyone and everyone you come in contact with (everyone is able to give equal Whuffie, no matter how "broke" they might be), and anybody's Whuffie...
- 2/22/2011
- by Tamatha Uhmelmahaye
Year: 2011
Writers: Various
Publisher: Night Shade Books
Amazon: Purchase
Review by: agentorange
Rating: 9 out of 10
Brave New Worlds is one of the best primers of dystopian literature you'll find on shelves today. A perfect blend of classic and contemporary short stories about government control, technological subjugation and corporate espionage, each story offers a unique position on how we're so apt to allow entities to control us... for our own good, of course.
When I first got the 500 page book in the mail I was worried I wouldn't have time to read it before it gets released in January. But once I started I found I couldn't put it down. Once again, it would seem that editor John Joseph Adams knows how to pick 'em.
Of course, Brave New Worlds won major points right off the bat for featuring Shirley Jackson's 1948 classic "The Lottery" as the opening story. This story...
Writers: Various
Publisher: Night Shade Books
Amazon: Purchase
Review by: agentorange
Rating: 9 out of 10
Brave New Worlds is one of the best primers of dystopian literature you'll find on shelves today. A perfect blend of classic and contemporary short stories about government control, technological subjugation and corporate espionage, each story offers a unique position on how we're so apt to allow entities to control us... for our own good, of course.
When I first got the 500 page book in the mail I was worried I wouldn't have time to read it before it gets released in January. But once I started I found I couldn't put it down. Once again, it would seem that editor John Joseph Adams knows how to pick 'em.
Of course, Brave New Worlds won major points right off the bat for featuring Shirley Jackson's 1948 classic "The Lottery" as the opening story. This story...
- 12/19/2010
- QuietEarth.us
Photo Illustration by Glen Wexler
Happy Mutants: From left, Mark Frauenfelder, David Pescovitz, "band manager" John Battelle, Cory Doctorow, and Xeni Jardin | Photograph by Bart Nagel
It's eccentric. It's unprofessional. And it makes money. How four people who do exactly what they want run one of the most popular blogs on the planet.
Back in 1999, Mark Frauenfelder wrote an article about new web tools that made it easier to do something called "blogging." His editors at the technology magazine The Industry Standard declined to publish it, concluding that blogging didn't really seem like a very big deal. Turns out it was.
It's certainly been a very good thing for Frauenfelder, who deployed the tools he learned about for his ill-fated article to start posting interesting links and offbeat observations on boingboing.net. In time, three friends who shared a similar appetite for curious information filtered through a nonmainstream worldview -- Cory Doctorow,...
Happy Mutants: From left, Mark Frauenfelder, David Pescovitz, "band manager" John Battelle, Cory Doctorow, and Xeni Jardin | Photograph by Bart Nagel
It's eccentric. It's unprofessional. And it makes money. How four people who do exactly what they want run one of the most popular blogs on the planet.
Back in 1999, Mark Frauenfelder wrote an article about new web tools that made it easier to do something called "blogging." His editors at the technology magazine The Industry Standard declined to publish it, concluding that blogging didn't really seem like a very big deal. Turns out it was.
It's certainly been a very good thing for Frauenfelder, who deployed the tools he learned about for his ill-fated article to start posting interesting links and offbeat observations on boingboing.net. In time, three friends who shared a similar appetite for curious information filtered through a nonmainstream worldview -- Cory Doctorow,...
- 11/30/2010
- by Rob Walker
- Fast Company
Cory Doctorow and the rest of the Boing Boing crew are wearing frock coats and derbies and all ran-tan in celebratory preparation for the upcoming premiere of Riese: Kingdom Falling. The retooled, steampunk original web series debuts on Syfy.com Tuesday, October 26. Riese's initial run wasn't long for the internet. The series was released in late 2009 by creators Ryan Copple and Kaleena Kiff as an alternate-reality-game-slash-web-series. The duo partnered with UK-based digital distributor, Fireworks four months later. Copple and Kiff then took down the series per a request from Fireworks in the hopes that some type of moneyed distribution or development deal would follow. Two months later, they signed a deal. A $200,000 production budget put to very good use, a compelling fantasy-infused storyline, and a host of Hollywood talent - including Amanda Tapping (Sanctuary), Christine Chatelain (The Bone Collector); Sharon Taylor (Stargate Universe), Ben Cotton (Harper's Island), Allison Mack...
- 10/14/2010
- by Joshua Cohen
- Tubefilter.com
Zombie lovers, comic book fans, and self-respecting geeks everywhere are eagerly anticipating the Halloween premiere of AMC’s The Walking Dead, a TV series adaptation of the critically acclaimed comic book series of the same name by writer Robert Kirkman about survivors of a zombie plague. In fact, Daniel Kanemoto is so ready to be a fan of the drama (led by Oscar-nominated director Frank Darabont) that he took it upon himself to create a credit sequence for the series—and in turn has gained some fans himself. Since Kanemoto posted the credits on Sept. 24, he’s received Tweets of...
- 9/26/2010
- by Jeff Jensen
- EW.com - PopWatch
Viacom does, at least. It’s from a couple weeks back but I just discovered it, a post by Cory Doctorow at Boing Boing about the lawsuit in which Viacom is suing Google “for $1 billion for not having copyright lawyers inspect all the videos that get uploaded to YouTube before they're made live.” Here we find this fascinating tidbit (emphasis mine): The lawsuit has been a circus. Filings in the case reveal that Viacom paid dozens of marketing companies to clandestinely upload its videos to YouTube (sometimes "roughing them up" to make them look like pirate-chic leaks). Viacom uploaded so much of its content to YouTube that it actually lost track of which videos were "really" pirated, and which ones it had put there, and sent legal threats to Google over videos it had placed itself.
- 7/6/2010
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
Clay McLachlan/Reuters ('98); Getty Images ('99); Gabe Palacio/Getty Images ('01); Justin Sullivan/Getty Images ('04, '05); Peer Grimm/dpa/Landov ('07); Paul Sakuma/AP Images ('08); Robert Galbraith/Reuters/Corbis ('09); Afp/Getty Images ('10)
Photographs by Phillip Toledano
Everyone wants to be like Steve Jobs and his powerhouse company. It's not as easy as it looks.
Photographs by Phillip Toledano
On Wednesday, May 26, 2010, just after 2:30 p.m., the unthinkable happened: Apple became the largest company in the tech universe, and, after ExxonMobil, the second largest in the nation. For months, its market capitalization had hovered just under that of Microsoft -- the giant that buried Apple and then saved it from almost certain demise with a $150 million investment in 1997. Now Microsoft gets in line with Google, Amazon, Htc, Nokia, and Hp as companies that Apple seems bent on sidelining. The one-time underdog from Cupertino is the...
Photographs by Phillip Toledano
Everyone wants to be like Steve Jobs and his powerhouse company. It's not as easy as it looks.
Photographs by Phillip Toledano
On Wednesday, May 26, 2010, just after 2:30 p.m., the unthinkable happened: Apple became the largest company in the tech universe, and, after ExxonMobil, the second largest in the nation. For months, its market capitalization had hovered just under that of Microsoft -- the giant that buried Apple and then saved it from almost certain demise with a $150 million investment in 1997. Now Microsoft gets in line with Google, Amazon, Htc, Nokia, and Hp as companies that Apple seems bent on sidelining. The one-time underdog from Cupertino is the...
- 6/24/2010
- by Farhad Manjoo
- Fast Company
As amazing as my time spent at the BookExpo America (Bea) industry trade show was as a writer, nothing prepared me for the mind-blowing interview with the amazingly talented Cory Doctorow. The subject of this review is his latest Ya novel, For The Win, an incredible journey into the dark underworld of virtual sub-economies spanning [...]
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Related posts:News – Cory Doctorow video interview with Platform Brandon Sanderson Interview – Bookexpo America 2009 Video BookExpo America 2010 in Review – BT’s Take...
- 6/2/2010
- by B.T. Robertson
- Boomtron
When it comes to the world of gaming, as in the “real” world, winning isn’t everything–it’s the only thing. And in order to win, as a blurb on the cover of Cory Doctorow’s latest fascinating and ambitious novel For the Win states, “Online or offline, you’ve got to organize to survive.” The novel follows the lives [...]
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Related posts:Makers by Cory Doctorow – review Contest – win Little Brother by Cory Doctorow News – Cory Doctorow video interview with Platform...
- 6/1/2010
- by Professor Crazy
- Boomtron
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