After six years as head of the lobbying arm of major Hollywood studios, Christopher Dodd is stepping down as chairman of the Motion Picture Association of America. The organization announced today that the former U.S. senator will exit his position as CEO on September 4 and from his position as chairman at the end of the year. He will be replaced by Charles Rivkin, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs under the Obama administration…...
- 4/28/2017
- Deadline
Warner Bros. chief Kevin Tsujihara and Disney chairman Alan Horn were among the studio heads who pledged their continued support of the Motion Picture Association of America at an intimate dinner with MPAA chairman Christopher Dodd on Thursday night, TheWrap has learned. The MPAA has represented the interests of the six major Hollywood studios — Disney, Universal, Paramount, Fox, Sony and Warner Bros. — since 1922, and yet, for the first time in its 93-year history, the organization is considering opening its doors to new members, according to an MPAA insider. Along with Tsujihara and Horn, Sony Pictures CEO MIchael...
- 2/7/2015
- by Jeff Sneider
- The Wrap
Richie Mehta’s Siddharth was awarded best film at the close of the Beijing International Film Festival (Bjiff), while Wong Kar Wai’s The Grandmaster picked up three prizes including best director.
The Grandmaster also scooped best actress for Zhang Ziyi and best cinematography for Philippe Le Sourd at the festival’s Tiantan Awards on Wednesday night. Wong Kar Wai and Zhang both won prizes for the film in the same categories at the recent Asian Film Awards in Macau.
Best actor at Beijing’s Tiantan Awards went to Guillaume Gouix for French director Sylvain Chomet’s Attila Marcel, which also won best music. Korean director Lee Joon-ik’s Hope won best supporting actress for the performance of child actor Lee Re. Alan Rickman won best supporting actor for his role in Patrice Leconte’s A Promise.
Peter Ho-sun Chan’s American Dreams In China won best screenplay (Zhou Zhiyong, Zhang Ji and...
The Grandmaster also scooped best actress for Zhang Ziyi and best cinematography for Philippe Le Sourd at the festival’s Tiantan Awards on Wednesday night. Wong Kar Wai and Zhang both won prizes for the film in the same categories at the recent Asian Film Awards in Macau.
Best actor at Beijing’s Tiantan Awards went to Guillaume Gouix for French director Sylvain Chomet’s Attila Marcel, which also won best music. Korean director Lee Joon-ik’s Hope won best supporting actress for the performance of child actor Lee Re. Alan Rickman won best supporting actor for his role in Patrice Leconte’s A Promise.
Peter Ho-sun Chan’s American Dreams In China won best screenplay (Zhou Zhiyong, Zhang Ji and...
- 4/24/2014
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) president Christopher Dodd is confident that China’s quota system restricting foreign movie imports to 34 titles a year will be lifted in coming years as Beijing honors its regulatory responsibilities. The world’s second largest film market signed a memorandum of understanding agreement on its current quota system with the World Trade Organization in 2012, valid for five years. This means the second round of negotiations will start in February 2017. Dodd said he was hopeful that a deal on expanding the quota of films on a revenue share basis would be reached by then.
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- 4/18/2014
- by Clifford Coonan
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Oliver Stone was characteristically outspoken on the second day of the Beijing International Film Festival (Bjiff), challenging China to rethink international co-productions and start making films that examine its past.
Speaking at the Sino-Foreign Film Co-production Forum, Stone said, “most international co-productions are bullshit”, due to their bad acting and casting, as expecting actors to use a second language usually doesn’t work.
“The international ballgame has gotten bigger and bigger with films like Iron Man 3 and Transformers,” Stone said, referring to the trend of incorporating Chinese elements into studio pictures. “I hope they use China well. But using Chinese actors in the background because you want money is not an artistic approach.”
Stone also said he’s “run into a wall” three times trying to make films in China about Mao Tse-tung, the Cultural Revolution and a documentary around the Beijing Olympics. “Three times I’ve made real efforts to coproduce and come up short...
Speaking at the Sino-Foreign Film Co-production Forum, Stone said, “most international co-productions are bullshit”, due to their bad acting and casting, as expecting actors to use a second language usually doesn’t work.
“The international ballgame has gotten bigger and bigger with films like Iron Man 3 and Transformers,” Stone said, referring to the trend of incorporating Chinese elements into studio pictures. “I hope they use China well. But using Chinese actors in the background because you want money is not an artistic approach.”
Stone also said he’s “run into a wall” three times trying to make films in China about Mao Tse-tung, the Cultural Revolution and a documentary around the Beijing Olympics. “Three times I’ve made real efforts to coproduce and come up short...
- 4/17/2014
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Oliver Stone was characteristically outspoken on the second day of the Beijing International Film Festival (Bjiff), challenging China to rethink international co-productions and start making films that examine its past.
Speaking at the Sino-Foreign Film Co-production Forum, Stone said, “most international co-productions are bullshit”, due to their bad acting and casting, as expecting actors to use a second language usually doesn’t work.
“The international ballgame has gotten bigger and bigger with films like Iron Man 3 and Transformers,” Stone said, referring to the trend of incorporating Chinese elements into studio pictures. “I hope they use China well. But using Chinese actors in the background because you want money is not an artistic approach.”
Stone also said he’s “run into a wall” three times trying to make films in China about Mao Tse-tung, the Cultural Revolution and a documentary around the Beijing Olympics. “Three times I’ve made real efforts to coproduce and come up short...
Speaking at the Sino-Foreign Film Co-production Forum, Stone said, “most international co-productions are bullshit”, due to their bad acting and casting, as expecting actors to use a second language usually doesn’t work.
“The international ballgame has gotten bigger and bigger with films like Iron Man 3 and Transformers,” Stone said, referring to the trend of incorporating Chinese elements into studio pictures. “I hope they use China well. But using Chinese actors in the background because you want money is not an artistic approach.”
Stone also said he’s “run into a wall” three times trying to make films in China about Mao Tse-tung, the Cultural Revolution and a documentary around the Beijing Olympics. “Three times I’ve made real efforts to coproduce and come up short...
- 4/17/2014
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
The Beijing International Film Festival is set to kick off its fourth edition in the Chinese capital Wednesday, featuring 282 films, including local big budget hits and restored versions of film classics, including several James Dean titles that will screen publicly in the country for the first time. This year’s festival, which runs from April 16-23, has lined up a phalanx of top industryites, including Paramount Pictures COO Frederick Huntsberry, Gravity director Alfonso Cuaron, Motion Picture Association of America president Christopher Dodd and Frozen producer Peter Del Vecho. Photos: Johnny Depp's First Trip to China Hong Kong movie legend John
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- 4/14/2014
- by Clifford Coonan
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Organizers of this year’s Beijing International Film Festival have lined up a range of top industry figures for the Chinese capital's top cinema event, including Paramount Pictures COO Frederick Huntsberry, Gravity director Alfonso Cuaron and Frozen producer Peter Del Vecho. Other attendees taking part in panel discussions at the fest, which runs from April 16-23, include Motion Picture Association of America president Christopher Dodd, directors Oliver Stone and Timur Bekmambetov and British producer Peter Ziering. French director Jean-Jacques Annaud, Taiwanese film scholar Peggy Chiao, Chinese director Xue Xiaolu and “two other guests of great influence” are yet to
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- 3/27/2014
- by Clifford Coonan
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Asia was the big winner at the 64th Berlin Film Festival, taking home four Bears, including the Golden Bear for Best Film and Silver Bear for Best Actor (Liao Fan) for Diao Yinan’s Black Coal, Thin Ice (Bai Ri Yan Huo).Click here for full list of winners
Another of the three Chinese titles, Blind Massage, picked up the Silver Bear for Outstanding Achievement, which again went to a cinematographer, Zeng Jian. Last year had seen DoP Aziz Zhambakiyev receive the prize for his camerawork on Harmony Lessons.
At the ceremony on Saturday night, the Silver Bear for Best Actress was presented to Haru Kuroki for her performance in The Little House by veteran Japanese director Yoji Yamada.
There were a further six prizes or special mentions for films from Asia in the decisions of the Generation and independent juries (Fipresci and Netpac).
Black Coal, Thin Ice is the fourth Chinese film to win the Golden...
Another of the three Chinese titles, Blind Massage, picked up the Silver Bear for Outstanding Achievement, which again went to a cinematographer, Zeng Jian. Last year had seen DoP Aziz Zhambakiyev receive the prize for his camerawork on Harmony Lessons.
At the ceremony on Saturday night, the Silver Bear for Best Actress was presented to Haru Kuroki for her performance in The Little House by veteran Japanese director Yoji Yamada.
There were a further six prizes or special mentions for films from Asia in the decisions of the Generation and independent juries (Fipresci and Netpac).
Black Coal, Thin Ice is the fourth Chinese film to win the Golden...
- 2/16/2014
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
Christopher Dodd, the CEO of the MPAA, earned compensation of $3.3 million in 2012, up from $2.4 million in 2011, his first year at the helm of the movie industry trade group, according to a tax filing obtained by The Hollywood Reporter on Wednesday. However, the MPAA noted that Dodd only worked 9 months in 2011. The organization that lobbies lawmakers on behalf of the movie industry spent more than $28.6 million on compensation and benefits for 200 employees, an average of more than $143,000 per worker. Photos: 10 Highly Paid Entertainment CEOs The MPAA also
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- 11/20/2013
- by Paul Bond
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Please don’t worry, come to China.” That was the message delivered by China Film Co-production Corporation president Zhang Xun [pictured] at the Us-China Film Summit in downtown Los Angeles today.
Zhang was one of the luncheon speakers at the event, staged for the fourth year running by the Asian Society Southern California and Entertainment & Media in Asia. Speaking to an audience estimated by the organisers at 4-500, Zhang urged Us and Chinese film makers to get past their cultural differences and work together more often.
“I would like our American friends to do away with your hesitations,” Zhang said. “Just go forward. Let’s join hands so that American and Chinese movie makers can make movies that will take the breath of the whole world away.”
Zhang, who was presented with the event’s Co-Production Leadership Award, said that during the summit’s morning panel sessions, “I heard two groups of people talk. The first group...
Zhang was one of the luncheon speakers at the event, staged for the fourth year running by the Asian Society Southern California and Entertainment & Media in Asia. Speaking to an audience estimated by the organisers at 4-500, Zhang urged Us and Chinese film makers to get past their cultural differences and work together more often.
“I would like our American friends to do away with your hesitations,” Zhang said. “Just go forward. Let’s join hands so that American and Chinese movie makers can make movies that will take the breath of the whole world away.”
Zhang, who was presented with the event’s Co-Production Leadership Award, said that during the summit’s morning panel sessions, “I heard two groups of people talk. The first group...
- 11/6/2013
- ScreenDaily
A week of hobnobbing and eager relationship building between Hollywood executives and their Chinese counterparts got underway Monday night at Universal Studios, as the third annual China International Co-Production Film Screenings was kicked off by hosts Christopher Dodd, chairman and CEO of the MPAA, and NBCUniversal vice chairman Ron Meyer. Put together by the Mpa and China’s Film Bureau of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (Sapprft), the series of screenings and gala receptions aims to bring together key players from Hollywood and the Chinese film community, to foster closer working ties and promote future co-
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- 11/5/2013
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The biggest draw at China's box office this week is My Lucky Star featuring top Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi, but the spy-themed romantic comedy marks a breakthrough as director Dennie Gordon is the first American woman to direct a Chinese feature. A prequel to the 2009 hit Sophie's Revenge, which featured Zhang in her breakthrough comedy role, My Lucky Star took in $1.71 million when it opened on Tuesday. Story: MPAA Chair Christopher Dodd, Li Bingbing to Be Honored at U.S.-China Film Summit The movie features Zhang as a cartoonist named Sophie who becomes involved with a
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- 9/20/2013
- by Clifford Coonan
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Hollywood studios have been informed that they will receive four payments from the China Film Group for all box office money owed to them for movies released before the end of June. The details of the repayment plan were revealed to the studios by the MPAA on Tuesday, hours before MPAA chairman and CEO Christopher Dodd announced an end to the standoff between the China Film Group and Hollywood. According to those who were privy to the e-mail briefing, the first wave of payment is being remitted. Photos: China Box Office: 10 Highest-Grossing Movies of All Time The
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- 8/14/2013
- by Pamela McClintock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Motion Picture Association of America is celebrating a resolution with the China Film Group that will allow Hollywood studios to collect millions of box-office dollars that was being held back by the Chinese since last year. “The MPAA understands that the China Film Group stopped payments owed to MPAA studios in China pending resolution of the application of a new value-added tax (Vat) due to be implemented nationwide as of August 1,” said MPAA chairman and CEO Christopher Dodd, in a statement. “We are pleased to hear that the Chinese government has addressed the matter and all money due will be paid in full.
- 8/14/2013
- by Jeff Labrecque
- EW - Inside Movies
MPAA chairman and CEO Christopher Dodd announced late on Tuesday that the China Film Group will pay Hollywood studios in full for money owed to them for more than a year. The China Film Group had withheld payment because of a new 2 percent tax that it wanted studios to cover. Film companies haven't been paid since October or November and are collectively owed more than $150 million, if not closer to $200 million. As it is, Hollywood only receives 25 percent of box office receipts (before a landmark trade agreement was reached in 2012, studios only received 13 percent
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- 8/14/2013
- by Pamela McClintock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Stars: Katie Cassidy, Tracy Spiridakos, Donal Logue, Adam Dimarco, Shannon Chan-Kent, Torrance Coombs, Leah Gibson, Ryan Robbins, Colin Lawrence | Written by Christopher Dodd, Michael Greenspan, Christian Forte | Directed by Michael Greenspan
The writer and director of the Adrien Brody film Wrecked re-team for a new take on a familiar theme with Kill For Me, a “Single White Female” meets “Strangers on a Train” tale with a twist that follows two young women, both of whom have suffered abuse at the hands of men in their lives.
Following the disappearance of her college friend and roomate, Amanda (Cassidy) has to look for a roommate to help pay the rent. In walks Hailey (Spiridakos), who has just moved to college to get away from her own abusive past. Both girls find comfort in their friendship and make a pact to help each other overcome their pasts. No matter what the cost. When...
The writer and director of the Adrien Brody film Wrecked re-team for a new take on a familiar theme with Kill For Me, a “Single White Female” meets “Strangers on a Train” tale with a twist that follows two young women, both of whom have suffered abuse at the hands of men in their lives.
Following the disappearance of her college friend and roomate, Amanda (Cassidy) has to look for a roommate to help pay the rent. In walks Hailey (Spiridakos), who has just moved to college to get away from her own abusive past. Both girls find comfort in their friendship and make a pact to help each other overcome their pasts. No matter what the cost. When...
- 5/28/2013
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Las Vegas -- Hours after the film industry announced minor tweaks to the movie ratings system, the Parents Television Council blasted the campaign for not going far enough. "This is an attempt to keep ultra-violent movies rated PG-13, versus giving them an R rating," PTC president Tim Winter told THR Thursday afternoon. Earlier in the day, Motion Picture Association of America chairman-ceo Christopher Dodd and National Association of Theater Owners John Fithian took the stage at CinemaCon to unveil the new effort, designed to further help parents decide which movies to take their kids to see. The
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- 4/17/2013
- by Pamela McClintock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Las Vegas — The Motion Picture Association of America announced changes Tuesday to its movie rating system, saying it wants to better inform parents about violence in films.
The new system, rolled out as the "Check the Box" campaign, will include prominent and detailed descriptions explaining why a movie received its rating. Films that might previously have been stamped PG-13 with a throw-away sentence beneath the rating will now feature extensive descriptions in large font next to the ratings code.
One example read, "An intense scene of war violence, some images of carnage, brief strong violence."
The changes announced by MPAA CEO Christopher Dodd in Las Vegas on Tuesday come in the aftermath of explosions at the Boston Marathon and recent shooting rampages, though the former U.S. senator did not address such examples directly.
The White House has called on the movie industry help parents monitor violence in media since the elementary school in Newtown,...
The new system, rolled out as the "Check the Box" campaign, will include prominent and detailed descriptions explaining why a movie received its rating. Films that might previously have been stamped PG-13 with a throw-away sentence beneath the rating will now feature extensive descriptions in large font next to the ratings code.
One example read, "An intense scene of war violence, some images of carnage, brief strong violence."
The changes announced by MPAA CEO Christopher Dodd in Las Vegas on Tuesday come in the aftermath of explosions at the Boston Marathon and recent shooting rampages, though the former U.S. senator did not address such examples directly.
The White House has called on the movie industry help parents monitor violence in media since the elementary school in Newtown,...
- 4/16/2013
- by AP
- Huffington Post
Las Vegas -- Following through on a commitment made to Vice President Biden in the wake of the December shooting in Newtown, Conn., the MPAA and the National Association of Theatre Owners are making minor tweaks to the movie-ratings system in order to better inform parents. Earlier this year, following the Newtown school shooting, Nato president John Fithian and MPAA chairman and CEO Christopher Dodd met with a special task force on gun violence headed by Biden. The two trade groups jointly administer the Classification and Rating Administration (Cara). The new "Check the Box" campaign will highlight descriptions of why a
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- 4/16/2013
- by Pamela McClintock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Las Vegas -- A gathering Monday of top film executives and Motion Picture Association of America chairman-ceo Christopher Dodd for a panel on the booming Chinese box office left unanswered the question of why Django Unchained was yanked from theaters in China late last week. Photos: 2012's Biggest Rule Breakers: 'Walking Dead,' Psy, Quentin Tarantino and 7 Others Who Rocked the Status Quo But questioned by reporters following the afternoon session at CinemaCon, Wanda Cinema CEO Jerry Ye said he hopes Quentin Tarantino's movie will be allowed back into theaters. Wanda Cinema is China's largest theater circuit, operating more
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- 4/15/2013
- by Pamela McClintock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
It was mighty fun attending the Oscars as a guest, as opposed to standing on high heels with the print press off the red carpet or backstage simultaneously tracking the show and winners' interviews. It's been a while since I covered inside the Oscar show for Premiere and EW--back at the Shrine and the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Indiewire colleague and Oscar virgin Peter Knegt, wearing a new tuxedo, and I opted to walk instead of driving. This required a police escort up Highland from Sunset to the red carpet entrance on Hollywood Boulevard. Sparkling big-haired Adele was behind us, wraith-like Anne Hathaway ahead. The red carpet is like a strong river with currents pushing you forward past the parallel "real" red carpet, where the celebs such as best actress nominee Quvenzhane Wallis, presenter Octavia Spencer, Michael Haneke and MPAA chief Christopher Dodd were walking the press line. We ran into Alexander Payne,...
- 2/26/2013
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
This week Michael Greenspan's latest thriller, Kill for Me, arrived on DVD everywhere courtesy of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Read on for our exclusive interview with the director and co-writer of the film.
Co-written by Greenspan and Christopher Dodd, the film follows two young women who find strength together after both struggling against physical and mental abuse by the men in their lives.
Dread Central recently caught up with Greenspan to discuss Kill for Me and much more- check out the highlights below from our exclusive interview, and look for the thriller now that it's available everywhere on DVD!
Dread Central: What inspired you and Christopher (Dodd) to write the story for Kill for Me?
Michael Greenspan: Well, the movie starts off in some pretty typical territory - two strangers moving in together - so what we were interested in was what happens next? What can we do with that idea?...
Co-written by Greenspan and Christopher Dodd, the film follows two young women who find strength together after both struggling against physical and mental abuse by the men in their lives.
Dread Central recently caught up with Greenspan to discuss Kill for Me and much more- check out the highlights below from our exclusive interview, and look for the thriller now that it's available everywhere on DVD!
Dread Central: What inspired you and Christopher (Dodd) to write the story for Kill for Me?
Michael Greenspan: Well, the movie starts off in some pretty typical territory - two strangers moving in together - so what we were interested in was what happens next? What can we do with that idea?...
- 2/14/2013
- by thehorrorchick
- DreadCentral.com
Well, not me personally, but come on, man! What's a little murder between friends? On tap for you right now are seven minutes of clips from the upcoming psycho-driven flick Kill For Me. Check 'em out!
From the Press Release
College roommates bond over a shared violent past and a future which holds deadly consequences in the new thriller Kill For Me, available February 12th on DVD with UltraViolet™ from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Katie Cassidy (TV’s “Arrow”) and Tracy Spiridakos, star of NBC’s new hit “Revolution”, lead a hot, young cast in this suspenseful tale of two young women who bond over their struggles with bad men and realize how far they would need to go to protect each other. Directed by Michael Greenspan (Wrecked) and co-starring Ryan Robbins (TV's "Falling Skies”) and Donal Logue (Shark Night 3D), the DVD will include a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film,...
From the Press Release
College roommates bond over a shared violent past and a future which holds deadly consequences in the new thriller Kill For Me, available February 12th on DVD with UltraViolet™ from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Katie Cassidy (TV’s “Arrow”) and Tracy Spiridakos, star of NBC’s new hit “Revolution”, lead a hot, young cast in this suspenseful tale of two young women who bond over their struggles with bad men and realize how far they would need to go to protect each other. Directed by Michael Greenspan (Wrecked) and co-starring Ryan Robbins (TV's "Falling Skies”) and Donal Logue (Shark Night 3D), the DVD will include a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film,...
- 2/10/2013
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Well, not me personally, or even us for that matter, but hey, hot chicks armed with hot lead ready to go heads-up against a psychotic to keep you alive? Now that's pretty cool, no? Read on for the first home video details and artwork for the new thriller Kill For Me.
From the Press Release
College roommates bond over a shared violent past and a future which holds deadly consequences in the new thriller Kill For Me, available February 12th on DVD with UltraViolet™ from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Katie Cassidy (TV’s “Arrow”) and Tracy Spiridakos, star of NBC’s new hit “Revolution”, lead a hot, young cast in this suspenseful tale of two young women who bond over their struggles with bad men and realize how far they would need to go to protect each other. Directed by Michael Greenspan (Wrecked), and co-starring Ryan Robbins (TV's "Falling Skies...
From the Press Release
College roommates bond over a shared violent past and a future which holds deadly consequences in the new thriller Kill For Me, available February 12th on DVD with UltraViolet™ from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Katie Cassidy (TV’s “Arrow”) and Tracy Spiridakos, star of NBC’s new hit “Revolution”, lead a hot, young cast in this suspenseful tale of two young women who bond over their struggles with bad men and realize how far they would need to go to protect each other. Directed by Michael Greenspan (Wrecked), and co-starring Ryan Robbins (TV's "Falling Skies...
- 1/25/2013
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
On the Monday after the Dec. 14 school massacre in Newtown, Conn., MPAA chairman-ceo Christopher Dodd telephoned the major Hollywood studio heads one by one. Violence in movies often comes under scrutiny following mass shootings, so Dodd wanted to touch base with his bosses, even though there was no indication that Adam Lanza's rampage at Sandy Hook Elementary School was inspired by movies (he was an intense video gamer, however). Photos: Marketing Violence: Hollywood's Posters For Early 2013 Movies The MPAA issued a statement pledging Hollywood's support in assisting President Obama's call for a special task force on gun
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- 12/21/2012
- by Pamela McClintock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Motion Picture Association of America CEO says Hollywood wants 'national conversation' in wake of Newtown shootings
The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) has pledged Hollywood's support in a "national conversation" about gun control, following last week's school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. The repercussions of the event look set to put America's adherence to the second amendent under the spotlight, with president Obama promising to use "whatever power this office holds" to prevent similar tragedies from occurring again.
"I have reached out to the administration to express our support for the president's efforts in the wake of the Newtown tragedy," said Christopher Dodd, chairman and CEO of the MPAA. "Those of us in the motion picture and television industry want to do our part to help America heal. We stand ready to be part of the national conversation."
It remains to be seen how active a participant the film industry...
The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) has pledged Hollywood's support in a "national conversation" about gun control, following last week's school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. The repercussions of the event look set to put America's adherence to the second amendent under the spotlight, with president Obama promising to use "whatever power this office holds" to prevent similar tragedies from occurring again.
"I have reached out to the administration to express our support for the president's efforts in the wake of the Newtown tragedy," said Christopher Dodd, chairman and CEO of the MPAA. "Those of us in the motion picture and television industry want to do our part to help America heal. We stand ready to be part of the national conversation."
It remains to be seen how active a participant the film industry...
- 12/21/2012
- by Xan Brooks
- The Guardian - Film News
Motion Picture Association of America chairman-ceo Christopher Dodd is ready to talk gun control. In the wake of the Sandy Hook school shooting that left 26 dead, including 20 children, Dodd today released a statement pledging Hollywood's support in being part of "the national conversation." Read his statement below: "As a citizen of Connecticut and having represented the people there for 36 years in Washington, I have been shocked and profoundly saddened by this tragedy. My heart goes out to the community as I know they will carry this pain with them long after the spotlight on Newtown has dimmed. "As chairman of the MPAA and on behalf of the motion picture and television studios we represent, we join all Americans in expressing our sympathy as well as our horror and outrage at this senseless act of violence. Thus, I have reached out to the Administration to express our support for the President...
- 12/20/2012
- by Nigel M Smith
- Indiewire
Motion Picture Association of America chairman-ceo Christopher Dodd on Thursday pledged Hollywood's support in being part of the "national conversation" on gun violence in the wake of the Newtown, Conn., school shooting. "As chairman of the MPAA and on behalf of the motion picture and television studios we represent, we join all Americans in expressing our sympathy as well as our horror and outrage at this senseless act of violence," Dodd said. Story: Piers Morgan, Bill O'Reilly, Joe Scarborough Take on Gun Control After Newtown "Thus, I have reached out to the Administration to express our support for the
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- 12/20/2012
- by Pamela McClintock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Rome – Tar, an examination of the life of poet C.K. Williams featuring James Franco, and Gabe and Alan Polsky’s The Motel Life premiered at the International Rome Film Festival Friday, the second-to-last day of the event. The festival also hosted a special forum the challenges of the audiovisual sector hosted by former U.S. senator and presidential candidate Christopher Dodd, head of the Motion Picture Association of America, along with Riccardo Tozzi, president of the Italian audiovisual association Anica. Story: James Franco's 'Tar,' 'The Motel Life' on Center Stage for Rome Fest's Second-to-Last
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- 11/16/2012
- by Eric J. Lyman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
California Gov. Jerry Brown on Sunday signed legislation extending the state's $100 million tax-credit fund for two more years. The measure allows California producers a 20 percent or 25 percent credit against income and sales and use taxes and is designed to help stem the production exodus that has plagued the state in recent years. "The state of California took a big step forward today, thanks to Governor Brown and the legislature," said Christopher Dodd, chairman and chief executive officer of the Motion Picture Association of America. "The two-year extension of the...
- 9/30/2012
- by Todd Cunningham
- The Wrap
Even as I write on Thursday night, a screening of "Bully" is taking place in Washington that may or may not result in the film's MPAA rating being changed from R to PG-13. Jen Chaney suggests in her Washington Post blog that a compromise might even be possible. The film is a documentary about how bullying affected five families, and led to two suicides. It was slapped with an R, because of its use of the F-word. Chaney asked Lee Hirsch, the film's director, "whether there was any chance he would consider bleeping out one or two of those expletives if that guaranteed a PG-13 designation for the movie, thereby allowing teen audiences to see it."
Hirsch replied he believes the F-word makes the bullying more real. Yes, and so no doubt it does. In its article on the MPAA ratings, Wikipedia tells us: "If a film uses "one of...
Hirsch replied he believes the F-word makes the bullying more real. Yes, and so no doubt it does. In its article on the MPAA ratings, Wikipedia tells us: "If a film uses "one of...
- 3/16/2012
- by Roger Ebert
- blogs.suntimes.com/ebert
"Bully," the Weinstein Company documentary that the MPAA has rated R, is getting support from members of Congress who think the film deserves a PG-13 rating. Rep. Mike Honda, a Democrat who represents the San Jose, Calif., area, has written a letter to MPAA Chairman and CEO Christopher Dodd -- himself a former U.S. Senator -- asking him to change the movie's rating. "We are writing to express our sincere disappointment in the Motion Picture Association of America's decision to issue an R-rating for the soon-to-be-released documentary 'Bully,' Honda wrote in a...
- 3/12/2012
- by Joshua L. Weinstein
- The Wrap
Getty Images Actress Li Bingbing arrives on the red carpet at the 84th Annual Academy Awards on February 26, 2012 in Hollywood, California.
After arriving in Beverly Hills on Wednesday, after a very Very long flight – 12 hours! – I sat down with my team and thought: this week is going to be crazy! I have to admit, I was exhausted. But this is Oscars week, and I was going to present at the Independent Spirit Awards, how could I rest?! We had work to do!
After arriving in Beverly Hills on Wednesday, after a very Very long flight – 12 hours! – I sat down with my team and thought: this week is going to be crazy! I have to admit, I was exhausted. But this is Oscars week, and I was going to present at the Independent Spirit Awards, how could I rest?! We had work to do!
- 2/28/2012
- by Li Bingbing
- Speakeasy/Wall Street Journal
This morning the AFI Board Of Trustees meeting was held from 9-11 Am at the Peninsula Hotel. Among those attending were Sir Howard Stringer, Bob Daly, Amy Pascal, Christopher Dodd, Thomas Tull, Chris Silbermann, Rich Ross, and more. As a surprise for the board chairman Sir Howard Stringer, the Sony Corp topper who celebrated his 70th birthday on February 19th, was a phone call from his pal Sean Connery. Phoning from the Bahamas, Connery toasted Sr Howard on his 70th, elaborated on their friendship (Connery is Scottish and Stringer is Welsh), and noted “Howard, my friend, at our age it’s not the wheels that go, it’s the axel!” Connery also talked about the movie biz. “Without appreciating the art form, the movies would all be Mickey Mouse. I am sure Rich Ross would understand that better than anyone.”...
- 2/23/2012
- by NIKKI FINKE
- Deadline Hollywood
Check out a new poster and images from Wrecked, starring Adrien Brody, Caroline Dhavernas, Ryan Robbins, Adrian Holmes and Jacob Blair. Michael Greenspan makes his feature-length directorial debut on the indie thriller from IFC Films, helming from the screenplay by Christopher Dodd. In Wrecked, Adrien Brody stars as a man who awakens in a mangled car-wreck at the bottom of a steep cliff. Injured and trapped inside, with no memory of how he got there or who he is, he must rely on his most primal instincts to survive. But as he attempts to free himself from the carnage and escape an impossible situation, a darker side is revealed. Even if he manages to survive, the man may have to face the horrible consequences of an earlier, forgotten life...
- 3/21/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
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