Protecting Child Actor's Rights Too You Know

Only a mere few days ago Governor Jerry Brown finally decided to pass bill AB 1660, a law that protects young actors in the film industry.  After shocking stories about people sexually harassing children, it was decided that more precautions had to be taken towards protecting these kids.  Before, background checks were only performed on agents, studio teachers, publicists, managers, and photographers, but now it will be required for almost everyone to be checked for any past criminal records.  
This is important for the safety of our children, just because they are in this industry doesn't mean they're offered protection by everyone. When I saw this, I was immediately interested because I didn't figure there wasn't a law already protecting children actors' rights.  It is important to know who can be potential harm when you're working with them, and it's nice to see Governor Brown really try to make an effort to change this.
This article really impacts me as a filmmaker and a student.  I wasn't oblivious to it, but I didn't really figure that children actors were sexually harassed.  It only makes me want to be more careful with who I work with in the future, and who has a good reputation compared to those who don't.  As a student, it honestly frightens me to start working in something that might be threatening to me.  I can't guarantee that it would, but just the thought of it can change anyone's mind really.
I really want to know how people thought this would be okay.  Did it never cross anybody's mind that everyone should be conducted with a background search when working with children? Anyone can seem trustworthy, and the nicest person, but you can't trust everything people say.  I want to know how people didn't notice what was going on, how could you not be aware of this at first?  I want to be sure that children's safety is locked in the future industry, now.

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-gov-brown-signs-law-to-protect-child-actors-20120927,0,6739576.story

Gozilla Returns?!

According to reporters of deadline.com, news has spread of the new Godzilla 3D franchise that is to begin in May of 2014.  The franchise will be made with Toho, who has the original rights to the film, and released worldwide by Warner Bros., except in Japan where Toho will release it.  An amazing production and crew has already been established, including people who've worked on great films such as The Dark Knight and The Expendables.  Fans of this franchise, can only be anticipating what the new century has to bring to Godzilla.

  The main reason that this caught my eye was for the pure reason that I loved Godzilla as a child.  I've seen all the movies there is to see, I had all the toys there was to buy.  The fact that there is a new franchise coming out can either be a huge success or it can be disappointing to die-hard fans.  

As a consumer, of course I'm going to want to go see this movie.  I want to see what they may change, and if it will succeeded it's older movies or not.  As a filmmaker, it gives me hope that any film can come back, whether it's a classic or foreign film, or anything.  It makes me really consider that if I really wanted to I could bring something like Godzilla back too, but I'm not saying I will.

Will the new makers of the Godzilla 3D franchise improve from the past legacies of Godzilla?  I hope they can really stick to the story, and hopefully include characters that were well known and loved. 

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ParaNorman: Zombies Are People Too

The San Francisco Chronicles gave ParaNorman an outstanding review.  ParaNorman is about a boy, Norman, who can see and communicate with ghosts and zombies.  He is warned that a zombiepocalypse is to come.  It's up to him to save the town, with the help of his friends he runs back and forth to the graveyard.  Although, The San Francisco Chronicles did compare Coraline to ParaNorman, stating that it won't be as great as Coraline. 

 ParaNorman is an eerie kind of movie, something that I could imagine Tim burton making.  I really like this style of movies, and I also do like to watch stop-motion animations. Although, I haven't seen this film yet, I've been wanting to since it came out.  This article caught my eye for the sole reason of me wanting to see the film.  I might as well read a review about it, so I'm not disappointed.

This article impacts me as a consumer, so that I can read what is said about the film.  This is a generally good review towards ParaNorman, which only can make me want to see the film even more.

I can only wonder, what are they going to think of next? Generally, if a kid was able to see and speak with the dead, people would be a little freaked out, but add in animations, a good moral, and a tad bit of humor and it can be the perfect family film.  What does the business have to behold? Will they ever run out of ideas?

Wes Ball's Adaptation of "The Maze Runner" to be Made

After getting a hold of Wes Ball's short film, Ruin, Fox Studios felt it was appropriate to let Ball direct The Maze Runner.  Originally a novel from James Dashner, The Maze Runner just may be the next great post-apocalyptic film to come out.  Scripting and production is already set to begin.  Ruin began as a successful short film from Ball, but he paired with Fox and sold it, now forming a partnership with Fox. 

The first thing that brought my attention to this article was seeing something included with Fox Studios.  I always like to know what's going on within the company mainly because my family has been working there for almost 30 years now.  I always want to see what's new, and for all I know it could be a production my family members may be working on.

The impact of this news of The Maze Runner being made on me, as a consumer, would be pure entertainment.  Generally I enjoy watching movies based off of dystopian societies, and having cruel new ideas.  I just find it entertaining to see what someone could think of.  I have read the novel by Dashner before, so I want to see if Ball's screen version will be accurate.  Most movies that are based off of books, in my opinion, are either really good or just terrible, so  I want to see if my expectations will be succeeded or not.

The fact that Fox mainly made a deal with Ball was originally from his short film that was made famous via Internet, the only questions I could possibly have is what if it is possible for any other small time directors to get an opportunity like Wes Ball's? Although there is a difference between being a YouTube sensation, and having only 100 views on your film, is there the possibility that someone from a major company would actually come across a simple short film, and become a huge success? 

To read more about The Maze Runner and to see a trailer from Ruin, click here.

Will The Dark Knight Return?

As of July of 2012, the last part of Christopher Nolan's trilogy, "The Dark Knight Rises", finished with $160.9 million in the first weekend it was out in theaters.  The film takes a turn by introducing Joseph Gordon-Levitt as the beloved side kick, Robin. Questioning arose whether the Dark Knight was actually finished, or if the story would be carried out with a new superhero. The Hollywood Reporter was there to ask Gordon-Levitt whether this was true or not, but didn't reveal much.

This is a more recent film that came out, so I find it interesting that rumors and questions of yet another sequel are already coming out. Plus, I just saw the movie in early August, not too long after it was released to theaters, and I thought the entire film was fantastic. It was nice to see a lot of characters introduced, including Gordon-Levitt as Robin, he is one of my favorite actors. I was interested in seeing if anything was being said about a sequel, but everything is still unsure.

The impact on me, as a consumer, would just being able to see a new superhero franchise coming out. If a sequel were to come out, I would definitely go watch that film.  I've always been a fan of the superhero type movies, so it would benefit my experience. 

The only thing I could possibly wonder is what they are planning to create for the future, because everyone knows Batman movies will never cease to be made, just new franchises need to arise.  I want to see how the industry is going to make a newer, and possibly more interesting version of the most recent trilogy, because there are a lot of Dark Knight fans.

To view more on the article, click here.