Helping Jason get the lay of the land Down Under are his fellow coaches, Aussie superstars Jessica Mauboy and Guy Sebastian, along with British pop sensation Rita Ora.
20.07.2023 - 16:15 / variety.com
Manori Ravindran Executive Editor of International An intimacy practice degree overseen by prestigious intimacy coordinator Ita O’Brien was canceled days before a planned workshop, Variety has confirmed. Mountview’s Intimacy Practice Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program launched earlier this year as the world’s first university-accredited master’s course in intimacy coordination. Intimacy choreography, which makes sets safer and more regulated for performers, has been an important focus for the film and TV industry in the wake of the #MeToo movement. O’Brien’s work on shows such as “Normal People” and “I May Destroy You” has made her one of the leading directors working in the field.
“Since I have been working as an intimacy practitioner and the role has gained greater prominence, each day we have had enquiries from people asking to be trained,” O’Brien told the U.K.’s Metro in March, when the course was announced. “The rigor of working in partnership with Mountview to deliver an MFA together with the validation by [University of East Anglia] is exceptional expertise in action. It has been a joy to be able to create this world-first course in this way and we are really excited to get going.”
However, the degree has been canceled before even accepting its first intake of students. Some prospective students were informed on July 14 — days before a planned recall workshop in London — that the course was scrapped due to “various logistical challenges” that meant organizers “cannot offer the course as planned.” No further explanation was provided. The program, which received extensive media attention due to O’Brien’s profile, was set up through London’s Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts and advertised from March, though it
Helping Jason get the lay of the land Down Under are his fellow coaches, Aussie superstars Jessica Mauboy and Guy Sebastian, along with British pop sensation Rita Ora.
Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Rome’s Cinecittà Studios are in the midst of a radical overhaul that started in June 2021, when the government-owned facilities, headed by Nicola Maccanico — who is a former Warner Bros. and Sky Italia senior exec — secured a multi-million dollar loan provided by the European Union’s post-pandemic recovery fund to upgrade and expand the studios. Productions that recently set up camp on its iconic backlot, lured in part by Italy’s generous 40% cash-back tax credit, include Roland Emmerich’s gladiator series “Those About to Die,” which is currently shooting, and Luca Guadagnino’s recently wrapped William Burroughs adaptation “Queer” starring Daniel Craig.
Coronation Street star Tina O'Brien, known for her role as Sarah (Platt) Barlow in the popular soap, became emotional as she recalled the latest award win for her ITV family in a recent interview amid an ongoing bombshell storyline for the actress.
Sophia Scorziello editor Gravitas Ventures has picked up “Halfway to Amarillo,” a neo-western kind of comedy which is set for distribution this November. Written and directed by Burt Binder, “Amarillo” follows an author who, in a bout of writer’s block, finds that his fictional characters have leapt straight off the pages of his novel and are running amok through Los Angeles.
EXCLUSIVE: The Daily Wire’s streaming service DailyWire+ is lining up a September start in Europe for what it is calling its biggest-budget production to date, a fantasy series inspired by Arthurian legend.
Travis Scott’s planned performance at the pyramids of Giza, Egypt this weekend has been cancelled, with promoter Live Nation citing “complex production issues” as the reason for pulling the show. However, the rapper himself subsequently said that the performance will still go ahead at a later date.In a statement, Live Nation said: “We regret to inform you that [Travis Scott’s] ‘Utopia’ show, originally scheduled for 28 Jul at the pyramids of Giza in Egypt, is cancelled.
Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Matteo Garrone, who is a two-time Cannes jury prizewinner with “Gomorrah” in 2008 and “Reality” in 2012, is set to be in competition in Venice for the first time with his immigration-themed drama “Io Capitano.” Shot over 13 weeks in Senegal, Italy and Morocco with a cast of non-professional actors, the Italian auteur’s new film – the title for which translates to “I Captain” – narrates the Homeric journey of two young African men, Seydou and Moussa, who decide to leave Dakar to reach Europe. It depicts their plight through the pitfalls of the desert, the horrors of detention centers in Libya and the dangers of the sea.
Manori Ravindran Executive Editor of International “Succession” star Brian Cox and “Catastrophe’s” Rob Delaney are among the confirmed speakers at a London rally in support of the SAG-AFTRA strike. U.K. actors union Equity revealed plans earlier this week for two major demonstrations on Friday in solidarity with the actors strike. Twin rallies will take place at noon local time in London’s Leicester Square and in Manchester’s Media City. Speakers so far scheduled for the London rally include Cox and Delaney as well as “The Pact” and “Alex Rider” star Rakie Ayola, Equity general secretaries Paul W. Fleming and Lynda Rooke, and Bectu boss Philippa Childs. Member of Parliament John McDonnell is also set to speak.
Manori Ravindran Executive Editor of International Former Meta executive and BAFTA Film Committee chair Anna Higgs has joined U.K. theater, film and television agency Casarotto Ramsay & Associates as managing director. Higgs, who will begin her role in August, will be entrusted by the Casarotto board to oversee the business and drive the strategic development and direction of the org. Founded in 1989 and based in London, the independent global agency represents many top writers, directors, playwrights, theater creatives, literary properties and heads of departments in film, theater, TV and new media.
Salma Hayek says she has a «fantasy» about working with famed writer and producer Mike White. But whether it's to join his award-winning HBO show,, well, that's easier said than done.In an exclusive sneak peek of her interview set to air Wednesday on Kelly Ripa's SiriusXM podcast, the 56-year-old actress recalled fond memories of working with White, who wrote the role of Beatriz Blanco specifically for Hayek in the 2017 drama,, directed by Miguel Arteta and also starring John Lithgow and Connie Britton. «Oh my god, I love him so much,» says Hayek in an interview conducted last month and prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike, which began on July 13.After Ripa tells her she has a «fantasy» about the star acting on, Hayek says she would «absolutely» play a role if he wrote a part for her.«Absolutely,» she says. «I would do anything with Mike.
Rita Ora will surprise Love Islanders with a private performance on the ITV reality show, it has been revealed. The British pop star was teased as a “new arrival” to the villa ahead of Tuesday’s episode.
So many stars showed up to celebrate the summer season at British Vogue and self-portrait’s Summer Party last week!
Poldark actor is set to star in new TV drama Fifteen-Love about a tennis coach accused of abuse, and spoke about working with an intimacy coordinator for sex scenes in the series, admitting that in the past directors were “awkward” for such scenes.“It’s just a few years ago when it wouldn’t be commonplace to have an intimacy coordinator on set,” he told Metro.“And then a few years before that, I mean, the term wasn’t even known. It was awkward in some moments.
Clayton Davis Senior Awards Editor Shawn Finnie, executive vice president, member relations, global outreach and awards for the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, is leaving the organization after nearly a decade, Variety has learned exclusively. His final day was Thursday, July 13. Finnie was a beloved figure within the Academy, rising through the ranks and receiving multiple promotions. His departure comes after his most recent promotion to his role in June 2021 by former COO Christine Simmons. He led engagement and outreach initiatives for the organization’s global membership of more than 10,000 artists, filmmakers and executives. In addition, he led a team of more than 20 team members.
The red carpet premiere of Paramount+ series, Special Ops: Lioness, is not moving forward due to the SAG-AFTRA Strike.
Manori Ravindran Executive Editor of International Matt Damon has revealed that the “Oppenheimer” cast talked about their strike strategy before hitting the movie’s red carpet premiere in London on Thursday. “We talked about it,” Damon told Variety on the carpet. “Look, if it’s called now, everyone’s going to walk obviously in solidarity … Once the strike is officially called, [we’re walking]. That’s why we moved this [red carpet] up because we know the second it’s called, we’re going home.” Damon added: “We gave the strike authorization. We voted 98% to 2% to do that because we know our leadership has our best interest at heart.”
Rita Ora and Taika Waititi are a perfect match.
Jena Sims was glowing when she strutted down the runway while seven months pregnant. The former Miss Teen USA, a finalist for the 2023 SI Swim Search, hit the catwalk during the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Runway Show at W Hotel South Beach during Miami Swim Week. The wife of pro golfer Brooks Koepka recently took to Instagram, where she shared a photo of herself wearing a T-shirt that said, "Currently growing a pair." The look was completed with a high-cut string bikini bottom by Slate Swim.
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds gig in New York was cancelled midway through due to a bomb threat.During Gallagher’s show at Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs on Saturday (July 8), a message appeared on screens in the venue instructing people to proceed to the exits, which read: “Due to circumstances beyond our control, the show will not continue.”The NYS Park Police later confirmed that a bomb threat was the reason for the show’s abrupt cancellation.A statement from the police read: “New York State Police, City of Saratoga Springs Police, Troy Police, and Saratoga Co. Sheriff’s Department responded to a bomb threat at Saratoga Performing Arts Center Saturday. Out of an abundance of caution, the concert was suspended at 9:40 pm Saturday and concert attendees were evacuated without incident.”Update: It was a bomb threat, per NYS Park Police.
Joe Otterson TV Reporter Hulu is launching a new sub-brand focused on adult animation and anime called Animayhem, Variety has learned exclusively. The new hub is meant to capitalize on Hulu’s already popular lineup of adult animation and anime shows. Series like “American Dad,” “Bob’s Burgers,” “Family Guy,” “Futurama” and “King of the Hill” consistently rank among the service’s top 10 shows based on hours streamed, per Hulu. So far this year, over one billion hours of adult animation content has been streamed on Hulu, along with over 288 million hours of anime content, the streamer claims. “When you have the number one offering in adult animation and anime of any major streaming service, creating this destination is obvious. We know exactly where we can meet these fans, because they’re already here,” said Barrie Gruner, Hulu’s executive vice president of marketing and publicity, in an interview with Variety.