Malina Saval Associate Editor, Features Since joining the American Film Institute faculty as dean and executive vice president in July 2019, Susan Ruskin has kept a steady eye on what lay next in the field of film school education. Ruskin, Variety Entertainment Educator of the Year, discusses why TV and film are more alike than different, what advances in technology means for screenwriters and why film school is still a rock solid bet when it comes to forging a career in the cinematic arts. With so many avenues to break into the biz, why choose AFI? There are many different pathways to get into the industry, but I do believe that film school offers one thing that going straight into the industry does not–and that’s a safe place to fail, and a place to meet your collaborators for life. And that is a fast track to success that you cannot get without the sort of protection of being in a space where you get the opportunity to make things and fail at making things and figure out who you are as a storyteller. One of the greatest strengths about AFI is that you come into the discipline that you want for your MFA and you have a very bespoke curriculum. And at the same time, you’re making at least three movies in your first year. We’re doing upwards of 175 productions. You get that opportunity to collaborate. And I don’t know a better way of doing it.
Microsoft president says Russian intelligence is trying to “penetrate” gaming communities
13.04.2023 - 13:09 / nme.com
Microsoft president Brad Smith has claimed that Russian intelligence groups are trying to “penetrate” gaming communities to spread information.
This follows reports of leaked Pentagon documents that were shared through a Minecraft Discord.Earlier this week, it was reported that classified intelligence documents from the United States were leaked and subsequently spread through a Discord server for Minecraft.The leak has been described as a “massive intelligence breach” and included documents that detailed America’s involvement in the Ukraine war and information on its allies.Addressing the leak at Semafor’s World Economy Summit, Microsoft’s Brad Smith has warned that Russian groups are looking to “penetrate” gaming communities to help spread similar information.Describing social media sites like Discord and their communities, Smith said that for several months, Microsoft’s “digital threat analysis team has been identifying efforts by the Russians to basically penetrate some of these gaming communities”.Microsoft President @BradSmi says the Wagner Group and Russian intelligence have been working to penetrate gaming communities to use them “as a place to get information into circulation.” pic.twitter.com/F7CCmaqOvu— Semafor (@semafor) April 12, 2023“We’ve been advising governments about this,” added Smith, who alleged Russian intelligence and the Wagner Group – a Russian private military group – were behind the attempts Microsoft observed.While Smith declined to comment on whether either group was responsible for the recent Pentagon leaks, he explained that gaming communities “just [happen] to be a good place for them to get the information into circulation, and then journalists find it”.“It included the Discord channel
.
Reason Archie and Lilibet weren’t included in unseen photo with late Queen
It was a heartwarming way to mark what would have been the late Queen's 97th birthday. But Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s children were noticeably missing from the intimate snap of the late monarch with her great-grandchildren, released on 21 April.The photograph was taken by Kate Middleton at the Queen’s Balmoral home last summer - just weeks before Her Majesty passed away in September. Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet were not in the photograph as Harry and Meghan chose not to make the trip to the Queen’s Scottish residence.
Prince Harry and Prince William Have Had ‘No Discussions’ Amid Ongoing Feud, Royal Expert Says: It’s ‘Absolutely Radio Silence’
Sibling rivalry. Prince Harry and Prince William are still not on speaking terms amid their ongoing feud, according to royal expert Nick Bullen.
Afroman is running for President to be “Pot Head Of State”
Afroman has filed the necessary paperwork in order to run for president in the 2024 US election as an independent candidate.In December, Afroman – real name Joseph Edgar Foreman – told fans he would be running for president while onstage in Missouri.“Can I make the biggest announcement I ever made in my life?” he said. “I’m running for president in 20-20-fro! We gonna get legal weed everywhere.” Afroman then took to social media to confirm the announcement and shared his eight main priorities.It’s now been reported via TMZ that Foreman filed the necessary paperwork to run as an independent candidate with the Federal Elections Commission earlier this week (April 18).
Cannes Film Festival Unveils 2023 Short Film Jury & President
Hungarian director and screenwriter Ildikó Enyedi has been announced as president of the Cannes Film Festival jury deciding the Short Film Palme d’Or and the 3 La Cinef prizes for student films in the Official Selection.
Edward James Olmos, Morris Ruskin Partner with Ecuador’s 2bLatam to Remake YouTube Hit ‘Mortal Glitch’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Anna Marie de la Fuente Edward James Olmos, his son Michael Olmos and Morris Ruskin’s MoJo Global Arts have pacted with Ecuador’s 2bLatam to make an English-language premium TV version of the YouTube phenomenon, “Mortal Glitch.” This is the first project in English for the Ecuadorian company as it seeks to expand its global reach. To date, “Mortal Glitch” has been the only fiction series produced in Latin America for YouTube Premium. The web series has notched up to 37 million views, with 13.3 million views in Mexico, 5.1 million views in Colombia and 4.1 million views in Argentina. Produced by 2bLatam’s production arm 2bOriginals, the web series was written and directed by Christian Moya, a partner at 2bLatam and co-founder of 2bLatam’s Enchufe.tv, the leading Spanish-language comedy channel.
Roman Polanski’s Wife Interviews His Rape Victim, Who Says: ‘I Was Fine. I’m Still Fine.’
Zack Sharf Digital News Director Samantha Geimer is once again defending Roman Polanski, who raped her in 1977 when she was 13 years old. Geimer has often spoken out in support of Polanski, although this time she did it in an interview with France’s Le Point magazine that was conducted by none other than Polanski’s wife, the actor Emmanuelle Seigner. Polanski was arrested in 1977 for having unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. He accepted a plea bargain and only served 42 days in prison. He fled the United States in 1978 while still under probation after his legal team got word that he was going to face imprisonment on additional charges. He was detained by Swiss police decades later in 2009 while traveling to the Zurich Film Festival in an attempt by the United States to extradite him. The Swiss court ultimately rejected the request and released Polanski.
Lady Gaga And Bruce Cohen To Co-Chair Joe Biden’s Revived President’s Committee On The Arts And Humanities; George Clooney, Jennifer Garner And Shonda Rhimes Among Members
President Joe Biden plans to appoint producer Bruce Cohen and Lady Gaga as the co-chairs of the revived President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities.
‘Happening’ Director Audrey Diwan Named As Cannes Critics’ Week Jury President
French director and writer Audrey Diwan, who won the Venice Golden Lion in 2021 for her second feature Happening, has been announced as jury president for this year’s edition of Cannes Critics’ Week.
US President Joe Biden lands in Belfast for four-day visit to Northern Ireland and ROI
US president Joe Biden has landed in Belfast as part of a historic four-day trip to the island of Ireland.
Brittney Griner Memoir To Be Published By Alfred A. Knopf In Spring 2024; Will Discuss Russian Imprisonment
Alfred A. Knopf will publish Brittney Griner’s untitled memoir next spring 2024. Deal was closed by Reagan Arthur, Knopf EVP and Publisher and world rights were sold by Kimberly Witherspoon at Inkwell Management with Jon Liebman at Brillstein Entertainment and Lindsay Kagawa Colas at Wasserman.
Docuseries About 1982 Milwaukee Brewers In Works From Former CBS President Kelly Kahl, Cannonball Prods.
EXCLUSIVE: Former CBS Entertainment President Kelly Kahl and Cannonball Productions principals Sean Hanish and Paul Jaconi-Biery have completed principal photography on a documentary series about the famed 1982 Milwaukee Brewers.
‘Morning Joe’ Says Trump’s 25% Favorability Polling Practically Makes Him a ‘Fringe’ Candidate: ‘Just a Terrible Number’ (Video)
New polling from ABC News and Ipsos shows former president Donald Trump’s favorability ratings collapsing in the aftermath of his April 4 arraignment and indictment the week prior. Breaking down the numbers, which saw a four-point dip to 25% favorability, “Morning Joe” co-host Mika Brzezinski said Tuesday that Trump is “dropping like a rock,” and Willie Geist said the number is so low that he’s “starting to dip into being a fringe political candidate.”“If his legal issues don’t take him off the ballot, maybe his poll numbers will,” Brzezinski quipped on her daily MSNBC program.
Tristan Thompson Signs With The L.A. Lakers As Source Says He’s Trying To Prove Himself To Khloé Kardashian
Tristan Thompson has found a new team closer to Khloé Kardashian. The 32-year-old basketball pro officially signed with the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, with the team announcing the news on social media.
Whoopi Goldberg on ‘The View’: ‘Sad’ to see a US president under indictment
this time for her remarks inspired by the criminal case against former President Donald Trump.The co-hosts of the long-running daytime talk show discussed Trump’s indictment on Tuesday, hours before he was arraigned in Manhattan. Trump, 76, pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.Goldberg, 67, started the conversation by asking her colleagues: “How are you feeling about a historic day? You know, it’s sad, but I’m glad something’s happening.”“It’s not sad.
CNN And Fox News Carry Donald Trump’s Post-Arraignment Speech, MSNBC Skips It; Former President Attacks D.A. And Judge In Case — Update
UPDATE: CNN cut away from Donald Trump’s post-arraignment at Mar-a-Lago shortly before it ended, with anchor Anderson Cooper calling it a “reprise of every grievance” by the former president.
Trump Indictment: Former President Arrives For Arrest And Arraignment
Donald Trump arrived at Manhattan Criminal Court for his arrest and arraignment, as he tried to project an image of defiance in the first-ever spectacle of a former president facing an indictment.
President Joe Biden Is Not Attending King Charles’ Coronation: REPORT!
A bunch of world leaders and public figures will be heading to London next month for King Charles III’s coronation – but one person you won’t see in the crowd? President Joe Biden.
President Joe Biden to Skip King Charles' Coronation - Report
It looks like President Joe Biden will not be in attendance at King Charles‘ coronation.
'President Biden not expected to attend King Charles's Coronation' despite invite
President Joe Biden is not expected to attend the coronation of King Charles III, according to a source familiar with the planning.The planning of King Charles' highly anticipated coronation is in full swing as the date creeps closer. Although the official guest list hasn't been revealed, it's known that US President Joe Biden is one of the few lucky people who were sent an invite to the event. However, it's now been reported by a source that the president, who paid tribute to the late Queen last year, might not attend the coronation himself, but might instead send his first lady, Dr Jill Biden, or his Vice President, Kamala Harris, instead.