Lights, Camera, Action! Hollywood Productions Resume June 12, 2020

TCL Grauman's Chinese Theatre
TCL Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Photo: Yevette Renee

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Order of the Health Officer has released the REOPENING SAFER AT WORK AND IN THE COMMUNITY FOR CONTROL OF COVID-19.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has announced that the Music, film and television production can reopen during Stage 3 on Friday, June 12, 2020.  All productions prior to resuming must prepare, implement and post the required Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Reopening Protocol for Music, Film and Television Production.

There are five areas that all productions must address prior to reopening: Workplace policies and practices to protect employee health, Measures to ensure physical distancing, measures to ensure infection control, communication with employees and the public, measures to ensure equitable access to critical service.

Physical Distancing

They suggest any employee that can work from home, should do so. The workplace must provide all personal protective equipment (PPE), all visitors and employees must wear face covering.

All productions and recording sessions are required to have a written protocol before they can start work to ensure six (6) feet or more between people.  With only essential cast and crew on or near the set at any time. If cast and musicians are unable to wear face coverings must be a minimum of 8 feet of social distancing.  Whenever possible, workspaces are to have one directional traffic.  When riding the elevator, the capacity limit is based on the ability to maintain six (6) feet distance. They also suggest easing elevator traffic by opening stairwells for up and down traffic.

All shops shall be by appointment only to prevent lines forming.

Television and film productions are required to give periodic testing to cast and crew, especially those in high-rick scenes requiring close contact without masks.

Infection Control

Ventilation must be increased in all spaces. All contracts, music sheet, scripts and other documents must be distributed digitally or printed and given to everyone. Before and after filming and other sessions, all commonly touched areas must be disinfected at least three times a day. The entire facility must be cleaned daily i.e. sets, production spaces. Minor child actors can be accompanied by up to two adults. Payment portals, props, costumes, set materials, trucks and other vehicles must be disinfected after each use.

All Productions must provide a copy of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health protocol to every person that come on-set or enters the production facility.

The movie extra industry will suffer a major impact with productions being told to avoid large crowd scenes.

 

 

Craft services: people will only be able to eat and drink in a designated area. The cast and crew must eat and drink in production set area in staggered schedules.

Food buffets are not allowed as well as no communal food or drink services (no coffee pots). Food must be single serve only. People who bring in their own food cannot share their food.

The date, time and name of the crew currently in session must be recorded to assist in contact tracing when necessary.

Production locations must be completely secure from the public with enough space for everyone stay six (6) to social distance.

We Are One: A Global Film Festival Free On YouTube May 29 – June 7, 2020

We Are One A Global Film Festival

The corona virus COVID-19 has turned the film industry upside down and has caused the cancellations of film productions, screenings, premieres and film festivals around the world.

To bring much needed entertainment through film to the world and help with the desperate needs of humanity during this pandemic, global film festivals have come together to establish We Are One: A Global Film Festival that will be screen exclusively on YouTube May 29 – June 7, 2020.

This free 10-day film festival gives viewers an opportunity to support COVOD-19 relief efforts by donating from the film program pages. The funds will go to WHO (World Health Organization, UNICEF, UNHCE, Save the Children, Doctors Without Borders, Leket Israel, Go Foundation, Give2Asia and more organizations.

The Film Festivals participating in the We Are One: A Global Film Festival are Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Berlin International Film Festival, BFI London Film Festival, Cannes Films Festival, Guadalajara International Film Festival, International Film Festival and Awards Macao (IFFAM), International Film Festival Rotterdam, Jerusalem Film Festival, Locarno Film Festival, Marrakech International Film Festival, New York Film Festival, San Sebastian International Film Festival, Sarajevo Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, Sydney Film Festival, Tokyo International Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival, and Venice Film Festival.

The films screened are web series, television, feature films, 360 VR, short films with panel discussions and other programs.

There are films for everyone to choose from that include action and adventure, Romance, Drama, animation, comedy, documentaries, music, activism and socialism, fantasy and experimental.

The screening schedule lists the time for the first showing for each film. There will be additional showings as well as most films going to VOD.

View the schedule for We Are One: A Global Film Festival film at  http://www.weareoneglobalfestival.com/schedule

We Are One: A Global Film Festival on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/weareone

Betty Wright, Soul and R&B Singer, Dies at 66

Betty Wright. PHOTO: IMDb
Betty Wright. PHOTO: IMDb

Bessie Regina Norris, known by her stage name Betty Wright, died on May 9, 2020, in her hometown of Miami, Fl.

She signed with her first music label, Deep City Records, in 1966 at 12 years of age. At the age of 14 Betty recorded he first album “My First Time Around” and at the age of 16 she released “Pure Love.”

It was in 1971 at the age of 17 that Betty released her signature song “Clean Up Woman.” It sold 1million copies and was certified gold when she was just 18 years old.

Betty was the first black woman artist to be certified gold on her own music label, Miss B Records, in 1988 with the album “Mother Wit.”

“Clean Up Woman” has been sampled by Mary J. Blige, Willie D, Chance the Rapper. Her hit “Girls Can’t Do What Guys Do” was sampled by Beyoncé on her “Upgrade U.”

She was married to King Sporty for 30 years. Born Noel George Williams, King Sporty was a successful musician in his own right and made a name for himself as a DJ, reggae musician and producer. He co-wrote “Buffalo Soldier,” made famous by Bob Marley. He    died in 2015.

Little Richard, Legendary Rock n Roll Artist, Has Died at 87

Little Richard. PHOTO: Courtesy IMDB

On May 9, 2020, the world lost one of its most significant musical icons, Little Richard.

Born Richard Wayne Penniman in Macon, Georgia, “Little Richard” became a household name with the success of his hit songs, “Tutti Frutti” , “Long Tall Sally and “Rip It Up”

Known as The Innovator, The Originator, and The Architect of Rock and Roll, his flamboyant stage costumes, screaming vocals and over-the-top piano playing, make-up and hairstyle made Little Richard a dynamic musician who was able to crossover and bring people of all races in as his fans. Because he had such a diverse fan base , his concerts were successful in stopping segregation because everyone came to see him perform.

He was a major influence on Elvis Presley who covered at least four of his songs and on soul and funk, rhythm and blues, rock and hip hop music. In addition to Elvis Presley, his music was covered by Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran, The Everly Brothers, Bene Vincent and Bill Haley.

Little Richard was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Songwriter Hall of Fame and received a Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Recording Academy and Rhythm and Blues Foundation.

The Beatles opened for Little Richard as well as The Everly Brothers, the Rolling Stones and Bo Diddley. In 1964, famed guitarist, Jimi Hendrix joined his band the Upsetters.

According to Johnny Otis, R&B icon, “Little Richard is twice as valid artistically and important historically as Elvis Presley, the Beatles, and the Rolling Stones put together.”

He leaves his only child, his son Danny Jones Penniman.

Andre Harrell, Hip Hop and R&B Icon, Founder of Uptown Records Has Died at 59

Andre Harrell.
Andre Harrell. Photo: Yevette Renee

May 8, 2020

New York native, music trailblazer, Andre O’Neal Harrell, passed away on May 7, 2020 in West Hollywood, CA.

Harrell, a man that knew the music business from front and back as an Artist in the music duo Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and as an industry executive when he worked with Russell Simmons at Def Jam Records as its Vice President and general manager.

Harrell eventually left Def Jam to start his own music label, Uptown Records, in 1986. It is at Uptown where Harrel hired Sean “Diddy” Combs as an intern. Not only did this hiring lead to the start of Diddy’s mega successful career but also to the long-lasting careers of Mary J. Blige, the first successful solo Uptown artist, Heavy D and the Boys, The Lost Boyz, Anthony Hamilton, Al B. Sure, Jodeci, the Notorious B.I.G., Teddy Riley and Guy. He launched the career of Robin Thicke while at Nu America Records. He executive produced Robin Thicke and Pharrell’s mega hit song “Blurred Lines.”

His career path includes the 1995 position as CEO and president of Motown and founder of the Nu America advertising agency. Harrell came full circle in his relationship with Diddy when he became Vice Chairman of Diddy’s Revolt TV and Media.

He also experienced success in the TV and Film industry. He created and produced the highly successful tv show “New York Undercover” starring Malik Yoba and gave Halle Barry her first lead role in Strictly Business and the same is true for Jessica Alba in Honey.

Andre Harrell was a major force in the early days of Hip Hop and was able to seamlessly merge Hip Hop with R&B, a style of music that continues to endure.

He leaves his only son, Gianni.

Oscar Temporarily Changes Their 2021 Eligibility Rules

Oscar Marquee Dolby Theater

April 29, 2020

The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences’ (AMPAS) board of governors have voted to change the eligibility rules for the 93rd Oscars due to the significant impact of the corona virus that has to the complete closure of movie theaters and postponement of film releases.

Prior to the Corona virus,, to be eligible, theatrical releases were required to have a continuous 7-day, 3 screening per day release in Los Angeles for Oscar eligibility.

For the 2021 Oscars, films that had a scheduled theatrical release but have gone straight to VOD/Streaming are now eligible for an Academy Award.

The board of governor also voted to consolidated the Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing into a new category Best Sound.

The 93rd Academy Award is schedule for February 28, 2021, at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, CA.

List of 13 Entertainment Resources for Industry Personnel

NAACP Image Award Winners 2019

51st NAACP Image Awards
2019 Image Award Winners
Outstanding Comedy Series
WINNER: black-ish (ABC)
Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
WINNER: Anthony Anderson, black-ish (ABC)
Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
WINNER: Tracee Ellis Ross, black-ish (ABC)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
WINNER: Marcus Scribner, black-ish (ABC)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
WINNER: Marsai Martin, black-ish (ABC)
Outstanding Drama Series
WINNER: Power (Starz)
Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
Jason Mitchell, The Chi (Showtime)

WINNER: Omari Hardwick, Power (Starz)
Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series

WINNER: Taraji P. Henson, Empire (FOX)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
WINNER: Jesse Williams, Grey's Anatomy (ABC)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

WINNER: Lynn Whitfield, Greenleaf (OWN)
Outstanding Guest Performance in a Comedy or Drama Series

WINNER: Kerry Washington - How to Get Away with Murder - "Lahey v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania" (ABC)
Outstanding Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special

WINNER: The Bobby Brown Story (BET)
Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special

WINNER: Michael B. Jordan, Fahrenheit 451 (HBO)
Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special

WINNER: Regina King, Seven Seconds (Netflix)
Outstanding News / Information - (Series or Special)

WINNER: Oprah Winfrey Presents: Becoming Michelle Obama (OWN)
Outstanding Talk Series

WINNER: The Real (Syndicated)
Outstanding Reality Program, Reality Competition or Game Show (Series)

WINNER: Iyanla: Fix My Life (OWN)
Outstanding Variety Show (Series or Special)
WINNER: Black Girls Rock! (BET)
Outstanding Children's Program
WINNER: Doc McStuffins (Disney Junior)
Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited Series)
WINNER: Marsai Martin - black-ish (ABC)
Outstanding Host in a Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show or Variety (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble
WINNER: Steve Harvey - Family Feud (Syndication)
Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/Information (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble
WINNER: Jada Pinkett Smith, Adrienne Banfield Norris, Willow Smith - Red Table Talk (Facebook Watch)
Outstanding New Artist
WINNER: Ella Mai (10 Summers/Interscope Records)
Outstanding Male Artist
WINNER: Bruno Mars (Atlantic Records)
Outstanding Female Artist
WINNER: H.E.R. (RCA Records)
Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration
WINNER: "All The Stars" - Black Panther -
Kendrick Lamar, SZA (Top Dawg Entertainment/Aftermath/Interscope Records)
Outstanding Jazz Album
WINNER: The Story of Jaz - Jazmin Ghent feat. Jeff Lorber, James P. Lloyd, Kim Scott, Philippe Saisse (Jazmin Ghent Music)
Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album (Traditional or Contemporary)
WINNER: Unstoppable - Koryn Hawthorne (RCA Inspirational)
Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album
WINNER: "This Is America" - Childish Gambino (RCA Records)
Outstanding Song - Traditional
WINNER: "Long As I Live" - Toni Braxton (Def Jam Recordings)
Outstanding Song - Contemporary
WINNER: "Boo'd Up" - Ella Mai (10 Summers/Interscope Records)
Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation
WINNER: Black Panther The Album Music From and Inspired By - Kendrick Lamar, SZA feat. 2Chainz, ScHoolboy Q, Saudi, Khalid, Swae Lee, Vince Staples, Yugen Blakrok, SOB x RBE, Jorja Smith, Anderson .Paak, Ab Soul, Reason, Zacari, Babes Wudumo, Sjava, Travis Scott (Interscope Records)
Outstanding Album
WINNER: Ella Mai - Ella Mai (10 Summers/Interscope Records)
Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction
WINNER: An American Marriage - Tayari Jones (Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill)
Outstanding Literary Work - Non-Fiction
WINNER: For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Politics - Donna Brazile (Author), Yolanda Caraway (Author), Leah Daughtry (Author), Minyon Moore (Author), Veronica Chambers (With), (St. Martin's Press)
Outstanding Literary Work - Debut Author
WINNER: Us Against The World: Our Secrets to Love, Marriage, and Family - David Mann (Author), Tamela Mann (Author), Shaun Saunders (With), (W Publishing)
Outstanding Literary Work - Biography/Autobiography
WINNER: Becoming - Michelle Obama (Crown)
Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional
WINNER: Rise and Grind: Outperform, Outwork, and Outhustle Your Way to a More Successful and Rewarding Life - Daymond John (Author), Daniel Paisner(With), (Currency)
Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry
WINNER: Taking the Arrow Out of the Heart - Alice Walker (Author) (37 Ink/Atria Books)
Outstanding Literary Work - Children
WINNER: Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race - Margot Lee Shetterly (Author), Laura Freeman (Illustrator), (Harper)
Outstanding Literary Work - Youth/Teens
WINNER: Clayton Byrd Goes Underground - Rita Williams-Garcia (Author), Frank Morrison (Illustrator (Amistad/HarperCollins Publishers)
Outstanding Documentary (Film)
WINNER: Amazing Grace (Sundial Pictures/Neon)
Outstanding Documentary (Television)
WINNER: Say Her Name: The Life and Death of Sandra Bland (HBO)
Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture (Film)
WINNER: Ryan Coogler, Joe Robert Cole - Black Panther (Marvel Studios)
Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture (Television)
WINNER: J. David Shanks - Seven Seconds: Matters of Life and Death (Netflix)
Katrina M. O'Gilvie - Behind the Movement (TV One)
Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series
WINNER: Kay Oyegun - This Is Us - "This Big, Amazing, Beautiful Life" (NBC)
Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series
WINNER: Trevor Noah, Steve Budow, David Kibuuka, Zhubin Parang, Dan Amira, Lauren Sarver Means, Mr. Daniel Radosh, David Angelo, Devin Trey Delliquanti, Zachary DiLanzo - The Daily Show with Trevor Noah - "23087 Alex Wagner" (Comedy Central)
Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture (Film)
WINNER: Ryan Coogler - Black Panther (Marvel Studios)
Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie or Special
WINNER: Tracy Heather Strai - Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes/Feeling Heart (PBS)
Outstanding Directing in a Dramatic Series
WINNER: Deborah Ann Chow - Better Call Saul - "Something Stupid" (AMC)
Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series
WINNER: Donald Glover - Atlanta - "FUBU" (FX Networks)
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance
WINNER: Samuel L. Jackson - Incredibles 2 (Disney and Pixar Animation Studios)
Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
WINNER: Chadwick Boseman - Black Panther (Marvel Studios)
Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
WINNER: Amandla Stenberg - The Hate U Give (20th Century Fox)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
WINNER: Michael B. Jordan, Black Panther
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
WINNER: Danai Gurira, Black Panther
Outstanding Independent Motion Picture
WINNER: If Beale Street Could Talk

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture
WINNER: Letitia Wright - Black Panther (Marvel Studios)
Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture
WINNER: Black Panther (Marvel Studios)
Outstanding Motion Picture
WINNER: Black Panther
Special Award - Entertainer of the Year
WINNER: Beyonce

The 92nd Academy Award Winners

Oscar


The winners of the 92nd Oscars are.......

ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Joaquin Phoenix
Joker
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Brad Pitt
Once upon a Time...in Hollywood
ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Renée Zellweger
Judy
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Laura Dern
Marriage Story
ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
Toy Story 4
Josh Cooley, Jonas Rivera, Mark Nielson
CINEMATOGRAPHY
1917
Roger Deakins
COSTUME DESIGN
Little Women
Jacqueline Duran
DIRECTING
Parasite
Bong Joon-ho
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
American Factory
Julia Reichert, Steven Bognar, Jeff Reichert
DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT
Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl)
Carol Dysinger, Eleena Andreicheva
FILM EDITING
Ford v Ferrari
Andrew Buckland
INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM
Parasite
Bong Joon-ho
MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING
Bombshell
Kazuhiro Tsuji
ORIGINAL SCORE
Joker
Hildur Gudnadottir
BEST PICTURE
Parasite
Bong Joon-ho, Kwak Sin-ae
PRODUCTION DESIGN
Nancy Haigh
Once upon a Time...in Hollywood
ANIMATED SHORT FILM
Hair Love
M. A. Cherry, karen Rupert Toliver
LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM
The Neighbors' Window
Marshall Curry
SOUND EDITING
Ford v Ferrari
Donald Sylvester
VISUAL EFFECTS
1917
Guillaume Rocheron, Dominic Tuohy, Greg Butler
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Jojo Rabbit
Taika Waititi,
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Parasite
Han Jin-won

Universal Music Group Chairman Sir Lucian Grainge Receives Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Sir Lucian Grainge

Universal Music Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sir Lucian Grainge receives the 2,685th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame that located in front of the historic Capitol Records building.

Take That, Psychedelic Furs, Eurhythmics, Andrea Bocelli, James Cullum, as well as Drake, Post Malone, Katy Perry and Maroon 5. With the acquisition of Bravado, it brought Justin Bieber and Kayne West into the Universal family.

The stars were out in force in support of Grainge. There to speak in his honor was Shawn Mendez and Lionel Ritchie, giving you the new and old school recording artists.

There was a star studded audience with Justin Bieber, Birdman, Sam Smith, Tori Kelly, and   Kailee Steinfeld

Grainge is the only person to have the honor of being the Billboard's "Power 100 List" most powerful person in the music industry in 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2019, which speaks volumes considering the many people in the music business.