Episode 198 - Jonathan Graves from This Means Podcast

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On today's episode I have filmmaker and podcaster Jonathan Graves from This Means Podcast! 

Jonathan Graves

I initially discovered This Means Podcast through Instagram, and quickly became a fan of the show. Many of you know my love for the Looney Tunes and animation, and "This Means Podcast" has become my go-to place for everything Looney Tunes and Warner Brothers animation. 

On the episode I talked with Jonathan about how he first discovered Looney Tunes, his favorite episodes, the characters that inspired us, #ReleaseCoyotevsAcme, Looney Tunes history, dressing up as characters, the importance of animation, and so much more. 

Tim and Jonathan during the episode. 

A huge thanks to Jonathan Graves for taking the time to chat with me and geek out about the Looney Tunes for an hour. Make sure to follow him on all of the links below and listen to "This Means Podcast" everywhere you find podcasts. 

Thanks, Jonathan!

Enjoy the episode. 

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The Academy launches Academy100 outreach campaign

 As many of the Hollwood studios have celebrated their 100th anniversary over the past 10 years, we are closing in on 100 years of the foundation the celebrates and preserves excellence in film The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. 

Ahead of their 100th Anniversary, The Academy has launched Academy100, a 500MM (US) global revenue diversification and outreach campaign. 

Longtime Academy partner Rolex has also expanded their year-round support as part of the Academy100 launch. 

We are incredibly excited to see all that is instore as we approach the Academy's 100th anniversary. 

 Read the full press release below!

LOS ANGELES, CA – In honor of the 100th Oscars® ceremony in 2028, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today publicly launched Academy100, a $500MM (US) global revenue diversification and outreach campaign designed to expand the Academy’s worldwide scope, ensure the success of its next 100 years, and connect audiences through their shared love of cinema. The Academy announced the initiative during an in-person press conference, hosted by Cinecittà in Rome, Italy.

Support for the Academy100 campaign will endow and fund programs that recognize excellence in cinematic artistry and innovation; preserve our film history; enable the creation of world-class film exhibitions, screenings, and publications; train and educate the next generation of diverse global film artists; and produce powerful digital content. Visit Academy100.org for more information.

“The future of the Academy is global, and Academy100 will deepen our worldwide reach and impact,” noted Academy CEO Bill Kramer. “The Academy will soon enter its second century, and we want to ensure that we continue to be the preeminent leader of our international film community. Like all healthy organizations, the Academy needs a sustainable and diverse base of support, and we are deeply grateful to Rolex and all of our partners for helping us launch this important and forward-looking initiative.”

More than $100MM has been committed to the campaign, including ongoing support from long-standing Academy partner Rolex. Rolex and the Academy are deeply committed to perpetuating cinematic excellence and linking generations of filmmakers, students, and arts patrons. Rolex’s transformative support will help solidify the Academy’s and Rolex’s shared roles as global leaders in the celebration, preservation, and advancement of cinema.

“Rolex is a proud partner of the Academy, putting its full support behind its important endeavors including Academy100,” said Arnaud Boetsch, Director of Communication & Image at Rolex. “As a global company with a long history, we understand the importance of communicating across countries, cultures and generations. Building networks across the world, the Academy will be able to inspire filmmakers globally to always reach further to attain excellence.”

“Cinecittà welcomes the Academy for such a significant celebration of its history. Co-hosting this Academy100 event underscores the strength of our partnership, which is also evident in our support for the Academy Museum and its Italian film programming,” said Nicola Maccanico, Cinecittà CEO. “Like the Academy, Cinecittà is embracing the future with enthusiasm and establishing itself as a leading industrial player in the global film industry. We support and champion the Academy100 initiative and share the same values and commitment to future generations.”

In addition, throughout the Academy100 campaign, the Academy will host convenings, community gatherings, special events, and educational programs with Academy members and the broader film and arts communities in locations around the world. As the Academy and the film industry become increasingly global, this expanded international outreach will help develop a pool of new filmmakers and Academy members and support the worldwide filmmaking community. Locations include Buenos Aires, Cannes, Johannesburg, Kyoto, Lagos, London, Los Angeles, Marrakesh, Melbourne, Mexico City, Mumbai, New York, Rome, San Francisco, Seoul, Toronto, Toruń, Venice, and more.

Beginning in 2027, in honor of the 100th Oscars in 2028, the Academy Museum will present a series of special exhibitions, film programs, and publications connected to the history of the Academy and the Academy Awards®. More details will be announced at a later date.

SUPPORT FOR ACADEMY100

Key supporters have laid the foundation for the Academy100 campaign and have helped to fund Academy Museum exhibitions, screenings, and programs, Academy member and filmmaker panels and gatherings around the world, K-12 and early and mid-career talent development and educational programs, and items for, and care of, the Academy Collection.

Academy100 lead supporters include Rolex, Cinecittà, Delta Air Lines, Dagmar Dolby and family, Dorchester Collection, Drs. Melina and Eric Esrailian, Dr. Kathy Fields and Dr. Garry Rayant, PwC, Teddy Schwarzman, and George Stevens, Jr. They join a broader community of Academy and Academy Museum supporters who have made recent gifts: A. Scott Berg and Kevin McCormick, Jeffrey Berg and Denny Luria, the Blavatnik Family Foundation, the Jules Brenner Trust, Bronni Stein Connolly, Marc and Alice Davis Charitable Trust, Hani Farsi, the William Fox, Jr. Foundation, Cindy Y. Huang, JPMorgan Chase, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and Irwin and Margo Winkler.

Philanthropic support for the Academy is administered by the Academy Foundation,
a section 501(c)(3) public charity, which operates the Academy’s outreach and educational initiatives, including the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, the Margaret Herrick Library and the Academy Film Archive.

ABOUT THE ACADEMY

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the world’s premier organization devoted to the celebration, exhibition, and preservation of cinema. The Academy has the world’s largest film-related collection, the world’s largest film museum, the most globally recognized awards for cinematic excellence, the most esteemed membership of film professionals and is the home of a global cinematic expertise that is unmatched.

The Academy recognizes and celebrates all aspects of the film industry and the diverse, talented people who make movies via the Oscars, the Governors Awards, the Scientific and Technical Awards, the Student Academy Awards, and the Academy Museum Gala.

The Academy inspires young artists and creates opportunities for underrepresented communities to engage with the film world through the Academy Museum’s K-12 educational programs and initiatives for early and mid-career filmmakers. These include the Academy Gold Rising Internship Program, the Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting, the Careers in Film Summit, and the Gold Fellowship for Women.

The Academy preserves our film history and curates vital and thoughtful programs and initiatives about cinema’s past, present, and future. The Academy Collection is the largest film-related collection in the world – more than 23 million items – housed at the Academy’s Margaret Herrick Library, the Academy Film Archive, and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. The collection contains costumes, storyboards, scripts, posters, production and costume design drawings, photographs, films and videos, cameras, sound recordings, books, makeup and hairstyling process pieces, visual effects and technology assets, promotional materials, and more.

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures advances the understanding, celebration, and preservation of cinema through inclusive and accessible exhibitions, screenings, programs, initiatives, and collections. Previous exhibitions include Hayao Miyazaki, Regeneration: Black Cinema 1898-1971, and John Waters: Pope of Trash, which is currently on view. The museum’s core exhibition, Stories of Cinema, explores a broad range of films, filmmakers, genres, and crafts, including The Wizard of Oz, Pedro Almodóvar, Spike Lee, The Godfather, Agnes Varda, the history of the Oscars, Boyz n the Hood , costume design, hair and makeup artistry, animation, visual effects, film music, sound, and more. The museum also presents a robust slate of film series, public programs, and issues world-class publications on cinema. In addition, the Academy’s digital and televised content reaches millions of people around the world each year, connecting global audiences through their shared love of cinema.

At the core of all Academy initiatives is a deep and unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, access, and inclusion. By providing opportunities for underrepresented communities to engage in the film industry, producing programming highlighting often marginalized voices and stories, diversifying the Academy’s membership, and robust accessibility and sustainability programs, the Academy seeks to drive meaningful change for the global film community.

ABOUT ROLEX AND CINEMA

For many decades, Rolex has maintained close ties with the world of cinema. Its watches have played a role in numerous films, including Oscar®-winning masterpieces. The company promotes excellence, encourages the preservation and transmission of the cinematic arts and celebrates progress by accompanying cinema legends and budding talents: through its Testimonees such as Martin Scorsese and James Cameron, its partnership with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative for talented young filmmakers. Rolex has partnered the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences since 2017, serving as Proud Sponsor of the Oscars®, hosting the event’s Greenroom, while also supporting the Governors Awards, recognizing lifetime achievement in film. To assist in the preservation of film history for future generations, Rolex became a Founding Supporter of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. Through its support of the film industry, Rolex champions excellence, the perpetuation of knowledge, the conservation of the art of filmmaking and the rise of new talent.

ABOUT CINECITTÀ

Cinecittà S.p.A., founded in 1937, is an Italian public company whose sole shareholder is the Ministry of Economy and Finance; shareholder rights are exercised by the Ministry of Culture in agreement with the Ministry of Economy and Finance. In the past three years, Cinecittà has again established itself as a leading industrial player in the global film industry, welcoming major productions from around the world in its legendary film studios, offering the unique expertise of the Art Department, the extraordinary technological capabilities of VR and a variety of fundamental services for the realization of feature films, TV movies, TV series, and the development of new media. The new project incorporates the activities of Cinecittà Digital Factory, the Studios’ digital center: from post-production to restoration. Cinecittà holds one of the most important European film and photographic Archive in which are collected and digitally categorized both its own productions, and materials derived from private collections and acquisitions by a variety of sources. Cinecittà distributes and supports domestically the theatrical releases of Italian first and second time feature films; moreover, distributes films and documentaries made by Italian and European directors and guarantees they are given an adequate release in the national market. Cinecittà’s institutional work includes promoting Italian cinema both at home and abroad by means of projects dedicated to the great authors, actors and personalities of the past and their classic films, as well contemporary ones.  Cinecittà also owns a film library, Cineteca, containing titles of the most significant Italian film productions, subtitled in foreign languages, which serve in promoting Italian culture at major national and international Institutes around the world, also in collaboration with the Italian Ministry for the Foreign Affairs.

Episode 197 - Daina Reid

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On today's episode, I have actress and Emmy nominated director, Daina Reid!

Daina Reid

Daina and I first crossed paths a few years ago through the Sundance Film Festival with her film, "Run Rabbit Run". My Sundance 2023 coverage was limited given my own filming schedule, but Daina was somebody I had really wanted to talk to about this film and I am so glad we were finally able to make this happen. The day we recorded this the new Elizabeth Moss led Hulu show "The Veil" premiered their first two episodes which Daina directed!

Daina on the Emmy's purple carpet for her nomination for "The Handmaid's Tale"

"Run Rabbit Run" now on Netflix

On the episode we talked about how Daina got her start, acting on the hit Austrailan sketch show "Full Frontal", getting back to directing, working with comedy heroes like Greg Daniels and Steve Carrell on "Space Force", getting her Emmy nomination for "The Handmaid's Tale", directing for TV vs. directing for film, working with Sarah Snook and Lily LaTorre on "Run Rabbit Run", how the film came together, and so much more!

Tim and Daina during the episode

A huge Thank You to Daina Reid for taking the time to join me. It took some coordination to make this episode happen since Daina was back home in Melbourne, 17 hours ahead of me here in Los Angeles, but we had such a great time chatting! You can watch "Run Rabbit Run" on Netflix NOW, as well as the first two episodes of "The Veil" on Hulu! Make sure to follow Daina on all of the links below. 

Thank you, Daina!

Enjoy the episode. 

FOLLOW DAINA ON INSTAGRAM HERE

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Episode 196 - Joshua Gillespie of Muppet History

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On today's episode of the podcast, I have the creator of the hit social media sites, "Muppet History", Joshua Gillespie!

Joshua Gillespie 

I was so thrilled to finally get Joshua on the show. I have followed Muppet History on every social media platform for years, as I'm sure many of you have, and was so intrigued by the man who brings so many people so much joy from just a simple post. I originally reached out to Joshua a few years back to be a guest on one of our SDCC shows, only to learn that he lived on the other side of the country and wouldn't be able to attend. So, this episode has been a long time coming. 

FOLLOW MUPPET HISTORY EVERYWHERE ON THE LINKS BELOW

On the episode Joshua and I talked about him growing up in North Carolina, discovering the Muppets as a kid and sharing that love with his older brothers, introducing is wife to the Muppets when they were dating, which Muppet we'd love to hear curse, battling the negativity of the internet, creating joy, his favorite Muppet movie, and so much more. 

Tim and Joshua during the episode

A huge Thank You to Joshua for taking the time to join me on the show. My face hurt from laughing and smiling during this entire episode. Joshua was getting ready to leave on vacation and still took the time to be on the show. I really appreciate it! Make sure to follow him on all of the links below and enjoy all of his Muppet goodness. You can also buy exclusive Muppet History merchandise on the links below as well!

Thanks, Joshua!

Enjoy the episode!

FOLLOW MUPPET HISTORY ON INSTAGRAM HERE

FOLLOW MUPPET HISTORY ON TWITTER HERE

FOLLOW MUPPET HISTORY ON TIKTOK HERE

SUBSCRIBE TO MUPPET HISTORY ON YOUTUBE HERE

FOLLOW JOSHUA ON INSTAGRAM HERE

SUBSCRIBE TO MUPPET HISTORY PODCAST HERE

BUY MUPPET HISTORY MERCHANDISE HERE

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The Academy sets new Rules and Regulations ahead of the 97th Oscars

(art from awards daily)

Now that the dates for the 97th Oscars have been set, new rules for the upcoming Oscars race have been set. These rules will cover the Best Picture category, expanding those eligibility requirements. As well as addressing rules and requirements for Animated Features, International Feature Films, Music (Original Score), Writing categories, and more. 

See the Official Press Release and Rule changes below:

AWARDS RULES AND CAMPAIGN PROMOTIONAL REGULATIONS APPROVED FOR 97TH OSCARS®

Additional Submission Key Dates Announced

LOS ANGELES, CA – The Academy’s Board of Governors has approved awards rules and campaign promotional regulations for the 97th Academy Awards®. For Academy Awards consideration, a feature film must have a qualifying theatrical release between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024. Drive-in theaters will no longer be a means of qualification, and the six qualifying U.S. metropolitan areas will now include Dallas-Fort Worth, in addition to Los Angeles County; the City of New York; the Bay Area; Chicago, Illinois; and Atlanta, Georgia. In the Best Picture category, the expanded theatrical eligibility requirements, approved by the Board of Governors in June 2023, will take effect for the 97th Oscars®. Upon completion of an initial qualifying run, currently defined as a one-week theatrical release in one of the six U.S. qualifying cities, a film must meet the following additional theatrical standards for Best Picture eligibility: Expanded theatrical run of seven days, consecutive or non-consecutive, in 10 of the top 50 U.S. markets, no later than 45 days after the initial release in 2024. For late-in-the-year films with expansions after January 10, 2025, distributors must submit release plans to the Academy for verification. Release plans for late-in-the-year films must include a planned expanded theatrical run, as described above, to be completed no later than January 24, 2025. Non-U.S. territory releases can count towards two of the 10 markets. Qualifying non-U.S. markets include the top 15 international theatrical markets plus the home territory for the film. In addition to the theatrical eligibility requirements, eligibility for consideration in the Best Picture category remains contingent upon submission of a confidential Academy Representation and Inclusion Standards Entry (RAISE) form and the film meeting the requirements of two of the four standards. Also, distributors and/or producing teams should submit for PGA Mark Certification or awards determination no later than the date of the film’s first commercial screening in its qualifying run. Other awards rules changes include:   Animated feature films submitted in the International Feature Film category are now eligible for consideration in the Animated Feature Film category if eligibility requirements outlined for both categories are met. The new eligibility period for the International Feature Film category is November 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024. In the Music (Original Score) category, three composers will be allowed to receive individual statuettes if, in rare circumstances, they all contributed fully to the score. Previously, three composers were required to submit as a group. The rules now clarify the definition of a group as a recognized band. The shortlist will increase from 15 to 20 titles. In the Writing categories, a final shooting script will now be required for submission. Changes were also made to the testimonial awards presented at the Governors Awards. The Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, given to a creative producer whose body of work reflects a consistently high quality of motion picture production, will now be presented as an Oscar® statuette. The definition of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award was revised to clarify the broad term humanitarian efforts; the award will be “given to an individual in the motion picture industry whose humanitarian efforts have brought credit to the industry by promoting human welfare and contributing to rectifying inequities.” Two special awards presented at the Scientific and Technical Awards have been renamed: Gordon E. Sawyer Award to “Scientific and Technical Lifetime Achievement Award” John A. Bonner Award to “Scientific and Technical Service Award” Submission deadlines and additional key dates are as follows:   Thursday, August 15, 2024: First submission deadline for Animated Short Film, Documentary Feature Film, Documentary Short Film and Live Action Short Film categories Thursday, September 12, 2024: First submission deadline for General Entry categories, Animated Feature Film, Best Picture and RAISE form Wednesday, October 2, 2024: Submission deadline for International Feature Film Thursday, October 10, 2024: Final submission deadline for Animated Short Film, Documentary Short Film and Live Action Short Film categories Thursday, October 17, 2024: Final submission deadline for Documentary Feature Film Friday, November 1, 2024: Submission deadline for Music (Original Score) and Music (Original Song) categories Thursday, November 14, 2024: Final submission deadline for General Entry categories, Animated Feature Film, Best Picture and RAISE form Saturday, January 11, 2025: Makeup and Hairstyling, Sound and Visual Effects nominating screenings (bake-offs) The Academy also updated and clarified formatting and language in the campaign promotional regulations for the 97th Oscars. The campaign promotional regulations specify how motion picture companies and individuals directly associated with Oscars-eligible motion pictures may promote such motion pictures, achievements and performances to Academy members and how Academy members may promote Oscars-eligible motion pictures, achievements and performances. All rules and dates for the 97th Academy Awards are subject to change. For the complete 97th Academy Awards rules and campaign promotional regulations, visit oscars.org/rules. For information on the Inclusion Standards, visit raise.oscars.org/home.

Episode 195 - Mike Masilotti returns!

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On today's episode comedian Mike Masilotti returns to the show!

Mike Masilotti

Mike first came on the show alongside comedian Billy Anderson back in 2017 when they were on tour for The Gateway Show. None of us lived in Los Angeles yet but were all on the precipice of moving. In the 7 years since Mike was on the show so much has changed, including opening a hit comedy venue here in Los Angeles and writing book!

Watch Mike's Dry Bar Comedy special "Outside Cat" 

On the episode I talked with Mike about growing up in an immigrant family in Upstate New York, finding is comedic voice, moving to Seattle and his most embarrassing comedy moment, navigating comedy in a pandemic, putting together his Dry Bar Comedy special, open Third Wheel Comedy here in Los Angeles, writing his book "Comedy is for Dummies" and so much more!

BUY Mike's new book, "Comedy is for Dummies"

A huge Thank You to Mike for taking the time to join me on the show. It was so good to catch up with him after all these years. Make sure to follow him on all of the links below. Please watch his Dry Bar Comedy special, "Outside Cat", check out his podcast, "True Crime Travel Map", and make sure to buy his new book "Comedy is for Dummies". If you're here in Los Angeles, stop by Third Wheel Comedy and catch a show!

Thanks, Mike!

Enjoy the episode!

BUY COMEDY IS FOR DUMMIES HERE

WATCH MIKE'S COMEDY SPECIAL ON DRY BAR HERE

FOLLOW MIKE ON INSTAGRAM HERE

FOLLOW MIKE ON TWITTER HERE

FOLLOW MIKE ON TIKTOK HERE

SUBSCRIBE TO MIKE'S YOUTUBE HERE

FOLLOW TRUE CRIME TRAVEL MAP PODCAST HERE

FOLLOW THIRD WHEEL COMEDY ON INSTAGRAM HERE

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Deadpool & Wolverine Trailer is Here!

IT'S FINALLY HERE!!! 

The long-awaited trailer for Deadpool & Wolverine has finally been released and we could not be more excited for this film to be released July 26th. Check out the new trailer below!