Author: Nana Media
A Legendary Lightsaber Sells for Millions A lightsaber used by Darth Vader in the original Star Wars films has been sold at an auction for $3.6 million (GBP £2.7 million). This iconic prop, which was featured in films such as The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, was the highlight of the first day of the auction in Los Angeles on Thursday. A Piece of Cinematic History According to Propstore, the auctioneers based in Buckinghamshire, this memorabilia is the most expensive Star Wars item ever sold at an auction. Brandon Alinger, Chief Operating Officer of Propstore, stated, "A…
Independent Films Take Center Stage This Weekend Indie publications are set to make a splash this weekend with the release of Jay Duplass’ new feature film, a Sundance hit, as well as a handful of urgent documentaries and animated films. One of the most anticipated releases is Twoless, a Chinese evening casser winner that has gained significant attention on the festival circuit. Additionally, Light of the World, an animated film from a non-profit collective, will be opening on over 2,000 screens. New Releases and Expansions Hit, a film directed by Jay Duplass, will be expanding to 100 screens after a…
Introduction to Canoe Film Caroline Stern, managing director and owner of the London-based film company Canoe, has announced the launch of a sister sales company in Canada. This move aims to better support filmmakers on the continent and provide opportunities for emerging projects to connect with global industry professionals. Expanding to Canada Stern plans to frequently visit Vancouver from the UK to oversee the new office. Since founding Canoe in 2017, the company has sold five to six films annually, employing tailored sales strategies. Producers working with Canoe have the opportunity to consult on and approve all offers and agreements,…
Introduction to Elon Musk’s Potential Pay Award The richest man in the world, Elon Musk, could be in line for a pay award of around $1 trillion over the next decade. This proposal is part of an effort by his electric car company, Tesla, to pay him in shares if he achieves ambitious goals to increase the market share of Tesla, sales, and company value. The Proposal Details As part of the proposal, Mr. Musk would not receive a salary or bonus but would be awarded company shares if he meets specific targets. These targets include increasing Tesla’s market value…
The Passing of a Legend The death of Giorgio Armani on September 4th sparked an outpouring of tributes from those who knew him and admired his work. As the fashion world mourned the loss of one of the most influential designers of the 20th century, discussions began about what his passing meant for the future of the brand. A Legacy of Design Armani’s team had always been tight-lipped about plans for succession. However, in one of his final interviews, Armani spoke about the transition, revealing a desire for a gradual and organic process. He expressed his wish for the successor…
Introduction to Mark Volman Mark Volman, a founding member of the 1960s rock band The Turtles and singer of the duo Flo & Eddie, passed away on Friday after a short, sudden illness in Nashville. He was 78 years old. Early Life and Career Volman was born in Los Angeles in 1947 and began playing and performing music at a young age. After graduating from Westchester High School in 1965, he co-founded The Turtles with Howard Kaylan, along with lead guitarist Al Nichol, rhythm guitarist Jim Tucker, bass player Chuck Portz, and drummer Don Murray. The band released popular hits…
Introduction to the EU Cartel Penalty The European Commission has imposed a cartel penalty of $2.95 billion on Alphabet’s Google for practicing anti-competitive practices in its lucrative adtech business. This marks the fourth punishment for Google in its decades-long struggle with EU competition regulators. Background of the Penalty The step was triggered by a complaint from the European Publishing Council and consists of a threat to US President Donald Trump to avenge against the European Union against Big Tech. The EU Competition Commissioner had originally planned to distribute the fine on Monday, but it was delayed due to opposition from…
Introduction to the Controversy Washington – The secretary for health and human services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has been at the center of a controversy surrounding his actions towards Susan Monarez, who was fired from her position less than a month after her Senate confirmation. Background on Monarez’s Firing Monarez wrote in an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal that Kennedy "put me under pressure or to meet me in a meeting on August 25th". She stated that one of the disturbing guidelines from this meeting was that she should adopt the recommendations of a vaccine advisory committee that…
Lady Gaga’s New Song and Music Video Lady Gaga has officially dropped her new song "The Dead Dance" together with a music video staged by Tim Burton. The single was released on music streamers on Wednesday morning, in addition to its premiere in Episode 7 of season two of the Netflix show Wednesday, led by Jenna Ortega. Background of the Song The song itself was written by Gaga, Andrew Watt, and Henry Walter, and produced by Gaga, Watt, and Cirkut, who have worked closely with her on her previous album, Chaos. "The Dead Dance" appears in season 2, episode 7,…
Introduction to James McAvoy’s Directorial Debut The proud Scotsman James McAvoy challenges the common perception that British accents are classy and desirable in Hollywood, especially in fantasy and epic hero movies. McAvoy brings his directorial debut, "California’s scheme," to the Toronto Film Festival for a world premiere, revealing the obstacles that Scottish actors face in the industry due to their accents. The Story Behind "California’s Scheme" The film is based on the true story of two Scottish friends, Gavin Bain and Billy Boyd, who pretended to be a California rap duo, Silibil n’ Brains, to achieve their dream of hip-hop…