5 indelible photos from Hollywood's awards season, and the stories behind them
LOS ANGELES (AP) — As a staff photojournalist for The Associated Press based in Los Angeles, Chris Pizzello covers hundreds of entertainment events a year. It all culminates in awards season, where he captures the defining moments in the lives of the celebrities he’s shot day in and day out, from the triumphs of Beyoncé and Bad Bunny at the Grammys to the envelope snafu and The Slap at the Oscars. This year, he chose five key photos and shared the stories behind making them. They range from Amy Madigan and Michael B. Jordan's surprise wins to Teyana Taylor's celebration. He connected with Ethan Hawke while making hurried portraits and shot Justin Bieber's stripped-down performance from afar.
Ryan Coogler aware of potential Oscar history ahead but focused on 'Sinners' team before ceremony
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ryan Coogler says the Oscars matter, but he is focused on enjoying the moment with his “Sinners” team. He told The Associated Press Thursday that he is staying present as the ceremony nears. Coogler could become the first Black filmmaker to win best director. He says Sunday feels like the last official night together for the cast and crew after months on the awards circuit. They were honored at the Macro Pre-Oscars party, which celebrates nominees of color. “Sinners” leads the Oscars field with 16 nominations and stars Michael B. Jordan in dual roles.
Two long-lost episodes of 'Doctor Who' have been found. Fans will soon be able to watch them
LONDON (AP) — A film charity has uncovered two episodes of sci-fi series “Doctor Who” that were long believed lost. The charity Film is Fabulous found the 1960s episodes in the belongings of a deceased collector. “Doctor Who” first aired in 1963 and is now a much-loved classic. But scores of episodes were lost because the broadcaster wiped the tapes for re-use. The BBC has restored the two rediscovered episodes and plans to release them next month on its streaming service. The episodes come from 1965 and star William Hartnell as intergalactic adventurer the Doctor in a storyline involving iconic villains the Daleks. Ninety-five episodes still remain missing.
After years of growth, Georgia’s film industry hits a painful reset
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia’s film industry is struggling. The state’s generous tax credits once turned Atlanta into the Hollywood of the South, drawing hundreds of productions and transforming the local economy. But spending has tumbled from a peak of $4.4 billion in 2022 to just $2.3 billion the last fiscal year. The 2023 writers and actors strikes accelerated the decline, and Marvel has since shifted its productions to the United Kingdom. Many crew members say they’ve struggled to find film work, forcing some to get second jobs or leave the industry entirely. State officials say things are improving and that tax incentives were recently widened to cover newer types of content.
Trump administration denounces CNN for airing messages from Iranian leaders
The Trump administration is denouncing CNN for airing a portion of the new Iranian supreme leader's first public statement since he got the job. It was the second time in three days that the administration specifically singled out the network for trying to find out what the leaders of the country the United States is bombing are thinking. The attack is another illustration of the care that news outlets must take in reporting during wartime, and the responsibilities of journalists to get multiple perspectives in a conflict. It also exposed the uncomfortable spotlight on one outlet, since the message of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei was widely available elsewhere.
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Live Nation employee mocks customers as 'so stupid' in internal messages released in court case
NEW YORK (AP) — Newly revealed incendiary messages in which a Live Nation employee mocks customers as “so stupid” and says the company is “robbing them blind, baby” are gaining public attention during an ongoing antitrust trial. The messages were highlighted Wednesday in a filing by government lawyers insisting that the messages should be evidence in the week-old Manhattan federal court trial. Live Nation, parent of Ticketmaster, wants them disqualified from the trial, saying they reflect “off-the-cuff banter, not policy” between two personal friends who don't work together. The trial's status is uncertain after the federal government announced this week it is settling though many states are not.
Minimalist horror 'Undertone' uses audio and soundscapes to scare you
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Horror filmmaker Ian Tuason is making his feature debut with “Undertone.” The minimalist, auditory horror film about a paranormal podcaster haunted by audio recordings opens in theaters Friday. Tuason made his name in virtual reality horror shorts before tackling a feature. The film was inspired by both his keen understanding of soundscapes and a particularly difficult time when he served as a caregiver to both his parents who died from cancer. Hollywood has taken notice of Tuason, who will direct a new “Paranormal Activity” movie.
Oscars presenters add a former host, three nominees and a famous father-son duo
The Oscars producers are rounding out their army of starry presenters. On Wednesday producers of the show say Bill Pullman, Lewis Pullman, Rose Byrne, Wagner Moura, Delroy Lindo, Jimmy Kimmel, Pedro Pascal, Channing Tatum and Sigourney Weaver will take the stage Sunday. The show will feature two major performances of Oscar-nominated songs. Those are “Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters” and “I Lied to You” from “Sinners.” Miles Caton and Raphael Saadiq will be on hand for the “Sinners” moment, as will Misty Copeland, Eric Gales, Buddy Guy, Brittany Howard and Christone “Kingfish” Ingram. Conan O'Brien is returning to host the live broadcast Sunday.
Morrissey calls off concert in Spain after local festivities deprived him of sleep
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — British rock star Morrissey won’t perform a concert in Valencia after festivities in the Spanish city kept him from getting a proper night’s rest. A statement posted on Morrissey’s website several hours before the concert was supposed to be held on Thursday said that it the former singer of The Smiths was suffering from “sleep deprivation.” It said that he was disturbed during the night by loud music and megaphone announcements that were audible from inside his hotel room. The statement made it unclear if the concert will be rescheduled or if ticket holders can request a refund.
A wooden holztrompete joins the Met’s new 'Tristan und Isolde' production
NEW YORK (AP) — A new Met Opera production of “Tristan und Isolde” uses Wagner’s rare wooden horn, the holztrompete, for a key offstage moment. Audiences hear its joyous call as the ship carrying Isolde and King Marke arrives to a dying Tristan. Met principal trumpet Billy R. Hunter Jr. says it sounds nothing like the usual substitute. Wagner wanted a loud, natural sound, but his directions for the instrument were vague. Over time, houses used other instruments, including the tárogató. Hunter plays the new holztrompete built in Germany. The specially constructed horn is nearly Hunter’s height.
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