Hello everyone. This is Cinemagnetic, your own personal movie chef. And we only cook up the lip-smacking, finger-licking-good stories that’ll leave your brain satisfied.

Here's what we're serving up today:

• Margot Robbie's Mega Deal 💅

• SAG-AFTRA Adjusts Interim Agreements Amid WGA Strike 🪧

• Warner Bros. Discovery Shuts Down iStreamPlanet Streaming Service 📺

• Charlie Kaufman Warns of AI's Threat to Film Quality 🤖

Daily US Box Office: August 13, 2023 💸

Margot Robbie's Mega Deal 💅

Margot Robbie, the talented actress, and producer, is reaping substantial rewards for her instrumental role in bringing the iconic character "Barbie" to life on the big screen. As both a star and a driving force behind the film, Robbie's earnings are estimated to reach a remarkable $50 million, encompassing her salary and a share of the movie's box office profits. This impressive figure highlights the immense success that "Barbie" has achieved since its release, cementing its position as one of the summer's biggest hits.

The triumph of "Barbie" extends beyond Robbie's individual gains. Greta Gerwig, the director, and co-writer of the film, is also expected to enjoy significant bonuses due to the movie's exceptional box office performance. The numbers tell a compelling story, with "Barbie" accumulating a staggering $526.3 million domestically and an additional $657.6 million internationally, resulting in a monumental global gross of $1.18 billion. The film's continued dominance at the box office charts suggests that this figure is likely to rise even further.

Impressively, "Barbie" has not only shattered box office records but also etched its place in cinematic history. It now holds the distinction of being Warner Bros.' second highest-grossing release, trailing only behind the iconic "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2." Moreover, it has achieved the notable honor of becoming the highest-grossing film ever directed by a woman, surpassing the previous record held by "Frozen II," co-directed by Jennifer Lee.

As the impressive numbers and accolades continue to pour in for "Barbie," both Robbie and Gerwig's contributions are undeniably pivotal to its triumphant narrative. While Warner Bros. and Robbie's representatives have chosen not to comment on the matter, the industry and audiences alike celebrate the remarkable achievements of this cinematic phenomenon.

What's coming? 🤔

SAG-AFTRA Adjusts Interim Agreements Amid WGA Strike 🪧

In a significant move reflecting solidarity with the ongoing Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike, SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) has announced a strategic shift in its approach towards granting interim agreements for independent projects. The union has decided to no longer approve interim agreements for independent productions that were originally written under a Writers Guild of America contract.

The union's previous stance allowed 207 independent projects, featuring notable stars such as Jason Bateman, Anne Hathaway, and Matthew McConaughey, to continue filming during the strike. This decision had been met with mixed reactions within the union, as some members felt that such agreements undermined the overall impact of the strike.

Moving forward, SAG-AFTRA will no longer grant interim agreements to projects written under a WGA contract and set to be produced in the United States. This adjustment serves as a clear signal of unity and shared goals between the two unions amidst the ongoing labor action.

It's worth noting that the modification will not affect the 207 projects that had previously received approval under the interim agreements. These projects were greenlit under the previous guidelines. To obtain an interim agreement from SAG-AFTRA, producers are required to demonstrate that their projects lack financing from companies affiliated with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Furthermore, they must also adhere to the latest terms proposed by SAG-AFTRA before the strike's commencement on July 13.

Ultimately, the contracts for these projects will be adapted to align with any agreement that the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers reaches with SAG-AFTRA. This strategic shift underscores the unions' collaborative efforts to assert their influence and seek fair terms during a crucial period in the entertainment industry.

Famous Birthdays on August 15th 🎂

Warner Bros. Discovery Shuts Down iStreamPlanet Streaming Service 📺

Warner Bros. Discovery has made the decision to shutter iStreamPlanet, a Seattle-based company that specialized in enabling users to stream both live and traditional TV content over the internet. The closure of iStreamPlanet has resulted in the unfortunate layoff of approximately 25 employees. The move to shut down the operation was reportedly under consideration following the merger of Warner Bros. and Discovery in April 2022.

It's worth noting that iStreamPlanet had a significant history and was no stranger to investments from the entertainment industry. Back in 2015, Turner Broadcasting made a substantial investment of $200 million in iStreamPlanet. This strategic investment allowed Turner to tap into the advanced technology offered by iStreamPlanet, a crucial asset during a time when media companies were still in the process of developing the in-house expertise required for managing and operating large-scale streaming video services.

At the time of the investment, then Turner CEO John Martin highlighted the potential of the partnership, stating that it would expand their capabilities to offer live events both within and outside of the traditional broadcasting ecosystem. The integration of iStreamPlanet's innovative technology was envisioned to provide opportunities for future business growth on digital platforms.

iStreamPlanet boasted an impressive clientele that included major players in the media industry. Turner, Viacom Inc., AMC Networks Inc., Fox, and NBC Sports were among the prominent names that utilized iStreamPlanet's services. The company's portfolio encompassed live-streaming coverage of diverse events, ranging from the NCAA Division I basketball tournament to high-profile spectacles like the Super Bowl, Olympics, FIFA World Cup, and Formula One auto racing.

This decision to close iStreamPlanet signifies a notable development in the wake of the Warner Bros. Discovery merger, reflecting the ongoing shifts and adjustments in the ever-evolving streaming landscape. As the media industry continues to adapt and transform, it remains to be seen how such strategic decisions will shape the future of content delivery and distribution.

Movies/TV Shows Released on August 15th 🎞️

Charlie Kaufman Warns of AI's Threat to Film Quality 🤖

Charlie Kaufman, celebrated screenwriter behind films like "Being John Malkovich," has voiced his concerns about the increasing prevalence of what he calls "garbage" content in Hollywood, warning that the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) could further erode the quality of films. Speaking at the Sarajevo Film Festival, where he received a lifetime achievement award, Kaufman expressed apprehension that AI-generated screenplays would contribute to the decline of human-driven creativity in cinema.

Kaufman asserted that if studios embrace AI for writing screenplays, it could spell doom for quality films. He argued that AI lacks the ability to capture genuine moments of humanity, a crucial element that resonates with audiences. He stressed that the struggle and effort put in by human creators hold the potential for creating meaningful stories, a prospect that would be lost if AI took over the screenwriting process.

He lamented that, in the current landscape, profit seems to be the sole driving force, leading to a saturation of subpar content. Kaufman described this trend as both fascinating and concerning, emphasizing that the allure of financial success often guides studios and creators toward producing formulaic and uninspiring works. He criticized the industry for perpetuating a cycle of producing and consuming substandard content.

Kaufman concluded by encouraging fellow screenwriters not to be confined by the pressures of box office numbers. He emphasized the importance of telling honest stories that reflect the real world, suggesting that true creative value lies in human expression and genuine storytelling rather than relying on AI-driven shortcuts.

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