Tinseltown Not Run by Jews? I'm Insulted

Fallen Miramax founders desperate for Hollywood comeback

(NEWSER) - Once Hollywood’s highbrow hitmakers, Bob and Harvey Weinstein are hitless, humbled, and hoping that a movie about Nazi-killers can save them, the New York Times reports. They once raked in Oscars by producing films like Pulp Fiction and The English Patient, but since leaving Miramax to start their own company 4 years ago, they've invested in fashion, social networking, and cable TV. “I got more fascinated by these other businesses and I figured, ‘Making movies, I can do that in my sleep,’” says Harvey. More»

As star payouts dip, William Morris and Endeavor join forces

(NEWSER) - Two of Hollywood's top talent agencies agreed to merge today amid declining revenues in film and television, Variety reports. Pending government approval, the venerable William Morris Agency will share a new Beverly Hills office with 14-year-old Endeavor—and likely spark a flurry of clients and agents scurrying for new representation. More»

Commercial production falls; local TV shoots up after strike

(NEWSER) - Hit hard by the recession and amped-up incentives to shoot elsewhere, on-location filming in Los Angeles has plummeted 56% in the first quarter to a record low, says the group that processes shooting permits. Commercial production, meanwhile, dropped 34%, the Los Angeles Times reports. TV shooting has surged, but that’s because the writers’ strike shut down production last year. Only five major studio films are slated to be shot in LA this year, down from 15 last year. More»

(NEWSER) - New Holocaust movies arrive in time for the holidays and Academy voters every year, "but maybe new isn't quite the right word," writes Ben Crair, who sees five basic Holocaust plots. He lists them in Slate:

• Nice German: From Schindler's List (1993) to this year's Valkyrie, Hollywood has uncovered "tales of German goodness."

SAG: members can keep working, pending talks

(NEWSER) - The contract between the Screen Actors Guild and Hollywood studios expired early today—but SAG has decided to let members keep working for the time being, E! Online reports. The two sides are scheduled to reconvene tomorrow. The Alliance of Motion Picture and TV Producers made it what it called a “final offer” last night, but SAG officials were skeptical. More»