Hollywood shuts down for the first time in six decades
A mega-strike involving writers and performers demanding better pay and increased safeguarding around AI rights is likely to grind to a halt the production of most movies and many popular television shows. Swapping the red carpet for the picket lines, Hollywood actors are going on strike after negotiations between studio...
Current in Media
Why is the return of classic Smosh a big deal?
Last week, Smosh’s co-founders Ian Hecox and Anthony Padilla purchased the company from owners Rhett and Link. It’s the first time the two have had complete creative control since 2011. Ian Hecox and Anthony Padilla have announced their acquisition of Smosh, a comedy YouTube channel and brand they first founded...
Do ad agencies need to disclose the use of AI in online campaigns?
As AI photo creation tools like Midjourney become more advanced and widely used, the world’s largest advertising agency Ogilvy is encouraging marketing companies to explicitly state when they are used in social media campaigns. The advent and rapidly improving capabilities of AI image generators such as Midjourney have sparked both...
Opinion – Swift relationship criticism shows unfair expectations of women
The backlash against Swift’s alleged coupling with Matty Healy demonstrated how women are often viewed as extensions of their partners. Taylor Swift has long been in the public eye for reasons beyond her illustrious music career. In fact, fascination with Swift’s love life has arguably been as instrumental in her...
Opinion – Mizzy’s rise sets a dangerous precedent for young creators
Meet Mizzy, the epitome of chasing attention and clout at all costs. His illegal ‘prankster’ antics have garnered a cult-like following online and ignited concern that aspiring creators may follow his blueprint. ‘Hate brings likes, hate brings views,’ says 18-year-old Bacari-Bronze O’Garro, aka Mizzy. Like millions of youngsters, Mizzy has shunned...
Paul McCartney says a new AI Beatles record is on the way
It seems we’ll be hearing a new Beatles record later this year. Paul McCartney has confirmed via BBC Radio 4 that he used AI to pull John Lennon’s vocals from a previously recorded demo. Legendary songwriter Paul McCartney says a new Beatles song is scheduled for release later this...
Could music be contributing to a toxic work environment?
A US federal court is allowing a lawsuit brought forward by warehouse workers who say their workplace has become ‘more hostile’ as a direct result of music. Could our favourite artists be causing problems in our offices? Raunchy, explicit, or misogynistic music could be an illegal workplace practice, a US appeals court has said. Eight former employees of S&S Activewear in Nevada have been allowed to move forward with a...
The studio aiming to make Hollywood productions sustainable
Atlanta based movie studio, Electric Owl, is aiming to lower Hollywood’s hefty carbon footprint by offering green amenities to production companies. Watching movies and television is far and away the biggest pastime within the United States, with adults consuming an estimated 17% more of this content than 25 years ago. Our ceaseless demand for watchable entertainment has come at a severe environmental cost, however, with data suggesting each big-budget film...
MTV News becomes latest outlet to permanently shut down
The beloved, old-school division MTV News has shut down for good. It follows Vice, Vox, Buzzfeed, CNN, and others in laying off staff and shrinking workforces, leaving a gap in legitimate news coverage that caters to younger audiences. MTV News has officially closed down. Once a hub for older millennials and young Gen Xers, it was a cultural staple for information and journalism in the 1990s. Featuring musicians, young reporters,...
Ed Sheeran wins lawsuit against Marvin Gaye’s heirs for copyright
The world-renowned singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran has faced multiple legal allegations of theft, most notably for his single ‘Thinking Out Loud.’ His win clears him of any wrongdoing, and ensures other artists are still free to use chord progressions in any manner they see fit. Ed Sheeran has won a court case in New York this week and was ruled not liable for copyright infringement. He was accused of ‘ripping...
