EXHILARATING’’

Feedback
TV Critic Sonya Saraiya’s
column “Media Coverage
of Orlando Tragedy Follows
Familiar Scripts” drew comments
reflecting on TV news
surrounding horrific events.
Read more on Variety.com.
TVLover44:
“I noticed the U.K. news coverage
was much more in-depth and
contextualized and included an
emphasis upon and analysis of
the insanity of our gun culture
and the politics surrounding it.”
RS Finney:
“Exactly what, Ms. Saraiya, would
you have done differently if you
were out in the field as a reporter,
on the desk, or running one
of the networks providing the
coverage? How exactly would
you would have changed their
approach and made the effort
not a ‘convenient narrative’?”
Local Love
“Variety Studio: Actors on
Actors — Film Actors” has
been nominated for a Los
Angeles Area Emmy Award in
the category of Entertainment
Programming. The program
was co-produced by Variety,
Lodger Films, and PBS SoCal
and hosted by Variety deputyawards-and-features
editor
Jenelle Riley. “Actors on Actors”
won the Emmy in the category
last year.
Let’s Fulfill Our
Cries for Change
The triumph of Hillary Clinton becoming the
first woman to win a major party’s presidential
nomination was closely followed by the horrific
events over the weekend in Orlando. This only
underscores the fact that we must elect a president
who will stand tough on guns and will
refuse to tolerate bigotry.
As we try to process what happened in Orlando, I take comfort
in the fact that we have progressed to a point in which a
woman — a strong, experienced, brilliant woman — stands a
very good chance of becoming president. I only hope that for
those in power in Hollywood — an industry that continues to
be dominated by white males — this will be a strong call to
action for parity.
I called Imagine Entertainment president Erica Huggins to
discuss the impact Hillary’s ascension might have on the business,
and she had much to say.
“The question used to be, ‘What can we do?’” she told me.
“Now the question is, ‘What can’t we do?’”
“HRC being nominated is the best way to remind us of the
superpower we’ve always had: We know another way to do it,
and we can do it that way — not the way it’s been done for the
past 80 years.
“As creators of film and television,” she added, “we constantly
talk about breaking paradigms and shifting perspectives. Our
industry has no problem talking the talk, but now it’s come
time to start doing all we can to match our talking. Let’s continue
to push women into the role of studio chiefs and directors,
grips and writers, producers and CEOs. This process has begun,
but now let’s put our money where our mouth is and fulfill our
own cries for change.”
After the terrible events of this weekend, her words took on
an even broader meaning for me. We need to work toward making
our industry a place for tolerance and inclusion of all. We
need to set an example. Hollywood, it’s time for change.
Claudia Eller
Co-Editor-in-Chief
FIELD NOTES
I only hope that
for those in power
in Hollywood, this
will be a strong
call to action
for parity.”
THE VOICES BEHIND THE ISSUE
VIGIL, RONAN: MICHAEL BUCKNER/VARIETY/SHUTTERSTOCK
Uncovered
Illustrated May 27, 2016
This week’s cover looks at Jeff Bewkes and the future
of Time Warner. Artist Justin Metz was hired to convey
Bewkes’ calm in the middle of the storm. “I like the
challenge of bringing ideas to life, and I do have my fair
share of unusual commissions — from a ‘big boned’
Coke bottle to an amorous encounter, mid-air, between
two jet planes — and that’s just for one client!”
About the Illustrator
Trained as an illustrator,
Justin Metz began as a
creative in advertising agencies
developing concepts and
overseeing campaigns for a wide
range of clients. He was able to
use his skills in CGI and photo
manipulation to produce many
of the artworks featured in those
campaigns. His clients now
include Nike, Time, Bloomberg
Businessweek, and the Atlantic.
JUNE 14, 2016 VARIETY.COM
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