Film Independent Officials Explain How Their New TV Spirit Awards Will Work, and What’s Indie TV

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeLionsgate is turning its hit “John Wick” film franchise into a 10-story roller coaster ride at the Motiongate theme park in Dubai.The “John Wick” ride, and another coaster based on the “Now You See Me” film series, are expected to open at Motiongate early next year.

If you wanted to hire someone to possibly create a new cinematic universe based on existing IP, you could do a lot worse than filmmaker Jon Favreau. After directing “Iron Man” and “Iron Man 2,” Favreau would go on to see his two films spawn dozens more and an entire Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeArif Zahir knows he’s living a bit of a Cinderella story: The aspiring young actor has gone from impersonating the “Family Guy” character Cleveland Brown on YouTube to starring as the character’s voice actor starting next season.“It doesn’t seem real,” said Zahir, who officially landed the gig last month, as “Family Guy” was renewed for its 19th and 20th seasons.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeFormer KROQ “Kevin and Bean” colleagues Gene “Bean” Baxter and Allie Mac Kay have reunited to launch a new podcast, “A Cup of Tea and a Chat with Allie & Bean.”The show, which will post episodes three days a week, comes nearly a year after Baxter left “Kevin and Bean” and moved to London, and six months after KROQ yanked the successor program, “Kevin in the Morning with Allie and Jensen,” off the air.Baxter and Kevin Ryder hosted “Kevin and Bean” on KROQ

Dade Hayes Finance EditorAbigail Disney, Sheila Nevins are among the notable speakers slated to appear at a documentary-focused edition of the New York Women in Film & Television Creative Workforce Summit.The event, which will take place virtually from October 20 to 23, will feature keynote speakers, panels and film screenings.

Dino-Ray Ramos Associate Editor/ReporterFilm Independent has selected the 10 projects and 19 participants for its inaugural Docuseries Intensive. CNN Original Series is backing the 2020 Film Independent Docuseries Intensive — which is only appropriate considering its the home of award-winning series such as Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown, United Shades of America with W.

Millie Bobby Brown paid a virtual visit to “The Tonight Show” on Friday.

The Independent Spirit Awards are expanding to include five new television categories for its 2021 awards show, Film Independent announced Tuesday.The new categories include Best New Scripted Series, Best New Non-Scripted or Documentary Series, Best Male Performance, Best Female Performance and Best Ensemble Cast, and submissions for the awards are now open.

Dave McNary Film ReporterFilm Independent has added five television categories to the Spirit Awards, to be held on April 24, 2021.The 2021 television categories include best new scripted series, new non-scripted or documentary series, male performance, female performance and ensemble cast.

Anthony D'Alessandro Editorial Director/Box Office EditorThe Film Independent Spirit Awards will also be lauding Television, effective with its April 24, 2021 ceremony which will air on IFC. The awards ceremony is celebrating its 36th year.Additional categories to the kudo telecast include Best New Scripted Series, Best New Non-Scripted or Documentary Series, Best Male Performance, Best Female Performance, and Best Ensemble Cast.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeWhew. The final Emmy has been handed out after a weird year, they’re packing up the lonely stage Jimmy Kimmel stood on inside Staples Center and that’s it.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeArif Zahir has gone from impersonating “Family Guy’s” Cleveland Brown on YouTube… to being cast as the new voice of the character on the actual show.Zahir will take over as Cleveland in Season 19, as the show has just been picked up for two more seasons (its 19th and 20th) and episodes are now going into production.

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorTribeca Film Festival is expanding its focus on video games at next year’s planned fest in New York City: For the first time, Tribeca will open submissions for games to join the 2021 festival as official selections — and will bestow the inaugural Tribeca Games Award from the entries.The festival also announced a new advisory board for Tribeca Games comprising luminaries from the games and film worlds.

Rishi Sunak has announced a new Job Support Scheme to replace furlough in November.Addressing MPs in the Commons on Thursday, the Chancellor outlined new measures to support businesses and workers who are struggling financially due to the coronavirus pandemic.“The government will directly support the wages of people in work, giving businesses who face depressed demand the option of keeping employees in a job on shorter hours rather than making them redundant," Mr Sunak said.But how will it

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeWhen Fox announced last month that its new singing competition “I Can See Your Voice” would launch this fall behind Season 4 of smash hit “The Masked Singer,” it surprised almost everyone. While most programs were still investigating how and when to get back into production during the pandemic, “Voice,” which debuts Sept.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeDid the casting directors call it? Among the past week’s Emmy winners were the casting teams for “Succession,” “Schitt’s Creek” and “Watchmen.” Those happen to be the three major frontrunners as the 72nd Emmy Awards get underway on Sunday night — with host Jimmy Kimmel live from the Staples Center.Besides which shows ultimately come out on top, the other big question is whether HBO or Netflix — the two titans of the Emmys — will exit with bragging