‘Stranger Things,’ ‘Better Call Saul’ Further New Mexico’s Explosive Film and TV Boom

Stranger Things actress Grace Van Dien has been criticised after getting into an online spat with YouTuber FaZe Rain and bringing up his recent overdose.The row broke out after the actor joined Rain’s esports and gaming organisation, FaZe Clan, and Rain criticised the move and said it was “political” adding that her being an actor was an advantage.His comments prompted Van Dien to hit back. “I’m sorry sir, were you in the meeting with us? Were you there? No, I’ve never fucking met you and that is not why FaZe signed me. That is definitely how I got the meeting, yes, I will give that credit.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief The New Zealand government said on Tuesday that the country’s generous screen production incentives systems are to be continued. The decision follows a New Zealand government review of the local and international production incentives and the post-production and visual effects schemes that began in late 2022. They also follow expansion announced earlier this month of the rebate schemes in Australia. The two neighbors compete for international or ‘runaway’ productions on criteria including: locations, English-language skills, studio space, post-production and digital effects facilities, as well as cash rebates.

There have been rumors flying around for a while now that Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss supposedly split up in recent weeks after their long-running Vanderpump Rules affair first surfaced in March.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large And of course, at the top of that list is star Bob Odenkirk, who turned what began as a guest spot on “Breaking Bad” into one of the most iconic characters in TV history. Last year we finally got an Emmy nomination for Rhea Seehorn, and the show overall has landed 46 noms over the years. But that’s not enough.

Things are getting nasty in New Jersey!

EXCLUSIVE: J.J. Abrams-exec produced drama series Duster has had its production suspended.

Following the season 10 finale of Vanderpump Rules, Ariana Madix is making her intentions to cut ties with Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss clear.

Ariana Madix is getting candid about her personal life.

While Southeast Asian films have premiered at the Cannes Film Festival many times before, and even won the Palme d’Or, there’s an energy around the region this year that we haven’t felt on the Croisette at previous editions. 

sweep at this year's Primetime Emmy Awards. In fact, Dacre Montgomery is the only star eligible for a potential acting nomination in 2023.While the majority of the series' fourth season — starring Millie Bobby Brown, David Harbour, Winona Ryder, Sadie Sink and more — began streaming on Netflix beginning on May 27, 2022, the sci-fi drama returned on July 1, 2022 with a two-episode arc — «Papa» and «The Piggyback» — rounding out the complete season.However, while the first seven episodes were eligible for Emmys consideration during last year's ceremony (which resulted in a nomination for Outstanding Drama Series), the remaining two will be largely shut out of the main categories this year.According to a report from, the Television Academy eliminated «the hangover episode rule» at the start of this year's eligibility period in June 2022.

Finding love on and off screen. Charlie Heaton and Natalia Dyer have settled into their own routine when they aren’t filming Netflix’s Stranger Things.

Todd Gilchrist editor Soundstage facilities, an increasingly in-demand component of film production, are at the heart of New Mexico’s growing reputation as a destination for ambitious studios. Amber Dodson, director of the New Mexico Film Office, says that while locations from “the mountains of Montana in ‘Big Sky’ to the streets of Manila in ‘The Cleaning Lady’” make her state ideal for filming, what’s crucial is filmmakers’ access to interior production space. “We understand that stage space has been a struggle, not only in New Mexico,” she says. In fact, that’s what initially caused Netflix to lead the charge in making New Mexico a Hollywood away from Hollywood; in 2018, they purchased Albuquerque Studios, a 28-acre site where “Better Call Saul” and “Hell or High Water” completed production. In addition to that facility’s eight soundstages, the streamer employs workers at third-party properties outside Albuquerque, says a Netflix spokesperson.

Paul Plunkett Besides incentives and locations, people make up a crucial component of New Mexico’s production ambitions. The New Mexico Media Academy (NMMA) is getting ready to supply skilled crew for the increasing number of jobs provided by the film and television industry. Headquartered in the Downtown Albuquerque Rail Yards, the NMMA is a collaborative initiative between industry partners, multiple educational institutions and the state to equip New Mexico residents with the education and skills necessary to work in production. “Our students will be trained by the best in the industry on state-of-the-art technology to further cultivate the modern film and digital media workforce we are building,” New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a statement announcing the academy’s Albuquerque location.

Netflix, Disney, Apple, Amazon, Paramount, Warner Bros. and others. On the WGA side, writers are seeking better pay, streaming residuals, safeguards against AI technology that threaten to replace their work, among other issues amid the rise of streaming services.Since the strike was announced, a number of films and TV shows have shut down production in solidarity – or because they can’t move forward without the involvement of writers.

Ed Meza @edmezavar In the four years since roaring to life, Leonine Studios has reshaped Germany’s film and television landscape, becoming a leading player in Europe’s biggest and most competitive market. The company is receiving Variety’s International Achievement in Film Award at the Cannes Film Festival. Built by industry veteran Fred Kogel with financing from U.S. private equity group KKR, Leonine Studios is an entertainment conglomerate that has brought together some of Germany’s most successful production and distribution companies under one roof. “I always wanted to establish and create a company as a home of talents – the best people in the German business and then internationally – and create a new company for the digital age,” says Kogel, Leonine’s CEO. “That was the reality behind bringing Leonine to life in 2019 as that was the first time that German content could travel the world. That was the rationale.” 

Stranger Things‘ fourth season was split into two parts and the first part fell into the eligibility window for the 2022 Emmy Awards while the second part is in the eligibility window for the 2023 show.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large The Peabody Awards Board of Jurors has selected 35 winners to award at this year’s Peabody ceremony, including entertainment fare such as “Abbott Elementary,” “Atlanta,” “Better Call Saul,” “Severance” and “We’re Here.” Chosen by unanimous vote of 32 jurors from over 1,400 entries, the 83rd annual Peabody Awards landed on ten entertainment shows, eight documentaries, seven news programs, five from interactive and immersive content, three podcast/radio programs, and one each from arts and public service fare. PBS led the winners circle with six, followed by Apple TV+ and Disney+ with three each, and HBO Max with two. For “Atlanta” and “Better Call Saul,” both shows recieved Peabody honors in their first season — and will receive another for their final seasons. The winners, announced on Tuesday, came out of previously announced 69 nominees in all categories.

The winners of the 2023 Peabody Awards have been announced and PBS leads the pack with a total of 6 followed by Apple TV+ and Disney+ with 3 a piece and HBO Max with 2 trophies.

K.J. Yossman Paul Mescal and Sharon Horgan were among the winners at the Irish Film and Television Awards. Despite Colin Farrell losing out the best actor award to Mescal, “The Banshees of Inisherin” beat out competitors to win best film. In the international category “All Quiet on the Western Front” took home the top award on Sunday night. Read on for the full list of winners. FILM CATEGORIES Best Film“Aisha”“The Banshees of Inisherin” – WINNER“God’s Creatures”“Lakelands”“Róise & Frank”“The Wonder”