Data Cultures Part I: The Many Markets of Arts Organizations

AMT Lab @ CMU: Measuring the arts has challenged economists for over a century. Initially excluded from classical economic theory, the arts have gradually been incorporated into economics, now recognized within the "orange” economy.

Hollywood Is Moving Away from LA—Where Is Everyone Going?

No Film School: Over the last few year, Hollywood has been dealing with the impact of the coronavirus. In Los Angeles, people moved away. And that moving has not slowed down. We had two strikes in 2023 that shut down work while the AMPTP did nothing to resolve the conflicts.

Applying for Your O-1 Visa to Work in Film and TV

No Film School: The O-1 visa, also known as the "artist visa," is a crucial step for filmmakers and creative professionals aiming to establish their careers in the U.S. Designed for individuals with extraordinary ability in their fields, the application process can be daunting.

SAG-AFTRA Video Game Strike: Union and Companies to Resume Talks

www.hollywoodreporter.com: More than two months into SAG-AFTRA‘s strike against video game companies, the union and the bargaining group representing employers have set a return to the bargaining table.

Epic Universe construction: Frankenstein Manor in Dark Universe

attractionsmagazine.com: bioreconstruct captured another round of photos of Universal Epic Universe construction in late October 2024. The new Epic Universe theme park will open May 22, 2025 in Orlando, Fla. (New to Epic Universe? Check out our beginner’s guide.) Today we’re taking a look at the progress of the unashamedly epic Frankenstein Manor in Dark Universe.

World's second Sphere set to be built in Abu Dhabi

www.dezeen.com: Sphere Entertainment and Abu Dhabi's department of culture and tourism have announced that the second version of the dome-like Sphere venue will be built in the UAE. According to the team, the venue in Abu Dhabi will "echo the scale" of the first Sphere in Las Vegas, which is 112 metres high and has a capacity of 20,000.

Bricolage Announces Grand Opening of Enter The Imaginarium's New Immersive Escape Room Experience: 'The Mind's Eye'

onstagepittsburgh.com: Bricolage and Enter The Imaginarium (ETI), leaders in interactive, narrative-driven entertainment, are excited to announce the grand opening of its latest escape room experience: The Mind’s Eye. This all-new adventure promises to push the boundaries of immersive gameplay, offering guests a thrilling, multi-sensory challenge unlike any escape room they’ve experienced before.

A second Sphere entertainment complex will be built in the UAE

Fast Company: The world’s second Sphere is planned to be built in the capital of the United Arab Emirates after the opening of the first giant dome entertainment complex in Las Vegas. Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism and Sphere Entertainment Co. announced the plan late Tuesday to bring a Sphere to the Middle East.

Plans announced for a second Sphere location in Abu Dhabi

www.archpaper.com: This week, Sphere Entertainment announced the location for a second iteration of its perfectly round performance venue that captured headlines in Las Vegas. It’s not in London, South Korea, or even West Hollywood. Rather, the landmark building will be situated not far from Burj Khalifa and Aldar Headquarters in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

JOINT RELEASE: Casa Bonita Cast and Crew Unionizing with Actors’ Equity Association and IATSE

IATSE: When Trey Parker and Matt Stone purchased Casa Bonita, they described the attraction as “the Disneyland of Restaurants” with “Broadway quality entertainment.” Now, the workers who provide that entertainment are organizing with the same labor unions that represent onstage and backstage talent at Disneyland and on Broadway – IATSE and Actors’ Equity Association.

Broadway's Hell's Kitchen Donates $1 Million to Keep a Child Alive Nonprofit

Playbill: Broadway's Hell's Kitchen has announced it has raised $1 million dollars for Keep a Child Alive (KCA), a nonprofit organization co-founded by Alicia Keys. The production has donated $1 for every ticket sold to date in partnership with KCA.

Starting Your AI Journey

www.specialevents.com: There’s no escaping it: AI is here. Even if you haven’t taken the leap and experimented with it yet, you’ve likely found yourself amid several conversations on the subject. With so much information out there, it can be confusing to know where to start. But not to worry—we're here to help! Welcome to the Special Events crash course in using AI in the events industry.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child shorter show debuts, 40 mins cut

attractionsmagazine.com: Harry Potter Theatrical Productions has shortened the length of the American versions of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.” The stage play began its U.S. national tour in Chicago, Ill. last month with a version 40 minutes shorter than the Broadway iteration, which itself will shorten come Nov. 12, 2024, as announced on Oct. 22.

Why Every Live Sound Engineer Should Embrace the Humble Checklist

Sound Design Live: Amidst the chaos and pressure of live event production, who has time for a checklist? There’s just no room for paperwork, damn it! Well, buckle up, because I’m about to convince you that checklists are not just for airline pilots and astronauts. They’re the unsung heroes that can transform your shows from “Survived it” to “Nailed it!”

Olivia Rodrigo Falls Through Hole in Stage in Melbourne

www.billboard.com: In a video circulating TikTok from one of the “Drivers License” singer’s show at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia, Rodrigo is seen hyping up the crowd by running across the stage. However, there was an opening in the stage she didn’t see and she fell right through, grabbing the ledge and then ultimately pulling herself back up

Inside the Chorus: The Human Impact of San Francisco Symphony Budget Cuts

American Guild of Musical Artists: For five years now, I’ve been a dedicated member of the San Francisco Symphony Chorus, contributing my time and talent first as an unpaid singer and, more recently, with the promise of a union contract. Now, the Symphony’s proposal to dramatically cut our budget has thrown my future—and that of my fellow choristers—into uncertainty. As we discussed in our very first open letter, beyond the immediate impact on our livelihoods, these budget cuts threaten to unravel a vital part of the Bay Area’s cultural nervous system as well.

Layne Holley Named Chief Managing Officer of Imagination Stage

AMERICAN THEATRE: Imagination Stage has announced that Layne Holley is the theatre’s new chief managing officer, succeeding managing director Jason Najjoum. Holley joins chief artistic programming officer Joanne Lamparter, who succeeded founding artistic director Janet Stanford earlier this year, in advancing the mission of the 45-year-old organization. In her new role, Holley will be responsible for overseeing all managerial aspects of the organization, prioritizing efficient daily operation and administration, strategic planning, fundraising, marketing, and community and trustee relations.

Sound Designer Watson Wu Captures Dangerous Sounds With Lectrosonics

ProSoundWeb: Watson Wu, who specializes in recording car engines, weapons fire, aircraft, power tools, explosions, and other high-SPL sources with credits ranging from feature films like Baby Driver to video games such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Assassin’s Creed, regularly utilizes a Lectrosonics SPDR (Stereo Portable Digital Recorder) in his work.

The Book of Mormon Will Celebrate Milestone Performance on Broadway in November

Playbill: The Broadway production of The Book of Mormon—winner of nine 2011 Tony Awards, including Best Musical—will celebrate its 5,000th performance at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre November 4 at 7 PM. The hit production is the longest-running show in the 99-year history of the O'Neill (a distinction the production has carried since 2019) as well as the 12th longest-running Broadway show of all time.

Jonas Brothers Show Stopped After Laser Pointer Flashed at Nick Jonas

www.rollingstone.com: A partial video of the incident shared on social media showed Nick glancing up at the crowd from a piano, then quickly getting up, signaling time out with his hands, and bolting off the stage. Brothers Joe and Kevin reportedly followed and the show stopped as the issue was dealt with.