Business

Kodak to Continue Making Movie Film, Supplying Hollywood

Published

10 years ago

February 6, 2015

Oakland Post

In this Oct. 3, 2011 file photo, Kodak headquarters is shown in Rochester, N.Y. (AP Photo/David Duprey)

CAROLYN THOMPSON, Associated Press

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) — The Eastman Kodak Co. will continue to make motion picture film in the age of digital filmmaking after reaching new supply agreements with the major Hollywood studios.

The Rochester-based photography and film pioneer had been in talks with the studios, as well as several filmmakers including Quentin Tarantino, Judd Apatow and Christopher Nolan, to keep movie film alive after seeing sales fall 96 percent since 2006.

The agreements announced late Wednesday call for Kodak to continue to supply motion picture film to 20th Century Fox, Walt Disney Co., Warner Bros. Entertainment, NBC Universal, Paramount Pictures and Sony Pictures. Without the pacts, production of motion picture film, which Kodak began in 1896, was in danger of being halted.

Competitor Fujifilm stopped production of movie film in 2013.

“Film has long been — and will remain — a vital part of our culture,” Kodak Chief Executive Jeff Clarke said in a statement. “With the support of the studios, we will continue to provide motion picture film, with its unparalleled richness and unique textures, to enable filmmakers to tell their stories and demonstrate their art.”

Details of the agreements were not released but cover multiple years, according to Kodak.

Three of this year’s eight best-picture Oscar nominees — “Boyhood,” ”The Grand Budapest Hotel,” and “The Imitation Game” — were shot on Kodak film, Kodak spokesman Christopher Veronda said.

Several movies due out this year, including “Mission: Impossible 5” and “Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens,” are being produced on film, Kodak said.

“Enabling artists to use film will help them to create the moments that make cinema history,” said Andrew Evenski, Kodak’s president of Entertainment & Commercial Films. “The agreements announced today are a powerful testament to the power of film and the creative vision of the artists telling them.”

Founded by George Eastman in 1880, Kodak is credited with popularizing photography at the start of the 20th century, but its revenues today are primarily from commercial imaging. Film now provides less than 10 percent of company revenues.

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California Assembly Passes Bill Backed by Newsom to Prevent Gas Price Spikes

On Oct. 1, during a special session, the California Assembly advanced Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposal to prevent gasoline price spikes, according to the Governor’s office and lawmakers backing the measure. The Assembly passed Assembly Bill (AB) x2-1, authored by Assemblymember Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara) and Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters). The bill is on its way to the Senate for consideration.

Published

2 days ago

October 15, 2024

Oakland Post

During the Special Session on Oct. 1, Asm. Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles) tells his collegues that he learned that gas prices in South Los Angeles is much higher in the Colorado after recently visited the state. Screenshot.

By Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media

The Assembly passed Assembly Bill (AB) x2-1, authored by Assemblymember Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara) and Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters). The bill is on its way to the Senate for consideration.

If approved, ABx2-1 will empower the state to require oil refiners to maintain a minimum inventory of fuel to avoid supply shortages that trigger higher gasoline prices for consumers — and leading to higher profits for the industry.

In addition, ABx2-1 would authorize the California Energy Commission (CEC) to require refiners to plan for resupply during maintenance outages. The bill passed with a 44-18 vote, with 17 Assemblymembers not voting.

“Just last year, price spikes cost Californians more than $2 billion — forcing many families to make tough decisions like choosing between fueling up or putting food on the table,” Newsom stated. “This has to end, and with the legislature’s support, we’ll get this done for California families.”

Several members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) voted in favor of the measure, including Assemblymembers Chris Holden (D-Pasadena), Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles), Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood), Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley), Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa), and CLBC chair Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City).

During the debate, before the vote, Jones-Sawyer said high gas prices are affecting the livelihood of his constituents in South Los Angeles. He told his colleagues that gas in Denver, Colo., is $2.99 per gallon while motorists in South Los Angeles are paying $5.65 per gallon.

“I am hoping that in this legislation that we do have the teeth to ensure that people in South Los Angeles will be protected and that people will understand what we are doing today makes a huge difference in people’s lives,” Jones-Sawyer said.

Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) offered a solution to preventing soaring gas prices. He said the state needs more storage tanks and pipelines at oil refineries when they are conducting maintenance.

“If we are talking about having a reserve of gasoline so that we can help avoid price spikes, as has been purported, we need more storage, more infrastructure to do so,” Gallagher said. “Right now, the existing pie only takes you so far and if you hold gasoline back, prices will spike.”

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Asm. Mike Gipson Hosts Hearing on Big Sports Events’ Impact on Calif. Economy

On Oct. 2, Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson) led an Assembly Standing Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism hearing focused on the impact of various attractions, including large sporting events, on California’s tourism industry. Various guests testified about their experiences organizing events that draw large numbers of visitors to the state, including sports competitions like the NBA All-Star games, the Super Bowl, the World Cup, and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.

Published

2 days ago

October 15, 2024

Oakland Post

Courtesy of Assemblymember Mike Gipson

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Various guests testified about their experiences organizing events that draw large numbers of visitors to the state, including sports competitions like the NBA All-Star games, the Super Bowl, the World Cup, and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.

Gipson said the committee aims to expand its partnership with businesses to help the travel and tourism industry.

“The members of this body have dedicated a lot of time and resources to supporting our state’s travel and tourism industry,” said Gipson. “The Legislature did as much as we could to help the industry recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s important that we all have a conversation together to make sure that we move out a plan that makes sense, but also is very supportive of the work that we have ahead of us.”

Advocates and business leaders in the travel and tourism industry provided details on how the Legislature can support them with resources and opportunities to help grow the state’s economy in the next five years.

Emellia Zamani, the Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy for the California Travel Association, an advocacy organization representing several businesses, outlined the hardships presented by COVID-19.

Data provided by the association revealed that the industry experienced a loss of nearly half of the state’s 1.2 million tourism jobs, a 59% decline in visitor spending, and a 52% reduction in state and local tax revenue. The association director stated that California’s spending is expected to increase to $157 billion next year.

“As we move forward, the industry is looking for ways to remain competitive as a destination and increase our economic impact,” said Zamani regarding the industry’s future.