The Morning Fix: Video gamers take control; Sen. Jay Rockefeller’s red button plan; Wanda Sykes writing test; more Comic-Con!!
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
After the coffee. Before pricing new air conditioners.
Video game biz starts to go solo. Microsoft and French game publisher Ubisoft Entertainment are unveiling short films based on their Halo and Assassin’s Creed games that were made without Hollywood’s help. The Los Angeles Times’ Ben Fritz reports that the game companies are ‘motivated by a desire to maintain control of their most valuable assets -- and benefit in the event that they hit upon the next big movie franchise.’
Movie studios flock to Comic-Con. Hollywood studios not only pump their product at the fanboy fest but also look to snag new properties and characters on the cheap, says The Wall Street Journal. Also check out our Hero Complex blog for all the latest from geekfest.
Oh, and can you book some guests for us, too? Fox’s new late-night show with Wanda Sykes is asking for some pretty substantial writing samples and ideas that has some up in arms, reports Deadline Hollywood Daily.
Kids TV regulations under scrutiny. Julius Genachowski, the new chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, told a Senate hearing that the agency has launched an inquiry into how ‘the FCC can best protect children in a digital age,’ and said it will look at ‘new concerns and new opportunities in the new media world,’ reports The Wall Street Journal. Although TV shows already come with ratings and said ratings can be easily found, Sen. Jay Rockefeller said -- no joke -- that a ‘little red button’ should be put on TV remotes so a child can push it to find a rating.
AOL wants to be big again. New AOL chief Tim Armstrong gets ready to outline his plans to revitalize AOL. More content and rebuilding confidence are key, he tells The New York Times.
In the Los Angeles Times: How TV networks guard against being the chump who let a hit walk out the door. 3-D filmmakers are banking on Comic-Con, reports John Horn.
-- Joe Flint
