Samantha Masunaga is an entertainment business reporter, with a focus on Hollywood studios. She also writes the weekly Wide Shot newsletter about the business of Hollywood. Since joining the Los Angeles Times in 2014, she has covered the aerospace industry, workplace culture and Southern California’s Japanese American community. Masunaga has previously worked for the Oregonian, the Orange County Register and the Rafu Shimpo, among other publications. A Southern California native, she is an alumna of the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism and UCLA.
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Four months after production services vendor Quixote said it would close much of its L.A. soundstage business, producer Manny Halley has leased one of its Pacoima facilities and plans to reopen it this fall.
The summer box office is booming. But in L.A., production still hasn’t returned to what it once was, despite help from the state’s new tax credits.
At the D23 fan convention last week, Disney unveiled plans for new installments of old stories and expanded roles for creators. It’s all part of the company’s plan to double down on its IP.
As Disney looks to keep fans engaged, the company increasingly is turning to a video game technology across its theme parks and film and TV production.
In a star-studded presentation Friday night of Disney’s upcoming films and TV shows, new Chief Executive Josh D’Amaro thanked Disney’s super fans at the D23 fan event.
It’s been a big summer for moviegoing with hits like “The Odyssey” and “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.” Enhanced formats like Imax have been a major part of the success.
Nine shows, including a sequel to the 1995 hit “Clueless” and the second season of “S.W.A.T. Exiles” received a California production incentive.
Walt Disney Co. reported a 6% bump in revenue and 21% boost in segment operating income during its fiscal third quarter earnings call on Wednesday.
Walt Disney Co. has announced a partnership with TikTok in which some creators will be able to make Disney-related videos that appear on both the social media platform and Disney+.
Disneyland’s costumed character and parade workers say Disney’s current contract proposal leaves out paid parental leave, cuts a paid holiday and offers no first-year raise.