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What to expect
The L.A. Times’ The Wide Shot is a newsletter for people who care about the business of entertainment in the industry’s hometown of Los Angeles and everywhere Hollywood magic is made across the U.S. and around the world.
In a fast-changing, global business, we’ll distill the news and what it means for the future and you — whether you’re a camera operator looking for your next job, a marketing professional keeping tabs on the competition, a studio executive navigating a changed distribution landscape or just a casual observer of entertainment goings-on.
Inside the business of entertainment
The Wide Shot brings you news, analysis and insights on everything from streaming wars to production — and what it all means for the future.
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We’ll deliver weekly insights on the top stories and trends, including the competition between Netflix and Disney+, the tug of war for filmmaking talent, the state of influencer culture on TikTok and the recovery of production from COVID-19 shutdowns. We’ll highlight the best and most awkward marketing tie-ins and the most plausible and implausible explanations for the latest flop. We’ll take you through the nuts and bolts of the biggest stories from our Company Town team, including our investigations, scoops, profiles and analyses.
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Your host
I’m Ryan Faughnder, an entertainment business reporter on The Times’ Company Town team. I’ve spent my whole life in Southern California, growing up in San Diego before making my way to the entertainment capital.
For seven years, I’ve written about the film industry, focusing on the movie studios and their parent companies, including the Walt Disney Co. I’ve covered some of the most significant stories of the last few years, including the 2014 hack of Sony Pictures Entertainment and the rise of Netflix as a film industry superpower.
I’m a lifelong movie fan, with a special love for horror (“Let the Right One In” and “The Witch” are favorite re-watches). Though I’m a business reporter by trade, I care deeply about the arts of film, TV and music. When I’m not doing journalism, watching movies or bingeing podcasts, I’m probably practicing a metal guitar solo from the ‘80s or ‘90s.
If you’ve got some good gossip or thoughts on the future of entertainment, I’d love to hear from you. Email me at ryan.faughnder@latimes.com, or get in touch on Twitter.
Latest Wide Shot Newsletters
Bob Iger has spent the last year fixing what ails Disney. There’s still work to do as Marvel struggles and activist investors bang on the door.
The film and TV industry’s IP bubble is not popping any time soon. But the industry is finding franchises in new places.
The satirical black comedy is an example of what happens when studios and networks are willing to take big risks on idiosyncratic artists.
A review of the details governing AI in SAG-AFTRA’s new contract. Plus, the latest disappointment for Marvel Studios and its 33-film cinematic universe.
Another strike update. Plus, a Gen Z expert gives me (an elder millennial) his take on recent spate of movies that have connected with younger audiences who supposedly only care about TikTok.
Epic movies like “Killers of the Flower Moon” don’t have intermissions. That didn’t stop some theaters from adding breaks. Plus: “Five Nights at Freddy’s” scores big. Endeavor’s backer wants to take the company private.
As the actors’ strike passes the 100-day mark, can SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP come to a swift resolution to save the TV season? PLUS: Netflix pulls ahead of streaming rivals.
Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concert movie posted huge box office numbers (though not as huge as some forecast). What are the takeaways?
Joanna Robinson’s new book, “MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios,” chronicles the rise and stumbles of Hollywood’s most formidable franchise. Disney CEO Bob Iger has indicated he wants to pump the brakes on the Marvel universe.
One strike down, one to go, as Hollywood tries to get back to work. What the WGA got in its deal and what the actors might expect for themselves.
