2016 USC Libraries Scripter Award Nominations Announced

28th annual Scripter Award ceremony has a TV twist

For the first time, this year’s event honoring adaptations of the written word includes episodic television writing

The USC Libraries have named the finalists for the 28th annual USC Libraries Scripter Award. Since 1988, the annual ceremony has honored the authors of printed works alongside the screenwriters who adapt their stories. This year, for the first time, Scripter will honor excellence in adaptation of the printed word into a television episode in addition to a feature film. The television and film finalists compete in separate categories for their own Scripter.

The finalist writers for film are in alphabetical order by film title:

    Screenwriters Adam McKay and Charles Randolph for The Big Short, adapted from Michael Lewis’ nonfiction work The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine

    Novelist Colm Tóibín and screenwriter Nick Hornby for Brooklyn

    Screenwriter Donald Margulies for The End of the Tour, adapted from David Lipsky’s memoir “Although of Course You End Up Becoming Yourself: A Road Trip With David Foster Wallace”

    Novelist Andy Weir and screenwriter Drew Goddard for The Martian

    Emma Donoghue for the novel and screenplay of Room

The finalist writers for television episodes are in alphabetical order by series title:

    Screenwriters David Benioff and D.B. Weiss for the episode “Hardhome” from Game of Thrones, adapted from the fantasy series “A Song of Ice and Fire” by George R. R. Martin

    Damon Lindelof and Jacqueline Hoyt for the episode “Axis Mundi” from The Leftovers, based on the novel by Tom Perrotta

    Frank Spotnitz for the episode “The New World” from The Man in the High Castle, based on the novel by Philip K. Dick

    Michelle Ashford for the episode “Full Ten Count” from Masters of Sex, based on the biography by Thomas Maier, Masters of Sex: The Life and Times of William Masters and Virginia Johnson, the Couple Who Taught America How to Love

    Screenwriters William F. Zorzi and David Simon for the miniseries Show Me a Hero, based on the nonfiction book by Lisa Belkin

Chaired by Howard Rodman, USC professor and president of the Writers Guild of America, West, the 2016 Scripter selection committee selected the finalists from a field of 73 film and 18 television adaptations.

Serving on the selection committee, among many others, are film critics Leonard Maltin, Anne Thompson and Kenneth Turan; authors Michael Chabon, Michael Ondaatje and Mona Simpson; screenwriters Graham Moore, John Ridley and Erin Cressida Wilson; producers Gale Anne Hurd and Suzanne Todd; and USC deans Elizabeth Daley of the USC School of Cinematic Arts and Catherine Quinlan of the USC Libraries.

The USC Libraries will announce the winning authors and screenwriters at a black-tie ceremony on Feb. 20, 2016, in the Doheny Memorial Library. Academy Award winners Helen Mirren and Taylor Hackford will serve as honorary dinner chairs.

For more information about the Scripter — including ticket availability, additional sponsorship opportunities and a list of sponsors — email scripter@usc.edu or visit scripter.usc.edu.

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Nomination Voting for 88th Oscars Ends Today, Jan. 8th, 2016

OSCARS NOMINATIONS VOTING ENDS FRIDAY, JANUARY 8

Nominations voting for the 88th Oscars® will close on Friday, January 8, at 5 p.m. PT.

The votes will be tabulated and verified by the international accounting firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers.

The 88th Oscars Nominations Announcement will be broadcast live on Thursday, January 14, 2016 from the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills.

Oscars for outstanding film achievements of 2015 will be presented on Oscar® Sunday, February 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® and televised live on the ABC Television Network at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.  The Oscars will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

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Image Comics Celebrates "Criminal" 10th Anniversary

CRIMINAL CELEBRATES 10TH ANNIVERSARY WITH A BANG

A special stand-alone with magazine-sized edition

The Eisner Award-winning team of Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips (THE FADE OUT, FATALE, Sleeper) will release a brand-new 64-page one-shot of their acclaimed noir series CRIMINAL in April 2016.

It's been ten years since CRIMINAL launched and to celebrate, Brubaker and Phillips, with acclaimed color artist Elizabeth Breitweiser, are bringing us their darkest and strangest tale yet: a twisted ‘70s noir about a father and son on the run.

“Teeg and Tracy Lawless are our most popular characters, so I knew this Anniversary Special had to showcase their early days,” said Brubaker. “A big part of Criminal is finding new ways into noir stories, and this time we get to see it all from the point of view of a 12-year-old kid forced to help his father, who is a career thief and murderer.”

Known for its creative experimentation, this novella-length CRIMINAL story features a comic-within-the-comic, a bizarre ‘70s-era KUNG FU magazine starring a werewolf.

"Once again I get to try out a new style, after the cartooning of The Last Of The Innocent, and the sword and sorcery of last year's Savage Sword of Criminal,” said Phillips. “This time I get to figure out how to draw a kung-fu werewolf without him looking too silly. Let's hope I can pull it off! Even if I can't, it's great to be back in the Criminal universe again, it's like we've never been away."

This 10th Anniversary Special also comes in a magazine-sized variant featuring the star of the comic-within-the-comic—a perfect companion to last year's SAVAGE SWORD OF CRIMINAL magazine-sized variant.

CRIMINAL: 10TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL (Diamond code: NOV158430) hits stores Wednesday, April 13th, 2016. CRIMINAL: 10TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL, DEADLY EDITION: MAGAZINE-SIZE VARIANT (Diamond code: NOV158431) will also be available on Wednesday, April 13th. Final order cutoff deadline for retailers is Monday, March 21st.


ABOUT IMAGE COMICS
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.

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Dark Horse Announces Omnibus Editions of CLAMP's "RG Veda"

DARK HORSE TO RELEASE “RG VEDA”

CLAMP’s epic professional debut

MILWAUKIE, OR—The breakout manga that put CLAMP on the map will be released by Dark Horse in summer 2016.

With over 600 pages, this is the first book in a three-volume omnibus edition that collects the entire RG Veda story with full-color pages, high-quality paper, and a larger print format.

RG Veda (pronounced “Rig Veda”) is based on a classic Indian saga. The lush, sprawling epic follows Yasha, once a mighty warrior king but now the lord of a slaughtered people he could not save. Yasha journeys the land as the companion and protector of the genderless Ashura, although he knows Ashura’s fate is interwoven with doom for many. Together they seek the other four of the “Six Stars,” whose prophesied gathering will at last defeat Taishakuten, the evil usurper of heaven’s throne. But all prophecies are open to interpretation . . .

RG Veda Omnibus Volume 1 (978-1-61655-988-5) is in stores August 3, 2016.


About CLAMP
CLAMP takes its name from the farmer's term for a heap of potatoes, reflecting their origin as a self-publishing collective of fanzine artists. CLAMP went pro in 1989, and by 1993 there remained four core members: Nanase Ohkawa (main writer), Mokona (chief character designer), and Tsubaki Nekoi and Satsuki Igarashi (artists)--but like a band on different songs, the four often shift their roles depending upon the particular work. CLAMP's early shojo works such as Cardcaptor Sakura and Magic Knight Rayearth attracted the same audience as Sailor Moon, whereas 2001's hit Chobits confirmed their crossover success with male readers as well. More than a dozen of CLAMP's works have been adapted to anime, and collectively their manga have sold over 100 million copies worldwide. The authors live in Tokyo, Japan.

About Dark Horse Comics
Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent, such as Eric Powell, Mike Mignola, Geof Darrow, Brian Wood, Gail Simone, Stan Sakai, and Guillermo del Toro, and comics legends, such as Will Eisner, Milo Manara, Kazuo Koike, Neil Gaiman, and Frank Miller, Dark Horse has developed its own successful properties, such as The Mask, Ghost, X, and Barb Wire. Its successful line of comics, manga, and products based on popular properties includes Dragon Age, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Tomb Raider, Halo, The Witcher, Serenity, Game of Thrones, and Avatar: The Last Airbender. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading entertainment publishers.

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2016 Writers Guild Awards Screenplay Nominations Announced - Complete List

The Writers Guild of America is a labor union representing film, television, radio, video game, and new media writers.  The Writers Guild of America Award acknowledges outstanding achievements in film, television, and radio and has been presented annually by the Writers Guild of America, East and Writers Guild of America, West since 1949.

On Wednesday, January 6, 2015, the Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) and the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) announced nominations for outstanding achievement in screenwriting during 2015. Winners will be honored at the 2016 Writers Guild Awards on Saturday, February 13, 2016, at concurrent ceremonies in Los Angeles and New York City.

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

Bridge of Spies, Written by Matt Charman and Ethan Coen & Joel Coen; DreamWorks Pictures

Sicario, Written by Taylor Sheridan; Lionsgate

Spotlight, Written by Josh Singer & Tom McCarthy; Open Road Films

Straight Outta Compton, Screenplay by Jonathan Herman and Andrea Berloff; Story by S. Leigh Savidge & Alan Wenkus and Andrea Berloff; Universal Pictures

Trainwreck, Written by Amy Schumer; Universal Pictures


ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

The Big Short, Screenplay by Charles Randolph and Adam McKay; Based on the Book by Michael Lewis; Paramount Pictures

Carol, Screenplay by Phyllis Nagy; Based on the Novel The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith; The Weinstein Company

The Martian, Screenplay by Drew Goddard; Based on the Novel by Andy Weir; Twentieth Century Fox

Steve Jobs, Screenplay by Aaron Sorkin; Based on the Book by Walter Isaacson; Universal Pictures

Trumbo, Written by John McNamara; Based on the Biography by Bruce Cook; Bleecker Street Media


DOCUMENTARY SCREENPLAY

Being Canadian, Written by Robert Cohen; Candy Factory Films

Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief, Written by Alex Gibney; HBO Documentary Films

Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck, Written by Brett Morgen; HBO Documentary Films

Prophet’s Prey, Written by Amy J. Berg; Showtime Documentary Films

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Dark Horse Announces "Demonic Moonlight," Entitled "Demonic Moonlight"

“DEMONIC MOONLIGHT” ARRIVES AT DARK HORSE

The prequel story to the entire Blood-C series

MILWAUKIE, OR—In spring 2016, Dark Horse Comics will deliver the first volume in the prequel to the Blood-C saga from CLAMP, Production I.G, and artist Ryo Haduki: Blood-C: Demonic Moonlight.

Paying homage to the previous Blood series—but telling a wholly new story—Blood-C: Demonic Moonlight is the prequel readers have been waiting for.

In occupied Japan in 1946, an American military investigator is sent to Yokohama Base to research a number of bizarre deaths. His encounters with a mysterious, sword-wielding stranger and a series of supernatural events lead him to believe that the murderer isn’t human. Something more sinister lurks within the shadows!

Dark Horse has sold over 70,000 copies of Blood+, a series perfect for fans of horror, suspense, and mystery. CLAMP’s contribution to the Blood-C saga continues with Blood-C: Demonic Moonlight, based on CLAMP’s original story line and character designs.

Blood-C: Demonic Moonlight Volume 1 is in stores May 11, 2016.

Praise for Blood-C:

“This is definitely one of the Blood spin-offs you need to check out.”—Birth of a New Witch

“Blood-C draws you in slowly and creates a story that will bring you back for more. Strange happenings and mysterious behavior indicate that something wrong is going on.”—Talking Comics


About CLAMP
CLAMP takes its name from the farmer's term for a heap of potatoes, reflecting their origin as a self-publishing collective of fanzine artists. CLAMP went pro in 1989, and by 1993 there remained four core members: Nanase Ohkawa (main writer), Mokona (chief character designer), and Tsubaki Nekoi and Satsuki Igarashi (artists)--but like a band on different songs, the four often shift their roles depending upon the particular work. CLAMP's early shojo works such as Cardcaptor Sakura and Magic Knight Rayearth attracted the same audience as Sailor Moon, whereas 2001's hit Chobits confirmed their crossover success with male readers as well. More than a dozen of CLAMP's works have been adapted to anime, and collectively their manga have sold over 100 million copies worldwide. The authors live in Tokyo, Japan.

About Dark Horse Comics
Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent, such as Eric Powell, Mike Mignola, Geof Darrow, Brian Wood, Gail Simone, Stan Sakai, and Guillermo del Toro, and comics legends, such as Will Eisner, Milo Manara, Kazuo Koike, Neil Gaiman, and Frank Miller, Dark Horse has developed its own successful properties, such as The Mask, Ghost, X, and Barb Wire. Its successful line of comics, manga, and products based on popular properties includes Dragon Age, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Tomb Raider, Halo, The Witcher, Serenity, Game of Thrones, and Avatar: The Last Airbender. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading entertainment publishers.

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VIZ Media Announces New Digital Anime Content, Including "Sailor Moon Sailor Stars"

VIZ MEDIA INVITES FANS TO BEGIN 2016 WITH ACTION PACKED NEW DIGITAL ANIME CONTENT

Start January With Must-See Episodes For HUNTER X HUNTER, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN and SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL; Catch The U.S. Premiere Of The Final Season Of Classic SAILOR MOON

VIZ Media gets 2016 underway with a brand new digital update for its free anime content streaming platform for January.

Throughout this month, audiences are invited to catch newly-added dubbed and subtitled episodes for several hit anime series including SAILOR MOON and SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL, HUNTER X HUNTER, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN and INUYASHA: THE FINAL ACT.

Newly added anime content for January includes:

HUNTER X HUNTER
·         Catch the second-half of Season 1 of the supernatural action adventure with the addition of Episodes 14-26, available to stream with newly updated subtitles.

·         In the HUNTER X HUNTER anime series, abundant riches, hidden treasures, fearsome monsters, and exotic creatures are scattered around the world... Gon departs on a journey to become a Pro Hunter who risks his life in search of the unknown. Along the way, he meets other applicants for the Hunter exam: Kurapika, Leorio, and Killua. Can Gon pass the rigorous challenges of the Hunter exam and become the best Hunter in the world!? His wild and epic journey is about to begin!!

INUYASHA: THE FINAL ACT
·         Dive into the action of the final climactic season of INUYASHA with Episodes 1-26 (subtitled and dubbed) available to stream now.

·         Throughout their quest to restore the shattered Shikon Jewel, the half-demon Inuyasha and modern schoolgirl Kagome have never faced an enemy more deadly or more cunning than the demon mastermind Naraku. With the Shikon Jewel nearly whole, the race to collect the remaining shards intensifies and a battle of epic proportions is brewing on the horizon!

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN
·         Weekly simulcasts of the latest action packed NARUTO SHIPPUDEN episodes will take place every Thursday throughout January.

·         Catch Episode 444 on January 14th, followed by Episode 445 on January 21st, Episode 446 on January 28thth.

ONE-PUNCH MAN
·         Watch the entire action-packed subtitled first season (Episodes 1-12), available now!

·         Saitama is a hero who only became a hero for fun. After three years of “special” training, though, he’s become so strong that he’s practically invincible. In fact, he’s too strong – even his mightiest opponents are taken out with a single punch, and it turns out that being devastatingly powerful is actually kind of a bore. With his passion for being a hero lost along with his hair, yet still faced with new enemies every day, how much longer can he keep it going?

SAILOR MOON
·         Don’t miss the newly subtitled North American premiere for SAILOR MOON SAILOR STARS (Season 5). Episode 172 opens Season 5, which is the first time the exciting final story arc of the classic SAILOR MOON series has been available legally in the U.S.

·         Catch 2 new SAILOR MOON SAILOR STARS episodes every week, beginning with Episodes 172 and 173, which are available to stream now.

·         Catch Episodes 174 and 175 on January 11th, followed by Episodes 176 and 177 on January 18th and Episodes 178 and 179 on January 25th.

·         This month, SAILOR MOON Season 2 is also added in its entirety and available to stream on-demand.

SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL
·         Enjoy all new English dubbed streams of SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL throughout January with a brand new episode every week.

·         SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL Season 1 action continues with Episode 8 available to stream now.

·         Catch Episode 9 on January 8th, followed by Episode 10 on January 15th, Episode 11 on January 22nd and Episode 12 on January 29th.

VIZ Media’s consolidated online destination for FREE streaming anime content in the U.S. has over 4,100 subtitled and English dubbed episodes and movies from more than 36 series! VIZ Media’s streaming content also reaches an expansive on-demand U.S.-based audience on Hulu, which enables viewers to watch shows anytime, anywhere across devices including Xbox One, PlayStation®4, Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, and mobile devices. A full list of Hulu -enabled devices can be found at http://www.hulu.com/plus/devices.

Additional information on VIZ Media’s streaming anime is available at: http://www.viz.com/anime/streaming/.

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