deerstalker

https://blackgirlnerds.com/eddie-murphy-first-look-images-for-candy-cane-lane/

Eddie Murphy stars in this holiday comedy adventure about a man on a mission to win his neighborhood’s annual Christmas home decoration contest.

After Chris (Eddie Murphy) inadvertently makes a deal with a mischievous elf named Pepper (Jillian Bell) to better his chances of winning, she casts a magic spell that brings the 12 Days of Christmas to life, and wreaks havoc on the whole town. At the risk of ruining the holidays for his family, Chris, his wife Carol (Tracee Ellis Ross), and their three children must race against the clock to break Pepper’s spell, battle deviously magical characters, and save Christmas for everyone.

Candy Cane Lane premieres Dec 1st on Prime Video.

https://www.blackenterprise.com/charlotte-hornets-kai-jones-trade-fined-150000/

Charlotte Hornets Center Kai Jones “officially requested to be traded from the Charlotte Hornets” on social media Monday, which could have him facing a hefty fine.

Jones, who has been away from the Hornets for personal reasons, announced his trade request on X, formerly known as Twitter.

I have officially requested to be traded from the Charlotte Hornets. #GOATLIFE

— Kai Jones (@242_jones) October 9, 2023

Jones played college basketball at the University of Texas and was drafted with the 19th pick in the first round of the 2021 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks and was immediately traded to the Hornets. Jones has yet to establish himself in the league, which may be the reason for his trade demand.

Last season, Jones played 46 games with the Hornets, averaging 3.4 points per game and 2.7 rebounds per game. Jones has a $4.7 million option for next season that the Hornets are not expected to pick up.

Complex reports Jones could be fined up to $150,000 by the NBA based on the league’s collective bargaining agreement, which states a player could be fined or suspended when someone “[publicly expresses a desire to be traded to another team.”

Last month, Jones made some concerning statements during an Instagram Live, including several messages where he criticized teammates Mark Williams and Nick Richards, who are ahead of him at the center position on the Hornets depth chart.

What is #kaijones on rn??? #instagram #nba pic.twitter.com/C7AiSmChaU

— tanner (@pnwtan) September 7, 2023

The Hornets finished last season with a 43-39 record, good enough for 10th place in the Eastern Conference and earning a spot in the NBA play-in tournament. However, the Hornets lost their lone game in the tournament to the Atlanta Hawks 132-106, eliminating them from playoff contention.

After the season ended, the Hornets fired head coach James Borrego, who spent four seasons coaching the team and amassing a 138-163 record. Former Orlando Magic head coach Steve Clifford was hired to replace Borrego. Clifford previously served as an assistant for the Magic, Knicks, and Houston Rockets.

RELATED CONTENT: Could The Houston Rockets Trade Kevin Porter Jr. After His Domestic Violence Arrest?

https://www.thenerdelement.com/2023/10/07/nfl-week-4-prediction-updates-and-week-5-picks-2/

Good afternoon, folks! Today I want to discuss which picks I got correct and which ones I got wrong! So, let’s get started, shall we?! I predicted that the Vikings would beat the Panthers 24-20, but the final score was 21-13 Vikings over the Panthers. I predicted that the Ravens would beat the Browns 31-23, but the final score was 28-3 Ravens over the Browns in a blowout. I predicted that the Broncos would beat the Bears 21-14, but the final score was 31-28 Broncos over the Bears in a very close game. I predicted that the Eagles would beat the Commanders 27-20, but the final score was 34-31 Eagles over the Commanders in a shootout. I predicted that the 49ers would beat the Cardinals 30-27, but the final score was 35-16 49ers over the Cardinals. The Cards defense could not stop the 49ers playmakers. They were too much for them to handle. Brock Purdy only had one incompletion. The Cards kept fighting hard by driving a 99-yard touchdown down 21-3 to make it 21-16. The Cards of course had too many penalties and mistakes. I predicted that the Cowboys would beat the Pats 35-17, but the final score was 38-3 Cowboys over the Pats in a huge blowout. I predicted that the Chiefs would beat the Jets 31-19, but the final score was 23-20 Chiefs over the Jets in a close game. Hmm. Seems like the Chiefs offense is not scoring a lot of 30 points so far this season as they did not actually get wide receiver help. I predicted that the Seahawks would beat the Giants 24-17, but the final score was 24-3 Seahawks over the Giants in a blowout.

I predicted that the Dolphins would beat the Bills 37-34, but the final score was 48-20 Bills over the Dolphins.

Overall, I have gotten 8 out of 9 picks correct!!! Only one pick I missed! Now, let’s get to the NFL week 5 picks, shall we?! The first game I will predict is the Jags @Bills game. I actually think the Jags will beat the Bills 24-20. The next game I will predict is the Ravens @Steelers game, the divisional rivalries. I think the Steelers will actually beat the Ravens 34-27. The next game I will predict is the Bengals @Cardinals game. Both of these teams are coming off with their losses last week desperately needing a win tomorrow especially the Bengals. The Bengals offense only has 3 offensive touchdowns so far this season. They had a lot of expectations going into the season. The defense of the Bengals have given up a lot of big runs and they have missed 12 tackles against the Titans. And now recently, the quarterback Joe Burrow said that this game is a must win for us. The Cardinals offense of course has more offensive touchdowns than the Bengals do. Jamar Chase might be a key factor for Joe Burrow to throw to. I have not predicted the Cardinals to win some games so far. However, I’m actually going to predict that the Cards will beat the Bengals 24-17. It will be fascinating to see how these two teams play. Also, the Cards can’t have too many mistakes and penalties. That is called shooting yourselves in the foot. The next game I will predict is the Eagles @Rams game. I think the Eagles will beat the Rams 37-19. The next game I will predict is the Jets @Broncos game. I think the Jets will beat the Broncos 26-23. The next game I will predict is the Chiefs @Vikings game. I think the Chiefs will beat the Vikings 24-17. The next game I will predict is the Cowboys @49ers game on Sunday Night Football.. This is going to be a very good game. You know, I’m actually going to pick the Dallas Cowboys to beat the 49ers in a very close game 40-37 in a shootout. I know, some people will disagree with me on this, but this is my prediction. Someone eventually has to beat the 49ers. The last game I will predict is the Packers @Raiders game. I think the Packers will beat the Raiders 28-21.

So, what are your guys’ thoughts and comments about the NFL week 5 picks?!       

Stay tuned for NFL updates.

The post NFL Week 4 Prediction Updates and Week 5 Picks!         appeared first on The Nerd Element.

https://nerdist.com/article/the-writers-strike-is-officially-over-wga-shares-agreement-summary-gains-in-ai-protection-streaming-transparency-room-size-and-more/

We are so happy to report that The Writers Guild of America (WGA) announced an end to its strike on Wednesday 27 at 12:01 a.m. PT. Yes, the writers’ strike is now officially over. This WGA strike lasted 148 days, marking the second-longest strike in the history of the union. But although difficult for all WGA members involved, the writers’ strike was well worth it. The WGA released the details of the deal it struck with the AMPTP, and the gains and protections for writers, as promised, are exceptional. Happily, as of October 9, the WGA membership voted to ratify this deal, and it will last until 2026.

From issues of AI to streaming data to health insurance, the WGA negotiating committee truly held its ground to receive a deal that meets the needs of its members. The WGA achieved agreement on many points that at one time seemed like an impossibility. But through the mechanism of its strike, the WGA managed to win these necessary evolutions, which will benefit writers today and in the future.

✅Minimum room size.
✅Pay increases.
✅AI can't write.
✅Disclosure of streaming numbers w/ residuals to match.
✅Guaranteed 2nd step for screenwriters.
✅Script fees for staff writers.
✅Writing teams get full payment into pension (this is huge for me specifically)

Hell. Yes. https://t.co/j7HPdCe41r

— Jackson Lanzing (@JacksonLanzing) September 27, 2023

For those interested in reviewing the full agreement between the AMPTP and the WGA, the WGA MBA summary has been released here. Here a few parts of note.

The Strike-Ending WGA Agreement on AI, Writers, and Hollywood

The topic of AI has occupied the mind of many a creative in recent history. Although it seems obvious to creators that AI could never replace the mind and passion of thinking humans, this truth appears less obvious to studios and executives. But happily, the WGA was able to successfully curb AI use in Hollywood, at least where writers are concerned.

The WGA agreement summary notes:

We have established regulations for the use of artificial intelligence (“AI”) on MBA-covered projects in the following ways:

• AI can’t write or rewrite literary material, and AI-generated material will not be considered source material under the MBA, meaning that AI-generated material can’t be used to undermine a writer’s credit or separated rights. 
• A writer can choose to use AI when performing writing services, if the company consents and provided that the writer follows applicable company policies, but the company can’t require the writer to use AI software (e.g., ChatGPT) when performing writing services. 
• The Company must disclose to the writer if any materials given to the writer have been generated by AI or incorporate AI-generated material.
• The WGA reserves the right to assert that exploitation of writers’ material to train AI is prohibited by MBA or other law.

Basically, AI is out and writers are in. We love to see it.

The WGA Agreement on Streaming Data Transparency

Writers, and many parts of the industry, have felt great frustration over not knowing exactly how their work performs on streaming channels. Of course, not knowing and not getting paid correlate heavily. When it comes to streaming numbers and performance, the WGA’s strike-ending agreement reveals:

The Companies agree to provide the Guild, subject to a confidentiality agreement, the total number of hours streamed, both domestically and internationally, of self-produced high budget streaming programs (e.g., a Netflix original series). The Guild may share information with the membership in aggregated form.

In addition, viewership hours on streaming will factor into bonuses for writers in work created for a High Budget Subscription Video on Demand channels.

The WGA Agreement on Health and Pension Contributions for Writing Teams

It seems wild, but it’s true, that since writing teams were paid together they had to split pension and health contributions. Now, “each writer on a writing team employed for a script will receive pension and health contributions up to the relevant cap as though they were a single writer, rather than splitting the applicable cap.” That, we imagine, is a truly meaningful evolution to those that it affects.

The Writers’ Strike Is Over, What’s Next?

In addition to all of this, many other gains were made in terms of script fees, room sizes, time writers get to spend on a production, and more. When the WGA announced the strike was over on September 27, writers could officially return to work. At the time, the agreement still needed to be ratified.

Happily, as of October 9, 2023, the WGA membership officially voted to ratify the strike-ending contract. Variety shares, “The membership voted 99% in favor of ratification, with 8,435 voting in favor and 90 members opposed.” This new contract will run from September 25, 2023 through May 1, 2026. We commend the writers on all of their hard work and continual efforts to ensure a fair deal for current and future scribes in Hollywood.

While this is great news for writers, the work for unions is not over. SAG-AFTRA remains on strike and has not yet received meaningful acknowledgment from the studios. In fact, a second SAG-AFTRA strike aimed at achieving fair compensation and protections for video game work has been authorized. Members of all unions and non-union members alike should continue to show solidarity and help fight for the good of all. Here are some ideas on how you can help!

Originally published on September 27, 2023.

The post The Writers’ Strike Is Officially Over, WGA Votes to Ratify the Deal appeared first on Nerdist.