Uncategorized
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?
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.
— Jackson Lanzing (@JacksonLanzing) September 27, 2023
Minimum room size.
Hell. Yes. https://t.co/j7HPdCe41r
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.
For 21 years, the city of Wichita has hosted the Tallgrass Film Festival in Kansas. This festival which proudly boasts to be “stubbornly independent”, showcases some of the best of indie films from around the world. This is through an annual 4-day film festival, year-round special screenings, filmmaking competitions and filmmaker labs.
The in-person and virtual festival runs Oct 5-8. The films in competition have been awarded. However, there is the audience award that is still up for grabs. The festival keeps going until October 30th virtually, which means you can watch films from the festival and vote for who you would like to win the audience awards to be announced November 1.
Here at BGN we always like to highlight Black excellence in entertainment — the following is a list of Black films and filmmakers with official selections at the festival. There are Black-centric films featured on this list with non-Black directors. As well as films with Black directors that are not specifically focused on Black experiences.
FEATURES
Elizabeth Gray Bayne – Chocolate Milk
Chocolate Milk explores racial inequities in birth and breastfeeding in the US by following the stories of three Black mothers in South Los Angeles over multiple years – a new mom, a WIC employee and a homebirth midwife.
Lagueria Davis – Black Barbie: A Documentary
Through intimate access to a charismatic Mattel insider, Beulah Mae Mitchell, BLACK BARBIE delves into the cross section of merchandise and representation as Black women strive to elevate their own voices and stories, refusing to be invisible.
Nicki Micheaux – Summer of Violence
Refusing law school to pursue poetry, a sheltered college grad, cut off from her father’s money, struggles to survive while living in Denver during the Summer of Violence in 1993.
William Forbes and Douglas Skinner – Name of the Game
The untold story of black male exotic dancing in south Los Angeles and how it intersects with the origins of hip hop, gang culture, and kung fu assassins.
J.S. Hampton – The Unseen
A witch from the 1850’s is transported into the head of her descendant in modern Kansas City, who is tasked with helping get her ancestor’s body back.
SHORTS
Shequeta Smith – Dick Control
Richard Tye “Trigga” Simmons, a rich, promiscuous, jet-setting rapper, has a one-night stand with a beautiful groupie who happens to be a witch. When Tye disrespects her, she places a curse that can’t be broken until he learns how to respect women.
George Ellzey Jr. – Cottage Grove
A young man struggles to communicate with his stroke-afflicted father, and at the same time, stay true to himself.
Destyn Fuller-Hope – A Part of You/ Made Me Whole Again
Two Lives. One Gift. A post-kidney transplant memoir, told as a dream-like prayer to Mom.
Kameishia Wooten – Choices
Hidden away under the bleachers at school, free-spirited Aisha gives a pregnancy test to Jessica, a cheerleader and prom queen contender, who’s terrified of what the results might mean. They are joined by their childhood friend Portia, who has made her own decisions about motherhood. The three reconnect over their circumstances and celebrate all of life’s choices.
Bailey Williams – Black People Surf?
A documentary that chronicles the renaissance of Black surf culture in Southern California.
It’s no secret that Black people are not the first that come to mind when you think of water activities or surfing. But what if we told you there were communities all around the world where Black folks are meeting at the beach and communing in the water to dispel those ideas?
This documentary follows the founders, instructors, and surfers who are committed to building a more inclusive surf community through their collectives and non-profit efforts. We hope this film will help inspire those who do not know how to swim into changing the tide.
Anndi Jinelle Liggett – Jelly
A young, Black girl with a peculiar fascination with death tries to solve the mysterious case of a missing neighbor while coming to terms with a more personal disappearance.
David Fortune – Shoebox
After sweeping hair at a local barbershop, a 12-year-old boy hopes to make a purchase that will bring honor and healing to his loved ones.
Frederick Thornton – October Mourning
Grieving the unexpected loss of his father, Henry Sims gets a chance to have one more conversation with Dad.
Directed by Tessa Slovis and Written by Bukola Ogunmola – Falsies
Robert is applying for his dream job at Harborville Corporation. But with the change comes the aching weight of feeling the need to fit in. Gail is trapped in the monotony of marriage and motherhood. These strangers world’s collide when Gail becomes the sole witness of racially charged violence against Robert. In a tailspinning, time bending 13 minutes, FALSIES examines white female complicity, the necessity of action, self actualization and acceptance.
Robert Brogden III – Robert & Billie
A generational love story set in the historic town of Nicodemus, Kansas, the only remaining western settlement founded by formerly enslaved Black Americans following the Civil War. Robert works as a maintenance man at the Nicodemus National Historic Site, tending to the very building where he met his wife, Billie, over sixty years ago. A few years after her passing, Robert reflects on their shared life and love.
Kris Bailey – I Am Brihanna Jayde
The 2023 Kansas All American Goddess gives viewers and listeners a glimpse of the Drag Queen life and what it means to live life authentically as a gay man.
Benjamin Shimwa – Inner Sounds
After a car accident ends his singing career, Louis rediscovers his musical passion through the keys of a piano, inspired by a heartfelt conversation with his sister.
Hophni William – The Ballad of Rich and Champ
Rich and Champ arrive at their nightly stomping grounds for some easy money at the billiards table. The pair have different aims for their lives, but their working relationship keeps them moving in the same direction. The night cruises along like any other until a new challenger drops more money than either man expects on the table. When everything’s on the line, Rich and Champ will learn who each other really is.
Geoff Ross – This Is About The Census
A loyal citizen is called into a government office to answer a life or death question: why does the census only have one person?
Niki Taylor Roberts – Go To Bed, Raymond
A father discovers the surprising truth about why his son won’t go to bed.
Not every film is available online, to select which films you would like to stream you can click on the hyperlink in the title. Deadline is October 30th to submit your vote.