Mandalit del Barco

Hi, this is Mandalit Del Barco, NPR's entertainment correspondent. I've lived in L.A. reporting for NPR since the early 1990s, and L.A. 's been through a lot, but we're always ready for a sequel.

On-location productions in Los Angeles dipped more than 22 percent the first three months of this year. according to Film LA, which issues film permits in the area. The nonprofit group found production also shrank on LA soundstages. Spokesman Philip Sokolowski says other states and countries have lucrative tax credits to lure productions out of California.

Meanwhile, studios and streamers are ordering fewer series and films.

The report says the recent wildfires had only a small effect on L.A. filming. Productions are still rebounding from the COVID-19 pandemic and delays by the Hollywood writers' and performers' strikes. Mandalit Del Barco, NPR News, Los Angeles.

To be eligible to vote on the finalists at next year's Oscars, Academy members will be required to watch every film in the nominating categories. Until now, they've only been encouraged to do so. The announcement does not state how this will be verified or enforced.

According to the new rules, the Academy will also take into account how much generative artificial intelligence and other digital tools were used to make films that are competing. Filmmakers with refugee or asylum status will be eligible to compete in the International Feature Film category, and for the first time, casting directors will get their own Academy Awards.

Mandalit Del Barco, NPR News, Los Angeles.

For her role as Mexican drug lord Emilia Perez, Carlos Sofía Gascon had looked forward to possibly becoming the first trans actress to win an Oscar. That changed when a journalist uncovered Gascon's old social media posts in which she vilified Islam and denigrated George Floyd, whose killing by police sparked racial justice protests. At first, Gascon tried to explain herself to CNN en Español.

I've committed no crime, haven't hurt anyone, and I'm not racist, she said. Emilia Perez director Jacques Audiard called Gascon's statements self-destructive. Gascon's reps and Netflix haven't responded to NPR's request for comments, but the actress now says she's bowing out of campaigning for the Oscars. Mandalit Del Barco, NPR News.

The Spanish-language musical and drama Emilia Perez is the story of a Mexican drug cartel leader transitioning as a woman. It's up for 10 Golden Globes, including Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy, Best Director for Jacques Galliard, and Best Original Score.

Carla Sofia Gascon plays the title role and could become the first openly transgender actress to win a Golden Globe in the film category. Co-stars Zoe Saldana and Selena Gomez are contenders for the Supporting Actress Award. Gomez also performed one of the film's nominated songs. The Golden Globes will be shown on CBS and Paramount+. Mandalit Del Barco, NPR News.

The show's producers say the ceremony will honor the city of Los Angeles, parts of which were devastated by wildfires recently. The show will raise money for relief efforts. Comedian Conan O'Brien will host the Oscar ceremony for the first time.

In a promotional video, O'Brien says he's up for anything.

Producers say there will be some surprises. The ceremony will pay tribute to the late musician Quincy Jones and will include a performance by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, whose hit film Wicked is nominated for 10 Academy Awards. Mandalit Del Barco, NPR News, Los Angeles.

Well, as you said, Emilia Perez was a big winner, and that was no surprise. This film about a Mexican cartel leader's trans journey was also celebrated for one of its original songs, and it was named the best non-English language film at the Globes. Also, The Brutalist became the night's best motion picture drama.

Adrian Brody got a Golden Globe for starring as a Jewish-Hungarian architect who immigrates to America after World War II. The award for best director of a motion picture went to Brady Corbett, who also co-wrote The Brutalist.

No one was asking for a three and a half hour film about a mid-century designer on 70 millimeter. But it works.

And he urged Hollywood to take more chances.

Yeah, well, there was a boycott in 2022 after the LA Times reported that there were no Black members of the HFPA, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, that used to hand out these awards. And there were also ethical concerns about the organization. And it's since been bought and the HFPA was formally disbanded. They expanded the number and types of voting members.

So now it includes more than 300 entertainment journalists from around the world.

Well, Nikki Glaser was a hit. And as you may know, she's known for roasting celebrities. Last night, she had some of the biggest Hollywood stars laughing at themselves.

That was probably the most pointed political moment of the night. A few others brought up big references to dark times.

You know, the movie musical Wicked only got one win for its box office achievements. That's really an award for the fans. And Demi Moore surprised even herself when she was crowned Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy. She co-starred in the movie The Substance. And during her speech, she said it was her very first major acting award, even though she's been at it for more than 45 years.

She recalled a producer once told her she was a popcorn actress and that she thought that maybe was her limit.

We'll see how all of these films do at the Oscars. The Golden Globes are just at the start of awards season.

Thank you.