VJ
Well-Known Member
I wonder how much money exchanged hands for that.
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The Spirited 11th Hour ...
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alissafalco
Well-Known Member
And from what I heard from one of my gf's that they offered it to, that the discount on the last night wasnt even any great shakes. It was less than a 30% discount, which is what Disney offers almost regularly.
BernardandBianca
Well-Known Member
Not surprising, since there are NO park benches to be injured.
Quinnmac000
Well-Known Member
Regarding the star wars conversation the other day from the mouth of JJ Abrams if you care to read
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/02/26/j-j-abrams-gay-characters-coming-to-star-wars.html
J.J. Abrams: Gay Characters Coming to ‘Star Wars’
The director of Star Wars: The Force Awakens says you can expect to see future ‘Star Wars’ films be even more inclusive—including gay characters.
Two months and two billion box office dollars later, Star Wars: The Force Awakens has reaped huge returns for Disney with its most progressive episode yet. Now that Daisy Ridley’s Rey and John Boyega’s Finn have given the Star Wars franchise its first female Jedi and black lead, respectively, does its fearless director J.J. Abrams see a future for a gay character in the galaxy?
“Of course!” Abrams said Thursday night at his Bad Robot HQ, where he hosted the US-Ireland Alliance’s annual Oscar Wilde Awards ahead of Sunday’s Oscars, where The Force Awakens is nominated in five categories. “When I talk about inclusivity it’s not excluding gay characters. It’s about inclusivity. So of course.”
By Abrams’ logic, the sprawling Star Wars universe couldn’t possibly exist without a gay populace—even if we haven’t seen a single character identified as gay thus far. “I would love it,” he said. “To me, the fun of Star Wars is the glory of possibility. So it seems insanely narrow-minded and counterintuitive to say that there wouldn’t be a homosexual character in that world.”
Amid the #OscarsSoWhite controversy, Abrams has been vocal about the need for Hollywood to not just talk about but take action in the name of diversity.
“I think we all have a hell of a lot to do, and I think it is insane to me that we still have to have a conversation about inclusivity. It’s shameful,” he told The Daily Beast last month. “We all need to do better to represent this world. It’s something that is important to me, and is something that we’re focusing on at [production company] Bad Robot.
Maybe, as some hopeful Star Wars fans have theorized, The Force Awakens already introduced the franchise’s first gay character. Who wouldn’t ship Boyega’s Finn and Oscar Isaac’s Poe Dameron?
J.J. Abrams: Gay Characters Coming to ‘Star Wars’
The director of Star Wars: The Force Awakens says you can expect to see future ‘Star Wars’ films be even more inclusive—including gay characters.
Two months and two billion box office dollars later, Star Wars: The Force Awakens has reaped huge returns for Disney with its most progressive episode yet. Now that Daisy Ridley’s Rey and John Boyega’s Finn have given the Star Wars franchise its first female Jedi and black lead, respectively, does its fearless director J.J. Abrams see a future for a gay character in the galaxy?
“Of course!” Abrams said Thursday night at his Bad Robot HQ, where he hosted the US-Ireland Alliance’s annual Oscar Wilde Awards ahead of Sunday’s Oscars, where The Force Awakens is nominated in five categories. “When I talk about inclusivity it’s not excluding gay characters. It’s about inclusivity. So of course.”
By Abrams’ logic, the sprawling Star Wars universe couldn’t possibly exist without a gay populace—even if we haven’t seen a single character identified as gay thus far. “I would love it,” he said. “To me, the fun of Star Wars is the glory of possibility. So it seems insanely narrow-minded and counterintuitive to say that there wouldn’t be a homosexual character in that world.”
Amid the #OscarsSoWhite controversy, Abrams has been vocal about the need for Hollywood to not just talk about but take action in the name of diversity.
“I think we all have a hell of a lot to do, and I think it is insane to me that we still have to have a conversation about inclusivity. It’s shameful,” he told The Daily Beast last month. “We all need to do better to represent this world. It’s something that is important to me, and is something that we’re focusing on at [production company] Bad Robot.
Maybe, as some hopeful Star Wars fans have theorized, The Force Awakens already introduced the franchise’s first gay character. Who wouldn’t ship Boyega’s Finn and Oscar Isaac’s Poe Dameron?
FrankLapidus
Well-Known Member
Great, all very positive.
I still don't think there will be a Finn/Poe romance or that that tweet by Rian Johnson was intended to be taken as a spoiler of what is to come in Episode 8 and 9 but diversity in the future can only be a good thing. If, as I think is likely and was established in TFA, we see a Finn/Rey romance down the line then that would also be a positive step forward in regards to diversity in the franchise.
wogwog
Well-Known Member
Not to worry. Tickets go up tomorrow to refill the Disney vault.
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ford91exploder
Resident Curmudgeon
Lots
Cesar R M
Well-Known Member
so.. PoexFinn?
I swear millions of young teenager fanfic writers will be squeaking in delight.
but now I fear this will also encourage the girls who pair kylo ren x general hux.
The Empress Lilly
Well-Known Member
America's gone mental.Disney has opened up a Political Action Comittee... called DisneyPAC. They also want white collar employees to make contributions.
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...ployees-to-chip-in-to-pay-copyright-lobbyists
Disney CEO asks employees to chip in to pay copyright lobbyists
Oh, hey, do you work here? Mickey could use a little extra cash.
Loren Javier
The Walt Disney Company has a reputation for lobbying hard on copyright issues. The 1998 copyright extension has even been dubbed the “Mickey Mouse Protection Act” by activists like Lawrence Lessig that have worked to reform copyright laws.
This year, the company is turning to its employees to fund some of that battle. Disney CEO Bob Iger has sent a letter to the company’s employees, asking for them to open their hearts—and their wallets—to the company’s political action committee, DisneyPAC.
In the letter, which was provided to Ars by a Disney employee, Iger tells workers about his company's recent intellectual property victories, including stronger IP protections in the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a Supreme Court victory that destroyed Aereo, and continued vigilance about the "state of copyright law in the digital environment." It also mentions that Disney is seeking an opening to lower the corporate tax rate.
"With the support of the US Government we achieved a win in the Supreme Court against Aereo—an Internet service claiming the right to retransmit our broadcast signals without paying copyright or retransmission consent fees," writes Iger. "In the coming year, we expect Congress and the Administration to be active on copyright regime issues, efforts to enact legislation to approve and implement the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, tax reform, and more proposals to weaken retransmission consent, to name a few."
The source who provided the letter to Ars asked to remain anonymous, and they were bothered by the assumption that anyone who worked for Disney would agree with the company's political positions on tax, trade, intellectual property, and other matters.
"It just seems insensitive to folks that support the company but don't necessarily support all of its priorities," the source said. "Especially for something like TPP, which I view as particularly controversial. We do have a company position, but there's going to be a wide variety of opinion [within the company]."
The letter concludes with a suggested donation to DisneyPAC. Ars is not publishing the suggested amount in case it is personalized to the source's compensation or position at Disney.
"For your convenience, DisneyPAC has implemented a payroll deduction system, through which your contributions to the PAC will be deducted from your weekly paycheck," Iger explains.
The source received the letter via business mail and doesn't know how many other employees received it.
"I don't know how widely this was distributed," the source said. "Was it to rank and file folks in [theme] parks, to people working in a popcorn stand?"
Disney didn't respond to Ars' requests for comment about the fundraising letter.
Not unusual
Although Iger's letter was, in the view of this employee, somewhat tone-deaf, such requests are not illegal or even particularly uncommon. In 2012, Reuters reported on Citigroup's request to its employees to give to Citi PAC, a political entity that "contributes to candidates on both sides of the aisle that support a strong private sector and promote entrepreneurship."
US corporations are allowed to solicit political contributions as long as donations aren't coerced. The relevant law bars any "threat of a detrimental job action, the threat of any other financial reprisal, or the threat of force" when asking for donations.
The Disney letter has language explicitly reassuring employees that their jobs won't be affected by their decision whether or not to give to DisneyPAC.
"Your contribution is important to all of us, but I want to emphasize that all contributions are voluntary and have no impact on your job status, performance review, compensation, or employment," writes Iger. "Any amount given or the decision not to give will not advantage or disadvantage you."
Iger's compensation in the last fiscal year was $45 million (£32 million).
In the 2014 election cycle, the Disney employees' PAC spent about $375,000, according to OpenSecrets.org. During the current cycle with a presidential election on the way, the company will likely spend more. As of last month, the PAC had raised $295,000 and spent $231,000. The contributions are split roughly evenly between Democrats and Republicans, which is the PAC's policy according to the CEO's letter.
According to a MapLight analysis of the data, Disney employees contributed a total of $4.03 million in all election cycles since 2002. That doesn't include direct employee contributions to candidates, which adds another $1.81 million over the same period.
DisneyPAC fundraising letter to employees
Here's the verbatim text of most of Iger's letter to employees:
As we head into the election year of 2016, the electorate faces significant decisions about the direction of our Nation's future. Besides choosing a new president, we will once again be electing new senators and representatives. These decisions will have a profound impact on the lives of all Americans. The election will also impact issues that affect our company. As such, we will continue to work with our representatives in Congress to ensure that they understand our perspective on critical issues like trade, intellectual property, tax, and travel policies. I write to urge you to consider supporting the Company's efforts through a contribution to DisneyPAC. A well funded DisneyPAC is an important tool in our efforts to maintain our positive profile in Washington.
In the past year, we successfully advocated the Company's position on a number of issues that have a significant impact on our business. We played a major role in ensuring that the "Trade Promotion Authority" legislation set high standards for intellectual property (IP) provisions in our trade negotiations, and we helped get that bill through Congress. We used that language in TPA to advocate successfully for a strong IP chapter in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade negotiations. We also pushed for provisions to promote digital trade and to reduce barriers in media and entertainment sectors. TPP will establish a strong baseline of protection for intellectual property while breaking down trade barriers in the Asia Pacific region. In both TPA and TPP we had to overcome significant efforts to weaken respect for IP, pushed not only by foreign governments but also from within our own Congress and the Administration.
The fight on these issues is far from over. Last year we spent significant time and effort engaged in a series of government reviews of the state of copyright law in the digital environment.
We also continued to defend our right to be compensated for carriage of our programming by cable and satellite carriers as well as by emerging "over-the-top" services. With the support of the US Government we achieved a win in the Supreme Court against Aereo—an Internet service claiming the right to retransmit our broadcast signals without paying copyright or retransmission consent fees. With respect to tax issues, Congress extended certain provisions that provide favorable tax treatment for film and television production in the US. It also extended this treatment to live theatrical productions. Last year we also worked closely with the Administration on important veterans employment issues—an issue of critical importance for the men and women who defend our country and an area in which our company is proud to play a leadership role.
In the coming year, we expect Congress and the Administration to be active on copyright regime issues, efforts to enact legislation to approve and implement the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, tax reform, and more proposals to weaken retransmission consent, to name a few.
On the trade front, we will also look to build on our achievements in other negotiations this year. 2016 should see significant activity in negotiations between the US and China over a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), continued negotiations with the European Union over the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership agreement, the 50-country Trade in Services Agreement negotiations, and efforts by the US Government to raise IP standards and break down trade barriers through a variety of means.
In 2016, Congress will further discuss various tax reform proposals. While comprehensive reform is unlikely, activity in the coming year will lay the foundation for what many expect to be a genuine opportunity for reform in early 2017. We have been active educating Members of Congress on the importance of lowering the corporate tax rate to be competitive with the rest of the world. The US has one of the highest marginal and effective tax rates among developed countries, creating a significant competitive impediment to companies headquartered in the US.
Congress will continue to be very active on intellectual property issues... After three years of hearings and testimony from 100 witnesses, we now expect the House Judiciary Committee to turn to legislating. We expect significant attention on legislation to modernize the Copyright Office, a small agency that can have an enormous impact on our interests.
And the Copyright Office has launched several proceedings involving possible changes to laws governing the accountability of online services and the laws protecting technologies used to secure distribution of digital content. These discussions obviously have significant implications for a business like ours that is dependent on copyright policy in the face of ongoing change in technology and the marketplace.
We will also need to continue our work to fend off growing and concerted efforts to weaken our ability to freely negotiate the distribution of our broadcast and cable programming. Last year, the FCC teed up several rule makings that could have a significant adverse affect on retransmission consent and how we package and sell our media networks. As the debate becomes much more heated, we will need to remain vigilant.
With all of the challenges we will face this year, it is important that our PAC be strong. We, therefore, respectfully suggest that you consider making a contribution of [REDACTED]. You may give more or less than the suggested amount (although no contribution can exceed $5000 in any year) and any contribution will be appreciated. As always, 100% of your contribution is used in direct support of candidates and political entities that uphold policies and principles that are consistent with the best interests of our company. DisneyPAC contributes equally to Democrats and Republicans each calendar year. For your convenience, DisneyPAC has implemented a payroll deduction system, through which your contributions to the PAC will be deducted from your weekly paycheck. If you prefer, you may instead make a one-time personal contribution to the PAC. Your contribution is important to all of us, but I want to emphasize that all contributions are voluntary and have no impact on your job status, performance review, compensation, or employment. Any amount given or the decision not to give will not advantage or disadvantage you. You have the right to refuse to contribute without reprisal. Your help is truly appreciated.
I can't believe what I just read. A corporation is asking its employees to pay them to lobby to lower corporate tax? A contribution traceable to each individual employee because it is deducted from the paycheck?
No wonder TWDC gets away with strongarming its employees into training their own foreign replacement.
The Empress Lilly
Well-Known Member
It's as nothing compared to the incestuous and underage love affairs of Lucas' Star Wars....
Also, back in 1977, Leia's 'damsel in distress who rescues her rescuers' was quite novel. Audiences loved it. Rey but stands in a long line of quite competent and self-sufficient Star Wars female leads.
ParentsOf4
Well-Known Member
Hmm, more headaches for Disneyland Paris?
China’s Wanda Group Confirms $3.3 Billion Investment In EuropaCity Complex Near Paris
Dalian Wanda Group confirmed today that it will invest $3.3B by 2024 in EuropaCity, a mega-project near Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport that will boast a theme park, attractions, cultural exhibitions, retail shops, outdoor sports venues and restaurants over about 200 acres. It’s Wanda’s biggest-ever single project in Europe, which the company said will create about 14,000 jobs.“We have wanted to develop ourselves in France for a while, and particularly in Paris, as I had told the French President during his visit to China last November,” DWG president Wang Jianlin said in a statement. “EuropaCity allows us to finally reach that objective and we are pleased to collaborate with a famous French stakeholder to develop this ambitious and innovative project. For us, it is the most important project outside of China.”
Dalian Wanda Group confirmed today that it will invest $3.3B by 2024 in EuropaCity, a mega-project near Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport that will boast a theme park, attractions, cultural exhibitions, retail shops, outdoor sports venues and restaurants over about 200 acres. It’s Wanda’s biggest-ever single project in Europe, which the company said will create about 14,000 jobs.“We have wanted to develop ourselves in France for a while, and particularly in Paris, as I had told the French President during his visit to China last November,” DWG president Wang Jianlin said in a statement. “EuropaCity allows us to finally reach that objective and we are pleased to collaborate with a famous French stakeholder to develop this ambitious and innovative project. For us, it is the most important project outside of China.”
GoofGoof
Premium Member
PACs are really pretty common in corporate America since the McCain campaign finance reform bill was passed. They are also really popular with labor unions. TWDC isn't asking employees to pay them to lobby anything. The PAC itself makes donations to candidates who support things that are in the best interest of TWDC (which is usually in the best interest of the donor's bonuses). It really isn't as nefarious as you guys are making it out to be. In my experience the company usually limits solicitation to manager/director level and up or in one case VP and higher. It's also illegal for the company to hold it against an employee for not contributing. Allowing people to make direct donations from their payroll seems bizarre, but I guess it helps them get more donations. It is possible that some of the people who work for TWDC are actually interested in seeing their company succeed and want to pool their political donations to help the process.
Nubs70
Well-Known Member
This PAC looks to me like someone's retirement plan.
Nubs70
Well-Known Member
And built with reverse engineered SDL ride systems.
ford91exploder
Resident Curmudgeon
Yup at least Disney will be able to buy cheap parts to repair their rides now that Wanda Group is selling copies. This is the problem with doing business in China you eventually compete against your own products. And the CCP will do NOTHING to stop the copies from being sold on World Markets they just laugh at the stupid Americans
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
Disney buys a good chunk of their ride systems from the same manufacturers who sell systems to everyone else and imitate everyone else's systems. The only two ride systems that appear to be unique are for Pirates of the Caribbean and Peter Pan's Flight, which will in all likelihood be quickly imitated by other non-Chinese manufacturers. Even in their Chinese parks, Wanda has already recognized the strengths of European and American manufacturers. Golden Horse and Beijing Shibaolai may be able to put together an adequate flat ride but they still cannot do a halfway decent, complex ride system.
Nick Pappagiorgio
Well-Known Member
Money and politics = nefarious. Especially when they are likely to work to keep the wages and labor rights of hourly employees down.
HauntedMansionFLA
Well-Known Member
Looks like Disney is doing a captain Nemo 20,000 leagues under the sea prequel.
BrianLo
Well-Known Member
*sigh*
If people would stop talking out of their *ahem* all the time, you'd easily be able to look up that this is a project that's been around publicly since 2013, held a design competition, won by a Denmark group (Bjarke Ingels) beating out a Norwegian and two French design firms and being built North of Paris (where Disney has been for over 20 years).
The only thing Wanda has to do with it is investing the money into a project that's been gearing to get started. They have no hand in the design.
The only thing conspiracy theories about SDL/China stealing design secrets has to do with it is... NOTHING.
But please, let's continue on being xenophobic.
Nubs70
Well-Known Member
Not xenophobic, just an observation on the world's best and brightest intellectual property infringers.