Netflix pays bonuses to Squid Game cast and producers

Nov 29 2021

In a very rare move for the entertainment giant, Netflix has reportedly paid bonuses to the cast & crew of the hit series Squid Game. Despite this, reports also reveal that the bonuses issued by Netflix are less than what the cast of HBO series ‘Succession’ make per episode.

Squid Game director Hwang Dnog-hyuk had revealed that he had not earned a lot of money for the series’ first season, despite its global success and evolution into a cultural phenomenon. Unlike most entertainment industry structures, Netflix does not normally pay bonuses or shares of proceeds with time, but issues a one-time payment upfront.

Netflix is never obligated to pay extra to casts and crews of successful films or series, but when a series like Squid Game makes the streaming platform over $900 million with a production cost of $21 million, you don’t really blame them.

Have you seen Squid Game yet?

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New Zealand first country in the world to legalise pill-testing at events such as concerts

Nov 29 2021

The government of New Zealand has officially and permanently legalised pill-testing at events such as music festivals and concerts only one year after it was launched as a trial in the country.

The bill passed with 87 votes against 33 with New Zealand’s opposition party National voting against the legislation. The country’s health Minister Andrew Little highlighted how such an initiative helped keep people safe during such events by identifying dangerous substances.

The government has stated that it will be putting $800,000 into training of drug-checkers and an informational campaign while three organisations have been approved to carry out testing at events in New Zealand. The three organisations are the Drug Foundation, Needle Exchange and Institute of Environmental Science and Research.

What do you think of this legislation?

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Spider-Man: No Way Home cinema tickets re-selling for up to $25,000

Nov 29 2021

Spider-Man: No Way Home is potentially one of the most anticipated films of 2021, with Marvel fans around the world at the edge of their seats as they await the treasure trove of easter eggs and memorable scenes that No Way Home holds.

However, ticket prices for the latest iteration of the Spidey story are raising a few eyebrows for the absolutely unbelievable numbers they are going for online. ComicBook’s Brandon Davis actually took to Twitter to share a screenshot of the jaw-dropping ticket price he came across; a whopping $25,000 (€22,138).

#SpiderManNoWayHome ticket listed on eBay for $25,000. pic.twitter.com/OSEPkQBbrf

— BD (@BrandonDavisBD) November 29, 2021

Another hilarious tweet reached close to 10,000 likes after jokingly re-naming the film ‘Spider-Man No Way We’re Getting Tickets,’ while others exclaimed their surprise at the lengths people would go to turn a profit.

Comscore social media analyst Paul Dergarabedian told CNBC that it is very likely that the latest Spider-Man movie “could potentially be the first pandemic-era release to break the $100 million opening weekend mark.”

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“Consequences may be severe;” WHO warns that Omicron COVID variant ‘very high’

Nov 29 2021

The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that thew new COVID-19 Omicron variant is of “very high” risk globally as countries react to the discovery of the new strain.

The variant was first discovered in South Africa and was marked as a highly-divergent, heavily-mutated variant with multiple mutations, some of which being of concern due to associations with increased transmissibility and immune escape potential. The organisation’s technical advisory noted that the likelihood of the virus’ spread globally is high.

No deaths have been connected with the variant as of yet but even if it is proven to be less dangerous or deadly, its high risk of spread will certainly increase cases globally and tighten the pressure on various health systems around the world. The organisation stated that “if another major surge of COVID-19 takes place driven by Omicron, consequences may be severe.”

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