AGP Executive Report

Hollywood: Tony Gilroy says Los Angeles’s film-scoring scene inspired Behemoth!, his new Searchlight drama starring Pedro Pascal as a cellist who returns to the city to score movies. It opens Dec. 4. Media Deal: Paramount has acquired Warner Bros. Discovery for about $110 billion, a major shake-up for studios and streaming. Los Angeles Fashion: Filipino-born designer Alexis Monsanto will open LA Fashion Week with Ode to Odyssey, a nature- and fantasy-inspired collection. Live Music: Lightning disrupted Indio’s Head Trip festival, forcing an early end to the event and affecting its scheduled sets. San Francisco Arts: Yerba Buena Center for the Arts is offering free admission, keeping its galleries accessible to the public.

California Film Boom: The state awarded tax credits to 35 new productions, including 28 independent films, with projects expected to generate $1.08 billion in local spending. San Francisco on Set: Filming for Fog City, a period drama directed by Hyatt heir Daniel Pritzker, took over two blocks of Steiner Street, with Miranda Otto and Cooper Koch among its reported cast. Hollywood Voices: Billy Crystal said the Palisades fire and the death of longtime friend Rob Reiner shook his faith; he’s turning to humor in his new Broadway show. New LA Screens: Hollywood Weekly launched a digital TV division covering film, music, theater and entertainment careers, while the George Lucas Museum of Narrative Art opened in Los Angeles. Live Music: Indio’s Head Trip festival cut Saturday’s sets short because of lightning and added Calvin Harris to Sunday’s lineup. Dodgers in October: Los Angeles opened its NLCS rematch against Milwaukee, pursuing a third straight World Series appearance.

Los Angeles Live Music: Slovak pop artist ADÉLA played a sold-out Fonda Theatre on Oct. 8, blending live vocals with ballet-inspired choreography; a second show followed. Arts on Skid Row: A first-of-its-kind talent show in downtown Los Angeles put songs, dance and original work by homeless and formerly homeless performers onstage. Hollywood on Screen: Chris Rock’s Misty Green, starring Rosalind Eleazar, has begun its U.S. theatrical release, with the film taking aim at Hollywood. California Film Production: Gov. Gavin Newsom announced 35 new films coming to the state as independent filmmaking gains momentum and major franchises return. Opera Abroad: San Francisco Opera is seeking a China staging for The Monkey King.

Film: Los Angeles actor Arabella Olivia Clark makes her first feature-film lead in horror hit “Other Mommy,” which earned $12.6 million domestically on opening day. California Production: Gov. Gavin Newsom announced 35 new films set to shoot in California, as the state promotes a rebound in independent filmmaking and the return of major franchises. Music: Menudo’s 50th-anniversary tour has begun in Los Angeles, while Portola Music Festival is teaming with Spotify on exclusive live recordings. Visual Arts: BTS leader RM’s exhibition of Korean art is on view at SFMOMA, expanding the museum’s spotlight on his collection. Entertainment Business: Paramount and Warner Bros. have completed their merger, creating a new Skydance-backed entertainment giant. Opera: San Francisco Opera is seeking to stage “The Monkey King” in China.

California Screen News: The Chinese drama Once Upon a Time in the Middle East has opened in a limited North American theatrical release, including screenings in Los Angeles and San Francisco. The stars of Burbank-premiered Double Trouble, Violet McGraw and Jack Griffo, also spoke about the new film and hopes for a sequel. Arts & Culture: Calexico’s free Altar de Muertos exhibit opens Oct. 27 with a community altar, local art and folkloric dance. In San Francisco, the Opera is seeking a China staging for The Monkey King, while the Latino Film Festival marks 18 years of bringing Latino stories to the screen. Hollywood Projects: Paramount and CD Projekt Red are developing a live-action Cyberpunk 2077 movie, with producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura attached. Los Angeles Events: The new LA:ON K-culture and lifestyle zone has opened, adding another destination for the city’s pop-culture fans.

Live Music: Adéla brought her Red Bottoms Tour to the Fonda Theatre, turning a new song into a candid account of her failed “Dream Academy” stint and complicated relationship with Los Angeles. Chappell Roan and KATSEYE members were among the crowd. Community Cinema: Healdsburg’s True West Film Center is making the case for small-town theaters with a nonprofit, community-funded model built around local participation. Los Angeles Arts: The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is opening with room for murals by artists including Banksy and Judith Baca, while LA Design Week/end’s latest showcase highlighted local artists, designers and creative spaces. Arts Education: California’s rural schools are still struggling to grow arts programs despite Prop. 28 funding. Bay Area Film: The San Francisco Latino Film Festival marks 18 years of bringing Latino stories to the screen.

Hollywood Bowl: Aerosmith’s “California, Dream On” shows on Oct. 29 and Nov. 1 will feature Guns N’ Roses, joining an all-star lineup of rock, country and hip-hop performers. Film & TV: Paramount and CD Projekt Red are developing a live-action “Cyberpunk 2077” movie set in the game’s fictional California metropolis; casting and release details are still under wraps. California also awarded tax credits to 35 film projects, including Pixar productions and Ice Cube’s “Last Friday.” Local arts: San Francisco’s Latino Film Festival marks 18 years of bringing Latino stories to the screen. Museums: George Lucas’ Museum of Narrative Art has opened in Los Angeles, centering storytelling across art and popular culture. Music Education: Billy Idol will visit Downey’s Griffiths Middle School on Oct. 22 as part of a program supporting music education in Los Angeles and Compton.

Los Angeles on Screen: Ben Affleck’s Netflix thriller Animals, set around a mayoral campaign and kidnapping, has drawn mixed reviews, with critics calling the Kurosawa-inspired film surprisingly flat. Live Music: Lila Downs brings a Día de Muertos celebration to Walt Disney Concert Hall on Oct. 30 with Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles, while My Morning Jacket is playing a seven-show residency at San Francisco’s Fillmore, mixing its catalog with tributes to musical influences. California Film Industry: Thirty-five projects, including Pixar’s next film and sequels to Michael and Friday, were awarded state tax credits in the latest funding round, supporting a mix of studio and independent production. Arts & Entertainment: Taylor Swift is set to perform at the Academy Museum Gala, and “KPop Demon Hunters” singer Rei Ami brought her new solo single to halftime at the Valkyries’ WNBA semifinal in San Francisco.

Bay Area Art: BTS leader RM’s “Between You and Me” exhibition at SFMOMA has drawn 7,500 visitors, with more than 50,000 reservations and record merchandise sales. Hollywood Returns: Aerosmith will play two special “California, Dream On” concerts at the Hollywood Bowl on Oct. 29 and Nov. 1, joined by an all-star lineup including Run-DMC, Heart and Eric Church. Film in California: The state awarded tax credits to 35 projects, including Pixar productions and sequels to “Michael” and “Friday,” supporting a mix of major studio and independent filmmaking. Local Arts: San Francisco’s 52nd Open Studios welcomes hundreds of artists, while a Bay Area flamenco troupe marks 60 years of blending tradition with metal and gospel. California Music: Bay Area rapper and producer P-Lo says he’s committed to carrying the region’s sound to wider audiences without watering it down. Hollywood Remembered: Eva Marie Saint, the Oscar-winning star of “On the Waterfront” and “North by Northwest,” has died at 102.

California Film: The state awarded tax credits to 35 projects, including Ice Cube’s Last Friday, Michael 2 and productions from Pixar and Warner Bros. Twenty-eight are independent projects, with the program aimed at keeping production jobs and spending in California. Live Music: Aerosmith will return to the Hollywood Bowl for two “California, Dream On” shows on Oct. 29 and Nov. 1, joined by guests including Run-DMC, Heart, the Black Crowes and members of Guns N’ Roses and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Arts & Culture: Grammy-nominated poet Marc Marcel has turned his Black Shaman Strikes Back album into a feature-length film combining live action, animation and AI-assisted visuals. Los Angeles Culture: The 53rd Korean Festival drew an estimated 300,000 people to Koreatown for music, dance, food and its annual parade. Hollywood: Oscar-winning actor Eva Marie Saint, known for On the Waterfront and North by Northwest, has died at 102.

Streaming Shift: The Television Academy says the Emmys will move to Amazon Prime Video next year in a new six-year deal, going worldwide and paywall-free—while the Oscars are set to land on YouTube starting in 2029. Hollywood Power Play: Paramount completes its $110B takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, forming Skydance and reshaping California’s media landscape. Sports Spotlight (LA): The Dodgers keep rolling in the NLDS, beating the Braves 3-1 with Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s big-game pitching and Kiké Hernández’s key homer as Game 4 looms. Culture & Fashion: Thom Browne’s world of uniforms and surreal tailoring gets a closer look in a new interview, plus the Academy Museum’s “The Horror Show” brings Halloween thrills to L.A. Local Entertainment Real Estate: Downtown’s The Bloc complex is back on the market, with its Alamo Drafthouse and Uniqlo among the draws. Tech & Safety: A report says ChatGPT for Teens failed to reliably flag suicide-related conversations, raising new concerns for California families. Politics Meets Pop Culture: Trump’s “take out” remark about L.A. and San Diego sparks backlash from Newsom and others.

Entertainment & Arts: P.S. ARTS kicked off its 2026–2027 Artist Educator Connect season with a free Oct. 8 virtual session on differentiated learning, with future talks covering arts integration, culturally responsive teaching, career pathways, and Prop 28. Music in LA: Sheryl Crow will headline the free “Live on Sunset” festival Nov. 14 in West Hollywood, with Local Natives, Empress Of, Grace Bowers, Doug Locke and Mia Moretti. Film/TV Industry: Paramount has completed its $81B takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, creating Skydance and further consolidating major media under one roof. Arts Access Documentary: PBS’s “ASCO Without Permission” spotlights the 1970s East LA ASCO collective and their fight for representation through performance art. Local Culture & Community: Truth or Consequences’ AMP Music Series is getting Levitt Family Foundation attention as free live music builds community. Sports & Pop Culture: Eva Marie Saint, Oscar winner for “On the Waterfront” and star of “North by Northwest,” died at 102. Public Safety/Travel: FAA is investigating a Delta wingtip collision with an Air Canada jet at LAX; both planes were taken out of service for inspection. Politics vs. California: Trump’s “take out” remark about Los Angeles and San Diego drew sharp backlash from California leaders, including Gov. Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris.

Politics & Safety: Trump’s “let ’em take out Los Angeles… San Diego” line sparked immediate backlash from Gov. Gavin Newsom and both city mayors, with leaders calling it dangerous and unacceptable war talk. Entertainment & Streaming: Crunchyroll announced Dragon Ball Super: Beerus will stream Oct. 11, with enhanced animation and visuals. Hollywood Buzz: Tom Hanks says his all-time favorite is 2001: A Space Odyssey—and claims he’s watched it about 120 times. Sports Culture: The LA Kings add a new Holiday Village to L.A. Live’s ice rink for a late-November kickoff. Food & Lifestyle: PepsiCo recalls 122,000 cases of Gatorade in multiple states over undeclared artificial colors. Art & Community: PopJoy launched a creator-first webcomic platform in San Francisco with motion effects and engagement analytics. Tech/Media: A new Aoashi Season 2 promo highlights creditless opening/ending animation segments now online.

Dance & Theater: Limón Dance Company brings José Limón’s classic “Mazurkas” to the Joyce Theater (Oct. 6–11), paired with Aszure Barton’s “Join,” spotlighting modern dance’s legacy and reinvention. Live Music: Fruit Bats lit up the East Bay with a high-energy, candlelit set that turned a skeptical crowd into believers, while Twin Temple raised hell at San Francisco’s Castro Theatre with Satanic doo-wop performance art. Film & TV Buzz: Tony Gilroy talks leaving “Andor” behind for his new nine-composer music drama “Behemoth!” Sports (LA): CAPE’s 35th anniversary gala in Downtown LA raised $350K+ for AAPI representation in film and media, and the Lakers kick off preseason action with a first test vs. the Kings. Community & Culture: LA Korean Fest drew hundreds of thousands to Koreatown, blending tradition, food, and K-pop. Public Safety: San Jose AMC theatergoers faced a tense, gun-drawn police scare after a reported weapon sighting—no gun was found.

BTS Art Spotlight: RM is bringing his art-world side to SFMOMA with “RM x SFMOMA: Between You and Me,” turning the museum into a close-up look at the BTS leader as collector and curator. International Espionage Case: The FBI arrested Wanying Zhang at LAX, accusing her of spying on Taiwan President Lai Ching-te’s family for China as she prepared to leave for China. TV Franchise Expansion: “NCIS: New York” premieres on CBS with LL Cool J and Scott Caan, expanding the long-running “NCIS” universe that already includes Los Angeles. Music Milestone: Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones pushed back on the “punk” label during the band’s 50th anniversary tour, framing it as just rock-and-roll. NFL Drama in L.A.: The Rams completed a late surge to beat the Eagles 24-20, but a postgame exchange between Rams staff and Eagles fans is now under scrutiny. Local Arts & Community Film: Santa Monica’s Awareness Film Festival returns for its 17th year with more than 100 independent films, panels, and events. Fashion Trend Watch: Green denim is emerging as a fall 2026 staple in Los Angeles and New York, offering an earthy alternative to classic blue/black.

Sports Injury Watch: Eagles RB Saquon Barkley limped out early with a hamstring after Philadelphia blew a 10-point lead in a 24-20 loss to the Rams; he was later seen walking normally, while the offense also played without DeVonta Smith and Lane Johnson. WNBA Semis: Golden State’s Valkyries jumped on the Aces in Game 1, 71-60, with Gabby Williams scoring 25 and the home team dominating the boards in San Francisco. Local Entertainment & Law: Gov. Newsom signed AB 1349 to crack down on predatory ticket sales, including bots and speculative listings, aiming to protect buyers for concerts and sports. Fashion Tragedy: Co-founders of Oakland Hills luxury label Bryn Walker were found dead outside their home; police recovered a firearm and the investigation continues. Solar + Theme Parks: Six Flags Magic Mountain activated a 20.8 million kWh solar project with EV charging and storage, backed by Travis Kelce’s brand ties. Box Office: Tom Cruise’s “Digger” stumbled with an $8M domestic opening while “Verity” took No. 1 with $32.6M. Horror Streaming: “Tales from the Crypt” is back in full on Shudder for Halloween season, with fans revisiting its star-studded guest lineup.