Hollywood
Discovery Communications bags two Apollo Award
NEW DELHI: Three entries from India including two from Discovery Communications India featured in the award-winners list of the 2014 Apollo Awards organised by Asia Image.
Discovery Communications India bagged two awards for the same programme – ‘Himalayan Tsunami’ produced by Beach House Pictures. It received the awards for Colour Grading by Karen Ng and Sound Design category- Long Form by Jerry Teo.
The third Indian award went to Merzin Tavaria and Alex Pejic for Visual Effects/ CGI – Long Form for two films ‘White House Down’ by Prime Focus.
The awards were given away last night at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, alongside BroadcastAsia at the 19th International Digital Multimedia & Entertainment Technology Exhibition & Conference.
Out of 165 submissions received, 42 entries made the final cut after being judged by a panel of judges that combines extensive technical knowledge, critically acclaimed creativity, and years of experience in the media and entertainment industry. The results are tabulated and audited by international auditing firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers.
Seven Indian entries had been shortlisted. While ‘Kai Po Che!’ had been shortlisted for Colour Grading for Merzin Tavaria and Paresh Acharya of Prime Focus, Discovery Communications India made it to the list for Cinematography – Long Form for Sanjay Agarwal filming ‘Everest: India Army Women’s Expedition’ produced by Robin Roy Films. The other Indian entries were: Sandeep Shelar & Ashok in Art Direction for ‘Ixigo’ by Studio Eeksaurus Productions Pvt. Ltd; and Merzin Tavaria for Visual Effects/ CGI – Long Form for ‘The Great Gatsby’ by Prime Focus.
“We will continue to evolve and remain relevant to provide industry players with a driving force that truly celebrates excellent performance. All our winners have made major contributions towards their respective fields, and we are proud to honour their achievements,” said Apollo Awards organiser Raymond Wong.
“Also, we thank our sponsors and partners for your generosity and contributions. The Awards wouldn’t have been so momentous without your kind support, endorsement and presence,” added Wong.
The ceremony brought together around 150 industry professionals, who celebrated the joyous occasion with all the award winners. First launched in 2005, the Asia Image Apollo Awards is an initiative aimed at honouring the best in production and post-production across Asia Pacific, with a strong focus on the creative and technical mastery behind the scenes.
Hollywood
David Zaslav could net up to $887m as Warner Bros Discovery sells up
Media mogul strikes gold as Paramount Skydance deal triggers massive windfall
NEW YORK: While the average office worker might hope for a nice clock and a round of applause upon leaving, David Zaslav is looking at a slightly more substantial parting gift. The chief executive officer of Warner Bros Discovery is positioned to receive a windfall of up to $887 million following the company’s blockbuster $110 billion sale to Paramount Skydance.
In a twist of corporate fate that feels scripted for the big screen, the deal marks the finale of a high-stakes bidding war. It comes after Netflix, once the frontrunner, decided to exit stage left and abandon its pursuit of the HBO Max parent company.
While most people receive a standard final paycheck, the filing released on Monday suggests Zaslav’s exit package is built a little differently. If the deal closes as expected in the third quarter of 2026, the numbers break down like this:
The cash out: A severance package of $34.2 million, covering his salary and bonuses.
The equity: $115.8 million in vested shares he already owns.
The future fortune: A massive $517.2 million in unvested share awards, essentially “future stock” that turns into real money the moment the ink dries on the merger.
Perhaps the most eye-catching figure is the $335 million earmarked for tax reimbursements. However, this particular pot of gold has an expiration date.
The company noted that these reimbursements are tied to specific tax-code rules that significantly decline as time passes. If the deal hits a snag and drags into 2027, that tax payout drops to zero. With hundreds of millions on the line, the chief executive officer likely has every incentive to ensure the closing process moves at double-speed.
