Latest news with #BigDeal
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Byron Mann on Breaking Into Korean Cinema With ‘Big Deal' and Bridging East-West Storytelling: ‘The World Is Bigger Than Just America'
Byron Mann's debut in Korean cinema has proven that cross-cultural casting can pay off at the box office. The actor's new film 'Big Deal' opened at No. 3 in South Korea, landing just behind 'Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning' in a competitive marketplace. More from Variety TIFFCOM: Byron Mann's 'Dark Asset' Heads to Market (EXCLUSIVE) Byron Mann, Eugenia Yuan Add Flavor to 'Jasmine' Mann, Peng and Angelababy Join 'Legend' For Mann, whose credits span from Adam McKay's 'The Big Short' to Netflix's 'Altered Carbon' and productions across Asia including the Hong Kong-set romantic comedy 'The Modelizer,' the Korean film marked a unique experience that required him to completely overhaul his character's dialogue while navigating an unfamiliar production system. 'When they reached out to me, I actually thought they made a mistake,' Mann tells Variety. 'I thought, 'You know they know I don't speak Korean, right? I mean, they know I'm not Korean either, right?'' The confusion cleared up once Mann and his manager read the script. His character in 'Big Deal' is an investment banker from New York and Hong Kong in a story loosely based on real events involving one of Korea's biggest soju companies in 2003. The director had seen Mann's work in 'The Big Short' and felt he was right for the role. Mann's first major contribution to the production was extensive script work. Having worked across Asia in Thailand, mainland China, Hong Kong, and Indonesia, he recognized the common pitfalls of translated dialogue. 'Usually when you translate like that, you lose a lot of meaning, you lose a lot of juice, and first of all, the dialogue doesn't sound right,' Mann explains. 'I think I had to work for a month, like every day, to work with the production, the director, producer.' The process involved understanding the Korean team's intentions for each scene and line, then translating those concepts into natural English vernacular specific to how an investment banker would speak. 'Every line, every scene, I had to first of all understand what they were thinking. Then I had to translate it, spit it out in English.' The effort paid off. After seeing the finished film in Korea, Mann says he's 'very pleased' with how the English dialogue flows naturally, adding that it will help the film resonate when it travels to English-speaking markets. Working within Korea's production system revealed fascinating differences from Hollywood practices. On his first night in Seoul, Mann received what he initially thought was a Japanese manga book but turned out to be detailed storyboards for the entire film. 'Midway through the shoot, I realized that they're actually shooting literally according to the storyboard in the book, frame by frame,' Mann recalls. The practice, he learned, has become standard in Korean filmmaking over the past 8-10 years, with studios now requiring storyboards for greenlight approval. Looking forward, Mann sees significant shifts in the industry landscape, particularly in how streaming platforms approach content. 'You can see the streamers, particularly Netflix, realize that the world is bigger than just America,' he observes. 'I think they spend more resources on the rest of the world than in the United States.' Post-pandemic cost pressures following the writers' and actors' strikes have made Asian productions increasingly attractive to studios seeking efficiency. 'The cost of making a series is going to be a lot cheaper than what you make in the U.S., and if you're able to tell an equally exciting story in Asia, that's probably the way to go.' This economic reality aligns with Mann's recent career focus on what he calls 'Hollywood films that take place in Asia.' He recently completed 'The Modelizer,' a romantic comedy shot entirely in Hong Kong, and has several similar projects in development. Having worked with directors ranging from Adam McKay to various Asian filmmakers, Mann has observed distinct cultural approaches to performance and production. 'Adam McKay is very loose and improvisational,' he notes, while Asian directors often emphasize action and 'a little bit more posturing.' Western directors, Mann suggests, tend to expect actors to arrive fully prepared with homework completed for the entire project, while some Asian productions allow for more flexibility and star input during filming. Mann is preparing to announce his next project. Meanwhile, his completed action thriller 'Kill Him 'Til He's Dead' is in post-production for a later 2025 release. The film features Mann in seven different roles, which he describes as 'very groundbreaking' and 'fun.' His current focus continues to center on 'telling stories that happen in Asia, or Asian stories, and infusing it with Hollywood expertise.' 'Big Deal' is currently on release in the U.S., Canada and Korea. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar
Associated Press
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
‘No Big Deal' by Dean Brownrout recognized with top honor at 19th National Indie Excellence Awards
Record-business veteran's memoir wins highly competitive music book category BUFFALO, NY, UNITED STATES, June 23, 2025 / / -- Dean Brownrout's 'No Big Deal: Chasing the indie music dream in the last days of the record business' (Guernica Editions) was named the winning book in the music category at this year's 19th National Indie Excellence Awards. Since 2005, the NIEA has honored outstanding books from independent publishers, self-published authors, and university presses. The National Indie Excellence Book Awards celebrate the physical book as a cornerstone of the publishing industry. In announcing the awards on June 19, 2025, NIEA President Doug Fogelson said, 'The team at NIEA are proud to stand behind each awardee as representatives of excellence in their craft and the enduring value of books in print today.' 'I'm incredibly grateful to the National Indie Excellence Awards for this recognition, and to everyone who's supported 'No Big Deal'' said Brownrout. 'I'm thrilled to see the book resonate with others in such a meaningful way.' Brownrout's tragicomic memoir of his 25 years in the music business covers an important period in the evolution of the industry, as LPs were morphing into CDs, and the internet loomed. Starting out as an enterprising teenage concert promoter in the late 1970s, Brownrout rode the business on punk, new wave, and metal, until finding himself and founding the independent record label, Big Deal. Along the way he relates encounters with the Rolling Stones, Beastie Boys, Bob Dylan, Grace Jones, models, actors, and countless fringe characters and luminaries—and discusses the pivotal role he played in the early career of artists like the Goo Goo Dolls and Metallica. The NIEA award adds to a growing list of accolades and achievements for the book and the first-time author. That list includes: • The Axiom Business Book Awards (2025)—bronze medal for Memoir/Biography • 2024-25 Reader Views Literary Awards—Reviewers Choice Awards finalist for Non-Fiction Arts • 21st Annual Best Book Awards (2024) finalist in Performing Arts: Film, Theatre, Dance, Music Critics have cited Brownrout's, 'razor sharp, deadpan wit,' 'self-deprecating humor,' and his, 'natural storytelling gifts.' Book trade publication Kirkus Reviews called 'No Big Deal' '…an exceedingly intelligent book, written by a thoughtful student of music business history.' The Buffalo News said, 'Brownrout tells glorious tales of the record business's last gasp.' And Carol Thompson, editor of book review site Readers' Favorite said, 'Through a narrative that is both laugh-out-loud funny and occasionally poignant, Brownrout captures the essence of an era.' 'No Big Deal' is available through Amazon and other traditional book outlets. Author site: [email protected] Guernica Editions: Publicity & marketing: [email protected] PUB. DATE: October 1, 2024 PAGES: 178 PRICE: $18.95 us/$22.95 cad ISBN: 978-1-77183-909-9 No Big Deal by Dean Brownrout Guernica Editions [email protected] Visit us on social media: Instagram Facebook Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
South China Morning Post
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
After Big Deal, Lee Je-hoon talks about his roles in new seasons of Signal, Taxi Driver
Actor Lee Je-hoon is keeping his momentum strong after the Korean film Big Deal, with coming roles in highly anticipated new seasons of the dramas Signal and Taxi Driver. Advertisement Speaking in a recent interview, Lee shared his thoughts on his latest work and his hopes for future projects that will resonate with viewers. Big Deal, which premiered on May 30, takes place during Korea's 1997 financial crisis, and centres on the clash between Jong-rok (played by Yoo Hae-jin), a finance executive for whom drinking soju is a way of life, and In-beom (Lee), a cold-blooded employee at a global investment firm. The two face off in a high-stakes struggle over the fate of Korea's beloved national spirit. Lee has been keeping up with audience reactions. 'I check reviews and ratings. I hope more people will watch and share their thoughts,' he said, emphasising that Big Deal is best experienced in cinemas for its immersive sound and big-screen energy. Advertisement 'I feel a deep happiness when I watch movies in the cinema,' he said. 'Sometimes I think, 'I want to be in a film like that', or 'How proud would I be to leave behind a filmography like that'? It motivates me to work harder.'
Winnipeg Free Press
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- Winnipeg Free Press
Always thinking inside the (bespoke) box
If you need something transported safely, get Gary Dealey on the case. Dealey is the founder of Big Deal Custom Cases, a Winnipeg company that builds reusable shipping containers. Since opening its doors in 1976, the company has developed a reputation for quality products, quick service and reasonable prices. Big Deal has taken on a variety of projects over the years, including wardrobe cases for Canadian rocker Bryan Adams, laptop cases for Microsoft Corp. and instrument cases for the Royal Canadian Air Force Band. Firearms, tattoo machines, cameras — the company will build a durable container for any kind of equipment customers need to move around. 'It's an interesting business,' says Dealey, 71. 'You never know what's coming in.' Like in 2010, when Big Deal built seven massive protective cases for NASA that were used to transport blankets and covers for the James Webb Space Telescope. Each of the first five cases was 15 metres long and two metres wide, and the smaller two were each 10 metres long and one metre wide. NASA describes the Webb as the largest, most powerful and most complex telescope ever launched into space. 'It was pretty cool to be part of that,' Dealey says. 'How often do you get to be a part of something that can basically change the perceptions of the universe?' Not bad for a company that got its start in the music industry. In the 1970s, Dealey was touring as a stagehand for musicians such as Burton Cummings, Trooper and Pat Benatar. He started his business as a response to the damaged cases and equipment he encountered while on the road. Occasional work loading boxcars for Canadian Pacific Railway gave Dealey further insight into the best ways to build ultra-tough boxes people can lift and shift with ease. He started the business in between stints on the road. 'I'd do truck loading and then I'd see what all the competitors were making,' he recalls. To this day, he appreciates receiving feedback from the people who are moving the cases he makes. 'It's not so much the purchasing guys, because they usually have no idea what's going on. You want to talk to the guys that are using it so that it makes their job easier.' When Dealey was thinking of names for his new venture, Harlequin lead singer George Belanger looked up at Dealey's 6-4 frame and suggested Big Deal. Today, the business is headquartered in an 8,000-square-foot space in the St. Boniface Industrial Park. Dealey has four employees on site, with an additional staff member (a draftsman) located in Vancouver. 'I come up with the ideas and they get the work done,' Dealey says. 'It's not just about me.' The company has manufactured more than 30,000 cases since its inception and has an annual net revenue of around $1.5 million. The company's offerings include hardwood cases, which are popular with customers in the entertainment industry. They're constructed using 3/4-inch plywood and reinforced with solid hardwood bracings. Additionally, Big Deal offers an exclusive case design it calls FiberLex. These cases are made of twin-wall polycarbonate bonded to a fibreglass skin, combined with lightweight aluminum hardware. The company advertises it as the lightest custom case design available today. Customers also have access to a range of other options, including a variety of plastic cases. Dealey knows of customers who are still using cases the company built more than 40 years ago. 'We could make junk, but there's already companies doing that, so why try and compete with that?' he says. 'There's enough people that want quality and longevity, so that's what we do.' Big Deal also does custom manufacturing, including millwork, furniture, props, displays, models and sculptures. From the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra to Manitoba Hydro and from Magellan Aerospace to the Broadway musical The Lion King, Big Deal's cases are in all sorts of places. Many of the keystone province's major sports teams use the company's products, including the Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have relied on Big Deal cases for at least 20 years, says Brad Fotty, head equipment manager. When the CFL team is on the road, Fotty and his colleagues use anywhere from 10 to 18 travel cases to safely transport everything from jerseys to medical supplies. 'I can't thank him and his crew enough for all the years they've taken care of our stuff,' Fotty says. 'Gary's a phenomenal individual to deal with. He's always there to help and he's always thinking of different ideas you may not have thought of.' That assessment of Dealey's out-of-the-box thinking resonates with musician Al Simmons, who has known Dealey since 1978. Dealey and his employees have helped Simmons build numerous custom pieces for his stage show. 'He just seems to be the kind of guy that doesn't say, 'No, that's impossible — we can't,'' Simmons says. 'If there was ever a world disaster and we were all sent back to caveman times — if we had no electronics, no nothing, we just had to survive in the wilderness — Gary would be the one you'd want to live near because he'd say, 'No problem. We've got these sticks, we've got these rocks, we've got this mud — we'll survive.' He's Mr. Fix-it in a huge way.' Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. As he reflects on his work, Dealey mentions 'ikigai,' a Japanese concept referring to what an individual defines as the meaning of their life. Dealey's ikigai, he says, is solving people's problems. When he was younger, he envisioned becoming a 'go-to guy' — the kind of person others can rely on. 'And that's kind of what I turned into,' Dealey says, adding if he can't solve a customer's problem, he helps them find someone who can. 'It's always about trying to help; help the people get done what they need to get done.' Fifty years into running Big Deal Custom Cases, Dealey has no interest in leaving the business. 'It gives me purpose,' he says. 'Everybody's saying I should retire, but I'm having too much fun to do that.' Aaron EppReporter Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. Read more about Aaron. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
‘Taxi Driver' actor Lee Je Hoon opens up about his family's past; shares how they dealt with the IMF financial crisis
Popular actor Lee Je Hoon recently opened up about his personal life and how he and his family had to suffer from a financial crisis at one point in time. The actor, during an interview, opened up about how his family and he had to suffer because of the massive crisis that hit the country alongside Thailand and Indonesia in 1997. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Lee Je Hoon opens up about dealing with the 'real' IMF crisis The popular actor, well known for his roles in 'Signal', 'Move to Heaven', and 'Where Stars Land', starred in an interview for the promotion of his next project titled 'Big Deal'. The actor was seen on June 2 sitting for an interview, according to Koreaboo, where the actor talked about how he dealt with the financial crisis too. His latest project, 'Big Deal', is also set during the time of the crisis, sparking the impromptu conversation. While getting candid about his past, the actor shared that 'I actually experienced a difficult time during the IMF crisis, so it was meaningful to tell this story.' He then detailed how the crisis came to be and how his family managed to survive through everything. He shared during the interview that 'From my middle school to when I was in my early 20s, I remember the IMF period. My family ran a business— a rice shop and a restaurant. After the IMF crisis, I saw my father going out to do day labour, and that's when I realised just how difficult things had become.' Cites that shooting for 'Big Deal' felt more personal While discussing his time during the IMF crisis, the actor also detailed how special shooting his latest project was. He shared during the interview that the experience hit close to home and felt a lot more personal to him. More about Lee Je Hoon's 'Big Deal' 'Big Deal' is an up-and-coming film that stars Lee Je Hoon along with Yoo Hae Jin, Son Hyun Joo, and Choi Young Joon. It is set against the backdrop of the IMF crisis and shows the story of the CFO of Korea's no. 1 company producing Soju, how that company deals with financial turmoil and an ambitious investment firm employee.
