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Her Role at HBO Max? Challenging Netflix Her Role at HBO Max? Challenging Netflix
(about 16 hours later)
LOS ANGELES — The coronavirus pandemic complicated what may have been the most crucial weeks of Sarah Aubrey’s Hollywood career. As the head of original programming at HBO Max, the streaming platform that went live on Wednesday, she has the power to say yes to shows and films that will be seen by millions. But she has also had to contend with 30 productions that were shut down and three homebound children, ages 6, 10 and 17.LOS ANGELES — The coronavirus pandemic complicated what may have been the most crucial weeks of Sarah Aubrey’s Hollywood career. As the head of original programming at HBO Max, the streaming platform that went live on Wednesday, she has the power to say yes to shows and films that will be seen by millions. But she has also had to contend with 30 productions that were shut down and three homebound children, ages 6, 10 and 17.
In the week leading up to the launch of an ambitious on-demand video service built to challenge Netflix, Aubrey made sure the children had their breakfasts and were ready for school, via Zoom, by 9 a.m. Then she got back to work, checking in with showrunners and filmmakers like Steven Soderbergh.In the week leading up to the launch of an ambitious on-demand video service built to challenge Netflix, Aubrey made sure the children had their breakfasts and were ready for school, via Zoom, by 9 a.m. Then she got back to work, checking in with showrunners and filmmakers like Steven Soderbergh.
His first film for the platform, “Let Them All Talk,” starring Meryl Streep, will be ready later this year. He may also be the first HBO Max filmmaker to restart production. To Aubrey, his decades behind the camera make him the perfect candidate. And it doesn’t hurt that he was the director of “Contagion,” the 2011 film that now seems oddly prescient.His first film for the platform, “Let Them All Talk,” starring Meryl Streep, will be ready later this year. He may also be the first HBO Max filmmaker to restart production. To Aubrey, his decades behind the camera make him the perfect candidate. And it doesn’t hurt that he was the director of “Contagion,” the 2011 film that now seems oddly prescient.
“I think it would be borderline malpractice to send someone who is not an experienced hand onto a set right now,” Aubrey said during an interview at her Los Angeles home. “You need your 10,000 hours to manage this kind of situation.”“I think it would be borderline malpractice to send someone who is not an experienced hand onto a set right now,” Aubrey said during an interview at her Los Angeles home. “You need your 10,000 hours to manage this kind of situation.”
And Aubrey would know, for the producer-turned-studio executive earned her own 10,000 hours producing films and television shows for over a decade before transitioning to the corporate suite.And Aubrey would know, for the producer-turned-studio executive earned her own 10,000 hours producing films and television shows for over a decade before transitioning to the corporate suite.
Dressed in a salmon jumpsuit, metallic Birkenstocks and white socks, she looked more like a bohemian denizen of her Studio City neighborhood than a powerful executive. Even at the pandemic-appropriate distance of six feet, the charm on her necklace was not hard to see: “1973,” the year of the landmark Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade.Dressed in a salmon jumpsuit, metallic Birkenstocks and white socks, she looked more like a bohemian denizen of her Studio City neighborhood than a powerful executive. Even at the pandemic-appropriate distance of six feet, the charm on her necklace was not hard to see: “1973,” the year of the landmark Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade.
“It often elicits interesting conversations,” Aubrey said. “Plus, it’s an easier way to talk about feminism without me having to wear my ‘Feminist AF’ T-shirt.”“It often elicits interesting conversations,” Aubrey said. “Plus, it’s an easier way to talk about feminism without me having to wear my ‘Feminist AF’ T-shirt.”
Aubrey is the highest-ranking woman at HBO Max. She works under Kevin Reilly, the head of content, Robert Greenblatt, the head of entertainment, and Jason Kilar, the division’s recently named chief executive.Aubrey is the highest-ranking woman at HBO Max. She works under Kevin Reilly, the head of content, Robert Greenblatt, the head of entertainment, and Jason Kilar, the division’s recently named chief executive.
A main order of business for AT&T, after its purchase of Time Warner for $85.4 billion, was the creation of a major digital platform that would unite all the disparate units of Warner Media: Warner Bros, HBO, Cartoon Network, CNN and TNT, among others, in one service. The company plans to invest more than $4 billion in HBO Max, which has arrived late to the streaming party at a cost of $15 a month, a higher price than Netflix, Disney Plus, Apple TV Plus and Hulu.A main order of business for AT&T, after its purchase of Time Warner for $85.4 billion, was the creation of a major digital platform that would unite all the disparate units of Warner Media: Warner Bros, HBO, Cartoon Network, CNN and TNT, among others, in one service. The company plans to invest more than $4 billion in HBO Max, which has arrived late to the streaming party at a cost of $15 a month, a higher price than Netflix, Disney Plus, Apple TV Plus and Hulu.
Aubrey, 48, said she sees her role as an opportunity to build a team that can help move the company into the future. “I have some kick-ass, adult, really ambitious, kind people who work for me,” she said. “And it’s like 80-percent female.”Aubrey, 48, said she sees her role as an opportunity to build a team that can help move the company into the future. “I have some kick-ass, adult, really ambitious, kind people who work for me,” she said. “And it’s like 80-percent female.”
She considers herself fortunate to be in digital media at this moment.She considers herself fortunate to be in digital media at this moment.
“This is a once-in-a-career opportunity, to be on the ground floor of something like this,” Aubrey said. “It’s not only streaming — which is where everyone wants to be — but I know everyone inside this company. There is jet fuel sitting here.”“This is a once-in-a-career opportunity, to be on the ground floor of something like this,” Aubrey said. “It’s not only streaming — which is where everyone wants to be — but I know everyone inside this company. There is jet fuel sitting here.”
Programs that have received the green light on her watch include “Love Life,” an unapologetic rom-com series starring Anna Kendrick, and “Legendary,” a competition show set in the underground ballroom scene. The first film she commissioned, “Tokyo Vice,” from the director Michael Mann and starring Ansel Elgort, was shut down after five days of shooting in Japan because of the virus. Aubrey thinks it, too, has a chance to start up again soon.Programs that have received the green light on her watch include “Love Life,” an unapologetic rom-com series starring Anna Kendrick, and “Legendary,” a competition show set in the underground ballroom scene. The first film she commissioned, “Tokyo Vice,” from the director Michael Mann and starring Ansel Elgort, was shut down after five days of shooting in Japan because of the virus. Aubrey thinks it, too, has a chance to start up again soon.
All of this will be part of the 10,000 hours of programming available on the platform once it reaches maturity. Vintage Warner Bros. sitcoms like “Friends” and “The Big Bang Theory” will sit alongside Warner Bros. films including the eight Harry Potter movies and DC Comics blockbusters featuring Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. It will also have the so-called Snyder Cut of “Justice League,” a re-edited and expanded version of the 2017 superhero film whose original director, Zack Snyder, had to abandon during production because of a family tragedy.All of this will be part of the 10,000 hours of programming available on the platform once it reaches maturity. Vintage Warner Bros. sitcoms like “Friends” and “The Big Bang Theory” will sit alongside Warner Bros. films including the eight Harry Potter movies and DC Comics blockbusters featuring Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. It will also have the so-called Snyder Cut of “Justice League,” a re-edited and expanded version of the 2017 superhero film whose original director, Zack Snyder, had to abandon during production because of a family tragedy.
Aubrey entered the entertainment business through the side-door of entertainment law, having worked as an associate at the Los Angeles law firm Greenberg Glusker.Aubrey entered the entertainment business through the side-door of entertainment law, having worked as an associate at the Los Angeles law firm Greenberg Glusker.
“I probably thought that, as an entertainment lawyer, I could give script notes,” she said. “I didn’t know how anything worked and I was constantly trying to figure out how to get in.”“I probably thought that, as an entertainment lawyer, I could give script notes,” she said. “I didn’t know how anything worked and I was constantly trying to figure out how to get in.”
She grew up in Austin, Tex. Her father was an entrepreneur. Her mother was a homemaker who became an executive director of Planned Parenthood. “It was not unusual for my mother to have a rubber educational replica of a uterus in her purse,” Aubrey said.She grew up in Austin, Tex. Her father was an entrepreneur. Her mother was a homemaker who became an executive director of Planned Parenthood. “It was not unusual for my mother to have a rubber educational replica of a uterus in her purse,” Aubrey said.
“The Love Boat,” “Fantasy Island” and “Laverne & Shirley” were formative. She was also a serious moviegoer, the kind who bought tickets early to make sure she would get good seats and not miss the previews. She recalled sobbing through “Terms of Endearment” and shaking with fear while watching “A Nightmare on Elm Street.” “Tootsie” gave her a glimpse of the entertainment business, with backstage scenes that showed how soap operas were made.“The Love Boat,” “Fantasy Island” and “Laverne & Shirley” were formative. She was also a serious moviegoer, the kind who bought tickets early to make sure she would get good seats and not miss the previews. She recalled sobbing through “Terms of Endearment” and shaking with fear while watching “A Nightmare on Elm Street.” “Tootsie” gave her a glimpse of the entertainment business, with backstage scenes that showed how soap operas were made.
“I loved this weird, early, very feminist tale, where a man dressed as a woman goes into a workplace and starts standing up for the other women,” she said.“I loved this weird, early, very feminist tale, where a man dressed as a woman goes into a workplace and starts standing up for the other women,” she said.
Updated June 12, 2020 Updated June 16, 2020
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
During her time as an entertainment lawyer, Aubrey met a high school friend’s husband, John Cameron, a producer who had worked on “Fargo,” “O, Brother, Where Art Thou?” and other films by Joel and Ethan Coen. She sent along a promising script by a writing duo she had stumbled upon, John Requa and Glenn Ficarra; nine months later she had quit the law and was on the set of “Bad Santa,” the 2003 comedy written by Requa and Ficarra that had the Coen brothers as executive producers.During her time as an entertainment lawyer, Aubrey met a high school friend’s husband, John Cameron, a producer who had worked on “Fargo,” “O, Brother, Where Art Thou?” and other films by Joel and Ethan Coen. She sent along a promising script by a writing duo she had stumbled upon, John Requa and Glenn Ficarra; nine months later she had quit the law and was on the set of “Bad Santa,” the 2003 comedy written by Requa and Ficarra that had the Coen brothers as executive producers.
She worked again with Cameron and the filmmaker Peter Berg on “Friday Night Lights,” both the Universal film version and the long-running NBC television series, as well as the 2007 action movie “The Kingdom.” With Berg, all told, she was a producer of seven movies, four television series and three documentary series.She worked again with Cameron and the filmmaker Peter Berg on “Friday Night Lights,” both the Universal film version and the long-running NBC television series, as well as the 2007 action movie “The Kingdom.” With Berg, all told, she was a producer of seven movies, four television series and three documentary series.
“She’s very scrappy,” Berg said. “She’s very well educated but she’s not elitist. She really knows how to roll up her sleeves and climb into the complexities of movie making.”“She’s very scrappy,” Berg said. “She’s very well educated but she’s not elitist. She really knows how to roll up her sleeves and climb into the complexities of movie making.”
Berg recalled a moment in Abu Dhabi when Aubrey showed her skills as a producer during the making of “The Kingdom.” It happened at a time when he had been putting off writing a quick scene that needed to be shot in the coming days. Aubrey paid a midnight visit to his hotel room. She locked the door and implored him to get to work. After he refused, she picked up a pineapple and threw it at his head, just missing her target. When she grabbed another pineapple, he reconsidered.Berg recalled a moment in Abu Dhabi when Aubrey showed her skills as a producer during the making of “The Kingdom.” It happened at a time when he had been putting off writing a quick scene that needed to be shot in the coming days. Aubrey paid a midnight visit to his hotel room. She locked the door and implored him to get to work. After he refused, she picked up a pineapple and threw it at his head, just missing her target. When she grabbed another pineapple, he reconsidered.
“She stood over me, with a pineapple raised over my head, while I sat at a desk,” Berg said. “I got out a pen, a paper, and wrote out the scene. She picked it up, she read it. She read it one more time. Then said, ‘OK, this will do.’ And she walked out of the room.”“She stood over me, with a pineapple raised over my head, while I sat at a desk,” Berg said. “I got out a pen, a paper, and wrote out the scene. She picked it up, she read it. She read it one more time. Then said, ‘OK, this will do.’ And she walked out of the room.”
In 2015, Reilly, who had worked with Aubrey when he was an executive at NBC, recruited her to join him at Turner Broadcasting. He put her in charge of original programming at the TNT cable network, which became an AT&T property in the Time Warner deal.In 2015, Reilly, who had worked with Aubrey when he was an executive at NBC, recruited her to join him at Turner Broadcasting. He put her in charge of original programming at the TNT cable network, which became an AT&T property in the Time Warner deal.
“The thing about Sarah is, at times she comes across as bookish, at times brash, at times intellectual, at times she’s that gal from Texas,” Reilly said.“The thing about Sarah is, at times she comes across as bookish, at times brash, at times intellectual, at times she’s that gal from Texas,” Reilly said.
Aubrey has yet to throw any fruit during her tenure at HBO Max. But she said the pressure was intense in the days before it was ready to go.Aubrey has yet to throw any fruit during her tenure at HBO Max. But she said the pressure was intense in the days before it was ready to go.
“We’ve got to launch this baby,” she said. “I can only rev at this rate for so many more days. I keep reminding everyone, ‘Guys, when you have a baby, that’s not the end, that’s the beginning.’ There is that moment when you are a new parent and you look down and think, ‘Oh my god, this is now forever.’ We are in it.”“We’ve got to launch this baby,” she said. “I can only rev at this rate for so many more days. I keep reminding everyone, ‘Guys, when you have a baby, that’s not the end, that’s the beginning.’ There is that moment when you are a new parent and you look down and think, ‘Oh my god, this is now forever.’ We are in it.”