Unveiling the Hollywood Witch Filter: How Celebrities are Embracing Witchcraft

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The Hollywood witch filter refers to the way witches are often portrayed in movies and television shows. When it comes to witches in Hollywood, there are certain common themes and stereotypes that tend to dominate the narrative. First and foremost, witches are often depicted as being women with supernatural powers. These powers may include the ability to cast spells, fly on broomsticks, and communicate with animals. Witches are typically shown as having a deep connection to nature and the elements, often practicing magic in secluded forest settings. In terms of appearance, witches are often portrayed as old, haggard women with long, unkempt hair and crooked noses.


Further, Verrilli argued that the studios aren’t inherently against filtering, only illegal filtering. “I think it speaks volumes that the filtering company out there that’s trying to do this in a way that’s consistent with the copyright laws and DMCA, ClearPlay, has filed an amicus brief on our side,” he said. “I think that tells you all you need to know about whether we’re trying to kill off filtering or not.”

You cannot invoke the Family Movie Act to excuse conduct that would be a violation of the DMCA on the ground that you re violating the DMCA so that you can do what the Family Movie Act would otherwise authorize, said Verrilli, paraphrasing Sen. I think it speaks volumes that the filtering company out there that s trying to do this in a way that s consistent with the copyright laws and DMCA, ClearPlay, has filed an amicus brief on our side, he said.

Hollywood witch filter

In terms of appearance, witches are often portrayed as old, haggard women with long, unkempt hair and crooked noses. They may wear tattered clothing and be depicted as having a generally ugly and sinister appearance. However, there are also instances where witches are shown as being attractive and seductive, using their powers to manipulate and deceive others.

Disney, VidAngel Weigh Family-Friendly Filtering Against Copyright Protection in the 9th Circuit

"In the absence of the Family Movie Act, you've got these works that are encrypted and you use what appears to be illegal software . to decrypt them," said one judge of VidAngel's service.

Ashley Cullins

June 8, 2017 3:56pm
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“I think this one’s a lot easier,” whispered 9th Circuit judge Carlos T. Bea to his colleague Andrew D. Hurwitz , comparing the unlicensed family-friendly streaming dispute between Disney and VidAngel to previous items on their calendar while the attorneys were setting up for their oral arguments on Thursday.

It’s unclear whether those in the room could hear, but the statement was plainly audible in a live stream on the court’s website. “I do, too,” responded Hurwitz with a laugh.

The dispute itself is no laughing matter, however, and has potentially wide-ranging implications for the entertainment industry in regard to fair use. It centers on whether VidAngel’s service that allows users to set filters and stream content infringes upon copyrights held by Hollywood studios in those films. Disney, 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros. argue the service threatens the legitimate streaming market, while VidAngel paints the lawsuit as part of a war on family-friendly content.

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The panel, comprised of Bea, Hurwitz and district judge Leslie E. Kobayashi, is currently reviewing whether the district court erred in issuing an injunction that paused VidAngel’s service. “The statute clearly requires that a performance or transmission of filtered content must come from an ‘authorized copy’ of the motion picture,” wrote U.S. District judge Andre Birotte in that decision. “The digital content that VidAngel streams to its customers is not from an authorized copy.”

The appellate arguments were the last on the panel’s Thursday calendar — and the apparent perception that two of the three judges consider this a straightforward case bodes well for the studios.

During the oral arguments, VidAngel attorney Peter Stris told the panel that the case boils down to two key questions: “Does the Family Movie Act authorize VidAngel’s copying and streaming and, if so … should the DMCA be interpreted to gut not only the Family Movie Act but also other well-recognized exemptions to copyright infringement?”

DVDs and Blu-rays contain technological measures that prevent unauthorized copying, and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act lays out specific situations in which circumventing those measures would be legal. Those exemptions are re-evaluated every three years. In 2015, for example, the exemption that allowed documentary filmmakers to lawfully access DVD content pursuant to fair use was expanded to include Blu-rays for the first time.

The Family Entertainment and Copyright Act of 2005, meanwhile, creates a different exemption. It allows “the making imperceptible … limited portions of audio or video content of a motion picture … from an authorized copy of the motion picture.”

So, as Birotte noted, whether VidAngel’s service filters from authorized or unauthorized copies is key here.

“In the absence of the Family Movie Act, you’ve got these works that are encrypted and you use what appears to be illegal software … to decrypt them,” said Hurwitz. “Isn’t that exactly what the DMCA is about?”

Stris said “absolutely not” and argued that, by buying the discs, VidAngel was given permission to access the content and therefore the family movie exemption applies. “You don’t pay $20 for a disc unless you’re going to have the right to watch it,” he said, adding that, in order to watch it, your DVD player has to bypass the access controls. He argues that, after buying a disc, he should be allowed to rip it and filter it without worry of legal consequences. “It’s very dangerous if our interpretation is rejected … I don’t think Mr. Verrilli will be able to explain how, under their interpretation of the Family Movie Act, anyone can ever filter through streaming without the studio’s permission.”

Hurwitz seemed skeptical. “The central issue for me is … you’re not transmitting from the one that you actually bought from them,” he said. “You’re transmitting from a copy that you’ve ripped. … Why is that ‘from an authorized copy’ language not fatal to your claim?”

VidAngel’s interpretation of the statute is that you can make a fixed copy of the original work if it enables filtering, and Stris argued that “Congress didn’t care about the technology and whether it made an intermediate copy as long as it met the other conditions in the provision.”

Donald Verrilli, attorney for the studios, argued that Birotte issued the injunction because he saw the service for what it is. “It’s an unlicensed on-demand streaming service that lacks any legal justification and is totally unfair to us and to licensed streaming services,” Verrilli said. “The only way you gain access lawfully under the DMCA is by using the means that the copyright owner has authorized for gaining access.”

Verrilli argued the 9th Circuit has already “unambiguously” held in MDY v. Blizzard that consumers can’t circumvent access control measures to view a DVD on a competing platform just because they purchased it.

“You cannot invoke the Family Movie Act to excuse conduct that would be a violation of the DMCA on the ground that you’re violating the DMCA so that you can do what the Family Movie Act would otherwise authorize,” said Verrilli, paraphrasing Sen. Orrin Hatch, who sponsored the bill. “What they’re essentially saying is ‘if we filter, we can stream without a license.'”

Further, Verrilli argued that the studios aren’t inherently against filtering, only illegal filtering. “I think it speaks volumes that the filtering company out there that’s trying to do this in a way that’s consistent with the copyright laws and DMCA, ClearPlay, has filed an amicus brief on our side,” he said. “I think that tells you all you need to know about whether we’re trying to kill off filtering or not.”

The full arguments can be viewed below. The 9th Circuit has removed the video which contained the entire morning calendar — including the hot mic moment — and replaced it with separate videos for each case. Looking at the court’s YouTube channel, it appears to be standard practice to separate the cases but it seems to vary as to whether the full calendar video is also removed after the cases are divided.

June 9, 12:30 p.m. Updated with a new video from Thursday’s hearing, after the initial video was removed from the 9th Circuit’s YouTube channel.

Hollywood witch filter

The Hollywood witch often plays the role of the villain or antagonist in a story. They are portrayed as using their powers for evil and malicious purposes, often seeking revenge or causing chaos. They may be depicted as cursing and hexing their enemies, and are often pitted against the protagonist or hero of the story. Despite the negative portrayal, there are also instances where witches are shown in a more positive light. They may be depicted as wise and knowledgeable, using their powers for good and helping others. In these cases, witches are often shown as being connected to a higher spiritual realm and serving as spiritual guides or healers. Overall, the Hollywood witch filter shapes our understanding and perception of witches in popular culture. While it may not accurately represent the diverse and complex history of witches, it has become the dominant portrayal in mainstream media. It is important to recognize that this portrayal is largely fictional and influenced by cultural stereotypes and biases..

Reviews for "The Witchcraft Renaissance: How the Hollywood Witch Filter is Reshaping Popular Culture"

1. Emma - 2/5: I was really excited to try the "Hollywood witch filter" after seeing all the hype on social media. However, I was quite disappointed with the results. The filter added a very unnatural and exaggerated look to my photos, making them look fake and tacky. The witch theme was poorly executed and didn't give me the glamorous Hollywood vibe I was expecting. Overall, it was a letdown and I wouldn't recommend it.
2. John - 1/5: This filter completely ruined the quality of my photos. The editing was so heavy-handed that it made everything look over-processed and garish. The "Hollywood witch" concept was a complete miss for me, as there was nothing glamorous or sophisticated about it. The filter made my skin look overly pale and washed out, and the added effects just looked cheap. I definitely regret wasting my time on this filter.
3. Sarah - 2/5: I found the "Hollywood witch filter" to be quite gimmicky and unimpressive. The filter applied heavy makeup and darkened my features in an attempt to create a witchy look, but it just ended up looking unflattering. Instead of enhancing my beauty, it made me look creepy and unattractive. The filter lacks the refinement and subtlety that I would expect from a Hollywood-themed effect. I would advise others to skip this one and look for better filters out there.
4. Mark - 1/5: The "Hollywood witch filter" was a waste of my time and didn't live up to the hype. The editing was poorly done, with artificial-looking makeup and effects that made my photos look like they were taken from a low-budget horror movie. The concept of combining Hollywood and witchcraft could have been intriguing, but this filter missed the mark completely. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who wants their photos to look polished and professional.
5. Emily - 2/5: I was hoping for a filter that would give me a glamorous and enchanting Hollywood witch look, but I was left disappointed. The filter's effects were too heavy-handed and made my pictures look extremely edited and unnatural. The witch theme came across as cheesy and cliché, lacking the elegant and sophisticated touch I was expecting. It's not the worst filter out there, but I wouldn't use it again.

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