Samantha Masunaga is an entertainment business reporter, with a focus on Hollywood studios and how the film business intersects with new industries. Since joining the Los Angeles Times in 2014, she has covered the aerospace industry, workplace culture and Southern California’s Japanese American community. Masunaga has previously worked for the Oregonian, the Orange County Register and the Rafu Shimpo, among other publications. A Southern California native, she is an alumna of the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism and UCLA.
Latest From This Author
Pressman Film, the studio behind “Thank You for Smoking” and “American Psycho,” is looking to raise funds for its upcoming development slate through crowd investing, a twist on a tactic used by other producers.
The Black List is known for highlighting unproduced screenplays and vaulting titles like ‘Spotlight’ and ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ into the zeitgeist. It’s now expanding into fiction.
Sept. 4, 2024
Antipiracy group Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment and the Hanoi police have shut down Fmovies, which is the world’s largest pirate streaming operation.
Aug. 29, 2024
The summer box office has been a welcome bright spot in an otherwise dismal year for the film industry.
Aug. 29, 2024
Walt Disney Co. has named James P. Gorman as chair of its succession planning committee to find the company’s next chief executive.
Aug. 21, 2024
Walt Disney Co. now says it will agree to let a wrongful-death lawsuit proceed in court, after initially arguing for arbitration.
Aug. 20, 2024
Digital distributor Fubo, which has cobbled together its own sports package, challenged the media companies’ partnership in court, making an argument that it would violate antitrust laws. A judge has granted a temporary injunction.
Aug. 16, 2024
Longtime YouTube and Google executive Adam Smith joins Walt Disney Co. as chief product and technology officer of Disney Entertainment and ESPN, as the media giant aims to beef up its tech.
Aug. 15, 2024
Disney says its Disney+ terms of service prevent a wrongful death lawsuit centered on a restaurant at one of its theme parks from moving forward.
Aug. 14, 2024
After a year of boardroom drama and box office disappointment, Disney seems to be rounding a corner. Fans at its biennial D23 convention feel the difference.
Aug. 13, 2024