Heavy Ds Reason for Dying Revealed

Heavy D Heavy D died from the lung embolism, the La County Coroner's Office stated Tuesday.Begin to see the stars we lost this yearThe 44-year-old rapper (real title: Dwight Arrington Myers) also experienced from cardiovascular disease and deep leg vein thrombosis, based on authorities, who ruled D's November. 8 dying as "natural."D were built with a bloodstream clot in the lung that "probably created throughout a long plane ride," Craig Harvey, chief from the coroner's office, stated. D had lately came back from Europe, where he carried out in a Michael Jackson tribute concert.A toxicology report also found cough syrup medication in D's system, but this didn't lead to his dying, Harvey stated. D apparently had pneumonia coupled with seen a physician for any persistent cough shortly before his dying.Heavy D dies at 44D flattened outdoors his Beverly Hillsides home and then died at Cedars-Sinai Clinic.

5 Movies That May Not Look Like Christmas Movies

La (AP) Alonso Duralde literally written it on Christmas movies: It's name is "Have Your Movie Little Christmas." Who simpler to guest-program 5 Most space now?Only Duralde a film critic for your Wrap and (full disclosure) my co-host round the YouTube review show "Just what the Flick?!" managed to get happen having a twist. He chose five movies that may not initially look like Christmas movies yet obtain that Christmasy vibe. Ultimately, anyone can pop "It's a Wonderful Existence" or "Elf" to the DVD player on 12 ,. 25, but we've got the expert, within the own words: "Eyes Wide Shut" (1999): You may can remember the well-known orgy sequence or perhaps the moments of then-couple Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman speaking frankly regarding sexual dreams but Stanley Kubrick's final film is positioned squarely inside the Christmas season, with virtually every scene including twinkle lights or wrapping paper or possibly a decorated tree. The delights in the Yuletide season are a fantastic innocent counterpoint with this particular tale of marital discord. "Metropolitan" (1990): Whit Stillman's charming and witty directorial debut uses its debutante ball setting since the perfect excuse to capture the positive thing about Manhattan at Christmastime, bedecked in accessories together with a coating of snow. As Stillman mentioned, his low-budget indie movie got numerous dollars' cost of free art direction within the capital of scotland - NY. "The Lion during the cold months monthsInch (1968): "What shall we hang the carol, or each other?" asks Henry II (Peter O'Toole) in this particular brittle and banter-filled comedy-drama that plays as being a mix between "Wager on Thrones" and "Who's Frightened of Virginia Woolf?" Henry brings his extended-jailed wife Eleanor of Aquitaine (Katharine Hepburn) lower from her tower to choose his successor from among their three sons, resulting in treachery, intrigue and swordplay. And you also thought your family members get-togethers were argumentative. "Under Zero" (1987): Robert Downey Junior. gave his breakthrough performance just like a spoiled Beverly Slopes teen losing themselves to drug abuse in this particular white-colored-washed adaptation in the Bret Easton Ellis best-seller. The story's lead character (carried out by Andrew McCarthy) in some manner got changed in the jaded hedonist to have an serious do-gooder, but Downey's performance as well as the film's chocolate-colored, neon-tinged version from the decadent eighties Christmas still endure. "Die Hard" (1988): Lots of people battle to consider this strategy classic just like a holiday staple, however, many might be your family where it's just not Christmas until Officer John McClane (Bruce Willis) blasts his way through several Eurotrash terrorists (introduced with the spectacularly viperfish Alan Rickman) at Nakatomi Plaza. It's a movie that set a bad tone for an additional decade's cost of shoot-Them-ups, but it's a holiday tale, lower for the redemption from the hero's rocky marriage and the effective use of gift wrap inside the final gun fight.Copyright 2011 Connected Press. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. By Christy Lemire December 23, 2011 "The Lion during the cold months monthsInch PHOTO CREDIT AP Photo La (AP) Alonso Duralde literally written it on Christmas movies: It's name is "Have Your Movie Little Christmas." Who simpler to guest-program 5 Most space now?Only Duralde a film critic for your Wrap and (full disclosure) my co-host round the YouTube review show "Just what the Flick?!" managed to get happen getting a twist. He chose five movies that may not initially look like Christmas movies yet obtain that Christmasy vibe. Ultimately, anyone can pop "It's a Wonderful Existence" or "Elf" to the DVD player on 12 ,. 25, but we've got the expert, within the own words: "Eyes Wide Shut" (1999): You may can remember the well-known orgy sequence or perhaps the moments of then-couple Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman speaking frankly regarding sexual dreams but Stanley Kubrick's final film is positioned squarely inside the Christmas season, with virtually every scene including twinkle lights or wrapping paper or possibly a decorated tree. The delights in the Yuletide season are a fantastic innocent counterpoint with this particular tale of marital discord. "Metropolitan" (1990): Whit Stillman's charming and witty directorial debut uses its debutante ball setting since the perfect excuse to capture the positive thing about Manhattan at Christmastime, bedecked in accessories together with a coating of snow. As Stillman mentioned, his low-budget indie movie got numerous dollars' cost of free art direction within the capital of scotland - NY. "The Lion during the cold months monthsInch (1968): "What shall we hang the carol, or each other?" asks Henry II (Peter O'Toole) in this particular brittle and banter-filled comedy-drama that plays as being a mix between "Wager on Thrones" and "Who's Frightened of Virginia Woolf?" Henry brings his extended-jailed wife Eleanor of Aquitaine (Katharine Hepburn) lower from her tower to choose his successor from among their three sons, resulting in treachery, intrigue and swordplay. And you also thought your family members get-togethers were argumentative. "Under Zero" (1987): Robert Downey Junior. gave his breakthrough performance just like a spoiled Beverly Slopes teen losing themselves to drug abuse in this particular white-colored-washed adaptation in the Bret Easton Ellis best-seller. The story's lead character (carried out by Andrew McCarthy) in some manner got changed in the jaded hedonist to have an serious do-gooder, but Downey's performance as well as the film's chocolate-colored, neon-tinged version from the decadent eighties Christmas still endure. "Die Hard" (1988): Lots of people battle to consider this strategy classic just like a holiday staple, however, many might be your family where it's just not Christmas until Officer John McClane (Bruce Willis) blasts his way through several Eurotrash terrorists (introduced with the spectacularly viperfish Alan Rickman) at Nakatomi Plaza. It's a movie that set a bad tone for an additional decade's cost of shoot-Them-ups, but it's a holiday tale, lower for the redemption in the hero's rocky marriage and the effective use of gift wrap inside the final gun fight.Copyright 2011 Connected Press. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Christina Ricci Returns to N.Y. Stage in 'Midsummer'

NY (AP) Christina Ricci's stage debut a year ago apparently didn't scare her off she's coming back.Producers mentioned Tuesday the "Pan Am" star will join two-time Tony Award champion Bebe Neuwirth in the Classic Stage Company output of William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream."The off-Broadway show will begin performances March 28 and play through May 6. Neuwirth will behave as Titania. Ricci will hold the role of Hermia.Ricci made her Broadway debut last season in Jesse Margulies' "Time Stands Still," altering Alicia Silverstone and starring opposite Laura Linney, John d'Arcy James and Eric Bogosian.Ricci burst towards the scene in 1990 as Cher's daughter in "Mermaids" and contains built a extended report on film credits, including "The Addams Family," ''The Ice Storm," ''Speed Racer" and "Penelope."Elizabeth Marvel to Rejoin 'Other Desert Cities'NY (AP) Elizabeth Marvel, who was simply part of the original off-Broadway cast of "Other Desert Urban centers,Inch will join the show on Broadway.Lincoln subsequently subsequently Center Theater mentioned Tuesday that Marvel will replace Rachel Griffiths in Jon Robin Baitz's experience March 6.Marvel, who created the role of novelist Brooke Wyeth when "Other Desert Urban centersInch first displayed-Broadway a year ago, will rejoin fellow original cast people Stockard Channing and Stacy Keach.Griffiths' final performance will probably be March 4.The play is about a wealthy, dysfunctional family wrestling getting an in-depth secret. It opened up up this winter within the Booth Theatre to critical praise.Copyright 2011 Connected Press. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. PHOTO CREDIT Jason Merritt/Getty Images NY (AP) Christina Ricci's stage debut a year ago apparently didn't scare her off she's coming back.Producers mentioned Tuesday the "Pan Am" star will join two-time Tony Award champion Bebe Neuwirth in the Classic Stage Company output of William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream."The off-Broadway show will begin performances March 28 and play through May 6. Neuwirth will behave as Titania. Ricci might have the role of Hermia.Ricci made her Broadway debut last season in Jesse Margulies' "Time Stands Still," altering Alicia Silverstone and starring opposite Laura Linney, John d'Arcy James and Eric Bogosian.Ricci burst towards the scene in 1990 as Cher's daughter in "Mermaids" and contains built a extended report on film credits, including "The Addams Family," ''The Ice Storm," ''Speed Racer" and "Penelope."Elizabeth Marvel to Rejoin 'Other Desert Cities'NY (AP) Elizabeth Marvel, who was simply part of the original off-Broadway cast of "Other Desert Urban centers,Inch will join the show on Broadway.Lincoln subsequently subsequently Center Theater mentioned Tuesday that Marvel will replace Rachel Griffiths in Jon Robin Baitz's experience March 6.Marvel, who created the role of novelist Brooke Wyeth when "Other Desert Urban centersInch first displayed-Broadway a year ago, will rejoin fellow original cast people Stockard Channing and Stacy Keach.Griffiths' final performance will probably be March 4.The play is about a wealthy, dysfunctional family wrestling getting an in-depth secret. It opened up up this winter within the Booth Theatre to critical praise.Copyright 2011 Connected Press. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

WATCH: Video Essay Deconstructs the Faces of Steven Spielberg in Film

In honor of the two Steven Spielberg releases this season — War Horse and The Adventures of Tintin — the folks over at Fandor are paying tribute to the master filmmaker via a new photo essay that celebrates Spielberg’s director trademark: The face. Not just any face though — an expression full of wonder that has washed over all of his protagonists dating back to his 1971 television movie Duel. Relive the many faces of Steven Spielberg ahead. The video essay goes to great lengths to not only establish what exactly the “Spielberg Face” is but to address the criticism it has received for being a manipulative tool — a way to show audience members what they too should be feeling at that moment in the movie. In 2001, the filmmaker addressed this criticism with A.I.: Artificial Intelligence, which features a robot protagonist with a permanent “Spielberg Face” — an artificial expression programmed for the benefit of the robot’s owner and to a similar degree, the benefit of the viewers. What do you think of the Spielberg face and which actor do you think has mastered it best? [via Fandor.com]

Mess, Tailor, Soldier, Spy Haiku Contest Those who win Introduced!

This won’t come nearly near to matching the poetry observed throughout a week ago’s Mess, Tailor, Soldier, Spy premiere giveaway contest (or even the tense, masterful symphony from the film itself, chock-filled with your preferred British thesps and “Pillow lipped chameleons”), but: “Thanks to any or all who performed/With odes to Mess, Tailor…/Those who win following the jump!” Champion to the three those who win, whose lyrical haikus instantly evoked the careers and skills of Mess, Tailor stars Tom Sturdy, Gary Oldman, and Colin Firth: “Gorgeous Tom Sturdy Pillow Lipped Chameleon Makes All Films Better” — Meg “Old guy Dracula risen from the vicious Sid -one Sirius dark night” — David Raines “English Thespian: Mr. Darcy, Bridget’s guy- Please, don’t sing again.” — Michael Ventimiglia Those who win happen to be approached via email regarding how to get their prize tickets. Extra points for saying your haikus for their subjects in the premiere, held Tuesday December 7 in Hollywood.

Gotham Honours: Tree Of Existence, Beginners Share Kudos For The Best Feature

Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Existence and Mike Mills’ Beginners shared the very best feature award at Monday evening’s 21st Annual Gotham Independent Film Honours. Other nominees for the best Feature were nominees were The Descendants, Meek’s Cutoff and Take Shelter. Girlfriend won the crowd award and Dee Rees was named breakthrough director for Pariah. Mike Mills’Beginners required best ensemble performance, and also the prize for the best Film Not Observed In A Theater Near You visited Moments of the Crime. Individuals filmmakers win per week’s run at Cinema Village in NY City. The win byBeginners would be a large surprise because the movie bested the greater profileThe Descendants, Shaun Nichols’Take Shelter andMartha Marcy May Marlene. Best documentary wasBetter Our Planet.Development Actor Award visited Felicity Johnson for Constantly. Event happened at Cipriani on Wall Street. Complete listing of those who win: Best Feature / Tie BEGINNERS Directed by Mike Mills Created by Leslie Urdang, Dean Vanech, Miranda p Pencier, Jay Van Hoy, Lars Knudsen Launched by Focus Features TREE OF Existence Directed by Terrence Malick Created by Sarah Eco-friendly, Bill Pohlad, Kaira Pitt, Dede Gardner, Grant Hill Launched by Fox Searchlight The Very Best Feature Jury incorporated: Anne Carey, Jodie Promote, Nicole Kidman, Lee Percy, and Natalie Portman Best Documentary BETTER Our Planet Directed and created by Katie Galloway and Kelly Duane p la Vega Created by Mike Nicholson The Very Best Documentary Jury incorporated: Jonathan Caouette, Keiko Deguchi, Rachel Grady, Chris Hegedus and Stanley Nelson Breakthrough Director Award DEE REES Author and director of PARIAH Launched by Focus Features The Breakthrough Director Jury incorporated: Ellen Kuras, Anthony Mackie, John Cameron Mitchell, Mike S. Ryan, Mira SorvinoBreakthrough Actor Award presented by stars Stanley Tucci and Melissa Leo. Breakthrough Actor FELICITY Johnson Actor in Constantly Launched by Vital Vantage The Breakthrough Actor Jury incorporated: Chris Eyre, Melissa Leo, Anne Rosellini, Ira Sachsand Jeffrey Wright Best Ensemble Performance Award Ewan McGregor, Christopher Plummer, Melanie Laurent, Goran Visnjic, Kai Lennox,Mary Page Keller, Keegan Boos in BEGINNERS Launched by Focus FeaturesThe Best Ensemble Performance Jury incorporated: Lena Dunham, Ryan Fleck, Peter Hedges,Philip Seymour Hoffman and Emily Watson. Best Film Not Playing in a Theater In Your Area Award Moments Of The CRIME Blue Hadaegh & Grover Babcock, Company directors and Producers The recipient of the greatest Film Not Playing in a Theater In Your Area award wasdetermined through the editors of Filmmaker magazine, a publication of IFP, along with a curator in the Museum of contemporary Art. Gotham Independent Film Audience Award GIRLFRIEND Justin Lerner, DirectorProduced by Jerad Anderson, Kristina Lauren Anderson, Justin Lerner, Rob OBanion The Crowd Award was chosen online by Filmgoers who love movies. Excitement Calvin Klein Spotlight on Women Filmmakers Live the Dream grant LUCY MULLOY for approaching film UNA NOCHE The excitement Spotlight on Women Filmmakers Live the Dream grant jury incorporated: Zoe Cassavetes, Katherine Dieckmann, Judy Greer and Jon Kilik.

Weekend Receipts Exclusive Edition: Muppets Co-Star Beaker Stops Working the vacation Box Office

As always, America’s taste for leftovers centered the lengthy Thanksgiving weekend — but enough about Breaking Beginning - Part 1, which handily pushed off newcomer The Muppets for to begin with in the holiday box office. The niche foods are what’s well worth sampling, and also to help break everything lower, I’d prefer to welcome Muppets co-star and special guest box-office correspondent Beaker to supply his typically keen, obvious-eyed experience. Your Weekend Receipts are here. 1. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Beginning - Part 1 Gross: $42,000,000 ($221,300,000) Screens: 4,066 (PSA $10,330) Days: 2 (Change: -69.6%) So, Beaker, the very first 1 / 2 of the Twilight finale narrowly prevented getting the franchise’s steepest week-two drop, trailing New Moon’s plunge with a mere half-percentage point. Are you currently surprised it didn’t break 70 %? Meemee meemeemee. Meemee, meemeemeemeemee meemeemee. But despite this kind of idle, expansive Thanksgiving weekend, audiences had lots of movies to select from. Shouldn’t it happen to be more competitive? Meemeemee, meemee. Meemeemeemee! Meememeemee meemee, meemeemee. Meemee? That’s an excellent question. Ultimately, though, I believe Bill Condon holds his mind high. Greater than after he co-created the Academy awards, anyway. Meemeemee. Meemee meemeemee, meemeemee — meemeemee meemee. 2. The Muppets Gross: $29,500,000 ($42,000,000) Screens: 3,440 (PSA $8,576) Days: 1 Let’s face the facts, Beaker: $42 million for that Muppets in 5 days may appear slightly soft, however for a elevated 󈨊s property basically remade for individuals within their 30s and 40s, that’s not too bad. Meemeemee. Meemee? Meemeemeemeemee. Meemee. Meemeemeemeemee, meemeemee — meemeemee. Meemeemeemee, meemee. Which means you’re disappointed? Meemeemeemee! Meemeemee. Maybe everyone laid the viral marketing and spoof trailers on a tad too thick. Possibly The Muppets only agreed to be overexposed? Meemeemee! Meemeemeemee, meemee meemee meemee — meemee. OK, fine. So perhaps not “you men,” but Disney, rather. Meemeemee. Would you have carried out anything in a different way? Like possibly play in the ensemble — less Jason Segel and Can Be, more Kermit and Miss Piggy and— Meemeemeemee. Meemee! Obviously — and much more Beaker. Mee. Would you’ll think we’ll obtain a follow up? Meemeemeemee. Meemee, meemee, meemee. Meemeemeemee. Maybe that you can do an action film meanwhile — type of a Rachelle LefervreOrAbduction factor to test a bolster your leading-guy cred. Meemeemeemeemeemeemeemeemeemeemeemeemee! Well, guess what happens I am talking about. Meemeemee. Meemee! 3. Happy Ft Two Gross: $13,400,000 ($43,773,000) Screens: 3,606 (PSA $3,716) Days: 2 (Change: -36.9%) That’s not necessarily a bad week-two drop whatsoever, could it be? Meemeemee. Meemee, meemee meemeemeemee meemeemeemeemee? I realize, however it’s a vacation weekend. The Muppets is certain to have competition in the household market. Meemeemeemee, meemeemee. I believe you mean, “Four-quandrant, shmour-quadrant.” Meemeemee. Meemeemeemee, meemeemee. 4. Arthur Christmas Gross: $12,700,000 ($17,000,000) Screens: 3,376 (PSA $3,762) Days: 1 See, this is exactly what I’m speaking about: It might have been worse for that Muppets. A minimum of you didn’t bottom out like Arthur Christmas. Meemeemee, meemee meemee meemeemeemee. Meemeemee! Meemee meemeemeemee meemee meemeemee. I don’t think James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie and Bill Nighy are very things i’d call “B-list limey voice tarts.” Meemeemee. Meemee? Well, at the minimum because McAvoy is Scottish. Meemeemee, meemee, meemeemeemee. Meemee! Meemeemeemee! 5. Hugo Gross: $11,350,000 ($15,380,000) Screens: 1,277 (PSA $8,888) Days: 1 This really is a different one I couldn’t peg starting the weekend. Loved the film, couldn’t browse the market. What is your opinion? Meemeemee, meemee, meemeemeemee. Meemeemee. Meemee? Meemeemee! The Three-D was beneficial, to be certain. So that as I had been alluding to a bit ago, I believe Vital saw the writing around the wall when it comes to family-film competition. Was 1,200 screens too conservative, too aggressive, or simply right? Meemeemee. Meemeemeemee, meemee. Meemee. Meemeemeemee, meemee, meemee. Meemee! Meemeemee — meemeemee, meemee? Meemeemeemee, meemee. Just how wide whenever they expand came from here? It appears enjoy it may go in either case. Meemee, meemeemee. Meemeemee meemeemeemeemee meemee. Fantastic. That’s why I really like you, Beaker. Meemeemee. — 10. The Descendants Gross: $7,200,000 ($10,741,000) Screens: 433 (PSA $16,628) Days: 2 (Change: +505%) 12. My Week With Marilyn Gross: $1,773,000 ($2,085,000) Screens: 244 (PSA $7,266) Days: 1 23. The Artist Gross: $210,000 (new) Screens: 4 (PSA $52,500) Days: 1 Therefore The Weinsteins heaped Marilyn and also the Artist into one weekend — two Oscar hopefuls opposite Fox Searchlight’s own honours-equine The Descendants. I honestly don’t believe that’s an experiment even you'd have attempted, and also you’re always coming some misconception. Meemeemee, meemeemeemee. Meemeemeemee. Meemee. Well, let’s not get too much in front of ourselves. The end result is the best theatrical average each week goes to some quiet, black-and-whitened film produced by a French guy. Are you able to accept is as true? Meemeemee. Meemee, meemeemeemee — meemee! Are we able to all agree that Marilyn opened up too strongly? Like, Michelle Williams wasn’t even really around to advertise it much — also it’s her freaking movie. Meemee! Meemeemee, meemeemeemee. Meemeemee. Just how much do you consider The Artist could make in the finish during the day? Meemeemee. Meemee? Meemee? Wow. How about The Descendants? Meemee. Meemee? Seriously? It’s ranked R, it's only Clooney going for this title-smart… Meemeemee, meemee meemee, meemeemee. Yeah, but a minimum of Black Swan had lesbians. Meemee. Meemeemeemee. I suppose we shouldn’t omit A Harmful Method at $182,000 on four screens — a $45,500 per-screen average. Meemeemee. Meemee. Yeah, my ideas exactly. Meemee. Thank you for joining me today, Beaker. And, er, my dear God you’re burning! Meemeemeemeemeemeemeemeemeemeemeemeemeemeemeemeemee! [Figures via Box Office Mojo] Follow S.T. VanAirsdale on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.

Kidpic trio might have trouble falling 'Dawn'

A good amount of options to a family event auds over Thanksgiving weekend could potentially cause kidpic cannibalization. Disney's "The Muppets" is predicted to top Aardman Animation's 3d CGI "Arthur Christmas" and Martin Scorsese's 3d, f/x-laden "Hugo." But B.O. experts aren't depending on Kermit as well as the gang to overcome Summit's "Twilight" crew, as holdover "Breaking Beginning -- Part 1" is forecasted to gross inside the $60 millions in five days. "The Muppets," which bows today at 3,440 locations, should earn somewhere north of $40 million through Sunday, according to pre-weekend monitoring services. B.O. bloggers expect Sony's "Arthur Christmas," which set you back a reported $98 million, to earn $15 million-$17 million in five days at 3,376 locations, while Paramount's "Hugo," created by GK Films for just about any pricey $170 million, is monitoring round the soft side inside the low double amounts, even though it opens just 1,277. The Three wide openers are seeing better reviews in comparison to average family pic, that may widen appeal. Overseas B.O. won't go to a similar holiday boost, and "Breaking Beginning" should win again after last weekend's $152.9 million worldwide bow. "Arthur Christmas" opens day-and-date australia wide, France and Japan, while "The Muppets" launches only in Mexico. Disney features a steady history within the Thanksgiving box office. A year ago, Disney's "Twisted" started out strong getting a five-day take of $53.7 million. But that wasn't enough to overcome "Harry Potter as well as the Deathly Hallows: Part 2," which collected $75 million within the second outing. Due to the multigenerational appeal for "The Muppets," starring Could Be and Jason Segel and allotted inside a relatively affordable $45 million, some bizzers the film could one-up anticipation. Despite the fact that some monitoring runs as much as $48 million, a control button has offered an even more modest conjecture inside the high $30 millions. Disney has flexed considerable marketing muscle in marketing to older teens and college-age students. The blitz unofficially began couple of years ago, when the Muppet Studio posted a version of "Bohemian Rhapsody" to YouTube that's since nabbed greater than 23 million sights the campaign found a mind while using Muppets' recent appearance on "Saturday Evening Live." "Breaking Beginning" should go to a three-day week-to-week drop similar to individuals of "New Moon," which fell 72% a couple of days ago this past year. "New Moon" first demonstrated with $143 million "Breaking Beginning" collected $138 million opening weekend and contains totalled almost $148 million up to now. The penultimate "Twilight" pic has little competition for teen women. If the involves family films, however, the trio of latest records will deal with holdovers like "Happy Foot Two" and "Puss in Boots" to lure kids. "Foot" bowed a week ago with a soft $21 million in 72 hrs but should hold steady, getting a forecasted five-day consume the mid-$20 millions. "Happy Foot Two" cumed nearly $23 million through Tuesday "Puss in Boots" approaches $125 million in your area. 3d likely could have a marginal effect on both films. A week ago, "Happy Foot" acquired just 50% of the opening from 3d -- similar to "Puss in Boots" at 51%. That's a lot better than a couple of from the summer's 3d figures (e.g., "Cars 2") but lower substantially from this time around around a year ago with films like "Megamind" and "Twisted." "Arthur Christmas" bows at 2,378 3d locations "Hugo" has roughly 1,000 3d locations. Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com

Marketing strategies can shift at Globes time

The morning of the Golden Globes nominations is major marker during awards season, an event that brings into focus which films have traction and which have not.For some films, earning a nom is either renewed hope for awards glory and a box office boost, or in other cases simply another step in a larger marketing plan that's been in the works for months. For those not making the list, it can be a reality check that it may be time to shake up their marketing plans, but it also may be too late in the game for much to be changed.The biggest advantage of the Golden Globes is their popularity, which makes them effective in helping to build momentum at the box office as well as in the longrunning awards race."If we do get momentum from the Golden Globes, then we can make the decision to step up our release plans and go faster," says Nancy Utley, co-prexy of Fox Searchlight.Most studios are prepared well in advance for any Globe noms to come their way. As soon as the noms are announced in early ayem hours, the studios are ready to send out digital ads online and print ads the following day."You can feel when a movie has momentum," says Utley. "We'll add more screens or more ad support, so we can get people to go in that momentum."The noms, announced Dec. 15, arrive just before the holiday moviegoing period. With millions of folks on vacation part or all of the last two weeks of the air, box office gets a nice boost from the noms.Not getting nominated in the top drama film category is obviously a letdown, but studios have those contigency plans in place as well."If that doesn't happen, you capitalize on what you do get," says Utley. "In some cases, you may not expand (in more theaters) right away, you may wait for Oscar nominations."Comedies, however, often have a much better chance at a Globes nod, and understand Oscar is likely out of reach. For those studios, their marketing campaigns are very Golden Globes-specific and reach out to Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. voters via screenings and press conferences."The Golden Globes have more categories than the Oscars, so there are lots of opportunities for hopefuls to gain traction," says Robert Marich, author of "Marketing for Moviegoers." "The Globes are low-hanging fruit -- easy pickings that let the awards consultants say, 'Hey, we did our job because you are nominated.'"Much is made of the connection between receiving a Golden Globes nom and/or win and being recognized at the Oscars, but from a marketing perspective the awards are very different."It's two different voting bodies, so they don't really correlate," says Utley.Changing course on a major marketing plan is sometimes difficult to do midstream, but at times failing to get an expected nom at the Globes can be a sign that it must be done.And in other instances, being left out of the Globes can effectively kill a film's awards chances and leave it open to the wrong kind of publicity."You can end up in a bunch of stories about who missed out, about who snubbed," says Utley. "That can put kind of a stink on a movie that you have to battle back from."Marich agrees: "If talent or a film isn't nominated in the Globes, voters for other awards have to wonder if snubbed films and talent are really worthy. The candidates know this, so they don't want to be conspicuous by their absence."Lastly, there are always lessons to be learned from not getting a nom that can be beneficial for a film. Utley says such scenarios may reveal a campaign isn't working and give marketers a chance to reverse strategy."It could be a different ad approach, different quotes you're using in the marketing or finding another way of talking about the movie," Utley explains.GOLDEN GLOBES PREVIEWRicky didn't lose their number | Peace for a time as org and prodco collaborate | No-limit rule a boon for global pic parade | HFPA denies being starstruck in noms process | Marketing strategies can shift at Globes time | No rest for the bleary-eyed | New kids on the block Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

'X Factor': Chris Rene Wears Questionable Rocawear 'Occupy' Shirt

Shirley Halperin Like a Top finalist on X Factor features its own privileges. Just request Chris Rene, who handled to acquire his at work a Rocawear Occupy Wall Street shirt for his performance of Bob Marley's "No Lady No Cry" on Wednesday evening. despite the fact that the Jay-Z-possessed company attracted the tees in the website and retailers among rainwater of dialogue.our editor recommendsJay-Z Selling Occupy Wall Street T-T t shirts No Expects to talk about Profits With ProtestorsJay-Z's Occupy Wall Street T-T t shirts: What THR's Site visitors Say PHOTOS: The Scene at Occupy Wall Street At problem: the notion that the street was created to assist Occupy Wall Street but wouldn't share profits while using thousands of protesters who've setup camping in parks and near government structures for your better part of two several days. Mentioned a particular critic: "Jay-Z, as gifted while he is, gets the political sensibility from the hood rat which is a nut sack. To try and make money from the very first important social moment of fifty years by getting an overpriced little bit of cotton is certainly an insult for the fight for economic civil rights known to as #occupywallstreet." PHOTOS: The Scene at Occupy La Rene acquired the shirt using the show's stylist team, introduced byJune Ambrose, who informed the finalist it came from from Jay-Z. "I'm so honored, I am in a position to barely say anything," Rene told the Hollywood Reporter following his performance. For that content? He too feels solidarity with Occupy protesters, but what continues if he wins the $5 million prize and becomes part of the one percent? Mentioned Rene:"I'd be among people clowns, however might be improving the 99%. There's always a solution. It's everything you make use of your hard gained cash with your heart. Because actions speak even even louder than words, too as with existence, it's the key factor." Jay-Z The X Factor Chris Rene

Martin Scorsese Talks 'Hugo,' Recurring Bad dreams or nightmares and the way His 12-Year-Old Rules the Roost

Using the downstairs family room of his Upper East Side brownstone around the crisp Sunday mid-day in November, Martin Scorsese, who turns 69 on November. 17, can be as buoyant and thoughtful obviously. He discloses for the Hollywood Reporter's senior film author Jay Fernandez through the briefest of breaks from putting the best touches round the 3d effects within the latest film, Hugo, opening November. 23.our editor recommends'Hugo' Q&A: James Cameron & Martin ScorseseTHR's Company company directors Roundtable: The best way to Fire People, Who to Steal From, and Amy Pascal's Secret AdviceVIDEO: Martin Scorsese and James Cameron round the 3d found in 'Hugo' A couple of from the experience of the legendary auteur in THR's cover story: SCORSESE Features A RECURRING NIGHTMARE Including OTHER Company company directors He particulars to THR the vivid dream through which he's in the office on set, unaware just what the movie is, exactly what it's about, or who the heavens are. He only sees that the producers are pushing him to acquire this factor started, now. A dutiful artist, Scorsese dives together with the assistance of his real-existence frequent first assistant director Joe Reidy, only to realize that standing besides the set is definitely an very famous older director. This mystery director is someone real, and great, but Scorsese, upon waking, never recalls who it's. The guy's presence unnerves him, which according to him towards the producers. "Don't worry," he's told. "He's just here to determine. It's your factor." The anonymous dream director may be Ingmar Bergman, Akira Kurosawa, Michael Powell, Satyajit Ray, Orson Welles, Jean Renoir -- the symbols Scorsese has revered and chased along with his art for several years. "However understood he was probably prone to dominate a few things i was doing," Scorsese continues in hushed tones. "And progressively, it is said, 'You know, in the event you could just sit lower, we'll permit him to handle this scene. ...''" HE JUST WALKED HIS DAUGHTER Lower THE AISLE His middle girl, Domenica Cameron-Scorsese, born soon after he gained Taxi Driver, some his marriage to Julia Cameron, was married November. 11 in Chicago. The milestone has shaken him his voice softens, which he fumbles to explain the feelings it elevated. "It absolutely was very moving, but ... she's our child," according to him. "It absolutely was kind of surreal, I didn't quite ... understand that it absolutely was really happening instantly. I still can't quite grasp it. This is ideal for my daughter and everything she married a sweet youthful gentleman. Nevertheless it starts something totally new. Your condition is diversely let us concentrate on them. There's hardly any that can be done. You'll be able to help nonetheless, you are able to, however, you're older, you'll be dying. You're not necessarily around. And here you go.In . HOW SCORSESE'S $100 MILLION-PLUS 3d HUGO HAPPENED Scorsese was quite drawn to some film adaptation of John Selznick's 2007 novel The Invention of Hugo Cabret. Evidently a family group film, the 3 dimensional Hugo is simply as much an look for the power of cinema as well as the lost legacy of seminal artist George Melies. Producer Graham King, who funded the film through his GK Films, first optioned the novel using the Actor-kaira Pitt when both had production deals at Warner Bros., several days before Scholastic Press even launched it within the month of the month of january 2007. (The project eventually migrated towards the new the new sony, then Vital, searching for a Christmas slot it opens November. 23). Scorsese and King already were talking about which makes it a component together after they won Oscars for your Departed, the identical weekend that Cabret hit No. 1 round the NY Occasions best-seller list. While John Logan, who authored The Aviator for Scorsese, labored to nail lower a script, Scorsese stopped to produce Shutter Island for Vital. Other filmmakers were considering Hugo, but King anxiously anxiously waited. When Scorsese had completed Shutter Island and was finally absolve to tackle Hugo inside the summer season of 2010, he told King he preferred to test shooting in 3d the first time. Despite the fact that cameras and extra tech crew would add fifteen percent for the $100 million-plus budget, King felt the 3 dimensional would also create an intriguing marketing hook: a vaunted old-school filmmaker coping with the most recent of technologies. SCORSESE'S CHILDHOOD Created HIS FILMMAKING Scorsese traces his devotion to film upkeep and restoration towards the emotional limitations of his childhood. The greater youthful of two brothers and sisters in a really " " Old World " " immigrant NY family that were living in Queens so the Lower East Side tenements, he frequently was told to keep his childish opinions to themselves. Becoming an bronchial bronchial asthma sufferer, he was always sick, which meant sports and pets weren't permitted, departing him by getting an exterior and internal existence that only may be opened up up in the cinema. "It opened up up up items that I wasn't allowed to convey much," Scorsese states. "I wasn't allowed to share my feelings about anybody or anything. This sort of feeling which questions that have been being asked for throughout my thoughts too as with my heart, plenty of it had been being addressed inside the films I saw." What Sort Of BAMBI MOVIE OUTING Changed HIM In the very youthful age, Scorsese was watching from Singin' even though it is pouring down rain to Italian neo-realist cinema. His Aunt Mary once needed him together with a cousin to find out a rerelease of Bambi within the Forest Slopes Theater in Queens, only to first see the 1947 film noir In the Past. "I used to be way too youthful for the one," Scorsese states by getting a watch roll. "I used to be telling my aunt, 'When's Bambi developing?' She mentioned, 'Shut up, that is good.' The imagery continued to be with me at night, that crazy poetic mood. It absolutely was really art." But Round the Waterfront broke through with techniques that no others had before -- he saw his hard-working uncles and cousins in every single frame of Elia Kazan's 1954 masterpiece. "It absolutely was literally as if the digital camera reaches my apartment or all the time corner around,Inch according to him. "All of this meant an excellent me and connected me while using outdoors world." HIS MOVIE MEAN Streets HAD PERSONAL Effects By his mid-20s, Scorsese had graduated from film school and was searching to put their very own encounters on the watch's screen, most especially in the 1973 crime drama Mean Streets. Nevertheless the fallout of showing his personal world in public areas ended up stinging him. "I'd effects on that," according to him in the clipped manner that signifies the memory remains fresh for him. "Family and pals who've been insulted." SCORSESE Passion For CLASSICS Produced A 'DIRECTOR WHO'S WHO' CLUB Once he found their very own voice just like a filmmaker, he and peers like Steven Spielberg couldn't find decent prints in the movies which in fact had given them as kids, and so they began a deal to convince the art galleries these classics had value. "They didn't realize that with a whole generation, they weren't only goods," according to him. "It absolutely was part of who we are. It absolutely was part of everyone which has any relationship with cinema. That is something we started to acquire militant about. 'You may own them,' I mentioned. 'But actually, you're custodians for just about any culture.' In 1990, along with Spielberg, George Lucas, Francis Ford Coppola, Sydney Pollack while others, he produced the nonprofit Film Foundation, too as with 2007 he created the earth Cinema Foundation to improve the company's restoration attempt to foreign films. "To transfer, that's the key factor factor," according to him. SCORSESE YOUNGEST DAUGHTER INSPIRED HIM To Produce HUGO One results of trading more hours along with his 12-year-old daughter Francesca -- Scorsese's two other kids, Catherine and Domenica, tend to be than 2 decades older -- could it be aided convince him to produce a family film from Hugo. "You deal with them each day to actually're made to understand really how they begin to see the planet around them, even from the quantity of their height," according to him. "It's another way of just living entirely. However the one factor about this makes it [doing Hugo] made an appearance natural. It didn't appear as being a stretch. Being around children, I'm very at ease with them now." Actually, Scorsese's birthday is only a following day of Francesca's (hers is November. 16), which he feigns exasperation that they'll get top billing around the annual combined party. "She'll get all the attention now," according to him. "I've taken her aside a few occasions, as they say. I gave her the word: Watch it." Even though director confesses the downstairs family room is Francesca's turf. Although he takes an ipod device device everywhere, Scorsese states he doesn't achieve play his music in their zone. "Oh, no," according to him with mock importance, "no, no," as if he were a scared flunky utilized by a mob boss. From time to time, he confesses he'll stroll through whizzing Cream's "Sunshine from the Love" and acquire Francesca hooked. SCORSESE By Themself LEGACY 30 years ago, Hug Me Deadly director Robert Aldrich sent instructions getting seen Raging Bull nonetheless, "Inside a very long time, that'll function as anyone to be appreciated." "I prize that letter," Scorsese states, then mulls the opportunity with a combination of skepticism and hope. "The simple truth is, for individuals who create anything, you typically wish to be appreciated," according to him "You might be appreciated for just about any year, a century, you might be appreciated for just two 1000 years, but eventually everything goes. You need to simply think that. First, may possibly not stand the age range. So when it doesn't, you most likely did the most effective you are able to. You may have affected others's lives -- maybe. You may have made people think in different ways. Which's everything you specified for to complete. Now it's over." See the complete THR cover story. Related Subjects Martin Scorsese Hugo

Hat Trick brings improv to India

Posted: Wed., Nov. 16, 2011, 12:52pm PTHat Trick Intl., the distribution arm of Blighty's Hat Trick Prods., has partnered with India's Miditech to bring improvisational half-hour "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" to the subcontinent. The venture will expand the brand across TV and live-event platforms. Headed by brothers Niret and Nikhil Alva, Miditech is well established in India, having brought "Survivor" and "The Voice" to the country. Miditech will pitch the show to Indian broadcasters and aims to get it on air next year. Hat Trick Intl. also distributes BBC gamer "Have I Got News for You" and Showtime's "Episodes," with Matt LeBlanc, among other content. - -- Dan Doperalski Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Big Bang Theory's Johnny Galecki: Penny and Leonard Are the Loves of Each Other's Lives

Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco The Big Bang Theory's Penny and Leonard are about to take the next step: Being friends.After several years of an on-again, off-again relationship, the pair will attempt to rekindle their friendship in Thursday's episode (8/7c, CBS), which sees them going on a non-date date. "They're defining that friendship," Johnny Galecki tells TVGuide.com. "They're discovering it and massaging it into something that it can be."Photo Gallery: Check out the best TV nerdsPenny (Kaley Cuoco) and Leonard have been on the outs since he first told her he loved her in Season 3, to which she replied "thank you." Things were only made worse when Raj's sister, Priya (Aarti Mann), came into the picture in Season 4, and Leonard rekindled an old flame with her, much to Penny's chagrin.Leonard's relationship with Priya caused a divide in their friendship, but with Priya out of the country, and their relationship on the rocks, Penny and Leonard will make a go of having a normal friendship. "It's taken a while to find that happy mutual ground for both of them, and there will be misunderstandings within it," he says.However, Galecki is quick to point out that a rekindled friendship does not mean they'll jump back into a relationship. "Not now," he says. "I do think there's a deep caring on both of their parts, but I think it would be premature at this point to take another stab at it. They have so much to learn. She's got a lot of baggage. He's got a lot of lessons to learn. I hope at some point down the road. I do think they may be the loves of each other's lives."The Big Bang Theory Boss: Raj and Penny's hookup is karma for LeonardThough Leonard has called himself single since he learned Priya slept with her ex-boyfriend - and Leonard kissed a fellow comic book enthusiast - Galecki hints that Priya may make a return appearance. "He's made mention that he's single, but at the same time, I've heard [executive producer] Bill Prady telling Aarti Mann to not worry, that this isn't the end of it, that she'll be back, but who knows? A lot of that changes in the writers' room."Do you think Penny and Leonard should end up together? Hit the comments with your thoughts.The Big Bang Theory airs Thursdays at 8/7c on CBS.

Around the Group of Lifeclass, The famous host oprah Is Full of Social Networking

The famous host oprah Winfrey It isn't so difficult to make contact with The famous host oprah Winfrey. Within the last couple of days, audiences who've adopted the first kind Full of Daytime into prime time on her behalf eponymous cable network have discovered themselves able to take part in real-time conversations with Winfrey via Skype, Twitter and facebook throughout the nightly series Oprah's Lifeclass (Monday-through-Friday, 8/7c, OWN). Throughout the live a part of last Friday's show, which shot in La, a youthful guy named Harel beamed in via Skype from Israel to request Winfrey herself for many advice simply, he'd been getting a little of the existential crisis. She shared her very own ideas on giving back after which read him a comment from the Facebook user who wrote in, specifically for Harel: "You're here. Many of us are one out of millions of options. You matter." Whenever a university student in Plattville, Wis., spoke to Winfrey and Friday's co-coach Iyanla Vanzant about her lack of ability to maneuver on in the driving accident she triggered that wiped out her closest friend last year, Winfrey again cited a Facebook user. "From Marlene: Let her know to celebrate existence rather than reliving the dying." The famous host oprah among honorary Oscar readers Each evening throughout Oprah's Lifeclass, Winfrey shares the existence training she learned throughout two-and-a-half decades from the The famous host oprah Winfrey Show. The weeknight series opened March. 10 to 330,000 audiences - but with no lately added Friday publish-reveal that airs survive TV an internet-based, putting her in contact with her fans. Last Friday, a lot more than 46,000 Lifeclass students drenched to the show's Facebook page, additionally to individuals who participated on Twitter, to speak and then leave comments on which was happening live. A lot of individuals were continue reading-air by both Winfrey and OWN Leader Sheri Salata, who also live-tweeted throughout the session. Individuals within the studio audience were urged by producers to sign up on Facebook and tweet using their seats laptops and iPads were welcome. The famous host oprah being Boss of OWN "We are exercising the total amount between TV and also the online factor," Winfrey told the crowd as she returned among Skype conversations, Facebook, polling the crowd and talking using the in-studio guest (a week ago, it had been Nia Vardalos). And she or he appeared to actually be taking pleasure in the free-flowing format. "Used to do the fireplace waaaaaaalk," she sang towards the audience towards the top of the show, explaining that on her new The month of january series, Oprah's Next Chapter, she'd lately questioned Tony Robbins. "Are you currently tweeting? Have you tell Them I had been a firewalker?" she requested throughout an industrial break. She fawned over lately kicked Dwts contestant David Arquette, who Skyped directly into share their own moment about being kind to yourself. And also at the finish from the evening, she informed her visitors how amazed she ended up being to have interacted with Lifeclass viewers in New Mexico, Connecticut, Toronto, Wisconsin and Israel. "I really like this," she stated. The very first season of Lifeclass concludes Friday, and Winfrey introduced that the second season would begin early the coming year -- having a couple of changes. The Chicago-based series goes on the highway and change to an every week format instead of a regular one, which she stated her students discovered to be "a significant amount ofInch when it comes to maintaining using the homework. Perhaps you have drenched onto perform some deep-thinking with The famous host oprah? Are you going to sign up for another season of in Lifeclass?

Another Setback For MPTF: Feds Approve 22% Cut In Medi-Cal Payments

It appears as though the Film and tv Fund can’t win for losing. A measure forward then 3 or 4 steps back. A contract with Providence Health & Services to supply acute care ultimatelyfell through. Then your ousted former mind from the MPTF hospital Dr. David Tillman — whom many blame for his role attempting to close the Wasserman Campus facilities for acute care — was rehired by cronies as First Chief Medical Officer. The MPTF blog reviews the feds have OKd cuts in Medi-Cal payments that add up to a 22% decrease in revenue: Last Thursday, i was told that Content management systems (the government agency, Centers for Medicare insurance and State medicaid programs) had approved the request from the California Department of Health Services to lessen Medi-Cal compensation rates some by 10% as well as in our situation, for distinct part nursing, by over 22% (10% from 2008-2009 rates). Now given that the majority in our lengthy-term care and Harrys Haven citizens are Medi-Cal supported, this essentially means a 22% decrease in our annual revenues of these services or $2.two million. Place it one other way: were returning to compensation rates which are 10% less than individuals in 2008 simultaneously as were having to pay over 16% more for labor, undoubtedly the biggest element of our total costs. Thats enough to consider your breath away! As the Department of Health Servicess decision to maneuver ahead with one of these harmful compensation cutbacks will likely be challenged in the court immediately stop, delay, reverse would be the objectives and will not work for a while, we have to anticipate they ultimately will come up and knock over our earnings statement. From Saving the Lives in our Own: Saving the Lives in our Own is urged the MPTF is keeping its resolve for probably the most frail and vulnerable of industry families by going after the Medi-Cal funding problem in the court. We are prepared to serve and plan to join the MPTF as amicus litigants. In solidarity using the Board’s responsibility, our goals will be to keep your Long-term Care facility open now and also to ensure its future. Anything less will be a unfaithfulness from the Fund’s historic mission.

'The Hunger Games' Exclusive Character Poster: Gale

For 'Hunger Games' fans on Team Gale, the options certainly in your favor. Moviefone is content to debut a brand name-new character poster highlighting your chosen non-Katniss District 12 hunter, Gale Hawthorne. Carried out inside the adaptation of Suzanne Collins' worldwide phenomenon by Liam Hemsworth, Gale is Katniss Everdeen's (Jennifer Lawrence) nearest friend, confidant and hunting partner. See the poster ahead. [Click for your full-size image] Gale isn't the main 'Hunger Games' character acquiring the poster treatment Katniss (via Yahoo!), Peeta (via MTV), Rue (via Teen.com), Cato (via MSN Movies), Haymitch (via IGN), Effie (via EW) and Cinna (via Fandango) have one too. Starring Lawrence, Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Woodsy Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Jesse Sutherland and Stanley Tucci, 'The Hunger Games' involves theaters on March 23, 2012. In the event you haven't marked that inside your calendar yet, you're clearly carrying out a problem. [Photo: Lionsgate] 'Hunger Games' Photos See All Moviefone Galleries » Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook RELATED

Redbox to Raise DVD Rental Price 20% Per Day

No doubt hoping a fee hike won't engender a Netflix-like revolt among its users, Redbox said Tuesday it will increase the price of renting standard DVDs by 20 percent beginning Monday. The announcement came via a press release that disclosed strong earnings and revenue for Redbox parent Coinstar, but investors didn't seem happy. In after-hours trading, Coinstar shares were sinking more than 12 percent after dropping 2 percent to $52.95 during the regular session. Investors might be selling shares because they remember that when Netflix raised their prices it lost 800,000 subscribers and its stock tanked. Coinstar CEO Paul Davis said the new price -- $1.20 a day for DVD rentals, up from $1 previously -- reflects costs associated with rising operating expenses, including government mandates brought about by the so-called Durbin Amendment that was supposed to benefit consumers through lower debit-card fees. Redbox said prices for Blu-ray movies and video games will remain at $1.50 and $2 per day, respectively. "This marks the first price increase for a Redbox standard definition DVD rental in eight years," Davis said. "The change is primarily due to the increase in operating expenses, including the recent increase in debit card interchange fees as a result of the Durbin Amendment." Coinstar said Thursday its profit in the third quarter soared 90 percent to $37 million on revenue that rose 23 percent to $466 million. On a per-share basis, Coinstar earned $1.18, way past the 88 cents Wall Street was expecting. Coinstar ended the quarter with 34,400 Redbox DVD kiosks and 19,500 coin-counting kiosks. Redbox accounted for $390 million in revenue in the quarter while the coin business accounted for $76 million. Related Topics Netflix

Clooney goes Hawaiian

Producer Jim Burke, George Clooney, Shailene Woodley and Alexander Payne bring "The Descendants" for the London Film Festival. The BFI London Film Fest situated the eu preem of "The Descendants" Thursday evening, and George Clooney was clearly familiar with the expansion-fueled labyrinth of Leicester Square, following his "Ides of March" bow there the last evening. The star shown he's the power to produce back-to-back crowds.Regarding his second preem that week, Clooney revealed why he mentioned yes to playing a less-than-suave family guy inside the Fox Searchlight pic. "The chance to use Hawaiian t t shirts with over the top attracted-up khakis," he mentioned.

Call The Kevin Smith Hotline Today!

Do you have a question? Need some advice and you just don't know where to turn? Have a shameful fiction-based sexual fantasy that needs satisfying? Well, my friend, you no longer need to fear. Kevin Smith is here with a brand new advice help line. Call him any time you have a question about writing, directing, or are just a little lonely and need a "Star Wars" referencing freaky encounter. "I want to slit you open like a tauntaun, slip inside and get all so, so warm like Han Solo did for Luke," Smith says in a special free preview. What would you ask Kevin Smith? Let us know in the comments below and on Twitter!

'Twilight' Star Is definitely an Worldwide Spy in New Series 'Aim High'

Most senior high school boys are involved about homework and crushes. Nick Eco-friendly, however, is anxious about homework, crushes and the job like a secret government agent. In 'Aim High,' Jackson Rathbone (most widely known for his role as Jasper Hale within the 'Twilight' series) plays Eco-friendly, students who stays his spare time going through the Mission Impossible fantasy every boy has already established at some point or any other. Eco-friendly is a component of the team of 64 experienced teenage assassins. Then when he isn't worrying over Amanda Miles (Aimee Teegarden), typically the most popular girl in class, he's out fighting the criminals and keeping the nation safe. 'Aim High' is going to be broadcast on Moviefone's sister website Cambio. The show has been charged because the first "social series," offering a brand new twist on viewer participation. Individuals who register via Facebook can get to determine photos of themselves as well as their buddies appear inside the episodes. Adding action cred to 'Aim High' may be the show's producer Micrograms ('Terminator Salvation' and 'Charlie's Angels' director), who's excited to obtain things happening that one-of-a-kind web show, mentioning that "it's competitive with whatever you see on network television or perhaps a cable series." Mind on to Cambio to look into the first episode. [Photo: Warner Bros.] 'Aim High' Red-colored Carpet See All Moviefone Art galleries » Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Oscar-Nominated Screenwriter, Radio Titan Norman Corwin Dies at 101

LOS ANGELES - Norman Corwin, a creative giant of the Golden Age of Radio whose programs chronicling World War II are milestones in broadcasting, has died. He was 101. Corwin died Tuesday at his Los Angeles home of natural causes, according to the USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism. During a career that spanned more than 70 years, Corwin wrote, produced and directed for radio, television, film and the stage. His insightful writing earned Emmy and Golden Globe awards. He received an Academy Award nomination for his script for the 1956 film Lust for Life, the biography of Vincent van Gogh starring Kirk Douglas. But radio was Corwin's true passion. "I find it difficult to turn down an offer to be heard," he said in a 2001 interview on public radio. "Whether it's an anniversary, whether it's on the ending of a war, whatever the subject, I am ham enough to enjoy communicating to people, to an audience." Actor William Shatner, who narrated several of Corwin's later radio programs, called him a legend and his hero. He is "the poetic soul of discretion and a monument to artistry in America," Shatner once said. Throughout the 1940s, Corwin was well known to millions of Americans who depended on radio for their link to the world. His work during that so-called Golden Age of Radio ran the gamut of creative offerings, from variety shows to dramas, comedies to documentaries. Some of his most acclaimed programs dealt with World War II and provided perspective about a war being fought thousands of miles away. His writing brought the country together, inspiring patriotism, hope and optimism. He joined CBS in 1938 at the height of the radio network's glory, working with such broadcasting greats as Edward R. Murrow and Howard K. Smith. While his early work was behind the microphone, Corwin eventually turned his focus to writing, producing and directing. In 1941, he wrote "We Hold These Truths," a commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Bill of Rights featuring the voices of Lionel Barrymore, Walter Brennan and Orson Welles. It was broadcast simultaneously on all four radio networks days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. "We Hold These Truths" was added in 2005 to the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry, formed to honor sound recordings of unusual historical merit. In 1945, he penned "On a Note of Triumph," considered by many to be Corwin's masterpiece. It was broadcast nationwide on May 8, 1945, the day of the allied victory in Europe. In an introduction to the program, Corwin wrote: "I thought to consider what had been wrought, and why - what the victory had cost, what, if anything, we had learned - and what lay ahead in the way of global obligations and responsibilities." A film about that broadcast, A Note of Triumph: The Golden Age of Norman Corwin, won the Oscar in 2006 for best short documentary. In the mid-1950s, Corwin turned to television and film. He wrote the first and final programs of a 26-part portrait of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, titled FDR, that aired on the ABC television network in 1963. A year later, he scripted a 90-minute examination of Hollywood for NBC titled Insidethe Movie Kingdom. Corwin wrote at least 19 books and several stage plays, including "The Odyssey of Runyan Jones." He received numerous awards in media and the humanities, including two Peabody medals. In 1993, he was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame. Corwin joined the USC faculty in the late 1970s and remained a writer-in-residence at the time of his death. He often bemoaned the current state of commercial radio broadcasting. "Today there is a plethora of a kind of radio that is very inexpensive to produce, talking heads," he said in a 2001 interview with Atlantic Public Media. "We are not commemorating and celebrating the great events." Corwin's innovative work was introduced to a new generation in the mid-1990s on National Public Radio. A series titled "13 by Corwin," a selection of his programs from the 1940s, was digitally remastered and distributed in 1996 as part of the NPR Playhouse series. Corwin greeted the new century with "Memos to a New Millennium," narrated by Walter Cronkite and broadcast on public radio. In a January 2000 interview, Corwin spoke of his optimism for the next 1,000 years. "As long as there is room for compassion in this world, we need not despair," he said. Born May 3, 1910, in Boston, Corwin began his career immediately after high school as a reporter for The Greenfield Daily Recorder newspaper in Massachusetts before turning to radio. Related Topics

Nuit #1

A K Films Amerique relieve a Metafilms production. (Worldwide sales: Metafilms, Montreal.) Produced by Nancy Grant. Directed, put together by Anne Emond.With: Catherine Le Lean, Dimitri Storoge. (French dialogue)Single-evening stand evolves into a thrilling-evening talkathon in "Nuit #1," a claustrophobically intense drama set almost entirely in the shabby apartment where two others disrobe to relish an uninhibited sexual romp, do not begin to bare their souls until installed their clothes back on. Explicit nudity and hardcore activity through the outlet minutes doubtless will elevate the pic's prestige quotient. But impressive performances by well-cast, attractive leads might help a lot more in getting fest exposure and limited theatrical play for Montreal-based filmmaker Anne Emond's debut feature. After connecting up inside a steamy rave, Clara (Catherine Le Lean) and Nikolai (Dimitri Storoge) retreat to his place for any detailed encounter. However, if he interrupts her stealthy postcoital exit, they take tentative steps toward another amount of closeness. Storoge and Le Lean command attention while offerring an assorted and constantly shifting number of feelings. Despite the fact that it every once in awhile seems that Emond has designated them monologues rather than dialogue, their interaction -- both verbal and physical -- is credibly charged with alternating energy of fear and desire, cynicism and longing. Mathieu Laverdiere's fluid lensing might be the standout tech value.Camera (color), Mathieu Laverdiere editor, Mathieu Bouchard-Malo music, Martin M. Tetrault production designer, Eric Barbeau costume designer, Yola Van Leeuwenkamp. Examined at Toronto Film Festival (Canada First!), Sept. 13, 2011. (Also in Busan Film Festival -- Costly Forward.) Running time: 91 MIN. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Threat Averted: Fox Renews Simpsons For Two Years

First Published: October 8, 2011 2:41 PM EDT Credit: Twentieth Century Fox Caption "The Simpsons Movie"NY, N.Y. -- Fans of The Simpsons can breathe a doh! of relief: The animated series was renewed Friday for two more seasons. A contract dispute with the shows voice cast had threatened to end the series, but Fox announced it will air through seasons 24 and 25. The animated series about the Simpson family, including dad Homer and his familiar Doh! is TVs longest-running scripted nighttime series. Negotiations over the future of The Simpsons, which began its 23rd season last month, spilled out into the public. Twentieth Century Fox Television, which makes the show, said it couldnt continue without cutting costs and targeted the salaries of voice actors Harry Shearer, Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith and Hank Azaria. Each actor makes a reported $8 million a year for their work on The Simpsons, and Fox said the show could not continue without pay cuts. Earlier Friday, Shearer said producers demandeda 45 percent reduction. The terms of the casts new deal were not announced. The Hollywood Reporter, citing unidentified sources, said the actors accepted a 30 percent pay cut in the $440,000 theyd received for each of 22 episodes per season. Shearer said hed told producers hed be willing to accept a 70 percent pay cut, but in return the actors wanted a tiny share of the billions of dollars in profits the show has earned through syndication and marketing. The shows creators, Matt Groening and James L. Brooks, have profit participation but the actors have been rebuffed in efforts to join them. Shearer said his representatives were told that there were simply no circumstances under which the network would consider allowing me or any of the actors to share in the shows success. A spokesman for Twentieth Century Fox Television, Chris Alexander, said Friday he had no comment on Shearers statement. Weve had a great run and no one should feel sorry for any of us, said Shearer, who conceded that his salary was ridiculous by any normal standard. 'But given how much joy the show has given so many people over the years and given how many billions of dollars in profits News Corp. has earned and will earn from it I find it hard to believe that this is Foxs final word on the subject. News Corp. owns both the television studio and Fox network. Questions were raised about whether Fox and the studio wanted the series to continue. The Daily Beast, which first reported the salary impasse, noted that the studio is locked into its current syndication deals while new episodes continue to be made. If the show were to be canceled, the studio could potentially make much more lucrative deals for use of the reruns. (Copyright 2011 by Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed) Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Working Both Sides of the Table (or Camera) (or Freeway)

Take Five Working Both Sides of the Table (or Camera) (or Freeway) October 6, 2011 Judy Chen Judy Chen, NY City Whenever my friends ask me for advice on making important decisions, I always say there will never be an ideal time to pull the trigger. Risk-taking does not come nicely gift-wrapped with a security blanket and bow on top. So in the month of September, I finally practiced what I preached and set out to do what I have wanted to for the past few months: produce a play on my own. After reaching out to my contacts, and doing intensive research and legwork on the entire process, I have achieved what I thought was beyond my reach and will be producing and acting in a play in a Tribeca theater space in March 2012. An actor friend of mine with numerous film and television credits who has wanted to do theater in NY for quite some time will be flying in from Los Angeles for the duration of our show. From applying for performance rights of the play to budgeting to marketing, this is both extremely exciting and a huge learning curve. Anyone who has ever auditioned can certainly relate to the frustrations of being at the mercy of a director/producer/casting director's whims as to whether or not we look "just right" for the part. Although going to school to continue honing one's craft is very important, I also realized that the best way to get myself out there and have artistic control over the work I want to be a part of is to not rely on others. In addition to tuition spent that would help me grow as an actor, investing in projects that can guarantee exposure for me is equally important. With a minimal budget, my goal is to show that great artistic work can be done for a reasonable sum of money if all involved are willing to pitch in, roll up their sleeves, check their egos at the door, and learn about all the different facets that go into producing a play. The months ahead will be daunting and humbling, but I'm confident it will be a rewarding experience unlike any other, especially when the lights are about to go on during opening night. My social life and hours of sleep will be sacrificed, but rarely are goals achieved otherwise. Though I am enjoying the process so much, sacrifice is not even the right word to use. The physical preparation for this project thus far has already given me the confidence to branch out to creating my own film work afterwardanother venture I am excited about. My nightstand is stacked with books I recently purchased on producing plays and movies. My highlighters and Post-Its have not been used this much since I was in school, but as I continue assembling all the pieces, I can officially add to my closet a newly acquired item of clothing: a producer's hat!Jenna Lamia, Los Angeles This month I've been thinking a lot about casting. First of all, good luck to any actor auditioning for TV pilots, as it seems a healthy percentage are cast by modeling scouts, not people who appreciate skill and experience. That aside, I have begun to notice a trend among the actors who audition for the show I write, and among my actor friends. Some people are just very "castable," and it's not because they are the most skilled actors. Some people just fit nicely into an easily recognizable type: the sullen Goth girl, the nerdy bookworm, the jock.... When it comes to guest-starring roles on television, these people have an advantage. TV shows often employ generic, identifiable archetypes in their supporting characters. These roles don't have an emotional arc. They are there to move the plot along and not to pull focus. They are the villain, the sexy librarian, or the bookish attorney, and the more easily they can communicate who they are with the least amount of dialogue, the more likely they are to get cast. If they are too noticeable or unique, they will distract from the story at hand, which is not theirs. This is frustrating for the more asymmetrical, layered performers, who may be attractive but not drop-dead gorgeous, athletic but not super jocks, or blonde but not the ultimate dingbat. Of course, we all employ makeup and wardrobe to suggest the characters we audition for, but when the showrunners are looking for a "dumb blonde," the girl with the platinum curls and breast implants is going to book the job over the dishwater blonde who wears a Wonderbra to the audition. It is frustrating for the more middle-of-the-road physical types to watch (sometimes lesser) performers working constantly, when they always give great readings but can't seem to book a job. Their agents are calling them, not to tell them they need to work harder but rather that someone else was just "more right." But, as a friend recently pointed out, these less-generic, more-original actors may not book guest-stars left and right, but they are the ones who eventually get their big breaks and book series leads and film work. Can you imagine Tony Shalhoub easily booking guest-star roles when he started out? I can't. He'd stand out too much. He'd pull focus from the series regular because he is so unique and interesting. And it's precisely because he's so unique that he went on to "Monk" success. So you originals out there, take heart. You don't have to look like you stepped off the pages of a magazine to work. It will take you longer to get there, but once you're there, you'll stay awhile.Ed Stelz, NY City Are you a left-brained or a right-brained individual? If you said right-brained, you and I have something in common. If you said neither, you're probably dead, and I don't know how you're reading this article.I have been blessed with many acting gigs over the last few weeks: a pilot shoot, two commercial shoots (one of which is the currently running zombie ad for MyEducation.com, so keep an eye out for it or check it out on my website), and one shootof hopefully manyof a scene for my very empty legit reel. With each, my connection to the writer, director, or producer gave me power during the creative process. I commonly tossed on a headset, viewed playbacks of my performance, and collaboratively changed my choices according to what the director and I saw. This is not the norm, so I advise you to be careful of stepping on people's feet to get this opportunity. I solely knew, and had worked with, these artists before. Having this freedom allowed me to see the successes and failures of each of my choices. And that is advantageous to a person with right-brained dominance. Since I can remember, I've always learned best by doing, whether it was tediously repeating individualized goalkeeping techniques on the soccer field or using a whiteboard to repeatedly write out information and equations for an organic chemistry test. I had to trust my body to feel and to see so as to soak in information to better my performances. Any other way was like trying to understand Shia LaBeouf's highly successful career.Feeling and seeing my performance during takes has taught me so much more about my acting faults and strengths than any class ever has. Not to say my education wasn't highly beneficial, but it just served a completely different purpose. And we, as actors, are lucky to be living during the technological boom, in which the access to hundreds of thousands of movies and TV shows is only a couple convenient clicks away; in which we can compare amazing performances with our own performances in a matter of minutes; in which we can see why what we did wasn't as good as what they did and where we will be able to adjust it accordingly so that one day it is as good, if not better. So I challenge you, my friends: Take out your HD phones/cameras, and film scenes with your friends. Then compare your takes, your performances, with those on your favorite shows. See how they compare, and openly discuss the differences. It may be an eye-opening experience for you. And it may mean you and I have just one more thing in common. Deborah Strang, Los Angeles Each day for 19 years, up to seven days a week and sometimes twice a day, I have made my way over the Hyperion bridge that spans the freeway between Silverlake and Atwater Village. The Angeles and the San Gabriel mountains spread out before me as I drive up Brand Boulevardknown in Los Angeles as the Boulevard of Carsto the old Masonic Temple at Colorado Boulevard (of Rose Parade fame). It is early fall, and for the past month, the crape myrtle trees have put on the best show yet along the way. I first took this route in 1993 to see the love of my life, Joel Swetow, in a production of "The Way of the World" at A Noise Within. It was the first time I had driven through Silverlake as well, a place that enchanted me then and to which we moved in 1997.Any day now, my route will change. After 19 years of dreaming, three years of a capital campaign in the midst of a recession, sweat and tears over permits and contractors and politics and mind and body, and backbreaking labor, A Noise Within is coming home to our permanent residence in east Pasadena.I find the new drive very beautiful. I take the 2 freeway, one of my favorites. I sail toward the mountains, then east to Pasadena, and pull into the Metro station just north of the 210 freeway at Sierra Madre Villa Avenue. I walk to Foothill, turn toward the beautifully landscaped fountains and Edward Durell Stone's 1958 filigree screen wall, enter the lobby, and walk down the grand staircase to the theater, which sans seats feels at this stage like a Greek temple. Last weekend I met up with brave, generous volunteers and Henry, our new production manager, and together we unloaded one of the first trucks to arrive. The elevators were not yet in operation, but we still managed to maneuver the heavy sewing machines down the stairs to the new costume shop. We stored the lighting equipment in a terraced section beside the state-of-the-art production booth. We roped cable around our shoulders and carried it loop by loop to pile beside the lights.In the next few weeks the seats will go in, the painting will be completed, the server and computers and phones will be hooked up. Plans are under way for a free public open house on Oct. 23 and a Gala Opening Night on Oct. 29.This week I begin rehearsals for "Twelfth Night," our first production in our new home in our 20th season in our inaugural year in Pasadena. It has been a long time coming. KC Wright, Los Angeles This month has been all about planting seeds. I started a fantastic actors' marketing course, booked a lead in a short thriller, and continued a trend that I started before my big vacation: attending casting workshops and showcases at least once a week. Let's start with the workshops. I held some reservations about in essence paying to meet casting directors; I was afraid I'd seem amateur, that it would belittle the craft, and that I'd feel like an outsider looking in on the profession. It honestly didn't occur to me that these workshops aren't really about networking but rather learning. There's a lot to be said for getting up in front of people, be it a theater full of patrons or a classroom full of actors, and performing once or twice a week in a workshop format has kept me sharp in a way that rehearsing on my own cannot. It has simultaneously demystified the casting process, made me more engaged with projects in production, and given me a place to focus my creative energy. The networking aspect of workshops is great as well, but there's really no point in meeting casting professionals if I don't have the confidence to follow through with that connection. That's where Dallas Travers' marketing course comes in. The class consists of weekly call-in lectures, question-and-answer sessions, an extremely active online forum, a binder full of tools to help establish goals, and an overall "can-do" attitude from everyone involved. It's a safe way of engaging with the business side of my career, and it has motivated me to really stretch myself. I have always been an extremely hard worker, and it's unendingly frustrating when my hard work doesn't turn into shiny new acting gigs or amazing agents. But, over the last couple of weeks, I've realized that I have a skewed perception of "hard work," especially when it comes to show business. It's not always about how many hours I put in, how far I drive, how quickly I memorize. Success in this job is much more driven by courage than stamina; I have to be willing to risk asking for what I want. I can't be afraid to follow up with industry contacts. I can't avoid making goals just because I'm afraid I will fail. It helps that I'm already starting to see results. I booked this short film with a combination of luck, preparation, and follow-through. I loved the script right off the bat, connected with the character, and felt great about my work in the audition room. But it wasn't until I followed upI sent a very uncharacteristic note to the director and producer about a week after my callbackthat I was offered the part. Of course it's not a course I would always take, depending on the project and the people involved, but in this case I truly believe that being unafraid to name what I wanted got me the job. Working Both Sides of the Table (or Camera) (or Freeway) October 6, 2011 Judy Chen Judy Chen, NY City Whenever my friends ask me for advice on making important decisions, I always say there will never be an ideal time to pull the trigger. Risk-taking does not come nicely gift-wrapped with a security blanket and bow on top. So in the month of September, I finally practiced what I preached and set out to do what I have wanted to for the past few months: produce a play on my own. After reaching out to my contacts, and doing intensive research and legwork on the entire process, I have achieved what I thought was beyond my reach and will be producing and acting in a play in a Tribeca theater space in March 2012. An actor friend of mine with numerous film and television credits who has wanted to do theater in NY for quite some time will be flying in from Los Angeles for the duration of our show. From applying for performance rights of the play to budgeting to marketing, this is both extremely exciting and a huge learning curve. Anyone who has ever auditioned can certainly relate to the frustrations of being at the mercy of a director/producer/casting director's whims as to whether or not we look "just right" for the part. Although going to school to continue honing one's craft is very important, I also realized that the best way to get myself out there and have artistic control over the work I want to be a part of is to not rely on others. In addition to tuition spent that would help me grow as an actor, investing in projects that can guarantee exposure for me is equally important. With a minimal budget, my goal is to show that great artistic work can be done for a reasonable sum of money if all involved are willing to pitch in, roll up their sleeves, check their egos at the door, and learn about all the different facets that go into producing a play. The months ahead will be daunting and humbling, but I'm confident it will be a rewarding experience unlike any other, especially when the lights are about to go on during opening night. My social life and hours of sleep will be sacrificed, but rarely are goals achieved otherwise. Though I am enjoying the process so much, sacrifice is not even the right word to use. The physical preparation for this project thus far has already given me the confidence to branch out to creating my own film work afterwardanother venture I am excited about. My nightstand is stacked with books I recently purchased on producing plays and movies. My highlighters and Post-Its have not been used this much since I was in school, but as I continue assembling all the pieces, I can officially add to my closet a newly acquired item of clothing: a producer's hat!Jenna Lamia, Los Angeles This month I've been thinking a lot about casting. First of all, good luck to any actor auditioning for TV pilots, as it seems a healthy percentage are cast by modeling scouts, not people who appreciate skill and experience. That aside, I have begun to notice a trend among the actors who audition for the show I write, and among my actor friends. Some people are just very "castable," and it's not because they are the most skilled actors. Some people just fit nicely into an easily recognizable type: the sullen Goth girl, the nerdy bookworm, the jock.... When it comes to guest-starring roles on television, these people have an advantage. TV shows often employ generic, identifiable archetypes in their supporting characters. These roles don't have an emotional arc. They are there to move the plot along and not to pull focus. They are the villain, the sexy librarian, or the bookish attorney, and the more easily they can communicate who they are with the least amount of dialogue, the more likely they are to get cast. If they are too noticeable or unique, they will distract from the story at hand, which is not theirs. This is frustrating for the more asymmetrical, layered performers, who may be attractive but not drop-dead gorgeous, athletic but not super jocks, or blonde but not the ultimate dingbat. Of course, we all employ makeup and wardrobe to suggest the characters we audition for, but when the showrunners are looking for a "dumb blonde," the girl with the platinum curls and breast implants is going to book the job over the dishwater blonde who wears a Wonderbra to the audition. It is frustrating for the more middle-of-the-road physical types to watch (sometimes lesser) performers working constantly, when they always give great readings but can't seem to book a job. Their agents are calling them, not to tell them they need to work harder but rather that someone else was just "more right." But, as a friend recently pointed out, these less-generic, more-original actors may not book guest-stars left and right, but they are the ones who eventually get their big breaks and book series leads and film work. Can you imagine Tony Shalhoub easily booking guest-star roles when he started out? I can't. He'd stand out too much. He'd pull focus from the series regular because he is so unique and interesting. And it's precisely because he's so unique that he went on to "Monk" success. So you originals out there, take heart. You don't have to look like you stepped off the pages of a magazine to work. It will take you longer to get there, but once you're there, you'll stay awhile.Ed Stelz, NY City Are you a left-brained or a right-brained individual? If you said right-brained, you and I have something in common. If you said neither, you're probably dead, and I don't know how you're reading this article.I have been blessed with many acting gigs over the last few weeks: a pilot shoot, two commercial shoots (one of which is the currently running zombie ad for MyEducation.com, so keep an eye out for it or check it out on my website), and one shootof hopefully manyof a scene for my very empty legit reel. With each, my connection to the writer, director, or producer gave me power during the creative process. I commonly tossed on a headset, viewed playbacks of my performance, and collaboratively changed my choices according to what the director and I saw. This is not the norm, so I advise you to be careful of stepping on people's feet to get this opportunity. I solely knew, and had worked with, these artists before. Having this freedom allowed me to see the successes and failures of each of my choices. And that is advantageous to a person with right-brained dominance. Since I can remember, I've always learned best by doing, whether it was tediously repeating individualized goalkeeping techniques on the soccer field or using a whiteboard to repeatedly write out information and equations for an organic chemistry test. I had to trust my body to feel and to see so as to soak in information to better my performances. Any other way was like trying to understand Shia LaBeouf's highly successful career.Feeling and seeing my performance during takes has taught me so much more about my acting faults and strengths than any class ever has. Not to say my education wasn't highly beneficial, but it just served a completely different purpose. And we, as actors, are lucky to be living during the technological boom, in which the access to hundreds of thousands of movies and TV shows is only a couple convenient clicks away; in which we can compare amazing performances with our own performances in a matter of minutes; in which we can see why what we did wasn't as good as what they did and where we will be able to adjust it accordingly so that one day it is as good, if not better. So I challenge you, my friends: Take out your HD phones/cameras, and film scenes with your friends. Then compare your takes, your performances, with those on your favorite shows. See how they compare, and openly discuss the differences. It may be an eye-opening experience for you. And it may mean you and I have just one more thing in common. Deborah Strang, Los Angeles Each day for 19 years, up to seven days a week and sometimes twice a day, I have made my way over the Hyperion bridge that spans the freeway between Silverlake and Atwater Village. The Angeles and the San Gabriel mountains spread out before me as I drive up Brand Boulevardknown in Los Angeles as the Boulevard of Carsto the old Masonic Temple at Colorado Boulevard (of Rose Parade fame). It is early fall, and for the past month, the crape myrtle trees have put on the best show yet along the way. I first took this route in 1993 to see the love of my life, Joel Swetow, in a production of "The Way of the World" at A Noise Within. It was the first time I had driven through Silverlake as well, a place that enchanted me then and to which we moved in 1997.Any day now, my route will change. After 19 years of dreaming, three years of a capital campaign in the midst of a recession, sweat and tears over permits and contractors and politics and mind and body, and backbreaking labor, A Noise Within is coming home to our permanent residence in east Pasadena.I find the new drive very beautiful. I take the 2 freeway, one of my favorites. I sail toward the mountains, then east to Pasadena, and pull into the Metro station just north of the 210 freeway at Sierra Madre Villa Avenue. I walk to Foothill, turn toward the beautifully landscaped fountains and Edward Durell Stone's 1958 filigree screen wall, enter the lobby, and walk down the grand staircase to the theater, which sans seats feels at this stage like a Greek temple. Last weekend I met up with brave, generous volunteers and Henry, our new production manager, and together we unloaded one of the first trucks to arrive. The elevators were not yet in operation, but we still managed to maneuver the heavy sewing machines down the stairs to the new costume shop. We stored the lighting equipment in a terraced section beside the state-of-the-art production booth. We roped cable around our shoulders and carried it loop by loop to pile beside the lights.In the next few weeks the seats will go in, the painting will be completed, the server and computers and phones will be hooked up. Plans are under way for a free public open house on Oct. 23 and a Gala Opening Night on Oct. 29.This week I begin rehearsals for "Twelfth Night," our first production in our new home in our 20th season in our inaugural year in Pasadena. It has been a long time coming. KC Wright, Los Angeles This month has been all about planting seeds. I started a fantastic actors' marketing course, booked a lead in a short thriller, and continued a trend that I started before my big vacation: attending casting workshops and showcases at least once a week. Let's start with the workshops. I held some reservations about in essence paying to meet casting directors; I was afraid I'd seem amateur, that it would belittle the craft, and that I'd feel like an outsider looking in on the profession. It honestly didn't occur to me that these workshops aren't really about networking but rather learning. There's a lot to be said for getting up in front of people, be it a theater full of patrons or a classroom full of actors, and performing once or twice a week in a workshop format has kept me sharp in a way that rehearsing on my own cannot. It has simultaneously demystified the casting process, made me more engaged with projects in production, and given me a place to focus my creative energy. The networking aspect of workshops is great as well, but there's really no point in meeting casting professionals if I don't have the confidence to follow through with that connection. That's where Dallas Travers' marketing course comes in. The class consists of weekly call-in lectures, question-and-answer sessions, an extremely active online forum, a binder full of tools to help establish goals, and an overall "can-do" attitude from everyone involved. It's a safe way of engaging with the business side of my career, and it has motivated me to really stretch myself. I have always been an extremely hard worker, and it's unendingly frustrating when my hard work doesn't turn into shiny new acting gigs or amazing agents. But, over the last couple of weeks, I've realized that I have a skewed perception of "hard work," especially when it comes to show business. It's not always about how many hours I put in, how far I drive, how quickly I memorize. Success in this job is much more driven by courage than stamina; I have to be willing to risk asking for what I want. I can't be afraid to follow up with industry contacts. I can't avoid making goals just because I'm afraid I will fail. It helps that I'm already starting to see results. I booked this short film with a combination of luck, preparation, and follow-through. I loved the script right off the bat, connected with the character, and felt great about my work in the audition room. But it wasn't until I followed upI sent a very uncharacteristic note to the director and producer about a week after my callbackthat I was offered the part. Of course it's not a course I would always take, depending on the project and the people involved, but in this case I truly believe that being unafraid to name what I wanted got me the job.

John Calley memorial set for Oct. 19

A memorial to celebrate John Calley's life and career will be held at 4 p.m. Oct. 19 at Sony Pictures Studios. Longtime studio exec and producer Calley died Sept. 13 at 81. RSVPs are required by Oct. 14 to 310-244-4142. Parking will be accommodated in the Overland Parking structure. All guests should enter through the Overland gate for directions to the celebration. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

Watch X-Men: First Class Full Movie

New Avengers Portraits Online

And the cast speak!There's a set of new Avengers pics and some choice morsels of information from the castsetting the interwebs a-buzz this morning, courtesy of a new cover story from Entertainment Weekly. Look: Mark Ruffalo is doing Blue Steel!Much of what's revealed is unremarkable: Chris Evans says that the newly future-arrived Captain America is "lonely" and "a fish out of water"; Scarlett Johansson worries that she doesn't look cool enough with guns rather than something more super.But Chris Hemsworth teases an interesting dynamic for Thor within the larger group: trying to protect his brother Loki while at the same time joining the fight against him. Jeremy Renner claims that Hawkeye is the only member of the team who can take down The Hulk "with his tranq-tip arrows", and says he has a particular bond with Johansson's Black Widow.And Ruffalo has some amusing material about Bruce Banner's relationship with Tony Stark: "Banner's the most mild-mannered guy, but a total loose cannon. No one wants to set him off except for Iron Man, who just wants to see him pop. It's funny, there's a really cool dynamic between Tony Stark and Banner. Banner actually enjoys it, and finds it really refreshing. They're a lot alike in a strange way. They're both these kind of scientists who are mavericks, kind of renegades. Banner, for all his mild-mannered mythology, he's still the dude who was testing some pretty crazy shit on himself, so he has that rebel streak in him."Robert Downey Jr meanwhile says that his on-set demeanour has been "just fucking aggressive and hurtful... whatever... the usual." Head over to EW for the full interviews. The Avengers, directed by Joss Whedon, is out on May 4 next year.

Watch Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Online Free

Verizon Appeals FCCs Internet Neutrality Rules

Verizon’sfight to overturn theFCC’s internet neutrality rules is on. The phone giant today asked for the U.S. Court of Appeals in D.C. to a part of and consider whether government physiques have the legal right to set rules for that internet.Verizon wireless carrier Deputy General Counsel MichaelGlover states the FCCs “assertion of broad authority to impose potentially sweeping and pointless rules” round the Webis “inconsistent while using statute and may create uncertainty for your communications industry, leaders, traders and clients. The FCC states the recommendations are crucial toprotect competition: They wouldbar most broadband companies fromfavoring their unique services — for example, Comcast couldn’t transmit videos from Hulu faster than ones from, say, Netflix.”Ruling in Verizon’s favor would finish outdoors Internet to be sure it by leaving the kind of Verizon accountable for which websites and services work and which don’t,” states Matt Wood of consumer activist group Free Press — which just filed its own attract increase the risk for rules harder. Verizon’s challenge was expected: Ittried early this year to offer the internet neutrality rules shot lower nevertheless the court mentioned your time and energy was premature simply because they hadn’t been official yet. That changed the other day when the FCC put the rules into the Federal Register.

'Nightline' Beats Letterman, Leno Ratings for Premiere Week for First Time

Donna Svennevik/ABC NEW YORK - Ratings for NBC's The Tonight Show With Jay Lenoand CBS' Late Show With David Lettermanfell below those of ABC news magazine Nightline during fall season premiere week, a first during that week, the NY Times reported.our editor recommendsABC News' 'Nightline' Tops Jay Leno, David Letterman'Nightline' developing Twitter showMarc Anthony Breaks Silence on Split From Jennifer Lopez in 'Nightline' Interview (Video)Gov. Chris Christie Mocked on 'The Late Show with David Letterman' (Video) Both late-night talk shows had a 0.8 rating - their lowest ever for a premiere week, the Times said. Meanwhile, Nightline's overall viewership was up 7 percent from last year, while the late-night talk shows recorded declines especially in younger viewer segments, the paper said. It added that ABC's success spilled over to its own late-night show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, which had its second best premiere week ever. 5 Best Clips of 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' Letterman lost 560,000 viewers from last year, down 15 percent, while Leno lost 160,000 for a 4 percent drop. Among viewers aged 18 to 49, Leno was down 20 percent, or 270,000 viewers, while Letterman dropped 16 percent, losing 200,000 viewers, according to the Times. Overall, Nightline had 1.25 million viewers in the 18 to 49 demo, compared with 1.07 million for Leno and 1.05 million for Letterman. The Times highlighted though that Nightline benefits from being a half hour rather than an hour-long show. Letterman's performance in the young demos narrowed his gap with Leno though. A year ago, he had been behind by slightly less than 100,000 viewers in the young demo. Jimmy Kimmel Jay Leno David Letterman

Watch The Hangover 2 2011