NBC News targets to Hispanics

From British-language websites specific at Latino cultural concerns towards the the spanish language language-language sites repurposing news first collected in British, TV systems are trying to find techniques to make use of the 50.5 million-strong U.S. Hispanic population -- the fastest growing minority group inside the U.S. -- a business that doesn't only watches TV but furthermore supports the web and smart phones.NBC News might be the most recent to leap round the digital-content bandwagon, with expects to produce NBCLatino.com, a Hispanic-centric British-language news and general-interest website in February.It makes sense the type of CNNEspanol.com and CNN's Latino in the united states blog, which both bowed noisy . November. Fox News Latino first demonstrated in October 2010, and also the the spanish language language-lingo Univision remains posting British-language news tales round the blogging site Tumblr, where the approaching NBCLatino.com has developed a soft launch."The web site are available in British and work carefully with Telemundo however it won't be considered one version of Telemundo's The the spanish language language-language site," states NBC News prexy Steve Capus, who highlights that 88% of U.S.-born Hispanics speak fluent British, in line with the latest census findings.Notes Chris Pena, NBC Latino controlling editor, "We're striving for your bilingual acculturated Latinos."NBC has furthermore been inspired through the wealth from the Grio, its African-American-centric site, the 3rd-most broadly used African-American website after just couple of years.Hispanic online initiatives from mainstream systems had an early on come from 2004 when TV producer/journo David Puente launched ABCNews.com/exclusiva while a producer at ABC's "20/20." His was the initial online weekly news program specific within the Hispanic market the show broadcast on ABC News Now, the network's digital news funnel that transmits on the web and via wi-fi.Puente now combines his current job just like a producer of CNN's "AC360" with editing "Latino in the united states,In . part of CNN's "Within The UsaInch docu unit. The British-language Latino in the united states blog focuses on the issue of identity which what this means is being Latino inside the U.S."We're concentrating on under-reported tales and tapping CNN's global assets on the way,In . Puente states.Meanwhile, CNNEspanol.com can be a The the spanish language language-language site that taps CNN's 24-hour breaking news capacity and key agencies in South Usa to supply mainly video reviews on issues and news of curiosity to Latinos."In my opinion news organizations are positioning themselves now waiting for the arrival U.S. presidential elections," states Juan Andres Munoz, CNNEspanol senior interactive producer. Due to the growing political clout in the U.S. Hispanic population and financial clout in the market, celebrate sense. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Rumor: Bill Murray Reportedly Shredded Ghostbusters 3 Script In Brilliant Act of Defiance

Presenting the best-worst Bill Murray rumor of the week: The National Enquirer (I know, I know) reports that the actor has finally gotten around to that Ghostbusters threequel script he had been avoiding for months — by shredding it and sending the carnage to Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis along with a note that read, “No one wants to pay money to see fat, old men chasing ghosts!” Fictional tabloid Bill Murray kind of has a point. [The Playlist]

'Lady' and the champ

NY, NY - DECEMBER 13: Grace Gummer and Mammie Gummer attend the "The Iron Lady" NY premiere after party at The Royalton Hotel on December 13, 2011 in NY City. (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage) Abi Morgan and Phyllida Lloyd flank "Iron Lady" producer Damian Jones. Meryl Streep delivers her political platform. A movie premiere is an odd place to launch a political career, but that didn't stop "The Iron Lady" helmer Phyllida Lloyd from throwing her weight behind Meryl Streep. "Meryl for president!" Lloyd enthused before the film's Gotham premiere Tuesday at the Ziegfeld.Streep, who nailed Britain's polarizing Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, said she prefers to reserve her political ambitions for the bigscreen. "Over my dead body!" she quipped of Lloyd's suggestion. Still, if she did decide to take a run at office, the decorated thesp has a unique platform: "My platform would be heels. I would run on platform heels. They're much better than stilettos."Screenwriter Abi Morgan summed up the film's appeal, particularly for the preem's female-heavy crowd, which included trailblazers Billie Jean King, Gloria Steinem and Christiane Amanpour."Meryl and I laugh and say it's 'King Lear' for girls," said Morgan. Meanwhile, revelers ventured 10 blocks to the Royalton for an after-party, where the usual blood pudding and meat pies were replaced with shrimp, burgers and grilled veggies. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Judge Says Lindsay Lohan Doing Well On Probation

First Published: December 14, 2011 2:05 PM EST Credit: Getty Images Caption Shawn Chapman Holley and Lindsay Lohan sit in court during Lohans probation report hearing at the Airport Courthouse in Los Angeles on December 14, 2011LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- A judge offered Lindsay Lohan something Wednesday that she hadnt heard from a court in nearly two years: praise. Superior Court Judge Stephanie Sautner said the actress was doing well under strict new terms of her probation and urged her to keep up the good work. The starlet has completed 12 days at the county morgue and five therapy sessions since Nov. 2, when she was sentenced to a strict routine of community service and counseling after her latest probation violation. Youre doing well and Id like to see it continue, Sautner said during a 10-minute status hearing. She also offered Lohan an incentive to succeed, saying the actress could take leisure trips outside California after she completes a dozen days of morgue work a month. The actress had permission from her probation officer to take a trip to Hawaii to celebrate her sisters birthday. She returned just hours before the hearing. Lohan, 25, has drawn the repeated ire of judges for failing to complete counseling sessions and community service assignments on time. Sautner made clear Wednesday that she believes Lohans new schedule - which requires the model and actress to appear in court monthly until March - is the reason for the turnaround. The judge even hinted that Lohan might end her supervised probation early if she works harder. Do more days a month and we can end this in February, possibly, Sautner said. The judge said Lohan should keep reporting to court in person to make sure she remains on track. I think she likes to come see me, Sautner joked. I think thats her motivation. Lohan appeared in court wearing brown slacks and a beige cardigan and found a smaller crowd of reporters than has chronicled the actress court scoldings since she missed a hearing in May 2010. The last time she appeared in court without a probation compliance issue on the agenda was February 2010. Judges repeatedly sent her to jail and rehab since then, and Sautner said last month she was giving Lohan one final chance to end the court spectacle. The actress remains on probation for a 2007 drunken driving case and a misdemeanor grand theft case filed after she took a $2,500 necklace without permission from a store. Her appearance Wednesday came days before a Playboy issue featuring Lohan in a mostly nude pictorial hits newsstands. Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Older crafts rise for the challenge of 3d

Vfx supervisor Make the most of Legato used greenscreen and labored with production designer Dante Ferretti to create the design of 'Hugo.'With just 12 days to go to before Paramount's "Hugo" was scheduled to lock picture on November. 7, vfx supervisor Make the most of Legato visited director Martin Scorsese and told him the film's elaborate opening sequence wasn't working. The 3 dimensional images of people moving robotically through Paris' Montparnasse stop circa 1931, like interlocked gears in the giant machine, were "as being a meal that's too wealthy," Legato states.To ensure that they enlisted Industrial Light & Miracle to make a virtual evening time flyover from the digital Paris, built on your own, which segues in to a fly-through in the station's interior come up with with the film's primary effects vendor, Pixomondo, introduced by vfx supervisor Ben Grossman.It absolutely was the greatest in the scenic reconstructions through the ten-month publish-production, nevertheless it was hardly the only real person completed by Legato and also the team. When they weren't building and repairing virtual set elements themselves, they were using vfx supervisor Craig Barron at Matte World Digital to craft entire digital abilities."Every set without exception had greenscreen within it,In . Legato states.Right before the digitization of filmmaking, sets were the only real purview in the art department, which on "Hugo" was introduced by production designer Dante Ferretti. But he departed when principal photography wrapped, as production designers typically do, and so the vfx artists were left to take care of themselves. "Every so often, we'd send a mock-from that which you i did so to (Ferretti), while not every time,In . states Legato, who also offered since the film's second unit director. "I've labored with him before on 'The Aviator,' 'The Departed' and 'Shutter Island' -- and there's a specific amount of trust that we stay with.Inch Besides, Ferretti and hang up decorator Francesca Lo Schiavo "do this kind of beautiful job of making and dressing the sets you've all of the particulars before you decide to you have to extend them."At the beginning of pre-production, after Ferretti designed the sets and created an obvious bible for your film, he met with Legato to talk about so what can be built practically and so what can be CGI. Then Legato used Ferretti's sketches and blueprints to make a computer previsualization.While shooting at Shepperton and Pinewood Art galleries london, the live feed from you may be a-B'd without or using the previs abilities added, enabling Ferretti to move a part of the set, or d.p. Robert Richardson to manage the framework in case your virtual element clashed while using practical.Nevertheless the previs was forever being tweaked to handle logistical challenges that sprang tabs on each new camera set-up. It had been particularly so while using "chutes and steps" sequence through which Hugo (carried out by Asa Butterfield) originates from the station's clocktower. Despite the fact that it plays on-screen while you continuous shot, it absolutely was shot in bits and pieces inside the whole in the 140-day shoot. Legato required to adjust the practical sets to aid the bulky Arri Alexa digital 3d camera rig ("a refrigerator round the finish from the stick," according to him), then in publish attempt to increase the risk for passageways look reasonably narrow while creating items of virtual set to very easily link the shots.But of all the film's 800-plus visual effects shots, most likely probably the most time-consuming were the two define the opening, which needed over 1,000 personal computers several days to render. Really, the film carried out several industry tests while using previs footage just like a placeholder just before the succession was finally completed the nick of your energy November. 6."When (Scorsese) first seen it his only comment was, 'I want more snow,'?" Legato recalls. "Therefore I basically made the colorist function as compositor which we managed to get happen literally in a quarter-hour, distributing this (snow) element until we have got something he wanted."Eye round the Oscars: Art Direction, Costume Design & Makeup:Terrific pix, period Paris' palette competes with L.A. duotone Makeup miracle turns Streep to Thatcher Older crafts rise for the challenge of 3d Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

'Transformers' Stars Reunite, Tease Jason Statham?

There may be "Transformers" movies in Michael Bay's future, but for the moment, the celebs who formerly fought against the robots in disguise continue being getting along. "Transformers" stars Tyrese Gibson and Ken Jeong reunited in the last weekend, and perhaps there's greater than what you know already for his or her mention of the "JS" -- Jason Statham, possibly? Your guess is like ours! Meanwhile, "Harry Potter" and "Rise in the Planet in the Apes" bad boy Tom Felton mastered Table Mountain in the last weekend, Rainn Wilson developed a shocking confession about his bathroom behavior and Christopher Mintz-Plasse may have happened upon their very own secret Spider-Guy origin. I'm @roundhoward, here is your Twitter-Wood for December 12, 2012. @TomFelton Rose table mountain today, it twas a substantial journey up. Beautiful towards the top!by -Tom Felton, actor ("Harry Potter," "Rise in the Planet in the Apes") "Transformers" Reunion Part 1: @Tyrese @kenjeong Good seeing you last evening bro.. 1.1 Billion again thank you for going to the #TF3family you are funny as s---!!!!!!!! JS expires next!! -Tyrese Gibson, actor ("Transformers: Dark in the Moon," "Fast Five") "Transformers" Reunion Part 2: @KenJeong @Tyrese GREAT seeing you last evening too!! #TF3 family rules!!! JS baby!!! -Ken Jeong, actor ("The Hangover Part II," "Transformers: Dark in the Moon") @MintzPlasse Got bit having a spider. Time to go visit the gym and show this f---er who's the particular guy!(within 3 several days, to be able to develop some muscle) -Christopher Mintz-Plasse, actor ("Superbad," "Kick-Ass") @DamonLindelof Essentially stated this link introduced to incest, are you able to click it?http://internet.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/ ... -Damon Lindelof, author ("Lost," "Prometheus") @rainnwilson I'm the guy who spits his gum inside the urinal. -Rainn Wilson, actor ("Super," "WorkInch) "Hot Fuzz 2" Part 1: @simonpegg Hola Madrid! Seems being some conjecture about there like a Hot Fuzz 2 in push. I am in a position to confirm this false. -Simon Pegg, actor ("Jason Bourne," "Star WarsInch) "Hot Fuzz 2" Part 2: @simonpegg Also, I'd rather not make Hot Fuzz 2 nor does Edgar. Time for a lot of new blood stream methinks. -Simon Pegg, actor ("Jason Bourne," "Star WarsInch) Follow @MTVMoviesBlog on Twitter!

U.S. Copyright Office Considers New Rules Impacting iPads, Video Games, Blu-Rays

Karen Neal/ABC"Man Up" ABC has pulled the plug on freshman comedy Man Up sooner than expected.our editor recommendsMan Up!: TV Review'Man Up!' Creator Christopher Moynihan Credits Sitcom Trend to Generation of Lost Men The sitcom created by and starring Christopher Moynihan has been removed from the schedule with repeats of the Tim Allen comedy Last Man Standing taking over its Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. slot through year's end. Production on the ABC Studios series' 10 episode has already wrapped, with remaining episodes possibly being burned off in the summer. STORY: 10 TV Shows Canceled Faster Than 'The Playboy Club' Since premiering Oct. 18 to 7.7 million viewers and a 2.4 in the coveted adults 18-49 demographic, the comedy co-starring Dan Fogler has tumbled in the ratings, with Tuesday's installment tying a series low with a 1.6 rating in the demo and 4.8 million viewers. ABC effectively ended the rookie comedy's run last month when it scheduled freshman cross-dressing comedy Work It in Man Up's time slot, effective Jan. 3. Michael O'Connell contributed to this report. PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery 10 TV Shows Canceled Faster Than 'The Playboy Club' Man Up

Willow Cruz Really Wants To Empower Her Fans

First Released: December 8, 2011 9:35 AM EST Credit: Getty Images NY, N.Y. -- Caption Willow Cruz gets to The Twilight Saga: Breaking Beginning - Part 1 premiere at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live, La on November 14, 2011Willow Cruz is about kid empowerment. The youthful singer states shes wishing to inspire audience together with her approaching album Knees and Elbows. Its gonna make sure they are seem like they've treatments for their lives and may do what they need to complete and become the individual they would like to be, she stated Wednesday evening. Willow has already been showing that just 11. The daughter of Will and Jada Pinkett Cruz has turned into a buzzed-about star because of her hit song Whip My Hair. Shes also be a fashion fashion leader together with her funky clothes on Wednesday, her hair was carefully popped with large bangs right in front, and she or he used a popped jacket with graphics, such as the title of her album, and sequined jeans. I recieve lots of my style from the buddies, she stated, also stating her aunt. Willow lately partnered with another fashionista, singer-rapper Nicki Minaj, for Willows new song Fireball. Willow opened it for categories of children as well as their parents in the The new sony Store, in addition to BETs 106&Park. Despite the fact that Minaj and Willow are reported for his or her style, Willow states they didnt share any fashion tips. We simply type of vibed off one another coupled with fun, she stated. Knees and Elbows is scheduled to become launched in April. Willow stated it will likely be more R&B. The title ties directly into her theme of inspiration: Everyone falls lower and scrapes their knees and elbows however they end up support, she stated. Willow stated she and her famous family is going to be travelling for that holidays. But shes not anxious in regards to a Christmas gift. I've everything I want. I've my mother, my father, my siblings, my loved ones I've bunch of folks that Sometimes with incredible, thats virtually what I wish to keep, she stated. Copyright 2011 through the Connected Press. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

BAFTA Britannia Honours celebrated

The British people permeated the Beverly Hilton for your annual BAFTA Britannia Honours, with Warren Beatty, Ben Stiller, Helena Bonham Carter, John Lasseter and David Yates producing honors.Alan Cumming will be a lively emcee who released plenty of Hollywood-specific laughs, plus a good jab at Brits' potential to deal with call concentrate on themselves: "We increase the risk for Oscars look completely slutty."The standout tribute in the evening came from from Robert Downey Junior., who had been adamant he needs to be locating the Chaplin Award he provided to Ben Stiller. Downey had a lot of fun at stiller's expense, singling the disappointing "Tower Heist," "that people haven't seen and possess no opinion on." Stiller, consequently, mentioned, "I frequently question how my career may have changed essentially hadn't switched lower 'Chaplin.' "Robin Williams presented the initial award, the Albert Broccoli award, to Pixar chief John Lasseter, who confessed that whenever he first started used in animation he'd a hard time drawing. Lasseter ongoing to go over what he learned from his mentor, legendary Disney animator Ollie Johnston. He punctuated his speech by trading very good for the late Jobs.Sally Mirren paid out tribute to fellow Brit Helena Bonham Carter by adoring her talent becoming an actress and her awesome style. Carter had much like many compliments for Mirren, and launched in to a charming, rambling speech. "Tim described being brief but he is not here to ensure that is not likely to occur,Inch she mentioned. She ended by saying she still adheres to advice her father always gave her: "Keep buggering on."Jason Isaacs introduced "Harry Potter" director David Yates by saying, "I'm worried that you're unemployed." It absolutely was difficult to forget "Potter's" award hopes after an action-packed clip reel and also the other lighthearted speech from "H . p .Inch producer David Heyman, who mentioned Yates "remains getting an affair with Herman Cain."Oliver Platt was available presenting Warren Beatty, who received the Kubrick award and thanked his wife Annette Bening and sister Shirley MacLaine, all of whom were sitting at his table. Site visitors consumed Hawk Crest wines and dined on pear and gorgonzola salad, stuffed chicken whitened meat and take care of with key lime tart and dulce p leche frozen goodies truffle. Contact Christy Grosz at christy.grosz@variety.com

Most warm welcomes

Bearfoot BistroMallard TavernScandinave SpaWhistler BearcombWhistler's status just like a ski vacation paradise has aided the resort town cultivate a substantial selection of high-quality sights for travelers. A few highlights:Mix-country SkiingFor low-key snowboarders, Whistler offers three mix-country facilities exceeding 80 miles to cover. The Lost Lake Trails certainly are a highlight for snowboarders and snowshoers wanting to research the backwoods. Visit the Web siteZipliningThough not for your person with average skills, Whistler's ziplining options provide beginners and outdoorsmen alike with several exciting options to zoom above streams and forests, virtually gliding using the air. The Bear Tour is recommended for groups and people who haven't ziplined before. The tour runs a few 1/2 several hours, together with a "twilight" tour option is available. Visit the Web siteMaxx FishA touch of class together with huge dose of awesome, the Maxx Sea food lounge and bar is in the center of Whistler village together with an excellent spot for group occasions and parties, along with regular club occasions. Visit the Web siteWhistler BearcombWith greater than 8,100 acres of snow-covered slopes, Whistler Blackcomb is a one of the greatest ski resorts within the U . s . States. Numerous its highlights include 12 downhill bowls, three glaciers, world-class terrain parks and half pipes, greater than 200 marked trails together with a 1-mile vertical rise. Visit the Web siteMallard Lounge & TerraceTucked inside the Fairmont Chateau Whistler hotel, the Mallard is an ideal apres ski destination together with martinis and scotches to relish with the fireside. The lounge also serves mid-day tea from 2 to 4 p.m. daily. Visit the Web siteScandinave SpaThe great factor about character takes center stage at Scandinave Health health spa, situated just north of Whistler. The vistas give a unique peace to choose the massage remedies, hot baths and waterfalls. Visit the Web siteBearfoot BistroCentral for the Whistler village, Bearfoot bills itself as getting "all the accoutrements from the five-star restaurant without any fuss and pretension." The restaurant serves a menu filled with modern Canadian cuisine, different from wild arctic caribou to ivory spring seafood. Bearfoot may also be among only 150 Don Perignon Houses in the world. Visit the Web siteFEST TRAVELER: WHISTLER FILM FESTIVAL Hollywood altitude Most warm welcomes Laurels relaxation here Capture suits Serkis okay Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Tribune to Push for Expedited Approval of New Reorganization Plan

NY - Broadcaster and newspaper publisher Tribune Co. and a group of its senior creditors plan to ask a judge on Tuesday for an expedited approval process for a latest amended plan of reorganization that would allow it to exit bankruptcy, the Chicago Tribune reported. The media firm, home of the LA Times, filed the latest plan late Friday, hoping to overcome problems that kept a Delaware judge from approving a previous version of the plan in October. Tribune Co. chief restructuring officer Don Liebentritt said in a note to employees that the company plans to ask its bankruptcy court judge for an accelerated timetable for approval of the plan, according to the report. It said that Tribune wants the judge hold a hearing to approve voting procedures on Dec. 13, followed by a voting deadline of Jan. 20. If things work out that way, confirmation hearings could happen during the first week of February. Tribune's bankruptcy proceeding has been dragging on for nearly three years. The company ran into debt problems following a buyout led by chairman Sam Zell and had to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com Twitter: @georgszalai Related Topics

New York Film Critics Delay Voting to Nov. 29

Sony Pictures NY Film Critics Circle chairman John Anderson announced on Nov. 21 that the NYFCC awards voting will take place the morning of Nov. 29, not Nov. 28, as he had previously announced.our editor recommends'Girl With the Dragon Tattoo': New Poster Released (PHOTO)New 'Girl With the Dragon Tattoo' Trailer Hits Web (Video)The NY Film Critics Circle Seizes First-Vote Spotlight VIDEO: New 'Girl With the Dragon Tattoo' Trailer Hits Web What forced the issue was the inability of Sony to screen The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo until the morning of Nov. 28 at the earliest. Though some of the critics grumbled about the delay, the studio says it simply wasn't possible to screen it any sooner. "Post production dictated our screening calendar and the 28th is the earliest possible date that we could show the finished film," Sony SVP media relations Steve Elzer tells The Hollywood Reporter. In a statement, NYFCC chair Anderson said, "We were looking forward to voting on Monday, November 28th, but due to conflicting schedules, we have made the decision to move back a day to ensure all of our voters have the opportunity to see all of the eligible films." The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

Meghan McCain, Chelsea Clinton and TV's Shameful Romance with Political Kids (Opinion)

This story seems within the 12 ,. 2 problem from the Hollywood Reporter. Wanted: Reporter for normal feature segments on NBC Nightly News. No journalists need apply. NBC sent its audiences an unhappy message about its brand with the help of Chelsea Clinton (qualification: onetime residency within the Whitened House, boldface parents) like a reporter to make a positive change, its segment about volunteerism and community service. The standard of journalism that people deliver, NBC News unconditionally states, is of these a minimal standard that the rank amateur is capable of stand before our cameras, just like lengthy as she's a famous surname. Chelsea the newswoman joins co-workers Meghan McCain, whose father was the Republican nominee for leader, and Jenna Rose bush Hager, a double threat as both former first daughter and first daughter. NBC News didn't initiate this trend: Former first boy Ron Reagan's qualification to become a contributor for ABC's Hello America throughout the eighties and ྖs was like a ballerina (which famous title). PHOTOS: The Clinton Foundation's Decade of Difference Fundraising event This Clinton scion's employing implies that every former leader since 1980 includes a network TV journalist inherited or relatives. Why? The need to employ from political families is a good example of what NYU journalism professor Jay Rosen calls the "mission for innocence" within the political press. News organizations attempt to square a circle by saying that they're inside gamers with use of the corridors of political energy yet still time remaining neutral outsiders, "innocent," with no partisan ax to grind. Employing someone whose access derives from bloodstream instead of political activism solves this issue. Clinton certainly comes with an insider's understanding about West Wing crises, but like a reporter, she carries no ideological baggage that employing a converted political operative (Tim Russert), onetime Whitened House press secretary (George Stephanopoulos), former presidential aide (Diane Sawyer) or ex-speechwriter (Chris Matthews) entails. Another advantage of employing a political heir may be the quality of telegenic youth: Chelsea, 31, is less grizzled than James Carville and it has a less risque résumé than Eliot Spitzer. Nightly News likely hopes to enhance its aging demographic by having an on-air face within the target demo, a change from fifteen years ago when inspiring segments were filed by another nonjournalist impostor, "Stormin' " Norman Schwarzkopf. Nonetheless, this specific option is peculiar: Clinton might understand what an internal-the-Whitened-House crisis feels as though, but she's zero understanding of methods this type of crisis -- or any news event, for your matter -- is included by working journalists. Her parents stored her inside a reporter-free bubble throughout her childhood she stonewalled reporters when she stumped on her mother throughout Campaign 2008 so that as lately as 16 several weeks ago, she attempted to bar the press from covering her wedding, keeping the place secret so that they can thwart the paparazzi and she or he wouldn't even give interviews regarding the her employing by NBC. STORY: Chelsea Clinton Joins NBC News as Special Correspondent And also the employing from the hedge fund alumna discloses NBC News to possess a particularly container ear at any given time when mainstream media stand accused by Occupy Wall Street to be complicit within an undemocratic political system as people and mouth pieces from the "1 %,Inch instead of watchdogs inspecting corruption. NBC News has enough baggage using its CNBC brand imagine Clinton and Andrea Mitchell showing up on Nightly News throughout coverage from the next economic crisis: the daughter from the leader who deregulated high finance using the wife of central banker Alan Greenspan, who permitted it to operate amok. NBC News is confirming from that worldview instead of onto it. You can say Clinton, Hagen and McCain are now being used as eye-catching props by effective males projecting a picture of insider access. You can say this came for their being "pimped out" -- unless of course, obviously, one happens to dedicate yourself NBC News, by which situation you'd be suspended. Just request David Shuster, who had been suspended from MSNBC in 2008 for implementing that phrase regarding the Clinton. There's one number of professional journalists which should feel gratified by her arrival: area producers. Their confirming chops are even more indispensable because the figures before their cameras become purely symbolic. Andrew Tyndall is writer of Tyndall Report, which monitors network TV news. Related Subjects NBC ABC News Hello America Today

Taylor Swift, Adele and Nicki Minaj Lead American Music Awards

Taylor Swift Female vocalists dominated at the 2011 American Music Awards, as Taylor Swift, yet again, was the top winner of the evening, picking up three awards - Favorite Country Female Artist, Country Album and Artist of the Year. "This is crazy," Swift excitedly told the crowd Sunday night. Adele received two statues, for Favorite Female Pop/Rock Music Artist and Pop/Rock Music Album. Nicki Minaj took home both Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop artist and Rap/Hip-Hop album. "There's so much love in this room," Minaj exclaimed after winning her first award of the night. Check out red carpet arrivals from the 2011 American Music Awards Although she lost in the traditional categories, Katy Perry was honored onstage immediately following her performance for being the first woman to have five No. 1 singles from a single album. Check out the list of winners: Pop/Rock Music Favorite Male Artist: Bruno Mars Favorite Band, Duo or Group: Maroon 5 Favorite Female Artist - Adele Favorite Album - Adele, 21 Country Music Favorite Male Artist: Blake Shelton Favorite Female Artist: Taylor Swift Favorite Band, Duo or Group: Lady Antebellum Favorite Album - Taylor Swift, Speak Now Soul/R&B Music Favorite Male Artist: Usher Favorite Female Artist: Beyonce Favorite Album: Rihanna, Loud Rap/Hip-Hop Music Favorite Artist - Nicki Minaj Favorite Album - Nicki Minaj, Pink Friday Latin Music Favorite Artist: Jennifer Lopez Artist of the Year Taylor Swift New Artist of the Year Hot Chelle Rae

Bella's Parents' Murderous Pasts! The 'Twilight'-'24' Connection

At Bella and Edward's wedding in 'Breaking Beginning Part 1,' Bella's father, Charlie Swan (Billy Burke), constitutes a somewhat-threatening toast, where he mentions he's excellent at hunting people lower -- if required. Edward, heed individuals words! Lengthy before Burke performed Kristen Stewart's loving father and small-town sheriff within the 'Twilight' franchise, he was on the other hand from the law like a brutal wife-killer in '24.' For Bella's doting mother, Renee (Sarah Clarke)? She was just Jack Bauer's most deadly enemy. For individuals that do not remember: Clarke performed Nina Myers, a 1-time counter-terrorism agent with whom Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) unwisely had an affair. Within the greatest Season 1 surprise (spoiler alert, if you are still waiting to look at a ten-year-old tv program), Nina killed his wife. Later, she grew to become a callous mercenary, who found herself inside a cell facing an interrogation from Bauer in Season 2. (For a bit more context, here's an intro to Season 2 of '24.') Take a look at her evil smirk as she tries to negotiate a pardon in return for preventing a explosive device set to devastate all La within the scene below. For Burke, he performed Gary Matheson, an abusive husband who kills his wife, then attempts to get rid of the only witness, his babysitter, Kim Bauer (Elisha Cuthbert). Since '24' needed Kim to stay in constant but completely separate peril from her father Jack, her flight to safety required her towards the desert where she was menaced with a wild cougar (an uncontested series low point) along with a lonely survivalist (a pre-'Entourage' Kevin Dillon). It ended together with her needing to shoot Gary in the advocating of her father, who in some way had time for you to offer her the existence-saving advice between getting tortured and preventing World War III. There's an ultra-brief peek at Billy Burke at 20 seconds in, and Kim tugging the trigger within this preview of year 2 finale: A significant difference in the Swans of Forks, Clean. 'Breaking Beginning Part 1' is within theaters on Friday. [Photos: WireImage, Getty] 'Breaking Beginning' Cast Quotes 'Breaking Beginning' Cast QuotesBill Condon, DirectorAshley Greene, Alice CullenNikki Reed, Rosalie HaleElizabeth Reaser, Esme CullenPeter Facinelli, Carlisle CullenSarah Clarke, Renee DwyerBilly Burke, Charlie SwanCasey LaBow, Kate DenaliJulia Johnson, Leah ClearwaterBooboo Stewart, Seth ClearwaterMelissa Rosenberg, ScreenwriterCarolina Herrera, Bella's wedding gown designerMackenzie Foy, Renesmee CullenTaylor Lautner, Jacob BlackRobert Pattinson, Edward CullenKristen Stewart, Jacob Black See All Moviefone Art galleries » Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Michael J. Fox Recreates 'Back Towards The Future' With Surprise 'Johnny B. Goode' Performance

Twenty-six years following the world observed Marty McFly perform Chuck Berry's hit "Johnny B. Goode" around the giant screen in "To the near future,Inch Michael J. Fox has came back to the level to do again. Fox required to the level at his An Interesting Factor Happened In Order To Cure Parkinsons charitable organisation benefit in the Waldorf-Astoria. In line with the video launched from the performance, it appears like Fox closed the event in high style with a few pretty epic guitar shreds. Fox surprised participants together with his last-minute performance. For individuals individuals who require to return to the "To the near futureInch films, Marty works the song "Johnny B. Goode" in the Enchantment Underneath The Ocean dance at his parents' school in 1955. In "To the near futureInch mythology, his performance was designed to have inspired Chuck Berry to produce the hit. This is not the very first time Fox has incorporated "To the near futureInch into his fundraiser this season. Younger crowd was behind the Nike MAG footwear which were sold on eBay in September for $4.7 million. And, obviously, Fox reprised the role of Marty McFly within the trailer for last year's "To the near futureInch reunion in the Spike Scream Honours. In the event that's just how much love and attention the cast put in the film's 25th anniversary party, I can not wait to determine the things they're doing because of its 50th. What have you think about Fox's performance of "Johnny B. Goode"? Would you like seeing him perform homages to "To the near futureInch? Inform us within the comments section below or on Twitter!

Legendary's 'Godzilla' Remake to become Compiled By Max Borenstein (Exclusive)

Max Borenstein continues to be drawn on to create the planned remake of Godzilla.our editor recommendsHollywood Docket: Lucasfilm/Pixar 'Conspiracy'? New Barbie dolls Suit Godzilla SettlementEXCLUSIVE: 'Monsters' Director Stomps to 'Godzilla' Gareth Edwards, the director from the indie sci-fi movie Monsters, is mounted on direct the creature feature dedicated to the giant city-wrecking and monster-fighting lizard, that is in development at Legendary Pictures. Legendary's Thomas Tull and Jon Jashni are creating together with Serta Lin, Roy Lee and John Rogers. Warner Bros. will distribute per its cope with Legendary. David Goyer (The Dark Dark night) formerly done the script. Borenstein, who just completed his script for Art from the Steal for Warner Bros and producers Kevin McCormick and Zac Efron, is familar with Legendary. He done the business's in-development Jimi Hendrix biopic, Jimi, and rewrote the outfit's supernatural fantasy The Seventh Boy. The second, in line with the Frederick Delaney YA book, is because of get into production with Shaun Bridges, Julianne Moore and Ben Barnes mounted on star. Borenstein is repped by UTA, Anonymous Content and Rosen Feig & Golland. Email: Borys.Package@thr.com Twitter: @Borys_Package Gareth Edwards

Legendary 'Bonnie and Clyde' Costume Designer Dies at 83

Veteran costume designer Theadora Van Runkle has died at 83. Most broadly known on her behalf Oscar-nominated concentrate on 'Bonnie and Clyde,' Van Runkle got her start just like a sketch artist for award-winning designer Dorothy Jeakins ('The Appear of Music, 'The Ten Commandments'), and would later be recommended for your 'Bonnie and Clyde' job by Jeakins herself. Her costumes for Faye Dunaway and Warren Beaty inside the film increased being legendary, cementing Van Runkle one of the premiere designers in the market. She'd later receive Oscar nominations for 'The Godfather Part II' and 'Peggy Sue Got Married.' In line with the Costume Designers Guild, Van Runkle died the 2009 Friday of carcinoma of the lung. She's managed to get by her boy Max, her daughter Felicity and her grand boy Teo. [via LA Occasions] The Costumes of Theadora Van Runkle See All Moviefone Galleries » Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Exclusive: SpongeBob SquarePants Characters to Document Vacation Via Twitter

SpongeBob SquarePants The SpongeBob SquarePants gang is setting out on an adventure and will be documenting their vacation via Twitter, TVGuide.com has learned exclusively. During Runaway Road Trip week, SpongeBob and the Bikini Bottom crew will tweet photo postcards, interact with one another and share commentary on their friends' photos. Fans can follow the characters via each of their pages linked here: SpongeBob, Mr. Krabs, Plankton, Squidward, Patrick, Karen, Sandy, Pearl Krabs, Claire SquarePants and Harold SquarePants. Beginning Monday, Nickelodeon is airing getaway-themed episodes every day at 5/4c, culminating on Friday with a half-hour special titled "A SquarePants Family Vacation." Will you follow along?

Safe House Trailer Blasts In

We're not safe...Are you currently hankering to determine Denzel Washington back playing a really nasty good article just like he is at Training Day? Then you will gladly watch a clip for Safe House, featuring just that, all within the service of the high-octane action thriller co-starring Ryan Reynolds. A clip is online at Apple.Directed by Snabba Cash's Daniel Espinosa, Safe House finds Reynolds like a CIA agent itchiness for additional area experience. But, because it is best to be cautious what you want for, he will get much more than he needs once the facility he's designated to keep an eye on will get a really high-profile "house guest": agent-switched-rogue assassin Tobin Frost (Washington).Works out, some very bad people (yes, potentially worse than Frost themself) get it set for the guy, and is going to do everything they are able to caused by make certain he's pushing up daisies. Using the safe house jeopardized, the agent and the prisoner need to flee for his or her lives. Very difficult task when among you is really a stone-cold killer with zero morals...Also featuring Vera Farmiga, Brendan Gleeson, Robert Patrick and Joel Kinnaman, the film is going to be on Feb 24, 2012.

Star Trek 2 uses another title

Sources near the project have apparently revealed new particulars about J.J. Abrams Star Trek 2, including the fact the follow-up won't be referred to as Star Trek 2.The not named muck-dishers claim the film will begin shooting within the month of the month of january and certainly will take advantage of the different title.Khan Strikes Back, possibly?Zoe Saldana, who plays Nyota Uhura, confirmed the cast don't yet know where the follow-up will strongly go."We still haven't be a script yet," she told Access Hollywood. "We're very excited to determine it and acquire to space.""I'm really curious and i'm certain that Zach can be as well," she mentioned when asked for once the romance between her character and Zachary Quinto's Spock would continue.

'True Blood' Air Alan Ball Developing Cinemax Medical Drama (Exclusive)

Alan Ball Alan Ball is switching genres. The Real Bloodstream showrunner is developing Wichita, an hourlong drama in regards to a Kansas surgeon who unintentionally becomes the focus of the contemporary political, cultural and ethical war. Ball is placed to executive produce the Cinemax project with author Devin Friedman, the writer behind this years GQ article "Messiah versus. Messiah" concerning the late Dr. George Tiller, a Wichita, Kansas, physician who had been among the couple of doctors who provided late-term abortions. Tiller, who had been the medical director from the Women's Healthcare Services facility, made it an murder attempt in 1993 and was shot within the eye and wiped out by anti-abortion activist Scott Roeder last year. Roeder was charged of murder this past year. STORY: 'True Bloodstream': Alan Ball Ink New Deal, Talks Season 5 Ball would executive produce the hourlong project alongside Jimmy Burns with Friedman penning the project and becoming co-executive producer. Wichita marks Ball's third project using the premium cable network behind True Bloodstream. Younger crowd is placed to executive produce Cinemax brother or sister Cinemax's Banshee, a project occur Pennsylvania's Amish country which is all about an ex-disadvantage and fighting techinques expert who poses because the small town's killed sheriff because he makes sure their own make of justice and uses the positioning for everyone their own interest. Ball inked a multiyear cope with Cinemax in This summer and told The Hollywood Reporter in the Television Experts' Association's summer time press tour he were built with a "couple aircraft pilots" in development. Additionally towards the trio of TV projects, Ball also signed onto direct a dark comedy pitch setup at Vital. He's repped by UTA and Blossom Hergott Diemer. Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com Twitter: @Snoodit Alan Ball Cinemax TV Development

5 Things to understand about Tim Burton's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon

.publish-content img Most likely not! But: the very first trailer for Angelina Jolie's directorial debut 'In the Land of Bloodstream and Honey' has snuck online, also it looks gorgeous? Tragic? Such as the work of the budding master? Jolie's new film -- which does not feature the Oscar-champion onscreen -- concentrates on the forbidden love from a Muslim lady along with a Serbian soldier throughout the Bosnian war within the mid-1990's. That's questionable enough, but 'In the Land of Bloodstream and Honey' seemed to be dogged throughout production by gossips of rape being the origin of the clandestine romance. Bosnian authorities suspended Jolie's filming permits for 'In the Land of Bloodstream and Honey' last October, after receiving pressure from women's groups due to rumored content within the film. "Among 1000's of testimonies by women raped throughout the war, there's none of them that informs of the love story from a victim and her rapist," stated Women Sufferers of War mind Bakira Hasecic at that time. "We won't allow anybody to falsify our discomfort." Just days later, the permit was reinstated after authorities had an opportunity to browse the script, which apparently did not range from the lightning-fishing rod problem. Stated the actress at that time, "My hope is the fact that individuals will hold judgment until they've seen the film." Jolie also authored the script for 'In the Land of Bloodstream and Honey,' something she stated she accomplished while ill and quarantined from her children. "I do not watch television and that i wasn't reading through anything," she told Vanity Fair this season. "And So I began writing. I went right from the start towards the finish. I did not know every other way." 'In the Land of Bloodstream and Honey' is placed for release between December. RELATED Co-Stars Who (Allegedly) Had Matters To celebrate Tinseltown's grand tradition of stars (apparently) departing their partners for his or her co-stars, Moviefone has a glance at probably the most well known relationship shake-ups ever. Clark Gable and Loretta YoungHumphrey Bogart and Lauren BacallEddie Fisher and Liz TaylorRichard Burton and Liz TaylorPeter Bogdanovich and Cybill ShepherdSteve McQueen and Ali MacGrawJohn Malkovich and Michelle PfeifferRussell Crowe and Meg RyanBrad Pitt and Angelina JolieDaniel Craig and Rachel Weisz See All Moviefone Art galleries » Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Nets bet on sitcom vets for next season

Seasoned sitcom stars, such as Tim Allen of Home Improvement and now Last Man Standing, are making comebacks. Roseanne Barr is coming off Lifetimes cancellation of Roseannes Nuts, but a show in the works has a good shot at NBC. Alley Hayes BelushiMcEntireKilbornBreuerNow that Tim Allen has made his TV comeback on the new comedy "Last Man Standing," ABC and NBC are looking to a slew of other former broadcast-TV stars to repeat the feat. Faces famous for toplining half-hours going back a few decades -- think Roseanne Barr, Kirstie Alley and Sean Hayes -- are attached to a healthy number of the comedy scripts piling up for the 2012-13 TV season. They're all hoping that whatever pixie dust got sprinkled on Allen, who topped ABC's "Home Improvement" in the 1990s, works for them as well. Recent comedic hits like "Modern Family" and "The Big Bang Theory" are giving execs renewed confidence in the half-hour format. And given that comedy had long struggled on broadcast TV until recently, it's only natural that the nets are turning to some of the key practitioners from back when the genre was going gangbusters. Script deals with talent attached differ from the traditional holding deals in that they pair an actor with a writer and/or concept rather than plugging them in later to a script that wasn't necessarily tailored to fit his or her voice. But like holding deals, they're largely intended to keep the talent under a particular net's roof, though some pacts give them the ability to opt out or be plugged into other scripts later in development season. "Aside from a few exceptions, there was a long period of time there when actor-based talent deals of any kind were pretty nonexistent at the studios and networks," said UTA talent agent Mike Jelline. "As the health of the TV business, particularly on the comedy side, has improved so rapidly over the past couple years, the appetite for these deals has definitely increased." "Standing" has been a standout for ABC so far. Since premiering Oct. 12 as the net's highest-rated 8 p.m. comedy premiere in seven years, the show cooled off some but stayed strong in its second week, declining just 9% to 10.1 million viewers and 3.0 rating/9 share in adults 18-49. Banking on familiar faces is one of the oldest tricks in the programming playbook. A name with a solid track record not only gives execs some reassurance in the always risky TV business but helps break through the cluttered fall sked with auds eager to get reacquainted with a proven quantity. But there's no such thing as a sure thing. Some of these stars know that all too well given that they're already on their third or fourth comeback attempts. Barr, in particular, just came off the cancellation of "Roseanne's Nuts," an unscripted series on Lifetime. But she's hoping to be back on NBC with "Downwardly Mobile," a comedy from 20th Century Fox TV set in a mobile-home park that reunites her with Eric Gilliand, exec producer of her 1990s smash "Roseanne." "Mobile" has a script commitment plus penalty, giving it a decent shot to make the schedule. Hayes, who broke out on the NBC sitcom "Will and Grace" from 1998-2006, is set to star in a gay-parenting comedy from "Rescue Me" exec producer Peter Tolan via Sony Pictures Television and Universal Television. Alley, who had two different series at the front and tail end of the 1990s with "Cheers" and "Veronica's Closet," is angling for a third with "The Manzanis," a comedy about a brash Italian-American family that's already ordered to pilot at ABC from ABC Studios and Brillstein Entertainment Partners. ABC is also looking for talent from latenight's past, with onetime "Saturday Night Live" cast member Jim Breuer and Craig Kilborn, former host of "The Daily Show" and his own CBS latenight series, attached to scripts that would have them star in and exec produce their own comedies. ABC is also turning to some proven players from the aughts in hopes of lightning striking twice: Jim Belushi and Reba McEntire, who spent the better part of that decade headlining half-hours, both have put-pilot commitments for their scripts. NBC is also dipping into 2000s-era talent by giving a put-pilot commitment to Portia de Rossi, most notably of Fox's "Arrested Development." Still more talent have script deals at ABC, which has "Curb Your Enthusiasm" supporting player Jeff Garlin, and NBC, which has the eponymous stars of "The Sarah Silverman Program" (Comedy Central), E!'s "Snoop Dogg's Father Hood" (E!) and "Dane Cook's Tourgasm" (HBO). There's far less talent attached to scripts on the drama side, though a few, including Ethan Hawke and Jason Ritter, are under consideration for new hourlongs at NBC. CBS may also take part in the 1990s revival having secured former Fox sitcom star Martin Lawrence to a holding deal that could put him back into circulation next season. Contact Andrew Wallenstein at andrew.wallenstein@variety.com

Kermit as Mogul, Farting Fozzie Bear: How Disney's Muppets Movie Has Purists Rattled and shook and shook

This informative article first came out inside the March. 28 problem in the Hollywood Reporter.our editor recommends'Muppets': Full Trailer in the Jason Segel-Could Be Film Surfaces (Video)'The Muppets' at D23: Jason Segel Talks about Their Comedy Influence (Video)'The Muppets' Trailer Showcases Hollywood Cameos (Video)'Green Lantern's' Ryan Reynolds Can get Punked With the Muppets (Video)'Muppets' Movie Soundtrack Features Feist, Flight in the Conchords, Andrew BirdMuppets Creator Jim Henson Honored on 75th BirthdayOK Go Party While using Muppets (Video) Adams, Cooper and Manley joining Muppets movie (exclusive) We're searching to obtain the old gang back together again again!" states a voice that unmistakably would go to Kermit the Frog, inside the many Muppets trailers the Disney marketing machine has lobbed online in recent days. "We haven't transported this out in the very very long time," states another, somewhat anxious voice, identifiable having a as Fozzie Bear's. Plus it's true -- they haven't attempted it in the very very long time. A whole generation might not recognize Fozzie Bear in addition to Kermit inside the fur, a more compact amount the appear from the voices. Which's the job as Disney prepares to create the Muppets into theaters the first time in more than ten years. VIDEO: 'The Muppets' Trailer Showcases Hollywood Cameos The stakes are high, while not because the film's budget, inside the $40 million range, signifies an enormous financial gamble or because the hit-hungry Wealthy Ross regime may use victory. Once The Muppets scores, Disney finally might have determined the best way to relaunch an abandoned franchise that was probably the most storied on television world, fixing a puzzle that has baffled the business since it acquired the legendary figures in 2004. Disney has labored getting a vengeance waiting for the film's November. 23 release to trend within the figures online, including amusing spoofs of those films since the Hangover Part II as well as the Girl While using Dragon Tattoo. A sound lesson sang by stars Jason Segel and may Be opened up on Ryan Seacrest's radio show March. 12. The studio remains buoyed by strong test tests, and based on Internet chatter, anticipation for your film is high. Nevertheless the Muppets haven't experienced theaters since Muppets From Space tanked for that new the new sony in 1999. With different Muppets veteran, toward the conclusion of his existence, Muppets creator Jim Henson was finding it challenging to keep his creatures inside the public eye. He was operating individually inside an era of media concentration, which supports explain his decision to promote to Disney. "It absolutely was difficult before Jim died [in 1990], plus it increased being very, very difficult after Jim died," states this insider ruefully. "We'd the figures still doing things however with no constant, in-your-face exposure that something such as The Simpsons has. ... They lost a period.In . VIDEO: 'The Muppets' at D23: Jason Segel Talks about Their Comedy Influence Causeing this to be the Muppets' large chance. "A component film may be an extremely effective approach to relaunch a brand name,In . states kids TV veteran Toper Taylor, leader of Cookie Jar Entertainment. "Hopefully they'll be capable of bottle lightning once again.Inch Certainly it labored for that new the new sony while using Smurfs. It had been a couple of decades since the blue creatures had their heyday, as well as the studio introduced them roaring back getting an international gross more than $540 million. (Getting a $110 million budget, the wager was far more than Disney's round the Muppets.) In relaunching brands, Taylor states, it's essential to make sure you "don't disenchant their core audience." That's where the path for your Muppets is challenging. The old Muppets guard -- several authors and artists associated with creating the franchise -- is searching toward the neglected troupe to shine again, almost desperate inside their desiring the film to use. But though they haven't seen it, some wonder if film author and star Segel -- an obsessed Muppets fan -- features a true grasp in the figures they aided create. Related Subjects Jason Segel Wealthy Ross The Wally Disney Company The Muppets The Jim Henson Company 1 2 3 4 next last

NBC Buys Comedies From Chelsea Latelys Sarah Colonna & Weeds Stephen Falk

NBC has bought 2 more single-camera comedy projects, Existence After I Screw It Up, from Chelsea Lately and After Lately author/panelist Sarah Colonna and Satellites, a workplace comedy from Weeds author-producer Stephen Falk. Existence After I Screw It Up is founded on Colonnas approaching book and follows Colonna and her existence inside the Area ornamented by eccentric pals and family whose opinions and actions know no restrictions. Happy Madison and also the new the new sony TV are coming up with along with Colonna’s management company New Wave Entertainment, Lunch Large Snail Prods. and Universal TV. Colonna will write the script and executive produce with Danielle Sanchez, who'll supervise, Doug Robinson, Abbey MacDonald, Michael Pelmont and John Volk Weiss. APA-repped Colonna recently completed on theComedians of Chelsea Lately tour. Satellites is occur the chaotic arena of satellite radio and centers around a classic reluctant 󈨞′s boy-band member together with a lady blogger/podcaster who co-host a relationship call-in show. They need to contend not only with their loaded bitterness for each other, nevertheless the madness of working inside the " " new world " " of radio where the Stylish-Hop Station has ended the hall around the Gay Station that's next door in the Nothing-But-Windchimes Station. ICM-repped Falk is presently a supervisory producer on Weeds and formerly developed musical comedy Timing with Weeds creator Jenji Kohan at Showtime.

Zazen, Lereby raising $60 mil for 10 films

RIO P JANEIRO -- Jose Padilha, director of "Elite Squad: The Enemy Within" is joining via his Zazen Prods. label with Daniel Filho's Lereby Prods. to boost $60 million to invest in 10 Brazilian movies within the next 4 years. A personal equity fund, that the partners are putting the finishing touches, will take into account about $$ 30 million, Padilha stated throughout the Rio Festival. The fund is backed by Brazilian traders. Brazil's battery of film tax animal shelters will give another $$ 30 million, Padilha added. Movies will target South america his or her primary market. All is going to be launched in South america via Nossa Distribuidora, the groundbreaking new distrib op introduced Tuesday in the Rio Fest whose founding partners include Zazen and Lereby, plus Fernando Meirelles' 02 Filmes, Conspiracao Films, Morena Films, FL & MAM Participacoes and Vinny Films. The development drive, Padilha stated, "can help Nossa to operate. We have to produce a amount of films to ensure that Nossa has leverage to book movies with participants." Slate's first game titles is going to be introduced within the next couple of days, Padilha stated. One early production will, however, be considered a biopic on Rickson Gracie, the undefeated Mma champion. Most movies come in Portuguese. Brazilian company directors will helm these. Zazen and Lereby will produce three movies each. The relaxation is going to be co-productions with third-party companies. Receiving a typical $six million investment per pic, part that would also cover P & A costs for South america, the productions turn to be greater-finish although not astronomical for South america, where blockbuster "Elite Squad: the Enemy Within" -- the greatest-grossing pic in South america ever -- cost $ten million. "Part funded by an equity fund, the slate needs to be varied - mixing romantic comedies, action movies, dramas -Making investment safe but offering good upside possibility," Padilha stated. Padilha contended Zazen and Lereby will not have had the opportunity to mount the equity fund without Nossa. Like a distribution company, Nossa enables B.O. revenues to visit right to producers who pay Nossa a distribution fee and retain distribution privileges for their productions. "Via Nossa the revenues for producers are five-to-ten-occasions greater," Padilha stated. Nossa is modelled on Padilha's direct distribution for "Elite Squad: the Enemy Within." "I have attempted ten occasions to boost private equity finance money to create productions inside a traditional way. Nobody wanted to check out it," stated Padilha. "The moment we did direct distribution on 'Elite Squad 2' and introduced Nossa, everyone wants to get it done.Inch Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Glees Ryan Murphy Sells Comedy Pilot to NBC

Ryan Murphy After a multiple-network bidding war, NBC has ordered a comedy pilot from Glee creator Ryan Murphy. The untitled single-camera sitcom will tell the story of a gay couple and the surrogate mother carrying their child, Entertainment Weekly reports.Photos: The best and worst Glee performances (so far!)Murphy will write and executive-produce the pilot, alongside his Glee co-executive producer Allison Adler. Dante Di Loreto, who produces drama thriller American Horror Story and Glee, will be a non-writing executive producer on the show, according to The Hollywood Reporter.American Horror Story: Connie Britton answers the premiere's burning questions!The project would be Murphy's first half-hour show and fifth overall series. Murphy's most recent series, American Horror Story on FX, premiered to 3.2 million viewers on Oct. 5. His credits also include Popular and Nip/Tuck.

UTA Uncovers New Logo design At Agency Retreat

EXCLUSIVE: So here you go around the occasion of U . s . Talent Agency’s 20th year around — in black and whitened, caused by 24 months of re-branding, revealed at thestart from the tenpercentery’s Ojai retreat.I love its quality. What is your opinion?(That old one really drawn.) The brand new visual identity was produced included in a general branding exercise carried out by proper branding firm Siegel+Gale.I was after a name more truthfully taken the essence of UTA today and reflected the worthiness we put on our clients creativeness and our very own growing global footprint,Jeremy Zimmer, UTA controlling director, stated in the statement towards the agents. We feel our new identity reflects how were different and just how we seize possibilities for clients inside a significantly shifting marketplace. We like our change, and that we realize it will carry us far in to the future. I recall if this tenpercentery was birthed within the Neiman Marcus males’s department, a union of Bauer Benedek and Leading Artists. Ah, how rapidly they develop in Hollywood.

'King's Speech' play to preem in U.K.

LONDON -- ''The King's Speech,'' the original play that inspired the Oscar-winning movie, will receive its world stage premiere in the West End in spring 2012 following a U.K. tour. The play is written by David Seidler, who won the best screenplay Oscar for his screen version of his unproduced original. Produced by Playful Productions and Michael Alden Productions, the show is helmed by Adrian Noble, former a.d. of the Royal Shakespeare Company, and designed by Anthony Ward (''Enron,'' ''Mary Stuart''). The title role will be played by Charles Edwards (London and Gotham's ''The 39 Steps''), who recently starred opposite Eve Best in ''Much Ado About Nothing'' at Shakespeare's Globe. Jonathan Hyde will play Lionel Logue. Although the six-week tour commences at Guildford's Yvonne Arnaud theater on Feb. 1, a West End berth has yet to be nailed down. Contact David Benedict at benedictdavid@mac.com

Fashion Slam: Who Does Pay $39,000 For Any Backpack?

First Released: October 6, 2011 1:35 PM EDT Credit: Getty Images La, Calif. -- Caption Crocodile Backpack through the RowUm, not me! I am talking about its a pleasant bag and all sorts of. Its from Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsens uber-trendy and understated line The Row. The bag consists of crocodile, that is very costly, however ,? Almost FORTY 1000 dollars? For any backpack? Apparently, the baggage can sell out at Barneys NY. WHO stays that type of cash on a backpack may be the apparent question? WHY would they spend a lot? Especially throughout these economic occasions. It had been the very first factor that offered out of the box, Ashley Olsen told Womens Put on Daily. Even when I'd that type of dough, I wouldn't stand on the backpackcrocodile or otherwise! With this type of money, I would buy, oh, I have no idea, a Vehicle maybe! Purse or vehicle? Purse or vehicle? A no-brainer for 99% from the population! For luxury loving fashionistas, this practically helps make the Hermes Birkin bags seem like a steal in a mere eight 1000 dollars. If you prefer a Birkin in crocodile, individuals start at 30 grand, therefore the Olsens are striving for that large guns using their first bag collection. Who does have believed the cute Full House twins would range from selling affordable clothes (including backpacks!) at Wal Mart to backpacks worth a pleasant vehicle? I, for just one, certainly didnt view it coming. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Kurt Russell May Replace Kevin Costner in 'Django Unchained'

And also you thought only not so good news broke late on Friday. TheWrap reviews the always-awesome Kurt Russell is within foretells replace Kevin Costner in Quentin Tarantino's 'Django Unchained.' Russell -- who starred within the underrated 'Death Proof' for that director -- would play Ace Woodsy, a henchman for that villainous Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio). Jamie Foxx and Christophe Waltz co-star with what is shaping as an extremely physical film it had been reported on Friday that Waltz dislocated his pelvis while practicing 'Django Unchained,' that is set to start shooting in November. [TheWrap, THR] Photo: John M. Heller/Getty

Melissa Leo, James Badge Dale Booking 'Flight' (Exclusive)

Robert Zemeckis is constantly on the nail lower his cast for Paramount's Denzel Washington drama Flight. Oscar champion Melissa Leo and James Badge Dale have been in discussions to become listed on the drama, that is being created by Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald. The script by John Gatins focuses on an alcoholic and drug-addicted pilot (Washington) whose plane engine malfunctions, forcing him to save the aircraft and it is people, being a hero along the way. Once the FAA looks into and finds proof of substance abuse, it attempts to sweep evidence aside to assist preserve the look from the captain, who's attempting to change the path of his existence. Bruce Greenwood just closed his deal while Don Cheadle, and Kelly Reilly have been in various stages of discussions to become listed on the cast. Leo is playing an investigator who's going to expose the pilot and discover in responsible for negligence. Dale's part sees him playing a gaunt dying cancer patient. Leo, repped by ICM and Untitled, won an Oscar on her operate in The Fighter and seemed to be Emmy-nominated on her performance in HBO's small-series Mildred Pierce. Dale, repped by CAA and MJ Management, would be a breakout actor from HBO's The Off-shore who continued to star in AMC's Rubicon. As the series was short-resided, Dale is seeing his feature career obtaining, booking parts in movies for example Joe Carnahan's The Gray, World War Z as well as in the approaching sex drama Shame. Related Subjects

Fashion Slam: Evan Rachel Wood: Awesome Girl Style

By Ryan PattersonLOS ANGELES, Calif. -- It kind of takes pressure off. You understand youre thinking less regarding your image and basically more your emotions and therefore, just leaves room to pay attention to bigger and things. Thats actress Evan Rachel Wood within the La premiere of her film The Ides of March this year's week talking about her short do, which she first demonstrated in June after a period of extended hair. If perhaps I'd one's heart (as well as the face) to tug off this kind of style, but Evan nails it. Celebrity hairstylist Marcus Francis labored with Evan for your premiere and shares ways you can the look. BEAUTY INSPIRATION: Evans short look of your hair gets the perfect balance of masculine and feminine, Marcus states. The clean silhouette of her white-colored suit inspired me to keep the look strong yet sexy. It absolutely was the style rock eye that put in my vision from the new to experience a vintage: combed out finger wave getting a David Bowie twist. A way of androgynous sexy elegance. Have The LOOK: Prep moist hair with Phyto Phytovolume Actif Spray, blow becoming dry along with your hands to manage volume within the roots. Inside the back, direct hair lower round the sides, take advantage of the fingers to direct hair back - keeping a piecey texture. When the tresses are half dry, lightly spritz Fekkai Tousled Wave Spray to thicken the look and feel in the hair. While using finish from the tail comb, produce a deep side part from the arch from the eyebrow. From the part, wrap small areas of hair employing a 3/4 curling iron. On your way to another eyebrow, the following row of sections will alternate the direction in the curl. This appears like an imperfect version from the finger wave. Continue this alternating curl pattern until youve finished the most effective side section. Within the crown in the mind, wrap hair when you did in the beginning, alternating three rows lower. Use Jonathan Muck Texturizing Paste to keep texture have less the perimeters. Switching to Pantene Professional-V Restore Beautiful Measures Getting rid of Balm for your top, rake through utilizing your fingers to destroy within the curls. Extend the curls to look like the following day of it absolutely was styled. Spray with LOreal Elnett Hairspray for hold. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All rights reserved.These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Seth Rogen Shows His Range as an Actor and a Producer in '50/50'

Seth Rogen Shows His Range as an Actor and a Producer in '50/50' By Jenelle Riley September 28, 2011 Photo by Shiloh Strong Seth Rogen Tell Seth Rogen with all sincerity that he deserves an Oscar nomination for his supporting turn as the best friend of a cancer patient in "50/50," and it takes him a good five minutes to stop laughing. "That's very kindthank you very much," he finally manages to say following that famous, booming chuckle. "I really appreciate that, but I truly don't think that's going to happen." Perhaps not, but it's not hyperbole to say Rogen is outstanding in the film, playing Kyle, an ordinary guy who does his best to stand by Adam (played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt) when Adam is diagnosed with a rare form of cancer at age 27. With the best of intentions, Kyle tries to help his friend navigate a whole new world of chemotherapy, illness, and ever-changing relationships. Although Kyle is sometimes inappropriate and misguided, his good heart and genuine love for his friend always come through.Rogen has had a test run playing the part; the screenplay is by his good friend Will Reiser, a fellow comedy writer who was diagnosed with cancer six years ago. At the time, Rogen's career was taking off. After an early start on the Judd Apatowproduced series "Freaks and Geeks" and "Undeclared," Rogen parlayed his scene-stealing role in Apatow's "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" into a star turn in "Knocked Up." He was also getting his feet wet as a writer-producer and would go on to co-write (with his partner Evan Goldberg) and produce "Superbad," "Pineapple Express," and "The Green Hornet." But as he watched Reiser struggle toward what would ultimately be a happy endingReiser is cancer-freeRogen continued to encourage his friend to write about his experience. The resulting film, produced by Rogen and directed by Jonathan Levine, is a pleasant surprise for anyone who winced on hearing Rogen was taking on a "cancer comedy." It's a fine line to walk and a path Rogen went down with "Funny People," in which he played the assistant of a famous comedian (Adam Sandler) dying of a rare disease. But the films could not be more different, and although Kyle might be a recognizable Rogen characterhe's a loudmouthed stonerthe performance represents a huge leap forward for the actor. Part of Rogen's appeal has long been his naturalistic attitudethe fact that he doesn't look like he's making too much of an effort. But anyone who recognizes good acting can tell that a lot is going on beneath the surface. "I'll confess I work really hard. I just dress in crumbly clothes so it makes it look like I'm not trying," Rogen says. "But I am." Back Stage: You were 16 when you went on an audition in Vancouver for "Freaks and Geeks." Was it your first audition ever? What did you do? Was improv involved? Seth Rogen: I think it was my second or third. I had sides; I don't think there was improv. It was a funny scene and actually kind of ultimately inspired the movie "Pineapple Express." It's about wanting to grow weed in a giant underground storage facility. I remember thinking it was funny. And I definitely remember them laughing way more than I thought they would. I remember coming out thinking, "If I didn't get that, I don't know what they are doing in there, because they definitely seemed to like it." Then I got it. I don't think I realized how lucky I was at the time.Back Stage: At that age, did you have a plan for your career? How did this fit in? Rogen: I'd done standup comedy, and I had my version of a plan. Which I guess was that I would do standup and go to L.A. and have a sitcom built around me, which was what was happening a lot then. Back Stage: When "Freaks and Geeks" was canceled, why did you choose to stay in L.A.? Rogen: I had enough money to stick around a little bit. Money [bought] time I could go without working. I just planned on staying until I ran out of money. That's still kind of my plan. Back Stage: Did you have an agent who was sending you out? Rogen: I had an agent and manager off "Freaks and Geeks." I would go for auditions here and thereit was definitely touch-and-go. Then I did "Donnie Darko" it was a tiny part, but it gave me a little bit of money. And then we did "Undeclared," until it was canceled. Back Stage: What were those early auditions like? Were you good at it? Rogen: No, I was not very good at auditioning. They didn't really know what to do with me. At the time, this wasn't a commercially acceptable type, by any stretch of the imagination. And there wasn't a lot of stuff that was like the stuff we got known for doingI didn't really have an arena in the auditions to be that funny, because they weren't the stuff I was good at. But Evan and I kept writing, and that's what kept it interesting. We were writing "Superbad" and "Pineapple Express" and trying to sell them and not really having much luck, but it always felt like we had this thing we were working towards. I think a lot of actors come out and audition and just don't get stuff and just feel like they're falling into this void. It didn't feel like that for us. But it definitely got scary at times because we went long stretches of time without working and almost ran out of money. Back Stage: And didn't Judd Apatow help you through those times, hiring you as an actor and as a writer? Rogen: Judd would really be helpful. We'd be really low on money, and he was doing rewrites on movies, and he'd give us a few thousand bucks to kind of help him for a few days. This is like 2002, 2003, I guess. So little things would come up; we'd get a little job here, a little job there. We would rewrite a movie here or something like that. Or sometimes we'd get paid to attend a table read. I literally went to a table read for "Big Momma's House 2," and we did a writers' room on it afterwards and got paid like 500 bucks. That was the kind of stuff you would do as a writer; it was the equivalent of doing bit parts on soap operas or such. That went on pretty much until we got "Da Ali G Show" as writers, and that was really the first regular job that actually paid us money as writers. It was a wonderful learning experience. That's where we met Will.Back Stage: As an actor, had you ever had any professional training before getting cast on "Freaks and Geeks"? Rogen: When I was a kid, I went to acting classes, like artsy-nerdy kids do. Local community centers and stuff like that. In high school, I think I went to a slightly more adult acting class for a few months maybe, I can't even remember. But nothing formal or rigorous in any way, shape, or form.Back Stage: So when they first put you and these other new actors in front of a camera, was there any sort of tutorial? Rogen: I think so. You know, I take for granted a lot of the movie bullshit you pick up over the years, and you forget how specific it is. And how if you didn't know, if no one told you what a mark is, it would be so foreign. Something they really went out of their way to doand something we try to do nowwas to teach us everything. Not just about the process, but how the writing and directing works, and how the camera and editing works. It was really amazing because they were really inclusive. When we were 17 years old, they would let me sit in the writers' room and watch them write. There's people who have been on TV shows for five seasons that don't get to sit in the writers' room. There was a definite attitude from Judd and the directors and the writers of "Let's teach these people. Let's go out of our way to explain everything." They really hoped we'd be able to contribute.Back Stage: I ask because you seem so natural in those old episodes. Rogen: That's funny; when I watch them, it looks terriblelike the worst acting in the entire world.But that was the mantra of the show: Act normal. Act natural. What would you do in this situation? What would you say? The writers would ask us what we would actually say in a situation. Not "What do you think will be funny?" I think that type of attitude went across the whole show, which is why I think the performances are so great. Except me. Although, I got better near the end, just in time to get canceled. We still say that every day when we're shooting: "Do what feels natural." Back Stage: How do you handle it if something doesn't feel right or natural? Rogen: You talk about it. It happens all the time. You have to adapt. It's largely up to the director; you have to be flexible. Sometimes the blocking isn't what you expected, and you have to adjust. You try things all kinds of different ways. Sometimes what's funny on set isn't going to be funny in an audience full of people. That's why we do so many takeswe just try to cover our asses, basically.Back Stage: So you don't mind test screenings, then? Rogen: No! We test screen a lot. We actually try to have more than most movies generally have. You learn a lot at them, especially when you're making a comedy. The more you show it to people, the more you find out what jokes work, what jokes don't work. And if you have extra jokes, which we do, you can make the movie play really well. Because any joke that doesn't work, you just rotate jokes in until one does work. We've done test screenings to literally test one or two jokes. It's important; it's actually hard to get the studio to agree to do it. I would test a movie 100 times, honestly. They usually want you to test it once or twice; I prefer five or six times, maybe even more.Back Stage: Can you remember anything specific that you fought for or learned from a test screening? Rogen: Tons of stuff. This movie, for example, I have a joke where I don't know that Patrick Swayze has died. That's the perfect example, because we did many options. As we were filming it, we were like, "We're going to have to test this joke!" People laughed at it and liked it, so we kept it in, but I was surprised, honestly. I thought people would say, "We love the movie, but you're a f**king asshole for having that joke in there!"Back Stage: As a producer on "50/50," how involved were you in the casting? Rogen: I sat in for almost all the auditions; I was very involved in all that stuff. It was great, actually. Bryce Dallas Howard's role as the unlikable girlfriend was very hard to cast. We had to read people, which is always tough to do, especially when you want really high-caliber actors, because a lot of them don't want to read. But we had to; it's a very tough role, and if it's too much in any direction, it can kill the whole movie. It needs to be someone who you get why he's with her, but at the same time you don't like her, even though you understand where she's coming from. I've known Bryce for a while; she auditioned for "Knocked Up," and then I'd see her at the grocery store and around town. I've always thought she was amazing, and she came in and was so impressive. And she does so much in the movie without you even realizing it. Back Stage: Do you remember the last time you auditioned for a role? Rogen: Sure, I auditioned for a movie just a year and a half ago. I didn't get it. And it didn't do that well. [Laughs.] People think I don't have to audition anymore, and that's not true at all. And I would be hypocritical to say no; as long as I'm asking people like Bryce to audition, I would be a f**king asshole if I wasn't willing to audition for stuff. I almost prefer it in a way, honestly, because it can be weird just being offered a role and showing up and no one knows what you're going to do and how you're going to do it. So it doesn't bother me.Back Stage: Obviously you didn't have to audition for "50/50," but to what degree are you playing yourself? Rogen: I'm only playing me as much as Joseph is playing Will; it's kind of broad strokes. I represent in the movie something that was happening at the time, which was a general inability for both Will and his friends to truly communicate about what was happening. What we did instead was joke about it and say really f**ked-up things about it all the time. There was a sense of "Let's try to make something funny about it." We would literally joke, "Let's make a movie out of this. Let's use this to your advantage in some way, shape, or form." When he was sick, we would tell Will all the time to write a screenplay about it. When he got better we were like "No, seriously, do it!" And while he was sick, we didn't have a real context for what the story would be. When he got better, you could see it was a movie. He started off as this neurotic, miserable, somewhat obnoxious guy. He got sick, he went through all these changes, all these relationships changed, and he got better and was a much happier, calm, well-rounded, centered person. The story now had a beginning, middle, and end. After that we were like, "Oh, we don't have to do anything. We can show almost exactly what really happened." Back Stage: We've seen the film about the person battling cancer before, and while this film handles that really well, it also tells a story we don't often see: being the friend who doesn't know how to handle the situation. One of the best moments of the film is when Adam finds a book Kyle has been reading about helping a friend cope with cancer. Rogen: We were talking about that when it happened: This is the greatest thing as an actor you could ever ask for. I have an amazing moment of redemption, my character comes full circle, and I'm literally lying on a couch, doing nothing. I'm just going to go to sleep, and when I wake up, my acting will be praised.Back Stage: This film is obviously very personal to you. Would it have hurt you if the reviews had been unkind? Rogen: Yeah, it would have. It's the type of movie that needs to be good. It's not like "Transformers." I could give a shit if "Green Hornet" got good reviews because audiences liked it, and that's who we made it for. But this movie needs to function intellectually as well as entertainment-wise, because it's about something so delicate. But what's more important than reviews is that people who have had direct experiences with something similar like the film. Like, when we made "Funny People," all I cared about was that standup comics didn't think I was a phony. For this movie, all I care about is that people within the cancer community appreciate it. I want them, more than critics, to think the movie is representative of what they went through. And so far, they have, and that means everything to me. You can fool critics, honestlymovies do it all the time. I read good reviews for movies that are idiotic to me. So it's not the best barometer. But you can't deny people's own experiences. When people tell me they like it and it represents what they went through, that means everything.Outtakes - Is also an aspiring photographer- Recently finished shooting "My Mother's Curse," in which his character goes on a road trip with his mother, played by Barbra Streisand. Also stars in Sarah Polley's film "Take This Waltz," which recently played the Toronto International Film Festival- Set to co-direct "The Apocalypse," from a script he wrote with Goldberg- Says his most difficult project to date was "The Green Hornet," largely because it was rated PG-13 and "I had to come up with funny shit all day where I couldn't swear." - Voiced characters in "Monsters vs. Aliens," the "Kung Fu Panda" films, and "Horton Hears a Who!" and the title character in "Paul." Says he's not surprised by this career: "I always thought I should have a career in voiceover, honestly. I knew I could have no discernable talent or abilities, but I knew I had a somewhat unique voice. I generally do not think I deserve my success, but I was shocked I was not getting more voiceover work!" Seth Rogen Shows His Range as an Actor and a Producer in '50/50' By Jenelle Riley September 28, 2011 Seth Rogen PHOTO CREDIT Shiloh Strong Tell Seth Rogen with all sincerity that he deserves an Oscar nomination for his supporting turn as the best friend of a cancer patient in "50/50," and it takes him a good five minutes to stop laughing. "That's very kindthank you very much," he finally manages to say following that famous, booming chuckle. "I really appreciate that, but I truly don't think that's going to happen." Perhaps not, but it's not hyperbole to say Rogen is outstanding in the film, playing Kyle, an ordinary guy who does his best to stand by Adam (played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt) when Adam is diagnosed with a rare form of cancer at age 27. With the best of intentions, Kyle tries to help his friend navigate a whole new world of chemotherapy, illness, and ever-changing relationships. Although Kyle is sometimes inappropriate and misguided, his good heart and genuine love for his friend always come through.Rogen has had a test run playing the part; the screenplay is by his good friend Will Reiser, a fellow comedy writer who was diagnosed with cancer six years ago. At the time, Rogen's career was taking off. After an early start on the Judd Apatowproduced series "Freaks and Geeks" and "Undeclared," Rogen parlayed his scene-stealing role in Apatow's "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" into a star turn in "Knocked Up." He was also getting his feet wet as a writer-producer and would go on to co-write (with his partner Evan Goldberg) and produce "Superbad," "Pineapple Express," and "The Green Hornet." But as he watched Reiser struggle toward what would ultimately be a happy endingReiser is cancer-freeRogen continued to encourage his friend to write about his experience. The resulting film, produced by Rogen and directed by Jonathan Levine, is a pleasant surprise for anyone who winced on hearing Rogen was taking on a "cancer comedy." It's a fine line to walk and a path Rogen went down with "Funny People," in which he played the assistant of a famous comedian (Adam Sandler) dying of a rare disease. But the films could not be more different, and although Kyle might be a recognizable Rogen characterhe's a loudmouthed stonerthe performance represents a huge leap forward for the actor. Part of Rogen's appeal has long been his naturalistic attitudethe fact that he doesn't look like he's making too much of an effort. But anyone who recognizes good acting can tell that a lot is going on beneath the surface. "I'll confess I work really hard. I just dress in crumbly clothes so it makes it look like I'm not trying," Rogen says. "But I am." Back Stage: You were 16 when you went on an audition in Vancouver for "Freaks and Geeks." Was it your first audition ever? What did you do? Was improv involved? Seth Rogen: I think it was my second or third. I had sides; I don't think there was improv. It was a funny scene and actually kind of ultimately inspired the movie "Pineapple Express." It's about wanting to grow weed in a giant underground storage facility. I remember thinking it was funny. And I definitely remember them laughing way more than I thought they would. I remember coming out thinking, "If I didn't get that, I don't know what they are doing in there, because they definitely seemed to like it." Then I got it. I don't think I realized how lucky I was at the time.Back Stage: At that age, did you have a plan for your career? How did this fit in? Rogen: I'd done standup comedy, and I had my version of a plan. Which I guess was that I would do standup and go to L.A. and have a sitcom built around me, which was what was happening a lot then. Back Stage: When "Freaks and Geeks" was canceled, why did you choose to stay in L.A.? Rogen: I had enough money to stick around a little bit. Money [bought] time I could go without working. I just planned on staying until I ran out of money. That's still kind of my plan. Back Stage: Did you have an agent who was sending you out? Rogen: I had an agent and manager off "Freaks and Geeks." I would go for auditions here and thereit was definitely touch-and-go. Then I did "Donnie Darko" it was a tiny part, but it gave me a little bit of money. And then we did "Undeclared," until it was canceled. Back Stage: What were those early auditions like? Were you good at it? Rogen: No, I was not very good at auditioning. They didn't really know what to do with me. At the time, this wasn't a commercially acceptable type, by any stretch of the imagination. And there wasn't a lot of stuff that was like the stuff we got known for doingI didn't really have an arena in the auditions to be that funny, because they weren't the stuff I was good at. But Evan and I kept writing, and that's what kept it interesting. We were writing "Superbad" and "Pineapple Express" and trying to sell them and not really having much luck, but it always felt like we had this thing we were working towards. I think a lot of actors come out and audition and just don't get stuff and just feel like they're falling into this void. It didn't feel like that for us. But it definitely got scary at times because we went long stretches of time without working and almost ran out of money. Back Stage: And didn't Judd Apatow help you through those times, hiring you as an actor and as a writer? Rogen: Judd would really be helpful. We'd be really low on money, and he was doing rewrites on movies, and he'd give us a few thousand bucks to kind of help him for a few days. This is like 2002, 2003, I guess. So little things would come up; we'd get a little job here, a little job there. We would rewrite a movie here or something like that. Or sometimes we'd get paid to attend a table read. I literally went to a table read for "Big Momma's House 2," and we did a writers' room on it afterwards and got paid like 500 bucks. That was the kind of stuff you would do as a writer; it was the equivalent of doing bit parts on soap operas or such. That went on pretty much until we got "Da Ali G Show" as writers, and that was really the first regular job that actually paid us money as writers. It was a wonderful learning experience. That's where we met Will.Back Stage: As an actor, had you ever had any professional training before getting cast on "Freaks and Geeks"? Rogen: When I was a kid, I went to acting classes, like artsy-nerdy kids do. Local community centers and stuff like that. In high school, I think I went to a slightly more adult acting class for a few months maybe, I can't even remember. But nothing formal or rigorous in any way, shape, or form.Back Stage: So when they first put you and these other new actors in front of a camera, was there any sort of tutorial? Rogen: I think so. You know, I take for granted a lot of the movie bullshit you pick up over the years, and you forget how specific it is. And how if you didn't know, if no one told you what a mark is, it would be so foreign. Something they really went out of their way to doand something we try to do nowwas to teach us everything. Not just about the process, but how the writing and directing works, and how the camera and editing works. It was really amazing because they were really inclusive. When we were 17 years old, they would let me sit in the writers' room and watch them write. There's people who have been on TV shows for five seasons that don't get to sit in the writers' room. There was a definite attitude from Judd and the directors and the writers of "Let's teach these people. Let's go out of our way to explain everything." They really hoped we'd be able to contribute.Back Stage: I ask because you seem so natural in those old episodes. Rogen: That's funny; when I watch them, it looks terriblelike the worst acting in the entire world.But that was the mantra of the show: Act normal. Act natural. What would you do in this situation? What would you say? The writers would ask us what we would actually say in a situation. Not "What do you think will be funny?" I think that type of attitude went across the whole show, which is why I think the performances are so great. Except me. Although, I got better near the end, just in time to get canceled. We still say that every day when we're shooting: "Do what feels natural." Back Stage: How do you handle it if something doesn't feel right or natural? Rogen: You talk about it. It happens all the time. You have to adapt. It's largely up to the director; you have to be flexible. Sometimes the blocking isn't what you expected, and you have to adjust. You try things all kinds of different ways. Sometimes what's funny on set isn't going to be funny in an audience full of people. That's why we do so many takeswe just try to cover our asses, basically.Back Stage: So you don't mind test screenings, then? Rogen: No! We test screen a lot. We actually try to have more than most movies generally have. You learn a lot at them, especially when you're making a comedy. The more you show it to people, the more you find out what jokes work, what jokes don't work. And if you have extra jokes, which we do, you can make the movie play really well. Because any joke that doesn't work, you just rotate jokes in until one does work. We've done test screenings to literally test one or two jokes. It's important; it's actually hard to get the studio to agree to do it. I would test a movie 100 times, honestly. They usually want you to test it once or twice; I prefer five or six times, maybe even more.Back Stage: Can you remember anything specific that you fought for or learned from a test screening? Rogen: Tons of stuff. This movie, for example, I have a joke where I don't know that Patrick Swayze has died. That's the perfect example, because we did many options. As we were filming it, we were like, "We're going to have to test this joke!" People laughed at it and liked it, so we kept it in, but I was surprised, honestly. I thought people would say, "We love the movie, but you're a f**king asshole for having that joke in there!"Back Stage: As a producer on "50/50," how involved were you in the casting? Rogen: I sat in for almost all the auditions; I was very involved in all that stuff. It was great, actually. Bryce Dallas Howard's role as the unlikable girlfriend was very hard to cast. We had to read people, which is always tough to do, especially when you want really high-caliber actors, because a lot of them don't want to read. But we had to; it's a very tough role, and if it's too much in any direction, it can kill the whole movie. It needs to be someone who you get why he's with her, but at the same time you don't like her, even though you understand where she's coming from. I've known Bryce for a while; she auditioned for "Knocked Up," and then I'd see her at the grocery store and around town. I've always thought she was amazing, and she came in and was so impressive. And she does so much in the movie without you even realizing it. Back Stage: Do you remember the last time you auditioned for a role? Rogen: Sure, I auditioned for a movie just a year and a half ago. I didn't get it. And it didn't do that well. [Laughs.] People think I don't have to audition anymore, and that's not true at all. And I would be hypocritical to say no; as long as I'm asking people like Bryce to audition, I would be a f**king asshole if I wasn't willing to audition for stuff. I almost prefer it in a way, honestly, because it can be weird just being offered a role and showing up and no one knows what you're going to do and how you're going to do it. So it doesn't bother me.Back Stage: Obviously you didn't have to audition for "50/50," but to what degree are you playing yourself? Rogen: I'm only playing me as much as Joseph is playing Will; it's kind of broad strokes. I represent in the movie something that was happening at the time, which was a general inability for both Will and his friends to truly communicate about what was happening. What we did instead was joke about it and say really f**ked-up things about it all the time. There was a sense of "Let's try to make something funny about it." We would literally joke, "Let's make a movie out of this. Let's use this to your advantage in some way, shape, or form." When he was sick, we would tell Will all the time to write a screenplay about it. When he got better we were like "No, seriously, do it!" And while he was sick, we didn't have a real context for what the story would be. When he got better, you could see it was a movie. He started off as this neurotic, miserable, somewhat obnoxious guy. He got sick, he went through all these changes, all these relationships changed, and he got better and was a much happier, calm, well-rounded, centered person. The story now had a beginning, middle, and end. After that we were like, "Oh, we don't have to do anything. We can show almost exactly what really happened." Back Stage: We've seen the film about the person battling cancer before, and while this film handles that really well, it also tells a story we don't often see: being the friend who doesn't know how to handle the situation. One of the best moments of the film is when Adam finds a book Kyle has been reading about helping a friend cope with cancer. Rogen: We were talking about that when it happened: This is the greatest thing as an actor you could ever ask for. I have an amazing moment of redemption, my character comes full circle, and I'm literally lying on a couch, doing nothing. I'm just going to go to sleep, and when I wake up, my acting will be praised.Back Stage: This film is obviously very personal to you. Would it have hurt you if the reviews had been unkind? Rogen: Yeah, it would have. It's the type of movie that needs to be good. It's not like "Transformers." I could give a shit if "Green Hornet" got good reviews because audiences liked it, and that's who we made it for. But this movie needs to function intellectually as well as entertainment-wise, because it's about something so delicate. But what's more important than reviews is that people who have had direct experiences with something similar like the film. Like, when we made "Funny People," all I cared about was that standup comics didn't think I was a phony. For this movie, all I care about is that people within the cancer community appreciate it. I want them, more than critics, to think the movie is representative of what they went through. And so far, they have, and that means everything to me. You can fool critics, honestlymovies do it all the time. I read good reviews for movies that are idiotic to me. So it's not the best barometer. But you can't deny people's own experiences. When people tell me they like it and it represents what they went through, that means everything.Outtakes - Is also an aspiring photographer- Recently finished shooting "My Mother's Curse," in which his character goes on a road trip with his mother, played by Barbra Streisand. Also stars in Sarah Polley's film "Take This Waltz," which recently played the Toronto International Film Festival- Set to co-direct "The Apocalypse," from a script he wrote with Goldberg- Says his most difficult project to date was "The Green Hornet," largely because it was rated PG-13 and "I had to come up with funny shit all day where I couldn't swear." - Voiced characters in "Monsters vs. Aliens," the "Kung Fu Panda" films, and "Horton Hears a Who!" and the title character in "Paul." Says he's not surprised by this career: "I always thought I should have a career in voiceover, honestly. I knew I could have no discernable talent or abilities, but I knew I had a somewhat unique voice. I generally do not think I deserve my success, but I was shocked I was not getting more voiceover work!"