The Cast of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunites!

Cast of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air It's a family reunion for the stars of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air! "Got the Holiday season started right with a Fresh Prince of Bel Air reunion...there's nothin' like spending Holidays with fam!" Will Smith wrote on Facebook. Watch episodes of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air In the picture Smith posted, he poses with his former television cousins Tatyana Ali, Alfonso Ribeiro and Karyn Parsons, as well as James Avery, who played patriarch Uncle Phil. The group shot was taken at charity event for Parsons' non-profit organization, Sweet Blackberry. Fresh Prince went off the air in 1996 after six seasons.

Naya Rivera Pushing For Glee Moments With NeNe Leakes

First Released: December 21, 2011 2:00 PM EST Credit: Getty Images La, Calif. -- Caption Glees Naya Rivera gets to the FOX All-Star party at Gladstones in Off-shore Palisades, Calif., on August 5, 2011Naya Rivera is entertaining on Real Average women of Atlanta star NeNe Leakes, who joins Glee the coming year as Coach Roz. Shes great. Shes hysterical, Naya, who plays McKinley Senior High School Cheerio Santana on Glee, told Access Hollywood on Tuesday throughout a rest from filming a brand new commercial for Proactiv. On Monday evening, Chris Colfer (Kurt) and Jum Michele (Rachel) introduced on Bravos Watch What Goes On Live that NeNe was joining the cast for any guest place. Chris and Jum accepted these were large Average women fans and Naya told Access on Tuesday, she's too. I certainly do [watch Real Average women of Atlanta] religiously, and so i was stoked that they was coming. Reached meet her, Naya stated of NeNes appearance, before shedding an indication more NeNe might be available. And, I believe shes returning! Naya is wishing if NeNe does return ongoing what is a faceoff with Jane Lynchs Sue Sylvester she would like some moments using the reality star. No moments together with her [yet]. Ive been pushing on their behalf, she stated. Also headed to Glee within the year, since the guest star embargo appears to become over, is Gloria Estefan becoming Santanas mother. Im very looking forward to that, Naya stated from the Grammy-those who win approaching cameo. I've met her. She found set previously around and introduced her kids and that i reached meet her then and that i believed that was awesome enough as well as for her to become playing my mother, its like, Yes! Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The Hobbit Trailer Debuts

First Published: December 21, 2011 9:53 AM EST Credit: New Line Cinema Caption Martin Freeman in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Middle Earth is rejoicing with the debut of the first look at Peter Jacksons The Lord of the Rings prequel, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. The trailer, which made its debut on Tuesday night, reunites many familiar faces from the Oscar-winning trilogy including Gandalf (Ian McKellen), Frodo (Elijah Wood), Galadriel (Cate Blanchett) and even Gollum (Andy Serkis). A younger version of Bilbo Baggins is being played by British actor Martin Freeman, best known for his role on the British version of The Office. Fans will have to wait a little bit longer before they see Legolas (Orlando Bloom), Elrond (Hugo Weaving) and Saruman (Christopher Lee). A slew of new characters, including a gaggle of dwarves are seen in the trailer along with the pivotal character, Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage). The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey debuts in theaters on December 14, 2012, followed by The Hobbit: There and Back Again in 2013. Check out the trailer, HERE! Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Steve Johnson Responds To Gossips Hes Departing X Factor

First Released: December 20, 2011 3:46 PM EST Credit: Caption Access Hollywood Live: X Factors Steve Johnson On Gossips Hes Departing & If Hed Ever Date Nicole Scherzinger La, Calif. -- The X Factor host, Welshman Steve Johnson, wasnt pleased concerning the set of Monday (inside a British tabloid) he will not be back around the FOX reality competition if this returns for any second season the coming year especially while he stated it is not true. British tabloids, thanks greatly for your. Merry Christmas, me, he told Access Hollywood Lives Billy Rose bush and Package Hoover on Tuesday in reaction towards the Daily Mails declare that FOX professionals have selected to not renew his contract. Theres been no conversation with FOX or Fremantle there will not be before the Year, Steve ongoing. But to be honest, were 100 % centered on making the very best final feasible for our audiences I shouldn't pull focus back onto me. If Im back, great, if I am not, Ill make a move else. Simple as that. AH Nation Poll: Do you want to see Steve Johnson return as X Factor host for Season 2? Click The Link to election. If Steve does finish up going the clear way of the Dunkleman (John Dunkleman, original co-host of yankee Idol in the first season, who didnt return because of its second), he accepted Nicole Scherzinger may have a brand new suitor. Were co-workers and were good buddies, Steve told Billy and Package when requested why he hasnt went after the only singer, whom he stated was, smokin hot. Basically ever leave X Factor, Scherzingers phone is going to be smoking hot from me ringing it constantly cause if weren't co-workers oh, shes fair game. Ok last one! At this time, however, the only real game may be the one between your three X Factor runners up Melanie Amaro, Chris Rene and Josh Krajcik. Things I like about our final 3 participants is theyre humble, theyre good people, Steve stated. These [people] are really heroines which are extremely, excellent people. Im so happy were going to hands one of these a $5 million recording contract. The X Factor final begins on Wednesday at 8 PM ET/PT on FOX. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Charlize Theron's Oscar-Winning Formula Involves Getting Fat, Prosthetics

When Charlize Theron talks about how to triumph during awards season, you'd better listen. She's a two-time Oscar nominee, a four-time Golden Globe nominee, the star of such respected fare as "Monster," "North Country" and... "Aeon Flux." Hey, not everyone's a winner, right? Ms. Theron is nonetheless a critically-lauded thespian, and her latest offering she plays a loathsome yet hilarious YA novelist in "Young Adult" has once again landed her in the middle of awards-season chatter. Could this be the year she adds a second statue to match the first, which she nabbed for her turn as a serial killer in "Monster"? Perhaps. But it most certainly is the year you can learn from Theron about how to win an Oscar. In the latest episode of "After Hours," the 36-year-old sat down with MTV's Josh Horowitz to explain how to cozy up to the Academy and walk away with a little golden statuette. The easiest way? "Do what I did," she declared. "Just get fat and put a bunch of prosthetics on." Hear that, aspiring Hollywood A-listers? Skip that acting class and just watch "After Hours."

Chewbacca, Quentin Tarantino and Grace Kelly Make the 2011 Black List

comments: 3 || add yours It’s heeeeere. The 2011 Black List — Franklin Leonard’s annual compilation of the year’s “most liked” screenplays that have not yet been produced — was announced this morning, comprised of scripts that will satisfy every genre curiosity, from historical crime to Internet rom-com to intentional Steven Spielberg derivative (introducing another movie called Jurassic Park). Acquaint yourself with the films that could be next year’s Juno and The Social Network below. This year’s Black List — which was compiled from the opinions of over 300 film executives, each of whom submitted up to ten of their favorite unproduced scripts of 2011 — is topped by Graham Moore’s The Imitation Game. The historical drama chronicles the life of British WWII cryptographer Alan Turing, who cracked the German Enigma code and later poisoned himself after being criminally prosecuted for being a homosexual. Franklin Leonard, who formerly worked as an executive at Universal Pictures, has produced an annual Black List for seven years now. Since 2005’s first List, over 110 Black List scripts have been made into feature films. The complete list follows. THE IMITATION GAME by Graham Moore (133) The story of British WWII cryptographer Alan Turing, who cracked the German Enigma code and later poisoned himself after being criminally prosecuted for being a homosexual. WHEN THE STREET LIGHTS GO ON by Chris Hutton, Eddie O’Keefe (84) In the early 1980s, a town suffers through the aftermath of a brutal murder of a high school girl and a teacher. CHEWIE by Evan Susser, Van Robichaux (59) A satirical behind the scenes look at the making of Star Wars through the eyes of Peter Mayhew who played Chewbacca. THE OUTSIDER by Andrew Baldwin (53) In post World War II Japan, an American former prisoner-of-war rises in the yakuza. FATHER DAUGHTER TIME: A TALE OF ARMED ROBBERY AND ESKIMO KISSES by Matthew Aldrich (43) A man goes on a three state crime spree with an accomplice, his eleven year old daughter. IN THE EVENT OF A MOON DISASTER by Mike Jones (33) An alternate telling of the historic APOLLO 11 mission to land on the moon that examines what might have happened if the astronauts had crash landed there. MAGGIE by John Scott (30) As a “walking dead” virus spreads across the country, a farm family helps their eldest daughter come to terms with her infection as she slowly becomes a flesh-eating zombie. THE CURRENT WAR by Michael Mitnick (30) Based on the true story of the race between Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse to develop a practical system of electricity and sell their respective inventions to the country and the world. THE END by Aron Eli Coleite (28) Four people - a veteran broadcaster in London, a sixteen year old girl and her boyfriend in Ann Arbor, and a devoted family man in Shanghai - each try to make peace with their lives before an interstellar event ends the world in six hours. BEYOND THE PALE by Chad Feehan (27) Teenage siblings suspect they’ve been ripped off by the town undertaker, but what they discover is much more sinister than either imagined. EZEKIEL MOSS by Keith Bunin (27) A mysterious stranger who possibly has the power to channel the souls of the dead changes the lives of everyone in a small Nebraska town, especially a young widow and her 11-year-old son. GRACE OF MONACO by Arash Amel (24) Grace Kelly, age 33 and having given up her acting career to focus on being a full time princess, uses her political maneuvering behind the scenes to save Monaco while French Leader Charles de Gaulle and Monaco’s Prince Rainier III are at odds over the principality’s standing as a tax haven. HE’S FUCKIN’ PERFECT by Lauryn Kahn (24) A social media savvy girl who is pessimistic about love finds the perfect guy and decides to use her internet research skills to turn herself into his perfect match. BETHLEHEM by Larry Brenner (23) A group of people struggling to survive a zombie apocalypse make an alliance with a vampire, trading themselves as food in exchange for protection since zombies don’t eat vampire. THE THREE MISFORTUNES OF GEPPETTO by Michael Vukadinovich (20) A prequel to the story of Pinocchio in which Geppetto endures a life of misfortune, war, and adventure, all to be with Julia Moon, his true love. POWELL by Ed Whitworth (20) Based on the true story of Colin Powell questioning the Bush administration leading up to his United Nations presentation where he made the case for going to war with Iraq. THE KNOLL by Christopher Cantwell, Christopher Rogers (19) A rookie cop and his potential flame witness JFK gunned down from the grassy knoll on November 22, 1963. Within hours, they’re on the run from the murderers who desperately need them silenced. HOW TO DISAPPEAR COMPLETELY by Ed Solomon (17) A child prodigy tries to take control of his life away from his demanding parents. DESPERATE HOURS by E Nicholas Mariani (17) A small town crippled by WWI and the Spanish flu finds itself facing major moral questions and a brutal invading force when a young girl shows up on a rancher’s doorstep covered in blood. A MANY SPLINTERED THING by Chris Shafer, Paul Vicknair (17) When a charming heartbreaker finally meets a girl he can’t have, he discovers the true meaning of love by living out other people’s love stories and writing his own. FLARSKY by Daniel Sterling (17) A political journalist courts his old babysitter, who is now the United States secretary of state. BLOOD MOUNTAIN by Jonathan Stokes (17) After his team is ambushed and killed in Pakistan, a young army ranger must escort the world’s most wanted terrorist over dangerous terrain in order to bring him to justice. While being hunted by both of their enemies, they must find a way to work together in order to survive. BASTARDS by Justin Malen (17) Two brothers, raised to believe their biological father died, find out their mother slept with many powerful and famous men in the 1970s, and the siblings hit the road to find their real father. CRAZY FOR THE STORM by Will Fetters (17) The true story of Norman Ollestad’s relationship with his father, who thrust the boy into the world of extreme surfing and competitive downhill skiing at the age of three. But it was that experience that allowed an 11-year old Norman to survive a plane crash amidst a blizzard in the San Gabriel mountains. THE SLACKFI PROJECT by Howard Overman (16) A hapless and broken hearted barista is visited by two bad-ass soldiers from the future who tell him mankind is doomed, and he alone can save them. THE MUSEUM OF BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS by Natalie Krinsky (14) Lucy, a twenty-eight year old junior curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC, is sleeping with her boss. When he dumps her she begins a collection of “break up items” and starts a blog which goes viral. ST VINCENT DE VAN NUYS by Ted Melfi (14) When a twelve year old boy in need of a babysitter moves in next door to a misanthropic aging retiree whose life mainly consists of gambling, hookers, and drinking, the elder becomes an unlikely mentor to the boy. DJANGO UNCHAINED by Quentin Tarantino (14) A freed slave named Django is trained as a bounty hunter by a German dentist named Schultz, and the two men set out to find Django’s enslaved wife. THE ACCOUNTANT by Bill Dubuque (13) The Treasury Department pursues a brilliant, autistic accountant who doubles as an assassin and “problem-solves” with precision in more ways than one. SAVING MR. BANKS by Kelly Marcel (13) The story of how Walt Disney got the rights for Mary Poppins. BRIDGES ON THE FORT POINT CHANNEL by Chuck Maclean (12) An Irish family in the 1970s, dealing with the loss of their father and the busing of black kids into white neighbor-hoods, decides to blow up all the bridges in Boston. THE BIG STONE GRID by Craig Zahler (12) A cop is pulled into an underworld organization that brutally murders people to extort money out of others. CITIES OF REFUGE by Brandon Willer (12) A former FBI psychologist is called in to investigate when a young girl goes missing after the apparent murder of her father and brother by two strangers in a small Oklahoma town. GOOD KIDS by Chris McCoy (12) Four overachieving high school students in Cape Cod reinvent themselves during the summer after graduation. LEAVING PETE by Ali Waller, Morgan Murphy (11) A recently divorced author is stunned when his ex writes a popular book about their breakup, and he has to keep that fact secret from his new girlfriend, who works for the book’s publisher. HIDDEN by Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer (11) An elevated horror-thriller about a family hiding in a bomb shelter after escaping a mysterious outbreak. DIRTY GRANDPA by John Phillips (11) A young groom engaged to a demanding woman is forced to spend the week before his wedding with his half-blind, half-crazy, and wholly horny grandfather. Through this wild journey, his grandfather shows him how to take life by the balls and lead with his heart. GRIM NIGHT by Allen Bey, Brandon Bestenheider (11) A family has to defend themselves from the Grims, strange creatures who attack Earth and kill thousands one night every year. WATCH ROGER DO HIS THING by Michael Starrbury (10) A retired hitman gets roped back into his old trade in order to save his friend’s life and quickly finds himself caught in a struggle trying to finish the job, and get his family out of Chicago alive at the same time. THE FLAMINGO THIEF by Mike Lesieur (10) Grief stricken over his wife leaving him, a man finds solace in an odd activity… swiping figurines of flamingos. TWO NIGHT STAND by Mark Hammer (10) After an extremely regrettable one night stand, two strangers wake up to find themselves snowed in after sleeping through a blizzard that put all of Manhattan on ice. They’re now trapped together in a tiny apartment, forced to get to know each other way more than any one night stand should. SEX TAPE by Kate Angelo (10) When a married couple make a sex tape to spice up their relationship, it disappears, and they are frantic to get it back. THE GUN EATERS by Alex Paraskevas, Jordan Goldberg (10) Four hardened NY detectives race to apprehend a relentless spree-killer who’s executing victims from Queens to Southampton in the span of a single day. LITTLE WHITE CORVETTE by Michael Diliberti (10) A down and out brother and sister go to Miami to sell a duffel bag of cocaine that they found in the trunk of a corvette left them by their dead father. JANE GOT A GUN by Brian Duffield (9) After her outlaw husband returns home shot with eight bullets and barely alive, Jane reluctantly reaches out to an ex-lover who she hasn’t seen in over ten years to help her defend her farm when the time comes that her husband’s gang eventually tracks him down to finish the job. THE LAST WITNESS by Stefan Jaworski (9) An FBI Agent interrogates an amnesiac, sole survivor of a Boston bombing in order to prevent future terrorist attacks. MURDERS & ACQUISITIONS by Jonathan Stokes (9) The world of high-stakes finance collides with that of high-priced hitmen when an ousted CEO decides to hire an assassin to kill the corporate raider who stole his company. FLASHBACK by Will Honley (9) A former NASA pilot with amnesia — also the first person to travel the speed of light — realizes he has the ability to travel back in time and along the way rediscovers his love for his wife. THE LAST DROP by Brandon Murphy, Phil Murphy (9) A fully functioning alcoholic meets the girl of his dreams and soon discovers that there’s a lot more at stake than love if he doesn’t clean up his act. FRIEND OF BILL by Harper Dill (9) After a humiliating episode in NY, a young woman returns to her hometown and tries to deal with her alcoholism. DEAD OF WINTER by Sarah Conradt (8) A teenage girl heads to a remote cabin in the mountains with her father and new stepmother - an experience the father hopes will bond the two ladies. But when a mysterious wounded Park Ranger shows up, family bonding will be the least of their concerns. ON A CLEAR DAY by Ryan Engle (8) When a powerful and mysterious force invades an American city, a young father must traverse the battle-torn city in an effort to save his wounded wife and rescue their stranded children. In the process, our hero becomes the target of an enemy who will stop at nothing to kill him. HOME BY CHRISTMAS - BOB HOPE IN KOREA by Ben Schwartz (8) Young Larry Gelbart goes on tour with his idol Bob Hope in the middle of the Korean War and learns the true price of patriotism. THE PRETTY ONE by Jenee LaMarque (8) When a woman’s identical “prettier” twin sister dies, the woman assumes her sister’s identity, moving into her apartment and the big city. BAD WORDS by Andrew Dodge (8) The bastard child of the organizer of the national spelling bee gets his revenge by finding a loophole and attempting to win the bee as an adult, only to find friendship in a young Indian contestant. JURASSIC PARK by Imran Zaidi (8) A high school couple and two of their friends ditch school to catch a special preview screening of JURASSIC PARK. GASLIGHT by Ian Fried (8) Secretly imprisoned in a London insane asylum, the infamous Jack the Ripper helps Scotland Yard investigators solve a series of grisly murders whose victims all share one thing in common: dual puncture wounds to the neck. SUBJECT ZERO by Dave Cohen (7) A Frankenstein-like tale of a scientist who develops a powerful new drug that brings his son back to life after he dies in a terrible car accident. Unfortunately, the desperate experiment of a loving father leads to the creation of a flesh-eating zombie epidemic with horrific consequences. THE HITMAN’S BODYGUARD by Tom O’Connor (7) The world’s best bodyguard must protect his arch nemesis, the world’s top assassin…so he can testify against a brutal dictator and save his wife. CRISTO by Ian Shorr (7) A man is unlawfully sentenced to an infamous prison and escapes, then transforms himself into the mysterious Cristo and systematically destroys the men who manipulated and enslaved him. UNTITLED HLAVIN HEIST by John Hlavin (7) An American thief living in Paris is coerced into pulling off a complex heist in order to save his kidnapped wife. LINE OF SIGHT by F Scott Frazier (7) After a military coup takes out the executive branch of government, the country’s survival depends on a Navy Seal sniper extraction team getting the Speaker of the House from Washington DC to NY. PINOCCHIO by Bryan Fuller (7) A wooden puppet, Pinocchio, dreams of becoming a real boy. THE WEDDING by Andrew Goldberg (7) A group of couples deal with their respective issues as they attend a wedding. 77 by David Matthews (7) Two stories from 1974 are linked together - the unsolved murder of an LAPD officer and the nationally televised shootout in South Central Los Angeles between the Symbionese Liberation Army and the LAPD where 50,000 rounds of gunfire was exchanged. The events will be seen through the eyes of a pair of police partners, one black and one white. GUYS NIGHT by Christopher Baldi (6) Sick of brunches, bosses, and light beer, four co-workers set out on the mother of all guys nights in an attempt to rediscover their manhood. SELF/LESS by Alex Pastor, David Pastor (6) An extremely wealthy elderly man dying from cancer undergoes a radical medical procedure that transfers his consciousness to the body of a healthy young man but everything may not be as good as it seems when he starts to uncover the mystery of the body’s origins and the secret organization that will kill to keep its secrets. HYPERDRIVE by Alex Ankeles, Morgan Jurgenson (6) When a tough cop recruits a geeky sci-fi author to help him track down a mysterious murder witness, they find themselves in the middle of a space opera playing out here on Earth. BEFORE I FALL by Maria Maggenti (6) When a popular teen girl is killed in a car crash, she relives the critical day seven times and makes changes in an attempt to affect the outcome; in the process, she herself changes as she tries to make up for previous heartless, self-absorbed behavior and gains a better understanding of herself and others. As she evolves and makes the connections necessary to save a bullied, depressed girl’s life, she comes to accept her own fate. BREYTON AVE by J Daniel Shaffer (6) A group of teens living without adults and under their own social order in a small fenced-in neighborhood are forced to face what they fear is the inevitable physical danger beyond the fence. EL FUEGO CALIENTE by Ben Schwartz (6) A remake of SOAPDISH, a desperate telenovela star dreaming of Hollywood stardom has her life implode, making her real life crazier than the insane show she made famous. THE DUFF by Josh Cagan (6) Adapted from Kody Keplinger’s novel THE DUFF, the travails of a seventeen year old girl who believes she is the “designated ugly fat friend.” UNTITLED ARIZONA PROJECT by Luke Del Tredici (6) A satirically dark comedy about a homicidal foreclosure victim kidnapping a real estate agent and planning to kill her in the housing development where she finagled money from customers like him. Tagged: black list, bryan fuller, chewie, grace kelly, quentin tarantino, star wars

How Top Screenwriters Hone Their Craft

A gunman randomly opened fire at the intersection of Sunset and Vine in Los Angeles on Friday morning. The suspect was shot and killed by police, according to a report by the AP. After running out of bullets, he allegedly pulled out a knife shouting, "Kill me" and "I want to be killed." The incident occurred at approximately 10:19 am on Dec. 9 near the ArcLight Cinema in Hollywood. The area was subsequently closed down as police arrived at the scene. PHOTOS: The Scene at Occupy Los Angeles A spokesperson in the Hollywood office of the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that there was an officer involved in the shooting, but couldn't confirm the suspect was dead. The spokesperson characterized the incident as a "random shooting." According to LA Weekly, LAPD officer Gregory Baek said that the suspect was found dead at the scene. According to an LA Times source, bystanders enlisted the help of two nearby police officers after witnessing a man open fire in the street. The officers were reportedly working on a nearby movie set. A separate witness told KABC-TV that he heard between nine and 12 shots. The man allegedly walked northbound on Vine Street with a gun pointing up in the air, when traffic began coming by, he lowered the gun and aimed it at the cars passing by. UPDATE: ArcLight Cinema's remains open for the evening, informing guests that while the Vine entrance is closed until 8 p.m. PT, the theater can be accessed using Ivar Street. View more videos at: http://nbclosangeles.com. PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery The Scene at Occupy Los Angeles Related Topics

'X Factor' Results: Who Makes Semifinals? (Video)

Laurence Cendrowicz/The Weinstein Co. The other day I'd the pleasure of ending up in Kenneth Branagh, most likely probably the most revered stage and screen stars of his era, and never always a poor author or director either, about his amazing existence and career. (Scroll lower to listen to audio within our conversation.) Branagh is probably most broadly noted for his be employed in the theater, but has, within the last thirty years, accomplished a great deal in the world of film, too, most particularly writing, pointing, and starring in three from the greatest quality adaptations available of William Shakespeare's Henry V (1989), Much Ado About Nothing (1993), and Hamlet (1996). Branagh has four Oscar nods to his title -- for top director and greatest actor for Henry V (1989) best modified script for Hamlet (1996) and greatest live action short for Swan Song (1992) -- and may soon provide a fifth, for top supporting actor, for his portrayal of Laurence Olivier, among his finest acting heroes, throughout my Week with Marilyn. Branagh rang me from Sweden, where he's now in the office on his next film, and, throughout the time of 30 minutes, we spoken about the above plus much more.our editor recommendsRalph Fiennes, Kenneth Branagh to acquire Special Nods at British Independent Film AwardsKenneth Branagh to acquire BAFTA Tribute Branagh was produced in Belfast, Ireland in to a working-class family. His father will be a contractor and also the mother labored from our sea food-and-chips shop. When he was 10 years old, your family gone after Surrey, England, after which it Branagh started his first acting project: losing his Irish accent to avoid mockery inside the class. By age 16, he was acting in serious school productions, plus it wound up being the teacher nonchalantly suggested to him he possessed the talent to pursue acting for a job. The notion that he might be paid out to behave he so loved developed a profound impact on him, and increased being his finest ambition. Just three years later, he will be a student within the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in addition to made his silver screen debut in the brief uncredited part in Chariots of Fire (1981), which ongoing to win the most effective picture Oscar, by age 28 he'd already accomplished enough to produce an autobiography. At the begining of years of Branagh's career, particularly, he was frequently in contrast for the finest stars of-time, including especially among their very own acting heroes, Mister Laurence Olivier.Of people kinds of critiques, according to him today, "To tell the truth, clearly you are able to't meet it, and you are feeling, type of, overcome and humbled due to it.Inch He didn't help get rid of them, though, when he selected to follow along with together with in Olivier's ambitious actions by adapting, pointing, and starring in silver screen adaptations of Henry V (Olivier within the mid nineteen forties, Branagh in 1989) and Hamlet (Olivier in 1948, Branagh in 1989) in-between people two, Branagh handled the Bard's Much Ado Nothing (1993), too. Branagh found innocent themselves perfectly in people efforts -- perfectly, really, that numerous people have fought to find out him in any context but a Shakespearean one. ("I might have been boxed in with the link with Shakespeare or many of these parts," he values.) Consequently, his filmography since people movies remains less impressive than many expected it may be. Their very own undertake Frankenstein (1994), Craig Sonnenfeld's Wild Wild West (1999), Chris Columbus' Harry Potter as well as the Chamber of Secrets (2002), his remake of Sleuth (2007), and Bryan Singer's Valkyrie (2008), to title a few projects, aren't all bad films... nonetheless they don't exactly appear like the type of component that Olivier -- or "the next Olivier" -- would connect themselves. Precisely how was Branagh able to escape this rut, of sorts? The solution showed up most likely probably the most unforeseen but appropriate of options: an chance to experience Olivier themselves in Simon Curtis' My Week with Marilyn, which centers around the brief relationship that developed between Marilyn Monroe together with a young stagehand through the building from the 1957 film The Princess as well as the Showgirl, a troubled production that Olivier directed too as with they carried out a guys lead. Who, ultimately, may be better able to play Olivier at half a century old, in a bit of the career rut, but nevertheless one of the all-time best, than Branagh, who presently fits exactly the same description. Branagh, who choose a 19-year-old student at RADA exchanged letters with Olivier but never saw him in-person, states he quickly recognized the opportunity to experience the fantastic actor, rather than hightail it out of this, as much expected him to because it would inevitably reawaken people decades-old critiques. According to him, "I used to be grateful -- I felt as though I'd, for some reason, humbly acquired the legal right to attempt to bring something to him." He continues, "I did so believe I'd a kind of understanding important, the specific and particular kind of effort, of economic energy, and, you understand, type of, creative drive that will permit any actor to, you understand, direct and play in the title role in Hamlet or Henry V -- that can a very particular, unusual number of conditions and abilities." Most significantly, though, according to him, "It felt as being a type of debt of gratitude... [I] felt totally, totally motivated to be appropriate for him." And therefore he set to use. Before My Week with Marilyn got on-going, he visited the majority of the locations where Olivier passed through through the building from the Princess as well as the Showgirl, and revisited that film and many of Olivier's others. Once the production got on-going, he'd arrive on set early every day, have coffee with costar Michelle Williams, after which it spend two-and-a-half several hours in the makeup chair hearing Olivier's rendition in the Bible as prosthetics were placed on supply him with a cleft face makeup was utilized to reshape his eye eyebrows and heighten his temple and Brilliantine was slicked through his hair. Once on set, he learned to use a monocle like the one which Olivier used inside the Princess as well as the Showgirl, and used particularly-commissioned shoes within the same shoemaker that Olivier used. And, because the film remains completed which is out just before the planet, he hopes that it's going to have the identical type of refreshing impact on his professional existence the Princess as well as the Showgirl had on Olivier's. Branagh notifies me, "This film, which was a glorious and marvelous experience personally, leaves me wanting to offer the same kind of bravery beginning the next part of my career -- enter and be as brave, and courageous, to ensure that as artistically-adventurous as Olivier was." My Week With Marilyn

Report: People of India Will Only Scream For Tom Cruise If a Free Buffet Lunch Is Involved

Grab your grain of salt! A new report states that an unidentified PR firm was so worried that fans would not turn out for Tom Cruise’s arrival in India this past Saturday for the Mumbai Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol premiere, that they paid approximately 200 people $3 each to show up and scream for the actor when he walked out of the local airport gate. The paid extras were also given a buffet lunch. “Tom kaun? I don’t know who he is or what he does,” one hired fan told First Post’s Bollywood division. “We were told to come here by 1pm today and wait for a foreign VIP to come out of the airport gate and scream and shout when he came.” [Movies.com via FirstPost.com]

Gwyneth Paltrow, Mowry Sisters Among GQ's Least Influential People of the Year

Gwyneth Paltrow Gwyneth Paltrow and Tia and Tamera Mowry are among GQ Magazine's Least Influential People of the Year. Paltrow, who came in at No. 16 on the list that "salutes the great artisans of utter uselessness," was chosen for spending most of 2011 performing on awards shows, promoting her blog Goop, and releasing an "awful cookbook." See photos of Gwyneth Paltrow The Mowrys, who have their own Style Network reality series, came in at No. 4 pick for being a less popular version of the Kardashians. Others making the cut include January Jones, Tila Tequila, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Pitbull, Harrison Ford and President Obama. You can check out the full list here. Do you agree with the picks?

AMC To Vacate Westwood Avco 4-Plex

AMC Cinemas is exiting the Avco Four-plex in Westwood on December 4. AMC and also the building’s owner, Avco Corp., couldn’t choose new terms, the LA Occasions reported, therefore the Might, Missouri-based theater chain is bowing out. AMC includes a more recent, cushier, bigger and more busy theater in nearby Century City. Property owner Hope Hunter stated the proprietors plan to usher in a brand new theater chain the coming year.”A through the roof-finish cinema is going to be takingits place,” Hunter stated. “We’re likely to provide Westwood having a excellent cinema along with a reason to return.”

Black Friday Online Sales Jump 26% Cyber Monday Could Achieve Record $1.2 Billion

CANBERRA, Australia -- An old Australian senator stated Friday that Rupert Murdoch's oldest boy was present whenever a News Corp. executive allegedly offered him favorable newspaper coverage and "a unique relationship" in exchange for voting against government legislation.our editor recommendsLawyer: Phone Interception 'Much More Widespread' Than News from the WorldFormer 'News from the World' Investigator Defends Role in Phone Hacking ScandalNew Shocking Particulars of 'News from the World' Hacking Operation Revealed At Leveson InquiryJames Murdoch Declines Being Aware Of Internal Proof of Common Phone Hacking at News From the WorldDocuments Show 'A Culture' of Illegal Phone-Hacking In The News from the WorldFired News around the globe Reporter Intends Murdochs in public places MemoRelated Subjects•Rupert Murdoch The Australian Federal Information looking into former Sen. Bill O'Chee's accusations about Murdoch's media empire, that has been shaken for several weeks with a separate British scandal over compromised mobile phone messages. PHOTOS: News around the globe's Top Ten Scams O'Chee told the Connected Press on Friday that Lachlan Murdoch, a senior News Corp. executive, was while dining throughout crucial areas of his discussion with Malcolm Colless, then director of corporate development for News Ltd., News Corp.'s Australian subsidiary. O'Chee alleges that Colless offered him inducements throughout a lunch on June 13, 1998, to election against his conservative government's legislation on the development of digital TV around australia. News Corp. was to learn in the legislation failing. Lachlan Murdoch, now a board person in an Australian television network, didn't have recollection from the lunch, his spokesperson John Connolly stated Friday. John Hartigan, chairman and leader of News Ltd., refused accusations of improper conduct. Particulars of O'Chee's accusations, as a nine-page sworn statement, were first released Wednesday by Fairfax Media newspapers, rivals of News Corp. "This can be a very, serious matter that goes to one's heart of government then one which i'm sure would concern every thinking person," O'Chee told the AP. PHOTOS: Hollywood's Memorable Mea Culpas "I'm glad the AFP will investigate it and that i hope they investigate it very completely," he stated. "It might you need to be useful to any or all concerned if Lachlan Murdoch now accepted the truth that he was present throughout that lunch, or servings of that lunch, when pay TV was talked about," he stated. Offering a senator a bribe or inducement to influence a election is definitely an offense punishable by as many as seven years imprisonment. O'Chee's accusations were reported to police by Take advantage of Oakeshott, a completely independent federal lawmaker whose support is vital to Pm Julia Gillard's minority government's survival. "I stress that this isn't passing judgment around the veracity from the accusations," Oakeshott told the AP inside a statement. The accusations were reported "to make certain the best people could test the reality or else from the serious accusations being made," Oakeshott stated. News Ltd. newspaper the Australian reported Thursday that it is editor-in-chief, Chris Mitchell, had by coincidence had lunch on that day with Lachlan Murdoch within the same restaurant in Queensland city, but in a separate table from O'Chee and Colless. Mitchell spoke briefly to Colless and the party because he was departing the restaurant, but was not aware associated with a tries to lobby for O'Chee's election, the newspaper reported. O'Chee, an old senator for Queensland condition having a history of voting against his National Party's wishes, alleged that Colless told him that although voting from the legislation could be belittled, "we'll take proper care of you." STORY:CNN's Piers Morgan to become Known as to Leveson Inquiry to describe Comments on Phone Hacking Colless "also explained we'd possess a 'special relationship,' where I'd have editorial support from News Corp.'s newspapers, not just regarding the ... legislation, however for 'any other conditions' too," O'Chee alleged in the statement. O'Chee stated that the week following the lunch, he known as Colless to express he'd made the decision to election for that legislation. After that it grew to become "nearly impossibleInch to draw in News Corp. coverage, O'Chee stated in the statement. He lost his Senate chair at elections four several weeks following the lunch. Hartigan's statement stated Colless "has confirmed that no improper conversation happened throughout the 1998 lunch." "Two other visitors in the lunch with Mr. Colless and Mr. O'Chee have stated they didn't hear any improper conversations," he stated. The accusations are embarrassing for News Corp., whose possession of 70 % of Australia's newspapers has elevated critique from inside the federal government that Murdoch's empire has an excessive amount of treatments for Australian media. The federal government has opened up an inquiry into potentially growing newspaper regulation around australia after News Corp. closed its top-selling British tabloid News around the globe in This summer over illegal phone hacking accusations. PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery News from the World's Top Ten Scams Related Subjects Rupert Murdoch Worldwide Asia Lachlan Murdoch

'Project Runway' Star Sued By Talent Agency Over Shoe Deal

Joe Corrigan/Getty Images Christian Siriano has gone fromProject Runway winner to Payless to a new lawsuit from his talent agency that demands he pay up.our editor recommendsProject Runway Finale Maintains Season 9 Ratings Growth 'Project Runway': How Characters, Controversy and Heidi Klum Have Kept the Series Fresh'Project Runway' Hit With Copyright Lawsuit From PhotographerBravo makes deals with Fabio, Frankel, Siriano Siriano, who is most remembered for his "fierce" catch-phrase on Project Runway, signed a deal in 2008 with Payless to create footwear for the company's 4,500 retail stores. The partnership has garnered some attention in the fashion industry as the discount footwear retailer looks to become the next Target by collaborating with notable designers. Designer's Management Agency says it was responsible for securing the deal and that it "substantially negotiated" the licensing agreement. STORY: 'Project Runway': How Characters, Controversy and Heidi Klum Have Kept the Series Fresh According to a lawsuit filed against Siriano last week, DMA orally promised to pay a 20 percent commission. According to court documents, Siriano got a $35,000 design fee and also gets a royalty rate of 2.5% of sold products. He's also guaranteed at least $50,000 for each of the Fall and Spring collections and $30,000 for each of the Summer and Holiday collections. The initial term of the agreement between Siriano and Payless was two years, with automatic renewal thereafter unless either party provided written notice. DMA says that in February 2010, he requested that he be paid directly from Payless, and since that time, the agency hasn't gotten commissions. The agency now says it is owed at least $53,000. It also wants an accounting. Project Runway Christian Siriano

SAG Awards: 7 Films That Could Take Ensemble Honors

Sony Pictures In no particular order... 1. THE IDES OF MARCH Why It Could Win: It's hard to imagine that SAG members won't get behind this drama starring Ryan Gosling as a political operative surrounded by an incredible assemblage of actor's actors, most in the prime of their careers. Added bonus: They were directed by an actor, George Clooney, who earned four SAG TV drama ensemble awards during his run on ER. Why It Could Lose: Fairly or unfairly, its buzz hasn't been great since it screened in Venice and Toronto. A movie about American politics probably should have opened in NY. 2. THE ARTIST Why It Could Win: This novelty item -- a black-and-white silent film -- has turned out to be the biggest crowd-pleaser of 2011, charming suspicious audiences at nearly every film festival it has played since its Cannes debut in May. Why It Could Lose: Stars Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo, who have more screen time by far than any other castmembers, are still no-names in the U.S. and haven't mastered enough English to campaign to the fullest extent. PHOTOS: SAG Awards 2011 Red Carpet 3. TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY Why It Could Win: As a weary spymaster, Gary Oldman sleuths around a supporting cast loaded with very British actors -- from rising talents like Tom Hardy to Colin Firth, a bona fide star and last year's SAG best actor winner for The King's Speech. That should help this adaptation of the John le Carre novel win over the Anglophiles in the house. Why It Could Lose: The film's incredibly dense plot loses a lot of viewers. Take a bathroom break at your peril. 4. THE DESCENDANTS Why It Could Win: The film that goes on to win the best picture Oscar almost always shows up in the SAG ensemble category. At the moment, this film, which centers on a family under duress, is probably best positioned to go all the way with the Academy. Why It Could Lose: Clooney is a household name, but practically none of his co-stars -- such as Shailene Woodley, who plays his older daughter -- can say the same. In fact, many are relative newcomers. That can affect the film's chances negatively as many SAG voters prefer to back performers who they know and with whom they have worked. PHOTOS: How the Help Was Cast 5. THE HELP Why It Could Win: Practically everyone has seen this breakout hit based on Kathyrn Stockett's best-selling novel about race relations in the Deep South. The drama features a sprawling cast of actresses, including Jessica Chastain and Octavia Spencer, that is admirably diverse in terms of age and race. Why It Could Lose: The one area in which it lacks diversity -- and could hurt the film, considering the demographics of SAG -- is gender. Will men support a film with so few male characters? 6. BRIDESMAIDS Why It Could Win: Another movie featuring a cast composed almost entirely of women -- of all colors, shapes and sizes -- this is an escapist, laugh-a-minute blast. Why It Could Lose: Comedies are never taken as seriously as dramas during awards season, and a comedy as broad as this -- one that doesn't shy away from gross-out jokes -- could be ignored despite the laughs earned by funny ladies like Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph. PHOTOS: 2011 Governors Awards 7. MIDNIGHT IN PARIS Why It Could Win: Woody Allen, of course, knows how to strike the right balance of romantic comedy punctuated by the occasional pratfall. For this Gallic-flavored fantasy, he gathered an impressive trans-Atlantic cast of American and French actors, from All-American star Owen Wilson to recent Oscar winner Marion Cotillard to France's first lady, Carla Bruni. Why It Could Lose: Apart from Wilson, many of the actors appear only in cameos as the movie toggles between contemporary Paris and its artistic salons of the 1920s -- but then, c'est la vie. SAG Awards George Clooney Ryan Gosling Midnight in Paris The Artist Bridesmaids The Help The Ides of March The Descendants Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy SAG Awards 2012

UTA Gets near Deal to maneuver to New Beverly Hillsides Headquarters (Exclusive)

U . s . Talent Agency is within discussions to have a 15-year lease for roughly 135,000 sq ft of recent headquarters work place at 9336 and 9346 Social Center Drive in Beverly Hillsides, based on property sources. The offer is anticipated to shut through the finish from the month.our editor recommendsWME, UTA Thinking of getting Same Business Building as Showbiz Housing Market Warms UpMichael Ovitz Selling Live Nation Headquarters in Beverly Hillsides (Exclusive)Google to spread out Office in Beverly Hillsides The need for the lease isn't known. It's not obvious when UTA would relocate from the existing headquarters at 9560 Wilshire Blvd. in Beverly Hillsides -- the company is stated to possess a minimum of a number of years remaining on its current lease. UTA rejected to comment. PHOTOS:Hollywood's Greatest Property Deals each week The Social Center Drive property, that is possessed byNY-based developer Tishman Speyer, is going through extensive makeovers it had been formerly the headquarters ofHilton Hotels. In March, The Hollywood Reporter reported that UTA was looking for 100,000 sq ft coupled with together with the soon-to-be-completed Red-colored Building in the Off-shore Design Center in West Hollywood. The company presently rents about 99,000 sq ft in the Wilshire Boulevard property. The offer will be a coup for that town of Beverly Hillsides, that has searched for to retain both UTA and fellow talent agency WME since CAA and ICM decamped for Century City previously decade. STORY:WME, UTA Thinking of getting Same Business Building as Showbiz Housing Market Gets Hotter The move gives UTA considerably more room of computer presently has plus much more sq footage of computer was searching for this spring. In August, UTA stated it might open a NY office this month. The company might have a notable neighbor in the Social Center Drive property: Playboy Businesses Corporation., which stated Monday it had decided to lease 45,000 sq ft there. EXCLUSIVE: Michael Ovitz Selling Live Nation Headquarters in Beverly Hillsides The home is simply east of Beverly Hillsides City Hall and it is situated inside a formerly industrial portion of the city that officialshave been marketing being an entertainment business district. Itis also next to the Live Nation headquarters building at 9348 Social Center Drive. That property was formerly co-possessed by onetime CAA topper Michael Ovitz and partners, who offered to Tishman Speyer for $20 million captured. Tishman Speyer rejected to comment. Email: Daniel.Burns@THR.com Twitter: @DanielNMiller Related Subjects Property UTA

MPA partners with China Intl. Copyright Expo

BEIJING -- Emerging filmmakers in the Asia Off-shore region will gather in Beijing the following month for any film workshop presented through the Film Assn. and also the China Intl. Copyright Expo. The workshop aims use a master class on a variety of contemporary subjects on filmmaking, marketing, distribution and co-production possibilities between China and also the worldwide community. Additionally, it provides an chance for filmmakers to build up their careers, build systems and collaborate on projects. The workshop has arranged some luminaries to deal with the problems, from China and overseas, including China Film Group topper Han Sanping Xing Xing Digital Corp prexy Wang Lifeng, Bona Film Worldwide chief Yu Dong, Tang Lijun, m.d. from the Shanghai Film Festival Zhang Xun, prexy from the China Film Co-Production Corp. and founder and chairman of Huayi Siblings Wang Zhongjun. Also participating is Le-Vision Pictures Boss Zhang Zhao, Australian helmer and scribe Alister Grierson, Tropfest founder John Polson multihyphenate Pauline Chan and also the author of "The Independent Film Producer's Survival Guide," Harris E. Tulchin. Others addressing the workshop range from the co-founding father of Cinecom and Thin Line Features, and chair of Columbia University's Film School Ira Deutchman U . s . Talent Agency agent and producer Bec Cruz producer Sid Ganis Jon Kuyper, mind of physical production for Warner Bros. the screenwriting teacher David Freeman Lora Chen, who's principal consultant at China Media Talking to along with a teacher at Beijing Film Academy and scriptwriter-switched-helmer and connect professor in the Beijing Film Academy, Xue Xiaolu, who won the workshop's pitching competish in 2006. "Our film master class is really a tremendous chance to interact with worldwide film professionals -- to talk about current trends, volunteer new ideas and take part in constructive debate. China is definitely an exciting frontier for filmmakers, along with a contemporary stage for bold and enterprising visions," stated Mike Ellis, m.d. and prexy of Asia Off-shore MPA. The filmmakers participating were selected by their local towns through various film-related competitions and exercises carried out by a few of the region's leading film professionals and institutions. The workshop happens 12 ,. 1 through 3. CICE is definitely an worldwide copyright industry forum and trade event in China, held yearly since 2008. In 2012, the Expo is going to be centered on the promotion and protection of content. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Hammond: Scorseses Hugo Takes Hollywood; Is It A Best Picture Contender Or Pretender?

Another piece of this year’s Oscarmovie puzzlewas unveiled in a big way this weekend when Paramount rolled out Martin Scorsese’s 99.9% finished version of his first family film, 3D film and perhaps most personalfilm.Hugo, an ode to the early days of cinema and the eye-popping possibilities of movies. In an intriguing and highly unusual move , Paramount held a packed screening, with tons of invited press and bloggers included, at Regal’s Downtown LA Live theatres Saturday afternoon. Then that night they also played it atthe Samuel Goldwyn Theatrein Beverly Hills for the Academy’sofficial membership screening. That last move was interesting since most films play either weekend of opening or after for the Acad (although The Weinstein Co. is unspoolingtheir much praised ode to the early days of cinema, The Artist for its officialAcademy screening Sunday night). But it is extremely rare to show voters something that is still unfinished (one special effects shot was missing and the end credits are far from complete) but this film’s media rollout has been different from the start. It was first unleashed in a much less finished form at the NY Film Festival last month as a “work in progress.” Reaction on the web was all over the place, generally favorable, but did not signal a major awards contender outside of the obvious technical nominations for the film’s stunning look. That screening in hindsight may have been a miscalculation. This week things began to heat up. Paramount had a couple of “tastemaker” screenings for AMPAS membersa few days ago(one evening, one during lunchtime)where the median age range was said to be 60-plus with 50 members reportedlyat each. There were also reportedly80 members who checked in for the Regal screening that was accompanied by a livelypost Q&A moderated by director Paul Thomas Andersonwith Scorsese and his dream team of much-Oscaredcollaborators including DP Robert Richardson, production designer Dante Ferretti, editor Thelma Schoonmaker, composer Howard Shoreand visual effects supervisor Rob Legato. Scorsese received a highly enthusiastic standing ovation when he was introduced just as he did again today after a DGA screening for aQ&Amoderated byJames Cameron who told himthat Hugo was a “masterpiece.” He added “finally there is a Scorsese film I can take my kids to.”Musician Slash was among those also there and he latertweeted “Fantastic movie! NOT just for kids.” Before now I never sensed Paramount was positioning this film as a major Best Picturecontender but apparently with just 2 weeks to go before its November 23 opening they are letting the catout of the bag. In fact that is just the description one Par stafferemailed to describe the emerging campaigntelling methey now think it can possibly go all the way. “The Oscar pic no one saw coming. Stealthy. It is playing like gangbusters with the Academy. The cat is outof the bag,” it read. Another person connected with the film reported on last night’sprimetimeSaturday night Academy screening,spinning that there were about 450-500 memberswith their guests and that it was “looooooved”with solid, sustained applause and appreciation for “Scorsese’s homage to their industry.” This person feels it will now be a solid contender inmost major categories and “across the board” in crafts. Wishful thinking or based on truth? The attendance figure at the Acad screening is middling, nowhere near the packed houses for other recent Oscar contenders Midnight In Paris, Moneyball, The Ides of March to name three that nearly filled the place. Despite Scorsese’s name, part of the problem might be that it is currentlyperceived as more of a 3D kids film by Academy members who generally don’t lavish Oscar attention on that genre. Paramounties are positioning it as something with equal or even greater adult appeal and I would agree, if you can work them to a winter’s passion to see it the way it should be seen. It’s much more ambitious than the average studio family holiday offering. At the very least it’s definitely got HUGE film freakappeal (count me as one of those). Scorsese working at the absolute top of his game may be key to getting those older butts in seats.From my perspective it is a masterpiece of personal filmmakingalong the lines of Fellini’s Amarcord, Truffaut’s Day for Night and Tornatore’s Cinema Paradiso. It goes without saying that the craftsmanship is as good as it gets and for those who can’t stand 3D this could be a game changer. Critic Leonard Maltin (who loved it) commented after the Regalscreening that oneextraordinary use of 3D in ascene involving co-starSacha Baron Cohen’s face moving progressively closer into the audience could be the one that “finally makes the3Dsale” to those who just think it’s a fad. I talked to producer Graham King in the lobby afterward and he said he was actually nervous that they were “finally” showing the film in its (near) finished state but couldn’t wait to have people see it — and see it on a big screen. “I really don’t want to send out the DVD screeners (to voting groups). I guess I have to but it kills me. It is not the way to see a movie like this,” he said. well aware that screeners are the reality of Oscar campaigning. He’s right, though, and films from master filmmakers that arehigh on the visually artistic scale ofHugo, War Horse and Tree of Life among otherswill undoubtedly be diminished significantly on the home video format. With looser Academy rules this yearregarding once-verbotenattendance of members where there are Q&As perhaps the numbers of voters seeing these films in theatres will increase. That would be a good thing all around, and especially for Hugo. Based on Brian Selznick’s children’s book, The Invention ofHugo Cabret,screenwriter John Logan and Scorsese have certainly retained thosefantasticalstory elements to which kids will relate, but it isin the film’s second half with a plot involving film pioneer Georges Melies (strongly played by Ben Kingsley)and his lost silentmoviesthat the connection to the wonderment ofcinemacomes alivein the hands of film aficionado Scorsese. “I’m hoping it will be educational for the audience,” King told me. Certainly it will inspire new generations of movie dreamersas well asthose who are already living the dream (in other words, the Academy). I would be shocked if some of Scorsese’s chief competitors in the Oscar race this year, Steven Spielberg, Woody Allen and Alexander Payne — film nerds all — aren’t completely in agreement with Cameron’s assessment of the film. The sequence recreating the making of Melies’ classic, A Trip to the Moon is a must for cineastes. It will befascinating to see how deftly Paramount can try to steer what on the page is a 3D kids movie, albeit a sophisticated one directed by Martin Scorsese, into a Best Picture race that just got more interesting.

'Harold & Kumar' Star and Magician Neil Patrick Harris States Hollywood's Miracle Castle Will Reopen 'Relatively Soon'

Neil Patrick Harris states that Hollywood's Miracle Castle dodged a bullet Monday each time a fire began within the famous institution, that the landmark, is also a performance space and restaurant for masters of miracle, will reopen soon.our editor recommendsNeil Patrick Harris Talks Acting, Musical Theater and Receiving his Walk of Fame Star (Q&A)Tony Honours: Neil Patrick Harris' 8 Best Jokes PHOTOS: Tony Honours 2011: Red-colored-colored Carpet Arrivals Harris, who's leader in the Miracle Castle, co-stars with Kal Penn and John Cho in this weekend's A Very Harold & Kumar 3d Christmas. THR taken track of him because they was consuming a cocktail within the afterparty for your Hollywood premiere on Wednesday, where he mentioned he was shocked when he learned a fire place began inside the attic in the Hollywood mansion. Twelve fire trucks referred to as for the scene. "We dodged plenty of bullets," Harris told THR. "It could've been much, much worse. It absolutely was minutes, floormats from like a huge, huge disaster. FILM REVIEW: A Very Harold & Kumar 3d Christmas He added: "In my opinion we'll be capable of open relatively soon again and go back to business." Harris, a long-term magician (within the Doogie Howser days he did a fascinating trick round the Tonight Show With Johnny Carson), mentioned the club has started how it is calling the "Inferno Fund," that anyone can lead. He's been amazed through the numerous masters of miracle who've showed up at out trying to assist, even if what this means is obtaining a bucket and mob. Q&A: Neil Patrick Harris Talks Acting, Musical Theater and Receiving his Walk of Fame Star "It's inspiring when you're getting through a private club of individuals, to own people people that have been people for 45 years, wanting to assist in in any manner they could,In . he mentioned. "Making you're feeling good." Inside the latest Harold & Kumar movie, Harris once again plays "N.P.H.," a cocaine-addicted heterosexual letch pretending being gay. Harris, who reignited his career by poking fun at themselves inside the first H&K movie, mentioned it's become progressively feasible for him to use the level of smoothness because of his trust of authors Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg. STORY: Hollywood's Historic Miracle Castle Damaged by Fire "I constantly dinner with Jon and Hayden, and so they type of pitched me the idea they'd for me inside the movie I used to be laughing as soon as they mentioned 'Christmas movie,'" Harris mentioned. "They have this strange concept of the things that they believe my existence is similar to and even though they do know it is not such as this, that they like to pretend that that's how it is like, which is very specific. Which I like the specificity from the products they develop." Email: Borys.Package@thr.com Twitter: @Borys_Package Related Subjects Neil Patrick Harris A Very Harold & Kumar 3d Christmas

'G.I. Joe' Sneak Look: Rock Goes Behind The Curtain

If "G.I. Joe: The Increase of Cobra" split up along with you cold, its follow-up "Retaliation" should warm you right up. The Rock is aboard as Roadblock, leading a thrilling-star cast including Bruce Willis since the original Joe, Ray Stevenson as theif Firefly, RZA since the Blind Master and returning "Joe" veterans Channing Tatum as Duke and Ray Park as Lizard-Eyes. It's a strong cast together with an excellent selection of classic "Joe" figures with a the least this fan very, very stoked. We have not seen much within the film yet, but a completely new "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" sneak look because of Entertainment Tonight is shining some light about the subject. Read what ET discovered round the number of the "Joe" follow-up beyond the jump. Roadblock Can Be A *Bleep* Easily one of the all-time most broadly used G.I. Joe figures, Roadblock finally makes his large-screen debut because of Dwayne Manley. Comic and cartoon fans know Roadblock ideal for his excellent cooking and also the inclination to rhyme constantly, but what else will there be to learn about the Rock's character? "Roadblock's a BAMF," Manley told ET, they converted as "bad-ass mother-f****r." He's not just a BAMF, though Manley also describes Roadblock as "the glue in the G.I. Joes." Rock And Willis Go Sometime Ago Another major tap into the brand new "G.I. Joe" movie is Bruce Willis, who joins they as Joe Colton, founding father from the titular elite squad. Coping with Willis is indeed a highlight for Manley, based on his description of his co-star. "Bruce might be the man,Inch he mentioned. "We've been pals for some time now. It's been not only a pleasure coping with him, but considering everything he's carried out movies, the guy is legendary inside our business on many levels. This type of movie in this setting where he's the creator in the Joes he's Joe Colton we have together and save the earth together and kick an array of ass." Lady Jaye & Flint Appear Two other fan-favorite figures making their extended-anticipated arrival are Flint and Lady Jaye, critical people in the core Joe team who've an extensive romantic history with each other. Unsure on whether that carries over to the film, but actress Adrianne Palicki's description of Lady Jaye has us excited nonetheless. "My character can be a strong lady," she mentioned. "She's nowadays that girls arent usually allowed into. In my opinion she's constantly trying to prove herself and he or she does it perfectly. She's the intelligence in the group. She holds her own.In . Reveal what you consider inside the comments section and also on Twitter!

Best Movie Art Ever (Now): Famous Monsters, Alien Supervillains & a Godzilla Make-Out Session

Still looking forward to an outfit? Well, you're fortunate, due to the ability of Jason Edmiston. The artist inhales new existence into classic movie monsters, different from Freddy Krueger towards the almighty Voldemort, together with his fantastic artwork gives you a recently found informative Halloween-costume inspiration. Have a look at his unique gallery of colored movie posters and horror magazine covers, and be astonished by his twisted depictions of Batman villains, flesh-eating zombies and the most wonderful searching Franken Berry & Count Chocula ever. The ability of Jason Edmiston Jason Edmiston Monster MashLast PlayA Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream WarriorsFamous Monsters Our god VoldemortMr. SoakyKing Kong BlogsHouse on Haunted HIllGammorean GuardHarley Quinn within the CarnivalCaramilk MummyThe FlyTrick R TreatDonkey KingManiac Cop 2The Grinch Who Stole ChristmasPlanet in the Apes: TrophiesDeath within the Circus"Strange Situation of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde"Zombie PromNight in the Creeps Meets the Monster SquadCereal Monster See All Moviefone Galleries » Want More? Check These Out: Best Movie Art Ever (Now): The Universal Art galleries Monsters Best Comic Art Ever (Now) - Halloween 2011 Our sister site, ComicsAlliance, comprises an exercise of spotlighting particular artists and/or specific physiques at work, there's however a lot great attempt to observe they have began Best Art Ever (Now), an each week depository for some of the virtually numerous items of especially compelling artwork they encounter inside their travels within the digital media landscape. Numerous it's new, numerous it's old, numerous it's created by working professionals, numerous it's created by gifted fans, and several of it's endearingly stupid. And all of it's awesome. Have a look at ComicsAlliance's Best Art Ever (Now). Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook RELATED #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-582581.cke_show_edges #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-582581, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-582581

Microsoft's Entertainment and Online Segments Outperform

Microsoft on Thursday reported that revenue rose 7 percent in its fiscal first quarter to $17.4 billion, while net income grew 6 percent to $5.7 billion. Revenue at the software company's entertainment and devices division grew 9 percent to $2 billion, but operating income there fell 9 percent to $352 million. Microsoft'sonline services division experienced 19 percent revenue growth to $625 million, though the unit lost $494 million compared with a loss of $558 million a year ago. Microsoft said that Bing's share of the U.S. Internet search market grew 350 basis points to 14.7 percent. Xbox, the company said Thursday, was the top-selling gaming console in the U.S. for a ninth consecutive month. Microsoft launched the Gears of War 3 video game during the quarter, and 3 million copies sold in the first month. The company recently announced plans to roll out by the end of the year its next-generation of TV entertainment on Xbox Live, which includes three dozen content partners. Another highlight during the quarter was the completion of Microsoft's purchase of Skype. Related Topics Microsoft Xbox

Relatively Speaking: Theater Review

Bucking the prevailing Broadway trend, it isn't the stars however the playwrights who're the attract Relatively Speaking. Tenuously connected through the theme of family, these three one-act comedies by Ethan Coen, Elaine May and Woodsy Allen yield some chuckles, even when John Turturro's flat-footed direction frequently works against them. However the featherweight package constitutes a flimsy situation for that star energy of authors.our editor recommendsEthan Coen, Woodsy Allen and Elaine May One-Act Plays to create Broadway Debut Most powerful entry is May's George is Dead, that has been kicking around since 2006 like a vehicle customized for Marlo Thomas. Putting on mutton-outfitted-as-lamb couture along with a frosted blond hairpiece, she plays an expensively maintained, dippy socialite and monster of self-absorption named Doreen. Following a dying of her husband inside a skiing accident, she appears in crisis mode at the house of her former nanny's married daughter, Carla (Lisa Emery). Grief is less an problem than confusion for Doreen, who's unequipped to create any type of decision. "Personally i think awful," she complains. "What's going to I actually do? I not have the depth to feel this bad." There's sturdy support from Emery, balancing bitterness and forbearance, and from Patricia O'Connell as Carla's mother, who neglected her very own daughter to often Doreen's bottomless pit of needs. But it is Thomas' self-parodying turn that provides the comedy a kick, making Doreen blithely insensitive yet in some way poignant in her own helplessness. She's just like a Real Housewife with vulnerability along with a good joke author. Watching her tune out Carla's marital discord through getting lost in vintage sitcoms can't help but raise a grin. Maintaining the fanciful mood otherwise the quality or imagination of his bounce-back hit this season, Night time in Paris, Allen's Honeymoon Motel is really a shticky Borscht Belt farce. "One's heart wants what it really wants," Allen notoriously stated inside a 1992 Time Magazine interview about his romantic defection from Mia Farrow to her adopted daughter, Soon-Yi Previn. "There is no logic to individuals things." Almost two decades later, Allen trots out that same sentiment inside a scenario with uncomfortable commonalities. Jerry (Steve Guttenberg) and Nina (Ari Graynor) look at the bridal suite of the tacky motel, but a stream of burglars disrupt their bliss. It soon emerges that Jerry wasn't your daughter's groom which the particular wedding was derailed. The fallout over Nina's change of heart in the altar brings about different levels of outrage, anger and philosophical reflection one of the brides' parents (Julie Kavner, Mark Linn-Baker), Jerry's wife (Caroline Aaron), the very best guy (Grant Shaud), the Rabbi (Richard Libertini), Jerry's shrink (Jason Kravits), pizza delivery guy (Danny Hoch) and also the intended groom (Bill Military). You will find moments to relish in the stars, and nobody will dispute Allen's facility having a one-lining, even when most of them listed here are shamelessly hoary. Guttenberg and Graynor give a serenely daffy center towards the maelstrom of bickering and chaos, Kavner's croaky line blood pressure measurements might make the phonebook funny, and Aaron may be the full of sour cynicism. But Turturro is especially from his depth within this entry. Farce needs buoyancy, shortness of breath and physical momentum to attain liftoff. The director basically brings the ten-member cast onto Santo Loquasto's crowded set after which does not understand what related to them beyond stand and deliver. That mismatch of director and material can also be apparent within the lineup's first and many insubstantial entry, Coen's Speaking Cure. Multiple periods from a counselor (Kravits) and the patient (Hoch) inside a high-security psych facility trace the latter's violent behavior to his quarrelsome parents (Katherine Borowitz, Allen Lewis Rickman), whose dueling obsessions are Heifetz and Hitler. Oy. This may have been fodder for any funny throwaway joke in a single of Allen's screen comedies from the late '70s or early 1980s. But Coen lacks the needed lightness of touch. Despite tries to strengthen the scenario by musing on semantics and contrasting awareness of mental illness, these 25 pointless minutes land having a thud. Coen's film qualifications might lead audiences to visualize that his input will bring some edge to some mystifying enterprise that feels as though an old throwback towards the days when Neil Simon comedies ruled Broadway. But Speaking Cure may be the least satisfying item on the stale menu. Venue: Brooks Atkinson Theatre, NY (runs indefinitely) Cast: Caroline Aaron, Bill Military, Katherine Borowitz, Lisa Emery, Ari Graynor, Steve Guttenberg, Danny Hoch, Julie Kavner, Jason Kravits, Richard Libertini, Mark Linn-Baker, Patricia O'Connell, Alan Lewis Rickman, Grant Shaud, Marlo Thomas Playwrights: Ethan Coen, Elaine May, Woodsy Allen Director: John Turturro Set designer: Santo Loquasto Costume designer: Donna Zakowska Lighting designer: Kenneth Posner Seem designer: Carl Casella Presented by Julian Schlossberg, Letty Aronson, Edward Walson, LeRoy Schecter, Tom Sherak, Daveed D. Frazier, Roy Furman John Turturro Steve Guttenberg Woodsy Allen Broadway Ethan Coen

Fear Factor Reboot Returns This December

Joe Rogan, Fear Factor NBC will premiere how it's calling the "bigger plus much more crazy" version of Fear Factor on 12 ,. 12, the network introduced Wednesday. Fear Factor will need inside the Sing-Off's 8/7c timeslot each week following a singing competition systems Season 3. Situated once again by Joe Rogan, the show follows the identical format in the original - giving $50,000 for the team that triumphs over their fears and wins the best challenge. Have a look whatsoever from the familiar faces returning to TV this year Approaching challenges includes tasks referred to as "Towering Inferno" as well as the "Helicopter TNT Crash." "We've taken the groundbreaking Fear Factor franchise that numerous fans remember fondly and possess ramped up making it a lot more challenging and competitive than previously,Inch NBC's Leader of Alternative and Late Evening Programming Paul Telegdy mentioned in the statement. "Once again, the participants will have to face their ultimate fears to prevail -- as well as the tension and drama of the process could make for a lot of riveting television." Are you currently presently excited for Fear Key to return?

Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner to Cement Their Status as Movie Stars

Taylor Lautner, Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart are following in the footprints of Marilyn Monroe, George Clooney and hundreds of other cinema icons. Literally! The hand and footprints of the 'Twilight' trio will be immortalized in concrete at the legendary Grauman's Chinese Theatre. The big event (book your tickets to L.A. now!) takes place Nov 3., just two weeks before 'Breaking Dawn, Part 1' opens. Guess that proves once and for all whether they're real movie stars. [via HollywoodLife] [Photo: WireImage] The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 See All Moviefone Galleries » Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook RELATED

NBC O&Os to air 'Steve Harvey'

Producer Endemol USA has inked an offer with NBC to air syndie yakker "Steve Harvey'' on 10 from the Peacock's O&Os beginning next fall, once the "Family Feud'' host's hourlong talk show is skedded to debut. The series will air on flagship station WNBC in Gotham, in addition to KNBC in L.A., WMAQ Chicago, WRC Washington and KXAS Dallas-Fort Worth, amongst others. Harvey has already established a effective run together with his syndicated radio show, which started in 2000, in addition to together with his advice-book career. An element-film adaptation of his book "Think Just like a Lady, Behave Like a Man'' is presently in development at Screen Gems. Contact Mike Thielman at mike.thielman@variety.com

What the Industry Has to Say About Back Stage Turning 50

What the Industry Has to Say About Back Stage Turning 50 October 12, 2011 Ken Howard "Back Stage was my bible during my acting days from 1960 to 1970. It has been my studio's bible since the inception of the T. Schreiber Studio in 1969. Between our weekly ads and many articles over the years, we wouldn't be where we are today without you. This goes back to 1969, when I had just started teaching but I was a bit financially challenged. I wanted to advertise in Back Stage as 'The Terry Schreiber Studio' but didn't have a lot of money to spend and could only afford a small ad. Charlotte Harmon, who was in charge of advertising then, suggested that with my limited funds she could give me an ad for 'T. Schreiber Studio.' Before that, I had never been called 'T' in my life. But the title has remained the same for these 43 years. Thank you, Back Stage. Have a joyous 50th. You deserve it!" Terry Schreiber, acting teacher, T. Schreiber Studio and Theatre, NY"Fifty years ago, publishers saw the need for an informative, reliable, and comprehensive resource for acting professionals. Today, Back Stage magazine has become a staple for the working actor, not only as a news source but as a guide for finding work and sustaining a career. Congratulations on your golden anniversary! On behalf of the 125,000 members of the Screen Actors Guild, thank you for helping actors navigate the ever-changing entertainment industry."Ken Howard, president, Screen Actors Guild"The 50th anniversary is as much a tribute to Back Stage as it is to the legacy and vision of its co-founders, Ira Eaker and Allen Zwerdling. Realizing in 1961 there was a need to fill a void in the actors' marketplace, Back Stage was created. For the past five decades, Back Stage's impact on the entertainment industry has been invaluable [as it has] assisted actors in furthering their careers by offering them access to a clearinghouse of show business information on both craft and commerce. Back Stage's longevity is a testament to its ability to evolve and stay current in both its content and its online delivery in an ever-changing theatrical and commercial workplace. Here's to the next 50 years!"Michael Katz, Michael Katz Talent Management, NY"As a member of three performer unionsAFTRA, Equity, and Screen Actors Guildthroughout my career, Back Stage has been an important resource for the news and information I need as a working professional actor. As AFTRA's national president, I have enjoyed working with Back Stage to share AFTRA's story with its readers. I am very pleased to congratulate Back Stage on its 50th anniversary, and I applaud you on 50 years of outstanding service to the acting community."Roberta Reardon, president, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists"I first picked up Back Stage in (eeeeek!) 1993. Back Stage helped me get one of my first professional acting jobs. I remember the magazine coming out every Thursday, and I would be at my favorite NY newsstand first thing in the morning to get my copy. I'd come home and circle every possible casting I thought I was right foreven many I wasn'tjust for the opportunity to be seen. I had no agent or manager at the time, and my only way to get seen and get work was through the casting postings in Back Stage. There were always so many open calls for Broadway shows and regional theaters, and I'd get up at the crack of dawn to be one of the first people in line to be seen. If you waited to get there by, like, even 7 a.m., the line of actors generally stretched out the building and around the block. You'd be lucky if you got a time slot to audition. Getting an Equity time slot was like being in Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory ('I've got the golden ticket!'). I remember seeing a casting for 'The Tempest,' being done at North Shore Music Theatre. I got a time slot, auditioned, and got cast. I should have commissioned Back Stage. For a long time, that magazine was the only way I got work. Thank you, Back Stage."Anthony Meindl, acting teacher and director, Los Angeles"Back Stage has been a key part of the savvy actor's research and preparation for the past half-century. I well remember getting up extra early on Thursday mornings almost 40 years ago to be among the first to scour Back Stage for the audition notices. When I talk to young actors about the 'business of the business,' I always stress the necessity of regularly reading Back Stage."Nick Wyman, president, Actors' Equity Association"When I first came to NY years ago, I heard that Back Stage was the actor's bible. I was told that you had to get it every week to find out what was casting, what was going on in the theater community, etc. It was the lifeline, the connecting link, everything the actor needed to know. Every Thursday, I'd be up early and run out to the newspaper stand to get my weekly copy. The interview articles with actors who'd 'made it' and invaluable advice from casting directors and agents filled me with hope, possibility, and basic know-how. Over the years, Back Stage became my weekly Thursday breakfast friend. I'd read it, check the castings I was right for, and plan my week by it. Today, in this age of everything online, I still live by it. Yes, I know a lot of the information is online, but maybe because I'm a writer, I love the visceral feeling of turning paper pages. I like holding a newspaper in my hand. Today, the articles may be a bit more sophisticated, the stars interviewed may be more famous, but it's the tradition of the paper that draws me to the newsstand. Back Stage had matured with the times. Now, because I'm an acting coach, I look to see what is required (monologues, cold readings, etc.) at the different auditions. As a playwright, I look to see which of my friends has something in production. And as a teacher, I enjoy the interviews with agents and acting teachers for their insights and viewpoints. Sometimes their advice becomes my advice. It's still the same paper, yes, but better."Glenn Alterman, acting coach, book writer, and playwright, Glenn Alterman Studio, NY"Back Stage has helped meand my businessby being both the go-to source and resource for actors who understand that a career in the business of acting isn't just about performing. The smart actor is a great client, which is why I am so appreciative of Back Stage and the team that writes and produces it each week. By helping to educate actors (my clients included) and keeping them informed about the business, [Back Stage allows] readers to consistently come away armed with information that helps them be proactive in launching and building their careers all along their journeys. Happy 50th!"Brad Lemack, talent manager and author ("The Business of Acting: Learn the Skills You Need to Build the Career You Want" and "The New Business of Acting: How to Build a Career in a Changing Landscape"), Los Angeles"How do you know something is useful? By how long it stays visible in the marketplace. Back Stage has been around for a long time because it is as important to an actor as The Wall Street Journal is to someone investing on Wall Street. Each time a client of mine has appeared in Back Stage (either reviewed or appearing in something like Ask an Actor), it raises their profile. I have been flattered to have been profiled on the Industry Insider page as well as being a contributor to Ask a Manager. Many of my contributions and those of my colleagues have helped answer a young actor's questions before they knew what to ask."Seth Greenky, Green Key Management, NY"As a stuntwoman, stunt coordinator, and actress, Back Stage has been invaluable to me. It keeps me in the loop, working, and I always feel connected to the heart of the industry! Thanks, Back Stage, and happy 50th!"Elle Alexander, vice president, Stuntwomen's Association of Motion Pictures, SAG/AFTRA"My first job, as an actress on the film 'Armageddon for Andy,' was the result of an ad I saw in Back Stage. On it, I worked with actors who would go on to star on soaps, television, and in films, and we all came together because of Back Stage. I've read it religiously since then, examining it for insights, tips, stories, and of course the [Readers' Choice] L.A. and NY issues. There is no finer magazine out there for actors who want to be in the know!"Kristen Caldwell, co-owner, The Actor's Key, Los Angeles"Back Stage celebrates talent and is consistent in achieving honesty in its updated info!"Chadwick Struck, casting director, Los Angeles"I can never say it enough, how important Back Stage is to the acting community, and am forever telling every actor I meet to subscribe. Congratulations on 50 years of excellence! Back Stage is an outstanding resource for the beginner as well as the seasoned pro. Back Stage's reporting on casting information, articles on finding representation, along with other informative stories are extremely beneficial to the acting community. Fifty years of innovative, groundbreaking journalismBack Stage is my resource to help my clients start and maintain a career in the entertainment business."Arthur Massei, Massei Management, NY"I've been reading Back Stage since I became serious about acting about nine years ago. I would always flip right to the back and check out the latest casting calls. I booked my first jobs from those ads. Combine that with all the great articles that I've learned so much from, and you figure I'd probably be nowhere without it! I now get a booth at Actorfest every year for my headshot business. Back Stage has and continues to find great ways to further the career of an actor."Jeff Ellingson, photographer, Jeff E Photo, Los Angeles"Back Stage is an essential tool for any NY actor. The invaluable resource that [it] is for information and projects is something I recommend to every client I have."Josselyne Herman, manager, Josselyne Herman & Associates, and author ("So You Wanna Be a NY Actor?"), NY"I have been a producer and playwright in Los Angeles for 14 years, with both Neo Ensemble Theatre and the All Roses Company. I have been reading Back Stage as long as I have been in Los Angeles, and have posted audition notices for most of my productions on your pages. As both a playwright and producer,I appreciate Back Stage reviewing as many plays as they are able. Reviews are invaluable tools for raising audience awareness and promoting the script after a run has closed. Thank you, Back Stage, for fighting the good fight."Ralph Tropf, producer and playwright ("The Animal Within" opens Nov. 4 at the Elephant Theatre), Los Angeles"I first opened a copy of Back Stage West in 1985 as a young actress having just moved from NY. It was at that time the major source of information for actors. It was a necessity. Thank you, Back Stage! Congrats on a great 50 years!"Warner Loughlin, acting teacher, Warner Loughlin Studios, Los Angeles"I rely on Back Stage as a resource for finding actors. I have placed casting notices and had wonderful results. I also love having one comprehensive source for reviews."Doug Haverty, playwright, Los Angeles"Back Stage has been reviewing shows and going behind the scenes since the Crucifixion but is still as relevant as it always was. We now live in a world where television and cable are being eclipsed by the Internet and where anyone with a cheap camera can make a movie. Network execs will be more likely serving you coffee at Starbucks than reading your script, and A-list actors, judging from this summer's box office, better hope someone brings back 'Hollywood Squares.' More than ever, everyone in the business needs Back Stage as a guide to survive this changing landscape."Barney Oldfield, Barney Oldfield Management, NY"I have been reading Back Stage since 1971, when I was a fledgling singer and nonunion actress after studying with the renowned Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre. I have been a member of all the acting unions for 35 years and teaching acting classes for over 15. I encourage my students to subscribe to Back Stage and become acquainted with the castings and articles, since it is still the original, reliable, comprehensive resource for an actor/singer/performer. In 1987, I had the good fortune to receive one of the first Back Stage Bistro Awards, as well as wonderful reviews from John Hoglund and the late Curt Davis and Bob Harrington during my many years singing in cabaret. Thank heavens Back Stage remains an ally and anchor for up-and-coming artists seeking to fulfill their dreams."Nina Murano, acting teacher, NY"As a native NYer, I've known about Back Stage forever. Back in the 1980s, it was my connection to the world I wanted to be a part of. It was because of Back Stage that I started my theater company in the year 2000. SALAAM Theatre is the first South Asian American multidisciplinary theater company in America."Geeta Citygirl, founder and artistic director, SALAAM Theatre, New York"Back Stage has always given vital information for everyone in the business above and below the line. Its longevity is due in large part to its tremendous power of keeping us all in the know in the performing arts. Back Stage was and will always be the ultimate guide to all things theatrical. Back Stage is the staple in your cupboard of dreams. Happy 50th anniversary, Back Stage. Can't have a career without you."Karen Gunn, manager, Soiree Fair, Montclair, N.J."I must say that my headshot career started with my ads I ran with you guys. I feel it couldn't be what it is today had I not advertised in Back Stage. I do think that it's an invaluable tool for actors and am so glad that they turned to Back Stage to find headshot photographers. Fifty years is very impressive. Wow! I hope you keep going for another 50!"Peter Hurley, photographer, Peter Hurley Photography, NY"I am happy to see Back Stage celebrate such a monumental achievement. I remember, before I became a casting director, that Back Stage was my main resource of auditions and information as a young actor. I am glad to see it is still a great resource. Here's to 50 more!"Mark Teschner, casting director, "General Hospital""Back Stage is a vital resource for actors across the country. In this day and age, information is not only knowledge, it is power, and the ability to navigate your career is enhanced with access to such information. The successful actor has to also understand the business side of the career, and Back Stage does a great job at giving them insights into how a successful actor has built his or her career, intel on how to find a great teacher, what a casting director looks for, and so much more. What I have come to enjoy and appreciate in both the printed and online publications is that Back Stage is giving actors a point of view and offering articles that go beyond what's casting and who's who in the business. It is a neighborhood paper for the community of actors, both working and aspiring to. I vcannot stress enough how important it is to connect to your community and take charge of your career. As both a casting director and the developer of the app Actor Genie, I have come to rely on Back Stage as the pulse of the actor's business. I only hope that, like an actor's performance, the paper will dig deeper and continue to be a major presence in the shrinking world of newspapers."Heidi Levitt, casting director, Heidi Levitt Casting, Los AngelesReported by Jessica Gardner, Simi Horwitz, and Daniel Holloway What the Industry Has to Say About Back Stage Turning 50 October 12, 2011 Ken Howard "Back Stage was my bible during my acting days from 1960 to 1970. It has been my studio's bible since the inception of the T. Schreiber Studio in 1969. Between our weekly ads and many articles over the years, we wouldn't be where we are today without you. This goes back to 1969, when I had just started teaching but I was a bit financially challenged. I wanted to advertise in Back Stage as 'The Terry Schreiber Studio' but didn't have a lot of money to spend and could only afford a small ad. Charlotte Harmon, who was in charge of advertising then, suggested that with my limited funds she could give me an ad for 'T. Schreiber Studio.' Before that, I had never been called 'T' in my life. But the title has remained the same for these 43 years. Thank you, Back Stage. Have a joyous 50th. You deserve it!" Terry Schreiber, acting teacher, T. Schreiber Studio and Theatre, NY"Fifty years ago, publishers saw the need for an informative, reliable, and comprehensive resource for acting professionals. Today, Back Stage magazine has become a staple for the working actor, not only as a news source but as a guide for finding work and sustaining a career. Congratulations on your golden anniversary! On behalf of the 125,000 members of the Screen Actors Guild, thank you for helping actors navigate the ever-changing entertainment industry."Ken Howard, president, Screen Actors Guild"The 50th anniversary is as much a tribute to Back Stage as it is to the legacy and vision of its co-founders, Ira Eaker and Allen Zwerdling. Realizing in 1961 there was a need to fill a void in the actors' marketplace, Back Stage was created. For the past five decades, Back Stage's impact on the entertainment industry has been invaluable [as it has] assisted actors in furthering their careers by offering them access to a clearinghouse of show business information on both craft and commerce. Back Stage's longevity is a testament to its ability to evolve and stay current in both its content and its online delivery in an ever-changing theatrical and commercial workplace. Here's to the next 50 years!"Michael Katz, Michael Katz Talent Management, NY"As a member of three performer unionsAFTRA, Equity, and Screen Actors Guildthroughout my career, Back Stage has been an important resource for the news and information I need as a working professional actor. As AFTRA's national president, I have enjoyed working with Back Stage to share AFTRA's story with its readers. I am very pleased to congratulate Back Stage on its 50th anniversary, and I applaud you on 50 years of outstanding service to the acting community."Roberta Reardon, president, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists"I first picked up Back Stage in (eeeeek!) 1993. Back Stage helped me get one of my first professional acting jobs. I remember the magazine coming out every Thursday, and I would be at my favorite NY newsstand first thing in the morning to get my copy. I'd come home and circle every possible casting I thought I was right foreven many I wasn'tjust for the opportunity to be seen. I had no agent or manager at the time, and my only way to get seen and get work was through the casting postings in Back Stage. There were always so many open calls for Broadway shows and regional theaters, and I'd get up at the crack of dawn to be one of the first people in line to be seen. If you waited to get there by, like, even 7 a.m., the line of actors generally stretched out the building and around the block. You'd be lucky if you got a time slot to audition. Getting an Equity time slot was like being in Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory ('I've got the golden ticket!'). I remember seeing a casting for 'The Tempest,' being done at North Shore Music Theatre. I got a time slot, auditioned, and got cast. I should have commissioned Back Stage. For a long time, that magazine was the only way I got work. Thank you, Back Stage."Anthony Meindl, acting teacher and director, Los Angeles"Back Stage has been a key part of the savvy actor's research and preparation for the past half-century. I well remember getting up extra early on Thursday mornings almost 40 years ago to be among the first to scour Back Stage for the audition notices. When I talk to young actors about the 'business of the business,' I always stress the necessity of regularly reading Back Stage."Nick Wyman, president, Actors' Equity Association"When I first came to NY years ago, I heard that Back Stage was the actor's bible. I was told that you had to get it every week to find out what was casting, what was going on in the theater community, etc. It was the lifeline, the connecting link, everything the actor needed to know. Every Thursday, I'd be up early and run out to the newspaper stand to get my weekly copy. The interview articles with actors who'd 'made it' and invaluable advice from casting directors and agents filled me with hope, possibility, and basic know-how. Over the years, Back Stage became my weekly Thursday breakfast friend. I'd read it, check the castings I was right for, and plan my week by it. Today, in this age of everything online, I still live by it. Yes, I know a lot of the information is online, but maybe because I'm a writer, I love the visceral feeling of turning paper pages. I like holding a newspaper in my hand. Today, the articles may be a bit more sophisticated, the stars interviewed may be more famous, but it's the tradition of the paper that draws me to the newsstand. Back Stage had matured with the times. Now, because I'm an acting coach, I look to see what is required (monologues, cold readings, etc.) at the different auditions. As a playwright, I look to see which of my friends has something in production. And as a teacher, I enjoy the interviews with agents and acting teachers for their insights and viewpoints. Sometimes their advice becomes my advice. It's still the same paper, yes, but better."Glenn Alterman, acting coach, book writer, and playwright, Glenn Alterman Studio, NY"Back Stage has helped meand my businessby being both the go-to source and resource for actors who understand that a career in the business of acting isn't just about performing. The smart actor is a great client, which is why I am so appreciative of Back Stage and the team that writes and produces it each week. By helping to educate actors (my clients included) and keeping them informed about the business, [Back Stage allows] readers to consistently come away armed with information that helps them be proactive in launching and building their careers all along their journeys. Happy 50th!"Brad Lemack, talent manager and author ("The Business of Acting: Learn the Skills You Need to Build the Career You Want" and "The New Business of Acting: How to Build a Career in a Changing Landscape"), Los Angeles"How do you know something is useful? By how long it stays visible in the marketplace. Back Stage has been around for a long time because it is as important to an actor as The Wall Street Journal is to someone investing on Wall Street. Each time a client of mine has appeared in Back Stage (either reviewed or appearing in something like Ask an Actor), it raises their profile. I have been flattered to have been profiled on the Industry Insider page as well as being a contributor to Ask a Manager. Many of my contributions and those of my colleagues have helped answer a young actor's questions before they knew what to ask."Seth Greenky, Green Key Management, NY"As a stuntwoman, stunt coordinator, and actress, Back Stage has been invaluable to me. It keeps me in the loop, working, and I always feel connected to the heart of the industry! Thanks, Back Stage, and happy 50th!"Elle Alexander, vice president, Stuntwomen's Association of Motion Pictures, SAG/AFTRA"My first job, as an actress on the film 'Armageddon for Andy,' was the result of an ad I saw in Back Stage. On it, I worked with actors who would go on to star on soaps, television, and in films, and we all came together because of Back Stage. I've read it religiously since then, examining it for insights, tips, stories, and of course the [Readers' Choice] L.A. and NY issues. There is no finer magazine out there for actors who want to be in the know!"Kristen Caldwell, co-owner, The Actor's Key, Los Angeles"Back Stage celebrates talent and is consistent in achieving honesty in its updated info!"Chadwick Struck, casting director, Los Angeles"I can never say it enough, how important Back Stage is to the acting community, and am forever telling every actor I meet to subscribe. Congratulations on 50 years of excellence! Back Stage is an outstanding resource for the beginner as well as the seasoned pro. Back Stage's reporting on casting information, articles on finding representation, along with other informative stories are extremely beneficial to the acting community. Fifty years of innovative, groundbreaking journalismBack Stage is my resource to help my clients start and maintain a career in the entertainment business."Arthur Massei, Massei Management, NY"I've been reading Back Stage since I became serious about acting about nine years ago. I would always flip right to the back and check out the latest casting calls. I booked my first jobs from those ads. Combine that with all the great articles that I've learned so much from, and you figure I'd probably be nowhere without it! I now get a booth at Actorfest every year for my headshot business. Back Stage has and continues to find great ways to further the career of an actor."Jeff Ellingson, photographer, Jeff E Photo, Los Angeles"Back Stage is an essential tool for any NY actor. The invaluable resource that [it] is for information and projects is something I recommend to every client I have."Josselyne Herman, manager, Josselyne Herman & Associates, and author ("So You Wanna Be a NY Actor?"), NY"I have been a producer and playwright in Los Angeles for 14 years, with both Neo Ensemble Theatre and the All Roses Company. I have been reading Back Stage as long as I have been in Los Angeles, and have posted audition notices for most of my productions on your pages. As both a playwright and producer,I appreciate Back Stage reviewing as many plays as they are able. Reviews are invaluable tools for raising audience awareness and promoting the script after a run has closed. Thank you, Back Stage, for fighting the good fight."Ralph Tropf, producer and playwright ("The Animal Within" opens Nov. 4 at the Elephant Theatre), Los Angeles"I first opened a copy of Back Stage West in 1985 as a young actress having just moved from NY. It was at that time the major source of information for actors. It was a necessity. Thank you, Back Stage! Congrats on a great 50 years!"Warner Loughlin, acting teacher, Warner Loughlin Studios, Los Angeles"I rely on Back Stage as a resource for finding actors. I have placed casting notices and had wonderful results. I also love having one comprehensive source for reviews."Doug Haverty, playwright, Los Angeles"Back Stage has been reviewing shows and going behind the scenes since the Crucifixion but is still as relevant as it always was. We now live in a world where television and cable are being eclipsed by the Internet and where anyone with a cheap camera can make a movie. Network execs will be more likely serving you coffee at Starbucks than reading your script, and A-list actors, judging from this summer's box office, better hope someone brings back 'Hollywood Squares.' More than ever, everyone in the business needs Back Stage as a guide to survive this changing landscape."Barney Oldfield, Barney Oldfield Management, NY"I have been reading Back Stage since 1971, when I was a fledgling singer and nonunion actress after studying with the renowned Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre. I have been a member of all the acting unions for 35 years and teaching acting classes for over 15. I encourage my students to subscribe to Back Stage and become acquainted with the castings and articles, since it is still the original, reliable, comprehensive resource for an actor/singer/performer. In 1987, I had the good fortune to receive one of the first Back Stage Bistro Awards, as well as wonderful reviews from John Hoglund and the late Curt Davis and Bob Harrington during my many years singing in cabaret. Thank heavens Back Stage remains an ally and anchor for up-and-coming artists seeking to fulfill their dreams."Nina Murano, acting teacher, NY"As a native NYer, I've known about Back Stage forever. Back in the 1980s, it was my connection to the world I wanted to be a part of. It was because of Back Stage that I started my theater company in the year 2000. SALAAM Theatre is the first South Asian American multidisciplinary theater company in America."Geeta Citygirl, founder and artistic director, SALAAM Theatre, NY"Back Stage has always given vital information for everyone in the business above and below the line. Its longevity is due in large part to its tremendous power of keeping us all in the know in the performing arts. Back Stage was and will always be the ultimate guide to all things theatrical. Back Stage is the staple in your cupboard of dreams. Happy 50th anniversary, Back Stage. Can't have a career without you."Karen Gunn, manager, Soiree Fair, Montclair, N.J."I must say that my headshot career started with my ads I ran with you guys. I feel it couldn't be what it is today had I not advertised in Back Stage. I do think that it's an invaluable tool for actors and am so glad that they turned to Back Stage to find headshot photographers. Fifty years is very impressive. Wow! I hope you keep going for another 50!"Peter Hurley, photographer, Peter Hurley Photography, NY"I am happy to see Back Stage celebrate such a monumental achievement. I remember, before I became a casting director, that Back Stage was my main resource of auditions and information as a young actor. I am glad to see it is still a great resource. Here's to 50 more!"Mark Teschner, casting director, "General Hospital""Back Stage is a vital resource for actors across the country. In this day and age, information is not only knowledge, it is power, and the ability to navigate your career is enhanced with access to such information. The successful actor has to also understand the business side of the career, and Back Stage does a great job at giving them insights into how a successful actor has built his or her career, intel on how to find a great teacher, what a casting director looks for, and so much more. What I have come to enjoy and appreciate in both the printed and online publications is that Back Stage is giving actors a point of view and offering articles that go beyond what's casting and who's who in the business. It is a neighborhood paper for the community of actors, both working and aspiring to. I vcannot stress enough how important it is to connect to your community and take charge of your career. As both a casting director and the developer of the app Actor Genie, I have come to rely on Back Stage as the pulse of the actor's business. I only hope that, like an actor's performance, the paper will dig deeper and continue to be a major presence in the shrinking world of newspapers."Heidi Levitt, casting director, Heidi Levitt Casting, Los AngelesReported by Jessica Gardner, Simi Horwitz, and Daniel Holloway