Daily Variety articles from April 2005

Daily Variety archives from April 2005

Weekend B.O. could be sinful.(box office)
April 1, 2005... Dimension's "Sin City," which has been coming on strong in tracking, especially among males, unspools this weekend at 3,230 theaters. Meanwhile, MGM's "Beauty Shop," which is attracting mostly femme interest, opened Wednesday in 2,659...

'Lestat' sinking fangs into tuner.(play to premiere at San Francisco's Curran Theater)
April 1, 2005... Elton John and Bernie Taupin's new vampire musical, "Lestat," will have its world premiere late this year at San Francisco's Curran Theater. The Broadway run follows in spring 2006. Based on Anne Rice novels "The Vampire Lestat" and...

TV's life and death drama: Pope, Schiavo propel nets.(Terri Schiavo, Pope John Paul II )
April 1, 2005... Cable and network news orgs were in their element on Thursday as two major stories put everyone on high alert. Producers scrambled through the day as the death of Terri Schiavo collided with the rapidly failing health of the pope. ...

Koppel quits the late shift.
April 1, 2005... Ted Koppel will leave "Nightline" and ABC when his contract expires in December, opening the door for a remake of the show that could change the competitive landscape of latenight TV. Koppel's departure ends months of speculation over the...

Dolan defense takes the field.(Cablevision may file a lawsuit to object stadium construction at West Side of James Dolan Manhattan )
April 1, 2005... Media observers expect Cablevision to file a lawsuit to fight Thursday's decision by a state agency granting the New York Jets the right to build a $2 billion stadium on the West Side of James Dolan Manhattan. Cablevision, led by CEO James...

Doubt.(Broadway)(Theater Review)
April 1, 2005... (Walter Kerr Theater: 924 seats. $90.25 top) A Carole Shorenstein Flays. MTC Prods., Roger Berlind, Scott Rudin presentation of a play in one act by John Patrick Shanley. Directed by Doug Hughes. Sets. John Lee Beatty; costumes. Catherine...

Out of the woods.(Television)(Television Program Review)
April 1, 2005... (Movie, Hallmark Channel, Sat. April 2, 8 p.m.) Filmed in Placerville and South Lake Tahoe, Calif., by Mat IV Prods. in association with Alpine Medien and Larry Levinson Prods. Executive producers, Robert Halmi Jr., Larry Levinson;...

Passion.(Off Broadway)(Theater Review)
April 1, 2005... (Frederick R Rose Hall/Rose Theater: 1.000 seats: $125 top) A Lincoln Center, American Songbook presentation of a musical in one act with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. book by James Lapine, based on Ettore Scola's film "Passione...

Auds blind to 'Eyes': ABC drama bow falters; 'Lost' saves night.(American Broadcasting Companies Inc.)
April 1, 2005... The debut of "Eyes" was a little more private than ABC execs might have wished. Despite stellar reviews and a big marketing push, Alphabet's new gumshoe drama finished third in its 10 p.m. slot Wednesday, averaging a disappointing 3.1/9...

WB to build 'Treehouse' furnished with Tapestry.(Warner Bros. Pictures teams up with Tapestry Films to produce 'The Treehouse')(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... HOLLYWOOD -- Warner Bros. Pictures has teamed with Tapestry Films on coming-of-age adventure "The Treehouse" from animation writers Ron Friedman and Steve Bencich, with Wes Ball attached to make his feature directing debut. Story follows...

ICM.(Mike Epps signs contract with International Creative Management Inc.)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Mike Epps has signed with ICM for representation in all areas. Thesp-comedian is now shooting Focus Features' "42.4 Percent" with Sanaa Lathan and Simon Baker. Other upcoming projects include Paramount's remake of "The Honeymooners" and Fox...

Also inking with ICM is Eli Craig.(International Creative Management Inc.)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Also inking with ICM is Eli Craig. The recent graduate of the USC School of Cinema-Television wrote and directed short film "The Tao of Pong," a Ping-Pong parody of "The Karate Kid."

William Morris Agency.(contracts with Todd Yasui)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... The William Morris Agency now reps producer Todd Yasui. Yasui exec produces "The Late, Late Show" on CBS. He previously was a producer on NBC's "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" and an arts editor at the Washington Post.

APA.(signs contract with Alan Myerson)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... APA has signed TV director Alan Myerson. Myerson most recently helmed episodes of Fox's "North Shore" and CBS' "Joan of Arcadia." He also directed pilots for Showtime's "Rude Awakenings" and VH1's "The New Partridge Family.'"

Fiennes, Kent show 'Faith' on broadway.(Ralph Fiennes to act in 'Faith Healer')(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... LONDON -- Ralph Fiennes will star in Brian Friel's 1979 play "Faith Healer" on Broadway next spring in a production transferring from Dublin's Gate Theater. Helmer Jonathan Kent's production, which unfolds three tainted, tortured lives...

Rudin flush with 'Saturday' tome fever.(Scott Rudin acquires rights of novel to make a movie)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Using his own coin, Scott Rudin has acquired "Saturday," the new novel by "Atonement" author Ian McEwan. Rudin will produce the feature adaptation and will set a screenwriter-shortly. McEwan's novel focuses on one day in the life of a...

Nick unleashes 'hijinks'.(MTV Networks Inc. Nick at Nite plans release of its television series)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Nick at Nite has commissioned 13 half-hour episodes of Banyan Prods.' "HiJinks," a hidden-camera show whose gimmick is that parents make tools of their kids, not vice versa. Banyan, the biggest reality producer on the East Coast, has also...

Zelnick boards Reed Elsevier.(appointment of Strauss Zelnick )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Anglo-Dutch conglom Reed Elsevier named former top entertainment exec and entrepreneur Strauss Zelnick to its board of directors on Thursday. Zelnick, the former chief exec of BMG Entertainment and president of 20th Century Fox, will join...

Alliance revs healthy on 'CSI,' Canuck nets.(financial report of Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc.)
April 1, 2005... MONTREAL -- Canuck entertainment company Alliance Atlantis Communications reported strong fourth-quarter and year-end results thanks to the lucrative "CSF' franchise, its booming specialty channel biz in Canada and continued boffo box office...

Showbiz stocks.(Illustration)
April 1, 2005... SHOWBIZ STOCKS Thursday, March 31, 2005 YTD Name Tkr PE Last Chg % Chg AcmeCm ACME ... 5.27 +.37 -24.8 Actvsn ATVI 21 14.80...

Gwyneth Herbert.(Concert Review)
April 1, 2005... (Oak Room. Algonquin Hotel. 85 capacity: $50) Presented inhouse. Band: Gwyneth Herbert, Mark Hodgson, Gareth Williams. Opened March 29, 2005, reviewed March 30. Closes April 9. There's a new girl in town. Among the wave of bright young...

'Under' guy's on top in NBC U deal.('Six Feet Under' producer Rick Cleveland signs deal with NBC Universal TV Studios )
April 1, 2005... HOLLYWOOD -- "Six Feet Under" exec producer Rick Cleveland has sealed a two-year, seven-figure deal with NBC Universal TV Studios to create hourlong drama projects. Cleveland will work exclusively on new development during the first year...

WB branding veep quartet.(appointments at Warner Bros. Entertainment's Global Brand Management)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... HOLLYWOOD -- Warner Bros. Entertainment's Global Brand Management has appointed Irika Slavin, Sandy Yi, Amber Fredman and Lisa St. Amand as VPs. They report to Diane Nelson, exec VP of global brand management. Fredman had served in a...

Kramer keeps Eye on digital.(Larry Kramer appointed head of CBS Digital Media)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... CBS prexy Leslie Moonves has appointed former MarketWatch founder Larry Kramer to head a new unit overseeing digital initiatives, CBS Digital Media. CBS and MarketWatch were partners in CBSMarketwatch.com until Wall Street Journal...

'Alexander' no hero: stone pic failed to boost Internationalmedia.(financial report of German film group Internationalmedia )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... BERLIN -- German film group Internationalmedia saw revenues slip 25% last year to 187 million [euro] ($243 million) but still managed to narrow its net loss by 75% to $29.4 million, company reported Thursday. Company, which last year...

ProSieben's SevenOne in Tandem team.(SevenOne International signs distribution agreement with Tandem Communications)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... BERLIN -- ProSiebenSat 1'S new international sales company, SevenOne Intl., has inked a distrib pact with Munich-based producer Tandem Communications. SevenOne will handle most of Tandem's event TV programs including hit fantasy miniseries...

Topper ankles kids' BBC.(Dorothy Prior leaves )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... LONDON -- Children's BBC topper Dorothy Prior is ankling her post after two years to oversee the pubcaster's efficiency drive in production. She takes up her new job as controller of production resources in May, reporting to...

Taormina's competitive edge.(Taormina BNL Film Festival)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... ROME -- Italy's Taormina BNL Film Festival will add its first competitive section in a revamp for its 51st edition, June 11-18, director Felice Laudadio announced Thursday. Twelve films will vie for honors in six categories--film, actor,...

Music group forms an artist Sanctuary.(Sanctuary Group PLC)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... LONDON -- London-based music company the Sanctuary Group is moving into artist management outside the music world via new division Sanctuary Entertainment. "Sanctuary's expertise in rock is second to none. But there,s a lot of business in...

DTT debuts in France.(digital terrestrial television)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... PARIS -- French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin flicked the switch to launch digital terrestrial TV in Gaul, one of the last major European territories to receive it, Thursday evening. DTT swells the number of free terrestrial channels...

Hughes joins Oz 'Wish' list.(Wendy Hughes to act in 'Caterpillar Wish')(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... SYDNEY -- Wendy Hughes will play the co-lead in "Caterpillar Wish." The AS 1.4 million ($1.1 million) pic is the first backed by the Australian Film Commission's IndiVision initiative for low-budget features. Project, written and to...

More 'Galactica' on Sky's horizon.(British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC. Sky One buys second batch of 'Battlestar Galactica' and joins Sci-Fi Channel Inc. as co-producer)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... LONDON -- Satcaster BSkyB'S embattled flagship channel Sky One has bought a second batch of "Battlestar Galactica" episodes and joined the crew as co-producer with the Sci Fi Channel. Another 20 segs are in the pipeline of the skein that...

14 hours.(Television)(Television Program Review)
April 1, 2005... (Movie; TNT, Sun. April 3, 8 p.m.) Filmed in Vancouver by Cosmic Entertainment and Magna Global Entertainment in association with Paramount Network Television. Executive producers, Shanna Tyndall Nussbaum, Jay Cohen, Frances Croke Page,...

Freedom films preps pic pair.(financing of 'Em' and 'El Camino')(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... HOLLYWOOD -- Freedom Films is set to finance and produce features "Em" and "El Camino." Financing from a private equity film fund is in place with budgets ranging up to $3 million per pic. Freedom Films prexy Brian Presley will produce...

Cohen chief at Lifetime.
April 1, 2005... HOLLYWOOD -- Betty Cohen, a longtime Turner exec and founder of Cartoon Network, has been named president-CEO of Lifetime Entertainment Services, a position she'll assume officially April 26. She replaces Carole Black and will report to...

United Talent Agency.(contracts with Judy Becket)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Production designer Judy Becket has signed with United Talent Agency for representation. Becker recently worked on Focus Features' "Brokeback Mountain" and Warner Independent's "Every Word Is True." She was also the designer on "Garden...

Endeavor.(Endeavor Talent Agency L.L.C. contracts with Felicia Henderson)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... TV scribe-director Felicia Henderson has inked with Endeavor. Henderson created Showtime skein "Soul Food" and helmed several episodes during its four-year run. Other writing credits include sitcoms "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," "Moesha,"...

Film production chart.
April 1, 2005... Films in the future PRODUCTION CHART KEY Abbreviations: EXP, Executive producer; PROD-Producer; COP-Co-producer; DIR-Director; AD-First assistant director; 2DIR-Second-unit director; SCR-Screenwriter; DP-Cinematographer; ED-Editor;...

Date book.(Calendar)
April 1, 2005... APR. 1 "Easy Living" Film Forum kicks off a Preston Sturges Screenplay series with this Jean Arthur screwball comedy, on a double bill with Spencer Tracy in "The Power and the Glory." Series also includes "Remember the Night" and "Thirty...

Filming in Gotham.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... THE GOOD SHEPHERD Matt Damon, Patrick Wilson, Robert De Niro EXP, Francis Ford Coppola, Rick Schwartz. Chris Brigham: PROD, Jane Rosenthal: DIR, Robert De Niro: SCR, Eric Roth; PD. Jeannine Oppewall; DISTRIB, U. Universal Pictures...

Valiant.(Movie Review)
April 1, 2005... (Animated--U.K.-US.) A Buena Vista release (in U.S.) of a Touchstone Pictures, Vanguard Animation (U.S.h Ealing Studios, U.K. Film Council presentation of a Vanguard Animation production, in association with Odyssey Entertainment, Take...

God Hates the Irish: The Ballad of Armless Johnny.(Theater Review)
April 1, 2005... (Rattlestick Playwrights Theater: 99 seats, $37.50 top) A Rattlestick Playwrights Theater presentation of a play in two acts by Sean Cunningham, with music by Michael Friedman. Directed by Will Frears. Sets, Robin Vest; costumes, Camille...

Terry Reid.(Concert Review)
April 1, 2005... (BB King's; 800 capacity; $20) Presented by David Kramer Prods. Band: Terry Reid, Cornell Dupree, Chuck Rainey, Arno Hecht, Crispin Cioe, Bob Funk, Paul Litteral. Reviewed Marcia 28, 2005. To folks without a grounding in '60s rock...

Duo to spark 'Fire' flame.(Paramount and Nick Movies to make 'Fire Breather')(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... HOLLYWOOD -- Paramount and Nick Movies are getting heated up over "Fire Breather." Par and Nick are in talks to acquire film rights to the graphic novel, penned by Phil Hester and Andy Kuhn. "Fire Breather," published by Image Comics,...

Weekend box office preview.(Illustration)
April 1, 2005... RELEASE DATES AND CHANGES As of March 31 Pic New date Old date BUENA VISTA Dark Water July 8 Aug. 12 Mars (BV Large Format) TBA Sept. 16 FINE LINE The Holy...

Cablers in Crime conflict.(cases between A and E Television Networks and Courtroom Television Network Inc.)
April 4, 2005... Hostilities are expected to break out between Court TV and A&E on the floor of a cable convention in San Francisco today, when 7,000 attendees are offered the opportunity to meet New Jersey's most famous crime family. But instead of...

Variety milestone.(rites, ceremonies and celebrations of Daily Variety Ltd.)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... We begin celebrating the 100th anniversary of Weekly Variety today. Among the many initiatives the company is undertaking to honor the occasion is a new centennial logo, which graces our cover today.

Auds caught up in 'Sin': dimension's stylized pic tops 'Shop' with $28 million.("Sin City")(ticket sales)
April 4, 2005... "Sin City" had nothing to repent for at the box office this weekend. Dimension's adaptation of the Frank Miller comicbook series opened in the No. 1 spot with $28.1 million from 3,230 theaters. Bow reps the second best start in helmer...

People's pontiff was pop icon.(Pope John Paul II)(Biography)
April 4, 2005... Pope John Paul ii, who died Saturday, was as much of a global pop-culture icon as Michael Jackson in his heyday and as great a communicator as Ronald Reagan in his. Unlike the insular, closed-off pontificate of his predecessor Paul VI this...

Reality goes 24-7 at new Fox channel.(launch of Fox Reality by The News Corporation Ltd.)
April 4, 2005... SAN FRANCISCO -- After months of planning, News Corp. is taking the wraps off the overall strategy, look and programming plans for Fox Reality, the 24-hour nonfiction net slated to launch next month. Fox Reality chief operating...

'House' checks into ward.(works of Sela Ward)
April 4, 2005... HOLLYWOOD -- Two-time Emmy winner Sela Ward is returning to series television, coming on board Fox's red-hot medical drama "House." In her first role since "Once and Again" left the air three years ago, Ward will play a former hospital...

The rise of the comedic oligarchy: today's purveyors of laffs should harken back to the great pix of Charlie Chaplin.(THE BACK LOT)(Column)
April 4, 2005... IN BOTH FILM AND TV, the intense appetite for comedy has become almost--well, laughable. A major talent agency, UTA, now bills itself as the principal purveyor of laughs. Mosaic Media Group, run by Eric Gold and Jimmy Miller, has become a money...

The final divorce.(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... THE FINAL DIVORCE settlement announced last week between Miramax and Disney brought particular satisfaction to one player who was sitting on the sidelines at the finale. Jim Wiatt, who runs the William Morris office, quietly played a major role...

Sahara.(Movie Review)
April 4, 2005... A Paramount Pictures release of a Paramount Pictures/Bristol Bay Prods. presentation in association with Baldwin Entertainment Group of a J.K. Livin and Kanzaman production. Produced by Howard Baldwin, Karen Baldwin, Mace Neufeld, Stephanie...

'Trailer' parks Off B'way.(Jean Doumanian and Jeffrey Richards to bring 'The Great American Trailer Park Musical' to Broadway)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... Producers Jean Doumanian and Jeffrey Richards will bring "The Great American Trailer Park Musical" to Off Broadway this summer. New tuner by book writer Betsy Kelso and songwriter David Nehls was first presented last fall at the New York...

Lions Gate swings for hit.(Lions Gate Entertainment to be acquired by Apax Partners )(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... HOLLYWOOD -- "Barney," meet "Diary of a Mad Black Woman." Lions Gate Entertainment, the indie studio behind sleeper hits like "Diary" and "Saw," is considering bolstering its family entertainment library with an unsolicited bid that would...

Eye holds laffer 'Dear' as ratings rebound.(CBS Television Network's decision to rerun 'Yes, Dear' pays off well)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... After cheating death last year, little-laffer-that-could "Yes, Dear" is making a strong play for another season. Critics have never given the skein much respect, and even CBS seemed to have grown tired of the family comedy. Eye execs chose not...

Thesp's a good 'Listener'.(Bobby Cannavale to act as the estranged lover of Robin Williams in 'The Night Listener')(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... HOLLYWOOD -- Bobby Cannavale will portray the estranged lover of Robin Williams in the feature adaptation of Armistead Maupin's "The Night Listener" for Hart Sharp Entertainment. Toni Collette, Sandra Oh, Rory Culkin and Joe Morton also...

Turning a new page: playwright eyes helming bow with Boyle tale.(Donald Margulies to direct movie to be made on a short story by T. Coraghessan Boyle)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... HOLLYWOOD -- Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Donald Margulies will make his feature-directing bow with "Achates McNeil," which he will adapt from a short story by T. Coraghessan Boyle. Hart Sharp Entertainment optioned the property and...

Mouse filling gym shoes.(Walt Disney Co. negotiates with Jeff Bridges for 'Stick It' from writer-director Jessica Bendinger)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... HOLLYWOOD -- Disney is in negotiations with Jeff Bridges for gymnastics feature "Stick It," from writer-director Jessica Bendinger. Story concerns a teen who carries her rebellious attitude to the regimented world of women's gymnastics....

Warner finds 'Maid' man.(Warner Bros. Pictures signs helmer Jeff Balsmeyer to direct 'Maid of Dishonor')(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... HOLLYWOOD -- Warner Bros. Pictures has hired "Danny Deckchair" helmer Jeff Balsmeyer to direct "Maid of Dishonor." Denise DiNovi produces the romantic comedy in which a jilted bride must face her former fiance as they are the maid of honor...

Scribes land Spielberg pic.(John Glenn and Travis Wright signed for Steven Spielberg movie)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... HOLLYWOOD -- John Glenn and Travis Wright have been hired to write a script based on the untitled Steven Spielberg idea that kicked off Kurtzman/Orci's first-look deal at DreamWorks. Thriller follows an innocent man who must go on the run...

'Home' has address at Castle Hill.(Castle Hill Productions Inc. acquires domestic rights for 'Finding Home' from Star Entertainment Group)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... HOLLYWOOD -- Castle Hill Prods. has acquired domestic fights to Star Entertainment Group's drama "Finding Home," starring Genevieve Bujold, Louise Fletcher, Justin Henry and Johnny Messner. The film will open April 29 with a platform...

IFC, AMC snag Spirit rights.(Independent Spirit Awards)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... HOLLYWOOD -- Rainbow Media caners IFC and AMC have secured exclusive broadcast rights to IFP/LA's Independent Spirit Awards through 2009. New agreement extends IFC's live broadcasts of the ceremony over the next four years and, in...

Julius Caesar.(Theater Review)
April 4, 2005... Julius Caesar (Belasco Theater: 1,085 seats; $101.25 top) A Carole Shorenstein Hays, Freddy DeMann presentation of the play in two acts by William Shakespeare. Directed by Daniel Sullivan. Sets, Ralph Funicello: costumes, Jess Goldstein;...

Fever Pitch.(Movie Review)
April 4, 2005... A Twentieth Century Fox release of a Fox 2000 Pictures presentation of a Gil Netter/Flower Films/Wildgaze Films/Alan Greenspan production. Produced by Alan Greenspan, Amanda Posey, Gil Netter, Drew Barrymore, Nancy Juvonen, Bradley Thomas....

Behind the Camera: the Unauthorized Story of 'Mork & Mindy'.(Television Program Review)
April 4, 2005... Behind the Camera: the unauthorized story of 'Mork & Mindy' (Movie; NBC, Mon. April 4, 9 p.m.) Filmed in Vancouver by Once Upon a Time Films and HeadFirst Prods. and CD&E Entertainment. Executive producers, Jim Head, Matt Dorff; producer,...

Icahn grows in Hollywood.(Carl Icahn increases his stakes in Hollywood Entertainment Corp.)
April 4, 2005... HOLLYWOOD -- Shares of Hollywood Entertainment jumped Friday after billionaire corporate raider Carl Icahn revealed he accumulated another 1 million shares of the company, bringing his stake to 10.84%. The move sparked speculation on Wall...

Showbiz stocks.(Illustration)
April 4, 2005... SHOWBIZ STOCKS Friday, April 1, 2005 YTD Name Tkr PE Last Chg %Chg AcmeCm ACME ... 5.30 +.03 -24.4 Actvsn ...

Wicked.(Theater Review)
April 4, 2005... Wicked (Canon Theater, Toronto; 2,300 seats; $90 top) A Marc Platt, Universal Pictures, Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone presentation of a musical in two acts with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, book by Winnie Holzman, based...

A new leash on life? Prosecutors balk at Stewart's anklet angst.(Martha Stewart)
April 4, 2005... Federal prosecutors scoffed Friday at Martha Stewart's request to cut short her home confinement so she can work more, including on her two new TV shows being produced by reality maven Mark Burnett. "Minor inconvenience to one's ability to...

Fabrication enters 'Conversations'.(Fabrication Films acquires rights to 'Conversations With Other Women')(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... HOLLYWOOD -- Los Angeles distrib Fabrication Films has acquired worldwide rights to "Conversations With Other Women," which stars Helena Bonham Carter and Aaron Eckhart. Written by Gabrielle Zevin, the romantic drama utilizes a splitscreen...

'Superfans' doc stalks obsessed.('The Secret Life of Superfans')(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... HOLLYWOOD -- Production has begun on "The Secret Life of Superfans," a feature documentary focusing on people whose love for pop-culture heroes becomes an obsession. Directed by Deverill Weekes, pic will include interviews with Rob Zombie,...

Malcolm McDowell.(to act in 'Taking Charge' for Vine Entertainment)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... Malcolm McDowell has joined the cast of indie "Taking Charge" for the Vine Entertainment. Gino Cabanas-helmed pie stars Amanda Brooks as a spoiled girl who is cut off financially by her billionaire father, played by McDowell. Thesp wrapped his...

Rob Brown.(to act in 'Take the Lead' for New Line Cinema Corp.)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... Rob Brown ("Finding Forrester") has taken a lead in New Line's "Take the Lead." Thesp will play a troubled inner-city kid opposite Antonio Banderas, who stars as a ballroom dance teacher at a New York public school. Liz Friedlander directs the...

Scarlett Pomers.(to act in 'Sing Softly Stella' for Z2 Films)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... Scarlett Pomers (the WB's "Reba") will star in "Sing Softly Stella" for Z2 Films. She plays a 15-year-old punk rocker in director Sasha Levinson's musical coming-of-age story and will contribute to the soundtrack. Shooting begins in June....

WGA, CBS take break in new contract talks.(Writers Guild of America)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... HOLLYWOOD -- Negotiations between the Writers Guild of America and CBS have been suspended until the end of the month, following two weeks of bargaining. After meeting Friday, both sides agreed to reconvene April 28. The current...

Eye on hot run with hoops.(CBS Sports)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... CBS Sports heads into tonight's coverage of the NCAA men's basketball championship on a roll, with Saturday's semifinals the highest rated in seven years. According to Nielsen's overnight household figures, Saturday's Final Four games...

NBC U promotes Praiser.(NBC Universal promotes Jennifer Skorlich )(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... HOLLYWOOD -- NBC Universal communications veep Jennifer Skorlich has been elevated to senior VP of cable publicity and NBC latenight. She will report to NBC U TV publicity exec VP Rebecca Marks and cable entertainment/cross network strategy...

Fluid flows with Nordisk.(Fluid Films signs deal with Nordisk Film )(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... AMSTERDAM -- L.A.-based Fluid Films and Danish entertainment giant Nordisk Film have inked a first-look deal that gives distrib rights to the Scandi powerhouse Nordic along with an equity position that guarantees 10% of the budget for the films...

ITV bags freeview slot.(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... LONDON--ITV, Blighty's biggest commercial web, has bagged the highly sought after slot on the fast-growing U.K. digital terrestrial platform Freeview following a multimillion-pound bidding war. The new channel, for which ITV is understood...

TV-Loonland revenue dips, net losses cut.(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... BERLIN -- Producer and distrib TV-Loonland posted a 27% drop in revenue to [euro]14.6 million ($18.9 million) while reducing its net losses by 24% to $7.4 million. The slight recovery in the inter national advertising and media industry...

Pinewood steps in for Teddington.(Pinewood Shepperton acquires Teddington Studios )(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... LONDON -- Pinewood Shepperton has snapped up Teddington Studios for 2.6 million [pounds sterling] ($4.8 million). Teddington, which hosted Ricky Gervais starrer "Tile Office," moved into the hands of administrators Numerica last week. ...

Stage 3 tunes in Mosaic.(Stage Three Music acquires the song catalog of Mosaic Music)(Brief Article)
April 4, 2005... LONDON -- London-based Stage Three Music has acquired the song catalog of Mosaic Music, which includes copyrights like Aerosmith's "Walk This Way," ZZ Top's "Legs" and songs recorded by Run DMC and Eminem. Terms of the transaction were not...