Daily Variety articles from January 2010

Daily Variety archives from January 2010

Edgy B.O.? Mel, 'Rome' take aim.
January 29, 2010... Mel Gibson returns to the domestic B.O. this weekend after an eight-year hiatus in front of the camera to topline Warner Bros.' action/thriller "Edge of Darkness," opening wide at 3,066 screens, while Disney rolls out its first release of the...

Grammys gaze into future.
January 29, 2010... This year marks a turning point of sorts for the Grammys, and the organization behind it, the 18,000-member strong Recording Academy. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This could be the last year that the record business as we know it ascends the...

28 days later for DVD biz.
January 29, 2010... The magic number for DVDs these days is 28. Earlier this month, Netflix agreed not to offer up movies from Warner Bros. until 28 days after they hit DVD or Blu-ray (Daily" Variety, Jan. 6). Deal, which could prompt other studios to ink...

Flurry of deals take fest to finish.
January 29, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] After nearly 72 hours of negotiations, Focus Features closed the biggest deal of the Sundance Film Festival late Thursday, paying $4.8 million to distribute Lisa Cholodenko's "The Kids Are All Right" in the U.S., U.K.,...

Cooper's Town haul.( Cooper's Town Productions)
January 29, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Philip Seymour Hoffman and Emily Ziff's production shingle Cooper's Town Prods. unveiled its upcoming slate of films Thursday to Daily Variety as the company's second feature, "Jack Goes Boating," finishes making the...

Disney: 'maxed out: asking price $1.5 bil for Miramax library.
January 29, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Miramax offices in New York and Los Angeles will close their doors today. The once-mighty specialty label will live on as a shell of its former self as a distribution arm within Disney's film division--with six...

Comcast pitches FCC.
January 29, 2010... Comcast and NBC Universal made the case for their merger in a lengthy filing to the FCC on Thursday, pledging that their combination will provide a diversity of content, as well as expanded news and children's programming. The 136-page filing...

Scribe caught Zeitgeist.(J.D. Salinger)(Obituary)
January 29, 2010... J.D. Salinger, the legendary author, youth hero and fugitive from fame whose "The Catcher in the Rye" shocked and inspired a world he increasingly shunned, has died. He was 91. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Salinger died of natural causes at his...

VH1 slates pop quartet.(Brief article)
January 29, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] VH1 is ramping up its programming slate with shows that run the gamut from dying to dating. Cabler has been extremely busy of late. In first quarter of this year, VH1 will launch nine new series, with an emphasis on...

Sundance revels in rebels without cause.
January 29, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] EVERYWHERE YOU GO at the Sundance Film Festival in its 26th year, you're smacked in the face with the admonition to "rebel." Running before every screening are arty animated trailers encouraging the idea of...

Plenty of unsung heroes in '09 crop.
January 29, 2010... IF YOU ARE AT A DINNER PARTY and someone starts talking about the greatest pieces of music ever written, you would be safe to nominate Beethoven's Ninth, or "Rigoletto," or maybe "Rhapsody in Blue." But if you name "I Want to Hold Your Hand,"...

Animal Kingdom.(Movie review)
January 29, 2010... (Australia) A Madman Entertainment release of a Screen Australia and Porchlight Films presentation in association with Film Victoria, Screen NSW, Fulcrum Media Finance and Showtime Australia of a Porchlight Films production. (International...

Time Stands Still.(Theater review)
January 29, 2010... (Samuel J. Friedman Theater; 650 seats; $111 top) A Manhattan Theater Club presentation of a play in two acts by Donald Margulies. Directed by Daniel Sullivan. Set, John Lee Beatty; costumes, Rim Ryack; lighting, Peter Kaczorowski; original...

'South Park' duo go legit.(LEGIT)(Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone )(Brief article)
January 29, 2010... A new tuner from "South Park" creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone and "Avenue Q" composer-lyricist Robert Lopez is on tap for the 2010-11 season at Off Broadway s New York Theater Workshop. Subject matter is being kept under wraps, but it...

Grammy guns for 'Idiot'.(LEGIT)
January 29, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Broadway cast of Green Day tuner "American Idiot" will get a high-profile introduction on the Grammy kudocast this weekend. The Rialto stars of the tuner, including John Gallagher Jr. and Stark Sands, will perform...

The Whisky Taster.
January 29, 2010... (Bush Theater, London; 81 seats; 15 [pounds sterling] ($24) top) [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A Bush Theater presentation of a play in two acts by James Graham. Directed by James Grieve. Sets and costumes, Lucy Osborne; lighting, James...

When in Rome.(Movie review)
January 29, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures release of a Touchstone Pictures presentation of a Gary Foster production. Produced by Gary Foster, Mark Steven Johnson, Andrew Panay. Executive producers, Mindy Farrell, Steven...

Countdown to Zero.
January 29, 2010... (Docu) A Participant Media presentation in association with the World Security Institute. (International sales: Submarine, New York.) Produced by Lawrence Bender. Executive producers, Jeff Skoll, Diane Weyermann, Bruce Blair, Matt Brown....

Means vary but ends are constant: Grammy contenders sound off on process.(THE PRODUCERS)
January 29, 2010... What does a producer do? Even the nominees for the producer of the year Grammy admit that their duties changes from day to day. But the one constant, no matter whom the talent and regardless of music industry's wins or woes, is the producer's...

Youth will be served: recording Acad does about-face as noms look to a new generation.(THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN')
January 29, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Around this time last year, New Yorker pop music critic Sasha Frere-Jones swore off any commentary on Robert Plant and Alison Krause's sweep of the album and record of the year Grammys for "Raising Sand," their...

Org to celebrate famed talent's heart of gold: legendary singer-songwriter's philanthropy matches his artistry, as many will note at tonight's shindig in L.A.(FOREVER YOUNG: MUSICARES HONOREE)
January 29, 2010... At the annual MusiCares Person of the Year dinner on the Friday night before the Grammy Awards, music and good deeds are celebrated, with star acts performing songs associated with the honoree. In most cases, performers and speakers reflect on...

Performer's nominations developed from African journey.(MUSICAL DISCOVERY)(Bela Fleck )(Brief article)
January 29, 2010... Bela Fleck has won 10 Grammys in eight different categories, everything from country instrumental performance to spoken word to classical crossover album. This year he is up for three awards, two of which are related to an album that started...

A man of many genres: diversity, achievement are name of the game for lifetime honoree Jewison.(DGA AWARDS)(Directors Guild of America honors Norman Jewison with the Lifetime Achievement Award)
January 29, 2010... There's something to be said for an award that's given only when the people who give it decide someone is worth it. That's the case with the Directors Guild of America and its Lifetime Achievement Award, which is being awarded this year for only...

Ready for action: DGA's Hackford steady ahead of contract talks.(METHODICAL MAN)
January 29, 2010... I love my guild," DGA prexy Taylor Hackford says proudly about heading the 14,000-member helmers' union. "You would think that an organization that's comprised of directors would be total anarchy, but we're very pragmatic and results-oriented."...

Behind the scenes: three are being honored for service to the guild and/or the craft.(V PLUS: DGA AWARDS)(Cleve Landsberg, Roger Goodman and Maria Jimenez Henley)
January 29, 2010... Frank Capra Achievement Award CLEVE LANDSBERG For Cleve Landsberg, the 25th recipient of DGA's Capra Award, staying at the top of his game is all about maintaining an ongoing education within the industry. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Series' appeal translates for international audiences: even fashion-centric Italy tries skein on for size.(What Not to Wear)(Brief article)
January 29, 2010... LONDON Style, as they say, never goes out of fashion. And few anywhere in Europe or North America can resist a TV show that provides sound advice on how to dress to impress. Launched by the BBC in the U.K. nine years ago, "What Not to...

Makeover show wears success well: common-man qualities make London and Kelly brands unto themselves.(HANGING AROUND: WITH STYLE GURUS)(Stacy London and Clinton Kelly)
January 29, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It takes guts to open your closet doors to co-hosts Stacy London and Clinton Kelly of TLC's "What Not to Wear." "They are like your brutally honest best friend," says TLC senior VP of production and development Nancy...

Before and after: in one televised hour, 'What Not to Wear' reinvents a lifetime of dress codes. Here are examples of change from the first 250 episodes.(V PLUS: 'WHAT NOT TO WEAR' 250TH EPISODE)(Brief article)
January 29, 2010... DANIELLE Age: 26 Home: Austin, Texas Clinton said: "You are doing your body such a disservice in these clothes. You have worked so hard to lose so much weight, and here you are, making yourself look worse." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

What to wear on a budget.(IN THE RECESSION: PRICE-FRIENDLY SHOPPING)
January 29, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Before the economic downturn separated many fashionistas from the cash they once used at high-end boutiques, TLC's "What Not to Wear" had already been advocating smart shopping at more reasonably priced stores for...

It's a Wonderful Afterlife.(Movie review)
January 29, 2010... (U.K.) A Bend It Films and Indian Films presentation, in association with Studio 18, of a Bend It Films production. (International sales: HanWay Films, London.) Produced by Gurinder Chada. Executive producers, Chris Curling, Paul Mayeda...

From Paris with Love.(Movie review)
January 29, 2010... (France) A Lionsgate (in U.S.) release of a Europa-Corp, M6 Films, Grive Prods. and Apipoulai Prods. co-production, with the participation of Canal Plus, TPS Star and M6. Produced by India Osborne. Executive producer, Virginie Besson-Silla....

Kell on Earth.(Television program review)
January 29, 2010... (Series; Bravo, Mon. Feb. 1, 10 p.m.) Produced by Magical Elves. Executive producers, Jane Lipsitz, Dan Cutforth, Billy Taylor, Kelly Cutrone, Casey Kriley; co-executive producers, Rich Buhrman, Gayle Gawlowski; supervising producers, Nick...

A Family Is a Family Is a Family: A Rosie O'Donnell Celebration.(Television program review)
January 29, 2010... (Special; HBO, Sun. Jan. 31. 7 p.m.) Produced by KidRo Prods. Executive producers, Rosie O'Donnell, Sheila Nevins; supervising producer, Jacqueline Glover; producers, Amy Schatz, Beth Aala, Sabina Barach; director, Schatz; camera, Alex...

ITV is going postal: mail man appointed CEO Brit TV titan.(World News)
January 29, 2010... ITV's 10-month search for a new CEO is finally over. The man chosen to transform the fortunes of the U.K.'s biggest private terrestrial web is Adam Crozier, the head of Blighty's Royal Mail. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ITV chairman Archie...

HD pumps BSkyB profit and stock.(World News)
January 29, 2010... BSkyB, Blighty's dominant pay TV provider, saw its stock price rise Thursday thanks to a 30% hike in half-year profits, boosted by the growing popularity of its high-definition service. News Corp.'s satcaster made a pretax profit of 358...

Gamer population growing rapidly.(CHINA)(online game players )(Brief article)(Conference notes)
January 29, 2010... The number of online game players in China surged 33% to hit 66 million over the past year, according to a report from the annual conference of the Chinese gaming industry. The report said 64 Chinese games developed by 29 domestic companies...

Endemol execs to L.A.(THE NETHERLANDS)
January 29, 2010... Endemol, headquartered in Hilversum, has beefed up its Los Angeles-based distribution team. Matt Creasey, formerly director of sales at Endemol Intl., has landed the new post of executive director, Americas, Asia, Australia/New Zealand. He...

Locarno lauds Tanner.(SWITZERLAND)(63rd Locarno Film Festival honors Alain Tanner)(Brief article)
January 29, 2010... The 63rd Locarno Film Festival will award Swiss auteur Alain Tanner, a key figure in the New Swiss Cinema movement, its Golden Leopard for lifetime Tanner achievement. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Tanner debuted at Locarno in 1969 with his first...

Pubcast ad revs fall.(FRANCE)
January 29, 2010... Terrestrial TV advertising revs plummeted 14.8% to a record low of 3 billion [euro] ($4.2 billion) in 2009, according to Screen Digest. The post-8 p.m. ban on advertising on pubcaster France Televisions, introduced in January 2008, hurt the...

Gibson and IEI take 'Vacation'.(WORLD NEWS)
January 29, 2010... Mel Gibson and Bruce Davey's Icon Prods. will maintain its ties to sales company Icon Entertainment Intl., having agreed to a deal that will see IEI--now owned by Stewart Till following a year of negotiations--acquire U.K., Ireland, Australia...

HBO grabs reins of Central Euro biz.(WORLD NEWS)
January 29, 2010... HBO has taken 100% ownership of HBO Central Europe, buying out subsids of Sony Pictures Entertainment and Disney. "Over the past few years, HBO has moved from a series of minority equity positions to majority ownership of all of its...

Promo pro.(VARIETY.COM)
January 28, 2010... Geoffrey Ammer lands at Relativity Media to head up its marketing efforts. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Shiny new Apple: will H'w'd love iPad?
January 28, 2010... There was so much hype around Steve Jobs' new iPad that some heralded it as the Jesus Tablet. What Apple unveiled Wednesday in San Francisco isn't the Second Coming, but it does give Hollywood something to cheer about. At a time when a...

Killer minds.(David Fincher and Charlize Theron's new series 'Mind Hunter')(Brief article)
January 28, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Charlize Theron and David Fincher have teamed to develop a drama series, "Mind Hunter," for HBO and Fox 21 revolving around the investigation of serial killers. Fox 21 has optioned the book...

Focus watches 'Kids'.
January 28, 2010... Sundance dealmaking looked to be coming to a head Wednesday, with Focus Features in the home stretch to win North American rights to Lisa Cholodenko's lesbian parenting comedy "The Kids Are All Right," starring Annette Bening and Julianne Moore....

Gibson catches 'Cold'.(Mel Gibson to star in 'Cold Warrior')(Brief article)
January 28, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Mel Gibson is in talks to star in Universal Pictures' spy thriller "Cold Warrior." Project reunites Gibson with "Lethal Weapon" scribe Shane Black, who is helming. Based on a scriptby Chuck Mondry, pic centers on...

Miley & Demi ready to LOL?(Demi Moore and Miley Cyrus to star in the remake of 'L.O.L.: Laughing Out Loud')(Brief article)
January 28, 2010... Miley Cyrus and Demi Moore are circling the English-language remake of Gallic smash "L.O.L.: Laughing Out Loud." Mandate Intl. is handling international sales on the project, which original helmer Lisa Azuelos-Alessandrin is set to write and...

Wondrous West End: b.o., attendance records broken in '09.(LEGIT)
January 28, 2010... West End theater broke both box office and attendance records in 2009, according to official figures released Wednesday by the Society of London Theaters. Attendance was up 5.5% vs. 2008, with a record total of 14,257,922, marking the first...

Ages of the Moon.(Theater review)
January 28, 2010... (Lindu Gross Theater: 182 seats; $65 top) An Atlantic Theater Company presentation, in association with True Love Prods., of the Abbey Theater production of a play in one act by Sam Shepard. Directed by Jimmy Fay. Sets, Brien Vahey: costumes,...

Quartet's Rialto roulette.(LEGIT)(Jeff Daniels, Janet McTeer, Dylan Baker and Lucy Liu in God of Carnage)(Brief article)
January 28, 2010... Jeff Daniels, Janet McTeer, Dylan Baker and Lucy Liu will make up the new cast of hit Broadway play "God of Carnage," with an ensemble composed of both returning thesps and new ones. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Hughie/Krapp's Last Tape.(the VERDICT)(Theater review)
January 28, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] (Goodman Theater, Chicago) The Verdict looks at critical reaction to key productions opening Off Broadway, regionally and abroad that appear likely candidates for further life on Broadway and/or elsewhere. ...

Acquisitions acumen: Galano to int'l prexy post for Warners.(Camela Galano )(Brief article)
January 28, 2010... Longtime New Line exec Camela Galano has been named to a newly created position as president of Warner Bros. international film acquisitions. She'll report to Richard Fox, exec VP for international for Warner Bros., and remain based at studio...

Trio raise 'Daughter'.(Mia Maestro, Daniel Bruhl, and Paz Vega to star in 'Castro's Daughter')(Brief article)
January 28, 2010... Paz Vega, Daniel Bruhl and Mia Maestro have signed to star in indie drama "Castro's Daughter," with shooting expected in Puerto Rico in late spring. Bobby Moresco, who co-wrote "Crash" with Paul Haggis, is directing from a screenplay he...

Correction.(Correction notice)
January 28, 2010... Technicolor took sole control of the Paprikaas animation studio in Bangalore from its minority partners in India; DreamWorks does not have an equity stake in Paprikaas. DreamWorks has been a strategic partner with Technicolor in developing...

'Hope' springs to No. 1.(Hope for Haiti Now)
January 28, 2010... Becoming the first digital-only release to reach the apex of the U.S. album chart, the all-star set "Hope for Haiti Now" bows at No. 1 this week. The collection--featuring performances by Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Taylor Swift, Beyonce,...

Duo take 'Bridge' for Haiti.(Andrea Bocelli and Mary J. Blige to perform 'Bridge Over Troubled Water')(Brief article)
January 28, 2010... In a special segment aimed at raising funds for Haitirelief, Mary J. Blige and Andrea Bocelli will perform Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" at Sunday's 52nd annual Grammy Awards. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The performance...

Will Grammy noms build mixtape mojo?(music NOTES)(Concert review)
January 28, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In 2007, music journalists fell all over themselves trying to predict the effects of Radiohead's self-distributed, "pay what you will" release of its "In Rainbows" album, little realizing that the true distribution sea...

The Extra Man.(Movie review)
January 28, 2010... A Wild Bunch presentation of a Likely Story/3 Arts production. (International sales: Wild Bunch, Paris.) Produced by Anthony Bregman, Stephanie Davis. Executive producers, Jonathan Ames, Stefanie Azpiazu, Agnes Mentre, Vincent Maraval, Robert...

Twelve.(Movie review)
January 28, 2010... A Gaumont presentation of a Radar Pictures/ Original Media production in association with Artina Films. Produced by Sidonie Dumas, Ted Field, Charlie Corwin, Jordan Melamed, Bob Salerno. Executive producer, J. Andrew Greenblatt; co-producer,...

Splice.(Movie review)
January 28, 2010... (Canada-France) An El Entertainment (in Canada) release of a Copperheart Entertainment (Canada)/ Gaumont (France) production, with the participation of Telefilm Canada, Ontario Media Development Corp. (International sales: Gaumont, Paris.)...

Dorado Schmitt and the Django All-Stars.
January 28, 2010... (Catalina Bar & Grill, Los Angeles; 230 seats; $22-$30) Band: Dorado Schmitt, Samson Schmitt, Marcel Loeffler, Pierre Blanchard, Brian Torff. Opened and reviewed Jan. 26, 2010; closes Jan. 28. A premier acolyte of the brilliant gypsy...

Live for the Moment.(Television program review)
January 28, 2010... (Special; CBS, Thurs. Jan. 28, 8 p.m.) Produced by Mark Burnett Prods. and Jeff Probst Prods. Executive producers, Mark Burnett, Jeff Probst, Denise Cramsey; co-executive producers, David Eilenberg, Jim Roush, Kathryn Vaughan; producers,...

Comcast making plans.
January 28, 2010... Content will always be king within a Comcast-NBC/Universal combined entertainment company, including bustling cable networks, on-demand programming and a stand-alone NBC network that will not be moved to cable, Comcast chairman Brian Roberts...

'Betty' set to bow out.(Ugly Betty)
January 28, 2010... ABC's "Ugly Betty" is strutting off the primetime catwalk. "Ugly Betty" will close its doors in April, the network confirmed on Wednesday. Decision to end the show's run after four seasons was announced to "Ugly Betty's" cast and crew...

Warners seeks OK to buy Brit studios.(Warner Bros. to buy Leavesden Studios of the United Kingdom)(Brief article)
January 28, 2010... Warner Bros. has applied for permission to purchase and refurbish the U.K.'s Leavesden Studios. which it currently leases. Move marks an estimated 100 million [pounds sterling] ($161 million) investment m the British film industry by Warner...

NAB confab cues Zuiker.(Anthony Zuiker to talk at the National Association of Broadcasters' confab)(Brief article)
January 28, 2010... "CSI" head guy Anthony Zuiker will talk up the potential of multiplatform entertainment at the National Assn. of Broadcasters' annual confab in April. Zuiker, creator and exec producer of the "CSI" franchise, will be featured in the April 14...

VES re-elects Okun chair.(Jeffrey Okun has been re-elected as chairman of the Visual Effects Society)(Brief article)
January 28, 2010... The Visual Effects Society has re-elected Jeffrey Okun to a second one-year term as chairman of its board of directors. Other officers elected to the board include private consultant and Carnegie Mellon U. faculty member Carl Rosendahl as...

Welcome to 'Ava-toad'.(Cane Toads: The Conquest)(Brief article)
January 28, 2010... A roar went up inside the Eccles theater on Tuesday night as director Mark Lewis humorously introduced his 3D documentary on Australian cane toads. "Welcome to 'Ava-toad,'" he said. The world debut of "Cane Toads: The Conquest" at the...

A hop for Hipps at MRC TV.(Joe Hipps has been promoted to vice president of production at Media Rights Capital)(Brief article)
January 28, 2010... Media Rights Capital has promoted Joe Hipps to VP of production and creative affairs for its TV operations. As part of his expanded gig, Hipps will handle development and programming for MRC's TV department. He reports to MRC co-CEOs Modi...

Deals and do's.(V)(Brief article)
January 28, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The snow and crowds abated a bit in Sundance's second week and so did the soirees, with emphasis much firmer on deals. Monday night, helmer Rodrigo Garcia and his "Mother and Child" cast, including Naomi Watts and...

Taking the Edge off.(V)(Edge of Darkness)(Brief article)
January 28, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] After Tuesday's "Edge of Darkness" premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theater, producer Graham King admitted that he still gets butterflies before a preem. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "For me, a premiere is absolutely...

HBO toasts 'Temple'.(V)
January 28, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "You don't make a movie like this unless you can make it really well," "Temple Grandin" exec producer Emily Gerson Saines said before biopic's Tuesday preem in New York. HBO film, about an autistic woman (Temple...

"A View From the Bridge" thesps Liev Schreiber, Scarlett Johansson and helmer Gregory Mosher attend opening night Sunday.(V)
January 28, 2010... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "A View From the Bridge" thesps Liev Schreiber, Scarlett Johansson and helmer Gregory Mosher attend opening night Sunday at the Cort Theater in New York.

Fox rocks.(VARIETY.COM)
January 27, 2010... The Saints-Vikings NFL game and "American Idol" powered the net to a lopsided, whammo week. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Count him in for Drac.(Sam Worthington in Dracula Year Zero)(Brief article)
January 27, 2010... Sam Worthington is moving from Pandora to Transylvania: The "Avatar" thesp is in negotiations to star in "Dracula Year Zero" for Universal Pictures. Alex Proyas will helm the pic; Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless are penning the script. ...

Crowned: Hallmark, Stewart pact.(The Martha Stewart Show)
January 27, 2010... Hallmark is turning to the queen of domesticity for a channel makeover. "The Martha Stewart Show" will move to the Hallmark Channel this fall in what could be the first step in a much bigger overhaul at the cable network. Acquisition reps...

Lab cues new hue in H'w'd.(Technicolor)
January 27, 2010... Like an aging movie franchise in need of a box office jolt, Technicolor is getting a reboot. The 95-year-old Hollywood lab and technology company is shedding subsidiaries, returning to its roots as an on-set technology provider, branching out...

Helmer with 'Passengers'.
January 27, 2010... Italo helmet with Hollywood credentials Gabriele Muccino is in advanced negotiations with Morgan Creek to board Keanu Reeves starrer "Passengers," a sci-fi romancer he described as "a love story set on a spaceship." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Syndie slumber crimps confab.
January 27, 2010... There's an end-of-an-era feeling to this year's NATPE confab. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The annual gathering of TV station buyers and programming execs has been in transitional mode for more than a decade as industry consolidation and a...

Old dogs and their new tricks.
January 27, 2010... AS FURTHER PROOF that Hollywood excels at irony, the same week that older writers were awarded $70 million to dispense with an age-discrimination lawsuit, a comedian who'll soon turn 60 uprooted a guy 13 years his junior as host of "The Tonight...

Emmanuel Kofi Brown.(Exec Shuffle)(Allied Integrated Marketing )(Brief article)
January 27, 2010... Allied Integrated Marketing has tapped Emmanuel Kofi Brown to oversee the entertainment media buying agency's digital initiatives, including social media, Web and mobile marketing. Brown most recently founded digital marketing consultancy...

John Griffin.(Exec Shuffle)
January 27, 2010... Spike TV has upped John Griffin to senior VP of programming. He will oversee scheduling and media planning, as well as program acquisitions. Griffin, at the net since 2005 as VP of programming, will remain based out of the cabler's Gotham...

Paramount Pictures has upped Megan Wahtera, Mickey Worsnup and Bryan Warman to VPs of interactive marketing.(Exec Shuffle)
January 27, 2010... Paramount Pictures has upped Megan Wahtera, Mickey Worsnup and Bryan Warman to VPs of interactive marketing. The trio were previously executive directors of interactive marketing. Worsnup is currently working on "Iron Man 2" and "Rango." Wahtera...

Eric Christenson.(Exec Shuffle)
January 27, 2010... Eric Christenson is joining Hollywood Studios Intl. as president of acquisitions and distributions. The industry vet most recently consulted for Voltage Pictures. Christenson will be in charge of the company's foreign sales operations and...