Lance Reddick, Steven Adams team

"The Wire" star Lance Reddick has teamed with manager-producer Steven Adams to produce Christai Prods., a production company that starts while using Danny DeVito-directed supernatural thriller "St. Sebastian's." Christai Prods. will focus on developing story-driven film and tv projects that could be "outdoors this areaInch but feature strong roles that ought to attract talent. "I'm fortunate to own labored due to a lot of great stars, authors, company company directors and producers over time. We produced Christai to collaborate using these people and take our associations to another level," Reddick mentioned. "St. Sebastian's" can be a co-production with DeVito's Jersey Films that was professional produced by Steve Bing. Reddick stars alongside William Fichtner, Constance Zimmer and Lawrence Gillard. Reddick met DeVito round the number of "It Definitely Is Sunny in Philadelphia" when Reddick guest starred a year ago. The pair hit it well and made a decision to function together round the indie pic, which recently wrapped production in La. Christai's second project will probably be "Other Animals," which "Red-colored-colored Tails" helmer Anthony Hemingway is installed on direct. Project, the wry tale of intersecting figures, together with a ageing pop star together with a hitman, will begin casting this summer season. Reddick and Adams may also be developing TV projects having a concentrate on edgier and more personal and much more personal content for cable systems. Reddick is much better recognized for starring on HBO's "Oz" and "The Wire," additionally to ABC's "Lost." He's presently a collection regular on Fox's sci-fi series "Fringe" and may soon be seen opposite Viola Davis in Fox/Walden Media's approaching drama "Won't Lower Again," skedded for release this fall. Adams can be a Peabody Award-winning producer who began his career at Paradigm and recently headed the U.S. arm of Paris-based production and vfx house BUF. His recent credits just like a vfx professional producer include "Avatar," "Thor" and Tim Burton's "Dark Shadows." Contact Rob Sneider at rob.sneider@variety.com

Pilot Season: Cuba Gooding Junior. to Star in Greg Berlanti's Guilty for Fox

Pleasure Bryant and Dax Shepherd, Motherhood It absolutely was the most effective of occasions plus it was the worst of occasions on last week's Motherhood. Jasmine (Pleasure Bryant) professed her adoration for Crosby (Dax Shepard), much like his sister, Julia, (Erika Christensen) learned a person's heart-breaking news they was not just a parent again. And don't push people tissue boxes away at this time around. "I'm really pleased with the finale. It absolutely was among people episodes where several things meet up which is got good humor, it's emotional," showrunner Jason Katims notifies TVGuide.com. "It's a nice combination of seeing a number of things showed up in a very satisfying ending and however, opening some pretty large queries about what will happen next of those people." Watch full cases of Motherhood Here's what you should understand about the Season 3 finale (Tuesday, 10/9c on NBC) and beyond: The wedding can happen. More expensive any eleventh-hour bumps to be able to the altar for Crosby and Jasmine. "It's my job to did think that, despite each of their difficulties with each other, that there's always something stick out together which we wanted revisit that," Katims states. That being mentioned, it doesn't appears similar to their newbie of marriage will probably be so smooth. "It'll be very worthwhile to check out them really devoted to each other and very forging ahead together," according to him. "The initial year of marriage is a factor we have not had the chance to educate yourself regarding yet inside the show, that people think is an extremely fascinating period." Parenthood's Pleasure Bryant: Jasmine will almost always have feelings for Crosby But you will notice a dark cloud over Crosby's large day. That innocent little handshake Adam (Peter Krause) given to West Coast Tracks headman Richard Gilcriss the other day may cause some major mind aches while he and Crosby make an effort to decide if you should sell the Luncheonette. "That question anchors the episode," Katims states. "They bicker a good deal in this particular really, sweet fun way, but we view them deal with something they disagree on and the way complicated that's when you're not only partners, but you're brothers and sisters." Julia and Joel's mission for baby No. 2 is just getting started. Zoe can look once again following Julia's emotional discovery the other day. "There's a fascinating scene between Julia and Zoe inside the finale and there is another twist inside the story," Katims states. Will this twist have associated with Julia and Joel's next factor to get another child? It sure appears enjoy it. "The main one factor you hear a good deal about adoption is always that unpredicted unexpected things happen with techniques that's so unforeseen," Katims states. "It doesn't mean they'll never get yourself a baby. It really means it could happen yet another way.In . Pilot Season: NBC builds up aircraft aircraft pilots from Jason Katims and Dick Wolf Separating is tough to complete. Knowing from an early on finale preview, everything does not look too ideal for Sarah (Lauren Graham) and Mark (Jason Ritter) despite - or even because of - Katims' affection for actor Ritter. "I used to be racking your brains on a means to have my cake and eat it too that's getting a chance to develop for Jason, but however, keep that character alive because In my opinion the chemistry he and Lauren have is actually wonderful," according to him . "That was in my mind after i was writing the best episode and identifying so what can happen together.Inch However, even if Jason Ritter's NBC drama pilot County (also created by Katims), is acquired to series, the writer-director is confident this isn't the ultimate fans will dsicover of Mark Cyr. "In my opinion we must wait and discover what continues with County and discover simply how much we'll be capable of hopefully have Jason on Motherhood next season.In . About Season 4... Motherhood has not been restored and ratings are lukewarm at best. The latest new episode ranked second inside the grownups 18-49 demographic (1.7), but third in general audiences (4.91 million) inside the Tuesday-at-10 time period. But Katims is tolerant of renewal chances after NBC bought two additional episodes earlier to enhance the whole Season 3 order from 16 to 18. "We're very hopeful of a Season 4. Clearly, the network has many products that they're dealing with and clearly they will probably need to visit what their development is, but they've been very encouraging of Motherhood,Inch Katims states. "[NBC Entertainment Chief] Bob Greenblatt really truly supports and loves the show and contains been great around. You typically worry a little when the new person will come in. ... You will not ever desire to take anything without any consideration, however i am wanting that people could return." Are you currently presently excited for Crosby and Jasmine to got married? Whatrrrs your opinion is next for Julia and Joel? What else do you want to see occur in Season 4?

'Oz' ruby slip-ons to Academy Museum

'The Wizard of Oz' Ruby Red-colored-colored Slip-ons worn by Judy Garland in 1939 are actually led for the Academy Museum of Movies.The Academy Museum of Movies has acquired some Dorothy's ruby slip-ons from "The Wizard of Oz," its initial acquisition since announcing fund-raising chair Bob Iger in December.Leonardo DiCaprio introduced several "angel contributor" whose gifts for the Academy Foundation enabled the purchase. Furthermore for the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, a component fund of CCF Atmosphere and Humanitarian Causes, donations came from from producer-director Steven Spielberg and Terry Semel, co-chair in the La County Museum of Art as well as the former chairman-Boss of Warner Bros. and Yahoo, along with other contributor. "The ruby slip-ons occupy an amazing devote the hearts of movie audiences all over the world,Inch Iger mentioned. "This is often a major acquisition for that collection.""Leo's passionate leadership has aided us buy this legendary little bit of movie history," added Academy Boss Beginning Hudson. "It's a wonderful gift for the Academy museum project together with an ideal representation in the work perform year-round to preserve and share our film heritage."These slip-ons, known to as "the Witch's Shoes," will be in most likely probably the most pristine condition in the four pairs of ruby slip-ons proven to exist. It's broadly believed that fundamental necessities slip-ons Judy Garland utilized in closeups and put shots, most infamously when Dorothy clicks her heels three occasions revisit Kansas. They are referred to as "the Witch's Shoes" since they are likely the pair seen round the foot in the Wicked Witch in the East after Dorothy's house falls round the witch.The Academy introduced a partnership with LACMA in October to lease the prior May Co. building in a corner of Wilshire and Fairfax for everybody since the movie museum's home. Contact Christy Grosz at christy.grosz@variety.com

Cheers & Jeers: The Amazing Race's Shore Things

Add Chris Cornell to the list of artists who have paid homage to the late pop diva Whitney Houston. Following many touching tributes, including ones from Jennifer Hudson at the Grammys and Amber Riley in Tuesday's episode of Glee, the Soundgarden front man performed an acoustic version of Houston's Bodyguard ballad "I Will Always Love You" at a fundraiser for President Barack Obama in San Francisco on Thursday. You can watch his performance below... Read More > Other Links From TVGuide.com The BodyguardWhitney HoustonBarack ObamaChris CornellJennifer HudsonSoundgardenGleeAmber Riley

Make the most of Golenberg Joins Evolution, Launches Company With Alon Aranya

EXCLUSIVE: Make the most of Golenberg, former Gersh Mind of TV Literary and Packaging who left the organization in November among a restructuring, is moving for the management side, joining Evolution Entertainment just like a manager and producer. In addition, Golenberg has teamed with longtime client Alon Aranya to make a completely new production company, Scripted World. This season, Golenberg and author-producer Aranya, who is experienced to obtain rights to worldwide formats and becoming those to the U.S., offered 5 projects, three of those based on Israeli formats, and a pair of on European ones. A few them, ABC’s Penoza, with various Nederlander format, and NBC’s Evening time Sun, based on an Israeli series, were recently bought to pilot with Aranya executive creating. The completely new company will focus on scripted foreign formats. Because the U.K. remains America’s finest way to obtain scripted formats over time, Aranya sees the comfort of Europe since the next hotbed. “In yesteryear few years we’ve been going to a significant creative rise in European scripted shows resulting in outstanding drama series for instance (Danish) The Killing and Penoza which have been setup for remakes in the usa,” Aranya mentioned. For me that following a wealth of Penoza at ABC we'll convey more European TV drama modified for people remakes. At Evolution, Golenberg re-teams the business leader Michael Menchel with whom he labored at AMG. Save for your 4-month stint within the ill-fated AMG, Gelenberg spent the ultimate 22 years becoming an agent at Triad, Paradigm, WMA and several recently at Gersh where she was for 9.5 years. He brings with him of a dozen of his clients, including Charlie Craig (professional producer showrunner of Eureka), Scott Williams (co-executive producer of NCIS), Melissa Carter (Jane By Design). “For yesteryear few years, I saw the organization business becoming mainly about Business, and am much thinking about home based business models, as well as your creative position with my clients,” Golenberg mentioned.

VIDEO: The Best Shameless End Tag You May Have Missed

Joan Cusack, Shameless If viewers didn't stick around for Shameless' hilarious end tags, they missed a plane falling out of the sky on Sunday's episode. No, this isn't Lost. Agoraphobe Sheila (Joan Cusack) has been making huge strides throughout the season, venturing just a few steps farther out her door every day. When it seems Sheila will make it to the local watering hole - where she might learn the real truth of Frank's boozing, scheming ways - Frank's prayers are answered when a giant piece of an airplane's landing gear falls precariously close to Sheila outside her home, sending her running back inside for comfort. Photo Gallery: Winter TV's sexiest eye candy Not that Shameless needed to drop a plane to get anyone's attention, but executive producer John Wells says he hopes this will get people to stick around for the show's dirty, pithy end tags. He says that a problem with network television now is that at the end of the show "you're assaulted immediately by the local newscast or whatever it is. No matter how well you craft the end of the show to have an emotional response, it's interrupted almost immediately by some other piece of information. By putting the tags in we force everybody to stick around to see that there's something else coming up." In case viewers did miss the tag, Sheila's return to her agoraphobic state will be explained at the beginning of next Sunday's episode. Just don't expect her leave the house again anytime soon. "She goes back into the covers for a while," Wells says. "She is constantly struggling with her own personal demons and trying to figure out how to move forward in her life." Check out the best Shameless tag you may have missed: Shameless airs Sundays at 9/8c on Showtime.

George Clooney, Kristen Wiig to Present at SAGs

George Clooney, Kristen Wiig George Clooney, Kristen Wiig and Kathy Bates are among the list of presenters for Sunday's Screen Actors Guild Awards, executive producer Jeff Margolis announced Thursday.Clooney, who has received four SAG Awards, is nominated for his starring role in The Descendants, while Kristen Wiig is a first-time nominee for her role in Bridesmaids.SAG Awards: Get an exclusive first look at the seating chart!Bates, a two-time SAG Award recipient and eight-time nominee, is nominated for two awards this year - one for her portrayal of Gertrude Stein in Midnight in Paris and another for her role as Harriet Korn in Harry's Law.Modern Family dominates SAG nominationsOther presenters for the evening include Jessica Chastain, Sir Ben Kingsley, Melissa McCarthy, Brad Pitt, Zoe Saldana and Owen Wilson.The 18th annual SAG Awards air Sunday at 8/7c on TNT and TBS.

Pelman to exit Alliance Films

TORONTO -- Kaira Pelman is going to be departing Alliance Films for brand new business possibilities, the Canada-based multinational distributor and production company introduced Thursday. Pelman have been helping oversee the integration of Walnut Pictures, which Alliance purchased from Lionsgate Entertainment for $38.5 million in August. Pelman released Walnut in 2005 with co-prexy Laurie May. Both gone to live in Alliance and could will stay at the organization. The Walnut purchase, which saw some lay-offs, transformed the dynamic from the Canadian indie distribution landscape, now centered by multinational rivals Entertainment One and Alliance. With eOne exploring purchase options and Alliance stakeholders Goldman Sachs and Investissement Quebec putting their shares on the market this month, the Canuck picture will change once again. Inside a statement launched Thursday, Pelman stated he'll maintain "an expert association" with Alliance. "Kaira Pelman is really a consummate professional whose leadership and experience made the transition of Walnut Pictures into Alliance appear easy," stated Alliance Boss Victor Loewy. "You want him ongoing success, we're grateful for his commitment, and anticipate working together with him again later on." Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Kim Kardashian Hits Back At Experts Who Known as Her Wedding Fake

First Released: The month of january 23, 2012 1:23 PM EST Credit: Getty Images NY, N.Y. -- Caption Kim Kardashian gets to thirteenth Annual Warner Bros. And InStyle Golden Globe Honours After Party in the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hillsides, Calif. on The month of january 15, 2012Kim Kardashian is striking back at suggestions her marriage to Kris Humphries was inauthentic. Should you really consider [it], if the would be a business decision and that i made everything money that everybody was declaring that people made off this wedding, and when the marriage was fake and merely for TV Im a wise businesswoman, I'd have remained married longer. It was a poor business decision, Kim stated as she cohosted Live! with Kelly with Kelly Ripa on Monday. Should you really consider it, it does not seem sensible that everybody states that, Kim ongoing. I truly didnt believe that following my heart would create that much backlash. Kim accepted she's looked at how her marriage fell apart on the newest season of Kourtney and Kim Take NY on E!. I watch it back because I believe that it is type of therapeutic, she stated. The truth star stated it's been a tough handful of several weeks, since her split, but she does not blame herself for falling for each other so quick, especially since it labored very well on her mother, Kris Jenner, who Kim stated married Bruce Jenner following a 5 month courtship, and her sister, Khloe Kardashian, who tied the knot with Lamar Odom after a level briefer dating cycle. I figured I possibly could get it done, Kim stated. Im a hopeless romantic. I fell for each other and that i thought it might work similar to the good examples which i saw. Continuing to move forward, Kim stated she remains positive. I believe I found that I simply really should rewrite my fairytale, she stated. Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Cheers & Jeers: Harry's Law (& Order)

Mariska Hargitay and Harry Connick Junior. Cheers to Harry Connick Junior. to get in tune with Law & Order: SVU.Want more Cheers & Jeers? Sign up for TV Guide Magazine.The crooner's Broadway show On the Obvious Day might be closing soon, but he's making beautiful music with Mariska Hargitay because the new executive ADA. Connick Junior. introduced an easy, cool tone towards the frequently-dark drama as his character, David Haden, assisted Det. Olivia Benson investigate a brutal assault hidden with a private defense contractor, performed through the perfectly loathsome John Doman, in the Wire and Damages.Plus they were not the episode's only notable guest stars: Laura Benanti returned back from her disastrous gig around the Playboy Club having a sexy turn as cop Danny Pino's wife, and electrifying Lights Out star Holt McCallany reunited together with his old boss Warren Leight (now SVU's show runner) like a vengeful father. Because of Leight's touch - and visitors like Connick, Junior., who'll do three more episodes - we are just wild about SVU again.What have you think about last night's SVU?Sign up for TV Guide Magazine now!

Seth Gordon On For Id Theft

He'll direct the comedyLooks like Jason Bateman and director Seth Gordon had a great time focusing on Horrible Bosses, because they have made the decision to synergy for an additional comedy. Gordon has become onto make Id Theft, that will star Bateman and Melissa McCarthy. Thievery continues to be bubbling away for any couple of several weeks now, even though it had been initially created through the Quest For Happyness' Steve Conrad like a tale of Bateman's character getting his identity hi-jacked by another guy, it's since been refashioned to feature McCarthy. Bateman was apparently so impressed together with her scene-stealing focus on Bridesmaids he pressed to achieve the script retooled. The Hangover Part II's Craig Mazin got the task done and today Universal is putting the pieces together.Gordon got his begin with ace gaming documentary The King Of Kong (which he's stated can get remade like a comedy drama, there is however been no manifestation of it departing development hell yet). He graduated to slightly shonky Vince Vaughn comedy Four Christmases in 2008 but obtained the Bosses job, which did decent business in the box office this past year. He's also presently mounted on remake Free War Games for MGM, although it now looks as if ID Thievery can come first.

Palm Springs fest puts 'House' in order

Macdonald 'The House'"The House," from Slovak director Zuzana Liova, won the New Voices/New Visions Award along with a Chihuly glass sculpture and a Panavision camera rental package valued at $60,000 at the Palm Springs fest on Sunday.At a brunch held at Spencer's Restaurant, the fest also handed out the John Schlesinger Award to documentary "The Tiniest Place" (Mexico), directed by Tatiana Huezo Sanchez, while the critics' Fipresci kudos went to Bela Tarr's "The Turin Horse," actor Matthias Schoenaerts for his role in "Bullhead" (Belgium), and to three actresses in Iranian director Asghar Farhadi's "A Separation": Leila Hatami, Sareh Bayat and Sarina Farhadi.The Mercedes-Benz Audience Award for narrative went to "Starbuck" (Canada), directed by Ken Scott, while the audience doc kudo went to two U.S. films in a tie: "Wish Me Away," directed by Bobbie Birleffii and Beverly Kopf, and "The Girls in the Band," directed by Judy Chaikin."Terra Firma" (Italy) helmer Emanuele Crialese accepted the Bridging the Borders Award, presented by Cinema Without Borders and Hewlett Packard, which includes a statue and HP 8560w Elitebook Mobile Workstation with a built-in HP Dream Color display, valued at $4,000.The 2012 edition of the Palm Springs fest, which opened Jan. 5 with the screening of "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen," wrapped Sunday with comedy "Almanya, Welcome to Germany."In all, 187 films from 73 countries, including 60 premieres (2 world, 22 North American and 36 U.S.) unspooled during the 23rd edition.Fest director Darryl Macdonald didn't have numbers available but said "ticket sales surged, particularly in the evening and matinee screenings." This year's lineup comprised "a particularly satisfying blend of challenging but highly compelling work," he added. Contact Shalini Dore at shali.dore@variety.com

Quentin Tarantino discloses his favourite films of 2011

Quentin Tarantino has revealed his favourite (and least favourite) films of 2011.The Quentin Tarantino Archives have their on the job the director's rundown of the season, which yields some surprising results.His #1 movie was Woodsy Allen's Night time In Paris. This is an unpredicted choice, although not underserving: it had been wise, sweet and pretty damn funny, with a few place-on portrayals of '20s symbols through the supporting cast.Elsewhere, his list mixes the mainstream using the offbeat (The Artist and Our Idiot Brother match tenth place!), and you will find some shocks (The 3 Musketeers? Surely an ironic joke...) and that he seemed to be kind enough to provide lists of other films he loved, his favourite scripts, and the worst films of the season.Examine the lists entirely below:Quentin Tarantino's official Top 11 of 20111. Night time In Paris2. Rise From The Planet From The Apes3. Moneyball4. Your Skin I Live In5. X-Males: First Class6. Youthful Adult7. Attack The Block8. Red-colored State9. Warrior10. The Artist / Our Idiot Brother (tie)11. The 3 MusketeersOthers considered in no particular order50/50BeginnersHugoThe Iron LadyCarnageGreen HornetGreen LanternCaptain AmericaThe DescendantsMy Week With MarilynFast FiveThe Tree Of LifeThe Hangover Part IIMission: Impossible - Ghost ProtocolThe BeaverContagionThe SitterWar HorseNice Try AwardDriveHannaDrive AngryReal SteelBest DirectorPedro AlmodovarBennett MillerWoody AllenJason ReitmanMichel HazanaviciusBest Original ScreenplayMidnight In ParisYoung AdultRed StateAttack The BlockOur Idiot BrotherBeginnersBest Modified ScreenplayMoneyballThe Skin I live InCarnageRise From The Planet From The ApesHugoX-Males: First ClassWorst FilmsSucker PunchPotiche (Trophy Wife)MiralInsidiousRampartStraw DogsParanormal Activity 3Meek's CutoffQuentin Tarantino's Django Unchained opens on 26 December 2012 (and we are planning on come in lots of our Top Ten lists...)

Paradigm pairs with AM Only

Paradigm is entering into a joint venture partnership with electronic dance music booking agency AM Only, the two agencies announced today.Representing such marquee names as Tiesto, Skrillex, Mark Ronson, Sasha, Benny Benassi and David Guetta, the Gotham-based AM Only is among the highest-profile booking agencies for artists in the EDM genre, which has seen a dramatic resurgence as a U.S. live music draw in recent years.Paradigm - whose music division was boosted by the key acquisitions of boutique agencies Monterey Peninsula Artists in 2004 and Little Big Man in 2006 - will represent AM Only's client roster for TV, film and endorsement projects, and the two agencies will be partners in touring revenue. AM Only will continue to operate out of its current Brooklyn headquarters."We have an extremely successful pattern of integrating cultures and businesses," Paradigm chairman/CEO Sam Gores said in a statement, "allowing highly successful people to keep their strong identities and personnel intact, and in every case this has led to substantial growth." Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Exclusive: Parks and Recreation Books a Comedy Icon

Carl Reiner, Amy Poehler How's this for your show of shows? TV Guide Magazine has learned exclusively that Parks and Recreation is set to host a living legend when comedy icon Carl Reiner guest stars as one of Pawnee's most powerful elders -and possibly a key player in Leslie's City Council campaign. "Our research shows that, especially in local elections, really the only people who vote are senior citizens," says executive producer Mike Schur. "It's amazing. A very, very high percentage are retirees. So Leslie does an event at a senior center in hopes of winning the senior vote and [Reiner] is this sort of Godfather type figure - he's really the main guy who's endorsement you need to lock down. It's super cool. We are really excited." Reiner's appearance is tentatively set for the season's 17th episode, which will also mark the beginning of Free Agents survivor Kathryn Hahn's recurring role as the advisor to Leslie's political rival. Are you excited to see the combined power of Reiner, Hahn and the rest of the Parks crew playing together? Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

Creative America's Mike Nugent is the Standard-Bearer for Fighting Online Piracy

Creative America's Mike Nugent is the Standard-Bearer for Fighting Online Piracy By Daniel Holloway January 4, 2012 Mike Nugent The PROTECT IP Act, a bill that would empower the U.S. Justice Department to limit access to websites illegally distributing copyrighted material, is scheduled for a vote by the full Senate on Jan. 24. Its companion bill in the House, the Stop Online Piracy Act, has already received the approval of the House Judiciary Committee. So for those of you who enjoy intellectual-property legislation as blood sport, this is going to be a big month. Congratulations.PROTECT IP and SOPA have the support of Creative America, an entertainment industry initiative launched last summer by a coalition of labor and management organizations, including the Screen Actors Guild, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, CBS, Viacom, the Walt Disney Co., and others. Mike Nugent is the executive director of Creative America, which last month launched an ad campaign in support of PROTECT IP. He spoke with Back Stage on Dec. 30 about the importance of the act, the ways content theft is eating at Broadway, and why the American Library Association is on the "wrong" side of the fence.Back Stage: You recently launched a big ad campaign in support of the PROTECT IP Act. Why is this such an important piece of legislation? Mike Nugent: It's important because it gives the U.S. government tools to go after foreign websites that are dedicated to infringing activity. Right now they don't have those tools. Because the U.S. law has strengthened, the websites have left the U.S. and gone overseas. Yet they're still coming back to the U.S. market for revenue and to distribute illegal content. So this is just one more step in the battle, and it's a very important step, because foreign jurisdictions don't take as much umbrage at the activity of these sites as the U.S. does.Back Stage: What's at stake in this legislation for actors and other entertainment industry professionals? Nugent: We think this is all about jobs. Content theft doesn't affect the movie numbers that you see on Mondaythe blockbusters that come out. What it affects largely are the indie films, the downstream revenues. What it really affects is the economic model of the film industry, even for blockbusters. This is what I mean. Content theft takes out the heart of the revenue that is needed to reinvest in movies and film, that pays the residuals and the pensions and the benefits. If you look at the contracts of actors and others, their revenue streams and their livelihood and their pensions and their benefits are all derivative of downstream revenue. That is sales of DVDs, sales of subscription TV shows, of pay-per-view, of other kinds of downstream windows. This is where content theft really kills this industry. This is all about jobs. And also about pension and benefits.Back Stage: And how would PROTECT IP specifically help to curb content theft? Nugent: What it does is it gives the U.S. Justice Department the authority to go to a court and say, "This site is dedicated to infringing conduct," either distributing copyrighted material without authorization as a primary source of its business, or other products and services, such as distributing counterfeit drugs or distributing counterfeit parts, etc. Once the court is satisfied that that website is in the business of doing that, then the court issues an order to the intermediaries, as they call them in the U.S., who support that trafficking and stolen content. That would be the credit card companies that support the distribution, the search engines, the ISPs, and the ad networks. The court order would tell them, "You have to stop supporting the website." Then the intermediaries have to comply, and then the revenue stream for these sitesfrom the U.S., at leastis dried up.Back Stage: What do you say to critics who say that PROTECT IP would endanger civil liberties and damage the architecture of the Internet? Nugent: Their response is dead wrong. The techniques that are used to take the domain names out of the registration system are the same techniques that are used to block malware sites, porn sites, child-porn sites, and other sites. It's the same technology. It's never broken the Internet yet. And in terms of free speech and First Amendment, there's a legal answer, and then there's the normal answer. The legal answer is that there's no First Amendment right to either access or distribute stolen information. That's the legal answer, and constitutional scholars have supported that. The normal answer is that even when you look at what this bill does, it doesn't stop these sites from operating. It just stops these sites [from] being supported by intermediaries in the U.S. I really think that those who are arguing First Amendment and freedom of speech and access to information are really engaging in disinformation. Their main goal is to block a democratic vote on this in the House and Senate, because if it gets to the House and Senate, they know that it's going to pass, because at the end of the day this is a bill targeting illegal traffickers, who are really bad guys. It's not going after legit sites. It doesn't affect entities like YouTube or Facebook or Google. In terms of their role as disseminators of information, it does affect their liability. It also clarifies their liability in a space where it's not clear.Back Stage: Google, as you mentioned, has been outspoken against this bill. But also organizations such as the American Library Association have been. If the privacy, technological, and civil liberties issues surrounding this are so clear-cut, why are groups like the ALA stepping out against this legislation? Nugent: As I recall, and I'm sure I'm not as up on the ALA as I should be, when I looked at their issue, it was more of a technical issue. They're not intermediaries in this bill. The wording of the bill may have put them in the role of being an intermediary, because they provide all sorts of access to the Internet through their public facilities. I think that was their major concern. I think that concern is being addressed. There are some technical concerns being addressed in the markup process, and the hearing coming in January will address these issues. Back Stage: How good a job do you think the Obama administration has done in addressing intellectual-property issues? Nugent: Actually, to date they've been the strongest administration. They've appointed an intellectual-property czar [U.S. intellectual property enforcement coordinator Victoria A. Espinel]. Joe Biden, when he was in the Senate, was chairman of the Subcommittee on Intellectual Property and has always had this issue close to him. At the enforcement level, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement group, ICE, which has been charged with this enforcement role, has been unprecedented in its strength. So the administration has been front and center and in support of all of our efforts in this regard. They're to be commended.Back Stage: When we think of content theft, we think of it as being something that affects mostly the film and music and television industries. What are you doing to engage the Broadway community, and what's at stake for them? Nugent: There's a number of things going on. Broadway is increasingly seeing its content up on the Internet, either peak moments or specific songs or even long stretches. The techniques that are used to do that are the same that are used in the movie industry: the camcorder. And they're very sophisticated these days. Broadway is increasingly being targeted by the same groups that are targeting TV, because Broadway is immensely popular globally and there's so little opportunity to get to Broadway. So my conversations with COBUG [Coalition of Broadway Unions and Guilds] and with the Broadway League suggest that there's strong concern in this area, and they also see this as a jobs issue and want to get involved and bring the Broadway voice to the battle in D.C.Back Stage: Does Creative America's formation represent a greater sense of cooperation or urgency on the parts of industry and labor groups? Nugent: Yes, it really does represent labor and management coming together on a common issue, and there are not a lot of common issues. They are strongly behind this effort. We are ready for our 2012 year. Our board just met and approved our plans and activity for 2012. Everyone is very much on board and frankly saying that we've got to get busier. Creative America's Mike Nugent is the Standard-Bearer for Fighting Online Piracy By Daniel Holloway January 4, 2012 Mike Nugent The PROTECT IP Act, a bill that would empower the U.S. Justice Department to limit access to websites illegally distributing copyrighted material, is scheduled for a vote by the full Senate on Jan. 24. Its companion bill in the House, the Stop Online Piracy Act, has already received the approval of the House Judiciary Committee. So for those of you who enjoy intellectual-property legislation as blood sport, this is going to be a big month. Congratulations.PROTECT IP and SOPA have the support of Creative America, an entertainment industry initiative launched last summer by a coalition of labor and management organizations, including the Screen Actors Guild, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, CBS, Viacom, the Walt Disney Co., and others. Mike Nugent is the executive director of Creative America, which last month launched an ad campaign in support of PROTECT IP. He spoke with Back Stage on Dec. 30 about the importance of the act, the ways content theft is eating at Broadway, and why the American Library Association is on the "wrong" side of the fence.Back Stage: You recently launched a big ad campaign in support of the PROTECT IP Act. Why is this such an important piece of legislation? Mike Nugent: It's important because it gives the U.S. government tools to go after foreign websites that are dedicated to infringing activity. Right now they don't have those tools. Because the U.S. law has strengthened, the websites have left the U.S. and gone overseas. Yet they're still coming back to the U.S. market for revenue and to distribute illegal content. So this is just one more step in the battle, and it's a very important step, because foreign jurisdictions don't take as much umbrage at the activity of these sites as the U.S. does.Back Stage: What's at stake in this legislation for actors and other entertainment industry professionals? Nugent: We think this is all about jobs. Content theft doesn't affect the movie numbers that you see on Mondaythe blockbusters that come out. What it affects largely are the indie films, the downstream revenues. What it really affects is the economic model of the film industry, even for blockbusters. This is what I mean. Content theft takes out the heart of the revenue that is needed to reinvest in movies and film, that pays the residuals and the pensions and the benefits. If you look at the contracts of actors and others, their revenue streams and their livelihood and their pensions and their benefits are all derivative of downstream revenue. That is sales of DVDs, sales of subscription TV shows, of pay-per-view, of other kinds of downstream windows. This is where content theft really kills this industry. This is all about jobs. And also about pension and benefits.Back Stage: And how would PROTECT IP specifically help to curb content theft? Nugent: What it does is it gives the U.S. Justice Department the authority to go to a court and say, "This site is dedicated to infringing conduct," either distributing copyrighted material without authorization as a primary source of its business, or other products and services, such as distributing counterfeit drugs or distributing counterfeit parts, etc. Once the court is satisfied that that website is in the business of doing that, then the court issues an order to the intermediaries, as they call them in the U.S., who support that trafficking and stolen content. That would be the credit card companies that support the distribution, the search engines, the ISPs, and the ad networks. The court order would tell them, "You have to stop supporting the website." Then the intermediaries have to comply, and then the revenue stream for these sitesfrom the U.S., at leastis dried up.Back Stage: What do you say to critics who say that PROTECT IP would endanger civil liberties and damage the architecture of the Internet? Nugent: Their response is dead wrong. The techniques that are used to take the domain names out of the registration system are the same techniques that are used to block malware sites, porn sites, child-porn sites, and other sites. It's the same technology. It's never broken the Internet yet. And in terms of free speech and First Amendment, there's a legal answer, and then there's the normal answer. The legal answer is that there's no First Amendment right to either access or distribute stolen information. That's the legal answer, and constitutional scholars have supported that. The normal answer is that even when you look at what this bill does, it doesn't stop these sites from operating. It just stops these sites [from] being supported by intermediaries in the U.S. I really think that those who are arguing First Amendment and freedom of speech and access to information are really engaging in disinformation. Their main goal is to block a democratic vote on this in the House and Senate, because if it gets to the House and Senate, they know that it's going to pass, because at the end of the day this is a bill targeting illegal traffickers, who are really bad guys. It's not going after legit sites. It doesn't affect entities like YouTube or Facebook or Google. In terms of their role as disseminators of information, it does affect their liability. It also clarifies their liability in a space where it's not clear.Back Stage: Google, as you mentioned, has been outspoken against this bill. But also organizations such as the American Library Association have been. If the privacy, technological, and civil liberties issues surrounding this are so clear-cut, why are groups like the ALA stepping out against this legislation? Nugent: As I recall, and I'm sure I'm not as up on the ALA as I should be, when I looked at their issue, it was more of a technical issue. They're not intermediaries in this bill. The wording of the bill may have put them in the role of being an intermediary, because they provide all sorts of access to the Internet through their public facilities. I think that was their major concern. I think that concern is being addressed. There are some technical concerns being addressed in the markup process, and the hearing coming in January will address these issues. Back Stage: How good a job do you think the Obama administration has done in addressing intellectual-property issues? Nugent: Actually, to date they've been the strongest administration. They've appointed an intellectual-property czar [U.S. intellectual property enforcement coordinator Victoria A. Espinel]. Joe Biden, when he was in the Senate, was chairman of the Subcommittee on Intellectual Property and has always had this issue close to him. At the enforcement level, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement group, ICE, which has been charged with this enforcement role, has been unprecedented in its strength. So the administration has been front and center and in support of all of our efforts in this regard. They're to be commended.Back Stage: When we think of content theft, we think of it as being something that affects mostly the film and music and television industries. What are you doing to engage the Broadway community, and what's at stake for them? Nugent: There's a number of things going on. Broadway is increasingly seeing its content up on the Internet, either peak moments or specific songs or even long stretches. The techniques that are used to do that are the same that are used in the movie industry: the camcorder. And they're very sophisticated these days. Broadway is increasingly being targeted by the same groups that are targeting TV, because Broadway is immensely popular globally and there's so little opportunity to get to Broadway. So my conversations with COBUG [Coalition of Broadway Unions and Guilds] and with the Broadway League suggest that there's strong concern in this area, and they also see this as a jobs issue and want to get involved and bring the Broadway voice to the battle in D.C.Back Stage: Does Creative America's formation represent a greater sense of cooperation or urgency on the parts of industry and labor groups? Nugent: Yes, it really does represent labor and management coming together on a common issue, and there are not a lot of common issues. They are strongly behind this effort. We are ready for our 2012 year. Our board just met and approved our plans and activity for 2012. Everyone is very much on board and frankly saying that we've got to get busier.

Adam Goldberg Joins Inferno

Alongside Sasha Grey & Harold PerrineauThe ongoing fight in the Lovelace biopics has clearly became a member of its next phase: co-star casting. Yesterday, we introduced word in the Amanda Seyfried-starring Lovelace getting a few stars now competing project Inferno (featuring Malin Akerman as Linda) is firing back, roping in Adam Goldberg, Harold Perrineau and Sasha Grey.Goldman may have Harry Reems, the porn star who labored with Lovelace (then Linda Boreman) round the infamous Deep Throat film that rocketed her to skin flick superstardom, which she briefly recognized before renouncing her former career and writing memoir Ordeal about her struggles.Perrineau, meanwhile, is on as Sammy Davis Junior, who was simply Lovelace's lover for a while. Grey's role is not specified, but after switching from her porn world to mainstream acting with Steven Soderbergh's The Girlfriend Experience, Grey will undoubtedly be the key consultant on any raunchier material.Matthew Wilder reaches the helm of that certain, which will focus much more about Lovelace's troubles, along with her book Ordeal becasue it is source material. Matt Dillon was already also aboard as Chuck Traynor, who initially spotted Boreman and cast her in Deep Throat. The pair also married, though their relationship was tumultuous in the best.Wilder aims to begin shooting later, so the race will probably be onto see who is able to bring their Lovelace story out first.

Berlinale fetes Meryl Streep

StreepBERLIN -- The Berlin Film Festival is honoring Meryl Streep this year with a homage and honorary Golden Bear."We are delighted to be able to award the honorary Golden Bear to such a terrific artist and world star," said Berlinale topper Dieter Kosslick. "Meryl Streep is a brilliant, versatile performer who moves with ease between dramatic and comedic roles."The fest will present Streep with the honorary Golden Bear for lifetime achievement at a Feb. 14 screening of her latest work, Phyllida Lloyd's "The Iron Lady," at the Berlinale Palast.A study of power and the loss of power, the film imagines how Thatcher, at the end of her life, might look back through fragmented memories to weigh-up the personal cost of her decisions.Streep has appeared in more than 40 films, received countless awards and nominations, including 16 Oscar noms, two of which she won, and 18 Golden Globe nominations and seven wins.Streep's international breakthrough came in the late 1970s with the TV series "Holocaust" and Michael Cimino's "The Deer Hunter." She went on to win Oscars for her performances in Robert Benton's divorce drama "Kramer vs. Kramer" and Alan J. Pakula's "Sophie's Choice," both of which will screen as part of the Berlinale Homage series.Also unspooling will be Sydney Pollack's "Out of Africa," Clint Eastwood's "The Bridges of Madison County" and Robert Altman's "A Prairie Home Companion," which premiered in Berlin in 2006.Streep also attended the fest in 1999, when she was awarded the Berlinale Camera, and in 2003, when she shared a Silver Bear with Julianne Moore and Nicole Kidman for their performances Stephen Daldry's "The Hours."The Berlinale runs Feb. 9-19. Contact Ed Meza at staff@variety.com