Thursday, September 29, 2011

Children Semhar Tadesse: Redemption Island Was My Greatest Fear

Semhar Tadesse Between her spitfire attitude and spontaneous poetic reactions, it appeared as if Survivor's Semhar Tadesse never was an opportunity. After which, she volunteered herself to become the "coconut shooter" within the immunity challenge - which she tanked - sealing her fate because the first castoff to mind to Redemption Island. Following a couple of times of shelter-less solitude she was became a member of by Christine, the 2nd Survivor casualty, and also the two sitting beside a non-existent fire and moped. Because the ladies targeted up for his or her balancing totem pole challenge, Semhar gave us another taste of her "spoken word performance art" which incorporated such verses as "there's not just one factor which i wouldn't do, for my lover, my closest friend, my honey, my boo," and "I'd give birth to 10 of his children without needing any drugs to help relieve the discomfort after which I'd provide him yet another.Inch Ultimately, Semhar lost and was sent packing permanently. The 24-year-old LA-native spoke with TVGuide.com about her greatest fear, who she's rooting for, and which contestant gave her bad vibes from the first day.TVGuide.com: That which was the one thing that surprised you most when you initially reached the area?Semhar Tadesse: One factor I did not be prepared to be so harsh was the mosquitos. Which was the most difficult factor for me personally. I had been engrossed in over 100 bug bites, and I am allergic, and so i had these huge welts throughout my body system you could see on camera. You've no clue precisely what you are going to undergo, or what numerous weather conditions are like. It's very damp. You felt as if you were inhaling water... But certainly the mosquitos bites are what got me the worst.TVGuide.com: Within the first episode, it appeared as if you were Ozzy's island crush. Should you have had remained longer, do you consider something might have happened between both of you?Tadesse: I can not predict the near future, and so i have no clue an amount have happened between us. Many people begin liking one another, but later they finish up disliking one another for reasons uknown. Survivor clearly provides extensive twists. I've no clue where that will have went, but he's a very sweet guy.Social TV: How Survivor's Shaun Probst Bridged the space Between CBS and it is AudienceTVGuide.com: Just focus and shoot rooting for him to win?Tadesse: I am wishing that Ozzy wins. I seem like he plays with integrity. It's his third some time and clearly he was on my small tribe, so he's the individual which i was nearest to.TVGuide.com: There is clearly just a little tension between you and also Jim. Whenever you discovered he wasn't a "teacher" like he stated, and really within the medicinal marijuana dispensary business, that which was your reaction? Tadesse: Literally my mouth dropped open after i saw that. It had been an enormous surprise. Huge. I'd no clue that Jim was this type of schemer. We thought he was like, a pervert teacher. He was always speaking about women which was disgusting to us. I was like "God, does he, like, date his students? Whenever they be taking him to jail at this time?InchTVGuide.com: What exactly would you consider the "laying regarding your profession" strategy?Tadesse: Because the first person chosen off, I can not exactly say what's stupid, however i will state that I believe all of us will be a lot closer and cooler with him had we known what he really did. I understood something was off about Jim the 2nd which i met him. I acquired bad vibes from him. He's an very fake smile and things that emerge from his mouth...you appear at him and you are like, "Are you currently serious at this time?Inch He totally loves attention.Take a look at: Fall TV Eye CandyTVGuide.com: Have you have large fears moving in, like being scared you would be the very first person removed? Tadesse: No, that wasn't an enormous anxiety about mine. I almost preferred that, instead of which makes it towards the very finish after which getting removed. That wasn't my greatest fear. Redemption Island was my greatest fear.TVGuide.com: What exactly is it like there?Tadesse: There's barely even camera males who are around you, honestly. You are pretty alone. Which season's Redemption Island is incorporated in the jungle, therefore it is hard for just about any light to cope with. It had been literally flowing lower rain. Not just did I not have access to a pet shelter, but I saw to sleep issues from the island where my tribe was also it only agreed to be beaming sun there! Each time I'd a fireplace began it might go out due to the rain. It had been tough.TVGuide.com: Any idea what about Brandon, Russell Hantz's nephew?Tadesse: I believe Brandon is studying the whole "I wish to be considered a good Christian and I wish to represent for my religion the proper wayInch factor. And it is coming off wrong to everybody else. However I know how he feels. I realize the struggle, and that i comprehend the pressure to be seen by huge numbers of people. Which pressure got to him.TVGuide.com: Why have you continue Survivor to begin with?Tadesse: I am talking about...who passes up an opportunity in a million dollars?

'Extremely Noisy And Extremely Close' Trailer: Prepare To Be sad

by Amy Wilkinson Grab individuals tissue—the trailer for that heart wrenching "Very Noisy and extremely Close," starring Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock, is here now. In line with the 2005 novel by Jonathan Safran Foer, "Very Noisy and extremely Close" informs the storyline of precocious 9-year-old Oskar Schell. It's really no spoiler to inform you Oskar's father (Hanks) dies within the 9/11 attacks, because the novel accumulates 2 yrs following the tragic occasions. But this is not a 9/11 story a lot like a journey of recovery. When Oskar stumbles upon a mysterious key left out by his father, it incites a town-wide scavenger search of sorts to obtain the key's lock. And on the way, Oskar meets a cast of figures transporting their very own tales of loss and conquering. Directed by Stephen Daldry, who introduced us the feeling-good "Billy Elliot" starring Jamie Bell, Daldry has once more discovered a burgeoning youthful talent in newcomer Thomas Horn. Together with his wide-eyed wonderment and serious affect, it's obvious out of this small two-minute glimpse that Horn inspires lots of eyeball-dabbing through the film. As will Hanks, whose portrayal of Oskar's father is warm and endearing—everything a beloved father ought to be. Co-starring Viola Davis, John Goodman and James Gandolfini, "Very Noisy and extremely Close" opens in limited release Christmas Day, going wide The month of january 20. Perhaps you have read "Very Noisy and extremely Close"?

ABC collars Craig Schindel legal drama

ABC has given a script persistence for a drama from scribe Craig Schindel named "Turner Loose." ABC Art galleries project notifies the story from the disgraced Wall Street banker-switched-jailhouse lawyer who finds themselves not only fixing the legalities of his fellow convicts but utilized by the da who put him in jail. Schindel features a extended kind of TV credits, mainly within the legal arena, including "Law and Order" and "Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior." With ABC, he most recently was an professional producer on "Castle." Contact Jon Weisman at jon.weisman@variety.com

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Nelly Furtado Gives Gadhafi Money

FIRST Released: September 28, 2011 10:12 AM EDT TORONTO, ONT -- Canadian pop singer Nelly Furtado states she's giving the $a million she gained to do for people of former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafis family towards the Free the kids charitable organisation. Furtado stated in Feb she'd donate the cash from the 2007 show in Italia for people of Gadhafis family. She chose to make this latest announcement Tuesday in a youth empowerment day organized by Canadian co-founders of Free the kids. Her donation goes toward creating a women school in Kenya along with a Free the kids program supporting women in the centre East and North Africa. Usher, Mariah Carey, Beyonce have also guaranteed to provide the costs using their performances at private concerts later revealed to become from the Gadhafi family to charitable organisation or have stated they have done this. Copyright 2011 by Connected Press. All privileges reserved.These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Nathan Fillion, Tim Daly and Michael Rosenbaum Join an All-Star Cast for Justice League: Doom

Bradley Bell Bradley Bell's no fool. The exec producer of The Bold and the Beautiful has Emmy winner Jacob Young - fresh from his scorching performance as badass boozer JR Chandler on All My Children - back in the role of Rick Forrester starting today. Young played the fashion-industry scion during the character's troubled teen years from 1997 to '99."Those were great times with Jacob and he's an even more exciting, intense and unpredictable actor now," says Bell, who nonetheless insists he's not bringing Young in to "take over and steal the show. We will slowly immerse Rick back into the Forrester family so viewers can remember and appreciate him. And then we're off to the races!"Rick will eventually team with brother Thorne (Winsor Harmon) in a vicious battle with Ridge (Ronn Moss) over control of Forrester Creations. And that'll force Rick's mom and Ridge's lady love, Brooke (Katherine Kelly Lang), to choose sides. Says Bell: "Ridge will become more drunk with power and driven by ego and that really pisses off Rick."Also look for Rick to reconnect with his skanky ex-wife Amber (Adrienne Frantz). To set up that story, Bell will replay lots of juicy scenes from 1998 when Amber was two-timing Rick by sleeping with Raymond, an up-and-coming singer played by that then up-and-coming superstar Usher! "He was on B&B long before YouTube so scenes with him are hard to find - it's like the lost Usher footage!" says Bell. "You'll see him singing at Insomnia with very little backup. It's very raw but awesome, a chance to see him just before he broke out big."As for Amber, Bell says, "She's not at the top of her game right now and she's a bit desperate. She will reach out to Rick, the love of her life, and try to bag the guy. But he knows what he's dealing with, so he's going into this hookup with eyes wide open."So where the hell is Bell's big Emmy plot? He won the Outstanding Daytime Drama trophy three years running - for the 2008 suicide of Storm, the 2009 death of Betty White's character Ann, and the poignant 2010 plot about the homeless. But, so far this year, Bell's most talked-about story involved Brooke and her stepson Thomas getting lusty after eating psychedelic sex berries - surely not the stuff that wins industry awards! With the 2011 Emmy qualifying deadline just three months off, shouldn't Bell get crackin'?"I was just talking to my writing team this morning telling them time is running out!" the exec says with a laugh. "Actually, we do have something wonderful lined up in November for Susan Flannery, something that's really going to stretch her as an actress and be very revealing. Her character, Stephanie, will be struggling with an issue that's very present in society. It's going to challenge our matriarch in a way she's never been challenged before."Even more than the Stage 4 lung cancer she battled last year? This we gotta see.Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

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Thursday, September 22, 2011

The Future Projects of Your Favorite 'Twilight' Stars

In the action thriller 'Abduction,' star Taylor Lautner does something risky: he steps away from the ensemble comforts of 'Twilight' for his first role as a leading man. Naturally, with the mega-franchise beginning to wind down this fall with the release of 'Breaking Dawn Part 1,' Lautner isn't alone in his quest for future employment. Ahead, a look at the upcoming projects from your favorite 'Twilight' stars. 'Twilight' Stars Future Projects With 'Abduction' in theaters Friday, Taylor Lautner takes his first step away from the 'Twilight' nest. What are his co-stars up to? Find out. Ashley Greene (Alice Cullen)Kellan Lutz (Emmett Cullen)Dakota Fanning (Jane)Jackson Rathbone (Jasper Hale)Nikki Reed (Rosalie Hale)Peter Facinelli (Dr. Carlisle Cullen)Elizabeth Reaser (Esme Cullen)Anna Kendrick (Jessica Stanley)Robert Pattinson (Edward)Kristen Stewart (Bella)Taylor Lautner (Jacob) See All Moviefone Galleries » Top photo: Matt Sayles/AP

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Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Questions and Solutions Concerning the Netflix-Qwikster Madness

Within the wake from the news that Netflix is splitting off into two companies (Netflix and Qwikster), Moviefone solutions every possible question you've about what's next for that online giant. Q: What is a Qwikster? A: Qwikster is Netflix's new DVD-only business -- what Netflix was previously before it began selling streaming video monthly subscriptions. When the title brings up Napster, Friendster or any other no-longer-cutting-edge Internet brands, well, maybe that isn't any sort of accident. Q: Why did Netflix split its companies? A: Netflix sees streaming video because the future and also the DVD-mailing business like a dinosaur. (The same is true the majority of Hollywood and Wall Street, for your matter.) Inside a couple years, the organization needs the DVD side, using its massive storage and shipping costs, being more costly to use than it's worth. Simultaneously, it isn't prepared to discount hundreds of an incredible number of customers preferring use of the business's huge and comprehensive DVD library over use of what's still a shallow pool of streaming content. Q: Is why Netflix began charging separate costs this summer time for types of monthly subscriptions? A: Yes. Obviously, many clients revolted over seeing their regular bills range from $8.99 to $15.99 and canceled their subscriptions. The stock cost required a large hit, too. So Boss Reed Hastings most likely felt he'd little choice but to announce the split, that they did within an apology which was e-mailed to customers and published on Netflix's blog late Sunday evening. Q: Wait, he apologized to clients? A: Yes, for imposing the change on clients without dealing with all of them with "respect and humbleness." Q: So, does that apology mean the membership cost will return to what it really was? A: Hahaha. No. Q: Does not appear like a lot of an apology, then. A: Well, Hastings released another apology on video, apparently shot because he was relaxing at the lake. Q: Wow, could a poolside apology towards the little individuals who made his fortune be anymore condescending or tone hard of hearing? A: Most likely not. Netflix Boss Reed Hastings' Clarification of His Apology Q: Would be the amusing tweets at NetflixGlobalPR further proof of a bungled pr effort? A: Heh. No, that Twitter accound is really a parody. Q: So, basically still want both DVD and streaming, I'm going to have accounts ad both Netflix and Qwikster? A: Yes. They'll appear separate charges in your charge card bill, you'll also find to keep separate billing profiles on Netflix.com and Qwikster.com. But you can preserve one unique user ID and password. Q: Will the websites share my queue, my movie preferences and recommendations and my rental history? A: No. You will need to begin with scratch on Qwikster. Q: Will Qwikster maintain its diverse library of videos, such as the hard-to-find indie films that do not play inside my local theater? A: Not based on indieWIRE, which states it's talking with indie filmmakers that the organization isn't reviving their deals. Q: Jeez. Can there be any advantage that the Qwikster membership has over a classic-fashioned Netflix DVD membership? A: If you wish to purchase upgrading, you are able to rent game titles from Qwikster too. Q: Will it appear like Netflix rushed into this decision after coping with this summer's huge backlash? A: Type of. In the end, the organization apparently did not bother to see if Qwikster was an available Twitter handle. Q: Could it have been? A: No, it goes to some guy whose NSFW Twitter feed was marked by an avatar of Elmo smoking some pot. (Because the weekend, he's acquired about 10,000 more Twitter fans along with a more innocuous profile picture, a coat of arms.) Q: What's been the response towards the Qwikster announcement? A: Well, about 30 % of Netflix customers are seriously thinking about shedding their membership. Netflix stock, that was buying and selling just beneath $300 a be part of This summer prior to the subscription cost hike, had rejected to around $156 at the outset of now and closed at $128.50 on Wednesday. A minimum of 26,000 commenters have responded, largely adversely, to Hastings' blog publish. Q: Can there be anybody who thinks this is an excellent idea? A: Tech author Serta Frommer lists 10 explanations why he thinks the split is sensible. Wired's Eliot Van Buskirk notes the streaming video clients are really only the streaming video privileges certification business, and that he argues that splitting that removed from the DVD business should give Netflix more settling energy using the galleries. La Occasions movie writer Patrick Goldstein concurs that Dvd disks are dying. As well as on Wednesday, Discovery Communications introduced it had been generating instances of Discovery Funnel, TLC and Animal Planet shows on Netflix. So there's a minumum of one content provider who likes the brand new arrangement. You might not have the ability to stream a film like 'Lars and also the Real Girl,' however, you will have the ability to catch much more of 'Say Yes towards the Dress.' Q: Who's poised to learn most out of Netflix's apparent stumble? A: Exactly the same survey that states Netflix may lose 30 % of their customers adds that lots of of individuals alienated clients will attempt the ubiquitous Redbox kiosks rather, where one can rent for less than $1 per DVD ($1.50 for Blu-ray), but where game titles as generally restricted to typically the most popular recent releases. And Blockbuster is going to unveil a brand new streaming service additionally to its DVD-by-mail monthly subscriptions. Blockbuster now goes to Dish Network, which features its own on-demand service and handles content companies, which means you perform the math. Q: The other options have i got for DVD rental fees and streaming movies? A: Amazon . com rents streaming movies because of an annual subscription fee or listed for individual rental, though it features a much more compact library than Netflix. Apple's iTunes, that also includes a limited library, also allows you have to pay per title. Hulu sells monthly subscriptions that permit use of plenty of current TV game titles and a number of movies. Wal-Mart's Vudu service enables you to definitely rent or buy individual game titles. Just like Netflix, there's a number of set-top boxes and video video games where you can stream Internet video for your TV. Q: It is possible to good comic-strip-style explanation of the whole mess? A: Yes, in the Oatmeal. (Some NSFW language.) Follow Gary Susman on Twitter @garysusman. Photos thanks to Netflix

Monday, September 19, 2011

Pirates plunder Berlin booty

BERLIN -- Berlin's political elite and Germany's entertainment industry may soon need to batten lower the hatches following the fledgling Sailing Party rode a political tidal wave in to the Teutonic capital.The youthful party accomplished a fantastic 8.9% in Berlin's condition elections on Sunday, departing it with 15 seats in Berlin's 149-chair parliament and which makes it a vital opposition player alongside the Vegetables (17.6%), and also the Left (11.7%).Founded in 2006 and inspired through the Swedish Sailing Party, Germany's Pirates' advocate shortening the amount of copyright protection, permitting non-commercial file discussing, strengthening privacy protection, drastically restricting the patent system, abolishing data retention laws and regulations, and moving back government surveillance legislation, in addition to legalizing marijuana and making city metros and buses free for those.Sailing Party leader Sebastian Nerz referred to the victory as "awesome."It's the very first time because the eighties that the new political energy originates to the stage," he stated.Despite a platform than may discombobulate the Hollywood galleries, initial responses among some in Germany's entertainment industry happen to be calm.Matthias Leonardy, controlling director from the MPAA-backed anti-piracy org GVU, ignored the Pirate's success like a protest election that symbolized dissatisfaction using the established parties a lot more than grassroots support for copyright piracy."The party is actually diverse, comprised of a variety of groups, one a part of which came from from media piracy, but it is so large that that aspect seems to possess been pressed towards the background," Leonardy stated, adding the party now appears to become indicated more by its support for legalized marijuana, and free metro and bus transportation within the city.Some of it is funny and provocative, also it seems other product comes near concept. Other party people appear to would like to push the established parties to spread out themselves as much as more youthful voters."Leonardy stated the Berlin Pirates haven't pressed the anti-copyright agenda around the Swedish Party but instead seems to possess converted into a motley crew of protest candidates.Indeed, based on election research org Forschungsgruppe Wahlen, 80% of Sailing backers stated they chosen "from dissatisfaction along with other parties," while only 10% supported the party's platform. Helge Sasse, Boss of Berlin-based producer-distrib Senator Entertainment, stressed the primary parties which will likely from the new Berlin government, the Social Dems and Vegetables, support copyright protection which the Pirates have only a little minority.Yet Sasse added that according to the party's philosophy regarding intellectual property, "It isn't explicit within their platform whether or not this really describes film. Personally I am not of the perception the Sailing Party people want films to become unlawfully replicated underneath the current law. In the event that were the situation, our view is that's not possible."Whether or not they are only a political fad or even the founders of the lasting new movement remains to appear. Based on German news website Spiegel Online, the party offered voters something lengthy missing from local politics: "The Pirates also provide something more events have lengthy since lost -- credibility, authenticity and quality." Contact Erectile dysfunction Meza at staff@variety.com

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

'March' to Toronto

Emily Blunt and Ewan McGregor.Viggo Mortensen, Michael Barker, David Cronenberg and Tom Bernard chat in the new the new sony Pictures Classics party.Paul Giamatti, Kate Mara and Max Minghella juggle three "Ides" occasions. Cee Lo Eco-friendly works at Alliance Films Press Party at South of Temperance through the 2011 Toronto Worldwide Film Festival on September 9, 2011 in Toronto, Canada. Alliance Films Press Party - Toronto Worldwide Film Festival South of Temperance ToPaul Haggis and Jon Hamm Michel Hazanavicius and Jean Dujardin unveil "The Artist." EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE * EXCLUSIVE * (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Rhys Ifans and Jamie Campbell Bower at Columbia Pictures "Anonymous" Premiere within the 2011 Toronto Worldwide Film Festival within the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Concentrate on September 11, 2011 in TAlliance's Victor Loewy and Sony's Amy Pascal meet at Alliance party Cee Lo Eco-friendly works "Crazy." The brand new the new sony Corporation Chairman, Boss and Leader Mister Howard Stringer and actor George Clooney attend "The Ides of March" party.Naive Canucks might've been double-checking their calendars since the city buzzed about "The Ides of March," George Clooney's political drama that was a focus within the Toronto Film Festival on Friday.Surprisingly than three parties championed the cast, plus a pre-show event at Soho House together with a late-evening soiree within the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, but that didn't explain the near 45-minute delay in the pic's unspooling at Roy Thomson Hall."Sorry we're so late. You understand, blame Kaira Pitt," Clooney joked while he introduced the film, watching his friend's "Moneyball," which examined earlier and slowed down lower auds coping with their seats.The comfort in the evening stopped without any hitch within the Alliance Films party where cast people of "Ides," including Ryan Gosling and Evan Rachel Wood, grew to become an associate from the Canadian distrib to toast its 21 films within the fest.Wood downplayed the political side of "Ides.""It asks the questions of who you need to be as people, rather than what party or candidate is way better,In . she mentioned. "You will discover no heroes or villains in this film."The Alliance event featured an unpredicted small-concert from Cee Lo Eco-friendly, who had everybody else belting out his Gnarls Barkley hit "Crazy.""Usually you anticipate a business event being cold and coarse, but tonight was the very best,In . he mentioned.Friday also saw the annual fundraiser event for Artists for Peace and Justice, at Ame restaurant.Paul Haggis situated as well as Gerard Butler, with Jon Hamm attending. The helmer is satisfied using the org's community outreach be employed in Port-au-Prince. "APJ built an ailment-of-the-art cholera center that has treated over 10,000 people and basically opened up up the initial free secondary school in Haiti, getting a lasting structure rising now," mentioned Haggis.APJ's fundraising event ongoing Saturday when Jewel Jam's Eddie Vedder completed. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Monday, September 12, 2011

Poor 'Creature' Sets Low Box Office Record

A box office record was set in the last weekend, though not the truly amazing kind. The lower budget horror movie Creature opened up on 1,507 screens making only $331,000. That helps it be the least expensive grossing opening weekend on record for just about any single movie opening on greater than 1,500 screens.our editor recommendsBox Office Report: Steven Soderbergh's 'Contagion' Wins Weekend with $23.1 Mil As Box Office Mojo calculated it, each screening were built with a typical attendance of six needing to pay clients. In contrast, its fellow weekend box office dud, Bucky Larson stood a per screen average of roughly eight people. Only one other film, Proud American, from 2008 stood a worse per screen average. Creature, of a swamp creature concerning the loose in backwoods Louisiana, might be the job of first-time author-director Fred Andrews. Nevertheless it's noticably credit is former MCA Leader Sid Sheinberg, who's a producer along with his own company, The Bubble Factory, since 1995. Sheinberg is broadly credited since the movie executive who "discovered" Steven Spielberg. The film received just 11 percent fresh reviews on Rotten Tomato vegetables, beating Bucky Larson's dreaded percent fresh rating. In line with the New You'll be able to Occasions the 76-year-old producer, who also stays time as vice chairman in the advocacy group Human Rights Watch, made a decision to produce the film themselves when he not successful to acquire studio distribution. To ensure that they are able to one-in the large art galleries, Sheinberg chosen to pursue a guerilla marketing campaign through websites as well as the movie ticketing service Fandango and ignore traditional print and TV ads. Related Subjects

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Marion Cotillard Set For Rust And Bone

From A Prophet's Jacques AudiardJacques Audiard definitely kicked his filmmaking career to the next level with 2009's stunning prison drama A Prophet. So there was always going to be anticipation for his next cinematic outing. Now he's locked in a project, setting Marion Cotillard to star in Rust And Bone. This time, Audiard and writing collaborator Thomas Bidegain are basing their screenplay on Craig Davidson's short story collection. The tales in Rust And Bone are set in a dangerous world of fighting dogs, prizefighters, sex addicts and gamblers. The titular story focuses on a boxer whose broken finger bones mean he has to gravitate towards less legal brawls. There's no word on exactly which of the stories will be adapted for the movie itself, though Variety reports that Matthias Schoenarts, Celine Sallette and Bouli Lanners are all stepping aboard to co-star will Cotillard. Audiard plans to kick off shooting for 14 weeks in France and Belgium in the coming months. Cotillard, meanwhile, will next be seen trying not to get ill in Contagion and will then show up in The Dark Knight Rises.

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Wednesday, September 7, 2011

The go-to music people

Clinton ShorterCLINTON SHORTER"District 9" composer Shorter, a self-described "control freak," is known for his versatile sound and strives to serve "whatever the story and director require in order to connect the audience with the film," he says. According to "District 9" editor Julian Clarke, instead of limiting himself to traditional score elements, "(Shorter) often brings in unconventional or processed elements, which give his music a really rich modern quality." Shorter has scored more than 300 episodes for TV, numerous commercials and indie films. He is wrapping "Contraband," starring Mark Wahlberg, for Working Title/Universal.CHRIS AINSCOUGHAinscough's gift, says director Michael French, is "being able to translate pure emotion seamlessly into music and back again." French last collaborated with Ainscough on "Heart of a Dragon." Ainscough says such inspired compositions take a deliberate approach: "It is important to me to get the calculated brain out of the way, and let the inspired part take over." He got his start in sound post, which gave him an understanding of how to create a multi-layered soundtrack. "Chris is an inspired composer first," says French, "But his sense of beat allows him to edit pictures with a technique that anchors the post-production process in much the same way a great drummer anchors a great band." DON MACDONALDMacdonald's work spans genres, from opera to music for horror films, and that versatility is the key to his success. Recently, he completed work on the Weinstein Co.'s psychological thriller "The Chaos Experiment." It is not unusual to find Macdonald singing and improvising rhythms and themes while composing -- when no one else is in the room, of course. Otherwise it is "potentially a disastrous career move," he jokes. Director Andrew Currie, whose zombie film "Fido" was scored by Macdonald, admires the composer's bold approach and particular versatility: "He can compose in any genre you can imagine." Indeed, Macdonald is also a violinist, has conducted orchestras and even had a rock band. But best of all, says Currie, he's a good listener, which is "rarer than you'd think." Macdonald is busy working on an opera and three pics over the next six months.BEN MINK"Ben is one of the most interesting composers I've worked with," says director Kari Skogland, whose "Fifty Dead Men Walking" he scored. Throughout his prolific career, Mink has recorded for numerous artists including Feist, Barenaked Ladies, Anne Murray, Elton John and Roy Orbison. His work with k.d. lang earned him several Grammy nominations and he has also received a Juno Award for songwriter and producer of the year (1993), along with two LEO Awards for Sundance Channel's "Terminal City," and the Syfy miniseries, "Alice," and a Gemini Award for the doc "Confessions of an Innocent Man." "He has a wonderful sense of character, which for my work is critical because I like the score to add a layer to the storytelling rather than just reflecting the mood," says Skogland.BRIAN CARSONNerd Corps Entertainment series director Johnny Darrell frequently works with Carson and describes his music as catchy, finding himself unable to stop humming it. Carson has produced a diverse range of music for EA, CBC, Discovery Channel, E!, Warner Bros, MTV, Lionsgate, Nelvana, ABC Family and the Cartoon Network. Per Darrell, Carson brings a legitimate modern alternative edge to his work. The composer likes to develop distinct motifs for plot lines, characters and relationships in a way that allows them to "fit together like a puzzle into a cohesive and harmonious whole that is pushing all the right buttons and putting the focus where it needs to be," says Darrell.NATASHA DUPREYWith a real knowledge of the indie world, Duprey keeps incredibly busy as director of music supervision at S.L. Feldman & Associates. The full-service entertainment company based in Vancouver offers music supervision and event production, in addition to talent-booking services for artists such as Elvis Costello, Diana Krall and Norah Jones. Duprey spent over a decade working in artist management and musicvideo production before tackling music supervision in 2003. Since then, she has amassed credits on such shows as Showtime's "The L Word," MTV's "Peak Season" and the Lifetime miniseries "Seven Deadly Sins." Current projects include the features "Foreverland," "Three Days in Havana" and the Food Network's "Eat Street." Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Khamoshi The Musical

Goa based Joseph Braganza and his wife Flavy, devout Catholics, are both deaf and mute. He makes a living selling soap bars door to door. Flavy gets pregnant and gives birth to a daughter who they name Annie, who can speak and hear much to their delight. Flavy soon gives birth to a son, Sam, who can also hear and speak. A few years later, Sam accidentally passes away, making Joseph lose faith. Joseph, unable to make a living selling soap, opens a toy making factory and the family prospers. Annie grows up, takes to music and singing in a great way, meets with a young man named Raj and both fall in love. Joseph dislikes Raj, mainly because he is Hindu, is able to speak and hear, not a resident of Goa, and the fear of losing Annie forever and thus their contact with the world. When Annie gets pregnant, Joseph is enraged, he asks her to abort, when she refuses, he asks her to leave his house. What will Annie do next? Will Joseph, Flavy and Annie ever re-unite.

House Star Hugh Laurie: Lisa Edelstein's Departure Was "A Great Shock"

Lisa Edelstein and Hugh Laurie Think you were surprised by House star Lisa Edelstein's sudden exit? Hugh Laurie says even he didn't know it was coming. "[Lisa's departure] came out of left field in my world too," Laurie told Zap2It. "I don't know who was privy to what at what time, but it was a great shock to me and everyone obviously misses her very greatly. Not only was she a great asset to the show as a performer, but we also just miss her company, because she is an absolute hoot to have around. She has been snapped up by another show and damn right, they'd be nuts not to. I hope she is having a great time, and I am sure she is." Fall TV First Look: Lisa Edelstein on The Good Wife Since leaving, Edelstein, who played House's boss and love interest Cuddy, has booked a four-episode arc on CBS' hit drama The Good Wife. As for the future of his long-running Fox drama, Laurie says it's still up in the air. "Nobody has pounded the table and said, 'Dammit, this is the last, and I'll see you all in court!' We're all enjoying what we're doing and proud of it. I think that's the main thing. As long as... it's a worthy endeavor, that's its own reward. I have a feeling that we'll all know come February or so, whether this is something that we should be going on with or not." House's season premiere airs Monday, Oct. 3 at 9/8c on Fox.