AFTRA, music labels set talk date

Discussions between ballroom dancers for music videos and record labels will resume Jan. 11-12 following a six-month break. The American Federation of Television & Radio Artists, which reps the ballroom dancers, made the announcement Thursday evening. AFTRA also offers scheduled a Jan. 6 rally before The new sony Music offices in Beverly Hillsides to aid the ballroom dancers. Board member Jason George and ballroom dancers Teresa Espinosa and Dana Wilson are going to speak. The moves come two several weeks after AFTRA came a lot more than 160 ballroom dancers and choreographers to some standing-room-only "Now It's Time" forum in North Hollywood to exhibit support for that unionization move. AFTRA's current deal on its seem recording contract includes a contract through the labels to bargain for any music-video agreement to exchange a contract discussed in 1986. AFTRA negotiator Randall G. Himes complained in the October event that whenever a settling session on June 21, labels had delayed in reacting to AFTRA's proposal and setting dates for additional talks. AFTRA contended the 1986 agreement is outdated, particularly with ad-supported streaming services, music videos producing growing revenues. The "Now It's Time" campaign, released with a number of videos to coincide using the MTV Video Music Honours at the end of August, requires an agreement which includes safety, fair pay, residuals and health insurance and retirement benefits. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Oprah Winfrey: Dedicated To OWN Despite Rocky First Year

First Published: December 29, 2011 5:09 PM EST Credit: Getty Images LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Caption Oprah attends the Costume Institute Gala Benefit to celebrate the opening of the American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 3, 2010 in NY CityOprah Winfrey earned the rare opportunity to convert her media charisma into a monogramed TV channel. Now shes the one tasked with rescuing OWN, the Oprah Winfrey Network, after a disappointing first year. Its a high-stakes, potentially ego-shattering challenge that could make the strongest woman or man flinch. But win or lose, Winfrey says she relishes the fight to turn OWNs fortunes around. Yes, some mistakes were made. Who hasnt made mistakes? The real beauty is you can say, I learned from that, Winfrey said. I dont worry about failure. I worry about, Did I do all I could do? The cable channel, which marks its first year Jan. 1, is trying for a fresh start after executive turnover and missteps that proved OWN lacked a solid foundation on which to build, this despite a Discovery Communications investment of a reported $250 million and counting. Viewers snubbed the lineup that skimped on programming and, surprisingly, what should have been OWNs unique weapon of choice: Winfrey herself, whose limited on-air presence will be boosted Sunday with a new weekly series, Oprahs Next Chapter. OWN has failed to improve on, or in some instances even match, the modest ratings and small audience earned by the low-profile Discovery Health channel it replaced. I would absolutely say it is and was not where I want it to be for year one, Winfrey said. My focus up until (last) May was doing what I do best, which is The Oprah Winfrey Show, and giving that my full attention until its conclusion. But Winfrey, who said management team errors in planning and execution could serve as a cautionary tale (I was never interested in writing a book. THIS could be a book), rejects the idea that a single years performance will determine OWNs ultimate fate. Or hers. Somebody was talking to me in that kind of saddened, How are you? tone, and I was thinking, Im fine, said Winfrey, 57, who ruled as the queen of daytime TV until she ended her talk show after 25 years and turned her attention to the channel. I realized the reason people have this tone is theyre reading all the press (about OWN), so you see me and wonder if I can still walk. I am a determined and committed woman. I dont give up. Im just getting started, she said in a recent interview. One bonus of being Oprah: She has received pep talks from other media movers and shakers. Everybody has told me Ted Turner has told me, Barry Diller has told me, Lorne Michaels has told me, David Geffen has told me anybody whos ever worked with a channel, whos ever done anything, has said it takes three to five years, she said, adding, You have to do the work. You do not have to pay attention to the criticism. Year two for OWN will reflect executive changes made last July, when Winfrey expanded her role at the channel by adding the roles of chief executive and chief creative officer to her position as chairman. Discovery Communications COO Peter Liguori had filled in as interim head after OWN CEO Christina Norman was dismissed in the wake of poor ratings. Although the channels ownership is split evenly between Discovery and Winfreys Chicago-based production company, Harpo Inc., it is Discoverys money thats on the line. With more scheduling consistency, movies, original series with and without Winfrey, and a lot more Oprah in general, Discovery is a lot more confident that were heading in the right direction, said company spokesman David Leavy. Sheri Salata and Erik Logan, two veteran Harpo executives, were brought on board to share the title of OWN president, with Logan moving from Chicago to OWNs Los Angeles headquarters. Logan said he clearly understands the hard work in establishing any cable channel, and this one in particular. One of the greatest gifts and challenges is to have her name on the door, Logan said of his top boss. Everything you do garners a high level of scrutiny and attention. We dont run from that. The initially slight programming lineup is being beefed up, most notably with Oprahs Next Chapter. The weekly series debuts 9 p.m.-11 PM EST Sunday with Winfreys visit to the New Hampshire home of Steven Tyler. Next Chapter turns the once studio-bound Winfrey into a globe-trotting interviewer who drops into the home of a Hasidic Jewish family in NY, George Lucas Skywalker Ranch in California and cook Paula Deens Georgia estate. There is also a trip with Sean Penn to Haiti, fire-walking with Tony Robbins and a planned India trip with Deepak Chopra. The injection of Winfrey on-screen, not just in the executive suite, is sorely needed, suggested one industry analyst. The biggest mistake they made is, if its the Oprah Winfrey Network, wheres Oprah? said Bill Carroll of media buying firm Katz Media. He compared OWNs Winfrey vacuum to programming the Court TV channel without courtroom shows or the Major League Baseball channel without games: After a while, viewers stop going, Carroll said. OWN has averaged about 136,000 viewers a day, a drop of 8 percent from what Discovery Health drew in 2010, although its up slightly in total viewers in prime time and has seen an 8 percent increase among women ages 25 to 54, part of the channels hoped-for demographic. Popular shows include The Judds, which ran for six episodes in April and May; Our America With Lisa Ling; and the reality series Welcome to Sweetie Pies, which attracted a strong African-American audience (prompting media reports that OWN intended to skew toward black viewers, an assertion that Discovery and Winfrey deny. It doesnt mean were going to turn into the Roots channel, Winfrey said, wryly.) Winfrey also is on-air with Oprahs Lifeclass, which draws on her talk-show archives, and Oprahs Master Class, a series of high-achiever biography specials. But, she said, she never was supposed to carry the channel on my back, and it never was supposed to be about me being on the air as much as possible. Instead, O magazine, with Winfrey as monthly cover girl and articles reflecting her better-life philosophy, is the intended model. She attributes the channels rough start to a more basic error: The lack of a library of programming for the many hours of airtime not filled by original shows, compounded by overconfidence about her market value in general. I dont understand what anybody was thinking. Youre going on the air, youve got four shows. What do you think youre going to do by Tuesday? Did they think people were going to turn on the channel just because it had my name on it? she said, sounding almost eager to cast doubt on her drawing power. People didnt turn on The Oprah Winfrey Show because my name was on it. It was absolutely topic driven every day, she said. Such modest expressions aside, Winfreys involvement clearly is key to the channels success. Shes glad to make the commitment, she said. As her longtime boyfriend Stedman Graham told her, shed be bored silly today if shed taken any lengthy break after ending her daytime show. Discovery is also in it for the long term, said spokesman Leavy, citing the three to five years that other cable channels have needed to develop audience-grabbing hits and firmly establish themselves. He declined to specify what Discovery has spent so far on the venture, calling media estimates high. But he pointed to long-term advertising contracts with major companies including Procter&Gamble, and hopes of new carriage fees from cable providers that have been airing the channel for free. Viewership that has been lower than expected, however, has meant make goods in ad time for sponsors. Winfrey, who describes herself as obsessed by ratings for the first time in her career, said shes giving OWN everything Ive got. Ive spent more energy doing this than anything Ive ever done in my whole life. With good reason. I walked in today (to OWNs offices) and felt uplifted to see my name on the door, Oprah Winfrey Network, she said. Just to be able to sit in a room with a team of people presenting you with ideas what a gift that is. It has also made OWN her ultimate responsibility. Every third week, someone new was in charge, and now shes in charge. From where I sit, this is going to be her success or her failure, said analyst Carroll. Winfrey claims to have an unlikely sounding Plan B if the channel falls short. If this doesnt work out, Im going to go into organic farming in Maui. And Im not kidding. Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Seth Rogen Joins The B Team

Developing spy comedy at DisneyThere was a period when The B Team would be a cop comedy starring Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg, before a particular A-Team triggered a title-change to Another Men. However with Another Men now come and gone, and also the A-Team a distant, tank-flying memory, The B Team has returned, this time around as a spy spoof being produced by Seth Rogen. It simply proves you cannot have a good title lower. Or something like that.This project really pre-dates individuals others, and it is title was most probably in flux there for some time. Development being as slow because it is though, it's fair game again. The storyline within this situation is all about a "key-agent" who will get kidnapped and needs to be saved by his back-up gang of scientists and techies, who most probably aren't as "top" because he is.The initial pitch towards the studio was by Derek Guiley and David Schneiderman, whose last created script was Chasing after Liberty in 2004. Rogen originates aboard like a producer at this time, but might have his eye on the starring role too. There is no reference to his usual cohort Evan Goldberg being involved right now, but we are sure it's only dependent on time.The B Team continues to be in the coming-together stage right now, without any start-date around the cards. That is fine, because Rogen greatly must give his complete focus on Jay And Seth Versus. The Apocalypse. Last we heard, that a person's due prior to the cameras in Feb.

'Mission: Impossible' illuminates early holiday B.O.

'Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol' is off and away to a good start in the holiday B.O., generating $8.six million Wednesday."Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol" easily may be the early B.O. leader this Christmas weekend, getting collected $8.six million on Wednesday for any domestic cume of $25.7 million.Vital released the film last week solely in particular-screen houses.In second place, Warner Bros.' "A Virtual Detective: A Game Title of Shadows" collected $4.3 million Wednesday, pushing its Stateside cume to $54 million in under two days of play. Sony's "The Lady Using the Dragon Tattoo," meanwhile, adopted with $3.six million from the opening day, though latenight Tuesday tests increased the pic's total cume to $5.a million.The B.O.'s current top trio are required to remain on top through Monday, however it appears "Mission" could pull ahead, for the way the Christmas Eve downturn affects the general market.Specialized photos like "Dragon Tattoo" will fare best Christmas Eve -- in the past a b -.To. trough -- than more all-audience fare, for example "Mission" and "A Virtual Detective.InchAround the family front, Fox's "Alvin and also the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked" did better ($3.5 million) than Par's new entry "The Adventures of Tintin," which bowed midweek with $2.3 million. Theater traffic to see relatives-specific films might be sluggish with the weekend, though business should increase considerably by mid-mid-day on Sunday."Alvin" to date has totalled almost $33 million locally "Tintin," $5.six million, including last week's Canadian grosses. Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com

5 Things the 2012 SAG Nominations Might Inform You Of Oscar Season

For people people who think the SAG award nominations on Wednesday morning didn't mean greatly for Michael Fassbender, Albert Brooks and Shailene Woodley -- three presumed Oscar nominees who've been snubbed by SAG -- consider this, from Deadline's Pete Hammond: "Guild voters overlap with Academy voters and sometimes will be the most accurate barometer of where Oscar might be headed." Translation: these nominations matter! No less than greater than the NY Film Experts Circle honours might! So, what do i mean for your nominated and not nominated? Ahead, five ways the 18th annual SAG award nominations might affect Oscar season. 1. 'Bridesmaids' can be a legitimate contender Inside the summer season, Movieline's S.T. VanAirsdale wondered if 'Super 8' would create the coveted 'Inception' Exception within the Academy awards in 2012. That being: the primary one summer season blockbuster Hollywood honors getting a Best Picture nomination in order to goose audience fascination with the fledgling telecast. The standard thinking round the 'Inception' Exception changed when AMPAS dropped the most effective Picture nominees lower in the standard ten to between five-to-ten -- with various percentage election -- but possibly 2011 will still provide some audience fodder. Most assumed that 'Harry Potter as well as the Deathly Hallows Part 2' would roll onto a Best Picture nomination in the 'Return in the King'-like coronation, but knowing within the SAGs -- as well as the less-predictive critical honours -- 'Bridesmaids' appears being the main reason célèbre as soon as. 'Bridesmaids' acquired a Best Ensemble cast nom from SAG, opposite assumed Academy Award heavy-gamers 'The Help,' 'The Artist,' 'Midnight in Paris' and 'The Descendants,' and before thought-to-be faves like 'Moneyball' and 'Hugo.' Meanwhile co-star Melissa McCarthy was nominated inside the Supporting Actress category, before 'Descendants' star Shailene Woodley. Will the actors' branch carry this now-classic romcom for the Kodak Theater? Don't wager against it happening. 2. 'War Horse' isn't an stars movie, so it must be OK... Future 'War Horse' supporters shouldn't be too upset in regards to the Steven Spielberg film being excluded within the SAG nominations. Ultimately, despite a cast of enjoyable talent (Tom Hiddleston, Emily Watson, Peter Mullan, Jeremy Irvine, Benedict Cumberbatch, Toby Kebbell), the main character in 'War Horse' is Joey ... the equine. Unless of course obviously SAG features a secret equine branch where Mr. Erection dysfunction as well as the equine from 'Hot to Trot' spend some time, that certain wasn't inside the cards. 3. ... but 'Hugo,' 'The Girl While using Dragon Tattoo' and 'Extremely Noisy and very Close' may not Pointless to push the strain button at this time around, nevertheless the SAG nominations probably weren't the most effective factor for 'Hugo' and Scott Rudin's twosome, 'The Girl While using Dragon Tattoo' and 'Extremely Noisy and very Close.' In the Best Picture perspective, 'Hugo' ought to be solid gold -- ultimately, its support will vary from Company company directors Guild (for Martin Scorsese), the Producers Guild (for Graham King) and many types of the below-the-card inserts (for editor Thelma Schoonmaker, cinematographer Robert Richardson and production designer Dante Ferretti). 'Dragon Tattoo' and 'Extremely Noisy,' however, certainly are a different story: no Rooney Mara (shocking, since she's so brilliant), no Tom Hanks or Sandra Bullock, no ensemble nods. At this time around, neither of individuals films appear to be with the honours-circuit radar. This can be a problem no embargo will fix. 4. 'Drive' takes a turbo boost Whither 'Drive'? Most likely probably the most-discussed film of September has fans all over the critical community, then one sure-fire bit of Oscar bait in Albert Brooks's brilliant supporting turn just like a gangster susceptible to stabbing people with forks. Roughly it absolutely was thought. Brooks's snub -- for either Armie Hammer, oddly for 'J. Edgar,' or Jonah Hill for 'Moneyball,' according to your prejudices -- was easily most likely probably the most surprising in the morning, if possibly because it was assumed the 'Drive' star would no less than finish since the unofficial runner-around Christopher Plummer within the Oscars. Why no SAG passion for Brooks? Exactly why is not FilmDistrict pushing 'Drive' more in the weak year if the could easily grab nominations for top Picture, Director, Supporting Actor, Cinematography, Editing and Score? Hopefully, situation a blip and Brooks can get the nomination he so highly warrants come The month of the month of january. That's certainly what Team 'Drive' thinks, just like a publicist sent this email out (via Movieline) right after the snub: "We appreciate all of your ongoing support of DRIVE and coverage in the film, especially following this morning's SAG noms. Thanks for your shout-outs to Albert Brooks on Twitter too as with your analyses in the SAG nominations if this involves his not recognized today, but we remain sure that the Supporting Actor race still boils lower with a two-guy showdown between Albert and Christopher Plummer." Hopefully! 5. Nobody knows anything Remember everything products you simply read? Not a way! Since the great William Goldman once mentioned of Hollywood, "Nobody knows anything." Never is always that more true throughout Oscar season. So, just in case your a Brooks pom-pom waver or sporting a Fassboner for Michael Fassbender's snubbed performance in 'Shame,' don't get worried there's still the required time to enable them to end up among the candidate of 2012 Oscar nominees. Happy going for a chance! EARLIER: 'The Help,' 'The Artist' and 'Bridesmaids' Lead 2012 SAG Award Nominations [Photo: FilmDistrict] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Weekend Box Office: 'New Year's Eve' Drops the Ball, Wins Anyway

'New Year's Eve' was designed to bring the party a few days ago, however it performed a lot more like a brand new Year's Day hangover. It mustered an believed $13.7 million, about 50 % what it really was likely to earn. Still, on probably the most lackluster box office weekends all seasons, which was enough for any victory. 'New Year's Eve' was director Garry Marshall's follow-as much as his similar holiday-designed, all-star ensemble romantic comedy 'Valentine's Day,' which first showed having a huge $56 million two Februarys ago. Obviously, which was around the greatest date weekend of the season it was not (plus, it had the still-strong ''The Twilight Saga: Breaking Beginning Part 1' to deal with for female ticketbuyers). Nobody expected it to spread out as large as 'Valentine's Day,' but many expected a dent around half the dimensions, not really a mere 4th the dimensions. Aside from the 'Twilight' vampires of the underworld, blame scathing reviews and poor word-of-mouth. Opening in second place, 'The Sitter' also carried out below its already underwhelming anticipation. Jonah Hill hasn't transported a comedy simply by themself, and knowing through the mild reception for that recent 'A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas,' this is not a time period of year having a strong marketplace for raunchy comedies. So commentators predicted a dent close to $12 to $13 million, but Sunday estimations arrived just $10. million. Director David Gordon Eco-friendly, that has yet to restore the levels of 'Pineapple Express,' now likes the dubious distinction of getting launched two flops this season (another was this spring's 'Your Highness'). After three weekends atop the chart, 'Breaking Dawn' finally ended up to 3rd place, by having an believed $7.9 million. A decline of 52 percent from the other day is not that unusual for any four-week-old blockbuster. The supernatural romance has gained $259.5 million in The United States up to now. 'The Muppets' also dropped two spots, lower to 4th place by having an believed take of $7.a million. That signifies a modest decline of 32 percent within the movie's third weekend. Up to now, Kermit & Co. are seeing eco-friendly towards the tune of $65.8 million. The only real Christmas-designed movie presently playing, 'Arthur Christmas,' saw the littlest decline among wide-release movies, just 11 percent in the third weekend. At No. 5, it gained an believed $6.six million, for any three-week total of $33.5 million. Also opening now were two movies that did perfectly in limited release, based on studio estimations. Charlize Theron's black comedy 'Young Adult' gained a massive $40,000 per screen on eight screens (in comparison, 'New Year's Eve came $3,505 per screen), and it is total debut of $320,000 arrived it at No. 15 around the chart. One notch below was Gary Oldman's espionage thriller 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy,' which gained a much more astonishing $75,250 per screen at four venues, for any total of $301,000. Supporting well in limited release were 'The Artist' (up 38 percent now with the help of 10 screens, for any total of 16, having a per-screen average of $18,250 as well as an believed weekend take of $292,000) and 'Shame' (lower just 21 percent, for an believed $276,000, or $13,143 per screen). All potential year-finish honours challengers, these films should continue doing well because they expand into wider release. Overall, the very best 12 movies gained just $69.7 million a few days ago, marking the 3rd straight week of decreasing box office. Grosses for that year tend to be more than 3 % below where these were this time around last year ($9.5 billion, in comparison to $9.8 billion), but that gap could widen if the month is constantly on the see such lackluster performance. 'New Year's Eve' - Trailer No. 2 The entire top ten: 1. 'New Year's Eve,' $13.7 million (3,505 screens), era 2. 'The Sitter,' $10. million (2,750), era 3. 'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Beginning Part 1,' $7.9 million (3,604), $259.5 million total 4. 'The Muppets,' $7.a million (3,328), $65.8 million 5. 'Arthur Christmas,' $6.six million (3,272), $33.5 million 6. 'Hugo,' $6.a million (2,608) $33.5 million 7. 'The Descendants,' $4.8 million (876), $23.six million 8. 'Happy Ft Two,' $3.8 million (2,840), $56.9 million 9. 'Jack and Jill,' $3.two million (2,787), $68.six million 10. 'Immortals,' $2,4 million (2,286), $79.9 million [Photos: Warner Bros. ('New Year's Eve'), twentieth century Fox ('The Sitter'), Vital ('Young Adult')] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook Follow Gary Susman on Twitter: @garysusman

Sinead OConnor Weds In Pink Cadillac In Las vegas

First Released: December 9, 2011 10:50 AM EST Credit: Off-shore Coast News Vegas, Nev. -- Caption Sinead OConnor marries Craig Herridge in the Little Whitened Wedding Chapel in Vegas on December 8, 2011Sinead OConnor got married in true Vegas style on Thursday at the back of a pink Cadillac in the same chapel where Britney Warrior spears and Elvis also got married. Just like the singer introduced on her behalf website on Wednesday, she tied the knot with Craig Herridge, a counselor, on her behalf 45th birthday. The bride to be used an easy pink low-cut dress that displayed her many tats and transported some red-colored roses. Your daughter's groom carried a gray suit having a light pink shirt to complement Sineads dress. The pair passionately kissed and cuddled together with wiping away a couple of tears at the back of the classic vehicle while swapping vows. The Nothing Compares 2 U singer told photography enthusiasts that they virtually no time for any honeymoon, but selected Las Vegas for his or her wedding since it was rock 'n roll. Following the ceremony, the pair spent the evening in a Vegas area hotel. This marks the performers 4th marriage. She divorced longtime friend and collaborator Steve Cooney in April after being together just for eight several weeks. Sinead, that has four children from previous associations, get married music producer John Reynolds in 1989 and journalist Nicholas Sommerlad in 2001. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Grimm's Silas Weir Mitchell: Monroe Is Wilier Than Twilight's Jacob

Silas Weir Mitchell Silas Weir Mitchell thinks his wolfy Grimm character Monroe could totally undertake Twilight's werewolf Jacob... only when he didn't depend solely on brute strength. "If you're asking if Taylor Lautner's character could kick my a--, yeah he probably could," Mitchell notifies TVGuide.com. "I'd hold the wiles, however when he got the visit me, I'd be dead meat. I'm older than he's, therefore i know some techniques, but like I mentioned, whether or not this were pound for pound, I'm dead." Watch full cases of Grimm Monroe may need to rely on his cunning in Friday's episode, "The Three Bad Baby baby wolves" (9/8c, NBC), when some old pals threaten the existence he's created for themselves. Just like a awesome Blutbad, Monroe resists his violent, wolf-like character with no more kills humans. "There's an arson situation, as well as the victim in the fire is certainly a classic friend,Inch states Mitchell. "People in the past can be found in and very disrupt my flow: They wreak havoc on my human mojo, as well as the Blutblad element must be labored with once more." "Also, one of these simple may well be a classic flame." His character's ongoing have trouble with his dual character -- the thinking person versus. the instinctive animal -- was what initially came the actor to Grimm. "The exciting element is always that anytime, my id will make itself known," Mitchell describes. "As a creature or someone who's descended in the creature, your relationship for the mythical/mental self is nearer up compared to normal people. There's a mythical element the creatures inside the series have a very direct line to in the type of Jungian way. I have discovered that really interesting to see with: The conventional, not-normal dynamic." The Wieder Blutbaden, also called the awesome Large Bad Baby baby wolves, use diet, drugs or exercise to handle their more animal natures. Too as with the problem of Monroe, more youthful crowd holds every factor of human culture: assembling and fasten clocks for a job, experiencing culinary works of art and playing the cello. "When he'll try something, he goes completely whether it is the clocks or perhaps the food or perhaps the coffee or perhaps the wine," states Mitchell. "What's fun about Monroe might be the measures he will get into his mission for human experience rather than the Blutblad experience." And although his new cop friend Nick (David Giuntoli) is dependent on Monroe's Blutbad side inside the more fantastical research, Monroe also benefits of their unusual partnership. "A Few Things I escape coping with Nick is trying being round the good guys' side a little rather than ravaging the countryside," Mitchell observes. "Essentially are capable of doing something good, I'll take a look. It's dangerous I guess personally, because Grimms are my natural enemy. The trust must be built." The actor finds that using his inner wolf to see Monroe isn't as difficult as you may think. He thinks that myths and magical tales are creatively safe techniques for exploring fundamental man's instinct in many its facets. "You just pretend around the very deep level it's real," Mitchell states. "Everybody's first first got it, which is an actor's job to get into it. Everyone's got an inner Monroe plus an inner Blutbad... or possibly an inner mouse, whichever your factor is." Grimm airs on Fridays at 9/8c on NBC.

AXN partners on Takayama skein

Tokyo, japan, japan -- The The brand new the new sony-backed AXN Mystery Funnel has became a member of with Hong Kong-based Charis Entertainment to co-produce a new unscripted series for Japanese and Asian auds. Titled "Cyril's Vacation,In . the six-episode show will feature Japanese illusionist Cyril Takayama travelling in Hawaii along with his family and astounding the neighborhood people. The show can be a follow-around the 2011 strand "Cyril: Simply Miracle," which broadcast on AXN, while using target aud in Japan and Asia. Among the executive producers are Takayama, Charis' Sophistication Chen and thesp Andy Lau, along with his Focus Group shingle. Shooting is skedded to start next season with release skedded for your spring. AXN Mystery Funnel is handled through the new the new sony Pictures Entertainment Japan and also the new the new sony Pictures Television's Asian branch. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Lars Von Trier's 'Melancholia' Wins Best Film at European Film Awards

Former Godfather's Pizza executive Herman Cain's suspension of his quest for the GOP presidential nomination is a double blow to Hollywood: late-night comedians have lost a rich source of material and the industry's ideological, mainly libertarian Republicans have lost the candidate many found most appealing.our editor recommendsHerman Cain Suspends Presidential Campaign Suspending a presidential campaign almost always is a prelude to dropping out of the race. Candidates usually do it because a "suspended" campaign can go on collecting donations and, in some cases, matching funds to cover debts already incurred. PHOTOS: 10 Hollywood Players That Will Make a Difference in 2012 Elections Among the current slate of Republican hopefuls, Cain had a definite appeal for many of Hollywood's most conservative Republicans. Unlike, say, Texas Gov. Rick Perry or Rep. Michelle Bachmann, he didn't come freighted with the baggage of Evangelical Christianity's social conservatism. He also projected a natural, informality and spontaneity - the kind of outsider authenticity that attracts entertainment industry activists, no matter what their party. Cain's appeal was reinforced by a goofy series of Internet campaign videos, spots so off-center that they lent the genre a kind of underground, auteur sensibility. PHOTOS: Democrats and Republicans' Favorite Movies A series of allegations involving various claims of sexual harassment and long-term marital infidelity now has brought all that to nothing. While that sort of problem barely registers in Hollywood - even among Republicans - it dooms his campaign in the coming GOP primaries in places like Iowa and South Carolina. It's hard to see where the industry's ideological conservatives turn next in the turbulent Republican race. Former Gov. Mitt Romney is the candidate of Hollywood's executive suite Republicans, but he seems to hold little appeal for others. Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman is an unflinching economic conservative - he's categorically endorsed the Ryan budget proposal, but believes in things like climate change, which most conservatives disdain. One-time House Speaker Newt Gingrich has surged in the polls, but part of his self-reinvention involves the sort of social conservatism and pious religiosity that grates in Hollywood. Moreover, as one Democratic wit recently put it, "even Newt's baggage has baggage." So where does it leave the thoughtful conservative Republican west of La Cienega? Ron Paul, anyone? PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery Democrats and Republicans' Favorite Movies Related Topics Politics Herman Cain

Actress Dagmara Dominczyk Sells First Novel (Exclusive)

This story first appeared in the Dec. 9 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine.our editor recommendsDoes Michael Bay's 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon' Recycle Old Movie Clips? (Video)Director Michael Bay Goes on 3D OffensiveMichael Bay Reveals James Cameron's Secret Role in the Making of 'Transformers' Transformers: Dark of the Moon director Michael Bay weighs in on the importance of sound. The Hollywood Reporter: You have quite a large below-the-line team. Michael Bay: Roughly 3,000 people worked on this Transformers. Some have been with me since 1995's Bad Boys. The people I work with are animals. They're passionate. It irks me that VFX and VFX movies aren't considered art. It's a different type of art, but it's definitely art. THR: How important is sound to your films? Bay: Sound has been a major part of my movies. It's something I love and put a huge emphasis on. The sound on this film is the most complex I've ever done. The Transformers sound team invents sounds, and they start very early. It's a long, creative process, and nothing for this movie is off-the-shelf. Chaos in Chicago: Image progressions of a skyscraper's demise caused by The Driller, which ILM constructed from 30 million polygons -- the digital equivalent of an atom. If they were laid out end to end, the polygons would stretch 68.36 miles. THR: What did you use to create some of the sound that became part of The Driller's "voice"? Bay: At one point, we worked with an orangutan whose trainer said to sound designer Erik Aadahl, "Turn your back and put your keys to the side. I'm going to steal your keys when the orangutan is watching. He'll go crazy because he can't imagine the injustice of what's going on." THR: Can you discuss the Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound mix in the climactic Chicago destruction sequence? Bay: [Rerecording mixer] Greg Russell said reel seven [the destruction of Chicago, including The Driller] was the hardest of his career. He said it had 30,000 fades [audio files], and the entire [Pro Tools audio postproduction system] locked up. They had to call the engineers who developed the program to fix it. They had never heard of a reel having 30,000 fades. THR: Didn't the movie also crash ILM's computer system? Bay: It was the scene where The Driller destroys Chicago. It was single-handedly the most complex shot ILM has ever done in its history. They had to hijack the entire computer system over the weekends to get the shots finished. PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery 7 Music to Movie Directors: Michael Bay, David Fincher, Spike Jonze Related Topics Michael Bay Oscars Oscars 2012 Transformers: Dark of the Moon