Daily Variety back issues from May 2005:
AFTRA vet gets SAG card.(American Federation of Television & Radio Artists employee joins Screen Actors Guild)
May 02, 2005; ... HOLLYWOOD -- Screen Actors Guild's last CEO, Bob Pisano, started his new job on Sept. 10, 2001. Today, AFTRA's outgoing topper, Greg Hessinger, officially assumes Pisano's old office. Privately, Pisano would sometimes refer to this inauspicious start date with a wry ...
AUDS cling to spring: 'Guide' is hot but B.O.'s not.('The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy')
May 02, 2005; ... Don't fire up the grill just yet. While Disney's "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" opened to a healthy $21.7 million, the box office has not yet taken on a summer hue. Tepid results for the frame's other fresh film, Revolution and Sony's "XXX: State of the Union," which ...
Tribeca jury finds 'Life' is good.(Tribeca Film Festival awards 'Stolen Life')
May 02, 2005; ... The fourth annual Tribeca Film Festival handed out its competition awards Saturday night, with Chinese helmet Li Shaohong's "Stolen Life" (Sheng Si Jie) taking the top prize. Pic follows a girl from a peasant family who heads to an out-of-town college to improve her prospects. ...
Eye net survives prez power play.
May 02, 2005; ... CBS opened the May sweep with a winning perf on an atypical Thursday that saw the top-rated dramas and reality shows of the Eye and Peacock webs go head-to-head in much of the country. President Bush's hastily skedded Thursday evening press conference resulted in the ...
Dylan bio aligns stars.(Brief Article)
May 02, 2005; ... Helmet Todd Haynes is attracting a raft of stars--including Cate Blanchett, Colin Farrell, Adrien Brody, Richard Gere, Julianne Moore and Charlotte Gainsbourg--to his "I'm Not There," an unconventional film bio of Bob Dylan. Deals are not set in stone, but financing on the pic ...
'XXX' marks spot o'seas.('XXX: State of the Union')
May 02, 2005; ... "XXX: State of the Union" led a still-mild foreign box office with a moderate day-and-date international opening of $15 million at 4,800 play-dates in 64 territories. Also during the Friday-Sunday frame, "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" showed spark with $8.3 million at 1,035 ...
TV pair taps 'Middle' man.(Regency Television and 20th Century Fox TV sign deal with 'Malcolm in the Middle' veteran Alex Reid )(Brief Article)
May 02, 2005; ... HOLLYWOOD -- After fending off bids from other studios, Regency Television and 20th Century Fox TV have teamed up to sign Emmy-winning "Malcolm in the Middle" vet Alex Reid to a rich two-year development deal. Seven-figure pact calls for Reid to create, develop and write series ...
Women in power: What's the big deal? Assumptions about what sets female studio chiefs apart from men don't stand the test of time.
May 02, 2005; ... The appointment of Gaff Berman to lead Paramount's new movie team has prompted a fresh onslaught of women-in-power articles, most of which seem oddly anachronistic. Indeed, I can sympathize with power players like Universal's Stacey Snider who tell reporters "I don't want to ...
Season of sizzle.(Brief Article)
May 02, 2005; ... There's no starting gun, but if you listen carefully you can hear the distant rumble of the studio marketing machines as they gear up for the summer madness. Yes, May is suddenly upon us, and the summer blockbusters loom large. Visit any studio and you can see signs of ...
Icahn move may be costly.(Carl Icahn)(Brief Article)
May 02, 2005; ... Firing off the latest salvo, Blockbuster warned shareholders Friday that it will have no choice but to pay embattled chairman-CEO John Antioco $54 million in severance if he's booted from the top board seat by corporate raider Carl Icahn. The battle for control between Antioco ...
CBS, WGA resume deal talks.(Writers Guild of America, CBS Television Network)(Brief Article)
May 02, 2005; ... HOLLYWOOD -- Negotiations between the Writers Guild of America and CBS have resumed their rocky course following a month's suspension. After meeting Thursday and Friday, both sides agreed to continue negotiating, but had not settled on a date. During the two days of ...
AFTRA taps Hedgpeth national exec director.(American Federation of Television & Radio Artists appoints Kim Roberts Hedgpeth)
May 02, 2005; ... HOLLYWOOD -- Leaders of AFTRA have named veteran exec Kim Roberts Hedgpeth national exec director, a post she had held on an interim basis for the past month since the departure of Greg Hessinger to head the Screen Actors Guild. The national board of directors, meeting in New ...
New Line fits laff star for new 'Uniform'.(Kevin James to act in New Line Cinema Corp.'s comedy 'Man in Uni form')(Brief Article)
May 02, 2005; ... HOLLYWOOD -- Fresh off his co-starring role in hit comedy "Hitch," Kevin James is in negotiations to topline "Man in Uni form" for New Line. "King of Queens" star would play a beleaguered everyman whose life radically changes after he takes possession of a policeman's missing ...
Imax stokes Potter 'Fire'.('Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire')(Brief Article)
May 02, 2005; ... Imax Corp. has locked in its 2005 holiday pic--Warner Bros. Pictures' "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire." Toronto-based company and Warner Bros. are expected to announce today that they'll bow the event film Nov. 18 on Imax screens and conventional 35mm theaters. ...
Peacock taps PR topper.(NBC Universal appoints public relations executive)(Brief Article)
May 02, 2005; ... NBC Universal has named West Coast entertainment publicity veteran Kathy Kelly-Brown to take over in Gotham for top corporate PR exec Kevin Sullivan, who has been nominated by President Bush to serve as U.S. assistant secretary of education. Kelly-Brown, who is skedded to begin ...
Clear sign of times: conglom to spin off live entertainment arm.(Clear Channel)
May 02, 2005; ... No divorce papers have been signed yet, but the trend toward voluntary media deconsolidation is no longer just a trend, it's a full-fledged epidemic. Clear Channel, the epitome of the mega-media conglom made possible by the deregulation-friendly 1996 Telecom Act, announced ...
Soap icon stirred fans.(William Joseph Bell: 1927-2005)(Obituary)
May 02, 2005 ... Emmy-winning TV soap writer and producer William Joseph Bell died Friday in Los Angeles from complications of Alzheimer's disease. He was 78. The co-creator of "The Young and the Restless" and "The Bold and the Beautiful" earned nine Emmys during his four-decade career, three ...
'Bum' finds home with Bender.('5th Avenue Bum' optioned by Lawrence Bender Prods.)(Brief Article)
May 02, 2005; ... HOLLYWOOD -- Lawrence Bender Prods. has optioned Carrie Gerlach Cecil's "5th Avenue Bum." A romantic comedy, "5th Avenue Bum" is the story of a sexy executive who runs a baby food company but hates babies and chews up men as fast as her employees. When her father threatens to ...
Pop player sees green in 'Shrek 3'.(Justin Timberlake to provide voice for DreamWorks' 'Shrek 3')(Brief Article)
May 02, 2005; ... Justin Timberlake will provide the voice of Artie, King Harold's rebellious nephew, in DreamWorks' "Shrek 3." News of Timberlake's signing for the next installment of the blockbuster CGI franchise was unveiled Sunday at the studio's "Animation Now: Imagination Innovation ...
Kingdom of Heaven.(Movie Review)
May 02, 2005; ... (U.K.-Spain-U.S.-Germany) A 20th Century Fox release of a Scott Free production and a BK-Reino del Cielo-KOH-Babelsberg Film co-production in association with Inside Track 3 LLP. Produced by Ridley Scott. Executive producers, Branko Lustig, Lisa Ellzey, Terry Needham ....
Glengarry Glen Ross.(Theater Review)
May 02, 2005; ... (Royale Theater; 1.078 seats; $91.25 top) A Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel, Jam Theatricals, Boyett Ostar Prods., Ronald Frankel, Philip Lacerte, Stephanie P. McClelland/CJM Prod., Barry Weisbord, Zendog Prods. presentation in association with Herbert Goldsmith Prods., by ...
Turner's reloading: cabler buys 'Matrix' sequel, 3 other Warner pix.(Turner Broadcasting to purchase 'The Matrix Reloaded' from Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution)(Brief Article)
May 02, 2005; ... HOLLYWOOD -- Turner Broadcasting will shell out around $50 million for the network premiere of "The Matrix Reloaded," the second chapter of the sci-fi trilogy, and windows to three other theatricals from Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution. Other titles bought by Turner are ...
Scribe chews 'Bone'.(Alan McElroy to script 'Bonesaw' for Platinum Studios and the Shop Prods.)(Brief Article)
May 02, 2005; ... HOLLYWOOD -- Platinum Studios and the Shop Prods. have hired Alan McElroy to script "Bonesaw," a CG horror feature. Budgeted at $18 million, "Bonesaw" is based on Rob Moran's upcoming graphic novel in which a horror-fantasy writer discovers her novels are about to release the ...
Mark Moses.(to act in 'Big Momma's House 2' for 20th Century Fox)(Brief Article)
May 02, 2005; ... Mark Moses ("Desperate Housewives") has been tapped for a role in 20th Century Fox's "Big Momma's House 2." He plays a Harvard-educated computer whiz who hires Big Momma ...
Brian White.(to act in 'DOA: Dead or Alive' for Impact Pictures/Constantin Film)(Brief Article)
May 02, 2005; ... Brian White ("Mr. 3000") has been cast in Impact Pictures/Constantin Film's "DOA: Dead or Alive." Based on the Tecmo vidgame, pic stars White as a fighter ....
Kaitlin Olson.(to act in 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia')(Brief Article)
May 02, 2005; ... Kaitlin Olson ("Kelsey Grammer Presents: The Sketch Show") will play a bartender on FX's "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia." Creator Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day and Glenn Howerton also star in the project and are exec ...
Izabella Miko.(to act in 'The House of Usher' to be produced by Boyd Hancock)(Brief Article)
May 02, 2005; ... Izabella Miko (HBO's "Deadwood") has joined the cast of indic "The House of Usher," produced by Boyd Hancock. Hayley Cloake is helming the ...
Spike works for UNICEF.(Spike Lee to direct movie for United Nations Children's Fund)(Brief Article)
May 02, 2005; ... HOLLYWOOD -- Spike Lee will be the seventh director of "All the Invisible Children," a collection of short films produced by MK Film Prods. and RAI for UNICEF. The other directors, previously announced, are John Woo, Ridley and Jordan Scott, Stefano Venemso, Katia Lund, Mehdi ...
'Yard' birds lock up laffer script at FX.('The Longest Yard' acquired by FX Networks L.L.C.)(Brief Article)
May 02, 2005; ... HOLLYWOOD -- Adam Sandler's Happy Madison Prods. has sold an untitled comedy script, starring Burr Reynolds as a washed-up actor, to cable net FX. Half-hour, written by "Blue Collar TV" exec producers Fax Bahr and Adam Small, revolves around a former big-time actor, played by ...
Golihew back at praisery.(Tammy Golihew reappointed at Praisery Bragman Nyman Cafarelli )(Brief Article)
May 02, 2005; ... HOLLYWOOD -- Praisery Bragman Nyman Cafarelli has put Tammy Golihew in charge of its TV, home entertainment and corporate entertainment divisions. Returning to the agency after a 2 1/2 year absence, Golihew will be VP entertainment. She most recently was director of media ...
Duo will forge bonds of 'Friendship'.(Kirk D'Amico and Mark Damon to sell worldwide rights on 'Beyond Friendship')(Brief Article)
May 02, 2005; ... HOLLYWOOD -- Myriad Pictures' Kirk D'Amico and Mark Damon, president of Foresight Unlimited, will jointly sell worldwide rights on "Beyond Friendship," written and being directed by Elie Chouraqui. Based on the novel "O Jerusalem" by Dominique Lapierre & Larry Collins, "Beyond ...
Voom back in bloom: EchoStar pacts to carry 21 hi-def channels.(Brief Article)
May 02, 2005; ... Long live Voom -- sort of. Cablevision's Rainbow Media has inked a carriage deal with EchoStar to carry Voom's 21 hi-def channels. Carriage was skedded to begin Sunday, just as Cablevision shuttered the money-losing Voom service, whose fate had caused a familial rift ...
Azteca's Salinas draws new charges.(TV Azteca S.A. de C.V.'s chairman Ricardo Salinas Pliego charged for unlawful use of privileged information)
May 02, 2005; ... MEXICO CITY -- In the latest in an increasingly ugly sequence of events, Mexico's Finance Ministry has filed criminal charges against the chairman of TV Azteca, Ricardo Salinas Pliego, for "unlawful use of privileged information." The charges Friday came only a day after ...
Baker cables in ad sales.(Neil Baker appointed by E! Networks )(Brief Article)
May 02, 2005; ... HOLLYWOOD -- Neil Baker has been named executive VP of E! Networks and Comcast Network Sales. The ad sales division, which was founded last year, oversees Comcast's national networks E! Entertainment Television, the Style Network, OLN, G4, AZN Television and Sprout. ...
CanWest unloads Fireworks.(CanWest Global Communications Corp. to sell Fireworks international library to ContentFilm Intl.)(Brief Article)
May 02, 2005; ... TORONTO -- CanWest Global Communications Corp. has inked a deal to sell its Fireworks international library to London-based ContentFilm Intl., a division of ContentFilm, for C$35 million ($29 million). The deal is subject to the approval of ContentFilm's shareholders, and is ...
U.S. adds countries to piracy watch list.(Brief Article)
May 02, 2005; ... WASHINGTON -- In its annual report on the state of intellectual property fights protection around the world, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative fingered China and Russia as havens for rampant violations but stopped short of pursuing trade sanctions against them. The ...
Showbiz stocks: Friday, April 29, 2005.(Illustration)
May 02, 2005 ... <Pre> SHOWBIZ STOCKS Friday, April 29, 2005YTD Name Tkr PE Last Chg % Chg AcmeCmACME ... 4.12-.03 -41.2 ActvsnATVI 2114.46-.06-4.5 AllAtlAACB ......
Studios on Plus side: Brit agencies team up for southeast center.(Film London teams up with Screen South and Screen East to launch London Plus)(Brief Article)
May 02, 2005; ... LONDON -- Film London has teamed with bordering regional screen agencies Screen South and Screen East to launch London Plus. The aim is to provide incoming filmmakers with an accessible production center for southeast England, one of the biggest production hubs in the world ...
Fortissimo fronts for 'Night'.(Fortissimo Films sign sales deal with Hart Sharp Entertainment for 'The Night Listener')(Brief Article)
May 02, 2005; ... LONDON -- Fortissimo Films has struck a deal with Hart Sharp Entertainment to handle international sales for "The Night Listener," starring Robin Williams and Toni Collette. Pic, adapted by Armistead Maupin from his novel, is the story of a nighttime radio show host who gets ...
ROK, Nokia dialing up mobile movies.(ROK Entertainment)(Brief Article)
May 02, 2005; ... LONDON -- What may have sounded like a vision of the future not so long ago--watching a full-length movie on your cell phone--is now reality. Mobile phone specialists ROK Entertainment have teamed with Nokia to provide memory cards preloaded with feature films that can be ...
Duma.(Movie Review)
May 02, 2005; ... A Warner Bros. release presented in association with Gaylord Films of a John Wells/Gaylord Films production. Produced by Wells, Hunt Lowry, E.K. Gaylord II, Kristin Harms, Stacy Cohen. Executive producer, Doug Claybourne. Co-producers, David Wicht, Vlokkie Gordon. Directed by ...
Everything Will Be Different.(Theater Review)
May 02, 2005; ... (Soho Rep; 70 seats; $15 top) A Soho Rep presentation with True Love Prods. of a play in one act by Mark Schultz. Directed by Daniel AUkin. Set, Kip Marsh; costumes, Kim Gill; lighting, Jane Cox; sound, Shane Rettig; production stage manager, Kendall O'Neill. Opened April 9 ....
Curry to get Sirius about podcasting.(Sirius Satellite Radio signs Adam Curry )(Brief Article)
May 02, 2005; ... Sirius Satellite Radio is jumping on the podcast bandwagon, signing the godfather of the movement, Adam Curry, who wrote the first podcast software less than a year ago. Curry, 40, a former MTV V J, will produce a four-hour daily show for the satcaster, "Adam Curry's Podshow," ...
'Simon' speaks to Glover.(Crispin Glover and Michael Paloma to act in 'Simon Says')(Brief Article)
May 02, 2005; ... HOLLYWOOD -- Crispin Glover and Michael Paloma will topline independent horror film "Simon Says," to be directed and produced by William Dear ("Angels in the Outfield," "Harry and the Hendersons"). Film, written by Dear and Paloma and based on an original story by Paloma, deals ...
Stolen Life.(Movie Review)
May 02, 2005; ... (Sheng Si Jie) (China) A China Television Media Ltd./Beijing Rosat Film & TV production. Produced by Gao Xiaping, Li Shaohong. Directed by Li Shaohong. Screenplay, Elan Yimei, from a story by An Dun. Camera (color, HD), Gao Hu; editor, Mou Xiaojie, Gao Bing; music, ...
Tribeca's 'Simon' lands at Strand.(Strand Releasing acquires rights Eddy Terstall's movie pictured at Tribeca Film Festival)(Brief Article)
May 02, 2005; ... Los Angeles-based indie distrib Strand Releasing has acquired North American rights to helmer Eddy Terstall's Dutch-lingo pic "Simon," which bowed in competition at the Tribeca Fest April 24. Pic follows lifelong best friends--one gay, one straight--as one faces a terminal ...
Quarles queues pic pair.(Emmett/Furla Films signs deal with Darryl J. Quarles)(Brief Article)
May 02, 2005; ... HOLLYWOOD -- Emmett/Furla Films has signed a two-picture deal with "Big Momma's House" writer Darryl J. Quarles. "Absolute Justice" is an action-thriller in which an urban street cop is mentored by a veteran Southern detective. "Mercy" is a buddy-action pic set in the underworld ...
Hitched.(Brief Article)
May 02, 2005 ... Robin Trickett and Manny Coto, Dec. 27, Venice, Italy. Bride is visual effects supervisor for Sundog Films Inc.; groom is executive producer of "Star Trek: Enterprise." ...
'Love' triumphs at Donatello awards.('The Consequences of Love' wins laurels at 49th David di Donatello Awards)
May 02, 2005 ... ROME -- Young helmer Paolo Sorrentino's stylish Mafia drama "The Consequences of Love" was the big winner Friday at Italy's 49th David di Donatello Awards, scooping five statuettes in key categories and outshining veteran auteurs Ferzan Ozpetek and Gianni Amelio. The ...
'Family' value pays off for Fox.('Family Guy')
May 03, 2005; ... Fox couldn't have drawn it up any better: Net's night of animated laffers, led by the return of "Family Guy," produced robust ratings Sunday even opposite gaudier numbers for ABC's powerful lineup. First Sunday of the May sweep turned out to be a great night for ABC and Fox all ...
Warner Bros. plays 'Polo'.(plans movie on 13th-century Asian explorations of Marco Polo)(Brief Article)
May 03, 2005; ... "Kingdom of Heaven" scribe William Monahan will turn his attention from the 12th-century Crusades to the 13th-century Asian explorations of Marco Polo. Monahan has been set by Warner Bros. to write "Marco Polo," a historical epic based on Polo's autobiography "Travels" that ...
'Ray' on Broadway's mind.(Brief Article)
May 03, 2005; ... HOLLYWOOD -- The producing team behind "Ray" has set its sights on Broadway, acquiring fights from the Ray Charles Estate and Ray Charles Enterprises. Stuart Benjamin--who worked on "Ray" for 15 years before it opened last fall--will again partner with Howard and Karen Baldwin ...
Data debacle hits TW staff: info on exex, stars may go public.(Time Warner)
May 03, 2005; ... Warning to Time Warner employees past and present: Your name, your Social Security number and where you live could be out there for all to see. And that goes for everyone from janitors to the conglom's former topper Jerry Levin. In one of the largest computer security breaches ...
Sony to mine Lion's library with vid vet.(Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. appoints David Bishop to integrate Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.'s assets)
May 03, 2005; ... HOLLYWOOD -- Sony is making its first big move to take control of the library that fueled its $4.8 billion acquisition of MGM. David Bishop, former prexy of MGM Home Entertainment, has been tapped president of worldwide brand integration strategy at Sony Pictures Entertainment, ...
Just for Variety.
May 03, 2005; ... GOOD MORNING: Spike Lee starts "Save Us Joe Louis," his long-planned Joe Louis feature, immediately after completing "Inside Man" with Denzel Washington, Jodie Foster and Clive Owen for producer Brian Grazer at Universal. Lee and Budd Schulberg have been working (writing) the Joe Louis ...
'Manuscript' gets reading.
May 03, 2005; ... "Manuscript" moves up in the legit world. Originally skedded for Off Off Broadway's DR2 Theater, the new play by Paul Grellong will now open at Off Broadway's larger Daryl Roth Theater, which had been home to the longrunning "De La Guarda." "Manuscript" about three college ...
Sundance picks pic projects.(Sundance Institute )(Brief Article)
May 03, 2005; ... Sundance Institute has chosen 13 projects for its annual Filmmakers and Screenwriters labs, running May 31-June 30. Over the monthlong session, eight writer/directors will shoot and edit selected scenes from their scripts with actors and digital cameras, and participate in a ...
Correction.(Correction Notice)
May 03, 2005 ... Greg Forston is the former sales VP for IFC Films, now senior VP for ...
Kudos GLAAD about 'Kinsey,' HBO skein.(Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Media Awards, Home Box Office Inc.)(Brief Article)
May 03, 2005; ... HOLLYWOOD -- "Kinsey" took home the kudo for wide-release film at the 16th annual Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Media Awards--Los Angeles on Saturday night. Pic's helmer, Bill Condon, was honored with the Stephen E Kolzak kudo, along with Liza Minnelli who received ...
'Fighter,' 'Samurai' punch up Spike sked.('The Ultimate Fighter', 'Afro Samurai')
May 03, 2005; ... HOLLYWOOD -- Spurred by a staggering 44% jump in total viewership for the first quarter, Spike is ordering up two more seasons and will expand reality skein "The Ultimate Fighter" into its own Saturday night franchise. Men's cabler has also greenlit the animated miniseries ...
Revolution builds 'Bleachers'.(Revolution Studios plans movie)(Brief Article)
May 03, 2005; ... HOLLYWOOD -- J. Mills Goodloe is adapting John Grisham's high school football novel "Bleachers" for Revolution Studios. Pic will be directed by tyro helmer Don Burgess. Grisham's 2004 novel was a No. 1 New York Times bestseller and is one of his few nonlegal thrillers. Pic is ...
MTV Films ready to 'Rumble'.(Gabriella Tagliavini to direct movie)(Brief Article)
May 03, 2005; ... HOLLYWOOD -- MTV Films has tapped Los Angeles-based Argentine director Gabriella Tagliavini ("Ladies' Night") to helm "Rumble." The $3 million pic is about four female high school volleyball players from well-off families, who transfer to the barrio school of their inner-city ...
B'way's spring fling: B.O. rises 5% as grosses top recent records.
May 03, 2005; ... Broadway blew away recent B.O. records for late April. Thirty-five shows brought in $18,189,612, up $853,680 or 4.92% over the previous session. Paid attendance came to 275,191. A year ago, the numbers were 226,137 in paid attendance and $14.5 million in receipts. In 2003, they ...
Martha gets cooking with Burnett.(Martha Stewart)
May 03, 2005; ... Martha Stewart's daytime talk skein is looking a lot like a reality show, with the domestic diva visiting fans--unannounced--to help cook dinner or to bring them to New York City for surprise interior design makeovers. Details of "Martha," which will be produced by reality guru ...
Pic duo springs Forward.(Michael Thornton and Sheri Levine launch Forward Entertainment)(Brief Article)
May 03, 2005; ... Former Wellspring Media execs Michael Thornton and Sheri Levine have launched a new Gotham-based, international sales and distrib banner dubbed Forward Entertainment. Heading into Cannes, new shingle has sealed a deal to rep overseas rights on the Sundance standout docu "Unknown ...