Daily Variety back issues from December 2006:
From popcorn to plaudits: how do marketers switch from selling tasty tentpoles to fiber-rich fall films?(V PLUS: GOLDEN GLOBES PREVIEW)
Dec 01, 2006; ... For movie marketers, fall is the most transitional of seasons. Consumed in summertime by "quadrants," focus groups and quick-hitting promotional bombardment in service of wide openings of light and tasty fare, their mindsets change abruptly in September, when a movie studio's fancy ...
Globes' youth brigade turns artsy: crix groups seen as becoming a major influence on HFPA's younger voters.(V PLUS: GOLDEN GLOBES PREVIEW)(Hollywood Foreign Press Association)
Dec 01, 2006; ... The influence of the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. has rarely been questioned, but some wonder if its hardearned credibility under current president Philip Berk has been gained at the expense of the organization's cherished insouciance. The characteristics that distinguished it ...
Kudocast endures sleepy time down South: NBC awards presentation draws big and upscale on the coasts, but soft red-state numbers are a drag.(V PLUS: GOLDEN GLOBES PREVIEW)
Dec 01, 2006; ... If a rival net wanted to effectively counterprogram the Golden Globes, it wouldn't be a bad idea to go with a NASCAR race or a college football game featuring the Southeastern Conference. A market-by-market analysis of Nielsen data confirms what many may have surmised regarding just who ...
'Newcomer' makes good on promise.(Cecil B. DeMille Award)(Warren Beatty)
Dec 01, 2006; ... There's a sweet moment in "Bonnie and Clyde" when Clyde is telling his brother how one day he got so bored in prison he just shot a couple of his toes off--and the next day they gave him parole. "Ain't life grand?" says Clyde. Well, that grandeur keeps on giving, and so this ...
So what do Globes goers get for $80 million?(V PLUS: GOLDEN GLOBES PREVIEW)(Beverly Hilton gets makeover)
Dec 01, 2006; ... Since Merv Griffin sold the Beverly Hilton in 2003 for $130 million, the new owners estimate they've spent $80 million giving Conrad Hilton's 1955 hotel a much-needed makeover. There's no question that the hotel looks better. A walk through the lobby confirms that. But how much ...
Parties to park in adjacent lot.(V PLUS: GOLDEN GLOBES PREVIEW)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2006; ... The remodel that might most impact a Globe partygoer isn't inside the Hilton, but rather on the adjacent former Robinsons-May complex. The eight-acre site currently lies vacant in preparation for the construction of an environmentally friendly Richard Meier-designed condo ...
Mirth & music.(V PLUS: GOLDEN GLOBES PREVIEW)
Dec 01, 2006 ... While laffers and tuners often get overlooked amid the drama-fueled, heavyweight crush of the awards season, the Golden Globes' comedy-musical trophies offer a unique opportunity for these pics and their performers to gain recognition. (Screenings listed are provided by the distribution ...
Toons' Golden age bows: five years after Oscar, Globes give animated films their own category.(V PLUS: GOLDEN GLOBES PREVIEW)
Dec 01, 2006; ... What will Lightning McQueen wear on the red carpet? Will Mumble get a dance number? How will the Beverly Hilton ballroom be able to accommodate a Monster House? These are all critical questions now that animated features get their own category at the Golden Globes. "It used to ...
Freshman fever: adventurous voters get behind debuting series with uncertain futures.(V PLUS: GOLDEN GLOBES PREVIEW)
Dec 01, 2006; ... Always eager to get behind a "Lost" or "Desperate Housewives" first, the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. has a history of championing praiseworthy new shows, often before mainstream TV watchers take notice. In fact, in recent years, HFPA voters have supported a number of new ...
HFPA membership.(V PLUS: GOLDEN GLOBES PREVIEW)(Hollywood Foreign Press Association)
Dec 01, 2006 ... Below are the active members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn., who vote on the Golden Globes, and the territories they represent. Paoula Abou-Jaoude (Brazil) Vera Anderson (Bulgaria, Mexico) Ray Arco (Canada) Rocio Ayuso (Spain) ...
Winners circle.(V PLUS: GOLDEN GLOBES PREVIEW)(Awards list)
Dec 01, 2006 ... A look at Globes winners of recent years. FILM Picture--Drama: "Brokeback Mountain" Actor--Drama: Philip Seymour Hoffman, "Capote" Actress--Drama: Felicity Huffman, "Transamerica" Picture--Musical or Comedy: ...
Foreign affairs.(V PLUS: GOLDEN GLOBES PREVIEW)(Lorraine Nicholson titled Miss Golden Globes)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2006 ... Young thesp Lorraine Nicholson, daughter of Jack Nicholson and Rebecca Broussard, assumes the title of Miss ...
Miss Golden Globes.(V PLUS: GOLDEN GLOBES PREVIEW)(Lorraine Nicholson)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2006 ... Lorraine Nicholson's budding thesping career will get a shot with her appearance at the Golden ...
"Venus" star Jodie Whittaker, top, with HFPA's Lorenzo Soda at the film's AFI party.(V PLUS: GOLDEN GLOBES PREVIEW)
Dec 01, 2006 ... "Venus" star Jodie Whittaker, top, with HFPA's Lorenzo Soda at the film's AFI party; Alan Shapiro and ...
Working the room.(V PLUS: GOLDEN GLOBES PREVIEW)(social activitiy of Philip Berk )(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2006 ... Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. prexy Philip Berk gets good press: from top, with Geena Davis last year; in August at an HFPA installation luncheon with Munawar Hosain, Edward James ...
Santa put into turnaround.(trends of holiday gifts)
Dec 01, 2006; ... Despite a healthy boost in retail sales this holiday season, the Grinch may steal Hollywood's Christmas yet again. Goodie baskets and extravagant gifts delivered to offices around town are on the decline. "It dropped off considerably last December, and 1 think there will be ...
Scorsese visits medieval times: par challenged to 'Duel'.("The Last Duel: A True Story of Crime, Scandal and Trial by Combat in Medieval France")(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2006; ... Basking in the glow of the biggest box office success of his career with "The Departed," Martin Scorsese is now taking on medieval France. Under his new deal at Paramount, Scorsese will develop with an eye to direct the bigscreen adaptation of Eric Jager's historical tome "The ...
Col ready for wifely duties.(Columbia Pictures, "My Wife Hates Your Wife")(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2006; ... Columbia Pictures has acquired comic pitch "My Wife Hates Your Wife," with Gina Wendkos to script and Overbrook Entertainment partners Will Smith and James Lassiter producing. Wendkos is writing with Smith in mind, though the actor won't make a decision until the screenplay is ...
Rudin styles new Nile file.(Scott Rudin to produce "Cleopatra" )(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2006; ... Based on a 10-page proposal, Columbia Pictures has acquired screen rights to "Cleopatra," a new take on the life of the Egyptian queen that will be written by Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer Stacy Schiff. Scott Rudin will produce. Schiff has made a seven-figure publishing deal ...
Dreamgirls.(Movie review)
Dec 01, 2006; ... A Paramount release of a DreamWorks Pictures, Paramount Pictures presentation of a Laurence Mark production. Produced by Mark. Executive producer, Patricia Whitcher. Co-producer, Jonathan King. Directed, written by Bill Condon, based on the musical play with book and lyrics by ...
Blood Diamond.(Movie review)
Dec 01, 2006; ... A Warner Bros. release presented in association with Virtual Studios, of a Spring Creek/Bedford Fails production in association with Initial Entertainment Group. Produced by Paula Weinstein, Edward Zwick, Marshall Herskovitz, Graham King, Gillian Gorfil, Gregory Jacobs. Executive ...
The Vertical Hour.(Theater review)
Dec 01, 2006; ... (Music Box Theater: 1,009 seats: $96.25 top) A Scott Rudin, Robert Fox, Neal Street Prods., Roger Berlind, Debra Black, Shubert Organization presentation of a play in two acts by David Hare. Directed by Sam Mendes. Sets, Scott Pask; costumes. Ann Roth; lighting, Brian MacDevin: ...
'Nativity' B.O. virgin: Jesus takes on holdovers.(market share of movies)
Dec 01, 2006; ... Jesus vs. James Bond. That unlikely matchup will indeed unfold this weekend at the U.S. box office as New Line preps "The Nativity Story" to do battle with Sony holdover "Casino Royale," as well as Warner Bros.' B.O. champ "Happy Feet" and Disney's second frame of sci-fi ...
Daytime kudos jettisoned to June.(market share of television programs)
Dec 01, 2006; ... Big changes are in store for the 2007 Daytime Emmy Awards. CBS has decided to move the annual sudser-centric kudocast to Friday, June 15. Kudos will be held outside the May sweeps frame for the first time since 1991, when the event moved to primetime. Sked shift comes ...
Tyro enrolls in 'College'.(Deb Hagan to direct "College" )(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2006; ... Deb Hagan has signed to make her feature directorial debut with the youth comedy "College," produced by Element Films in association with State Street Pictures and LIFT. Lionsgate will distribute through its output arrangement with Element. "College," penned by Dan ...
Innovative.(Tenpercenteries)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2006; ... Matthew Modine has signed with Innovative. Thesp is lensing Abel Ferrara's "Go Go Tales" alongside Willem Dafoe. Recent credits ...
Paradigm.(Tenpercenteries)(Paradigm Entertainment signs deal with Cheri Oteri)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2006; ... Cheri Oteri ("Saturday Night Live") has inked with Paradigm. Thesp's credits include ...
WMA.(Tenpercenteries)(William Morris Agency signs Nick Cannon)
Dec 01, 2006; ... Nick Cannon ("Wild N Out") has signed with WMA. Hyphenate is onscreen in "Bobby" and has a new MTV show, "Short Circuitz," ...
ABC experiences a Wednesday wilt.(market share of television programs)
Dec 01, 2006; ... The combo of "Show Me the Money" and "Day Break" is hardly "Dancing With the Stars" and "Lost": ABC's current Wednesday lineup struggled on the final night of the November sweep. Alphabet's rivals pounced on the opportunity, with five shows on a variety of nets achieving some ...
'Money' hits TLC jackpot.("Easy Money" to be produced by Learning Channel Inc.)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2006; ... TLC has greenlit production on "Easy Money," a two-hour special exec produced by Blair Underwood and GRB Entertainment ("Growing Up Gotti"). Spec will follow a group of lottery winners in St. Louis.--co-workers at a social services office to see how their newfound fortune is ...
PGA fetes Bruckheimer.(Producers Guild of America awards Jerry Bruckheimer Norman Lear Achievement Award)
Dec 01, 2006; ... The Producers Guild of America has tapped Jerry Bruckheimer to receive the Norman Lear Achievement Award in Television. Kudos will be presented at the 18th annual PGA Awards on Jan. 20 at the Century Plaza. Org noted that Jerry Bruckheimer Television has seven shows ...
The Good German.(Movie review)
Dec 01, 2006; ... A Warner Bros. release presented in association with Virtual Studios of a Section Eight production. Produced by Ben Cosgrove, Gregory Jacobs. Executive producers, Benjamin Waisbren. Frederic W. Brost. Directed by Steven Soderbergh. Screenplay, Paul Attanasio, based on the novel ...
The Holiday.(Movie review)
Dec 01, 2006; ... A Sony Pictures Entertainment release of a Columbia Pictures and Universal Pictures presentation in association with Relativity Media of a Waverly Films production. Produced by Nancy Meyers, Bruce A. Block. Executive producer, Suzanne Farwell. Directed, written by Nancy Meyers ....
The Big Voice: God or Merman?(Theater review)
Dec 01, 2006; ... (Actors Temple Theater; 199 seats; $55 top) A Murphy Cross, Paul Kreppel, Edmund Gaynes, BarBar Prods. presentation of a musical in two acts written and performed by Jim Brochu and Steve Schalchlin. Directed by Anthony Barnao. Sets and lighting, Clifton Taylor: costumes, ...
Non-competitive sections boast preems.(Sundance Film Festival 2007)
Dec 01, 2006; ... A diverse slate of new works pepper the noncompetitive Premieres, Spectrum, Midnight and New Frontier sections of the upcoming Sundance Film Festival. Works from filmmakers Tamara Jenkins, Craig Brewer, Antonio Banderas, Mike White, Steve Buscemi, Luc Besson, Anthony Hopkins, ...
Turistas.(Movie review)
Dec 01, 2006; ... A 20th Century Fox release of a Fox Atomic and 2929 Prods. presentation of a Stone Village Pictures/Boz Prods. production. Produced by Scott Steindorff, Bo Zenga, Marc Butan, John Stockwell. Executive producers, Todd Wagner, Mark Cuban, Elaine Dysinger. Co-producer, Caique Martins ...
The screening room.(Statistical table)
Dec 01, 2006 ... <Pre> The Screening Room The Screening Room runs Tuesdays and Fridays. Screenings are open to Academy and guild members. For a complete list, visit Variety.com/screenings New York Arthur and the Invisibles RSVP: 646-862-3835 (Weinstein Co.) ...
Get a life.(movies and television programs calendar)(Calendar)
Dec 01, 2006 ... FRI 1 Tenacious D rocks out at Madison Square Garden. $29.50-$54.50, 8 p.m. John Fogerty performs at the Beacon Theater. $38.50-$98.50, 8 p.m. SAT 2 "Mother-of-Pearl: A Tradition in Asian Lacquer" explores a 12th century Chinese painting tradition that ...
Filming in the future.(Film Production Chart)
Dec 01, 2006 ... PRODUCTION CHART KEY Abbreviations: EXP, Executive producer; PROD-Producer; COP-Co-producer; DIR-Director; AD-First assistant director; 2DIR-Second-unit director; SCRScreenwriter; DP-Cinematographer; ED-Editor; PD-Production designer; ART-Art director; SET-Set decorator; ...
Filming in the U.S.(Film Production Chart)
Dec 01, 2006 ... ALLEN VS. PREDATOR 2 PROD, John Davis, Robbie Brenner; DIR, Greg Strause, Colin Strause; SCR, Shane Salerno. 20th Century Fox. 9/1, Los Angeles. ASYLUM Sarah Roemer, Jake Muxworthy, Cody Kasch, Ellen Hollman, Carolina Garcia, Travis Van Winkle, Mark ...
Filming in Gotham.(Film Production Chart)
Dec 01, 2006 ... BILL Jessica Alba, Timothy Olyphant, Aaron Eckhart, Elizabeth Banks, Logan Lerman, Marisa Coughlan, Reed Diamond EXP, Tim Williams=; PROD. John Penotti, Fisher Stevens, Matthew Roland; DIR, Melisa Wallack, Bernie Goldmann; AD, Joe McDongall; SCR, Goldmaon, Wallack; ...
Showbiz stocks: Thursday, November 30, 2006.(Statistical table)
Dec 01, 2006 ... <Pre> Showbiz Stocks Thursday, November 30, 2006 YTD Name Tkr PE Last Chg %Chg AccessIT AIXD ... 8.95-.04-13.8 AcmeCm ACME ... 5.28-.02+48.7 ...
Filming outside the U.S.(Film Production Chart)
Dec 01, 2006 ... ADDICTED Sarah Michelle Gellar, Lee Page, Michael Landes, Tuva Novotny EXP, Brad Jenkel, Alexander Brunner, Sonny Mallhi; PROD, Bob Yari, Nigel Sinclair, Guy East, Doug Davison, Roy Lee; DIR, Joel Bergvall, Simon Sandquist; AD, John McKeown; SCR, Michael Petroni; DP, ...
Wings of Desire.(Theater review)
Dec 01, 2006; ... (Loeb Drama Center, Cambridge, Mass.; 556 seats; $76 top) An American Repertory Theater presentation in association with Toneelgroep Amsterdam of a play in one act adapted by Gideon Lester and Dirkje Houtman from the film directed by Wim Wenders and written by Wenders, Peter ...
Down under outpost: Franks to launch Lionsgate's Oz ops.(World News)(Simon Franks)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2006; ... Simon Franks, who sold his U.K. indie Redbus Film Distribution to Lionsgate a year ago, has moved Down Under to launch an Australian distribution arm for Lionsgate. The 35-year-old Londoner flew out from Blighty two weeks ago and will spend all of 2007 in Oz setting up ...
Murakami retracts Livedoor confession.(World News)(Yoshiaki Murakami guilty of alleged insider trading)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2006; ... Onetime investment guru Yoshiaki Murakami retracted an earlier admission of guilt at his trial for alleged insider trading in the Livedoor scandal got under way in Tokyo on Thursday. Speaking on the witness stand at Tokyo District Court, Murakami admitted he had heard former ...
China pic back on fest's lineup.(SERBIA; "Summer Palace")(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2006; ... Serbian film festival officials Thursday reinstated a pic withdrawn at the request of the Chinese embassy after critics accused them of self-censorship. "Summer Palace," a romance by Chinese helmer Lou Ye set against the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, will be shown twice, ...
Microwave heats pix.(UNITED KINGDOM)("Mum and Dad ", "Shady" )(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2006; ... Microwave, Film London's ultra-low-budget production scheme in association with the BBC, has greenlit its first movies: "Mum and Dad," a horror project about a psychopath by writer-director Steven Sheil, and "Shady," a black comedy about ...
Swedish org sees shuffle.(World News)(Swedish Film Institute appoints Charlotta Denward)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2006; ... The Swedish Film Institute has tapped producer Charlotta Denward head of production support in a management restructuring unveiled Thursday that will see 20 staffers cut. New CEO Cissi Elwin said that an SFI priority will be to support local production--a goal Denward, who ...
Nordisk ramps up local distrib efforts.(World News)(Nordisk Film)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2006; ... Scandi major Nordisk Film is setting up its own distribution arm in Sweden on Jan. 1. The local industry has been speculating about Nordisk's plans for the country since July, when it said it would end its 17-year arrangement with Sony Pictures Releasing Intl. at the end of the ...
Sale of HK telco nixed.(World News)(Pacific Century CyberWorks Ltd. buys Richard Li's shares)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2006; ... Minority shareholders in Singapore on Thursday overwhelmingly nixed Richard Li's controversial HK$9.2 billion ($1.2 billion) sale of his 23% stake in PCCW, Hong Kong's dominant telco and NOW Broadband TV operator. The shares are held by Li's Singapore-listed holding company ...
Argentina shingle launched.(Pablo Bossi forms Pampa Films)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2006; ... Pablo Bossi, founder and former prexy of Disney-backed Patagonik Film Group, has launched Pampa Films in Argentina with helmer-producer Juan Pablo Buscarini ("The Hairy Tooth Fairy") and Spain's Filmax Entertainment. Bossi is prexy, while second-in-command is Filmax chairman ...
Cavuto dials up Fox Radio.(Neil Cavuto to anchor "The Cavuto Money Report")(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2006; ... Fox News Channel anchor Neil Cavuto is launching a financial newscast for Fox News Radio starting in January. FNC's managing editor for business news will anchor "The Cavuto Money Report" on on more than 600 stations across the country. "I'm excited to extend Fox ...
Hitched.(Lauren Taylor Doll and Howard Sherman getting married)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2006 ... Lauren Taylor Doll and Howard Sherman, Oct. 22, New Canaan, Conn. Bride is a theatrical producer ...
From the Army Archerd archive.(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2006 ... June 6, 1968 It's not a GOOD MORNING in Hollywood--regardless of party or candidate affiliation. And outside showbiz no one can find fault with Hollywood's political record--it puts its money and talent where its ballots--instead of bullets--go. It can also proudly point to the ...
Cable pact for Fox News.(Fox News Network L.L.C. signs deal with National Cable Television Cooperative)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2006; ... Fox News Channel inked a carriage deal with the National Cable Television Cooperative, a consortium of rural cable operators representing 3 million cable subscribers. It's the second cable deal for Fox which is negotiating its first set of renewals since the channel was launched ...
APA.(Tenpercenteries)(Charlotte Ross signs deal)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2006; ... Charlotte Ross ("Jake in Progress") has inked with APA. Thesp's credits include "NYPD Blue" and "Beggars and Choosers." ...
Gersh Agency.(Tenpercenteries)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2006; ... Shane McRae ("Take Me Out") has signed with the Gersh Agency. His credits include ...
ICM.(Tenpercenteries)(International Creative Management Inc. signs deal with Jim McKay)
Dec 01, 2006; ... ICM has pacted with helmer Jim McKay. He directed and co-wrote "Angel Rodriguez" for HBO. Credits include ...
Polaris Entertainment.(Tenpercenteries)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2006; ... Marina Sirtis ("Crash") has signed with Polaris Entertainment for management. Thesp's credits include ...
Helmers back Web contest.(Paul Schrader, Neil LaBute and Zak Penn)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2006; ... Filmmakers such as Paul Schrader, Neil LaBute and Zak Penn are throwing their weight behind a Project Greenlight-type competition on the Web for producer Deepak Nayar and exec producer Thomas Augsberger. Duo's site, Filmaka.com, is holding a series of contests for one- to ...
Powell snags IDP veep post.(Nathan Powell appointed by Samuel Goldwyn Films )(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2006; ... Samuel Goldwyn Films and Roadside Attractions have named Nathan Powell veep of marketing at IDR the companies' marketing and distribution arm. Gotham-based Powell will oversee all theatrical marketing campaigns for the companies, reporting to IDP prexy Michael Silberman. Powell ...
Weekend box office preview.(Statistical table)(Brief article)
Dec 01, 2006 ... <Pre> RELEASE DATES AND CHANGES ([dagger]) As of Nov. 30 PicNew date Old date BUENA VISTA Primeval April 13 Feb. 9 FOX Night at the Museum Dec. 22Dec. 20 Revenge of the NerdsTBA...
'Wilton' checks in at CW.("The Wilton", The CW Television Network)
Dec 04, 2006; ... The CW is checking into "The Wilton," developing an hourlong script penned by newcomers Ben and Dan Newmark. The Newmarks are writing the comedy/drama and have been teamed with scribe Peter Lefcourt, who will be showrunner-exec producer. Also aboard is music impresario Tommy ...
Frosh frozen out: 'Nativity' bow finds no room at the inn.
Dec 04, 2006; ... In a customarily slow frame following the Thanksgiving movie feast, auds were more in the mood for second helpings of penguins, 007 and Denzel Washington than for any new fare. Warner Bros.' B.O. champ "Happy Feet" reigned for a third straight frame, while Sony's "Casino Royale" ...