Gotham Group gets 'Where Things Come Back'

Gotham Group has acquired feature rights to Cory Whaley's thriller "Where Things Come Back" with Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Lindsay Williams and Eddie Gamarra producing. "Things," Whaley's first novel, is set in a small Arkansas town and told through the eyes of a 17-year-old after a birdwatcher spots a species of woodpecker thought to be extinct since the 1940s, sparking a flurry of woodpecker-mania -- while the teen's younger brother has suddenly and inexplicably disappeared. Story is intertwined with that of a young missionary in Africa, who has lost his faith and searching for meaning. "Where Things Come Back" was published by Simon & Schuster's Atheneum Books for Young Readers in May. Gotham Group's produced "Abduction" and "Spiderwick Chronicles." Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

TV Rankings: 'Chuck' Return Hampered By World Series, 'Grimm' Has Good Premiere

NBC"Chuck" It had been baseball which was towards the top of their email list for television audiences -- also it demonstrated within the rankings. The ultimate game around the globe Series, which crowned the nation's League's St. Louis Cardinals because this year's champions following the team handily beat the Texas Rangers 6-2, averaged 23.two million total audiences in primetime for Fox, based on preliminary amounts. (Finals for the overall game come in later.) Within the all-important 18-49 demographic, Game 7 published a 6.8 rating. Fox easily required home the victory. PHOTOS: Fall TV Dying Pool: Which New Shows Is Going To Be Axed? That didn't prove useful for NBC, which elected to proceed with its two premieres, Chuck and Grimm, however the latter carried out much better than expected within the rankings. Meanwhile, Fox pressed Fringe's go back yet another week and CBS drawn its Friday dramas in the schedule in the last second, airing reruns for that evening rather. The beginning of Chuck's final sason was the series' cheapest up to now at 8 p.m., the hourlong came 3.4 million and published only a 1. rating in 18-49. Rankings could grow in a few days, without baseball breathing lower its neck. Providing the full Grimm pilot along with a country-wide screening tour before last evening's premiere might have been factors within the new story book procedural's solid start carrying out a weak lead-in. PHOTOS: 10 Shows Canceled Faster Than 'The Playboy Club' The brand new series surprised, calculating 6.5 million along with a 2.1 rating within the demo, against heavy sports competition. Grimm was the very best-ranked non-sports telecast on any network since December, NBC notes. What's much more impressive would be that the genre show had a constant climb in trouble slot (in a few days, it will likewise go facing Fringe, additionally to Supernatural and CSI: NY), but wound up carrying out much better than a few of the network's greater-profile projects such as the Playboy Club. Dateline (4.7 million, 1.3) broadcast at 10 p.m. The CW, which demonstrated Thursday that could grow its audience even from the World Series, broadcast originals of Nikita (1.8 million, .6) and Supernatural (1.7 million, .7) -- both dramas remaining steady. ABC's Extreme Transformation: Home Edition (4.two million, 1.1) settled into its new house, then 20/20 (5.two million, 1.2). Following Fox was NBC, which averaged single.5 rating. ABC and CBS tied around the evening having a 1.1 using the CW trailing having a .7. Fox -- 6.8 NBC -- 1.5 · Chuck (P): 3.4 million, 1. · Grimm (P): 6.5 million, 2.1 · Dateline: 4.7 million, 1.3 ABC -- 1.1 · Extreme Transformation: Home Edition: 4.two million, 1.1 · 20/20: 5.two million, 1.2 CBS -- 1.1 · A Gifted Guy (R): 5.8 million, .9 · CSI: Miami (R): 6.9 million, 1.1 · CSI: NY (R): 4.7 million, 1.3 The CW -- .7 · Nikita: 1.8 million, .6 · Supernatural: 1.7 million, .7 TV Rankings

'Trek' Co-Star Yelchin Finds Love in 'Like Crazy'

TORONTO (AP) The art of improvising is what grabbed Anton Yelchin as a boy in his first acting class. He gets back to improv in his latest film, "Like Crazy," a rare drama whose dialogue was made up by the actors as they went along.Yelchin, known for a string of acclaimed performances in independent films, along with his role as navigator Chekov in the new incarnation of "Star Trek," found that making things up came to him naturally when he started to study acting."I loved the improvisation part of it the most, because it was a lot like just playing around with stuff," Yelchin, 22, said in an interview at September's Toronto International Film Festival, where "Like Crazy" played ahead of its theatrical debut Friday. "There was something about it that I just felt completely comfortable doing and happy doing."My parents were like, OK, our kid is happy doing this. This is great. They were figure skaters and grew up going to school and skating, so for them, a person needs to have things to do. They don't just sit around the house watching TV."Before long, people were watching child actor Yelchin on TV and then his breakout big-screen role opposite Anthony Hopkins in 2001's "Hearts in Atlantis."Yelchin's career over the past decade would be the ideal of almost any child actor trying to make the transition to adult roles. His credits include impressive parts in such indie films as "Alpha Dog," ''Fierce People" and "Charlie Bartlett," along with a role in the short-lived TV series "Huff."The last two years alone, Yelchin's resume ranges from "Star Trek" and another huge sci-fi franchise with "Terminator: Salvation" to the vampire romp "Fright Night" and a voice role in "The Smurfs" to personal stories such as Mel Gibson's "The Beaver" and "Like Crazy," which earned the top prize at last winter's Sundance Film Festival."What's great about him is he can do anything. He's a chameleon. He can do bigger movies or smaller, more intimate ones," said "Like Crazy" director Drake Doremus. "There are a lot of people who can't, who can only do one or the other. And he's only 22 years old. That's what blows my mind."In "Like Crazy," Yelchin stars as Jacob, an aspiring furniture designer in southern California who falls into a passionate romance with Anna (Felicity Jones), a Londoner studying at the same college.The two are an ideal match, but they're forced apart after Anna overstays her student visa and is unable to return to the United States. Years of on-again, off-again long-distance romance follow with Jacob's occasional visits to London. The two take up with other lovers and build professional lives 6,000 miles apart, all the while trying to figure out how to reunite for good and whether they'll still be suited for one another if they do.Aiming for authenticity, Doremus and his co-writer prepared detailed back stories on the characters but did not do a conventional screenplay, leaving the dialogue to develop naturally among the actors through a week of rehearsal and improvisation during the monthlong shoot.Jones had seen none of Yelchin's previous work before, and she was glad for that once they began filming."For this type of film, I didn't want to have too many preconceptions about him, and so as I'm meeting him as Felicity, so are Anna and Jacob just getting to know each other. We didn't even meet before we were cast," Jones said. "So it felt we as the actors were going on a journey as the characters were."The result is a heartbreaking chronicle of stymied love filled with moments of raw honesty that are very specific to the characters, yet represent emotions universal to relationships."Even I could relate to it, watching it myself," Yelchin said. "I remember with my ex-girlfriend, when we broke up, you remember the first time you slept together, you remember the first drink you had together. You remember the dinners you had, seeing your first movie together."You remember everything and it's just perfect, and you look at yourself now, and you look at the other person now, and they're just not there anymore. There's all this baggage and weight on this relationship, and if it's at the point where it's about to crumble; it's just like a different universe that you're in. The movie has so many of those moments that ring true to people."Yelchin stars as a clairvoyant short-order cook in the upcoming Dean Koontz adaptation "Odd Thomas," and he's preparing to reprise his role as Chekov in a "Star Trek" sequel."What, when and where, I have no idea. They pretty much keep you in the dark until it's time to make the movie," Yelchin said. "Whatever it may be, I'm looking forward to being with those guys again."Yelchin shares Russian ancestry with "Star Trek" counterpart Chekov. The actor was born in Russia, where his parents were skaters before coming to the United States when their son was an infant.He had a brief flirtation with skating lessons himself before moving on to acting class."They were very quick to understand that I wasn't very good at it," Yelchin said. "And they weren't going to make me do it if I wasn't good, so it automatically reverted to me being a doctor or lawyer. Because, we're Russian Jews, so naturally, what does your kid do? He goes to law school or he goes to med school."He said it took his father a little time to accept his career choice. "He still wanted me to apply to college and stuff, and I did. But this is what I wanted," Yelchin said.Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. By David Germain October 26, 2011 Anton Yelchin PHOTO CREDIT AP Photo/Carlo Allegri TORONTO (AP) The art of improvising is what grabbed Anton Yelchin as a boy in his first acting class. He gets back to improv in his latest film, "Like Crazy," a rare drama whose dialogue was made up by the actors as they went along.Yelchin, known for a string of acclaimed performances in independent films, along with his role as navigator Chekov in the new incarnation of "Star Trek," found that making things up came to him naturally when he started to study acting."I loved the improvisation part of it the most, because it was a lot like just playing around with stuff," Yelchin, 22, said in an interview at September's Toronto International Film Festival, where "Like Crazy" played ahead of its theatrical debut Friday. "There was something about it that I just felt completely comfortable doing and happy doing."My parents were like, OK, our kid is happy doing this. This is great. They were figure skaters and grew up going to school and skating, so for them, a person needs to have things to do. They don't just sit around the house watching TV."Before long, people were watching child actor Yelchin on TV and then his breakout big-screen role opposite Anthony Hopkins in 2001's "Hearts in Atlantis."Yelchin's career over the past decade would be the ideal of almost any child actor trying to make the transition to adult roles. His credits include impressive parts in such indie films as "Alpha Dog," ''Fierce People" and "Charlie Bartlett," along with a role in the short-lived TV series "Huff."The last two years alone, Yelchin's resume ranges from "Star Trek" and another huge sci-fi franchise with "Terminator: Salvation" to the vampire romp "Fright Night" and a voice role in "The Smurfs" to personal stories such as Mel Gibson's "The Beaver" and "Like Crazy," which earned the top prize at last winter's Sundance Film Festival."What's great about him is he can do anything. He's a chameleon. He can do bigger movies or smaller, more intimate ones," said "Like Crazy" director Drake Doremus. "There are a lot of people who can't, who can only do one or the other. And he's only 22 years old. That's what blows my mind."In "Like Crazy," Yelchin stars as Jacob, an aspiring furniture designer in southern California who falls into a passionate romance with Anna (Felicity Jones), a Londoner studying at the same college.The two are an ideal match, but they're forced apart after Anna overstays her student visa and is unable to return to the United States. Years of on-again, off-again long-distance romance follow with Jacob's occasional visits to London. The two take up with other lovers and build professional lives 6,000 miles apart, all the while trying to figure out how to reunite for good and whether they'll still be suited for one another if they do.Aiming for authenticity, Doremus and his co-writer prepared detailed back stories on the characters but did not do a conventional screenplay, leaving the dialogue to develop naturally among the actors through a week of rehearsal and improvisation during the monthlong shoot.Jones had seen none of Yelchin's previous work before, and she was glad for that once they began filming."For this type of film, I didn't want to have too many preconceptions about him, and so as I'm meeting him as Felicity, so are Anna and Jacob just getting to know each other. We didn't even meet before we were cast," Jones said. "So it felt we as the actors were going on a journey as the characters were."The result is a heartbreaking chronicle of stymied love filled with moments of raw honesty that are very specific to the characters, yet represent emotions universal to relationships."Even I could relate to it, watching it myself," Yelchin said. "I remember with my ex-girlfriend, when we broke up, you remember the first time you slept together, you remember the first drink you had together. You remember the dinners you had, seeing your first movie together."You remember everything and it's just perfect, and you look at yourself now, and you look at the other person now, and they're just not there anymore. There's all this baggage and weight on this relationship, and if it's at the point where it's about to crumble; it's just like a different universe that you're in. The movie has so many of those moments that ring true to people."Yelchin stars as a clairvoyant short-order cook in the upcoming Dean Koontz adaptation "Odd Thomas," and he's preparing to reprise his role as Chekov in a "Star Trek" sequel."What, when and where, I have no idea. They pretty much keep you in the dark until it's time to make the movie," Yelchin said. "Whatever it may be, I'm looking forward to being with those guys again."Yelchin shares Russian ancestry with "Star Trek" counterpart Chekov. The actor was born in Russia, where his parents were skaters before coming to the United States when their son was an infant.He had a brief flirtation with skating lessons himself before moving on to acting class."They were very quick to understand that I wasn't very good at it," Yelchin said. "And they weren't going to make me do it if I wasn't good, so it automatically reverted to me being a doctor or lawyer. Because, we're Russian Jews, so naturally, what does your kid do? He goes to law school or he goes to med school."He said it took his father a little time to accept his career choice. "He still wanted me to apply to college and stuff, and I did. But this is what I wanted," Yelchin said.Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Charlie Sheen Halloween Outfits Apparently Selling Out at Spirit

This Halloween, its smart to become Charlie Sheen.our editor recommendsCharlie Sheen Roast-Mortem: Jeffrey Ross Live In the Actor's House (Exclusive) PHOTOS: Charlie Sheen's Crazy Twitpics The actor-switched-self-professed-warlock apparently arrived a lucrative cope with Spirit Halloween stores, as Sheen-designed costumes are flying from the shelves. Based on TMZ, Spirit acquired all necessary licenses to market Sheen masks, tousled hairpieces (designed to resemble his memorable coif throughout the infamous media circus) and t-t shirts that read: "Charlie's Goddess." VIDEOS: Charlie Sheen's Craziest TV Interviews Sheen themself blocked the item on his Twitter page earlier this year, posting a photograph by which he's exhibiting a mask in the likeness. "Halloween Cadre!" he authored. "Experienced my Costume... Ready! (yeah... This really confused the children!!)" PHOTOS: Charlie Sheen's Colorful Career Apparently, the masks really are a large seller, with several stores waiting for new deliveries to fill outstanding orders. An agent from Spirit wasn't immediately readily available for comment when approached through the Hollywood Reporter. Related Subjects Charlie Sheen

John Hannah, Jenna Elfman Join Final Season of Damages

John Hannah, Jenna Elfman Ryan Phillippe isn't the main large title joining the best season of Damages. John Hannah has signed on for just about any major recurring role opposite Phillippe, in line with the Hollywood Reporter. The Spartacus star will portray Rutger, an consultant to Phillippe's Channing McClaren, a Julian Assange-esque character who turns to Ellen (Rose Byrne) for help. Damages taps Ryan Phillippe for Season 5 In addition, Jenna Elfman has grew to become an associate from the cast becoming an investment banker who's troubled by her company's actions and may use McClaren, Deadline.com reviews. Damages is predicted to premiere its final season next summer season on DirecTV.

Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie Join Occupy Wall Street Protests

Folk singer Pete Seeger and sixties music performer Arlo Guthrie are taking part within the Occupy Wall Street protests, the Connected Press reviews. The Occupy Wall Street protests, which started recently in NY City before distributing across the nation, is definitely an effort to campaign against corporate avarice.our editor recommends'Dark Dark night Rises' to Film at Occupy Wall Street?John Williams Talks Politics, Occupy Wall Street on 'Late Show' (Video)Hollywood Chefs Join Occupy Wall Street ProtestsIranian Leader States Occupy Wall Street Will Topple American CapitalismKanye West Visits Occupy Wall Street Protests PHOTOS: The Scene at Occupy Wall Street Seeger, 92, became a member of in around the protests on Friday evening, marching together with several about 1,000 people in NY City's Upper West Side, walking past banks and large shops. He was became a member of by his grand son Tao Rodriguez-Seeger, David Amram and Guy Davis. A current poll recommended which more than another from the U.S. is meant for the Wall Street protesters contributing to 58 percent admit that they're unhappy with U.S. politics. PHOTOS: The Scene at Occupy La But several NYers are worrying of a few of the protesters actions, for example peeing within the roads and playing drums late during the night at Zuccotti Park. Throughout an invisible interview on Friday, Mayor Michael Bloomberg accepted that since the protesters don't have any single leader, it's been hard to negotiate using the group. A representative for that protesters agreed the group must be better neghbors, promising to reduce the noise every evening. Seeger and the music performer buddies, including Guthrie, carried out "We Shall Overcome," a protest anthem that Seeger prominent at Columbus Circle. Related Subjects

Ascot Elite nabs 'The Hunter,' 'Starbuck'

BERLIN -- Zurich-based distrib Ascot Elite has acquired Toronto faves "The Hunter" and "Starbuck" for German-speaking areas. "The Hunter" is Daniel Nettheim's Australian thriller in regards to a guy sent to obtain the last making it through Tasmanian tiger, modified from Julia Leigh's novel. It stars Willem Dafoe, Mike Neill and Frances O'Connor Ken Scott's Quebec laffer "Starbuck" stars Patrick Huard like a sperm donor whose early enthusiasm for simple money returns to bite him within an unpredicted way. Both photos were acquired from eOne and can get their Euro preems in a German fest in 2012. "To locate raw gems within the loads of additional features available on the market is exactly what is actually enjoyable in the commercial,Inch stated Stephan Giger, Ascot Elite's chief operating officer. Ascot Elite, that has been taking pleasure in a powerful arthouse release in Germany with John Michael McDonagh's "The Guard," will next release Werner Herzog's "Cave of Forgotten Dreams," Shaun Nichols' "Take Shelter," Argentine box office hit "Chinese Take-Away" and German drama "Combat Women." Contact Erectile dysfunction Meza at staff@variety.com

Viacom, Google Prepare For Battle in Appeals Court Over YouTube Copyright Issues

Viacom, Google, along with a class of copyright holders brought through the United kingdom Premier League squared off Tuesday before a 3-judge panel in the second Circuit Court of Appeals inside a situation which will shape the way forward for the web by identifying the conventional for copyright liability. The parties not just presented distinct world-sights of the interpretation of relevant legal language, but debated "understanding" nearly as if one for reds was reading through from Plato and also the other from Ludwig Wittgenstein. The gulf between your two camps is the fact that enormous. Up first was Paul Cruz, chair from the appellate practice at Jenner & Block, quarrelling on Viacom's account that YouTube willfully blinded itself to a lot more than 60,000 copyrighted works like clips in the Daily Show with Jon Stewart and Wager content illegitimately published around the video-discussing website. PHOTOS: Hollywood's Greatest Blunders In opening remarks, Cruz known as a choice by U.S. District Court Louis Stanton to dismiss Viacom's billion-dollar suit against YouTube "indefensible." If left to face, Cruz contended it would nullify three legal obligations by ISPs like YouTube:First, to do something expeditiously if your company gains understanding of copyrighted material on its network. Second, there'd be no stopping online businesses from drawing direct financial benefit off the rear of copyrighted material. And third, there'd be no preventing sites like YouTube from storing infringing materials in the behest of the customers. Throughout questioning in the appellate idol judges, Cruz got a bit of push-back on whether Viacom was basically saying YouTube had "abstract" understanding of copyright infringing material. The idol judges desired to know whether this is enough to fulfill its burdens in pushing the situation. Viacom has lengthy contended that general understanding of violation is just like actual understanding in forcing ISPs to do something expeditiously, but here Cruz largely eschewed direct discuss "red-colored flags." Rather, he (along with the lawyer representing the category litigants) contacted the problem more practically, striking difficult on the reality that the e-mails along with other recorded evidence in the situation demonstrated that whatever standard of understanding was selected, it had been a lot more than sufficient to create the situation before a jury. "The founders of YouTube were among the 10 most typical customers from the website," stated Cruz, adding, "They deliberately hid using their own eyes what happening.Inch To THR, Esq. 1 2 3 next last Google Viacom YouTube The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Wager

2011 American Music Awards: Adele Leads With 4 Nominations (Video)

Nominations for the 2011 American Music Awards were announced Tuesday morning. Leading the pack: British chanteuse Adele, with four nominations including artist of the year and favorite album for her latest, 21.our editor recommendsRihanna Named Esquire Magazine's 'Sexiest Woman Alive' The Black Keys Announce New Album 'El Camino'American Music Awards: Red Carpet Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Lil Wayne, Rihanna, The Band Perry and Taylor Swift each saw three nods while Beyonce, Bruno Mars, Chris Brown, Jason Aldean, Kanye West, LMFAO, Nicki Minaj and Pitbull collected two nominations. PHOTOS: AMA Hot Performances Winners will be determined by online voting. Fans can vote at the Coca-Cola AMA website, amavote.com, as well as AMA.abc.com. The 39th annual AMAs will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Sunday, Nov. 20 on ABC. Perry and Pitbull were also announced as performers on the show, which is executive produced by Dick Clark Productions' Orly Adelson and Larry Klein, AMA producer. PHOTOS: Top 10 Highest Paid Music Artists See the full list of nominees below: POP or ROCK MUSIC Favorite Male Artist Justin Bieber Bruno Mars Pitbull Favorite Female Artist Adele Lady Gaga Katy Perry Favorite Band, Duo or Group LMFAO Maroon 5 OneRepublic Favorite Album Adele/21 Lady Gaga/Born This Way Rihanna/Loud COUNTRY MUSIC Favorite Male Artist Jason Aldean Brad Paisley Blake Shelton Favorite Female Artist Sara Evans Miranda Lambert Taylor Swift Favorite Band, Duo or Group The Band Perry Zac Brown Band Lady Antebellum Favorite Album Jason Aldean/My Kinda Party The Band Perry/The Band Perry Taylor Swift/Speak Now RAP/HIP-HOP MUSIC Favorite Artist Lil Wayne Nicki Minaj Kanye West Favorite Album Jay-Z & Kanye West/Watch The Throne Lil Wayne/Tha Carter IV Nicki Minaj/Pink Friday SOUL/RHYTHM & BLUES MUSIC Favorite Male Artist Chris Brown Trey Songz Usher Favorite Female Artist Beyonce Rihanna Kelly Rowland Favorite Album Beyonce/4 Chris Brown/F.A.M.E. Rihanna/Loud ALTERNATIVE ROCK MUSIC Favorite Artist The Black Keys Foo Fighters Mumford & Sons ADULT CONTEMPORARY MUSIC Favorite Artist Adele Bruno Mars Katy Perry LATIN MUSIC Favorite Artist Enrique Iglesias Jennifer Lopez Pitbull CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL Favorite Artist Casting Crowns Tobymac Third Day ARTIST OF THE YEAR Adele Lady Gaga Lil Wayne Katy Perry Taylor Swift Sprint New Artist Of The Year POP/ROCK Foster The People Hot Chelle Rae COUNTRY The Band Perry Thompson Square SOUL/R&B Marsha Ambrosius Miguel RAP/HIP-HOP LMFAO Wiz Khalifa Related Topics Chris Brown Katy Perry Lady Gaga Rihanna Taylor Swift Lil Wayne Bruno Mars Adele

Sundance Selects Acquires U . s . States Rights to 'The Loneliest Planet'

Sundance Selects has acquired U . s . States rights toThe Loneliest Planet, written and directed byJulia Loktev. Gael Garcia Bernal, Hani Furstenberg and Bidzina Gujabidze star inside the story of acouple backpacking inside the Caucasus hills that finds the threat of violence intruding around the journey.Jay Van Hoy, Lars Knudsen, Marie Therese Guirgis and Helge Albers produced the project. "It's a great recognition to be capable of still utilize Julia Loktev while using Loneliest Planet," mentioned Sundance Selects leader Jonathan Sehring. "She's developed a phenomenal film that further determines her one of the most enjoyable talents used in world cinema today." Sundance Selects professionals Arianna Bocco and Rob Deutchman talked about the sale with Cinetic Media's Dana O'Keefe regarding the filmmakers. A sister division to IFC Films and IFC Evening time,Sundance Selects recently released the movies Licensed Copy, Buck, Tabloid and Cave of Forgotten Dreams. Forthcoming releases are the 3DPina, Into the Abyss, The Child Getting a bicycle and Poliss. IFC Films formerly released Loktev's debut,Day Evening Day Evening.

Greek filmmakers protest cuts

The Greek Film Center's funding worries have spurred filmmakers to assist people protesting budget cuts. As Greek public servants shut lower urban centers with strikes to protest the belt-tightening sweeping the country, the film business has grew to become an associate of inside the chorus of malcontent."The crisis revealed completely the structural insufficient the Greek Film Center as well as the Secretary of condition for Culture regarding cinema," states Filippos Tsitos, helmer of black comedy "Unfair World." He adds the Film Center, for several years, the primary way to obtain gold gold coin for local filmmakers, remains promising funds -- sometimes inside the hundreds of thousands of dollars -- despite the fact that it's not scattering any gold gold coin formerly couple of years. The center won't even hands the 20% required by most co-production contracts needed to partner with foreign productions, states Tsitos, who adds the Film Center has massive obligations, although amounts weren't available.Calls and emails for the Film Center weren't returned. Extended belittled with the emerging generation of Greek filmmakers to become a haven of cronyism and paperwork, the org was slated for reform while using passage from the new film funding law a year ago that incorporated tax incentives and streamlining rules. Nevertheless the changes were positioned on hold when the latest wave of austerity measures, forced round the debt-laden country by European loan providers, grew to become predominant, say Greek film government bodies who did not wish to be named. With Greek filmmakers unable to boost even their 20% share of budgets, they'll forget about be capable of meet up with nations in better financial health, as other small nations in the region do. That's frustrating for the new wave of Greek filmmakers like Athina Rachel Tsangari ("Attenberg") and Yorgos Lanthimos ("Dogtooth"), that are winning kudos abroad and rely on co-production gold gold coin to produce their films.Nevertheless the problems of the vacation in a holiday in greece go well beyond the nation's edges. The earth financial community doubts the beleagured country will have a way to look itself from under its 340 billion ($454 billion) debt since it struggles to find legal techniques to slash constitutionally protected condition jobs.The Thessaloniki Film Festival, which unspools November. 4-13, is constantly on the have the ability to escape a couple of from the discomfort, due to a Eu grant, support with the EU's Media program and gold gold coin dedicated to digital market library and Crossroads co-production forum. The fest is on firm footing not under the next two models after 2011, states fest prexy Dimitri Eipides, who adds any time overpowering everyone-sector organization a year ago, his team has reduced the fest's $8.6 000 0000 debt to merely $2 million, which is attempting to pay back it entirely. Other key film orgs weren't as fortunate. The Hellenic Audiovisual Institute, which coordinates media support programs, and Greece's national film archive, utilized by of thousands of historic prints, are increasingly being shuttered. As well as the bigger of pubcaster ERT's two channels is positioned to avoid methods, eliminating plenty of jobs."The us government may have shut lower other useless organizations instead of giving up on a thing that really has associated with our national culture, if this involves films, TV documentaries and audiovisual material," states Greek helmer Constantine Giannaris, whose films have become a retrospective at Thessaloniki.Despite all the closures, Giannaris states, there seems to become renaissance happening. "It's around the low-budget level, but, nevertheless, there seems to become rush of creativity and a lot of work being completed, particularly by youthful filmmakers inside their 30s and early 40s," Giannaris adds.The creative surge is going on among a national crisis, states Giannaris, is much more inspiring. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Oprah Winfrey And Rosie ODonnell Shows To Debut On Five Discovery Networks

(Los Angeles, CA) OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network announced today that the premiere episodes of the new OWN series The Rosie Show and Oprahs Lifeclass will air concurrently across five Discovery Communications networks when the series debut on Monday, October 10. Joining OWN in airing the premieres will be TLC, Investigation Discovery, Discovery Fit & Health and Planet Green.The Rosie Show will air at 7:00 p.m. ET and Oprahs Lifeclass at 8:00 p.m. ET across the five networks. OWN is ramped up for a creative and entertaining all-new fall season driven by the powerful cornerstones of The Rosie Show and Oprahs Lifeclass, said Sheri Salata, president of OWN. Erik Logan, president of OWN added, We are thrilled with the ongoing support of our partner, Discovery Communications, whose commitment to OWNs mission is unwaveringand will create more great exposure for these highly anticipated premieres. In addition to the simulcast, as part of an overall strategic outreachplan, Discovery Communications is also devoting significant promotional time across its family of U.S. networks and social media support to drive awareness and sampling for The Rosie Show and “Oprahs Lifeclass.” With Rosie and Oprah debuting daily on OWN, we couldnt be more proud to offer our other Discovery properties to drive awareness and build audiences for these fantastic new shows, said David Zaslav, president and CEO, Discovery Communications.

Exclusive Start Searching: Join In towards the Magical Arena of Not such a long time ago

Lana Parrilla Prepare to use a parallel realm of favorite anecdotes in ABC's Not such a long time ago. Executive-produced by Lost's Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis, the arrival series notifies the story in the Evil Full (Lana Parrilla) casting a spell upon classic fairy-tale figures who live in Storybrooke, Maine, and don't know their unique true particulars.Fall TV: Have the lowdown relating to this season's must-see new showsConfused? Parrilla shows the particulars in the series, which stars Jennifer Morrison and Ginnifer Goodwin, in this exclusive first-look video. Furthermore, it gives you a sneak consider exactly how evil the Evil Full is.Not such a long time ago premieres Sunday, March. 23 at 8/7c on ABC. "You have to watch it, because if you don't, I'm prone to cast a spell you,Inch Parrilla jokes.

Polanski's return to NYFF

John C. Reilly and Jodie FosterMichael Barker and Tom Bernard flank Richard Pena and Rose Kuo. Anjelica Huston and Yasmina RezaShanyn Leigh and Abel Ferrara When "Carnage" opened the 49th annual NY Film Festival on a rainy Friday, it was only the second film from helmer Roman Polanski to get a showcase in the fest -- the first being "Knife in the Water" in NYFF's very first outing, in 1963. Sony Pictures Classics, on the other hand, has been a far more regular presence. Along with "Carnage," SPC has four other films in this year's fest, and "Carnage" reps the distributor's eighth pic to open the annual event. SPC's Michael Barker reminisced about some of those memorable screenings, including the 2000 bow of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." "The screening was like the shot heard round the world," he said. In addition to Alice Tully Hall, where "Carnage" unspooled, the fest also has the Film Society of Lincoln Center's newly completed, multi-venue Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center to show pics. "The fest turns 50 next year, but in many ways it feels like we're just getting started," said the Society's Ann Tenenbaum. "I turned 50 this year, and can't say the same myself, unfortunately." Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com

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MIPCOM 2011: Steven Van Zandt Goes Norwegian in Bilingual Gangster Thriller 'Lillyhammer'

CANNES -- Just how far can non-English-language drama travel? All the way from Norway if the story is handled right, says Sopranos star Steven Van Zandt.our editor recommendsDavid Chase and Steven Van Zandt reunite for his 60s-set musical drama (exclusive)Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at HP Pavilion -- Concert Review The E Street Band guitarist, who played mob consigliere Silvio Dante for a decade in the HBO series, has picked the Norwegian-language gangster drama Lillyhammerfor his next TV project. And what's more, he is convinced it will reach a global audience. Set in Lillyhammer, the town with the lowest crime rate in Norway -- which in turn has the lowest crime rate in the world -- Van Zandt plays a Mafiosi who is sent to the near-wilderness territory when he enters the witness protection program. Van Zandt's dialogue in the Metronome-produced drama distributed by German player SevenOne International is in English, and the Norwegian characters speak to him in English as well. But all the other dialogue is in Norwegian and the eight-episode, hourlong series will premiere on Norwegian broadcaster NRK. The show has already been snapped up by Netflix, which has exclusive U.S. rights to the show, which aims to match the success of the Danish language thriller The Killing. "There was no doubt in my mind that it was going to travel. Right from the beginning we planned on it traveling, and it's going to travel," he said at a press conference in Cannes. The secret? Keeping true to its authentic Norwegian roots. "It's very Norwegian, and I feel very strongly about this. From the beginning, we were talking about how Norwegian we should make it, and I insisted that I wanted it to be as nuanced and particular and as authentic as possible," he said about protecting the local customs, quirks and settings that are key to the storyline. Van Zandt said he learned the value of protecting the detail and setting and authenticity of a series from watching New Jersey become internationally relevant twice in his lifetime -- first with Bruce Springsteenand then with Sopranos creatorDavid Chase. "They both did the same thing -- they found the most personal parts of New Jersey, the not-so-glamorous parts, the very particular parts. That's what ends up being extremely international and interesting. The Sopranoswould never have worked if it had been made in LA." In fact, so keen is the production company to keep the Norwegian sense of the project that they are refusing to allow a Killing-style U.S. remake. Lasse Hallberg, senior vp and head of creative content at Metronome Film & TV, said it was "out of the question." "We are part of [Elisabeth Murdoch'sinternational production company] Shine, a format company, so obviously they wanted to do a remake, but we said no. The format is not for sale," Hallberg said. Added Van Zandt: "There's no way you could do it. You can't transplant these characters. Without the setting, it just wouldn't work." Related Topics Steven Van Zandt David Chase Bruce Springsteen Elisabeth Murdoch MIPCOM