ITV launches 'Selfridge' skein

LONDON -- U.K. terrestrial web ITV is hoping another Edwardian drama can repeat the success of "Downton Abbey" as it announced a 10% growth in revenue at its production arm as financial results for 2011 were published. The new 10-parter, "Mr Selfridge," scripted by Andrew Davies, tells the story of the U.S. entrepreneur Harry Gordon Selfridge, the founder of high-end London department store Selfridge's. Aimed at the global TV market, "Mr Selfridge" will bow at next month's Mip TV sales mart. Maria Kyriacou, managing director, ITV Studios global entertainment, said: " 'Mr Selfridge' is a big ambitious drama with clear international appeal; we're confident it will be a target for broadcasters looking to invest early in elaborate, high volume scripted content." There are no casting details at present. With luck, the show will be a big earner for ITV, whose bottom line has failed to benefit from "Downton Abbey" because while the web commissioned the show, it is produced by NBC Universal-owned Carnival. However, ITV CEO Adam Crozier hailed the perf of ITV Studios as he highlighted the hike "in non-advertising revenues of 93 million" ($148 million) as clear evidence of progress in rebalancing the web's business and its ability to diversity revenue streams. Total revenues at ITV Studios grew 10% to 612 million ($976 million), fuelled by international production, including 111 new commissions in 2011, 66 in the U.K. and 45 internationally. The ITV-led co-production of "Titanic" has been sold to 86 countries. Overall ITV reported a 14% increase in pre-tax profits to 327 million ($521 million) in 2011. Crozier said that "in time" ITV might consider growing its production activities by making acquisitions. But the focus was on organic growth and he ruled out any interest in buying Endemol. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Costume designers honor best-dressed films of year

Costume designers gave top honors to ''W.E.,'' ''Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2'' and ''The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo'' at the 14th annual Costume Designers Guild Awards Tuesday night at the Beverly Hilton. ''W.E.'' won in the period category; ''Potter'' took home fantasy honors; and ''Dragon Tattoo'' earned contemporary kudos. ''It's amazing, I've never even won bingo,'' said ''W.E.'' costume designer Arianne Phillips, who is also an Oscar nominee for the project. ''Harry Potter's'' Jany Temime celebrated her collaborators when accepting her trophy. ''The costume design team was with me for those eight long years,'' Temime said. ''But it was all so much fun.'' When ''Dragon Tattoo's'' Trish Summerville heard her name announced, her tablemates erupted in cheers. ''I really didn't think I would win or I wouldn't have worn this dress,'' Summerville said. In the TV categories ''Glee's'' Lou Eyrich and Jennifer Eve took the contemporary prize, ''Downton Abbey's'' Susannah Buxton won for miniseries and ''Boardwalk Empire's'' John A. Dunn and Lisa Padovani won for period outfits. The CDG handed out honorary awards to long-time collaborators Clint Eastwood and Deborah Hopper; Kate Beckinsale received the Spotlight Award; and Marlene Stewart was given the Career Achievement in Film Award. ''Glee'' winner Eyrich also collected her second trophy of the evening by accepting the Career Achievement in Television Award. The show was hosted by ''Glee'' star Jane Lynch. Contact Shalini Dore at shali.dore@variety.com

Red-colored-colored band trailer arrives for Pals With Kids

A completely new red-colored-colored band trailer remains released for having a baby comedy Pals With Kids, and pleasingly, it's a lot more amusing in comparison to eco-friendly band effort that turned up lately.That can be a teaser made an appearance noticeably light on jokes, this new, foul-mouthed offering seems much more in conjuction with the comic capabilities of the gifted cast.The film follows the right path of two pals (Jennifer Westfeldt and Adam Scott) who finalise to experience a child together, with no connected requirement for marriage, in addition to romance. Naturally, their plan hits an acceptable handful of snags in route.Take a look within the new trailer below...Westfeldt is on directorial duties too, however, many importantly, she seems to experience a great chemistry with Scott. Add in an amazing supporting ensemble including Bridesmaids quartet Kristen Wiig, Jon Hamm, Maya Rudolph and Chris O'Dowd, which might be the most effective comedies of 2012.Pals With Kids opens inside the Uk on 29 June 2012. If relationship drama coupled with a liberal dose of dick and poo jokes appears much like your bag, this is probably the film to suit your needs.

Zwick & Herskovitz: WGA TV Award honorees

Zwick Herskovitz Edward Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz put on many hats -- they write, direct and convey for TV and film. Their contributions to television range from the groundbreaking "Thirtysomething," cult hit "My So-Known as Existence" and "Once and Again."They've been writing partners since college and recognized in early stages that "writing was our ticket in to the business," states Herskovitz."Around we always aspired to direct or produce, we started as authors and that we remain authors. Tossing our physiques within the writing in almost any circumstance is the one thing that we understand is most significant,Inch Zwick adds.Their close relationship was cemented as the pair were writing the 1987 pilot for "Thirtysomething.""Had both of us done ("Thirtysomething") alone, we might possibly not have been so open to another voices. It gave us the safety to permit other voices in to the mix," states Herskovitz.Zwick adds, "We discover it's a lot simpler to slay the dragons and fight the battles if you have somebody at the back. Also, you just write half as numerous words." WGA Honours 2012Truth elbows out gags Good timing for WGA prexyHonoreesKress & McDuffie Eric Roth Tate Taylor Patric Verrone Zwick & Herskovitz Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Berlusconi faces five-year jail term

ROME -- Silvio Berlusconi's legal woes worsened on Wednesday when prosecutors requested a five-year jail sentence for the Italo media mogul and former premier on charges of bribing British lawyer David Mills to lie about business practices at his Mediaset broadcaster. Berlusconi is accused of paying Mills, who is a specialist in offshore tax havens, a $600,000 bribe for providing false testimony in two trials, in 1997 and 1998, about an alleged scheme for Mediaset to evade taxes pertaining to Hollywood movie rights' deals. Mills was convicted by a Milan court in 2009 and sentenced to four-and-a-half years in jail. But an appeals court threw out his corruption case in 2010 due to the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations is also likely to kick-in for Berlusconi in this trial. But a guilty verdict would still be a major blow to his prestige. "It is certain, beyond any reasonable doubt, that the defendant is guilty," said prosecutor Fabio De Pasquale, who accused Berlusconi's defence of being entirely "based on false documents." Both Berlusconi and Mills deny the charges. Berlusconi's lawyers, who claim the court is politically biased, have requested the case be moved to another jurisdiction. A ruling on that is expected Feb. 18. Berlusconi also faces other ongoing trials on separate tax fraud charges and of paying for sex with an underage prostitute. A new indictment from earlier this month involving wiretaps and leaked information to allegedly damage a political opponent is due to go on trial on March 15. Contact Nick Vivarelli at nvivarelli@gmail.com

First Wreck-It Ralph Pics Online

Disney's new gaming' toonLast August, Disney used its D23 convention event to unveil an early look at its big animated hope for the year (at least one not produced by Pixar), Wreck-It Ralph. And now, courtesy of French site CineHeroes, we're getting our first look at imagery from the movie, which you can check out in the gallery below.The hero of the story is Ralph (voiced by John C Reilly) who is actually the villain of his video game. But he's sick of just being the guy who ruins buildings, only for perfect, player-controlled hero Fix-It Felix (Jack McBrayer) to come along and clean up, winning friendship and plaudits along the way.Ralph decides that there must be more to life, and that he wants a shot at being a hero, so when a modern, first-person shooter game is installed in his arcade, Ralph jumps at the chance to win some respect. But he wrecks everything in the new game, run by tough Sergeant Calhoun (Jane Lynch) and unleashes a dangerous new enemy that threatens every pixel around him. He'll have to work with a troublemaking character from a kid-friendly racing game (Sarah Silverman) to try to put things right before the while arcade shuts down...{Wreck-It Ralph Pictures}From what we saw, Wreck-It Ralph could be a gaming reference-littered delight, a knowing, loving tweak on 8-bit nostalgia and more modern, bloodthirsty shooters.The film arrives on December 26.

CA Tax credit program 'limited,' study finds

A UCLA study has asserted that California's four-year-old Film and Television Tax Credit Program should be expanded if the state is to maintain its position as a production center -- instead of seeing shooting flee elsewhere."The uncertainty created by the limited size of California's tax credit program, which is able to provide credits by lottery to only one in every five applicants, causes many film and TV producers to pursue credits from other states," the study authors said.Showbiz producers and unions have been strong supporters of the program, which has doled out $400 million in tax credits to date. The program was extended for a single year in October when Gov. Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 1069 on the final day for the governor to approve or veto bills from last year's legislative session.Variety reported on Jan. 26 that Assemblyman Felipe Fuentes had pledged to introduce legislation that would extend California's film production incentive program -- probably for five years -- with the goal of telegraphing stability to the industry. The Golden State's program is significantly smaller and not as sweet as many others, with a maximum 25% credit with any production over $75 million excluded.The new study, titled "There's No Place Like Home," was conducted by UCLA's Institute for Research on Labor and Employment as part of The Headway Project.Study found that the tax credit program is benefitting the state economically with an imapct of $1.04 for every dollar spent. A report issued last summer by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp. and financed by the Motion Picture Assn. of America estimated that figure at $1.13 for for every $1 the state allocated, based on the assumption that any production seeking a tax credit would leave California if it didn't receive one.The UCLA report found that 8.4% of the credits given to 14 productions that were produced despite placed on the 2010-11 wait list went to films and TV shows that would have shot in California anyhow.The study also recommended that the California program be revised in the following ways:-- The annual allocation should be increased from $100 million to $200 million. "California's program is uncompetitive with locations such as NY, Louisiana and Canada that offer $400 million to $500 million per year in subsidies, have no caps and offer much higher percentages," the authors said.-- films and TV shows with budgets in excess of $75 million should be allowed to participate with a 12% credit. "These are the largest and most beneficial projects, often spending $100 million to $200 million and employing thousands of workers per project," the authors said. "Today, the majority of of these 'tentpole' productions leave California for states that, like Louisiana, have no cap on their subsidies."-- allow credits to be transferrable within the entertainment industry. "This keeps the tax credits entirely within the intended industry and removes the incentive for filmmakers to go out of state in pursuit of a cash option that California doesn't offer," the report said.-- give the California Film Commissioner power to deny or withdraw a credit if the project portrays California as an unattractive location. "Such guidelines are not uncommon in other states," the authors said.-- commission a new bipartisan study, composed of legislators who both support and oppose the program. The authors said such a study would take six months and cost $250,000 -- a "pittance" compared to the current annual $100 million tax credit allocation."California cannot simply throw up its arms and allow an important industry to leave the state completely," the conclusion said, noting that 40 other states and many offer incentives. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com