Componen taps 'Eagle Eye' scribe for sci-fi pic

Vital has attracted on "Novelty helmet Eye" scribe John Glenn to rewrite John Heffernan's untitled sci-fi actioner, setup at Mary Parent's Disruption Entertainment. Studio acquired Heffernan's script in June. Pic's known to as "Die Hard" by having an alien spaceship. Parent and Cale Boyter are coming up with. Disruption remains ramping up business since Parent setup the Componen-based banner in February, four several days after exiting since the topper of MGM's film biz. It's developing "Hyperdrive," acquiring the science-fiction spec script from Morgan Jurgenson and Alex Ankeles "The Watching Hour" at New Line with Mad Hatter plus an adaptation in the Electricity Comics series "The Mighty" with Chris Bender and JC Spink of Benderspink and John Spink creating. BenderSpink is professional creating the Heffernan actioner, that has furthermore been known to as "Kidnapped." Glenn's repped by WME and John Lutz. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Globe golden at DWA

Anne Globe has overseen DWAs marketing efforts since 1996. DreamWorks Animation has inked a new long term agreement with Anne Globe to remain as the toon studio's chief marketing officer through at least 2014.A new contract, which begins at the start of 2012, comes as DWA prances into theaters Friday with "Puss in Boots," a spinoff of the "Shrek" franchise, and as "Kung Fu Panda 2" ranks as the highest-grossing animated pic at the worldwide B.O., with a $664 million haul, the fourth highest grosser of 2011.Globe has overseen marketing efforts for DWA's films, TV shows and ancillary properties like videogames, theme park attractions, stage shows and live tours since 1996. Her position also has her broker promo partnerships with marketers that tie in with the company's films or the DreamWorks Animation brand, and manage studio relationships with partners including Imax, RealD and Nickelodeon. In the past, promo deals have involved heavy hitters like Walmart, McDonald's, General Mills, HP, Intel and cruise line Royal Caribbean. "Puss in Boots" has McDonald's, Friskies and Avocados From Mexico as key partners.DWA has produced and released 23 animated films, with 11 through Paramount since 2006. The pics have earned more than $5.5 billion at the B.O., and $10 billion once homevideo, pay TV, merchandise and other sources are tallied.Globe's efforts are being rewarded with a pay raise. She will now earn a salary of $862,000, up from $835,000, in addition to cash incentive awards and other bonuses, according to a DWA filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The documents state that Globe's new contract extends through 2014, but that the studio has the option of extending it further for an additional year under new terms.The studio is in the midst of deciding whether to ink a new distribution deal with a studio once its current pact with Paramount expires at the end of 2012, or to self-distribute its films on its own. Globe will oversee the release of three new films in 2013.DreamWorks Animation chief Jeffrey Katzenberg said Globe's "creativity, dedication and amazingly hard work over the last 15 years have been vital to establishing DreamWorks Animation as a premiere family entertainment company.""As the DreamWorks Animation brand grows both in the U.S. and internationally, I look forward to working with my team in the pursuit of global marketing efforts that highlight the amazing creative work done by our artists every day," said Globe, whose team has previously created a series of spots that aired during the Winter Olympics, in Vancouver, to promote "How to Train Your Dragon." Walmart also built a store-within-its-stores, complete with a Viking ship filled with merchandise, for the dragon tale."It is an incredibly exciting time at the company as we look around the corner at the many opportunities we have to continue to build on all that DreamWorks Animation has accomplished to date," Globe said. Prior to joining DreamWorks Animation, Globe served as VP of promotions at MCA/Universal, and director of national promotions for Universal Pictures and Universal Studios Hollywood. She began her marketing career at Disney. Contact Marc Graser at marc.graser@variety.com

Gerard Butler, Mike Worthington, Matthew McConaughey Team for Iraq War Pic 'Thunder Run'

Getty Images Lather within the beefcake! Gerard Butler, Mike Worthington and Matthew McConaughey are joining up for Thunder Run, a thrilling-CG 3d action thriller being created by Freedom Films. Simon West is positioned to direct, according to Freedom Films, while Hyde Park Worldwide is handling worldwide sales and beginning the title at AFM. The film is adapting the novel Thunder Run- The Armored Strike to Capture Baghdad, by Pulitzer Prize-winning correspondent David Zucchino. Robert Port, who won an Oscar in 2003 for top short documentary, and Ken Nolan, who co-written Black Hawk Lower, composed the script. PHOTOS: Hollywood's A-List Transformed The project aims to recount the capture of Baghdad by American forces at the outset of the Iraq War in 2003. The Three-day assault was known just like a "lightning strike" or "thunder run." The producers desire to fresh fresh paint "the harrowing picture in the soldiers round the front lines as well as the details of recent warfare." The Graphic Film Company remains attracted onto take advantage of proprietary facial-capture technology it applied to West's approaching Evening in the Living Dead: Roots 3d movie with the motion capture technology found in Avatar, mentioned Freedom Films. Creating are Freedom Films' John Presley, with the business's Carissa Buffel and Kevin Matusow additionally to Jib Polhemus in the Graphic Film Company. The trio's work will consist mostly of voicework but you will notice eco-friendly-screen aspects too. "That which you capture inside our cameras will probably be them," Presley told The Hollywood Reporter. "It features a stylized effect in it but we are shooting them. We're not ageing them lower like Rob Bridges in Tron Legacy, it will likely be them for just two several hours in the highly intense tank fight. "The scope in the movie will feel huge and thegoal is always to attract the Cod world. It won't have a very gaming world feel but to experience a stylized use it. "We're locked and loaded and may shoot next season.In . Thunder Run is repped by Gersh with CAA also developing board to repetition the film. Gersh also reps Freedom Films. Butler is repped by CAA and Alan Siegel Entertainment, Worthington by CAA and Anonymous Content, McConaughey by CAA and attorney Kevin Morris. West may also be repped by CAA. Gerard Butler Matthew McConaughey Mike Worthington

Canal Plus set to takeover Poland's TVN

PARIS -- Vivendi's Canal Plus Group is holding exclusive discussions while using ITI Group to obtain a controlling stake in Polish TV operator TVN. ITI must accomplish purchasing their 56% stake in TVN to Canal Plus with the finish of year, according to French newspaper Ces Echos. TVN has free-to-air channels, pay TV platform N -- the next greatest within the u . s . states -- and website Onet. Canal Plus was already a substantial player in Belgium through Cyfra Plus, which ranks as Poland's second greatest satcaster with 1.5 million clients. The Polish pay TV market leader is Cyfrowy Polsat. Deal enables Canal Plus to consolidate its position on Poland's pay TV market and undertake the Polish free TV landscape. Taken, ITI had began discussions with some other potential customers, including Time Warner, which was considered an innovator, along with Vivendi, to snap up TVN. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

DreamWorks Animation Retains Disney Veteran Chuck Viane as Distribution Consultant

NY - As it continues to evaluate a possible future distributing its own movies, DreamWorks Animation said Tuesday it has hired Walt Disney veteran Chuck Viane as a distribution consultant. He will be working with company executives, effective immediately, and "will provide counsel on the implementation of the studio's future distribution plans," DWA said. DWA's current distribution partner Paramount Pictures has launched its own animation division in a sign that it may not continue the relationship with DWA beyond next year. "In addition to being a truly great guy, Chuck is one of the smartest, most experienced and respected leaders in the industry, and I don't know of anyone with a deeper understanding of the movie landscape, its trends and its future," said DWA CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg. "At this strategic moment in time for DreamWorks Animation, I am confident that he will serve as an invaluable resource." Said Viane: "I've known Jeffrey Katzenberg for 26 years, and he was a close colleague of mine during our time together at Disney." He added: "Under his leadership, I believe that DreamWorks Animation has truly become a studio for the 21st Century and I look forward to helping shape their future distribution strategy." Viane previously served as president of global distribution for Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures in a 25-year career at the entertainment giant, from which he retired early this year. Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com Twitter: @georgszalai Related Topics Jeffrey Katzenberg DreamWorks Animation

You Mentioned What? (Hjelp, mire er i filmbransjen!)

A Tappeluft Pictures presentation in cooperation with Star Media Entertainment from the Langfonn, Krypton Film and Filmcamp production. Produced by Terje Stromstad, Kjetil Omberg. Executive producers, Friend Granlund, Henrik Bergesen, Elisabeth Granlund, Tommy Wirkola, Stig Frode Henriksen. Co-producer, Benedicte Ringnes. Directed, put together by Nini Bull Robsam, Patrik Syversen.With: Henrik Thodesen, Odd-Magnus Williamson, Stig Frode Henriksen, Stein Johan Grieg Halvorsen, Marte Germaine Christensen, Jenny Skavlan, Christian Rubeck, Peter Stormare.Norwegian filmmakers Nini Bull Robsam and Patrik Syversen proceed and take fundamental premise of Takashi Miike's "Audition" -- the well-known 1999 horror-thriller of a lonely widower who pretends being casting a movie while seeking a completely new companion -- and playfully convert it right into a scenario for cheeky romantic comedy in "You Mentioned What?" Reviews indicate this high-concept, lightly entertaining pic already continues to be regarded as as material with an American remake, nevertheless it could find its own appreciative aud in offshore areas with sufficiently savvy marketing. After locating the flagrant infidelity of his live-in girlfriend, Glenn (Henrik Thodesen), an affable vidstore clerk, moves using their apartment and sinks in to a dark blue funk. Wanting to cheer him up, his more rambunctious pals, introduced with the persistantly smart-alecky Philip (Odd-Magnus Williamson, in "Meatballs"-era Bill Murray mode), encourage Glenn to get into a web page from Takashi Miike and hold auditions with an imaginary movie, with the expectation of landing, otherwise a completely new love, then some easy sex. Complications arise when Glenn instantly falls for one of the auditioners, Linda (Marte Germaine Christensen), and promises her a lead role using what he unwisely promises will probably be popular fantasy adventure. (Think "Our god in the Rings" around the "Plan 9 From SpaceInch budget.) The problem here's, despite Linda's well-do-to mother onboard just like a quiet investor, Glenn and also the pals take time and effort pressed to actually to produce the epic -- or any other pic -- especially after they blow a lot of the budget on pre-production chilling out. Since the would-be filmmakers proceed around the frazzled-shoestring budget, getting in credulous collaborators and anxiously disguising their lack of skill, "You Mentioned What?" frequently recalls the higher frantic improvisations in the title character in Tim Burton's "Erection dysfunction Wood." And since the self-kidding schlockmeister of Burton's pic relied round the collaboration from the aged Bela Lugosi, the faux auteurs here wager everything on settling single-day cameo by Peter Stormare to produce their slapdash project a bit more marketable. Filmmakers Robsam and Syversen artfully juggle a diversity of tones and feelings while playing mostly everything for laughs, even fine-tuning the romance this is the soft center from the pic getting a soundtrack of wonderfully cheesy '70s and eighties pop hits. You will discover darkly comic touches, and a few gags that, in this context, appear almost subversively perverse. There's however anything amusing in comparison to gleefully crazy scene through which the sport Stormare looks after a straight face together with a menacing attitude while carefully balancing themselves atop a papier-mache dragon and snarling, "I am the King of Darkness!" Tech credits overall are much better than are available in the film within the film.Camera (color, HD), Havard Andre Byrkjeland editor, Syversen music, Gaute Tonder production designer, Liv Request costume designer, Linn Henriksen appear, Hakon Lammetun assistant director, Jonas Viken Oby. Examined at Fantastic Fest, Austin, Sept. 29, 2011. Running time: 107 MIN. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

'Grey's Anatomy's' Kevin McKidd Talks Owen and Cristina

Cristina (Sandra Oh) and Owen (Kevin McKidd) have had their share of ups and downs on ABC's "Grey's Anatomy."He struggled with PTSD. She struggled with the same after the hospital shooting that traumatized everyone that led to their quickie marriage. To say the couple has issues would be a serious understatement, especially considering it wasn't until after Cristina was pregnant and planning to have an abortion that they had a serious discussion about having children.This week, Owen and Cristina will continue to tiptoe around their issues but as the actor and director of this week's episode tells "The Hollywood Reporter" their problems will eventually catch up with them. "I don't think there's long to wait because they've brushed a lot under the carpet this season," he says."THR" caught up with McKidd to discuss when and how the couple will confront their problems, if there could ever be a compromise and whether or not Cristina could ever realize that there's more to life than her career.THR: How long will Cristina and Owen continue to avoid facing their problems? McKidd:That's going to keep coming back. Around midseason, I think, something is going to happen some straw is going to break the camel's back and they're really going to have to deal with it. I'm not sure what the outcome is going to be, but I think it's going to be pretty explosive. I don't think there's long to wait because they've brushed a lot under the carpet this season. I don't think people will have to wait long to see the fallout from that.THR: Will Owen eventually confront Cristina or are they avoiding talking because they love each other? McKidd: I think that's the reason they do it, because they do really love each other. The problem they have is that they've got very different views on children. I think they'll both eventually have to deal with each other. There's a big thing that happens medically in the hospital that becomes the catalyst for this, it's a very intense event that happens. I think that weighs on him and eventually that becomes the catalyst for them confronting each other with the truth.THR: Is the heart of Owen and Cristina's problems the abortion or is it more about bigger issues like communication and a shared vision of what a marriage is? McKidd: It's all of those things rolled into one. They're going to get to a point where there's at a fork in the road and they're going to have to really decide what they're going to do, whether they can reconcile all those things or not. I think they have passion for each other but that isn't always enough in a relationship. I think there's going to be some dark times ahead for them and it's going to test whether they can make it through.THR: Will Owen eventually turn to Richard or Derek about his feelings about Cristina's abortion? McKidd: He and Derek are really starting to bond over a lot of things. The fact that Derek went through a period of being chief becomes quite a big support for Owen as we go forward. They're much more equals now in the hospital, so they can communicate pretty well. I think he'll become attached to him.THR: Will being the Chief impact Owen's marriage? McKidd: That's one of the stories we're telling in the next few episodes: there's this big medical situation that happens and he has to make some hard decisions as chief and put all of your personal feelings aside. There will be something that happens that will really put a lot of pressure on Cristina and Owen and other colleagues. He's suddenly in this position of power and having to try and navigate that, he doesn't get it right all the time. So yes, absolutely.THR: With Owen's career blossoming and Cristina's somewhat stumbling, will Cristina eventually realize that there's more to life than her career? McKidd: I don't know, maybe! Who knows. People do change. Maybe that's just her. Maybe that's never going to change for her and maybe that's the point. That's a story that hasn't really been told before. Usually on TV shows eventually they come around but there are different people in the world and it would be naive of us to think that they don't exist. I think it's an interesting story itself and I don't know the answer to that question.THR: Can there be a compromise in terms of their differing ideas about family and children? McKidd: Sure, absolutely. I don't see any reason why not; it might be a hard one. But I can't see any reason why there can't be. They both have to be happy or there's no point in continuing and that's the same in anybody's relationship. What that looks like that's what they say about people in relationships behind closed doors: you can never really tell what a relationship is really like behind closed doors even if you think you know a couple really intimately, you can never really tell what it is that makes that relationship tick. Cristina and Owen are interesting, odd, powerful, passionate people with very strong ideas about life, so it makes a really good story to tell and a good journey to be on. What that looks like, I think will be more interesting than all of us can imagine because they're so unique. If they're going to be together, I think it's going to be in quite an unusual way; they already live in a firehouse! (Laughs.)THR: How will Owen factor in with what Derek is going through with Zola? Watching Owen with Zola and the backdrop of Cristian's abortion is heartbreaking. McKidd: I think all that does weigh down on Owen a lot. The fact that there's this cute little baby toddler around, it's a constant reminder to him. But yeah, it's not going to be easy for Owen and it's definitely not easy for Derek and Meredith to have Owen in the shadows with that longing. THR: Will Owen wind up helping Derek and Meredith with what they're going through with Zola? McKidd: We're on Episode 9 at the moment and he definitely talks and tries to be there for Derek. Meredith and Owen have never had the most warm and cozy-up relationship there's always been quite a bit of tension between the two of them when it comes to Cristina. Certainly I think Owen is there for Derek in the same way that Derek is there for Owen. Owen tries to be a good friend and a pair of ears for Derek with what he's going through. The Hollywood Reporter

Frank Oz along with other Muppeteers Unhappy With 'The Muppets'?

For a long time, Frank Oz continues to be the voice (and hands) of Miss Piggy, however when he got the script for that new 'Muppets' film, he switched it lower. "I wasn't pleased with the script. I do not think they respected the figures," he informs the British site Metro. "But I'd rather not continue about this just like a sourpuss and hurt the film.Inch Oz might remain somewhat diplomatic, but he's only some of the one worried about the 'Muppets' script by star Jason Segel and Nicholas Stoller ('Forgetting Sarah Marshall,' 'Get Him towards the Greek'): other longtime Muppeteers will also be displeased the beloved characters' repertoire now includes fart jokes, cheap Kermit appears to possess be a 1-percenter. Per THR, "Muppet associates" worry that Segel and director James Bobin (a author on 'Da Ali G Show' and 'Flight from the Conchords') have sacrificed the characters' integrity for simple laughs. "They are searching in the script on the joke-by-joke basis, instead of like a construction of character and story," one insider stated towards the trade magazine. Take Fozzie's fart-footwear joke featured within the trailer: "We wouldn't do this it's too cheap," another Muppets veteran states. "It might not appear like much nowadays of [Judd] Apatow humor, however the figures don't visit that place." They are also worried that Kermit has become a body fat cat who lives inside a mansion which another Muppets now resent his wealth, resulting in the "band" splitting up. Not everybody associated with the beloved felt masterpieces feels similarly. "I am very hopeful the figures are as warm and loving to one another because they were when Jim was pointing," states Bonnie Erickson, the executive director from the Jim Henson Legacy, who designed and built the initial Miss Piggy. She states she's "very excited" that Disney has introduced the Muppets to the giant screen, but confesses that she's nervous. "I am wishing the conventional of excellence that Jim set is maintained," she states. 'The Muppets' opens November. 23. [via THR] [Photo: Disney] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

At HIFF: Alec Baldwin and Matthew Broderick Chat Nearly Derailed by Raving Fan

“Matthew, would you please tell us the way you worked out meeting your spouse?” “Sure,” stated Matthew Broderick. “Right once i’m assassinated.” Such was the atmosphere late this mid-day at Guild Hall, where, at perhaps the Hamptons Film Festival’s most anticipated event, Broderick sitting for any conversation together with his old friend and peer Alec Baldwin. Or mostly conversation, anyway, before the wild interruption in the balcony that nearly derailed a wonderfully wonderful talk about humble origins, John Hughes. Marlon Brando, Producers-mania, botched films and a whole lot. I’ll have full particulars about all that tomorrow, however it’s worth observing the truly good occasions the veteran stars as well as their visitors loved late within the Q&A percentage from the show. That’s whenever a lady determining herself as Deborah Connelly yelled lower in the stage from upstairs, adoring both as kind, good-hearted males before dealing with her real point. “I’m an excellent, honest, Irish Catholic lady who stands before you decide to now, who's truly suggesting the reality,” she stated. “The Patriot Act has been mistreated my vicious cousin who works best for the Terrorist Task Pressure in the FBI, as well as in a classic romance by having an obsessed fireman.” The crowd’s WTF’s rumbling moved towards the event’s more customary laughter as Baldwin started singing the chorus of “Brotherhood of Guy,” the showstopper from How to achieve Business Without Really Trying — the precise inverse which Ms. Connelly was achieving there at Guild Hall. “I nearly lost my existence over this,” she ongoing. “And after i switched towards the FBI two days ago, I had been told to ‘fuck from you psycho.’ Because I’m a Scarlett O’Hara Fighting Irish. I was as much as the Catholic Chapel. I was as much as city groups—” More discord roiled with the crowd. “Hold on, now,” Baldwin stated, smiling towards the room. “This gets good!” “Please,” she stated. “If you or Mr. Broderick or any lawyers within the audience… I’m inside a desperate measure to need to come here today.” Doing the very best he could to sustain spirits without totally ceding the ground to some raving lunatic, Baldwin known the lady towards the usher behind her to supply her information. (Likely compelling every ambitious actor and film writer within the room to seethe privately, “That’s all it might take?”) Transporting around the audience part of the Q&A as Ms. Connelly was escorted away, Baldwin signaled towards the slightly less aggrieved youthful lady together with her question about Nicole Kidman. That Broderick responded with customary quick wit and aplomb. Exciting! As noted, there's much, much, a lot more where this originated from. I’ll possess a full recap from today’s event Sunday at Movieline browse the relaxation in our HIFF coverage here.

George Clooney And Carl Reiner Reminisce

Last evening the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences honored Carl Reiner. Deadline’s own Pete Hammond (Pete describes the evening here) moderated sections which incorporated Dick Van Dyke, Bill Persky, Bonnie Search, Avoi Marie Saint, Gary Shandling, Ray Matthews, Lily Tomlin, and Paul Reiser. Pete then intro’ed an unexpected guest, George Clooneywho came to the conclusion the evening by having an award presentation. Here’s the footage: rtmp://streaming.deadline.com/ondemand/video/Carl_Reiner_George_Clooney_2011-10-14.flv

Carre Otis Particulars Turbulent Marriage To Mickey Rourke In New Memoir

First Launched: October 14, 2011 6:14 PM EDT Credit: Access Hollywood Caption Carre Otis talks with Access Hollywood, March. 2011LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Mickey Rourke received critical acclaim this past year for your film, The Wrestler. And through the eighties, Mickey was among Hollywoods rising stars getting a significant bad boy status. It absolutely was throughout that wild time that Mickey met and married Carre Otis now, Carre discloses in their new memoir about her volatile relationship with Mickey, one she claims almost cost her, her existence. He will be a really effective person, that's very magnetizing, enthralling for just about any youthful girl, Carre told Access Hollywood. Carre, 19 then, was being one inside the late eighties when she caught Mickey Rourkes attention. He cast her inside the movie Wild Orchid, together with a tumultuous relationship was produced. In their book, Beauty, Disrupted, she claims Mickey was controlling right from the start which in 1991, things switched dangerous. I had been around the occur Santa Further erectile dysfunction, Mickey was working, and there's a dreadful accident, Carre recounted. There's a gun, his gun, it absolutely was in the bag. Unsure in regards to the gun Mickey devote her bag, Carre place the bag lower as well as the gun stopped. I used to be hit getting b .357 bullet, she mentioned. It absolutely was a couple of " from my heart. It left through my shoulder. I used to be really unbelievably lucky that's didnt hit a bone. Carre claims a fight switched physical in 1992, the initial of countless occasions she states Mickey hit her. A repetition for your actor did not respond to a request comment from Access Hollywood regarding Carres accusations in their book however, he's formerly declined abuse accusations. In their book Carre also produces about Mickeys violent marriage proposal. She claims he attracted out a sword and mentioned, Answer me, or I'll die. He'd just return from Japan, and was trying in a really gallant approach to express the love, which he'd changed, that they couldnt do without me, she told Access. Essentially had must sense, I'd have mentioned, Wow this really is really dysfunctional, and run for your slopes. They did marry, however, and Carres trouble got worse when she attempted heroin in 1994. She'd already generally used cocaine just like a model in order to keep her weight lower. Anorexia will be a constant struggle in their existence. The drugs [were] a means to medicate and allow me to remain for the reason that situation. Also to not feel everything I used to be feeling, Carre mentioned. I obtained in over my thoughts so quick and recognized I used to be in over my thoughts. I used to be very fortunate to acquire help and Mickey aided me to escape could easily get treatment. Once sober, Carre went into therapy and embarked around the spiritual path. She divorced Mickey in 1998 now she's married again with two youthful kids. Im an entire-time mother its a completely fulfilling and rewarding existence, she mentioned. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Rave reviews on Asian Film Market's new digs

It is a hefty switch to move Busan Film Festival's Asian Film Market in the scattered rooms in hotels from the South Korean beach resort of Haeundae towards the plush Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (Bexco), but participants are hailing it successful. The brand new place for 5-day mart, which released Monday, has won lots of fans. The amount of early-bird sign ups demonstrated a dramatic 30% rise in badge holders and 40% in the amount of sales companies in comparison with 2010. "The Asian Film Market began under a feeling of crisis 5 years ago. Regrettably, that meshed having a crisis within the Korean film industry, which led to a significant stagnancy from the market," stated fest director Lee Yong-kwan. "But we could not quit the marketplace. We now have a obvious vision." You will find 75 sales cubicles in the five-day mart, up 67% on the year before, as the other data also augurs well for that market: a 14% rise in booth participants along with a 36% rise in market tests, where 64 films is going to be proven. "I am getting conferences and it is spectacular,Inch stated Dominic Wright of Ripple Pictures, attending his first Busan using the Irish film "Parked," featuring Colm Meaney. While Hollywood's presence isn't so notable when it comes to stars and company directors, the amount of participants on the market from The United States has bending. First-time participants include Lakeshore Entertainment, Current, Cinema Management Group, the small Film Co. and Multivisionnaire. In addition interesting may be the hike in Japanese participants. Twenty companies and organizations will host cubicles in the market, including major galleries Toho, Toei and Shochiku. Individually, the Korean Film Council opened up an enormous Umbrella Booth for sales and publish-production companies the very first time in the market, meaning closer collaboration beween the fest and also the council. "The elevated quantity of participants proves the positive effect from the venue's move. This season, it appears sure that the marketplace is developing," stated mart's gm Nam Dong-chul. To satisfy the development, the Asia Film Market has released more occasions. Producers from 10 nations collected to go over co-operation and special trades in the Asia-Off-shore Producers Network round table. To advertise Korean talent for worldwide business, a recently opened up management company, U . s . Asia Management, hosts the very first Talent Meeting in Busan, inviting company directors, producers and management related bizzers. There's additionally a special concentrate on film funding. The Korea Contents Fund Showcase can give details about the recently produced fund for global project investment, by which four investment capital and investment companies have conferences with producers. For independent films and art films, the earth's primary film fund managers will show you regarding their funds and also the application. Included in this are the planet Cinema Fund and Busan's Asian Cinema Fund amongst others. The venue change also affects the Asian Project Market, Bifcom and also the Asian Film Policy Forum. Bexco causes it to be simpler for APM participants to possess production and investment conferences. The Busan fest shuts Friday. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

'Tyrannosaur', 'Guard' tops at Dinard

London-- Paddy Considine's directing debut "Tyrannosaur" and John Michael McDonagh's "The Guard" won two prizes apiece at the 22nd Dinard British Film Festival, France's leading showcase for UK cinema. "Tyrannosaur" picked up the Golden Hitchcock award for best film and the Allianz award for best screenplay. "The Guard" took the Kodak Award for best cinematography and the Prix Public, voted by the audience. The Golden Hitchcock provides financial help to the French distributor and the filmmaker, along with a promotional campaign on the Cine+ channels at the time of the film's theatrical release. This year's Dinard fest opened Oct 6 with David McKenzie's "Perfect Sense," and closed Oct 8 with Sue Bourne's "Jig." The jury was chaired by French actress Nathalie Baye. Kristof Bilsen won the best short film award for his doc "White Elephant." The prize is chosen from a selection of shorts from the UK's National Film & TV School and its French equivalent FEMIS. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Bryce Dallas Howard, Star of 'The Help' and '50/50,' Producer of 'Restless,' on Banner Year (Audio)

GettyBryce Dallas Howard If I took one thing away from my interview in Toronto last month with Bryce Dallas Howard (which you can hear for yourself below), it's that the 30-year-old actress/producer is absolutely lovely -- smart, funny, and remarkably humble and down-to-earth. This shouldn't have come as a surprise to me, based on everything that I'd previously heard about her and the fact that her father is Ron Howard, one of the most liked and respected men in Hollywood... but I must confess that it sort of did, primarily because she was so convincing on screen this year playing not one but two -- forgive me -- irredeemable bitches, a southern racist and a philandering girlfriend, in Tate Taylor's The Help and Jonathan Levine's 50/50, respectively. Seven years ago, while performing in a play under the pseudonym "Bryce Dallas," Howard was picked out of obscurity by writer/director M. Night Shyamalan and cast -- without so much as an audition -- as the lead in The Village (2004), and subsequently in Lady in the Water (2006). She has since gone on to star in numerous indies, including Lars von Trier's Manderlay (2005) and Jodie Markell's adaptation of the previously unproduced Tennessee Williams screenplay The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond (2008), while also taking on smaller parts in blockbusters, such as Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 3 (2007), McG's Terminator Salvation (2009), David Slade's The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010), and Clint Eastwood's Hereafter (2010). Now six months pregnant with her second child (and simultaneously gracing a huge billboard along Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood), she was in Toronto to attend the world premiere of 50/50, and also to support another film about cancer that is even closer to her heart: Restless, a drama written by Jason Lew -- a close friend of hers from their college days at NYU -- that she helped to guide from infancy to release as one of its producers. The film, which was directed by Oscar nominee Gus Van Sant and stars the up-and-coming youngsters Mia Wasikowska and Henry Hopper, opened the Cannes Film Festival in May and is now in general release. Some excerpts from our conversation... Didn't always appreciate her father's stature in Hollywood "When people would say, 'Oh,' you know, 'you're Ron Howard's daughter?' or something like that, like, it didn't mean to me what it meant to other people... The first time that it really, kind of, clicked to me, 'Oh, wow, he's really created, kind of, a remarkable career for himself' was when I moved to Los Angeles when I was 22, and I had been cast in The Village, and I was, kind of, doing general meetings, and everyone, kind of, seemed to know him, or be really impressed with him. I always had a lot of respect for him... but just to kind of see that, or to meet filmmakers who I had so much admiration for talk about how my dad had been an influence, or something like that? That, kind of, was a little paradigm-shifting for me." Accusations of nepotism "That was something that I was definitely concerned about... I wasn't resentful of it -- I, kind of, understood it, you know, and I got the psychology behind that thinking. So when I first started auditioning -- I mean, even when I went to school, actually -- I just used the name 'Bryce Dallas,' because I wanted to, kind of, like, avoid that as much as possible. And the same deal when I first started working with my agent... Night saw me in a play [she was playing Rosalind in As You Like It] and just cast me [as the lead in The Village (2004)] without an audition... He happened to come on one of my best nights... That was, kind of, my introduction into the film world... That's a very uncommon thing to happen... It was hard to argue with the faith that he had in me as a performer, and I think that did me a really big favor, because I think I would have dealt with more criticism had it not been for Night taking that huge leap of faith." Why Shyamalan cast her in The Village without an audition "He told me that he knew that I wouldn't be good in an audition... The thing that he's always said to me is that it was my 'innocence'... We worked together for six months rehearsing, because I didn't actually know how how to be a film actor, and I needed that, kind of, help and that, kind of, guidance...For whatever reason, he's really believed in me, and not just been a supportive friend but been, like, a very actively supportive friend." On her pride in being a part of The Help "It's a group of people who had so much integrity and stuck together, no matter what was, kind of, happening. Like, the director, Tate Taylor? This is one of his first films, and he's best friends with the woman who wrote the book, and when he first started writing the screenplay he was adapting his best friend's unpublished novel. And the fact that, when it did become such a success, she fought for him, and then he fought for Octavia Spencer, who she had based the character of Minnie on? You know, I mean, this group stuck together, and they made some really powerful choices that would normally not happen in the formulaic Hollywood system. It's such a high moment that that movie is as successful as it is when the people at the center of it just had such purity in their intentions for the project." On being a part of the ensemble of 50/50 "I have a very, very small role in 50/50. But I really wanted to work with that group. They're, kind of, like, a tribe of friends who have been, kind of, self-generating material for quite a while, and we're all the same age, and I'm just very inspired by what they're doing. And they're doing it in such a gracious, fun, easy-going, cool way! I mean, none of those folks are into themselves or anything like that. And so I, for a while, have really wanted the chance to work more closely with them. And so I auditioned for [it]... and [it] was great, and I'm really proud of the movie, and I think it's a really special movie." On how she met Jason Lew, the screenwriter of Restless "Jason is one of my closest friends from NYU. We met doing really crazy experimental theater together at school -- like, naked theater! [laughs] I mean, when you're eighteen, and you're living in NY, and you've just left school in Connecticut, all you want to do is take off your clothes and be on stage -- I don't know why. [laughs] It was insane. So we met doing that kind of work together. And then he was roomates with my [future] husband and a guy named Dane Charbonneau, who became my writing partner and has since, actually, married my sister. So it was, like, these three boys that I loved, you know, in very different kinds of ways." On the role she played in guiding Restless from infancy to the big screen "Jason wrote this... and gave it to a bunch of his friends, just, kind of, for initial feedback, and our first conversation was, I think, four-and-a-half hours. And then, from that conversation, he did some re-writing, and turned it around quickly. And then it was, you know, instead of just, 'Let me give you my quick thoughts,' it was, 'Why don't you come over, and we'll spend some time together, and talk about it more in-depth?'... We were working very consistently doing read-throughs, doing workshops, and just continually re-writing on a daily and weekly basis... After a couple of years, it was ready... It was at a place where it was a feature film. And he kept saying early on, you know, 'Do you want to produce it? Do you want to produce?' And I was like, 'Well, I would just be absolutely audacious to say, 'Yes, I want to produce it,' when I don't know what it takes to produce... When it was time, he was like, 'Well, you're the producer, so you take it out.' And I met with a bunch of production companies and independent producers, and the two executives I met with at Imagine [her father and Brian Grazer's production company] actually understood it better than anyone, which was so ironic to me, and then they took the project to Brian and my dad, and they were really moved by it." Bryce Dallas Howard

Conrad Murrays Girlfriend Called To Testify

First Published: October 4, 2011 3:36 PM EDT Credit: Getty Images Caption Dr. Conrad Murray watches Alberto Alvarez, one of Michael Jacksons security guards, testify during his involuntary manslaughter trial at the Los Angeles Superior Court in downtown Los Angeles on September 29, 2011 LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Prosecutors on Tuesday called the girlfriend of the doctor charged in Michael Jacksons death to detail the physicians busy schedule on the day the singer died and her own interactions with the late King of Pop. Nicole Alvarez told jurors during the involuntary manslaughter trial of Dr. Conrad Murray that the doctor had first told her that hewas Jacksons personal physician for a year before the singers June 2009 death. Alvarez beamed as she described meeting Jackson for the first time in Las Vegas, where Murray maintains a medical practice. I was speechless, Alvarez said. I couldnt believe I was meeting Michael Jackson. Alvarez said she and Murray met Jackson several other times, including after the birth of the couples young son. Prosecutors also asked Alvarez, 29, about shipments that Murray had sent to her Santa Monica, Calif. apartment. She admitted receiving the items, but never opening them. Authorities contend the shipments contained the anesthetic propofol, which Murray was giving to Jackson as a sleep aid. Authorities accuse the Houston-based cardiologist of giving Jackson a lethal dose of propofol and other sedatives in the bedroom of the singers rented mansion. Murrays attorneys claim Jackson took the fatal dose himself. In opening statements, a prosecutor said Murray had received more than four gallons of propofol while working with Jackson. Murray has pleaded not guilty. The doctor told police after Jacksons death that he was giving the singer propofol as a sleep aid. Alvarez said after April 2009, Murray would frequently leave her apartment at night and return early the next day. She said she knew Murray was working as Jacksons personal doctor while the singer prepared for a series of comeback concerts. Phone records displayed in court Monday showed Murray called Alvarez four times the afternoon of Jacksons death in 2009, including once while he was in the ambulance with Jacksons lifeless body on the way to the hospital. For two days, prosecutors kept jurors focused on the doctors phone records from the day Jackson died, attempting to show that Murray was trying to juggle his medicalpractice, personal life and superstar patient all at the same time. With Alvarez and another witness, pharmacy owner Tim Lopez, the case shifted its focus to propofol. Lopez told jurors Murray first contacted him about obtaining a skin lightening cream used to treat vitiligo, a pigment condition Jackson had, but that by early 2009 he was inquiring about propofol. With the exception of Alvarez, witnesses who testified about the phone calls Murray made have been relatively brief, but have filled in the governments timeline of Murrays actions in the hours leading up to Jacksons death. The phone records have revealed the special relationship Murray kept with his patients. Houston-based Dr. Joanne Prashad told jurors she called Murray the morning of Jacksons death to inquire whether it would be safe to operate on a patient whom Murray had treated. Prashad said she was surprised that Murray remembered the patient and the exact dosage of medicine that he was taking. Murrays lead defense attorney Ed Chernoff asked Prashad whether Murrays recall was unusual for a doctor. She said yes. I was impressed, Prashad said. (Copyright 2011 by Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Hugh Jackman talks The Wolverine script

If, like us, you've all excited considering Darren Aronofsky pointing a Wolverine movie, you should not be too downhearted yet he attracted out.If what Hugh Jackman states is true, many of the script that excited him remains."We'd a script that was under Darren Aronofsky's directorial - it's 85 % the identical. Darren needed it in the Darren Aronofsky way which is a version I realize fans may have loved to own seen - I'd have loved to own seen it," Jackman told Collider.Even though James Mangold (Walk The Street, Dark evening & Day) is becoming helming and Mark Bomback (Live Free Or Die Hard, Easy) remains testing out people words, Jackman still feels it's a strong movie."This really is really the very best script we've had, that's exactly why Darren signed on. Cleaning it once a to acquire Darren to accomplish X3 and Wolverine which he was always like, 'It's not always personally.A I understood he was hunting for a comic-book movie which he read that certain which he goes, 'Hey, this really is really the correct one I've ever read.' So there are many meat round the bone there. Now, Mark and Jim required it but it's as strong, otherwise more effective, than we'd have observed with Darren."