Subway expands college film competition

Subway has expanded its "Subway Fresh Artists Filmmakers" program, expanding the project to NY University after launching it at University of Southern California last year. MyDamnChannel and IFC are distribbing the four Web series created during the competition alongside the winning series from last year's event. The projects bow today on MyDamnChannel.com and IFC.com before screening at the IFC Crossroads House at the SXSW fest in Austin, Texas, March 12. IFC will also promote the event, which starts airing March 26 on the cabler. Series also will be syndicated by MyDamnChannel across its partner sites, including YouTube. Subway, based in Milford, Conn., launched the project after looking for entertainment programming to offer on its Facebook and other social media pages. Its Facebook and Twitter pages has over 11 million fans, for example. Content & Co, the Los Angeles-based branded entertainment studio, is producing the project for Subway. Founded by Stuart McLean, it's also produced Schick's "Clean Break," that became a hit on Sony's Crackle.com, and Subway's "Training for Tahoe," that NBC aired and stars "The Office's" Brian Baumgartner, as well as the chain's music competition with OurStage.com and Clear Channel Radio. "Now that brands are regularly financing content, the five-years-ago textbook is outdated," said Stuart McLean, CEO of Content & Co. "Through 'Subway Fresh Artists,' we are collectively exposing the next generation of talent to the realities of today's content creation business, and empowering them to shape the future of our industry." Subway opted to expand the program to NY University's ProMotion Pictures program, after pairing up with the USC School of Cinematic Arts last year, as a way to "showcase emerging talent to a wider audience, and give students the opportunity to represent their schools with a bit of friendly rivalry," according to Tony Pace, senior VP, global chief marketing officer of Subway's Franchisee Advertising Fund. "We are pleased to provide an outlet for aspiring filmmakers to pursue their passion," Both schools were approached in the fall with a brand brief entitled, "Every Breakfast Sandwich Tells a Story," with students challenged to develop a creative treatment for scripted web series. More than 50 student teams submitted creative concepts for judging by a panel of representatives from Subway and Content & Co, USC and NYU faculty and alumni, and industry-insiders James Widdoes (director of "Two and a Half Men") and Brian Baumgartner ("The Office"). Five semi-finalists were chosen, with two finalists chosen from each university. "The Ultimates," about a rag-tag Ultimate Frisbee team that gets a shot at greatness thanks to luck, a new recruit and Subway diet; and "Frat House Musical: The Series," about a singing freshman, were chosen from USC. "The Loop," about friends trapped in a time loop; and "Tech Up," about an entrepreneur endeavoring to launch a startup out of a Subway shop," won from NYU. In just a year, USC considers Subway's project beneficial to its students, considering "many of them will work in television or even branded entertainment after graduation," said Brenda Goodman, head of the producing track and senior lecturer at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. "We are gratified that the success of our students' work during last year's project encouraged Subway to add another program to the mix." Subway is offering the filmmakers project to students within NYU's Stern School of Business, as well as the Interactive Telecommunications Program and the Graduate Film Program, both in the Kanbar Institute of Film and Television at the Tisch School of the Arts. "Today's content industry depends upon creative, business and technological excellence, and the opportunity for our students to combine forces has been truly inspiring for them and our faculty alike," said Sam Craig, director of the entertainment, media and technology program at NYU's Stern School of Business. Contact Marc Graser at marc.graser@variety.com

Fowler upped at RCA

Jennifer Fowler has been promoted to senior vp of digital marketing for RCA Records, the Sony Music Entertainment label announced today. Previously vp of marketing for the RCA Music Group, which was consolidated into a single label late last year, Fowler will oversee digital and mobile marketing for new releases. Fowler joined J Records as new media manager in 2001, after a stint at Emusic.com. She will continue to report to RCA president/COO Tom Corson. "Jennifer continues to provide the stellar RCA Records' roster with excellent support and dynamic campaigns across all digital platforms," said Corson in a statement. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Fox family works out for Reilly

Martha Plimpton and Jane Lynch Seth MacFarlane and Kevin Reilly Host Jane Lynch described the existence of the Fox Television family Thursday evening, because the Alliance for Children's Privileges celebrated its 20th anniversary by giving Fox Entertainment prexy Kevin Reilly the nation's Champion for kids Award."I am here to make certain that Kevin owes us a favor!" Lynch joked as she required the reins from the party held in the Beverly Hilton. Exactly the same might be stated from the relaxation from the Fox crowd including Boss Jim Gianopulos, "New Girl's" cast of Lamorne Morris, Mike Manley, Max Greenfield, Hannah Simone and Zooey Deschanel plus "Raising Hope's" Martha Plimpton. Deschanel entertained the lawyer-filled audience with three tunes that they known as "two standards along with a Patsy" (Cline, that's).The evening elevated a lot more than $1.two million.

Fox cancels 'Terra Nova'

Fox late Monday made a decision to shut the lid on on its ambitious dino-drama "Terra Nova" following a show shipped middling ratings within the newcomer season.Studio last century Fox mentioned it could shop the series along with other systems. Your final-minute make an effort to own show an infusion of fresh creative talent is created late the other day, as drama vet Erection dysfunction Bernero ("Criminal Minds") was courted to help move the show's second season becoming an professional producer. But Fox entertainment topper Kevin Reilly ultimately made a decision to feed on another round in the pricey drama lensed australia wide.The project became a member of along with ultra high-profile auspices, shepherded by professional producers Steven Spielberg and Peter Chernin.It went directly from script with a 13-episode order, simply because the vfx needs in the show were so competent regarding demand that amounted to be amortized over multiple episodes instead of just an plane pilot.The show faced a continuing fight round the creative front almost right from the start. Its premiere was postponed in the initial planned launch just like a midseason entry inside the 2010-11 season to last fall."Terra Nova" revolved around a advanced world where humans have discovered a portal to go to to prehistoric occasions to leave rampant pollution in the world. Skein featured a substantial ensemble cast toplined by Jason O'Mara and Stephen Lang.Professional producer Aaron Kaplan attracted the first pieces together noisy . 2010 in the concept created by scribes Kelly Marcel and Craig Silverstein.The cancelation of "Terra Nova" likely improves the probability of a renewal for either of Fox's other frosh dramas, "Alcatraz" and "The Finder," because both versions have shipped only so-so ratings. But nonetheless later on is Kiefer Sutherland starrer "Touch," which bows March 22. Contact Cynthia Littleton at cynthia.littleton@variety.com

Casey Affleck Frontrunner to Join Revenge Thriller Out Of The Furnace

EXCLUSIVE: Casey Affleck is poised to join the cast of Out of the Furnace, the Scott Cooper-directed revenge thriller that Relativity Media will put into production later this year with Christian Bale starring. The script, which originated as a Brad Ingelsby spec that sold with Leonardo DiCaprio and Ridley Scott attached in 2008, is finally coming together. Bale plays a guy who’s released from prison and wants only to get his life back and marry his gal. All that changes when his brother is murdered, and the mission becomes revenge. Affleck, I hear, will play the unfortunate brother. Scott Free and Appian Way are producing. Affleck is repped by WME and Brillstein Entertainment Partners.

OSCARS: Indie Animation Upstart GKIDS Guns For Rango And DWA

Talk about the minis slaying the majors! It doesn’t get much more defined in those terms than in the financial divide between the nominees for this year’s Best Animated Feature Oscar. In one corner you have Paramount, which in addition to their own first big foray into the ‘toon competition with front-runner Rangohasa distribution deal with Dreamworks Animation, which landed both of their 2011 films –Puss In Boots and Kung Fu Panda 2 –in the hunt. In the other corner you have tiny upstart GKIDS. Who? The small NY outfit that became a distribution offshoot of the NY International Children’s Film Festival incredibly has the other two animated feature nominees with their indie pickups Chico & Rita and A Cat In Paris. Counting their initial foray into the Oscar race two years ago with The Secret Of Kells, this tiny distrib now has three ‘toon nominees in just a couple of years. Not bad. Left feeling shell-shocked are Disney/Pixar, a perennial nominee and winner in this category for the past four years running; Sony Pictures Animation, which touted Aardman’s Arthur Christmas;and 20th Century Fox’s Rio from Blue Sky Studios (Ice Age) — not to mention Steven Spielberg and producer Peter Jackson’s intial animated effort, the motion capture The Adventures Of Tintin. Eric Beckman, founder of GKIDS and thekidpic festival that spawned it, was hoping for one nomination this year but almost didn’teven reallydream there could be two. “I won’t dare to lie: We had the hopes, if not expectations of getting at least one, having been down this road before with Kells, so we had planned onopening Chico & Rita in NY with that hope,” he says. “But I will completely fess up to the fact that when I was watching the Oscar nominations at 8:30 AM that morning and the first one that came up was Cat In Paris and the second one that came up was Chico & Rita I started spontaneously screaming around the room, and I had to rewind on TiVo to find out who the other actual films were because I was fucking floored. To have the Academy give us such a resounding endorsement made me really happy.” Beckman isn’t an Academy member so he can’t vote for his films, and when Kellswas nominated two years ago he couldn’t even get a ticket to the ceremony to cheer on the filmmakers — how times have changed. He says he doesn’t even believe in this kind of competition, comparing it to pitting Picasso vs. Van Gogh, but the marketing value is unmistakable. “For us our whole purpose is to help open the market up and expand the market for what I find both artful and thoughtful, sophisticated animated films for both adults and kids, an art form that exists with more economic success outside the U.S than inside,” he says. Indeed, both his nominees this year are international in nature. Chico & Rita is from Oscar-winning Spanish director Fernando Trueba and is a musical love story set initially in 1940s Cuba and spanning many years. It was first seen in the U.S.at the 2010 Telluride Film Festival but took over a year before a distribution deal could be set in motion. A Cat In Paris is a French ‘toon noir from first-timers Jean-Loup Felicioli and Alain Gagnol, a novelist who specializes in crime stories. GKIDS hope to use the Oscar nomination to launch the film in the U.S. in late spring after it is dubbed into English, possibly with star names — “If Matt Damon or Tina Fey are reading this now, please call,” Beckman laughs. Meanwhile Chico opened in NY a couple of weeks ago and received rave reviews and decent business with plans to slowly expand the adult ‘toon. Beckman hadn’t even met the directors until earlier this month; they had been doing everything by phone and email. In terms of finding films, Beckman says he hasa distinct advantage as Artistic Director of theNY Children’s Fest because, as he puts it, he looks at a “gazillion” films and has early tabs on stuff. Ironically, he first saw Cat In Paris because he was out at Pixar doing a promotional thing for 2009 festival winner Mia And The Migoo,which GKIDS distributed.Folimage, the French outfit behind it, was there and askedhimand the Pixar crowd to look at 15 minutes of the then-unfinishedCat In Parison DVD. Beckman loved it, waitedfor it to be finished and bought last year before Berlin. As fortrying to compete against the big-budget Oscarcampaigns of Paramount andDreamWorks Animation, Beckman is realistic. “I don’t think that double-fold wrap-around advertising or tweet, whatever, convinces someone to like a film,” he says. “I think it gets them to watch a film. Maybe it does shape their opinions in some way, shape or form. But our challenge is just getting the film into the hands of the Academy and getting them to put the damn thing in the DVD player. We’re an indie film company; we’re not going to spend a half million dollars on an awards campaign — we can’t. But we are spending something and we got a big shot in the arm from the NY critics (withChico). Beckman says he has several projects in the pipelinewith the basic goal of being the go-to home for Oscar-caliber independent animation, something the Academy members who vote in this category clearly appreciate. GKIDS is right in the thick of it now. And Beckman definitely has tickets for the Oscars this time.

Edinburgh Film Fest returns honours

The Edinburgh Intl. Film Festival has reinstated several major honours, including best worldwide feature film with a growing director, best performance in the British feature film as well as the Michael Powell Award for top British feature. Previously years within the fest, the Michael Powell Award honored the most effective British feature film selected within the British Gala section in the significant change to the 2012 edition, documentaries can also be qualified. The performance award is going to be provided for a person for exceptional be employed in a U.K. feature-length production. The world feature film with an emerging director kudo can also be open to documents. Both British and worldwide competition sections will probably be judged by worldwide juries. Qualifications for your honours will probably be within the artistic director's discretion it will be achievable for worldwide and British features to screen incorporated within the program but from competition. Fest artistic director Chris Fujiwara mentioned in the statement, "I am delighted to re-introduce these honours for your Festival this year and am thrilled to give both documentary and fiction films the opportunity to win the honours. I'm very strongly that getting significant honours is important with an worldwide film festival. Honours can stimulate creative dialogue and more importantly help shine the spotlight on emerging talent, that's part of the mission of EIFF." Contact Carole Horst at carole.horst@variety.com

Sarah Michelle Gellar Plays 2 Roles in CW's 'Ringer'

NY (AP) One role just isn't enough for Sarah Michelle Gellar.On her freshman CW series "Ringer," she co-stars in two of them, both identical twins and both in serious trouble.But that isn't all for Gellar, who also plays a leading off-camera role as an executive producer.Even so, the demands on her weigh lighter these days than during "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," where she labored for seven seasons."I work shorter hours on this show everybody does than I did on 'Buffy,'" she says with satisfaction. Efficiency reigns on "Ringer." Her actors and crew members are fellow pros who help get the job done smoothly. She's having fun.Meanwhile, she's keeping work in healthy balance with her private life, enjoyed with her husband of 10 years, actor Freddie Prinze Jr., and their 2-year-old daughter, Charlotte, as they give their roles as parents top priority."When Charlotte was born, Freddie was on '24' and I didn't work for two years," says Gellar. "I had asked him, 'When I'm ready to go back to work, will you stay home with her then?' He was like, 'Fine!'" She laughs. "He loves it. I think I've created a monster!"That's not to say her "Ringer" routine, however moderated, isn't hectic. Interviewed one recent morning at her Manhattan hotel during a whirlwind publicity visit, she presents herself in sweat pants, a "Ringer" hoodie she grabbed from her L.A.makeup trailer "as I was walking out the door," and sandals borrowed from the hotel spa. She explains that, in her haste to leave for NY, she neglected to pack clothes or shoes other than the ensembles chosen for her TV appearances.On "Ringer" (which airs Tuesday at 9 p.m. EST), Gellar plays Bridget Kelly, an ex-stripper on the run after witnessing a mob hit, as well as playing her troubled NY socialite twin sister, Siobhan Martin, whose own brewing problems compel her to fake her own death. With Siobhan's apparent death, Bridget sees no choice but to claim her ritzy life and handsome husband in an effort to hide in plain sight from mobsters and the law.Portraying two characters (plus Bridget masquerading as Siobhan) isn't so hard, according to Gellar."It's a group effort hair, makeup, wardrobe," she says. "Besides, as identical twins, Bridget and Siobhan have characteristics that are inherently very similar. So you don't have to worry they HAVE to be able to be confused for each other."Her biggest challenge: "keeping in mind who knows what and who doesn't know what."As an executive producer, Gellar knows everything (far more than her fellow cast members, who, operating on a need-to-know basis, include Kristoffer Polaha, Ioan Gruffudd and Nestor Carbonell). She notes that the seemingly convoluted story line has been charted out for three full seasons. There will be no false moves or narrative blind alleys tripping up the writers as they turn out weekly scripts."I realize viewers have gotten really frustrated with shows that set up a lot of questions but never answered them," says Gellar.On "Ringer," revelations come weekly, with a major reveal scheduled for the March 13 episode: Viewers will find out why Siobhan went on the lam."We would never set up a question if we didn't know the answer," Gellar vows. "You have to take my word for it even my husband doesn't know but WE do know where it's going."Although the job is grueling, Gellar's added responsibilities as producer reduce rather than increase the burden, she says."I don't have to waste time worrying about what they're doing with my character and my story line. I get to make the show I want to make," she explains. "And since I'm on-set most of the time, if there's a decision that has to be made while we're shooting, I can make it, as opposed to calling upstairs. So I can help keep things moving along."At age 34, Gellar is a show-business veteran. Discovered at age 4 in a Manhattan restaurant, she made dozens of commercials as a youngster. She spent a couple of memorable years on the daytime drama "All My Children" playing Susan Lucci's 15-year-old daughter, whose multiple marriages, seductions, attempted suicide and coma all helped Gellar score a 1995 daytime Emmy award.Then, in 1997, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" premiered with a bang.With that high-profile performance by an overnight star in her late teens, Gellar could have fallen prey to prying reporters and, perhaps, tabloid-savoring misbehavior. But Gellar, with nothing to hide, chose to keep her tidy private life private, and, she says, her huge fan base understood, respecting the boundaries she set."But that can get tricky in the age of reality shows and Twitter," she acknowledges. "I think what happens is, you give an inch, and then you kind of owe people a mile. For instance, you can't do a reality show and then claim the right to privacy it doesn't work that way."So don't look for a show like "Gellar Family Values" or "Freddie Loves Sarah Michelle" on future TV schedules.Gellar chortles at the idea. "It would have to be on the Fish Channel you know, that channel where they show fish swimming in an aquarium. Or the Yule Log Channel."She simulates a scrap of sample dialogue:"Are you picking Charlotte up from school today?""No, you're picking her up.""Can you go by the Whole Foods?"Gellar, clearly pleased to be sticking with "Ringer," laughs again at going the reality route. "That would be THE most boring reality show!"Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. By Frazier Moore February 13, 2012 Sarah Michelle Gellar PHOTO CREDIT The CW NY (AP) One role just isn't enough for Sarah Michelle Gellar.On her freshman CW series "Ringer," she co-stars in two of them, both identical twins and both in serious trouble.But that isn't all for Gellar, who also plays a leading off-camera role as an executive producer.Even so, the demands on her weigh lighter these days than during "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," where she labored for seven seasons."I work shorter hours on this show everybody does than I did on 'Buffy,'" she says with satisfaction. Efficiency reigns on "Ringer." Her actors and crew members are fellow pros who help get the job done smoothly. She's having fun.Meanwhile, she's keeping work in healthy balance with her private life, enjoyed with her husband of 10 years, actor Freddie Prinze Jr., and their 2-year-old daughter, Charlotte, as they give their roles as parents top priority."When Charlotte was born, Freddie was on '24' and I didn't work for two years," says Gellar. "I had asked him, 'When I'm ready to go back to work, will you stay home with her then?' He was like, 'Fine!'" She laughs. "He loves it. I think I've created a monster!"That's not to say her "Ringer" routine, however moderated, isn't hectic. Interviewed one recent morning at her Manhattan hotel during a whirlwind publicity visit, she presents herself in sweat pants, a "Ringer" hoodie she grabbed from her L.A.makeup trailer "as I was walking out the door," and sandals borrowed from the hotel spa. She explains that, in her haste to leave for NY, she neglected to pack clothes or shoes other than the ensembles chosen for her TV appearances.On "Ringer" (which airs Tuesday at 9 p.m. EST), Gellar plays Bridget Kelly, an ex-stripper on the run after witnessing a mob hit, as well as playing her troubled NY socialite twin sister, Siobhan Martin, whose own brewing problems compel her to fake her own death. With Siobhan's apparent death, Bridget sees no choice but to claim her ritzy life and handsome husband in an effort to hide in plain sight from mobsters and the law.Portraying two characters (plus Bridget masquerading as Siobhan) isn't so hard, according to Gellar."It's a group effort hair, makeup, wardrobe," she says. "Besides, as identical twins, Bridget and Siobhan have characteristics that are inherently very similar. So you don't have to worry they HAVE to be able to be confused for each other."Her biggest challenge: "keeping in mind who knows what and who doesn't know what."As an executive producer, Gellar knows everything (far more than her fellow cast members, who, operating on a need-to-know basis, include Kristoffer Polaha, Ioan Gruffudd and Nestor Carbonell). She notes that the seemingly convoluted story line has been charted out for three full seasons. There will be no false moves or narrative blind alleys tripping up the writers as they turn out weekly scripts."I realize viewers have gotten really frustrated with shows that set up a lot of questions but never answered them," says Gellar.On "Ringer," revelations come weekly, with a major reveal scheduled for the March 13 episode: Viewers will find out why Siobhan went on the lam."We would never set up a question if we didn't know the answer," Gellar vows. "You have to take my word for it even my husband doesn't know but WE do know where it's going."Although the job is grueling, Gellar's added responsibilities as producer reduce rather than increase the burden, she says."I don't have to waste time worrying about what they're doing with my character and my story line. I get to make the show I want to make," she explains. "And since I'm on-set most of the time, if there's a decision that has to be made while we're shooting, I can make it, as opposed to calling upstairs. So I can help keep things moving along."At age 34, Gellar is a show-business veteran. Discovered at age 4 in a Manhattan restaurant, she made dozens of commercials as a youngster. She spent a couple of memorable years on the daytime drama "All My Children" playing Susan Lucci's 15-year-old daughter, whose multiple marriages, seductions, attempted suicide and coma all helped Gellar score a 1995 daytime Emmy award.Then, in 1997, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" premiered with a bang.With that high-profile performance by an overnight star in her late teens, Gellar could have fallen prey to prying reporters and, perhaps, tabloid-savoring misbehavior. But Gellar, with nothing to hide, chose to keep her tidy private life private, and, she says, her huge fan base understood, respecting the boundaries she set."But that can get tricky in the age of reality shows and Twitter," she acknowledges. "I think what happens is, you give an inch, and then you kind of owe people a mile. For instance, you can't do a reality show and then claim the right to privacy it doesn't work that way."So don't look for a show like "Gellar Family Values" or "Freddie Loves Sarah Michelle" on future TV schedules.Gellar chortles at the idea. "It would have to be on the Fish Channel you know, that channel where they show fish swimming in an aquarium. Or the Yule Log Channel."She simulates a scrap of sample dialogue:"Are you picking Charlotte up from school today?""No, you're picking her up.""Can you go by the Whole Foods?"Gellar, clearly pleased to be sticking with "Ringer," laughs again at going the reality route. "That would be THE most boring reality show!"Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

'Guard' nabs five honours at Irish Honours

John Michael McDonagh's "The Guard" was the big champion within the ninth Irish Film & TV Honours on Saturday evening at Dublin's Convention Center, taking five honours including best film.McDonagh won for director, script as well as the Rising Star award, while "The Guard's" Fionnula Flanagan was named best supporting actress. Flanagan also received the Lifetime Achievement Award.But "The Guard" didn't have everything else but its way. Michael Fassbender needed the actor prize for "Shame" before Brendan Gleeson, while Ryan Gosling won the world actor award for "Drive" before Don Cheadle.Saoirse Ronan was named best actress for "Hanna." Glenn Close won the world actress prize for "Albert Nobbs," which needed honours for makeup and hair, appear and original score.Best supporting actor visited Chris O'Dowd for "Bridesmaids," while "Mess Tailor Soldier Spy" won the prize to find the best worldwide film.Consolata Boyle nabbed the costume design award for "The Iron Lady," and Seamus Garvey won the cinematography prize for "We must Discuss Kevin."Feature documentary laurels visited "Bernadette: Notes around the Political Journey," while "Corp & Anam" won the special Irish language award, and "The Boy inside the Bubble" won the animation prize.Round the TV side, the second season of local gangster drama "Love/Hate" repeated last year's triumph with seven wins, including drama, director, author and actor (for Aidan Gillen), supporting actor and supporting actress. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

On the Set: Jane Curtin Is Ready For Prime Time in Unforgettable

Jane Curtin You can hear a pin drop in the Queens homicide squad as Det. Carrie Wells calls a cellphone that could belong to a serial killer she's tracking. When a drug dealer answers, she hangs up, disappointed. A familiar face in the corner makes a wisecrack and the Unforgettable cast hold back their laughs. Live from NY... it's Jane Curtin! The Saturday Night Live alum's addition to Unforgettable is part of a mid-season tweak for the CBS procedural, which stars Poppy Montgomery as Wells, a driven cop with the extraordinary ability to remember everything she experiences. Despite consistently besting time-slot competitors Body of Proof and Parenthood in overall ratings and demos, the crime show is no sure thing for renewal. To up its chances, cocreators Ed Redlich and John Bellucci have grown the show's family of characters. Asked by CBS to consider adding a mature actress to the cast, "right from the beginning, we thought about Jane," says Redlich. "It turned out to be a great fit." They also brought in newcomer Britt Lower to play brainy tech expert Tanya Sitkowsky. "We liked the idea of bracketing Carrie with two other very smart women," says Bellucci. "Poppy plays beautifully off both of them." Other than a long-ago unaired pilot, this is Curtin's first role in a crime drama. "I like it a lot," says the actress, whose last major TV series was 3rd Rock From the Sun. "We have fun!" Curtin plays Dr. Joanne Webster, a formerly powerful Manhattan medical examiner demoted to Queens for insubordination. "That's fine with Webster, because it gives her more time to teach her romantic poetry class," says Curtin. "The producers wanted to bring a little levity to the group, so she's quite flippant." Curtin's sunny presence has the cast smiling. "I'm just obsessed with Jane," says Montgomery. "I was terrified that she was coming on the show, but the moment I met her, I fell in love." Carrie and Webster "quickly bond," Montgomery reveals, especially when the doc volunteers to help Carrie investigate her sister's unsolved murder - the one case in which she can't recall the most important details. Tonight's episode amps up the adrenaline with the introduction of a serial killer determined to get under Carrie's skin. "We always wanted to bring Carrie's investigation of her sister's murder more into the present with a serial killer who knows about her," says Redlich. "We feel it's important to give Carrie the kind of opponent that Sherlock Holmes had with Moriarty. Someone as brilliant as this guy will find Carrie's mind irresistible." Or, at the very least, unforgettable. Unforgettable airs Tuesdays at 10/9c on CBS. Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

Robert Halmi Sr. exits RHI Entertainment

In another major change at RHI Entertainment, Robert Halmi Sr. is exiting the business he founded decades ago to make a completely new Gotham-based production shingle. Halmi, who's 88, mentioned he'd still collaborate with RHI on projects that he's lately been developing. The move has come about as RHI emerges in the Chapter 11 personal personal bankruptcy filing and develops its focus beyond the made-fors that have been Halmi's signature for several years. Halmi's boy Robert Halmi Junior. left his publish as prexy and Boss of RHI within this summer time. "As our new management team re-focuses our production strategy, we intend to broaden our portfolio to include television series together with other formats that haven't typically been central to RHI's enterprize model,Inch mentioned RHI board chairman Gabriel p Alba. "This new agreement is wonderful for each side. It guarantees our working relationship with Robert continues which we can be helped by his singular creative vision, whilst the business evolves into new areas." Halmi Sr. mentioned the completely new pact enables him the "freedom to target exclusively which has inspired me immediately. I am thrilled to be capable of keep doing a few things i have always loved most likely probably the most.In . The Hungarian-born Halmi Sr. made his title just like a producer of huge-budget event movies and miniseries. Halmi hit his peak inside the the 19 nineties getting a string of effective made-fors on NBC and ABC, including "Gulliver's Travels," "Your Way,Inch "Noah's Ark," "Merlin" and "Alice in Wonderful." Contact Cynthia Littleton at cynthia.littleton@variety.com

HGTV stretches three series

HGTV has purchased 13 additional instances of three different series, including "Kitchen Cousins." Newcomer design series "Cousins," which airs at 9:30 p.m. Wednesdays, features contractor Anthony Carrino and designer John Colaneri, that run a household-possessed Nj construction company with kitchen areas like a special passion. "Our Prime Low Project," an area design show with designer Sabrina Soto supplying low-cost options to high-finish decor, and "Selling LA," about heated real-estate sales competition in La, also received 13-episode extensions. Contact Jon Weisman at jon.weisman@variety.com

Richard Gere Talks Sundance Film Arbitrage, Julia Roberts

First Published: January 23, 2012 9:10 PM EST Credit: Getty Premium LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Caption Richard Gere walks the red carpet during the 6th International Rome Film Festival in Rome, Italy, on November 3, 2011Richard Gere has one of the most buzzed about movies at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival with Arbitrage, and he hopes the project will have an impact with a wider audience. Its going to resonate with [the Bernie] Madoff [scandal] and a lot of other problems weve had with the morality of our money system, Richard told Access Hollywood correspondent Tim Vincent. The film takes its name from a type of trading, the actor said. Its actually, its a way to make money, Richard said, when Tim asked about the title. You buy small and you sell heavy and its a very computerized thing. It has to be done in milliseconds to make money. This is a story about a guy whos made a lot of money from that game. Richard famously played corporation trader Edward Lewis in Pretty Woman, but he said the only thing Edward and his Arbitrage character, Robert Miller, have in common is being in the world of business. He was a corporate raider. This guys not a corporate raider. Its more conceptual what this guy does. Money itself, isnt an object, its in the digital world. Theres nothing you can hold on to any more, its always moving, he said. Like his Pretty Woman, character, Robert Miller is popular with the ladies, even the ones he doesnt hire, and when talk turned to women, Tim asked if Richard would like to reunite with Julia Roberts on the big screen. Of course, Richard said. Shes a lot older than me, so I dont know if its gonna work, he joked. Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Cartoon Movie mart uncovers photos

'Wrinkles'France's "Zarafa," Spain's "Facial lines" and Iceland's "Stories of Valhalla: Thor" are among 50 characters and projects set to unspool in the 14th Cartoon Movie, among Europe's leading animation marketplaces.Running March 7-9 in Lyon, France, Cartoon Movie will gather producers, marketers and films from 17 nations. France, Scandinavia and Belgium lead those.InchZarafa," co-helmed by Remi Bezancon and Jean-Christophe Lie, follows the adventures of the 10-year-old Egyptian boy along with a baby giraffe travelling from Sudan to Paris. Repped by Pathe Intl., "Zarafa" is going to be distribbed in Gaul on February. 5. Bezancon's credits include "The Very First Day from the Relaxation of the Existence."According to Paco Roca's popular comicbook, helmer Ignacio Ferreras' hands-attracted "Facial lines" focuses on the friendship between two old males in a elderly care. "Facial lines" is competing in Oscar's animated feature race. The spanish language rollout is skedded for February. 27.Iceland's first full-length animated feature, "Stories of Valhalla: Thor," from helmers Oskar Jonasson and Toby Genkel, activates a teenager who must save his village from an invasion of titans. The three dimensional family adventure bowed in Iceland in October and can next open in Denmark, Norwegian and also the Netherlands.The key trend of the year's Cartoon Movie may be the sharp increase in Euro three dimensional productions, that have bending in comparison using the 2011 edition, creating 40% of all of the mart's projects and completed films.One of the 19 three dimensional game titles are Kari Juusonen and Jorgen Lerdam's "Nico 2: Family Matters" and Thomas Borch Nielsen's "Lulu and the Buddies From Space.InchAt the same time, the typical plan for all Cartoon Movie game titles is lower to five.7 million ($7.3 million) from last year's $9 million. The mart's greatest-budget feature -- being pitched at concept stage -- is $16.8 million "Age range of Madness," from The spanish language scribe-switched-helmer Helio Mira.Adult-skewed characters constitute 22% of projects. Included in this: "Youthful Perez," a biopic of boxing champion Victor Perez, who had been delivered to Auschwitz throughout World war 2 and "A Later Date of Existence," directed by Damian Nenow ("Pathways of Hate"), which happens throughout the Angolan civil war. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Wrekin Hill, Row 1 grab 'Dark Tide'

Wrekin Hill Entertainment and Row 1 Prods. have acquired U.S. rights to John Stockwell's action thriller "Dark Tide," starring Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez.The deal, announced Friday, calls for Lionsgate to release "Tide" first on VOD and EST on March 8, followed by a theatrical release and digital download release on March 30. Wrekin Hill, which began operations last year, said the "Tide" release is part of an overall agreement with Lionsgate. "The star power that Halle Berry brings to 'Dark Tide' paired with a genre that hits VOD audiences make it a perfect addition to our Ultra VOD strategy." said Jim Packer, Lionsgate President of Worldwide Television and Digital Distribution. Pic's directed by John Stockwell ("Into the Blue") and penned byAmy Sorlie and Ronnie Christensen and based on a story by Sorlie. Producers are Jeanette Buerling and Matthew Chausse. Berry portrays a shark expert whose business has been failing since a shark attack killed a fellow diver under her command. The deal was negotiated by Chris Ball and Rene Cogan for Wrekin Hill and Brandt Andersen on behalf of Row 1 with Stuart Ford and Jonathan Deckter of IM Global on behalf of the filmmakers. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

Warner shuffles release sked

Warner Bros. has shuffled its release schedule, moving back Bryan Singer's "Jack the large Killer" nine several weeks and undating its "Arthur & Lancelot" project. "Jack the large Killer," also created by Legendary, was moved from June 15 to March 22, 2013. Created by New Line, "Jack the large Killer" is really a twist around the "Jack and also the Beanstalk" story and can face off against Paramont's "The Croods" and Sony's "Captain Phillips" on its new date. "Arthur & Lancelot," to become directed by David Dobkin, was removed the formerly introduced date of March 15, 2013. Warner Bros. also moved "Rock of Age range" back two days towards the vacated June 15 slot, where's lined facing Sony's Adam Sandler comedy "I Personally Don't Like You, Father." Warner Bros. introduced the changes Thursday. Studio includes a potentially effective slate this season with "Dark Shadows" on May 11, "The Dark Dark night Increases" on This summer 20, "Gangster Squad" on March. 19 and "The Hobbit: An Unpredicted Journey" on 12 ,. 14. Studio introduced it had dated "Arthur & Lancelot" last summer time. It's being created, directed and compiled by Dobkin however the leads haven't been cast yet. "A Virtual DetectiveInch producer Lionel Wigram can also be mounted on produce, with Dobkin's partner Shaun Kleeman professional creating. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Castle: Will Ryan's Wedding Inspire a Castle-Beckett Coupling?

Castle For ABC's Castle, nothing makes a wedding more memorable than murder. As Detective Kevin Ryan (Seamus Dever) prepares to tie the knot with his fiancee Jennie (Dever's real-life bride, Juliana) on Monday's episode (10/9c, ABC), the death of a notorious Lothario derails the wedding planning. And things only get worse when Beckett (Stana Katic) and Castle (Nathan Fillion) learn that Jenny has a connection to the womanizing victim. Get more scoop on your favorite shows in our Winter TV preview "It's sort of an interesting wrinkle," Dever tells TVGuide.com. "What ends up happening is that everyone else worries about it a little bit more than Ryan does. Beckett and Castle are trying to protect some information from hitting me, and in the end, they sort of underestimate my ability to deal with that information." But don't expect that reveal to give Ryan cold feet. "It's nice to see one of [the characters] in a stable relationship," Dever says. "I think it's cool because everyone else gets to reflect on what Ryan has. I think it's something that my character owns, which is a nice little space we've carved out for Kevin Ryan." Indeed, creator Andrew W. Marlowe says that on a show that so heavily relies on its leads' will-they-won't-they sexual tension, it's helpful to have a couple that will. "It's important, not just for the audience, but for the characters in the show to have a touchstone of what they can aim for," Marlowe says. "They need to see something that's functional and happy." Check out the rest of the news on TVGuide.com So, will observing Ryan's wedded bliss help push Castle and Beckett closer toward their own functional, happy relationship? "They're thinking about what it's like to be at another wedding and be single," Dever says. "There's that, 'Why can't we just give into these feelings that everybody knows they both have?' ... Or maybe they'll at least admit some things. Something's got to happen." Adds Marlowe: "We're looking at characters who are looking for their other halves in life. And they have found each other to a certain extent, but they haven't fully committed to it. So this is part of the journey." Castle airs Mondays at 10/9c on ABC.

'Journey 2' helmer sells 'Invasion' pitch

"Journey 2: The Mysterious Island three dimensional" helmer Kaira Peyton has offered the pitch "Invasion" to Cary Granat's Reel Forex banner. Peyton will produce and direct from the script by J. Daniel Shaffer. Andrew Adamson will even produce through his Strange Weather Films shingle. Story involves several unarmed, not really prepared students from Philadelphia who uncover they've got being soldiers to outlive a panic attack from the supernatural pressure. Mostly noted for family fare, Peyton takes his first visit to adult fare with "Invasion," referred to as with the vein of "Cloverfield." Peyton has remained busy since pointing follow up "Felines and Dogs: Revenge of Cat In abundance." "Journey 2" arrives the following month, and Peyton has additionally just closed an offer to direct the 3rd installment. He's extremely busy within the TV realm with a number of projects together with a pilot for "Dr. Dimensionpants," that they produced and it is professional creating. Shaffer is repped by Verve. Peyton is repped by Verve and Jodi Peikoff Law Office. Contact Justin Kroll at justin.kroll@variety.com

Jacquot's 'Queen' to start Berlinale

BERLIN -- French director Benoit Jacquot's historic drama "Ces Adieux a la reine" (Farewell My Full) will open this year's Berlin Film Festival. The variation of Chantal Thomas' award-winning novel stars Diane Kruger, Jum Seydoux ("Evening amount of time in Paris") and Virginie Ledoyen ("Military of Crime"). "Farewell My Full" tales the initial occasions of french Revolution within the perspective in the servants at Versailles although drawing parallels to the present: as unrest evolves within the court docket of Louis XVI, everyone thinks of running, including Marie Antoinette (Kruger) and her entourage, incorporated within this lady-in-waiting Sidonie Laborde (Seydoux). Involved in your competitors, french-The the spanish language language co-production will vie for Berlin's Golden Bear against such photos as Brillante Mendoza's terrorist drama "Captive," starring Isabelle Huppert, Antonio Chavarrias' "Childish Games" and Edwin's "Postcards Within the Zoo." The Berlinale runs Feb. 9-19. Contact Erection dysfunction Meza at staff@variety.com