Hollywood pix boost Pinewood fortunes

LONDON -- A boom within the amount of large-budget Hollywood movies shooting in Blighty throughout 2011 has driven revenues at U.K. studio group Pinewood Shepperton for an all-time high. Sales hit an archive 50.7 million ($80.a million) within the 12 several weeks to December 31, up 17%. Film revenues alone were up 24% to $56.7 million, because of projects for example "Snow Whitened and also the Huntsman," "Anna Karenina," "Prometheus," "Skyfall," "The Hobbit" and "Dark Shadows." The audience, which is the owner of Pinewood and Shepperton Galleries near London, the U.K.'s two biggest film and television plants, also reported a 14% increase in operating profits to $16.3 million. Nevertheless, the organization fell right into a pre-tax lack of $6.two million after exceptional products, lower from the profit of $9.two million this year. That evolved as the result of having to discount the $11.two million five-year development price of its suggested $320 million extension towards the Pinewood site, named Project Pinewood, following its failure to acquire planning permission. The audience has additionally embarked on the means of worldwide expansion, through close ties in Toronto, Berlin, Malaysia and tobago. To date this signifies merely a modest a part of its business, with worldwide revenues up 50% this year to $1.4 million. "The organization has shipped a powerful performance for that twelve month, with overall revenues considerably up," said chief professional Ivan Dunleavy. "The continuing demand from large-budget films and enormous-scale Television shows for the unique facilities remains resilient. Our worldwide strategy is constantly on the deliver growth and additional chance to increase the Pinewood brand overseas." Dunleavy noted his disappointment that Project Pinewood didn't obtain the greenlight in the U.K. government. "The board based on its major investor are determined to utilize the federal government and stakeholders to provide the lengthy-term vision for Pinewood it needs if it's to stay a worldwide center for that film and inventive industries," he stated. "We'll therefore still engage, to make sure that the website meets the requirements for growth within the next 20-3 decades.Inch The audience has already been creating a significant purchase of developing the present Pinewood site, with a brand new 30,000 sq. foot. soundstage presently being built. It's also trading in the digital TV services. Projects shooting at Pinewood Toronto Galleries this year incorporated Universal's "Mama" and Legendary/Warner's "Off-shore Rim." Pinewood Studio Berlin attracted its first project, "Planet B Boy" from Sony's Screen Gems label. Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia, the biggest purpose-built facility in the area, will open for business in 2013, as the Pinewood Indomina studio in tobago will complete its first phase of construction this year. The audience stated it's ongoing to search for fresh possibilities to grow its brand worldwide. Pinewood Shepperton reported its 2011 figures as unaudited interim results, since it has transformed its accounting year-finish to March 2012. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Glee Postmortem: Max Adler on Karofsky's Dark Moment and Message of Hope

Max Adler Closeted jock Dave Karofsky may have reached his darkest hour on Tuesday's episode of Glee, but actor Max Adler felt it was necessary because he says "it provides a message of hope." [SPOILERS! The following interview contains references to major events from Tuesday's Glee episode, "On My Way."] While New Directions worried about how to take down the Dalton Academy Warblers at Regionals, Karofsky (Adler) faced a more personal crisis that put the whole high school experience into perspective. Tuesday's episode marked the culmination of his journey as the student who once terrorized McKinley's glee club, struggled to accept his sexuality and then relocated to Thurston High to finish out his high school career in relative anonymity. After being seen talking to openly gay Kurt (Chris Colfer) on Valentine's Day, however, Karofsky's new schoolmates began to call him homophobic slurs and cyberbullied him, eventually pushing him to attempt suicide. Fall 2012 TV Scorecard: Which shows are returning? Which aren't? "The director of the episode, Brad Buecker, and I had some very long and serious talks about the whole situation," Adler tells TVGuide.com. "How to handle everything delicately but as honestly and with as much integrity as possible. I know a lot of people had to have been curious as to why this comedy show decided to tackle it. But my interpretation of it was, there are the comedy and tragedy masks [the Greek symbols for theater]. You can't have just all optimism and comedy and hopes without showing the other side of the struggle: the anxieties and the fears of being in high school and not really knowing who you are or where your future is going to go." Fortunately, Karofsky was discovered in time and hospitalized. His survival created a dialogue not only in the student body but also between the feuding New Directions and Warblers - even the usually underhanded Sebastian (Grant Gustin), who had once insulted Karofsky's attempts to flirt, had a change of heart. Check out our interview with Adler about Karofsky's virginity, feelings towards Kurt and dream love interest: Why do you want to make me cry? I can't imagine anyone could watch what Karofsky was going through and not be moved.Max Adler: I'm glad that I was able to move you. I'm flattered. That really means a lot. We put some work into that, so I'm glad it came across. It's what we all strive for. Were you aware of any behind-the-scenes writers' discussions about having Karofsky actually succeed in his attempt to kill himself?Adler: I think originally that might have been the plan. I'm not 100 percent sure, but I do think that was certainly talked about and discussed. And of course it would have been equally strong of a message. But I love this outcome a lot better. Thank God his father finds him and it's all OK. It's a long road back, I think, to the happiness and the hope that we would all want for him, but I think now he's on that road. Honestly, I think it provides a message of hope to show that he does have people like Kurt to reach out to him and show him that there can be happiness in the future. VIDEO: Watch the trailer for Glee star Chris Colfer's comedy Struck by Lightning How was it working with your onscreen dad again?Adler: Daniel Roebuck is one of the best guys. His call time that day was about five, but we were running a bit behind, so they pushed it. He didn't get on the set until about 11 at night, and all he had to do is that one scene... He didn't know how serious and how dark we were going to take it. But he actually came on to the set from his trailer, and he watched the last few takes of me climbing up on this chair and looking at that beam in that closet. And he came up to me afterwards with tears in his eyes saying, "OK, now I know what we need to do." And he just came and brought it, and I felt his tears fall on my face. It was just an incredibly gratifying scene to shoot with him. We were so glad to see Karofsky again, first at Scandals and then the Valentine's episode. We weren't certain he would be back this season. Were you concerned too?Adler: I was in NY for New Year's, and the first couple days of January I got the call saying that I would be coming back for these couple episodes. But I didn't know what the story line was. I had no idea where they were going to take it. I'm really glad the writers were so brave and so honest about Dave Karofsky's story line, because I as an actor and as a person am just kind of fascinated by the human experience. I've always been fascinated with Karofsky's inner struggles. I never really saw him as flipping on a dime and just being happy overnight. I thought there would have to be some kind of a rock bottom or a breaking point to have him shift to realize that there is light and hope on the other side. I was really glad that we were able to show this message on national TV. Did you create any sort of backstory of what's been going on with him beyond just playing football at Thurston High School?Adler: I think the same thing as the last year at McKinley, which is basically I think he's been kind of laying low. Like he said in Scandals, "I'm just trying to have a normal senior year, and play football, and have no rumors." It's like he was wearing a metaphorical gorilla suit; he was constantly guarded and had that air of bravado, and confidence, and was trying to fit into to a mold as much as possible and not show any sensitivity, not show any weakness, because you're afraid that would give something away. So I think that he sort of walked on eggshells at this point, and then when the character Nick (Aaron Hill) sees him at Breadstix I think it all kind of comes crashing down and becomes a really scary reality for him. But Karofsky also found himself a gay hangout at Scandals...Adler: I think that was just Karofsky trying to find himself and have some kind of a communication, and experience something. I had always played Karofsky as a virgin. I feel like he never really had a girlfriend, never really did anything sexual, and so for me it was a matter of him finding a connection with somebody -- whether it's a girl or a guy, just to be your genuine self. That was the main struggle, and I feel like Scandals, the Valentine's grams and all of that, is just some kind of a method to try to express himself and free himself from himself. When that fails, I think that's when he turns to the desperation of not having any more questions or not knowing where to go or what to do. So the only way he knew to call out for help and express himself was suicide. But I don't think he thought of the aftereffects or how it can affect the teachers, his dad, his parents, his friends. That didn't enter into his head space. What do you think Karofsky's feelings are towards Kurt? Is it merely romance or is there something more?Adler: Dave's never been sexual, ever. To me it's always been that connection. I think Kurt has always kind of been that beacon of hope and guidance for Karofsky because of what he said in the Sugar Shack, how he's so proud, and comfortable, and confident with who he is... The connection that holds them together and what draws Karofsky to Kurt is -- an analogy I thought of is holding a rope, trying to hang off of a cliff. If I'm just hanging on by a thread, Kurt's the guy holding the top and not letting me go. There were many calls made from Karofsky to Kurt trying to talk things out, and that last kind of try for hope, but Kurt had ignored his calls. I think that is when he let go of the rope... If just one person in the locker room would've defended him or stepped up or taken him under his wing, everything could've been different. Had one of the teachers at McKinley like Coach Beiste (Dot Jones) or Mr. Schuster (Matthew Morrison) recognized something and actually discussed it, that could've saved him. It's a way to kind of reflect afterwards on all the warning signs and show society that we need to speak up and help people that are not comfortable being themselves. Speaking of reaching out, I know you did an "It Gets Better" video. What's your continuing involvement with The Trevor Project?Adler: Yeah. Whenever they have events in LA, I'll go out and support them and talk to the people that come to the events, and speak with everyone. I also interact with the other charities that I work with like the Muscular Dystrophy Association because my mother and my grandmother both suffered from that, and they've passed, and that's really close to my heart. I'm also working with City Arts, which is in its first year in LA, and that raises money and it helps underprivileged kids around LA, things like after-school programs for drama and photography and music and dance, and kind of takes them off the street. Instead of getting into trouble they're expressing themselves through the arts. So between both of those charities I talk to a lot of people. They really have connected with the character, and they share these incredible stories and messages. People all around the world have told me about how Karofsky and the story line have made their lives better, and they've been able to kind of reflect on themselves and accept themselves more or come out proudly to their friends and family, because they see what a struggle this can be for somebody. What do you hope is in Karofsky's future?Adler: In the episode there's a really beautiful scene in the hospital, and Kurt says, "Picture your life in 10 years." It's a whole beautiful flashforward of Karofsky in a really flashy suit and this successful office. He's a sports agent and he has this really good-looking partner, and they have this beautiful boy, and he's taking him to his first football game. I think it's not about this job, and this success, and the money. It's really about the connection and being able to be yourself, and his true self, around somebody who loves him for that, and accepts him, and appreciates him. I think that's his happiness. Fast-forward another season or two and let's assume Karofsky is ready for love. Are there any dream guest stars you'd like to have as his love interest?Adler: Ryan Gosling. He's my man-crush. So if I'm going to be having a relationship and kissing any man, you could sign Ryan Gosling up. I think he's the best actor of any of us. What did you think of Karofsky's story?

Guillermo del Toro searching for 'Dead'

Guillermo del Toro originates onboard with Reel Foreign exchange to create a CG-animated film while using working title "Day's the Dead."Del Toro may even present the film, directed by Jorge R. Gutierrez in the script he written with Gutierrez and Doug Langdale. Reel Foreign exchange will produce alongside Aaron Berger and Carina Schulze of Chatrone.Reel Foreign exchange mentioned "Day's the Dead" is scheduled being released in fall 2014. Story's a "Romeo and Juliet"-style tale set against a Mexican "Day's the Dead" backdrop. It's the first time since 1993's "Cronos" that del Toro has labored with around the feature project occur Mexico.Reel FX's Kaira Booker introduced "Day's the Dead" for the studio and may oversee."This is often a colorful, vibrant, vital fable that utilizes the animation medium inside an incredible way," del Toro mentioned. Reel Foreign exchange is developing "Monsters of Burden," produced by Andrew Adamson and Aron Warner, and "Turkeys," an animated comedy directed by Jimmy Hayward. It's also labored with on creating Cirque du Soleil's "Cell phone industry's Away," written and directed by Adamson and professional produced by James Cameron Vital will release that film late this year. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Merger opponents release statement

Opponents of the SAG-AFTRA merger are citing a dozen problem areas in their official opposition statement. (See full text of document below.) "The current merger plan solves almost nothing and addes too many inherent problems," the conclusion said. "Vote no and demand that our union leaders conduct the necessary due diligence to create an agrement which will not harm actors." The statement will go out Feb. 27 as part of the ballot materials sent to 120,000 members of the Screen Actors Guild. Another opposition statement is expected to be sent out to the 70,000 members of the American Federation of Television & Radio Artists. Ballots will be tabulated March 30 and 60% of those voting in both unions must approve for the merger to go through.Document was signed by eight SAG national board members -- Scott Bakula, Joe d'Angerio, Elliott Gould, Valerie Harper, Ed Harris, Anne-Marie Johnson, David Jolliffe and Martin Sheen. Attorneys for the opponents released the document Sunday. Problem areas cited in the opposition document, which received approval Friday from SAG lawyers, include assertions of the merger plan's shortcomings in a dozen areas: pension and health; split earnings on pension and health contributions; dues structure; "preferential" treatment of broadcasters; the three-voucher system for background actors; "bloated" bureaucracy; a convention structure of governance; elected leaders ability to receive pay; majority voting rules for Hollywood reps; exchange of information; agent rules; and negotiating strength. Inclusion of the document -- limited to 1,000 words -- was not required as part of the ballot materials but the SAG and AFTRA boards OK'd its inclusion last month. Pro-merger forces have contended that SAG and AFTRA will have more clout as a combined union. The unions have asserted in a feasibility study that several hundred multi-employer pensions have merged over the past 25 years, and there is no legal obstacle to merging the SAG and AFTRA pension and health plans. The study has also said multi-employer plan mergers do not pose any increased risk of loss of benefits. Merger backers contend that combining SAG and AFTRA will make it easier to combine the plans as a first step toward resolving the problem that performers face in making contributions to the separate plans and then not meeting the earnings qualifications. The pro-merger reps on the SAG board have dominated elections in recent years. SAG members turned down merger proposals in 1999 and 2003 while AFTRA members supported both combos. Complete statement of opposition to SAG-AFTRA merger:SAG ACTORSHAVE YOU STUDIED THE IMPACT OF THIS MERGER?IF NOT, HERE ARE CRITICAL FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW:(Limited to the words allotted to us)PENSION & HEALTHSAG relies upon a "Feasibility Review." While it concluded that a merger would be legal, noone ever doubted Mergers are legal. What about our benefits?SAG did not request any actuarial study regarding whether a merger would be financially safe.Why? They know, like the AFTRA Trustees, that "the merger of pension and health funds aslarge and divergent as the AFTRA and SAG plans raises complex and unique financial, legaland benefit issues which can only be addressed through a comprehensive analysis performedby the funds."Despite the express statements in Appendix I to the SAG Constitution, and Board Resolutions,no study was conducted to assess the financial impact of a merger of Pension or Health Plans.Are your benefits safe? The SAG and AFTRA P&H&R Plans are extremely different. Considermerging these factors: SAG pension accrual rate: 2% of earnings: AFTRA: less than 1% of earnings. SAG early retirement penalty: 3% per year. AFTRA: DOUBLE: 6% per year. SAG Plan 2 annual premium (family of four): $1,620: AFTRA Individual Plan annual premium(family of 4): $17,260The merger plan does not even attempt to reconcile these and other differences. Expertsaddressing the financial impact issues are convinced SAG members will likely sufferdiminished future benefits.Highly respected pension and health experts Brucker & Morra have concluded:"Until a full and formal ERISA Impact Report of how to address andquantify these problems is completed, no one, not even pensionexperts, can intelligently evaluate or quantify the probable negativeimpact on the members' pension and health benefits. The unionmerger is so inextricably interconnected with the plan merger thatmembers cannot be asked to evaluate and vote on the Union Merger untilissues relating to the Plan Merger have been resolved and concreteproposals formulated so the members can make informed choices."The issue has always been the impact on SAG member benefits, when merged with lowerAFTRA benefits. If the merger of unions is approved, SAG members will never have anyright to vote to protect their benefits by preventing merger of the Pension or Health Plans.If you vote to merge the unions, you are removing a major hurdle to later merger of those plans.Once the unions are merged, individual members will have no vote and no recourse regarding amerger of Pension and Health Plans.SPLIT EARNINGSThe merger Plan does not even address, much less solve our split earnings issues. Rather, it willcodify the problem. If merger is approved, the stated plan is to CONTINUE to split yourearnings, just like during the last 12 months. If the proposed merger is approved, withoutsignatures from 15% of the approximately 158,000 members, you will have no further rightto vote on this issue either.NEW DUES STRUCTUREIf merger is approved, over 70,000 SAG-only members' base dues will increase from $116 to$198.BROADCASTERS - Preferential TreatmentBroadcasters in the merged union can still work NON-UNION on basic cable networks (ESPN,MSNBC, CNN, CNBC, FOX NEWS, etc.), with drastically discounted dues compared to actors.Broadcaster work dues from $0 to $100,000 will be the same as actors at 1.575%. Broadcasterwork dues from $100,000 to $250,000 can be drastically discounted to .274% (and capped at$250,000) with maximum dues of $2,184.Actors, however, will pay 1.575% on ALL earnings up to $500,000, with maximum dues almost400% higher: $8,073.BACKGROUND ACTORS - THREE VOUCHER SYSTEMThe much maligned and poorly regulated Three Voucher entry requirement for SAG willcontinue.Merging unions does not guarantee more Background jobs. It can only result in morecompetition for the same covered jobs.BLOATED BUREAUCRACYThere is no plan to streamline or eliminate duplicated services post merger. The new union willkeep all 635 SAG and AFTRA employees. Nor is there a plan to equalize the existing SAGstaff (3.5%) and SAG member (2%) pension accrual rates.CONVENTIONConvention will be the highest governing body in the merged union - higher than the Board ofDirectors. Convention will have the authority to MERGE with more unions, set policy, controlthe Constitution, without giving the membership any direct vote on such matters.8 out of 10 National officers will be CHOSEN at Convention; not by direct member vote.The ELECTED President will be able to delegate authority to the Executive VP, also chosen bythe Convention, not directly by members.ELECTED LEADERS MAY RECEIVE PAYThe SAG Constitution prohibits paying elected officers and board members. The new unionConstitution opens the door for payments, currently not permitted.MAJORITY NO LONGER RULESHollywood represents the majority of SAG members, and the majority of revenue. If merged,when Hollywood has a majority, it must secure an additional 5% from other Locals,regardless of its majority vote.Traditionally, seats on negotiating committees were based on Division/Local earnings. Thatwould no longer be true. The President can simply choose members with National Boardapproval. Those earning the majority of revenue on specific contracts will no longer beguaranteed majority say on those negotiating committees.EXCHANGE OF INFORMATIONThe unions have not exchanged actor contract details. We have no idea how-what-when-whyAFTRA gives away residuals in made-for-basic cable shows or other concessions tomanagement.AGENTSIf merged, the Board, without a member vote, can alone decide whether agents can own or beowned by production entities. The SAG membership rejected the last agent agreementbecause of this potential conflict of interest.NEGOTIATING STRENGTHSAG and AFTRA have been negotiating jointly since 1981. How has that benefited SAGmembers? AFTRA has routinely undercut SAG interests. A merger of actors is all that isnecessary. This merger merely handcuffs SAG.CONCLUSIONThe current merger plan solves almost nothing and adds too many inherent problems. Vote NOand demand that our union leaders conduct the necessary due diligence to create an agreementwhich will not harm actors.For more detailed information http://www.sagminorityreport.com/www.sagaftraminorityreport.comIn Solidarity:Scott Bakula Ed HarrisJoe d'Angerio Anne-Marie JohnsonElliott Gould David JolliffeValerie Harper Martin Sheen Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

Pilot Season: Perfect Couples' Christine Forest Lands Add NBC's Daddy's Women

Christine Forest Christine Forest has acquired charge in NBC's comedy pilot Daddy's Women.Have the complete scoop on pilot seasonFrom Friends' Dana Klein and Aaron Kaplan, the project involves a Harvard Med School grad (Forest) who returns home in the Doctors Without Edges stint and discovers that her father is dating the mean girl from her secondary school.Woodland starred on NBC's short-were living comedy Perfect Couples last season.

Will Paz p la Huerta Return for that Third Season of Boardwalk Empire?

Paz p la Huerta, Boardwalk Empire Michael Pitt is probably not the only person departing Boardwalk Empire. TVLine.com is confirming that Paz p la Huerta won't return for that third season of HBO's award-winning drama. Audiences last saw Nucky's former mistress Lucy Danziger (p la Huerta) striking up Nucky for the money after she'd created Van Alden's baby. After allegedly departing to obtain formula, she never came back, departing the infant with Van Alden (Michael Shannon). According TV Line, Cinemax rejected to get p la Huerta's contract option. A repetition for that network rejected comment. Boardwalk Empire actress Paz p la Huerta pleads guilty to harassment Other cast people who certainly will not be coming back besides Pitt are Dabney Coleman, who performed Jimmy's father Commodore Louis Kaestner, and Aleksa Palladino, who described Jimmy's wife Angela. The 3 were wiped out off in the finish of Season 2. Boardwalk Empire continues to be getting in new bloodstream for next season, too: Bobby Cannavale has signed on like a foil for Nucky (Steve Buscemi) in Season 3.

Exclusive: New Pusher Poster Blasts In

Nicolas Winding Refn thriller gets redoLong-standing fans of Nicolas Winding Refn's work will be familiar with his Danish thriller Pusher, the debut feature that made his name in his homeland. Long before Drive's Driver came Frank, a drug dealer in hock to a major villain after he's forced to dump his stash when the police come knocking.Pusher has been remade and transplanted from Copenhagen to the streets of London with a new director, Luis Prieto, at the helm and Richard Coyle filling Frank's troubled shoes. We've laid our hands on this eye-catching new quad showing the man in action. Yep, the nice one off Coupling has gone properly badass. {Pusher Poster}Joining Coyle on the mean streets of London are Agyness Deyn, Bronson Webb, Paul Kaye and Kill List's Neil Maskell. Of that lot, no prizes for guessing which one we'd stick closest to - and it's not Dennis Pennis.With Winding Refn sporting an access-all-areas exec producer credit on the film, this remake should maintain the violent dynamism of the original. Find out when Pusher makes its UK bow in May.