Terence Davies Has Sorrows

Mother Of Sorrows, that isGiven how he seems to be ramping up his output since making The Deep Blue Sea, we're beginning to wonder whether someone has slipped a dose of 5-hour energy boost drink into Terence Davies' tea. Because hot on the heels of him finally getting passion project Sunset Song inching once more towards cinemas comes word that he's also developing a film based on Richard McCann's Mother Of Sorrows.McCann's 2005 debut nabbed the Stonewall Book Award for gay fiction and the John C Zacharis First Book Award. It interweaves 10 stories about two brothers who must deal with the death of their father and the overriding influence of their strong, complicated mother."This is an important story because it touches the humanity in all of us," Davies tells Variety. "I love the delicacy of the book and its gentle odyssey from post-World War II optimism for the American Utopia to a deeper understanding of both maternal and filial love and an acceptance of mortality by surrendering to the light."There's no word yet on when he'll get to actually shoot Sorrows, since Sunset Song is currently his active project. But maybe he'll take a leaf out of Terrence's Malick's book and go for two movies shot in one year...

Academy awards on ABC draw 39.3 million

ABC came 39.3 million audiences viewed 'The Artist' win top honors at Sunday's 84th Oscars.Despite the possible lack of a blockbuster film to usher in the public, ABC's telecast from the Oscars on Sunday came a remarkable audience of 39.3 million Up from last year's 37.9 million in addition to a bigger crowd compared to 2009 and 2008 shows.Also, based on Nielsen, the show came an 11.7 rating among grown ups 18-49, on componen with last year's 11.8 but much better than just the 2008 kudocast (10.7 rating). Little-viewed films like "The Artist" and "Hugo" were one of the large those who win Sunday, however the Academy awards most likely achieved positive results from the concerted effort through the Academy and ABC to create the honours show more highly relevant to more youthful audiences via social networking. Also, the return of popular host Billy Very likely introduced many audiences to the show.Though an enormous audience, both demo score and total viewer count lag this month's Grammy Honours telecast on CBS (14.1 rating in 18-49, 39.9 million audiences overall). The final time the Grammy Honours outdrew the Oscars is at 1984 when Michael Jackson moonwalked his method to a sweep from the top groups before an audience of 43.8 million audiences, adopted per month later through the Academy awards, which came 42.a million for any telecast assigned by "Relation to Endearment" winning named best picture. The greatest-ranked local marketplaces for that Oscars were NY (36.9 rating), Chicago (33.8 rating), Palm Beach Gardens (32.5 rating), and La and Boston (both having a 31.9 rating). In the other finish from the spectrum, the cheapest scores among Nielsen's 56 metered marketplaces were Greensboro (14.3), Memphis (15.), The city of jacksonville (15.6), Dayton (16.4) and Greenville (17.2).The 2010 Academy awards did face more direct competition from high-profile original programming, however the greatest of these - the National basketball association All-Star Game on TNT and hot zombie drama "The Walking Dead" on AMC - figured to skew more youthful plus much more male compared to honours show. The the game of basketball, airing later in Feb than normal and opposite the Academy awards the very first time, averaged a great 5.4 household rating in Nielsen's metered marketplaces, the 2nd best because the 2005 exhibition did a 5.9. Around the broadcast side, CBS plastic box the night's top youthful-adult series score with "The Astonishing Race" (2.1 rating/5 be part of grown ups 18-49, 7.six million audiences overall) from 8 to 9. And also over the ultimate two hrs of primetime, NBC's "Celebrity Apprentice" was top dog having a 1.8/4 in 18-49 and 5. million audiences overall. These two serialized reality show contests were below their shipping of last week's premieres, however their particular nets saw them as decent counter-programming and did not wish to preempt them only one week once they bowed.Fox did Comfortable with encores of their male-skewing animated comedies "The Simpsons" (1.6/4 in 18-49, 3.9 million audiences overall), "Napoleon Dynamite" (1.6/4 in 18-49, 3.six million audiences overall), "Family Guy" (1.6/3 in 18-49, 3.5 million audiences overall) and "American Father" (1.5/3 in 18-49, 3.3 million audiences overall).Preliminary 18-49 earnings for that evening: ABC, 8.8/21 CBS, 1.4/3 Fox and NBC, 1.3/3 Univision, .9/2.As a whole audiences: ABC, 30.5 million CBS, 6.two million NBC, 4.4 million Fox, 3.a million Univision, 2.4 million. Contact Ron Kissell at ron.kissell@variety.com

Acad is about greater than honours

Sundays Oscars are merely the finish in the iceberg for your Academy. Acad COO Ric Robertson and Boss Beginning Hudson within the Scientific and Technical Achievement Honours The need for the Oscars if this involves box office bumps, career-making techniques and general ego-patting remains so hyperanalyzed this season -- frequently incorrectly -- that you will find little left to convey. Yet for that intense scrutiny the Academy awards generate, the ceremony itself signifies a part of just what the Academy of motion Picture Arts & does each year. Ultimately the pomp and prognosticating finishes -- no less than until Cannes starts in May -- AMPAS can go back to your entire day-to-day business of educating the town about filmmaking through its media outreach program, safeguarding and archiving film history within the Pickford Center, chronicling movie arts within the Herrick Library and delivering grants or loans or financial loans to up-and-coming screenwriters using the Nicholl Fellowship.Lately installed Boss Beginning Hudson, whose 2 decades with Film Independent made her no stranger for the business, recently told Variety they remains amazed and overcome with the magnitude of assets and programs the Academy wields outdoors honours season.The majority of it's funded with the roughly $80 million AMPAS makes every year for certification the Oscars to ABC. The Oscars represent the commercial action movie an actress typically takes for your large payday to have the ability to spend the comfort of year practicing his craft on arty indie films.There's another ambitious project which will most likely be near the top of the agenda when the Academy's governors obtain first board meeting of year on March 6: the Academy Museum of Movies, which will display the Acad's thorough range of movie memorabilia and film products. The museum -- the finest-profile consumer-facing endeavor the Academy has outdoors in the Oscars -- will require the nonprofit to enhance funds the first time.The concept from the museum remains on-again off-again for several years, however, if the org introduced in October a partnership while using La County Museum of Art to lease the prior May Co. building for everybody since the museum's home, plans made an appearance being finally on course. Disney chief and fund-raising chair Bob Iger is rumored to experience a target in excess of $100 million the Academy will endow the museum with $50 million.While fund-raising is well outdoors AMPAS' rut, re-using existing structures inside the city is not. Both Pickford Center as well as the Herrick Library were historic structures broken just before the Academy introduced rid of it to existence inside their particular towns. Obtaining the Academy make its museum mark round the May Co. building, that's been an legendary part of the Miracle Mile since 1940, will preserve yesteryear in the city whilst getting the industry's history for the community.The museum project comes at any time of incredible change for your 85-year-old organization. Challenges for next season include improving all of the ongoing programs, settling-in new leadership (furthermore to Hudson, Ric Robertson was promoted a year ago to chief operating officer) and continual handwringing inside the no real surprise but headline-getting L.A. Occasions study finding that the majority voters have left 50 and Whitened.Nevertheless the easiest method to handle the turmoil is always to address it mind on.As soon as the Oscars conclude, the Academy need to announce a staffing request the museum. Once the time involves examine the recommendations for next year's honours, the org must have a chilly, hard think about the music and foreign-language rules -- the identical examination the documentary rules received lately.When the report on new membership visitors are introduced within this summer time, for Pete's sake, ensure it's multicultural and skewing youthful.And, most significantly, you should not panic from the inevitable critique. Search through it without emotion to know what's crucial that you the town, the and individuals who're heavily devoted to your finest assets. Contact Christy Grosz at christy.grosz@variety.com

Sundance Grand Jury Prize Champion Monsters in the Southern Wild Will Debut This June

Film fanatics, bear in mind: Benh Zeitlin's highly famous Sundance '12 favorite Monsters in the Southern Wild will theaters. Fox Searchlight, which acquired first-time feature director Zeitlin's pic in the fest, will release the film in limited release on June 29 hit the jump for just about any full synopsis and appear within the festival award champion. The bayou-set film was the indie discovery to depart Park City this year, and acquired the fest's Grand Jury Prize for drama. The magical realism-flavored drama should lead to great counter-programming throughout blockbuster season -- no less than, you can be positive Fox Searchlight's wanting so. The synopsis: In the forgotten but defiant bayou community stay in the comfort around the world having a sprawling levee, a six-year-old girl can be obtained round the fringe of orphanhood. Buoyed by her childish optimism and amazing imagination, she thinks natural world is at balance while using world until a fierce storm changes her reality. Wanting to repair the dwelling of her world to have the ability to save her ailing father and sinking home, this small hero must learn to survive easy catastrophes of epic proportions. Below: From Sundance, a meet-the-filmmakers vid with Zeitlin explaining his project and youthful star, Quvenzhan Wallis. Expect the state trailer later on from Fox.

Merger rivals release statement

Rivals in the SAG-AFTRA merger are stating twelve problem areas inside their official opposition statement. (See full text of document below.) "The current merger plan solves alongside nothing and addes lots of natural problems," in conclusion mentioned. "Election no and demand our union leaders conduct the needed research to create an agrement that will not harm stars." The statement is out Feb. 27 incorporated within the ballot materials shipped to 120,000 people in the Screen Stars Guild. Another opposition statement is predicted being delivered to the 70,000 people in the American Federation of Television & Radio Artists. Ballots will probably be tabulated March 30 and 60% of people voting in unions must approve for your merger to endure.Report was signed by eight SAG national board people -- Scott Bakula, Joe d'Angerio, Elliott Gould, Valerie Harper, Erection dysfunction Harris, Anne-Marie Manley, David Jolliffe and Martin Sheen. Lawyers for your rivals released the document Sunday. Problem areas reported inside the opposition document, which received approval Friday from SAG lawyers, include claims in the merger plan's flaws in the dozen areas: pension and health split earnings on pension and health contributions dues structure "preferential" control over tv producers the three-voucher system for background stars "bloated" documents a convention structure of governance selected leaders capacity to get pay majority voting rules for Hollywood reps exchange of information agent rules and settling strength. Inclusion in the document -- limited to 1,000 words -- wasn't needed incorporated within the ballot materials nevertheless the SAG and AFTRA boards OK'd its inclusion lately. Professional-merger forces have contended that SAG and AFTRA might have more clout just like a combined union. The unions have asserted in the feasibility study that 100s of multi-employer pensions have merged within the last 25 years or so, and there is no legal obstacle to merging the SAG and AFTRA pension and health plans. The study has furthermore mentioned multi-employer plan mergers don't pose any elevated possibility of insufficient benefits. Merger backers contend that mixing SAG and AFTRA makes it better to mix the plans just like a foundation fixing the problem that artists face to make contributions for the separate plans after which it not meeting the earnings qualifications. The professional-merger reps round the SAG board have centered elections lately. SAG people switched lower merger plans in 1999 and 2003 while AFTRA people supported both combinations. Complete statement of opposition to SAG-AFTRA merger:SAG ACTORSHAVE YOU Examined THE IMPACT From The MERGER?Otherwise, Listed Below Are CRITICAL Particulars You Need To Know:(Limited to what allotted to us)PENSION & HEALTHSAG uses a "Feasibility Review." Even though it found the final outcome the merger might be legal, nobody ever doubted Mergers are legal. What about our benefits?SAG did not request any actuarial the study into whether a merger might be financially safe.Why? They understand, like the AFTRA Trustees, that "the merger of pension and health funds aslarge and divergent since the AFTRA and SAG plans boosts complex and various financial, legaland benefit issues that could just be addressed using a comprehensive analysis performedby the funds."No matter the express claims in Appendix I for the SAG Metabolism, and Board Resolutions,no study was completed to judge the financial impact from the merger of Pension or Health Plans.Would be the benefits safe? The SAG and AFTRA P&H&R Plans are extremely different. Considermerging these factors: SAG pension accrual rate: 2% of earnings: AFTRA: under 1% of earnings. SAG early retirement penalty: 3% every year. AFTRA: DOUBLE: 6% every year. SAG Plan 2 annual premium (number of four): $1,620: AFTRA Individual Plan annual premium(number of 4): $17,260The merger plan does not even try to reconcile these together with other versions. Expertsaddressing the financial impact issues believe SAG individuals will most likely sufferdiminished future benefits.Highly respected pension and health experts Brucker & Morra have found the final outcome:InchTill an entire and formal ERISA Impact Report of techniques to cope with andquantify these issues is completed, nobody, not necessarily pensionexperts, can smartly evaluate or assess the probable negativeimpact round the members' pension and health improvements. The unionmerger is actually inextricably interconnected while using plan merger thatmembers can not be asked for to evaluate and election round the Union Merger untilissues relevant for the Plan Merger are actually resolved and concreteproposals developed and so the people might make informed options."The issue is actually the result on SAG member benefits, when merged with lowerAFTRA benefits. Once the merger of unions qualifies, SAG people will not have anyright to election to guard their benefits by preventing merger in the Pension or Health Plans.In the event you election to merge the unions, you are eliminating a substantial hurdle to later merger of people plans.Once the unions are incorporated, individual people might have no election without any option regarding amerger of Pension and Health Plans.SPLIT EARNINGSThe merger Plan does not even address, a more compact amount solve our split earnings issues. Rather, it willcodify the problem. If merger qualifies, the pointed out plan's to hold onto separate yourearnings, similar to through the final 12 several days. Once the recommended merger qualifies, withoutsignatures from 15% in the roughly 158,000 people, you will have no further rightto election relating to this problem either.NEW DUES STRUCTUREIf merger qualifies, over 70,000 SAG-only members' base dues increases from $116 to$198.Tv producers - Preferential TreatmentBroadcasters inside the merged union could work NON-UNION on fundamental cable systems (ESPN,MSNBC, CNN, CNBC, FOX NEWS, etc.), with drastically reduced dues compared to stars.Broadcaster work dues from $ to $100,000 will be the much like stars at 1.575%. Broadcasterwork dues from $100,000 to $250,000 might be drastically reduced to .274% (and designated at$250,000) with maximum dues of $2,184.Stars, however, pays 1.575% on ALL earnings around $500,000, with maximum dues almost400% greater: $8,073.BACKGROUND Stars - THREE VOUCHER SYSTEMThe much maligned and poorly controlled Three Voucher entry dependence on SAG willcontinue.Merging unions does not guarantee more Background jobs. It might only result in morecompetition for a similar covered jobs.BLOATED BUREAUCRACYThere is not any plan to streamline or eliminate replicated services publish merger. The completely new union willkeep all 635 SAG and AFTRA employees. Nor you'll be able to plan to equalize the current SAGstaff (3.5%) and SAG member (2%) pension accrual rates.CONVENTIONConvention will be the finest controlling body inside the merged union - greater in comparison to Board ofDirectors. Convention might have the right to MERGE with elevated unions, set policy, controlthe Metabolism, without giving the membership any direct election on such matters.8 from 10 National authorities will probably be Selected at Convention not by direct member election.The Selected Leader will have a way to delegate authority for the Executive V . p ., also selected bythe Convention, ultimately by people.Selected LEADERS MAY RECEIVE PAYThe SAG Metabolism prohibits needing to pay selected authorities and board people. The completely new unionConstitution makes way for obligations, presently not permitted.MAJORITY Forget About RULESHollywood signifies almost all SAG people, and a number of of revenue. If merged,when Hollywood features a majority, it needs to secure yet another 5% off their Residents,regardless of its majority election.Typically, seats on settling committees were based on Division/Local earnings. Thatwould forget about be true. The Best Choice can certainly choose individuals with National Boardapproval. People producing almost all revenue on specific contracts won' more beguaranteed majority say on people settling committees.EXCHANGE OF INFORMATIONThe unions haven't exchanged actor contract particulars. We have not a clue how-what-when-whyAFTRA provides residuals in made-for-fundamental cable shows or other credits tomanagement.AGENTSIf merged, the Board, without any member election, can alone decide whether agents can own or beowned by production organizations. The SAG membership rejected the ultimate agent agreementbecause from the potential conflict of curiosity.Deciding STRENGTHSAG and AFTRA are actually settling with each other since 1981. How has that accomplished good results SAGmembers? AFTRA has routinely undercut SAG interests. A merger of stars is the fact that isnecessary. This merger essentially handcuffs SAG.CONCLUSIONThe current merger plan solves alongside nothing and adds lots of natural problems. Election NOand demand our union leaders conduct the needed research to create an agreementwhich will not harm stars.To acquire more information http://internet.sagminorityreport.com/internet.sagaftraminorityreport.comIn Solidarity:Scott Bakula Erection dysfunction HarrisJoe d'Angerio Anne-Marie JohnsonElliott Gould David JolliffeValerie Harper Martin Sheen Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Exclusive: Law & Order: SVU Books Big Love's Chloe Sevigny

Chloe Sevigny Former Big Love star Chloe Sevigny is returning to TV with a guest role on NBC's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, TVGuide.com has learned exclusively. Law & Order: SVU: Will Benson's new relationship last?Sources tell us that Sevigny will play a stay-at-home mom who is attacked and kidnapped while video-chatting with her husband, who's halfway around the world. She is slated to start shooting the episode next week. NBC declined to comment on the casting.Sevigny is the latest big-name actor to visit SVU this season following Andre Braugher and Harry Connick Jr., the latter of whom is currently appearing in a four-episode arc as the love interest of Mariska Hargitay's Olivia Benson.Get more scoop on your favorite shows in our Winter TV previewBefore her Golden Globe-winning role as sister wife Nicollette Grant on HBO's Big Love, Sevigny made her television debut on Will & Grace in 2004. On the big screen, she is best known for Oscar-nominated role opposite Hilary Swank in Boys Don't Cry. She has also appeared in such films as American Psycho, Shattered Glass, and Zodiac and is reportedly attached to the upcoming biopic of porn star Linda Lovelace. SVU airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on NBC.

First Look: American Dad's Roger Smith Goes to Washington

American Dad The 2012 race for the presidency just got zanier as Roger Smith, resident alien on Fox's American Dad, has thrown his interstellar hat into the ring. He offers his views on the pressing issues he'll face in the campaign! TV Guide Magazine: What's your plan for stimulating the economy?Smith: My stimulation plan normally involves alligator clamps, a car battery, a bucket of Wesson oil, two free-range chickens, a Swedish tourist and the third season of Mr. Belvedere. TV Guide Magazine: Boxers or briefs?Smith: Boxers. No, briefs! Actually, either one as long as they're edible. TV Guide Magazine: Who's the first entertainer you'd invite to the White House?Smith: Justin Timberlake. He's pretty much the reason I'm running. For the last several years, I've been having a dickens of a time getting ahold of him. But he can't keep ignoring me if I'm president, right? TV Guide Magazine: You're a connoisseur of great wigs. Which candidate's hair do you admire most?Smith: It's not a level playing field. Rick Santorum's the only candidate who is obviously not wearing a hairpiece. Some might find Santorum's follicular honesty admirable, but my question is: How do you vote for a guy who is so clearly antitechnology? Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

ABC orders Portia p Rossi pilot

ABC has bought multicam comedy pilot "The Smart One," starring Portia p Rossi and professional produced by Ellen DeGeneres and Lauren Corrao. P Rossi ("Best Ted") may have a effective lady who needs to utilize her less intelligent but popular sister, a classic beauty full that is mayor from the major city. Jesse Todd written the pilot in addition to professional produce. "Smart One" arises from P Generes' A Great Production in colaboration with Warner Bros. TV. The project initially stood a put-pilot commitment from NBC. Contact Jon Weisman at jon.weisman@variety.com