'Separation' wins Asia-Pacific award

GOLD COAST -- Iranian helmer Asghar Farhadi's "A Separation" took the top kudos at the fifth annual Asia-Pacific Screen Awards on the Gold Coast on Thursday night. Pic, about a woman who seeks to leave her husband, and Iran, for a better life, has had a dream run this year, taking the Golden Bear at the Berlinale and the Sydney Film Prize at the Sydney Film Festival in June. "The interesting point for me is that the reaction to the film in Iran and around the world was similar and it came to me that the similarities, despite their culture and distance, are greater than the differences," said Farhadi, accepting his award. Farhadi was one of the first recipients of the inaugural MPA APSA Screen Fund, started in 2010 by the Motion Picture Assn. of America and APSA to hand out four lots of $A25,000 ($24,317) coin. "When I received the fund, more than thinking about the cash, it was important for me that non-Persian speakers understood the concept of my script," Farhadi told Variety. "It was also a kind of encouragement to the fund that the money that they gave for a script can produce a film that would win the best film award." The winners of the 2011 MPA APSA coin were also announced: Shawkat Amin Korki (Iraq/Kurdistan) for his project "Memories on Stone," Peyman Moadi, from Iran, for "Those Days," Iranian-born Swedish filmmaker Maryam Ebrahimi for the docu "Burqas Behind Bars" and Pryas Gupta (India) for "The Cricket Tree." Farhadi's advice to the new recipients was, "Forget about the money, continue to develop and update your stories." Also at the APSAs, "Once Upon a Time in Anatolia" from Nuri Bilge Ceylan took out three kudos on the night, including helmer for Ceylan, cinematography for Gokhan Tiryaki and jury grand prize for the pic's producer Zeynep Ozbatur Atakan. The best actor kudos was won by Chinese thesp Wang Baoqiang for "Hello! Shu Xian Sheng" (Mr Tree), while the actress kudos went to Nadezhda Markina from Russia for her role in "Elena." The jury also gave the ensemble cast of Egyptian pic "Cairo 678" a high commendation; pic tackles the taboo issue of sexual harassment in Egypt. More than 500 guests from 19 different countries attended the awards. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

New Regency taps Paramount exec Calof

New Regency is bringing on Andrew Calof, a creative executive at Paramount Pictures, as VP of production, continuing a personnel shift that began when Arnon Milchan re-emerged over the summer to take more control of the company he founded. Calof will start at Regency a week from Monday. "I've worked with Andrew for years, I think he's grown to be a terrific executive and I'm thrilled to have him at New Regency," Regency CEO Brad Weston told Variety. Exec worked with Calof at both Miramax and Paramount before Weston joined Regency this fall. Calof is the latest in a series of staff changes at the company. Soon after beginning with Regency, Weston re-installed Alexandra Milchan, daughter of Regency founder Arnon Milchan, as exec VP of production. The younger Milchan started at the company in 1993 as an assitant before working her way up the ranks, evenetually exiting to pursue other ventures. She was the first new hire after news broke that former Regency co-chairs Bob Harper and Hutch Parker would exit the shingle by year's end. That news was accompanied by word that Arnon Milchan wanted to take a more active role in Regency, gearing toward content similar to Regency's more risky fare from the 1990s like "Heat" and "L.A. Confidential," among others. Last week, Carla Hacken joined Regency as production prexy after a tenure at Fox 2000 that dated back to 1997 and included projects "The Devil Wears Prada," "Walk the Line" and "Unfaithful." The 20th Century Fox-based Regency has been a studio staple since 1998, when the companies inked a worldwide distrib pact. Since then, Regency has produced more than 55 films and generated more than $5.3 billion at the box office. Contact Rachel Abrams at Rachel.Abrams@variety.com

BBC America into cooking competition

BBC America is sinking its spoon in to the red-colored-hot cooking competition arena. The cabler has purchased 10 episdoes of "No Kitchen Needed," an authentic unscripted series that transmits three chefs to remote locations all over the world to organize foods that'll be judged by local people. The series is a component of BBC America's push, under g.m. Perry Simon, for everyone up home-grown originals together with its Brit imports in the Beeb along with other shops. "No Kitchen Needed" originates from Notional, the shingle behind Food Network hit "Chopped," and will also be professional created by Kevin Greene, Chachi Senior and Dork Noll. Series will feature NY restauranteur Michael Psilakis, "Chopped" champion champion Madison Cowan and Nz chef Kayne Raymond. The 3 is going to be sent to exotic locales varying from Thailand to Louisiana bayous and challenged to prepare meals using local elements, food-gathering and putting them to use. The ultimate dishes is going to be judged by community people who'll crown one champion. BBC America is poised to unveil a wave of originals beginning 12 ,. 3 using the bow of comedy panel show "Can You Rather...? with Graham Norton." "No Kitchen" is specific for any spring bow. Contact Cynthia Littleton at cynthia.littleton@variety.com

'Skyfall' Set Photos: Is The Fact That James Bond's Basement Office?

What else could you expect in the next Mission Impossible installment, 'Skyfall'? Knowing through the first set photo, some of it will occur inside a bathroom. Now, based on the second set photo, it will likewise incorporate a basement office. On Friday, the Mission Impossible Facebook page published a picture showing an ordinary black desk in the basement, or warehouse, or -- well, you never know? It's all regulated speculation at this time, however the image does say they are on Day 10 of shooting. So, there's that! The couple of things certainly known concerning the approaching 007 follow up? Mike Mendes is pointing it, Difficulties, Judi Dench, Javier Bardem and Rob Fiennes are starring inside it, and also the plot will not stick to the story from the latter Bond payments. 'Skyfall' arrives in theaters on November. 9, 2012. [via Mission Impossible 007] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

News Bits: Carol Burnett Being Honored, PaleyFest Sets Dates, Kinetic Encourages Air

Carol Burnett can get a very long time Achievement Award within the Worldwide Cinematographers Guild’ 49th annual Publicists Honours Lunch, that is locked in the Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 24, 2012. Previous visitors in the award include George Burns, Lew Wasserman, Warren Beatty, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Clint Eastwood, Julie Andrews, Harrison Ford, Robert Zemeckis and a year ago’s honoree Sylvester Stallone. The Paley Center’s 29th annual PaleyFest: The William S. Paley Television Festival, will occur from March 2-14 within the Saban Theatre in Beverly Slopes. Foreign exchange’s new drama American Horror Story assists since the gala opening, Modern Family will close the festival, with Mad Males also on tap for just about any session. Chris Coelen’s Kinetic Content, producer in the approaching game/reality shows you Deserve It on ABC and Betty White-colored’s Off Their Rockers, has promoted Emma Conway to Executive Producer accountable for Development. In addition, Zach Eco-friendly (American Chopper, Survivor) is joining the business as Executive Producer.

Growing Audio Book Industry Offers Rewards and Challenges for Actors

Richard Ferrone has seen the world of audio books come full circle. When he started narrating in 1990, they were mostly available in libraries or through subscription and were hard to find in major bookstoresperhaps 10 titles on a shelf. By the end of the decade, "you didn't have just one shelf," he recalled recently, "you had a whole wall." Now, in the age of digital downloads, the shelves are sparse again.But that doesn't mean business is slow. In fact, it's booming, for well-established veterans such as Ferrone and for newcomers like Shannon McManus. The Los Angeles resident started narrating audio books in mid-April and by late October had already recorded seven titles.According to a 2009 survey by the Audio Publishers Association, 30 member companies totaled $331 million in revenue in 2008, and the industry as a whole might gross close to $1 billion a year. An independent producer who has been working in the field since the early 1990s said, "The volume of production coming out of trade audio book publishing is staggeringmany times what it was a decade ago."Anecdotal evidence from actors is also encouraging. Of the 10 who were interviewed for this article, all were making their living exclusively as actors, and earnings from audio book publishers accounted for about 33 percent to 85 percent of their annual income.As always, there are downsides to rapid growth. Vast production has meant inconsistent quality, and hourly wages have, on average, dropped considerably. "I had friends of mine in the early '90s getting outlandish sums of money$10,000 to $12,000 for three days of work," said Scott Brick, a leading voice in the industry, with more than 600 titles to his credit. "These days, you're going to be lucky to get $3,000" for that amount of time.This small square of the entertainment industry is, like every other, in an intense period of adaptation, and actors are working harder than ever. The independent producer, who asked to remain anonymous so he could speak candidly about a business where he is a free agent, wondered via email whether audio books have downshifted from the golden age of the 1990s to the bronze age of the 2010s.Tavia Gilbert, an actor in Portland, Maine, was more neutral. "I think the audio book industry is in a really interesting transitional point," she said. "It will be interesting to see how it shakes out."'Quite, Quite a Task' Audio book narration is like every other form of acting, only more so: Anybody with a mouth thinks they can do it. Sean Pratt, who has narrated 600 books since the mid-'90s and is in the middle of recording David Foster Wallace's "Infinite Jest," constantly receives queries from actors who want to break into the field. This is what he tells them:"Go home, go to your bookcase, shut your eyes, reach out, and grab a book. You don't get to choose. Take that book and sit somewhere quiet and small, like a closet, and read out loud for three hours a day. If you have any stumbles, back up and start the sentence again. If you hit a word you don't know how to pronounce, go look it up. Do that for three hours a day, for two weeks, and then, if you're still interested, give me a call."In 16 years," he said, "I've had five people call me."Kyle McCarley, who lives in Los Angeles, is a relative newcomer to the business. He built his own studio for about $1,000 and has established a voiceover career during the past two years. When asked how hard it is to be a narrator, he laughed. "Oh, it is quite, quite a task," he said. "Quite an undertaking."When McCarley gets a book, he reads it thoroughly to familiarize himself with the story, to find the voice of the author, and to write a character guide. Some books have 100 or more characters, and he provides a unique voice for each. "After I finish reading, I go through the guide and record a short sample," he said. "I'll have [the producers] listen to it and see if they have feedback. If they want a change, I'll record a new sample."Only then does he go into his recording booth, where he works eight hours a day for three or four days straight. He spends another week or two cutting the audio together. Because of the quality of his work, McCarley earns $150 per finished hour of an audio book, which is $25 to $50 above a typical nonunion rate. But his actual hourly rate is about $37. "You probably log four hours of work for every finished hour," he said.Books Undercovered The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists has had jurisdiction over audio books since the 1930s, when they were first recorded on 78s for the blind. Rates were covered in the Sound Recordings Code, which mandated pay for every hour the actor spent in the studio. In the 1990s, companies such as Books on Tape and Recorded Books discovered a vast consumer market, particularly among commuters. But their business model didn't always lend itself to paying actors by studio hour, said Pratt, who is part of AFTRA's steering committee on audio books.When he started out, Pratt wasn't an AFTRA member. The union "didn't understand what went into making an unabridged audio book," he said, "how expensive it was, how long [it took] to profit." The audio book companies balked at paying for studio hours, and "AFTRA really missed the boat for a long time about trying to get these things under union contract," he added.In the mid-2000s, AFTRA officials enlisted Pratt (who had become a member when he worked on a show on HGTV) and other audio book narrators in the hope that they could help the union bring more of this work under contract."I brought in three or four [publishers]and had them sign a union contract," he said. "There are a lot of people who narrate audio books who are AFTRA members who wanted health and retirement, and we worked overtime to bring more and more people on. It doesn't cost that much more to make it a union gig, and we get health and retirement, so everybody wins."The deals are also in the publisher's interest, and the union's biggest concession, in some cases, has been changing the pay rate from studio hours to finished hours."AFTRA contracts have minimum rates for narrators, plus health and retirement contributions," said Steve Sidawi, an AFTRA organizer. "The rates will vary somewhat" but generally range from $200 to $350 per finished hour. Holter Graham, a longtime narrator and president of AFTRA's NY local, said getting Audible.com to sign a union deal was one of the key moves. It's owned by Amazon.com and has a large facility in Jersey City, N.J. David Zema, a longtime narrator and radio producer, said Audible is running "a couple of shifts a day," such is the demand for audio books.Since the Audible signing, Graham said, "we're signing deals left and right."Breathe Gilbert's first response from the audio book world was swift and certain. "We're not interested, thank you so much, don't apply again," she said she was told by a company that received her demo. "They said I had some diction issues, some breathing issues."She stuck with it; met Grover Gardner, a longtime narrator who has worked as a casting director for Blackstone Audio; and has since recorded more than 100 books for several publishers. Gilbert appreciates how the work has improved her acting in other mediamostly through her improved breathing."That is the essence of life, and so that's the essence of every acting job," she said. "You go from inside out, from the breath through the musculature of the body, and then the character radiates from there."She also relishes the talent required to make a quality audio book and hopes that increased production doesn't dilute the work. "Somebody's not reading a book for you; they're performing a book for you," Gilbert said. "Yet there are more and more actors coming into the market because it's accessible. If you have the technological tools to be an audio book narrator, you can do ittechnically. But I can hear the difference between someone who's acting with their voice and someone who's reading a book."Resources Here's a short list of audio book industry websites.ACX.com: The Audiobook Creation Exchange, owned by Audible.com, allows authors, agents, publishers, and other rights holders to exchange information and narrators and producers to find work. AudioPub.org: The site of the Audio Publishers Association, the trade association for the industry. Voices.com: A jobs site for producers and actors. Voice123.com: A jobs site for producers and actors.

NBCs Grimm Gets Order For 2 Scripts

I have learned that NBC has ordered two additional scripts from freshman drama Grimm. The fairytale-themed drama procedural, created by Jim Kouf and David Greenwalt, got off to a great ratings start on Friday, October 28 against Game 7 of the World Series. It has slipped since but still ranks as one of NBC’s highest-rated scripted shows in 18-49. In an encouraging sign, Grimm was featured on NBC’s midseason schedule released on Monday.

Spike in ring with 'MMA Junkie Live'

Worried the conclusion of Occupy Wall Street's faceoff while using NYPD means there won't be any longer beatings in news reviews? Spike features a solution: "MMA Junkie Live" provides you with mma fans with coverage in the sport-fighting world starting in The month of the month of january. The web confirmed to Variety its expects to visit all-unscripted news submissions are a lot of Spike's mandate, with focus on videogames together with other male-centered industries of entertainment. The show can be a partnership with MMAjunkie.com, part of USA Today Sports Media Group. Half-hour series will probably be situated by MMA experts and reporters who'll discuss and debate the fighting news throughout your day news show may even stress social media engagement. Hosts for your series ought to be introduced. Contact Mike Thielman at mike.thielman@variety.com

Natalie Portman to Assume Shirley MacLaine's Apartment Role In Post-Baby Comeback

Nearly five months after giving birth to her first child, Natalie Portman returns to Hollywood tomorrow night to take part in Jason Reitman’s live reading of The Apartment at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The Oscar winner will play Fran Kubelik, “the fetching elevator operator” that Shirley MacLaine played (and earned an Academy Award nomination for) in the 1960 Billy Wilder film. J.K. Simmons, Ken Jeong, Nick Kroll, Mindy Kaling and Jake Johnson will round out tomorrow night’s cast. [@JasonReitman, Vulture]

NBC Orders 'What If' Drama From 'Cougar Town' Producer

Angela Weiss/Getty ImagesMichael McDonald NBC is taking a step into the future with Beautiful People. The network has given a pilot order to the hourlong "what if" drama from Cougar Town consulting producer/director Michael McDonald set 10 minutes in the future. From Universal Television and ABC Studios, Beautiful People is described as an imaginative and thematically rich ensemble "what if" drama set 10 minutes in the future where families of mechanical human beings exist to service the human population -- until some of the mechanicals begin to "awaken." The "low tech, high drama" project would mark a return of sorts to the network for McDonald, who directed and appeared in a handful of episodes of Scrubs. In addition to Cougar Town and Scrubs, McDonald's credits include MadTV and Web Therapy. He's repped by 3 Arts Entertainment. Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit Cougar Town NBC TV Development

Rhianna Rules MTV Europe Honours Bieber "Addresses" Paternity Gossips

Rhianna Rhianna centered the MTV Europe Honours, taking home the trophies for the best Female Act, Best Song, Best Video and Greatest Fans. "Appreciate thinking during my vision. Thesuccess of Born By Doing This has transformed my existence," she stated after finding the Best Video recognition. Attacking Young Boys also snagged honours throughout the show, that was located by girlfriend Selena Gomez. The singer won Best Male and finest Pop singer after he opened up the evening having a performance of his new song "Underneath the Mistletoe" then "Never Say Never." Attacking Young Boys apparently intends to have a DNA test - and sue "There is lots of garbage spoken about me on the web recently, but I have drawn through it," Bieber told Ludacris after accepting the second award. The 17-year-old singer is facing a paternity suit. One of the entertainers: Full, readers from the Global Icon Award. This guitar rock band closed the show having a mash-up that incorporated its hits "We'll Rock You" and "We're the Champions." Begin to see the full listing of those who win in the MTV Europe Honours, that have been broadcast from Belfast, Ireland, here. Watch Bieber's acceptance speech:

Twit Wit: 5 Best Tweets About Tower Heist, Harold and Kumar, and Puss in Boots

comments: 0 || add yours Awww, money-loaded celebrity caper Tower Heist didn’t pull off the swindle of the century this weekend. Shame. Let’s make ourselves feel better by mocking Tower Heist with some lords of Twitter, shall we? Join us as rank the best five tweets about Tower Heist, Harold and Kumar, and returning champion Puss in Boots. 5. Music video guru Joseph Kahn shares a trick for pulling your own heist as you visit the cineplex. #embedly_twitter_37465304{background:url(http://a2.twimg.com/profile_background_images/167420922/cinderhella.jpg) #022330;padding:20px;}#embedly_twitter_37465304 p{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 0px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px;line-height:22px;}#embedly_twitter_37465304 .embedly_tweet_content{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 10px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px !important;line-height:22px;}#embedly_twitter_37465304 p span.metadata{display:block;width:100%;clear:both;margin-top:0px;height:40px;padding-bottom:12px;}#embedly_twitter_37465304 p span.metadata span.author{line-height:15px;color:#999;font-size:14px;}#embedly_twitter_37465304 p span.metadata span.author a{line-height:15px;font-size:20px;vertical-align:middle;}#embedly_twitter_37465304 p span.metadata span.author img{float:left;margin:0 10px 0 0px;width:48px;height:48px;}#embedly_twitter_37465304 p a {color:#0084B4;text-decoration:none;}#embedly_twitter_37465304 p a:hover{text-decoration:underline;}#embedly_twitter_37465304 .embedly_timestamp{font-size:13px;display:inline-block;margin-top:5px;}#embedly_twitter_37465304 .components-above span.embedly_timestamp{font-size:10px;margin-top:1px;line-height:12px;}#embedly_twitter_37465304 a {color:#0084B4;text-decoration:none;}#embedly_twitter_37465304 a:hover{text-decoration:underline;}#embedly_twitter_37465304 .tweet-screen-name {font-size:14px;font-weight:bold;}#embedly_twitter_37465304 .tweet-full-name {padding-left:4px;color:#999;font-size:12px;}#embedly_twitter_37465304 .tweet-actions{margin-left:10px;font-size:13px;display:inline-block;width:250px;}#embedly_twitter_37465304 .components-above span.tweet-actions{font-size:10px;}#embedly_twitter_37465304 .controls{line-height:12px!important;}#embedly_twitter_37465304 .tweet-actions a {margin-left:5px;}#embedly_twitter_37465304 .tweet-actions a b{font-weight:normal;}#embedly_twitter_37465304 .components-above span.tweet-actions a b{vertical-align:baseline;line-height:12px;}#embedly_twitter_37465304 .components-above .tweet-text{font-size:13px;vertical-align:baseline;}#embedly_twitter_37465304 .tweet-image {float:left;width:40px;}#embedly_twitter_37465304 .tweet-user-block-image {float:left;width:48px;height:48px;}#embedly_twitter_37465304 .tweet-row {margin-left:40px;margin-top:3px;line-height:17px;}#embedly_twitter_37465304 .tweet-user-block {}#embedly_twitter_37465304 .stream-item {padding-bottom:0px;margin-left:12px;}#embedly_twitter_37465304 .simple-tweet-image img {margin-top:4px;}#embedly_twitter_37465304 .simple-tweet-content {margin:0 0 13px 0px;font-size:14px;min-height:48px;}#embedly_twitter_37465304 .in-reply-to-border {border-color:#EBEBEB;border-style:solid;border-width:1px 0 0;}#embedly_twitter_37465304 .in-reply-to-text {margin-left:4px;padding-left:8px;padding-right:10px;color:#999;font-size:12px;}#embedly_twitter_37465304 .tweet-actions i {background:transparent url(http://a2.twimg.com/a/1306889658/phoenix/img/sprite-icons.png) no-repeat;width:15px;height:15px;margin:0 4px 3px;outline:none;vertical-align:baseline;display:inline-block;}#embedly_twitter_37465304 .tweet-actions a.retweet-action i {background-position:-192px 0;}#embedly_twitter_37465304 .tweet-actions a.reply-action i {background-position:0 0;}#embedly_twitter_37465304 .tweet-actions a.favorite-action i {background-position:-32px 0;}@JosephKahnJoseph Kahn Wanna get back at rich people? Buy tix to Harold & Kumar 3D & sneak in to watch Tower Heist. #OccupyAMCNov 05 via TwitterrificFavoriteRetweetReply 4. Can you believe it? Judd Apatow was once a dish-scrubbing plebeian too. Tower Heist brings the director back to his humble beginnings. #embedly_twitter_10523820{background:url(http://a0.twimg.com/images/themes/theme1/bg.png) #C0DEED;padding:20px;}#embedly_twitter_10523820 p{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 0px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px;line-height:22px;}#embedly_twitter_10523820 .embedly_tweet_content{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 10px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px !important;line-height:22px;}#embedly_twitter_10523820 p span.metadata{display:block;width:100%;clear:both;margin-top:0px;height:40px;padding-bottom:12px;}#embedly_twitter_10523820 p span.metadata span.author{line-height:15px;color:#999;font-size:14px;}#embedly_twitter_10523820 p span.metadata span.author a{line-height:15px;font-size:20px;vertical-align:middle;}#embedly_twitter_10523820 p span.metadata span.author img{float:left;margin:0 10px 0 0px;width:48px;height:48px;}#embedly_twitter_10523820 p a {color:#0084B4;text-decoration:none;}#embedly_twitter_10523820 p a:hover{text-decoration:underline;}#embedly_twitter_10523820 .embedly_timestamp{font-size:13px;display:inline-block;margin-top:5px;}#embedly_twitter_10523820 .components-above span.embedly_timestamp{font-size:10px;margin-top:1px;line-height:12px;}#embedly_twitter_10523820 a {color:#0084B4;text-decoration:none;}#embedly_twitter_10523820 a:hover{text-decoration:underline;}#embedly_twitter_10523820 .tweet-screen-name {font-size:14px;font-weight:bold;}#embedly_twitter_10523820 .tweet-full-name {padding-left:4px;color:#999;font-size:12px;}#embedly_twitter_10523820 .tweet-actions{margin-left:10px;font-size:13px;display:inline-block;width:250px;}#embedly_twitter_10523820 .components-above span.tweet-actions{font-size:10px;}#embedly_twitter_10523820 .controls{line-height:12px!important;}#embedly_twitter_10523820 .tweet-actions a {margin-left:5px;}#embedly_twitter_10523820 .tweet-actions a b{font-weight:normal;}#embedly_twitter_10523820 .components-above span.tweet-actions a b{vertical-align:baseline;line-height:12px;}#embedly_twitter_10523820 .components-above .tweet-text{font-size:13px;vertical-align:baseline;}#embedly_twitter_10523820 .tweet-image {float:left;width:40px;}#embedly_twitter_10523820 .tweet-user-block-image {float:left;width:48px;height:48px;}#embedly_twitter_10523820 .tweet-row {margin-left:40px;margin-top:3px;line-height:17px;}#embedly_twitter_10523820 .tweet-user-block {}#embedly_twitter_10523820 .stream-item {padding-bottom:0px;margin-left:12px;}#embedly_twitter_10523820 .simple-tweet-image img {margin-top:4px;}#embedly_twitter_10523820 .simple-tweet-content {margin:0 0 13px 0px;font-size:14px;min-height:48px;}#embedly_twitter_10523820 .in-reply-to-border {border-color:#EBEBEB;border-style:solid;border-width:1px 0 0;}#embedly_twitter_10523820 .in-reply-to-text {margin-left:4px;padding-left:8px;padding-right:10px;color:#999;font-size:12px;}#embedly_twitter_10523820 .tweet-actions i {background:transparent url(http://a2.twimg.com/a/1306889658/phoenix/img/sprite-icons.png) no-repeat;width:15px;height:15px;margin:0 4px 3px;outline:none;vertical-align:baseline;display:inline-block;}#embedly_twitter_10523820 .tweet-actions a.retweet-action i {background-position:-192px 0;}#embedly_twitter_10523820 .tweet-actions a.reply-action i {background-position:0 0;}#embedly_twitter_10523820 .tweet-actions a.favorite-action i {background-position:-32px 0;}@JuddApatowJudd Apatow I used to watch Eddie Murphy when I was a dishwasher at the east side comedy club on Long Island when I was 15. He was 21.Nov 06 via Twitter for iPhoneFavoriteRetweetReply 3. Twitter favorite Pauly Peligroso spells out Tower Heist’s intentions pretty well, I’d say. #embedly_twitter_46000124{background:url(http://a2.twimg.com/profile_background_images/189889527/abobo.jpg) #000000;padding:20px;}#embedly_twitter_46000124 p{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 0px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px;line-height:22px;}#embedly_twitter_46000124 .embedly_tweet_content{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 10px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px !important;line-height:22px;}#embedly_twitter_46000124 p span.metadata{display:block;width:100%;clear:both;margin-top:0px;height:40px;padding-bottom:12px;}#embedly_twitter_46000124 p span.metadata span.author{line-height:15px;color:#999;font-size:14px;}#embedly_twitter_46000124 p span.metadata span.author a{line-height:15px;font-size:20px;vertical-align:middle;}#embedly_twitter_46000124 p span.metadata span.author img{float:left;margin:0 10px 0 0px;width:48px;height:48px;}#embedly_twitter_46000124 p a {color:#ff8400;text-decoration:none;}#embedly_twitter_46000124 p a:hover{text-decoration:underline;}#embedly_twitter_46000124 .embedly_timestamp{font-size:13px;display:inline-block;margin-top:5px;}#embedly_twitter_46000124 .components-above span.embedly_timestamp{font-size:10px;margin-top:1px;line-height:12px;}#embedly_twitter_46000124 a {color:#ff8400;text-decoration:none;}#embedly_twitter_46000124 a:hover{text-decoration:underline;}#embedly_twitter_46000124 .tweet-screen-name {font-size:14px;font-weight:bold;}#embedly_twitter_46000124 .tweet-full-name {padding-left:4px;color:#999;font-size:12px;}#embedly_twitter_46000124 .tweet-actions{margin-left:10px;font-size:13px;display:inline-block;width:250px;}#embedly_twitter_46000124 .components-above span.tweet-actions{font-size:10px;}#embedly_twitter_46000124 .controls{line-height:12px!important;}#embedly_twitter_46000124 .tweet-actions a {margin-left:5px;}#embedly_twitter_46000124 .tweet-actions a b{font-weight:normal;}#embedly_twitter_46000124 .components-above span.tweet-actions a b{vertical-align:baseline;line-height:12px;}#embedly_twitter_46000124 .components-above .tweet-text{font-size:13px;vertical-align:baseline;}#embedly_twitter_46000124 .tweet-image {float:left;width:40px;}#embedly_twitter_46000124 .tweet-user-block-image {float:left;width:48px;height:48px;}#embedly_twitter_46000124 .tweet-row {margin-left:40px;margin-top:3px;line-height:17px;}#embedly_twitter_46000124 .tweet-user-block {}#embedly_twitter_46000124 .stream-item {padding-bottom:0px;margin-left:12px;}#embedly_twitter_46000124 .simple-tweet-image img {margin-top:4px;}#embedly_twitter_46000124 .simple-tweet-content {margin:0 0 13px 0px;font-size:14px;min-height:48px;}#embedly_twitter_46000124 .in-reply-to-border {border-color:#EBEBEB;border-style:solid;border-width:1px 0 0;}#embedly_twitter_46000124 .in-reply-to-text {margin-left:4px;padding-left:8px;padding-right:10px;color:#999;font-size:12px;}#embedly_twitter_46000124 .tweet-actions i {background:transparent url(http://a2.twimg.com/a/1306889658/phoenix/img/sprite-icons.png) no-repeat;width:15px;height:15px;margin:0 4px 3px;outline:none;vertical-align:baseline;display:inline-block;}#embedly_twitter_46000124 .tweet-actions a.retweet-action i {background-position:-192px 0;}#embedly_twitter_46000124 .tweet-actions a.reply-action i {background-position:0 0;}#embedly_twitter_46000124 .tweet-actions a.favorite-action i {background-position:-32px 0;}@PaulyPeligrosoPauly Casillas Tower Heist is about how Eddie Murphy and Ben Stiller rob you out of money for tickets.Nov 02 via TweetCaster for AndroidFavoriteRetweetReply 2. Comedian Billy Eichner takes time out from his Fuse Network show to watch (and learn from) a little CNN. #embedly_twitter_51115998{background:url(http://a3.twimg.com/profile_background_images/356347505/Fuse_Twitter_Billy_skin.jpg) #C0DEED;padding:20px;}#embedly_twitter_51115998 p{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 0px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px;line-height:22px;}#embedly_twitter_51115998 .embedly_tweet_content{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 10px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px !important;line-height:22px;}#embedly_twitter_51115998 p span.metadata{display:block;width:100%;clear:both;margin-top:0px;height:40px;padding-bottom:12px;}#embedly_twitter_51115998 p span.metadata span.author{line-height:15px;color:#999;font-size:14px;}#embedly_twitter_51115998 p span.metadata span.author a{line-height:15px;font-size:20px;vertical-align:middle;}#embedly_twitter_51115998 p span.metadata span.author img{float:left;margin:0 10px 0 0px;width:48px;height:48px;}#embedly_twitter_51115998 p a {color:#0084B4;text-decoration:none;}#embedly_twitter_51115998 p a:hover{text-decoration:underline;}#embedly_twitter_51115998 .embedly_timestamp{font-size:13px;display:inline-block;margin-top:5px;}#embedly_twitter_51115998 .components-above span.embedly_timestamp{font-size:10px;margin-top:1px;line-height:12px;}#embedly_twitter_51115998 a {color:#0084B4;text-decoration:none;}#embedly_twitter_51115998 a:hover{text-decoration:underline;}#embedly_twitter_51115998 .tweet-screen-name {font-size:14px;font-weight:bold;}#embedly_twitter_51115998 .tweet-full-name {padding-left:4px;color:#999;font-size:12px;}#embedly_twitter_51115998 .tweet-actions{margin-left:10px;font-size:13px;display:inline-block;width:250px;}#embedly_twitter_51115998 .components-above span.tweet-actions{font-size:10px;}#embedly_twitter_51115998 .controls{line-height:12px!important;}#embedly_twitter_51115998 .tweet-actions a {margin-left:5px;}#embedly_twitter_51115998 .tweet-actions a b{font-weight:normal;}#embedly_twitter_51115998 .components-above span.tweet-actions a b{vertical-align:baseline;line-height:12px;}#embedly_twitter_51115998 .components-above .tweet-text{font-size:13px;vertical-align:baseline;}#embedly_twitter_51115998 .tweet-image {float:left;width:40px;}#embedly_twitter_51115998 .tweet-user-block-image {float:left;width:48px;height:48px;}#embedly_twitter_51115998 .tweet-row {margin-left:40px;margin-top:3px;line-height:17px;}#embedly_twitter_51115998 .tweet-user-block {}#embedly_twitter_51115998 .stream-item {padding-bottom:0px;margin-left:12px;}#embedly_twitter_51115998 .simple-tweet-image img {margin-top:4px;}#embedly_twitter_51115998 .simple-tweet-content {margin:0 0 13px 0px;font-size:14px;min-height:48px;}#embedly_twitter_51115998 .in-reply-to-border {border-color:#EBEBEB;border-style:solid;border-width:1px 0 0;}#embedly_twitter_51115998 .in-reply-to-text {margin-left:4px;padding-left:8px;padding-right:10px;color:#999;font-size:12px;}#embedly_twitter_51115998 .tweet-actions i {background:transparent url(http://a2.twimg.com/a/1306889658/phoenix/img/sprite-icons.png) no-repeat;width:15px;height:15px;margin:0 4px 3px;outline:none;vertical-align:baseline;display:inline-block;}#embedly_twitter_51115998 .tweet-actions a.retweet-action i {background-position:-192px 0;}#embedly_twitter_51115998 .tweet-actions a.reply-action i {background-position:0 0;}#embedly_twitter_51115998 .tweet-actions a.favorite-action i {background-position:-32px 0;}@billyeichnerbilly eichner Watching the Piers Morgan show. He is talking about Occupy Wall Street with the cast of Tower Heist.Nov 04 via webFavoriteRetweetReply 1. Rob Huebel wins this week’s tally with a naughty shout-out to both the NY City Marathon and the box-office champ, Puss In Boots. #embedly_twitter_71435677{background:url(http://a2.twimg.com/profile_background_images/56844586/IMG_1322resm.jpg) #352726;padding:20px;}#embedly_twitter_71435677 p{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 0px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px;line-height:22px;}#embedly_twitter_71435677 .embedly_tweet_content{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 10px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px !important;line-height:22px;}#embedly_twitter_71435677 p span.metadata{display:block;width:100%;clear:both;margin-top:0px;height:40px;padding-bottom:12px;}#embedly_twitter_71435677 p span.metadata span.author{line-height:15px;color:#999;font-size:14px;}#embedly_twitter_71435677 p span.metadata span.author a{line-height:15px;font-size:20px;vertical-align:middle;}#embedly_twitter_71435677 p span.metadata span.author img{float:left;margin:0 10px 0 0px;width:48px;height:48px;}#embedly_twitter_71435677 p a {color:#D02B55;text-decoration:none;}#embedly_twitter_71435677 p a:hover{text-decoration:underline;}#embedly_twitter_71435677 .embedly_timestamp{font-size:13px;display:inline-block;margin-top:5px;}#embedly_twitter_71435677 .components-above span.embedly_timestamp{font-size:10px;margin-top:1px;line-height:12px;}#embedly_twitter_71435677 a {color:#D02B55;text-decoration:none;}#embedly_twitter_71435677 a:hover{text-decoration:underline;}#embedly_twitter_71435677 .tweet-screen-name {font-size:14px;font-weight:bold;}#embedly_twitter_71435677 .tweet-full-name {padding-left:4px;color:#999;font-size:12px;}#embedly_twitter_71435677 .tweet-actions{margin-left:10px;font-size:13px;display:inline-block;width:250px;}#embedly_twitter_71435677 .components-above span.tweet-actions{font-size:10px;}#embedly_twitter_71435677 .controls{line-height:12px!important;}#embedly_twitter_71435677 .tweet-actions a {margin-left:5px;}#embedly_twitter_71435677 .tweet-actions a b{font-weight:normal;}#embedly_twitter_71435677 .components-above span.tweet-actions a b{vertical-align:baseline;line-height:12px;}#embedly_twitter_71435677 .components-above .tweet-text{font-size:13px;vertical-align:baseline;}#embedly_twitter_71435677 .tweet-image {float:left;width:40px;}#embedly_twitter_71435677 .tweet-user-block-image {float:left;width:48px;height:48px;}#embedly_twitter_71435677 .tweet-row {margin-left:40px;margin-top:3px;line-height:17px;}#embedly_twitter_71435677 .tweet-user-block {}#embedly_twitter_71435677 .stream-item {padding-bottom:0px;margin-left:12px;}#embedly_twitter_71435677 .simple-tweet-image img {margin-top:4px;}#embedly_twitter_71435677 .simple-tweet-content {margin:0 0 13px 0px;font-size:14px;min-height:48px;}#embedly_twitter_71435677 .in-reply-to-border {border-color:#EBEBEB;border-style:solid;border-width:1px 0 0;}#embedly_twitter_71435677 .in-reply-to-text {margin-left:4px;padding-left:8px;padding-right:10px;color:#999;font-size:12px;}#embedly_twitter_71435677 .tweet-actions i {background:transparent url(http://a2.twimg.com/a/1306889658/phoenix/img/sprite-icons.png) no-repeat;width:15px;height:15px;margin:0 4px 3px;outline:none;vertical-align:baseline;display:inline-block;}#embedly_twitter_71435677 .tweet-actions a.retweet-action i {background-position:-192px 0;}#embedly_twitter_71435677 .tweet-actions a.reply-action i {background-position:0 0;}#embedly_twitter_71435677 .tweet-actions a.favorite-action i {background-position:-32px 0;}@robhuebelRob Huebel Puss In Boots? More like Puss in My Nikes! From my blisters? Get it? (joke I keep telling other runners. Very few laughs so far)Nov 06 via Twitter for iPhoneFavoriteRetweetReply Follow Louis Virtel on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter. Tagged: billy eichner, harold and kumar, joseph kahn, judd apatow, pauly peligroso, puss in boots, rob huebel, tower heist

Bieber, Gaga Dominate MTV Europe Awards

First Published: November 6, 2011 7:41 PM EST Credit: Getty Images LONDON, U.K. -- Caption Justin Bieber receives the award for Best Male onstage during the MTV Europe Music Awards 2010 live show at at the Odyssey Arena, Belfast, N. Ireland, November 6, 2011The MTV Europe Music Awards turned into a celebration of Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga Sunday night as the two picked up a number of top prizes, including best male and best female act. Gaga, striking in several outfits throughout the evening, also won for best song and best video for Born This Way. Bieber picked up best pop act as well. Their live performances captured the differences between the two ascendant mega-stars: the teenage Bieber, wholesome and almost impossibly cute; Gaga challenging and aggressively sexual in her approach. Other awards went to Bruno Mars, Eminem and Katy Perry while the band Queen received the Global Icon award, in effect a lifetime achievement award to the now-graying rockers, who closed the show with a spirited set of their classics, including We Will Rock You and We Are the Champions. It was a rousing end to the awards show, a highlight on the European music calendar that also draws A-list stars from the United States. It was held in Belfast, Northern Ireland, for the first time. Queen guitarist Brian May said the show focused attention on how Belfast had found true peace after years of sectarian violence. Its wonderful to be in Belfast, he said. The show also included a video tribute to the late Amy Winehouse, who died earlier this year in London. But the evening was dominated by Bieber and Gaga, the two crowd favorites. The casually dressed Bieber said modestly that he had voted for competitor Kanye West and thanked his fans and family for his first award. Never say never, right? he said, waving his trophy in the air. After he won his second award, for best pop act, he praised his fans for staying with him despite a lot of crap on the Internet, an apparent reference to unsupported allegations that he had fathered a child after a brief liaison. Bieber took the stage a few minutes after Gaga accepted her award in characteristic style. Thank you so much, I love you so much. Im so grateful. Im really smiling right now, but I know you cant tell, said Gaga, wearing a bizarre silver dress with an oversize tilted hat that completely covered her face except for tiny holes that allowed her to see. She joked that she had had a lot of Botox treatment. Gaga, who has enjoyed a year of spectacular commercial success, triumphed over a strong field that included a resurgent Jennifer Lopez, Adele, Katy Perry and Beyonce. She later won awards for best video and best song for Born This Way. She thanked her little monsters for their support and said she regarded Born This Way as her most important work to date. She also won an award for having the best fan base. Earlier, Perry dressed in a mostly pink jacket and miniskirt won the best live act award, and the American band Thirty Seconds to Mars won best alternative act and best world stage. American rapper Eminem was named best hip hop act and Linkin Park took the prize for best rock band. The show featured performances by headliners Bieber, Gaga, Bruno Mars who won for best newcomer and for best push Coldplay, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Snow Patrol and other top acts. Chris Martin, the Coldplay frontman, joked that the band was just warming everyone up for Justin on his way into the awards ceremony, which was hosted by Biebers girlfriend, the actress and singer Selena Gomez. She admitted she was nervous about her performance while being photographed on the red carpet just before the show. The awards, which were set up in 1994, have previously featured performances by stars including U2, Paul McCartney, Take That, Beyonce and Jay-Z. Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Scandis fund femme visions

'Tinker, Tailer, Soldier, Spy''She Monkeys'The Stockholm Intl. Film Festival has always promoted Swedish talent, but the 22nd edition is taking that into a new dimension with the launch of its own production fund for women directors.The fest, which takes place Nov. 9-20, will award $750,000 to a young female filmmaker to shoot a feature that will premiere at the 2012 event.The funding comes from Swedish telecom giant Telia and the Swedish Film Institute, with NonStop Entertainment handling distribution.The SFI has a radical mandate to award at least 40% of its production funding to female directors, writers and producers, but a shortage of women applicants has made it difficult to reach that target."When we suggested this, (the SFI) were keen to grab it," explains SIFF director Git Scheynius. "A small country like Sweden cannot afford to ignore half the population when we make films."The fest received 32 applicants by the September deadline, a mix of newcomers and recently established names such as Lisa Aschan, whose debut "She Monkeys" has been acclaimed at festivals around the world this year.The winner will be announced No. 19. The runners-up will also get $38,000 from the SFI to help with the development of their next projects.Scheynius describes the fund as a "very exciting" progression from the fest's long-established 1 km Film scholarship, a $15,000 prize for the best short film, which has helped to launch the careers of several Swedish directors.One previous winner, Babek Najafi, is back this year with an unfinished cut of his second feature, "Easy Money 2," the highly anticipated sequel to the hit 2010 crime thriller.This year's lineup gives a greater than usual prominence to Swedish and Scandinavian talent, starting with the opening night gala for "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy," the first English-language feature by Swedish helmer Tomas Alfredson.The fest includes three world premieres of Swedish films -- Levan Akin's social drama "Certain People" in competition, plus Staffan Lindberg's comedy "Once Upon a Time in Phuket" and Kjell-Ake Andersson's smalltown drama "Somewhere Else."Scheynius notes an unusually large "concentration of Nordic talent" in the main competition, whose 22 titles include Ruben Ostlund's "Play" from Sweden, and Joachim Trier's "Oslo, August 31" and Jannike Systad Jacobsen's "Turn Me on, Dammit" from Norway. Danish helmer Nicholas Winding Refn's American thriller "Drive" also screens out of competition."When I saw 'Oslo,' 'Play' and 'Drive' within two days at Cannes, I thought this is a really new way of making films for Scandinavia. We have more interesting and brave directors than we had before," she says. "The standard of Swedish and Scandinavian films has definitely risen in recent years. We wouldn't put them in competition if they weren't as good as everything else."HIGHLIGHTSThe 22nd SIFF will screen 170 films from 44 countries, of which 31% is by debut directors, 26% by femme helmers and 43% with female producers.FESTIVAL OPENER:The festival opens with "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy," directed by local hero Tomas Alfredson, and closes with Pedro Almodovar's "The Skin I'm In." The mid-gala is Andrea Arnold 's competition entry "Wuthering Heights."AWARD WINNERS: French actress Isabelle Huppert will receive the lifetime achievement award. Mexican writer-director Alejandro Gonzales Inarritu will receive the Visionary Award and hold a masterclass. Cinematographer Christopher Doyle and Danish producer Peter Aalbeck Jensen will also give masterclasses. Whit Stillman is serving as jury chair, with his latest film "Damsels in Distress" screening out of competition.SCREENINGS:The 22-film competition includes Steve McQueen 's "Shame," Sean Durkin's "Martha Marcy May Marlene," Julia Leigh's "Sleeping Beauty," Miranda July's "The Future," Iranian helmer Maryam Keshavarz's "Circumstances" and "Coriolanus" by Ralph Fiennes. Out-of-competition screenings include David Cronenberg's "A Dangerous Method," with Viggo Mortensen set to attend, Gus Van Sant 's "Restless," Luc Besson ' s "The Lady" and Paolo Sorrentino's "This Must Be the Place." STOCKHOLM INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Scandis fund femme visions | Business matters | Swedish muscle Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Social Power Rankings: So Maybe Bones Isnt Doomed Now That Booth and Brennan Are Together

David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel Everyone was buzzing about Bones this week, sending it to the top spot of TVGuide.com's Social Power Rankings following Thursday's Season 7 premiere.What specifically got you talking? We asked whether the Brennan-Booth romance would curse the show, Moonlighting­-style. But you guys aren't worried in the least. "I definitely think the new dynamic re-energizes the series," wrote TVGuide.com user Mkroggasch. "I can't wait to see how exactly the baby and them being a couple influences the rest of the team. I think it is going to be pretty amazing."On Facebook, Tara Dawes agrees. "I have faith in [executive producer] Hart Hanson. [Booth and Bones] will pull a rabbit out of their hat with this one and break the Moonlighting curse!" Commenter Darbyelsa1 has had enough of this theory altogether. "I'm so tired of the 'Moonlighting curse' argument - it is ridiculous. Moonlighting did not go off the rails because Maddie and David got together, but because the writers went utterly mad."So there you have it: Long live Booth, Brennan, and baby!Other hot topics this week: Conan's return to NY (most of you were thrilled about his stint on the East Coast) and Glee's "Pot of Gold" episode, which debuted The Glee Project winner Damian McGinty.Check back anytime to see the latest Social Power Rankings, which are updated in real time throughout the week.

James Franco Cast as 'Rapping Drug and Arms Dealer' in 'Spring Breakers'

A functional James Franco gathers no moss. Or something like that. The hilariously busy actor has apparently registered for just one of his most bizarre roles yet. Not a chance, not Emmys host Franco is placed to experience a "rapping drug and arms dealer" in 'Spring Breakers' for director Harmony Korine. Within the film, four co-eds take advantage of a quick food restaurant to obtain money for vacation to Florida once they arrive at the Sunshine Condition, they are immediately arrested and bailed out by Alien (Franco), these drug dealer who desires these to kill among his adversaries. Classy! Emma Roberts is apparently in discussions for among the female leads, some risk junkie. Korine designed a splash when he authored the questionable 'Kids' as well as directed the film 'Trash Humpers.' Franco was last observed in 'Rise from the Planet from the Apes.' [via Variety] [Photo: AP] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook RELATED