Industry Insiders Prep for Pilot Season

Industry Insiders Prep for Pilot Season By Simi Horwitz January 26, 2012 Carrie Wiita Actor Carrie Wiita calls pilot season "insanity." Between January and March, the pressure is through the roof, she says. If she lands a principal role on a pilot that, in the best of all possible worlds, is picked up by a network, it's potentially life-changing. But whether you have no auditions coming in or three or four of them lined up back to back day after day, pilot season is draining, and you have to be prepared, focused, and at the top of your game, Wiita says.The first big time crunch involves getting your headshots ready, which may entail having new ones taken, getting the old ones retouched, or ordering new prints. "Printing usually takes about two weeks, and I like to have them back and in boxes by Dec. 24," she says. "Once pilot season starts, there is no time."Preparing for pilot auditions is labor-intensive, especially for principal roles, "where they really want to see what you can do," Wiita notes. "You may get between eight and 12 sides, sometimes even up to 18 sides for a pilot. They may arrive several days or the night before the audition."If time allows, Wiita will obtain a copy of the script (which, surprisingly, is easier during pilot season, she says), research the pilot's writers and producers to learn about their previous shows and their sensibilities, and track down any casting that has already taken placeall of which reveals the direction and tone of the project and how she should approach the role."I try to work with a coach before the audition, and if that's not possible, I will work on the script with fellow actors in my acting class," she adds. "We do that for each other during pilot season."Throughout the season, Wiita is in daily contact with her manager, Bruce Smith, with whom she vents about disappointments, celebrates triumphs, and strategizes career moves. "It's a delicate dance," she says, adding that the emotional component is another reason she confers with Smith so frequently.Reps Have It Rough, Too Smith, who is with the Los Angeles office of OmniPop Talent Group, has been in the business for 21 years14 as an agent and the last seven as a manager. "I'm always a shoulder to cry on," he admits, "but at no time more so than during pilot season. It's as much of a roller coaster for me as it is for the actors I manage."His career is on the line, too, Smith points out. "We have to be very much on our game during pilot season." His clients are attending classes, comparing notes with other actors, and wondering why someone else is landing pilot auditions and they're not. For Smith, knowing what's happening in the business is the key, and he's constantly checking the breakdowns, talking with his industry contacts, and acquiring scripts as soon as possible. After he leaves the office following his usual 10-hour day, he may spend four or five more hours reading scripts and analyzing what a role might mean for a client's careerthe pros, the cons, and the risks."You don't swing at every ball," says Melissa Berger, an agent with CESD Talent Agency in L.A. "It depends on an actor's stature and experience. If someone is in a position where he could be a lead, you don't send him out for an ensemble piece that comes in first."Talent reps also have to maintain their reputations with casting directors and producers. It's to no one's advantage to submit the wrong actor for a role, they say. Getting their clients seen is hard any time of year, but the competition explodes during pilot season, with thousands of pitches coming from agents and managers all over the globe.Their major challenge, they say, is contending with an industry that thinks the best way to create a successful pilot is to bring in stars, making it that much harder for reps to get their equally talented but lesser-known clients seen. "So much of what drives pilot season is out of your control," Smith says."You want to maximize opportunity within a finite amount of time," adds Berger. Part of her job is dealing with actors from other states and countries"which has widened what I do," she saysalong with "checking in with talent who come to town. I do client servicing and set up meetings with casting and network people to let them know who I have on the roster. It's especially important to do this for young or new talent. In many ways, I feel like an old-fashioned Fuller Brush salesman."Casting Can Be Make-or-Break Casting directors also face long days and endless meetings during pilot season, though 28-year veteran Jason La Padura of La Padura & Hart Casting in Los Angeleswhose credits include "Heroes," "The Playboy Club," and "Crossing Jordan"says he is careful not to overload himself or his staff. Nonetheless, a pilot season workday may start at 9 and end at 8. A casting assignment can come in at any momentnot that La Padura feels obliged to take every job he's offered if he's otherwise engaged.Casting director Tiffany Little Canfield says television is a new field for NY's Telsey + Company, which is mostly known for its extensive theater work. Still, Telsey has cast the pilots for such shows as "Ugly Betty," "A Gifted Man," and the upcoming midseason replacement "Smash." "We're always busy, but now we're known as an office that does television, too," Canfield says. "During pilot season, we can arrive at 9, leave at 8, and then go home and send auditions digitally to the producers."Casting pilots involves weeks of conference calls, during which the network and studio brass, producers, and casting directors brainstorm and come up with a list of possible actors. Who ends up on that list often depends on whether a project is "cast-contingent, such as a procedural or domestic drama, or if it's a high-concept show like 'Pan Am' that doesn't need stars," says La Padura. "A high-concept show sells itself." Stars meet with the creative team to test their compatibility and are offered roles; rarely do they audition. If the team's top choices are not interested or available, it will come up with a list of second-tier choices.Throughout the process, La Padura is busy contacting the top agencies to determine actor availability while fielding calls from agents and managers pitching their clients. "I can get hundreds of calls in one day," he says. "I can be gone from the office for two hours, and when I return I have 50 messages on email and voice mail."Auditions may last for two months, four to five hours a day. More people weigh in at every step as the pool of actors is whittled down. Says La Padura, "I remember the time when I was in session with the show's producer, who liked an actor, and he'd call the network and say, 'I found my lead,' and they'd say, 'Great.' Now a lot more people are involvedit can be up to 24 in a roomand any one of them can say no."Tom Hertz, creator, executive producer, and showrunner of CBS's "Rules of Engagement," talks about doing "a lot of cardio to ease the tension during pilot season," despite his proven track record. He says he has established a level of trust with network executives, and that makes it easier than if he were a newbie, but because expectations go hand in glove with past achievement, the pressure mounts.Hertz's pilot season began this fall when he pitched a new show idea to CBS; in early December he was waiting to hear whether the network planned to green-light the pilot. It looked promising, as Sony had agreed to come on board, but he won't know for certain until the new year, and it's hard to ignore Internet chatter about what's hot and what's not, he says. Should the project get a green light, the make-or-break casting process begins."We all have the same agenda," Hertz says. "We all want a star." A name like Tim Allen makes a pilot almost a shoo-in for success, but "there are no formulas for casting," he adds. "It's always exciting to find new talent."Personal Affairs in Order For journeyman actors, the details take precedence over the big picture. When Wiita spoke to us in early December, she was in the process of looking through her wardrobe for appropriate pilot-season clothes and preparing for a dry-cleaning run. When she shops for outfits, especially as winter approaches, she says, her choices are largely determined by what's usable for pilots. Wiita likes dressing in character for auditions, and if she's lucky enough to audition for a principal role, she needs a more conservative look."Clothes should not have words written on them or be distracting or overwhelming in neon colors," she says. "I have to think about what clothes look good in front of the camera." Wiita prepares her outfitsgarment, shoes, and wig if necessarythe night before, lining them up in the order in which she'll be wearing them. The following morning, she's clad in the outfit for her first audition while carrying the others in her car, where she changes between auditions.Bringing comfortable shoes is a good idea, since many pilot auditions take place in a temporary office in a trailer at the end of the studio lot, and that can be a long walk from where you've parked, Wiita says. Keeping up her strength is essential, and if she's hungry, she's cranky. "But I don't have time to stop and have real meals," she says. "And I don't like fast food, because it can spill all over my clothes. During pilot season, I carry a box of protein bars around with me. I know I should also be doing exercises before and during pilot season, but I don't."For Wiita, February and March are usually busier than January because she's generally not seen until the celebrity actors don't pan out, she says. That's when the stress really begins, especially if she books a role and is not sure if the pilot will take off."The most important preparation for pilot season is getting your personal life in order," she says. "Last year I was in a new relationship before the holidays and realized he wasn't present or supportive. I said, 'Things are going to start getting chaotic, and if you can't be there for me, I don't need this.' You need everyone around you to be emotionally supportive, because every day, especially during pilot season, you are rejected and told you are not good enough. You don't need a social life that is pulling you down. If your relationship is not solid, get out of it now. For three months, pilot season has to come first." Industry Insiders Prep for Pilot Season By Simi Horwitz January 26, 2012 Carrie Wiita Actor Carrie Wiita calls pilot season "insanity." Between January and March, the pressure is through the roof, she says. If she lands a principal role on a pilot that, in the best of all possible worlds, is picked up by a network, it's potentially life-changing. But whether you have no auditions coming in or three or four of them lined up back to back day after day, pilot season is draining, and you have to be prepared, focused, and at the top of your game, Wiita says.The first big time crunch involves getting your headshots ready, which may entail having new ones taken, getting the old ones retouched, or ordering new prints. "Printing usually takes about two weeks, and I like to have them back and in boxes by Dec. 24," she says. "Once pilot season starts, there is no time."Preparing for pilot auditions is labor-intensive, especially for principal roles, "where they really want to see what you can do," Wiita notes. "You may get between eight and 12 sides, sometimes even up to 18 sides for a pilot. They may arrive several days or the night before the audition."If time allows, Wiita will obtain a copy of the script (which, surprisingly, is easier during pilot season, she says), research the pilot's writers and producers to learn about their previous shows and their sensibilities, and track down any casting that has already taken placeall of which reveals the direction and tone of the project and how she should approach the role."I try to work with a coach before the audition, and if that's not possible, I will work on the script with fellow actors in my acting class," she adds. "We do that for each other during pilot season."Throughout the season, Wiita is in daily contact with her manager, Bruce Smith, with whom she vents about disappointments, celebrates triumphs, and strategizes career moves. "It's a delicate dance," she says, adding that the emotional component is another reason she confers with Smith so frequently.Reps Have It Rough, Too Smith, who is with the Los Angeles office of OmniPop Talent Group, has been in the business for 21 years14 as an agent and the last seven as a manager. "I'm always a shoulder to cry on," he admits, "but at no time more so than during pilot season. It's as much of a roller coaster for me as it is for the actors I manage."His career is on the line, too, Smith points out. "We have to be very much on our game during pilot season." His clients are attending classes, comparing notes with other actors, and wondering why someone else is landing pilot auditions and they're not. For Smith, knowing what's happening in the business is the key, and he's constantly checking the breakdowns, talking with his industry contacts, and acquiring scripts as soon as possible. After he leaves the office following his usual 10-hour day, he may spend four or five more hours reading scripts and analyzing what a role might mean for a client's careerthe pros, the cons, and the risks."You don't swing at every ball," says Melissa Berger, an agent with CESD Talent Agency in L.A. "It depends on an actor's stature and experience. If someone is in a position where he could be a lead, you don't send him out for an ensemble piece that comes in first."Talent reps also have to maintain their reputations with casting directors and producers. It's to no one's advantage to submit the wrong actor for a role, they say. Getting their clients seen is hard any time of year, but the competition explodes during pilot season, with thousands of pitches coming from agents and managers all over the globe.Their major challenge, they say, is contending with an industry that thinks the best way to create a successful pilot is to bring in stars, making it that much harder for reps to get their equally talented but lesser-known clients seen. "So much of what drives pilot season is out of your control," Smith says."You want to maximize opportunity within a finite amount of time," adds Berger. Part of her job is dealing with actors from other states and countries"which has widened what I do," she saysalong with "checking in with talent who come to town. I do client servicing and set up meetings with casting and network people to let them know who I have on the roster. It's especially important to do this for young or new talent. In many ways, I feel like an old-fashioned Fuller Brush salesman."Casting Can Be Make-or-Break Casting directors also face long days and endless meetings during pilot season, though 28-year veteran Jason La Padura of La Padura & Hart Casting in Los Angeleswhose credits include "Heroes," "The Playboy Club," and "Crossing Jordan"says he is careful not to overload himself or his staff. Nonetheless, a pilot season workday may start at 9 and end at 8. A casting assignment can come in at any momentnot that La Padura feels obliged to take every job he's offered if he's otherwise engaged.Casting director Tiffany Little Canfield says television is a new field for NY's Telsey + Company, which is mostly known for its extensive theater work. Still, Telsey has cast the pilots for such shows as "Ugly Betty," "A Gifted Man," and the upcoming midseason replacement "Smash." "We're always busy, but now we're known as an office that does television, too," Canfield says. "During pilot season, we can arrive at 9, leave at 8, and then go home and send auditions digitally to the producers."Casting pilots involves weeks of conference calls, during which the network and studio brass, producers, and casting directors brainstorm and come up with a list of possible actors. Who ends up on that list often depends on whether a project is "cast-contingent, such as a procedural or domestic drama, or if it's a high-concept show like 'Pan Am' that doesn't need stars," says La Padura. "A high-concept show sells itself." Stars meet with the creative team to test their compatibility and are offered roles; rarely do they audition. If the team's top choices are not interested or available, it will come up with a list of second-tier choices.Throughout the process, La Padura is busy contacting the top agencies to determine actor availability while fielding calls from agents and managers pitching their clients. "I can get hundreds of calls in one day," he says. "I can be gone from the office for two hours, and when I return I have 50 messages on email and voice mail."Auditions may last for two months, four to five hours a day. More people weigh in at every step as the pool of actors is whittled down. Says La Padura, "I remember the time when I was in session with the show's producer, who liked an actor, and he'd call the network and say, 'I found my lead,' and they'd say, 'Great.' Now a lot more people are involvedit can be up to 24 in a roomand any one of them can say no."Tom Hertz, creator, executive producer, and showrunner of CBS's "Rules of Engagement," talks about doing "a lot of cardio to ease the tension during pilot season," despite his proven track record. He says he has established a level of trust with network executives, and that makes it easier than if he were a newbie, but because expectations go hand in glove with past achievement, the pressure mounts.Hertz's pilot season began this fall when he pitched a new show idea to CBS; in early December he was waiting to hear whether the network planned to green-light the pilot. It looked promising, as Sony had agreed to come on board, but he won't know for certain until the new year, and it's hard to ignore Internet chatter about what's hot and what's not, he says. Should the project get a green light, the make-or-break casting process begins."We all have the same agenda," Hertz says. "We all want a star." A name like Tim Allen makes a pilot almost a shoo-in for success, but "there are no formulas for casting," he adds. "It's always exciting to find new talent."Personal Affairs in Order For journeyman actors, the details take precedence over the big picture. When Wiita spoke to us in early December, she was in the process of looking through her wardrobe for appropriate pilot-season clothes and preparing for a dry-cleaning run. When she shops for outfits, especially as winter approaches, she says, her choices are largely determined by what's usable for pilots. Wiita likes dressing in character for auditions, and if she's lucky enough to audition for a principal role, she needs a more conservative look."Clothes should not have words written on them or be distracting or overwhelming in neon colors," she says. "I have to think about what clothes look good in front of the camera." Wiita prepares her outfitsgarment, shoes, and wig if necessarythe night before, lining them up in the order in which she'll be wearing them. The following morning, she's clad in the outfit for her first audition while carrying the others in her car, where she changes between auditions.Bringing comfortable shoes is a good idea, since many pilot auditions take place in a temporary office in a trailer at the end of the studio lot, and that can be a long walk from where you've parked, Wiita says. Keeping up her strength is essential, and if she's hungry, she's cranky. "But I don't have time to stop and have real meals," she says. "And I don't like fast food, because it can spill all over my clothes. During pilot season, I carry a box of protein bars around with me. I know I should also be doing exercises before and during pilot season, but I don't."For Wiita, February and March are usually busier than January because she's generally not seen until the celebrity actors don't pan out, she says. That's when the stress really begins, especially if she books a role and is not sure if the pilot will take off."The most important preparation for pilot season is getting your personal life in order," she says. "Last year I was in a new relationship before the holidays and realized he wasn't present or supportive. I said, 'Things are going to start getting chaotic, and if you can't be there for me, I don't need this.' You need everyone around you to be emotionally supportive, because every day, especially during pilot season, you are rejected and told you are not good enough. You don't need a social life that is pulling you down. If your relationship is not solid, get out of it now. For three months, pilot season has to come first."

Japanese annual B.O. falls 18%

TOKYO -- The Japanese box office fell 18% to $2.34 billion last year, according to figures compiled by the Motion Picture Producers Assn. of Japan. Admissions fell 17% to 145 million. The March 11 earthquake and tsunami, which left nearly 20,000 dead and missing, and caused the meltdown of three reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, shuttered theaters in wide swaths of the country for weeks. The feared power blackouts never materialized during the peak summer season, however, allowing a return to normal operation for theater owners. Another problem was a lack of blockbuster pics, both domestic and foreign. A total of 54 pics passed the 1 billion yen ($13 million) mark, traditionally considered the measure of a hit -- six more than in 2010 -- but only eight surpassed the 4 billion yen ($52 billion) milestone, compared with 11 in 2010. The B.O. for local pics dropped 16% to $1.29 billion; foreign pics' B.O. fell 20% to $1.06 billion. For the fourth year in a row local fare beat the imports in market share, with 55%. The highest-earning pic was "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" with $124 million, while the B.O. leader for the home team was the Studio Ghibli toon "From Up on Poppy Hill," which scored $77 million. The number of screens, 3,396, was nearly unchanged from the year before. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Tim Gunn: I Haven't Had Sex in 29 Years

Tim Gunn Former Project Runway host Tim Gunn got extremely candid about his sex life (or lack thereof) on his new daytime talk show The Revolution.When the co-hosts began discussing a statistic that "15 to 20 percent of people are in no-sex or low-sex relationships" on Tuesday's program, Gunn said: "I haven't had sex in 29 years. Do I feel like less of a person for it? No. Not even remotely."More info about The RevolutionSee why Gunn says he's remained celibate in this clip below:

Sundance Notebook: 'Two Broke Girls' Was On, and that i Did not Watch

Sundance Notebook: 'Two Broke Girls' Was On, and that i Did not Watch By Daniel Holloway The month of january 20, 2012 Photo by Daniel Holloway Each year, after i begin planning Sundance, I believe the 6:50 a.m. Delta flight to Salt Lake City from JFK may be beneficial. And each year, when you're ready to visit the airport terminal, I find yourself cursing my past self, who's a fool. You will find stuff that are worth dealing with the airport terminal at 5:15 a.m. forthing like memorials on and on around the lam. But a movie festival isn't among individuals things. Future Sundancers, heed my words: You are able to arrive mid-mid-day. They are not likely to give your credential away. I promise.The 2011 trip was especially terrible, because of the current marvel of in-flight Online sites. Rather than sleeping or watching the on-screen entertainmentwhich incorporated "Moneyball" and instances of "Two Broke Women" and "The Large Bang Theory," a trifecta that will ordinarily have my bourgeoisie-bohemian ass grown around the couch for half a dayI labored. That's the one thing about in-flight Online sites. You cannot utilize it to complete anything fun. With all of individuals people packed in beside you, you are simply not prone to, say, play internet poker, or stalk people on Facebook, or take a look at pornography. You are likely to search on the internet to worknot because work must have completed, but since you (so when I only say "you," I mean "I") have to seem like others think you are important. "Look," you would imagine the people who are around you thinking. "That guy includes a spreadsheet open. I wager he's effective. And That I wager his wife loves him a lot more than mine loves me."And So I spent the majority of the 5 1/2 hrs workingresponding to emails, wrestling Ms powerpoint, fighting the need to obtain an earlier begin my fantasy-baseball draft strategy. Used to do get some stuff accomplished. First, there is planning Back Stage's large party on Friday evening on Primary Street in Park City, which we are co-hosting with Screen Stars Guild and Tweet House. We'll be Tweeting live in the event at @BackStageCast, so if something awesome happens, you will be the first one to know. Second, I made some headway on my small profile of Gina Rodriguez, an rising youthful actor who's getting buzz already on her lead role in "Filly Brown." She also just signed a talent cope with ABC, so get accustomed to her title. Third, I determined which tests I am likely to hit on my small first day. So far it's searching like Danish director Mads Brugger's "The Ambassador," Andrea Arnold's new adaptation of "Wuthering Levels," and also the too-goofily-named-to-ignore "I'm Not a Hipster." The 3 appear like plans at the moment. Obviously, plenty of things that appear like plans at that time turn to function as the opposite. Sundance Notebook: 'Two Broke Girls' Was On, and that i Did not Watch By Daniel Holloway The month of january 20, 2012 PHOTO CREDIT Daniel Holloway Each year, after i begin planning Sundance, I believe the 6:50 a.m. Delta flight to Salt Lake City from JFK may be beneficial. And each year, when you're ready to visit the airport terminal, I find yourself cursing my past self, who's a fool. You will find stuff that count dealing with the airport terminal at 5:15 a.m. forthing like memorials on and on around the lam. But a movie festival isn't among individuals things. Future Sundancers, heed my words: You are able to arrive mid-mid-day. They are not likely to give your credential away. I promise.The 2011 trip was especially terrible, because of the current marvel of in-flight Online sites. Rather than sleeping or watching the on-screen entertainmentwhich incorporated "Moneyball" and instances of "Two Broke Women" and "The Large Bang Theory," a trifecta that will ordinarily have my bourgeoisie-bohemian ass grown around the couch for half a dayI labored. That's the one thing about in-flight Online sites. You cannot utilize it to complete anything fun. With all of individuals people packed in beside you, you are simply not prone to, say, play internet poker, or stalk people on Facebook, or take a look at pornography. You are likely to search on the internet to worknot because work must have completed, but since you (so when I only say "you," I am talking about "I") have to seem like others think you are important. "Look," you would imagine the people who are around you thinking. "That guy includes a spreadsheet open. I wager he's effective. And That I wager his wife loves him a lot more than mine loves me."And So I spent the majority of the 5 1/2 hrs workingresponding to emails, wrestling Ms powerpoint, fighting the need to obtain an earlier begin my fantasy-baseball draft strategy. Used to do get some stuff accomplished. First, there is planning Back Stage's large party on Friday evening on Primary Street in Park City, which we are co-hosting with Screen Stars Guild and Tweet House. We'll be Tweeting live in the event at @BackStageCast, therefore if something awesome happens, you will be the first one to know. Second, I made some headway on my small profile of Gina Rodriguez, an rising youthful actor who's getting buzz already on her lead role in "Filly Brown." She also just signed a talent cope with ABC, so get accustomed to her title. Third, I determined which tests I am likely to hit on my small first day. To date it's searching like Danish director Mads Brugger's "The Ambassador," Andrea Arnold's new adaptation of "Wuthering Levels," and also the too-goofily-named-to-ignore "I'm Not a Hipster." The 3 appear like plans at the moment. Obviously, plenty of stuff that appear like plans at that time turn to function as the opposite.

David Beckham Re-Signs With LA World

First Launched: The month of the month of january 19, 2012 11:18 AM EST Credit: Getty Images Caption David Beckham in the World will get warm just before the friendly match involving the Melbourne Victory and LA World at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, Australia on December 6, 2011LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- David and Victoria Beckham are remaining devote La. The 36-year-old soccer celebrity introduced he's re-signed while using La World. It was a important decision personally, the midfielder mentioned in the statement round the teams website. I'd many offers from clubs from around the world, however, Im still passionate about playing in the united states and winning trophies while using World. Ive seen first-hands how popular soccer is becoming in the united states and Im as committed of course to growing the sport here, he added. My family members which i are actually happy and settled in the united states which we anticipate trading much more years here. Nuances of his new contract were not released. As formerly reported on AccessHollywood.com, the star athlete reaches predicts play for Paris Saint-Germain, but made a decision to keep his family stateside. PSG leader Nasser al-Khelaifi confirmed he wouldnt be joining they captured saying, David Beckham is not coming. We are feeling somewhat disappointed. But both sides agreed it may be better that individuals not carry out the deal maybe afterwards. The completely new MLS season starts in March. Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Downton Abbey's Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery to produce an Album

Elizabeth McGovern Downton Abbey ... the musical? Elizabeth McGovern and Michelle Dockery, co-stars on PBS' Masterpiece series, are intending to release an album, The United kingdom Telegraph reviews. Downton Abbey purchased for any third season "It is going to emerge later around,Inch McGovern told the newspaper. The 50-year-old actress, who shows the Countess of Grantham, fronts this guitar rock band Sadie and also the Hotheads, that Dockery from time to time sings. Adds Dockery, who plays the Countess' oldest daughter, Lady Mary: "It has been a lot fun. Elizabeth is a superb songwriter." Are you going to buy their album?

Much less technical to party lower

Korean pop group The Question Women model their bejeweled earphones in the Monster booth Wednesday. Believe Entertainment Group's William H. Masterson III and Serta Goodman flank Twitter topper Dick CostoloTiesto and HP's Eric Keshin at Believe/Hewlett packard/Apple party at XS nightclub on Wednesday Felicia Day and Eliza DushkuJessie Cantrell, director Motomu Toriyama and producer Yoshinori Kitase showcase vidgame "Final Fantasy XIII-2" in the Spike party at Tryst on Tuesday. Obvious Channel's Tom Poleman and John Sykes with Jimmy lovine at Wednesday's iHeartRadio's party at Haze, which side.i.am guest DJ'd.Nick Noonan and Amy Heidemann of Karmin carried out in the The new sony booth Wednesday. CEA prexy Gary Shapiro with Daimler AG/Mercedes-Benz's Dieter Zetsche in the keynote address Tuesday. DJ Skribble, Xzibit and Akon are ears in the Monster Booth Wednesday.The Tesla Model S electric sedan was the star of the Replenish! party at Queue Bar Tuesday.Will.i.am in the iHeartRadio CES party in the iHeartRadio CES party at Haze nightclub in the Aria Resort and Casino. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

TCA: Showtime topper talks up new skeins

Showtime leader David Nevins crowed about the prosperity of newcomer series "Homeland" and also the healthy begin to comedy "House of Lies" in the net's Television Experts Assn. panel Thursday. Nevins, who required over for Bob Greenblatt because the mind from the network within the summer time of 2010, added the approaching season would probably be the final for Mary Louise Parker series "Weeds" but he does not anticipate an finish date for "Nurse Jackie," which hit some rankings problem areas this past year. Also, Nevins stated he does not anticipate greenlighting any new aircraft pilots soon, adhering using the two already given a greenlight. Having a strong original series selection under his belt, Nevins is going to be pushing the pay cabler's docu division moving forward. Approaching is a take a look at former v . p . Dick Cheney, to become directed by R.J. Cutler, in addition to profiles of Suge Dark night from helmer Antoine Fuqua as well as Richard Pryor. Nevins also sees an upside with "Episodes," by which former "Buddies" star Matt Le Blanc plays themself. Thinking the show has "real potential," Nevins has upped the episode order from seven to nine for that approaching season and stated the skein will receive a major marketing and publicity push. For aircraft pilots already purchased, Nevins told Variety that although Paul Bettany backed out among the leads in Sony's "Masters of Sex," that didn't deter him in the project concerning the lives of sex scientists William Masters and Virginia Manley. Climax not official, Lizzie Caplan continues to be spoken about for that role of Manley. "His role was very desired, and that i anticipate it uniting pretty easily, by having an a great deal larger actor," Nevins stated. The moment "Masters" is cast, Showtime will shoot both that pilot and drama "Ray Donovan," starring Liev Schreiber. For "Homeland," the show averaged 4.4 million audiences per episode when mixing original telecasts, repeats, Digital recording device usage and video-on-demand. It had been probably the most-viewed rookie skein in network background and presently ranks second on Showtime behind "Dexter," which Nevins confirmed will probably only have two seasons left. "'Homeland' would be a reveal that clearly resonated with individuals. It had been viewed by about 4.5 million people each week, nevertheless its influence went way beyond that," Nevins described. "This can be a show that's viewed within the greatest places in Washington. The leader stated he watches the show, and also the Whitened House asks us for added copies." Nevins stated them arranged well for that terrorist drama. Working again with professional producers Howard Gordon and Alex Gansa -- the trio became a member of forces on "24" when Nevins would be a producer because the mind of production shingle Imagine -- Nevins stated he got the script as he first showed up at Showtime and felt "Homeland" will be a good fit being an accompaniment to "Dexter" and situated well within the zeitgiest using the 10-year anniversary from the Sept. 11 attacks. "It had been a scenario in which the strategy arranged using the execution," Nevins stated, who added that the majority of the cast could be back for season two (set to premiere within the fall again), although he could not absolutely make sure Mandy Pantinkin was signed for any second season. For docu "The Planet Based on Dick Cheney," Nevins was unclear regarding just how much the previous Vice president would participate with Cutler. For other programming news, the brand new seasons of "Nurse Jackie," "The Large C" and "The Borgias" will premiere April 8. Also, the status of comedy reality series "The Eco-friendly Room" -- by which comics talk about standup -- is unclear, even though internet is starting "Inside Comedy" later this season. In "Inside Comedy," host David Steinberg chats with comics about the process of being funny. In sports programming, Showtime brings back another season of baseball docuseries "The Franchise" (Variety, Jan. 10) and also the internet just signed an offer with radio host Jim Rome, who'll work with CBS. When talking by what Showtime does in comparison to pay for cabler Cinemax, Nevins stated he wouldn't trade places together with his network rival. "Cinemax does their factor and, frequently, when things go well for Cinemax, they're going well for all of us. Sometimes our companies operate in tandem," he stated. "I am confident with the overall game we are playing." Contact Stuart Levine at stuart.levine@variety.com

Kelly Clarkson Heads To SNL For Any Third Time Hopes To Experience Christina Aguilera

First Released: The month of january 5, 2012 6:03 PM EST Credit: Access Hollywood Caption Kelly Clarkson chats with Access Hollywood throughout Saturday Evening Live testing in NY City on The month of january 5, 2012LOS ANGELES, Calif., -- Kelly Clarkson will work on Saturday Evening Love another time a few days ago (alongside host Charles Barkley), and also the Mr. Realize It All singer is searching toward coming back towards the late evening comedy show. Its a lot fun, Kelly who had been searching fabulous, sporting sexy, recently-popped bangs told Access Hollywood throughout SNL rehearsals in NY on Thursday. Everybodys always so nice here and also the cast is sort of a family, so its a very awesome atmosphere. The singer, whose fifth studio album, More powerful, is continuously climbing in the music charts, stated she loves acting in skits, but does not believe spend have the ability to participate most of the sketches this time around around because of her out-of-condition tour rehearsals. Im literally flying out tomorrow morning I've testing in Connecticut, she told Access. Were beginning my tour soon, so were literally flying out and in. If Kellys schedule would amazingly permit the singer to look inside a sketch, shes prepared with a concept of who shed enjoy playing fellow chart-topper/The Voice mentor Christina Aguilera. My skit I needed to complete was The Voice, she told Access, referencing the hit NBC reality singing competition. I needed [Charles] to become on his knees and play Cee Lo [Eco-friendly] and that i thought about being Christina. I simply love that demonstrate, and so i desired to totally poker fun at it, she added having a laugh. I poker fun at a few things i like! As the 29-year-old whose sex life is frequently the topic of media scrutiny hasnt yet found the guy of her dreams, she still thinks spend got married at some point. It is not like Jane Austen occasions I havent lost my glow or anything, hopefully! she chuckled, when requested if her impending 3oth birthday was leading to her to question if shed ever say I actually do. I originate from the suburbs and everybody will get married here real quick and it has children and everything, which never was my dream. Ive never been that kid I believe maybe later on. However I love my job at this time. Until she finds her soulmate, Kelly who works a pet save together with her family states shes quite happy with two her of her canine rescues, who keep her company on the highway. They sleep beside me and theyre like my little pals. I give them a call my little men, she stated of her dogs. Theyre just awesome. I really like them. Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

MPI builds up 'Little White-colored Lies'

MPI Media Group has acquired all U . s . States rights to Guillaume Canet's hit dramedy "Little White-colored Lies," starring Marion Cotillard and Jean Dujardin.French pic will probably be released theatrically inside the first quarter, with DVD and VOD releases to follow along with together with.Canet written and directed the film, which follows several longtime pals who reunite for annual beach vacation despite an upsetting accident including one which goes for them. In their seaside getaway, these make discoveries about each other and so are finally expected to admit the little white-colored lies they've been telling one another -- and themselves.Canet's "Tell NobodyInch star Francois Cluzet co-stars alongside Benoit Magimel, Anne Marivan, Gilles Lellouche, Laurent Lafitte, Valerie Bonneton, Pascale Arbillot and Louise Monot."Little White-colored Lies" can be a co-output of Ces Productions du Tresor, EuropaCorp, Caneo Films and M6 Films. Pic has recorded a amazing 5.3 million admissions in France."This movie has touched a nerve, and you can realise why. Its wit, charm and humanity are universal, which we're thrilled to produce it with a wider audience," mentioned MPI professional V . p . Greg Newman, who talked about the distribution deal with Cecile Fouche of EuropaCorp."Little White-colored Lies" world preemed within the 2010 Toronto Film Festival called the official selection within the BFI London Film Festival this season. Contact Rob Sneider at rob.sneider@variety.com