Biz takes tentative steps among large changes

CBS and Warner Bros. inked an offer with Netflix for shows such as the Vampire Journals, above. John F. OByrne in Prime Suspect For showbiz, 2011 is a year of motion in fits and begins, instead of great advances forward, because the industry grapples having a fast-altering, progressively global business landscape.There weren't any major transactions around the scale of, say, Comcast-NBCUniversal (although that union was formally sealed in The month of january) or Disney-Marvel. Time Warner's unrequested $1.4 billion bid for Endemol marks the greatest dollars that the biz's major congloms have put up for grabs (a minimum of openly) to have an acquisition.'Prime' prospect for PeacockDespite the possible lack of blockbuster developments, however, there has been regions of notable activity that may set happens for bigger changes in the future: Home windows, home windows, home windows. In TV and film, the biz continues to be acting just like a menopause lady inside a stuffy room who can't decide whether she would like your window opened up wide, midway or simply a crack.The tug of war between galleries and participants around the problem is representational from the find it difficult to balance the requirements of numerous stakeholders within the theatrical business -- specially the altering habits of more youthful moviegoers. Much more than Universal caving on its arrange for an earlier "Tower Heist" premium VOD window, the larger surprise continues to be the lackluster showing to date in the $30 PVOD window that Warner Bros., Fox and Universal created by helping cover their DirecTV, among much drama with exhibs plus some high-profile creatives.Nobody has launched any amounts, but it is common understanding the galleries happen to be disappointed using the results.Could it be an advertising and marketing problem? Could it be the game titles on offer? Only some time and more researching the market will inform. An upswing of Netflix. The netcaster continues to be a part of just about any conversation concerning the biz's future, but Hollywood still can't quite determine if Netflix is friend or foe.Most within the biz appear to become leaning toward the friend side, though there's been unabashed schadenfreude because the company's high-flying stock has fallen from $300-plus towards the $70-$80 range in recent days.CBS and Warner Bros., the 2 majors which have been most conservative for making their TV skeins available on the web, accepted Netflix because the messiah from the CW in reaching a path-breaking output deal for that net's programming. Netflix can also be viewed as filling a large financial hole for serialized and niche-appeal programs which will never fetch a lot of money within the traditional cable/TV station syndie market (think "Mad Males").However that a lot of have betrothed their wagons with Netflix, the business's fumbles with customer relations and it is $400 million debt/stock offering a week ago have elevated questions regarding whether it's at risk of becoming overextended.n Film-financing follies. As Variety's Rachel Abrams has reported, the climate for film-financing deals has certainly enhanced throughout yesteryear year, however the terms and also the gamers are extremely diverse from these were prior to the economic meltdown. The large banks are tiptoeing in for large studio projects, on the selective basis. And firms like Endgame Entertainment are assisting to meet the increasing demand within the indie sector using its new P&A fund. A large question for indie gamers is whether or not you can make real cash up with a VOD release strategy. There's an positive feeling available is the fact that all it will require is a couple of home runs (by indie standards) to juice the forex market. Worldwide channels finally acquire some attention. They are massive worldwide procedures, the majors' worldwide funnel procedures have for a long time been largely invisible in Hollywood. But that is altering as Fox, The new sony yet others have grown to be more ambitious with programming for his or her groupings of studio-top quality channels. Lightly lower the stream. Your competition among music streaming services walked up a notch this season as The planet pandora went public and Europe's Spotify moved in to the U.S. market.What's interesting is the fact that all of this activity has coincided with a time of consolidation among music posting companies small and big.No showbiz shingle has gone through much more of a high-to-bottom transformation this season compared to NBC broadcast internet. Because the saw dust flies around the repairing of their primetime selection, here's wishing the Peacock will find the assets to stay with "Prime Suspect," its most powerful new drama in a long time. Much praise continues to be bathed around the writing and Maria Bello's performance, and never to become overlooked may be the show's rock-solid supporting cast, moored through the great John F. O'Byrne.Grant Mess has frequently told the storyline of methods at any given time when NBC is at bad shape, he and Brandon Tartikoff made a decision to resume "St. Elsewhere" after its low-ranked first season simply because they understood it had been a great show.Let "Prime Suspect" function as the "St. Elsewhere" with this generation. Contact Cynthia Littleton at cynthia.littleton@variety.com

'Planet of Snails' tops IDFA honours

''Planet of Snails,'' South Korean helmer Seung-Jun Yi's feature docu concerning the daily existence and passion for a hard of hearing and blind guy, has won the VPRO IDFA award for the best feature in the 24th annual Worldwide Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA), it had been introduced in a ceremony Friday evening. IDFA's top prize has a ?12,500 (U.S.$16,546) cash prize. ''Snails,'' which received its worldwide preem here, is created by CreativEast. Paris-based CATandDocs is handling world sales. IDFA's five-person feature competish jury also gave its special award to Emad Burnat and Guy Davidi's world-preeming ''5 Damaged Cameras,'' a portrait of the Palestinian village fighting off encroaching Jewish pay outs over many years. Pic also nabbed IDFA's aud award and $6,619 cash. The earth's biggest docu fest and mart, which opened up November. 16 with ''The Ambassador'' from helmer Mads Brugger (''The Red-colored Chapel'') and concludes Sunday, saw an archive public aud of the believed 200,000+, up from 2010's count of 180,000. Other IDFA competish those who win include Jorge Gaggero's ''Montenegro'' (best mid-length docu), Xun Yu's 'The Disappearing Spring Light (best first film) and Jessica Gorter's ''900 Days'' (best Nederlander docu). Micha X. Peled's feature ''Bitter Seed products,'' concerning the plight of Indian cotton maqui berry farmers and also the third inside a trilogy about globalization, won best Eco-friendly Screen (environment) docu along with the Oxfam Global Justice award. Last week ''Last Days Here,'' from Phillie's Don Argott and Demian Fenton, won best music documentary. Pic was tested in IDFA PLAY, the fest's first music docu sidebar. IDFA presented 340 film and trans-media docus to public and industry auds this season. The outlet weekend was mostly about preems and parties, but a posse from ''Focus Forward''-the innovation-designed number of three-minute paperwork released last September by video writer Cinelan together with General electric-required happens to announce it's added seven filmmakers to the roster. On Monday IDFA moved into full-on biz mode with the beginning of the 3-day Forum. The prestige worldwide co-financing event has modified recently to mirror changes on the market (less home windows, tight budgets), the emergence of third-sector funders and new methods for telling and viewing non-fiction tales. The 2010 slate incorporated 57 projects (features, series, trans-media) searching for funding partners or future purchasers as a whole-tables and individual meets. This season IDFA reviews 2,670 local and worldwide visitors (producers, purchasers, filmmakers etc.) , the increase from 2010's headcount of two,477. A lot more than 200 U.S. visitors attended IDFA 2011. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Bruce Rosenblum Reveals His Plans for the TV Academy

One big idea on the mind of the new chairman and CEO of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences,Bruce Rosenblum, is to hold a television industry "summits," modeled after those put on in the 1990s by the last top TV executive to lead the group.Rosenblum, who is a member of the office of the president at Warner Bros. and oversees all TV at the busiest studio in Hollywood, is the first high-level studio executive to head the TV Academy since Richard Frank, who was president of Disney TV during his tenure.In 1994, Frank was the vision behind a summit that the organization calls "one of the most notable events in the Television Academy's history," a daylong conference at Royce Hall on the UCLA campus, titled "Information Superhighway Summit."Then-VIce PresidentAl Goreprovided the keynote address, and participants included the chairman of the FCC, Bill Gates of Microsoft, John Malone (then head of the largest cable company), Brian Roberts (now of Comcast, which now owns control of NBC Universal), DreamWorks Jeffrey Katzenberg, Disney heads Michael Eisner and Robert Iger; and others."I hope we can put together a summit similar to what Rich Frank did during his tenure that I think elevated the visibility of the academy," Rosenblum told "The Hollywood Reporter" in an interview shortly after his election Wednesday night. "We're at a wonderful moment in time when technology is so dramatically influencing our business in a positive way that we can bring together a lot of the influential people in the industries to talk about where technology is taking our business."What Rosenblum does not want is to play the political games that have dogged the academy in the past or to dwell only on the Primetime Emmy Awards while ignoring everything else the group does."If you look at the results of the election tonight, I think you will see a group of new officers who are expressing a desire to work past the politics of old," said Rosenblum. "I think we have a unified desire to bring new voices to the table and move the academy forward, not to retain the status quo. If the new group of officers can be successful at that agenda I think you'll see a diminishment of the politics of old."Rosenblum wants to improve the diversity of the group, address piracy concerns and bolster the work done by the Academy Foundation, in part by bringing this new attitude into play."A lot of the focus of the academy is traditionally around the Primetime Emmy Awards," Rosenblum said. "Yet the academy provides a lot more functions though out the year that are not as well known. I think we can elevate the brand of the academy, elevate the awareness of the academy and certainly elevate the stature of the academy through things like professional development, and creating opportunity for there to be more relevance for the members other than just getting to vote for the Emmys. We can push forward a diversity initiative within the peer groups and governors. I think the philanthropic work of the foundation is terrific and the Academy can generate more revenue through digital opportunities or sponsorships. All of that will benefit the great work of the philanthropic foundation."Before his election, there were some concerns expressed about whether "peer" members among the academy -- mostly crafts people -- would be able to deal honestly with Rosenblum because of his executive power."I don't make those hiring decisions," Rosenblum said. "Having met with almost every one of the governors personally before the election, I think the results speak for themselves. There was a comfort level that myself and others elected to positions tonight will bring a renewed vigor and hopefully excitement to the Academy."Rosenblum also responded to those who are concerned that as one of the members of management he might not side with rank-and-file members on key issues."The chair position is one of leadership but it's not one of making decisions," said Rosenblum. "The decisions at the academy are made by the Board of Governors along with the executive committee. It's a consensus building role. It's a collaboration-building role and what I'm hopeful [for] is that I and the others elected tonight can bring to the academy just that -- consensus building and finding ways to add value to what the Academy can do for the members of all the peer groups."Still, it seems like there will be inevitable conflicts of interest. Rosenblum has said he wants to help boost local production and help create jobs, but what happens when it is in the interest of his studio to go to a state or country that offers greater tax and other incentives? Isn't that a potential conflict?"First of all, the academy needs to be careful because it is not a lobbying organization," responded Rosenblum. "But to the extent that the academy can provide guidance to both the city and state on creating appropriate incentives to retain production locally, that will benefit all of the members of the Academy based in Los Angeles. This is not a situation of conflict. It is one of supporting the Academy in doing what is in the best interest of the membership of the academy."Rosenblum said it is too early to discuss what leadership he might provide on the direction of the Emmys. He doesn't even officially start his term until January. For now, he wants to bring everyone together. To that end, he talked both before and after the election with producer Nancy Bradley Wiard, who ran against him in the race for the chairman's position."She was very gracious," said Rosenblum. "She congratulated me. She wished me the best and I expressed to her that I hope she remains actively involved in the academy because she provides a lot of value, a lot of institutional knowledge, and she's someone I hope I can turn to and so I encouraged her to remain involved."And why is Rosenblum involved? He has a busy job, a family and now a voluntary positionthat doesn't pay anything but can take up a lot of time and carry with it huge responsibility, includingpressure and scrutiny from the academy members, the media and the public."I know it sounds clich, but we all are very fortunate to work in this industry," replied Rosenblum. "As I said in my speech tonight (to the Governors and executive committee prior to the vote), I think we're in a golden age of television. I think the caliber of the products being produced and the quality of the people working in our Industry has never been better. So this was an opportunity to give back and to get actively involved in an organization that I think can represent our industry to an even greater extent than it already does." The Hollywood Reporter

Call of Duty: MW3 Rakes In $775M In 5 Days

Activision’s first-person shooter multiplayer game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 has grossed more than $775 million in its first five days of sales, the company reported Wednesday. In just its first day on the market, Activision sold more than 6.5 million units in North America and the United Kingdom for an estimated sell-through rate of more than $400 million. Activision claimed the new edition in its debut — for about $650 a pop — has surpassed the openings of all movies, books and videogames.It even surpassed last years release of Call of Duty: Black Ops, which grossed $650 million, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, which sold $550 million. Activision Blizzards CEO Bobby Kotick boasted to AllThingsD that theCall of Duty franchise is one of the most valuable entertainment properties worldwide, having exceeded $6 billion in lifetime revenue.

'The Muppets': Where's Elmo?

This story originally appeared in the Nov. 25 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine.our editor recommends'The Muppets' Premiere Red Carpet Arrivals'The Muppets' at D23: Jason Segel Talks About Their Comedic Influence (Video) Fans of Elmo might be let down to learn that the character does not appear in Disney's Nov. 23 reboot The Muppets. PHOTOS: 'The Muppets' Premiere Red Carpet Arrivals Among the disappointed is star and co-writer Jason Segel, who was rebuffed in ironic fashion. "I wrote a scene where we were trying to get Elmo to be the celebrity host of The Muppet Show, anda team of lawyers tells us no," Segel said Nov. 9 on Ryan Seacrest's radio show. "[Then] that's what actually happened -- a team of lawyers told us Elmo wasn't available." VIDEO: The Muppets' Jason Segel On Future of the Film Franchise Disney bought the Muppets from the Jim Henson estate in 2004, but Sesame Street characters remain with the Children's Television Workshop. Crossovers have occurred, but studio attorneys apparently decided against Elmo. Joked Seacrest, "Can you imagine going to law school, and that's what you're defending?" Disney declined comment. Related Topics Jason Segel The Muppets

Keck's Exclusives: David Copperfield Levitates into Wizards of Waverly Place

Jennifer Stone, David Copperfield, Selena Gomez Friday night on the Disney Channel, The Wizards of Waverly Place will get a visit from arguably the most famous wizard alive today. Master magician David Copperfield, who rarely appears on television outside of his own spectacular specials, will guest star as himself on the tween comedy. And as this photo reveals, David will be swept off his feet by the show's young stars."I get zapped there when Harper [Jennifer Stone, left] becomes Cinderella and magical things take place," previews the magic man by phone from his Copperfield Bay resort in the Bahamas. "I get to do some close-up magic right before their eyes, but something goes a bit wrong."Like any true magician worth his weight in bunny rabbits, David won't reveal his secrets, but insists what is seen in this photo "is not a camera trick. If you had been there live it would have looked the same way. I gave Selena Gomez [at right in the photo] a lesson and she definitely passed the Copperfield school of magic!"Before he appeared on set to shoot his scene, David practiced the illusion at his live show at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. And by the time it came to shoot, "it worked perfectly on the first take!"David says he couldn't resist the opportunity when Disney extended an invitation. "I used to watch the Mickey Mouse Club when I was a little kid and was in love with Annette [Funicello], so I thought this would be fun to do." Plus, he'd also seen the series because he tries his best to "keep in touch with all things magical."The magic begins Friday at 8/7c on the Disney Channel. Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

Don't cry on the account, B'way

Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin at Sardi's The celebs of "A Evening Time With Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin" insist the spring's Broadway revival of "Evita," starring Ough Martin, "isn't to completeInch utilizing their show, set to start Monday within the Ethel Barrymore Theater."Not whatsoever," Mandy Patinkin mentioned at Tuesday's press junket in Sardi's restaurant. It's only coincidence he and Patti LuPone's last game on Broadway reaches "Evita" in 1979.Roles like Avoi Peron and Che Guevara don't arrive often. But that's not the question, LuPone was adament.InchIt is not whether you will notice an excellent role, it's 'will I buy hired again!' It definitely is the question," she mentioned. "I don't think there's an actress unless of course obviously it's Meryl Streep or Bobby P Niro who not worry that they're going to ever work again. It's part of the territory. You question if you're vital enough to acquire hired again. And consists of nothing associated with age."