Howard, Reardon to co-chair SAG-AFTRA

Ken Howard and Roberta Reardon will finish up co-presidents of SAG-AFTRA not under yearly -- when the recommended merger involving the Screen Stars Guild as well as the American Federation of Television and Radio undergo. SAG and AFTRA haven't released particulars round the merger plan, OKd in the last weekend with the two national boards. But people with understanding have told Variety the proposal offers the current selected leadership of those two unions will remain in position getting some pot controlling structure until no less than May, 2013. Meaning a co-presidency for Howard and Reardon, a co-secretary-treasureship for SAG secretary-treasurer Amy Aquino and AFTRA secretary-treasurer Matt Kimbrough together with just one national board for individuals in the SAG and AFTRA national boards. The completely new election structure will begin to enter into effect next season between May and August, when the contests for leader, secretary-treasurer and several board individuals will occur. An expert V . p . and 7 other VPs will probably be selected inside a convention in September, 2013. Particulars in the plan will probably be revealed now as well as the ballots will probably be sent on Feb. 27 getting a March 30 tabulation date. The geographic makeup in the new board depends upon the residency of dues-current people in the union, that's imagined getting 140,000 people. Through the finish of a year ago, Hollywood might be repped by 48% of seats round the board. Hollywood has about 60% of SAG board seats presently with 25% allocated to NY as well as the relaxation repped by regional offices. The merger proposal is going to be shipped to 120,000 SAG people and 70,000 AFTRA people, who include stars, tv producers, DJs, entertainers and ballroom ballroom dancers. To feed, the referendum want a 60% approval margin from both orgs among votes cast. The 45,000 thesps who participate in both SAG and AFTRA can get two ballots, one for each union. SAG people defeated merger plans in 1999 and 2003 while AFTRA people supported both. The initiation fee for SAG-AFTRA will probably be $3,000 -- a hike for people possessed just by one union but a savings for dual customers. Current initiation fee is $2,230 at SAG and $1,600 at AFTRA. The yearly dues will probably be $198 with SAG-AFTRA taking 1.575% of earnings up to more $8,073. For tv producers, the dues rate will probably be 1.575% on earnings around $100,000, losing to .274% for earnings between $100,001 and $250,000 to a maximum of $2,184. AFTRA's current policy enabling broadcast individuals to focus on single-employer non-union locations will remain intact. But individuals will stay barred from utilized by multi-employer non-union locations. AFTRA also introduced Monday that it's individuals have ratified the three-year successor deal round the AFTRA National Code of Fair Practice for Appear Tracks. The last deal expired on 12 ,. 31, and so the new contract is retroactive to Jan. 1 and let you know 12 ,. 31, 2014. AFTRA mentioned highlights in the contract incorporate a increase in base rates of twoPercent each year in the contract an increase in the industry health insurance retirement contribution rate on royalty earnings by 1% inside the existence in the agreement the retention of needed special employer contributions that guarantee medical insurance benefits for royalty artists round the current ''roster'' from the label by growing the most on employer contributions from $5,000 to $6,500 every year enhanced and extended performers' base of participation in revenue from acquisition of digital downloads the establishment from the new structure of revenue-based obligations for completely new parts of low-budget licenses and licenses for nontraditional usages, for instance reuse of tracks in novelty consumer products. The appear tracks code produces greater than $140 million in annual earnings for AFTRA people. It covers entertainers, royalty and non-royalty artists, additionally to announcers, stars, comics, narrators and appear effects artists who concentrate on tracks in many new and traditional media and many types of music formats, furthermore to audiobooks, comedy albums and cast albums. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Ryan Gosling talks about Thai boxing film Only God Forgives

[brightcove]1033185244001[/brightcove]Ryan Gosling has reveal his role in Bangkok-set boxing flick Only God Forgives in the speak with The Hollywood Reporter.The film sees him reunited with Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn. Within the Hua Hin Worldwide Film Festival, Gosling referred to as Bangkok: "Incredible... Since I Have came here I've been imaging about producing a film in Bangkok."More youthful crowd spoke about his training routine when planning for your Swimming boxing moments inside the film: "It's live training basically. They simply don't use weights. Nicolas will it too.InchGosling also stated on two recent snubs he's been in the heart of: the 2012 Oscar nominations those Magazine's Hottest Guy Alive poll.Round the former, the actor was asked for if he was felt snubbed with the Academy, which he responded getting a definitive "No."Whereas, in regards to the Hottest Guy Alive title, he responded along with his trademark wit: "I selected for Bradley [Cooper] and i'm glad he won."Only God Forgives is predicted to start later this year.

Gay Marriage Play '8' Goes National During 2012

NY (AP) For anyone who missed the star-studded, one-night-only Broadway debut of the gay marriage play "8'' or can't get to Los Angeles this spring to see George Clooney lead a West Coast version, there's hope: The play is coming to a theater near you.The only bad news no Clooney.The pro-gay marriage American Foundation for Equal Rights and partner Broadway Impact are sponsoring dozens of productions of Dustin Lance Black's play starring local actors across the country this election year. It'll be shown in states where marriage battles loom, including Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire and North Carolina.Adam Umhoefer, the foundation's project director, said the glitzy Broadway show and upcoming California counterpart help fund getting the play mounted elsewhere. "Those big tent-pole shows bring attention to the play so that all these other groups across the country can work on their productions," he said.The play is mostly culled from the transcripts of the 2010 federal court battle that dealt with the legality of Proposition 8, the ballot initiative that outlawed same-sex marriage in California.Black's play was first performed on Broadway as a one-time benefit reading in September starring Morgan Freeman, Ellen Barkin, Anthony Edwards, Bradley Whitford, John Lithgow, Cheyenne Jackson, Christine Lahti and Rob Reiner, who is developing a film based on the trial. The Broadway event raised more than $1 million and Clooney will lead his own starry version in Los Angeles on March 3.The trial is important to gay activists because former U.S. Solicitor General Theodore Olson and attorney David Boies who represented opposing sides in the disputed 2000 presidential election put on a powerfully clear argument in favor of same-sex marriage. It was recorded but Prop. 8 backers have so far succeeded in getting the U.S. Supreme Court to bar broadcast of the landmark case.That's spurred AFER and Broadway Impact to get "8'' out into the nation. While they insist the play is fair to opponents, "8'' clearly champions same-sex unions mostly because those who support gay marriage marshaled the most powerful arguments at trial. The judge in the case sided with gay rights activists and ruled Prop. 8 unconstitutional, but the decision has been appealed.After the Broadway reading, a test version was produced at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in November, which featured a mix of alumni and students led by Michigan graduate and Tony Award-winner Gavin Creel. The question everyone wanted answered was: Would the play work without big stars or established actors?"The answer was overwhelmingly yes," said Umhoefer, who traveled to Michigan to see the performance. "It worked. It played. It convinced us that it didn't need John Lithgow up there to make this play have impact."Some of the first productions this year will be in New Hampshire, where gay-rights activists are fighting an attempt to repeal the state's gay-marriage law. "8'' will be performed at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, N.H., on Feb. 7 and then three days later at the Palace Theatre in Manchester, N.H."In places where there is specific action being taken where marriage equality is going to become a reality or going to be prohibited legally, or perhaps, in the case of New Hampshire, repealed that is a focus and where we want to make sure this play is seen and heard," said Umhoefer.More than 40 readings are scheduled from now until November in more than 17 states so far. It will be produced by colleges such as Stanford University in California, Towson University in Maryland and the University of Toledo in Ohio to theater companies such as the Uptown Players in Dallas and the American Repertory Theatre outside Boston. It will also be included in the Williamstown Theatre Festival and Oregon Shakespeare Festival."We wanted to have some more flexibility and respond to different events that are happening at different places and be able to do it throughout the year," said Ben Pelteson of Broadway Impact. Many productions will include talkback discussions.The play will get two showings at PlayMakers Repertory Company, the theater-in-residence at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The first will be April 9 and the second will be May 8, the same day voters in that state vote decide whether to amend the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage."We look at this as an opportunity to start and carry on a conversation with our community and our students," said A. McKay Coble, the university's chair of the Department of Dramatic Art, who says she suspects it may trigger some controversy on campus. "My job is to unsettle settled minds."The cast will include professional actors, graduate and undergraduate students, company members and even city officials including the mayor. The school hopes both sides in the debate will have a place at the table. "It's very important for us to have it be eclectic," said Dan VanHoozer, one of the three producers.Opponents of gay marriage have largely ignored the play in favor of fighting their battles in court. Maggie Gallagher, co-founder of the National Organization for Marriage, wrote in an email to The Associated Press that she has "no problem" with the rollout and questioned whether it will have much impact."It's not really a play and normal audiences will find it kind of dull," wrote Gallagher, who attended the Broadway reading and watched herself portrayed on stage by Jayne Houdyshell. "It won't affect any court cases."Representatives from AFER and Broadway Impact will try to attend the shows but have also sent each producer packets of material on how best to stage "8." One obvious aid won't be available: A video recording of the Broadway production so far hasn't been released because there are too many legal hurdles.With or without the recording, the Intiman Theatre in Seattle plans to put on "8'' in June as supporters of gay marriage in Washington push to get gay marriage through the legislature this year.Andrew Russell, artistic director of the Intman, says that "8'' is "a thorough, textured, timely, gut-punch of a play" that "raises the right questions and personalizes the driving forces on either side of this important debate."Even though the Intiman is struggling financially to open its doors this season, Russell stands by putting on the potentially controversial play. "I hope this event helps spark discussion, foster productive debate and build support for this important movement," he says.Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. By Mark Kennedy January 17, 2012 "8" at University of Michigan Ann Arbor PHOTO CREDIT American Foundation for Equal Rights/Keith Tolman NY (AP) For anyone who missed the star-studded, one-night-only Broadway debut of the gay marriage play "8'' or can't get to Los Angeles this spring to see George Clooney lead a West Coast version, there's hope: The play is coming to a theater near you.The only bad news no Clooney.The pro-gay marriage American Foundation for Equal Rights and partner Broadway Impact are sponsoring dozens of productions of Dustin Lance Black's play starring local actors across the country this election year. It'll be shown in states where marriage battles loom, including Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire and North Carolina.Adam Umhoefer, the foundation's project director, said the glitzy Broadway show and upcoming California counterpart help fund getting the play mounted elsewhere. "Those big tent-pole shows bring attention to the play so that all these other groups across the country can work on their productions," he said.The play is mostly culled from the transcripts of the 2010 federal court battle that dealt with the legality of Proposition 8, the ballot initiative that outlawed same-sex marriage in California.Black's play was first performed on Broadway as a one-time benefit reading in September starring Morgan Freeman, Ellen Barkin, Anthony Edwards, Bradley Whitford, John Lithgow, Cheyenne Jackson, Christine Lahti and Rob Reiner, who is developing a film based on the trial. The Broadway event raised more than $1 million and Clooney will lead his own starry version in Los Angeles on March 3.The trial is important to gay activists because former U.S. Solicitor General Theodore Olson and attorney David Boies who represented opposing sides in the disputed 2000 presidential election put on a powerfully clear argument in favor of same-sex marriage. It was recorded but Prop. 8 backers have so far succeeded in getting the U.S. Supreme Court to bar broadcast of the landmark case.That's spurred AFER and Broadway Impact to get "8'' out into the nation. While they insist the play is fair to opponents, "8'' clearly champions same-sex unions mostly because those who support gay marriage marshaled the most powerful arguments at trial. The judge in the case sided with gay rights activists and ruled Prop. 8 unconstitutional, but the decision has been appealed.After the Broadway reading, a test version was produced at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in November, which featured a mix of alumni and students led by Michigan graduate and Tony Award-winner Gavin Creel. The question everyone wanted answered was: Would the play work without big stars or established actors?"The answer was overwhelmingly yes," said Umhoefer, who traveled to Michigan to see the performance. "It worked. It played. It convinced us that it didn't need John Lithgow up there to make this play have impact."Some of the first productions this year will be in New Hampshire, where gay-rights activists are fighting an attempt to repeal the state's gay-marriage law. "8'' will be performed at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, N.H., on Feb. 7 and then three days later at the Palace Theatre in Manchester, N.H."In places where there is specific action being taken where marriage equality is going to become a reality or going to be prohibited legally, or perhaps, in the case of New Hampshire, repealed that is a focus and where we want to make sure this play is seen and heard," said Umhoefer.More than 40 readings are scheduled from now until November in more than 17 states so far. It will be produced by colleges such as Stanford University in California, Towson University in Maryland and the University of Toledo in Ohio to theater companies such as the Uptown Players in Dallas and the American Repertory Theatre outside Boston. It will also be included in the Williamstown Theatre Festival and Oregon Shakespeare Festival."We wanted to have some more flexibility and respond to different events that are happening at different places and be able to do it throughout the year," said Ben Pelteson of Broadway Impact. Many productions will include talkback discussions.The play will get two showings at PlayMakers Repertory Company, the theater-in-residence at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The first will be April 9 and the second will be May 8, the same day voters in that state vote decide whether to amend the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage."We look at this as an opportunity to start and carry on a conversation with our community and our students," said A. McKay Coble, the university's chair of the Department of Dramatic Art, who says she suspects it may trigger some controversy on campus. "My job is to unsettle settled minds."The cast will include professional actors, graduate and undergraduate students, company members and even city officials including the mayor. The school hopes both sides in the debate will have a place at the table. "It's very important for us to have it be eclectic," said Dan VanHoozer, one of the three producers.Opponents of gay marriage have largely ignored the play in favor of fighting their battles in court. Maggie Gallagher, co-founder of the National Organization for Marriage, wrote in an email to The Associated Press that she has "no problem" with the rollout and questioned whether it will have much impact."It's not really a play and normal audiences will find it kind of dull," wrote Gallagher, who attended the Broadway reading and watched herself portrayed on stage by Jayne Houdyshell. "It won't affect any court cases."Representatives from AFER and Broadway Impact will try to attend the shows but have also sent each producer packets of material on how best to stage "8." One obvious aid won't be available: A video recording of the Broadway production so far hasn't been released because there are too many legal hurdles.With or without the recording, the Intiman Theatre in Seattle plans to put on "8'' in June as supporters of gay marriage in Washington push to get gay marriage through the legislature this year.Andrew Russell, artistic director of the Intman, says that "8'' is "a thorough, textured, timely, gut-punch of a play" that "raises the right questions and personalizes the driving forces on either side of this important debate."Even though the Intiman is struggling financially to open its doors this season, Russell stands by putting on the potentially controversial play. "I hope this event helps spark discussion, foster productive debate and build support for this important movement," he says.Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

NatGeo adds two shows

National Geographic Funnel might be relationship debate with a brand new show known as "Wicked Tuna" -- a real possibility series concerning the hardscrabble existence of business anglers within the Boston suburub of Gloucester, Mass. The seafood these individuals want may be the Atlantic bluefin tuna -- a animal that simply barely prevented the government government's "endangered" classification this year, towards the dismay of environment groups. NatGeo states the fishing is extremely controlled and sustainable, even though the 2nd claim continues to be hotly disputed, the very first is certainly true. "Wicked Tuna" follows the great ships Tuna.Com, The Fugitive Hunter, Hard Merchandise and Odysea because they make an effort to nab the elusive seafood with only hands-held angling gear and harpoons in compliance with Massachusetts law. In November, full of. fishing crew accidentally netted an 881 lb. bluefin inside a reading internet -- among the greatest seafood catches ever recorded (the issue was confiscated through the condition environment police). The series is created by Craig Piligian's Pilgrim Galleries, the the shingle behind "Dirty Jobs" and "Top Shot." Piligian and Mike Nichols produce. NatGeo's other series introduced at TCA on Friday is "Are You Currently Harder Than the usual Boy Scout?", created by "Most harmful Catch" and "Ice Road Truck drivers" shingle Original Productions. In "Boy Scout," grown ups compete for merit badgets with teenage scouts, following a rules set lower within the BSA's century-old guide. That series continues to be acquired for six segs no episode count was handed for "Wicked Tuna." Contact Mike Thielman at mike.thielman@variety.com

Prometheus pictures reveal Alien link?

Ever since Prometheus was first announced, there has been some confusion as to just how connected it is to Ridley Scott's earlier journey into space, Alien.According to Scott himself, "Alien was indeed the jumping off point for this project," and the director would go on to explain that, "the keen fan will recognise strands of Alien's DNA."However, those hints appeared to be contradicted by writer Damon Lindelof, who was keen to stress the originality of the film as a standalone piece. "I don't think that any of us would have been doing our jobs right, if this movie couldn't stand on its own," said Lindelof. "The idea of connecting it in, in an incredibly profound way, would denude its originality a little bit."So what elements will overlap? Well from the looks of a pair of new images leaked from the Prometheus set, the Space Jockey will feature prominently, as the pictured mask appears to be a dead-ringer for the mysterious figure seen aboard Alien's derelict ship.It's not an exact replica, but it's enough to convince us the Alien links are more significant than we had originally thought. All will become clear when the film finally arrives in UK cinemas on 1 June 2012.