Electric Entertainment COO Kearie Peak To Go Away

EXCLUSIVE: Kearie Peak, COO of Dean Devlins Electric Entertainment, is going to be departing the organization where she's been for eight years. Peak was among four key professionals at Electric together with chairman and Boss Devlin, Marc Roskin and Rachel Olschan. She was involved with changing the organization from the studio-based production entity for an full-fledged indie that's financing its series, including TNT’s Leverage, that is in pre-production on Season 5. Peak, who offered being an executive producer on Leverage in addition to a co-producer on Electric’s effective TNT movie franchise The Librarian, stated that “the time is appropriate to pursue other avenues” and thanked “Dean and everybody at Electric to have an amazing run. Stated Devlin: Kearie has performed a huge role within the evolution of electrical Entertainment. Im grateful on her dedication to the organization and desire her positive results in her own new endeavors.

Michael Shannon on 'Take Shelter': A Movie of His Own About Fears of His Own (Video)

Michael Shannon -- like Philip Baker Hall, John Hawkes, Eddie Marsan, Michael Kenneth Williams, and only a select few others -- is an actor whose name is only vaguely familiar to the general public, but whose face always rings a bell, and whose consistently strong performances over the course of decades on stage, TV, and film have earned him the reverence of his peers. Unlike those other great "character actors," though, Shannon, 37, has been given the chance to play the principal role in a movie that will get a pretty wide release, at least in terms of the art-house circuit, and with it a chance to show a larger audience what he is capable of. The film is Jeff Nichols's Take Shelter -- it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January, played at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this month, and opens in theaters tomorrow -- and Shannon doesn't disappoint. PHOTOS: Emmy Nominations 2011: Snubs and Shockers Shannon, one of our four kids, was raised in Kentucky by his mother after his parents divorced and his father moved to Illinois. Not especially gifted athletically or academically, he was at a loss for things to do after school until, one day during high school, he came across a flyer for the "speech team." Intrigued, he stopped by a meeting and was given a monologue to study. "I remember it clear as day," he says. He had never memorized anything in his life, but he practiced it, learned it, and was intrigued. He never rose to higher than an alternate on the team (although he did fill in one day for an absent extemporaneous speaker), but his interest in the dramatic arts was piqued. After finishing high school, Shannon moved in with his father in Chicago, perhaps the theatrical capital of the country outside of NY, and began pursuing acting. He did his first serious play while still a teenager -- he can still recite the review from memory: "Michael Shannon is a semi-attractive youngster who thinks acting is rubbing his eyebrows and flapping his arms like a bird" -- and ultimately hooked up with the prestigious Steppenwolf Theatre Company, among others. His reviews soon got better, and he today regards his early experience in the theater as an invaluable resource for his more recent work in films. "Most people probably don't know as much as they should before they start doing this," he notes. STORY: Emmys 2011: 'Boardwalk Empire's' Michael Shannon Skipping the Show His first film opportunity arose when Groundhog Day (1993) began shooting in town. He won the small role of a newlywed who is having marital issues until Bill Murray intervenes, and consequently earned his SAG card. Rather than moving out to Los Angeles, though, he returned to NY, where he was cast as the lead in Tracy Letts's off-Broadway play Killer Joe ("which now is a feature film apparently, which I really want to see"). Through that, he met Lee Daniels, who has since become widely known as the director of Precious (2010), and who, at the time, set him up with a few film auditions that panned out and then encouraged him, "Time to go west, young man!" Shannon reluctantly relocated to L.A. where, for the next three years (1999-2001), during which he "worked pretty much constantly." Highlights of that era include appearances in three Jerry Bruckheimer movies -- Pearl Harbor (2001), Bad Boys II (2003), and Kangaroo Jack (2003) -- and Curtis Hanson's 8 Mile (2002), among others. He acknowledges that "most of the time, I was, like, third guy on the left or whatever," but also feels that he "got a lot of experience" and came to appreciate that "it's your responsibility to learn how to be valuable... you can't just stand on set and be like, 'Why aren't people paying more attention to me?'" VIDEO: 'Premium Rush' Traile: Joseph Gordon-Levitt Races Through the Streets of NY With Mysterious Envelope He ultimately returned to NY to appear in Letts' play Bug. While based there, he also appeared in a few high-profile movies, including Oliver Stone's World Trade Center (2004), which ultimately led to an audition for the small but significant part of a mentally disturbed truth-teller in Sam Mendes's Revolutionary Road (2008), which he bagged. For his eight unforgettable minutes of screen time opposite Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, and Kathy Bates, Shannon was rewarded with a best supporting actor Oscar nod, which might well have resulted in a win had his competition not included the late Heath Ledger for his final performance in The Dark Knight (2008). Shannon, whom I last interviewed shortly after that nomination was announced, remembers it as a crazy time. "It was such an avalanche. The nomination happened and I got Boardwalk [the important role of Agent Nelson Van Alden on Martin Scorsese and Terence Winter's hit HBO show Boardwalk Empire] at the same time." More than anything else he has done, he says, people now recognize him for his work on that show. Which brings us to Take Shelter. Nichols wrote his first feature, Shotgun Stories (2007), with Shannon in mind for the lead after Nichols's college professor, who had worked with the actor, showed students a clip of his work. At Nichols's request, the professor passed along the script to Shannon. The actor was blown away by it and agreed to star in it for virtually nothing (which is about all Nichols could offer him). The film was not seen by many but was well-received by most of those who saw it, so Nichols grew apprehensive about what to do next. Eventually, he asked Shannon to take a look at Take Shelter. "The first time he showed it to me," Shannon says, "it wasn't like, 'Hey, I want you to be in this!' He said just, like, 'Here's my next script. Do you think it's any good?'" STORY: Feinberg Forecast: Christopher Plummer, Glenn Close, Brad Pitt, Viola Davis, Leonardo DiCaprio in Hunt for First Oscars Shannon ended up loving it and agreeing to be a part of it. Unlike Revolutionary Road or most of the big screen projects of which he's been a part before -- with the big screen adaptation of Bug (2006), Shotgun Stories, and The Missing Person (2009) being notable exceptions -- his part calls for him to appear in almost every scene. "When I read the movie, I was like, 'This is really good, but I feel sorry for whoever plays Curtis because that's gonna be a drag!" As he has many times before, Shannon plays a guy who is hard to read -- in this case, Curtis, a young husband (of the great Jessica Chastain), father (of an adorable deaf child), and son (of an institutionalized woman). Curtis begins to experience increasingly apocalyptic visions and nightmares that leave him with two great fears for hsi beloved family, one of which has to be true: the first, that he is growing mentally ill, or the second, that what he is prophesizing (like a young Harold Camping) might actually come true. (Spoiler alert: the film's ending is deliberately ambiguous and leaves that question unanswered.) Shannon says he took the part because he has fears of his own. "I can identify with Curtis," he says. "I find the world very threatening. I think it's really crazy what's happening right now on so many different levels. It's not a political thing -- I'm not gonna go there -- but we live in an incredibly fragile, crazy world. And, to me, this film was an opportunity to express that. It's a poem about that... it's not 'an investigative study of one man's journey into mental illness' or something. It's just about this feeling. I look around and I think, 'Man, I must not be the only person who feels this way!' But that's the thing, is that Curtis thinks maybe he is the only person that feels this way, you know, that something, kind of, bad might happen pretty soon." For Shannon, though, it seems that only good things are happening at the moment. He was in Los Angeles for only a whirlwind visit when we spoke, because he was due back in Canada to shoot his next scenes for Zack Snyder's greatly anticipated reboot of the Superman franchise, entitled Man of Steel, in which he will play the villainous General Zod. (The film, which also stars Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Russell Crowe, Kevin Costner, Laurence Fishburne, Christopher Meloni, and Diane Lane, will hit theaters in the summer of 2013 and is expected to be a huge blockbuster.) Shannon tells me, "I was on the set of Man of Steel a couple of days ago, and I looked around at this huge set, you know, on this soundstage -- like, mind-blowingly gorgeous -- and I had one of those moments where I looked around and I was like, 'Holy shit. I'm here. I'm here, and I'm doing this, and all these people seem to want me to be here.' It was very bizarre. Not anything you anticipate, you know?" Michael Shannon Take Shelter

Marketer Marvin Levy draws nod

Levy Veteran film marketer Marvin Levy will be the first inductee into Variety's Motion Picture Marketing Hall of Fame on Tuesday during the 2011 Film Marketing Summit.Levy, who works closely with Steven Spielberg and other principals at DreamWorks Studios, is currently working on marketing campaigns for "The Adventures of Tintin" and "War Horse," and he recently worked on "The Help."Variety's Film Marketing Summit, co-produced by Variety and Stradella, Road, runs Tuesday and Wednesday at the Universal Hilton and will feature movie marketing chiefs and their technology partners speaking about how to best target film audiences. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

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Michael Lewis Will receive a go at Script Writing While using Film 'Liar's Poker'

Get excited for the next financial film! Michael Lewis, most broadly noted for writing the books 'Moneyball' and 'The Blind Side,' will get an chance to become more at work along with his next novel-to-movie adaptation, 'Liar's Poker.' Developed in 1989, 'Liar's Poker' describes Lewis' experience just like a bond sales people inside the late eighties. According to THR, the author will write the script for his debut novel, which has really experienced development since the early 1990's. While using recent success of 'The Blind Side' and 'Moneyball' -- plus 'The Large Short,' which Kaira Pitt optioned for feature use -- Warner Bros. is searching to learn in the Michael Lewis craze whenever you can. [via THR] Image because of AP

Brad Pitt's 'Moneyball': What the Moviegoers Are Saying

Brad Pitt hit theaters Friday in Moneyball, in which he plays Oakland As manager Billy Beane.our editor recommends'Moneyball': Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill in New Trailer'Moneyball': What the Critics Are Saying'Moneyball's' Brad Pitt Becomes One of the Few Non-Athletes to Cover Sports Illustrated The baseball drama, which co-stars Jonah Hill, topped the box office Friday night, raking in an estimated $6.8 million. PHOTOS: 'Moneyball' Premiere in Oakland The movie has received positive reviews from critics, but what are the moviegoers saying? Jerry Seinfeld, for one, is a fan. "Moneyball my new favorite movie of all time! Disregard all previous!" he tweeted, although one of his followers questioned whether the comedian was being sincere or sarcastic. Many moviegoers also hit Twitter to share their opinions, which were mostly positive. Among them: 9ActionJ9 Moneyball: 2 thumbs up. A wise financial investment ($10). VIDEO: Brad Pitt Learned a Lesson From Jennifer Aniston Comments Kevin Davis I thought Moneyball was good. It's a shame that opening night it was hardly playing anywhere Zenmatt No surprise, I enjoyed Moneyball. Andrew Farrar #Moneyball with Tyler last night. Excellent movie that accurately depicted my fantasy baseball team-building strategy. Turquoise Wave Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill were awesome in Moneyball! #movies VIDEO: Brad Pitt Appears on 'Ellen DeGeneres Show' for First Time Chris Olds One thing to pay attention to right from the get-go in #moneyball is the use of sound/music. John Moe My favorite scene is when Moneyball helps out the orphanage by throwing 100mph wads of cash at them. Go, Moneyball, go! Doug Clayton Moneyball is a must see. Highly recommend it. Casual fans enjoy this one. Read the book if u haven't already. Jeanne Bee Moneyball was a good yarn. Altho departed fr book it told how the game changed. Fenway makes an appearance too. Brad Pitt wz xclnt. STORY: New Movie Reviews: 'Moneyball,' 'Abduction,' 'Machine Gun Preacher' Hitting Theaters Jason Deuman Hey @JonahHill and @prattprattpratt #moneyball is really good! Im going to see it again on Tuesday happily! Bill #Moneyball brought back so many wonderful memories from right field in the Colosseum watching the smartest team in baseball. Brendan Fitzpatrick Saw moneyball last night. Soooo long! But I loveee being well rested on a foggy saturday morning. Time for glen deli Still, a few others were not as impressed: 680thefan Moneyball is meaningless since they accomplished nothing meaningful! STORY: Box Office Preview: Brad Pitt's 'Moneyball' Looks to Out-Run Taylor Lautner's 'Abduction' Im Gisriel Moneyball and Super 8 are two movies everyone loved and i'm like yeah there ok. not bad just not that great Jimmy Traina Billy Beane is portrayed as a cross between the Fonz & Rocky while Art Howe is all Three Stooges. It's a little much. Related Topics Brad Pitt Jonah Hill Moneyball

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Superman: Guy Of Steel moves to Chicago

Superman may have flapped his cape and flown from Plano, Illinois but Zack Snyder's Guy Of Steel has showed up a smaller amount far in Chicago.A close ABC7 news team has visited the set (see footage below).However, according to eyewitnesses filming didn't occur today since the funnel reported it could earlier every morning.InchI spoken to one of the crew males, who mentioned they're setting everything up tonight and tomorrow to start filming tomorrow certainly,Inch user Charlie Allahverdi told the unofficial Superman: Guy Of Steel Facebook fan group.More youthful crowd confirmed there has been "no stars yet" concerning the set. Filming happens inside the Windy City for an additional 10 days, then its on Vancouver to complete the shoot.The Chicago Board of Trade building will apparently make its second superhero movie appearance, doubling since the exterior consider the Daily Planet. It formerly came out as Wayne Tower in Batman Begins.Superman: Guy Of Steel opens June 2013.

The Moviefone Help guide to America's Drive-Inches

No, this isn't a parody article -- Moviefone did not become the Onion as you were sleeping. Surprisingly, there really are drive-inches that also exist, plus they might even maintain your neck from the forest! This is exactly why we made the decision to construct a semi-comprehensive guide of the best drive-inches across the nation (you will find, based on Drive-inches.com, 370 still around). Now, we understand that does not all drive-in encounters finish happily. Just request Travolta Qantas Video in 'Grease' when Olivia Newton John stranded him there (although to become fair, Zuko was attempting to place the progresses pour innocent Sandy, so perhaps he got what he deserved). However, that does not mean you need to suffer a similarly bad time. For example, within the new film 'Warrior,' there is a heartwarming scene where several students book a drive-in theater to look at their teacher (Joel Edgerton), an Martial artist, undertake his brother (Tom Sturdy) -- this following the kids were banned by using the school's auditorium to screen your dream. If you wish to add something for your standard cinema-going experience (whether that be watching a normal film or two martial artists beat the living garbage from one another), take a look at our guide below. Drive-In Theaters Near New You are able to City... Warwick Drive-In Theater BIO: Merely a 90-minute drive from New You are able to City, the Warwick was initially built-in 1950 on five acres of land. It now features two screens on 11 acres along with a credits stand. Situated: 5 Warwick Turnpike, Warwick, New You are able to, 10990 CONTACT: (845)-986-4440 WEBSITE: world wide web.warwickdrivein.com Overlook Drive-In Theater BIO: Initially built-in 1955 on 12 acres, the Overlook features the biggest screen within the tri-condition area (six tales tall). Roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes from New You are able to City. Situated: 126 Degarmo Rd, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 CONTACT: (845)-452-3445 or info@overlookdrivein.com WEBSITE: world wide web.overlookdrivein.com Drive-In Theaters Near Atlanta... Starlight Six Drive-In Theater BIO: The theater first opened up in 1949 because the Starlight Drive-In Theater. In 1982, it had been upgraded to four screens, as well as in 1985 it built two more, which makes it the Starlight Six. It features a capacity of just one,255 cars. Situated: 2000 Moreland Avenue SE, Atlanta, GA 30316 CONTACT: (404)-627-5786 or info@starlightdrivein.com WEBSITE: world wide web.starlightdrivein.com Swan Drive-In Theater BIO: One Hundred-minute drive in the town of Atlanta, the only-screen Swan was built in 1955 and it has a capacity of 500 cars. Situated: 651 Summit Street, Blue Ridge, GA 30513 CONTACT: (706)-632-5235 WEBSITE: world wide web.swan-drive-in.com Drive-In Theaters near La... Mission Tiki Drive-In Theater BIO: Opened up in 1956, The Mission began like a single-screen theater, eventually growing to four screens in 1975 prior to being re-named and refurbished in 2006. The theater is simply a 40-minute drive from La. Situated: 10798 Ramona Ave., Montclair, CA 91763 CONTACT: (909)-628-0511 WEBSITE: world wide web.missiontiki.com Rubidoux Drive-In Theater BIO: Just an hour or so from La, this theater was opened up in November 1948 having a single screen. In 1983, two more screens were added. Situated: 3770 Opal Street, Riverside, CA 92509 CONTACT: (951)-683-4455 WEBSITE: world wide web.rubidouxdrivein.com Drive-In Theaters near Chicago... 49er Drive-In Theater BIO: Founded in 1956 and situated 75 minutes from Chicago in Valparaiso, Indiana, this theater features one screen that may hold 428 cars. Situated: 675 N. Calumet Ave. (Old S.R. 49), Valparaiso, IN 46383 CONTACT: (219)-462-6122 or Info@49erDriveIn.com WEBSITE: world wide web.49erdrivein.com Cascade Outside Theater BIO: The Cascade Outside theater was opened up in 1952 and it has a capacity of just one,200 cars because of its single screen. Situated: 28 W. 741 North Avenue, West Chicago, IL 60185 CONTACT: (630)-231-3150 WEBSITE: world wide web.cascadedrivein.com Drive-In Theaters near Houston... The Showboat Drive-In Theater BIO: Just 38 miles from Houston, the Showboat Drive-Was not your typical vintage theater -- essentially since it is not vintage whatsoever. It opened up in 2006, added another screen in 2007 and it has an overall total convenience of 800 cars (400 each and every screen). Situated: 22422 FM 2920 Rd., Hockley, Texas 77447 CONTACT: (281)-351-5224 WEBSITE: world wide web.theshowboatdrivein.com Drive-In Theaters near Colorado... 88 Drive-In Theater BIO: Just twenty minutes from Colorado, this theater has one screen which could accommodate 500 cars. Situated: 8780 Rosemary oil Street, Commerce City, CO 80022 CONTACT: (303)-287-7717 or info@88drivein.com WEBSITE: world wide web.88drivein.com Holiday Twin Drive-In Theater BIO: Just an hour or so and 20 minutes from Colorado, the vacation Twin opened up in 1968 for the finish from the drive-in craze, and added another screen in 1976. Situated: 2206 South Overland Trail, Fort Collins, CO 80526 CONTACT: (970)-221-1244 or holidaytwin@hotmail.com WEBSITE: world wide web.holidaytwindrivein.com Drive in Theaters near Dallas... Valley 6 Drive-In Theater BIO: Only a thirty-minute drive from Dallas, the Valley 6 Drive-In Theater opened up in 1968. They added two more screens in 1972 and three more in 1980. The six screens only at that theater holds an overall total of three,000 cars. Situated: 401 49th Street N. E., Auburn, WA 98002 CONTACT: (253)-854-1250 WEBSITE: world wide web.valleydriveins.com Rodeo Triplex Drive-In Theater BIO: Opened up in 1949, this theater has three screens and total vehicle capacity well over 850. It's a 70-minute drive from Dallas. Situated: 7369 Condition Highway 3 SW, Port Orchard, WA 98367 CONTACT: (360)-698-6030 or mrdrivein@rodeodrivein.com WEBSITE: world wide web.rodeodrivein.com *Images thanks to Getty

Film Fest Marks Terror Attacks That Stranded Stars

TORONTO (AP) The Sept. 11 attacks left plenty of Hollywood types stranded north in the border within the Toronto Worldwide Film Festival. This year, planners have produced a short film to mark the tenth anniversary in the tragedy.Some-minute film featuring reminiscences from festival bosses and filmmakers might have before every screening Sunday, the ten-year anniversary in the attacks. The recording clip will run rather than the sponsor reels have a tendency to precede festival tests."It appears back which that was like, this very strange atmosphere from the film festival that's about praising art and becoming fun, then to own this terrible event happen tomorrow,Inch mentioned festival co-director Cameron Bailey.Also marking the anniversary might be the Paul McCartney documentary "The Romance We Make," which tales the first sort Beatle's formulations for just about any memorial concert in New You'll be able to City monthly following a attacks. McCartney have been receiving the plane at New York's JFK airport terminal terminal waiting to fly to London when the attacks happened, as well as in the tarmac, he frequently see smoke billowing in the World Trade Center towers.Premiering Friday, every day before it begins airing on Showtime, the film features footage of McCartney practicing such Beatles hits as "Yesterday" and "Ensure It IsInch and interview segments through which he recalls how his parents' generation relied on music to handle the adversity of World War Ii.The festival shut lower for your relaxation from the following day from the attacks, getting rid of all films together with other occasions. Stars and filmmakers in Toronto to market their movies abandoned their interview agendas, holing up inside their suites to check out what is the news on tv or milling regarding luxury hotels to discuss information and commiserate with people searching to obtain word from family people in New You'll be able to City.Planners considered calling in the relaxation in the festival, which was only half way through and scheduled to use five more days using the following weekend. Nonetheless they felt it may be better to continue, yet in the subdued manner."We made a decision we'd continue the festival, but continue really different kind of way," mentioned festival director Piers Handling. "We folded away the red-colored-colored carpets, canceled the parties, canceled the sponsor bulletins. We needed the chilling out from this.InchWith planes grounded for the as well as the U.S.-Canadian border closed on and off following a attacks, stars, filmmakers, studio professionals while others within the festival required to make alternative travel plans. They leased cars and chartered buses to acquire home, although some who had films playing another half in the festival never handled to get at Toronto.Canadian actress and filmmaker Sarah Polley, who lives in Toronto, is at the festival in 2001 getting a relevant video clip she directed. Following a attacks, she pitched in to relieve the spirits of many people stranded in Toronto."We'd total the Us citizens we understood, my cousin which i, to own dinner and be together and spend some time watching television, because everyone was kind of alone in resort rooms and losing it,Inch mentioned Polley, who's within the festival again this time around around with "Take This Waltz," the second feature film she's directed.Tom Bernard, co-leader from the new the new sony Pictures Classics, immediately abandoned his festival plans and strategized how he may get where you can New You'll be able to City."I referred to as Hertz, leased an automobile with U.S. plates, bought a Toronto Walnut Leafs T-shirt together with a hockey stick," mentioned Bernard, who figured he might be capable of add to the united states . States by having an Indian reservation that straddles the border between Canada and New You'll be able to condition.It labored. The Customs agent saw his T-shirt, "asked for me how a Leafs i did so and let me through," Bernard mentioned. "You just felt just like you required to return. You've family, all the people at the office. It absolutely was an undesirable time."Many Hollywood affiliates were inside a press and industry screening of Mira Nair's "Monsoon Wedding" the morning of Sept. 11. They left of the marvelous, advantageous film in to a changed world two several hours following a attacks happened, hearing the scream of emergency vehicle sirens as Toronto government physiques ongoing alert while using relaxation from the U . s . States.According to Bailey, inside the festival's Sept. 11 online video, Nair recollects how "Monsoon Wedding" was one of the primary showing again when planners began again tests the following day from the attacks."The story she notifies happens when frightening it absolutely was simply to walk in on Sept. 12 thinking, is anybody stretching its like to be there?" Bailey mentioned. "And really, it absolutely was packed. People just made an appearance to require to obtain together."Copyright 2011 Connected Press. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

L.A. Moves Closer To Getting NFL Team, But Is It Really A Good Deal For Local TV Fans?

Pay TV Companies Say ESPN Fumbled With Its $15B NFL Deal; Ratings: NFL Kickoff Game Down Slightly From Last Year, Still Big Anschutz Entertainment Group, TV networks and city’s NFL fans are cheering today,but AEG is the most clear-cut winner. The California state Senate sent to Gov. Jerry Brown a bill streamlining the appeals process on the environmental impact report for AEG’s proposed $1.2 billion stadium near Staples Center. In return, the developers promised to build “the most environmentally friendly sports stadium in the country,” according to Sen. Alex Padilla, theL.A. Democrat who co-authored the bill. With the assurance of no drawn-out appeals on the EIR, AEG can start looking in earnest for NFL team that would like to call L.A. home.Politicians from bothparties backed the bill, which passed the Senate32-7. They cited the 23,000 construction and full-time jobs backers say will be created by the the stadium project, which includes a renovation of the L.A. Convention Center. The L.A. City Council cleared the project earlier this month.Planscallfor construction to begin next year, with a 2016 openingtargeted. A team could come to L.A. and play in another venue such as the Rose Bowl or Coliseum during the interim. A competing stadium project in the nearby City of Industry, backed by real estate magnate Ed Roski, remains alive. AEG’s proposal is considered more viable by most because of the company’s experience in building L.A. Live and staging major events. It’s a bit counter-intuitive, but adding the nation’s No. 2 media market may not benefit the networks, or L.A. TV viewers, so much. CBS ($3.73B), NBC ($3.6B) and Fox ($4.27B) are all in,and with Disney’s cable giant ESPNjustextending its deal for $15B, they are paying the NFL more than $26B to broadcast games (DirecTV has a separate deal for its subscription package). But the broadcastcontracts run through the 2013 season and ESPN’s now goes through 2021. Most observers believe an L.A. team would not appreciably increase the rights value.With no team of their own, L.A. fans for years havebeen watching three Sunday morning and afternoon games, including allthe marquee matchups. NFL rules for cities with teams can limit that to two games per week, and force a game involving the local team –even if it stinks– onto the air in that region. A major benefit for the league and the city would be putting L.A. back into the rotation for hosting the ultra-lucrative Super Bowl. L.A. has been without a team since 1995, when the Rams left for St. Louis and the Raiders headed back to Oakland.AEG president Tim Leiweke has previously said hes had discussions with the Oakland Raiders, St. Louis Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings and the San Diego Chargers –whose stadium deal remains up in the air– about coming to L.A.

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Strategies For Starting Off Your Commercial Audition Right

At the start of a commercial audition, your name used to be written on a small handheld chalkboard, thus the term "slate." When you slate (speak) your name in auditions today, it's the very first time the director and ad agency get to see you and decide whether they will actually watch the rest of your audition. So it's important to create a good first impression.Maria O'Driscoll of Popcasting, a commercial casting office in Los Angeles, tells us, "The first few seconds of each recording becomes the thumbnail that appears on the log sheet. You must have your face to camera, with a pleasant expression, waiting to be asked for your name. And please hold that expression for a few seconds even after you're done slating. Never offer 'and my agent is...' or anything else actory."Mark Randall of L.A.'s Mark Randall Casting adds, "Directors and ad agencies really want to believe that they're hiring a likable, real person with real-life interests, and that you just happen to know your way around a set."When you say your name, speak clearly and put a tiny slice of air between your first and last names. Don't comment on anything or anyone else.If you are asked to show your profiles, Randall urges, "Please don't say something like 'Here's my good side, and here's my evil twin!' After the second guy, it's just not funny. At all." Says O'Driscoll, "Models have a leg up on most actors when it comes to doing profiles. They know how long to keep their eyes in the lens before turning completely into profile, and to bring their eyes back to the lens before the rest of their face has returned."Remember that you are in a close-up during every slate, so if asked to show your hands, you must put them right in front of your face, then flip them to show the palms, then drop them to your sides. It will feel odd to put your hands in front of your face the first time you do it, but just think of playing peekaboo. Don't launch into "Oh, I need a manicure" or "I was gardening" or "Working on the car."If you are asked for a "full turnaround," at this point the camera has widened out to reveal you from head to toe. They just need to get a sense of your shape. Assuming that your headshot and the height and weight on your rsum are current, you will be brought in to audition for roles that match your body type. So just turn around.Here's a little trick that makes it more comfortable for everyone looking at your backside: Ladies, when you're facing the back wall, just shift your weight from one hip to the other as you continue your spiral to face camera. Gents, when your brawny back is toward the camera, give us the "up belt tug," then in one continuous motion return to facing camera. This says, "I know you are looking at my gluteus fabulous, and I'm okay with that."Now let's discuss the personality question. O'Driscoll advises that your answer should be longer than one word but shorter than 30 seconds:Casting director: What do you do for fun?Actor: Hike.Casting director: Thanks. Next. And that's your whole audition. "Give me the first thing that pops into your head," says Randall. "Don't stammer, 'Oh, gosh, ohhh, let me see,' looking for the perfect reply. We're not going to fact-check your answer. And if we ask about your worst date, worst dinner, worst Christmas, we're looking for a humorous answer, not 'When I opened the box, the kitten was dead.' "Also, refrain from answers that are product-related:Casting director: What do you do for fun?Actor: I love dusting my apartment with Pledge.Casting director: Uuggh. Next. And avoid anything political or sexual, no matter how obvious it may seem. It's a commercial, folks; keep it smart, happy, and clean.Director Robert Logevall speaks for all directors when he says, "Tell me about you, not your acting world. I want to know if you're confident and interesting, then you'll be all that on set."And O'Driscoll reminds us, "This is a job interview. Come prepared. Know who you are seeing, what job you're interviewing for, and look for the sides online ahead of time. And bring something to eat. It's not our responsibility to feed you."