AFTRA & SAG Continue Merger Discussions

La and NEW You are able to (August 29, 2011) —- Screen Stars Guild and also the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists ongoing formal discussions a few days ago between your AFTRA New Union Committee and also the SAG Merger Task Pressure to facilitate the roll-out of one union to represent all people of Screen Stars Guild and AFTRA. Meeting together because the Group for just one Union, or G1, people and staff of both unions held conferences Saturday through Monday by video and teleconference between New You are able to and La. Initially scheduled as face-to-face conferences in New You are able to, people and staff were informed to not travel because of the imminent landfall of Hurricane Irene in New You are able to and elsewhere across the New England. Both unions rapidly implemented a contingency plan, however, to guarantee the safety of participants and continue the conferences as scheduled. The G1, composed of people including stars, entertainers, recording artists and broadcast professionals, received an exhibition from the Member Education & Outreach Workgroup, and examined and talked about findings and recommendations of their Governance & Structure Workgroup. These and four other member-brought workgroups happen to be holding discussions ever since they were produced through the G1 at its inaugural meeting in Silver Spring, MD, June 19 -21. If anybody doubted our resolve for merger, what went down a few days ago should put individuals doubts to relaxation a hurricane couldnt stop us, stated SAG National Leader Ken Howard. We covered lots of ground and that i’m so happy with our SAG and AFTRA team. Its a frightening task, but were working very well together and that i’m well informed than ever before that people can get this accomplished for the people.” We made important progress a few days ago, stated AFTRA National Leader Roberta Reardon. We examined the myriad methods, approaches and structures to produce a strong, new union which will further empower our people to bolster their careers and secure their future. I thank everybody involved for his or her ongoing solidarity and deeply appreciate their persistence and resilience once we labored with the challenges of Hurricane Irene. The weekend conferences were caused by Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations Professor Susan J. Schurman, and noted labor consultant Peter S. DiCicco. The following meeting from the Group for just one Union is scheduled for October 14 18 in La.

Martin Scorsese, William Monahan Teaming for 'The Gambler' at Paramount (Exclusive)

Paramount is going all-in on The Gambler, a remake of the 1974 James Caan addiction drama. The studio has set Martin Scorsese to direct and William Monahan to write. Irwin Winkler, who produced the original, will again act as producer of the new film. The 1974 movie, an adaptation of the short novel The Gambler by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, detailed a New York English professor who inspires his students but suffers from a secret gambling addiction. The affliction causes him to extort money from his mother and convince one of his students to shave points in a basketball game. Caan received a Golden Globe nomination for best actor for his performance in the original. Lauren Hutton and Paul Sorvino co-starred for director Karel Reisz. (The project is not related to the series of Gambler TV movies that starred Kenny Rogers in the 1980s and 90s.) The gritty New York setting of the original seems a perfect match for Scorsese, who teamed with Monahan on 2006 best picture Oscar winner The Departed. The director has been especially active lately. He has his first family film, Hugo, slated for a Thanksgiving release, and he's preparing to direct Silence, an adaptation of the Shusaku Endo novel. He's also attached to The Wolf of Wall Street, an adaptation of the Jordan Belfort memoir that has attached Leonardo DiCaprio, with whom Scorsese collaborated on Shutter Island. Scorsese is repped by WME and Rick Yorn. Monahan is repped by WME and Anonymous. Paramount declined to comment. Email: Daniel.Miller@thr.com Twitter: @DanielNMiller Related Topics Martin Scorsese Paramount Pictures

"Jailhouse Rock" Lyricist Jerry Leiber of Leiber and Stoller Songwriting Team Dies at 78

Jerry Leiber Jerry Leiber, half from the songwriting team Leiber and Stoller, has died, the La Occasions reviews. He was 78. Leiber, whose music with partner Mike Stoller was adopted among the styles on The American Idol Show earlier this season, died Monday from cardiopulmonary failure in La. See other stars we lost this season Among Leiber's many achievements: Being awarded with a Songwriters Hall of Fame, along with the Rock 'n roll Hall of Fame. A few of their most definitive tunes include Elvis Presley's "Jailhouse Rock" and "Hound Dog," The Clovers' "Love Concoction No. 9," and "Might," which continued being the state song for Might, Missouri. The Grammy winner's music was modified right into a Broadway musical revue, Smokey Joe's Café, that was nominated for seven Tonys in 1995.

Jimmy Fallon to Host Saturday Evening Live

Jimmy Fallon Jimmy Fallon is coming back to Saturday Evening Live to host the very first time, NBC introduced Monday. Fallon will host on 12 ,. 17 with Michael Bublé coming back for his second time because the musical guest. Is Saturday Evening Survive your Watchlist? Add it as well as your other faves now and not miss a chapter "I have never forgotten where I originated from. This is exactly why I am so incredibly honored to become hosting the Saturday Evening Occasions program ... on HGTV," Fallon joked. Fallon would be a cast member about the sketch comedy series for six years, most particularly co-anchoring "Weekend Update" with Tina Fey. Last Year, he grew to become the host recently Evening with Jimmy Fallon. The 37th season of SNL premieres Sept. 24.

Luc Besson's 'The Lady:' The Teaser Poster

When Luc Besson shot The Lady, he and his backers did their best to pretend it was not about Aung San Suu Kyi, the Burmese opposition leader who spent 15 years under house arrest because of her relentless nonviolent campaign for democracy. They kept it under wraps because they didn't want to jeopardize the chance she might be freed, and because they might have had problems during the shoot in Thailand. She was freed last November. The film is a real departure for Besson, who is best known for fast-moving action films from Taken to Colombiana. He is unveiling the film at the Toronto Film Festival in a World Premiere on September 12. They've given Deadline an exclusive look at the teaser one-sheet. The one on the left is Michelle Yeoh, who plays Aung San Suu Kyi in the film. Both of them were designed by Shepard Fairey.

Jerry Lewis: Saving Lives Through MDA Was Honor

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- Jerry Lewis said Saturday that his years of service to the Muscular Dystrophy Association helped make him a star, but he didnt provide details on his recent departure as the groups national chairman. In his first public appearance since the that announcement, Lewis accepted a lifetime achievement award from the Nevada Broadcasters Association, saying that he made his reputation in show business by saving lives. I made my reputation in this business caring for what I did, caring for the people that I did it for, said Lewis, who donned a red foam clown nose at one point during his speech in front of politicians and other entertainers. Let me tell you that saving lives is a very, very special project in the life of any man who wants to do that, but I have had the joy of extending my life by what I feel in my heart, he said. Lewis hinted during his brief speech that he could not explain why he is no longer the national chairman of the MDA after 45 years. He will also no longer host the groups annual Labor Day weekend telethon. Lewis said he was humbled to hear several congressmen and Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval describe watching Lewis host the MDAs annual Labor Day weekend telethon every year throughout their childhoods. It was as meaningful tonight as ever, the 85-year-old said of his charitable work. And I dont think I can go into the why of that. Lewis appeared briefly at the dinner, entering just before his tribute and leaving the room minutes after making his speech. He declined to speak to reporters as he left the event. In May, Lewis said in a statement issued through the association that he would make his final appearance on the telethon this year and sing Youll Never Walk Alone during a six-hour primetime broadcast scheduled for Sept. 4. But MDA officials abruptly announced earlier this month that Lewis would no longer be the public face of the Tucson, Ariz.-based association without offering any explanation. When pressed by a reporter at the time about his role with the telethon, Lewis said: Its none of your business. Lewis has said he would hold a press conference the day after the telethon to clarify his plans. I will have plenty to say about what I think is important. And thats the future, not the past, he has said. The MDA announced major changes to its telethon Thursday, including slashing it down from a nearly 22-hour show to six hours of prime time television in an effort to boost audience numbers and raise more money. The Sept. 4 show will be co-hosted by American Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe, Entertainment Tonight anchor Nancy ODell, The Biggest Loser host Alison Sweeney, and journalist and TV producer Jann Carl. Copyright 2011 by Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

'Conan' & 'Fright Night' Flatline For Friday

FRIDAY PM UPDATE: Anecdotal reports reaching me from all over are saying this moviegoing weekendredefines the terms "soft" and "flat". As one studio exec told me, "It looks like a ghosttown in theaters." Rarely have I seen such utter confusion at the North American box office as a result, especially with no less than four wide-release studio films opening today.Every one of my sources had a different Top 5 list all day -- and there wasn't even a consensus until tonight that DreamWorks' holdover The Help (which needs none) is Friday's No. 1 movie. The problem was that the new releases -- Dimension/Weinstein Co'sSpy Kids 4D, Nu Image/Millenium/Lionsgate's Conan The Barbarian, and DreamWorks/Disney's Fright Night are all bunched together behind another holdover, Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes. Also, it looks like Focus Features' romance One Day is opening strong considering its middling release.Full analysis and refined numbers coming. 1. The Help (DreamWorks/Disney) Week 2 1/2 [] Friday $5.8M (-23%), Estimated Weekend $20M 2. Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes (Fox) Week 3 [3,471 Runs] Friday $4.7M, Estimated Weekend, Estimated Cume $17M 3. Spy Kids 4D (Dimension/Weinstein) NEW [3,295 Runs] Friday $4.5M, Estimated Weekend $12M 4. Conan The Barbarian (Nu Image/Millenium/Lionsgate) NEW [3,015 Runs] Friday $4.1M, Estimated Weekend $11M 5.Fright Night (DreamWorks/Disney) NEW [3,114 Runs] Friday $3.5M, Estimated Weekend $8M

Showrunners don't run from non-writing responsibilities

Though no more a showrunner on "WorkInch or "Parks and Entertainment," you will find still occasions when you are able catch professional producer Greg Daniels residual at the back of among the writers' rooms. "Nothing can compare to that room," states Daniels, who while developing projects offers notes on comedies, however in a less hands-on basis. "The authors are extremely clever, as well as their undertake things are interesting. I really like that room. But eventually I recognize that I am not getting done everything I have to have completed basically keep a slave to.InchSpeak to the Emmy nominated professional producer and will also be hard-pressed to locate one that gives up their place because the conductor of the orchestra and return to playing only one instrument -- within this situation, the laptop keyboard. But you will find certainly days once they all wish they might do more writing, and fewer multitasking."Take today, for instance," states "Friday Evening Lights" and "Being a parent" professional producer Jason Katims. "It is 4 o'clock, and my company during the day would be a script I desired to begin writing. I've not even began yet. I sometimes really wish i could have the ability to concentrate on one factor without having to split time a lot.InchIt had been to prevent individuals types of conflicts that David Crane and Jeffrey Klarik, the designers of Showtime's "Episodes," made the decision to follow along with an english model, by which they write the whole season prior to going into production. "Overall, it requires many of the pressure off us as authors to be done," states Klarik. "It's wonderful to have the ability to target the production facet of it, since you feel fairly secure concerning the scripts finding yourself in a great place."But even Crane and Klarik have facets of creating they'd be prepared to sacrifice. "When casting, I usually seem like I am Prince Charming and I have reached the shoe and I have reached keep looking to get somebody's feet inside it,Inch Klarik states. "Before you do, you are searching at lots of ugly ft." Adds Crane: "Before long it's not hard to convince yourself the test is terrible -- and so the right actor walks in and you are like 'Oh, thankfully.' "They, similar to their co-workers, realize that individuals words on the page mean everything -- that also causes it to be probably the most difficult task to tackle. "It is the toughest, because writing is easily the most quality-sensitive part," states Daniels, who authored Steve Carell's farewell episode of "WorkInch this season. "The main difference between a b+ script along with a B+ script has got the most impact on the program, in comparison for an A+ telephone call about next year's budget, versus a b -+ handling of this same problem."Despite copious conferences and daily crisis management, not one of them would surrender their producer rights. "When you are (just) writing something, you are casting and hang dressing it inside your mind -- many of these things you have simply no say in whatsoever," states "Bet on Thrones" executive producer D.B. Weiss. "Unexpectedly, you receive that which you wanted for which choices are choices make. It is a dream become a reality. It is also 20 occasions more work.""Writing may be the blueprint and finest aspiration for any story," adds Veena Sud, executive producer of AMC's "The Killing." "Creating may be the execution of this dream. Despite the fact that some facets of creating can seem like difficulty, it's ultimately a resource of control and making decisions in your own creation." To place it candidly: "It is a method of safeguarding the writing," states Klarik. "It's my method of ensuring things i picture reaches the screen the way in which I picture it." Route To THE EMMYS: THE Author Showrunners don't run from non-writing dutiesDrama Comedy Movies & Miniseries Nonfiction Variety, music or comedy series Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Thought Equity snares $25 million investment

Online stock footage provider Thought Equity Motion has closed a $25 million investment from Shamrock Capital Experts. Funding is going to be mainly centered on the business's growth of its cloud-based media storage system. Thought Equity clients include film galleries, news orgs, sports privileges holders, agencies and production companies. Thought Equity Boss and founder Kevin Schaff noted that cloud-based systems offer both time savings and price-great ways to edit, deliver and store media data. They will also help reduce publish-production and shipping costs. "This can be a key milestone for Thought Equity Motion," he added. "We estimate the marketplace for video management in excess of $2 billion and growing over 30% each year.Inch Previously, Shamrock has assisted the likes of RealD go public. Despite the fact that Schaff views this type of move a choice later on, he stated his focus for the time being remains on helping content proprietors adjust to new technology. The connection with Shamrock appeared appropriate, per Schaff, especially thinking about Shamrock's investment history within the entertainment biz. "For all of us,Inch he stated, "the large factor that's beginning to affect Hollywood is cloud-based storage -- we are excited to take part in altering that landscape." Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Rankings Corporate Jungle: 'Dance' Finale Up From A Week Ago, Lower From This Past Year

The growing season finale of Which Means You Think You Are Able To Dance (2.1/7, 6.3 million) was up 24% in 18-49 and 17% as a whole audiences from a week ago but lower 13% within the demo from last summer's finale. Within the preliminaries, Fox (2.1/7) is running behind CBS (2.3/7) for that evening in 18-49, but CBS', ABC's and NBC's amounts were inflated by local National football league preseason preemptions, and Fox is projecting that it'll win Thursday within the demo once the finals are launched this mid-day. Without changes, CBS' Your Government (3.2/9) increased 13% from a week ago called the night's the greatest-ranked program with a mile. Basic steps Wipeout (1.9/6), Expedition Impossible (1.6/4) and Rookie Blue (1.4/4) counseled me on componen. NBC went all repeats.

Drama producers cite surprising influences

'The Larry Sanders Show' inspired a 'Dexter' EP. If finding success on television is like capturing lightning in a bottle, then creating a show that becomes a cultural touchstone is even more elusive. While all six of this year's Emmy drama nominees have already set their own benchmarks of quality, the producers behind each series say they also draw inspiration from the shows that have come before them."Dexter" executive producer Scott Buck says he was influenced as a writer by shows that immediately declared themselves as different."It might feel odd to say that my work on 'Dexter' has been influenced by shows like 'The Larry Sanders Show' or 'Twin Peaks,' " Buck says, "but those were shows that really stopped me dead in my tracks and made me pay attention, because I knew I was watching something that hadn't been done before.""Boardwalk Empire" co-executive producer Gene Kelly says that the classic storytelling of shows like "The Honeymooners," "Our Gang," "The Little Rascals" and even "The Three Stooges" inform his work."It was the humanity in those shows and the way they touched people universally," Kelly says. "If somebody's trying to think of a way to tell a story, you always sort of wonder how they did it on 'The Little Rascals.' " "Friday Nights Lights" exec producer Jason Katims admits that he doesn't spend a lot of his free time watching TV, but credits "The Sopranos" for raising the bar in general over the last decade. He says his first job in TV continues to influence him day to day." 'My So-Called Life,' which Ed Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz produced was kind of my graduate school," Katims says. "I feel like what I do is a direct descendent of their work.""The Good Wife" executive producers Robert and Michelle King, who say they enjoy "Breaking Bad," cite "The West Wing" as a TV milestone."Not trying to explain everything to the audience is the greatest legacy from that show," Robert King says. "(And) for the fluidity of language and family-like look at a workplace."Adds Michelle King, "We bow at the altar of 'The Sopranos.' " "Game of Thrones" executive producers D.B. Weiss and David Benioff also credit many of HBO's iconic series for providing inspiration."It's not just blowing smoke -- the great HBO dramas were hugely inspiring examples of uncompromising, big-canvas storytelling that changed the way we (and everyone) thought about television. 'The Sopranos,' 'Deadwood' -- maybe 'The Wire' most of all," says Weiss.Benioff adds, "Not to be crude, but there are some TV shows you let play while you go to the bathroom. And there are some you pause because you don't want to miss a second. That's what we wanted to make -- a pause-worthy show.""Mad Men" executive producer Matthew Weiner points to many shows that motivate his work, but he says he's always looking for a mixture of humor and weight."I was forbidden to watch TV most of my childhood and caught up as an adult," Weiner says. "Everything I see and saw has become part of the fabric of 'Mad Men.' Of course, 'The Sopranos' taught everyone in television that it was possible to have a muscular plot and still be emotionally complex."Otherwise, it was a somewhat pretentious and strange interest in French cinema as a young boy that made me want to dress up actresses and see them reject men."ROAD TO THE EMMYS: DRAMAThink outside the bucks | Drama producers cite surprising influencesThe nominees Contact Christy Grosz at