Pilot Season: The CW Orders Dramas From J.J. Abrams and Mark Harmon

J.J. Abrams The CW has picked up three drama pilots from J.J. Abrams, Mark Harmon, Mark Schwahn, and Kim and Eric Tannenbaum.From Abrams and Bryan Burk, and written by Schwahn (One Tree Hill), Shelter is set at a historic New England summer resort where the new and returning staff attend to the needs of the guests while navigating their own friendships, rivalries and romances.Pilot Season: Fox picks up OB/GYN comedy starring Mindy KalingHarmon will team with the Tannenbaums and Martha Haight (Chaos) to executive-produce Joey Dakota, based on the Israeli series Danny Hollywood. In the time-travel musical, a documentary filmmaker travels back to the 1990s, where she meets and falls in love with the rock star/subject of her film. When she unexpectedly returns to present day, she must find her way back to the past to reunite with him and prevent his untimely death. Bert Royal (Easy A) wrote the script.The third pilot, The Selection, will be based on the upcoming book series by Kiera Cass. The project is an epic romance set 300 years in the future about a poor young woman who is chosen by lottery to participate in a competition to become the next queen of a war-torn nation at a crossroads. Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fain (Vampire Diaries) will write and executive-produce.

Sundance Fest Embraces Hip-Hop on Stage and Screen

PARK CITY, Utah (AP) Hip-hop is making itself heard and seen at the Sundance Film Festival.Along with a slew of performances by rappers and DJs around town, this year's festival includes documentary and narrative films about hip-hop culture."It's a beautiful thing to see," said Luther Campbell of 2 Live Crew fame, who stars in a short film playing at the festival called "The Life and Freaky Times of Uncle Luke." ''When you look at the success of Ice Cube and Will Smith, these are traditional hip-hop guys that are very successful in the movie business, so it's a great thing and I'm happy for all the other guys who are here."Rapper-actor Ice-T made his directorial debut at Sundance with the documentary "Something From Nothing: The Art of Rap," which features interviews with hip-hop artists such as Grandmaster Flash, Eminem, Mos Def, Run-DMC, KRS-One, Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube.Ice-T said he made the movie to give viewers "a better understanding of what it takes and what we do.""I wanted to talk about the craft, not the cars, the money, the girls," the 53-year-old entertainer said. "How do you write rhymes? Let's go into the songwriting process. And everybody was really excited because they were like, 'Nobody ever asks us that.'"After interviewing his friends and colleagues on both coasts, Ice-T ended up with a four-hour film that he trimmed down to 106 minutes for festival consideration."Our only ambition was to make it to Sundance," he said. "This is a festival about art, and this movie's about art."Another film with a hip-hop focus is dramatic-competition contender "Filly Brown." The film starring Lou Diamond Phillips, Edward James Olmos and newcomer Gina Rodriguez tells the story of a rising Hispanic hip-hop star and the challenges she faces on the way to fame."Hip-hop, the soul of hip-hop and the foundation of hip-hop is just staying true to who you are and your voice, and so I think it's really nice that the Sundance films are reflecting that," said Rodriguez, who raps on screen."We didn't set out to make a hip-hop movie," added co-director Youssef Delara. "We set out to tell the story of this young woman in music, and it's just like hip-hop is so ingrained in our culture, and a lot of different types of culture, that you really can't tell a youth story without some element of hip-hop."The Sundance Institute Film Music Program hosted a concert at the ASCAP Music Caf featuring Ice-T, Chuck D of Public Enemy and rap pioneer Grandmaster Caz."Every year the films are so wonderful here and so diverse, and they keep adding new elements and experiences to the festival to keep it current and fresh," said Loretta Munoz, producer of the ASCAP Music Caf. "I'm very happy about 'The Art of Rap' and seeing how that goes forward."In addition to the films and official music programs, various corporate-sponsored locations held their own parties with big-name rap stars.Common, a star and producer of "LUV," a contender in the U.S. dramatic competition, celebrated the film by performing into the wee hours at the Express afterparty. Drake and Wiz Khalifa each took the stage at the Bing Bar, and Drake also hosted a gathering at Park City Live, where Ludacris headlined earlier in the week.Lil Jon took to the turntables at the Skullcandy Compound above a massive disco ball and Kendrick Lamar inspired the crowd to sing along at Sugar nightclub on Main Street, where Nas is set to perform Friday."Hip-hop changed the world," Ice-T said. "I'm amazed it took so long to get here."Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. By Sandy Cohen January 27, 2012 Luther Campbell PHOTO CREDIT AP Photo/Victoria Will PARK CITY, Utah (AP) Hip-hop is making itself heard and seen at the Sundance Film Festival.Along with a slew of performances by rappers and DJs around town, this year's festival includes documentary and narrative films about hip-hop culture."It's a beautiful thing to see," said Luther Campbell of 2 Live Crew fame, who stars in a short film playing at the festival called "The Life and Freaky Times of Uncle Luke." ''When you look at the success of Ice Cube and Will Smith, these are traditional hip-hop guys that are very successful in the movie business, so it's a great thing and I'm happy for all the other guys who are here."Rapper-actor Ice-T made his directorial debut at Sundance with the documentary "Something From Nothing: The Art of Rap," which features interviews with hip-hop artists such as Grandmaster Flash, Eminem, Mos Def, Run-DMC, KRS-One, Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube.Ice-T said he made the movie to give viewers "a better understanding of what it takes and what we do.""I wanted to talk about the craft, not the cars, the money, the girls," the 53-year-old entertainer said. "How do you write rhymes? Let's go into the songwriting process. And everybody was really excited because they were like, 'Nobody ever asks us that.'"After interviewing his friends and colleagues on both coasts, Ice-T ended up with a four-hour film that he trimmed down to 106 minutes for festival consideration."Our only ambition was to make it to Sundance," he said. "This is a festival about art, and this movie's about art."Another film with a hip-hop focus is dramatic-competition contender "Filly Brown." The film starring Lou Diamond Phillips, Edward James Olmos and newcomer Gina Rodriguez tells the story of a rising Hispanic hip-hop star and the challenges she faces on the way to fame."Hip-hop, the soul of hip-hop and the foundation of hip-hop is just staying true to who you are and your voice, and so I think it's really nice that the Sundance films are reflecting that," said Rodriguez, who raps on screen."We didn't set out to make a hip-hop movie," added co-director Youssef Delara. "We set out to tell the story of this young woman in music, and it's just like hip-hop is so ingrained in our culture, and a lot of different types of culture, that you really can't tell a youth story without some element of hip-hop."The Sundance Institute Film Music Program hosted a concert at the ASCAP Music Caf featuring Ice-T, Chuck D of Public Enemy and rap pioneer Grandmaster Caz."Every year the films are so wonderful here and so diverse, and they keep adding new elements and experiences to the festival to keep it current and fresh," said Loretta Munoz, producer of the ASCAP Music Caf. "I'm very happy about 'The Art of Rap' and seeing how that goes forward."In addition to the films and official music programs, various corporate-sponsored locations held their own parties with big-name rap stars.Common, a star and producer of "LUV," a contender in the U.S. dramatic competition, celebrated the film by performing into the wee hours at the Express afterparty. Drake and Wiz Khalifa each took the stage at the Bing Bar, and Drake also hosted a gathering at Park City Live, where Ludacris headlined earlier in the week.Lil Jon took to the turntables at the Skullcandy Compound above a massive disco ball and Kendrick Lamar inspired the crowd to sing along at Sugar nightclub on Main Street, where Nas is set to perform Friday."Hip-hop changed the world," Ice-T said. "I'm amazed it took so long to get here."Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Is HBO's Equine-Racing Series Luck a Large Gamble?

Dustin Hoffman Pick Six. Furlong. Backstretch. Quinella. Trifecta. Daily Double. These are merely a couple of from the racetrack terms that might be tossed around in HBO's new equine-racing series Luck, which premieres Sunday at 9/8c. From executive producers David Milch and Michael Mann, the gritty show compares the proprietors, jockeys and also the degenerate bettors within the equine-racing world. As the lingo, the setting and also the overall plot may go through alien to individuals that do not frequent one of the most than 100 racetracks round the U . s . States, Milch, the guy behind Deadwood and NYPD Blue, states that should not deter audiences from watching. "This is an act of belief," states Milch of making a set on this type of foreign subject. "Your fundamental responsibility would be to stay in keeping with the greatest character and aim of the types of materials and that is what we should did." Take a look at photos of Luck "I believe [audiences] can connect with the storyline how they relate holiday to a well-told, dramatic, emotional story," adds Mann. "This is the whole idea. Should they have a feeling of the key things, they'll allow the lingo pass, having faith in they'll get it later." At its fundamental level, the premise is straightforward. Chester "Ace" Bernstein (Dustin Hoffman) just came back from the stint imprisonment using the rap for other unsavory types. Now not able to carry an owner's license because of his criminal history, Ace enlists his driver Gus Demitriou (Dennis Farina) to do something as who owns a fleet-footed equine, now trained by Turo Escalante (John Ortiz). Another trainer, performed by Nick Nolte, can also be searching to create a splash having a equine sired by among the best (think about it as being Seabiscuit's baby). "Even though racetrack may be the beating heart, I'd the show is much more of the study from the figures," Milch demands, adding that the degenerate bettors, who live race-to-race by handicapping the those who win, is going to be relatable to audiences. A equine owner themself, Milch would even classify themself among them. "My father required me towards the track after i was 5 years old and recognized me like a degenerate gambler then, the industry little a hardship on a 5-year-old to know,Inch he states having a laugh. "I have been busy determining what that meant within the last six decades.Inch Cinemax tries its Luck with David Milch drama starring Dustin Hoffman Worrying concerning the audience's capability to understand and connect with the series is just one ring to leap through for Luck. Additionally, there are our prime anticipation in the people whose real lives color this story. "You will find certain parochial reactions," Milch states from the racetrackers. "It's such as the way individuals are protective of family, and also you don't tell any secrets outdoors the household. It might be our responsibility to become truthful within our portrayal. If a person will get upset, that becomes their business." Similar to his other series, Milch hopes that audiences will discover a passionate reference to Luck through "its ups and it is downs, and it is tragedies and it is achievements." And that he hopes they create it soon. By character from the equine-racing circuit so when they'd need to start filming again, the producers happen to be working hard on which another season would seem like, though Cinemax has yet to get the series. "I'd aspire to discover within the next couple of weeks,Inch he states. Are you tuning directly into Luck? Luck premieres Sunday at 9/8c on Cinemax. Cinemax Go customers can view the 2nd outing rigtht after the premiere.

Stunts given due

Harrison Ford co-starred in 'Cowboys & Aliens,' whose stunt pros were nommed. Veteran Hollywood stuntman and second-unit director Conrad E. Palmisano was once hidden alive for just about any scene in 1977's "It Happened at Lakewood Manor."Along with his only way to obtain oxygen from the small hose mounted on him undercover, he gave strict instructions for the surrounding film crew: "Bury me once, bury me good. I only do once."It's this mixture of levelheaded awesome and keen mental focus that Palmisano, who's labored most recently just like a stunt double in CBS' "The Big Bang Theory" and "Transformers: Gloomy in the Moon," credits his success."When you start within this career you think to yourself, this can't hurt me, it might only kill me," he deadpans. "Technologies have handled to obtain much advisable to perform stunts laptop or computer was 20 years ago. In individuals days, you basically needed your existence along with you.InchBut while a slew of honors are presented each year by stunt biz affiliates -- Taurus World Stunt Honours as well as the Stuntmen's Assn. of Movies Honours incorporated within this -- the SAG Honours and Primetime Emmys will be the only major kudofests to possess a category for stunt coordination.Since the Oscars still overlook their contribution to film, are stunt artists -- responsible for most likely the wedding moments in movie history, from "Ben-Hur's" chariot race to "Bullitt's" famous vehicle chase sequence -- getting their fair shake of industry praise?"Stunt artists get people into movie theaters every year which we deserve credit for the,Inch states Palmisano, current chair in the SAG stunt and safety committee. "We perform part of the art which needs to be acknowledged."Around the certain level, Remedy thinks the Academy is vainly holding fast for the extended outdated notion that film is pure fantasy."Inside the 19 forties and '50s, stuntmen counseled me hidden," according to him. "Everybody preferred to consider that Errol Flynn did their very own sword fighting which Laurence Olivier did their very own equine riding. Today that's all changed. Because of videogames as well as the Internet, every 8-year-old knows of the existence of professional stuntmen and stuntwomen."Stunt coordinator Jane Austin ("Titanic," "Scream 3"), who's offered round the national boards of both SAG and AFTRA, is for certain that eventually afterwards the Academy can provide to the collective push to include a stunt category on its roster."We're delighted that SAG has put us inside the category," states Austin. "My very own feeling are these claims can be a step closer to achieving recognition and acknowledgement within the Oscars.""SAG as well as the Emmys have honored us, it is therefore only time just before the Oscars relent," confirms Palmisano. "It'll happen."While not every stunt artist is competing for Oscar's attention."I really like the anonymity," declares legendary stunt driver and stunt coordinator Gary Davis. "If my actor desires to say he's doing the stunt he should be capable of accomplish this. My job is always to cause him to look wonderful, not to take bows."SAG Honours 2012Idol of capri to acting icon Howard talks up AFTRA merger Acad, SAG share same voter pool Partygoers relax, revel following a show Stunts given due Brisk pace gives individuals who win last word Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

The 7 Reasons Kiefer Sutherland Strongly Suggests You to definitely certainly Watch Touch

Touch, Kiefer Sutherland Remember when Jack Bauer was forced in to a situation where he needed some friend (not foe) to escape his way so he could stop some damn terrorists? He'd perform his mighty headlock maneuver and whisper very gently, "Don't fight it." That's virtually how Kiefer Sutherland feels about Touch, the completely new show through which he stars created by Heroes boss Tim Kring. Watching it's what's healthy for you, he referred to to reporters collected around the business call today. Existence after Heroes: Tim Kring on why his new show Touch is unapologetically sentimental Inside the Fox drama (premiering Wednesday at 9/8c), Sutherland plays widower Martin Bohm, the dad from the mute 11-year-old who he realizes provides hiding for that uncanny capacity for connecting designs and uncover this really is behind apparently unrelated occasions happening around the world. Each week, Martin goes and deal with his son's predictions, whether it means returning fanatics or preventing an urgent situation. Which is always to say, Touch is a superb a bit more sentimental than 24. But Sutherland states it brings dramatic suspense diversely. Listed below are the seven reasons he strongly suggests you to definitely certainly give this Martin guy and also the problems a try: 1. Sutherland did not have goal of coming back to TV until he was given the script for Touch. The actor was busy doing Broadway, shooting movies, and after eight seasons of world-saving on 24, he'd about had an sufficient quantity of TV's difficult schedule. Then he read Touch. "Someone said it almost unwillingly," Sutherland states. "It had been around page 30, From the going, 'Oh...'... I merely understood I'd be remiss essentially didn't proceed and take chance. I recognized with [Martin] in the gate." Counting Lower to Kiefer Sutherland's Touch: The 6 ways it could help help remind you of 24 2. No seriously, he really loves this show. "Once I take a look at a few things i think Tim Kring does while using show, I certainly were not a part of some thing creative," Sutherland states. Thanks and evening. 3. His child co-star, David Mazouz? That kid uses pressure. His Jedi mind-techniques include emoting although not speaking only one word of dialogue. "He doesn't talk but I am in a position to feel his presence, even if he is not searching at me," Sutherland states. "I am in a position to always sense that he's listening... This can be a real gift." Apparently, Mazouz is yet another gifted baker. Here's the birthday cake he gained Sutherland lately. 4. Martin Bohm isn't so totally different from Jack Bauer. Both undertake uphill, apparently impossible battles needs to be everyday course. "Jack Bauer might be faced with unbelievable conditions throughout every day which he'd not win completely," Sutherland states. "Martin won't win either. He isn't likely to hold the essential relationship from the father together with a boy. But, he perseveres." Because of that, both figures are also stricken by serious loneliness. "One factor that moved me most likely probably the most about Touch was it appeared like Martin was terribly alone," Sutherland states. (Too true. Still kills us just remembering that final scene of 24 where Jack states goodbye to Chloe because she needs to operate and hide after saving the earth. Again.) Have a look at photos from Touch 5. Sutherland, too, thinks we are cosmically connected. Showing how humanity is interdependent and interconnected can be a large deal to Kring, who states that theme was the impetus for creating Touch. "I'm sure that there are a reason-and-effect ripple upon everything everybody does and they have negative and positive effects," Sutherland states. "In the event you begin to give consideration to the kind of minutia of the, it is extremely amazing." 6. Martin's missions as well as the mystery behind people amounts will probably be plenty exciting! We have Sutherland's word relating to this, 24 fans: "There's lots of suspense within the context in the show, unsure just what the amounts are," according to him. "Even though we're not coming some misunderstanding, In my opinion that there are enough excitement across the drama in the demonstrate that people who loved 24 won't be thrown due to it.Inch 7. If they can swing it, his father will arrive. Who not love Jesse Sutherland? "I certainly have conveyed to Tim Kring that my father is somebody who I'd very, greatly prefer to utilize,Inch Sutherland states. And you also don't won't Kiefer, right? Will you do while he states watching Touch? Or risk the results? Reveal inside the comments below. And search for a distinctive sneak look below:

Parminder Nagra's Reaction to Alcatraz Premiere: "Already? You're Killing Me Off?"

Parminder Nagra Despite being shot by a sniper in the two-hour series premiere of Alcatraz, Dr. Lucy Banerjee will not mysteriously disappear from J.J. Abrams' new Fox drama - which is, of course, a relief to her portrayer, Parminder Nagra. "When I was told that was happening, I was like, 'Already? You're killing me off?'" Nagra recalls. "They went, 'No, no, no, no. This is what's happening.' It's always disconcerting when you've been shot as an actor because it's like: Are they going to survive or not?!" Dissecting Alcatraz's Mysteries: Who are the '63s? Lucy - with the help of San Francisco cop Rebecca Madsen (Sarah Jones), Alcatraz expert Diego Soto (Lost alum Jorge Garcia) and federal agent Emerson Hauser (Sam Neill) - has been tasked to hunt down a group of more than 300 guards and prisoners who seemingly vanished into thin air in 1963 from Alcatraz. The big twist? She's one of them. "You'll begin to start seeing a bit more of the backstory," Nagra says of Lucy, who was once a psychiatrist on the island and now works closely alongside Hauser. Both of them worked at Alcatraz when the '63s disappeared, but it remains to be seen whether they knew each other then - though he was especially distressed when she was shot. One thing is sure: Both are hiding a wealth of secrets. Nagra previously starred on NBC's ER, where the biggest mystery to the audience was the medical jargon. Now, she finds herself almost as much in the dark as the audience about her character and the mysteries surrounding the '63s. "It's good actually, because that's been the fun part of doing something like this because you're only given limited information, and if you are given any, it's relevant to a little bit of the story line," she says. "It really is like going with the flow in the truest sense." "Jorge was like, 'Well, this is sort of what happened on Lost," Nagra adds. "Eventually, you go, 'Well, I guess this is just what it is and you've got to go with it.' Very quickly you learn that's what you have to do." Alcatraz's J.J. Abrams: New Fox drama is on an island, but it's not Lost One of the bigger mysteries Nagra is interested in learning about is why even her own character doesn't know where the '63s were for the nearly 50 years they were missing, as evidenced by Lucy's interrogation of Jack Sylvane (Jeffrey Pierce) in the premiere. That's one mystery that won't be revealed for a long while, though. "Hopefully, in the next few more episodes we have left to film, we will get some of those things answered. I wouldn't be surprised if it was kept secret a little bit longer just to really frustrate [the viewers]," she says with a laugh. "It keeps people coming back for more." Alcatraz airs Mondays at 9/8c on Fox.

Benedict Cumberbatch is The Exorcist 2 villain

The Exorcist 2 has finally parcelled up itself a villain, and that we are delighted to exhibit it's the best Sherlock themselves, Benedict Cumberbatch!For many days it had made an appearance as though Benicio Del Toro might be cast in J.J. Abrams' follow-up, nevertheless the Puerto Rican actor apparently passed down the possibility around the pay dispute.The doorway has tossed open for Cumberbatch, which has snapped up upon what's surely the finest role of his career so far. Combined together with his vocal role as Smaug the dragon inside the Hobbit, it seems as though his placed on Hollywood's A-list is essentially confirmed.For who he might play, particulars have not yet been released at this time around. Khan Noonien Singh, the villain initially carried out by Ricardo Montalban, was the favored when Del Toro was attached, which we are really not seeing why which will also have changed now Cumberbatch is at place.Regardless, it's good to look for the multi-gifted Cumberbatch obtain the chance to shine in the Hollywood blockbuster, which we can not wait to find out him bring his signature model of icy detachment for the The Exorcist world.He'll be grew to become part of on set by another British actor as Noel Clarke, which has also signed onto come with an as-yet not named role. Particulars are scarce right now, but Variety reviews that Clarke may have "a family group guy getting a wife and youthful daughter." Hmm, who fancies his chance of survival then?The Exorcist 2 is released in the usa on 17 May 2013, getting a Uk release date not been confirmed.

4 thesps hook 'Fishes'

Alfred Molina ("Spider-Man 2"), Frances O'Connor ("A.I. Artificial Intelligence"), Jimmi Simpson ("Zodiac") and rising Brit thesp Aneurin Barnard are joining Kaya Scodelario and Jessica Biel in Francesca Gregorini's "Emanuel and the Truth About Fishes." Scodelario ("Skins") stars as the title character, a troubled 17-year-old girl who babysits her new neighbor Linda's "baby," which is actually a very life-like doll. She goes along with the delusion while befriending Linda (Biel), who happens to be the spitting image of Emanuel's late mother. Molina will play Emanuel's father, while O'Connor will play her stepmother. Simpson will play one of the protag's co-workers at a medical supply store and Barnard will play her love interest. Matthew Brady is producing via his MRB Prods. banner along with writer-director Gregorini, while Paul Schiff, Kenny Goodman, Kevin Iwashina and Jonathan Gray will exec produce. Production is skedded to start at the end of January in Los Angeles. On Thursday, Gregorini spoke to Variety about the casting process and the tone of the story. "'Lars and the Real Girl' is an easy comparison, but it veers away from that tonally," said Gregorini. "I consider it a psychological drama-thriller, with comedic elements. ... It deals with death, salvation and redemption, as well as the lengths we'll go to to deny our own mortality. It's about the secrets we tell ourselves and keep from each other, and how intricate those lies are." As for casting, Gregorini said her process is to "sit down and talk to the actors to get a sense of who they are. For me, the hunt is to find whose essence is closest to the character. The town has a plethora of young girls and Kaya's essence resonated as the essence of the character I wrote. That's how I cast Rooney Mara in [Gregorini's first film] 'Tanner Hall.'" Gregorini went on to admit that she didn't initially pursue Biel for the role of Linda. "She came to me, and I was cautiously open to it, but then she blew me away with her audition," explained the helmer. "Jessica hasn't really been given the opportunity to do something like this, but she was a revelation. I'm excited for people to discover this side of her." Molina is repped by WME, Hyler Management and Lou Coulson Associatesk; O'Connor is repped by Gersh, Wishlab and Artist Rights Group; and Simpson is repped by WME and Industry Entertainment; Barnard is repped by UTA, Anonymous Content and Ken McReddie Associates. Contact Jeff Sneider at jeff.sneider@variety.com