Academy awards give pair box office bump

'The Descendants' 'The Artist'In the run-as much as the 84th Academy awards telecast, two multiple-nominated photos ongoing their stalwart domestic runs.The Weinstein Co.'s "The Artist" nabbed just shy of $3 million from February. 17-20, pushing the quiet pic's Stateside tally north of $28 million, while "The Descendants," from Fox Searchlight, made $3.5 million within the same frame for any cume of $75.six million locally."The Artist," which received 10 noms, including picture, director and actor for Jean Dujardin, continues to be continuously building in the B.O. -- increased by strong perfs in marketplaces outdoors NY and La. The pic really acquired 8% throughout the 3-day frame (its thirteenth) versus. the prior weekend in the same quantity of domestic locations -- 808."The Descendants," meanwhile, grew to become helmer Alexander Payne's greatest-grossing Stateside release, and Fox Searchlight's 4th-greatest, surpassing 2004's "Sideways" ($71.5 million). The George Clooney-starrer, which gained the thesp his third lead actor nom, received four other nods: picture, director, modified script and film editing.Both films have accumulated significant overseas hauls too. After 19 days, "The Artist" is approaching $45 million (pic first released March. 12 in France), while "Descendants," launched worldwide by Fox Intl., is approaching $70 million in only six days."The Artist" continues to be launched in 31 marketplaces outdoors the U.S. "The Descendants" is playing in 50 areas. Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com

Acad is all about a lot more than honours

Sundays Academy awards are simply the end from the iceberg for that Academy. Acad COO Ric Robertson and Boss Beginning Hudson in the Scientific and Technical Achievement Honours The value of the Academy awards when it comes to box office bumps, career-making methods and general ego-patting continues to be so hyperanalyzed this year -- frequently improperly -- that there are little left to express. Yet for the intense scrutiny the Oscars generate, the ceremony itself signifies a small fraction of exactly what the Academy of movement Picture Arts & does every year. In the end the pomp and prognosticating finishes -- a minimum of until Cannes begins in May -- AMPAS can return to your day-to-day business of educating the city about filmmaking through its media outreach program, protecting and archiving film history in the Pickford Center, chronicling motion picture arts in the Herrick Library and supplying grants or loans to up-and-coming screenwriters with the Nicholl Fellowship.Recently installed Boss Beginning Hudson, whose two decades with Film Independent made her no stranger towards the business, lately told Variety that they continues to be amazed and overcome through the magnitude of assets and programs the Academy wields outdoors honours season.Almost all of it's funded through the roughly $80 million AMPAS makes each year for certification the Academy awards to ABC. The Academy awards represent the commercial action movie an actress usually takes for that large pay day to be able to spend the relaxation of the season practicing his craft on arty indie films.There's another ambitious project that will probably be towards the top of the agenda once the Academy's governors get their first board meeting of the season on March 6: the Academy Museum of Movies, that will display the Acad's thorough assortment of movie memorabilia and film items. The museum -- the greatest-profile consumer-facing endeavor the Academy has outdoors from the Academy awards -- will need the nonprofit to boost funds the very first time.The idea of the museum continues to be on-again off-again for many years, however when the org introduced in October a partnership using the La County Museum of Art to lease the previous May Co. building for everyone because the museum's home, plans appeared to become finally on the right track. Disney chief and fund-raising chair Bob Iger is rumored to possess a target of more than $100 million the Academy will endow the museum with $50 million.While fund-raising is well outdoors AMPAS' safe place, re-using existing structures within the city isn't. Both Pickford Center and also the Herrick Library were historic structures damaged prior to the Academy introduced it well to existence within their particular communities. Getting the Academy make its museum mark around the May Co. building, that has been an legendary area of the Miracle Mile since 1940, will preserve yesteryear from the city while getting the industry's history towards the community.The museum project comes at any given time of incredible change for that 85-year-old organization. Challenges for next season include enhancing all the ongoing programs, settling-in new leadership (additionally to Hudson, Ric Robertson was marketed this past year to chief operating officer) and continual handwringing within the no surprise but headline-getting L.A. Occasions study finding that almost all voters are gone 50 and White.However the simplest method to cope with the turmoil would be to address it mind on.The moment the Academy awards conclude, the Academy should try to announce a staffing arrange for the museum. When the time comes to examine the guidelines for next year's honours, the org should have a cold, hard consider the music and foreign-language rules -- exactly the same examination the documentary rules received recently.Once the listing of new membership guests are introduced in This summer, for Pete's sake, make certain it's multicultural and skewing more youthful.And, most importantly, you shouldn't be scared of the inevitable critique. Dig through it without emotion to understand what's vital that you the city, the and those who are heavily committed to your finest assets. Contact Christy Grosz at christy.grosz@variety.com

Ratings: Large Bang Beats Idol In person Again, But Fox Wins Another Low Evening

Phil Keoghan is planning for just about any large weekend. On Saturday, his documentary The Ride - through which he biked within the U.S. to enhance money for your National Ms Society - premieres on Showtime at 8/7c. On Sunday, The Astounding Race returns due to its 20th season (8/7c, CBS). "[The organizing] wasn't planned. It really ended up being by doing this,Inch Keoghan notifies TVGuide.com. "The fantastic factor is it's almost three years for the day I started my ride a bicycle which we simply hit the $millions of mark. The teams are starting their Race for $millions of. An individual's for charitable organization along with a person's a race around the globe, it is therefore pretty awesome." The thing that was planned though was getting Racers begin their globe-trotting adventure on - what else? - bikes, and infusing the summer season getting a wee a bit more drama by casting everyone's favorite Government couple that like to hate: Brendon and Rachel. We taken track of Keoghan to get the scoop on Season 20 and why it is not being missed. Discover More > Other Links From TVGuide.com Phil KeoghanMark JacksonBrendon VillegasRachel ReillyBig BrotherAmazing Race 20Dave Brown Junior.Rachel BrownVanessa MaciasWilliam Minton

PGA launches third ProShow

The Producers Guild of America has launched the third annual PGA Producers Showcase (ProShow) competition in conjunction with the Produced By Conference on June 8-10. Ten finalists will receive free admission to the conference at the Sony lot and participate in one-on-one meetings with financiers, studios and production companies. The winning project will be awarded $20,000 in prizes and the nine remaining finalists will each receive $500. To be eligible, projects must be a feature-length screenplay, packaged for theatrical release. Eligible producers can register at Withoutabox, submitting their screenplay synopsis, bio and application. Entry fee is $55 before March 13, $75 before March 27 and $95 up until April 17. Ten finalists will be announced May 1. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

Jonah Hill Overcome By Moneyball Supporting Actor Nomination

First Launched: The month of the month of january 24, 2012 2:46 PM EST Credit: Getty Images La, Calif. -- Caption Jonah Hill steps in the 69th Annual Golden Globe Honours locked in the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Slopes, Calif. around the month of the month of january 15, 2012A few years back, Jonah Hill carried out everyones go-to partner in comedies like Lead him to the Greek and Superbad, but from Tuesday, he's forever known to being an Oscar nominee. I appear like Im in the dream still, Jonah told Access Hollywood on Tuesday, just a while after learning he'd acquired a Best Supporting Actor jerk for his work opposite Kaira Pitt in Moneyball. I didn't sleep with the evening then I seen it on tv and Ive been in the phone since Im really, really overcome, I cant believe that this can be my existence at this time around. Jonah made the effective leap from comedy to drama with baseball film and hes pleased that Oscar voters recognized his performance. In my opinion, its really amazing, because In my opinion theres very handful of stars you understand, Tom Hanks, Robin Williams I'm speaking about two of the extremely legendary ones to effectively transition from comedy to drama, doing both, and you also know the fact it's my second drama, a thrilled Jonah mentioned. Also to get nominated with an Academy Award with this just generates for me encouragement to keep producing dramas. Kaira showed up at to Jonah morning, congratulating his fellow nominee. He just mentioned hes really proud and excited which i felt much the same way, you understand, Jonah recounted, mentioning to Brads Best Actor nomination. Which I loved [The] Tree of Existence, his other film that got him nominated for top Picture. Pardon me, Jonah added, putting a hold on. Im very overcome. Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The Voice Blind Auditions Episode 3: Holler If You Hate "Hey There Delilah"

Thoughts on the third episode of The Voice blind auditions coming at you...right after someone revives me because I'm still in shock that there are people who choose "Hey There Delilah." For anything. In Life. OK, I'm good. Let's do this. Oooh, mystery! Our first contestant is cloaked in shadows but immediately we know this person has short hair and a high-pitched voice. Our guess? A girl! I'm going to go ahead and say she. She tells us about those darn record labels loving her voice and not loving her look. (So superficial, the music industry! But I do wonder: are there 40 facial piercings lurking in the dark? Yellow eyes? A third nostril?) She hits the stage, face still hidden by the camerawork, with an inoffensive version of Lady Gaga's "You and I." Cee Lo turns around quickly and we get the big reveal: Sarah Golden, a woman with a boy haircut in a button-down shirt. Okaaaaaaay then. Anyways, X-Tina tries to nicely say her voice just wasn't that special, and I agree. Blake barely makes a case to win her over, and she goes withCee Lo. Lucky her. Next up, the season's first high school dropout Elley Duhe! The good and bad news is that she definitely sounds like a teenager trying to impersonate Duffy. Alas for Elley, third-rate "Mercy" isn't what the coaches are looking for and they all pass. Blake pulls out the ever-reliable "pitchy" as Elley's main problem. Pip, no last name, is a clean-cut 19-year-old who shows up in suspenders, a bow tie and red kicks (he's not a hipster, he's just not cool: i.e. if he was on Glee, he and Blaine would be fast friends.) When he actually sings, he's fine, especially if your thing is The Fray or Gavin DeGraw or anything out of that generic pop-rock school. (I'm trying hard not to judge you right now.) Adam's trigger finger hits his button 20 seconds into Pip's "House of the Rising Sun" and all of the other coaches follow suit. Pip chooses Adam, to which I say, "Go with God, Adam." Erin Willett's dad has stage 4 pancreatic cancer, and she'd like to win this thing for him. She sings a pretty straight-forward take on the Jackson 5's "I Want You Back," which means I have no idea what to make of her personal style or what she'd be like as an artist. X-Tina dares Blake to push his button first, so he does - but then she doesn't! Sabotage? Erin's got a pleasantly powerful voice. Maybe Blake will know which direction to take it. Football coach David Grace says he doesn't look like the average singer; people usually guess he's a UFC fighter or security. He sings "Sweet Home Alabama" and his voice is a little on the light and slight side. The coaches try and coax one another to push buttons, but no one does. Katrina Parker, 34, an underwriting administrative assistant, moved to Hollywood from North Carolina with big dreams! But hidden mold in her home has prevented her from singing the last two years. (Ew!) She's got an unusual voice, and I kind of dig it, even if she's not the strongest technician. Adam is the only one smart enough to recognize it despite some issues. Coaches, you all turned around for Pip. Get yourselves together! Geoff McBride, a married father of three, dedicates his performance to his dad, and it's not a bad tribute at all. He does Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground" some good. Solid if unspectacular, but no one thus far is blowing me away. Like the coaches like to say, I have higher standards this season! After the commercial break he chooses X-Tina. Cee Lo acts bummed, but he's not that bummed. He would have turned his chair around a lot sooner. I think I already have a problem with Erin Martin, 27, a former model who says she's tired of being judged for her looks! She's made the rounds with the record labels and they all said she needed development. Blind auditions or not, she arrives dressed for the runway, or as she puts it, as an "Egyptian warrior princess." Yes, definitely over her. But hey she kind of sounds like Bjork, only stranger and with less conviction. That would still be alright, but what's this? Bjork meets "Hey There Delilah"? Hell no. That's not fine. "Hey There Delilah" is never fine. I'm out. Oh, and Erin chooses Cee Lo over Blake. So about James Massone, I don't want to be mean, but he sounds like Justin Bieber's little brother, only like 238 times whinier and with a Baaaah-ston, Massachusetts accent. I can come up with no good explanation for why his lazy take on Drake's "Find Your Love" gets everyone but Adam to turn around. But, you know, good for him. He puts himself on Team Cee Lo, which means at least he's got some taste. Bold prediction: He will be gone no matter who his competition is during the battle rounds. Winter Rae cleans shoes and serves drinks at the Lucky Strike bowling alley. She's got half a shaved head, blue hair and lots of tattoos -- but guess what? Her favorite song is Mariah Carey's "Hero" and she's besties with Perez Hilton! I don't even know what to say. She chooses the absolute wrong song for herself (Rihanna's "Take A Bow") and none of the coaches push their buttons. Wait, doesn't Perez have his own music label? Why does she even need to do The Voice? This whole segment is confusing me. Chris Cauley, a 27-year-old from Atlanta, tells us all about how he misses grandma, a bluegrass musician he used to sing with who recently passed away. But Chris actually sings R&B and soul, and his version of Bruno Mars' "Grenade" is slower, smoother and less desperate than the original -- for better or worse, I do not think he'd catch a grenade for ya. I'd listen to him again.He chooses Adam, who appreciates his "consistency" and finishing the song "with grace." A flurry of people who don't get their own segments: Nathan Parrett goes to Adam, Brian Fuente, to team Blake and Moses Stone, the show's first-ever MC, is drafted by X-Tina. Last up, Jordis Unga, who like most of tonight's contestants loves her family a lot and who, like poor Winter Rae, also has many tattoos, albeit hers are covered up. She also used to sing in a punk band, so naturally she sings Paul McCartney's "Maybe I'm Amazed" (so badass!) She's as solid as shades-sporting Geoff McBride and everyone's got nice things to say, but since Blake pushed his button first, she goes with him. In sum, some nice singers, but no one I'm betting on just yet. How about everyone else? Should I relax my expectations? Thoughts on Pip and Erin Martin? Any of you willing to stand up for "Hey There Delilah"? show less

Media PR keeps its eye on the ball

With sports routinely outdrawing other genres on TV, those with shows or films to market are taking notice. And it doesn't matter whether a production is sports-focused or simply a project that might appeal to fans; the feeling among film and television producers is that sports media can be an essential part of a publicity campaign. Columbia Pictures actioner "21 Jump Street" has brought in a consultant to ensure that sports media is a part of the PR plan. While the action film doesn't highlight home runs, touchdowns or goals scored, "Jump Street" thesps Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill or Ice Cube may well end up chatting on sports TV and radio about their reboot of the popular 1980s television series in the runup to the movie's March 16 release. "Having talent on either sports radio or sports-themed television programming tends to reach a heavy concentration of males who are 18 and older -- along with sports-savvy women," says Sony Pictures Entertainment's Steve Elzer, senior VP of media relations. "So if we have a film that targets men -- whether it has a sports theme or not -- we believe (sports media) is a very important slice of our campaign." ESPN shows like "First Take," "SportsCenter" and "Sports-Nation" consistently attract audiences in key male demographics. "SportsCenter," for example, has a 75% male audience with a median age in the hard-to-reach 33- to 38-year-old range. Radio sports talkshows regularly welcome movie and TV stars not only to talk sports but also to tubthump their latest projects. Even less obvious outlets like the NFL Network's "The Rich Eisen Podcast" can be an excellent venue for stars to pitch their work. Eisen's podcasts, simulcast on TV and the Internet, regularly feature celebs such as Matt Damon and Adam Sandler talking both football and Hollywood, and have exceeded 4 million downloads since April. Since 1993, Jeff Freedman, founder of praisery FSPR, has worked for nearly every studio in Hollywood as a publicist-for-hire focused on courting sports media coverage. He's seen movies increase their tracking by as many as eight points when a sports media-specific push goes well. Freedman, who is working with Columbia on "21 Jump Street," points to "Moneyball" as an example of a well-executed sports campaign. ESPN had numerous segments devoted to the movie, including ones with star Brad Pitt on "SportsCenter" and the show "Numbers Never Lie." The MLB Network also did a Bob Costas-hosted special, featuring Pitt and co-star Hill, among others. The marriage of sports media and a film like "Moneyball," based on a book that chronicled a change in the way baseball players are valued and which boasts a big name like Pitt, was a no-brainer for outlets like ESPN and the MLB Network. But Freedman argues that projects without sports-driven plotlines can also benefit from such exposure. A common misconception among some studio execs, according to Freedman, is that the courting of sports fans may pigeonhole a project as simply a movie for rabid armchair jocks. "Sometimes (studios) feel that sports are confining, which is not the case," Freedman says. "If Brad Pitt does an interview on the MLB Network, you don't have to worry that some women are going to be (turned off), because he's talking about the baseball in 'Moneyball.'?" The only women who are going to see the interview are women who are baseball fans, he says. From the sports media side, there is certainly a healthy appetite for Hollywood talent appearing on programming. "It adds a bit of celebrity sizzle," says Fox Sports media group president and chief operating officer Eric Shanks. "Overall, it is just another kind of way to broaden sports and make it entertaining." Shanks, a producer on the former Fox Sports talker "The Best Damn Sports Show Period," included stars like Mark Wahlberg, Bradley Cooper and Kid Rock on Fox's NFL telecasts this past season. Fox Sports Net simulcasts "The Dan Patrick Show," a radio program that is a popular destination for stars, and Shanks says he would always consider new talk projects that combine Hollywood and athletics. Eisen, an on-air personality for the NFL Network, books his own guests for his podcast. He has grabbed a long list of film and television talent to discuss sports and their projects, including Bryan Cranston ("Breaking Bad"), Josh Charles ("The Good Wife") and Larry David ("Curb Your Enthusiasm"). "I love to have relaxed conversations with (people) from various spectrums of pop culture, and the NFL is a major slice of pop culture," Eisen says. "What better way to have somebody promote their movie, their show or their album than to come on in a relaxed easy environment and show their fans that they are just like them?" A veritable blitz of Hollywood regulars have descended upon ESPN's Bristol, Conn., headquarters to take part in what the company calls the Car Wash, where talent from films like "The Hangover Part II" (Justin Bartha), "Grown Ups," (Sandler, Chris Rock, David Spade, Rob Schneider, Kevin James) and "Hall Pass" (Peter and Bobby Farrelly) are booked as guests on a laundry list of ESPN shows across TV, radio and online. "We're in a world where media is being ever-increasingly fractured," Freedman says. "Every day, there are more channels, more websites and more radio (options). Sports (platforms) can be most effective if (used) in sync with the overall marketing campaign." Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com