Producers Guild Certification Plan Removed By Justice Department

The Department of Justice stated today the Producers Guild of America’s certification system to tell apart full-on film producers from “financiers, stars, lawyers varieties within the entertainment industry who may bargain for any generic producer credit in exchange for his or her services” may likely not reduce competition among producers or galleries and really should help the industry by supplying transparency. The review ruling provides the guild the all-obvious regarding its system — that is voluntary — getting anticompetitive effects. Here’s the DOJ release: WASHINGTON The Department of Justice introduced today that it'll not challenge the Producers Guild of Americas suggested utilization of a voluntary certification system for film producers. In line with the representations produced by the Guild, the department stated the suggested voluntary certification product is unlikely to lessen competition among producers or film galleries for producer services and may provide clearness towards the film industry and also the public. The Department of Justices position was mentioned in business review letter to counsel for that Guild from Sharis A. Pozen, Acting Assistant Attorney General responsible for the Department of Justices Antitrust Division. With this particular certification, the Guild aims to tell apart individuals who perform what it really views to become the entire selection of producers responsibilities on the film from individuals bankers, stars, lawyers varieties within the entertainment industry who may bargain for any generic producer credit in exchange for his or her services. The Guild proposes while using certification p.g.a. following a persons title within the works credits to clarify who carried out the creating functions on the film as based on the Guilds specifications. Based on the Guild, a producer who makes the p.g.a. certification may have been involved in most phases of growth and development of a piece, from the conceptual stage completely through publish-production and marketing. The Producers Guilds certification program will benefit the film industry and also the public by supplying a method to discern who carried out the entire selection of producer functions on the film, stated Acting Assistant Attorney General Pozen. The Guilds certification program could make it simpler to recognize a few of the key professionals in getting a movie to theaters. In line with the representations and knowledge supplied by the Guild, the department determined the Guilds proposal isn't likely to harm competition within the provision of producer services. Participation within the certification program is voluntary for producers and movie galleries, and also the certification program doesn't restrain by any means ale galleries to employ producers without p.g.a certification or of producers without certification to operate within the film industry. Underneath the departments business review procedure, a business may submit a suggested action towards the Antitrust Division and get a statement whether the division presently expects to challenge the experience underneath the antitrust laws and regulations in line with the information provided. The department reserves its to challenge the suggested action underneath the antitrust laws and regulations whether it produces anticompetitive effects. Personal files that contains the company review request and also the departments response might be examined within the Antitrust Divisions Antitrust Documents Group, U.S. Department of Justice, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Suite 1010, Washington, D.C. 20530. Following a 30-day waiting period, the documents supporting the company review will be included to the file, unless of course a grounds for their exclusion for reasons of discretion continues to be established underneath the Business Review Procedure.

First Look: Carol Burnett Returns to All My Children

Carol Burnett Here comes trouble! Queen of comedy Carol Burnett is back on her fave soap, ABC's All My Children, for her fifth stint (airing September 6 and 7) - and she's just in time for the Pine Valley High School reunion! Burnett's much-loved character, conniver Verla Grubbs (last seen in 2005), is intent on getting her hooks into old flame Sam Brady (Jason Kincaid) and wants to make sure her rival Opal (Jill Larson) doesn't land him first. Not even the mighty Erica Kane (Susan Lucci) can stop her!Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

Commercial Vet Michael Gracey to Direct Hugh Jackman's Barnum Biopic

Did you need another circus movie? Good. Because Michael Gracey — a commercial/VFX veteran who just signed on to helm the Snow White picture The Order of the Seven — will direct Hugh Jackman in The Greatest Showman on Earth, a musical biopic of 19th century circus master P.T. Barnum written by Sex and the City scribe Jenny Bicks. Hopefully it will redeem the recent misfire Water for Elephants and 1952’s The Greatest Show on Earth, which remains the most dubious Best Picture winner of all time. Jackman’s Boy from Oz zest is perfect for the role, so I suspect he’ll keep the movie from becoming another third-ring sideshow. (Ding!) [Variety]

TV Ratings: 'MasterChef' Finale Improves Double Digits

Greg Gayne/Fox Great news for Fox: Last night's two-hour MasterChef season finale improved drastically on last year's. On the strength of MasterChef's (6.5 million total viewers, 2.6 rating in adults 18-49 demographic) ratings performance (up 30 percent from last season's closer), Fox dominated Tuesday night in the key demo and delivered the network's highest-rated night in total viewers so far this summer. In head-to-head competition with America's Got Talent at 9 p.m., MasterChef topped NBC's summer reality series by 8 percent. NBC placed second on the night, averaging a 2.2 rating, thanks mainly to a two-hour America's Got Talent (10.1 million, 2.7). Talent, however, did sink 10 percent making it a season low for a Tuesday telecast. A weak performance for lead-in It's Worth What? (4.1 million, 1.0), hitting a series low, didn't help. ABC's Take the Money and Run (3.6 million, 1.4) sank 22 percent, hitting a series low, but medical drama Combat Hospital (3.6 million, 0.9) improved 13 percent. CBS and the CW aired repeats. Fox - 2.6 · MasterChef: 2.6, 6.5 million NBC - 2.2 · It's Worth What?: 1.0, 4.1 million · America's Got Talent: 2.7, 10.1 million ABC - 1.3 · Wipeout (R): 1.6, 5.5 million · Take The Money & Run: 1.4, 3.6 million · Combat Hospital: 0.9, 3.6 million CBS - 1.2 · NCIS (R): 1.2, 8.5 million · NCIS: LA (R): 1.3, 7.8 million · Hawaii Five-0 (RS): 1.1, 5.8 million CW - 0.3 · 90210 (R): 0.4, 987,000 · Shedding for the Wedding (R): 0.3, 742,000 TV Ratings

How Did Marty and Doc Brown First Meet?

Over at Mental Floss, a question was posed yesterday that’s plagued fans of the Back to the Future films for years: “Is it ever explained why Marty hangs out with Doc Brown?” Before long, an official-ish answer surfaced, courtesy of BTTF co-writer Bob Gale. The answer won’t shatter your world, but at least it puts those suggestions of inappropriate older man-teenage boy relations to bed. I suppose any nutty BTTF fan could have logged into the thread as “Bob Gale” and posted their wackadoo theories as to the origins of Marty and Doc Brown’s friendship, but the answer might then have been way more insane than this reasonable-sounding response: “Okay, from the horse’s mouth (yes, I’m the horse — er, co-writer, co-creator): We never explained it in the movie. But the history of the characters that Bob Zemeckis and I created is this…For years, Marty was told that Doc Brown was dangerous, a crackpot, a lunatic. So, being a red-blooded American teenage boy, age 13 or 14, he decided to find out just why this guy was so dangerous. Marty snuck into Doc’s lab, and was fascinated by all the cool stuff that was there. when Doc found him there, he was delighted to find that Marty thought he was cool and accepted him for what he was. Both of them were the black sheep in their respective environments. Doc gave Marty a part-time job to help with experiments, tend to the lab, tend to the dog, etc. And that’s the origin of their relationship.- Bob Gale” Sounds peachy by me, but if you’d like to read the more esoteric guesses posted to the original question, head here. And of course, sound off below and tell us if you buy the totally wholesome story of a red-blooded American teenager becoming fascinated with the dangerous older man down the block. [Mental Floss via First Showing]

A Bitter Taste of Freedom

A Goldfilms and Dixit Intl. presentation. (International sales: the Yellow Affair, Stockholm.) Produced by Marina Goldovskaya, Malcolm Dixelius. Directed, written by Marina Goldovskaya.With: Anna Politkovskaya, Mihkail Gorbachev, Karinna Moskalenko, Alla Bossart. (Russian dialogue)Profoundly moving, politically provocative and apt to provoke moral outrage in anyone short of Vladimir Putin, "A Bitter Taste of Freedom" is acclaimed documentarian Maria Goldovskaya's portrait of her longtime friend Anna Politkovskaya, the crusading Russian journalist whose still-unsolved 2006 murder remains a symbol of the national corruption she tried to expose. Goldovskaya does not concern herself with the killing as much as with Politkovskaya's character and the conflicts in Chechnya she covered so doggedly, presumably leading to her death. Festival play and likely ecstatic word of mouth should lead to a specialty run beyond the pic's Oscar-qualifying DocuWeeks berth. Pic reps a very personal follow-up to Goldovskaya's 1991 docu "A Taste of Freedom," in which Politkovskaya and her soon-to-be-ex-husband, Russian TV personality Sasha, were subjects. That film was made during Russia's honeymoon with democracy; that things haven't quite worked out is clear from the title of the new pic, which was originally intended to be a sequel set in the post-Putin era. In preparation for a film that would have reassessed the course of Russian history since the fall of communism, Goldovskaya interviewed Politkovskaya extensively, yielding the powerful, poignant conversations that are at the heart of "A Bitter Taste of Freedom." Politkovskaya, whose public persona seemed rather severe (especially to Westerners who saw her only in still photographs), is heartbreakingly lovely here, not just physically, but artistically: From the resolve she brings to her work, she seems to know she's sealing her own fate. As explained by several of the late journalist's colleagues, Politkovskaya was not a naturally brave woman, which somehow makes her all the braver. She approached her trips to Chechnya (notably, during the Second Chechnyan War) with enormous fear, one friend says. But she went all the same, because -- as an old ally, Mihkail Gorbachev, remembers somewhat sadly -- she was an idealist, albeit one who seemed to mask her ideals beneath a stern exterior. Through their friendship and her camera, Goldovskaya penetrates that businesslike exterior, and the Politkovskaya she uncovers is radiant, if sometimes alarmingly resigned to her country's descent into gangsterism. What both Politkovskaya and Goldovskaya (who currently teaches at UCLA) saw as the degeneracy of the Putin regime is exemplified by two notorious events: the so-called Nord-Ost siege of 2002, in which 170 people died after Russian authorities pumped deadly gas into a theater that had been taken over by Chechen separatists, and the 2004 Beslan school hostage crisis, which ended when Russian security forces stormed the school; more than 300 people died, including nearly 200 children. Putin used both tragedies as an excuse to crack down on Chechnya and intensify his authoritarian rule at home. The shooting of Politkovskaya wasn't the first attempt on her life. En route to help negotiate at Beslan, she was poisoned aboard an airplane; Goldovskaya's interview with her friend on a hospital gurney -- who else could have gotten such footage? -- is just one of the remarkable sequences offering a privileged glimpse into the life of a woman who becomes increasingly mythic, even as the circumstances of her death remain unresolved. Production values are mixed, footage having been gathered from a variety of sources, including homemovies and TV news.Camera (color), Goldovskaya; editor, Dmitry Sushev; music, Bruce Hanifan; sound designer, Hanifan. Reviewed on DVD, New York, Aug. 11, 2011. (In DocuWeeks.) Running time: 85 MIN. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

The politics of fuzzy math

Pierce O'Donnell is possibly most widely known in Hollywood because the guy who required on Vital, representing Art Buchwald inside a legal showdown that uncovered the bookkeeping miracle the galleries used to cover a movie's haul. Since, the saying "Hollywood accounting" has created suggestions of fuzzy math. So there is no shortage of irony in O'Donnell's current predicament. A week ago, he pled guilty to 2 misdemeanor counts of illegal campaign contributions: In 2003, he got 10 employees of his lawyer yet others to every lead $2,000 towards the John Edwards campaign after which refunded them, breaking election law. (Exacerbating O'Donnell's situation was his 2006 guilty plea to some previous situation of "conduit" contributions, misdemeanor condition charges of utilizing an incorrect title to offer to the 2001 mayoral campaign of James Hahn.) He faces six several weeks imprisonment along with a fine. But O'Donnell's situation is interesting not only being an act of hubris or another bit of remains associated with Edwards' political career as well as the amount involved: about $20,000. In present day ton of campaign cash, that's small taters. Contributor are motivated with a desire to have influence or by an ego-improving drive to participate in the realm of politics. Despite our cynical presumptions, some will have an authentic inspiration to complete what must be done to elect their candidate of preference. What's more and more apparent, however, is it costs much more to create an effect. Campaigns depend on bundlers, and campaigns like Leader Obama's re-election effort are asking their top echelon to boost sums within the six figures, not five. Additionally, there are the current proliferation of superPACs, independent expenditure committees raising limitless sums from people and companies and liberated to run advertisements specifically for or against an applicant. Similar independent groups been around in 2003, however the Supreme Court's decision within the People U . s . situation removed limitations not only on corporate investing but about the extent that they are able to specifically advocate for or against an applicant. This past week, a Bain Capital connect of Mitt Romney's fessed as much as being the origin of the $a million contribution to some professional-Romney PAC. DreamWorks Animation's Jeffrey Katzenberg, an Obama bundler, gave $two million to Focal points USA Action, a professional-Obama PAC which has already run anti-Romney spots. Politicos are also establishing nonprofits through which they collect limitless sums from contributor, as well as their names don't have to be revealed. Such groups continue to be not designed to coordinate using the actual campaign. Otherwise, all is perfectly legal. Almost always there is been some suspicion the "conduit" contributions from the sort within the O'Donnell situation are rather common it is simply that many individuals don't get caught. O'Donnell's lawyers initially contended the election statute which he had been indicted did not specifically stop the payments he earned, along with a district court agreed. But that decision was corrected through the Court of Appeals this past year. And merely as lawyers for People U . s . based their situation on free speech issues, O'Donnell's legal team elevated First Amendment concerns because they attempted to find the Top Court to accept situation, with no success. Yet finance reform groups see payments -- "hay contributor" is yet another term for this -- as flouting the limits on donations that exist. Around money flows to outdoors groups, still it does not match writing a cheque or rounding up contributions which go straight to the particular campaign, despite the present limits. "I believe there's a stark difference," stated Sheila Krumholz, executive director from the Center for Responsive Politics. "It's a much more effective statement to provide straight to an applicant rather than an outdoors group that might have credibility with voters." Trevor Potter, a Washington attorney with Caplin & Drysdale and former chairman from the Federal Election Commission, stated the act of "washing" the cash through hay contributor implies that the actual contributor realize it is wrong. Otherwise, they'd attempt to give money straight to the campaign. O'Donnell's buddies are surprised he may serve time considering the fact that he was this type of brilliant trial attorney who could "pull a rabbit from the hat" in the court, within the words of Dennis McDougal, who co-written it concerning the Vital situation, "Fatal Subtraction," with him. Other buddies observe that O'Donnell wasn't exactly a diminishing purple as all this happening: He would be a lead trial counsel suing the us government with respect to Hurricane Katrina sufferers, resulting in a court ruling last year that found the Military Corps of Engineers responsible for "monumental negligence." O'Donnell was smitten with Edwards in early stages in the career, and both were champions from the New Orleans cause. States McDougal: "All of the stars were against him, with charges in the federal level, with an applicant who disgraced themself." Contact Ted Manley at ted.manley@variety.com

Covert Matters Exclusive: Meet Auggie's New Girlfriend

Devin Kelley Covert Affairs' ladies' guy is going to settle lower for the moment.The Chicago Code's Devin Kelley has arrived a recurring role about the spy drama as Auggie's new girlfriend, TVGuide.com has learned.Covert Matters: A Heroes reunion, Annie's "crowded" sex life along with a USA crossoverKelley will have Parker, the more youthful sister of Billy, who offered in Iraq with Auggie (Christopher Gorham) and was wiped out throughout the Jack of Diamonds mission that blinded Auggie. Parker put her existence on hold after Billy's dying, but meets Auggie as she prepares to begin her service within the Peace Corps."She's certainly Auggie's type also it feels as though a great relationship he ought to be in," co-creator/co-executive producer Chris Ord informs TVGuide.com.Though Auggie has bedded his share of girls and reunited together with his ex, Natasha (Liane Balaban), on the situation last season, he's not yet been observed in rapport - so far. "We thought that might be a fascinating territory to understand more about,Inch Ord states. "And we are type of excited to determine what this means for Auggie to stay in rapport.InchA Covert Matters sight to behold: Auggie's blind past revealed with "lots of shirtlessness"However it will not be touring for that pair, as Parker is "not without complications," co-creator/co-executive producer Corman teases. "It appears like he's not able to possess any kind of romantic entanglements that do not involve some stress."Covert Matters will mark Kelley's second major TV role - her first being Code, by which she performed rookie cop Vonda Wysocki. Kelley, who's reserved for 3 episodes, will first come in the 2nd episode from the winter months.Hidden Affairs' summer time season finale airs Tuesday at 10/9c on USA.

Universal Ups Josh Goldstine To Leader Of Selling

UNIVERSAL CITY, CA, August 3, 2011Tenured marketing executive Josh Goldstine has formally became a member of Universal Pictures because the galleries Leader of selling, it had been introduced today. Within this role, Goldstine will oversee and orchestrate every aspect of Universals domestic feature film marketing activities including creative advertising, media, publicity, promotion, internet marketing, home theatre marketing and administration. He'll are accountable to Universal Pictures Chairman, Adam Fogelson, and work carefully using its Co-Leader of selling, Michael Moses. Goldstine fills the positioning which was formerly held by Eddie Egan, that has moved forward to Leader of selling, Illumination Entertainment, and Executive V . P ., Universal Pictures. Josh has frequently and consistently proven themself a high marketing and advertising executive, and that we are fully confident his leadership continues to construct this divisions recent achievements with Hop, Fast Five and Bridesmaids, stated Fogelson and Universal Co-Chairman, Donna Langley, inside a joint statement. It is really an exciting time for you to join Universal and have the ability to use an incredible team on the tremendous slate, Goldstine mentioned. Using the changing character of the profession and also the challenges we face as entrepreneurs, I anticipate leading this group once we make use of the possibilities that lie ahead. Together, we'll take advantage of advances in technology and also the altering media landscape to improve the way in which we communicate about and promote films. Just before joining Universal, Goldstine spent 2 decades with The new sony Pictures, where he held a number of marketing positions including his newest role as Senior Executive V . P ., Creative Advertising, since 2010. Goldstine started his career at Columbia Pictures in 1991 as executive assistant towards the Leader of selling and labored his in place the ranks holding senior positions both in Creative Marketing and advertising guiding the campaigns of a number of Sonys most effective films. Throughout his years at The new sony, Goldstine headed numerous marketing campaigns for films such as the Academy Award-winning The Social Networking, The Karate Kid and Fight: La, along with the extremely effective Spider-Guy franchise and eight pictures with Will Cruz. Goldstine has additionally personally overseen the creative team accountable for developing trailers, posters, television advertisements along with other ads that offer the theatrical discharge of films from Columbia Pictures, Revolutions Galleries and The new sony Pictures Animation. Since 2002, Goldstine and the co-workers have produced ads in excess of 50 No. 1 films. Among his other credits, Goldstine oversaw the creative team that released such game titles as Casino Royale, The Da Vinci Code, Somethings Gotta Give, Anger Management, Stress Room, xXx, Males in Black, Males in Black II, Mr. Deeds, S.W.A.T., 50 First Dates, Dad Daycare, Black Hawk Lower, Bad Boys II, Air Pressure One, Jerry Maguire and Just Like It Will get, among many more. Goldstine has brought a large number of advertising honors including numerous Key Art honours, gold medals in the New You are able to and London Advertising Festivals. He's a 1990 graduate of Harvard College.