Piven teams on docu, TV pilot

PivenJeremy Piven is teaming with documaker Bert Marcus on a pair of projects -- a feature documentary on the world of reality TV and a pilot titled "What I Really Want to Do Is..." The feature, hosted and produced by Piven, will explore reality television's impact on media, entertainment and modern society along with its mass appeal. "Because of starring in 'Entourage' over a decade's time, Jeremy has a deep understand of the dynamics of this genre," Marcus said. "What I Really Want to Do Is," which they plan to develop into a docu-miniseries, chronicles famous actors, musicians and athletes to get a glimpse into what they would do if they had a choice to explore a passion outside their current professions. Piven's own journey will kick off the series, exploring his talent as a drummer. Piven will star in and produce the pilot, set to be completed in December. Marcus will produce and direct. Marcus has wrapped production on "Boxing," a feature documentary exploring the worldwide appeal and impact of the sport through the eyes and life of Mario Lopez with interviews with Manny Pacquiao, Mike Tyson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Micky Ward, Donald Trump, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Denzel Washington and Ron Howard. "Boxing" will be for sale at the American Film Market. Bert Marcus Prods. launched with "Teenage Paparazzo," produced with Adrian Grenier, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2010. The film was picked up by HBO and aired in September 2010. Bert Marcus Prods. is also finalizing its second film, "How to Make Money Selling Drugs." Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

Expendables 2 Stuntman Wiped out On Occur Bulgaria

First Released: October 28, 2011 12:18 PM EDT Credit: Getty Images Caption Sylvester Stallone poses with Bruce Willis, Mickey Rourke and producer Kevin King around the red-colored carpet in the The Expendables premiere at Graumans Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on August 3, 2010 SOFIA, Bulgaria -- Police in Bulgaria say a stuntman has died and the other continues to be seriously hurt while filming a surge scene around the group of The Expendables 2. Police stated Friday the 2 males, whose names and ethnicities weren't revealed, were carrying out a stunt including a surge with an inflatable boat around the Ognyanovo dam, just outdoors the main city, Sofia. The incident happened late Thursday. The hurt guy has gone through a five-hour operation and the condition was stable, doctors are cited through the BTA news agency as saying. Inside a statement, the development company Nu Image/Millennium Films confirmed the unfortunate accident, adding the filmmakers will work carefully using the government bodies. The film stars Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Copyright 2011 through the Connected Press. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

President Obama Heading Out Of Town

Obamas High-Priced Hollywood Fundraisers Attract Major Stars & Celebrities & Money In LA, a presidential visit is as much a traffic report as a politics story: After POTUS spent Monday at a pair of Hollywood fundraisers, he recorded his Tonight Show segment with Jay Leno this morning (it will air tonight, but NBC said it would make excerpts available this afternoon) and departed Burbank by helicopter at 11:36 AM, according to pool reports. That’s good news for NBC, Disney and Warner Bros employees who might have been stuck in lunchtime traffic. Obama arrived at LAX at 11:48 AM and was on Air Force One by 11:53, heading for events San Francisco and Denver later today.

Norman Corwin dies at 101

Emmy-winning author-producer Norman Corwin, who had been one of the primary to make use of the brand new entertainment media from the twentieth century to understand more about social issues worth focusing on, died Tuesday at his home in La. The reason wasn't given. The guy sometimes known as "radio's poet laureate" was 101.Before Norman Lear or Fishing rod Serling, Corwin, like Orson Welles, while using medium of radio drama look around the issues during the day. Born in Boston, Corwin first labored like a author at a few Massachusetts newspapers and then like a newsreader for radio station WBZA. He gone to live in NY in 1936 and first produced programs to have an independent radio station there. Corwin started employed by the CBS Radio Network in 1938. His CBS series "Norman Corwin's Words Without Music" -- which marked the very first utilization of a writer's title inside a program title -- incorporated rhymed fantasy "The Plot to Overthrow Christmas" and "They Fly With the Air," Corwin's galvanizing reaction to the The spanish language Civil War. In 1941, CBS' "The Columbia Workshop" series provided Corwin having a 26-week slot, "26 by Corwin" he created a large-varying number of programs, a few of which reflected his feeling of social justice. His run ended per month before Gem Harbor. He adopted an identical method for 1944's "Columbia Presents Corwin." In December 1941, Corwin authored and created the landmark program "We Hold These Facts." This celebration from the Bill of Rights' 150th anniversary, read by Welles, broadcast concurrently total four systems per week after Gem Harbor. For V-E Day in 1945, Corwin produced "On some Triumph." Carl Sandburg known as the program "among the all-time great American poems." The show have been created like a morale booster for that troops prior to the finish from the war was anticipated Corwin was told, however, that Leader Truman wanted this program to air not despite but due to the victory. Corwin's most well-known program came a crowd of 60 million at any given time once the U.S. population involved 130 million. Three several weeks later came his V-J Day documentary "14 August," read by Welles. For his efforts in evolving the idea the world should be unified, Corwin grew to become the very first champion from the One World Award, established through the Common Council for American Oneness together with the (Wendle) Wilkie Memorial of Freedom House. The honoree received an around-the-world trip, and Corwin made good utilisation of the prize, aiming on the four-month journey in June 1946 supported with a CBS recording engineer. His 100 hrs of recorded interviews with world leaders and regular people were molded by CBS right into a 13-part documentary that broadcast in 1947. Corwin left CBS in 1948 and created a number of programs for Un Radio. Also throughout the nineteen forties, Corwin authored several books and composed the libretto for an opera, "Players," which was created in the Metropolitan Opera House in 1947. Throughout the nineteen fifties and early sixties Corwin composed several scripts. He came an Oscar nomination for his adaptation of Irwin Stone's "Lust for Existence" in 1957. Younger crowd scripted "Nowhere Veil" (1951), "Scandal at Scourie" (1953), "Room to coverInch (1956), "The Naked Maja" (1958), "The Storyline of Ruth" (1960) and "Madison Avenue" (1962) and did uncredited focus on "This Guitar Rock Band Wagon" and John Huston's "Moby Dick." He seemed to be writing and often pointing plays, including "The Competition," with Richard Boone as Abraham Lincoln subsequently, in 1959, and "The field of Carl Sandburg," with Bette Davis, in 1960, both on Broadway. In 1969 he carried out poems he'd written on two instances of "The Erectile dysfunction Sullivan Show," as well as in 1972 he created and located the television series "Norman Corwin Presents" for that Canadian Broadcasting Corp. He scripted the 1974 telepic "Judgement: A Legal Court Martial from the Tiger of Malaya -- General Yamashita," concerning the trial of the Japanese war criminal after World war 2. In 1978 he authored, with Hildy Parks, the seven-part docu series "CBS: Around the Air," honoring the very first half a century of CBS broadcasting. In 1991, half a century after his show "We Hold These Facts" first broadcast on radio, Corwin created a show for American Public Radio with similar title and a few of the same material, again honoring the balance of Privileges. Norman Lear and Ray Bradbury were questioned for L'ensemble des Guthman's feature docu "Corwin," which broadcast on PBS in 1996. "Some Triumph: The Golden Chronilogical age of Norman Corwin" won the Oscar for the best documentary (short feature) in 2006. In 2001, NPR broadcast six new Corwin plays underneath the title "More by Corwin." Corwin would be a author in residence at USC's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism in recent year. In 1972 Corwin received the WGA's Valentine Davies Award. Corwin was awarded with a Radio Hall of Fame in 1993. Contact Carmel Dagan at carmel.dagan@variety.com

Japan's Zazie takes FilmSharks' 'Evil'

RIO P JANEIRO -- Pointing to restored sales existence on key durable game titles, Buenos Aires-based FilmSharks Intl. has closed a slew of latest major territory sales on game titles it introduced to the market dating back to 2008. Zombie caper "Evil within the Duration of Heroes," featuring Billy Zane, first observed in A holiday in greece last year, was offered now to Japan's Zazie Films. "Evil" has additionally closed Germany and Austria with Anolis Films. A U.S. deal is under settlement, FilmShark's founder Guido Rud stated Thursday in the Rio festival's Rio Market. Evergreen sales title "Letters to Father Jacob" was acquired a week ago by Australia's Rialto Distribution and Katholisches Filmwerk for Germany and Austria. France has become under discussions, Rud stated. Another lengthy-running FilmSharks sales hit, "A Boyfriend for my spouse,Inch created by Argentina's Disney-backed Patogonik, has sealed Russia with Dalmatian Film. Meanwhile, psycho-thriller "American Venus," starring Rebecca P Mornay, was lately offered to U.K.'s High Fliers Films. In Columbia, Chris Lee Photos. Intl. has acquired Mexican melodrama "Tear This Heart Out," while Kim Media has had Paula Hernandez's "Rain," which world preemed in 2008 Spain's Canal Plus has acquired Jonathan Parker's "Untitled," starring Adam Goldberg, that has already offered to a lot more than 30 areas. Of more recent game titles, questionable Chinese toon pic "Piercing 1" continues to be bought by Portuguese pubcaster RTP Portugal and Tren Distribution for Argentina, Uruguay and Chile. "When there's very little in the market, purchasers are returning to films they wished to buy before, but -- because of the crisis -- were not able to to do this,Inch Rud stated in Rio. Also, a recuperating marketplace is encouraging marketers to setup new shingles. Tren was released this This summer by Manuel Garcia, former manager of Argentine distrib 791 Cine. Tren also bought German action-thriller "Snowman's Land" and Rotterdam Tiger champion "Finisterrae," both offered by FilmSharks. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

TOLDJA! Vital Taps Ex-Disney Professional David Stainton To Use New Animation Unit

UPDATE, 10:47 AM: Vital Pictures has confirmed that David Stainton is its new mind of animation. The news release is below Deadline’s original break. EARLIER EXCLUSIVE, 10:23 AM: Vital Pictures is employing David Stainton being mind of significant Animation, the division it launched through the summer season to produce one toon yearly starting in 2014. Vital’s launch coincided with speculation that Jeffrey Katzenberg and Vital may have a parting from the techniques when the DreamWorks Animation distribution deal finishes December 31, 2012. Stainton is a superb get. He spent 17 years at Disney, rose to leader of Wally Disney Feature Animation and oversaw the studio’s animation facilities in Paris. Most recently, he'd been Boss of Henry’s World Media, a family group film producer. I’m told that Stainton will account to Vital Film Group leader Adam Goodman. The studio’s goal is always to create a family film/CG animation unit by yourself, the means by which Chris Meledandri did with Fox Animation and several recently for Universal with Illumination Entertainment. Vital’s first homegrown foray into CG animation incorporated the Gore Verbinski-directed Rango using the Actor-kaira Pitt. That was an costly film, but it is searching good inside the Best Animated Film category within the approaching Oscars. Building an animation unit will take time plus an executive with vision, and clearly Vital brass thinks it's learned that a part of Stainton. Expect a comment possibly today. Stainton joins Vital carrying out a 17-year run at Disney, where he offered as leader of Wally Disney Feature Animation. Throughout his studio tenure, he oversaw several dozen releases across various platforms that introduced in $3.5 billion in worldwide revenue. He headed Disneys transition from its hands-attracted roots to totally digital animation production, introduced the effective Disney Video Premieres division, and oversaw the art galleries 150-person animation facility in Paris. More recently, Stainton offered as Boss of family entertainment producer Henrys World Media, they founded in 2007. (La, CA March. 10, 2011) — Vital Pictures, among Viacom Corporation. (New you are able to stock market:VIA and VIA.B), has hired veteran animation executive David Stainton as Leader of the new in-house animation division. Stainton joins Vital carrying out a 17-year run at Disney, where he offered as Leader of Wally Disney Feature Animation. Throughout his studio tenure, he oversaw several dozen releases across various platforms that introduced in $3.5 billion in worldwide revenue. He headed Disneys transition in the hands-attracted roots to totally digital animation production, introduced the effective Disney Video Premieres division, and oversaw the art galleries 150-person animation facility in Paris. More recently, Stainton offered as Boss of family entertainment producer Henrys World Media, they founded in 2007. Within the new role, that can take effect now, Stainton will account to Adam Goodman, Leader in the Vital Film Group. Vital Animation aims to give consideration to high-quality animation with budgets per picture up to $100 million, by getting a preliminary target of just one release every year. The divisions mandate will be the progression of the biggest choice of family CGI animated films, getting a vital piece being game game titles beneath the label of Viacoms Nickelodeon, no. 1 entertainment brand for kids worldwide. Vital may even develop Viacoms already thriving global consumer products business by attempting to make the most of selling options connected with all of Vital Animation releases. The wealth of Rango this year aided us recognize our potential and capacity to produce wonderfully imaginative animated pictures with global appeal, mentioned Kaira Grey, Chairman & Boss of significant Pictures. David can be a proven leader getting an extensive portfolio of expert knowledge in animation and family entertainment. He'll be considered a welcome addition to Adams highly gifted team. Davids accomplishments speak by themselves, and i am glad to welcome him for the lot after we start this exciting new chapter, Adam Goodman added. With Davids leadership, we'll use develop exactly what is a very good year for that studio in animation, with Rango as well as the approaching Adventures of Tintin pointing towards the kind of artist-driven, broad-appeal films we want to make at Vital Animation. The current marketplace offers terrific flexibility after we set to produce fresh, new as well as other films and goal to draw in great talent to Vital, Stainton mentioned. It is a great recognition being joining a company as storied and effective as essential also to be capable of shape its future in animation. I anticipate helping usher in this new trend. While Vital has released a variety of effective animated films within the history, the companys first fully possessed CGI animated property was Rango, released to great acclaim in March 2011. The Western, directed by Gore Verbinski and such as the voice from the Actor-kaira Pitt inside the title role, makes greater than $240 million worldwide and it is the finest examined animated movie up to now this year. Due for release in December by Vital might be the Aventures of Tintin, an animated film from director Steven Spielberg and producer Jackson.

Mikey Welsh, Former Weezer Bassist, Dies at 40

Mikey Welsh, the first kind bassist for Weezer, has died. He was 4 decades old.our editor recommendsConcert Review: Weezer Revisits Its Classic 'Pinkerton,' 'Blue Album'Related Subjects•Obituaries This news came with an October 8 message published by his family on Facebook, which read, "We're deeply saddened to announce that Mikey Welsh died suddenly today. He'll forever be appreciated being an amazing father, artist, and friend. May he relaxation in peace." Welsh became a member of Weezer following original bassist Matt Sharp's exit in 1998. He performed around the band's 2001 album, known in modern language as "The Eco-friendly Album," and may be heard on such hits as "Island under the sunInch and "Hash Pipe." That same year, the Boston-based music performer, who had been additionally a touring bassist for Juliana Hatfield, experienced a mental breakdown and then attempted suicide. "Essentially, an eternity to do drugs and being undiscovered as getting disorder, publish-distressing stress disorder, and borderline personality disorder finally swept up beside me after i was 3 decades old," Welsh stated inside a 2007 interview. "At the outset of a 3-month European tour with Weezer, I began gradually failing.Inch Welsh then devoted themself to his passion of some other art, painting. He resided in Burlington, Vermont, where he done large-scale figures and abstracts. The reason for dying has not yet been determined. Weezer responded to news of his creating this guitar rock band's official Twitter, writing, "We're shocked and deeply saddened to listen to the awful news, our friend and fellow weez rocker @mikeywelsh71 has died. We like u Mikey." Welsh released a number of cryptic tweets within the days prior to his dying. He authored on Sept. 26: "dreamed i died in chicago next weekend (cardiac arrest during my sleep). have to write my will today." On March. 4, Welsh authored he showed up in Chicago. Inside a curious coincidence, site Kick Axe Music highlights that Weezer is scheduled to headline the city's Riot Fest on Sunday. Find out more about Welsh and find out his artwork on his blog. Related Subjects Weezer

Billy Bob Thornton's Estranged Daughter Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison

Amanda Brumfield Billy Bob Thornton's estranged daughter was sentenced to 20 years in prison for killing a child under her care, Reuters reports.Billy Bob Thornton's estranged daughter found guilty of manslaughterAmanda Brumfield, 32, was sentenced Thursday, four months after she was convicted of aggravated manslaughter in the death of 1-year-old Olivia Madison Garcia. She was acquitted of first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse charges.Brumfield had claimed the girl, the daughter of one of her close friends, hit her head after falling from her playpen in October 2008. Prosecutors argued that the height from which Olivia supposedly fell wouldn't have caused a fracture on her skull and brain bleeding.Get the rest of today's news"None of it satisfies me. It doesn't matter ... I won't ever see Olivia again," the child's mother, Heather Murphy, said after the sentencing. Brumfield is Thornton's daughter with his first wife, Melissa Lee Gatlin. After Brumfield's arrest in 2009, Thornton's rep said he and his daughter were estranged, and Thornton "has had no contact with her for quite some time."

Fox Renews MasterChef For Third Season

The Gordon Ramsay supremacy at Fox continues. The network has purchased another season of MasterChef, among four reality series the foul-mouthed British chef is wearing the network. Ramsay will go back to the knowing panel from the culinary competition together with his fellow idol judges: restaurateur Joe Bastianich (Del Posto, Eataly) and chef Graham Elliot (Graham Elliot, Grahamwich). Open casting calls in a number of metropolitan areas begin October 29. Additionally to MasterChef, Ramsay has Hell’s Kitchen, Kitchen Bad dreams and also the approaching Hotel Hell on Fox.