News Briefs

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Thursday, Apr. 10, 2014

42nd Annie Awards Set For January 31, 2015

BURBANK, Calif. --

The International Animated Film Society, ASIFA-Hollywood, has announced the date for the 42nd Annual Annie Awards - Saturday, January 31, 2015. The event will be held for the sixth consecutive year at historic Royce Hall on the campus of UCLA. Details and deadlines for the event as they become available can be found on the Annies website – www.annieawardsorg.

ASIFA-Hollywood is the world’s first and foremost professional organization dedicated to promoting the Art of Animation and celebrating the people who create it. Today, ASIFA-Hollywood, the largest chapter of the international organization ASIFA, supports a range of animation activities and preservation efforts through its membership. Current initiatives include the Animation Archive, Animation Aid Foundation, animated film preservation, special events, classes and screenings. Created in 1972 by veteran voice More

Wednesday, Apr. 9, 2014

Webby nominees range from Citi Bike to Jay Z

NEW YORK (AP) --

This year's list of nominees for Webby awards celebrating Internet achievement range from celebrities such as Beyonce and Ellen DeGeneres to Google and GoPro, the maker of popular mountable video cameras.

The organizations with the most nominations are Vice Media with 11, The New York Times with 10 and Google Inc. with nine. Among the online videos nominated is "24 Hours of Happy," a 24-hour music video starring Pharrell Williams.

The winners of the 18th annual awards will be announced on April 29. The Webbys are presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, a group of about 1,000 Internet experts and professionals. Webby categories are split into a regular award, chosen by the academy, and a "people's voice" award, which lets members of the public vote.

Among the mobile apps and games nominated are the secret-sharing app Whisper, vacation rental site Airbnb and QuizUp. More

Tuesday, Apr. 8, 2014

Amy Poehler and brother Greg team on new comedy

This photo released by NBC shows Amy Poehler, left, and Greg Poehler, from the new TV series, "Welcome to Sweden" during NBCUniversal Summer Press Day on Tuesday, April 8, 2014, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/NBC, Paul Drinkwater)

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) --

Another Poehler sibling is bringing his comedy to television.

Greg Poehler, whose sister Amy stars on NBC's "Parks and Recreation," stars in "Welcome to Sweden," debuting July 10 on the same network.

He plays an accountant who follows his girlfriend back to her native Sweden despite having no job, friends or any idea what he's getting into.

Poehler also created, wrote and serves as executive producer of the show based on his own life and shot mainly in Sweden. Amy Poehler, Will Ferrell, Aubrey Plaza and Gene Simmons make guest appearances as themselves.

The show debuted in Sweden three weeks ago, drawing more than 2 million viewers. Greg Poehler says it's already been picked up for a second season and he hopes it does just as well in the U.S.

Amy Poehler is an executive producer on the show. She says she always knew her brother was a funny writer.

Tuesday, Apr. 8, 2014

NBC sets online talent search for comedy writers

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) --

NBC is launching a national talent search for comedy writers.

The initiative dubbed "NBC Comedy Playground" will give up to 10 finalists the chance to create pilots and a formal presentation.

NBC said Tuesday that two winners will be chosen to create half-hour comedies to air on the network in summer 2015.

NBC Entertainment President Jennifer Salke says the network wants to uncover original comedy minds who want an "express pass" into the TV industry.

The top two ideas will be picked by a celebrity advisory board including Eva Longoria, Sean Hayes, Mindy Kaling and Seth Meyers. Another prize, the chance to create an online comedy, will be decided by a public vote.

Application videos can be submitted online at http://www.nbccomedyplayground.com starting May 1.

Tuesday, Apr. 8, 2014

Lions Health rolls out Grand Prix For Good

CANNES, France --

Lions Health, the new two-day festival for creativity in healthcare communications, is introducing the ‘Lions Health United Nations Foundation Grand Prix for Good’ award to honor the best entry for a charity, public service or NGO.

A select jury of seven members will review all the Gold Lion winning work chosen by both the Health & Wellness and Pharma juries and award one outstanding entry for a not-for-profit client to be presented with the accolade.

The Grand Prix for Good jury will include Kathy Calvin, president and CEO, United Nations Foundation; Health & Wellness jury president Kathy Delaney, global chief creative officer of Saatchi & Saatchi Wellness; Pharma jury president Jeremy Perrott, global chief creative officer of McCann Health; and four other members selected from the two Lions Health juries.

The winner of this prestigious honor will be revealed during the Lions More

Monday, Apr. 7, 2014

NBC chief says traditional TV season outdated

NEW YORK (AP) --

NBC's boss says the traditional television season that begins in September and ends in May is an outdated practice that the network is moving beyond.

NBC Universal CEO Steve Burke said Monday that NBC is premiering six scripted series and three reality shows this summer. He said ratings during the hot-weather months are just as important to NBC as those in the spring and fall.

One longtime TV tradition that NBC isn't backing away from is the focus on viewers aged 18 to 49 years old, despite an aging population. Burke says NBC still sells most of its ads based on that demographic and will continue to make programming decisions based on what appeals to that age group.

Monday, Apr. 7, 2014

Entry Period Opens For DGA Student Film Awards

20th DGA program honors, encourages, and brings attention to outstanding minority and women film students

LOS ANGELES --

The Directors Guild of America today announced that the application period for the 20th Annual DGA Student Film Awards is now open.

Currently in its 20th year, the DGA Student Film Awards have spotlighted dozens of African American, Asian American, Latino, and Women filmmakers. Winners of the DGA Student Film Awards in each category receive a $2,500 prize from the DGA and their films are screened in a special ceremony at the DGA Theater. The winners of the jury awards in each category receive $1,000 and screen clips of their films at the DGA.

A number of previous winners have gone on to enjoy successful directing careers, including:

· Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale Station)

· Patricia Riggen (The 33; Lemonade Mouth; Under the Same Moon)

· John M. Chu (G.I. Joe: Retaliation; Justin Bieber: Never Say Never; More

Saturday, Apr. 5, 2014

Jennifer Lopez-backed company buys Fuse

NEW YORK --

The Jennifer Lopez-backed company that owns NUVOtv, an English-language cable entertainment network aimed at Latinos, has bought the Fuse music network.

SiTV Media said Friday it had agreed to pay $226 million to Fuse's owner, the Madison Square Garden Co. SiTV reportedly outbid Revolt, the music network started by Sean Combs.

Fuse is in 73 million homes, more than twice that of NUVOtv. SiTV announced no plans to change or close Fuse, although there is precedent for companies buying networks with greater distribution in order to help their own networks grow. Al-Jazeera bought Current TV and shut Current down.

Lopez is a shareholder and chief creative officer at NUVOtv.

Friday, Apr. 4, 2014

Industry mourns Paul Salamunovich who helped score "The Godfather"

This photo provided by courtesy of Los Angeles Master Chorale shows Music Director Emeritus of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, Paul Salamunovich, at the piano in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Los Angeles Master Chorale)

LOS ANGELES (AP) --

Paul Salamunovich, longtime director of the Los Angeles Master Chorale who helped score movies including "The Godfather," has died. He was 86.

The chorale's publicist, Libby Huebner, says the Grammy-nominated conductor died Thursday of complications related to West Nile virus.

From 1991 to 2001, Salamunovich exposed millions to choral music through recordings and live performances.

The New York Times declared the chorus one of America's top vocal ensembles during his final season.

Salamunovich also helped score and sing on soundtracks for numerous films, including "The Godfather," "How the West was Won" and "A.I. Artificial Intelligence."

He was choral music director at St. Charles Borromeo Church in North Hollywood for 60 years until retiring in 2009.

Salamunovich taught music at several colleges, including the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music More

Friday, Apr. 4, 2014

Lancome taps Lupita Nyong'o as new face

This Feb. 26, 2014 file photo shows actress Lupita Nyong'o at LoveGold Honors Academy Nominee Lupita Nyong'o in West Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)

NEW YORK (AP) --

The fashion and beauty industry's love affair with Lupita Nyong'o continues: The Oscar winner has been named the new face for Lancome.

The Mexican-born Kenyan will be the first black ambassador for the brand, which features Julia Roberts, Kate Winslet, Penelope Cruz and Lily Collins as spokeswomen. In a statement Friday, Nyong'o said she was proud to represent Lancome, adding "beauty should not be dictated, but should instead be an expression of a woman's freedom to be herself."

It's the first major endorsement deal for the 31-year-old, who won the best-supporting Oscar for her role in "12 Years a Slave." Her striking beauty and fashion sense made her the It Girl for the Hollywood awards season.

Lancome ads featuring Nyong'o will start appearing this summer.