VOD develops fast in South America

'A Harmful Method''The Tree of Life''Elena''Drive'MADRID -- Latin America's VOD landscape is quickly attaining definition.In September, Netflix released a streaming-only service through the region. Argentina's two large telcos, Telefonica p Argentina and Telecom Argentina, also provide folded out VOD services.In South america, VOD is provided by satcaster Sky and cabler Internet. Also in South america, NetMovies, Latin America's greatest local Internet VOD operator, streams 4,000 films and series, getting cut its initial U.S. studio deal, with Disney, in September.For independent films, worldwide online VOD player Mubi works throughout South America Mexico has Canana OnDemand, Argentina has website Comunidad Zoom.Finally month's Ventana Sur, Spain's Filmin, an online film/TV VOD company, inked an offer with Colombia distrib Cineplex to build up something for The spanish language-speaking South America Cineplex will lead content and technology towards the Colombia Filmin service, states Filmin Boss Juan Carlos Tous.Cineplex's large 2012 releases -- "Tree of Existence," "Drive," "A Harmful Method" and "Elena" -- is going to be among photos on the internet service, states Cineplex prexy Elba McAllister. The Colombia launch will occur within the first half 2012 with 1,000 game titles, 300 from Colombia along with other Latin American nations, the relaxation worldwide, mostly Europe-acquired.Dealing with local territory partners, Filmin aims to grow throughout The spanish language-speaking South America.The Filmin-Cineplex alliance highlights possibilities for VOD in the area. Presently, Latin American online TV/video subscription revenues are minimal: 2010 saw just $a million from Argentina, $4 million from South america and $3 million from Mexico, based on Digital TV Research.Indie VOD in South America "continues to be in a diaper stage of growth, but it's growing," states Canana partner Pablo Cruz, who adds that Canana's VOD discharge of its TV series "Soy tu fan" solicited more buys than the usual normal studio release.But Canana OnDemand is transported on Cablevision, Mexico City's dominant cabler. Online, straight-to-PC services could face a harder fight. In Mexico, for example, people don't wish to hand out charge card particulars on the internet, Cruz states.For South America generally, Filmin's challenges are quite different from individuals of Netflix: Piracy is high, broadband transmission is low -- at 36% for Argentina, 24% for South america and 35% for Mexico this year, based on Screen Digest.Yet pay TV reaches under 25% of Latin American homes versus. 90% within the U.S., so VOD is way better situated to provide pay TV a run because of its money in the area, experts say.VOD can also be crucial in a very concentrated Latin American cinema exhibition market full of multiplexes that, even much more compared to Europe, is centered by Hollywood blockbusters."VOD," McAllister states, "offers huge possibilities for that distribution of Latin American and independent films."Marcelo Cajueiro, Charles Newbery and James Youthful led for this report. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Natalie Portman Crowned Filled with IMDB, Mila Kunis is Runner-Up

Just what a year for Natalie Portman: She built with Mila Kunis, won an Oscar, stood a baby, bedded Ashton Kutcher (onscreen), tamed Thor, and managed to get co-starring with James Franco. Whew! Overall, that made her most likely probably the most-seen star this year on IMDB. Kunis (Moviefone's Hottest Lady in the Summer season) showed up second, thumping The Actor-kaira Pitt (the champion in the last six years) to 3rd. Read onto observe other stars, including people 'Twilight' kids, ranked. 1. Natalie Portman 2. Mila Kunis 3. The Actor-kaira Pitt 4. Emma Stone 5. Chris Hemsworth 6. Olivia Wilde 7. Jennifer Lawrence 8. George Clooney 9. Ryan Gosling 10. Christian Bale Strangely enough, no 'Twilight' stars made the most effective 10 this year: This Season, Billy Burke and Rachelle Lefervre nabbed the second and third slots: This year, they were in twelfth and 26th place, correspondingly. Rachelle Lefervre, ranked at #14 a year ago, tumbled 70 spots to #84. Ouch. Among the finest ranked emerging stars of 2011: Michael Fassbender, Tom Sturdy, Emily Browning, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Henry Cavill and 'Glee's Dianna Agron. [via THR, IMDB] [Photo: AFP/Getty] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Scarlett Johansson hates her nickname

In a move that will almost certainly ensure she gets called it twice as much, Scarlett Johansson has revealed she hates the popular shortening of her name to the contrived abbreviation "Scar-Jo"."It's laziness," she told USA Today. "People can't actually say the whole name? It's just bizarre... If I hear somebody say that, I know I don't know them at all."Traditionally, it has only been younger Hollywood starlets who've had their first and second names hyphened together, and Johansson goes on to query why "serious actors" don't come in for the same treatment."So Cate Blanchett is not, like, 'Ca-Bla'?" she queried. "Why is that? Why do I have to get stuck with a mangled moniker?" She went on to suggest Da-Day for Daniel Day-Lewis, which we must confess, we rather like.Anyway, we've received the warning loud and clear, which is why poor Scarlett will now be referred to exclusively by her full name. Unless of course she stars in a film with Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, in which case the temptation might be too much to resist...

Randy's rules to get the best appear

Randy ThomSound designer and Oscar champion Randy Thom has received a massive relation to the ability of film appear through both his work and also the writing. Handful of have referred to so clearly what switches into making great appear for movies.Variety spoke to Thom and asked for him to place out his core ideas, then spoke to appear pros from many of the 2011 movies about how precisely these ideas affect their pictures. We split the solutions to the two Oscar appear groups, appear mixing and appear editing.Sounds ought to be articulated clearlyEven when you're knee deep inside the sonic landscape from the action film, sounds have to be distinct. Move them forward or and also hardwearing . overall appear from getting muddy.Make room for silence between soundsMoments of silence or quiet are important inside the overall appear type of a film. Similar to breaks in musical composition, people occasions supply the audience a relaxation and additionally they create whatever uses the quiet appear more impactful and significant.Moderate using dialogue Other sounds takes a back chair whenever someone's speaking. Films designed to use dialogue properly open themselves up for greater usage of appear.If you want to choose, choose dramatic sense over technical precision Sometimes the appear from the actual explosion won't have an identical emotional impact as the second appear transformed to represent what you're seeing onscreen. When boom calculates being the noise from the cent rattling around in vacuum, expect.Attention round the Oscars: Vfx, Appear & Editing Thesps up f/x respect Longtime teams keep work fresh Randy's rules to get the best appear Appear editing: Always make dramatic sense Appear Mixing: Which causes it to be all feel real Digital tools add quality, cut back Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Eddie Lazarus to ankle FCC publish

LazarusEddie Lazarus, chief of staff to FCC chairman Julius Genachowski, will resign his publish by the finish of The month of january.Lazarus stated he's no immediate plans, but had lengthy spoken concerning the publish as being a "two- to 3-year job," that they accepted happens to be an "tiring position." His tenure was marked by some highly contentious issues, because the commission required up passage of internet neutrality rules and 2 high-profile mergers, the union of Comcast with NBC Universal and also at&T's suggested takeover of T-Mobile. Genachowski arrived on the scene from the AT&T-T-Mobile deal recently.InchWhilst there's not good time (to depart), this time around is just like any," Lazarus stated within an interview. He stated he and the family are thinking about coming back to California, where he once headed Akin Gump's La office. Lazarus became a member of the FCC in June 2009. Although he wasn't a communications lawyer, he was attracted to the thought of public service and would be a longtime friend of Genachowski's.His tenure also was marked by focus on USF reform and spectrum issues, most of the policy initiatives getting related to Genachowski's efforts to grow broadband access across the nation. A large challenge, Lazarus stated, was shepherding policy plans within an atmosphere where you will find "very couple of issues where everybody will fully stand up and applaud that which you do." But he noted that on issues like internet neutrality, "the temperature originates lower" because the new open Internet rules happen to be implemented. GOP efforts to roll back the guidelines have unsuccessful to win passage within the Senate.Lazarus stated his tenure "has switched to be absolutely fascinating. I'm happy Used to do it and grateful for that chance."Genachowski stated, "Nobody has been doing a lot more than Eddie Lazarus to make sure that the FCC meets its vital pursuit to harness communications technology to profit our economy and all sorts of People in america. Eddie has labored relentlessly to refocus the FCC on internet broadband, and release its possibilities." Contact Ted Manley at ted.manley@variety.com

Difficulties Promises Bigger Thrills For 'Skyfall'

After "Casino Royale" so capably re-energized the text franchise, "Quantum of Solace" was a little of the disappointment. Heavy on intended gravitas and jumbled action collages, the follow up did not quite deliver with audiences or experts, resulting in a brief hiatus for 007. But don't worry: Difficulties, still the capable British killer, promises that "Skyfall" is a lot better. Because he informs Break London, the issue with "Quantum" was the 2008 writers' strike. "On 'Quantum,' i was f---erectile dysfunction," he stated. "We'd the simplistic of the script after which there is a authors strike and there is nothing we're able to do. We couldnt use a author to complete it. I only say to myself, 'Never again', but you never know? There is me attempting to rewrite moments along with a author I'm not.Inch "I believe that one is much better,Inch he added. "I truly do. Its an entirely original story. I just read it also it just works like a story." The brand new film, helmed by Mike Mendes, is shooting at this time. Because of so many precedents set, every new Bond film is really a challenge -- a well known fact that is not lost on Craig. "If you are going to achieve that kind of stuff, youve got to have it right. You have allow it your very best shot. When you have everything talent, everybody gunning to really make it good, you have to have it,Inch he stated. "For f---s sake, its a Bond movie. You would like individuals to go, 'Whooah!' a clear, crisp consumption of breath throughout a film isn't a poor factor." Inform us that which you think about Craig's ideas on "Skyfall" within the comments section as well as on Twitter!

NYCritics Online: Artist, Shannon, Streep

NY Film Experts Online added its ranks to Sunday’s parade of honors. Within the group’s website: Film – The Artist Actor – Michael Shannon (Take Shelter) Actress – Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady) Director -Michel Hazanavicius (The Artist) Supporting Actor – Albert Brooks (Drive) Supporting Actress – Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids) Breakthrough Artist – Jessica Chastain (The Tree Of Existence, Your Financial Troubles, The Help, Take Shelter, Coriolanus, Texas Killing Fields) Debut Director – Joe Cornish (Attack the Block) Ensemble Cast – Bridesmaids Script – Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash (The Descendants) Documentary – Cave Of Forgotten Dreams Language – A Separation Animated – The Adventures of Tintin Cinematography – Emmanuel Lubezki (The Tree of Existence) Usage of Music -Ludovic Bource (The Artist) Top Films Of 2011 (from the to z) The Artist (The Weinstein Company) The Descendants (Fox Searchlight) Drive (FilmDistrict) The Help (DreamWorks Pictures) Hugo (Vital) Melancholia (Magnolia Pictures) Evening amount of time in Paris (The brand new the new sony Pictures Classics) Take Shelter (The brand new the new sony Pictures Classics) The Tree Of Existence (Fox Searchlight) War Equine (DreamWorks Pictures)

5 E! Shows Sofia Coppola Should Make Right into a Movie

You do not normally see TMZ wade in to the vicious waters of Hollywood trade news -- especially trade news including an indie filmmaker -- however the gossip website is confirming that Sofia Coppola finds her next project: a film concerning the infamous Thief Bunch. Also called "The Jewelry Ring" (appealing), the Bunch includes a number of Hollywood teens who stole nearly $3 million in goods from stars like Paris Hilton, Orlando Blossom, Lindsay Lohan and Megan Fox. If the sordid story heard this before, it's likely since you were keen on the E! Show 'Pretty Wild,' which featured Bunch member Alexis Neiers. Per TMZ, Neiers's sister, Tess Taylor, equally infamous, will have a little role in Coppola's film, which may likely concentrate on celebrity -- like 'Lost in Translation,' 'Marie Antoinette' and 'Somewhere.' This really is all fine and dandy, however it boosts the question: the other E! shows if the Oscar-winning Coppola become movies? Ahead, five suggestions. 1. 'The Soup' Joel McHale stars as Joel McHale, a disillusioned-with-television comedy star who stays his days driving around La wondering why he ever agreed to get familiar with the Emmy Honours singing group The Emmytones. Benicio Del Toro bakes an uncredited appearance as themself. 2. 'Kourtney & Kim Take NY' Coppola has switched her hazy lens on Tokyo, japan, France and La, but never NY. This is where the Kardashians are available in! Coppola's film concerning the siblings would permit her to concentrate on a couple of things she's proven an earlier affection for: celebs (duh) and siblings (see 'The Virgin Suicides'). Kourtney and Kim can enjoy themselves, with Khloe taking pleasure in an uncredited and line-free role like a background extra. 3. 'Bridalplasty' A youthful bride (Emma Watson), infatuated using the reality show 'Bridalplasty,' becomes enthusiastic about the concept that marriage is simply another type of character mutilation. That point of view is amplified because her husband (Zac Efron) is really a music video director with little curiosity about his wife's existence. 4. 'The Spin Crowd' A disillusioned veteran pr guy (Bill Murray) continues tour together with his new client, an indie rock-band in the cusp of ghettoized fame. Karaoke plays most within the third act. 5. 'E! News Live' Coppola demonstrated experience towards the process behind making films and advertisements ('Somewhere' and 'Lost in Translation'), so why wouldn't you focus a whole film around the behind-the-moments workings of the celebrity news show. Ryan Seacrest can be displayed as themself, 'Knocked Up'-style, however the real stars from the film would be the awkward PA (Felicity Johnson) and her future boyfriend (Jason Schwartzman), a TelePrompTer specialist. [via TMZ] [Photo: WireImage] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Alan Cumming Returns to Host the Britannia Honours: "It Keeps Me on my small Toes"

Alan Cumming Alan Cumming is an ideal option to host this year's Britannia Honours (Sunday at 8/7c on television Guide Network). I am talking about, the guy won a Tony Award for taking part in an emcee (for Cabaret in 1998)! Plus, the Scottish actor has other abilities highly relevant to the gig - just request him. "I am a tiny bit cheeky and a bit mischievous," he states. "I am quite good on my small ft." It is a positive thing too, because Cumming's packed schedule - including his ongoing gig around the Good Wife, which shoots in NY - managed to get difficult to get time for you to fly to La to host the show, not to mention prepare what he'll say. "It type of keeps me on my small toes and type of feels as though doing theater without needing to perform a play for six several weeks," he states. "I've no script yet, however i benefit from the last second-ness from it.Inch Take a look at red-colored carpet arrivals in the 2011 Britannia Honours Cumming promises he will not be as questionable as that other biting honours show host from across water-feature. "I believe it is a Scottish factor to become quite brutal and quite dark, however, you say it with love so then nobody will get hurt," he states. "I believe it certainly is good not to take yourself too seriously. But additionally, you won't want to be quickly cutting or people are likely to get upset." Besides, after hosting the ceremony two times before, it's old hat to him now. "I quite regularly host things. I like might it's fun," he states. "Now I am more enjoyable about this. I attempt to analyze those who are developing and also to see what's everybody speaking about at this time in Hollywood." Try not to expect him to visit easy on his buddies. "The more knowledge you have someone, the greater embarrassing tales you realize,Inch he jokes. "[Presenter] Jason Isaacs is definitely an old friend so he sent just a little note saying, 'This is when I wish to be introduced.' I stated, 'I will be the judge of this, thanks.AInch The British Academy of Film and tv Arts La hands the annual Britannia Honours for fulfillment in acting, producting and pointing. The 2010 honorees include Warren Beatty, Ben Stiller, Pixar's John Lasseter, David Yates and Helena Bonham Carter.

'John Carter' Official Trailer Premieres (Video)

Walt Disney Pictures Fans awaiting Disney's John Carter have gotten some nice little goodies before the holidays. Earlier this week, a new poster for the film premiered and on Wednesday, star Taylor Kitsch made an appearance on Good Morning America to tease the first official trailer for the film.our editor recommends'John Carter' at D23: Taylor Kitsch and Andrew Stanton Believe in Life on Another Planet (Video)'John Carter' at D23: Willem Dafoe Describes Filming as a Nine Foot Martian (Video)'John Carter' Star Taylor Kitsch Teases Official Trailer on 'Good Morning America' (Video) PHOTOS: Hollywood's A-List Redefined The action-epic, based on the Barsoom series by Edgar Rice Burroughs, follows a former Confederate captain (Kitsch) who is mysteriously transported to Mars, and must resolve a conflict between warring nations. On Wednesday night, the first full-length official trailer was released. And oh what an adventure it is! Kitsch's character will be challenged with fighting massive alien creatures to prove his worth, and helping solve the ongoing battle between warring Martian nations. "We did not cause this, but this very night, we will end it," screams Kitsch's character in the trailer as he prepares for battle. VIDEOS: Disney's D23 Expo 2011 The film is the first live-action project for director Andrew Stanton, who helmed Pixar's Wall-E and Finding Nemo. Friday Night Lights star Taylor Kitsch told THR that taking on such an epic role was a challenge for him. "It's by far the most challenging gig I've ever had in my life," said Kitsch. "It's the most rewarding as well." The film, which also stars Willem Dafoe and Lynn Collins is set for a March 9, 2012, release. Watch the full trailer below: PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery 10 Top Summer Superheroes Of All Time: Battle of Box Office Brawn Taylor Kitsch John Carter Andrew Stanton