Online music site sues Universal Group

Online storage service Megaupload sued against Universal Group, declaring the music giant mistreated copyright law in order to obtain a marketing video taken off YouTube by which artists like Kanye, Mary J. Blige, Alicia Secrets and Chris Brown seem to endorse the organization. The suit has been utilized by experts of anti-piracy legislation in Congress to exhibit the overzealousness of content companies even if it involves existing copyright laws and regulations. Megaupload is really a frequent target of galleries and record labels, and made an appearance with an MPAA listing of "well known" foreign websites that routinely host unlicensed movies and music for download. The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in San Jose, claims that whenever Megaupload revealed its marketing video, known as "Megasong," UMG released a takedown notice to YouTube, declaring copyright violation and asking it to get rid of the recording. Underneath the the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, user-produced sites like YouTube can gain "safe harbor" from violation claims when they take lower the fabric rapidly when obtaining a notice from the copyright holder. Megaupload claims that all the entertainers and industry figures in the video -- that also incorporated Will.i.am, Sean Hair combs, Jamie Foxx and Brett Ratner -- performed "full releases associated with a intellectual property privileges" towards the video, including using their likeness. UMG disputes this claim and stated it had complaints from a number of its artists. UMG's "functions in filing improper DMCA notices to materially cause Internet intermediaries for example YouTube to consider lower the Megaupload song video has cause Megaupload substantial injuries and cash damages," the organization stated in the suit. "Indeed, it seems as if UMG permits recording artists to exercise their sights and freedom of expression only if UMG concurs with your speech." A spokesperson for UMG stated the situation is "an on-going dispute that appeared several days ago regarding the unauthorized utilization of a performance from our artists. We been told by many other artists, as well as their reps, who told us they never agreed to being described within this video. Consequently, a minumum of one of these has sent a takedown notice for that unauthorized use." A resource stated the artist was Will.i.am. Attorney Ira Rothken, who filed the suit with respect to Megaupload, stated that the organization "stands by the concept they were given breathtakingly broad releases from each one of the people that come in the background music video. We feel that UMG's argument is demonstrably false." Rothken added that the organization had "a really broad agreement with Will.i.am to make use of his claims poor that music video." Meanwhile, supporters and competitors ongoing their flurry of lobbying activity prior to a Thursday election through the House Judiciary Committee on the questionable anti-piracy bill. Despite the fact that among its key supporters, Repetition. Lamar Cruz (R-Texas) revealed a number of changes on Monday made to conquer doubters with a of their provisions, the web lobby again arrived on the scene against it. The NetCoalition, including Google, Twitter and facebook, stated the changes "create new problems elsewhere and does not correct a few of the original concerns we've elevated since the beginning of the controversy,Inch within the words from the coalition's executive director, Markham Erickson. A far more dramatic protest from the legislation could originate from Wikipedia. Its founder, Jimmy Wales, published a note on the website asking customers whether or not they should stage a "blackout" to transmit a note towards the legislation. But MPAA chairman Chris Dodd, showing up in an event in the Center for American Progress, in comparison the controversy within the legislation towards the "untrue stories" that encircled the controversy over health care reform and Wall Street reform. He stated that "untrue stories -- spread both knowingly by individuals who've an economic curiosity about things as they are by individuals who're well-intentioned and fooled -- intends to derail necessary reform." "Hollywood is professional-Internet," he stated. "We stand with individuals who strongly oppose foreign government authorities that will unilaterally block websites, and therefore deny the free flow of knowledge and speech. So I wish to allow it to be obvious right in the start our combat content thievery isn't a combat technology. It's a combat crooks." Contact Ted Manley at ted.manley@variety.com

"Porgy and Bess" Cast Talks about Refreshing the Gershwin Classic (Video)

Duncan Stewart, director of casting at National Artists Management Company, discusses opening every submission and what he really wants to see inside a headshot. casting Duncan Stewart headshot NY city open distribution Duncan Steward, director of casting, discusses what he wants from an actress inside a general meeting, mainly truth, likability, and insufficient ego. advice casting Duncan Stewart NY city tips Duncan Stewart, director of casting, discusses what he needs from an audition and customary mistakes stars make. advice auditions casting Duncan Stewart NY city Alaine Alldaffer stops working the actual role of the casting direcor. Alaine Alldaffer casting casting director Gray Gardens play stage theater Casting director Alaine Alldaffer discusses casting "Saved" and all sorts of the myths about becoming an actor in NY City. Alaine Alldaffer casting director New york city theatre play saved NY casting director Bernie Telsey describes what stars have to know before walking into an audition. (Part a couple of) Bernie Telsey casting director We spoken with casting director Mark Teschner about focusing on cleaning soap operas. (Part 1 of three) General Hospital Mark Teschner cleaning soap opera NY casting director Bernie Telsey describes how you can give your very best audition. (Part 2 of two) Bernie Telsey casting director We spoken with casting director Mark Teschner about focusing on cleaning soap operas. Only need beautiful people apply? (Part 2 of three) General Hospital Mark Teshner cleaning soap opera We spoken with casting director Mark Teschner about who audition for cleaning soap operas. (Part 3 of three) General Hospital Mark Teschner cleaning soap opera Videos for that Back Stage News & Features section.

Paris' palette competes with L.A. duotone

The city is like a character in Midnight in Paris, and deeply researched costumes and decors helped recreate its past eras.Costume sketch for 'Midnight in Paris'Images were reduced to simple elements for black-and-white design on 'The Artist.'There's irony in the fact that while black-and-white aficionado Woody Allen imagined the lost generation in "Midnight in Paris" with painterly color, French director Michel Hazanavicius traveled to Los Angeles to render the romance of Hollywood's silent era in black-and-white for "The Artist."When Allen and cinematographer Darius Khondji first discussed the look of "Midnight" -- which moves among the present day, the expat paradise of the '20s and the Belle Epoque -- they considered both sepia tone and black-and-white to distinguish the past, then scrapped it as "too radical, too much of an effect," and went instead for different color palettes.Khondji closely coordinated with the other crafts artists. "We purposely shot the modern period with a brighter look," he says. Khondji also used half-century-old Cooke lenses to give period scenes "a static, classic look," and applied more backlight and direct key to the heavier "almost porcelain" foundation of makeup supervisor Thi Thanh Tu Nguyen's palette, which contrasted the look of women at Maxim's and the Moulin Rouge."For the '20s, the makeup was trendy and feminine," Nguyen says. "The eyes were made dark, the eyebrows were drawn finely into an arch, and the lips were formed into a heart shape with lipstick. For 'La Belle Epoque' the skin was very pale and clear. The makeup was discreet, the eyebrows were drawn downward to give a melancholy look."Khondji processed the negative to shift the image "even softer" the old-fashioned way, by flattening the contrast curve with Deluxe NY's senior DI colorist Joe Gawler. Gels and digital color timing imparted a subtle reddish glow. Yet "it's important, even if the image is manipulated in post, to expose it properly," Khondji says.Costume designer Sonia Grande says she observes Paris' past "with the same fascination that children observe an aquarium. That's why these particular textiles, textures, precious stones and materials were chosen: fragile, delicate and vulnerable, sometimes sophisticated, sometimes with sheen."Knowing in advance that a Woody Allen production wouldn't be spending time or money on post effects, production designer Anne Seibel used the night to hide the bus stops, traffic lights and signs of contemporary Paris, disguising elements that wouldn't recede into the darkness. Re-creating the Moulin Rouge was "most difficult," Seibel says, because the characteristic wooden floor and balconies no longer exist. "Finally I found a concert hall that is quite modern but had an old balcony." She scouted it with Khondji, illustrating with her own drawings how it could be cheated, selling him and Allen on the idea. "Paris and its magic blessed us," she says."The Artist" production designer Laurence Bennett hadn't worked in black-and-white before, though he relished memories of Chaplin, Lumiere and Melies -- and modern examples such as "Hud" and "The Last Picture Show." During pre-production, he sought guidance -- and received encouragement -- from British production designer Terence Marsh.Per Bennett, cinematographer Guillaume Schiffman made a "pragmatic decision" to shoot color film and process for black-and-white. "We were going back to the origins of our craft. It was a thrill to live in that world," Bennett says.Realizing that designing in monochrome "has to do with the reduction of the image to simple elements," Bennett tested patterns, textures and shapes. "Lacking color for separation, you rely on pattern and tonality to define planes within the image."He also built contrast between the wealthy manses of silent-era stars and moguls and L.A.'s shabby working class apartments.In contrast to the lost L.A. that Bennett was seeking, costume designer Mark Bridges found that old fashion had become new again -- or could be made to seem new by the milliners at Western Costume. "You have to create environments for the actors to live in," he says, "so they can imagine living in the moment."Bridges also aimed at a delicate balance between the inherent theatricality of glamorous art-deco L.A., reflected in dress motifs and patterns reminiscent of Chrysler-building chic, and a daily realism that wouldn't take audiences out of the story with distracting design. He used LeLuxe for '20s-inspired dresses. "Original dresses," he knew from experience, "fall apart."Makeup department head Julie Hewett, who'd first worked in on "The Good German," used monochrome monitors to preview her work, fighting against modern fashion. "We're programmed for full lips," she says. "In that era, the lips were pinched and tight." Hewett knows the silent face up close up, having worked on Lillian Gish's last movie, "The Whales of August." "That experience came to me on 'The Artist,' " she says. "Miss Gish, doing her own makeup, with her painted pots."Eye on the Oscars: Art Direction, Costume Design & Makeup:Terrific pix, period | Paris' palette competes with L.A. duotone | Makeup magic turns Streep to Thatcher | Older crafts rise to the challenge of 3D Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Judge Orders Guy To Step Away From Kirsten Dunst

First Launched: December 9, 2011 9:45 PM EST Credit: Getty Images La, Calif. -- Caption Kirsten Dunst sports a black coat within the Hollywood Reporters Annual Energy 100: Women In Entertainment Breakfast within the Beverly Slopes Hotel in Beverly Slopes, Calif. on December 7, 2011 A judge on Friday granted Kirsten Dunst a short constraint order against a French guy which has frequently written for the actress and traveled to La no less than five occasions to meet her. Superior Court Judge Carol Boas Goodson bought Jean Christophe Prudhon of Dijon, France, to stay 100 yards in the Spider-Guy star also to quit to get hold of her. In letters connected Dunsts petition, Prudhon written he offered his home in France so he could continue to visit meet Dunst, which has not taken proper care of immediately his greater than 50 letters. He written that he's deeply deeply in love with the actress which he's frequently anxiously anxiously waited outdoors Dunsts home to meet her and contains been mistaken for just about any paparazzo. I am frightened for my safety, together with the security of my family members and pals going to home, Dunst written in the court filing. I am worried that Mr. Prudhon will escalate his conduct further, putting myself and my family members in danger. Dunsts mother, Inez Dunst, written in the sworn declaration they was alarmed by Prudhons appearance when he found her door the other day trying to fulfill the actress. Inez Dunst mentioned she understood who he was as they has frequently sent her daughter letters over time. It could not be immediately determined if Prudhon, 51, was represented having a lawyer, and attempts to locate him for comment weren't effective. The actress, who recently came out inside the film Melancholia, written in the court filing that her security personnel told Prudhon to step away, but he's rejected. Goodson will consider if you should grant a 3-year constraint order inside a 12 ,. 21 hearing. Copyright 2011 with the Connected Press. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Keck's Exclusives: Kathy Griffin to go to NBC's Whitney

Kathy Griffin Kathy Griffin's latest TV guest appearance is going to be with an early 2012 episode of NBC's Whitney. Kathy, that has formerly put their hands up on Glee, Ugly Betty and Drop Dead Diva, will have Lindsay, a co-worker of Whitney's friend, Roxanne. Whitney is going to do her better to conquer Lindsay when she eventually ends up going for a job as Roxanne's new assistant. On set shooting only a couple of hrs ago, Kathy tweeted: "Getting a great time doin a guest just right the @Whitneycummings show. Thinking about stealing her wardrobe." Though Kathy has become known mainly on her stand-up comedy and reality show, older fans (moi incorporated) still remember she got her start among the regulars on Brooke Shield's 1996-2000 sitcom, All of a sudden Susan. Exactly what do all of you consider Kathy coming back to weekly TV in their sitcom? Can you watch? Sign up for TV Guide Magazine now!

IMDb Explains Why 40-Year-Old Actress Shouldn't Fear Blacklisting

Martin Scorsese will be honored at the 17th annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards.our editor recommendsBox Office Report: Martin Scorsese's 'Hugo' Overperforms on ThanksgivingMartin Scorsese to Direct 'The Snowman' for Working TitleMartin Scorsese Calls Filming 'Hugo' in 3D 'An Enjoyable Headache' Chosen by the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), the Hugo director has been tapped to receive the Critics' Choice Music+Film Award. The awards ceremony will be broadcast live on VH1 on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012 at 8 p.m. from the Hollywood Palladium. PHOTOS: Martin Scorsese On Set The honor comes at an opportune time for Scorsese and Hugo, which was named best film by the National Board of Review. Scorsese was also named best director by the National Board of Review. "This year's Critics' Choice Movie Awards marks another gratifying collaboration with the Broadcast Film Critics Association and our partners at VH1," says Joey Berlin, president of BFCA. "With a very impressive lineup of films featuring the world's biggest stars under consideration this year, we look forward to a truly spectacular show highlighted by the presentation of the Music+Film Award to Martin Scorsese, one of the greatest filmmakers of all time." COVER STORY: The Dreams of Martin Scorsese The Music+Film Award honors a filmmaker who has touched audiences through cinematic storytelling and has heightened the impact of films through the use of source and music. Scorsese has had a storied career, with films like Mean Streets, The Departed, Goodfellas and music documentary George Harrison: Living in the Material World. Quentin Tarantino received the first Music+Film Award. The Critics' Choice Movie Awards, held by the BFCA, honor the best in cinematic achievement. The BFCA is the largest film critics' organization in the U.S. and Canada. Nominees for the Critics' Choice Movie Awards will be announced Tuesday, Dec. 13. Nominating ballots went out to members on Dec. 5 and the deadline to return them is Dec. 11. The awards ceremony is executive produced by Jesse Ignjatovic for Den of Thieves, Berlin for Berlin Entertainment and Lee Rolontz for VH1. PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery Martin Scorsese: Into the Past Related Topics Martin Scorsese Hugo

PGA taps five for doc prize

The Producers Guild of America has tapped a quintet of nominees for its documentary feature award.The nominated films, announced Friday, are ''Beats, Rhymes and Life: the Travels of a Tribe Called Quest,'' ''Bill Cunningham NY,'' ''Project Nim,'' ''Senna'' and ''The Union.''Winners will be announced Jan. 21 at the PGA Awards ceremonies at the Beverly Hilton.The PGA also said Friday that Producers Guild arbitrations for individual producer credit determination for all film and television categories are still underway. Television series nominations will be announced Wednesday and all other nominations will be announced Jan. 3. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com