New production video for that Hobbit

The Hobbit director Healing For Peter Jackson has launched another video production blog via his Facebook page, following a cast and crew because they move ahead from Hobbiton to a different host of lush Nz locations.Along with the location-based footage, gleam take a look at Andy Serkis fulfilling his capacity as Second Unit Director. He appears particularly thrilled to manage the sweeping landscape shots, many of which are accomplished via helicopter. We should admit, it appears a fantastic job!Have a look in the new video below... It's interesting to determine how Serkis' second unit stored Jackson informed using what they'd shot, with a few great satellite technology used to keep both models up to date, despite their far-flung locations.Once more, we love to the area designed for nostalgic musings, with Healing For Peter Jackson making the effort to indicate the stream by which Serkis chased following a seafood (as Gollum, we hasten to include) some 10 years approximately ago. It's touches like this which have us clamouring for any go back to Middle-earth for the first time.The Hobbit: An Unpredicted Journey opens within the United kingdom on 14 December 2012.

Alcon teams with Creative Coalition

Alcon Entertainment has formed a strategic partnership with the Creative Coalition under the latter's Spotlight Initiative banner. The alliance calls for the Creative Coalition to coordinate cause-related marketing components into promotional campaigns for Alcon's film slate including the upcoming "Speedboys" project. "Today, our citizenry demands socially conscious activism from the products and companies that it supports, and entertainment is no exception," said Creative Coalition CEO Robin Bronk. "Alcon Entertainment understands the power, inspiration and influence of film on issues that serve the common good." Alcon set up "Speedboys" last fall. It's about math teacher Simon Hauger, who guided troubled Philadelphia high schoolers to win a competition to build an alternative-fuel vehicle. Alcon's slate features projects aimed at the family demo such as "The Blind Side," "Dolphin Tale" and "Joyful Noise." Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

NATO Threatens Weinstein Co With NC-17 Rating For Bully

The fight over Bully continues, with the National Association of Theatre Owners now making its own threats. News came out last week that the MPAA upheld its R-rating for The Weinstein Company’s Tribeca 2011 doc about school bullying and since then the Weinstein Co has considered releasing the doc unrated and even to boycott the MPAA altogether, a move could have implications for its future releases.If TWC indeed goes ahead with releasing the film unrated, NATO said today in a letter to Weinstein boss Harvey Weinstein that it will urge members to consider the Lee Hirsch-directed film an NC-17 movie. In the letter (see below), NATO president and CEO John Fithian said he would “have no choice but to encourage my theater owner members to treat unrated movies from The Weinstein Company in the same manner as they treat unrated movies from anyone else. In most cases, that means enforcement as though the movies were rated NC-17 — where no one under the age of 18 can be admitted even with accompanying parents or guardians.” TWC said Tuesday in a statement its sole purpose for releasing the film is “educating children and highlighting how bullying has become a national crisis.” It added that Weinstein principals Harvey and his brother Bob were father to four children and see this as a “personal matter and one deserving its due respect from the MPAA and NATO.” Meanwhile, a Michigan high school student began petitionurging the MPAA to give Bully a PG-13, which would make it more accessible to middle school and high school students. As of Tuesday afternoon, it had 94,000 signatures. Here’s the NATO letter to Harvey Weinstein: Dear Harvey, The National Association of Theatre Owners partners with the MPAA in the rules and operations of the Classification and Ratings Administration. Exhibition representatives participated yesterday in the appeal of Bully. As you know, the appeals board voted to uphold the ratings boards decision that the prevalence of harsh language in Bully warranted an R rating. In response, you released a statement criticizing the decision, and threatening to remove your companys movies from the ratings process. As the father of a nine-year-old child, I am personally grateful that TWC has addressed the important issue of bullying in such a powerful documentary. The filmmaker and especially the brave young people who participated in this project deserve our attention and respect. Nonetheless, I believe that your public response to the decision of the appeals board is unwise. Surveys of Americas parents reflect their very strong concern with the use of harsh language in movies. The vast majority of parents surveyed have indicated that the type of language used in Bully should receive an automatic R rating. You ask us to ignore the preferences of Americas parents and our own ratings rules because of the merit of this movie. Yet were the MPAA and NATO to waive the ratings rules whenever we believed that a particular movie had merit, or was somehow more important than other movies, we would no longer be neutral parties applying consistent standards, but rather censors of content based on personal mores. You recently released the award-winning movie Kings Speech and must know the language rules very well. You should not have been surprised at the rating for Bully. I have nothing but tremendous respect for you and the work of TWC. Our industry is so much the better for your involvement. But if you decide to withdraw your support and participation in the rating system, and begin to release movies without ratings, I will have no choice but to encourage my theater owner members to treat unrated movies from The Weinstein Company in the same manner as they treat unrated movies from anyone else. In most cases, that means enforcement as though the movies were rated NC-17 where no one under the age of 18 can be admitted even with accompanying parents or guardians. Thank you for your consideration of these thoughts. And the best of luck to you on Sunday. Sincerely yours, John Fithian President & CEO NATO

Tech News

Starting next month, Sony Pictures will host a series of workshops on digital workflows supporting Sony's new F65 CineAlta digital motion picture camera. The sessions will be conducted at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City on Stage 7 and will feature a functioning, end-to-end production and post production system. "The F65 has generated a lot of enthusiasm among directors and cinematographers impressed by its outstanding image quality and performance, which, some say, rivals 35mm film," said Gary Martin, prexy of production administration at Sony Pictures Entertainment. "Our intent is to help filmmakers get the most from this exceptional new camera." * * * Production and post house ShootersNYC has moved into new digs in Gotham's Flatiron District. The new space includes three editing suites, a graphics/animation suite and enough production space to handle a growing number of projects. Studio's growth spurt last year also saw the addition editors, Anthony Marinelli and David Smalheiser. * * * San Rafael-based stage rentals and vfx company 32TEN Studios signed three initial subtenant companies that will relocate to its space: RipplFX, Jessen Productions and GB-Films. 32TEN CEO Tim Partridge said: "Our goal is to add a sense of revitalization to the long-standing film production community located in Marin County, Calif." Studio is working on three upcoming features. * * * Character effects shingle Masterfx has announced its collaboration with Twisted Twins Productions to create the character designs and produce the prosthetic and makeup special effects for the original indie horror film "American Mary." The deal comes on the heels of the just-released DVD of "Dead Hooker in a Trunk," the debut film from Twisted Twins. The DVD release is from IFC Films and MPI Media. Contact Peter Caranicas at peter.caranicas@variety.com

'Lone Ranger' contributes to cast

Disney finds four more thesps to complete the cast of their Gore Verbinski-helmed actioner "The Lone Ranger."Matt O'Leary and Harry Treadaway will have people of Butch Cavendish's gang, and W. Earl Brown and Leon Rippy also have became a member of the cast. O'Leary most lately wrapped Ron Rosenthal's "Drones" and stars in Matthew Lillard's directorial debut "Body fat Kid Rules the planetInch and Megan Griffith's "Eden," the second two that will preem at South by Southwest.Brown presently seems in HBO's "Luck," while Treadaway made an appearance in Gil Kenan's 2008 fantasy "Town of Ember." Rippy co-stars in Fox's "Alcatraz."Thesps join stars The Actor-brad Pitt and Armie Hammer within the pic, composed by scribes Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, and Justin Haythe.Film is presently lensing and skedded for release on May 31, 2013.(Marc Graser led for this report.) Contact Rachel Abrams at Rachel.Abrams@variety.com

Charter deficits narrow to $67 mil

Charter Communications, with new Boss Tom Rutledge in the helm, stated internet deficits simplified last quarter to $67 million from $70 million last year.Income in the St. Louis-based company possessed by Paul Allen nosed as much as $1.83 billion within the quarter ended 12 ,. 31 from $1.79 billion on greater Internet, telephone and commercial sales."This is an essential year for Charter and our clients, and I am excited to take part in it," Rutledge stated. A very regarded as cable professional, he shocked the as he bolted from his longtime perch at NY operator Cablevision at the end of December to maneuver to Charter.Charter's total subscriber base increased 8,700 within the 4th quarter, in comparison to some lack of 35,700 around-ago quarter. Residential Internet clients increased 67,700, a lot more than double the amount of last year.Video clip deficits of 45,000 were lower from 62,000 around-ago quarter. But Charter added less telephone customers of computer had the prior year.Rental released another release for fast-growing commercial services division Charter Business, where revenue leaped 20% for full-year 2011 to $583 million. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Janney Sits For Friday Evening Dinner

Tony Shalhoub and in the tableSomewhere inside the mid-Atlantic, round the offshore floor, there's a waste pile of comedy ideas that did less than increase the risk for transition within the Uk as well as the US. The job of transforming British comedy for American audiences is fraught with failure, with every Office countered by ten Couplings. But that doesn't stop systems from trying, now Allison Janney and Tony Shalhoub are situated for your pilot of Friday Evening Dinner.The Funnel 4 original is really a hit the following, featuring Tamsin Greig, Paul Ritter, Simon Bird, Tom Rosenthal and Mark Heap since the bickering Goodman family (in addition to their creepy/strange dog-having neighbour Jim) who spend every Friday evening over the dining area table, which never quite visits plan.Created by Robert Popper, the show was broadcast across water-feature on BBC America, now NBC desires to give a US version an effort, with Janney and Shalhoub overpowering from Greig and Ritter since the parents. There's expect that certain, as Greg Daniels, among the primary lights behind the network's undertake Work, is controlling the pilot, which has Office regular director Ken Kwapis installed on direct. Daniels also provides experience around the type of The Simpsons and King In The Hill.By at this time around, it's just an plane pilot, but we're intrigued to look for the way the typically British-style humour might be converted. Fortunately, Popper may also be involved, and that means you know it's in good hands this finish. Still, we question if he's been in touch with Steven Moffat to hear how badly it might all finish...