Why the UK Film and TV Industry Must Prioritise Health and Safety

Beneath the lights and glamour of the film and television industry is a lingering problem that affects thousands of workers: a less-than-stellar health and safety record. Recent events and statistics have illuminated the urgent need for a fundamental shift in how the UK’s film and TV industry approaches the well-being of its cast and crew, with HR managers playing a pivotal role in this transformation.

Long Hours, High Risk of Accidents: 

The film industry is no stranger to risky work-related activities, from daring stunts and eye-popping practical effects to the use of heavy machinery on set. But there’s another hazard lurking in the shadows: the gruelling hours that lead to drowsy driving and burnout.

It’s why the Broadcasting, Entertainment, Communications and Theatre Union (BECTU) launched the Eyes Half Shut campaign — a movement pushing to cut down on those long work hours to boost safety and productivity while giving workers in the film and TV business a better work-life balance.

The Impact on Workers: 

Behind every accident in a film or television production set are real people — hardworking individuals who deserve a safe and secure workplace. While actors and directors often grab the limelight, it’s crucial to remember the countless crew members who contribute to bringing our favourite shows and movies to life. These unsung heroes are often subjected to long hours, physically demanding tasks and precarious conditions.

The Looking Glass, a 2019 survey conducted by the Film and TV Charity, which involved over 9 thousand off-screen professionals in the UK, only 10% expressed that they believe the industry offers a mentally healthy work environment. Prioritising health and safety in this context goes hand-in-hand with fostering a culture of care. It involves establishing support systems and making resources available to help individuals cope with stress, combat fatigue, and address various mental health challenges.

HR managers in the UK film and TV industry play a vital role in ensuring the health and safety of their workforce. They must actively engage in the development and implementation of safety protocols, as well as foster a culture of well-being among all employees.

The Need for Change: 

So, why does the UK film and TV industry need to pay more attention to health and safety? The answer is clear — because lives are at stake. It’s essential for the industry to prioritise the well-being of its workers, not only for ethical reasons but also for its own sustainability.

First and foremost, establishing and enforcing robust safety protocols is a moral imperative. Every worker deserves to return home safely to their families after a day’s work. HR managers should work in tandem with production teams to invest in training, equipment, and safety personnel to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries. This includes adequate safety training for all crew members, especially those involved in stunts and special effects.

Furthermore, the financial impact of accidents and injuries in the industry is significant. Insurance premiums for UK film and TV productions can skyrocket in the wake of accidents, leading to increased production costs. Delays caused by injuries can result in budget overruns and potential legal disputes. By proactively addressing safety concerns, the industry can protect its bottom line.

It’s Time for a Cultural Shift:

To address these issues effectively, the UK film and TV industry must undergo a cultural shift. This means fostering an environment where workers feel safe reporting concerns without fear of retaliation. It also means promoting a culture of work-life balance and respect for the physical and mental well-being of everyone involved in production, with HR managers serving as advocates for these changes.Industry associations, unions, and guilds have a critical role to play in advocating for these changes. They can negotiate for better working conditions, safety standards, and mental health support as part of their collective bargaining agreements, with HR managers facilitating these discussions and ensuring their implementation.

Author: Alex Minett: Alex Minett is the Head of Global New Markets at CHAS, the UK’s leading health and safety assessment scheme and provider of risk mitigation, compliance, and supply chain management services. With a working history in the audit and management consulting industry, Alex is experienced in implementing visions and strategies. Skilled in negotiation, management and business development, he is passionate about driving CHAS in its mission to safeguard organisations from risk in the UK. Why the UK Film and TV Industry Must Prioritise Health and Safety | HR News

Read More........ → March 27, 2024

Turkiye’s Merve Dizdar wins best actress at Cannes Film Festival

Turkish actress Merve Dizdar poses during a photocall after winning the Best Actress Prize during the closing ceremony of the 76th Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France on May 27, 2023

Turkiye’s Merve Dizdar won best actress at the Cannes Film Festival with About Dry Grasses, or Kuru Otlar Ustune, reports Anadolu Agency. Kutu Otlar Ustune is a Turkish film directed by award-winning Nuri Bilge Ceylan. The drama focuses on a young teacher who hopes to be appointed to the Turkish metropolis Istanbul after his mandatory assignment at a small village in eastern Turkiye. The film was jointly produced by the Turkish public broadcaster TRT and ARTE France. The more than three-hour film stars Merve Dizdar, Deniz Celiloglu, Musab Ekici and Ece Bagci. The award for best director went to Vietnamese-born French film director and screenwriter Tran Anh Hung for the Pot-au-Feu (La Passion De Dodin Bouffant). Set in 1885, the film depicts a romance between a cook and the gourmet she works for. French director Justine Triet has won the Palme d’Or for Anatomy of a Fall (L’anatomie d’une chute). A total of 19 films were selected to run for the prestigious award Palme d’Or at the 76th Cannes Film Festival which kicked off Tuesday and will run until May 27. The award for best screenplay went to Japanese Yuji Sakamoto for Kaibutsu (monster) directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda.The Cannes Film Festival is annually held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres, including documentaries, from all around the world. Source: https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/

Read More........ → September 05, 2023

Miss England finalist Melisa Raouf creates history, is first woman in pageant's history to compete without makeup

AUG 29, 2022 Beauty pageant and makeup artistry are almost synonymous because of obvious presentation reasons. But one woman has made history by reaching the finals of a national beauty pageant without any makeup. Melisa Raouf, 20, is a politics student from London. By deciding to appear barefaced in Miss England this year, she became the first woman in the contest's 94-year-old history to compete without any makeup. The contest, which is organised by Angie Beasly every year, is promoted to thousands of women around England in local media. While organisers of the contest did introduce a 'Bare Faced' round in the 2019 edition, never in its history has a woman gone without makeup throughout. But Melisa has now changed that. The 20-year-old said she decided to compete barefaced in a bid to promote inner beauty and challenge the beauty ideals that are promoted and perpetuated by media, advertisers and social media. "It means a lot to me as I feel many girls of different ages wear makeup because they feel pressured to do so. If one is happy in their own skin we should not be made to cover up our face with makeup. Our flaws make us who we are and that's what makes every individual unique," the sold The Independent. "I think people should love and embrace their flaws and blemishes, as we know real beauty lies within simplicity. I never felt I met beauty standards. I have recently accepted that I am beautiful in my own skin and that's why I decided to compete with no makeup," she added. Melisa's noteworthy appearance and demeanor have earned praise from people all over the world. It has also received a response from the contest's organiser. "This is the first time I've seen a contestant completely makeup-free competing in a semi-final and she said she felt empowered against all the other contestants," said Beasley. The 20-year-old will compete with other 40 women for the Miss England crown on October 17. Copyright © Jammu Links News Source: Jammu Links News

Read More........ → August 29, 2022

This Film Festival is Looking for a Person to Spend 7 Days Alone Watching Movies in a Remote Lighthouse

Gothenburg Film Festival

By Judy Cole,  Jan 7, 2021, Does locking yourself up somewhere all alone for a week and just watching movies sound like your idea of bliss? Then have we got a film festival for you.

The Gothenburg Film Festival is conducting a “pandemic cinema experiment” in the form of a contest. One candidate chosen from applicants around the globe will be treated to a week’s stay at the site of the historic Pater Noster Lighthhouse located on the craggy island of Hamneskär off the west coast of Sweden.

While there, the winning cinephile will get free room and board along with unlimited access to this year’s festival roster of films. “They are totally isolated. They are not allowed to bring anyone, of course, but also no phone and not even a book,” artistic director Jonas Holmberg, told CBC’s As It Happens. “…It will be only this person and the sea, the waves, the sky and the 60 different premieres that we are screening at the festival.”

Inspired by the pandemic, Holmberg says the experiment aims to examine how social distancing has transformed the movie-watching experience. The most obvious change is the shift from in-person to online and at-home movie viewership.

While traditionally, going to the movies has been something of a communal experience shared with other members of an audience, the trend now is to view films either alone or in small groups. Where once people went to the movies for company, more and more, the films themselves are what provide communal connection.

According to the festival website, “Göteborg Film Festival 2021 will be anything but conventional. No crowds, no parties, no sold-out cinemas. This year’s festival focus, Social Distances, explores the new world that has emerged in the wake of the pandemic. What does film mean to us when we are isolated from everything else? To investigate, we are opening a brand-new cinema. In the middle of the ocean.

“No phone, no family, no friends. Just you, the sea and the festival’s film program with 60 film premieres. For seven days.”

Requisites for the winner, according to Holmberg, are number one: the person must be a true film fan; number two: he or she must either enjoy or tolerate solitude well; number three: since they’ll be expected to document the experience with a video diary, it’s crucial for them to be an adept communicator.

“They will talk about how life is on the island and how these special conditions have affected the relationship to the films that they have seen,” Holmberg says.

The immersive solo movie experience takes place from January 30 through February 6. The winner will live in the lighthouse keeper’s home but all movies will be air in a purpose-built, one-person cinema inside the lighthouse. Interested film lovers should apply at the festival website ASAP.We’re not sure if popcorn is included. This Film Festival is Looking for a Person to Spend 7 Days Alone Watching Movies in a Remote Lighthouse: The Gothenburg Film Festival is looking for 1 person to spend 7 days on a remote lighthouse island watching movies. Apply before Feb 6.

Read More........ → January 07, 2021

Space Animation: Sentinel-1a from Operation Copernicus

This is quite a polished video, with slick animation & bouncing background music and the whole deal. It is a nice, quick educational look at rather important that you probably didn't know was going in your world.

From the official description: The European Space Agency’s Sentinel-1a was launched at 21.02 GMT on April 3. Part of the wider Copernicus programme, the satellite will be joined by other similar satellites in the future. This computer animation shows the launch and deployment of the satellite. Credit: Youtube/ESA Sentinel-1a is a European radar imaging satellite. It inaugurates the European Space Agency's Copernicus programme. It is equipped with a C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar. 

Copernicus is a plan to assemble information from environmental satellites, air and ground stations. This information is to be used to monitor Earth conditions relating to temperature and other environmental factors. Copernicus has both environmental and nationalsecurity implications. With Copernicus, the

European Union fulfills its commitment to the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS). Sentinel-1A was transported to Kourou, French Guiana for launch. It arrived at the launch pad on 25 February 2014. Launch took place on 3 April 2014.Source: Animated Film Reviews

Read More........ → April 05, 2020

Penelope Cruz loves acting challenges

Penelope Cruz says she loves taking on different acting challenges and wants to continue working in Spanish films. Topping her wishlist are films in which she can experiment with her accents.

Spanish actress Penelope Cruz said at the Toronto International Film Festival that she will never stop making films in Spain and in Spanish, but that she also would like to play a character with a British accent and take on the role of a stereotypical California "valley girl". Cruz presented her latest film "Venuto al mondo" (Twice Born), an Italian-Spanish co-production directed by Sergio Castellitto and also starring Emile Hirsch, Adnan Haskovic and Saadet Aksoy, Thursday at the TIFF. "I love being part of projects like this, although I'll always want to keep working in my country and in Spanish. I'll never stop for many reasons. It's also quite refreshing to go back and work in my own language," Cruz said. "Because in this (film), as much as I loved it, it was a big challenge to shoot 70 percent of the film in English and the rest in Italian. But the English had to have an Italian accent. I love those challenges, but I can't say it was easy," she added. Penelope Cruz, whose upcoming projects include British director Ridley Scott's The Counselor and Spanish filmmaker's Pedro Almodovar's "Los amantes pasajeros" (I'm So Excited), said she has a passion for accents. "I love accents. Now that I'm more comfortable in English, I'd like to play (a role with) a British accent. I have a character. She's really fun, but I can't talk about her. But it's a character with a British accent," she said. "And I'd also like to play a 'valley girl'. One day," the actress said laughing. In an interview published last Saturday by Italian daily La Stampa, Cruz said that she plans to produce at least two films a year in her homeland to create jobs amid sky-high unemployment. "I want to bring jobs to my people ... I'll use my privileged position. It's what interests me the most right now. I know it's a grain of sand in the desert, but it's a responsibility I think I have," Cruz said. "I'll produce a couple of films a year. A way to give work to hundreds of people. It's a set idea I have." Cruz, winner of a best-supporting actress Oscar for her role as an unstable artist in Woody Allen's 2008 comedy-drama "Vicky Cristina Barcelona", said she has worked hard but also has had a lot of opportunities in life. The talents of "an entire generation of highly trained young people" in Spain are being wasted, Cruz said, adding that though they have lots to offer there is nothing for them to do but "bang their heads against the wall or go out in the street and protest." Spain's economy has been battered in recent years by the collapse of a massive real-estate bubble in the context of the 2008-09 global recession. The country's unemployment rate stands at nearly 25 percent and at more than 50 percent among young people. Despite the high joblessness, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's government has opted for a series of austerity measures in recent months to bring a high budget deficit into line with European Union mandates. Those measures have been harshly criticized by unions and sparked large-scale street protests. Cruz told the Italian daily that her role of a single mother who brings her teenage son to Sarajevo in "Venuto al Mondo" and the character she played in Almodovar's "Volver" (To Return) have been the two most challenging of her career thus far. Source: ApunKaChoice.com

Read More........ → December 20, 2012

James Taylor To Receive France's Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters

James Taylor has landed one of France's top cultural awards in honor of his lengthy music career. Officials in the country have told the singer/songwriter he has been named as the latest recipient of the Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters, which recognizes individuals who have contributed to the arts. A post on Taylor's website reads, "James has received word that the French government has conferred on him the distinguished honor of Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters." "The announcement will be followed by a private medal ceremony at a later date at the French Embassy in New York." The award was established in May of 1957 by the country's Minister of Culture and is given to French citizens 30 year old and older or foreign artists of any age. Previous recipients of the award include Robert Redford, Meryl Streep and Uma Thurman. Photo Credits: PR Photos , Metropolitan Talent, Source: Starpulse.com

Read More........ → September 22, 2012

Paris Hilton romancing mystery man?

Socialite Paris Hilton has reportedly found a new love after she was spotted frolicking with a mystery man on a beach in Europe. Earlier this year, the 31-year-old hotel heiress dismissed rumours of dating DJ Afrojack, but she now appears to have moved on after she was photographed embracing another guy over the weekend, reported TMZ online. Hilton was seen splashing in the sea with the unnamed suitor, believed to be a European businessman she has known for several years. The pair was seen cuddling and kissing on the beach. Source: Screen India, Image: flickr.com

Read More........ → August 09, 2012

Celebrities Dazzled By Danny Boyle's Olympic Opening Ceremony

Ringo Starr, Bette Midler and Christina Applegate were among the stars who offered their congratulations to Danny Boyle as his spectacular show opened the Olympic Games in London on Friday night. The festivities kicked off with a stunning opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium in Stratford and the show, directed by moviemaker Boyle, was watched by an estimated 4 billion people across the world. A number of celebrity sports fans were among those watching the extravaganza on TV and they took to Twitter to share their thoughts on Boyle's efforts. Joe Jonas tweeted throughout the ceremony and was delighted to see Rowan Atkinson reprise his famed comedy character Mr. Bean for a short skit, writing, "Mr. Bean was so amazing!", while Daniel Craig's James Bond sketch with Queen Elizabeth II also drew laughs. Joss Stone writes, "God save the Queen! Watching the Olympics. Love when the queen sky dives from the helicopter, she's much braver than I! LOL!" Actor Dominic Monaghan tweets, "I do hope the queen wasn't subjected to
the usual Bond girl routine at the hands of James. Not sure the bones could take it. Olympics 2012." Billy Ray Cyrus writes, "Congrats (sic) London! Job well done on the opening ceremonies. Let the Games begin!!!" and Christina Applegate adds, "Enjoying the opening ceremony, Danny Boyle, u r (sic) one strange fellow." Other stars who tweeted throughout the show included Pete Wentz, Kelly Osbourne, Bruno Mars and Selena Gomez, who showed her support for the American Olympic team, writing, "Go USA! Congrats to all the Olympians of 2012!!!" Bette Midler adds, "Wow! What a great nght (sic) for UK; l loved every minute!" Victoria Beckham's soccer star husband David was involved in the ceremony and was seen riding a speed boat along the River Thames to transport the Olympic flame to the stadium, and she proved she was watching from the banks by posting a photograph of Tower Bridge lit up in blue, writing, "So proud to be British." Sir Paul McCartney closed the show and his former Beatles bandmate Ringo Starr watched his set from Los Angeles: "Well done Danny Boyle. Great show... Well done Paul great show all around R in LA... I send peace (and) love to all the athletes the best of luck." A number of famous faces were lucky enough to attend the Opening Ceremony in person, including actor Orlando Bloom and the cast of hit TV show Downton Abbey. Star Hugh Bonneville tweeted a picture of his castmates standing outside the Olympic Stadium, writing, "Team Downton Abbey invade the Olympic Park", adding, "I'll remember Opening Ceremony forever. Privilege to be there. Grateful to & in awe of the thousands of people who made it happen." The event proved to be a huge success for Boyle, who wrote, "Thank you, everyone, for your kind words! Means the world to me. I just want to take a moment to thank everyone involved tonight, couldn't have worked without you. Thank you, thank you so much. London2012". Photo Credits: PacificCoastNews.com Source: Starpulse

Read More........ → August 05, 2012

Review: Carbon Copy Remake 'Total Recall' Forgets To Take The Good Stuff

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Normally in the case of the famed ‘remake’ there is usually some room to put aside original flick stigma and focus on the updated outing as a film unto itself. Unfortunately the 2012 version of "Total Recall" plays so close to the chest on all copycat accounts that it’s hard to make such distinctions. In fact the new Len Wiseman helmed upgrade takes a ton of material from the five-star Paul Verhoeven classic – except everything that made it great. If you know either the Philip K. Dick short story or the Verhoeven flick you know the drill – everyman Doug Quaid has a nice wife and a decent job but he dreams of more. He heads on down to Rekall, a company that implants fake memories of lives folks would like to have. But when Quaid finds that his memory may have already been erased, everyone is double crossing him and nothing in 

his life is as it seems it asks the question – is it real or is it recall? Sadly even with the fascinating story and very liberal borrowing from the original script by geniuses like Dan O’Bannon and Ronald Shusett this one just can’t keep the interest beyond a ‘nothing else is on’ mentality. What I remember most about the original was things like the overtly sexual nature by the European Verhoeven, the groundbreaking effects by "The Thing" maestro Rob Bottin and the inspired casting. (Hands down – nobody does beauty and bitch better then Sharon Stone!) Taking the same elements this time around proves not quite as memorable. The whole sexual tension between lead man Colin Farrell (is he the remake guy or what?!) and Kate Beckinsale is totally non-existent, meaning the lead up before the wife being bitchy is null and void (is Wiseman the jealous type or something?!) and leaves the normally hot and bothered "Underworld" star playing a bitter and dull one-note wonder. (Plus she’s no Michael Ironside in the bad guy department!) Farrell and Jessica Biel don't fare much better with more dough-eyed looks then cool chemistry – Farrell and Rekall salesman John 'Harold & Kumar' Cho had more heat for crying out loud. The effect and visual style may have impressed Farrell and new Cohaagen Bryan Cranston to do the flick, but it’s not winning any Oscars. With a barrage of crappy CGI eye candy that is utterly uninspired (are flying cars and face shifting really the best this team came up with?!), the brilliant yet dated work of Rob Bottin suddenly doesn't look so old school. (And the homage to the “two weeks” lady doesn't help us move on Len – it makes us miss her and her iconic mechanical head!) Watching this sub-par "Total Recall" reminded me of why a fabulous filmmaker like Paul Verhoeven left the insipid Hollywood halls to go back home. (And thank God he did – "Black Book" was his best yet!) The movie making capital prides itself on seeking out new, fresh, talented and visionary filmmakers and then sanitizing their wares to what sells. I could be way off on this one, but I hope not. For if Len Wiseman is indeed the Paul Verhoeven of his generation, maybe five star films are truly a thing of the past. "TOTAL RECALL" OPENS IN THEATERS EVERYWHERE AUGUST 3 FROM COLUMBIA PICTURES. Title: "Total Recall", Stars: 1, Genre: Action/Thriller/Sci-fi, Cast: Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel, Director: Len Wiseman, Rating: PG-13, Running Time: 100 Minutes, Release Company: Columbia Pictures, Website: www.welcometorecall.com, Photo Credits: Photos Courtesy of Columbia Pictures, Photo Credits: Photos Courtesy of Columbia Pictures, Source: StarPluse

Read More........ → August 04, 2012

Suri Cruise to attend private Chelsea school

Suri Cruise may be tiny but her red pouting lips, off-shoulder dresses and snazzy golden heels have ensured that her fashion following is huge! Here's a look at Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes' fashionista daughter's style statements.

Katie Holmes has enrolled her 6-year-old daughter Suri in a private school in Manhattan. According to Life and Style magazine, Avenues is a nearly $40,000 a year private school, which is opening this fall in Manhattan. “Katie has eagerly been telling Suri all about the lunchrooms, basketball courts and different activities Avenues offers. Suri’s really excited about it,” the New York Post quoted a source as telling the mag. At the 215,000-square-foot school, Suri will learn Spanish or Mandarin, along with the basics: reading, writing, math, science and music. The school overlooks the High Line and is just blocks from Holmes’ Chelsea apartment. Avenues calls itself a “world school” and will have branches in China, India, Africa and Europe. Source: Hindustan Times

Read More........ → August 04, 2012

Disney's Brave rides to box-office win

With a $80 million weekend across the world, Brave easily beat new historical/horror mashup Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Disney's new animated movie Brave; about a rebellious, red-headed princess, battled to the top of movie box-office charts over the weekend, scoring $80 million in ticket sales around the world. The fairy tale from Disney's Pixar studio pulled in $66.7 million at domestic theaters from Friday through Sunday, plus $13.5 million from international markets. Brave easily topped new historical/horror mashup Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, which finished the weekend in third place. The 3D Brave is set in the ancient Scottish highlands and centers around horseback-riding teen princess Merida, who defies her mother and her kingdom's traditions. Merida, voiced by Scottish actress Kelly Macdonald, must then use her courage and archery skills to undo a curse. The movie brings the 13th consecutive number one opening to Pixar, which has become Hollywood's most reliable studio during its 17-year history of making films. Starting with Toy Story in 1995, its 12 films before Brave have generated more than $7.2 billion in worldwide ticket sales, according to Hollywood.com. Its 2010 film Toy Story 3 was the biggest selling film that year, with $415 million in U.S. ticket sales and nearly $1.1 billion worldwide. Brave is a departure for Pixar, and is its first film to feature a strong female as the lead character, following a long Disney tradition with female heroines that in recent years have included Mulan and Pocahontas. Brave cost about $185 million to make. Ahead of the weekend, industry tracking suggested Brave would secure between $55 million and $60 million in domestic ticket sales, putting the film line with most of Pixar's recent debuts, but the film topped expectations. Brave knocked another animated family film, Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted, to number two after the film remained for two weeks in the top spot. The movie about a pack of escaped zoo animals took in $20 million at North American (U.S. and Canadian) theaters over the weekend, and the worldwide total since its debut rose to $157.6 million. HONEST ABE BATTLES VAMPIRES: In third place on domestic charts, thriller Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter rung up a solid $16.5 million. The movie imagines the 16th U.S. president fighting creatures of the night that are plotting to take over the country. Benjamin Walker stars as the axe-wielding Lincoln in the $70-million 3D production. The movie rung up another $8.1 million in international markets. Distributor 20th Century Fox, a unit of News Corp, had projected domestic sales would hit around $15 million for the weekend. In fourth place, Alien director Ridley Scott's movie, Prometheus, about explorers searching for the origins of mankind added $10 million in domestic sales to bring its global sales after three weeks to $108.5 million. Another new release, Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World pulled in $3.8 million, for a disappointing 10th place. The dark comedy starring Steve Carrell and Keira Knightley tells the story of a man who goes on a road trip as an asteroid speeds toward Earth. The film, which cost less than $10 million to make, played in 1,618 theaters, fewer than the 3,000-plus for the weekend's other big movies. The fifth spot went to Universal's Snow White and the Huntsman, which took in $8 million domestically to bring its four-week global total to $137 million. Madagascar 3 was produced by Dreamworks Animation and distributed by Paramount Pictures, a unit of Viacom Inc. News Corp movie studio 20th Century Fox released Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and Prometheus. Focus Features, a unit of Comcast Corp's Universal Pictures, released Seeking A Friend... Judge: Case on Stallone's Expendables knocked out Sylvester Stallone has knocked out a lawsuit by an author who accused the actor of copying his screenplay to make his popular 2010 movie The Expendables. U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff in Manhattan dismissed the lawsuit filed last October by Marcus Webb, who had called the movie's screenplay "strikingly similar and in some places identical" to his own work, The Cordoba Caper. Rakoff said he will explain the reasoning behind his decision "in due course." Webb had sought damages for alleged copyright infringement, and a ban on infringement in any sequel by Stallone; co-author David Callaham; Nu Image Films, which produced the movie; and Lions Gate Entertainment Corp, which distributed the movie in the United States. Lawyers for Webb did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Tom Ferber, a lawyer for the defendants, declined to comment. Stallone's publicist did not immediately respond to a request for comment. According to the lawsuit, The Cordoba Caper told a story of elite, highly-trained mercenaries hired to defeat a General Garza, a rogue army general in a small Latin American country. Webb said the plot of The Expendables was much the same and also included a villain named General Garza. But the defendants said Webb wrote his screenplay after Callaham had produced three drafts of his own, which Stallone later revised. They also said the works differed fundamentally in “overall concept and feel.” In oral argument, Rakoff focused on whether the screenplays were “strikingly similar.” He appeared to disagree with a suggestion by Webb's lawyer that, while Garza may be the 34th-most common Hispanic last name, it was nonetheless notable that generals in both screenplays had the same names and positions. "There must be dozens of characters in movies, in plays, named Kelly or named, as you point out, Garcia, or the like," he said. "Is Garza really a name sufficiently (different)? It is not like it is either a made up name or a very unusual name, where you might — you know, if the name was Rumpelstiltskin." The Expendables was released on August 13, 2010, and also featured other older stars from action movies, like Jet Li and Arnold Schwarzenegger. A sequel, The Expendables 2, is scheduled for release on August 17. Source: Screen India

Read More........ → July 26, 2012

Justin Bieber could face six months in prison

Teen sensation Justin Bieber,who has been accused of roughing up a photographer outside a shopping centre, could face up to six months in jail if he is charged and convicted. The investigation is still in early stages, but police reportedly have already decided to refer the case to the LA County DA for possible criminal prosecution, which is quite common for high-profile cases, reported Ace Showbiz. However, Bieber, 18, and his camp remained mum on the matter. Instead, the Canadian pop star released a brand new single called 'Die in Your Arms' and jetted off to Europe for a so-called 'PHASE 1 of operation secret concerts!'. The scuffle allegedly happened when the photographer tried to snap pictures of Bieber and his girlfriend Selena Gomez, after they walked out of a cinema hall at The Commons in Calabasas. During the altercation, the pop star appeared angry and frustrated with Gomez trying to calm him down. Source: Screen India, Image: flickr.com

Read More........ → July 21, 2012

In a world exclusive Kate Middleton finally turns cover girl for Marie Claire. Or does she?

Ready for her close up: Kate Middleton has made her glossy cover debut on Marie Claire South Africa's August issue She is the cover star that every glossy magazine has been chasing for years, and most editors would gladly trade their entire collection of Chanel handbags to scoojavascript:void(0)p the exclusive. Now it looks like Marie Claire South Africa is celebrating the industry's biggest coup in years: a cover featuring the Duchess of Cambridge posing in the latest designer fashion. Or are they? Warpaint: The FEMAIL

 team gave Kate an extreme makeover using new M&S beauty technology earlier this week The Au gust issue features a beaming Kate Middleton posing with a hand on her hip and showing off immaculate hair and make-up. In another first, the Duchess is pictured wearing a South African designer. But a closer inspection reveals that the glossy shot is in fact a rather clever fake and the printed dress by Clive Rundle has simply been added on to an existing picture of the Royal. The magazine, which features four more photoshopped images of Kate inside, is calling the lifelike picture 'fan art tribute' Editor Aspasia Karras told the Telegraph, "The cover is actually a hyper-real illustration of Kate, meant to be a fan art tribute to fashion's new royal icon." Travel Fwd Plus

Read More........ → July 17, 2012

Madonna 'Struggles' As A Working Mother

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Starpulse: Madonna has opened up about life as a single mother, insisting she often "struggles" to raise four children on her own. The pop superstar has a 15-year-old daughter, Lourdes, from her relationship with Carlos Leon, and a son Rocco, 12, from her marriage to Guy Ritchie, as well as David, six, and Mercy, five, who were both adopted from Malawi. Madonna admits life as a single parent is "hard" and she sometimes feels as if her "head is going to explode" from the stress of juggling work with her family duties. She tells Britain's The Sun on Sunday, "I'm not going to lie - it's hard work having four kids and doing all the work I do. Sometimes I cope with it very well, sometimes it's a struggle." Madonna has even written a new song about her struggle, called I Don't Give A..., in which she raps about "the life of an ex-wife", "custody" and "pre-nups", apparently in reference to her failed marriage to Ritchie. She adds, "It's about the life of a single mother. It's a challenge juggling everything - multi-tasking is my middle name. I try to express that." Source: Starpulse

Read More........ → June 25, 2012

Why women get to call the shots in bed wars

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London, (ANI): A recent survey has revealed that women generally tend to get their way in bed wars, when it comes to getting to sleep on their preferred side of the bed. In order to get a good night's sleep, hardly one man out of 10 insists on his preferred side, a survey revealed. And while a quarter of couples disagree over sleeping arrangements, the woman nearly always gets her way. Experts, while citing the reasons behind this gesture of men, have persisted that men are actually acting instinctively to "protect" their womenfolk in situations where they feel vulnerable. Reasons for women choosing one side of the bed over the other range from wanting to avoid their sleeping partner breathing on them to wanting the man to sleep nearest to the door so he can confront any burglars. "Men are naturally designed to want to protect their female partner and that means, more often than not, they will allow her to call the shots over 'disputed territories' like preference for a certain side of the bed," the Daily Express quoted psychologist Donna Dawson, as saying. "Women are far more likely to insist on things going their way than a man too. Men are generally happy to adapt." "There are lots of reasons why a woman prefers a certain side of the bed - being furthest from the door and danger; being closest to the door so she can deal with a crying baby; wanting to be nearer the window for fresher air." "The underlying message is women wear the trousers in the bedroom and men generally don't put up much of a fight when it comes to bedroom-related disputes," she added. (ANI) Source: News Track India

Read More........ → June 19, 2012

Nicole Scherzinger & Alice Eve Heat Up The 'Men In Black III' London Premiere

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Starpulse: Keep a fire extinguisher nearby because the following photos of Nicole Scherzinger and Alice Eve are hot! We spotted the two ladies at the "Men in Black III" U.K. gala premiere yesterday (and they appropriately wore black). Nicole wore an interesting gown with coils of fabric on the bodice. The dress accentuated her lower half with a slit up the leg. Alice wore a half latex cocktail dress that hugged her figure in all the right places. In the third installment of the popular film franchise, Agent J (Will Smith) takes a trip into the past in order to save both the future and his taciturn partner Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones). See more photos of Nicole and Alice..Source: Starpulse

Read More........ → June 16, 2012

Review: 'Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted' Is A Fun, Vibrant & Colorful Experience

What continues to feel like an animated U.N. PSA, the ever so cute Madagascar journey exits one continent (Africa), crash-landing us on another (Europe). With snarky antics and scenarios, Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted maintains its unique style of animated fun, however, this time around adding more humor, vibe and color. Alex the Lion (Ben Stiller), Marty the Zebra (Chris Rock), Gloria the Hippo (Jada Pinkett Smith), and Melman the Giraffe (David Schwimmer) are still scraping, fighting and reinventing ways to get home to their beloved NYC. Latching on to them are the usual, questionable, funny-buddies with King Julien (Sacha Baron Cohen), Maurice (Cedric the Entertainer) and the hilarious

penguin gang. Their journey takes them through Europe where they find the perfect cover: a traveling circus, which they rehash – Madagascar style. Without question it doesn’t come at an easy price as jumping from one place to another, attracts unwanted attention, leading to a chase and possible capture – mainly Alex’s. Psyched by the idea of such a prized-capturing-possession, Europe’s best and flawless animal hunter, Captain Chantel DuBois (Francis McDormond) is contracted to take the mission. Accepting it, she declares a “game on” approach by any means necessary. From its opening scene, to its final, Europe’s Most Wanted has to be one of the best animated films this year. As it embarks on challenges and creative approach within their core, the script provides a hip and jovial feeling with a bit of maturity during moments calling for it. The balance between them gives off enough for children and adults to simultaneously enjoy it. Quickly, yet nicely paced, with what seemed to be an arc of achievements as

they come full-circle, the crazy antics, motion and music  behind scenes are well matched. Adding to the fun are new characters which include an Italian sea lion named Stefano (Martin Short), a gorgeous Italian jaguar named Gia (Jessica Chastain) and the trio’s leader, a bitter tiger named Vitale (Bryan Cranston). There wasn’t anything before end-credits determining a fourth (4th), but I’m pretty sure – like the first two (2) – with what will be a successful release (June 8), DreamWorks won’t have an issue mustering up another one. Fun summer flick to watch – recommend it! __________________Grade: A / Genre: Animation, Action/Adventure, Comedy and Sequel / Rated: PG / Run Time: 95 Minutes Starring: Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett Smith, David Schwimmer, Sacha Baron Cohen, Cedric The Entertainer Director(s): Eric Darnell, Conrad Vernon, Tom McGrath, © 2012 Starpulse.com, Photo Credits: Paramount Pictures , Source: Starpulse.com 

Read More........ → June 07, 2012

Adele is UK's richest young musician

Agencies: Grammy winning singer Adele's wealth has risen by 14 million pounds in the last 12 months, making her the richest young musician in Britain. The 23-year-old 'Someone Like You' hitmaker has risen to the top of the Sunday Times Rich List thanks to the huge success of her album '21', which sold in excess of 20 million copies worldwide, reported Sun online. "Adele's been the success story of the past year by a mile. You only get an Adele once every ten years. It's success on a ginormous scale," said Steve Redmond, Entertainment Retailers Association. Singers Cheryl Cole, Leona Lewis and Katie Melua are all in second place with an impressive 12 million pounds, while Adele's fellow Brit School alum Jessie J has made her debut appearance on the list for those aged 30 and under, with a fortune of 5 million pounds. The rundown of Britain's highest-earning young actors is once again topped by "Harry Potter" star Daniel Radcliffe, 22, and his 54 million pounds, up by 6 million pounds from last year thanks to his latest film, "The Woman In Black". In the second place is "Twilight" star Robert Pattinson, 25, who has increased his wealth by 8 million pounds since last year, taking his total to 40 million pounds, while Keira Knightley, 27, still has an estimated 30 million pounds, the same as last year. Source: Screen India, Image: flickr.com

Read More........ → May 17, 2012

Kareena to play Begum Samru?

Mumbai: Actress Kareena Kapoor is likely to play the role of Begum Samru in Tigmanshu Dhulia's period film. Tigmanshu, who is basking in the glory of recent hits like 'Paan Singh Tomar' and 'Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster', had first approached Rani Mukherjee for this film, sources said. The period flick is based on the life of Begum Samru, who started her career as a nautch girl in 18th Century India, and eventually became the ruler of Sardhana, a principality near Meerut. Later on she played a key role in the political power struggle in 18th and 19th century India. According to sources, Kareena had liked Tigmanshu's both the latest movies - 'Paan Singh Tomar' and 'Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster' and she wants to work with the director. "It is too early to talk about the details of the film, but Kareena is definitely excited for this film," official spokesperson from the director's side said in a statement. Begum Samru was the head of a professionally-trained mercenary army, inherited from her European mercenary husband, Walter Reinhardt Sombre. This mercenary army consisted of Europeans and Indians. She is also regarded as the only Catholic ruler in India, as she ruled the principality of Sardhana in 18th and 19th century India. Source: financialexpress.com

Read More........ → May 14, 2012