Fire Alarms Interrupt NBCs Nightly News

First Published: November 30, 2011 11:34 AM EST Credit: Getty Images Caption Brian Williams speaks onstage at the NBC Universal NBC News Q&A portion of the 2010 Winter TCA Tour day 2 at the Langham Hotel on January 10, 2010 in Pasadena, Calif.NY, N.Y. -- NBC News anchor and former volunteer firefighter Brian Williams doesnt expect to hear alarms during his day job. He did Tuesday night, when an audible fire alarm from a floor below the Nightly News studio in NY repeatedly interrupted the newscast. Spokeswoman Erika Masonhall said Wednesday that it was a drill, but that technicians couldnt immediately turn off studio loudspeakers. Nightly News moved into a new studio a month ago. Alarms went off twice as Williams read a story about American Airlines. He flashed a bemused smile the second time and said, We should remind our viewers that theres no danger to us. After the problem was fixed, Williams redid the broadcast for non-Eastern time zones. Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

'Red Dog' features its own visit to Oz kudo

Queensland -- Feelgood Aussie pic "Red-colored-colored Dog" fetched seven kudos within the Jameson Inside Film Honours kudocast Wednesday evening in Sydney. Pic, which notifies the story of techniques a canny canine unites just a little Aussie town inside the remote Pilbara region, won the most effective kudo for top film while Josh Lucas needed actor. "Red-colored-colored Dog" also needed home kudos for direction, script, cinematography, music and box office achievement due to its haul more than $20 milllion within the B.O. The actress prize visited Emily Watson on her behalf role in "Oranges and Sunshine" while movie testers Margaret Pomeranz and former Variety critic David Stratton were named Living Tales. The Inside Film Honours are people choice honours and screen on pubcaster SBS. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

The Expendables 2 Poster Arrives

Probably the most action movie poster everWARNING:only look into this poster is exactly what triggered half the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park in becoming males, so pumped with testosterone could it be. This promo for Expendables 2 consists of, by our estimate, 75% more muscles and 190% more guns than almost every other poster this season come up with.The film, when you are without doubt aware, sees Sylvester Stallone and company (including Jason Statham, TerryCrews, Dolph Lundgren and Jet Li) dealing with another impossible mission. With beefed-up roles this time around, Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger have returned, and they are became a member of by Chuck Norris and Jean-Claude VanDamme. A lot bicep!A lot of roundhouse kicks towards the mind! And, er, Liam Hemsworth. Maybe that'll be preferable after we see him for action in Hunger Games presently, within the wake from the Last Song it does not make a lot sense. Simon "Disadvantage Air" West is pointing this time around.[[Poll554]]Expendables 2, which seems to possess dropped the definite article, arrives on August 17, 2012. We are not likely to refer to it as "EX 2" a lot of distressing reminiscences of LXG.

Tuner chimes in

Ted Turner, left; James M. Nederlander, chair of Nederlander Org; James L. Nederlander, prexy of Nederlander Org; and Thomas Schumacher, prexy of Disney Theatrical Group No charity will tell you that it's easy to get people interested in the developing world, but Chris Helfrich may have found a likely solution for Africa-centric initiative Nothing But Nets: Ask at the end of "The Lion King." "For us, 'The Lion King' made so much sense," said Helfrich, who runs the initiative for the U.N. Foundation. In cooperation with the Nederlander organization (which owns "Lion King" theater the Minskoff), Disney Theatricals, and Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS, the cast of the show will petition the aud to contribute to the charity. Helfrich said $10 increments are best -- it costs 10 bucks to send an African child a net to hang over his bed that will protect him from the mosquitoes that spread malaria. "It's all about engaging audiences around African themes and dealing with big issues, but in fun and easy-to-grasp ways," said Helfrich of the Julie Taymor/Elton John musical. "And that's really what our campaign is about, too. It's about connecting Americans with people in Africa by sending nets and saving lives." Tom Viola, of Broadway Cares, said his charity was "eager to assist" when it heard Disney and the Nederlanders were aiming to increase the $40 million that Nothing But Nets has raised so far. "This is just the cast of 'The Lion King,' specifically, asking people to join them in something that's important to them," Viola said. Fund-raising has been limited to the show's Broadway incarnation and will come during the spring appeal, beginning April 25 -- also World Malaria Day. The pitches take perhaps a minute to make, but in that minute, a child dies of malaria somewhere on the Horn of Africa. "When this campaign started, a child was dying every 30 seconds, and now it's every 45 seconds," Helfrich said. "We're making progress, but there's still way too many deaths." Contact Sam Thielman at sam.thielman@variety.com

'Tintin' finds more gold o'seas

The smart boy explorer from "The Adventures of Tintin: The Key from the Unicorn" is getting little difficulty finding his means by a large swath of areas, staking out a remarkable $123.7 million after just two days in the overseas box office."Tintin," distribbed by The new sony and Vital, collected a chart-topping $39.two million within the November. 4-6 weekend from the total 45 nations, including eight new areas, one of these Russia, in which the film gained $4.9 million, which a hearty 79% originated from three dimensional and Imax.The film's top market, however, was France, where it totalled $8.4 million in the second weekend, a small amount of 60% pic achieved positive results a week ago from increased holiday traffic in Gaul."Tintin" continues to be making B.O. head lines for days prior to its worldwide release -- nearly two several weeks in front of the 12 ,. 21 Stateside bow.Both The new sony and Componen, the second which reps just the U.K. in Europe, made the decision to provide European auds start looking to be able to take advantage of local summer break around this time around, in addition to make use of the original book series' recognition on that region ("Tintin" started in Belgium)."Tintin" launches a few days ago in India and Taiwan via The new sony and Componen, correspondingly.Also carrying out well in the second frame overseas, twentieth century Fox's sci-fi thriller "Over TimeInch made $17 million for any cume of $38.5 million. Pic released in 16 new areas, such as the U.K., where auds paid out $3 million -- enough for second place behind "Tintin," which collected $3.5 million there."Over TimeInch narrowly lost to "Tintin" in Russia, generating $4.3 million, lower only 14%. Around Australia, meanwhile, the film held to the top place, with $1.7 million. Fox states it needs the pic to eventually cume around $90 million worldwide, with possibility to mix the $100 million mark for the way its remaining marketplaces perform.Portugal may be the only new marketplace for "Over TimeInch a few days ago the film bows November. 23 in France, then Germany and The country the weekend of 12 ,. 2. Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com

'Dark Knight Rises' On Wall Street, 'Avengers' Scores Composer

"The Dark Knight Rises" is almost finished with its NY City rampage, and oh, what a rampage indeed. MTV News was on hand for some of the NYC-shooting of Christopher Nolan's final Batman movie, and we've got all the details for you in our new weekly column, The Weekly Rising. Check out footage from the NYC set below! There's more comic book movie news beyond the break. Back To "The Avengers" In news that's guaranteed to keep the "Back to the Future" theme playing in your head on repeat for the rest of the day, it's been revealed that composer Alan Silvestri will create the score for Joss Whedon's "The Avengers." In addition to his many Robert Zemeckis collaborations, Silvestri is also the man responsible for the "Captain America" score, so his experience with Earth's Mightiest Heroes is already quite clear. Henry Cavill Discusses "Man Of Steel" And "Immortals" Directors The once and future Superman explained the key differences between Zack Snyder of "Man of Steel" and "Immortals" director Tarsem Singh: "While Zack is very stylized; Tarsem is very artistic. Not to say Zack isn't artistic ... OK, watching that HDTV which is a masterwork in itself and seeing that painting on the wall, which is a masterwork in itself -- they are both beautiful, they both affect you, and they are so entirely different. Like Zack is the TV and Tarsem the painting." "Ghost Rider" Rating Manipulation "Spirit of Vengeance" directors Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor knew they were shooting for a PG-13 "Ghost Rider" movie, but according to the pair, they learned all of the tricks one needs to know to create what's effectively a PG-16 rating. See what they had to say in the video below: Tell us what you think of today's Splash Page roundup in the comments and on Twitter!

'J. Edgar' Screens at LACMA, Clint Eastwood and Co. on Hand for Festivities

Scott FeinbergLeonardo DiCaprio with the Eastwoods at LACMA event Last night, as part of a weekend-long celebration of Clint Eastwood, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) hosted a special screening of Eastwood's new film J. Edgar, followed by a Q&A with Eastwood, stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Armie Hammer, and writer Dustin Lance Black. I arrived in time to catch the second half of the film (the entirety of which I saw at its world premiere on Thursday night) and the Q&A (which was moderated by Charles McGrath of the NY Times).our editor recommends'J. Edgar': What the Critics Are SayingLeonardo DiCaprio As 'J. Edgar': What He's Saying About the RoleClint Eastwood's 'J. Edgar,' Featuring Leonardo DiCaprio as Hoover, Opens AFI Fest'J. Edgar' Q&A: Leonardo DiCaprio'J. Edgar' Q&A: Clint EastwoodJ. Edgar: Film Review PHOTOS: 'J. Edgar' Premiere Red Carpet Arrivals Some highlights of the Q&A: Eastwood taking the stage dressed in sneakers and munching on a cookie; DiCaprio noting that Black told him that the secrecy of the Bush Administration after 9/11 inspired him to write the film as a cautionary tale about what can happen if one man accumulates too much power and influence; Black laughing that when he went for his tour of the FBI it was led by some "lackey" but that when DiCaprio went for his it was led by Attorney General Eric Holder; DiCaprio noting that he met with a 90-something-year-old former colleague of Hoover's who was able to provide him with lots of good details about the man's mannerisms, humor, etc.; Black making it quite clear that he believes that Hoover and his longtime companion Clyde Tolson were indeed gay lovers (something that DiCaprio seemed less inclined to state outright); DiCaprio and Hammer divulging that it took them five to six hours and seven to eight hours, respectively, to be made up into the older versions of their characters; and Eastwood joking that he was always in his old age makeup. COVER STORY: The Making of 'J. Edgar' Afterwards, Warner Brothers, which is distributing J. Edgar, held a small reception with the talent for some press types, including yours truly. A friend re-introduced me to Eastwood, who I met a few times three years ago when he was on the awards circuit for Gran Torino (2008) -- at the National Board of Review Awards, at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, etc. -- and who, as always, couldn't have been more gracious. I mentioned that I had now seen J. Edgar twice in 24 hours, and he was very curious to hear my take on whether or not it improved on second viewing (it did) and in what ways (I picked up a lot of neat little facets of DiCaprio's performance that I'd overlooked the first time around, among other things). STORY: Clint Eastwood's 'J. Edgar,' Featuring Leonardo DiCaprio as Hoover, Opens AFI Fest I also asked him if he is open to the idea of acting again -- something we discussed three years ago after Torino -- and he said he's absolutely open to it if a strong enough part comes along. My friend told him that he wished Eastwood would do another western, since he became a movie lover watching Eastwood's Westerns, and Eastwood said he felt that he left things on about as high a note as he could with Unforgiven (1992), so it would take something really special for him to do another. I noted that, even at 81, he still looks like he's in great enough shape to saddle up again, and certainly proved that when I was last saw him at Santa Barbara: as a crowd waited for his limo to pull up in front of the red carpet, he surprised everyone by getting dropped off behind the crowd, then sneaking through it towards the barricades that kept them from the red carpet, and then hopping over the barricades! Reminded of that, he simply delivered his now-iconic wry smile and chuckle. Clint Eastwood Leonardo DiCaprio Armie Hammer J. Edgar

Four Casting Company directors Help Break You into TV at Actorfest LA

Four Casting Company directors Help Break You into TV at Actorfest LA November 1, 2011 Within the Television Drama Casting panel at Actorfest LA, four amazing Casting Company directors -- with credits which include "Dirty, Sexy, Money," "Shameless," "Gossip Girl," and "Bones" -- train you the way to enter TV.Need to know how you can burglary to television dramas? From co-stars to series regulars and from pre-read to network test -- top casting company directors discuss every side of television procedurals casting.Loudspeakers include (bios below): -- Mary Jo Slater, Casting Director-- John Frank Levey, Casting Director-- David Rapaport, Casting Director-- Ron Millikan, Casting DirectorTo sign up for this dynamic workshop, visit actorfestla2011.eventbrite.com.Proud casting achievements for Mary Jo Slater include William Friedkin's "Twelve Angry Males" for Showtime, starring Jack Lemmon, George C. Scott, and James Gandolfini and getting a C.S.A. nomination the DreamWorks feature "The Contender," starring Joan Allen, Shaun Bridges, and Gary Oldman as well as getting a C.S.A. nomination the CBS miniseries "Elvis," the ABC series "Commander-in-Chief," starring Geena Davis and Jesse Sutherland the Morgan Creek feature "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective" the independent features "Come Morning Hours,Inch starring Ashley Judd and premiering at Sundance, and "Slipstream," starring Anthony Hopkins and also the ABC pilot of "Dirty, Sexy, Money."John Frank Levey continues to be famous for his casting work with seven Emmy nominations. He's received four Emmy Honours for his casting work, two each for "ER" and "Free Airline Wing." Through the years, he's received many nominations and honours from the Casting Society of America as well as in 2009 was honored with CSA's Hoyt Bowers Award for lifetime achievement. He's focusing on "Shameless" for Showtime and "Southland" for TNT. Levey continues to be praised for his use stars with disabilities.David Rapaport designed a reputation for themself by casting the pilot for "Gossip Girl," that he was honored having a nomination for the exclusive Artios Award. He's since worked with on several films, including "Vacancy," "The Other people," "Promenade Evening," "Quarantine," "The Ultimate Destination," "Armored," "The Apparition," "Evidence," and "LOL."Rapaport also offers extensive experience of television, casting the series "Masters of Horror" (Showtime), "Fear Itself" (NBC), "Rockville CA" (WBTV), "Hard Occasions of RJ Berger" (MTV), "My Generation" (ABC), and four seasons of "90210" (the CW), and that he is constantly on the consult on "Gossip Girl," now in the fifth season on the CW.Additionally, Rapaport cast the aircraft pilots for that "Gossip Girl" spinoff (the CW), "My Generation" (ABC), and many lately, David E. Kelley's "Question Lady" (NBC). Rapaport is really a proud person in the Casting Society of America.Ron Millikan is casting the seventh season from the hit Fox series "Bones," starring David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel "The Finder," a spinoff from "Bones" starring Geoff Stults and Michael Clarke Duncan and ABC Family's "Melissa and Joey" with Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence.Other credits range from the CBS drama "Shark," starring James Forest and Jeri Ryan "The Protector" with Simon Baker and Dabney Coleman "CSI: Miami" with David Caruso "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch" with Melissa Joan Hart and Caroline Rhea and also the lengthy-running comedy "Married With Children."His most broadly acclaimed credit, however, is casting all 201 instances of the famous series "The X-Files," starring David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson. Millikan started his casting career in 1987 like a casting assistant around the hit Television show "Empire."Actorfest LA, that is introduced for you by Back Stage, the Actor's Resource, will occur on Saturday, November fifth in the California Market Center in downtown La. To assist kickstart your job, Actorfest provides more than 24 exclusive Training courses Casting Calls Meet & Drops with Top Casting Company directors a Networking Caf as well as an enormous Exhibit Hall, at which you'll talk with acting instructors, coaches, schools, headshot photography enthusiasts, and much more suppliers who can help you flourish in your job.To join up for Actorfest LA, check out actorfestla2011.eventbrite.com. To learn more, visit world wide web.ActorfestLA.com. While you register, make the most of our special limited-time subscription offers.Enjoy your entire day at Actorfest! Four Casting Company directors Help Break You into TV at Actorfest LA November 1, 2011 Within the Television Drama Casting panel at Actorfest LA, four amazing Casting Company directors -- with credits which include "Dirty, Sexy, Money," "Shameless," "Gossip Girl," and "Bones" -- train you the way to interrupt into TV.Need to know how you can burglary to television dramas? From co-stars to series regulars and from pre-read to network test -- top casting company directors discuss every side of television procedurals casting.Loudspeakers include (bios below): -- Mary Jo Slater, Casting Director-- John Frank Levey, Casting Director-- David Rapaport, Casting Director-- Ron Millikan, Casting DirectorTo sign up for this dynamic workshop, visit actorfestla2011.eventbrite.com.Proud casting achievements for Mary Jo Slater include William Friedkin's "Twelve Angry Males" for Showtime, starring Jack Lemmon, George C. Scott, and James Gandolfini and getting a C.S.A. nomination the DreamWorks feature "The Contender," starring Joan Allen, Shaun Bridges, and Gary Oldman as well as getting a C.S.A. nomination the CBS miniseries "Elvis," the ABC series "Commander-in-Chief," starring Geena Davis and Jesse Sutherland the Morgan Creek feature "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective" the independent features "Come Morning Hours,Inch starring Ashley Judd and premiering at Sundance, and "Slipstream," starring Anthony Hopkins and also the ABC pilot of "Dirty, Sexy, Money."John Frank Levey continues to be famous for his casting use seven Emmy nominations. He's received four Emmy Honours for his casting work, two each for "ER" and "Free Airline Wing." Through the years, he's received many nominations and honours in the Casting Society of America as well as in 2009 was honored with CSA's Hoyt Bowers Award for lifetime achievement. He's focusing on "Shameless" for Showtime and "Southland" for TNT. Levey continues to be praised for his use stars with disabilities.David Rapaport designed a reputation for themself by casting the pilot for "Gossip Girl," that he was honored having a nomination for that exclusive Artios Award. He's since worked with on several films, including "Vacancy," "The Other people," "Promenade Evening," "Quarantine," "The Ultimate Destination," "Armored," "The Apparition," "Evidence," and "LOL."Rapaport also offers extensive experience of television, casting the series "Masters of Horror" (Showtime), "Fear Itself" (NBC), "Rockville CA" (WBTV), "Hard Occasions of RJ Berger" (MTV), "My Generation" (ABC), and four seasons of "90210" (the CW), and that he is constantly on the consult on "Gossip Girl," now in the fifth season around the CW.Additionally, Rapaport cast the aircraft pilots for that "Gossip Girl" spinoff (the CW), "My Generation" (ABC), and many lately, David E. Kelley's "Question Lady" (NBC). Rapaport is really a proud person in the Casting Society of America.Ron Millikan is casting the seventh season from the hit Fox series "Bones," starring David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel "The Finder," a spinoff from "Bones" starring Geoff Stults and Michael Clarke Duncan and ABC Family's "Melissa and Joey" with Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence.Other credits range from the CBS drama "Shark," starring James Forest and Jeri Ryan "The Protector" with Simon Baker and Dabney Coleman "CSI: Miami" with David Caruso "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch" with Melissa Joan Hart and Caroline Rhea and also the lengthy-running comedy "Married With Children."His most broadly acclaimed credit, however, is casting all 201 instances of the famous series "The X-Files," starring David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson. Millikan started his casting career later like a casting assistant around the hit Television show "Empire."Actorfest LA, that is introduced for you by Back Stage, the Actor's Resource, will occur on Saturday, November fifth in the California Market Center in downtown La. To assist kickstart your job, Actorfest provides more than 24 exclusive Training courses Casting Calls Meet & Drops with Top Casting Company directors a Networking Caf as well as an enormous Exhibit Hall, at which you'll talk with acting instructors, coaches, schools, headshot photography enthusiasts, and much more suppliers who can help you flourish in your job.To join up for Actorfest LA, check out actorfestla2011.eventbrite.com. To learn more, visit world wide web.ActorfestLA.com. While you register, make the most of our special limited-time subscription offers.Enjoy your entire day at Actorfest!