Actress Patricia Clarkson to steer Circus Parade

NEW ORLEANS (AP) Actress Patricia Clarkson will lead the Circus parade in the Krewe of Muses in their hometown of latest Orleans.The star in the 2010 thriller "Shutter Island" as well as the 2003 drama "Items of April" will require on the whimsical limelight by riding on the red-colored-colored fiber-optic-lit float created as being a high-heeled shoe.The Krewe of Muses is a-women's organization that parades through New Orleans on Feb. 16.The krewe typically selects an honorary driver who demonstrates a muse from Greek mythology, for instance dance, poetry or music. For 2012, the club mentioned it chose Clarkson becasue it is honorary "EveryMuse" because she includes the spirit of muses.Copyright 2011 Connected Press. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. By Stacey Plaisance December 30, 2011 NEW ORLEANS (AP) Actress Patricia Clarkson will lead the Circus parade in the Krewe of Muses in their hometown of latest Orleans.The star in the 2010 thriller "Shutter Island" as well as the 2003 drama "Items of April" will require on the whimsical limelight by riding around the red-colored-colored fiber-optic-lit float created as being a high-heeled shoe.The Krewe of Muses is a-women's organization that parades through New Orleans on Feb. 16.The krewe typically selects an honorary driver who demonstrates a muse from Greek mythology, for instance dance, poetry or music. For 2012, the club mentioned it chose Clarkson becasue it is honorary "EveryMuse" because she includes the spirit of muses.Copyright 2011 Connected Press. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

FilmFunds buys post house

PARIS -- FilmFunds, a crowdsourcing venture launched at the Toronto Film Festival, has stepped into the 3D conversion biz with the acquisition of Duran Duboi U.S., a California-based post-production and vfx house. Created by Christian Paris in 2002, Duran Duboi U.S. has developed 3D LiveFlix software, which enables real-time 3D conversion of films and toons. Deal allows FilmFunds to poll moviegoers to see what popular library titles they want to see in 3D and offer conversion services to digital players like Netflix, Amazon and Hulu, as well as studios. The Los Angeles-based company allows filmmakers to post their synopses and marketing material on FilmFunds' website and mobile app and lets members give feedback on the projects. FilmFunds' online community is currently building, but the goal is to reach the 60 million moviegoers in the U.S., per Carl Freer, co-founder and chairman of FilmFunds.Freer says the idea behind the acquisition of Duran Duboi U.S. is to become a one-stop shop for filmmakers and people in the industry. "We're looking to help content distributors evaluate the market for 3D conversion and decide what movies to convert," Freer said. "Our model is simple: We either have the content owners write the check for the 3D conversion or we fund it inhouse and do a revenue share with pay-per-view websites."Paris, who's now VP of FilmFunds, says the 3D LiveFlix technology, recently used on "Conan the Barbarian," works best to convert homevid titles. "We could convert a catalog of 600 titles in one week," said Paris, a French post-production vet. FilmFunds also is bidding for Quinta Industries' Duran Duboi, the Paris-based vfx and animation shingle that was placed in bankruptcy last week.Paris said the bid has yet to be approved by French authorities. If greenlit, FilmFunds will pursue ongoing productions, such as Luc Besson-produced "The Boy With the Cuckoo-Clock Heart," according to Paris. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Biz keeps spirits vibrant

Twentieth TV cake cake toppers Dana Walden and Gary Newman leaped on Sons of Anarchy hogs for annual comedy video ecard. There's undoubtedly the old-fashioned holiday card market remains round the skids, along with the ecard volume seems lower just a little this year. There seems to become more spirit inside the showbiz's holidays festivities this year, which is a superb sign that bizzers feel positive of a prosperous year ahead.Knowing with a casual survey of Variety staffers, there's an apparent increase within the last few years in the quantity of holiday parties, receptions and sundry get-togethers, whether large-scale company matters or private occasions by people attempting to toast pals and co-employees at Soho House, MyHouse, Palihouse in addition to their own house.Because the face-time festivities are extremely growing, there's undoubtedly the old-fashioned holiday card market remains round the skids, along with the ecard volume seems lower just a little this year. Along with the third year back to back, last century Fox TV cake cake toppers Gary Newman and Dana Walden destroyed utilizing their comedy video ecard, this time around around featuring the rambunctious talents in the "Sons of Anarchy" posse.That traditionalist, Chuck Lorre made merry along with his annual mailing, this time around around gently referencing the general public trauma he familiar with spring. Ever the naughty schoolboy, Craig Ferguson sent an image card getting a salty holiday sentiment that's definitely not inside the Hallmark canon.Carolines on Broadway set up together numerous advantageous one-card inserts from comics which the holidays should bring. Incorporated within this: "A completely new guy for Demi Moore who not cheat or tweet," "an Occupy Citifield movement to be able to save the Mets" and "Comedy Central obtaining the rights to broadcast all future Republican debates." Hear hear. Contact Cynthia Littleton at cynthia.littleton@variety.com

Total Film has a piece of the Hunger Games poster puzzle

[brightcove]1275910811001[/brightcove]Total Film has got its hands on an exclusive puzzle piece of the new poster for The Hunger Games.To celebrate the fact that there's 100 days to go until the release of the film, the #HUNGERGAMES100 Poster Puzzle Hunt is underway. So, once someone has collected all 100 pieces and solved the puzzle, the poster will be revealed.We've got piece #49, check it out here:Keep an eye on the progress at The Hunger Games Facebook page.For more info on the puzzle, look here.The Hunger Games opens on 23 March 2012.

First Look: Torrey DeVitto on The Vampire Diaries

The Vampire Diaries Torrey DeVitto loves her role as Melissa on Pretty Little Liars, and she's thrilled with her guest arc on The CW's The Vampire Diaries, which begins January 5. Why? Her husband, Paul Wesley, stars as Stefan!DeVitto plays Dr. Fell, who is "intrigued by Alaric [Matt Davis] because he recuperated miraculously from what seemed like a fatal injury, and that sparks an attraction between them." Can we expect liplocks? "Quite possibly," she says.So how did she prepare her hubby? "I said, 'Just go to the set like it's a normal day at the office!'" Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

Social TV: VH1 Introduces New Basketball Wives Cast Members Via Live Stream

Basketball Wives VH1 eschewed the prototypical "cast announcement" blast for something a bit more unconventional Thursday - the network turned it into a live-streamed experience, unveiling next season's Basketball Wives stars, and even encouraged audiences to participate in the process. Check out the rest of today's news From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., fans who tuned in to the live stream got a "behind the scenes" glimpse into the promo photo-shoot for the upcoming season, as it was happening, in real time. By watching, they also caught a first look at new cast members, plus interviews with returning fan favorites likeEvelyn Lozada and Suzie Ketcham. Camera crews caught set designers prepping the backdrops, the women getting their hair and make-up done, and even a few candid (albeit awkward) on-air silences between host Liz Black and the ladies. 9 social show integrations we're liking right now During the stream, cast members teased story lines for the upcoming season, discussed personal style, and rewarded fans with prizes like jewelry and makeup for tweeting at them during the live feed. Did you tune in to the live stream? Are you looking forward to Basketball Wives, which premieres in February?

GALLERY: Ashton Kutcher, Lea Michele and the New Year's Eve Cast Celebrate at the Los Angeles Premiere

Couldn’t make last night’s Los Angeles premiere of the latest sprawling, holiday-themed Garry Marshall rom-com New Year’s Eve? (I’m talking to you, Robert De Niro and Sarah Jessica Parker.) No need to worry — Movieline has photos from the red carpet event so that you can catch up on all of the unexpected canoodling and Ludacris photo ops that you missed on Monday. Click to launch the gallery from last night’s premiere. Read more about New Year’s Eve at Movieline. [Images via Getty]

Exclusive Office Video: Can the vacation Party Cure Robert California's Misery?

Erection dysfunction Helms, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski Fans in the Office understand that Dunder Mifflin throws one heck from the Party. It brings people together (Dwight and Kelly), it causes fires (to Meredith's hair), and, twelve several weeks, it even motivated an unpredicted visit to rehab (seriously, Meredith, you are ready to simply accept that there is a consuming problem). But tend to the annual holiday shindig cure a broken heart? After his split from Mrs. California the other day, Robert California (James Spader) stops with the festivities in desperate demand for entertaining up (and possibly more). "Kevin, I truly appreciate an individuals closeness. I appear just like a kitten being cradled having a gorilla," according to him as Kevin hugs him. "It's been 10 days since i've had sexual intercourse." Dunder Mifflin products going to a power outlet in your town Watch the exclusive clip below to find out how Robert's doing. Plus, hear his informative undertake The Black Eyed Peas (it's pretty place-on): Work airs Thursdays at 9/8c on NBC.

Mike Leigh To Preside Over Berlin Jury

Mike Leigh remains named leader in the jury for your 62nd Berlin Worldwide Film Festival. The British director’s films are actually requested to Berlin in a number of sections formerly including 1984′s Meantime, 1998s short The Short And Curlies, 1991s Existence Is Nice 2008s Happy-Go-Lucky that Sally Hawkins needed the Silver Bear for top Actress. Leighs latest film, Another Year, went competing in Cannes this season and was nominated with an original script Oscar. Berlin runs from Feb 9-19, 2012.