Oscar Producer Gilbert Cates Dies at 77 (Report)

Gilbert Cates, who produced accurate documentation 14 Oscar telecasts throughout an 18-year span, has died, TMZ reported Tuesday. He was 77 his body was apparently discovered in the car park at UCLA. An agent for your Academy could not browse the report early Tuesday.Related Subjects•Obituaries While known mainly just like a TV producer/director, Cates stood a solid career in film and also on Broadway. PHOTOS: Hollywood's Notable Deaths His TV written content was frequently bold for your occasions: He directed Consenting Adult in 1984, which dedicated to homosexuality, which he directed Do You Realize the Muffin Guy? in 1989, which devoted to child molestation. He received Emmy nominations for top director for telefilms. Similarly, Cates was credited with shaking up things because they are in the Oscar telecasts, getting such new-blood stream hosts as Billy Very, Steve Martin, Chris Rock, Whoopi Goldberg and David Letterman. His 14 Oscar telecasts came throughout time 1990-2008, which he won an Emmy for your 1991 show. Related Subjects Obituaries

ADG to fete 'Harry Potter' creative team

The Art Directors Guild has tapped the principal creative team of the ''Harry Potter'' series as recipients of its Outstanding Contribution to Cinematic Imagery Award. The team includes producers David Heyman and David Barron; director David Yates; creator and author J.K. Rowling; screenwriter Steve Kloves; production designer Stuart Craig; art director Neil Lamont; and set decorator Stephenie McMillan. Thomas A. Walsh, president of the guild, and awards co-producers Tom Wilkins and Greg Grande made the announcement Tuesday. The kudo will be presented to the group at the 16th Annual Excellence in Production Design Awards on Feb. 4 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The guild noted that Lamont and Barron have worked together on six of the Potter films. Rowling, Heyman, Kloves, Craig and McMillan began their collaboration with the first film, ''Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.'' Yates directed the final four films of the series. The ''Harry Potter'' films cumed world box office of more than $7.7 billion. ''Their phenomenal success is due to a unity of vision and the masterful wizardry of the franchise's creator, producers, screenwriter and art direction family,'' Walsh said. ''From the very beginning a unique creative partnership has guided the realization of these finely crafted gems. The result is a lasting legacy to the art of narrative storytelling for the moving image, one that will stand the test of time, and one that has raised the creative bar of achievement for all who love film.'' It's the first time that the Art Directors Guild has selected a motion picture team for the kudo. Previous recipients of the guild's award include Bill Taylor, Syd Dutton, Warren Beatty, Allen Daviau, Clint Eastwood, Blake Edwards, Terry Gilliam, Ray Harryhausen, Norman Jewison, John Lasseter, George Lucas, Frank Oz, Steven Spielberg, Robert S. Wise and Zhang Yimou. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

Marling: Brings experience to 'Earth'

Brit MarlingBefore the Sundance Film Festival, Brit Marling had been butting up against the challenges facing any young actress."When I came to L.A., I really couldn't figure it out," she admits. "If you didn't start when you were 3 years old doing commercials, how do you begin?"So Marling decided to take matters into her own hands, co-writing, producing and starring in two shoestring indies: "Another Earth" and "Sound of My Voice," which both premiered in Park City this year.Though the actress had studied theater growing up, when it came time for college, she opted for a broad liberal arts degree over drama school."How could you be an actor and not study theology and physics?" asks Marling, who settled on economics as her major. Then she met Mike Cahill and Zal Batmanglij, fellow Georgetown students who had directed a short film featured in an on-campus sprocket opera.Impressed, she introduced herself to the pair, sparking an intense friendship that carried through college (she spent the rest of her time at Georgetown juggling econometrics proofs and making short films with the guys) and beyond. After graduating, she and Cahill went to Cuba and made a documentary called "Boxers and Ballerinas," while Batmanglij enrolled at the American Film Institute.Then came the disappointment of trying to make it in Hollywood."I'm always frustrated by the idea that so much of your ability to practice your craft is beyond your control," Marling says. "I realized the quickest way to do what I want, which is to act, would be to teach myself to write."So she made "Earth" (with Cahill) and "Voice" (with Batmanglij). While vastly different in style, the two projects -- one a portrait of regret set against an ambitious sci-fi premise, the other a mind-bender about a beguiling cult leader -- reveal Marling as a unique quantity, more ingenious than ingenue, with a soulful streak that comes through both onscreen and in the material itself.After Sundance, Fox Searchlight snapped up rights to both pics and greenlit another, "The East." Marling also stars in Robert Redford's "The Company You Keep," in which she could act someone else's words, for once."The thing that is most exciting and intoxicating is to lose yourself in someone else's imagination," she says.Lucky break: "Going to the Georgetown Film Festival and meeting Mike and Zal and finding two collaborators for life. And then Sundance."Favorite film: "'Lust, Caution.' I love that it's an espionage thriller with a female protagonist."Career I'd like to emulate: "Anthony Hopkins. It's astounding to have that longevity and to keep growing."10 ACTORS TO WATCH 2011:Benedict Cumberbatch | Jean Dujardin | Luke Evans | Josh Hutcherson | Felicity Jones | Taylor Kitsch | Brit Marling | Elizabeth Olsen | Octavia Spencer | Shailene Woodley Contact Peter Debruge at peter.debruge@variety.com

Kurtzman, Orci eye move to Skydance

Skydance has also come on board to co-produce the next 'Star Trek,' which Kurtzman and Orci are writing."Star Trek" and "Transformers" scribes Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci are in negotiations to move their K.O. Paper Products shingle to David Ellison's Skydance Productions. No further details were available but sources say the deal is shaping up as more than a basic production pact. Skydance had no comment. Kurtzman and Orci's current deal at DreamWorks is slated to expire at year-end. The split from DreamWorks is said to be a friendly one, as sources say the scribe-producers sat down with DreamWorks' co-chairman/CEO Stacey Snider to talk about their new venture. Kurtzman and Orci have several films they are still working on with DreamWorks, including "Welcome to People," which is slated to bow in 2012. The first film that Ellison, Kurtzman and Orci will produce together with Skydance is "Without Remorse," a thriller based on the Tom Clancy tome. Skydance has also come on board to co-produce the next "Star Trek" sequel that Orci and Kurtzman are writing and J.J. Abrams is set to direct. Though Kurtzman and Orci haven't previously worked with Skydance, the partners and Ellison are said to share similar visions for films they'd like to make. Ellison has said he's interested in big-budget tentpole pics, and the hypenates' work has been focused on such pics as "Star Trek" and "Transformers." The two have also built a strong relationship with Paramount, where Skydance's production deal is set up. Kurtzman and Orci are currently working on several projects, including Fox's "Fringe" TV series and the next "Star Trek" film. Skydance's next pic, "Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol" bows Dec. 16. Kurtzman and Orci are repped by CAA. Contact Justin Kroll at justin.kroll@variety.com

New Study Finds Top Hits Centered by Synths, Lyrics About Hooking up Up

A completely new group of hit songwriting trends was launched the other day plus a few of their findings are fascinating, others apparent.our editor recommendsDJ Magazine Reveals Its Annual Best Gamers DJs List in AmsterdamLady Gaga Drops F-Blast at Bill Clinton Concert (Video)Howard Stern Bids Goodbye to Radio Alma Mater WYSP With Half-Hour Mobile Call (Audio) According to Hit Tunes Decontructed, 79% of top pop hits used a synthesizer since the song's primary instrument. That's up from 62% this past year and seems to signal the present electro-pop fad is not going away soon -- no less than some time longer. Further enhancing that theory: the fact 88% of Top tunes used electric-based instrumentation. For minimal popular instrument? Playing the guitar, which hit a small of fourPercent through the second quarter of 2011. STORY:Rhianna, Bruno Mars to complete at MTV Europe Music Honours The 2nd should come hardly any surprise because the rock format is constantly lose ground at terrestrial radio. Indeed, through the latest quarter, rock tunes composed just 8% of Top hits, with dance/club music composed of half of tunes. Rap/stylish-hop remains second most broadly used genre influencer at 21%. For lyrical styles in pop music, "hooking up up" is regarded as the popular up to now this season, prevalent in 38% of hit tunes, then "inspiring" tunes, which have continuously elevated to consider 25% in the Top inside the second quarter of 2011, "chilling outOrclub bingInch (21%) and "love/associations" at 17%. Oddly enough, any "other" categories of lyrical styles have not successful to link up whatsoever, coming at zero % up to now this season. A year ago, when music audience were apparently considering a little a lot more than sex, it absolutely was at 9%. PHOTO:Rhianna Produces Warmth on 'Marry The Evening' Cover (Photo) But possibly most worth observing, no less than where music makers and purveyors are involved, might be the gender breakdown of lead vocalists. What is the news: the area is diminishing which is now almost equal. This past year, male entertainers may be heard on 57% of hit tunes. Today, the split reaches 46%/42% male to female. Duets consider 12% of hit tunes (is Nicki Minaj by means of saying thanks to?). Other curious trends pointed with a steep drop in solos, lower from 17% to fivePercent of hits, as well as the once popular bridge a part of a sound lesson now only will come in 42% of tunes, lower from 54% last quarter and 55% this past year. Adele's 21, Rhianna's Born Using This Method andMinaj's Pink Fridayare among the finest-selling albums of 2011. A couple of of the season's finest hits include Black Eyed Peas' "Just Can't Get Enough," Jennifer Lopez's "On the floor,Inch Katy Perry's "E.T.," Pitbull's "Produce Everything," Beyonce's "S&M" and LMFAO's "Party Rock Anthem." Have a look at more within the study here. Related Subjects Jennifer Lopez Katy Perry Rhianna Nicki Minaj Adele

Tom Hanks Developing College Athlete Comedy at Cinemax (Exclusive)

Cinemax is in business with Tom Hanks. The premium cable network includes a half-hour comedy, entitled Gamers, in development from Hanks and the lengthy-time creating partner and Playtone co-founderGary Goetzman. The project follows the lives of school sports athletes. James Evans and Darryl Scott assists as producers around the project, with Hanks and Goetzman attached as executive producers. VIDEO: 'Extremely Noisy and extremely Close' Trailer: Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock Star Gamers marks a reunion for Cinemax and also the Expanded polystyrene. The duo was behind acclaimed miniseries Gang of Siblings, John Adams and also the Off-shore, which gained Emmy honours, in addition to lengthy-running Cinemax drama, Large Love. Email: Lacey.Rose@THR.com Twitter: @LaceyVRose Related Subjects Tom Hanks Cinemax TV Development

Fox Buys Marshall Herskovitz/Erectile dysfunction Zwick-Created Cleaning soap, Steve Faber Comedy

Thirtysomething designers Marshall Herskovitz and Erectile dysfunction Zwick, who lately came back to television by having an overall deal at twentieth century Fox TV, have offered their first project under that pact, an adaptation of Richard Murphy’s novel Confessions Of The Contractor, that has arrived a script commitment plus penalty at Fox, with Tom Spezialy writing. Furthermore, Fox has purchased a comedy composed by Wedding Crashers co-author Steve Faber. Confessions of the Contractor is referred to like a cleaning soap concerning the combustible mix that results whenever you blend desire, jealousy, and home restoration. Spezialy, Herskovitz and Zwick will executive produce. This 20th TV’s second stab at creating a TV series according to Murphy’s novel. Throughout the 2008-09 season, a drama compiled by Murphy and executive created by Shawn Ryan was setup at CBS. Steve Faber’s comedy, tentatively entitled Merry Go Round, is going to be compiled by Faber, who'll executive produce with Alan Gasmer and Peter Jaysen for The new sony Pictures TV. With different true event of Jaysens, existence, the project involves five inseparable close friends attending college (two ladies and three males) who by accident are reunited 10 years later and, regardless of themselves, resume their old college personas — negative and positive, normal and odd, due that the 3 men were crazily deeply in love with among the women… and possibly are still. Genesis Entertainment-repped Faber is also joining with Gasmer and Jaysen in addition to Grant Turck around the feature side to evolve Shepherd Meads book How You Can Succeed With Females Without Really Trying.