China's toon biz is growing up

BEIJING -- Chinese toons have long struggled in the face of stiff competition from the likes of "SpongeBob SquarePants" and Japanese anime classics, but Sun Lijun, one of China's top animation helmers and teachers, believes the local biz is set to explode.Dean of the animation school at the Beijing Film Academy, Sun recently directed the $12 million 3D chopsocky toon "Legend of a Rabbit," which has sold in 60 territories and has been bought by Cartoon Network. And he just signed up with Magic Dumpling Entertainment to helm animated 3D pic "Tofu Boy," a Chinese-themed spin on the Pinocchio tale set in today's Shanghai." 'Legend" signaled a new era in Chinese animation, and I hope it's a fresh start," Sun says. "It (achieved some) commercial success, but there is still a long way to go."The pic marked a welcome step forward from the controversy surrounding recent toon "High-Speed Rail Man," which had an identical storyline to the Japanese anime "Hikarian," produced by Tomy in 1998. Many have said plagiarism has been endemic in Chinese animation."Legend" won for animated feature at China's Huabiao Awards. The pic was made by formerly state-owned Tianjin North Film Studio, now emerging as a shingle to be reckoned with. Pic was co-produced by the Beijing Film Academy and Beijing Century Butterfly. Tai chi master Jing Jianjun was the pic's martial arts choreographer.Sun now turns his attention to "Tofu Boy" (working title), which Beijing-based Magic Dumpling is developing from a screenplay by Yi Yan and Wen Feng, with Disney alum Kevin Geiger, for a holiday 2013 release."I think the Chinese culture element is very important, but we need a better way to carry it to the rest of the world," Sun says. "Kevin (Geiger) can give us a more international platform."Many acknowledge that the Chinese toon biz still needs to resolve issues, including a lack of creativity. Projects like "Legend" and "Tofu Boy" rep efforts by Chinese shingles to upgrade the quality of local animation.Helping matters is the availability of state subsidies, including grants and tax breaks, for toonmakers.No other country offers as much support as China for cultural industries as it tries to transform the toon biz, Sun says.In 2010, total box office revenue from Chinese animated films was $31 million, a relatively small figure, and most animation is made for TV. Approximately $20 million of that total came from mainland toon "Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf," while Hong Kong creations, such as cartoon pig franchise "McDull," also did decent B.O.Still, that reps only around one third of the $92 million that "Kung Fu Panda 2" grossed in China in the first six months of the year.Last year, China produced 385 animated skeins totaling 220,530 minutes of programming, compared with 21,800 minutes in 2004, ranking the country first in the world in terms of output, according to a government report on the industry published in July.Signs point to a confluence of China's and the West's toon cultures: A Chinese story like "Mulan" has become a Disney classic, while the Chinese elements in the "Kung Fu Panda" pics easily won over global auds. At the same time, U.S. toons such as "SpongeBob" are extremely popular in China.Meanwhile, China's biggest online video streaming site, Youku.com, has just struck a deal with DreamWorks Animation for online distribution of the "Kung Fu Panda" franchise, the first time the studio's films will be available online in China. The toon shingle is also planning an animation studio in Shnaghai to produce content for the Chinese market.And with the fastest-growing box office in the world and a population that includes 367 million kids, China market potential for toons remains huge. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

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Seven Advertisers Drop Out of 'The Playboy Club' After PTC Calls for Boycott

The Parents Television Council says seven companies have pulled their ads from the second episode of The Playboy Club - and they're calling on Capital One, Samsung and Chrysler to follow their lead.our editor recommends'Playboy Club': Gloria Steinem Advocates Boycott of NBC Series'Playboy Club's' Sean Maher Comes Out: 'It Feels So Liberating' Citing the show's ratings, the group's president Tim Winter says, "What has been clear to everyone outside of NBC must now be clear even to those inside NBC: The Playboy Club is a commercial disaster and must be removed from the airwaves. We call for the network to cancel this degrading and sexualizing program immediately." Kraft, Sprint, Lenovo, UPS Store, Subway, P.F. Chang's China Bistro and Campbell's Soup did not advertise in the second episode on Monday. PHOTOS: Fall TV Death Pool: Which Show Will Be Axed First? The premiere was soft with 5 million viewers and just a 1.6 rating in the ad-coveted 18-49 demo. It sunk 19 percent in its second week, with just 3.8 million viewers and a 1.3 in the key demo. The PTC has targeted the show for objectifying and degrading women since it was picked up by NBC. PHOTOS: Fall's 12 Most Anticipated Shows It vows to continue to ask members to contact advertisers "until they cease sponsorship of a broadcast television program that is mainstreaming the pornography industry." "As a licensee of the public airwaves, NBC has breached the public trust by airing what amounts to a weekly advertisement for a pornographic brand. As demonstrated by the Nielsen ratings for The Playboy Club the past two weeks, any further airing of the show not only pushes an anti-family agenda, but is a profoundly bad business decision," added Winter. PHOTOS: Fall TV Preview: The New Shows "Until the program is removed from the public airwaves, PTC will be calling on its members and other concerned citizens to contact the sponsors. Today, we ask Capital One, Chrysler and Samsung if their corporate values are in step with those of the Playboy brand," Winter went on. Related Topics The Playboy Club

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Hong Kong Chooses 'A Simple Life' for Oscar Submission

HONG KONG Director Ann Hui's award-winning drama "A Simple Life" is selected to represent Hong Kong as the candidate for the 84th Academy Awards best foreign-language film, the Federation of Motion Film Producers announced on Thursday.Female lead Deanie Ip, who plays a domestic helper that has worked for the same family for more than half a century and raised the character played by Andy Lau, was named the Best Actress at the 67th Venice International Film Festival, where"A Simple Life" premiered earlier this month. The film, based on the true experiences of its producer Roger Lee, and backed by China's Poly Bona and Andy Lau's Focus Films, also took home various accolades in Italy in recognition of its theme of equality.The Federation selected the drama as the Oscar foreign-language film race contender from Hong Kong with a unanimous vote from its 11 board members, the Federation's chairman Crucindo Hung told "The Hollywood Reporter." The Peter Chan-directed "Wu Xia," and "Overheard 2" from writers-directors Alan Mak and Felix Chong, were also on the shortlist.Hung said the Federation chose "A Simple Life," which he called "a film by a remarkable director showcasing an unsurpassed performance from an extraordinary actress," for its distinctive Hong Kong character in the portrayal of the intimate relationship and emotional bond between live-in domestic helpers and their employers that is part of the home life of many Hong Kong people.The Federation has high hopes for the film to receive a nomination from the Academy, 11 years after the first and only Hong Kong film was in contention in the foreign language film race since Ang Lee's "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon" was nominated and won the award."The Hong Kong film industry is mostly driven by commercial films, so perhaps our past selections didn't appeal to the taste of the Academy. But with a film like 'A Simple Life,' which has artistic merit and reflects Hong Kong society, we hope we have a better chance this year," Hung said.Although the film was selected as the Hong Kong candidate in the Oscar race of the year 2011, it is set for wide release in the territory in March 2012. The distributor has scheduled five daily screenings in one cinema of two-dozen seats that has begun on Tuesday for a week, a move met with criticism locally."We are meeting the terms of the Academy guidelines, which said the selection has to be the selection has to be shown domestically for one week," said Hung. "Our main concern as the selection committee is to that the film satisfy the competition criteria. We really don't care what the critics say." The Hollywood Reporter

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Paul Hertzberg Elected Chairman of the Independent Film & Television Alliance

Paul Hertzberg, president and CEO, CineTel Films, has been elected chairman of the Independent Film & Television Alliance, the trade association representing independent producers and distributors worldwide. He begins a two-year term immediately, succeeding Troma president Lloyd Kaufman, who held the post for four years.our editor recommendsPaul Hertzberg Elected Chairman of the Independent Film & Television AllianceCineTel Founder Paul Hertzberg on the 'Saw' That Got AwayRegent, CineTel team for int'l sales STORY: CineTel Founder Paul Hertzberg on the 'Saw' That Got Away "Paul's wide range of experience and enthusiasm will be extremely helpful as we continue to develop initiatives around issues confronting the independents. We look forward to working with this talented board on programs that are vital to our membership and the independent sector at large," Jean Prewitt, IFTA president & CEO, said. STORY: How CineTel Survived 30 Years as an Indie "I must also thank Lloyd Kaufman who has been a tremendous advocate for the independents and IFTA these last four years. Under his leadership, IFTA has had a measurable impact on our industry and public policy," she added. Following elections at its annual members meeting at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles and the British Screen Advisory Council in London, IFTA announced it's the members of its executive committee and board of directors. Re-elected for two-year terms are: Pierre David (chairman and CEO, Imagination Worldwide), who is vice chairperson, and Brad Kembel (executive vp, international distribution, Summit Entertainment), who is vice chairperson/secretary. Executive Committee members continuing their two-year terms are Elisabeth Costa de Beauregard Rose (SVP, international sales, Lakeshore Entertainment Group), chairperson of the export alliance; Richard Guardian (president, Guardian Entertainment), vice chairperson; Avi Lerner (chairman & CEO, Nu Image), vice chairperson/finance, and Mark Lindsay (independent), vice chairperson. Elected to two-year terms on the board of directors are Kaufman; Shaked Berenson (COO, Epic Pictures Group); Carl Clifton (partner, sales & marketing, K5 Media Group); Roger Corman (president, New Horizons); Kirk D'Amico (president & CEO, Myriad Pictures); Albert Lee (CEO, Emperor Motion Pictures); Bobby Meyers (founder, Meyers Film Entertainment); Kathy Morgan (president, Kathy Morgan International); Ed Noeltner (president, Cinema Management Group); and Lise Romanoff (managing director, worldwide sales, Vision Films). Continuing their two-year terms on the board of directors are Steve Bickel (president, Orpheum Communications); Nicolas Chartier (co-founder, Voltage Pictures); Mark Damon (president and founder, Foresight Unlimited); Clay Epstein (vp, sales and acquisitions, The Little Film Company); Tatyana Joffe (SVP, international sales, IM Global); Tony Kandah (president & CEO, Hollywood Wizard); Brian O'Shea (CEO, The Exchange); Wendy Reeds (EVP, sales and distribution, Tiger Gate); Mimi Steinbauer (president, Hyde Park International); Lisa Wilson (president, International Distribution, GK Films). Jack Campbell (vp, international sales, Maya Entertainment)and Peter Kujawski (EVP, international sales, Focus Features) will serve as alternates. Related Topics

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Q&A: Emily VanCamp Talks Revenge, Her Billboard Shock & Zombies

By Jolie LashLOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Emily VanCamp requires a road to the negative side on Wednesday evening on Basic steps latest drama, Revenge. Within the completely new series, the first kind Siblings & Siblings actress assumes the starring role of Emily Thorne, a youthful lady who heads to her childhood home within the Hamptons, with a brand new title and bent on taking Revenge against individuals who required her father from her growing up, by framework him for any crime he didnt commit. Basic steps been doing plenty to advertise the show, including constructing a number of advertisements and dressing up buses in main marketplaces using the actress image, something VanCamp understood about, but nonetheless caught her unexpectedly the very first time she first viewed it, as she told AccessHollywood.com. Access Hollywood: Remember your reaction the very first time you saw among the advertisements?Emily VanCamp: I had been driving around the 101 to operate also it was some absurdly early hour, there it had been I'd no idea of what that will seem like there it had been, going to operate My mother was the very first person I known as once i scared my boyfriend s***less while he thought I had been engaging in any sort of accident. AH: Since you were screaming?EV: I saw the billboard, Im speaking with Frederick, I simply began strongly screaming. I couldnt accept is as true and that he turned out, hes like, What is happening? Are you currently OK? And [I stated], I simply first viewed it! I simply first viewed it! Thats so strange, thats so crazy. Hes like, Emily! I if you were dying. I Quickly known as my mother, and my mother was flipping by helping cover their me too and that i sent her an image from it. Its this kind of intense factor. You cannot prepare for this. That stuff does not really get old. AH: Emily, your character, is moderate in many her feelings. Have you ever think she would be a sociopath on some level?EV: Oh, absolutely. The very best comparison Ive had to date was that shes a kind of less homicidal version of Dexter, which rings so in keeping with me. In many ways, shes completely stop from her feelings. Which was kind of her coping mechanism in losing her father as well as in discovering many of these terrible things. But additionally, she'd an extremely violent teenage-hood, because she was torn from her father and experienced the promote care system On many levels, yeah, I believe shes a little of the sociopath. What is interesting, in entering the town with this particular major plan in writing, she's it altogether, its all completely plotted out. You will find certain figures which are really gonna challenge that about her which really kind of challenge that wall that shes set up for herself. AH: Can there be anybody you attempted to review to experience her?EV: It was less about studying reasons for others, but much more about determining precisely what happened to her, precisely what affected her to create her by doing this. I'd journals with lots of pictures and ideas and poems and concepts which i come up with to inspire the smoothness. Ive never really needed to develop a character in the ground-up like this. Lots of figures that Ive performed previously, I came from personal encounters or I possibly could connect with on the more human level, however with her, shes so not the same as who I'm, its similar to there is a separate a part of my brain which i share with her and that i depend on that to obtain me to individuals places I recieve. AH: The show opens using what seems to become murder mystery. Does that will get resolved this year?EV: [Author and Executive Producer] Mike Kelley has stated he really wants to finish up at that time by Episode 13. He does not want individuals to be waiting Well have another cliffhanger through the finish of year. AH: Is Nolan, the only real individual who knows who Emily is really, going to become liability because the season progresses?EV: At first, he becomes a bit of a friend to her. There is a quite interesting relationship and history. Amanda Clarks (Emily Thornes) father was among the only individuals who ever supported him, so he's a strange kind of father-boy reference to my [figures] father. She keeps track of him, she holds him on the tight leash, because who knows what hes gonna do, but theres a strange feeling of brother or sister competition together and that we begin to observe that increasingly more because the episodes engage in. AH: Your character provides extensive secrets What is one factor your castmates dont what you think they should?EV: Im quite a open book. Im confident all of them know this I've type of secret fascination with zombies. Im a large zombie aficionado. AH: Youre an excellent Walking Dead fan then?EV: The Walking Dead may be the finest factor, the finest tv program, I believe, inside a very long time. AH: And Andrew Lincoln subsequently is simple around the eyes.EV: Pretty good around the eyes, gotta say. However I mean Yeah, I've a little of the zombie fetish. Revenge premieres Wednesday evening at 10 PM, following the hour-lengthy season premiere of contemporary Family on ABC. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved.These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

R.E.M.'s Breakup: Responses towards the Split

R.E.M., the Athens, Georgia band founded in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe has known as it quits. Fans and non-fans alike have opinions and jokes to talk about concerning the break-up plus they're hurrying for their keyboards to tweet them.our editor recommendsR.E.M. Splits After A Lot More Than 30 YearsR.E.M. Calls Approaching Album Their Finest Since 1991's Career-Determining 'Out of Time' Here's a roundup of a few of the smartest and many heart-warming Tweets: Comedian Patton Oswalt tweeted, "Maybe Stipe could open a grow-your-own vegetable lot that's only open after sunset. Unsure what he'd refer to it as, though." Reactions incorporated "Twilight Plant Husbandry" and "Evening Swimming." PHOTOS: 10 Greatest Compensated Artists Super author-director James Gunn authored, "Doing my better to mourn the REM breakup, despite the fact that I figured they split up fifteen years ago." Scott Pilgrim Versus. the planet and Rob from the Dead director Edgar Wright got nostalgic, "Existence's Wealthy Pageant, Document and Eco-friendly were three albums that soundtracked my teens. So farewell REM." PHOTOS: The Background Music Industry's Greatest Givers Film writer Josh A. Cagan tweeted, "Between #REM and #NewFacebook, make certain you hug the closest whitened person the thing is. It's a difficult day on their behalf.Inch Robert McCormick tweeted, "REM split up??? What's next? Sting carrying out a Cadillac commercial??" Self-professed X-Box lover Jamie Lynn O'Dell authored, "Oh REM, you clever PR prodigies. I tip my hat for you. Early champion as to the will probably be your greatest selling week ever on itunes." STORY: R.E.M. Splits After A Lot More Than 3 decades Comic author Matt Fraction authored, "REM breaks up and GAMES is released. it's like today happened 3 decades ago on the planet 2." Washington, D.C. author Mark Trainer authored, "Regardless of snarky retweet, you'll find no disliking on #REM here. Their glory days survived considerably longer than many. I'll mourn with Reckoning." NY Occasions contributor Louise Havrilesky authored, "I didn't know supergroups like REM split up any longer. I figured they simply ongoing to tour until each member is changed with a wax figure." NY Occasions reporter Dork Itzkoff remembered the Emmys In Memoriam montage together with his tweet: "And So I have these Canadian tenors here, plus they're prepared to sing a Leonard Cohen song in recognition of REM. Any suggestions?" Related Subjects R.E.M. Michael Stipe

Prospect Park Produces Slew Of TV Projects

EXCLUSIVE: Nowadays, Rob Kwatinetz’s Prospect Park is well known mostly due to its headline-making deal to transport onto create ABC’s canceled soaps The Kids then one Existence To Reside In. Nevertheless the new daytime player has quietly been developing a primetime presence because the organization’s 2008 launch which is now developing a push to develop it with former ABC professional Josh Craig recently joining Paul Frank just like a partner inside the TV division. Prospect Park provides 7 series projects at various systems and art galleries on an outing, all executive produced by Kwatinetz, Craig, Frank and also the father, Prospect Park partner Wealthy Frank, together with the projects’ authors. Up to now, the business has received a perfect pilot-to-series batting average, with all of its aircraft aircraft pilots, USA Network’s Royal Pains and Foreign exchange’s Wilfred, prone to series which are currently breakout hits for systems. Wilfred was restored for just about any second season lately, while Royal Pains was acquired for Season 4 yesterday. Among Prospect Park’s new projects reunites the business with Foreign exchange and Wilfred co-creator and star Jason Gann. GILF, that is put together by Gann, focuses on an adopted guy who, at the promoting of his wife, seeks out his biological mother, discovers shes a classic porn star, invites her to relocate, and forces his family to handle unpredictable effects. Here's all of the Prospect Park’s other projects in development: Built-in every day at ABC, from author Mike Larsen (Real-time with Bill Mahr). Set 3,000 in the past, it notifies the story of Atticus, a good youthful speechwriter, whose capacity to increase the risk for local village idiot appear like Caesar themselves, has showed up him employment for the most part exclusive PR firm in the majority of the Italian Capital. Each time a Republican Senator can get caught with his tunic lower, or possibly a star Gladiator makes some disparaging comments in regards to the Plebeians, its around Atticus as well as the relaxation in the gang at Consultus Publicus to be able to save their careers and frequently their lives! Freestyle at ABC, from author Richard Kramer. A cleaning cleaning soap set around the sexy arena of one of the nations prominent dance centers. Cyber Crimes at Fox, from author Carla Kettner (Bones). A techno-phobe female FBI representative is became a member of getting a witty and handsome hacktivist to solve violent crimes getting a cyber component. Girl Band at MTV, from author Eric Weinberg (MTV’s Dying Valley) and Dying Valley star Caity Lotz as producer. Known to as Spice Women meets Spine Tap, it is a half-hour mockumentary-style comedy of a semi-famous European girl group simply because they try making it large in the united states. Diplomatic Immunity, from author Daran Little, setup at NBC Worldwide. A sexy, worldwide cleaning cleaning soap that follows the sometimes over-the most effective exploits of foreign diplomats in addition to their embassies simply because they live it on Londons embassy row. Prospect Park’s slate includes 2 recently introduced projects: The Frontier at NBC, from author Take advantage of Cassidy, using the new the new sony creating. Thomas Schlamme is installed on direct and executive produce the chance pilot for your drama, which tales the right path of countless disparate travelers from Missouri for the West Coast in 1840. Simply because they find it hard to survive, other people could have to band together and form a family group, once they strongly press forward into the great unknown this is the Frontier. Princess of Whales at Lifetime, from author Stephen Kronish and produced in colaboration with Kathryn Morris Revival House. Based on the actual story of Marcia Hartman, it makes sense the exploits of one of the best “hostesses” Las vegas has seen. Prospect Park is represented by Abel Lezcano at Del,Shaw,Moonves, Tanaka, Finkelstein & Lezcano

Netflix Shares Tumble on Revised Subscriber Growth

Shares of Netflix were collapsing by more than 15 percent in midday trading after the company acknowledged that its controversial price hike of 60 percent on one of its most popular plans might cost it 1 million subscribers.our editor recommends CBS, Netflix Sign Two-Year Content Agreement ICMs Chris Silbermann on New Network Chiefs, Netflixs Impact and the Very Interesting Pilot Season STORY: Netflix Reacts: Starz Content Is 'Down to About 8% of Domestic Netfilx Subscribers' Viewing' The company on Thursday cut its subscriber estimates for the end of the third quarter to 24 million in the U.S., while it had forecast two months ago it would end the quarter with 25 million subs. STORY: Netfilx Stock Drops 8% After Starz Renewal Talks End Shares of the formerly highflying stock were off as much as $33 on Thursday and have sunk 40 percent since Netflix announced its price hike in mid July. The stock is about at the price it started the year at, but still up nearly 300 percent in the past two years. STORY: Netflix Price Increases Take Effect Thursday Netflix has mostly been a Wall Street darling, with many analysts even bullish over the price hike. Recently, though, bears have been more vocal in their opinion that the stock was headed for a fall, especially since the price of acquiring content for streaming has risen roughly ten-fold in the past three years or so. While problematic for Netflix, the dramatic rise in the value rights to stream TV shows and movies over the Internet is a boon to content creators. On Thursday, for example, forecasters at Trefis said Time Warner shares should rise to $38.90 because Netflix and its competitors need its content. Shares of TW were up 2 percent Thursday to $30.47 in midday trading. Related Topics Netflix

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Mark Taper Forum Discloses Blockbuster Season

Mark Taper Forum Discloses Blockbuster Season By L'ensemble des Spindle September 9, 2011 Photo by Johan Persson Alfred Molina in "Red-colored," area of the Mark Taper Forum's 2012 season, on Broadway. The Middle Theatre Group's Mark Taper Forum in La has introduced a fantastic slate of productions with this venerablevenue's 45th season in 2012. New plays by David Mamet and Jon Robin Baitz take presctiption the roster, too asthe classic tragicomedy "Awaiting Godot" through the immortal absurdistscribe Samuel Beckett, set to star Alan Mandell and Craig McGovern.Also red-colored-hot about this slate would be the local bows of Bruce Norris' 2010 Pultizer and Olivier award-winning "Clybourne Park" andJohn Logan's 2010 Tony-winning play, "Red-colored,"which willstar Alfred Molina.The icing about this sinfully wealthy cake is really a world premiere musical, "Los Otros," by Ellen Fitzhugh and also the gifted Broadway author-tunesmith Michael John LaChiusa ("The Wild Party," "Marie Christine," "See Things I Wanna See"), who for several years hasbeen awelcome L.A. mainstay, working together with Daniel Henning in the Blank Theatre Company on local renditons of his works. Multiple Tony nominee Graciela Daniele will direct this offering, that was comissionned by CTG. Artistic director Michael Ritchie refers to this as "an attractive two-character musical by having an intriguing and moving perspective about the Mexican immigrant experience." Find Out More ON BLOG STAGE Mark Taper Forum Discloses Blockbuster Season By L'ensemble des Spindle September 9, 2011 Alfred Molina in "Red-colored," area of the Mark Taper Forum's 2012 season, on Broadway. PHOTO CREDIT Johan Persson The Middle Theatre Group's Mark Taper Forum in La has introduced a fantastic slate of productions with this venerablevenue's 45th season in 2012. New plays by David Mamet and Jon Robin Baitz take presctiption the roster, too asthe classic tragicomedy "Awaiting Godot" through the immortal absurdistscribe Samuel Beckett, set to star Alan Mandell and Craig McGovern.Also red-colored-hot about this slate would be the local bows of Bruce Norris' 2010 Pultizer and Olivier award-winning "Clybourne Park" andJohn Logan's 2010 Tony-winning play, "Red-colored,"which willstar Alfred Molina.The icing about this sinfully wealthy cake is really a world premiere musical, "Los Otros," by Ellen Fitzhugh and also the gifted Broadway author-tunesmith Michael John LaChiusa ("The Wild Party," "Marie Christine," "See Things I Wanna See"), who for several years hasbeen awelcome L.A. mainstay, working together with Daniel Henning in the Blank Theatre Company on local renditons of his works. Multiple Tony nominee Graciela Daniele will direct this offering, that was comissionned by CTG. Artistic director Michael Ritchie refers to this as "an attractive two-character musical by having an intriguing and moving perspective about the Mexican immigrant experience."Find Out More ON BLOG STAGE

CDs Dan Shaner and Michael Testa Talk About 'Ringer'

CDs Dan Shaner and Michael Testa Talk About 'Ringer' By Jessica Gardner September 2, 2011 Photo by The CW "Ringer" Sarah Michelle Gellar returns to television this fall not once but twice, in the dual role of Bridget Cafferty and her twin sister, Siobhan Martin, on the CW's "Ringer." In this one-hour drama, a troubled young woman being chased by the mob takes on the life of her wealthy, recently deceased twin.Casting directors Dan Shaner and Michael Testa describe the show as having a film noir vibe. "It's twisty, turny, internal," says Testa. "Think Brian De Palma films from the '70s." But if you're auditioning for the show, Shaner and Testa would rather you focus on being natural instead of worrying about the noir aspect. "If you start playing it as a film noir, you might purposely play it suspicious or having some sort of agenda," says Shaner. "That becomes a bit of a giveaway. Play it real, authentic, and honest and you'll be fine.""Look at what's on the page and try not to read too much into it," Testa advises. "A lot of things are waiting to be revealed, and there's a lot of great plot twists. You don't want to have that in the back of your mind. Make a strong choice and play it real."Shaner and Testa think the types of actors they'll need for guest stars and co-stars will run the gamut. "We've cast a few recurring roles: [Siobhan's] husband's female business partner, some FBI guys, different people in her worldor in both of their worlds, I should say," says Shaner. "Her stepdaughter's character is probably going to have some young friends, and those girls will be in the 16-to-18-year-old range."One of their biggest challenges so far has been casting 10-year-old identical twins to play Gellar's characters as children. "It brought back memories of 'Cold Case,' for sure," says Shaner, referring to a previous series they cast, which often flashed back to characters at a younger age. "We wanted them to look like her, to be blond, and to be strong actors, which was the most important thing, because we possibly will see those characters again. It was difficult. We looked all across the country.""The challenge of casting every show is trying to figure out, as you're reading someone, if there's potential for the writers to be as creative as they want with this actor, as in moving in a different direction if they want to," says Testa. "We try to give them actors and performances that can spur on creativity."Their best advice for actors auditioning for "Ringer" is to watch the show when it premieres Sept. 13. "It will give you a good sense of what we're doing," Testa says. "It's a show that's going to have a lot of surprises and keep everybody on their toes.""It's pretty unique in terms of tonereally remarkable," says Shaner. "We're pretty happy we got the chance to do this."Shaner/Testa Casting, 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Building J, 2nd Floor, Culver City, CA 90232. CDs Dan Shaner and Michael Testa Talk About 'Ringer' By Jessica Gardner September 2, 2011 "Ringer" PHOTO CREDIT The CW Sarah Michelle Gellar returns to television this fall not once but twice, in the dual role of Bridget Cafferty and her twin sister, Siobhan Martin, on the CW's "Ringer." In this one-hour drama, a troubled young woman being chased by the mob takes on the life of her wealthy, recently deceased twin.Casting directors Dan Shaner and Michael Testa describe the show as having a film noir vibe. "It's twisty, turny, internal," says Testa. "Think Brian De Palma films from the '70s." But if you're auditioning for the show, Shaner and Testa would rather you focus on being natural instead of worrying about the noir aspect. "If you start playing it as a film noir, you might purposely play it suspicious or having some sort of agenda," says Shaner. "That becomes a bit of a giveaway. Play it real, authentic, and honest and you'll be fine.""Look at what's on the page and try not to read too much into it," Testa advises. "A lot of things are waiting to be revealed, and there's a lot of great plot twists. You don't want to have that in the back of your mind. Make a strong choice and play it real."Shaner and Testa think the types of actors they'll need for guest stars and co-stars will run the gamut. "We've cast a few recurring roles: [Siobhan's] husband's female business partner, some FBI guys, different people in her worldor in both of their worlds, I should say," says Shaner. "Her stepdaughter's character is probably going to have some young friends, and those girls will be in the 16-to-18-year-old range."One of their biggest challenges so far has been casting 10-year-old identical twins to play Gellar's characters as children. "It brought back memories of 'Cold Case,' for sure," says Shaner, referring to a previous series they cast, which often flashed back to characters at a younger age. "We wanted them to look like her, to be blond, and to be strong actors, which was the most important thing, because we possibly will see those characters again. It was difficult. We looked all across the country.""The challenge of casting every show is trying to figure out, as you're reading someone, if there's potential for the writers to be as creative as they want with this actor, as in moving in a different direction if they want to," says Testa. "We try to give them actors and performances that can spur on creativity."Their best advice for actors auditioning for "Ringer" is to watch the show when it premieres Sept. 13. "It will give you a good sense of what we're doing," Testa says. "It's a show that's going to have a lot of surprises and keep everybody on their toes.""It's pretty unique in terms of tonereally remarkable," says Shaner. "We're pretty happy we got the chance to do this."Shaner/Testa Casting, 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Building J, 2nd Floor, Culver City, CA 90232.