SnagFilms closes new round of financing

SnagFilms has closed a new seven-figure financing round aimed at accelerating its growth. The company announced Monday that all current investors participated, including SnagFilms founder and chairman Ted Leonsis, Steve and Jean Case's Case Foundation Ventures, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, New Enterprise Associates (NEA) and Comcast Interactive Capital (CIC). It's also attracted investment from Terry Semel (who also joins the board) and David Fialkow, co-founder and managing director of General Catalyst Partners. SnagFilms said it's arranged its first debt facility with Silicon Valley Bank and has $7 million in available equity and debt financing. "The new funding will be used by SnagFilms to extend a library of high-quality independent films that now numbers more than 3,000 titles and includes fictional films in addition to documentaries; continue its technology development to provide films across all digital platforms and devices; and market its films in all channels," the company said. SnagFilms said it is now available on more than 100 devices, including 95% of all tablets, and has distribution with Comcast and FiOS video-on-demand and with digital pay-on-demand platforms iTunes, Hulu, Amazon and YouTube Movies. It will soon launch on DirecTV and digital streaming providers Vudu, Samsung Media Hub and XBox Live. Former Warner Bros. and Yahoo topper Semel said, "Movie studios don't have a monopoly on great stories, yet small distribution companies struggle to assemble the footprint necessary to reach a scale audience. SnagFilms has that base -- the necessary contracts and relationships to distribute thousands of great stories, with the capital required to lead its field." Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

Tim Burton Talks 'Beetlejuice 2' Possibilities

Tim Burton is busy, as he always is. There's the Johnny Depp-ledadaptation of the soap opera "Dark Shadows," his long-running update of his "Frankenweenie" animated project, and his producing work on the live screen "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" (in case you forgot about that one, not that you could). All of those projects look exciting, and we're sure his legions of fans will flock to them in the theaters. But it's another project that would get more casual moviegoers jazzed beyond jazzed -- a sequel to "Beetlejuice," his horror-comedy classic from the '80s. Talking to MTV News, Burton divulged a little about his thought process regarding any potential work on "Beetlejuice 2." "Yes. I love that character, and Michael [Keaton] is so great in it," he told us. "I always think about how great and fun that character was, so I just said to ['Vampire Hunter' writer] Seth [Grahame-Smith], 'If you have some idea about it, go for it, and then I'll look at it freshly.' In the past, I tried some things, but that was way back when. He seemed really excited about it." Asked if anything's been thrown out there, Burton replied simply: "No. I told him to try some stuff, but he hasn't come back to me yet. Michael was so great in it. I'm sure he'd strangely tap right back into it." So, yes, not to get your hopes up. It's probably a while away, but a mention is better than nothing. "Just check them all off till later," he said. "Next year, we'll take a look at them like Santa's list. I'll tell you yes or cross them off the list." Would you like a "Beetlejuice" sequel? Tell us in the comments and on Twitter!

WGA announces new media noms

The Authors Guild of America has introduced seven nominations in the two new media honours groups plus five for videogame writing.The WGA, which made the announcement Wednesday, will disclose the those who win at its honours shows in La and NY on February. 19.Nominations in original new media writing visited "Goal High" by Heath Corson & Richie Keen "Debt Ceiling" by Daryn Strauss and "Jack inside a Box" by Michael Cyril Creighton.Derviative new media nods visited segments of "Jack Donaghy: Executive Super hero," according to "30 Rock" and compiled by Tom Ceraulo "Mortal Kombat: The Net Series," compiled by Todd Helbing & Aaron Helbing instances of "Sons of Anarchy," compiled by Kurt Sutter & Gladys Rodriguez and segments of "The Walking Dead" with teleplay by John Esposito and story by John Esposito and Greg Nicotero.It is the second year of WGA new media writing honours, which require that actually work be written and created within WGA collective negotiating agreement using the guild identifying writing credits. Knowing is carried out with a panel of guild people selected for his or her experience of the genre.Noms for vidgame writing incorporated Ubisoft's "Assassin's Creed: Facts," Interactive Entertainments's "Batman: Arkham City," Besthesda Softworks' "Edge," Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment's "Mortal Kombat" and The new sony Computer Entertainment's "UNcharted 3: Drake's Deceptiveness."The nomination for "Assassin's Creed: Facts" named a maximum of 13 names including story by Alexandre Amancio, Jean Guesdon, Corey May, Darby McDevitt multiplayer story by Stephane Blais, Richard Farrese, Jeffrey Yohalem lead script author Darby McDevitt script authors Richard Farrese, Nicholas Grimwood, Corey May, Jeffrey Yohalem Greek and Turkish ambient dialogue author Vincenzo Beretta.Other nominated authors announed Wedesday: for "Batman: Arkham City," lead narrative designer Paul Crocker story compiled by Paul Dini, Paul Crocker and Sefton Hill for "Edge," lead author Edward "Bongoboy" Stern for "Mortal Kombat," story by John Vogel, John Chard, Dominic Cianciolo, Alexander Barrentine, Jon Greenberg for "Uncharted 3: Drake's Deceptiveness," compiled by Amy Hennig.The WGA videogame honours, judged by people mixed up in area, have been in their fifth year. Works must contain separate writing credits and credited game authors should have been or should have put on become people from the WGA's Videogame Authors Caucus at that time scripts were posted.Unlike its script and new media honours, the WGA does not require the videogame work be carried out under its jurisdiction to become qualified. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

CES: Digital audiences rapidly growing

The digital age is having a bigger impact on the entertainment industry than ever before. The number of people opting to stream movies is approaching parity with those who watch them on DVD, according to Deloitte's sixth "State of the Media Democracy" report: Some 42% of the people surveyed said they had streamed a film in the past six months versus 51% who watched on DVD, Blu-ray or VHS. While there's still a gap, the momentum is clearly on streaming's side. The 2011 numbers represent a 14% increase from 2009. DVD viewership, meanwhile, is down two points over the past two years. Additionally, the number of people who cited streamed content delivery as their favorite way to watch a movie jumped from 4% to 14%. That enthusiasm is driving more home viewership, as well. In 2007, Deloitte found that 37% of the people it surveyed had not watched a movie that was available for rental or purchase in the past six months. In 2011, that number had dropped to 19%. "Consumers maybe watching fewer television shows and movies on TV, or reading fewer physical copies of books and newspapers, but they have not stopped consuming the content," said Phil Asmundson, vice chairman and U.S. media and telecommunications sector leader for Deloitte. "They are simply watching or reading on different media or platforms." The survey, which polled 2,000 consumers ranging from 14 to 75 years of age, also saw an opportunity for cable and satellite companies to boost revenues. Watching television via DVR was the second most-preferred way to view a show, trouncing On Demand and services like Hulu, but falling far short of live TV. Only 44% of the people surveyed had DVR functionality, though. An increase in distribution of those could stave off competition from other mediums. That's crucial as Deloitte found cord cutting to be on the rise as more programs are streamed online. Nine percent of the people surveyed said they had cut off their pay TV entirely, with 11% more considering doing so. "In a world where consumers have other ways to access content, the DVR may be an underutilized service that could serve as a value-add for new and existing subscribers at minimal cost to cable and satellite TV companies," Asmundson said. By the numbers 42% streamed a film in the past six months vs. 28% in 200951% watched a film on DVD, Blu-ray or VHS vs. 53% in 200914% cite streamed content delivery as favorite way to watch a movie, up from 4% in 200944% own a DVR Source: Deloitte's "State of the Media Democracy" report Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

DGA noms five for helmer's race

Woodsy Allen was nommed for your The brand new the new sony Pictures Classics pic 'Midnight in Paris.'Martin Scorsese received a DGA nom for Paramount's 'Hugo.'Opting for veteran company company directors with a combination of comedies and dramas, the organization company directors Guild of America has nominated Woodsy Allen for "Evening amount of time in Paris," David Fincher for "The Woman While using Dragon Tattoo," Michel Hazanavicius for "The Artist," Alexander Payne for "The Descendants" and Martin Scorsese for "Hugo" due to its top feature film award.DGA leader Taylor Hackford made the nominations announcement Monday. The guild will unveil the champion Jan. 28 within the Grand Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland at its 64th annual honours gala, which Kelsey Grammer will host.DGA film nom might be the eighth for Scorsese, the fifth for Allen, the next for Fincher, the second for Payne as well as the first for Hazanavicius -- as well as the Hazanavicius bid also marks the first time the quiet film remains nommed for your DGA trophy.Scorsese won the DGA award and Oscar in 2006 for "The Departed," and Allen won both honours in 1977 for "Annie Hall" have obtained DGA lifetime achievement honours, with Allen feted in 1996 and Scorsese in 2003.Scorsese mentioned: "I am honored to own been recognized by my peers for my concentrate on 'Hugo.' What this means is an excellent me to offer the respect of my peers. The fact our picture honors the task of Georges Melies, one of the designers of cinema plus an artistic forefather to many of us, helps to make the nomination much more significant."Scorsese won the DGA's TV drama award a year ago for "Boardwalk Empire."Fincher's nomination for "Dragon Tattoo" was unquestionably the finest surprise in the quintet. He received a nom a year ago for "The Social MediaInch too as with 2008 for your "The Curious Situation of Benjamin Button" and won the DGA commercial award in 2003.The DGA nominees matched up up four in the five attracted on for your Golden Globes. The exception was Fincher the fifth Globe nom visited George Clooney for "Ides of March."Other notable exclusions within the DGA list incorporated Stephen Daldry for "Very Noisy and very Close," Bennett Burns for "Moneyball," Terrence Malick for "The Tree of Existence," Steven Spielberg for "Tintin" and "War Equine" and Tate Taylor for "The Help.InchInchMonster Tattoo" has seen most likely probably the most success within the box office among the five DGA nominees with $77 million in your area, then "Evening amount of time in Paris" at $56 million, "Hugo" at $53 million, "The Descendants" at $43 million and "The Artist" at $7 million.The champion in the DGA Award has matched up in the Oscar champion in many but six years since 1948, including a year ago, when Tom Hooper needed both trophies for "The King's Speech." The ultimate divergence showed up 2002, when Make the most of Marshall won the DGA Award for "Chicago" while Roman Polanski received the Academy Award for "The Pianist."The DGA nominations have matched up in the Oscar noms about 80% of occasions. A year ago the DGA attracted on Hooper and Fincher along with Darren Aronofsky ("Black Swan"), Christopher Nolan ("Beginning") and David O. Russell ("The Fighter") because the Oscar noms visited Aronofsky, Fincher, Hooper and Russell along with Joel and Ethan Coen for "True Grit."The organization company directors branch in the Academy of motion Picture Arts & Sciences has 369 people, or about 6% in the total membership of 5,783. Oscar noms will probably be introduced Jan. 24. The DGA has about 14,500 people, including TV helmers, assistant company company directors, unit production managers and stage managers.Just once features a director won the DGA award and not been Oscar-nommed -- in 1995, when Ron Howard was honored with the guild for "Apollo 13" but was passed over with the Academy.The DGA will announce its TV nominations Tuesday and documentary noms on Thursday. As well as the nominees are:Woodsy Allen"Evening amount of time in Paris"(The brand new the new sony Pictures Classics)The Directorial Team: Unit Production Managers: Matthieu Rubin, Helen Robin First Assistant Director: Gil Kenny Second Assistant Director: Delphine BertrandDavid Fincher"The Woman While using Dragon Tattoo"(Columbia Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures)The Directorial Team: Unit Production Manager: Daniel M. Stillman First Assistant Director: Bob Wagner Second Assistant Director: Allen Kupetsky Production Manager (Sweden Unit): Karolina Heimburg Second Assistant Company company directors (Sweden Unit): Hanna Nilsson, Pontus Klnge second Second Assistant Director (Sweden Unit): Niklas Sjstrm second Second Assistant Director (U.S. Unit): Maileen Williams Unit Production Manager (Zurich Unit): Christos Dervenis Unit Production Manager (U.K. Unit): Lara Baldwin Second Assistant Director (U.K. Unit): Paul TaylorMichel Hazanavicius"The Artist"(The Weinstein Company)The Directorial Team: Unit Production Manager: Antoine P Cazotte Production Manager (FR): Sgolne Fleury First Assistant Director (FR): James Canal First Assistant Director (US): David Cluck Second Assistant Director (US): Dork Paige Second Second Assistant Company company directors: Karla Strum, Ough Robinson Alexander Payne"The Descendants"(Fox Searchlight Pictures)The Directorial Team: Unit Production Manager: George Parra First Assistant Director: Richard L. Fox Second Assistant Director: Scott August Second Second Assistant Director: Amy Wilkins BronsonMartin Scorsese"Hugo"(Vital Pictures)The Directorial Team: Unit Production Managers: Charles Newirth, Georgia Kacandes, Angus More Gordon First Assistant Director: Chris Surgent Second Assistant Director: Richard Graysmark Second Assistant Company company directors: Tom Brewster, Fraser Fennell-Ball Production Managers (Paris Unit): Michael Sharp, Gilles Castera First Assistant Director (Paris Unit): Ali Cherkaoui Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Total Films Goon Screening Report

[brightcove]1341474661001[/brightcove]Thanks to individuals individuals who found our exclusive screening of Goon last evening!Held in the Charlotte now Street Hotel working in london, we placed on the film for that lucky those who win in our competition the 2009 week.The lavish location and free-flowing booze certainly demonstrated to become a highly effective counter towards the publish-Christmas blues.After our visitors had taken their seats within the screening room, Total Film's Jamie Graham introduced the evening's special guest: Goon star Seann William Scott!After a crowd Q&A, we snapped up the American Cake actor for any quick chat, and that he required part inside a Twitter interview with this fans (take a look at Total Film's Twitter timeline for his solutions, or search #goon).The absurdly likeable star also told us about his favourite new British catchphrase that he's acquired right here ("How's about some that old 'How's your father?'") and excited about his go back to the American Cake franchise:"I viewed [American Reunion] about last month also it was awesome... It had been wonderful to film it, I'd this type of great experience but to look at it and find out everything get together and everyone be really wonderful in [it], that by itself is easily the most rewarding."But he seemed to be keen to indicate he hasn't used among Steve Stifler's trademark lines to talk up a lady in tangible-existence ("My dear God, I believe I'd most likely get f**king smacked... Or wiped out!"And that he also shares an identical style of films to TF: "I simply viewed Drive, I believed it was really awesome. Ryan Gosling's a real great actor and, guy, I can not say I possibly could ever do anything whatsoever like him, but I'd enjoy playing individuals type of parts. It had been awesome, it had been stylish, and [Gosling] was great."On his terrible ice-skating abilities, he told us: "I practised for around per month before shooting and that i drawn completely right through to the finish of shooting, and thankfully my character was said to be bad... Like a hockey player I am awful."So many thanks to any or all who managed to get before, and sorry should you did not have the ability to score tickets at this juncture. Goon opens within the United kingdom today.Read Total Film's Goon review.

'Hunger Games' Protest: Musicians' Union Targets Film

It looks like not everyone is excited about 'The Hunger Games.' The American Federation of Musicians plans to protest 'Hunger Games' studio Lionsgate on Thursday, because the union is up in arms over the studio not using AFM musicians to score the film, which is now in post-production. "The American Federation of Musicians is moving to organize the independent film studio Lionsgate, and we are working right now toward securing AFM coverage for all musicians who might be employed on their upcoming movie, 'The Hunger Games,'" AFM president Ray Hair recently told members. He pointed out that the "director [Gary Ross], cinematographers, editors, actors, writers are all receiving union wages, benefits and protections for this U.S.-filmed movie, and so it should be for the musicians." He added, "Our goal is that Lionsgate recognize the importance of being a responsible employer, as well as the unparalleled value of working with the world's finest musicians ... our AFM members." The movie stars Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson. The score was to have been done by Danny Elfman, but scheduling conflicts caused him to bow out with James Newton Howard taking over. The soundtrack will include songs from Taylor Swift, The Decemberists and Lawrence singing 'Rue's Lullaby.' [via Deadline] [Photo: Lionsgate] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Zooey Deschanel Files For Divorce In LA

First Published: January 4, 2012 11:54 PM EST Credit: Getty Images LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Caption Ben Gibbard and Zooey Deschanl arrive at the 2011 BAFTA Brits To Watch Event at the Belasco Theatre in Los Angeles on July 9, 2011Zooey Deschanel has filed for divorce from her rocker husband of two years. The actress filed for divorce in Los Angeles on Dec. 27 from Ben Gibbard, citing irreconcilable differences. The former couple announced they had broken up in November. The 31-year-old actress stars in the Fox sitcom New Girl and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for her performance. Gibbard is the lead singer of the rock band Death Cab for Cutie, which released the album Codes and Keys in May. Deschanel and Gibbard were married in September 2009 and have no children together. Deschanels publicist has said that the couples split was amicable. Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Rep (Finally) Confirms Steven Tyler Is Engaged

First Published: January 2, 2012 6:53 PM EST Credit: Getty Images NY, N.Y. -- Caption Steven Tyler and Erin Brady attend the 19th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party at the Pacific Design Center, Los Angeles, on February 27, 2011Steven Tyler is ready to walk this way, again: The 63-year-old singer is engaged. Tylers representative confirmed Monday that the Aerosmith frontman is engaged to Erin Brady. No other details were provided. Tyler has been married and divorced twice. He is one of the judges on the hit Fox TV show American Idol. As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, a jewelry designer previously confirmed to Access that she had designed the engagement ring for the rocker. Loree Rodkin who designed the ring Steven gave to Erin revealed the ring is a 5-carat diamond sparkler, set on a platinum band encrusted with glittering micro pave diamonds. At the time, reps for the rocker would not comment on the rumored engagement. (Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press and NBCUniversal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)