Blog Stage - Acting in Film, TV, Theatre - Backstage

Comcast and Tribeca Display Confidence

Comcast CEO Brian Roberts remains confident in his company's ability to compete with growing digital corporation Netflix, according to the Wall Street Journal. Last week, Netflix announced a deal to air content from CBS' library. Roberts reportedly has no qualms over the deal and is happy that the value of content is increasing. Last month, Comcast finalized its multi-billion dollar merger with NBC Universal, but the FCC prevented it from having managerial control of Hulu despite NBC Universal having part-ownership. 

Meet Your 2012 Academy Awards Co-Hosts

Okay, the Academy Awards are over. And no matter what you thought of James Franco and Anne Hathaway as this year's hosts, chances are the Academy will be looking for some new talent to emcee the ceremony next year.

On Friday, Ellen and Neil Patrick Harris submitted their audition for the gig when they reenacted some of this year's Oscar-nominated films, "to show you that acting really isn't that hard." Start writing those "Ellen and NPH 4 Oscars 4 Ever" petitions now:

A Predictable and Safe Oscars

 Hollywood's biggest night delivered few surprises from its awards and hosts. Indie film "The King's Speech" reigned with four wins, including best picture. However, it's hard to argue that a film with roughly a $13 million budget and renowned actors could be considered an independent movie. "Winter's Bone" shares more characteristics with typical indie films given its small budget and cast of newcomers (break-out star Jennifer Lawrence) and lesser knowns. Due to its critical acclaim and four Oscar nominations, "Winter's Bone" enjoyed a model independent film run.

Reality TV Casting Highlights - 2/28/11

Back Stage runs hundreds of casting notices every year for reality television shows, games shows, reality competitions, talk shows, documentaries, commercials, and multimedia projects and events seeking real people, hosts, contestants, and performers. And now with the help of it's partner RealityWanted.com, we're pleased to bring you even more reality casting opportunities than ever before. See below for some of this week's top reality casting calls and auditions:

Entertainment Industry Opportunities - 2/28/11

Every week Back Stage posts hundreds of casting notices and entertainment-industry opportunities in the BackStage.com Casting/Jobs Database. Check out the following sampling of over 35 new notices -- performance venues, film festivals calling for entries, staff/tech/crew jobs, casting workshops, and more:

See the Posters for 12 Broadway Shows Opening This Spring

Jonathan Mandell has compiled a collage of posters for all of the Broadway shows opening in March (not counting shows in previews), presented in the order of their scheduled openings:

And the Winners Are...

First, you might want to check out the anti-Oscars, the Razzies, for their full list of, uh, winners. As for the big prize, the Academy Awards went pretty much as expected. Full list of winners after the jump. In the end, there were no real surprises--unless you're one of those people who stubbornly insisted David Fincher would take Best Director, despite all evidence to the contrary. The big winners were, frankly, the people who were always going to win and no amount of campaigning or politicking changed that. And that's as it should be, I suppose.

--Jenelle Riley

Spirit Award Winners

 
They'll air tonight on IFC at 10 p.m. EST/PST, but a complete list of Spirit AwardWinners are after the jump. On the good side: this week's cover story subject Dale Dickey and last year's cover boy John Hawkes both scored a statue for their supporting turns in "Winter's Bone." On the down side: the ceremony, held in a tent on the Santa Monica Beach, was FREEZING. Watch for several presenters to reference the cold.

My favorite overheard line? Anthony Mackie to Jesse Eisenberg: "Sorry for hitting on your mom, dude."

Watch the 'Oscar-Winning Boston Movie'

In advance of this weekend's Academy Awards, check out the trailer for next year's obvious awards season frontrunner, The Oscar-Winning Boston Movie:

Oscar Predictions

 
Every year, I pray for surprise winners at the Oscars and when they occur I get pissed off because I bet against them for the pool. This year conventional wisdom leans towards a "King's Speech" sweep. It fits the Oscar profile on two counts--British people and a hero overcoming a disability. Its nearest competitor "The Social Network" has run out of steam after winning all the critics' awards. I'm going along with that. Here are my choices in all categories. Good luck in your Oscar pools.

Picture: "The King's Speech."

Actor: Colin Firth ("The King's Speech").

Actress: Natalie  Portman ("Black Swan"). Academy voters like it when you do a lot of training-- in Portman's case, ballet-- and you allow youself to be transformed in a big black bird.