IATSE, AMPTP Discussions to give consideration to Healthcare

The World Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees commenced new contract discussions on Wednesday while using Alliance of motion Picture and television Producers. These talks are expected to become centered by healthcare concerns, in line with the La Occasions.Four times of discussions are scheduled. The current contract is positioned to operate out This summer time 31.IATSEwhose greater than 100,000 people include cinematographers, set designers and prop mastersis concerned that growing healthcare costs might cause cuts in health insurance pension benefits for below-the-line crew people. Teamsters Local 399, which signifies greater than 3,000 drivers, may also be participating inside the discussions incorporated inside a completely new settling alliance with IATSE. The Two unions face a substantial deficit inside their health insurance pension plans that have been funded by residual obligations and employer contributions.The talks will focus on closing that deficit, thought to become the least $300 million over the following three years, in line with the Occasions.A possible option is rising the union's qualifications needs, simply because they did last season when the minimum volume of compulsory several hours at work around the six-month period was elevated from 300 to 400. Though, its not all people of IATSE supported that raise.

Apple unveils new iPad with sharper screen

Apple CEO Tim Cook introduces the new iPad at Wednesday's unveiling in San Francisco.pple Senior VP of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller talks about the display on the new iPad during an Apple product launch event at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.The iPad is moving into the next generation of cellular networks. Apple, as expected, rolled out its latest version of the popular tablet device Wednesday, showcasing a greatly improved display screen and the inclusion of 4G compatibility. At the same time, the company rolled out a new, high definition version of its Apple TV product. The new iPad (which is not being called iPad 3 or iPad HD, as rumored) will hit store shelves on March 16 , with no increase in price. (Devices will range from $499-$699 for WiFi only models and $629-$899 for WiFi/4G models). The company also plans to keep the iPad 2 on the market, cutting its retail price by $100 on all models. The new Apple TV, which bumps its resolution from 720p to 1080p, will also go on sale on March 16 , and will also maintain its $99 price point. Like the iPhone 4 and 4S, the new iPad will include the Retina display. That will boost the tablet's resolution to 2048x1536 , a four-fold increase over the current generation. That also means the iPad will have more pixels on screen than most high definition TVs. Beyond the resolution increase, color saturation will be 44 percent higher on the new device. ''It is amazing,'' said Apple CEO Tim Cook at the unveiling in San Francisco. ''We've taken it to a whole new level, and we are redefining the category that Apple created with the original iPad.'' The new iPad will also run on the 4G networks of Verizon, ATandT and other carriers worldwide. That will increase its download speeds for video and other features by as much as 10 fold. The system will also upgrade the iPad's camera to allow 1080p recording with image stabilization and temporal noise reduction. While some have worried the drain of 4G and the retina display might impact the device's battery life, Apple said the new iPad would continue to run for 10-hours. Apple has seen tremendous success with the iPad, selling 15.4 million of the devices during the holiday season. ''We sold more iPads in the fourth quarter of last year than any PC manufacturer sold of their entire PC line worldwide,'' said Cook. ''We think this gives you an indication of the potential for this product.'' The new Apple TV is a continuation of the company's previous efforts in the television space , essentially a set top box - but is seen as a stepping-stone for an eventual jump to a full TV offering. The jump to 1080p was the most notable step along with the addition of movie purchases to iCloud, letting people easily watch their iTunes purchases on their TV. Other additions include PhotoStream, meaning pictures taken with an iPhone or iPad will appear on Apple TV , and the inclusion of the Genius recommendation engine. While Wednesday's announcement lacked any jaw dropping surprises, Cook hinted that the company has robust plans for 2012. ''We have redefined once again, the category that Apple created two years ago,'' he said. ''It's what we love to do. It's what we stand for. And across the year, you're going to see a lot more of this kind of innovation. We are just getting started.'' Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Halperin drawn on as Quixote marketing Vice president

Halperin Quixote Galleries has drawn on Stuart Halperin as Vice president of promoting from the studio and production equipment supplier.Within the new publish, Halperin accounts for all marketing initiatives with a focus on digital technique for each brand underneath the Quixote umbrella, including Smashbox Galleries."We're thrilled that Stuart has became a member of the Quixote team," stated Quixote Boss Mikel Elliott. "He brings a torrent of chance and cost, and strongly complements the variety of gifted professionals within the Quixote-Smashbox family."Halperin co-founded Hollywood.com (formerly Hollywood Online), and formerly offered as mind of promoting for MovieTickets.com and entertainment download service ClickStar. Earlier in the career, Halperin labored in marketing roles for Universal Pictures and New Line Cinema, and would be a news author for CNN.Founded in 1995, Quixote Galleries handles boutique film galleries, production-related automobiles, grip and lights and production supplies. It's also a controlling partner of Los Angeles' photo studio brand Smashbox Galleries.Halperin's hire may come as the organization is growing its presence in NY, Boston and New Orleans. Contact Marc Graser at marc.graser@variety.com

'That's My Boy' Red-Band Trailer: Sandler, Samberg And The Ice

Two of Saturday Night Live's more musical cast members have teamed up as father and son for a new movie and a not safe for worktrailer. "That's My Boy" stars Adam Sandler as the proud pop of current cast member Adam Samberg. When dad finds out that he owes thousands of dollars in back taxes, he turns to his well-to-do son to get the money. But Samberg's character isn't too keen to help out since his father wasn't exactly the most attentive. As the two grow closer in the days before the son's wedding, people around them begin to see a stronger family resemblance, meaning that they're hanging out together in strip clubs, piercing ears and throwing up on wedding dresses. From there, it gets pretty inappropriate. You know things have taken a turn for the worse when Vanilla Ice shows up, and, needless to say, Vanilla Ice shows up. The exclusive trailer for "That's My Boy" is definitely a hard-R, with plenty of swearing and nudity to make it inappropriate for most workplaces. So make sure you're old enough, not at work or unemployed. What did you think of the exclusive red band trailer from "That's My Boy"? Let us know in the comments below and on Twitter!