Universal To Unveil New Animated Logo design In Front Of The Lorax

La, CA, March 1, 2012 Included in Universal Pictures yearlong Centennial celebration, the studio will disclose an up-to-date animated logo design in recognition of their 100th anniversary, it had been introduced today. The brand new animated logo design can make its debut with Universal and Illumination Entertainments three dimensional-CG feature Dr. Seuss The Lorax, that is being launched in theaters countrywide on March 2, and it'll be utilized on all film releases moving forward. The brand new logo design honors the authenticity of the trademark and pays homage towards the galleries wealthy film history, cultural impact and global vision (A static version of the logo design is featured towards the top of this release). This is actually the seventh version of the animated logo design produced for that motion-picture studio since its beginning. Our Centennial year is the best chance to produce a new logo design that reflects our future while praising our past, stated Ron Meyer, Universal Galleries Leader and COO. Universals new logo design remembers the galleries remarkable legacy in creating lasting movie reminiscences and hooking up audiences around the world. For that new animated logo design design, Universal partnered using the Academy Award-winning visual effects artists at Nz-based Weta Digital to capture Universals vision for any contemporary logo design that remained in keeping with the companys legacy identity of the global vision. The visual dynamic from the new logo design was inspired by satellite imagery that highlighted a view around the globe on the obvious evening from space. Instead of concentrating on the continents and physical limitations that separate people, the brand new view is outlined with small points of vibrant lights that pop over the globesymbolizing the 1000's of towns introduced together by their shared passion for film. In conjunction with the animated logo design, award-winning film composer Bryan Tyler (Fast and Furious franchise) provided a brand new arrangement of Jerry Goldsmiths classic score, that has supported the logo design since 1997. The legendary theme of Goldsmiths original composition remains, however the orchestration continues to be bolstered having a choir, new string parts and drum pedal rotation utilizing world percussion instruments. We desired to make use of the classic tune that everyone knows and produce it in to the twenty-first century, yet still be very sincere of the items Jerry Goldsmith did initially, stated Tyler. I needed that it is a celebration of all of the great movies Universal has been doing within the yearsconnecting yesteryear to the current. Additionally towards the new logo design, other key Universal Centennial initiatives include: a significant film restoration commitment, home theatre choices, amusement park festivities along with a special anniversary gala featuring most of the filmmakers and artists who formed the galleries history. Additionally, the studio will spotlight the 100th anniversary throughout various worldwide film festivals along with other featured occasions, sections and activities. At the middle of all online initiatives lies a wealthy, robust Website devoted to any or all things associated with the yearlong celebration of Universals 100th anniversary. To learn more, check out http://Universal100th.com.

Weekend Box Office February. 17-19, 2012

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Kudos campaigning goes down to the wire

Berenice Bejo in "The Artist" Allison Janney and Emma Stone in "The Help" 'Hugo'George Clooney in "The Descendants" 'Moneyball'It's easy to assume that "The Artist" has this awards season wrapped up, given the number of critics awards and guild honors that the film has collected since November, not to mention its sweep of the BAFTAs last weekend. Most pundits have concluded with a dramatic yawn that a best-picture Oscar is all but certain for the black-and-white silent movie.Yet for a season that supposedly ended as soon as the nominations were announced, there's still an awful lot of campaigning going on ahead of Tuesday's 5 p.m. ballots deadline -- and not just for the film that would seem to need it the least.While campaigner extraordinaire Harvey Weinstein has his foot firmly planted on the gas for "The Artist," he's keeping apace with formidable competition from "The Help," "Hugo," "Moneyball," among others. All of the films that are still working hard on the trail are doing so because fortunes can turn quickly, even this late in the game.The most recent example was last year, when "The Social Network" collected dozens of awards before "The King's Speech" ultimately won best picture.In 2010, the box office might of "Avatar" wasn't enough to beat out "The Hurt Locker," even though many said at the time that voters would take the opportunity to reward a film that was good for the industry's coffers. And many Oscar watchers were shocked when in 2005 "Crash" bested "Brokeback Mountain," which had previously won the PGA, DGA, Spirits, Globes, BAFTA and Critics Choice awards.Complicating matters is some voters' tendency to return ballots just before the deadline. A campaigner who's also an Academy member said that most voters try to see every nominated film and make informed choices, which makes this last week of campaigning crucial. "Voters like to spread their vote around when they like more than one movie," the campaigner explained."It's anyone's year" is how another kudos consultant described this Oscar season.That's why even though common wisdom dictates that across-the-board major guild awards for "The Artist" would seem to give the Weinstein Co. reason to relax, nothing is certain until the ballots are in the hands of PwC's accountants."Artist" star Jean Dujardin, who has been highly visible since October, hasn't shown any signs of slowing down since he won the Screen Actors Guild trophy in January, most recently making a "Saturday Night Live" cameo and still getting to London in time for the BAFTAs the next day. And director Michel Hazanvicius, producer Thomas Langmann and composer Ludovic Bource appear to have spent more time in Los Angeles than Paris over the last four months.The perceived frontrunner, which has a cast and crew of relative unknowns, has to contend with George Clooney and Brad Pitt making themselves readily available on the campaign trail. Two films apiece give the best actor nominees -- each considered due for wins -- plenty of talking points.Another awards consultant put it a little more bluntly: "Films that have benefited in nominations are the ones that can get out the big guns. There was so much of George and Brad that it changed people's opinions on the films."That's not even taking into consideration the amount of press Martin Scorsese has done for "Hugo." Academy voting precedent holds that the film that leads in noms is most likely to win best picture, yet the campaign for "Hugo" is still going strong.The not-so-incidental plus that sets "The Artist" apart is having Weinstein steering the campaign. While Pitt and Clooney shake hands and sit for interviews, Weinstein is making sure his "Artist" crew is doing everything from making a spoof with Funny or Die to receiving the first "Made in America" award from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for being the only best-picture nominee shot in L.A. Clever positioning makes up for what the pic lacks in star power.With the deadline to submit ballots just days away, it's clear that no one is taking anything for granted in this year's Oscar contest. Contact Christy Grosz at christy.grosz@variety.com

Music and reminiscences

Kim Kardashian and Britney Warrior spears flank honoree Richard Branson in the Salute to Industry Symbols gala on Saturday. Clive Davis and Sean Hair combs speak onstage in the BevHilton. Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Gladys Dark night, William McDowell and Carole King gather at Symbols gala. Chairman of Interscope-Geffen-A&M Jimmy Iovine and producer Dr. Dre attend Clive Davis and also the Recording Academy's 2012 Pre-GRAMMY Gala and Salute to Industry Symbols Praising Richard Branson.Alicia Secrets sings at Symbols gala. Chairman and Ceo of Universal Group Lucian Grainge and producer Nigel Lygothe.Berry Gordy and Diana Ross reteam at Symbols gala. Blake Shelton and Dwight Yoakam at Symbols gala Rusty Anderson, Paul McCartney, Dork Grohl and John Ray help raise $6.5 million for MusiCares, which helps music artists in need of assistance. Tally surpassed last year's $4.7 million record. Doug Morris, Leslie Moonves and Neil Portnow at MusiCares James McCartney and Yoko Ono at MusiCares Katy Perry works at MusiCares. Kim and Glen Campbell in the Wilshire Ebell The pre-Grammy parties began Friday using the MusiCares Person of the season event. And allow Paul McCartney to upstage their own tribute, breaking tradition for any MusiCares honoree by opening the show having a rousing rendition of "Magical Mystery Tour," an appropriate intro towards the McCartney songbook that will assume new definition with every artist who made an appearance onstage. Coldplay carried out "We Are Able To Settle Your DifferencesInch as though it were a plea for world peace Katy Perry drawn on her inner torch singer with "Hey Jude" Neil Youthful and Crazy Equine slowed down "I Saw Her Standing There" to some loping, grubby gate and Norah Jones' smokey delivery on "Oh Darling" assisted prompt McCartney to comment later about "each one of these fantastic artists putting nuances on tunes which i did not know have there been.Inch On Saturday, news of Whitney Houston's dying would be a startling coda for an already emotional mid-day because the Grammy Special Honours honored several stories in the Wilshire Ebell. Recording Academy prexy Neil Portnow predicted, "You will see tears today," but he'd no clue how true this is.From Glen Campbell's courage when confronted with Alzheimer's disease towards the tear-filled acceptance speech from Wayne Jackson from the honored Memphis Horns and also the onstage presence from the groups of such luminaries as recording engineer Roger Nichols and producer-songwriter Dork Bartholomew, storied careers were poignantly celebrated. Diana Ross pointed to her five children onstage and stated, "The kids are my lifetime achievement." And Allman Siblings Band founding member Gregg Allman alluded to his past by observing, "Music does soothe the savage animal" whilst stating his determination to become "back on the highway again, making music."An ashen-faced Portnow rushed from the Wilshire Ebell only moments following the ceremony ended to grapple using the acad's reaction to Houston's passing.Gossips swirled that Clive Davis' annual Salute to Industry Symbols could be canceled, however the show continued. Davis devoted Saturday's event in the BevHilton to Houston's memory, and started the evening having a moment of silence. Tony Bennett came a standing ovation using the night's first number, "How Can You Keep your Music Playing." A subdued solo version of "Basically Had You" by Diana Krall was been successful by somber speeches by Portnow and Sean Hair combs. And Alicia Secrets remembered practicing Houston's early hit "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" before one like a girl, and stated the late singer grew to become an individual "barometer for which you wanted for and wished for and imagined of." Elsewhere that evening, the sixth Annual Primary Wave Music Pre-Grammy Party happened in the SLS Hotel, along with a beyond-capacity crowd collected to determine perfs by Airborne Toxic Event, Alien Ant Farm, Natasha Bedingfield and Cee Lo Eco-friendly. "So what can I only say that has not recently been stated concerning the great Whitney Houston?" requested Eco-friendly. "She was eloquent and very influential in my experience and it is so tragic since it am out of the blue. She shined together with her beauty and talent.Inch(Christopher Morris and Erin Maxwell led for this report.) Contact Steve Chagollan at steve.chagollan@variety.com

Cheers & Jeers: Channing Tatum Goes Haywire on SNL

Channing Tatum, Kenan Thompson Jeers to Channing Tatum for overexposing themself on Saturday Evening Live.Want more Cheers & Jeers? Sign up for TV Guide Magazine.The ex-stripper, who's got three movies (Haywire, The Vow and 21 Jump Street) striking theaters within the first three several weeks of 2012, revealed his comedy weak points because the skitcom's guest host. The majority of the sketches needed him simply to disrobe, dance and/or make funny faces, and that he still handled to not score just one laugh through the night.Tatum's make an effort to imitate Matthew McConaughey was lifted from Matt Damon's impersonation, a frequent request on Late Show With David Letterman. Within the spirit from the emcee's Valentine's weeper, I would like SNL to create this vow: Never book Channing Tatum again. He's the Lana Del Rey of guest hosts.What have you think about Channing Tatum on SNL?Sign up for TV Guide Magazine now!