Spotify Usage Explodes After F8, Facebook Integration

What's cooler than three million monthly active clients? 5 million monthly active clients. Spotify, which launched in the united states following a few modifications about this summer time 14, saw monthly usage increase 50 percent carrying out a September 22 Facebook F8 conference, where Spotify Boss and co-founder Daniel Ek needed transpires with discuss Spotify's new integration with Facebook. At that time in the F8 announcement, roughly 3.4 million people had used Spotify up to now that month according to AppData.our editor recommendsSpotify Brings Radio Feature to U.S. Two Several days After LaunchNew Data Shows Spotify's Mobile Transmission in Europe Still Small But GrowingRhapsody Takes Shot At Spotify's Biz Model By today, it lists Spotify as getting about 5.3 million monthly active clients -- roughly 56 percent increase. Nonetheless, daily usage has dipped since the announcement, possibly simply due to the phenomenon we're calling " Dissed Connections." Clearly, this chart shows a sizable spike soon after the announcement, but more to the stage, its new baseline appears greater laptop or computer was before. Like other music services including MOG, Rdio, and Slacker, Spotify now adds your listening activity for the pals' Facebook feeds, to enable them to give consideration to and discuss your tunes (unless of course obviously you don't wish it to). Searching back, this came as not surprising, because the first time I met Daniel Ek, each morning in NY within this summer time 2009, he described he didn't picture Spotify just like a music social media -- rather, he mentioned, he'd rather let someone else build the social media. That a person switched to become Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg. Facebook integration seems being working well for Spotify based on its September amounts. Whether it could keep that in the following month is an additional story -- and where we're sitting, largely would depend on whether Spotify can convince people to make use of its approaching Private Listening feature after they don't desire to share, rather than disconnecting Spotify from Facebook permanently. Related Subjects Facebook Spotify

Roman Polanski Returns to Zurich for Ovation After Arrest

2 yrs after he'd been arrested in Zurich, Roman Polanski received a ten-minute standing ovation in the Zurich Film Festival because he recognized an eternity achievement award. "Better late than never," he stated on finally having the ability to accept the award personally. Last Year, he was placed directly under house arrest when he showed up in Europe and nearly extradited towards the U.S. for outstanding sexual assault charges. The 78-year-old can also be the topic of a "secret" new documentary which had its world premiere in the festival. Within the documentary, known as 'Roman Polanski: A Movie Memoir,' he narrates their own existence story, up to his extradition trial. It had been shot throughout his house arrest by Laurent Bouzereau, who is an expert in "making of" documentaries on films from 'Avatar' to 'Jaws.' No critical responses around the documentary, which tested following the honours ceremony, have appeared yet, but experts happen to be raving about his other new film, 'Carnage,' starring Kate Winslet, Jodie Promote and Christoph Waltz. It opened September 1 in the Venice Film Festival and it is getting the best reviews since 2002's 'The Pianist,' the film that gained him his first Best Director Oscar. The Polish-born director has resided in Europe since 1978 he fled the U.S. after pleading guilty to sexually attacking a 13-year-old girl. When he joined Europe last year, he was arrested but, following a extended house arrest and trial, was freed without having to be extradited to America. [via THR 1, 2]

'Footloose' Fashion: Vital, HSN Partner for 20-four-Hour Promotion

Ready to cut loose along with your bank card?our editor recommends'Footloose' Soundtrack to Feature Blake Shelton, Victoria Justice'Footloose' Trailer: Dennis Quaid, Julianne Hough Star inside the Vital Remake (Video) Vital and HSN are joining on the 24-hour promotion March. 12 connected using the discharge a couple of days later in the Footloose remake. [Watch the film's trailer below.] AUDIO: Blake Shelton's 'Footloose' Cover Hits the internet HSN's Vince Camuto and Steven by Steve Madden created women's red-colored-colored boots ($149 to $199) inspired with the film's costumes, together with other jeans, footwear and nail polish brands are saved to board. "When fashion or costume design might be spotlighted, it might create an amazing marketing chance," states Vital marketing executive LeeAnne Stables. STORY: 'Footloose': 5 Things to learn about the Reboot The sale follows the same HSN collaboration with Disney/DreamWorks for your Help. Related Subjects Fashion Julianne Hough Footloose

M-Appeal nabs Lacuesta's 'Double Steps'

SAN SEBASTIAN -- Within the first deals to visit lower on the Competition title in the San Sebastian Film Festival, Berlin's M-Appeal has inked world sales outdoors The country and Europe to "The Double Steps. Steps" is directed by Catalan Isaki Lacuesta, who helmed San Sebastian Competition entry "The Damned," which merited a Fipresci Prize last year. M-Appeal has additionally taken world privileges to "The Clay Journals," Lacuesta's documentary on The spanish language artist Miquel Barcelo's African works of art. Deal was sealed Thursday morning between "Steps'" lead-producer Luisa Matienzo, at Barcelona's Tusitala, and M-Appeal mind of purchases Anne Wiedlack. Compiled by Lacuesta and Isa Campo, the Mali-set, genre-shifting "Steps" mixes road movie and Western tropes with docu-portions and insights on story-telling. Starting off with several artists hunting for a bunker colored by 20th century French artist-come-hermit Francois Augieras, it cuts to some boy who sets out for Mali's Town of Saints where he turns into a bandit. Pic includes cutaways of The spanish language artist Miquel Barcelo because he offers. Steps" is co-created by Switzerland's Bord Cadre Films. Avalon Distribution will release it in The country. We wanted a movie that was as chameleonic as Augieras themself," Lacuesta stated. M-Appeal is energetic and passionate -- the perfect company for for example singular film as 'The Double Steps,'" Matienzo stated at San Sebastian. We are very excited to utilize Isaki Lacuesta, who's a part of a brand new wave of The spanish language cinema having a very unique film language and narration," Wiedlack told Variety. In addition, she added, "the artist Miquel Barcelo is getting involved in the flicks, therefore we have two of the very most intriguing and approaching of artists from The country who, together, produced two wonderful films!" Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Rambin boards surf pic 'Mavericks'

RambinLeven Rambin continues to be drawn on for that female lead in Curtis Hanson's "Mavericks" alongside Gerard Butler and Jonny Weston."Mavericks," in line with the true story of Jay Moriarty's rise towards the forefront of large wave surfing, is within pre-production, with Walden Media creating.Leven will have a California surfer girl who's Moriarty's closest friend and also the object of his adoration. Weston will have Moriarty, and Gerard Butler is representing Ron "Chilled" Hesson.Curtis Hanson ("L.A. Private," "8 Mile"') will direct from the script by Kario Salem and Hooper. Hanson, Brandon Hooper and Jim Meenaghan are creating. Moriarty searched for to ride the legendary Northern California break referred to as Mavericks, where winter increases generate treacherous waves how big five-story structures, and trained for over a year under Hesson.Moriarty died in 2001 inside a diving accident within the Maldive Islands. Rambin's credits include "The Hunger Games" "My Children," "Grey's Anatomy," "CSI Miami," "One Tree Hill" and "Magicians of Waverly Place."Leven is repped by Mimi Wexler from the Schiff Co., CAA and attorney Harris Hartman. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

An island paradise at HBO's post-Emmys bash

Lorraine Bracco and Richard PleplerTy BurrellSteve Buscemi with Kerry Washington Josh Charles and Julianna Margulies get close. Kevin Dillon and James WoodsErica Schmidt and Peter Dinklage celebrate his Emmy win at the HBO fete. Jerry Ferrara, Alexandra Blodgett, Michael Lombardo and Emmanuelle Chriqui Sarah Hyland, Dianna Agron and Anna Paquin Actor Kevin Connolly, Senior Vice President of Media and Talent Relationships, Nancy Lesser and actress Emmanuelle Chriqui.Dick and Noelle Wolf with Martin Scorsese HBO transformed the outside patio of the Pacific Design Center into an island-themed paradise of gold and pink, complete with fire pits, elevated oasis lounges and towering floral displays. But it wouldn't be an HBO bash without its key ingredient: partying celebs.All members of the HBO family were there, including Martin Scorsese and his "Boardwalk Empire" cohorts Steve Buscemi, Michael Pitt and Paz de la Huerta; "True Blood's" Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer and Sam Trammell, "Game of Thrones's" George R.R. Martin and Peter Dinklage, and "Mildred Pierce's" Kate Winslet and Guy Pearce. Also there were the night's big winners, the cast of "Modern Family."HBO also had a few special guests on hand. HBO topper Bill Nelson invited representatives of the U.S. Marine Corps.Bill Nelson is a military veteran and he does a lot to support the troops. We were out here in L.A. doing work for the Marine Corps and he invited us to the party as a thank you," said Marine Captain Anton Sattler. Contact Erin Maxwell at erin.maxwell@variety.com

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The Playboy Club Boss on the Difference Between Bunnies and Playmates

Amber Heard and Laura Benanti The main thing that Chad Hodge wants you to know about his upcoming NBC series The Playboy Club is that it's not about the centerfolds. When Hodge, who last created The CW drama Runaway, was first approached by the studio to do a show about Hugh Hefner's famous Playboy Bunnies, his reaction was, "Is this going to be a scripted version of The Girls Next Door? No, thank you." But that was before he knew about the rather significant difference between Bunnies and the Playmates. Hef's Bunnies worked at his chain of nightclubs, the first of which opened in Chicago in 1960 and where membership was a status symbol. Bunnies - primarily waitresses and cigarette hawkers - were not allowed to date patrons, known as "keyholders," who in turn were not allowed to touch the Bunnies. Playmates were those who modeled, often nude, for Playboy magazine. Fall TV: Get the lowdown on this season's must-see new shows Hodge wanted to create a dark twisty soap about the world of the Bunnies - and the men and mobsters who adored them. "I want this to be the thing that you come home drunk, sit on your couch, look at your DVR list and it's the first thing you want to watch. That was my mission." But his first job has been explaining - and re-explaining - that the show is not about the centerfolds. "There's a certain controversy that naturally swirls around our show because people's feelings about Playboy, the company and the name itself," he said. It's a brand that has drawn early ire from the Parents Television Council and caused at least one NBC affiliate to refuse to air it. Over the summer, Hodge emphasized to reporters at the network's fall preview session that the show, in fact, displayed a certain kind of female empowerment for its era. "I understand why people question that, but really what this show is, above all, is a sexy, fun soap with crime, with music, with love stories and love triangles," he said. "It's really, really fun." The Playboy Club's Amber Heard is one of TVGuide.com's stars to watch this year TVGuide.com spoke with Hodge about the research that went into creating The Playboy Club, the show's troubled protagonist Maureen (Amber Heard), and the story behind the club's closeted lesbian Bunny. What research did you do for The Playboy Club? Hodge: I didn't know a ton about it. My first stop was the Playboy Mansion and I went up to the archives in Hef's mansion. He has over 2,500 scrapbooks that are maintained. As soon as I learned about the history of the club, the Bunnies and what the Chicago Playboy Club was like and what these stories could be, and I talked to former Bunnies, I was totally excited. I thought it should be a network show, in fact. If it was something about Playboy Magazine and we were telling a story about centerfolds, that's a different story. Most people don't know that the Playboy Bunnies had virtually nothing to do with Playboy magazine and being a centerfold. Bunnies were waitresses in bathing suits. What's the coolest thing you found in the Playboy archives? Hodge: When Hef was 14 or 15, he started keeping a journal of his life except it wasn't a normal journal like you think of. It was a cartoon comic strip of himself. So if he got into a fight with his mother that day, he would detail the fight in the comics. It was hilarious. He would write it out like a comic book and draw all the pictures. He did that for several years about his friends, his school, his parents. It really inspired much of the series. Hef's voiceover, the idea of the omniscient narrator and Hef creating this world and creating our story sort of came from that. Though the series is an ensemble, Maureen is our eyes into the club. Tell us about her. Hodge: We're coming in with her and she wants to be a star. She comes from somewhere else and is seeing this for the first time - and then this horrible thing happens to her within the first three minutes of the show. Suddenly we're off and running and Maureen is at the center of that story. I didn't want her to be the doe-eyed optimist or the girl who fell off the turnip truck, I wanted her to be damaged and troubled. I wanted her to feel like she's lived nine lives. Stuff has happened to her and you'll find out what that is in the series. She comes here with a lot of baggage. Check out our fall preview for galleries, scoop, premiere calendars and more! Because of that horrible thing that happens, she gets involved with key holder Nick Dalton (Eddie Cibrian). What can you say about where she's headed? Hodge: When she thinks that Nick isn't adequately covering up what happened, she'll go on her own and take care of things. She develops a relationship with the mob, who are the very people who are after her. She keeps them close. You introduce this underground society of homosexuals, The Mattachine Society, in the pilot. Is that something that came up in your research? Hodge: Most gay history you hear about starts at Stonewall, but this is way before that. [The Mattachine Society] started, in fact, in the late '50s and into the '60s, and chapters sprouted up in all cities across the country. This is about the Chicago chapter ... I didn't include it because I necessarily felt a need to make a statement in any way. History comes into play in many ways through this show, but it's always through character. I knew that I wanted this one specific character to be a closeted lesbian who was in a marriage, a lavender marriage, which is a marriage of convenience where a gay woman and a gay man are married as a cover. ... But like I said before, this show is fun and entertaining and about our characters, so the story line isn't driven by the history so much as the people in the world. The Playboy Club premieres Monday at 10/9c on NBC.

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Talbot Perry Simons...Got the Part

Talbot Perry Simons...Got the Part Role: Hank in "Thursday's Speaker," a SAG Ultra Low Quality feature By Sarah Mckinley Oakes September 10, 2011 Talbot Perry Simons Many stars undertake other areas of filmmaking: pointing, creating, often even writing. However the real love of acting will 't be overlooked, so regardless of the number of hats they put on, they keep searching for chances to ply a common talent.Such was the situation for Talbot Perry Simons, who had been paging through Back Stage, searching for acting gigs despite the fact that he was keeping busy marketing a movie he'd lately written, directed, and starred in. When he saw the notice for "Thursday's Speaker," a SAG Ultra Low Quality feature, he understood he'd found something which would allow him to do what he loved. "Acting's my personal favorite factor," Simons states. "It's why I made my very own movieso I possibly could star inside it. And I'd been so busy marketing, 'Thursday's Speaker' was the very first project I'd posted for in age range."Within the film Simons plays the role of Hank, who owns a second hand-vehicle lot. Gary Hebert, the film's author and director, understood in the first audition that Simons was what he was searching for. "He'd amazing energy," Hebert takes note of. "He arrived to the area like gangbusters, totally all set. He was an enjoyable experience right right from the start, and so i thought he'd do well within the part." Hebert still thought so once they were done shooting. "It had been great," he states. "[Simons] is an extremely hands-on, physical actor. He loves getting plenty of little props, and that he will develop all of this stuff by himself. He comes along with his crossword puzzle that he will do, or he finds each one of these cool tiny problems he may bring into it. He's always adding something or getting in certain new idea, or modifying something. He's really professional and totally prepared I'd love an opportunity to use him again."Simons started acting within the seventies, when he received a scholarship to The Lee Strasberg Theater & Film Institute in L.A., after winning the Irene Ryan Award for the best actor inside a manufacture of "Lenny" at Orange Coast College. "I analyzed at Strasberg having a great lady named Pat Randall, and I have been acting since,Inch states Simons, who's an associate of SAG and AFTRA as well as on withdrawal from Equity, and estimations he's experienced 35 plays in L.A., too as numerous TV films and shows. "I have won an overall total of seven acting honours now, using the best acting award in the New You are able to Worldwide Independent Film and Video Festival for my movie 'Still the Drums.' " That film won four other honours in the 2009 festival: best movie, best script, best directorial debut, and best new song. Simons was the director and author as well as sang the songbut acting remains his primary focus. "I am not really a kid any longer, you realize,Inch he states, laughing. "It is a struggle, however they ain't eliminating me."Has Back Stage assisted you receive cast previously year? We'd love to inform your story. Maintain the weekly column by contacting casting@backstage.com for New You are able to or bswcasting@backstage.com for La with "I Acquired the Part" within the subject line. Talbot Perry Simons...Got the Part Role: Hank in "Thursday's Speaker," a SAG Ultra Low Quality feature By Sarah Mckinley Oakes September 10, 2011 Talbot Perry Simons Many stars undertake other areas of filmmaking: pointing, creating, often even writing. However the real love of acting won't be overlooked, so regardless of the number of hats they put on, they keep searching for chances to ply a common talent.Such was the situation for Talbot Perry Simons, who had been paging through Back Stage, searching for acting gigs despite the fact that he was keeping busy marketing a movie he'd lately written, directed, and starred in. When he saw the notice for "Thursday's Speaker," a SAG Ultra Low Quality feature, he understood he'd found something which would allow him to do what he loved. "Acting's my personal favorite factor," Simons states. "It's why I made my very own movieso I possibly could star inside it. And I'd been so busy marketing, 'Thursday's Speaker' was the very first project I'd posted for in age range."Within the film Simons plays the role of Hank, who owns a second hand-vehicle lot. Gary Hebert, the film's author and director, understood in the first audition that Simons was what he was searching for. "He'd amazing energy," Hebert takes note of. "He arrived to the area like gangbusters, totally all set. He was an enjoyable experience right right from the start, and so i thought he'd do well within the part." Hebert still thought so once they were done shooting. "It had been great," he states. "[Simons] is an extremely hands-on, physical actor. He loves getting plenty of little props, and that he will develop all of this stuff by himself. He is available in together with his crossword puzzle that he will do, or he finds each one of these cool tiny problems he may bring into it. He's always adding something or getting in certain new idea, or modifying something. He's really professional and totally prepared I'd love an opportunity to use him again."Simons started acting within the seventies, when he received a scholarship towards the Lee Strasberg Theater & Film Institute in L.A., after winning the Irene Ryan Award for the best actor inside a manufacture of "Lenny" at Orange Coast College. "I analyzed at Strasberg having a great lady named Pat Randall, and I have been acting since,Inch states Simons, who's an associate of SAG and AFTRA as well as on withdrawal from Equity, and estimations he's experienced 35 plays in L.A., in addition to many TV films and shows. "I have won an overall total of seven acting honours now, using the best acting award in the New You are able to Worldwide Independent Film and Video Festival for my movie 'Still the Drums.' " That film won four other honours in the 2009 festival: best movie, best script, best directorial debut, and finest new song. Simons was the director and author as well as sang the songbut acting remains his primary focus. "I am not really a kid any longer, you realize,Inch he states, laughing. "It is a struggle, however they ain't eliminating me."Has Back Stage assisted you receive cast previously year? We'd like to inform your story. Maintain the weekly column by contacting casting@backstage.com for brand new You are able to or bswcasting@backstage.com for La with "I Acquired the Part" within the subject line.

Lauren Conrad: Kristin Cavallari Will Do Great On Dancing

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Lauren Conrads teenage rivalry with Kristin Cavallari (over high school hunk Stephen Colletti) may have propelled the drama on the womens first reality show, MTVs Laguna Beach, but the former Hills alum has good wishes for her old co-star as K-Cavi takes on Dancing with the Stars. Im sure shell do great, Lauren told Access Hollywood as she promoted her new clothing line, Paper Crown, during Fashions Night Out in Los Angeles on Thursday. I dont really watch it that much, but she seems like she can dance, the reality-star-turned fashion designer added. Earlier this month, Kristin was confirmed as a DWTS Season 13 cast member, the second Hills alumni to leap on the cha-cha train (following Audrina Patridge, who competed in Season 11). Lauren, however, has no plans to ever follow suit. I dont think so, only cause I cant dance, she said when asked if shed ever do DWTS. I would get voted off first and Id be so embarrassed. While she cant dance, Lauren can design and shes just started her new label, Paper Crown, which is available at stores like Nordstrom. Paper Crowns been very much a passion project, Lauren told Access of her latest style line. Its something that I really just wanted to do my way, and my speed, and make my own rules Its sort of this happy place that I get to go to Its all about this wonderful creative process. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Chandler Hall

The occasions and pictures which happen throughout college pass within the blink of the eye. For Jimmy Bravo, individuals images are about love, sacrifice, and ultimately murder, on a variety of levels. As college freshmen, Jimmy and the buddies get swept up within the hurry of fraternities, sex, and drugs, rapidly making lots of money as sellers. But soon, Jimmy must make sacrifices for his newly found love, after which eventually betray her trust and the own integrity to create another sacrifice for his buddies. This college experience works out to genuinely be the expertise of existence and dying.