Watch the trailer for Paddy Considine's Tyrannosaur

Time and time again, Paddy Considine has proven himself to be one of the greatest (and most underrated) British actors of recent times.Now he's ready to prove himself as an equally talented writer/director, with his debut feature, Tyrannosaur.Tyrannosaur features acclaimed actor Peter Mullan (Trainspotting) as Joseph, an alcoholic with a tendency for violence, who is befriended by a Christian charity shop worker (and domestic abuse victim) named Hannah (Olivia Colman).The film is adapted from Considine's BAFTA Award winning short, Dog Altogether, and received huge praise at this year's Sundance festival.The trailer is incredibly dark and gritty, featuring some disturbing scenes of violence on a drab British council estate.Despite this, it's also incredibly beautiful in its direction, and may even have you welling up (yeah, sure, you just had a bit of grit in your eye...)Paddy has notably said in interviews that although Tyrannosaur is by no means autobiographical, it is about his "interpretation of life". You can view that very grim interpretation below:Tyrannosaur will charge its way into UK cinemas on 7 October 2011.

Gajdusek to pen 'Viking'

EXCLUSIVE: Working Title has brought Karl Gajdusek on to pen the script to "Viking," which Baltasar Kormakur is already attached to direct.Plot details are scarce, but pic is said to be in the vein of "Braveheart" and "Apocalypto," set in the world of the Norse warriors. No production date has been set, as the project is still in early development.Vikings are certainly getting their due in Hollywood these days -- Warner Bros. recently set "The Vanguard," starring Alexander Skarsgard with Chris Boal writing the script; Mel Gibson and Graham King also set up an untitled Viking film that at one point had Leonardo DiCaprio attached to star.Gajdusek has been staying busy recently, rewriting Universal's "Oblivion" starring Tom Cruise and also "The Last Days of American Crime." His other past credits include "The Mechanic," "Unknown" and "Trespass."Kormakur is currently in post-production on the Working Title/Universal co-production "Contraband."Gajdusek is repped by Verve and Management 360. Kormakur is repped by WME. Contact Justin Kroll at justin.kroll@variety.com

Nielsen Developing Method To Measure iPad Applications For TIme Warner Cable & Cablevision

Your time and effort continues to be in "an R&D stage," Matt O'Grady, Nielsen's executive v . p . of media audience measurement,informed. "At this time, iPad streaming isn't getting an effect on rankings," O'Grady stated. "But we are taking [the project] dead seriously because our clients have to know exactly what the viewing is on tablet andsmart phoneplatforms." Progress in calculating iPad viewership may help both cable operators make peace with Viacom, which prosecuted both firms in April for breach of contract, simply over its Comedy Central and MTV content heading out through the applications.Developers the appsviolate their current distribution deals the operators say they fall inside their carriage deals. This really is of tremendous significance because Viacom depends on Nielsen rankings to market advertising time on its systems, and also the more audience size, the higher the market price from the advertising time," Viacom stated within the original suit."In June, the Viacomsuspended the lawsuit with Cablevision hoping of reaching an out-of-court compromise. TWC's newest amounts indicate its iPad has continues to be downloaded a lot more than 600,000 occasions since its release in March.Cablevision's Optimum Application for iPad continues to be downloaded200,000 occasions since bowing in April, based on the organization.

TALENT SIGNINGS ROUND-UP: Neal McDonough to Paradigm New Business at WME, ICM, UTA, APA

Neal McDonough, who co-stars in Captain America: The Very First Avenger and made an appearance in Minority Report, has signed with Paradigm. His other film credits include Flags in our Fathers, Timeline and Walking Tall.McDonoughhas also were built with a regular series role on ABC's Desperate Average women his other television credits include Cinemax's Gang of Siblings and NBC's Boomtown. William Levy, who stars within the The spanish language-language Univision telenovela Triunfo del Amor, has signed with WME. He's also made an appearance about the Televisa telenovela Cuidado disadvantage el Angel.Levy is handled by Gladys Gonzalez of John Carrabino Management. Michael Genet, who authored Focus Features' Speak with Me and co-authored She Hate Me with Spike Lee, has signed with ICM. Genet won an NAACP Image for that Talk (2007) script. He ismanaged by E. John Dobbins of Principato-Youthful Management. Teen actor Mike Cherry, whose credits range from the Wizard's Apprentice and both Evening in the Museum films, has signed with UTA. His television credits include Fox's House and ABC's Desperate Average women. Cherry is handled byLoch Powell of Leverage Management his attorney is Jamie Mandelbaum of Jackoway Tyerman Wertheimer Austen Mandelbaum Morris & Klein. Necar Zadegan, who lately made an appearance within the Broadway manufacture of Bengal Tiger in the Baghdad Zoo alongside Robin Williams, has signed with APA and management company Trademark Talent. Zadegan's television credits include Fox's24and NBC's The Big Event. ComedianPatrick Borelli, who creates forLate Evening with Jimmy Fallon, has signed with Paradigm.He's handled by John Steinberg and Tucker Voorhees of Principato-Youthful Entertainment. James DuMont, that has a recurring role on HBO's Treme and made an appearance on TNT's Males of the Certain Age, has signed with talent agency Home of Reps. He's handled bySteven Adams of Alta Entertainment. Email: Daniel.Burns@THR.com Twitter: @DanielNMiller Related Subjects Neal McDonough UTA WmE Paradigm ICM

Dish Network 2Q Earnings Below Expectations As Subscriptions Fall

The big questions for Dish Network have more to do with its mysterious plans for Blockbuster and the massive amount of spectrum it has been acquiring than how well it did in 2Q. But until Chairman Charlie Ergen unveils his strategy,all the Street has to go on is how well the No. 2 satellite company is performing. And the 2Q numbers are mixed, at best. The company reported net earnings of $334.8M, up 30.3% vs the period last year, on revenues of $3.59B, up 13.3%. The revenue figure includes nearly $254M from Blockbuster. Yet Dish earnings, at 75 cents a share, missed analysts' consensus estimate of 79 cents -- although revenues beat the $3.4B target. Meanwhile Dish lost 135,000 subscribers, ending with 14.06M. "As we look forward to the second half of the year, we will focus on commercializing our technology, re-energizing our distribution channels and strengthening our brand image," says Dish Network CEO Joe Clayton. The company says it will freeze consumer prices through Jan. 2013.

Brett Ratner: Oscar Offer Felt Like 'The Twilight Zone' (Q&A)

Brett Ratner, director of such movies as the Rush Hour series and X-Men: The Last Stand, has been tapped to produce the 84th Academy Awards, set for Feb. 26, along with veteran TV producer/director Don Mischer, who was also one of the producers of the last show. In a joint interview, the new producing team talked with The Hollywood Reporter about why they decided to take on the job and why they think Hollywood should lend its support.our editor recommendsBrett Ratner and Don Mischer to Produce Oscars TelecastBrett Ratner's Oscar Telecast: 10 Best Twitter ReactionsRelated Topics•Academy Awards The Hollywood Reporter: Brett, were you as surprised as everyone else seemed to be on Thursday, when [Academy president] Tom Sherak and [CEO] Dawn Hudson first asked you about producing the Oscars? Brett Ratner: When I first sat down with Tom and Dawn, I almost felt like I was in The Twilight Zone. I didn't know what to think. I was just trying to keep my cool. But then when I went to see Don, when I sat down with him, I felt so confident about it. The guy is just a pro. So I feel good going into it. THR: How'd you keep the discussions so secret? Ratner: We met a few weeks ago, and then I left town, went to Europe on a vacation. It was almost impossible not to talk about it. I was trying to get advice about it without explaining why I was asking. I was sitting around watching old Oscar telecasts, but I couldn't tell anyone why. THR: Why do you think Tom and Dawn offered you the job? Ratner: I think my love of comedy had a lot to do with it. To their credit, Tom and Dawn really understand what is needed, and comedy is a big part of it, and I want to make that part of it. I think that is going to be tremendous. THR: You also do have an interest in Hollywood history. How much do you expect that to be reflected in the show? Ratner: I think it's time that the industry embraced the Academy Awards, came out and supported it. I hope to create something that's so exciting that I'm not going to have to twist people's arms. Without having to beg them, they'll want to be involved. THR: Brett, you already have a lot of things on your plate. Do either of you have any concern that there's enough room on your schedule? Don Mischer: We met and talked about it, and it's absolutely doable. We have a lot of support and systems in place, having done it last year. So I'm not worried about Brett's schedule at all. Ratner: I'm finishing a movie [Tower Heist, starring Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy] in a few weeks, then I'll do press and there will be a premiere I can't miss. Then I'm working on two movies [DreamWorks' 39 Clues and MGM's Hercules: The Thracian Wars] that are in early, early pre-production. I foresee the day when I wrap [the Oscar show], and then I'm immediately shuttled off to a location to start pre-production on one of them. THR: Don, having produced the show last year, what did you learn that you'll do differently this year? Mischer: We haven't gotten to that part yet. Anything I ever do, the Olympics opening ceremony, the Super Bowl, you're always looking at things you'd like to change. We'll be looking at the past shows, going back to the early days, scouring them for ideas. The first thing we have to do is hire a creative team and then decide what our options and directions are. THR: You must have started talking about potential hosts. Mischer: No, we've just agreed to do this. We haven't discussed hosts yet. It's wide open. THR: Brett, you already have an odd connection to the Oscars. You live in Hillhaven Lodge, which once belonged to Allan Carr, who was really criticized for the show he produced in the late '80s. What do you make of that? Ratner: I'd like to think he's up there, having so much fun, talking about how Brett Ratner's going to produce the Oscars. Look, Allan was a showman in his way, and it was a very different time. And by the way, he did some good things, too. He had some good ideas. It was on that show that they changed the line 'and the winner is' to 'and the Oscar goes to.' THR: So Brett, will you have one of your photo booths backstage Oscar night? Ratner: Hey, that's a great idea. Maybe there's a book there. Related Topics Brett Ratner Academy Awards Don Mischer

'The Office' EP Gets Uni Deal, 'The Voice' Lands Season 2 Premiere Date

Bob Greenblatt trotted out on the Beverly Hilton stage Monday for his first official meeting with the media as chairman of NBC Entertainment.our editor recommendsNew Chief Bob Greenblatt Vows Racier Shows to Juice NBC's RatingsQ&A: Bob GreenblattRelated Topics•TCA Summer Press Tour But before getting to reporters' questions during the network's Television Critics Association tour stop, the former Showtime executive took the podium to make a slew of announcements, a calculated bid perhaps to avoid a 45-minute panel devoted to the challenged state of NBC. Among them: a flurry of development deals with high-profile names as well as new projects with Voice coach Adam Levine and Law & Order honcho Dick Wolf. The company has signed an overall deal at Universal Media Studios with The Office and Parks and Recreation executive producer Greg Daniels. Greenblatt said Daniels, whose animated series King of Hill ran for more than 10 seasons on Fox, will look to develop live-action and animated comedies for NBC, a lucrative genre that rival Fox and 20th Century Fox TV has had a lock on. UMS has also brought in Will Ferrell and Adam McKay'sGary Sanchez Productions, the production company's first deal with a broadcast network."I think are as good as anybody at doing comedy," said Greenblatt, who reiterated that he's looking to make noise with his fare. NBC is working on developing a vehicle for Will & Grace star Sean Hayes as well as teaming with Hayes and Todd Milliner's Hazy Mills Productions."Sean is a friend," said Greenblatt. "And I really think it's time for him to star in a comedy again."The network's first project with Hazy Mills is a celebrity game night pilot. Elsewhere at NBC, Greenblatt announced plans to air a Christmas special starring Michael Bublefrom Ben Silverman and Lorne Michaels. Maroon 5 frontmanLevine is developing a karaoke comedy for the network, with Wolf on board to develop a firefighter drama with Wolf Films, where Danielle Gelber, who worked with Greenblatt at Showtime, recently landed. And, finally, reality hit The Voice will indeed premiere Feb. 5 after NBC's telecast of the Super Bowl. It will bow in it's regular time slot the following night from 8-10 p.m. leading into the premiere of Smash. Related Topics Sean Hayes Will Ferrell NBC NBCUniversal The Office The Voice TCA Summer Press Tour 2011