Cynopsis: Kids!
11/05/07
Good morning. It’s Monday, November 5, 2007, and this is your first early morning.
One reality show nobody in the business was looking forward to has arrived. Late night discussions between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers collapsed last night sending the WGA out on strike. The most viewers have to look forward to at least for the moment are some clever picket signs. Despite the posturing on both sides … this just isn’t good for anyone. Perhaps platters from Zabar’s might entice both sides back to the table. Someone let me know and I’ll ship them right out.
NEW PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT
She’s back! Vanessa Hudgens will be back for High School Musical 3, according to US Weekly. Despite rumors that the actress had been dropped for the third installment of HSM following a to-do over unseemly photos of the young actress made their way to the internet earlier this fall. I think it was Dr. Freud who said, “sometimes a rumor is just a rumor.” Ashley Tisdale has reportedly also signed on for HSM3.
If given the choice between playing Captain Marvel (the good guy) or Black Adam (the bad guy), in the upcoming live-action movie version of Shazam!, The Rock, aka Dwayne Johnson, said in an interview with MTV.com that he would like to play Black Adam. Aside from the fact that playing a bad guy kind of sounds like more fun, The Rock was in agreement with a vast majority of fans asked by the site to vote on the topic. As for what role he might get? Well, nobody knows because the project is still in development with no casting announcements in sight, and with the writers strike … who knows when that might come. That said, The Rock reports he is meeting with director Peter Segal.
MORE KIDS STUFF
Mobifusion, a mobile content publisher, is releasing a new line of mobile content based on titles from book publisher Houghton Mifflin. The companies are working US mobile providers to feature a range of mobile products designed for mobile users and are specifically focusing on offering up top kid’s and reference information titles. Offering kid titles via mobile devices is, of course, a natural option given that they are the demo most likely to pick up and adapt to the form … certainly before their parents and most adults.
Friday night marked the premiere Cartoon Network’s new animated series Chowder at 7:30p, during Fried Dynamite, the network’s new primetime programming block. Created by C. H. Greenblatt, a veteran storyboard artist at Cartoon Network Studios and the creator and voice of Fred Fredburger on The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, Chowder is a comedy that follows the misadventures of a sous-chef in the city of Marzipan. Chowder is an original production of Cartoon Network Studios.
MARKETING/LICENSING
Again! Step, kick, kick, leap, kick, touch … Activision, in conjunction with ABC Entertainment, a unit of Disney-ABC Television Group, and BBC Worldwide has released Dancing with the Stars for Wii and PlayStation 2. A limited edition bundle containing a Dancing with the Stars dance pad along with the PlayStation 2 game will release on November 13. With 36 songs (licensed from the show) showcasing the various dance styles featured on the show, the game features single-player, head-to-head and duet modes. On the Wii, players use the Wii Remote and the Nunchuk to physically mimic elegant dance moves, not to mention allowing for players to add their own dance elan. The PlayStation 2 version is compatible with the existing licensed PlayStation 2 system dance mats that are currently available. Tango rose, capes and smelling salts not included.
Actor Masi Oka, known to many as Hiro Nakamura on NBC’s Heroes, will serve as global ambassador for One Laptop per Child (OLPC), a non-profit organization that aims to provide affordable laptop computers to kids in the developing world, thus giving them access to new opportunities to learn and express themselves. As OLPC ambassador, Oka will appear in public service announcements (online and on TV) promoting the importance of empowering kids with learning tools and internet connectivity. Oka is a logical choice given his background, which includes degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science (from Brown), after which he joined George Lucas’ Industrial Light & Magic. At ILM Oka, who continues to work with the company, has helped develop dozens of programs, including a liquid effects program that has been used in Pirates of the Caribbean movies, A Perfect Storm, the Star Wars prequel movies, and Terminator (remember the nifty metal liquid effects?). You gotta love an underachiever. ( www.laptopgiving.org)
VIZ Media is set to publish the largest issue of its monthly US manga publication Shonen Jump. Available on November 6, 2007, the December 2007 issue, sporting 416 pages, includes the finale of the Yu-Gi-Oh! story, the first installment of Slam Dunk, the English-language version of the Japanese basketball manga series, and a Naruto short story form creator Masashi Kishimoto. Additionally, the issue includes added extras like the magazine’s picks for the top games of the year and Nintendo DS cards with information that will unlock features on the Naruto and Bleach games.
Todobebe Inc., the multimedia company targeted to expecting mothers and parents, have launched Mi Todobebe ( www.mitodobebe.com) an online social networking community for Spanish speaking families. At the site folks can create their own pages and post and share photos and videos of their kids and create blogs and diaries. Additionally, the site gives members access to pregnancy and child development newsletters, calendars and forums.
STONE SOUP
It’s that time of year again — or that time every few years again — when Cynopsis conducts a quick 5-question survey to find out what you think about and use this daily, how you’d like to see it improved. Honestly, this will take less than 30 seconds, it’s completely anonymous, and we’d really appreciate your input. Click here to participate and thank you!
Weekend Box Office Estimates for kids/tweens/teens rated G, PG or PG-13; November 2-4, 2007:
Bee Movie (Paramount (DreamWorks)) PG Opening Weekend $39.1m
Dan in Real Life (Buena Vista) PG-13 $8.1m-2 wk total $23.0m
The Game Plan (Buena Vista) PG $3.9m-6 wk total $82.0m
Martian Child (New Line) PG Opening Weekend $3.7m
Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married (Lionsgate) PG-13 $2.7m-4 wk total $51.2m
T Burton/The Nightmare Before Christmas 3D (re-issue/Buena Vista) PG $1.5m-3 wk total $12.8m
The Comebacks (Fox Atomic) PG-13 $1.5m-3 wk total $11.9m
Across the Universe (Sony (Revolution)) PG-13 $1.1m-8 wk total $21.1m
Bella (Roadside Attractions) PG-13 $1.0m-2 wk total $2.6m
Lars and the Real Girl (MGM) PG-13 $783,000-4 wk total $2.4m
Source: Box Office Mojo
Cynopsis Weekender College Edition returns on November 15th! Deadline for college student written essays on the topic of television is November 9th and they should be sent to me at [email protected], subject Weekender College Edition. Top 4 essays are published in Weekender on Nov 15th, and authors are paid $350 each. Students – be sure to include your name, age, college, college year, and major (if you know it), and how you can be contacted.
And here’s something else — all students submitting essays can also submit (free!) their Situation Wanted ad which will run in all editions for one week beginning Nov 15, and the first ten Video Resumes submitted will run on the www.cynopsis.com Video Resume page. Check with Trish Pihonak at Cynopsis for added info.
Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question: On the original Kukla, Fran and Ollie TV show, what was the name of the puppet that was a retired opera diva? MADAME OOGLEPUSS Kudos to only one: Pat Brady-Cunningham-Escott-Slevin-Doherty/LA
Today’s Trivia Question: On the WB series Summerland, what is was the name of the town in which the show took place? ( Click here with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. Unofficial rules: Only the second four correct answers from each time zone will be mentioned; and once you’ve been mentioned in any of the Cynopsis editions, you can’t be mentioned again that calendar week.)
Later — Gwen
Gwen Billings for Cynopsis: Kids!
11.05.07
Cynopsis Ad Sales: Jennifer Franko – 203-583-9796 / [email protected]
Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-926-9878 / [email protected]
Cynopsis website – Video Resumes, Extended Classified Ads, Archives, and the Cynopsis Daily Video
CableU – Know Networks Better. Pitch Smarter. Click here
Cyn opsis CLASSIFIEDS – For More classifieds, visit the Cynopsis.com classifieds page here
JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/TV 10s/NYC: For Closed Captioning & 10-second commercial sales. 2+yrs ad sales exp. pref. syndication TV, e-media or Ad Agency background. Good Presentation skills req’d. Apply: [email protected] (11/10)
JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/Radio Disney, NY:Seeks aggressive AE for local radio sales. 2+ yrs outside sales, sponsorship sales & new biz dev exp. Excellent communication skills a must. www.disneycareers.com #80296 EOE (11/10)
JOB OPENING: PRODUCT MGR (SEASONED)/The ABC News Digital Media group/NY: Help take our web, video and mobile products to the next level. Please visit www.disneycareers.com and apply to Req 124614. EOE (11/10)
JOB OPENING: RIGHTS MANAGER/WGBH/BOS: Provide rights clearance support. Exp with licensing stills, stock footage, music, film research, program rights and production, talent clearances. Bachelors + 3-5 years Apply: www.wgbh.org (11/10)
JOB OPENING: MARKETING – PRODUCTION MGR/Discovery Nets/Silver Spring MD: Business mgmt & cost control of promo production. 5 yrs prod exp, AICP bids exp, negotiation skills, cable/broadcast. Apply: discovery.com/careers Req# 5844 (11/10)
JOB OPENING: ON-AIR PROMO/WRITER/PROD/EDITOR/WCIU-TV, Chicago:TV 5+ yrs exp in on-air promos; highly creative, team player; write/prod all aspects from concept to on-air. Non-linear editing/AVID exp a must Apply: www.wciu.com (11/10)
JOB OPENING: RESEARCH COORD/Collective Media/NY: 2+ yrs Ad Sales Rsrch req’d; proficient at PowerPoint; detail oriented; must be able to analyze standard reports on comScore and Nielsen databases. Apply at: www.collective-media.com (11/10)
JOB OPENING: JR PUBLICIST TNT/TBS/TCM Original Programming/LA: Support all TNT/TBS/TCM PR efforts. Pitch press/event planning/talent relations/press lists/clippings. 4 yr Degree +3yrs ENT PR exp. Apply: [email protected] (11/10)
JOB OPENING: AD SALES ASSISTANT/Columbia, MD: Assist with general support functions and account maintenance for the Account Executive and all others as directed by Sales Management. Please visit www.rl.tv for more info. (11/9)
JOB OPENING: DIR STRATEGY(NICK AD SALES), MTV Networks, New York: Budget Analysis, New Bus Dev, Create Mktg Cmpgns, Present to Sr. Mgmt., apply online www.mtvncareers.com (11/9)
JOB OPENING: TRAFFIC SPECIALIST/freelance/NYC: Work with sales and programming to create daily commercial logs for Mobile. Strong PC and organizational skills. EOE/M/F/D/AAP send resumes to [email protected]. (11/9)
JOB OPENING: MEDIA RESEARCH ANALYST/Outdoor Channel/CA: 2+ yrs research experience in a media, market research or agency setting. Resume to: [email protected] (11/9)
JOB OPENING: PROGRAMMING COORDINATOR/Rainbow Media/NYC: Media planning /scheduling on-air /web for horrornet Monsters HD. Related exp./Paradigm/Filemaker/FinalCut/Photoshop. Apply to www.cablevision.jobs req 4767BR. (11/8)
JOB OPENING: TEMPORARY RSRCH POSITION (3 Months)/ABC/NY: Detail-oriented, ability to prioritize & multi-task; analyze ratings data & provide Sales and PR support. Knwldg of Galaxy & NPower. 1-3 yrs exp. Email resume: [email protected] (11/8)
JOB OPENING: TRAFF COORD/WE tv/Long Island: Compile daily program logs for the network and provide strat placement of all elements. BA/comm pref. Strong PC and scheduling database pref. res to www.cablevision.jobs ref #4672BR (11/8)
JOB OPENING: LA DIRECTOR of Nickelodeon Magazine: Exciting Opportunity! Must have print experience; responsible for robust account list. Kids experience preferred. Job description at www.mtvncareers.com (11/8)
JOB OPENING: SALES TRAINING PROGRAM CANDIDATES/TeleRep: Send confidential resume w/ cover letter stating qualifications to be a top seller at #1 rep in nat’l spot TV to: [email protected]. Train and stay in NY or optional relo. (11/8)
JOB OPENING: EXEC PROD/BBC Prod/NY: mat leave Nov – March: Responsible for development/exp in female skewed reality TV/cable and network exp/ability to manage large teams. Apply to [email protected] (11/7)
JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/Hallmark Channel/NY: Analyzes standard and custom reports on all Nielsen systems; MRI and or/Simmons databases. See full posting and apply at www.hallmarkchannel.com (11/7)
JOB OPENING: MGR CONSUMER MARKETING/Hallmark Channel/LA: Works on all consumer marketing activities for Hallmark Channel. See full posting and apply at www.hallmarkchannel.com (11/7)
JOB OPENING: TEMPORARY DIRECTOR, ON AIR PROMOTION/Hallmark Channel/LA: Develops and implements promotional scheduling strategies. See full posting and apply at www.hallmarkchannel.com (11/7)
JOB OPENING: FREELANCE DESIGN COOR/Nickelodeon/NYC: Min. 3+ yrs Production/Project Mgt exp; Familiar with PM principles; production enviro. exp; MS Project & Office; Niku Clarity a plus. EOE/M/F/D/AAP apply: [email protected] (11/7)
JOB OPENING: ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/Cablevision/Brooklyn NY: Seeks Acct Exec for local ad sales.2+ yrs ad sales exp. pref cable tv, e-media/print or ad agency. Valid NY Drivers Lic. Apply to www.cablevision.jobs req 4802BR (11/7)
JOB OPENING: MUSIC LICENS’G/Razor & Tie Ent/NY: Work w/ Dir of Music Licensing.Focus on advrtsng usages& supplement exploitation of music assets via film,TV, video games, dig tech, soundtracks etc. Cvr/res: [email protected]m (11/7)
JOB OPENING: CONTRACTS ASSISTANT/CBS TV DIST/NY: Media Sales Dept seeks Contracts Asst to draft & revise contracts, maintain spreadsheets. Strong Word, Excel, math, & admin skills. Inc sal req in cover ltr [email protected] . (11/6)
JOB OPENING: RESEARCH ANALYST/IAG RESEARCH, NY: 1+ yrs Ad Sales Research required. Knowledge of Quant & Qual data. Ability to prioritize & multi-task.Resume via web: http://www.iagr.net/analyst (11/6)
WINTER AND SPRING INTERNSHIPS – These positions are for credit only – nobody gets paid here. They are posted for free, and students work for school credit only. For more information on the specs for posting an Internship ad, email Trish at [email protected] .
SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED …
Interested in posting your Video Resume? Contact [email protected] for more information ….
SITUATION WANTED: Mar/Com Pro in NY currently in Affil Sales of major media conglom. Exp’d in brand promotion, affil sales, & building client relationships. Enthusiastic & Success Driven. [email protected] (11/7)
SITUATION WANTED: Recent MBA grad looking to burst into broadcast and digital. Founder/Pres of college TV Ntwrk. Sig mkting and rsrch exp. Looking for Assoc. Mkt Mgr positions. Bright, Creative & Highly Motivated. [email protected] (11/7)
SITUATION WANTED: Call NYC’s PREMIERE ENTERTAINMENT LIFE COACH for help with bios, resumes, website content and more. 646-331-3143. www.theentertainmentcoach.com. (11/6)
SITUATION WANTED: INTERNAT’L TV Exec w/extensive exp in sales, mktg, licensing, acquisitions, distribution, co-production packaging, and management is available either full time or on consulting basis. [email protected] (11/6)
SITUATION WANTED: Kick Ass Aussie EP new to NYC, lots reality/obdoc/lifestyle exp. Has green card, will travel, available as writer/director/post prod. Great refs, tapes. email: [email protected] (11/6)
E-mail Trish Pihonak for rates and specs for Job Openings.
Interested in posting your Video Resume? Contact [email protected] for more information ….
Are you looking for a job? Post your Situation Wanted Ad here — Email Trish Pihonak for specs.
