Unions' Rx: Joint talks with majors

With healthcare costs expected to dominate, Hollywood's below-the-line unions are launching contract negotiations today with the congloms -- less than five months before the current master contract ends July 31.The first round of negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers should last into mid-April. For the first time, the unions -- the West Coast locals of the Intl. Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees, Local 399 of the Intl. Brotherhood of Teamsters and four other Basic Crafts unions -- are expected to negotiate jointly on healthcare and retirement issues while holding separate bargaining on the remainder of their contracts.Reps for IATSE, the Teamsters and the AMPTP had no comment on the negotiations, to be held at AMPTP headquarters in Encino. It's likely that the negotiators will agree to a news blackout when negotiations start for the duration of the talks. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

Local stations at nexus of storm relief

The Fox affil in Indianapolis raised $236,000 for the victims and communities in Southern Indiana devastated by the recent tornadoes. Other local stations undertook similar efforts. Local TV stations in Indiana and Kentucky have rallied to help raise relief funds for the victims of the violent storms that ravaged the area last week, claiming the lives of at least 40 people. The outpouring underscores the primacy of local broadcasters in times of major crisis. The tornadoes that swept through small towns in southern Indiana and rural Kentucky on Friday knocked out cell-phone service in much of the region and hampered the use of other wireless devices for hours. Radio and TV stations in Indianapolis, Terre Haute, Ind. and Louisville, Ky. served as the information lifeline for residents of the hardest-hit areas. Tribune Broadcasting's Fox affiliate WXIN-TV Indianapolis brought in more than $236,000 in pledges on Monday after the station inserted multiple pledge breaks every hour, from 4:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., featuring station talent and others appealing for donations to the Salvation Army. Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels lent his support to the telethon in a live shot in the station's 6 p.m. newscast. CBS affil WISH-TV Indianapolis raised more than $220,000 in phone pledges over the weekend. Terre Haute's NBC affil WAWV-TV and sibling station WTWO-TV and ran appeals from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. on Tuesday from the local Red Cross headquarters. CBS affil WKYT in Lexington, Ky. plans a 10 a.m.-7 p.m. telethon on Friday. WXIN news director Lee Rosenthal said the most impressive aspect of his station's effort was that 85% of the pledges came in modest increments from individuals rather than corporate or business sources. Rosenthal credited the response to "the Hoosier spirit of compassion. We're 90 miles away (from the damage) but you wouldn't have known it from the response." News coverage of the dramatic stories stemming from the aftermath of the storm have also touched viewers -- such as the tragedy of an infant found in a debris-strewn field who later died, or the woman who lost both of her legs while saving her young children. Local news reporters have swarmed the area during the past few days. Getting pictures out of the area to the station in Indianapolis was challenging in the hours after the storm because satellite reception was so spotty, Rosenthal said. A cold snap that followed the storm has compounded the misery in some areas. "Within 48 hours it was snowing," he said. "I've seen a lot of tornadoes, but I've never seen the wreckage and debris from a tornado covered in two inches of snow." Contact Cynthia Littleton at cynthia.littleton@variety.com

New trailer for Piranha 3DD

Piranha 3DD has released a new trailer for a second round of flesh-munching mayhem, and having seen it, we're glad that the film will be gettting a cinema release in the UK, despite rumoured claims to the contrary earlier this year.Despite the absence of some of the first film's key players, it looks just as trashily fun as ever, with David Hasselhoff in particular stealing every scene he crops up in."People are dying... do something," shrieks one terrified swimmer. "First of all, I'm not a lifeguard," responds the Hoff. "Secondly, that is what natural selection's all about."Take a look at the new trailer, below... Throw in Christopher Lloyd's mad scientist routine, Ving Rhames with shotguns for legs and Gary Busey biting the head off a piranha, and you've got a slice of Friday night fodder that looks extremely stupid, but extremely fun. Even the subtly tweaked plot looks more engaging than your average sequel. Piranhas in the pipes? Neat.There's currently no release date locked in, but Piranha 3DD will be getting a UK cinema release.

Michael Shannon talks General Zod

Man Of Steel might still be more than a year away, but that hasn't stopped the steady drip-feed of information from the production being pored over in microscopic detail by the geek community.The latest nugget of info comes from star Michael Shannon, who's dropped a few clues as to what we can expect from his incarnation of General Zod."He's actually a not very scary guy," says Shannon of the marauding Zod. "He's just trying to do his job, just like anybody." Good point, but for the fact that most people's nine to five doesn't involve invading other planets...As to how audiences will respond to the character, Shannon is uncertain. "I don't know, you know?" he muses. "I don't want to say. Some people might hate him, some people might love him. But I'm fond of him. I respect him."So will he be instructing every Tom, Dick & Harry to "kneel before Zod?" "Zod has some speeches," confirms Shannon cautiously. "He has some cool speeches. I got to say some cool stuff, but I can't say any of it right now."Understandable reticence given the bonds of secrecy expected by studios these days, although Shannon did go back on himself to reveal one line of genuine dialogue: "Do you realize the universe is constantly shrinking, Superman?" Make of that one, what you will...Man Of Steel will open in the US on 14 June 2013, with a UK release date still to be confirmed.

USA Network in development with 'Succession'

USA Network is at development for your miniseries "Succession." Project, from Universal Cable Prods., concentrates on an issue where undertaking a devastating attack, the American energy structure is shaken. Script will probably be put together by Matt Greenberg, whose background is heavy inside the horror and sci-fi genre. Previous work includes bigscreen pic "1408," additionally to "Reign of Fire" and "Halloween H20: 2 decades Later." Round the TV side Greenberg has composed "Masters of Horror" as well as the pilot for "The Invisible Guy." Greenberg will professional produce with JP Sarni and Mike Martin. Caroline Self and Darren J. Butler are actually hired as nonwriting consultants. Cabler has recently greenlit politically based miniseries "Political Animals," from creator Greg Berlanti. Six-episode small examines a classic first lady that is secretary of condition and, while dealing with her work issues, is fighting to keep her family together after departing the White-colored House. "Lone Star" thesp Jimmy Wolk and Brittany Ishibashi are actually cast for "Animals." Greenberg is repped by UTA, manager Shelley Browning at Magnolia Entertainment and attorney Jason Sloane. Contact Stuart Levine at stuart.levine@variety.com

Halpern exits eOne

Entertainment One dramatic programming prexy Noreen Halpern will leave the studio after 3 years. Halpern oversaw all scripted series and lengthy-form projects for eOne, including AMC's "Hell on Wheels," HBO's "Hung," NBC's "The Firm," ABC's "Rookie Blue" and Syfy's "Haven." "It has been a thrilling journey, and I am really happy with the shows we have placed on the environment,Inch stated Halpern, who'll remain with the organization for a short period to assist using the transition. "There's an amazing development slate I am departing having a wonderful team who'll keep things continuing to move forward. But you will find other mountain tops to climb, and I am searching toward that." An old creative professional at Alliance Entertainment and Alliance-Atlantis, Halpern and partner John Morayniss co-founded Blueprint Entertainment, which eOne acquired in 2008. Her specialty with eOne was non-traditional financing for straight-to-series TV drama orders. "Noreen's numerous contributions enabled eOne Television to grow and flourish every year,Inch stated eOne shot entertainment prexy Patrice Theroux. "Noreen is really a creative leader and visionary in the market, and we'll certainly miss her presence. We are happy doing embrace the brand new challenges and possibilities the ever-altering television atmosphere needs to offer and therefore are searching toward dealing with her on tv projects later on." Contact Jon Weisman at jon.weisman@variety.com

Pilot Season: Anthony LaPaglia, John Leguizamo Join ABC Aircraft aircraft pilots

It's been far too extended since Don Draper remains on our television screens. Positive factor he'll return by Sunday, March 25. AMC develops Walking Dead's Season 3, announces return dates for Mad Males, The Killing Mad Males hasn't broadcast new episodes since October 2010, due only to extended discussions for Seasons 5 and 6 between series creator Matthew Weiner and AMC. It is therefore unfortunate that... Discover More > Other Links From TVGuide.com Matthew WeinerMad Males