Oscars 2012: Making a Case For 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes'
It’s not enough to just make chimpanzees appear out of nowhere—at least, not anymore. They have to look really good. They have to be immaculate. They have to move like chimpanzees do, and blend perfectly with the urban and rural backdrops surrounding them. Otherwise, you’ve got yourself another Deep Blue Sea to deal with (just in terms of CGI…otherwise, that movie is a masterpiece). Sincerely, the realism of the imagery lends itself to every other aspect of the story. It makes the characters more easily relatable and the situations more compelling. Thus, a good deal of the fascination derived from Rise of the Planet of the Apes is owed to its stunning visual effects.
I dare any 2011 moviegoer to claim that Caesar didn’t simply look, but feel like a living, breathing entity. Caesar, motion-captured via a splendid performance from Andy Serkis (who also lent such talents to The Lord of the Rings trilogy’s Sméagol/Gollum), is unique as a primarily speechless, animated protagonist in a film featuring an array of human stars—not excluding the debonair James Franco. But even among Francos and Lithgows and a Malfoy, Caesar is the most vibrant figure onscreen. And although Serkis’ performance is the benefactor of our investment in Caesar, we cannot discount the character’s breathtakingly lifelike appearance as significantly responsible as well.
Caesar isn’t just your carbon copy of a real-life ape. There is an element of surrealism to his physical makeup that allows us even greater interest in the character’s every move and thought. The artists behind the Rise of the Planet of the Apes hero blended reality with the science-fiction nature of Caesar and his story to develop the perfect physicality that would carry the tale appropriately. When Caesar needs to look ape-like, he does. When he needs to look human-like, he does—and all of it with unabashed certainty.
Australia’s Southern Star Names TV Industry Vet Janeen Faithfull To CEO Post
Endemol owned Southern Star, one of Australia’s largest independent production companies, today announced that it has appointed Janeen Faithfull as Chief Executive Officer.
Janeen is a leading executive with 28 years international experience in television industry including 15 years at Australia’s Seven Network. She is currently Head of Content & Rights Management at Seven, responsible for the exploitation of IP across all platforms, domestically and internationally.
Her role at Seven also includes the commercial responsibilities of her former position as Head of Network Production, which she first took up in 1996. In this capacity she led Seven’s in-house production business, which included the creation, development and production of new programming, significantly growing Seven’s in-house production business during her tenure.
Her previous positions have included Vice-President of Business Affairs, Columbia Tristar Television in the USA and a senior business affairs role at Nine Network in Australia.
Janeen takes up her role as CEO at a time of continued growth at Southern Star. The company’s line up for 2012 includes the return of Big Brother launching on the Nine Network this Autumn, a number of key drama commissions confirmed across the year, including Puberty Blues on Ten and World Series Cricket (aka Howzat!) on Nine alongside further series of Offspring and Paper Giants; and a wide range of new and returning entertainment series including Deal or No Deal on Seven.
As CEO of Southern Star Janeen will report to Martha Brass, Managing Director, International Operations at Endemol Group.
Martha Brass comments: “Janeen is an outstanding executive with over two decades of senior management experience in commercial television. Her expertise spans broadcasting, development, production, distribution and exploitation, working both in Australia and the US and across both scripted and non-scripted genres. We are thrilled to have someone of her calibre to take Southern Star into its next chapter of growth.”
Janeen Faithfull comments: “I feel very excited and extremely fortunate to be taking on this role for Endemol and I look forward to leading the very successful, creative and motivated Southern Star team into the future. I am thankful for the challenges, experiences, successes and most importantly the support I received during my years at the Seven Network. Endemol is a world leader in television programming and I look forward to ensuring that Southern Star continues to contribute to the shared goals and successes of the Group.”
Janeen’s appointment as CEO of Southern Star follows the recent announcement that Rory Callaghan is stepping down from the role. Rory’s departure date and Janeen’s start date will be announced in due course.
