Global media swoop for royal wedding extravaganza

AFP, LONDON, April 22: If your invitation to the royal wedding never arrived, fear not -- thousands of journalists will cover every detail for a global audience of billions in what's been dubbed the media event of the year.

Television networks and print and online journalists from Manila to Mexico City are descending on London to cover the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, the first of its kind in the age of the Internet and 24-hour news.

Ministers expect two billion people worldwide to watch the event on TV, a figure that is impossible to check but looks certain to eclipse the estimated 750 million who watched William's parents Prince Charles and Diana wed in 1981.

Huge sums of money are changing hands for footage of the ceremony at Westminster Abbey, which will be filmed by the BBC, as well as for the best spots to photograph the couple's first kiss on the Buckingham Palace balcony.

Meanwhile websites have mobilised as they would for a football World Cup or Olympic Games, with endless videos, quizzes and photo slide shows.

"It's the major media event this year, because it's a happy event," said Max Clifford, Britain's leading public relations consultant. "All we've had so far this year is one tragedy after another, what with wars and earthquakes."

The BBC will deploy at least 550 staff on the day, using about 100 cameras in Westminster Abbey and along the procession route to provide a live feed to dozens of countries and footage to many more.

About 140 broadcast trucks are expected to set up in Green Park near Buckingham Palace and 48 television studios have been purpose-built nearby in what is thought to be largest outside broadcast ever seen.

Christopher Wyld, director of the Foreign Press Association in London, says he has never seen anything like it.

"There is much greater interest in this than in anything else, including the financial crisis," he told AFP.

Interest is particularly keen in the United States and Commonwealth countries, although Germany is giving them a run for their money with plans to screen the wedding live in 16 cinemas across the country.

The wedding will also be shown live in Pakistan, where the newspapers have had daily coverage of the build-up, as well as Malaysia and the Philippines, and the FPA has also reported huge interest from China, Mexico and Brazil.

Eurovision television meanwhile will make a live feed available to 62 broadcasters in Europe on the day, with a potential audience of 260 million.

Teams of journalists are expected from Australia, Canada and New Zealand, while in the United States, cable news network CNN is sending 50 of its staff to cover the event, including star presenters Anderson Cooper and Piers Morgan.

The time difference will play havoc with some of the coverage -- the 11:00am ceremony in London is 6:00am in New York, and 3:00pm in Islamabad -- but this has done nothing to dampen the enthusiasm.

Wyld attributes the frenzied interest to the enduring appeal of Diana, who died in a car accident in 1997, and by association her eldest son.

"She was right up there as probably the biggest celebrity ever. William is ueber-celeb. That is what it is about," he said.

"It's a brilliant, fabulous soap opera in the sense that it has absolutely top production values, the most fantastic storyline, fabulous costumes, the best sets available -- it's unbeatable."

Martin Rogers, the royal correspondent for Yahoo!, told AFP the wedding was a "priority" for the website, adding: "This event is unique as it does not fall neatly into one set category.

"As a result, from Yahoo!'s perspective, it is a combined effort, pooling resources from news, showbiz, features, fashion and sports."

Media organisations will certainly want to spread the huge costs of the operation, and hope the coverage will boost advertising rates and sales.

Photographers' positions outside the palace are selling for £900 ($1,500, 1,000 euros) each, and one broadcasting source said that one minute of footage from the ceremony "will be the most expensive minute we have ever bought".

NYC grand jury indicts 2 in DJ Megatron killing

AP, NEW YORK, April 22:A New York City grand jury has indicted two men on murder charges in the shooting of radio and TV personality DJ Megatron.

The indictment against William Williams and Richard Cromwell was unsealed Thursday. The men are being held. Their attorneys say they're not guilty.

DJ Megatron was shot in the chest while walking to a store near his Staten Island home March 27.

The 32-year-old disc jockey worked on BET's "106 & Park" music countdown series, mainly in a role interacting with its live audience. He also did on-camera work for the show and for BET's website. His given name was Corey McGriff.

HBO movie revisits Loud family, reality TV's roots

AP, LOS ANGELES, April 22: A family living the good life in Southern California lets film cameras document what mom, dad and the five kids are up to, and the nation is shocked.

The gut-punch to the collective midsection is in part because viewers witness the parents' separation and a son reveling in his cheeky, pre-gay-rights flamboyance. But it's really the sheer gall of this exhibitionist family — the narcissism! The lack of propriety! — that is offensive.

Welcome to the reality of America circa the early 1970s, before privacy became a quaint notion and the narrow concept of oversharing meant anything more revealing than dad's account of his day at the office.

The HBO movie "Cinema Verite," debuting 9 p.m. EDT Saturday, revisits that bygone era and the filming of "An American Family," PBS' series that put the affluent Santa Barbara clan of Pat and Bill Loud on display for 12 shattering episodes in 1973.

The Loud marriage splintered under the weight of Bill's infidelity and, it seems, from the strain of facing their problems in cinematic close-up. And television caught a whiff of the heady scent of reality TV that, decades later, has become a full-fledged addiction for the medium and its audience.

"Cinema Verite," starring Tim Robbins and Diane Lane as the Louds and James Gandolfini as Craig Gilbert, the filmmaker who lures them into uncharted waters, effectively and artfully details the messy, painful roots of the genre that began so improbably on high-minded public television.

We see Gilbert waltz into the Louds' lives, sweeping homemaker Pat off her feet with his proposal for a Margaret Mead-style anthropological study, a slice of 20th-century U.S. family life to thwart "The Brady Bunch" sitcom fantasy from standing as the record.

Gilbert and his crew, including documentarians Alan and Susan Raymond (played by Patrick Fugit and Shanna Collins) quickly take over the family's life. As "Cinema Verite" has it, the move delights friends and neighbors eager for a tiny slice of the fame pie but dismays their adolescent children. The exception is drama king Lance (Thomas Dekker), who was made for this moment.

Filming was a costly and awkward process in those days before the widespread use of videotape, with bulky cameras and sound equipment shoved into and dominating the family's once-personal space. Ignoring their presence was impossible and the Louds are depicted as alternately playing to the lens or fruitlessly trying to avoid its sway.

Pat Loud emerges as the hero of the piece, a loving if indulgent mother and a vivid example of someone trying to meet long-held expectations for women and family as once-rare divorce and other social upheaval pound on complacent suburbia's front door.

For Lane, "Cinema Verite" offered the chance to become enmeshed in a character that, the actress said, reflected the period's "shifting status and power of women. ... That's fascinating to me and, from a gender point of view, selfishly fascinating to watch."

Gilbert verges on filling the villain's role, with his intellectual passion shown diluted by a producer's zeal for a boffo project. But Gandolfini's portrayal is sympathetic: The actor met several times with Gilbert, now in his 80s, who Gandolfini says was so stung by the brutal attacks on `An American Family' that he never made another film.

Those behind "Cinema Verite" said they were careful to research and represent each participant's viewpoint.

"We wanted to make a film that wasn't judgmental," said co-director Shari Springer Berman. "I felt all the people involved in making `An American Family' were naive and innocent. There was no precedent and not one of them knew what they were getting into."

Some 10 million viewers made the series a hit, if a loaded one, for PBS. The relatively modest-sized audience by broadcast network standards was magnified by media attention, including a Newsweek magazine cover story, outraged opinion pieces and damage-control talk show visits by the embattled Louds and Gilbert.

Mead herself deemed the series as significant as "the invention of drama or the novel" and a new way to look at the world by seeing "the real life of others interpreted by the camera."

The title reference to cinema verite — the fly on-the-wall, observational school of filmmaking as exemplified by such acclaimed practitioners as Frederic Wiseman — is just as ironic as the label "reality TV" is for "The Bachelor," "Big Brother," "Jersey Shore" and the rest of the manipulated, manipulative pack.

"An American Family" included such contra-verite elements as participants addressing the camera and narration. One scene in the HBO film depicts Gilbert as inserting himself into a tense encounter between Pat and Bill Loud to fan the flames of their marital discord so it may be appropriately captured on celluloid.

"Cinema Verite" tucks in brief clips from "An American Family," juxtaposing the real people against the actors portraying them. It was a calculated decision to do so, said husband-and-wife directors Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini, who are documentary filmmakers and earned an Oscar nod for the screenplay of "American Splendor."

("Cinema Verite" was written by David Seltzer, whose credits include "The Omen," adapted from his novel, and "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." Among its executive producers is Gavin Palone, "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "Gilmore Girls.")

The "American Family" snippets were included to remind viewers "that these were real people and this really happened," said Springer Berman. "It's so easy to remove oneself from that."

It's far less easy to jettison the baggage saddling the PBS series' participants and filmmaker Gilbert. Today's Louds — Pat and Bill reunited after divorcing; Lance died in 2001 at age 50 of an HIV and hepatitis C co-infection — declined to consult on "Cinema Verite."

Probably "rightly so. They were burned so many times before," said director Pulcini. Family members did attend a recent screening, however, and told the actors they liked the film.

"An American Family" and the development of cheaper, more utilitarian videotape ultimately begat "The Real World," whose creators have cited the PBS series as inspiration, Pulcini said. The long-running MTV series' offspring have multiplied and morphed, expanding and solidifying the reality TV genre.

Despite the elapsed decades, those involved with "Cinema Verite" consider "An American Family" a relevant cautionary tale for people who eagerly open their lives for public scrutiny and entertainment.

"I'll tell you one thing that was very clear," Gandolfini said. "I don't think one person I sat down with said, `Oh, what difference does it make' or, `The past is past.' Every one of them said, `This isn't what happened.'"

After 40 years, they're still angry, he said. "This wound is not healed, by any means." 

In Argentina, Vargas Llosa insists on free speech

AP, BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, April 22:Nobel Prize-winning author Mario Vargas Llosa thanked Argentina's president Thursday for preventing Argentine intellectuals from blocking his keynote address at the nation's annual book fair.

The Peruvian writer said that he hoped Cristina Fernandez's insistence on freedom of expression would be contagious in Argentina, and that her followers also respect the right of everyone to share ideas, including opposition newspapers that feel threatened by her government.

Vargas Llosa is a fierce defender of personal and economic liberties who has criticized the policies and alleged corruption of the Fernandez government.

The presence of the author of "The Feast of the Goat" at the book fair was opposed by intellectuals close to the government as well as administration officials unhappy with Vargas Llosa's criticisms.

The writer thanked Fernandez for intervening when the book fair's organizers were under pressure to withdraw his invitation.

In his speech Thursday night, Vargas Llosa said books "have always brought out jealousy among enemies of freedom, who believe they are owners of absolute truth."

He said that "Nazis, fascists, communists, military and civilian strongmen blinded by the owners of absolute truth have tried to tame the critical spirit that has always been the engine of change. Fortunately they have always failed, but they have left victims along the way."

The debate in Argentina is whether private media corporations or government-supported media pose the bigger threat to free speech.

Human rights leader Hebe de Bonafini, a close Fernandez ally, gave Vargas Llosa a petition before his speech asking that the Argentine media company Grupo Clarin include her organization's TV program in its cable offerings. There were no other incidents surrounding the event, despite expectations of protests.

Comedians raise $750,000 to end malaria in Africa

AP, LOS ANGELES, April 22: Conan O'Brien compared his career to Charlie Sheen's and Sarah Silverman, not surprisingly, sang a song with a foul refrain. But it was all for a good cause.

Malaria No More said Thursday that the performances at last week's "Hollywood Bites Back" comedy show helped raise $750,000 toward ending malaria in Africa.

Its Comedy Fights Malaria campaign is raising awareness that the preventable, curable disease eradicated in the United States six decades ago still kills nearly 800,000 people a year in Africa.

Celebrities such as John Mayer, Orlando Bloom, Ted Danson and Elizabeth Banks recorded public service announcements about the disease, which reached millions nationwide and culminated in the live comedy show.

Dr. Dre wins judgment over "Chronic" reissue

Reuters, LOS ANGELES, 22: Dr. Dre has emerged victorious in a lawsuit against his former label, which put out a new version of his iconic album "The Chronic" and a greatest hits collection, without his permission.

Dre, whose real name is Andre Young, claimed that the digital release of his early work violated a 15-year-old contract that guided how such material would be presented to the public.

The lawsuit stems from his days at "gangsta" rap label Death Row Records, which he co-founded. The label later suffered financial problems and has emerged under new corporate ownership as WIDEawake Death Row Records.

In 1996, he left Death Row to set up a new shop at Interscope Records, and bought his freedom by disclaiming his ownership interest in both Death Row and the sound recordings he had produced there.

But Dre also didn't want his legacy tarnished, so in a 1996 deal, he sought some measure of security in how Death Row presented his recordings by making the label agree not to distribute any of his songs except "in the manners heretofore distributed."

One of the first releases for the new WIDEawake Death Row Records was a digital re-issue of "The Chronic" as well as a Dre greatest hits collection. Dre then sued.

The issue of artistic control and profit participation in digital releases of old work has been a sore subject for the past decade. Other artists such as Pink Floyd have sued, contending their works were only meant to be distributed as albums, not singles in venues like Apple's iTunes. Some producers, like the one guiding Eminem's early career, have successfully argued they should be entitled to higher royalty rates from record labels for digital distribution of their work.

In Dre's case, the issue turned on his artistic intention and an examination of contracts made during the formative period of his career. Arriving at a conclusion here wasn't easy. Most of the agreements made between Dre and the folks running Death Row at the time were oral ones, subject to differing interpretation about what was said upwards of two decades ago.

A few months ago, a judge dismissed several of Dre's claims -- that the reissue constituted trademark infringement, false endorsement, and a publicity rights violation -- but the main claim over an alleged contract breach survived.

In a decision on Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge Christina Snyder finds that the agreement not to distribute Dre's songs except "in the manners heretofore distributed" unambiguously prohibited Death Row from reissuing "The Chronic" in a new form, including as digital downloads.

The case now moves onto a question of damages. Judge Snyder agrees that Dre was forced to accept a reduced royalty rate for the reissue than he normally would have accepted. She limits Dre's award to "actual damages," though. Just how much Dre is owed will be the subject of a jury trial, in all probability.

Newsmakers join pop stars on Time 100 list

Reuters, NEW YORK, 22: Previously unknown newsmakers from Egypt and Japan joined pop stars and politicians on Time magazine's list of 100 most influential people in the world released on Thursday.

The list includes pop culture giants such as Justin Bieber and Oprah Winfrey plus the lesser known Wael Ghonim, an Egyptian Internet activist who helped topple President Hosni Mubarak, and Takeshi Kanno, a Japanese doctor who refused to leave behind victims of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

"We've always, always tried to tell stories through people. ... We discovered it was a fantastic way to get people to think about what's going on all over the world," said Time Deputy Managing Editor Michael Elliott.

South Korean pop star Rain won the People's Choice vote for the third straight year. Time editors chose the names on the list except for the People's Choice, selected by online voters.

"He has very determined fans," Elliott said.

The complete list can be seen on http://www.time.com.

World leaders such as British Prime Minister David Cameron, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff populate the list for how they have wielded power.

"The first time I met David Cameron, I knew we were political soul mates," actor and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger wrote in a profile for Time, calling him "a centrist who avoids the gutters of politics."

Others include Gabrielle Giffords, the American congresswoman who survived a bullet wound to the head during a gunman's rampage in Arizona, and Michele Bachmann, the Republican congresswoman from Minnesota who has energized the anti-tax, anti-spending Tea Party movement.

Jailed Chinese artist Ai Weiwei was honored for his "bravery and artistic skill," Elliott said.

From the world of sport, Argentina soccer phenomenon Lionel Messi was joined by Indian cricket star Mahendra Singh Dhoni, whose charisma and leadership united an ethnically diverse team that won the World Cup.

Elton John opens Tribeca festival with "The Union"

Reuters, NEW YORK, 22P: Paying tribute to his piano-playing idol Leon Russell, Elton John opened the Tribeca Film Festival on Wednesday with a free outdoor performance and film premiere about the making of his album, "The Union."

The 64-year-old British singer belted out six songs, including several that appeared on the 2010 critically acclaimed album he collaborated on with fellow singer-songwriter Russell, at the opening of the 10th Tribeca Film Festival in New York that runs until May 1.

The opening night documentary, also called "The Union," by director Cameron Crowe, was shown to an audience of several thousand people in the downtown area of Manhattan where the film festival was founded in order to revive the area after the September 11 2001 attacks.

"He's got the accolades that he deserves and I am so proud of him," John told the crowd before playing two songs, including "Never Too Old (to Hold Somebody)," which he made with Russell, whose musical abilities as a composer and piano player inspired John before he became a hit-making world sensation.

The film shows John and Russell reuniting after having not spoken in 38 years and gives a behind-the-scenes glance at the writing and recording of the collaboration between John, John's lyricist Bernie Taupin and Russell for the album that was released last year and debuted at No. 3 in the Billboard 200.

It also flashes back to old footage of both musicians in the early 1970s, snippets of guest musicians on "The Union" such as Brian Wilson and various sequences of John hailing Russell, now 69, as the greatest piano player that ever influenced him and crying when Russell composes "In the Hands of Angels" off "The Union."

John told Reuters on the red carpet that the film was Crowe's idea, and his style was "uninvasive. You know, you don't notice him there after awhile, he's got a knack of kind of appearing behind plants and things like that."

Russell and Crowe, who made the fiction rock film "Almost Famous," did not attend the event. The "Jerry Maguire" and "Vanilla Sky" director also has a Pearl Jam documentary due out this year.

"The Union" is one of 15 music-themed feature films showing at Tribeca. Cinematic accounts of Kings of Leon, rocker Ozzy Osbourne and South African singer Miriam Makeba will also screen.

The opening night marked a change for the festival, one of the most prominent in the United States, after recent years in which Tribeca featured an uptown glitzy private premiere with feature fiction films like last year's "Shrek Forever After."

This year more than 5,000 films were submitted, resulting in 93 feature films, which include 41 documentaries and 52 narrative fiction films. Festival attendees will include Julia Roberts, Will Ferrell, Martin Scorsese, Orlando Bloom, Jeremy Piven and Ryan Phillippe.