MTV News |
- Eminem, Jay-Z Joined By Dr. Dre, Drake At Historic Detroit Concert
- B.o.B Is Living The Dream In 'Magic' Video -- Watch It Here!
- Taylor Swift's Kanye West Recovery Uncovered On 'VMAs: Revealed'
- '127 Hours' Director Danny Boyle On James Franco, Amputation And Darren Aronofsky
- 'Machete': Everything You Need To Know
- Eminem, Jay-Z Fans Travel Across U.S. For Detroit Concert
- Nicki Minaj Calls VMA Appearance 'Pinnacle Of My Career'
- Lady Gaga's Rise To Fashion Icon Relived In 'VMAs: Revealed'
- Eminem And Jay-Z Live In Detroit!
- T.I. Lawyers Unsure How Arrest Will Affect Probation
- Chelsea Handler Schools Staffers On Lady Gaga Pronunciation
- Jessica Alba Calls Her 'Little Fockers' Character 'Totally Crazy'
- Nicki Minaj To Perform For MTV 2010 VMA Pre-Show
- T.I., Tiny Arrested For Pills That 'Resembled Ecstasy,' Police Allege
- Jessica Alba, Michelle Rodriguez Reveal Secrets Of 'Machete' Nude Scenes
- Wes Craven Praises Young Additions To 'Scream 4' Cast
- B.o.B Teams Up With Rivers Cuomo For 'Magic' Video
- Trey Songz Plays <i>Passion, Pain & Pleasure</i> Songs On Ustream
- Usher's VMA-Nominated 'OMG' Inspired By '80s Sci-Fi Character
- 'Skyline' Director Is Proud Of His Alien Effect
| Eminem, Jay-Z Joined By Dr. Dre, Drake At Historic Detroit Concert Posted: 03 Sep 2010 12:33 AM PDT D12, 50 Cent and G-Unit, Young Jeezy also hit Comerica Park stage as Em, Hov unleash flurry of hits on first stop of Home and Home Tour.
Detroit hasn't screamed this loud at a baseball park since Kirk Gibson was hitting home runs in the 1984 World Series. Hip-hop history was made as Jay-Z and Eminem co-headlined the Motor City's Comerica Park (home of the D-Town Tigers for the past decade) on Thursday night (September 2), the first of two shows on consecutive nights. While Jay's high-grossing touring schedule helped him to top this year's Forbes' "Hip-Hop Cash King" list, Eminem took a much-needed sabbatical to deal with a myriad of personal issues. Now beyond his darkest hour, Em had one of his brightest moments ever onstage. Not only did he gift his hometown with a seemingly endless string of hits, he pulled off some major surprises. After D12, 50 Cent and the G-Unit — acts that fans likely expected — came out for performances with Em, Slim Shady pulled off a shocker. Dr. Dre came out, first stunning the people then delighting them with smashes.
After his name appeared on the Comerica big screen, the man heralded by many as the greatest producer of his time came out to the opening notes of his world-famous "Next Episode." Then the familiar first keys of "Still Dre" were played. "Haters say Dre fell off," the Doc rapped. "How n---a? My last album was The Chronic." After that, the Shady/Aftermath duo took it back to Dre's Chronic days with "Nuthin' But a 'G' Thang." "One, two, three and to the fo," Em rapped in Snoop's cadence. " 'Cause you know we came to rip sh-- up!" Dre spit later. Dr. Dre appeared to be in the best shape of his life. Wearing a T-shirt with the late Proof's face printed on it, Dre looked strong enough to end the Undertaker's undefeated streak at Wrestlemania. "Got dammit, Detroit. Do I love you or what?" Eminem asked his fans. "Look what I brought out for you." Em then told Dre he wanted him to feel the love; Detox chants followed. "Deeee-tox. Deeee-tox," they yelled from the bleachers to the bullpen. Dre just smiled and said, "I'm Comin'!" One would-be guest who couldn't attend for obvious reasons was Lil Wayne. But Shady made sure to salute Weezy after "No Love." And the Young Money flag did wave proudly in Detroit as Drake came out for "Forever" and gave a special nod to the Motor City. "In Detroit, faded off the brown," Drake rapped. "Nino!!!!" the crowd responded. "I'm so honored to be here to tonight. This is history in the making. I want y'all to make some noise for the muthaf---in' legend that is Emimem." Em's legend was largely built off his mastery of music and a catalog made for the kind of environment he played on Thursday: stadiums. The Detroit rapper has been making sing-along anthems throughout his career. Not just tracks you rap in the shower or in the car, but big records like "Sing for the Moment," "Stan" and "Cleaning Out My Closet" — tracks practically begging for an audience of tens of thousands holding lighters up. Em proved he still has that rare connection with his fanbase. Grown men took off their shirts and got rock-n-roll rowdy when he rapped. "Got dammit, Detroit, I'm back," Em said early on in the night. "Did you miss me?" It was clear that Em missed his fans as well. He was engaging, lively and energetic on this night. After the "Real Slim Shady" and "Without Me," Em thanked his fans again. "I love you. This song is for you." "Not Afraid" followed. After screams of "encore, encore," Em brought out the Unit, D12 and Detroit legend Trick Trick who had earlier performed on "Lose Yourself." Thursday's Home and Home show kicked off with B.o.B, who came back later for "Airplanes, Pt. 2," and set the tone with a quick set that included "Nothin' on You." The audience was eventually alerted that the Jiggaman was 10 minutes away from showtime. Two clocks filled two oversize screens on the enormous stage while the Beastie Boys' "No Sleep Till Brooklyn" blared from the speakers. When the countdown hit "0," Jay rose from beneath the stage, the lyrically intricate "Dynasty Intro" being played by his band, the Roc Boys. Then a brief snippet of "Lucifer" played before Jay went into his jaw-dropping verse from Rick Ross' "Free Mason." During "D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)," Jay rhymed "this might need a verse from Jeezy." On cue, the Snowman came out for the "Dey Know" remix followed by "Soul Survivor." His mini-set ended with "Put on for My City" and "Lose My Mind." After that though, it was the Jay hit parade — with assistance from Memphis Bleek. The Brooklyn duo rocked with a flurry of big records, including "You Don't Know," "99 Problems" and "(Originator 99)." During "Big Pimpin'," Jay delivered Pimp C's verse in the late UGK legend's cadence. "What y'all know about them Deetroit boys?" Hov asked. A tribute to hip-hop's fallen soldiers ensued, as the audience shouted in unison, "Prrrrrooooooooof!" "I know y'all going through a lot, but Detroit has heart and Detroit will be back," Jay said. Hov and Slim Shady shared but a few minutes of stage time as Jay emerged for "Renegade" during Em's set. The Home and Home Tour continues Friday night (September 3) at Comerica Park and comes to the Bronx, New York, on September 13 and 14 at Yankee Stadium. Were you at Jay and Em's Detroit stop? Tell us what you thought of the show! Related Photos Related Artists |
| B.o.B Is Living The Dream In 'Magic' Video -- Watch It Here! Posted: 03 Sep 2010 09:34 AM PDT Upstart VMA-nominee is joined by Weezer's Rivers Cuomo at raging house party in new clip.
You can't blame B.o.B if he wanted to pinch himself. The VMA-nominated newcomer is riding an enormous wave via his debut album, The Adventures of Bobby Ray, which has spawned three consecutive top 10 singles, "Nothin' on You," "Airplanes" and his latest, "Magic." And for his "Magic" clip, the Atlanta rapper recruited director Sanaa Hamri (Jay-Z, Christina Aguilera) who put B.o.B in the middle of a raucous house party.
But in the video, which premiered Thursday (September 2) at midnight on MTV.com, Bobby Ray can't seem to believe his good fortune. As he and his "Magic" collaborator, Weezer's Rivers Cuomo, jam in the backyard, B.o.B mentally traces back to earlier in the day when the young rapper first wakes up. B.o.B tries to shake awake a sleeping version of himself but to no avail. The girls, the party, all the happenings do seem to be going on — and all for him. Partygoers run through the house and Bobby Ray snaps pictures with the girl of his dreams. But in an instant — as quick as he's been clicking Polaroid pictures — the party is over and B.o.B awakens. Turns out he was dreaming. The sleep-eyed MC, however, takes a look around his bedroom and notices two photos on the ground: two snapshots of him and his leading lady. He's got the magic, indeed. Last week, "Magic" landed on the Billboard Hot 100 at the #10 position. The track follows "Nothin' on You," which went to the top of the chart, and "Airplanes," a top 5 hit. Also on Thursday, B.o.B opened for Eminem and Jay-Z during the superstar MCs' Home and Home concert series in Detroit; he's scheduled to open for the pair again on Friday (September 3), and later this month in New York. What do you think of B.o.B's "Magic" video? Tell us in the comments! Related Videos Related Artists |
| Taylor Swift's Kanye West Recovery Uncovered On 'VMAs: Revealed' Posted: 03 Sep 2010 03:50 AM PDT Find out how singer bounced back just in time for 2009 subway performance, in special airing Saturday at 11 a.m.
With one swift swipe of the mic, Kanye West went from just another tipsy rapper at an awards show to a pop-culture pariah at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. Jaws dropped and boos were lobbed when Kanye infamously interrupted Taylor Swift's acceptance speech for Best Female Video, leaving behind a shell-shocked teen country starlet. Swift composed herself and gracefully left the stage but the experience was apparently as hard for the Grammy-winner to take as it was for viewers to watch. And to pile on the pressure, Swift was set to pull off a complex performance of "You Belong With Me" involving scores of extras raging through a New York City subway station just minutes after the onstage debacle. In addition to her preternatural professionalism, Swift had a secret weapon to help her through the set: her fans. "The fans behind her were going crazy," choreographer Danielle Flora recalls in the special "The VMAs: Revealed - Presented by New 5 React Gum," which premieres Saturday at 11 a.m. Dancer Keltie Colleen agreed: "It was like they were her army." Eventually, it all worked out. Beyoncé, who appeared almost as uncomfortable as Swift when 'Ye insisted the 'Single Ladies' singer deserved the Best Female Video Moonman, asked the country star to finish her acceptance speech when she later won for Video of the Year. Swift went on to lampoon the drama on "Saturday Night Live" and West has used the incident as material for some of his latest work. To learn exactly how Swift pulled off one of the craziest performances in VMA history, tune in to "The VMAs: Revealed - Presented by New 5 React Gum." The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on September 12. The party starts with MTV News' VMA Pre-Show at 8 p.m., followed by the main event at 9 p.m. ET. Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 if they are Verizon subscribers) to vote for Best New Artist from now through September 12. |
| '127 Hours' Director Danny Boyle On James Franco, Amputation And Darren Aronofsky Posted: 03 Sep 2010 03:50 AM PDT Oscar-winner says he's made story of a man who can't move into an action movie.
At the 81st Academy Awards in early 2008, Danny Boyle's "Slumdog Millionaire" took home eight awards, including Best Director, while Darren Aronofsky's "The Wrestler" lost both categories in which it was nominated. But that didn't stop Boyle from wanting to emulate Aronofsky's cinematic approach for his next project. Thus, "127 Hours." follows one central character, in much the same way that "The Wrestler" focused on Mickey Rourke's damaged grappler. Boyle's new film is based on the true story of an avid outdoorsman who becomes trapped under a boulder in the wildness and is forced to saw off his own arm to escape. James Franco plays the unfortunate hiker. The film is one that Boyle has wanted to make for years. Only after virtually sweeping the Oscars, and being inspired by Aronofsky's style, though, did he move forward with the project. As part of MTV News' Fall Movie Preview, Boyle called us to chat about how his career has changed since "Slumdog," the challenges of making a film about a man who can't move, and why "127 Hours" may not be the ideal date movie. MTV: How are you? Danny Boyle: Good. We're mixing "127 Hours" at Pinewood, and we've been kicked out of the big theater by "Harry Potter." We're next door in the little theater. MTV: I guess if you're going to be kicked out by anybody, they have a big thing going on. Boyle: They're not even here! Do you know what they do? It's a big bank holiday this weekend here in Britain, and we're working right through the weekend to get it ready, and what they do is they book the theater for months and nothing happens! It's like, "Really?" MTV: Well, it is great to talk to you. So, you had, you know, a little bit of success with "Slumdog Millionaire." Coming off of that, why this one? Boyle: I'd always wanted to do it. The story has an instant tension that draws everyone's attention to it. So many people remember it vaguely. But it wasn't that. I wanted to make the film and I tried to get it going. Of course, it's a tough subject, but I had a way of doing it that wasn't what you think. It would be compelling and would occupy you completely as a viewer so that the whole barrier — it's just one guy stuck in one place — that wouldn't become an issue because you'd be with him. You would be him, in effect. That was always my take on it. Anyway, once "Slumdog" kicked off, [producer] Christian [Colson] and I thought, "This is our chance to make this." There's no other moment in our careers when we'll get a chance to make something like this, which is really a tricky prospect for any studio or financier. So we worked on it, we prepared a script, and then we had to find an actor. That's the key to this. Beyond our vision of it, you have to have someone who's not only going to share the vision but actually going to carry it much more than any film like "Slumdog" or a thriller or a big love story or anything that has a plot or the dynamics changing between two people. It's just one guy. We got Franco. He's amazing in it. MTV: There are a couple ways to go off something like "Slumdog." Either you go with the project you've been wanting to make, or I'm sure you were offered every project under the sun. Boyle: I don't think like that. It's such an amazing thing that happened that you have to take advantage in the right way. It's why we wanted to get ["127 Hours"] ready for Toronto, because that's where we started with "Slumdog." We wanted to take back there a film that had been made in its shadow. It's wonderful to do that, because suddenly it's not an intimidating shadow, it's liberating because it's a success that's allowed you to make something you've always wanted to make and you believe but wouldn't get made otherwise. Even though people, before they see the film, might think it a peculiar choice, but the film is really accessible. Whether they can get people into [the theater], I don't know. If you want to take a girl on a Friday and say, "What should we go and see?" it's tough to say, "It's a film about a guy who cuts his arm off. What do you think?" But once you're in there, it's a big story for everyone. It's a very universal thing. MTV: What are the challenges for you as a filmmaker, keeping things dynamic, and the challenges for an audience? Do you imagine them feeling what Franco is feeling for the length of the movie? Boyle: I always thought of it as the opposite of inert. Superficially, it looks inert, because he's stationary. But I'd always thought of it as an action movie. He can't move, but it's an action movie. That's what we've tried to do. I'm not going to brag now. You guys will have to decide whether we've succeeded or not, but that was the intention. I remember when we were doing "Slumdog," and Darren Aronofsky showed up with "The Wrestler." It's one of those films that you look at as a director and think, "That's it. You just follow this one actor around." It's different from his other movies, and it's different from my other movies, but I wanted to make one like that, where it's just you and an actor. MTV: I heard you talk about the videos that the hiker, Aron Ralston, took when he was stuck, and how he changed over those few days as he became dehydrated. Was the physical transformation difficult for Mr. Franco? How do you accomplish that in the film? Boyle: You can't, because you can't do it safely. It's not like carbohydrate loss. You hear about an actor losing weight or putting on weight for parts. You can't do that, because it happens over six days. He starts as an incredibly healthy young man and then this footage I saw by the end, when he'd been without water, the difference is shocking. It's a vanishing. The only way you could do it is through CG, and we didn't want to take that approach. We didn't want to use makeup, but so much of the film is so close. It's an intimate film. We tried to shoot in sequence to let James internally track it. We've not been able to move stuff. He was there for six days, and we'd go, "Can you move that line from day two to day four?" You can't move it, because the journey is no nuanced. He becomes completely different. He's a different person on each day. We've done it through James, rather than CG or weight loss. MTV: What about the moment when he slowly cuts off his own arm? How long a sequence is that in the film? How much do we see and experience? Boyle: It takes him 45 minutes in reality. It is in the film, obviously. The time it takes is respected by the filmmakers. We don't cut away, pardon the expression, and come back and it's gone. But it is cathartic, and that's the key thing. The whole idea of the film is you enter the journey with him and you don't cut away to a lot of people looking for him. It's an immersive experience, and it's cathartic when he does it because it's a relief for everyone and a triumph in some way as well. MTV: In terms of the music, it's A.R. Rahman doing the score again after "Slumdog." Can you speak a little about what he's done? Boyle: We've got a couple of songs, and the rest of the work is more guitar-based. Some of it is solo guitar, which felt appropriate given the nature of the story. Got a couple of wonderful songs. Free Blood ("Never Hear Surf Music Again") at the beginning, which we used for the trailer. Music has always been a big part of a movie for me, and I hope we've done another one justice we've what we've used. From the saucy Jessica Alba in "Little Fockers" to James Franco's grueling journey in "127 Hours," the MTV Movies team is delving into the hottest flicks of fall 2010. Check back daily for exclusive clips, photos and interviews with the films' biggest stars. Check out everything we've got on "127 Hours." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos Related Photos |
| 'Machete': Everything You Need To Know Posted: 03 Sep 2010 03:50 AM PDT Get all of the bloody facts about Robert Rodriguez's action-packed Mexploitation flick!
At long last! "Machete" is here and ready to blow your mind with every minute of its bloody, action-packed, sexy, slice-and-dicey good times. In brief, the story revolves around Machete (Danny Trejo), an ex-Federale who gets caught up in an assassination plot for which he is framed and must seek vengeance.
We've been following this zany, violent, Mexploitation romp since its humble beginnings as a mock trailer attached to 2007's "Grindhouse." To celebrate its long-awaited arrival in theaters on Friday (September 3), here is everything you need to know about "Machete." In 2007, Robert Rodriguez unleashed the fake trailer in front of "Grindhouse." It was met with raucous applause and fan demands for a full-length feature. The Internet rumor mill kicked into high gear, with rumblings of a direct-to-DVD release. At SXSW, Rodriguez announced his plans to go ahead with the full-blown feature. In the months that followed, the "Machete" cast was revealed. A script review later popped up online, as did pleas from the future star himself, Danny Trejo, who asked the Weinsteins to put up the cash so that filming could begin. Ask and ye shall receive! Production began in fall '09, details of which Rodriguez teased at that year's Comic-Con. From that point on, whenever MTV News found ourselves in the presence of one of the film's stellar castmembers, we peppered them for details about the film, which yielded Trejo's comments about his first day on set and a brief exchange with Jessica Alba during which she weighed in on action-movie hero Steven Seagal. It's worth mentioning that Alba also talked about how she'd be playing identical twins in the film, which somehow was lost in translation and changed at some point during filming, because Alba plays just one role — that of a sexy immigration officer. In early July, we got our hands and eyes on the first "Machete" trailer which, as we expected, was every bit as gritty and ballsy as Rodriguez's original. Shortly thereafter, the cast descended upon the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con with a flurry of activities that included a fun-filled panel and a parking-lot party where Trejo and Michelle Rodriguez served up tacos from a truck. Director Rodriguez and Trejo also stopped by our Comic-Con livestream where they praised co-star Lindsay Lohan's performance in "Machete." Much closer to the film's release, MTV News attended its press day and spoke once again with Rodriguez, Trejo, Alba and (Michelle) Rodriguez. Some of the best discussions to come out of that day centered on the always hot topic of onscreen nudity. First, Rodriguez revealed his tricks of the trade, and then lovely leading ladies Alba and Rodriguez discussed the art of post-production nipple addition. Finally, we hit up a special screening of the film in downtown L.A., at which the cast and crew arrived in shiny, tricked-out lowriders. There, we learned who each star would want by their side in a "Machete"-style revolution and got well-wishes for their recently released from rehab colleague, Lindsay Lohan. From the saucy Jessica Alba in "Little Fockers" to James Franco's grueling journey in "127 Hours," the MTV Movies team is delving into the hottest flicks of fall 2010. Check back daily for exclusive clips, photos and interviews with the films' biggest stars. Check out everything we've got on "Machete." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Eminem, Jay-Z Fans Travel Across U.S. For Detroit Concert Posted: 02 Sep 2010 08:13 AM PDT 'You'll never see anything like it again,' one fan says of hip-hop legends' joint show on Thursday.
Very rarely do two hip-hop titans of Eminem and Jay-Z's caliber team up to mount a series of stadium shows for their legions of rabid fans. Still, it's astonishing to see the lengths that Shady and Hov heads would go to see the pair onstage. Their fans crisscrossed the country to see the duo light up the stage at Comerica Park in Em's hometown of Detroit. The Thursday (September 2) event is the first stop on the duo's Home and Home Tour and their followers showed major support, braving a possible downpour and donning Jay and Em memorabilia.
"We're all psyched," said one fan who had rolled to the concert with three other homies. "How many times do you get to see Eminem play in his [hometown of] Detroit?" The fan, sporting a Jigga/Eminem T-shirt, added that the outing was really special because it was the first live show he'd attended. "The fact that it's Eminem and Jay-Z just helps a lot." Kipper revealed that he and his buddy J.T. traveled from Green Bay, Wisconsin, to take in the show. "I ... came down to [see] something different, something big. This is the biggest concert of the year," he marveled. "You'll never see anything like it again." Two of the rappers' most dedicated fans not only crossed state lines to catch the Comerica show but even employed their passports, trekking from Ottawa, Canada, for the collabo concert. "I really hope Eminem plays 'Going Through Changes' [from Recovery]. I really like that song," said Karen who, along with her friend, had fashioned homemade tees emblazoned with lyrics from The Eminem Show's "Superman" and two Jay-Z's smashes, "Run This Town" and "99 Problems." Another fan, Jay, who traveled from Pittsburgh, was happy that Em was giving back to his hometown in the form of a major musical event. "He should show the love from where he came from. They helped him to get where he's at. The least [he] could do is put on a big-bang show for 'em [and] show some respect," he said. He added that he was checking out the show to see some of the game's most talented MCs show their skills. "I mean, the best two lyricists to ever do it [are performing]. So, I'm trying to come and get some knowledge real quick." Not even bad weather could stop fans from seeing the Grammy-winning legends hit the stage. "I'm just so pumped to see it," "D" said. "I'll see it in the rain, I don't care." One concertgoer, who donned a tank top that read "#1 Fan," had a personal message for Shady: "Eminem if you ever see this, my name is Lindsay and I go to Michigan State and you should totally call me." Are you going to see Jay-Z and Eminem in concert? Did you catch the Detroit show? Let us know in the comments! Related Photos Related Artists |
| Nicki Minaj Calls VMA Appearance 'Pinnacle Of My Career' Posted: 02 Sep 2010 06:27 AM PDT 'I just feel like, this is my coming-out party,' the Best New Artist nominee and pre-show performer says.
Very few newcomers have had as a grand of a debut as Nicki Minaj. She is still weeks away from dropping her hotly anticipated first LP, Pink Friday, but she's already scored a #1 hit with "Your Love" and an MTV Video Music Award nomination for Best New Artist.
VMA night is shaping up to be a major event for the Young Money diva who will not only contend with chart-toppers like Justin Bieber and Ke$ha for a Moonman, but also hit the stage at the pre-show. In addition to making her first-ever televised solo performance, the Queens MC is hooking up some of her Barbz with the chance to witness the VMA action firsthand. Minaj will kick off a Twitter contest on September 7 that will give 10 fans the chance to check out her pre-show set. Fans who want to see Minaj rock the stage, should follow @NickiMinaj and @MTVTJ for more info. Like the lucky winners of her Twitter contest, Minaj will get to experience the VMAs up close, and the star said that she's pumped to be involved. "I'm so excited to be a part of this. This is major," Minaj said on the set of the promo shoot for the big night. The femcee, who appears in the clip in the style of a hip-hop Bond girl, commands a motorcycle in an ultra-snug catsuit. She added that filming the VMA visual is a bit more involved than shooting the music videos to her hit collabos and solo smashes. "This thing today has been like shooting a movie," Minaj observed. "It's very specific. When I shoot videos it's just about performing and doing whatever you want. But with this it's more like, 'No, this is the shot we need so we have to ... get that shot.' " Ultimately, Minaj was down to be detail-oriented for the shoot and said that being involved in the VMAs is an honor for any up-and-comer. "This is something that everybody dreams of being a part of ... and I am no exception to that rule," Minaj said. "I just feel like, this is my coming-out party. It's like, really, the pinnacle of my career so far." What are you expecting from Nicki Minaj's appearance at the VMAs? Let us know in the comments below! The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on September 12. The party starts with MTV News' VMA Pre-Show at 8 p.m., followed by the main event at 9 p.m. ET. Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 if they are Verizon subscribers) to vote for Best New Artist from now through September 12. Related Videos Related Artists |
| Lady Gaga's Rise To Fashion Icon Relived In 'VMAs: Revealed' Posted: 02 Sep 2010 03:41 AM PDT Learn how Gaga pulled off her unforgettable VMA debut in the special premiering Saturday at 11 a.m. on MTV
By most accounts, Lady Gaga turned it out at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. Gaga stormed the event with an outrageous performance of "Paparazzi" and a cavalcade of costumes that made her debut one of the most memorable first-time VMA outings in the show's history. In the MTV special, "The VMAs: Revealed - Presented by New 5 React Gum," viewers will get an inside look at how Gaga and her team pulled off the show-stopping fashion extravaganza.
"I told them I wanted to bleed to death for four minutes, and it just went silent. And then they said, 'OK Gaga, if that's your vision we're gonna do it,' " Gaga says in the special, describing her meeting with VMA organizers. Gaga didn't let her status as a VMA rookie stop her from constructing an awards-show appearance for the ages. The singer got her wish to depict her stylized demise onstage, ending her performance by dangling above her crew of dancers, her skimpy white lace ensemble smeared with blood. When the "Poker Face" singer won the Moonman for Best New Artist, she thrust the trophy in the air and declared, "This is for God and the gays!" But for the most part, Gaga let her outfits do the talking for much of the show. In addition to the head-to-toe crimson lace number she donned to accept the award, Gaga hit the carpet and held court in the audience in a bevy of OMG-inducing looks. She was snapped in a corseted Victorian-era Jean Paul Gaultier creation replete with black feathers and a gilded mask. She later showed off her trophy as a vision of Jetson chic, in a space-age lavender bodysuit with three-dimensional details. Gaga owned VMA night when it came to daring style but executing her elaborate fashion show within an awards show was a major enterprise. To learn how it all went down, catch "The VMAs: Revealed - Presented by New 5 React Gum" Saturday at 11 a.m. on MTV. The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on September 12. The party starts with MTV News' VMA Pre-Show at 8 p.m., followed by the main event at 9 p.m. ET. Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 if they are Verizon subscribers) to vote for Best New Artist from now through September 12. Related Photos Related Artists |
| Eminem And Jay-Z Live In Detroit! Posted: 02 Sep 2010 06:40 AM PDT
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| T.I. Lawyers Unsure How Arrest Will Affect Probation Posted: 02 Sep 2010 08:29 AM PDT Federal probation office 'is in the process of determining what happened,' according to reports.
With another album heading down the pike, a hit movie in theaters and a new bride on his arm, T.I.'s post-jail future was looking very bright. However, in the wake of his Wednesday night arrest for suspicion of possession of a controlled substance, the MC's lawyers said they are not sure whether the ATL rapper will head back to prison. "T.I. is going to be back on his way to Atlanta in the next 24 hours," Don Samuel, one of T.I.'s lawyers, told the Atlanta Journal Constitution on Thursday (September 2). "It's almost certain he'll end up appearing before the court here. But without knowing all the facts, it's premature to speculate what the court is likely to do." Another member of T.I.'s legal team, Dwight Thomas, echoed Samuel's assertions and told The Associated Press that, "We don't have a full grasp of the facts, circumstances. We don't know the violation." Thomas added, "I will remain optimistic until this matter is favorably resolved." "We're not making any observations at this time," said T.I.'s defense attorney Ed Garland. "This is an unfortunate occurrence, and we do not know what the outcome will be." T.I. and his wife, Tameka "Tiny" Cottle, were arrested Wednesday in Los Angeles after the Grammy-winning MC made an illegal U-turn. Officers searched the car and its passengers after smelling marijuana emanating from the vehicle. An unspecified number of pills "resembling ecstasy" were found and the couple were taken into custody. They were released early Thursday morning after posting $10,000 bail each. At press time, it was not clear whether the incident is a violation of T.I.'s (born Clifford Harris Jr.) three-year probation. The rapper has remained under supervised release after wrapping a prison stint for felony gun charges he picked up in 2007. U.S. Attorney Sally Yates told the AP that officials were still reviewing the situation. "The probation office is in the process of determining what happened and will make a recommendation regarding Mr. Harris when they have all the facts," she said. A former United Nations Ambassador and high-profile T.I. advocate, Andrew Young, expressed concern upon hearing of the rapper's latest brush with the law. "I assume that you're innocent until you're proven guilty," Young told the AP. "If he was driving and smoking marijuana, that is absolutely stupid. But why was he pulled over in the first place? Because he had a Maybach? Because he was black? Because they know who he is and resent his success?" Young was one of many supporters present in Atlanta when T.I. was sentenced to one year and one day in 2009 for felony weapons charges. The length of the sentence was part of an exceptional plea deal that would have allowed the rapper the possibility to be released earlier for good behavior. T.I. ended up serving seven months before being transferred to a halfway house to ride out the remainder of his sentence. After entering the halfway house in December, Tip had his full-term release this past March. The star is also obligated to complete approximately 400 hours of community service, meet with a probation officer regularly and obtain permission to travel. DNA testing, drug counseling and the agreement to submit to reasonable searches are also conditions of his probation. Related Photos Related Artists |
| Chelsea Handler Schools Staffers On Lady Gaga Pronunciation Posted: 02 Sep 2010 04:49 AM PDT 'It's [Lady] Guh-GAW,' Handler says behind the scenes of her VMA promo.
Chelsea Handler is hard at work preparing for her gig as host of the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards, a job that includes making sure that there are no slip-ups when it comes to shouting out oddly named pop stars. So, when the cameras went behind the scenes at the funnywoman's VMA promo shoot, Handler was found reprimanding her staff about the proper ways to announce some of this year's nominees. "I am excited to see Lady Guh-GAW," Handler declared, while seated at the head of her staffers table. When someone on her team chimes in with "It's Gaga," the way that, well, the whole world pronounces it, the "Chelsea Lately" host said, correcting the supposed flub.
"No, it's Guh-GAW," Handler deadpanned. "Everyone pronounces it wrong." The comedienne pointed out that another blonde hitmaker, Ke$ha, has endured mass mispronunciation of her uniquely spelled moniker. "Just like Keh-dollar-sign-hah pronounced that way," Handler said. "She doesn't want you to say it the other way. I met her." With the big night just a couple weeks away and the pressure on to deliver another live two-hour event packed with oh-no-they-didn't moments, the cameras caught Handler and her team engaged in intense brainstorming sessions. And the crew brought in a master of mayhem to help ideate television magic: Kid Rock. "You can go down on Snooki in the hot tub that they have on the 'Jersey Shore,' " Handler suggested to Rock. Lucky for the Handler, the Detroit rap-rocker seemed down for anything. "After a couple fifths of whiskey I'll go either way. Hell, after a fifth of whiskey I'd have sex with you." Handler, who has experienced her fair share of passes from popular lyricists, served up a demure reply to the open invitation for a drunken hookup. "Thank you," Handler responded. What are you expecting from Chelsea Handler as host of the VMAs? Let us know in the comments below! The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on September 12. The party starts with MTV News' VMA Pre-Show at 8 p.m., followed by the main event at 9 p.m. ET. Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 if they are Verizon subscribers) to vote for Best New Artist from now through September 12. Related Videos Related Artists |
| Jessica Alba Calls Her 'Little Fockers' Character 'Totally Crazy' Posted: 02 Sep 2010 11:02 PM PDT 'I play a pharmaceutical sales rep who is very, um, outgoing,' Alba tells MTV News of the Ben Stiller/ Robert De Niro comedy.
In addition to kicking butt in Robert Rodriguez's "Machete," Jessica Alba is also appearing among the star-studded cast of "Little Fockers," the third installment in the franchise that features Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro playing out their often awkward son-in-law vs. overprotective father-in-law relationship.
"I play a pharmaceutical sales rep who is very, um, outgoing and has no sense of personal space," Alba recently told MTV News. She hinted that her character might inadvertently try to get a little too close to Stiller's lovable Gaylord Focker. "She says exactly what's on her mind and she has no filter at all," the actress explained. "She was really fun because I'm pretty much the opposite of that." Alba admitted that keeping a straight face on set was a big challenge, since most of her scenes were with funnyman Ben Stiller. Still, she had a blast, she said, particularly with her character's freewheeling ways. "It was just fun and pretty liberating to play someone who was just so open and so free and totally crazy." "Little Fockers" is set a few months after the events of the last installment, "Meet the Fockers," as Stiller and Teri Polo's parents-to-be busily prepare for baby. Producer Jay Roach told MTV News earlier this year that Stiller's attempt to remain calm is thwarted by a familiar face (and former nemesis). "It's Owen Wilson coming back with a new passion for Ben's wife, Teri Polo," Roach said. "And of course it's hidden and it's all under the surface, but it causes a lot of new wrinkles in the relationship between all of them," the producer explained. In addition to Alba and Wilson, "Fockers" will also feature Dustin Hoffman in the role of Stiller's father opposite Barbra Streisand, an addition to the cast that was only recently made due to the film reportedly coming in under budget. "Little Fockers" is due in theaters December 22. From the saucy Jessica Alba in "Little Fockers" to James Franco's grueling journey in "127 Hours," the MTV Movies team is delving into the hottest flicks of fall 2010. Check back daily for exclusive clips, photos and interviews with the films' biggest stars. Check out everything we've got on "Little Fockers." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Nicki Minaj To Perform For MTV 2010 VMA Pre-Show Posted: 02 Sep 2010 12:27 AM PDT Minaj will make her solo TV debut during live show at 8 p.m. ET on September 12.
Another crucial member of the Young Money crew will be in the house next Sunday during the MTV Video Music Awards. The crew's resident bad girl, Nicki Minaj, will give her first-ever televised solo performance during the pre-show of the big event. The festivities kick off at 8 p.m. (live ET/ tape delayed PT) on September 12, with Minaj warming up the party with a performance of her hit single, "Your Love."
And starting on Tuesday (September 7), Minaj will kick off a Twitter contest in which 10 fans will win a front-row seat to watch her performance. For information on the contest, follow both @NickiMinaj and @MTVTJ. Winners will be announced on Friday, September 10. "I am truly honored to be a part of this year's VMAs. Just yesterday I was an underground female rapper. See, Barbz? Dreams do come true," Minaj said in a statement announcing her participation in the big show. MTV News will have the whole night covered from every angle, with correspondents Sway, Tim Kash, SuChin Pak and Jim Cantiello updating you on all of the action from outside the Nokia Theatre as they interview the night's hottest stars on the VMA white carpet. MTV's first-ever TJ (Twitter Jockey), Gabi Gregg, will also be on hand to run MTV News' Twitter Tracker, which will give users a look at the second-to-second chatter about the VMAs on Twitter. Gabi will be checking what people are saying about the VMA nominees, performers and presenters while vetting fan questions and tweeting all the white-carpet action @MTVTJ. She's not the only new member of the MTV family who will be onboard, as award-winning documentary filmmaker Andrew Jenks, star of the upcoming MTV docu-series "World of Jenks," will visit the pre-show stage with rapper Maino to unwrap a sneak peek of his new series, which premieres on Monday, September 13, at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The special post-VMA "World of Jenks" sneak peek, featuring Maino, airs at 11 p.m. ET/PT right after the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards. But wait, there's more. MTV News will also bring audiences a first-look at the hotly anticipated "Jackass 3D" as seen through the eyes of the cast of "Jersey Shore." MTV News threw the cast a screening party of the movie in Seaside Heights and will show audiences the reactions from the cast, plus exclusive scenes from the movie. As a lead-in to the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards Pre-show, viewers will get to watch an all-new episode of "Jersey Shore" at 7 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. CT. Then during the live pre-show, the cast will hit the white carpet to treat fans to a previously unaired bonus clip from the episode that aired that night. Then the action will kick off in earnest at 9 p.m., when comedienne Chelsea Handler hosts the awards show, which will feature performances from Eminem, Kanye West, Justin Bieber, B.o.B, Drake, Linkin Park, Usher, Paramore and Florence & the Machine, along with Travie McCoy, Jason Derülo and Robyn, who will take the stage with this year's VMA house artist, deadmau5. In addition, Ke$ha, Minaj, Emma Stone, Penn Badgley, Trey Songz, Ashley Greene, Selena Gomez, Ne-Yo and "The Social Network" stars Justin Timberlake, Jesse Eisenberg and Andrew Garfield are confirmed to present awards. The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, September 12, at 9 p.m. ET. Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 if they are Verizon subscribers) to vote for Best New Artist through September 12. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| T.I., Tiny Arrested For Pills That 'Resembled Ecstasy,' Police Allege Posted: 01 Sep 2010 11:20 PM PDT Rapper and wife were pulled over after making an illegal U-turn on Sunset Boulevard on Wednesday night.
Details are beginning to emerge about the Los Angeles traffic stop that resulted in rapper T.I.'s and wife Tameka "Tiny" Cottle's arrests on charges of felony possession of a controlled substance Wednesday night. According to a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Tip (born Clifford Harris Jr.), 29, was pulled over by police when he made an illegal U-turn in his Maybach on Sunset Boulevard around 10:30 p.m. Once officers approached the car on the traffic violation, they reported smelling the odor of marijuana from inside the vehicle, which prompted a search of the car and its passengers.
Sheriff's Department spokesperson Nicole Nishida confirmed that police found a controlled substance in the vehicle described as an unspecified amount of pills that "resembled ecstasy." Police are currently testing the pills and Nishida said she could not confirm where the pills were found. She also confirmed that there were other passengers in the car who were not charged with any crimes. TMZ has posted pictures of the black-and-gray vehicle T.I. was reportedly driving at the time that show tall white Styrofoam cups in the front and back cup holders. The site speculated that the cups could also point to the presence of codeine syrup, a.k.a. sizzurp, a popular concoction made up of narcotic cough medicine and sometimes consumed in Styrofoam cups. Police have made no mention of codeine so far. T.I. is on probation following a seven-month prison stint for a felony gun charge, itself a violation of his probation from a previous felony arrest. As part of his release in March, T.I.'s new probation conditions included supervised release for three years, DNA testing and drug counseling, as well as a ban on owning firearms and an agreement to submit to reasonable searches. An assistant to T.I.'s attorney in the federal gun case told MTV News on Thursday morning (September 2) that a statement would be released later in the day on the matter, but that no details were available before that time on how, or if, the arrest could impact Tip's probation in the previous case. A spokesperson for the probation office handling Tip's case in Atlanta could not be reached for comment at press time. T.I. and Tiny were released on $10,000 bail early Thursday morning and are due back in court on Friday (September 3). Related Photos Related Artists |
| Jessica Alba, Michelle Rodriguez Reveal Secrets Of 'Machete' Nude Scenes Posted: 02 Sep 2010 04:49 AM PDT Stars of Robert Rodriguez's new flick discuss their bodies — real or created?
Robert Rodriguez's fake-trailer-inspired Mexploitation flick "Machete" has a lot going for it. Not only is it an action-packed, bloody romp, but it features kick-ass weapon-wielding stylings from leading ladies who also flash a bit of skin. Thanks to Rodriguez's earlier explanation regarding his tricks to effective — not offensive — onscreen nudity, we know that not everyone is as naked as they seem. However, when we caught up with the film's ladies in question, Jessica Alba and Michelle Rodriguez, it became apparent that there are a few more nude-themed questions to be answered. Namely, who was in charge of Michelle's rockin' bod, and which guy creates the post-production nipples?
"I want to know: Who sculpted that body?" Alba asked Rodriguez as they gazed at a "Machete" poster featuring the very toned leather-clad actress. "Because the whole time I'm watching you, I'm drooling. 'She doesn't have any cellulite, not an ounce of fat! What is going on?'" Rodriguez responded with a hearty laugh. "That was [from] 'Battle: Los Angeles,'" she explained. "I was in boot camp before that. I had three weeks of intensive Marine warfare training." "You looked insane," Alba said. We then reminded Alba that it's obvious from her shower scene in the film that she's in equally good shape. "Oh no, no, no," she insisted. "I had undies on, and I had other stuff on, and they just sort of etched it out in post [production]. That's not really me. I'm better covered up." "I want to meet these guys who work in special effects and they are basically in charge of adding nipples," Rodriguez added. "No, no — there were no nipples, though!" Alba responded regarding her apparently post-production-enhanced shower. "There weren't?" Rodriguez asked, looking genuinely surprised. "I tried not to look because I thought that was a private moment that I shouldn't be watching." "No, there was no nipple!" Alba insisted. "No, no, no, no nipple." "Well, I want to meet these [special-effects] guys though because they basically create what's not there," Rodriguez continued. "It's pretty bugged out." Check out everything we've got on "Machete." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. |
| Wes Craven Praises Young Additions To 'Scream 4' Cast Posted: 02 Sep 2010 06:00 AM PDT '[Anna Paquin and Kristen Bell] do have a very significant and exciting role in the film,' director reveals.
Wes Craven fans have a lot to be excited about these days, as the beloved writer/director has not one, but two highly anticipated projects on his plate, the first of which is a horror/thriller due October 8. The second project is "Scream 4." the long-awaited fourth chapter in Craven and screenwriter Kevin Williamson's hugely popular franchise, which not only reunites the original cast (David Arquette, Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox), but includes a slew of popular young stars, including Emma Roberts, Hayden Panettiere, Anna Paquin, Kristen Bell, Rory Culkin, Shenae Grimes and Lucy Hale. When we caught up with Craven to discuss "My Soul to Take," we couldn't help but prod the man in charge for some "Scream 4" scoop, beginning with how he managed to assemble his original stars. "Well, I could take credit for it, but it wouldn't be accurate," he said. By the time Craven was asked to direct, Dimension studio head Bob Weinstein had already secured Cox, Arquette and Campbell. "It was just a matter of me saying, 'Sure,' " Craven added. For the director, the allure of rejoining the team to work on a good script was icing on the cake. "I think all of us wanted to do something written by Kevin [Williamson] and to work together again," he said. "We all had such wonderful times on the first three. It has been a return to a great deal of fun — just the pleasure of working together again. We know each other inside and out. There's a lot of shorthand and a lot of fun memories from our past escapades." Regarding the new additions to the franchise, Craven was full of praise for his young stars. "The young cast is amazing," he said. "They're extremely bright and a very varied cast. ... They're just great to work with. It's fun to be doing that combination of the sort of classic actors of the first three and this new group of kids. [They] have very different and fresh personalities and great acting talent." And what about the plot? How does it fit within the franchise, and how does it differ? "It's a clear and/or pretty well-known [fact] that it's a return to Woodsboro for Sydney Prescott, who is Neve's character," Craven said. "Courteney and David have, as they did in real life, have gotten married and are living in Woodsboro, so it's the story of Sid's return to Woodsboro and the series of events that take place there where those three are thrown together in a wild and crazy way, and then a group of kids that get meshed in the plot." Speaking of that group of kids, Craven went on to say that managing the appearances of all his young stars — most of whom are speculated to be making quick cameos — has been a pleasure rather than a headache. "Well, that's the great joy — it's fun," he said. "A lot of these actors I didn't know that well or have not worked with most of them, or any of them, as a matter of fact," Craven explained. "They always say, 'It's great working with you. I've wanted to work with you for a long time,' but it's wonderful working with actors like this that are very young and have a large following already because of their talent, and just to spend one or two days with them to do these kind of set/bit pieces is a lot of fun." With regard to those one- or two-day roles, we tried to get Craven to reveal a few specifics about two recently announced "guests" in particular: Anna Paquin and Kristen Bell. "I don't know what I'm allowed to say," he laughed. "They do have a very significant and exciting role in the film, let me put it that way." What do you think of the star-studded "Scream 4" cast? Who do you think will be the villain? Tell us in the comments! From the saucy Jessica Alba in "Little Fockers" to James Franco's grueling journey in "127 Hours," the MTV Movies team is delving into the hottest flicks of fall 2010. Check back daily for exclusive clips, photos and interviews with the films' biggest stars. Check out everything we've got on "Scream 4." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos Related Photos |
| B.o.B Teams Up With Rivers Cuomo For 'Magic' Video Posted: 02 Sep 2010 03:19 AM PDT Weezer frontman and B.o.B entertain a house party in clip, premiering Thursday at midnight on MTV.com.
Rather famously, despite having one of the biggest songs of the summer, B.o.B and Paramore's Hayley Williams have never actually met. They've never even been in the same room, for that matter, even though they both appear in the video for their massive hit, "Airplanes."
So, when it came time for B.o.B to shoot the video for his next single, "Magic," he decided to pull a complete 180. This time he actually had the song's co-star, Weezer's Rivers Cuomo, present when he filmed the clip. "Rivers will be there. Rivers, you better be there, man," B.o.B told MTV News last month at Lollapalooza. "We're going to be there at the same time, so it'll be different for me" And, lo and behold, the "Magic" video — which premieres Thursday night at midnight on MTV.com — actually does feature both B.o.B and Cuomo, as the duo take the stage and rock a particularly raucous house party. In a way, the scene is fitting: After all, the first time the rapper actually met Cuomo, it was onstage, seconds before they performed the song live. Which, thanks to all his success (and an increasingly hectic schedule) is sort of the way B.o.B is meeting everybody these days. "The first time I met Rivers was onstage, in L.A., at the House of Blues, and we did 'Magic' for the first time. He walked onstage and that was my first time meeting him, like 'Hey, Rivers Cuomo!' " he laughed. "So, it's so hectic, so busy there's a lot of artists you never see until you actually are backstage, or in a dressing room, you know?" Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Trey Songz Plays <i>Passion, Pain & Pleasure</i> Songs On Ustream Posted: 02 Sep 2010 05:08 AM PDT The singer previews a few tracks from September 14 LP and phones some lucky fans during broadcast.
With Trey Songz' Passion, Pain & Pleasure September 14 release date just days away, the singer decided to give his devoted fans a special preview. The Virginia crooner took to Ustream to share a few sensual cuts from his upcoming fourth album.
Fresh from a massage and outfitted in a plain white tee and a fitted cap, Songz led his broadcast from Cincinnati, Ohio, the Thursday (September 2) stop on his Passion, Pain & Pleasure Tour. In the hour-long Ustream session, Songz spoke with a few lucky fans on the phone about what they're most passionate about and played tracks like the sultry slow jam "Love Faces." The singer grooved along with the song, a midtempo number that proves his knack for cranking out baby-making music is intact with lines like, "Wouldn't it be nice if all night I was in you?" Songz was proud of his work, saying, "That thang cold, y'all, that thang cold," when the track wrapped up. Throughout the broadcast, Songz lamented the leak of Pleasure tracks like "Love Faces" and "Doorbell," which began making the Internet rounds last week. "Shout out to everybody who didn't listen to the leaks," he said. But the singer brushed off the premature release of some of his tracks, adding, "Bootleggers gotta eat. I ain't mad at y'all boys." Songz also gave fans a taste of "Massage," another bedroom-burner dedicated to lavishing a lover with a head-to-toe rubdown that he frequently performs on the tour while hooking up a lucky concertgoer with an actual massage. In addition, Ustream viewers heard the sizzling "Doorbell," a track in which Songz unapologetically gets down to the business of gettin' busy. "Put my lips all over you/ Wanna put on a show for you/ This bedroom is my Colosseum/ Ring my bell, I'll let you in," Songz belts. Are you looking forward to Trey Songz' new album? Tell us in the comments! Related Artists |
| Usher's VMA-Nominated 'OMG' Inspired By '80s Sci-Fi Character Posted: 02 Sep 2010 02:34 AM PDT Director Anthony Mandler wanted to let R&B superstar take viewers 'on a journey, not a ride.'
For a video as forward-thinking as Usher's "OMG" -- with its laser beams and light flashes -- director Anthony Mandler actually looked back for inspiration. "The original idea was kind of Max Headroom," Mandler told MTV News, citing the animated science-fiction character from '80s British TV. "That's where it came from — the TV flickering on and there's this character. We just wanted to bring it up to date."
"Max Headroom was always in his room," he continued, "this unidentifiable room, '80s shapes. I used that for inspiration." The formula worked: "OMG" is among the Best Male Video nominees for the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards. The clip is up against Drake's "Find Your Love," Jason Derülo's "In My Head," Eminem's "Not Afraid" and B.o.B's "Airplanes." Mandler is a multiple nominee, having also helmed Drake's video. "OMG" is the first time Usher and Mandler — who has worked with Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige and Rihanna — collaborated on a project. Usher said he knew the video would be a challenge and wanted to make sure the director was up to the task. "When I first shot the song to him, I was like, 'Are you sure you're gonna be able to catch this one?' And he said, 'I got it,' " Usher explained. "We wanted to bring Will.I.Am (the song's producer) into my world," he continued. "Obviously, the international sound and look and feel has already been set, but we wanted to do something theatrical, fun and energetic to show us working off of each other and playing off of each other as artists, but the cinematography would be artistic and incredible." Mandler described the visuals as "Hitchcock-ian." Though the style of the shot was important to the director, he had a simpler goal in mind: to capture Usher in his element. He said the key to the clip was simply letting Usher's talent take over. "The concept was to create a world where we put Usher in a space where he does what I think he does better than anyone else in the world, which is perform at a level and magnitude of a superstar and take us, the viewer, whether audible or visually, on a journey, not a ride," the director said. "And, in that, I wanted to create an unpredictability, so one set leads to another and another, and you never know what's gonna happen. Along the way, Usher becomes our guide. We're so focused on him, we don't notice the change. The thing is unfolding little by little, and you can't quite see far enough ahead to know what's gonna come next." The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on September 12. The party starts with MTV News' VMA Pre-Show at 8 p.m., followed by the main event at 9 p.m. ET. Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 if they are Verizon subscribers) to vote for Best New Artist from now through September 12. Related Artists |
| 'Skyline' Director Is Proud Of His Alien Effect Posted: 02 Sep 2010 03:29 AM PDT Greg Strause addresses Sony's accusation that he stole 'Battle: Los Angeles' ideas.
The geeks packed into the San Diego Convention Center in July were prepared for "Green Lantern" and "Thor" and "Captain America." They knew to expect lots of cool footage and A-list panels, and their expectations were more than fulfilled. What almost no one had on their radars was "Skyline," an independent alien-invasion flick that swooped into Comic-Con virtually unnoticed and came away with the some of the festival's most positive buzz. Greg Strause, who co-directed the flick with his brother and fellow founder of visual effects house Hydraulx, said that he met that skeptical-turned-astonished viewpoint again and again during the production process. "People would be like, 'What are you doing next?' " he told MTV News. "And we'd be like, 'Shooting this little indie we're financing ourselves. We're shooting it in my house.' So you tell all these people, and they say, 'Oh, that's cute.' And when they actually see it, their jaws drop." Among the jaws that dropped were those at Sony Pictures, which had hired Hydraulx to do effects work on "Battle: Los Angeles." Both films feature aliens invading Los Angeles, and Sony accused Hydraulx of stealing equipment and ideas for use on "Skyline," according to TheWrap.com. Those are charges Strause strenuously denies. "It's total bullsh--," he said. "We work on a movie with aliens involved with it, if not every year, then every other year. We worked on 'Avatar,' 'The Day the Earth Stood Still,' 'Invasion.' It's all about aliens. That's what our company does. And everyone knows that." Strause and his brother, Colin, directed the much-derided "Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem," and Greg finds it particularly frustrating to be the target of such accusations at a time when one of his directorial projects is finally getting such great buzz. "Colin and I catch a lot of crap for 'AVPR,' " he said. "And ['Skyline'] is us. It's us." What the brothers have accomplished is no doubt impressive. Inspired by Oren Peli's "Paranormal Activity," they set out to make a low-budget version of an alien invasion movie that never once felt low-budget. Aided by the capabilities of their effects company and top-of-the-line digital cameras, they holed up in a house in Marina del Ray, California, and filmed the bulk of their story, which focuses on how a group of friends react to the arrival of nefarious aliens. The finished film contains 800 visual effects and employed just one day of green-screen work. "We have a character drama that plays out in this claustrophobic space," Strause explained. "Whenever we do leave the space, we have huge shots. The teaser [trailer] is the big, epic, visual side of it. When you see the next trailer, you'll get a sense of the claustrophobic, character side." Related Videos Related Photos |
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