FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2011 VARIETY.COM/FEATURES ■ 25 YOUTH IMPACT REPORT 2011 Talent finds ‘tape’ is taking over the town By PETER DEBRUGE ike the kids themselves, youth casting is getting L tech savvy: auditions recorded by digital camera, submitted by via email or Vimeo, followed by callbacks over Skype. “It’s become an integral part of the business,” says United Talent Agency youth guru Mitchell Gossett. “There’s not a single casting office in town that doesn’t IS THE NEXT BIG THING accept it on a daily basis” — where “it” is so-called “tape,” an en- Gossett dearingly old- school name for the process by which actors record their in the cards? own auditions via iPhone or Hollywood hunts for replacements as ‘Harry Potter,’ ‘Twilight’ Flip cam and submit the vid- eos for casting consideration. and other power youth properties run their course The biz still refers to it as “tape” because that’s how it started: With bulky, 3/4-inch By TATIANA SIEGEL of kids with the right concept. Tim- multiplatform expansion. Though cassettes being overnight- ing is a big part of it.” the series spawned the reality dance shipped back and forth across arry Potter has cast his Disney Channel has high hopes competition special “Make Your the country from out-of-town final spell. Hannah Mon- that it has already found its next Mark,” there’s no talk yet of crossing cattle calls. If the recordings tana performed her clos- behemoth with its dance-centric the characters over to the bigscreen were made overseas, they ing number. The “Twi- series “Shake It Up,” now in its in the same fashion as “Hannah Mon- had to be transferred from H light Saga” will take one second season. In fact, Walt Disney tana” and the “High School Musical” PAL to NTSC before cast- last bite of the box office next fall. Co. has placed its corporate machine classmates. ing directors could watch Hollywood’s kid-friendly market- behind the property with the aim of Meanwhile, Nickelodeon is put- them — not an easy process, place finds itself at a crossroads, as ting its muscle behind a trio of music- even just a few years ago, the megastars and uber-franchises themed series, the Victoria Justice See TAPE page 61 of the past decade have given way INSIDE topliner “Victorious,” the boy band to more question marks than shoo-in Power of Youth vehicle “Big Time Rush” and the successors. Event gives philanthropy-conscious stars upcoming pop/hip-hop/coming-of- Conventional wisdom dictates a platform for their causes. PAGE 26 age hybrid “How to Rock,” based on that a new youth-driven phoenix a book from Alloy Entertainment should rise from the ashes, but the Impact List (“Gossip Girl”). studios and fans alike find them- What do Justin Bieber and a 21-year-old “We’re in a time where there is selves still waiting for the next big Oscar nom have in common? They both a shift and a changeover with the thing. made our young-achiever roster. PAGE 31 stars,” says Marjorie Cohn, presi- “When you’re talking about the Up Next dent of original programming and ‘Harry Potters,’ the ‘Hannah Monta- development at Nickelodeon. “As is Meet 15 minors with major projects in nas’ and the ‘High School Musicals,’ always the case, there’s a transition the works. PAGE 55 you don’t see one out there right as new talent emerges.” now,” says Adam Bonnett, senior VP Looking Ahead Similarly, the film industry is of original series at Disney Channel. Teens from the Actors Fund program feeling its own growing pains as Variety “That doesn’t mean that the next one contribute showbiz stories. PAGE 65 the multibillion-dollar “Harry Pot- Jodie Foster cast Riley Thomas won’t come along in a heartbeat. It’s ter” franchise exited the multiplex Stewart in “The Beaver” from a about finding the right kid or group Halo Awards See NEXT BIG THING page 63 taped audition and Skype chat. Cheyne Gateley/ TeenNick kudocast pairs engaged kids with like-minded celebs. PAGE 67 Illustration: 26 ■ VARIETY.COM/FEATURES V PLUS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2011 POWER OF YOUTH: HONOREES WHAT: Variety’s Power of Youth WHEN: Tomorrow, Noon to 3 p.m. W In the spirit of encouraging altruism early, Variety’s Power of Youth awards recognize seven young s BAILEE MADISON Cause-conscious celebs, like Actress hangs out at Alex’s Lemonade Stand David Henrie, interact with kids from LA’s BEST, below, WHO: At 12, Bailee Madi- starrer “Just Go With ily comedy “Us & Them” at the 2010 event. son is one of the most ac- It”). She landed the lead with Bette Midler and complished actresses her in “Don’t Be Afraid of the Billy Crystal. age, appearing in serious Dark” after her “Broth- WHAT: Alex’s Lemonade dramas (like “Brothers” ers” co-star Natalie Port- Stand Foundation de- and “Conviction”) and man recommended her veloped from a modest broad studio comedies to producer Guillermo fund-raising project by (such as Adam Sandler del Toro. Next up is fam- cancer patient Alexandra “Alex” Scott (1996-2004). At the age of 4, Scott an- nounced she wanted to erect a lemonade stand in her front yard, donat- ing the proceeds to help find a cure for all children with cancer. Since then, the Foundation has raised more than $45 million toward her goal, funding more than 200 research projects nationally. WHY: “You are never too young to make a differ- ence,” Madison says. “Pass out some lemonade! You never know: Your $2 could be the dollar that finds a cure!” WHAT’S NEXT: A fundrais- ing cookout featuring chef Suzanne Goin, business partner Caroline Styne, chef David Lentz and hon- orary hosts Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka as part of the second an- nual L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade event Nov. 6 at the Culver Studios man- sion. DARREN CRISS Star crooner gleefully supports the Trevor Project Care fair sets stage WHO: Best known as Blaine Anderson saving and life-affirming resources. By IAIN BLAIR The Power of Youth initiative on Fox’s “Glee,” Darren Criss will WHY: “After gaining the incredible was created to “encourage the next make a short starring stint on platform from ‘Glee,’ it wasn’t so ow times have changed. great generation of our industry to Broadway in January in tuner much of a decision to get involved Just a few generations support philanthropic and charitable “How to Succeed in Business as it was an opportunity to take ago, the thinking went, causes,” says Variety publisher Brian Without Really Trying,” filling part,” Criss says. “I’ll be honest, “Children should be seen, Gott. “We don’t tell them which ef- Daniel Radcliffe’s shoes. He re- I’m not so much into the idea of not heard.” Today, the forts to support. We tell them to pick cently wrapped filming Anony- one cause being more important H power of youth increasingly holds something that touches their hearts mous Content’s Kristen Wiig star- than another; however, I felt that sway, both economically and cultur- and commit their energy to it. They rer “Imogene.” the Trevor Project was a perfect ally, as evidenced by Variety’s annual are role models, and if they do that, WHAT: The Trevor Project fit for my efforts. It stands for a next-gen charity event, taking place the millions of people who look up to is the leading national lot of things that I believe Saturday on the Paramount backlot. them will do the same.” organization provid- in, as well as falls in line Now in its fifth year, the high-im- While the remainder of Variety’s ing crisis interven- with much of what ‘Glee’ pact Power of Youth bash has become Youth Impact Report acknowledges tion and suicide stands for.” a must-attend cause for young stars, young stars responsible for mak- prevention ser- WHAT’S NEXT: Annual mixing entertainment in the form of ing waves on the business front, the vices to lesbian, benefit Trevor NextGen live performances, activity stations, Power of Youth event is all about giv- gay, bisexual, happens next month in free food and people watching with ing back — and teaching up-and-com- transgender and New York. The event, an inspirational message about the ers to make philanthropy a priority. questioning to be held Nov. 4 at the importance of giving back. The pro- Past years have honored such youth. The org Union Square Ballroom, gram has raised $2.5 million to date, cause-conscious celebs as Justin is determined will feature music by DJ supported once again by presenting Bieber (supporting Pencils for Prom- to end suicide Keo Nozari, complimen- sponsor the Hub, along with PlaySta- ise), Miranda Cosgrove (St. Jude among LGBTQ tary Absolut cocktails, a tion 3, Nike, Hurley, Coca-Cola, Paul Children’s Research Hospital) and youth by silent auction and raffle Frank, “Power Rangers Samurai” Shailene Woodley, who founded the All providing life- prizes. and Chipotle. It Takes org with her mother, Lori. John M. Heller/Getty Images FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2011 V PLUS VARIETY.COM/FEATURES ■ 27 WHERE: Paramount Studios, 5555 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles g stars who leverage their celebrity for good ANGUS T. JONES Top-paid TV teen boosts St. Jude cancer care WHO: As the kid component of CBS’ hit sitcom “Two and Half Men,” Angus T. Jones has been going toe-to-toe with Emmy winner Jon Cryer and, until re- cently, Charlie Sheen. In September, Jones proved he is no third wheel when the ninth season of skein, joined by Ash- ton Kutcher, debuted to monster ratings.