Fine art, pop culture and local pride converged Saturday at a LACMA reception for Tim Burton, whose Resnick Pavilion retrospective began Sunday and runs through Oct. 31.

In the patio area behind the Resnick, Burton was upbeat and gregarious, after signing 1,440 books for fans, then introducing a screening of “Ed Wood” on his whirlwind stop here while working simultaneously on “Frankenweenie” and “Dark Shadows.” He did a great job of working the house, and told Variety the whole experience was “amazing,” though he was concerned about the exodus of production from Hollywood. The Burbank native fretted that when he was filming “Alice in Wonderland” here, it was the only major feature lensing in Southern California.

Terry Semel, co-chairman of LACMA’s board of trustees, picked up on that theme of recognizing Hollywood’s heritage, saying “An integral part of this museum will be film and the history of film. If photography belongs in a museum, so does film,” since it is an art form — and one that blossomed locally.

Offering, in his words, “peripheral support” to Burton, Danny Elfman talked about the strange experience of revisiting old work, as he did for Warner Bros. Records’ recent 16-disc set of his scores for Burton films.

Burton got a lot of similar support Saturday from LACMA director-CEO Michael Govan as well as friends and collaborators including Robert Iger, Dick Cook, Lorenzo DiBonaventura, Peter Guber, Catherine O’Hara, Bo Welch, Winona Ryder, Rick Baker, Martin Landau and Slash.

The other guests ran the gamut of demographics and styles, including several who looked like refugees from Burton’s whimsy-Guignol sketches as they sported Dada hats, feathers, test-pattern suits, extreme makeup, red fish-net stockings, Edwardian ruffles and one shirt emblazoned with such mug shots as O.J. Simpson.

Evening concluding with a “surprise” performance by Jane’s Addiction.

For a man whose films usually center on misfits and outcasts, Burton seemed surprisingly at ease connecting with his admirers, posing for photos, shaking hands and accepting gratitude and compliments. At all of LACMA’s events Saturday, it’s clear people connect to him on a personal level. They’re not just fans, but consider him a therapist/alter-ego/friend.

Elfman enthused about his first visit to the set of “Frankenweenie,” the b&w stop motion animation pic. He was amazed by the detail lavished on everything: “real-time lighting, real time shadows, but all on a small scale: It’s grand, tiny moviemaking.” The filmmakers, he said, work on multiple sequences at the same time: “It’s one building, with the equivalent of 10 soundstages. It’s amazing!”

The Burton exhibit at LACMA includes not only sketches, props and costumes from his many films and other projects, but doodles on newspapers and drawings on sketch pads dating back to his high school days, showing how his trademark style has evolved. In all, more than 700 items make up the exhibit, from Burton’s private collection as well as studio archives and collaborators’ collections. Elfman also composed music to accompany the LACMA show. In addition to the film and TV related items, on display was a baby doll painted blue with black stitches and a pair of large black and white striped wind puppets dancing to Elfman’s music.

The LACMA website is inviting browsers to upload pics of their “Burtonesque” art.

— Timothy M. Gray and Terry Flores

Sony has created a red-band teaser trailer for David Fincher's "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo." Starring Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara, "Tattoo" is based on the bestselling novel from Swedish author Stieg Larsson. 

"The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" opens wide December 21, 2011.

Question, from a Variety reader: “Could you explain who (in Producer pacts with Studios) controls property generated under the deal?”

Answer: In Producer-Studio deals, the Studio controls the property.

I emphasize the word "Studio," because in Producer-Distributor deals, the Producer may control the property rather than the Distributor.

I emphasize the word "property," because that word is always defined in the agreement. It could refer to the actual movie, produced as a result of the deal. Or, it could refer to the underlying book, play or script, on which the movie is based. The definition would be important to the answer, because going into a deal, the Producer may "control" the underlying book, play or script. Once in the deal, it would be common for the Studio to control the script (or revised script), and the resulting movie.

The answer to the question will depend on the specific terms of the agreement of the Producer's "pact" with the Studio. Those terms are the result of negotiations. In other words, the answer is not found in the Copyright Act or in any other statute or general principal of law.

-- Lionel S. Sobel, Visiting Professor, University of San Diego School of Law and editor of the Entertainment Law Reporter

In his only U.S. interview from Cannes, Mel Gibson sits down with Variety editor Tim Gray to discuss "The Beaver," his eight-year hiatus from acting and his future plans.

Director Lars von Trier knows sure knows how to make a splash in Cannes.

After wowing critics at Wednesday morning's screening of “Melancholia,” the Danish helmer proceeded to shock journalists during the pic's press conference with bizarre comments about being a Nazi and sympathizing with Hiter.  

“I found out I was actually a Nazi," he said. "What can I say? I understand Hitler. I sympathized with him...yes, a little bit.”

In a new statement, von Trier expresses his remorse for the Anti-Semetic comments, saying “"If I have hurt someone this morning by the words I said at the press conference, I sincerely apologize. I am not antisemitic or racially prejudiced in any way, nor am I a nazi."

Von Trier’s ”Melancholia,” starring Kirsten Dunst and Alexander Skarsgard, premieres tonight at the Grand Theatre Lumiere.

 
(Kanye West and Jamie Foxx perform during Red Granite Pictures' launch gala Saturday night in Cannes)

CANNES--Red Granite Pictures held a booming launch party Saturday night on Carlton Beach, featuring a special performance by Kanye West.

On hand for the lavish event were Leonardo DiCaprio, Adrien Brody, Jamie Foxx, and Jon Hamm.

“This is the biggest festival on the planet,” said Foxx beforehand, who later performed "Gold Digger" with West to the crowd’s delight.

Before Kanye took the stage, partygoers were treated to a spectacular fireworks display over the pier, in addition to a brief performance by rapper Pharrell Williams, who invited several girls on stage to dance with him.

Red Granite principals and hosts of the evening, Joey McFarland and Riza Aziz, just recently announced financing on DiCaprio’s new pic “Wolf of Wall Street.”

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DreamWorks has released the first trailer for robot boxing pic "Real Steel," starring Hugh Jackman. Directed by Shawn Levy and exec produced by Steven Spielberg, 3D pic opens wide October 7.

Members of the press were treated to DreamWorks Animation's 3D screening of "Kung Fu Panda 2" Tuesday night at the Cinema Star theater in Cannes.

D'Works, also in town with "Puss n' Boots," will hold its international press junket for "Panda" Wednesday and Thursday in Cannes, with cast members Jack Black, Angelina Jolie and Dustin Hoffman on hand for interviews (official press conference Thursday). 

As for the film itself, I can't reveal anything given that reviews are under embargo. (Variety's Peter Debruge will be writing our review, which will post May 22)

Having said that-- "Kung Fu Panda" should make plus-sized bucks this summer, especially with 3D ticket prices. 

"Kung Fu Panda 2," directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson, opens wide May 26. 

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