Bollywood icon SRK detained in US, send fans Into a Tizzy (Intro Roundup)

NEW YORK/NEW DELHI - Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan was detained and questioned by immigration officials at a US airport for more than two hours on arrival to take part in a function to mark India’s Independence Day, sending his fans into a tizzy.
But hours after being detained at the Newark Liberty Airport in New Jersey Friday, Khan participated at an event advertised as a “Dinner with Shah Rukh Khan” at
the Trump Taj Mahal Casino.
Though he jokingly referred to the incident during his performance, SRK spoke out strongly against his treatment at the airport after the event, saying “it was not a good feeling” when the security officials took him to a separate room for questioning.
I appreciated my independence a million times more today, I wish I was in India on Independence Day,” said Khan who was on way to Chicago to take part in an Independence Day event.
In New Delhi, External Affairs Ministry Spokesman Vishnu Prakash said India had taken up the issue with the US embassy.
The matter was taken up with the US embassy,” Prakash said.
In a statement, US Ambassador to India Timothy J. Roemer said: “We are trying to ascertain the facts of the case - to understand what took place.”
Shah Rukh was a “global icon” and “he is a very welcome guest in the United States. Many Americans love his films,” the envoy added.
The Indian consulate in New York said by the time they were informed about the incident and contacted the superstar, Khan said the incident was already over.
I was taken to a room for questioning. They said my name kept popping up on the computer,” Khan was quoted as saying. Immigration officers wanted to know why Khan was visiting the US. after his name appeared on a computer screen at a counter.
Khan is a Muslim name, and I think the name is common on their checklist,” the actor said. “I was waiting for my bags. I thought it was nice of them to take me to another room, but that was apparently a second check. I had my papers in order.”
I was really hassled at the airport because of my name being Khan…The couple of hours of interrogation wanting to know if I know anyone in America while all around people were vouching for me from India and Pakistan (sic),” the Bollywood superstar said in a statement.
Only these guys just would not let me through. Finally they allowed me to make a call, which I did and the Indian Consulate helped me through.”
It was absolutely uncalled for I think, me having just finished working there for more than a month…just a couple of weeks ago. They said I have a common name which is causing the delay…checked my bags…I felt angry and humiliated,” Khan said.
He said after about an hour, he asked the officials if he could make a call. “They said it was not allowed from here but they could make an exception. I called a friend who contacted an Indian embassy official who came and vouched for me,” Khan said.
I am assuming this country is paranoid with a certain section of religion in the world. This has happened to me before. This is not the first time.”
Khan’s latest film “My Name is Khan” produced by Khan and director Karan Johar is set against the September 11, 2001 terror attacks and examines their impact on an Indian Muslim living in the US.
The film, shot largely in the US, is near completion and US-based Fox Star Studios has secured the global distribution rights for a deal which industry insiders estimate to be about 20 million dollars.

Bollywood icon SRK detained in US, send fans Into a Tizzy (Intro Roundup)

NEW YORK/NEW DELHI - Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan was detained and questioned by immigration officials at a US airport for more than two hours on arrival to take part in a function to mark India’s Independence Day, sending his fans into a tizzy.
But hours after being detained at the Newark Liberty Airport in New Jersey Friday, Khan participated at an event advertised as a “Dinner with Shah Rukh Khan” at
the Trump Taj Mahal Casino.
Though he jokingly referred to the incident during his performance, SRK spoke out strongly against his treatment at the airport after the event, saying “it was not a good feeling” when the security officials took him to a separate room for questioning.
I appreciated my independence a million times more today, I wish I was in India on Independence Day,” said Khan who was on way to Chicago to take part in an Independence Day event.
In New Delhi, External Affairs Ministry Spokesman Vishnu Prakash said India had taken up the issue with the US embassy.
The matter was taken up with the US embassy,” Prakash said.
In a statement, US Ambassador to India Timothy J. Roemer said: “We are trying to ascertain the facts of the case - to understand what took place.”
Shah Rukh was a “global icon” and “he is a very welcome guest in the United States. Many Americans love his films,” the envoy added.
The Indian consulate in New York said by the time they were informed about the incident and contacted the superstar, Khan said the incident was already over.
I was taken to a room for questioning. They said my name kept popping up on the computer,” Khan was quoted as saying. Immigration officers wanted to know why Khan was visiting the US. after his name appeared on a computer screen at a counter.
Khan is a Muslim name, and I think the name is common on their checklist,” the actor said. “I was waiting for my bags. I thought it was nice of them to take me to another room, but that was apparently a second check. I had my papers in order.”
I was really hassled at the airport because of my name being Khan…The couple of hours of interrogation wanting to know if I know anyone in America while all around people were vouching for me from India and Pakistan (sic),” the Bollywood superstar said in a statement.
Only these guys just would not let me through. Finally they allowed me to make a call, which I did and the Indian Consulate helped me through.”
It was absolutely uncalled for I think, me having just finished working there for more than a month…just a couple of weeks ago. They said I have a common name which is causing the delay…checked my bags…I felt angry and humiliated,” Khan said.
He said after about an hour, he asked the officials if he could make a call. “They said it was not allowed from here but they could make an exception. I called a friend who contacted an Indian embassy official who came and vouched for me,” Khan said.
I am assuming this country is paranoid with a certain section of religion in the world. This has happened to me before. This is not the first time.”
Khan’s latest film “My Name is Khan” produced by Khan and director Karan Johar is set against the September 11, 2001 terror attacks and examines their impact on an Indian Muslim living in the US.
The film, shot largely in the US, is near completion and US-based Fox Star Studios has secured the global distribution rights for a deal which industry insiders estimate to be about 20 million dollars.

Bollywood icon SRK detained in US, send fans Into a Tizzy (Intro Roundup)

NEW YORK/NEW DELHI - Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan was detained and questioned by immigration officials at a US airport for more than two hours on arrival to take part in a function to mark India’s Independence Day, sending his fans into a tizzy.
But hours after being detained at the Newark Liberty Airport in New Jersey Friday, Khan participated at an event advertised as a “Dinner with Shah Rukh Khan” at
the Trump Taj Mahal Casino.
Though he jokingly referred to the incident during his performance, SRK spoke out strongly against his treatment at the airport after the event, saying “it was not a good feeling” when the security officials took him to a separate room for questioning.
I appreciated my independence a million times more today, I wish I was in India on Independence Day,” said Khan who was on way to Chicago to take part in an Independence Day event.
In New Delhi, External Affairs Ministry Spokesman Vishnu Prakash said India had taken up the issue with the US embassy.
The matter was taken up with the US embassy,” Prakash said.
In a statement, US Ambassador to India Timothy J. Roemer said: “We are trying to ascertain the facts of the case - to understand what took place.”
Shah Rukh was a “global icon” and “he is a very welcome guest in the United States. Many Americans love his films,” the envoy added.
The Indian consulate in New York said by the time they were informed about the incident and contacted the superstar, Khan said the incident was already over.
I was taken to a room for questioning. They said my name kept popping up on the computer,” Khan was quoted as saying. Immigration officers wanted to know why Khan was visiting the US. after his name appeared on a computer screen at a counter.
Khan is a Muslim name, and I think the name is common on their checklist,” the actor said. “I was waiting for my bags. I thought it was nice of them to take me to another room, but that was apparently a second check. I had my papers in order.”
I was really hassled at the airport because of my name being Khan…The couple of hours of interrogation wanting to know if I know anyone in America while all around people were vouching for me from India and Pakistan (sic),” the Bollywood superstar said in a statement.
Only these guys just would not let me through. Finally they allowed me to make a call, which I did and the Indian Consulate helped me through.”
It was absolutely uncalled for I think, me having just finished working there for more than a month…just a couple of weeks ago. They said I have a common name which is causing the delay…checked my bags…I felt angry and humiliated,” Khan said.
He said after about an hour, he asked the officials if he could make a call. “They said it was not allowed from here but they could make an exception. I called a friend who contacted an Indian embassy official who came and vouched for me,” Khan said.
I am assuming this country is paranoid with a certain section of religion in the world. This has happened to me before. This is not the first time.”
Khan’s latest film “My Name is Khan” produced by Khan and director Karan Johar is set against the September 11, 2001 terror attacks and examines their impact on an Indian Muslim living in the US.
The film, shot largely in the US, is near completion and US-based Fox Star Studios has secured the global distribution rights for a deal which industry insiders estimate to be about 20 million dollars.

Bollywood icon SRK detained in US, send fans Into a Tizzy (Intro Roundup)

NEW YORK/NEW DELHI - Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan was detained and questioned by immigration officials at a US airport for more than two hours on arrival to take part in a function to mark India’s Independence Day, sending his fans into a tizzy.
But hours after being detained at the Newark Liberty Airport in New Jersey Friday, Khan participated at an event advertised as a “Dinner with Shah Rukh Khan” at
the Trump Taj Mahal Casino.
Though he jokingly referred to the incident during his performance, SRK spoke out strongly against his treatment at the airport after the event, saying “it was not a good feeling” when the security officials took him to a separate room for questioning.
I appreciated my independence a million times more today, I wish I was in India on Independence Day,” said Khan who was on way to Chicago to take part in an Independence Day event.
In New Delhi, External Affairs Ministry Spokesman Vishnu Prakash said India had taken up the issue with the US embassy.
The matter was taken up with the US embassy,” Prakash said.
In a statement, US Ambassador to India Timothy J. Roemer said: “We are trying to ascertain the facts of the case - to understand what took place.”
Shah Rukh was a “global icon” and “he is a very welcome guest in the United States. Many Americans love his films,” the envoy added.
The Indian consulate in New York said by the time they were informed about the incident and contacted the superstar, Khan said the incident was already over.
I was taken to a room for questioning. They said my name kept popping up on the computer,” Khan was quoted as saying. Immigration officers wanted to know why Khan was visiting the US. after his name appeared on a computer screen at a counter.
Khan is a Muslim name, and I think the name is common on their checklist,” the actor said. “I was waiting for my bags. I thought it was nice of them to take me to another room, but that was apparently a second check. I had my papers in order.”
I was really hassled at the airport because of my name being Khan…The couple of hours of interrogation wanting to know if I know anyone in America while all around people were vouching for me from India and Pakistan (sic),” the Bollywood superstar said in a statement.
Only these guys just would not let me through. Finally they allowed me to make a call, which I did and the Indian Consulate helped me through.”
It was absolutely uncalled for I think, me having just finished working there for more than a month…just a couple of weeks ago. They said I have a common name which is causing the delay…checked my bags…I felt angry and humiliated,” Khan said.
He said after about an hour, he asked the officials if he could make a call. “They said it was not allowed from here but they could make an exception. I called a friend who contacted an Indian embassy official who came and vouched for me,” Khan said.
I am assuming this country is paranoid with a certain section of religion in the world. This has happened to me before. This is not the first time.”
Khan’s latest film “My Name is Khan” produced by Khan and director Karan Johar is set against the September 11, 2001 terror attacks and examines their impact on an Indian Muslim living in the US.
The film, shot largely in the US, is near completion and US-based Fox Star Studios has secured the global distribution rights for a deal which industry insiders estimate to be about 20 million dollars.

Bollywood icon SRK detained in US, send fans Into a Tizzy (Intro Roundup)

NEW YORK/NEW DELHI - Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan was detained and questioned by immigration officials at a US airport for more than two hours on arrival to take part in a function to mark India’s Independence Day, sending his fans into a tizzy.
But hours after being detained at the Newark Liberty Airport in New Jersey Friday, Khan participated at an event advertised as a “Dinner with Shah Rukh Khan” at
the Trump Taj Mahal Casino.
Though he jokingly referred to the incident during his performance, SRK spoke out strongly against his treatment at the airport after the event, saying “it was not a good feeling” when the security officials took him to a separate room for questioning.
I appreciated my independence a million times more today, I wish I was in India on Independence Day,” said Khan who was on way to Chicago to take part in an Independence Day event.
In New Delhi, External Affairs Ministry Spokesman Vishnu Prakash said India had taken up the issue with the US embassy.
The matter was taken up with the US embassy,” Prakash said.
In a statement, US Ambassador to India Timothy J. Roemer said: “We are trying to ascertain the facts of the case - to understand what took place.”
Shah Rukh was a “global icon” and “he is a very welcome guest in the United States. Many Americans love his films,” the envoy added.
The Indian consulate in New York said by the time they were informed about the incident and contacted the superstar, Khan said the incident was already over.
I was taken to a room for questioning. They said my name kept popping up on the computer,” Khan was quoted as saying. Immigration officers wanted to know why Khan was visiting the US. after his name appeared on a computer screen at a counter.
Khan is a Muslim name, and I think the name is common on their checklist,” the actor said. “I was waiting for my bags. I thought it was nice of them to take me to another room, but that was apparently a second check. I had my papers in order.”
I was really hassled at the airport because of my name being Khan…The couple of hours of interrogation wanting to know if I know anyone in America while all around people were vouching for me from India and Pakistan (sic),” the Bollywood superstar said in a statement.
Only these guys just would not let me through. Finally they allowed me to make a call, which I did and the Indian Consulate helped me through.”
It was absolutely uncalled for I think, me having just finished working there for more than a month…just a couple of weeks ago. They said I have a common name which is causing the delay…checked my bags…I felt angry and humiliated,” Khan said.
He said after about an hour, he asked the officials if he could make a call. “They said it was not allowed from here but they could make an exception. I called a friend who contacted an Indian embassy official who came and vouched for me,” Khan said.
I am assuming this country is paranoid with a certain section of religion in the world. This has happened to me before. This is not the first time.”
Khan’s latest film “My Name is Khan” produced by Khan and director Karan Johar is set against the September 11, 2001 terror attacks and examines their impact on an Indian Muslim living in the US.
The film, shot largely in the US, is near completion and US-based Fox Star Studios has secured the global distribution rights for a deal which industry insiders estimate to be about 20 million dollars.

Bollywood icon SRK detained in US, send fans Into a Tizzy (Intro Roundup)

NEW YORK/NEW DELHI - Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan was detained and questioned by immigration officials at a US airport for more than two hours on arrival to take part in a function to mark India’s Independence Day, sending his fans into a tizzy.
But hours after being detained at the Newark Liberty Airport in New Jersey Friday, Khan participated at an event advertised as a “Dinner with Shah Rukh Khan” at
the Trump Taj Mahal Casino.
Though he jokingly referred to the incident during his performance, SRK spoke out strongly against his treatment at the airport after the event, saying “it was not a good feeling” when the security officials took him to a separate room for questioning.
I appreciated my independence a million times more today, I wish I was in India on Independence Day,” said Khan who was on way to Chicago to take part in an Independence Day event.
In New Delhi, External Affairs Ministry Spokesman Vishnu Prakash said India had taken up the issue with the US embassy.
The matter was taken up with the US embassy,” Prakash said.
In a statement, US Ambassador to India Timothy J. Roemer said: “We are trying to ascertain the facts of the case - to understand what took place.”
Shah Rukh was a “global icon” and “he is a very welcome guest in the United States. Many Americans love his films,” the envoy added.
The Indian consulate in New York said by the time they were informed about the incident and contacted the superstar, Khan said the incident was already over.
I was taken to a room for questioning. They said my name kept popping up on the computer,” Khan was quoted as saying. Immigration officers wanted to know why Khan was visiting the US. after his name appeared on a computer screen at a counter.
Khan is a Muslim name, and I think the name is common on their checklist,” the actor said. “I was waiting for my bags. I thought it was nice of them to take me to another room, but that was apparently a second check. I had my papers in order.”
I was really hassled at the airport because of my name being Khan…The couple of hours of interrogation wanting to know if I know anyone in America while all around people were vouching for me from India and Pakistan (sic),” the Bollywood superstar said in a statement.
Only these guys just would not let me through. Finally they allowed me to make a call, which I did and the Indian Consulate helped me through.”
It was absolutely uncalled for I think, me having just finished working there for more than a month…just a couple of weeks ago. They said I have a common name which is causing the delay…checked my bags…I felt angry and humiliated,” Khan said.
He said after about an hour, he asked the officials if he could make a call. “They said it was not allowed from here but they could make an exception. I called a friend who contacted an Indian embassy official who came and vouched for me,” Khan said.
I am assuming this country is paranoid with a certain section of religion in the world. This has happened to me before. This is not the first time.”
Khan’s latest film “My Name is Khan” produced by Khan and director Karan Johar is set against the September 11, 2001 terror attacks and examines their impact on an Indian Muslim living in the US.
The film, shot largely in the US, is near completion and US-based Fox Star Studios has secured the global distribution rights for a deal which industry insiders estimate to be about 20 million dollars.

Bollywood Muslim Actor Shahrukh Khan Detained by US immigration

Shahrukh Khan, one of the best known faces in India, was detained at a US airport for questioning on Saturday as he traveled to Chicago to celebrate India’s Independence day.
The famous actor, named as one of the 50 most influential men in the world in 2008 by US magazine Newsweek, was detained by US immigration officers at Newark Airport in Newark, New Jersey.
According to Khan he was questioned for two hours but was released after the Indian embassy in the United States intervened.
Khan is a Muslim name and I think the name is common on their checklist”, the 43-year-old actor told an Indian television station by telephone from Chicago.
Known as the “King of Bollywood”, Khan said he was waiting for his bags when immigration officers approached him.
I thought it was nice of them to take me to another room… but that was apparently a second check. I was really taken aback [but] I had my papers in order,” he said.
Khan, whose latest film My Name is Khan has been shot in the US said, “they wanted to know why I came to the US and where I am staying”.
Khan said: “Certain countries have issues with my name. I am very proud of my name”.
In New Delhi, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vishnu Prakash said India has taken up the issue with the US embassy and the consul general of India in New York is in touch with Shah Rukh.
US Ambassador to India, Timothy J. Roemer, said: “We are trying to ascertain the facts of the case - to understand what took place. He is a very welcome guest in the United States. Many Americans love his films.”

Bollywood Muslim Actor Shahrukh Khan Detained by US immigration

Shahrukh Khan, one of the best known faces in India, was detained at a US airport for questioning on Saturday as he traveled to Chicago to celebrate India’s Independence day.
The famous actor, named as one of the 50 most influential men in the world in 2008 by US magazine Newsweek, was detained by US immigration officers at Newark Airport in Newark, New Jersey.
According to Khan he was questioned for two hours but was released after the Indian embassy in the United States intervened.
Khan is a Muslim name and I think the name is common on their checklist”, the 43-year-old actor told an Indian television station by telephone from Chicago.
Known as the “King of Bollywood”, Khan said he was waiting for his bags when immigration officers approached him.
I thought it was nice of them to take me to another room… but that was apparently a second check. I was really taken aback [but] I had my papers in order,” he said.
Khan, whose latest film My Name is Khan has been shot in the US said, “they wanted to know why I came to the US and where I am staying”.
Khan said: “Certain countries have issues with my name. I am very proud of my name”.
In New Delhi, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vishnu Prakash said India has taken up the issue with the US embassy and the consul general of India in New York is in touch with Shah Rukh.
US Ambassador to India, Timothy J. Roemer, said: “We are trying to ascertain the facts of the case - to understand what took place. He is a very welcome guest in the United States. Many Americans love his films.”

Bollywood Muslim Actor Shahrukh Khan Detained by US immigration

Shahrukh Khan, one of the best known faces in India, was detained at a US airport for questioning on Saturday as he traveled to Chicago to celebrate India’s Independence day.
The famous actor, named as one of the 50 most influential men in the world in 2008 by US magazine Newsweek, was detained by US immigration officers at Newark Airport in Newark, New Jersey.
According to Khan he was questioned for two hours but was released after the Indian embassy in the United States intervened.
Khan is a Muslim name and I think the name is common on their checklist”, the 43-year-old actor told an Indian television station by telephone from Chicago.
Known as the “King of Bollywood”, Khan said he was waiting for his bags when immigration officers approached him.
I thought it was nice of them to take me to another room… but that was apparently a second check. I was really taken aback [but] I had my papers in order,” he said.
Khan, whose latest film My Name is Khan has been shot in the US said, “they wanted to know why I came to the US and where I am staying”.
Khan said: “Certain countries have issues with my name. I am very proud of my name”.
In New Delhi, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vishnu Prakash said India has taken up the issue with the US embassy and the consul general of India in New York is in touch with Shah Rukh.
US Ambassador to India, Timothy J. Roemer, said: “We are trying to ascertain the facts of the case - to understand what took place. He is a very welcome guest in the United States. Many Americans love his films.”

Bollywood Muslim Actor Shahrukh Khan Detained by US immigration

Shahrukh Khan, one of the best known faces in India, was detained at a US airport for questioning on Saturday as he traveled to Chicago to celebrate India’s Independence day.
The famous actor, named as one of the 50 most influential men in the world in 2008 by US magazine Newsweek, was detained by US immigration officers at Newark Airport in Newark, New Jersey.
According to Khan he was questioned for two hours but was released after the Indian embassy in the United States intervened.
Khan is a Muslim name and I think the name is common on their checklist”, the 43-year-old actor told an Indian television station by telephone from Chicago.
Known as the “King of Bollywood”, Khan said he was waiting for his bags when immigration officers approached him.
I thought it was nice of them to take me to another room… but that was apparently a second check. I was really taken aback [but] I had my papers in order,” he said.
Khan, whose latest film My Name is Khan has been shot in the US said, “they wanted to know why I came to the US and where I am staying”.
Khan said: “Certain countries have issues with my name. I am very proud of my name”.
In New Delhi, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vishnu Prakash said India has taken up the issue with the US embassy and the consul general of India in New York is in touch with Shah Rukh.
US Ambassador to India, Timothy J. Roemer, said: “We are trying to ascertain the facts of the case - to understand what took place. He is a very welcome guest in the United States. Many Americans love his films.”

Bollywood Muslim Actor Shahrukh Khan Detained by US immigration

Shahrukh Khan, one of the best known faces in India, was detained at a US airport for questioning on Saturday as he traveled to Chicago to celebrate India’s Independence day.
The famous actor, named as one of the 50 most influential men in the world in 2008 by US magazine Newsweek, was detained by US immigration officers at Newark Airport in Newark, New Jersey.
According to Khan he was questioned for two hours but was released after the Indian embassy in the United States intervened.
Khan is a Muslim name and I think the name is common on their checklist”, the 43-year-old actor told an Indian television station by telephone from Chicago.
Known as the “King of Bollywood”, Khan said he was waiting for his bags when immigration officers approached him.
I thought it was nice of them to take me to another room… but that was apparently a second check. I was really taken aback [but] I had my papers in order,” he said.
Khan, whose latest film My Name is Khan has been shot in the US said, “they wanted to know why I came to the US and where I am staying”.
Khan said: “Certain countries have issues with my name. I am very proud of my name”.
In New Delhi, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vishnu Prakash said India has taken up the issue with the US embassy and the consul general of India in New York is in touch with Shah Rukh.
US Ambassador to India, Timothy J. Roemer, said: “We are trying to ascertain the facts of the case - to understand what took place. He is a very welcome guest in the United States. Many Americans love his films.”

Bollywood Muslim Actor Shahrukh Khan Detained by US immigration

Shahrukh Khan, one of the best known faces in India, was detained at a US airport for questioning on Saturday as he traveled to Chicago to celebrate India’s Independence day.
The famous actor, named as one of the 50 most influential men in the world in 2008 by US magazine Newsweek, was detained by US immigration officers at Newark Airport in Newark, New Jersey.
According to Khan he was questioned for two hours but was released after the Indian embassy in the United States intervened.
Khan is a Muslim name and I think the name is common on their checklist”, the 43-year-old actor told an Indian television station by telephone from Chicago.
Known as the “King of Bollywood”, Khan said he was waiting for his bags when immigration officers approached him.
I thought it was nice of them to take me to another room… but that was apparently a second check. I was really taken aback [but] I had my papers in order,” he said.
Khan, whose latest film My Name is Khan has been shot in the US said, “they wanted to know why I came to the US and where I am staying”.
Khan said: “Certain countries have issues with my name. I am very proud of my name”.
In New Delhi, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vishnu Prakash said India has taken up the issue with the US embassy and the consul general of India in New York is in touch with Shah Rukh.
US Ambassador to India, Timothy J. Roemer, said: “We are trying to ascertain the facts of the case - to understand what took place. He is a very welcome guest in the United States. Many Americans love his films.”

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Some UnempLoyment Checks Delayed; Tightened Eligibility requirements run counter to federal advisory

UPDATE: Deep in the state's FAQ on extended benefits, the state says that after July 25, work-search activity must be verified before a payment will be sent. But folks who have been receiving benefits say that's not been done until this week and that the state provided them no heads up. They also say customer service representatives and managers who process claims told them they were just recently instructed to do the verifications before sending the checks.
Unemployment checks to jobless Floridians have been delayed because the state appears to have tightened its eligibility rules in recent weeks.
It is now requiring that the job-search activities of people receiving so-called extended benefits be verified by state workers before a benefits check is sent. That runs counter to a U.S. Department of Labor advisory that specifically said "it is not practical" to do so.
The practice, according to those waiting for checks, delays payments by several days and was enacted, they say, with no notice.
Robin Moon of east Orlando said an agency worker told her this week that her check was late because workers had been instructed to review the job-search activities of everyone receiving extended benefits -- about 85,000 people statewide. Extended benefits are the latest round of emergency benefits approved by the Florida Legislature in May.
She said everything had to be checked," Moon said. "That just seems impossible." Federal officials acknowledge as much.
A May advisory from the Labor Department stated that checks can be issued before job-search evidence has been verified because "it is not practical for states" to do otherwise.
The advisory says state officials must periodically review a "reasonable sample" of job-search evidence after checks have been sent. If they discover then that a recipient is not looking for work, he or she can be denied benefits.
A spokesman for the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation said the state was following federal law by verifying work-search activities. He said he was unaware of the Labor Department advisory and did not know when Florida began requiring verification before unemployment checks were issued.
Recipients, however, say it has started only in the past week or so. Many noticed the change after checks did not show up in their bank accounts on the days they expected. They insist the state gave them no notice.
There was never any notification -- nothing," said Nancy Mandowa of Hollywood. "It's not their normal process."
Other benefits recipients say they were told checks were delayed because of confusion over what sort of job-search activities are acceptable.
State guidelines encourage claimants to look for work through a combination of methods, such as Internet searches, phone calls, job fairs and face-to-face meetings. Although those suggestions do not appear to be requirements for eligibility, some state workers appear to be interpreting them as such.
Andrew Stettner, deputy director of the National Employment Law Project, a worker advocacy group, said Florida's "heavy-handed approach" was "disappointing." He was particularly critical of reports that the state was delaying payments until job-search paperwork had been reviewed.
He said there are too many people receiving -- and depending on -- extended benefits for such a policy to run smoothly.
This is one of the worst cases I've heard," Stettner said.
Most checks have been delayed for only several days, but for many people that's too long.
Unemployment recipients are living week to week, timing bill payments with the arrival of their checks. Moon, for example, expected her check to arrive no later than Tuesday of this week. On Wednesday, money was automatically withdrawn from her bank account to cover her power bill and car payment. When the unemployment check didn't show up, she was hit with a $200 penalty.
That's really the last thing I need," said Moon, a laid-off credit counselor. "I mean, they're playing with people's lives here."

Some UnempLoyment Checks Delayed; Tightened Eligibility requirements run counter to federal advisory

UPDATE: Deep in the state's FAQ on extended benefits, the state says that after July 25, work-search activity must be verified before a payment will be sent. But folks who have been receiving benefits say that's not been done until this week and that the state provided them no heads up. They also say customer service representatives and managers who process claims told them they were just recently instructed to do the verifications before sending the checks.
Unemployment checks to jobless Floridians have been delayed because the state appears to have tightened its eligibility rules in recent weeks.
It is now requiring that the job-search activities of people receiving so-called extended benefits be verified by state workers before a benefits check is sent. That runs counter to a U.S. Department of Labor advisory that specifically said "it is not practical" to do so.
The practice, according to those waiting for checks, delays payments by several days and was enacted, they say, with no notice.
Robin Moon of east Orlando said an agency worker told her this week that her check was late because workers had been instructed to review the job-search activities of everyone receiving extended benefits -- about 85,000 people statewide. Extended benefits are the latest round of emergency benefits approved by the Florida Legislature in May.
She said everything had to be checked," Moon said. "That just seems impossible." Federal officials acknowledge as much.
A May advisory from the Labor Department stated that checks can be issued before job-search evidence has been verified because "it is not practical for states" to do otherwise.
The advisory says state officials must periodically review a "reasonable sample" of job-search evidence after checks have been sent. If they discover then that a recipient is not looking for work, he or she can be denied benefits.
A spokesman for the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation said the state was following federal law by verifying work-search activities. He said he was unaware of the Labor Department advisory and did not know when Florida began requiring verification before unemployment checks were issued.
Recipients, however, say it has started only in the past week or so. Many noticed the change after checks did not show up in their bank accounts on the days they expected. They insist the state gave them no notice.
There was never any notification -- nothing," said Nancy Mandowa of Hollywood. "It's not their normal process."
Other benefits recipients say they were told checks were delayed because of confusion over what sort of job-search activities are acceptable.
State guidelines encourage claimants to look for work through a combination of methods, such as Internet searches, phone calls, job fairs and face-to-face meetings. Although those suggestions do not appear to be requirements for eligibility, some state workers appear to be interpreting them as such.
Andrew Stettner, deputy director of the National Employment Law Project, a worker advocacy group, said Florida's "heavy-handed approach" was "disappointing." He was particularly critical of reports that the state was delaying payments until job-search paperwork had been reviewed.
He said there are too many people receiving -- and depending on -- extended benefits for such a policy to run smoothly.
This is one of the worst cases I've heard," Stettner said.
Most checks have been delayed for only several days, but for many people that's too long.
Unemployment recipients are living week to week, timing bill payments with the arrival of their checks. Moon, for example, expected her check to arrive no later than Tuesday of this week. On Wednesday, money was automatically withdrawn from her bank account to cover her power bill and car payment. When the unemployment check didn't show up, she was hit with a $200 penalty.
That's really the last thing I need," said Moon, a laid-off credit counselor. "I mean, they're playing with people's lives here."

Some UnempLoyment Checks Delayed; Tightened Eligibility requirements run counter to federal advisory

UPDATE: Deep in the state's FAQ on extended benefits, the state says that after July 25, work-search activity must be verified before a payment will be sent. But folks who have been receiving benefits say that's not been done until this week and that the state provided them no heads up. They also say customer service representatives and managers who process claims told them they were just recently instructed to do the verifications before sending the checks.
Unemployment checks to jobless Floridians have been delayed because the state appears to have tightened its eligibility rules in recent weeks.
It is now requiring that the job-search activities of people receiving so-called extended benefits be verified by state workers before a benefits check is sent. That runs counter to a U.S. Department of Labor advisory that specifically said "it is not practical" to do so.
The practice, according to those waiting for checks, delays payments by several days and was enacted, they say, with no notice.
Robin Moon of east Orlando said an agency worker told her this week that her check was late because workers had been instructed to review the job-search activities of everyone receiving extended benefits -- about 85,000 people statewide. Extended benefits are the latest round of emergency benefits approved by the Florida Legislature in May.
She said everything had to be checked," Moon said. "That just seems impossible." Federal officials acknowledge as much.
A May advisory from the Labor Department stated that checks can be issued before job-search evidence has been verified because "it is not practical for states" to do otherwise.
The advisory says state officials must periodically review a "reasonable sample" of job-search evidence after checks have been sent. If they discover then that a recipient is not looking for work, he or she can be denied benefits.
A spokesman for the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation said the state was following federal law by verifying work-search activities. He said he was unaware of the Labor Department advisory and did not know when Florida began requiring verification before unemployment checks were issued.
Recipients, however, say it has started only in the past week or so. Many noticed the change after checks did not show up in their bank accounts on the days they expected. They insist the state gave them no notice.
There was never any notification -- nothing," said Nancy Mandowa of Hollywood. "It's not their normal process."
Other benefits recipients say they were told checks were delayed because of confusion over what sort of job-search activities are acceptable.
State guidelines encourage claimants to look for work through a combination of methods, such as Internet searches, phone calls, job fairs and face-to-face meetings. Although those suggestions do not appear to be requirements for eligibility, some state workers appear to be interpreting them as such.
Andrew Stettner, deputy director of the National Employment Law Project, a worker advocacy group, said Florida's "heavy-handed approach" was "disappointing." He was particularly critical of reports that the state was delaying payments until job-search paperwork had been reviewed.
He said there are too many people receiving -- and depending on -- extended benefits for such a policy to run smoothly.
This is one of the worst cases I've heard," Stettner said.
Most checks have been delayed for only several days, but for many people that's too long.
Unemployment recipients are living week to week, timing bill payments with the arrival of their checks. Moon, for example, expected her check to arrive no later than Tuesday of this week. On Wednesday, money was automatically withdrawn from her bank account to cover her power bill and car payment. When the unemployment check didn't show up, she was hit with a $200 penalty.
That's really the last thing I need," said Moon, a laid-off credit counselor. "I mean, they're playing with people's lives here."

Some UnempLoyment Checks Delayed; Tightened Eligibility requirements run counter to federal advisory

UPDATE: Deep in the state's FAQ on extended benefits, the state says that after July 25, work-search activity must be verified before a payment will be sent. But folks who have been receiving benefits say that's not been done until this week and that the state provided them no heads up. They also say customer service representatives and managers who process claims told them they were just recently instructed to do the verifications before sending the checks.
Unemployment checks to jobless Floridians have been delayed because the state appears to have tightened its eligibility rules in recent weeks.
It is now requiring that the job-search activities of people receiving so-called extended benefits be verified by state workers before a benefits check is sent. That runs counter to a U.S. Department of Labor advisory that specifically said "it is not practical" to do so.
The practice, according to those waiting for checks, delays payments by several days and was enacted, they say, with no notice.
Robin Moon of east Orlando said an agency worker told her this week that her check was late because workers had been instructed to review the job-search activities of everyone receiving extended benefits -- about 85,000 people statewide. Extended benefits are the latest round of emergency benefits approved by the Florida Legislature in May.
She said everything had to be checked," Moon said. "That just seems impossible." Federal officials acknowledge as much.
A May advisory from the Labor Department stated that checks can be issued before job-search evidence has been verified because "it is not practical for states" to do otherwise.
The advisory says state officials must periodically review a "reasonable sample" of job-search evidence after checks have been sent. If they discover then that a recipient is not looking for work, he or she can be denied benefits.
A spokesman for the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation said the state was following federal law by verifying work-search activities. He said he was unaware of the Labor Department advisory and did not know when Florida began requiring verification before unemployment checks were issued.
Recipients, however, say it has started only in the past week or so. Many noticed the change after checks did not show up in their bank accounts on the days they expected. They insist the state gave them no notice.
There was never any notification -- nothing," said Nancy Mandowa of Hollywood. "It's not their normal process."
Other benefits recipients say they were told checks were delayed because of confusion over what sort of job-search activities are acceptable.
State guidelines encourage claimants to look for work through a combination of methods, such as Internet searches, phone calls, job fairs and face-to-face meetings. Although those suggestions do not appear to be requirements for eligibility, some state workers appear to be interpreting them as such.
Andrew Stettner, deputy director of the National Employment Law Project, a worker advocacy group, said Florida's "heavy-handed approach" was "disappointing." He was particularly critical of reports that the state was delaying payments until job-search paperwork had been reviewed.
He said there are too many people receiving -- and depending on -- extended benefits for such a policy to run smoothly.
This is one of the worst cases I've heard," Stettner said.
Most checks have been delayed for only several days, but for many people that's too long.
Unemployment recipients are living week to week, timing bill payments with the arrival of their checks. Moon, for example, expected her check to arrive no later than Tuesday of this week. On Wednesday, money was automatically withdrawn from her bank account to cover her power bill and car payment. When the unemployment check didn't show up, she was hit with a $200 penalty.
That's really the last thing I need," said Moon, a laid-off credit counselor. "I mean, they're playing with people's lives here."

Some UnempLoyment Checks Delayed; Tightened Eligibility requirements run counter to federal advisory

UPDATE: Deep in the state's FAQ on extended benefits, the state says that after July 25, work-search activity must be verified before a payment will be sent. But folks who have been receiving benefits say that's not been done until this week and that the state provided them no heads up. They also say customer service representatives and managers who process claims told them they were just recently instructed to do the verifications before sending the checks.
Unemployment checks to jobless Floridians have been delayed because the state appears to have tightened its eligibility rules in recent weeks.
It is now requiring that the job-search activities of people receiving so-called extended benefits be verified by state workers before a benefits check is sent. That runs counter to a U.S. Department of Labor advisory that specifically said "it is not practical" to do so.
The practice, according to those waiting for checks, delays payments by several days and was enacted, they say, with no notice.
Robin Moon of east Orlando said an agency worker told her this week that her check was late because workers had been instructed to review the job-search activities of everyone receiving extended benefits -- about 85,000 people statewide. Extended benefits are the latest round of emergency benefits approved by the Florida Legislature in May.
She said everything had to be checked," Moon said. "That just seems impossible." Federal officials acknowledge as much.
A May advisory from the Labor Department stated that checks can be issued before job-search evidence has been verified because "it is not practical for states" to do otherwise.
The advisory says state officials must periodically review a "reasonable sample" of job-search evidence after checks have been sent. If they discover then that a recipient is not looking for work, he or she can be denied benefits.
A spokesman for the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation said the state was following federal law by verifying work-search activities. He said he was unaware of the Labor Department advisory and did not know when Florida began requiring verification before unemployment checks were issued.
Recipients, however, say it has started only in the past week or so. Many noticed the change after checks did not show up in their bank accounts on the days they expected. They insist the state gave them no notice.
There was never any notification -- nothing," said Nancy Mandowa of Hollywood. "It's not their normal process."
Other benefits recipients say they were told checks were delayed because of confusion over what sort of job-search activities are acceptable.
State guidelines encourage claimants to look for work through a combination of methods, such as Internet searches, phone calls, job fairs and face-to-face meetings. Although those suggestions do not appear to be requirements for eligibility, some state workers appear to be interpreting them as such.
Andrew Stettner, deputy director of the National Employment Law Project, a worker advocacy group, said Florida's "heavy-handed approach" was "disappointing." He was particularly critical of reports that the state was delaying payments until job-search paperwork had been reviewed.
He said there are too many people receiving -- and depending on -- extended benefits for such a policy to run smoothly.
This is one of the worst cases I've heard," Stettner said.
Most checks have been delayed for only several days, but for many people that's too long.
Unemployment recipients are living week to week, timing bill payments with the arrival of their checks. Moon, for example, expected her check to arrive no later than Tuesday of this week. On Wednesday, money was automatically withdrawn from her bank account to cover her power bill and car payment. When the unemployment check didn't show up, she was hit with a $200 penalty.
That's really the last thing I need," said Moon, a laid-off credit counselor. "I mean, they're playing with people's lives here."

Some UnempLoyment Checks Delayed; Tightened Eligibility requirements run counter to federal advisory

UPDATE: Deep in the state's FAQ on extended benefits, the state says that after July 25, work-search activity must be verified before a payment will be sent. But folks who have been receiving benefits say that's not been done until this week and that the state provided them no heads up. They also say customer service representatives and managers who process claims told them they were just recently instructed to do the verifications before sending the checks.
Unemployment checks to jobless Floridians have been delayed because the state appears to have tightened its eligibility rules in recent weeks.
It is now requiring that the job-search activities of people receiving so-called extended benefits be verified by state workers before a benefits check is sent. That runs counter to a U.S. Department of Labor advisory that specifically said "it is not practical" to do so.
The practice, according to those waiting for checks, delays payments by several days and was enacted, they say, with no notice.
Robin Moon of east Orlando said an agency worker told her this week that her check was late because workers had been instructed to review the job-search activities of everyone receiving extended benefits -- about 85,000 people statewide. Extended benefits are the latest round of emergency benefits approved by the Florida Legislature in May.
She said everything had to be checked," Moon said. "That just seems impossible." Federal officials acknowledge as much.
A May advisory from the Labor Department stated that checks can be issued before job-search evidence has been verified because "it is not practical for states" to do otherwise.
The advisory says state officials must periodically review a "reasonable sample" of job-search evidence after checks have been sent. If they discover then that a recipient is not looking for work, he or she can be denied benefits.
A spokesman for the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation said the state was following federal law by verifying work-search activities. He said he was unaware of the Labor Department advisory and did not know when Florida began requiring verification before unemployment checks were issued.
Recipients, however, say it has started only in the past week or so. Many noticed the change after checks did not show up in their bank accounts on the days they expected. They insist the state gave them no notice.
There was never any notification -- nothing," said Nancy Mandowa of Hollywood. "It's not their normal process."
Other benefits recipients say they were told checks were delayed because of confusion over what sort of job-search activities are acceptable.
State guidelines encourage claimants to look for work through a combination of methods, such as Internet searches, phone calls, job fairs and face-to-face meetings. Although those suggestions do not appear to be requirements for eligibility, some state workers appear to be interpreting them as such.
Andrew Stettner, deputy director of the National Employment Law Project, a worker advocacy group, said Florida's "heavy-handed approach" was "disappointing." He was particularly critical of reports that the state was delaying payments until job-search paperwork had been reviewed.
He said there are too many people receiving -- and depending on -- extended benefits for such a policy to run smoothly.
This is one of the worst cases I've heard," Stettner said.
Most checks have been delayed for only several days, but for many people that's too long.
Unemployment recipients are living week to week, timing bill payments with the arrival of their checks. Moon, for example, expected her check to arrive no later than Tuesday of this week. On Wednesday, money was automatically withdrawn from her bank account to cover her power bill and car payment. When the unemployment check didn't show up, she was hit with a $200 penalty.
That's really the last thing I need," said Moon, a laid-off credit counselor. "I mean, they're playing with people's lives here."

The Face Only a Film Geek Could love?

He directed a fantasy trilogy that made more than $3 billion and won 17 Oscars. He turned New Zealand into a thriving filmmaking centre. And his personal production line after The Lord of the Rings and King Kong includes an adaptation of the heartbreaking novel The Lovely Bones , two Tintin movies with Steven Spielberg and two Hobbit movies with Guillermo del Toro.
But all that didn't mean Peter Jackson could use his own visual-effects company for his latest movie as producer, the science-fiction thriller District 9 .
I got turned down,'' he says with a laugh. ''I fully expected them to do the visual effects but they've been doing Avatar for Jim Cameron. That's a huge, huge film and they just said to me, 'Look, we really can't take on another project. It's going to kill us.'''
Jackson, who made District 9 with the first-time feature-film director Neill Blomkamp, went to Vancouver for most of the visual effects. The celebrated filmmaker and his 29-year-old protege have delivered one of the year's most original movies, a documentary-style thriller about the clash between humans and aliens who arrived 20 years ago in a huge spaceship over South Africa.
The prawn-like creatures have been corralled in a shanty town near Johannesburg. But with their numbers swelling, the company keeping them imprisoned tries to move them to another district, with violent consequences.
The movie, which was shot in Johannesburg and Soweto, shows a different kind of apartheid - humans and aliens. It came about because of Jackson's love for the game Halo.
I'm a huge, big Halo fan,'' he says on the phone from Wellington. ''I love playing it.''
Three years ago, Jackson planned to make a movie version of the game with Blomkamp until it collapsed amid politicking between Hollywood studios.
It became clear that it wasn't going to happen and that we'd just wasted three or four months, especially Neill, who'd devoted all this time to supervising these pretty wonderful designs,'' he says.
Jackson, who has slimmed down and lost the geeky glasses, suggested to the devastated Blomkamp they develop their own movie. Why not expand his short film Alive in Joburg ?
It's a very simplified seven- or eight-minute version of the premise of District 9 ,'' Jackson says. ''Aliens have landed in South Africa, they're directionless and aimless, they're like refugees and they're dumped in a township in Johannesburg and are seen as a social threat to the community - it's a terrific concept for a film …
One morning we woke up and thought we were doing Halo . And by the time we went to bed that night, it was District 9 .''
Both filmmakers were determined that the movie be entertaining rather than political.
There's not a single scene in the movie that's really staged to ram politics down anyone's throat,'' Jackson says. ''The beauty of District 9 is that because the situation is so potent - and so black and white - there's nothing subtle about it.
You have these aliens, they're in a township, they're treated rather badly. We know exactly what that's like … so we're able to just get on with telling the sci-fi thriller story."
Jackson was not concerned that the characters speak with thick South African accents.
Accents are only a problem for Americans, really,'' he says. ''And they're only a problem with the big-budget Hollywood films. Everyone gets very worried about it. But we had the freedom to do whatever we wanted. Neill was raised in South Africa and he wanted to make the movie feel very authentic.''
After all those years making Lord of the Rings , Jackson thoroughly enjoyed producing rather than directing
I was able to do the fun stuff and not get too bogged down in the less-than-fun aspects of it,'' he says. ''I didn't need to be involved it the shooting of the film - I never visited the set once because in a way there's no role for me on set. It's Neill's movie; he's the director. My job was to help him make the movie he wanted to make.''
The wonder is that Jackson had time to take a mentoring role. With Kiwi understatement, he describes himself as ''pretty busy for a couple of years now''.
As well as releasing The Lovely Bones in December, he is working on scripts for The Hobbit . The plan is for del Toro to shoot two movies from about March next year.
Jackson is also working with Spielberg, who is finishing the cut of the first Tintin movie.
The Tintin films are being done through motion capture and performance capture, with actors wearing suits with the little dots on them and the computer records their performances. It's getting very sophisticated now. We can record all their facial performance and their dialogue. Even eye blinks can be recorded by the computer now.''
Late next year, Jackson will direct the second Tintin movie. If he plans it right, he might even get to use his own visual-effects company.
District 9 is in cinemas now. Read Sandra Hall's review in Spectrum.

The Face Only a Film Geek Could love?

He directed a fantasy trilogy that made more than $3 billion and won 17 Oscars. He turned New Zealand into a thriving filmmaking centre. And his personal production line after The Lord of the Rings and King Kong includes an adaptation of the heartbreaking novel The Lovely Bones , two Tintin movies with Steven Spielberg and two Hobbit movies with Guillermo del Toro.
But all that didn't mean Peter Jackson could use his own visual-effects company for his latest movie as producer, the science-fiction thriller District 9 .
I got turned down,'' he says with a laugh. ''I fully expected them to do the visual effects but they've been doing Avatar for Jim Cameron. That's a huge, huge film and they just said to me, 'Look, we really can't take on another project. It's going to kill us.'''
Jackson, who made District 9 with the first-time feature-film director Neill Blomkamp, went to Vancouver for most of the visual effects. The celebrated filmmaker and his 29-year-old protege have delivered one of the year's most original movies, a documentary-style thriller about the clash between humans and aliens who arrived 20 years ago in a huge spaceship over South Africa.
The prawn-like creatures have been corralled in a shanty town near Johannesburg. But with their numbers swelling, the company keeping them imprisoned tries to move them to another district, with violent consequences.
The movie, which was shot in Johannesburg and Soweto, shows a different kind of apartheid - humans and aliens. It came about because of Jackson's love for the game Halo.
I'm a huge, big Halo fan,'' he says on the phone from Wellington. ''I love playing it.''
Three years ago, Jackson planned to make a movie version of the game with Blomkamp until it collapsed amid politicking between Hollywood studios.
It became clear that it wasn't going to happen and that we'd just wasted three or four months, especially Neill, who'd devoted all this time to supervising these pretty wonderful designs,'' he says.
Jackson, who has slimmed down and lost the geeky glasses, suggested to the devastated Blomkamp they develop their own movie. Why not expand his short film Alive in Joburg ?
It's a very simplified seven- or eight-minute version of the premise of District 9 ,'' Jackson says. ''Aliens have landed in South Africa, they're directionless and aimless, they're like refugees and they're dumped in a township in Johannesburg and are seen as a social threat to the community - it's a terrific concept for a film …
One morning we woke up and thought we were doing Halo . And by the time we went to bed that night, it was District 9 .''
Both filmmakers were determined that the movie be entertaining rather than political.
There's not a single scene in the movie that's really staged to ram politics down anyone's throat,'' Jackson says. ''The beauty of District 9 is that because the situation is so potent - and so black and white - there's nothing subtle about it.
You have these aliens, they're in a township, they're treated rather badly. We know exactly what that's like … so we're able to just get on with telling the sci-fi thriller story."
Jackson was not concerned that the characters speak with thick South African accents.
Accents are only a problem for Americans, really,'' he says. ''And they're only a problem with the big-budget Hollywood films. Everyone gets very worried about it. But we had the freedom to do whatever we wanted. Neill was raised in South Africa and he wanted to make the movie feel very authentic.''
After all those years making Lord of the Rings , Jackson thoroughly enjoyed producing rather than directing
I was able to do the fun stuff and not get too bogged down in the less-than-fun aspects of it,'' he says. ''I didn't need to be involved it the shooting of the film - I never visited the set once because in a way there's no role for me on set. It's Neill's movie; he's the director. My job was to help him make the movie he wanted to make.''
The wonder is that Jackson had time to take a mentoring role. With Kiwi understatement, he describes himself as ''pretty busy for a couple of years now''.
As well as releasing The Lovely Bones in December, he is working on scripts for The Hobbit . The plan is for del Toro to shoot two movies from about March next year.
Jackson is also working with Spielberg, who is finishing the cut of the first Tintin movie.
The Tintin films are being done through motion capture and performance capture, with actors wearing suits with the little dots on them and the computer records their performances. It's getting very sophisticated now. We can record all their facial performance and their dialogue. Even eye blinks can be recorded by the computer now.''
Late next year, Jackson will direct the second Tintin movie. If he plans it right, he might even get to use his own visual-effects company.
District 9 is in cinemas now. Read Sandra Hall's review in Spectrum.