Front Row - 24/11/2008

Presented by Mark Lawson. Robert De Niro stars as a Hollywood film producer struggling to get his films made in the new comedy directed by Barry Levinson, What Just Happened, which is based on a book by the film's producer Art Linson. Linson and De Niro talk about the blurring of fact and fiction in the film, how directing has affected De Niro's approach to acting and how often studios demand changes to films. Next year Andrew Motion's ten years as Poet Laureate come to an end and the consultation process for his successor is being launched by the government tomorrow. Motion looks back on his tenure and offers some advice on coping with the job and Culture Secretary Andy Burnham explains the decision-making process. Broadcaster and writer John Inverdale discusses the shortlist and winner of this year's William Hill Sportsbook of the Year prize. Mark meets some of the winners at the 54th Evening Standard Theatre Awards.