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Brittany Murphy in her final role in the new pick-up from Anchor Bay Entertainment, Abandoned. (PRNewsFoto/Anchor Bay Entertainment) BEVERLY HILLS, CA UNITED STATES
11 Feb 2010 16:26 Africa/Lagos
Anchor Bay Entertainment Acquires Psychological Thriller Abandoned Starring Brittany Murphy in Her Final Role
Also Stars Dean Cain, Mimi Rogers and Peter Bogdanovich
6 Feb 2010 15:57 Africa/Lagos
Joan Collins: Legendary. Timeless. Classical. Beautiful.
NEW YORK, Feb. 6 /PRNewswire/ — Joan Collins will be returning to the silver screen in a delicious, dark independent movie entitled “Fetish,” filming this week in New York City.
A fearless actress, Joan has always been a risk taker with her career.
In this movie she will be working with a fresh and talented group of new filmmakers.
Joan accepted the role recognizing that the wave of the future is entrusting your career outside of the studio system with maverick filmmakers and accepting great roles where you can find them.
The screenplay for “Fetish” was written by Charles Casillo, who is the author of the novels “The Fame Game” and “The Marilyn Diaries.”
The story revolves around an iconic actress on the skids, making a play for a comeback with a late night talk show host.
In an interview with Liz Smith, Joan has described the project as “Twilight Zone” meets “Sunset Boulevard” meets “David Letterman.”
She will be appearing opposite Charles Casillo, who also wrote and acted in the independent feature film “Let Me Die Quietly” which was met with much acclaim in last year’s film festival circuit.
“FETISH” is directed by 30 year old director Matt Pellowski, in association with his production company Red Line Studios.
“FETISH” offers a provocative storyline and meaty characters, a role that Joan can really sink her teeth into. Although a far cry from the big budgets of the “Dynasty” television series, Ms. Collins will wear fashion designs by Mark Zunino, a protege of Nolan Miller, the preeminent Hollywood trendsetter of the 1980’s.
“Fetish” will be a welcome treat for Joan Collins many fans who enjoy seeing her in stylish, dramatic roles.
Facebook: Let Me Die Quietly
Twitter: @letmediequietly
www.letmediequietly.com/fetish
Source: LMDQ LLC
CONTACT: Kelvin Dale, Executive Producer, LMDQ LLC, +1-808-280-0059,
Kelvin@letmediequietly.com
Web Site: http://www.letmediequietly.com/
7 Feb 2010 06:30 Africa/Lagos
Pixar’s ‘Up’ Wins the Annie for Best Feature
Disney, DreamWorks Top List of Winners at 37th Annual Annie Awards
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 7 /PRNewswire/ — Pixar Animation Studio’s Up wins the Best Animated Feature honor at the 37th Annual Annie Awards held at UCLA’s Royce Hall on Saturday, Feb. 6. Walt Disney Animation Studios won six Annies overall including three for its feature The Princess and the Frog and three for its television production Prep and Landing. DreamWorks Animation won five Annies including Best Television Production for Children and Directing/TV for The Penguins of Madagascar, Character Animation/TV and Storyboarding/Feature for Monsters vs. Aliens and Storyboarding/TV for Merry Madagascar. A complete list of winners can be viewed at the Annie Award’s official website www.annieawards.org. The Annie Awards ceremony will be webcast on the Annies website beginning Tuesday, February 9, 2010.
Best Home Entertainment Production went to 20th Century Fox’s Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder; Best Animated Short Subject went to ShadowMachine’s Robot Chicken: Star Wars 2.5; Acme Filmworks won Best Animated Television Commercial for Spanish Lottery ‘Deportees’; Best Animated Television Production went to Disney’s Prep and Landing; and Best Animated Television Production for Children went to DreamWorks’ The Penguins of Madagascar.
The Winsor McCay award was given to three industry leaders – Tim Burton, Jeffrey Katzenberg and Bruce Timm. Named in honor of the prolific animator, Winsor McCay, this award stands as one of the highest honors given to an individual in the animation industry in recognition for career contributions to the art of animation. Tim Burton accepted his Winsor via video. Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actor, director, producer and one of pop culture’s most recognizable figures, William Shatner, handled hosting duties this year and was joined on stage by a lively mix of animation luminaries, celebrity presenters and comedic talent including animation legend June Foray, actors Seth Green, John Leguizamo, Sean Astin and industry notables Pete Docter, Ed Catmull and Henry Selick. A special tribute to the late Roy Disney was introduced by Don Hahn.
“ASIFA-Hollywood congratulates all of the Annie Award winners,” said ASIFA-Hollywood President Antran Manoogian. “With so many outstanding animated productions and talented artists vying for an Annie, it made it another difficult year to select the best in our industry.”
Often a predictor of the annual Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, the Annie Awards recognize the year’s best animated features, television productions, commercials, short subjects and outstanding individual achievements in the field of animation. Entries submitted for consideration were from productions that originally aired, were exhibited in an animation festival, or commercially released between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009.
Created in 1972 by veteran voice talent June Foray, the Annie Awards have grown in scope and stature for the past three decades, and is considered the highest and most prestigious honor given in animation by the animation industry. Today ASIFA-Hollywood, the largest chapter of the international organization ASIFA, supports a range of animation activities and preservation efforts through its membership. Current initiatives include the Animation Archive, animation film preservation, special events, classes and screenings.
CONTACT: Gretchen Houser, Houser PR
P: 562-235-0991
E: Gretchen@houserpr.com
Source: ASIFA-Hollywood
CONTACT: Gretchen Houser of Houser PR for ASIFA-Hollywood,
+1-562-235-0991, or Gretchen@houserpr.com
Web Site: http://www.annieawards.org/
5 Feb 2010 20:39 Africa/Lagos
U.S. Online Video Market Continues Ascent as Americans Watch 33 Billion Videos in December
Hulu Surpasses 1 Billion Monthly Video Streams for First Time
RESTON, Va., Feb. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — comScore, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCOR) , a leader in measuring the digital world, today released December 2009 data from the comScore Video Metrix service, showing that nearly 178 million U.S. Internet users watched online video during the month. Online video viewing continued to reach record levels in December, with 33.2 billion videos viewed during the month.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080115/COMSCORELOGO)
Top 10 Video Content Properties by Videos Viewed
Google Sites continued to rank as the top U.S. video property in December, delivering 13.2 billion videos, with YouTube.com accounting for nearly 99 percent of all videos viewed at the property. Hulu ranked second with more than 1 billion videos viewed, an all-time high for the property, and representing 3.0 percent market share. Microsoft Sites ranked third with 561 million (1.7 percent), followed by Fox Interactive Media with 551 million (1.7 percent) and Yahoo! Sites with 539 million (1.6 percent).
Top U.S. Online Video Content Properties* by Videos
Viewed
CONTACT
Teni Melidonian
tmelidonian@oscars.org
Toni Thompson
tthompson@oscars.org
February 2, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
82ND ACADEMY AWARDS® NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED
Beverly Hills, CA — Nominations for the 82nd Academy Awards were announced today (Tuesday, February 2) by Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Tom Sherak and 2008 Oscar® nominee Anne Hathaway.
Sherak and Hathaway, who was nominated for an Academy Award® for her lead performance in “Rachel Getting Married,” announced the nominees in 10 of the 24 categories at a 5:38 a.m. PT live news conference attended by more than 400 international media representatives. Lists of nominations in all categories were then distributed to the media in attendance and online via the official Academy Awards Web site, www.oscar.com.
Academy members from each of the branches vote to determine the nominees in their respective categories – actors nominate actors, film editors nominate film editors, etc. In the Animated Feature Film and Foreign Language Film categories, nominations are selected by vote of multi-branch screening committees. All voting members are eligible to select the Best Picture nominees; this year that category features 10 nominees instead of 5, as has been the case since 1943.
Nominations ballots were mailed to the 5,777 voting members in late December and were returned directly to PricewaterhouseCoopers, the international accounting firm, for tabulation.
Official screenings of all motion pictures with one or more nominations will begin for members this weekend at the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater. Screenings also will be held at the Academy’s Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood and in London, New York and the San Francisco Bay Area.
All active and life members of the Academy are eligible to select the winners in all categories, although in five of them – Animated Short Film, Live Action Short Film, Documentary Feature, Documentary Short Subject and Foreign Language Film – members can vote only if they have seen all of the nominated films in those categories.
Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2009 will be presented on Sunday, March 7, 2010, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network beginning at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.
Nominations for the 82nd Academy Awards
Performance by an actor in a leading role
* Jeff Bridges in “Crazy Heart” (Fox Searchlight)
* George Clooney in “Up in the Air” (Paramount in association with Cold Spring Pictures and DW Studios)
* Colin Firth in “A Single Man” (The Weinstein Company)
* Morgan Freeman in “Invictus” (Warner Bros.)
* Jeremy Renner in “The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment)
Performance by an actor in a supporting role
* Matt Damon in “Invictus” (Warner Bros.)
* Woody Harrelson in “The Messenger” (Oscilloscope Laboratories)
* Christopher Plummer in “The Last Station” (Sony Pictures Classics)
* Stanley Tucci in “The Lovely Bones” (DreamWorks in association with Film4, Distributed by Paramount)
* Christoph Waltz in “Inglourious Basterds” (The Weinstein Company)
Performance by an actress in a leading role
* Sandra Bullock in “The Blind Side” (Warner Bros.)
* Helen Mirren in “The Last Station” (Sony Pictures Classics)
* Carey Mulligan in “An Education” (Sony Pictures Classics)
* Gabourey Sidibe in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” (Lionsgate)
* Meryl Streep in “Julie & Julia” (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Performance by an actress in a supporting role
* Penélope Cruz in “Nine” (The Weinstein Company)
* Vera Farmiga in “Up in the Air” (Paramount in association with Cold Spring Pictures and DW Studios)
* Maggie Gyllenhaal in “Crazy Heart” (Fox Searchlight)
* Anna Kendrick in “Up in the Air” (Paramount in association with Cold Spring Pictures and DW Studios)
* Mo’Nique in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” (Lionsgate)
Best animated feature film of the year
* “Coraline” (Focus Features), Henry Selick
* “Fantastic Mr. Fox” (20th Century Fox), Wes Anderson
* “The Princess and the Frog” (Walt Disney), John Musker and Ron Clements
* “The Secret of Kells” (GKIDS), Tomm Moore
* “Up” (Walt Disney), Pete Docter
Achievement in art direction
* “Avatar” (20th Century Fox), Art Direction: Rick Carter and Robert Stromberg, Set Decoration: Kim Sinclair
* “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” (Sony Pictures Classics), Art Direction: Dave Warren and Anastasia Masaro, Set Decoration: Caroline Smith
* “Nine” (The Weinstein Company), Art Direction: John Myhre, Set Decoration: Gordon Sim
* “Sherlock Holmes” (Warner Bros.), Art Direction: Sarah Greenwood, Set Decoration: Katie Spencer
* “The Young Victoria” (Apparition), Art Direction: Patrice Vermette, Set Decoration: Maggie Gray
Achievement in cinematography
* “Avatar” (20th Century Fox), Mauro Fiore
* “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” (Warner Bros.), Bruno Delbonnel
* “The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment), Barry Ackroyd
* “Inglourious Basterds” (The Weinstein Company), Robert Richardson
* “The White Ribbon” (Sony Pictures Classics), Christian Berger
Achievement in costume design
* “Bright Star” (Apparition), Janet Patterson
* “Coco before Chanel” (Sony Pictures Classics), Catherine Leterrier
* “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” (Sony Pictures Classics), Monique Prudhomme
* “Nine” (The Weinstein Company), Colleen Atwood
* “The Young Victoria” (Apparition), Sandy Powell
Achievement in directing
* “Avatar” (20th Century Fox), James Cameron
* “The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment), Kathryn Bigelow
* “Inglourious Basterds” (The Weinstein Company), Quentin Tarantino
* “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” (Lionsgate), Lee Daniels
* “Up in the Air” (Paramount in association with Cold Spring Pictures and DW Studios), Jason Reitman
Best documentary feature
* “Burma VJ” (Oscilloscope Laboratories), A Magic Hour Films Production, Anders østergaard and Lise Lense-Møller
* “The Cove” (Roadside Attractions), An Oceanic Preservation Society Production, Nominees to be determined
* “Food, Inc.” (Magnolia Pictures), A Robert Kenner Films Production, Robert Kenner and Elise Pearlstein
* “The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers”, A Kovno Communications Production, Judith Ehrlich and Rick Goldsmith
* “Which Way Home”, A Mr. Mudd Production, Rebecca Cammisa
Best documentary short subject
* “China’s Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan, Province”, A Downtown Community Television Center Production, Jon Alpert and Matthew O’Neill
* “The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner”, A Just Media Production, Daniel Junge and Henry Ansbacher
* “The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant”, A Community Media Production, Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert
* “Music by Prudence”, An iThemba Production, Roger Ross Williams and Elinor Burkett
* “Rabbit à la Berlin” (Deckert Distribution), An MS Films Production, Bartek Konopka and Anna Wydra
Achievement in film editing
* “Avatar” (20th Century Fox), Stephen Rivkin, John Refoua and James Cameron
* “District 9” (Sony Pictures Releasing), Julian Clarke
* “The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment), Bob Murawski and Chris Innis
* “Inglourious Basterds” (The Weinstein Company), Sally Menke
* “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” (Lionsgate), Joe Klotz
Best foreign language film of the year
* “Ajami” (Kino International), An Inosan Production, Israel
* “El Secreto de Sus Ojos” (Sony Pictures Classics), A Haddock Films Production, Argentina
* “The Milk of Sorrow”, A Wanda Visión/Oberon Cinematogrà/Vela Production, Peru
* “Un Prophète” (Sony Pictures Classics), A Why Not/Page 114/Chic Films Production, France
* “The White Ribbon” (Sony Pictures Classics), An X Filme Creative Pool/Wega Film/Les Films du Losange/Lucky Red Production, Germany
Achievement in makeup
* “Il Divo” (MPI Media Group through Music Box), Aldo Signoretti and Vittorio Sodano
* “Star Trek” (Paramount and Spyglass Entertainment), Barney Burman, Mindy Hall and Joel Harlow
* “The Young Victoria” (Apparition), Jon Henry Gordon and Jenny Shircore
Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)
* “Avatar” (20th Century Fox), James Horner
* “Fantastic Mr. Fox” (20th Century Fox), Alexandre Desplat
* “The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment), Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders
* “Sherlock Holmes” (Warner Bros.), Hans Zimmer
* “Up” (Walt Disney), Michael Giacchino
Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)
* “Almost There” from “The Princess and the Frog” (Walt Disney), Music and Lyric by Randy Newman
* “Down in New Orleans” from “The Princess and the Frog” (Walt Disney), Music and Lyric by Randy Newman
* “Loin de Paname” from “Paris 36” (Sony Pictures Classics), Music by Reinhardt Wagner, Lyric by Frank Thomas
* “Take It All” from “Nine” (The Weinstein Company), Music and Lyric by Maury Yeston
* “The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)” from “Crazy Heart” (Fox Searchlight), Music and Lyric by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett
Best motion picture of the year
* “Avatar” (20th Century Fox), A Lightstorm Entertainment Production, James Cameron and Jon Landau, Producers
* “The Blind Side” (Warner Bros.), An Alcon Entertainment Production, Nominees to be determined
* “District 9” (Sony Pictures Releasing), A Block/Hanson Production, Peter Jackson and Carolynne Cunningham, Producers
* “An Education” (Sony Pictures Classics), A Finola Dwyer/Wildgaze Films Production, Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey, Producers
* “The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment), A Voltage Pictures Production, Nominees to be determined
* “Inglourious Basterds” (The Weinstein Company), A Weinstein Company/Universal Pictures/A Band Apart/Zehnte Babelsberg Production, Lawrence Bender, Producer
* “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” (Lionsgate), A Lee Daniels Entertainment/Smokewood Entertainment Production, Lee Daniels, Sarah Siegel-Magness and Gary Magness, Producers
* “A Serious Man” (Focus Features), A Working Title Films Production, Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, Producers
* “Up” (Walt Disney), A Pixar Production, Jonas Rivera, Producer
* “Up in the Air” (Paramount in association with Cold Spring Pictures and DW Studios), A Montecito Picture Company Production, Daniel Dubiecki, Ivan Reitman and Jason Reitman, Producers
Best animated short film
* “French Roast” , A Pumpkin Factory/Bibo Films Production, Fabrice O. Joubert
* “Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty” (Brown Bag Films), A Brown Bag Films Production, Nicky Phelan and Darragh O’Connell
* “The Lady and the Reaper (La Dama y la Muerte)”, A Kandor Graphics and Green Moon Production, Javier Recio Gracia
* “Logorama” (Autour de Minuit), An Autour de Minuit Production, Nicolas Schmerkin
* “A Matter of Loaf and Death” (Aardman Animations), An Aardman Animations Production, Nick Park
Best live action short film
* “The Door” (Network Ireland Television), An Octagon Films Production, Juanita Wilson and James Flynn
* “Instead of Abracadabra”, (The Swedish Film Institute), A Directörn & Fabrikörn Production, Patrik Eklund and Mathias Fjellström
* “Kavi”, A Gregg Helvey Production, Gregg Helvey
* “Miracle Fish”, (Premium Films), A Druid Films Production, Luke Doolan and Drew Bailey
* “The New Tenants”, A Park Pictures and M & M Production, Joachim Back and Tivi Magnusson
Achievement in sound editing
* “Avatar” (20th Century Fox), Christopher Boyes and Gwendolyn Yates Whittle
* “The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment), Paul N.J. Ottosson
* “Inglourious Basterds” (The Weinstein Company), Wylie Stateman
* “Star Trek” (Paramount and Spyglass Entertainment), Mark Stoeckinger and Alan Rankin
* “Up” (Walt Disney), Michael Silvers and Tom Myers
Achievement in sound mixing
* “Avatar” (20th Century Fox), Christopher Boyes, Gary Summers, Andy Nelson and Tony Johnson
* “The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment), Paul N.J. Ottosson and Ray Beckett
* “Inglourious Basterds” (The Weinstein Company), Michael Minkler, Tony Lamberti and Mark Ulano
* “Star Trek” (Paramount and Spyglass Entertainment), Anna Behlmer, Andy Nelson and Peter J. Devlin
* “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” (DreamWorks and Paramount in association with Hasbro, Distributed by Paramount), Greg P. Russell, Gary Summers and Geoffrey Patterson
Achievement in visual effects
* “Avatar” (20th Century Fox), Joe Letteri, Stephen Rosenbaum, Richard Baneham and Andrew R. Jones
* “District 9” (Sony Pictures Releasing) , Dan Kaufman, Peter Muyzers, Robert Habros and Matt Aitken
* “Star Trek” (Paramount and Spyglass Entertainment), Roger Guyett, Russell Earl, Paul Kavanagh and Burt Dalton
Adapted screenplay
* “District 9” (Sony Pictures Releasing), Written by Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell
* “An Education” (Sony Pictures Classics), Screenplay by Nick Hornby
* “In the Loop” (IFC Films), Screenplay by Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci, Tony Roche
* “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” (Lionsgate), Screenplay by Geoffrey Fletcher
* “Up in the Air” (Paramount in association with Cold Spring Pictures and DW Studios) , Screenplay by Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner
Original screenplay
* “The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment), Written by Mark Boal
* “Inglourious Basterds” (The Weinstein Company), Written by Quentin Tarantino
* “The Messenger” (Oscilloscope Laboratories), Written by Alessandro Camon & Oren Moverman
* “A Serious Man” (Focus Features), Written by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
* “Up” (Walt Disney), Screenplay by Bob Peterson, Pete Docter, Story by Pete Docter, Bob Peterson, Tom McCarthy
# # #
ABOUT THE ACADEMY
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the world’s preeminent movie-related organization, with a membership of more than 6,000 of the most accomplished men and women working in cinema. In addition to the annual Academy Awards – in which the members vote to select the nominees and winners – the Academy presents a diverse year-round slate of public programs, exhibitions and events; provides financial support to a wide range of other movie-related organizations and endeavors; acts as a neutral advocate in the advancement of motion picture technology; and, through its Margaret Herrick Library and Academy Film Archive, collects, preserves, restores and provides access to movies and items related to their history. Through these and other activities the Academy serves students, historians, the entertainment industry and people everywhere who love movies.
FOLLOW THE ACADEMY
www.oscars.org
www.facebook.com/TheAcademy
www.youtube.com/Oscars
AWARDS PUBLICITY
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Ije Poster
Chineze Xandria Anyaene is a very ambitious young woman who at 26 is the youngest Nigerian female director who may become our own Kathryn Bigelow who has just made history as the first ever female to win the Directors’ Guild of America (DGA) award for best feature for her film The Hurt Locker.
Anyaene is the first student at the New York Film Academy – Acting & Film School to make a feature film on 35mm. Her film Ije is definitely miles ahead of the common stock-in-trade of Nollywood movies.
Watch out for more on Ije later.
Beyoncé at the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards on Jan. 31 at the Staples Center, Los Angeles.
Photo Credit: Michael Caulfield / WireImage.com
The beautiful and electrifying Beyoncé Knowles was the undisputed Queen of the 52nd Grammy Awards as she set the record as the first female artiste to win the most Grammy Awards with six out of her ten nominations. The highly gifted Taylor Swift won four out of her eight nominations.
Photo tags:
Blind Boys Of Alabama Bobby Darin Brian Culbertson Beatles Bill Freimuth Angelia Bibbs-Sanders B.B. King 52nd GRAMMY Awards Pre-Tel Chris Cornell Chris Martin Bill Harley Billy Currington 52nd GRAMMY Awards Carrie Underwood Billie Joe Armstrong 2009 MusiCares Person of the Year Tribute to Neil Diamond Bono Ben Harper Chris Blackwell 11th Annual Entertainment Law Initiative Luncheon Beyonce Blue Note Records Christina Aguilera 2010 MusiCares Person of the Year 12th Annual Entertainment Law Initiative Luncheon Andrea Bocelli Big Boi Bill Putnam Jr. Anthony Hamilton Chrisette Michele Akon Adam Lambert Bruce Springsteen Charlie Haden Booker T. Jones Anthony Wilson Carole King Celine Dion Bill Cunliffe Aretha Franklin Chris Tucker Alison Krauss Allen Toussaint Cassandra Wilson Alicia Keys Avril Lavigne Carlos Pena 2009 MusiCares Person of the Year Tribute Brenda Lee Ashanti Bruce Lundvall Backstage and Audience Adele Bubba Jackson Brad Paisley BeBe Winans Bon Jovi Carmen Rizzo Carlos Santana Alice in Chains 52nd GRAMMY Winners 12th Annual Entertainment Law Initiative Buck Howard Al Green Chris Brown 52nd GRAMMY Pre-Telecast Bonnie Raitt Beau Bridges Big Jon Platt Boney James Barbra Streisand Barbara Boxer Andre 3000 Black Eyed Peas AJ Parhm Jr
Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
31 Jan 2010
17:46
Teen Pop Star and Youth Activist Chantel ‘Chani’ Christie, Winner of the 2009 Pop Artist of the Year Award, Set to Release Her Much Anticipated New Single ‘Gimme Love’ Via Jean Rah Fya Records
29 Jan 2010
18:09
Moroccanoil(R) Rocks the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards
14:31
3D Eye Solutions, Inc. Signs License Agreement with Artfest International, Inc. Bringing 3-D Technology to Fine Arts and Sports Memorabilia Industry
02:13
Mary J. Blige, Andrea Bocelli and David Foster to Perform ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ on The Grammy(R) Awards; Live and Studio Versions Available Exclusively at iTunes.com/Target to Benefit Haiti Relief Efforts
28 Jan 2010
22:00
Gillette UNCUT Music Film Series Makes Its World Premiere in Los Angeles
20:00
Lincoln Stars Shine During Music’s Biggest Night
18:04
Mariah Carey Releases Newly Remixed Album of Duets – ANGELS ADVOCATE – March 30th on Island Records
1 Feb 2010 12:00 Africa/Lagos
Report: Despite Blockbuster 2009, Hollywood Security Officers Still in Poverty
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — A new report being released today by the Service Employees International Union highlights the continued poverty wages of Hollywood’s mostly African American and Latino security officers, despite record 2009 revenues for Los Angeles wealthy film studios.
“These studios have millions coming in each and every day,” says Rogelio Garcia, employed by security firm Andrews International at Fox Studios. “And each and every day we’re out there protecting them for next to nothing.”
Entitled “Reel Profits, Real Poverty: How Major Hollywood Studios Are Leaving Security Officers Behind,” the report focuses on the economic disparity between wealthy Hollywood studios and officers employed by the studios’ security company of choice, Andrews International, owned by Boston-based private equity firm Audax. Despite economic recession, the film industry brought in a record $10.7 billion in revenue in 2009. Meanwhile Hollywood security officers are paid as little as $10 an hour and struggle to meet basic needs such as food, medicine, and shelter.
In a town known internationally for its reputed progressive values, security officers featured in the report testify to discrimination, lack of training and equipment, working up to 10 hours without breaks, and having to choose between buying food or medicine. One Andrews International officer tells of co-workers–a mother and daughter–who lost their apartment and were forced to live on the Sony film studio lot. The pair were discovered and fired. The report can be viewed at http://insecurewithandrews.org/2010/01/new-report-reel-profits-real-poverty.ht ml.
Unlike other Hollywood workers, security officers do not have a union and do not share in film industry prosperity. Andrews International officers in Hollywood are joining with Andrews International officers in six states who have been trying since 2009 to form a union with SEIU in order to raise company — and industry — standards. With more than 10,500 security personnel in the U.S. and Mexico, Andrews International is the seventh-largest contract security firm in the United States.
With 2.2 million members, SEIU is the nation’s fastest-growing labor union and represents more than 30,000 security officers nationwide. Visit insecurewithandrews.org to learn more.
Source: Service Employees International Union
CONTACT: Kevin O’Donnell, +1-312-401-7598
Web Site: http://insecurewithandrews.org/
26 Jan 2010 19:56 Africa/Lagos
Teen Indie Film, TO SAVE A LIFE, Debuts With Impressive Numbers on Opening Weekend
Teens embrace Samuel Goldwyn Films’ release that encourages and inspires, but now has literally saved lives Social media has kicked off a movement of 90,000 Facebook fans actively building a community of support
OCEANSIDE, Calif., Jan. 26 /PRNewswire/ — How can a little indie film with no major actors, no real TV advertising, and little attention from the mainstream press catch the attention of 215,000 teenagers who came out opening weekend?
How can it also have the #1 fan rating today on Fandango.com and Flixter.com?
IndieWire.com says “‘Life’ Debuts Strong” and “debuted on an aggressive 441 screens and managed to break the overall top 15. The film – about ‘an all-star athlete must change his life – and sacrifice his dreams to save the lives of others’ – grossed an impressive $1,499,400.” (Final numbers in today give the weekend gross for To Save A Life at $1,513,955)
In comparison, To Save A Life was neck and neck with teen horror flick Daybreakers, however To Save A Life was on less than a third of the number of screens. A similar story occurred with Youth In Revolt, which was on 300 more screens, yet To Save A Life grossed nearly $700,000 more.
The LA Times calls the film an “absorbing redemption story” that “is a deftly acted, generally absorbing cautionary tale with wider allure than its faith-based label may imply.”
The Miami Herald reports, “It features good acting, excellent production values and even a solidly eclectic musical score that ranges from rap to alternative.”
Big Hollywood.com, on the making of the film, states, “To Save a Life is perhaps even more a miracle than the average feature film. Not only did it beat the odds, it did so with its soul still firmly attached.” In contrast to more typical teen fair, such as Youth In Revolt and Daybreakers, it begs to ask the question – are teens looking for more?
“I was thinking as I was approached about this film, why aren’t we creating films that can actually make a positive change in the life of teens, movies that don’t just entertain, but also make an impact in the lives of the viewers?” said Brian Baugh, director of To Save A Life. Exit polls from teens after having seen the film show they want be challenged. And, they feel typical Hollywood films aren’t inspiring them to make their schools a better place.
Not only do box office numbers speak loudly, but the social media sites prove this point. The movie’s official Facebook page jumped over 30,000 users in the last five days – with over 90,000 active users. This number, compared to Youth In Revolt’s 42,000 fans, and the Book of Eli’s 44,000 fans, is compelling. Now, local splinter groups are breaking off, creating To Save A Life groups for their own communities.
Teens are coming together on the Facebook site, talking about their lives, their struggles, and inspiring each other to reach out to the hurting and lonely in their communities.
The proof comes from what teens are saying about the movie themselves:
Nicole- This movie saved my life, last night i attempted suicide but didnt succeed and my confirmation sponsor asked if i wanted to go see it today and as much as i didnt want to i did, and it made me think so much. I have been where jake was on top of everything and no matter what was happening in your life i always had a smile on my face but i have also been in jonny’s position too, i used to cut, people just dont no peoples breaking points and i wish people could just be who they want to be without being judged or doubted on your abilities. i was, and now i realize if you trust in the lord and just do the right thing, you will be just fine.
Mark – IN 6th grade i felt alone. i didnt feel like anyone liked me. today, i still feel like some people are just acting nice to me. i dont know what to do. i feel alone a lot, and i dont know what to do. Please help me. The movie was great and got me thinking that other people are just like me. I still feel alone, please help me.
Missy – I cried when I saw the movie, because I want real life to be like that. I never had anyone to turn to when I was depressed, and I still don’t. I don’t cut myself and I don’t try to hurt anymore, I’ve made a few friends but none of them have seen me hurt. I hide it all in a mask of shame, but I’m going to take off the mask, finally I’m gonna start and I’m gonna help other people, I’m gonna help myself too. No longer will I just be [Missy], I’m going to be known to save a life. Because of this movie. You inspired me.
Travis – I saw the movie yesterday and all i can say is wow it has really touched my life and im not gona sit back and watch anymore im goin out and try to make a difference
Dale – When I was in junior high, I was bullied to the point of suicidal thoughts. God is who stopped me from following through. I had previously just pushed the memories behind me and acted like nothing ever happened, but now I want to do something. I want to make sure no one else feels the way I once did. This movie changed the way I look at life. Save a Life!
Mel – I just got home from watching “To Save A Life” and immediately I came on the computer to Google information. I haven’t even taken my jacket off yet. I was so touched by this movie its indescribable; I cried all the way home. I want to make a difference in someone’s life. I notice things from the movie that happen around me in school, but it never hit me till now. This movie made me sad, emotional, but most importantly it made me realize that I have the opportunity to help someone. I’m a college student and I cant wait for classes to start Monday cause I already know what I’m going to do. Save a Life
Sara – The To Save A Life Story means a lot to me, because I was the one that needed saving last year. If people could only understand how far one small act of kindness could go, the world would be a better place. I love that this movie is bringing real-life issues that people rarely talk about to light and showing teens how to deal with them. You never know who around you feels he is the outcast – treat others as you would want to be treated. Save a life. This movie is going to change our teenage population for the better.
To Save A Life was created by New Song Pictures and Outreach Films, and is distributed through Samuel Goldwyn Films. After opening on 441 screens this weekend, the film will continue to open in new markets in the coming weeks.
www.ToSaveALifeMovie.com
ABOUT TO SAVE A LIFE
An all-star athlete and his girlfriend find their lives spinning out of control when Jake loses a childhood friend. Help comes when he reaches out to others who are hurting, and he realizes some people are just dying to be heard.
The movie asks…
How far would you go?
How much would you risk?
How hard would you fight…TO SAVE A LIFE
ABOUT SAMUEL GOLDWYN FILMS
Samuel Goldwyn Films is a major, independently owned and operated motion-picture company that develops, produces and distributes innovative feature films and documentaries. The company is dedicated to working with world renowned and emerging writers/filmmakers and committed to filmed entertainment that offers original voices in uniquely told stories. This steadfastness is best exemplified by the Academy Award® nominated SUPER SIZE ME, AMAZING GRACE and Julie Delpy’s hit comedy 2 DAYS IN PARIS. Goldwyn’s past slate included PRICELESS, a romantic comedy starring Audrey Tautou, Academy Award® winner Claude Lelouch’s ROMAN DE GARE, the critically hailed ELEGY starring Academy Award® nominee Penelope Cruz and Academy Award® winner Ben Kingsley and the box office smash FIREPROOF.
ABOUT NEW SONG PICTURES
New Song Pictures is proud to release TO SAVE A LIFE, their debut production. New Song Pictures is based in Oceanside, CA, and seeks to make films that tell relevant stories while being encouraging and uplifting.
www.tosavealifemovie.com
www.facebook.com/tosavealife
Source: New Song Pictures
CONTACT: Lori Lenz of Biscuit Media Group, +1-714-553-5181,
lori@biscuitmediagroup.com
Web Site: http://www.tosavealifemovie.com/
http://www.outreachfilms.com/
http://www.facebook.com/tosavealife
26 Jan 2010 20:36 Africa/Lagos
Statement From the Producers of the Film ‘Midgets vs Mascots’
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 26 /PRNewswire/ — Earlier this month, Gary Coleman made a claim that the producers of the new film “Midgets vs Mascots” used an unauthorized (albeit brief) shot of his penis in the movie.
Today, the producers reached a settlement with Mr. Coleman. In return for the producers making Mr. Coleman’s bail in Utah County, Utah, Mr. Coleman has agreed to allow the footage to be kept in the movie.
The footage in question occurred during an improvised moment in a shower scene when Mr. Coleman attempted to break up a fight between two Little People. During the scuffle, Mr. Coleman’s robe split open to reveal more than he had planned.
The producers stand behind their position that Mr. Coleman signed multiple documents allowing any and all footage, including both scripted and unscripted moments, to appear in the film. The producers simply agreed to bail out Mr. Coleman as an “olive branch” and to avoid any potential litigation.
Mr. Coleman asked the producers to make it clear to the public that while he’s not pleased with the film’s footage, he needed to get out of jail. According to Mr. Coleman: “I guess I have to recognize that the footage is actually me, as I don’t know of any such thing as a body double for Gary Coleman.”
Mr. Coleman was arrested on Sunday on a warrant for failing to appear in court.
About “Midgets vs Mascots”
“Midgets vs Mascots” won third place at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival (Heineken Audience Award). The film’s trailer and associated clips — including the shower scene featuring Mr. Coleman — currently have more than a million online views. A limited promotional offer for the DVD and “midget condoms” is available at www.midgetsvsmascots.com. The DVD will be released on February 9 at retailers and online.
CONTACT: Kevin Sullivan, 214-259-3011, kevinsullivan18@gmail.com
Source: Midgets vs Mascots
CONTACT: Kevin Sullivan, +1-214-259-3011, kevinsullivan18@gmail.com, for
Midgets vs Mascots
Web Site: http://www.midgetsvsmascots.com/