Feb 27 

Oscar® night pictures

All pictures courtesy of ©A.M.P.A.S.® all rights reserved

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Feb 26

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Feb 26

Xtreme Motorsports Launches New Value-Priced Performance Sandcar: The Sportster MT

Xtreme Motorsports of California, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: XTMS) ("Xtreme" or the "Company"), a manufacturer of extreme sandrails, desert and dual sport racecars, today announced the launch of a new line of 4-seat mid-travel performance sandcars to target first-time buyers looking to get involved in off-road motorsports at a reasonable price. The new line of turn-key racecars, dubbed the "Sportster MT" will retail between $17,500 and $24,000 and can be delivered in less than 45 days, a vast improvement over the 6-8 month delivery time for a custom sandcar.

Xtreme is building the Sportster MT line of cars to address the demand in the marketplace for fully featured, production line sandcars, with many of the same components found in high-end vehicles, without the high-end price. The hallmark of the design of this value-priced vehicle is the suspension system, which will have 14-16 inches of travel. Most "economy" sandcars have 5-7 inches of travel, whereas high-end models such as the 2007 Sandmaster have up to 24 inches of travel. The higher the "travel," or vertical differential, the better performance and handling drivers and riders experience in extreme terrain.

"Through the roll-out of this new vehicle, I hope to communicate to both customers and shareholders alike our goal in positioning Xtreme as the value leader of the off-road motorsports industry," commented Alan McCaa, President & CEO of Xtreme Motorsports. "The Sportster MT, which is almost a year in the making, represents our best in manufacturing an affordable, yet powerful, racing sandcar. It's everything a family needs to get involved in off-roading, whether in sand or dirt environments.

"Although customers will be able to finance the Sportster MT for as little as $125 per month, we want them to know that this is an affordable car, not a 'budget' or 'economy' vehicle; it will stand up to the most adventurous users and arduous conditions," finished McCaa.

The Sportster MT models will offer a choice of colors, Garmin eTrex GPS navigation, King Shocks, heavy-duty aluminum alloy wheels, race-grade suspension seats, 5-point seat belts and chromed accessories. Buyers will be able to choose from three different engines, available in 150, 175 and 200 horsepower configurations. In addition, customers can choose dirt or sand tires based on the primary terrain in which the racecars will be used.

Xtreme is taking delivery of the first of the frames and components today and will make available photos and detailed specification of the Sportster MT model on its website by the middle of March 2007.

About Xtreme Motorsports of California, Inc.

Xtreme Motorsports is a manufacturer of custom and production-line sandrails, desert and dual sport racecars. Founded in 1983, Xtreme's sandcars have been sold to customers in England, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, South America and the US. For more information, visit the corporate web site www.xmssandcars.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this release, and other written or oral statements made by the Company, including the use of the words "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "project," "forecast," "outlook," "target," "objective," "plan," "goal," "pursue," "on track," and similar expressions, are "forward-looking statements" and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements of the company to be different from those expressed or implied. The Company assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements and takes no obligation to update or correct information prepared by third parties that are not paid for by the Company.

 SPORTS & AUTO NEWS   

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March 1

As Peter Parker's Aunt May once said, there's a hero in all of us. That will be true as Monday, March 5, becomes a night of heroes -- Columbia Pictures, in anticipation of the release of Spider-Man(TM) 3 on May 4, will air an exclusive one-minute clip from the film during the broadcast of a cliffhanger episode of NBC's top-rated new show "Heroes," then premiere six minutes from the film online, exclusively on NBC.com, for 24 hours.

As "Heroes" moves towards the exciting conclusion of its second story arc of its first season, viewers of the show and Spider-Man fans will get a look at Spider-Man(TM) 3 with a brand-new 60-second clip from the movie that contains a cliffhanger of its own. Then, immediately following the broadcast, Web-crawling viewers and moviegoers can go online to catch the premiere of a revealing six-minute film sequence that will have viewers on the edge of their seats as it is streamed in high definition at NBC.com.

"'Heroes' and Spider-Man both share a common theme: everyday people and how they deal with finding themselves in extraordinary circumstances," said Valerie Van Galder, President of Domestic Marketing for the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group. "Because of that, this is a great programming marriage -- it makes for a night of event television and a rare opportunity to see a scene from one of the summer's most highly anticipated movies. We couldn't be more excited to unveil six minutes of the movie to help whet the appetites of Spider-Man fans everywhere."

"We're so pleased to be teaming up with Columbia Pictures to present our audience with such an exciting event," said Vivi Zigler, Executive Vice President, NBC Digital Entertainment and New Media. "This partnership not only gives our users an exclusive sneak-peek at Spider-Man(TM) 3 -- a film they will undoubtedly want to see -- but also increases the richness of their experience by allowing them to stream it in HD, a first for NBC.com."

The one-minute Spider-Man(TM) 3 clip will drive viewers to NBC.com to see the exclusive six-minute scene from the movie, which is NBC.com's first-ever HD-streamed presentation, on any platform. The event will be promoted with ads in USA Today, Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and TV Guide, as well as online and on the radio. It will also be heavily promoted on NBC.

Columbia Pictures' Spider-Man(TM) 3 reunites the cast and filmmakers from the first two blockbuster adventures for a web of vengeance, love, and forgiveness that will transport worldwide audiences to thrilling new heights on May 4, 2007.

In Spider-Man(TM) 3, based on the legendary Marvel Comics series, Peter Parker has finally managed to strike a balance between his devotion to M.J. and his duties as a superhero. But there is a storm brewing on the horizon. When his suit suddenly changes, turning jet-black and enhancing his powers, it transforms Peter as well. Under the influence of the suit, Peter's pride and overconfidence take hold and he begins to neglect the ones he cares about the most. As two of the most-feared villains yet, Sandman and Venom, gather unparalleled power and a thirst for retribution, Spider-Man's greatest battle is the one within himself -- he will need to rediscover who he is and what makes him the hero people love.

Columbia Pictures Presents A Marvel Studios/Laura Ziskin Production Spider-Man(TM) 3 starring Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Thomas Haden Church, Topher Grace, Bryce Dallas Howard, James Cromwell, Rosemary Harris, and J.K. Simmons. The film is directed by Sam Raimi. The screenplay is by two-time Oscar(R) winner Alvin Sargent and the screen story by Sam Raimi & Ivan Raimi and based on the Marvel Comic Book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. The producers are Laura Ziskin, Avi Arad, and Grant Curtis. The executive producers are Stan Lee, Kevin Feige, and Joseph M. Caracciolo.

About Columbia Pictures

Columbia Pictures, part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company. Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America (SCA), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in 67 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com/.

About NBC Entertainment and NBC.com

NBC Entertainment develops and schedules programming for the network's primetime, late-night, and daytime schedules. NBC's quality programs and balanced lineup have earned the network critical acclaim, ratings success, particularly among young, upscale viewers, and numerous awards, including more Emmy Awards than any network in television history.

NBC.com is the most visited broadcast television site and the online home for the most affluent and educated broadcast television audience including unique offerings, such as interactive content, text and video blogs, and more.

Web site: http://www.sonypictures.com/

AARP, one of the world's largest membership organizations, and music legend Tony Bennett, today announced the kick-off of his AARP-sponsored concert tour "The Best is Yet to Come" which debuts on March 16, 2007 in Denver, Colorado. As a presenting sponsor, AARP is pleased to offer its members the chance to purchase tickets to Tony Bennett's upcoming performances before the general public during an exclusive pre-sale event. Pre-sale dates and information on how to purchase tickets are available at http://www.aarp.org/tonybennett.

"This concert partnership demonstrates AARP's broad efforts to use the power of music to forge an emotional connection with its 38 million members," said Shereen Remez, Group Executive Officer for Member Value at AARP. "We're thrilled to be a part of what will likely be one of Tony Bennett's best tours ever and Tony's vibrant spirit reminds all Americans that age is just a number and life is what you make it."

With over 100 albums to his credit and over 50 million records sold worldwide, Tony Bennett is an internationally renowned icon. The tour-the first concert partnership of its kind for AARP-will visit the following 20 cities across the United States: Denver, Phoenix, Cleveland, Hartford/Wallingford, Pittsburgh, Houston, San Francisco, Atlanta, Vienna/Washington DC, Atlantic City, Ft. Worth, Detroit, Chicago/Highland Park, Seattle, Minneapolis/Prior Lake, St. Louis, New York, Ft. Lauderdale and Tampa/Clearwater.

Tony Bennett's son and manager Danny Bennett praised the sponsorship and commended AARP for celebrating the power of music. "Music reminds each and every one of us how important it is to embrace life and live it to its fullest," he said. "This is a generation who is determined to stay forever young at heart and realizes that the best is yet to come." Calling Bennett's music "the soundtrack for change," he said AARP's efforts would particularly resonate with baby boomers.

The tour will feature the 15-time Grammy winner performing from his repertoire of the Great American Songbook, including hits from his new CD, "Tony Bennett Duets: An American Classic." Additional information can be found at http://www.aarp.org/tonybennett.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. We produce AARP The Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, our monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, our bimonthly magazine in Spanish and English; NRTA Live & Learn, our quarterly newsletter for 50+ educators; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Source: AARP

Web site: http://www.aarp.org/tonybennett

SAN JOSE, Calif., March 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Jaman.com, Inc. announced today a multi-year partnership with Cinequest Film Institute, a premiere independent film institute, to distribute over 150 independent films selected from the history of Cinequest Film Festivals, the Cinequest Distribution Label, and Cinequest Online collections. The films will all be available via Jaman's online community that delivers feature-length international and independent films in better-than-DVD quality directly to viewers around the world. The collection will include films such as Emmy(TM) Award-winning Amargosa, multiple award-winning Awful Normal, and the political satire Terrorists. To highlight the partnership, Jaman Founder and CEO, Guarav Dhillon, will offer the festival's keynote presentation on the topic of emerging models of distribution and their impact on the film industry.

"Every year, thousands of excellent films are introduced at the world's top film festivals, but less than one percent ever finds an audience beyond those festivals," said Gaurav Dhillon, CEO of Jaman. "We are building a unique online community that allows film fans from around the world to discover, enjoy and share great independent cinema. For festival-goers everywhere, there is no better way to support independent filmmakers than to watch and enjoy these films year-round."

"Over the past seventeen years at Cinequest, we've seen an ever-growing demand for provocative and engaging independent film from the U.S. and around the world. This year over 70,000 fans will be attending Cinequest 17," said Halfdan Hussey, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Cinequest. "Jaman gives our filmmakers a way to reach their fans year-round. Most of all, it provides filmmakers with a global distribution model and long-term revenue stream that ensures their continued success and innovation in independent filmmaking."

To celebrate their multi-year partnership with Cinequest and to introduce festival goers to over 150 Cinequest films debuting on Jaman.com, Jaman is also announcing a contest open to all festival goers and Cinequest supporters. Cinequest fans that register at www.Jaman.com/Maverick and watch at least three Cinequest feature films will be entered for a chance to win a 42-inch plasma television for their home theater. Jaman uses h.264 based encoding tools to digitize and enhance film masters allowing viewers to enjoy these films in better-than-DVD quality directly from their PCs or from a large home theater plasma screen.

"The Internet is revolutionizing how people enjoy and socialize around films," said Hussey. "The Internet and the home theater are becoming one. This contest is a great way for our fans to experience state-of-the-art online viewing first-hand, while at the same time supporting Cinequest filmmakers around the world."

Jaman's sponsorship of the festival also includes showcasing five award- winning films in this year's festival:

*Curiosity Kills the Cat, Yibai Zhang -- Director, China

*Just Sex and Nothing Else, Krisztina Goda -- Director, Hungary

*Pao's Story, Quang Hai Ngo -- Director, Vietnam

*The Road, Zhang Jiarui -- Director, China

*We Shall Overcome, Niels Arden Oplev -- Director, Denmark

With over 1000 films currently under license for distribution, Jaman offers the largest library of award-winning festival films available online, available for immediate rental or purchase. Film fans can watch feature films via Jaman's player directly from their Mac or PC, or enjoy the viewing experience using a home theater system. Jaman incorporates community features including in-movie conversations, reviews, groups and "friending" providing a way for thousands of movie-goers to socialize on Jaman.

Films on Jaman are available for $1.99 to rent and $4.99 to purchase. During the remaining beta period, fans will be able to enjoy free film rentals throughout the site. Films can be browsed and discovered with a recommendation from a friend, the community, or Jaman guides.

About Jaman:

Jaman.com is the way people discover, enjoy and share world cinema. The company is pioneering social cinema on the Web by delivering better-than-DVD quality films to a growing online community of fans and filmmakers from around the world. Jaman.com, Inc. is headquartered in San Francisco, California and is backed by luminaries in technology and media (more at www.jaman.com/about ). The company is led by Founder and CEO Gaurav Dhillon, co-Founder and former CEO of Informatica Join Jaman -- Join the world.

About Cinequest:

Cinequest is a premier motion picture institute that produces:

*Cinequest Film Festival, a discovery festival of Maverick films and

technology forums.

*Cinequest Distribution: delivering films to fans worldwide through

leading Internet technologies plus DVD.

*Cinequest Screenwriting Competition.

*Camp Cinequest: a groundbreaking youth education program.

Cinequest Film Festival 17 will occur February 28-March 11, 2007 www.cinequest.org

Source: Jaman.com, Inc.

Web site: http://www.cinequest.org/
http://www.jaman.com/

/ -- Music may never look the same again thanks to an agreement announced today that brings together Interscope Geffen A&M Records -- home to Dr. Dre, Eminem, U2, Gwen Stefani, 50 Cent, Sheryl Crow, Pussycat Dolls and many others -- and Academy Award-winning director James Cameron. Using new breakthrough digital technology, Interscope and Cameron are set to produce 3-D presentations of everything from music videos to concerts, commercials to stage musicals.

"This is revolutionary and very ambitious," said Gene Kirkwood, the renowned film producer heading the partnership's efforts. "There are people who stand in line and people who make the line, and Jimmy Iovine and James Cameron are about to start a new line outside movie theaters."

The venture is all-encompassing, from 3-D commercials to be shown before concert films to a circuit of 600-1,000 movie theaters that will regularly show the productions; from selling subscriptions to a series of 3-D concerts to merchandising that includes music artists designing their own 3-D glasses that viewers may take home with them to use for subsequent screenings.

3-D content will be shot using the Fusion digital stereo camera system, developed by Cameron with Vincent Pace. The cameras duplicate human vision, putting the audience on stage with the performers. Music concerts in particular will be experienced in theaters like never before. The first concert is expected to be released theatrically within six months.

"We're always looking for ways to improve the experience of music," said Jimmy Iovine, Chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M Records. "When I saw what James Cameron was doing with his dedication and wizardry to the 3D platform, it seemed like the perfect combination for us to do some groundbreaking work."

The project was launched last year after Gwen Stefani's "Wind It Up" video was filmed in 3-D alongside the released version. That unreleased test video so impressed Iovine that he decided to join forces with Cameron, who will provide 3-D production expertise as well as proprietary equipment, while Interscope offers its artists and music expertise.

"Jimmy Iovine and I instinctively gravitated together on this because we both believe that music and media are changing, and we want to be at the cutting edge," said James Cameron. "We want to provide audiences with a more intense musical experience. 3-D amplifies everything, it puts you closer to your favorite artists than you ever imagined. What we're doing can redefine the relationship between music and visual media."

Cameron wrote, directed and produced such blockbuster, technologically advanced films as Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Titanic, the highest-grossing film in history.

"To bring people back to movie theaters you have to do something different," said Kirkwood, who has produced such films as Rocky, The Idolmaker, The Pope Of Greenwich Village and Get Rich Or Die Tryin' as well as, with Iovine, the current HBO music interview series "Off The Record" hosted by Dave Stewart. "Ticket prices, for movies and for concerts, are high. You have to give people their money's worth. This new 3-D format gives them both an amazing concert experience and an amazing film experience. This really is a new form of entertainment."

Source: Interscope/James Cameron

codebluemedia@earthlink.net

For the first time ever, VH1 Classic will air the "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony" LIVE on Monday, March 12 at 8:30 PM/ET. Music fans will get to see and hear Van Halen, R.E.M., Patti Smith, The Ronettes, and Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five get inducted into this esteemed musical institution as the action and music unfolds.

For the first time, this year's induction ceremony will be telecast live from the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City on VH1 Classic and MHD: MTV Networks' high-definition music channel on Monday, March 12 at 8:30 PM/ET. In addition, a special two-hour highlight edition will premiere on VH1 on Saturday, March 17 at 9:00 PM/ET.

The week leading up to the live special, VH1 Classic will air special programming to salute previous Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees including Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Wonder, U2, Bonnie Raitt and more.

On Tuesday, March 6 beginning at 8:00 PM/ET VH1 Classic will air a "Classic Albums" marathon focusing on the work of former Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees including Fleetwood Mac, Queen, The Who, Stevie Wonder, U2, the Sex Pistols and Pink Floyd. Each "Classic Albums" episode tells the story behind the making of one of rock music's most seminal albums.

VH1 Classic will also present a special "BBC Crown Jewels" marathon premiering on Thursday, March 8 at 8:00 PM/ET. These rare performances from the BBC archives feature past Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees such as AC/DC, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Tom Petty, Stevie Wonder, The Police, Rod Stewart and Bonnie Raitt.

Select "Decades Rock Live" concerts featuring performances by Lynyrd Skynyrd, Elvis Costello and The Pretenders will air back-to-back on Saturday, March 10 beginning at 1:00 PM/ET. "Decades Rock Live" is a critically-acclaimed original concert series that pairs celebrated artists from rock to soul who have influenced popular music over the last 50 years with some of today's hottest recording acts who have been inspired by these legends.

Additional Rock Hall-themed programming to run throughout the week includes "Prince: Prince of Paisley Park" airing on Sunday, March 11 at 5:00 PM/ET and the "Rock and Roll Picture Show" featuring Led Zeppelin's "The Song Remains The Same" premiering on Monday, March 12 at 6:00 PM/ET.

To learn more about these series and other VH1 Classic series and specials please visit http://www.vh1classic.com/.

Launched in May 2000, VH1 Classic is a 24-hour network that present videos, concerts and music specials all day long, featuring the best of rock, soul and pop artists from the 60's, 70's, 80's and the early 90's including The Beatles, The Stones, Tina Turner, Led Zeppelin, Marvin Gaye, The Who, Stevie Wonder, The Police and many more. Learn more at http://www.vh1classic.com/

Press Contact: Maura Wozniak/VH1 Mariana Agathoklis/MHD

Source: VH1

Web site: http://www.vh1.com/

Feb 28

For rating reasons, go to FILMRATINGS.COM, MPAA.ORG. Parents, please refer to PARENTALGUIDE.ORG.

CMT Announces the Final Nominees for the '2007 CMT Music Awards'

Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts and Carrie Underwood Lead With Three Nominations Each

Multi-Platinum Rascal Flatts Added to the Performance Line-up, Allowing Viewers to Vote for the 'Flatt Out Fan Favorite'

CMT to Stream Awards Show Live Online at CMT.com and on CMT Radio for Second Year

Country superstars Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts and Carrie Underwood lead the final nominees for the 2007 CMT MUSIC AWARDS, it was announced today at a CMT press conference hosted by nominated duo, Sugarland. Also announced was the addition of triple nominated Rascal Flatts to the performance line-up for the show, putting a new twist on their performance by letting CMT viewers choose their "Flatt Out Fan Favorite," the song that will open the sixth annual awards show. The 2007 CMT MUSIC AWARDS will air live from Nashville's Curb Event Center at Belmont University on Monday, April 16 at 8:00 p.m., ET.*

For the first time since 2003, the Dixie Chicks make the final nominees list, garnering two nominations, along with Sugarland and newcomers Jason Aldean and The Wreckers. Toby Keith also snags two nominations, hoping to hold on to his designation as the most-awarded CMT MUSIC AWARDS artist. Other notable nominees include Josh Turner who picks up his first nomination in the MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR category, among established country favorites Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw and Toby Keith. Sting picks up his first CMT MUSIC AWARD nomination along with Sheryl Crow for their duet, "Always On Your Side," in the newly-created WIDE OPEN COUNTRY VIDEO OF THE YEAR category.

Fans can vote online at CMT.com through Friday, April 13 to determine the night's winners of the 2007 CMT MUSIC AWARDS, airing live on Monday, April 16 at 8 p.m., ET*. Fans can also vote online for the "Flatt Out Fan Favorite," from the following Rascal Flatts hits: "Life Is A Highway"; "Me and My Gang"; or "Fast Cars and Freedom."

The final nominees for VIDEO OF THE YEAR will be announced at the beginning of the show, and fans can vote at CMT.com, as well as via mobile phone, throughout the live broadcast (ET/CT only) to determine the night's big winner. Log on to CMT.com to view streaming clips of nominated videos.

  Below is a complete list of final nominees for the 2007 CMT MUSIC AWARDS:    

CMT MUSIC AWARDS BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR 

Best video from an artist's major debut album;

awarded to the artist (male, female, or group/duo).

   * Jason Aldean -- "Amarillo Sky"    * Kellie Pickler -- 

"Red High Heels"    * Taylor Swift -- "Tim McGraw"    

* The Wreckers -- "Leave The Pieces"    

CMT MUSIC AWARDS WIDE OPEN COUNTRY VIDEO OF THE YEAR  

Video that aired on CMT during WIDE OPEN COUNTRY and pushes the boundaries of country music; awarded to the artist (male, female, group/duo or collaboration).

   * Jack Ingram -- "Love You"    * Jimmy Buffett -- 

"Bama Breeze"    * Johnny Cash -- "God's Gonna Cut You Down"    

* Sheryl Crow and Sting -- "Always On Your Side"    

CMT MUSIC AWARDS VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR 

Video with the best direction (video that best captures the mood, tempo, and intensity of the song); awarded to the video director for work on a specific video and accepted by the director and the artist.

   * Paul Boyd / Gary Allan -- "Life Ain't Always Beautiful"    

* Roman White / Carrie Underwood -- "Before He Cheats"    

* Shaun Silva / Kenny Chesney -- "You Save Me"    

* Wes Edwards / Jason Aldean -- "Amarillo Sky"    

CMT MUSIC AWARDS GROUP VIDEO OF THE YEAR   

Best video by a group; awarded to the artists    

* Dixie Chicks -- "Not Ready To Make Nice"    

* Little Big Town -- "Good as Gone"    

* Rascal Flatts -- "Life is A Highway"    

* Rascal Flatts -- "What Hurts the Most"    

CMT MUSIC AWARDS DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR   

Best video by a duo; awarded to the artists    

* Big & Rich -- "8th Of November"    

* Brooks & Dunn -- "Building Bridges"    

* Sugarland -- "Want To"    

* The Wreckers -- "Leave The Pieces"    

CMT MUSIC AWARDS FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR   

Best video by a female artist; awarded to the artist.    

* Carrie Underwood -- "Before He Cheats"    

* Faith Hill -- "Stealing Kisses"    

* Gretchen Wilson -- "California Girls"    

* Sara Evans -- "You'll Always Be My Baby"    

CMT MUSIC AWARDS MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR   

Best video by a male artist; awarded to the artist.    

* Josh Turner -- "Would You Go With Me"    

* Kenny Chesney -- "You Save Me"    

* Tim McGraw -- "My Little Girl"    

* Toby Keith -- "A Little Too Late"    CMT MUSIC AWARDS VIDEO OF THE YEAR 

Best video of the year; awarded to the artist (male, female, group/duo or collaboration). Final four nominees announced during live telecast, with final voting held online at CMT.com and via mobile phone during the show.

   * Carrie Underwood -- "Before He Cheats"    

* Dixie Chicks -- "Not Ready to Make Nice"    

* George Strait -- "The Seashores of Old Mexico"    

* Keith Urban -- "Once In a Lifetime"    

* Kenny Chesney -- "You Save Me"    

* Rascal Flatts -- "What Hurts the Most"    

* Sugarland -- "Want To"    * Toby Keith -- "A Little Too Late"  

Comedian Jeff Foxworthy returns as host for the third consecutive year when the 2007 CMT MUSIC AWARDS airs live from Nashville's Curb Event Center at Belmont University on Monday, April 16 at 8:00 p.m., ET.* The CMT MUSIC AWARDS remain country music's only fan-voted awards show.

For the second year in a row, CMT will simulcast the awards live online at CMT.com and on CMT Radio, making the broadcast available to nearly 150 CMT radio affiliates. In addition, exclusive content will live on CMT.com and its broadband channel CMT Loaded, on CMT Mobile and on URGE, MTV Network's digital music service.

Tickets to the 2007 CMT MUSIC AWARDS at The Curb Event Center at Belmont University in Nashville go on sale Saturday, March 3 at 10 a.m., CT and are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 615-255-9600, online at CMT.com and ticketmaster.com.

Visit CMT's press-only 2007 CMT MUSIC AWARDS Web site www.cmtmusicawardspress.com for more information and downloadable photos.

CMT, America's No. 1 country music network, carries original programming, specials, and live concerts and events, as well as a mix of videos by established country music artists and new cutting-edge acts, including world premiere exclusive videos. Founded March 6, 1983, CMT, owned and operated by MTV Networks, reaches more than 83 million households in the United States. Go to country music's biggest web site at www.cmt.com.

*EDITORS: The 2007 CMT MUSIC AWARDS premiere LIVE on Monday, April 16 at 8:00 PM, Eastern and 7:00 PM, Central; and at 9:00 PM, Mountain and 8:00 PM, Pacific (tape delayed).

Web sites: http://www.CMT.com
http://www.cmtmusicawardspress.com

Source: CMT

'South Park' is Back With All New Episodes

The Hit Series Launches Its 11th Season on Wednesday, March 7 at 10:00 P.M.* on COMEDY CENTRAL(R)

Season 11 Uncensored Episodes Available on iTunes

NEW YORK, Feb. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Coming up in the 11th season, viewers can expect a parody of the popular FOX hit series, "24," and Hilary Clinton pays a visit to "South Park." There will be plenty of shocking surprises from the legendary fourth-graders with seven all-new episodes beginning on Wednesday, March 7 at 10:00 p.m. on COMEDY CENTRAL. As a bonus, fans will be able to download the uncensored version of each new episode from the 11th season on iTunes the Tuesday after it premieres beginning on Tuesday, March 13.

Launched in 1997, "South Park," now in its 11th season, remains the highest-rated series on COMEDY CENTRAL. "South Park" repeats Wednesdays at 12:00 a.m., Thursdays at 10:00 p.m. and 12:30 a.m., Fridays at 12:00 a.m. and Sundays at 11:00 p.m.

Trey Parker and Matt Stone are co-creators and executive producers of the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning "South Park" with Anne Garefino as executive producer. "South Park's" Web site is www.southparkstudios.com.

COMEDY CENTRAL, the only all-comedy network, currently is seen in more than 90 million homes nationwide. COMEDY CENTRAL is owned by, and is a registered trademark of, Comedy Partners, a wholly-owned division of VIACOM Inc.'s (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:and) (NYSE:VIA.B) MTV Networks. COMEDY CENTRAL's Internet address is www.comedycentral.com.

*All times ET/PT.

Web site: http://www.comedycentral.com/
http://www.southparkstudios.com/

MAGIC PUTS FASHION INDUSTRY IN MOTION FOR FALL/WINTER 2007

120,000 Attendees from Around the Globe Shop Fall/Winter 2007 Collections at MAGIC, WWDMAGIC, MAGIC kids, Sourcing at MAGIC, PROJECT, and Pool

 Las Vegas was the center of the fashion industry from February 13-16^th, as the MAGIC Marketplace drew the top retailers, designers and manufacturers from around the globe. With more than 4,000 companies on display, the fashion industry’s biggest business event featured the most extensive selection of resources across apparel, accessories, footwear, sourcing and contract manufacturing.

"MAGIC continues to be committed to providing the most comprehensive marketplace in the industry and that was on full display this week in Las Vegas,” said Laura McConnell executive vice president of fashion for Advanstar Communications. "The MAGIC Marketplace offers an unparalleled selection of quality merchandise and resources creating one of the most powerful business environments in fashion. We strive to meet the changing needs of the fashion industry and the growth of our marketplace reflects that.”

The February marketplace featured some of the industry’s hottest brands such as: Badgley Mischka Platinum, Calvin Klein, Cole Haan, Steve Madden, True Religion, All Black, Joseph Abboud, Skechers, Modern Amusement, Donald Pliner, Junk Food, SAFARI by Design, Bon Bebe, Kitson Footwear, Chinese Laundry, Crocs, Eileen Fisher, Bongo Jeans, Torino, Kara Janx, Artful Dodger and Stussy, to name a few.

"Skelanimals was extremely impressed with the attention we received at MAGIC,” said Cindy Bailey, CEO of Art Impressions, Inc.  “We were overwhelmed with our success at the show, particularly with the number of buyers that attended. As a result, we have developed partnerships with retailers in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Mexico, South America and Europe.  Making a lifestyle statement at MAGIC was one of the best things we could have done for the brand and we look forward to returning to MAGIC for years to come."

Celebrities also heated up the marketplace, unveiling the latest looks from their new and existing brands. Show veterans Russell Simmons (Phat Farm), Jay-Z (Rocawear), Travis Barker (Famous Stars and Straps), Gene Simmons (Dussault Custom Ink) and Beyonce (House of Dereon) joined new attendees 50 Cent (G-Unit) and Brooke Burke (Street Saint Apparel) on the floor.

MAGIC also added sizzle to the red-hot Las Vegas nightlife scene. The Bellagio Hotel’s Tower Ballroom was transformed into a Fat Tuesday celebration benefit for the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity, co-sponsored by Joseph Abboud, and featured a performance by the Neville Brothers. On the second night of the show, MAGIC co-hosted the launch of streetwear line Christopher Brian. Models worked the runway at The Hard Rock Hotel’s Body English, and Omarion and Timbaland performed late into the night.

MAGIC continued its tradition of recognizing exhibitors that created innovative booth presentations. The following brands were honored during the February marketplace:

MAGIC Central Hall (Men’s, Designer, Premium & Contemporary, Casual Lifestyle, and Active & Licensing categories)

Best of Show:    Suberba Inc

Innovator: Daron Fashions/Hawke & Co

Image: Isaco International Corp.       

MAGIC South Hall (Streetwear and Young Men’s categories)

Best of Show: Girls Gone Wild  

Innovator: Dussault Custom Ink 

Image: Kaptain Leather Bubble  

WWDMAGIC

Best of Show:   BCBG/Max Azria Inc.

Innovator: Crocs Footwear      

Best Dressed: Whitewash        

Accessories & Swim at the Hilton

Best of Show:   Van Group for Nikki Chu

Innovator: The Life Imagined

Best Dressed: Belts the Rock

MAGIC kids

Best of Show: Bon Be

Sourcing at MAGIC
Best of Show:   CMPE-Morocco Pavilion
Innovator: G Gulpi

Best Dressed: Korea Fashion Association

For more information on MAGIC, high resolution images and additional details from the February marketplace, please visit www.magiconline.com

ABOUT MAGIC

Every August and February, the fashion industry converges on Las Vegas for the most influential four days in the business – the MAGIC Marketplace. The next event takes place August 27-30, 2007 in Las Vegas, NV.  For information, call 818.593.5000 or log onto www.magiconline.com

MAGIC International is a subsidiary of Advanstar Communications, the world’s largest and most widely recognized organizer of trade shows for the apparel industry producing the MAGIC Marketplace in Las Vegas featuring MAGIC, WWDMAGIC, MAGIC kids, and Sourcing at MAGIC, Project, and Pool.  

KOCH Records Announces Partnership With The Machat Company to Relaunch WOMAD Records

 KOCH Records and The Machat Company announce a new partnership to release new artist albums and compilations through the WOMAD Festival.

The Machat Company, which specializes in World and Spiritual Music, is owned by Steven Machat, a visionary and music industry veteran. Machat founded WOMAD, the acclaimed world music label with Peter Gabriel and Thomas Brooman 25 years ago. WOMAD (which stands for World of Music, Arts and Dance) brings together and celebrates many forms of music, arts and dance drawn from countries and cultures all over the world. Many of these upcoming releases with fall under the Namaste/KOCH Records imprint.

With a live recording archive spanning 25 years and over 145 events, WOMAD has captured hundreds of now-legendary performances by globally celebrated artists from all continents and representing a kaleidoscope of the world's cultures and musical traditions. The first compilation release by Namaste and KOCH will be "WOMAD 25," a collection of the most memorable moments of the first 25 years. Following later in summer of 2007 will be "WOMAD 2007," featuring many of the artists performing in this year's festivals, including Amaan Ali Khan and Ayaan Ali Khan.

The first release will be The Khans' new album, "Truth," and will be available online and in stores on March 13. Amaan and Ayaan Khan use their mastery of traditional Indian music as a jumping off point for a musical exploration mixing elements of worldbeat and global electronic flavors. The brothers have taken classical Indian music and have made it electric.

The alliance between Namaste and KOCH will also focus on Sound Healing Music and other forms of music for body, mind and spirit. Also being released on March 13 is "The Crystal Singing Bowls Collection of Crystal Tones," featuring many of the leading artists in the field of sound healing, including Steven Halpern, Jonathan Goldman, Dr. Michell Gaynor, Patrick Duff and Life In Balance.

About KOCH Records

KOCH Records is a division of KOCH Entertainment, the fastest-growing music company and the market leader among independents in North America. The KOCH Entertainment corporate umbrella encompasses the KOCH Records label, KOCH Vision home video, KOCH Music Publishing and KOCH Entertainment Distribution with operations in both the U.S. and Canada. KOCH Records proudly claims the largest number of Billboard charting albums among independents for each of the last six years (2001-2006). For additional info on the KOCH Records label and its roster of artists, please visit www.kochrecords.com

-- KoRn fans around the globe no longer have to fly to Los Angeles for a chance to meet the band.

In a first for this revolutionary alternative rock band, KoRn will host a virtual record release party in MTV Networks' virtual world in anticipation of the imminent CD release of MTV UNPLUGGED: KoRn. The party gets started on Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT, as the band members, who will be represented in-world by specially created avatars, unveil their new album, interact live with fans and screen behind-the-scenes footage and exclusive clips from their MTV Unplugged performance.

KoRn fans can join the band in-world by downloading the virtual world application for free at http://www.virtualkorn.mtv.com/. MTV will also give away virtual t-shirts and posters to lucky KoRn fans in-world.

MTV UNPLUGGED: KoRn will be released on Virgin Records on March 6, 2007, following the on-air premiere of "MTV Unplugged: KoRn" on MTV Friday, March 2 at 11:30 PM ET/PT for the first time commercial free. This global television event will be featured on MTV, mtvU and MTV Tr3s, as well as through MTV's numerous online and mobile platforms. In the program, Grammy winners KoRn perform acoustic versions of the band's greatest hits, as well as several new songs unique to the "MTV Unplugged" performance.

KoRn also welcomes two guest performers to the "MTV Unplugged" stage: alternative music pioneers The Cure, and Amy Lee, lead singer and songwriter of Evanescence. The band's one-time collaboration with Lee on the classic "Freak on a Leash" (originally released on KoRn's No. 1 album Follow the Leader) has already broken out of the program to air as a music video on MTV in "Big 10" rotation, as well as in MTV2's "Elite 8" and mtvU's "Summa Cum Laude" rotation -- the highest exposure level on each channel.

KoRn's debut album on Virgin Records, SEE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE, released in 2006, has sold more than a million copies in the U.S. Two tracks from the album, "Twisted Transistor" and "Coming Undone," were Top 5 rock radio airplay hits. The band's "MTV Unplugged" appearance also follows the most successful year of the Family Values Tour, created by KoRn in 1998. Over 400,000 tickets were sold in 2006.

MTV UNPLUGGED: KoRn

TRACK LISTING

1. Blind

2. Hollow Life

3. Freak On A Leash (featuring Amy Lee of Evanescence)

4. Falling Away From Me

5. Creep

6. Love Song

7. Got The Life

8. Twisted Transistor

9. Coming Undone

10. Make Me Bad / In Between Days (featuring The Cure)

11. Throw Me Away

Source: MTV Networks

Web site: http://www.mtv.com/
http://www.korn.com/
http://www.virtualkorn.mtv.com/

-- Platinum Studios, Inc. (www.PlatinumStudios.com), an entertainment media company that controls the world's largest independent library of comic book characters, announced today "BLOOD NATION," the newest Platinum Studios comic book, will be released simultaneously in print and online. This is the first time that a new mainstream comic has been released in both the online and offline worlds concurrently.

"BLOOD NATION," which puts a new spin on vampire mythology, was created by Rob Moran with art by James Devlin and John Keane. "BLOOD NATION" tells the story of a group of bodies discovered in the frozen tundra of Russia's desolate Siberian landscape and brought back to life only to find out that they carry a mutant strain of the vampire disease. Comic fans can view the trailer for "BLOOD NATION" at www.BloodNation.com. The print comic will premiere in comic shops around the country and online at www.DrunkDuck.com and www.BloodNation.com on February 28, 2007.

"With today's ever more sophisticated audience, we have only a short window to grab their attention," said Jim McLauchlin, editor-in-chief of Platinum Studios Comics. "We have to be everywhere they are and that means both in print, where the audience is shrinking, and online, where the audience is growing."

"This is a really cool way to get more people who might not have seen and purchased it at their comic book stores to see 'BLOOD NATION,'" says Rob Moran, creator of "BLOOD NATION." "While this is a rather unorthodox strategy, my hope is that this will pay off in increased numbers of books being sold for the entire series."

"We won't be doing a simultaneous release for all of our comic launches," said McLauchlin. "But when you have a four-issue series like 'BLOOD NATION,' you have to do something out of the ordinary to make it stand out and be seen."

About Platinum Studios www.platinumstudios.com

Platinum Studios is an entertainment company that controls the world's largest independent library of comic book characters, which it adapts and produces for all forms of media. Platinum Studios' library contains more than 3,800 characters and a full range of genres and styles including DrunkDuck.com, the largest Web comics community. With deals in place with some of the entertainment and new media's top players, Platinum is a recognized leader in the creation of new content across all media.

Source: Platinum Studios, Inc.

Web site: http://www.drunkduck.com/

Web site: http://www.bloodnation.com/

Web site: http://www.platinumstudios.com/

Big Screen Entertainment Group (BULLETIN BOARD: BSEG) is pleased to announced that it has completed the first cut of its new horror/thriller, "Babysitter Wanted." The film, which wrapped principal photography in November, has been edited at BSEG's Paramount and Raleigh Studios facilities in Hollywood. Editors have worked virtually non-stop to complete this important first milestone.

"We're extremely pleased with the work that our editor, Stephen Eckelberry, has done," said BSEG's CEO Kimberley Kates. "Stephen, working closely with the film's director, Michael Manasseri, has crafted a tense thriller with strong horror elements that harkens back to some of the great films of the genre."

"Babysitter Wanted" stars Sarah Thompson ("Seventh Heaven"), Matt Dallas ("Kyle XY"), Bruce Thomas ("Legally Blonde"), Kristen Dalton ("The Departed"), Nana Visitor ("Star Trek: Deep Space Nine") and Bill Moseley ("The Devil's Rejects").

Jonas Barnes (Original Films) wrote the script, and co-directed with Manasseri. The film was produced by BSEG's Kates, Zappone and Eckelberry and executive produced by Robert Reyes, Tony Chacon and Richard Celeste.

The next step will be an industry screening for studio execs on the Paramount lot, which will take place in the next few weeks. "We have been told by several industry veterans that this is one of the best first cuts of a film that they have ever seen. We are all very excited here at Big Screen, and are eager to get "Babysitter Wanted" to the public as quickly as possible," Kates said.

The filmmakers have also been collaborating closely with Big Screen's new gaming division headed by Newrosoft, Inc.'s CEO, Andrei Gireada in designing the casual game based off the movie. "Babysitter Wanted: The Game" will be released concurrently with the film. The company is in discussions with a major gaming distributor to take the title to market.

About the Company:

Big Screen Entertainment Group (BSEG) is a full service entertainment company designed to develop, produce, purchase, exhibit and distribute products in all media formats, including motion pictures, television, music, publishing, video games and cell phone content.

BSEG has completed three films, three films in post-production, five films and an MMORPG game in development. Visit our website at www.bigscreenent.com for more information on these movies.

Forward-Looking Statements:

A number of statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including timely development, and market acceptance of products and technologies, competitive market conditions, successful integration of acquisitions and the ability to secure additional sources of financing. When used in this press release, words such as "could," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "potential," "should," and similar expressions are forward looking statements.

Web site: http://www.bigscreenent.com/
http://www.forgetaboutitthefilm.com/
http://www.themirrorfilm.com/
http://www.babysitterwanted.com/
http://www.biggervu.com/

Secret(R) Teams with Recording Artists Rihanna and Nicole Scherzinger to Promote Female Self-Expression

(NYSE: PG) -- Secret(R), the number one female anti-perspirant/deodorant in North America, has teamed up with music stars Rihanna and Nicole Scherzinger from The Pussycat Dolls, to introduce a brand new single that promotes female self-expression, strength and cultural fusion. Released today, the single entitled "Winning Women" is available for free download on http://www.Secret.com. Secret brought these two young, culturally diverse women together to create a fun and fresh song about the power of being an independent and strong female.

"I'm thrilled to be working with Rihanna on this song. We had so much fun bringing our different ideas and expressions together to create 'Winning Women' for Secret," Nicole Scherzinger said.

"Winning Women" coincides with the launch of the new Secret Scent Expressions product line. This new collection fuses scents from various cultures around the world to create a truly unique scent experience. Similar to how exotic scents are fused together in this collection, the song "fuses" together the musical styles of Rihanna and Nicole Scherzinger to drive home the overall message of feminine strength.

"The song 'Winning Women' that Nicole and I collaborated on helps Secret get the message out to women that there is strength in self-expression and individuality," Rihanna said. Renowned music producer Sean Garrett produced the song.

"Rihanna and Nicole are young, fresh, diverse, and most importantly strong. They represent the type of woman Secret has been linked to for years and we are thrilled to be working with them on this song," said Alex Keith, General Manager for Procter & Gamble Anti-Perspirant and Deodorant. "They were the perfect choice to create this song for Secret, a brand that has supported strong females for decades."

Consumers can visit http://www.Secret.com, created by IMC2, one of the countries leading interactive agencies, to download the exclusive song, "Winning Women" for free and find out more about the song fusion and the New Scent Expression product line. In addition, women can go to http://www.MySpace.com/WinningWomen to create their own original remix of the song.

About Procter & Gamble Beauty (NYSE: PG)

P&G Beauty sells more than 130 different brands in over 180 countries worldwide that touch and improve lives daily. P&G Beauty had more than $19 billion in global sales in fiscal year 2004/05, making it one of the world's largest beauty companies. The global leading beauty company at mass, P&G Beauty brands include: Pantene(R), Head and Shoulders(R), Olay(R), Max Factor(R), Cover Girl(R), Gillette(R) Complete Skin Care for Men, Always(R), Joy(R), Hugo Boss(R), Wella(R), Herbal Essences(R), Clairol Nice 'n Easy(R) and SK-II(R). Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G Beauty and its brands.

SOURCE Procter & Gamble Beauty

Pringles Hits a High Note With American Idol Partnership

 Pringles(R), America's favorite stacked potato crisp, today announced an innovative partnership with FremantleMedia, co-producer and licensor of the hit television series, AMERICAN IDOL, in conjunction with show creator, 19 Entertainment, marking the first long-term partnership with an entertainment property in Pringles' 37- year history. As a partner for AMERICAN IDOL'S sixth season, Pringles will launch an expansive marketing campaign that will feature limited edition AMERICAN IDOL branded cans, an AMERICAN IDOL-themed 15-second TV spot running during broadcasts of the new AMERICAN IDOL season on FOX, AMERICAN IDOL Rewind and a separate national sweepstakes. Starting in February and throughout AMERICAN IDOL 6, consumers will be invited to live out their AMERICAN IDOL dreams through a series of online and in-store promotions including:

Ready, Set Jingle!

Pringles will launch the first-ever "Jingles for Pringles" contest, a nationwide search for unique expressions about Pringles. Given the rhythmic nature and musical equity of the brand, Pringles will offer consumers the chance to express their passion for Pringles by submitting videos of themselves performing a jingle that expresses their feelings about Pringles.

Consumers will be asked to submit videos online at www.jinglesforpringles.com

Twelve finalists will receive an AMERICAN IDOL digital recorder, with a nationwide consumer vote for the ultimate winner

The grand prize winner will receive VIP ticket packages to the AMERICAN IDOL finale show in Los Angeles; package includes hotel, transportation and an unforgettable night of excitement, ushering in the next AMERICAN IDOL

The "Jingles for Pringles" contest has begun on February 26, 2007. Entries will be accepted through April 8, 2007. Visitors to Pringles.com can vote from April 23, 2007 through May 4, 2007. The winner of "Jingle for Pringles" will be announced online May 7, 2007

Consumers will be asked to submit videos online at www.jinglesforpringles.com

Attend the AMERICAN IDOL Finale

Pringles will introduce limited-edition cans (Original, BBQ, Cheese and Sour Cream & Onion) featuring AMERICAN IDOL logos and show visuals. These limited-edition cans will be on shelf through June, and will promote the Pringles AMERICAN IDOL Sweepstakes, where one lucky person will win a 4-day/3- night trip to Los Angeles for the 2007 AMERICAN IDOL finale. No Purchase Necessary. Official Rules and entry information are available at Pringles.com/us.

"Our partnership with FremantleMedia on AMERICAN IDOL marks a historical moment for the Pringles brand," said Paul Tepfenhart, Pringles Brand Manager. "AMERICAN IDOL reflects all of our brand's excitement and vitality while allowing our consumers to unleash their joy and love of Pringles."

Michele Welch, Director of Integrated Marketing, FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide, North America, added, "AMERICAN IDOL provides the ultimate in family entertainment and we are always looking for partners that help us complete the experience. This partnership will allow our fans to engage with the show in new ways through multiple channels."

Back-to-School

After the finale, consumers can still get their AMERICAN IDOL fix for the back-to-school season, continuing this promotion. Pringles is offering families an opportunity to get a head start on the exciting school year. Starting in July, consumers can mail in receipts from specially marked 18-ct Snack Stacks to receive a free, customized AMERICAN IDOL backpack. While supplies last. Additional details will be available at Pringles.com.

About Procter & Gamble [NYSE:PG]

Three billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers(R), Tide(R), Ariel(R), Always(R), Whisper(R), Pantene(R), Mach3(R), Bounty(R), Dawn(R), Pringles(R), Folgers(R), Charmin(R), Downy(R), Lenor(R), Iams(R), Crest(R), Oral-B(R), Actonel(R), Duracell(R), Olay(R), Head & Shoulders(R), Wella, Gillette(R), and Braun. The P&G community consists of over 135,000 employees working in over 80 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.

About FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide, Americas:

FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide, Americas (FLW, Americas) is the licensing arm of FremantleMedia for North and South America. FremantleMedia one of the largest international creators and producers of program brands in the world, with leading prime time drama, serial drama, entertainment and factual entertainment programming in over 40 territories. FLW, Americas exploits FremantleMedia's many strong brands, including the award winning, American Idol, the world's longest running gameshow The Price Is Right, the ever-popular Family Feud, and other classic gameshows, across multiple off- screen platforms including merchandising campaigns, live events, sponsorship, interactive and wireless support, home entertainment and music publishing. FLW, Americas is also responsible for additional business diversification initiatives including Atomic Wedgie, a pioneering wireless channel delivering original made-for-mobile video content on demand.

FLW, Americas is part of FremantleMedia North America (FMNA). FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) is a division of global media giant FremantleMedia, one of the largest international creators and producers of program brands in the world. Based in Burbank, California, FMNA currently produces some of the most innovative and highest-rated entertainment on television, including Emmy-nominated musical/reality phenomenon "American Idol" for Fox, "America's Got Talent" for NBC, "American Inventor" for ABC, "The Janet Dickinson Modeling Agency" for Oxygen, "Property Ladder" for TLC, the daily syndicated "Family Feud," and the longest-running game show in television history, "The Price Is Right" for CBS.

FremantleMedia is the production arm of the RTL Group, Europe's largest television and radio broadcast company. With interests in 34 television channels and 30 radio stations in 11 countries, RTL Group is a division of leading integrated media and entertainment company, Bertelsmann AG.

About American Idol:

Twenty-two-time Emmy-nominated AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive- produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; Nigel Lythgoe, President, 19 Television; and Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.

About 19 Entertainment:

19 Entertainment, Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of CKX, Inc. (Nasdaq: CKXE), was founded by Simon Fuller 21 years ago and acquired by CKX in March 2005. The company is recognized as a leading creator, provider and promoter of globally successful, music-based entertainment, or "Entertainment Brands."

Simon Fuller, who serves as Chief Executive Officer of 19 Entertainment, is the creator of AMERICAN IDOL in the United States, "Pop Idol" in the UK, as well as versions of the IDOL format in more than 30 countries around the world. Fuller is also the co-creator of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, which aired in the U.S. on FOX during summer 2005 and was the top-rated television show in its time slot.

Fuller has made music history in the UK and the U.S.A., producing a stream of No. 1 hits and managing multi-platinum-selling acts. Fuller recently became the world's most successful manager -- breaking a record set by the Beatles' manager Brian Epstein in the 1960s -- when three of his artists occupied the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 positions on the U.S. single chart as well as the No. 1 position on the album chart.

19 Entertainment has been involved in the creation of 109 No. 1 singles and 87 No. 1 albums in the UK alone, with an impressive tally of 296 Top-40 albums and 465 Top-40 singles.

SOURCE Procter & Gamble

Feb 27

Music World/Columbia Records Announce the Release of BEYONCE'S 'B'DAY Deluxe Edition,' a New Version of the Grammy-Winning Best Contemporary R&B Album Debuting Five Brand New Songs, & Bonus Disk Premiering Six Spanish Tracks

First Single, 'Beautiful Liar,' Is a Spirited Duet With Shakira

Single on Radio in the U.S. Tomorrow: February 28

Video Debuts on MTV and BET Tomorrow: February 28

'B'DAY Deluxe Edition' Available Tuesday, April 3

-- Music World/Columbia Records will release BEYONCE's B'DAY Deluxe Edition, an expanded two-CD edition of the pop icon's best-selling Grammy-winning solo album, on Tuesday, April 3.

On February 11, 2007, B'Day won the Grammy for Best Contemporary R&B Album, bringing Beyonce's lifetime Grammy total up to 10 (seven as a solo artist and three won with Destiny's Child).

In addition to the original 12 tracks from Beyonce's multi-platinum album, Disc One of B'DAY Deluxe Edition premieres five brand-new songs in English: "Kissing You," "Flaws & All," "Welcome To Hollywood," a hidden bonus track, "Worldwide Woman," and the expanded album's first single, "Beautiful Liar," a superstar duet between Beyonce and Shakira. "Beautiful Liar" will be serviced in four versions -- album version, all Spanish version, Spanglish version and a radio edit -- to all radio formats in the U.S. on Wednesday, February 28 at 5PM Eastern Standard Time. The radio play will start a few hours after the video for "Beautiful Liar" debuts on MTV's "TRL." The video will be shown later that afternoon on BET's "106 & Park." Beyonce will appear live on both programs to deliver the video.

Disc Two of the expanded B'DAY Deluxe Edition debuts six new Spanish language tracks including "Amor Gitano," Beyonce's sensuous flamenco-pop duet with Latin Grammy-winning superstar Alejandro Fernandez. Co-written by BEYONCE with Grammy-winning songwriters/recording artists Reyli Barba and Jaime Flores and produced by Grammy-winning producer Rudy Perez, "Amor Gitano" can be heard as the theme music for "Zorro: La Espada y La Rosa (The Sword and the Rose)," a telenovela (serialized television soap opera) on Telemundo (check your local listings).

Rounding out Disc Two of B'DAY Deluxe Edition are Beyonce's Spanish language versions of "Listen (Oye)" and "Irreplaceable (Irreemplazable)" as well as three new mixes of "Beautiful Liar."

Also arriving on Tuesday, April 3 is Beyonce's B'DAY Anthology Video Album. Available exclusively at Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the B'DAY Anthology Video Album includes BEYONCE's videos for "Kitty Kat (intro)"/"Greenlight," "Upgrade U" featuring Jay-Z, "Deja Vu," "Ring The Alarm," "Irreplaceable," "Listen," "Suga Mama," "Get Me Bodied," "Freakum Dress," "Flaws & All," "Kissing You" and "Beautiful Liar" featuring Shakira. As an added bonus, the video collection features fifteen minutes of exclusive behind-the-scene footage.

Beyonce's second solo album, B'DAY, closed out 2006 as one of the year's most successful album, coming in at #7 on Billboard's U.S. Top 10 Best-Selling Albums chart. Certified RIAA double platinum in the U.S., B'DAY has sold more than 4 million copies around the world.

Released around the world on September 4, 2006 (September 5 in the U.S.) to coincide with the artist's 25th birthday, Beyonce's B'DAY entered the Billboard Top 200 at #1, with first week's sales of more than 541,000 pieces, achieving the year's highest first week's sales of any female recording act, group or solo, and the fifth highest chart debut of the year of any artist, male of female. (The pop superstar's first solo album, 2003's Grammy-winning Dangerously In Love, also debuted in the #1 slot.)

B'DAY peaked at #1 on Billboard's Top 200, Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and U.S. Internet album charts and remains a constant on the upper reaches of the Top 200.

"Deja Vu" (featuring Jay-Z), the first single from B'DAY, reached #1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart and #1 on the Hot Dance Singles Sales chart while its follow-up, "Ring The Alarm," hit #1 on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart and #3 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart. The album's current single, "Irreplaceable," reached #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart (10 weeks in a row) and #1 on the R&B Singles chart (9 weeks in a row).

Beyonce may currently be seen starring with Jamie Foxx and Eddie Murphy in the hit Dreamworks and Paramount Pictures film "Dreamgirls."

  www.beyonceonline.com   Fan club: www.welovebeyonce.com   www.houseofdereon.com    www.columbiarecords.com 

Source: Music World/Columbia Records

Web site: http://www.columbiarecords.com/
http://www.beyonceonline.com/
http://www.welovebeyonce.com/
http://www.houseofdereon.com/

2007 CMA Music Festival Artist Lineup Grows

Alan Jackson, Vince Gill, LeAnn Rimes, Dierks Bentley, Trace Adkins, Big & Rich, Gretchen Wilson and Rodney Atkins Are Among Artists to Perform

 The excitement is building for 2007 CMA Music Festival, Thursday-Sunday, June 7-10 in Downtown Nashville as additional artists are added to the performance lineup. Last year more than 161,000 fans attended CMA Music Festival, winner of the International Entertainment Buyers Association's 2006 LIVE! Award for Festival of the Year. Now in its 36th year, the Festival (formerly known as Fan Fair(R)) continues to spotlight the unique relationship between Country Music artists and their fans while raising much-needed funds to support music education in Metro Nashville's public schools through the CMA's charity campaign "Keep the Music Playing."

Trace Adkins, Rodney Atkins, Dierks Bentley, Big & Rich, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, LeAnn Rimes and Gretchen Wilson are among the latest additions to the star-packed performer lineup. Additional artists added as performers include: John Anderson, Jeff Bates, John Berry, Blue County, Lane Brody, Sarah Buxton, Laura Bryna, Donovan Chapman, Earl Thomas Conley, Bucky Covington, Cowboy Crush, Amy Dalley, Dusty Drake, Katrina Elam, Emerson Drive, Jace Everett, Flynnville Train, Todd Fritsch, Josh Gracin, The Grascals, Andy Griggs, Ty Herndon, Little Texas, Ashley Monroe, Megan Mullins, Gary Nichols, Jerrod Niemann, Michael Peterson, Povertyneck Hillbillies, Julie Roberts, Ray Scott, Jeffrey Steele, Aaron Tippin, Trent Tomlinson, Trick Pony, Gene Watson, Bryan White, Jett Williams, Trent Willmon, Mark Wills and Darryl Worley.

"The CMA Music Festival artist performer lineup truly reflects the diversity of our format," said Tammy Genovese, CMA Chief Operating Officer. "We have today's hitmakers, legends and rising stars from the worlds of contemporary and traditional Country, bluegrass and more. If you want to experience the best of Country Music, you'll find it everywhere you turn during CMA Music Festival."

Performers already announced include Jason Aldean, Bomshel, Catherine Britt, Luke Bryan, Sonny Burgess, Carolina Rain, Eric Church, Cole Deggs & the Lonesome, 2007 CMA Global Country Artist Award winner Adam Harvey, Heartland, Jypsi, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Blaine Larsen, Little Big Town, The Lost Trailers, Martina McBride, Neal McCoy, Reba McEntire, The Oak Ridge Boys, Jamie O'Neal, Jake Owen, Danielle Peck, Pirates of the Mississippi, Sugarland, Pam Tillis, Carrie Underwood, The Wreckers and Chris Young. Additional artists will be announced in the coming weeks, and surprise artist performances are also being planned.

All of the artists and celebrities participating in CMA Music Festival donate their time and are not compensated for the hours they spend performing, signing autographs and participating in events. In appreciation of their continued support, CMA created "Keep the Music Playing," a charity program in partnership with the Nashville Alliance for Public Education (NAPE), which donates half the net proceeds from CMA Music Festival to music education for Nashville's 73,000 public school students. More than $300,000 was donated from the 2006 CMA Music Festival.

Tickets for 2007 CMA Music Festival, Thursday through Sunday, June 7-10, in Downtown Nashville are available now.

To order tickets for the 2007 CMA Music Festival call 1-800-CMA-FEST (262- 3378); visit www.CMAfest.com to download an order form to fax or mail; visit www.ticketmaster.com to buy online or charge-by-phone at (615) 255-9600.

Four-day ticket packages include the Nightly Concerts at LP Field; Daily Concerts on the Greased Lightning(R) Riverfront Stages; daily admittance to the Fan Fair(R) (Exhibit Hall) featuring the Acoustic Corner; Crisco(R) Family Zone; Fun Zone; The Chevy(TM) Sports Zone; CMA Music Festival After Hours(TM); free in-town shuttles; the CMA Music Festival Program Book; CMA Music Festival pin; special discounts to area attractions, restaurants, shops, and more. Prices do not include applicable handling fees. Ticket prices are subject to change without notice. All sales are final and non-refundable.

For up-to-the-minute information about tickets, travel information, schedules, artist appearances, and more, visit www.CMAfest.com and sign up for the CMA Exclusive e-news.

Once again in 2007, performances at the CMA Music Festival will be filmed for a two-hour, ABC Television Network special that will air later this summer.

CMA Music Festival is organized and produced by the Country Music Association. CMA Board member Tony Conway is the Executive Producer of CMA Music Festival. Premiere Radio Networks is the official radio broadcaster. Chevy. The Official Ride of Country Music. Additional promotional partners include Borders(R) Books & Music, Crisco(R), Greased Lightning Cleaning Products(R), Music Festivals(R) and Wrangler(R). Fan Fair(R) is a registered trademark of CMA.

Source: Country Music Association

Web site: http://www.cmaworld.com/
http://www.cmafest.com/

Academy Award Winning Director Martin Scorsese to Team Up With Rock and Roll Icon Mick Jagger to Direct and Produce 'The Long Play' for Paramount Pictures

Project Will Re-Team Scorsese With the Academy Award Winner Bill Monahan Who Will Write the Screenplay

Academy Award winning director Martin Scorsese will team up with Rock and Roll icon Mick Jagger to direct "THE LONG PLAY," a film set in the world of the music business spanning over three decades. Project will re-team Scorsese with Academy Award winning writer for "The Departed," Bill Monahan.

Martin Scorsese will direct. Scorsese, Mick Jagger and Victoria Pearman will produce. Film is based on an original idea of Mick Jagger's which he and Pearman's Jagged Films took to Scorsese several years ago. Together they developed the project and brought it to Paramount.

Scorsese recently entered into a four-year, first-look deal with Paramount Pictures to direct and produce entertainment across all platforms including feature films, made-for-DVD, digital content and television for Paramount Pictures and Paramount Vantage. His latest film, "The Departed," was nominated for five Academy Awards(R) and won Best Picture.

Scorsese has directed more than 40 films, including current box office hit "THE DEPARTED," "THE AVIATOR," "GANGS OF NEW YORK," "RAGING BULL," "TAXI DRIVER," and "GOODFELLAS." He is one of the most honored filmmakers in Hollywood, with six each Academy Award nominations and Directors Guild of America nominations. In 2005, he directed and produced the Emmy and Grammy Award-winning documentary "NO DIRECTION HOME: BOB DYLAN."

A music legend for over 30 years, Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones, whose albums have sold more than 100 million copies worldwide, formed his production company with Victoria Pearman and are currently prepping the remake of The Women; written and to be directed by Diane English, and teamed with Luc Besson's Europa to produce an animated feature called RUBY TUESDAY. Jagged Films produced the award-winning ENIGMA and recently completed a documentary on President Clinton's Global Initiative and they are Executive Producers on ABC's Knights of Prosperity.

Jagger and Scorsese recently collaborated on a Rolling Stones feature length concert documentary shot at The Beacon Theater in New York to be released in the Fall.

Scorsese is represented by Endeavor, Rick Yorn of The Firm and Jake Bloom of Bloom Hergott Diemer Rosenthal & LaViolette LLP. Jagger and Pearman are repped by ICM's Jeff Berg and Ken Kleinberg. Monahan is also repped by Endeavor and David Fox.

About Paramount Pictures

Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global company that produces and distributes filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , a leading entertainment content company with prominent and respected brands including Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks. The company's labels include Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, DreamWorks, MTV Films and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Digital Entertainment, Paramount Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., Paramount Studios, and Worldwide Television Distribution.

Source: Paramount Pictures Corporation 

Autodesk Congratulates Academy Award Winners and Nominees

Numerous Films Created With Autodesk Solutions

- Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK) congratulates Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) and Animal Logic for their Academy Award-winning work in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest and Happy Feet, respectively. Autodesk also congratulates ILM, LOLA VFX, Hydraulx, LaserPacific Media Corporation and Blue Sky Studios for their work on the Academy Award-nominated films Poseidon, The Black Dahlia and No Time for Nuts. From visualizing early concepts to finishing and color timing the final pixels, artists rely on Autodesk solutions to achieve their creative vision.

"Congratulations to all the artists who won an Academy Award or were nominated for their stunning work. We salute you," said Marc Petit, Autodesk's Media & Entertainment vice president. "At Autodesk Media & Entertainment, we're dedicated to engineering the best digital tools for filmmaking. We are honored that so many of the nominees and winners trusted our technology."

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

For the Best Visual Effects Academy Award-winning film Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, artists at ILM used the Autodesk Inferno system, as part of the SABRE visual effects system, to transport movie-goers into the wayward world of Captain Jack Sparrow. In one of the scenes shaped with Inferno, Will Turner and the crew of the Black Pearl are held captive in a cage made of bones. The system was used to composite shots of the actors filmed against a blue screen together with a water plate and a digital matte cliff, as well as to add birds, mist and foot bridges to the scene.

For birds-eye-view shots of the port and island, digital artists at ILM used Inferno to remove modern cues such as phone poles and motor boats from the filmed footage, as well as to composite a digital matte of the village. The pirate Ragetti's wooden eye and empty eye socket were also created in Inferno. The system was used to give the eye a dry wooden texture, as well as to light and animate it.

Furthermore, artists at ILM rigged both Davy Jones and the Kraken sea creature's tentacles in Autodesk Maya 3D animation, modeling and rendering software. ILM relied on its proprietary software "Hero" to animate the flowing movement of Davy Jones' tentacles, while Maya was used to animate more specific movements, such as holding a key.

Happy Feet

Australia-based Animal Logic relied on Maya to complete approximately 800 shots for the Academy Award-winning animated feature film Happy Feet. Maya was used to form the facility's complete rendering and lighting pipeline. Rhythm & Hues completed additional animation for the film. Maya was used to adapt Animal Logic's 3D models for use in Rhythm & Hues' proprietary pipeline.

Poseidon

ILM used Maya to create 140 shots for the Best Visual Effects Academy Award-nominated film Poseidon. The movie is a remake of the 1972 classic film about an 1100-foot-long luxury cruise liner that is capsized by a 200-foot wave. Due to the size of the ship and the level of detail desired, the cruise liner was computer-generated and modeled in pieces. In total, Maya was used to model 181,579 renderable pieces that were then fit together to create the ship.

LOLA VFX also worked on 85 shots for Poseidon using the Autodesk Inferno and Autodesk Flame visual effects systems. The facility's sister studio, Hydraulx, helped shape the film as well, delivering 65 shots created with Inferno, Flame, Maya, Autodesk Combustion desktop compositing software and Autodesk Burn background rendering software.

The Black Dahlia

LaserPacific Media Corporation used the Autodesk Lustre digital color grading system to realize a unique look for the Best Cinematography Oscar-nominated movie The Black Dahlia. Colorist Mike Sowa used the system to finalize the film noir feel that had been envisioned by Oscar-winning cinematographer Vilmos Szigmond, ASC.

"I used Autodesk Lustre to add more saturation to the shot footage, as well as to create depth with color and contrast," explained Sowa. "For example, Scarlett Johansson's character was always white and illuminated; while Hilary Swank's dark character was always shown in shadows. The Lustre shape system and rotoscoping capabilities gave me a lot of freedom to play with the shadows in the film until we achieved what Vilmos Zsigmond was looking for."

No Time for Nuts

Blue Sky Studios created the Oscar-nominated animated short film No Time for Nuts with Autodesk Maya. The software was used for pre-visualization, modeling, rigging, layout, animation and some visual effects work. The facility also used Flame for compositing and paint touch-up work.

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc. is the world leader in 2D and 3D design software for the manufacturing, building and construction, and media and entertainment markets. Since its introduction of AutoCAD in 1982, Autodesk has developed the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art digital prototyping solutions to help customers experience their ideas before they are real. Fortune 1000 companies rely on Autodesk for the tools to visualize, simulate and analyze real-world performance early in the design process to save time and money, enhance quality and foster innovation. For additional information about Autodesk, visit www.autodesk.com.

NOTE: Autodesk, AutoCAD, Burn, Combustion, Flame, Inferno, Lustre and Maya are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc./Autodesk Canada Co., in the USA and/or other countries. Academy Award and Oscar registered trademarks of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.

Source: Autodesk, Inc.

New Artist Spotlight: Cadillac Sky
By Kristen Scherer

© 2007 CMA Close Up News Service / Country Music Association, Inc.

When asked about their musical roots, the members of Cadillac Sky answer as a group - "Grandpa's record collection." On their self-produced debut album on Skaggs Family Records, Blind Man Walking, released in January, the bluegrass-inspired quintet - lead vocalist/mandolinist Bryan Simpson, banjo player Matt Menefee, guitarist Mike Jump, fiddler Ross Holmes and bassist Andy Moritz - does show off the kind of instrumentation and respect for tradition that would make their elders proud.

But there's something else going on here. While there's plenty of slick mandolin licks from lead songwriter Simpson and some downright pyrotechnic banjo picking from Menefee, for Cadillac Sky it's delightfully obvious that the song is king. That's where their other big influence - The Beatles - comes through loud and clear.

From the album's leadoff track and debut single, "Born Lonesome" (co-written by Simpson and Bob Regan), to the album's mournful title track, Blind Man Walking serves as a stunning showcase for Simpson's songwriting. He's already listed as writer on songs for top Country artists including, Martina McBride, George Strait and Gretchen Wilson, and he served as co-writer on 12 of the album's 13 tracks. 

Guitarist Jump picked up the remaining songwriting credit, contributing the backwoods biographical "Mountain Man." Originally from Fort Worth, Texas, the members of Cadillac Sky now call Nashville home, and from the innovative and refreshing sound of their debut, this band is definitely going places.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS
(All responses from Bryan Simpson, Cadillac Sky lead vocalist and mandolinist)
Which song would you secretly like to cover?
 "Gnarls Barkley's 'Gone Daddy Gone.'"

What CD is on your stereo?
 "The great Buddy Miller's latest record, Universal United House of Prayer."

What book is on your nightstand?
 "The One Year Bible."

What is your pet peeve?
 "Apathetic soundmen."    

What song do you wish you had written?
 "'It is Well with My Soul.'"

When they look back on your life in 50 years, what do you hope people say about you?
 "They went down swinging."

On the Web: www.cadillacsky.net

Ten Questions for "The Mayor of Music Row"
By Peter Cronin

© 2007 CMA Close Up News Service / Country Music Association, Inc.

If you work anywhere near Nashville's music business, you're familiar with Charlie Monk. For nearly four decades, Monk has worked tirelessly as a music publisher, producer, radio personality and fulltime booster for Country Music and Music City's thriving creative community. He's such a ubiquitous and beloved figure that he's long been known as "The Mayor of Music Row." He's plugged into so many people and stories from up and down Nashville's musical epicenter that now he's got a show where he gets to play and say whatever he wants on SIRIUS Satellite Radio. Special guests visit Monk in the Nashville studios to share stories.  Monk, who has been with Country Radio Seminar since its inception, is the 2007 recipient of CRB's President's Award, presented annually to "an individual who has made a significant contribution to the marketing, production, growth and development of CRS and the multiple services that Country Radio Broadcasters provides to the Country radio and music communities."

"Charlie is a true Nashville treasure when it comes to the CRB," said CRB President R.J. Curtis. "He has been an active participant for more than 38 years when one considers the pre-planning that went into the first seminar. His care and constant concern for the event and its participants make this award very deserving for him."

Q&A with Charlie Monk, "The Mayor of Music Row"

As you get ready to accept CRB's President's Award, talk a bit about your history with CRS. 
"It was started to give the radio people an opportunity to come together. I was the point man for the first few years and then Judy Harris became the point person, then Frank Mull volunteered and we hired him as the first paid executive director. It's kind of my baby in the sense that I've been part of all of it and it's probably the most successful radio and musical event ever, period. No genre has anything even close to the size and the sizzle factor."

How did you come to Nashville originally? 
"I was in radio in Mobile, [Ala.] for 10 years prior to coming here. I came up to work for a radio station that Mary Reeves, Jim Reeves' widow, and her partner, Tom Perryman owned. I had the first live daily radio show on Music Row, every day from two to four. It was called the 'Charlie Monk Music Row Show.' This was between 1968 and 1970."

What was Music Row like in those days? 
"You could meander into any office or session, you knew literally everybody in the industry, every secretary, every executive on a personal level. Owen Bradley or Chet Atkins, you could just wander into their offices."

The CRS New Faces of Country Music Show, which you originated, has become such an influential and important showcase for up-and-coming acts over the years. How did that come about? 
"With the New Faces Show, we originally had 10 acts and it was, 'These are the 10 acts that have happened or gotten the most notoriety over the last year, and we hope that you'll play their records and we hope that you'll recommend their booking in your area.' It was not entertainment. It was more like education. We didn't have any cocktail parties. We would actually run people out of the bars to get them to the seminar. We had like 95 percent attendance in every session but we had no competing sessions."

What do you think CRS has accomplished over the years? 
"The seminar is responsible for the growth of Country radio. Media people came to the seminar. Maybe they had a bad AM station in a metropolitan market and they were playing pop music, but it wasn't happening because they were competing with another pop station. They switched to Country and the rest is history. So just trying it proved the thing.  If New York or Los Angeles would just try it today."

You've worn several hats during your career - song publisher, on-air personality, producer, consultant. Who is the real Charlie Monk? 
"I am a publisher; that's what I do. Anything I do, radio, consulting, it's all come out of my experience in the music publishing business. I'm probably the oldest guy still walking around with a music publishing company. I've got the current Carolina Rain single ["Isn't She"]. I'm very active, and always have been.  I've served on the board of almost every organization in the industry, and helped to create some of them."

For someone who's been doing it as long as you have, how do you manage to maintain such enthusiasm for the music business? 
"I love it. I am so pumped about the music business. I think we're in an information abyss where we don't know what's going to happen but it's all going to be good. We're doing about half the records on the major label side that we were doing five to seven years ago, but all the independents are flourishing. That gives great leeway for songwriters and music publishers like me. The good old days are tomorrow."

As a co-founder of CRS, a terrestrial radio event, and a consultant at SIRIUS Satellite Radio, what do you think the two could learn from each other? 
"The problem with terrestrial radio is you go to Dallas and the station sounds just like Nashville, and Nashville sounds just like Atlanta, the same records, the same imaging voices, there's nothing local about these radio stations. When I first started, I had a stack of records, Ralph Emery had a stack of records and we played what we wanted, when we wanted."

What is your role with CRS today? 
"I'm kind of the mother hen of the group, a lifetime member of the board. It's my baby and I've put a lot of time into it.  Over these last 38 years, there hasn't been a week that I didn't have something to do with it, and sometimes not a day. But it's very successful, and it really is meaningful for people."

Thinking ahead 10 years, do you think Music Row will be the same creative place it is today? 
"Yes, and I'll still be the mayor."

ABOUT CRS:
CMA is a proud sponsor of the 38th annual Country Radio Seminar, which is hosted by the Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc., and takes place Wednesday, Feb. 28-Friday, March 2, at the Nashville Convention Center in Downtown Nashville. The CMA Performance Hall at NCC, will feature performances from some of the best new and established artists. This year, CRS-38 is bigger and better than ever with the addition of several new events on Wednesday, including:
. "Hall of Fame Panel" featuring inductees for the 2007 class of the Country Radio and Country Music DJ Hall of Fame 
. "What Happens When a Country Station Plays New Music: A Study of the Impact of New Music on a Country Radio Audience" - Insights from Arbitron PPM, Media Monitors and Coleman Insights
. ASCAP sponsored KCRS Live! Songwriter Showcase
In addition to Artist Radio Tape Session (ARTS), the Curb Records luncheon and three additional artist showcases, Toby Keith will perform at the Music City Jam on Wednesday night. 

On Thursday, CRS-38 will welcome keynote speaker Jon Bon Jovi, who has been spending significant time in Nashville writing. The New Jersey-based rocker, who was nominated for a 2006 CMA Award for "Who Says You Can't Go Home," his No. 1 single with Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles, will be interviewed by WSIX/Nashville personality Gerry House.

"I am truly looking forward to my participation in CRS-38," said Jon Bon Jovi. "The success of 'Who Says You Can't Go Home' at Country Radio proves how incredibly active and passionate the format and its listeners are. We are very proud to have been embraced by the community that we have come to love."

Former Chairman and CEO of Citadel Communications Corp., Larry Wilson, will be presented with the Tom Rivers Humanitarian Award during the opening ceremonies.

Also on Thursday is the BMI WCRS Live! Showcase to feature acoustic performances by Sarah Buxton, Mac Davis, Pat Green and host Jeffrey Steele. 

Plus, the annual "Life of a Legend" panel will shine a spotlight on the amazing career of Ronnie Milsap. Eddie Stubbs of WSM-AM/Nashville will serve as moderator on a panel that looks back on the Milsap's hit-filled decades in the music business.

Friday will feature several sales-oriented panels including, "Prospecting: How to Hit the Motherload," "www.clickyourmoneymaker.com" and "Your Baby is Ugly: Why I Won't Buy Radio." 

CRS-38 will present 24 panels over three days focusing on important issues affecting Country radio. For more information and to print an "At A Glance Agenda," visit www.crb.org.

The Cat in the Hat Turns 50!

Random House Children's Books Launches Literacy Initiative in Honor of This Important Milestone; Join the National Read-Aloud on March 2nd!

On March 1, Dr. Seuss' beloved classic The Cat in the Hat will celebrate its 50th Birthday. Originally published by Random House in 1957, The Cat in the Hat was embraced widely and enthusiastically, becoming an instant bestseller and turning Dr. Seuss into a household name virtually overnight. Random House has since sold an estimated 10.5 million copies of the book, not including the millions more sold by Random House via a direct mail program administered by Scholastic-at-Home.

Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, wrote The Cat in the Hat in response to a perceived literacy crisis in the United States. In the mid 1950s, many Americans were asking themselves: Why can't Johnny read? In a Life magazine article, Pulitzer Prize-winning author John Hersey maintained that American children couldn't read because the Dick and Jane primers were boring and could not compete with cartoons, comics, and other more fun and interesting stimuli, so he challenged Dr. Seuss to write a story "first graders wouldn't be able to put down." And that's just what Dr. Seuss did, using a vocabulary of only 236 words. Seuss' 236 words revolutionized the way children learn to read, ultimately making an enormous and positive impact on the looming literacy crisis in the United States.

In honor of Dr. Seuss and his Cat, Random House Children's Books, Dr. Seuss Enterprises, and First Book (a national nonprofit literacy organization) are sponsoring a national initiative -- Project 236 -- to raise awareness of literacy issues and help combat the literacy crisis in the United States. The program's goal is to revolutionize the way children in our country learn to read all over again, by ensuring that all children have access to books. Studies show that access to books remains essential to reading development and recent statistics have shown that while children in middle-income homes have roughly 13 books of their own, in low-income communities, the ratio of books to children is just one book for every 300 children.

Project 236 asks kids, parents, grandparents, caregivers, teachers, librarians, and community leaders: What can you do to make a difference? For example, for every birthday card sent to the Cat in the Hat, Random House will donate one new book to First Book. First Book gives children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books. Random House is also encouraging readers of all ages to join the Project 236 chorus and read The Cat in the Hat aloud at 2:36 pm on March 2nd -- Dr. Seuss' birthday and the National Education Association's Read Across America Day. Visit www.catinthehat.com for information on how to participate in Project 236 and support local literacy initiatives.

Random House Children's Books is the world's largest English-language children's trade book publisher. Creating books for toddlers through young adult readers, in all formats from board books to activity books to picture books to novels and narrative nonfiction, the imprints of Random House Children's Books bring together world-famous franchise characters, multimillion-copy series, and top-flight, award-winning authors and illustrators. The company's award-winning website, kids@random (www.randomhouse.com/kids), offers an array of materials and activities free of charge for children, parents, and educators. Random House Children's Books is a division of Random House, Inc., whose parent company is Bertelsmann AG, a leading international media company.

First Book is an international nonprofit organization with a single mission: to give children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books. Through hundreds of local Advisory Boards, the First Book National Book Bank, and the First Book Marketplace, the organization provides an ongoing supply of new books to children participating in community-based mentoring, tutoring, and literacy programs. First Book has provided more than 46 million new books to children in need in thousands of communities nationwide. For more information about First Book, please visit www.firstbook.org.

Today, in New York City, Emmy-winning investigative journalist Simcha Jacobovici, Academy Award winner James Cameron and the Discovery Channel unveiled burial boxes possibly containing the bones of Jesus and of Mary Magdalene. These findings, the basis of Jacobovici's movie Lost Tomb of Jesus, could be earth-shattering to billions of people. Many will have questions and www.jesusfamilytomb.com has the answers.

As the official site for the movie Lost Tomb of Jesus and the companion book The Jesus Family Tomb, www.jesusfamilytomb.com is the definitive resource for investigations of the alternative theories, in-depth articles, empirical evidence and information about those involved in the discoveries and the debate.

Featuring 33 personalized videos with Simcha Jacobovici discussing essential aspects of the discoveries and the movie as well as in-depth research on the history, players and places, www.jesusfamilytomb.com is the portal through which to find answers to the following questions, and many more.

- What is the probability that these are the ossuaries (burial boxes or

"bone boxes") of the holy family?

- How was DNA analysis used? What did DNA testing reveal about the

relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene?

- What inscriptions were found on the ossuaries? How have these

inscriptions helped experts piece together the facts surrounding Jesus

Christ's life and death?

- What roles did archaeologists, historians, DNA experts, epigraphers

and robot-camera technicians play in this discovery?

- On the facade of The Jesus Family Tomb is a symbol called a chevron.

What is its meaning?

About Talmor Media: Talmor Media will harness the internet segment of your marketing strategy. Our talented team of programmers, designers, writers and cutting-edge search engine optimization experts know how to create powerful websites. Websites with strength. Websites with authority. Source: Talmor Media

Grammy-Award Winning Rap Artist and Award-Winning Actor Chris "Ludacris" Bridges and his foundation, The Ludacris Foundation, are being honored with the 2007 National Runaway Switchboard (NRS) "Spirit of Youth" award for their work and dedication in helping America's youth. The announcement was made Monday evening at NRS' Spirit of Youth Launch Party in Chicago.

Ludacris' recent Grammy for Best Rap Album, "Release Therapy," includes a song titled "Runaway Love," which addresses situations many youth in this country face that often times lead them to running away. When the song was released this past fall, it was a natural fit to form a partnership among Ludacris, The Ludacris Foundation and NRS.

"The timing could not have been better with November's National Runaway Prevention Month," said Maureen Blaha, NRS executive director. "Since the release of 'Runaway Love' Ludacris' and The Foundation's commitment to helping runaway youth and letting people know about the help they can receive by calling 1-800-RUNAWAY has only increased."

And it shows. NRS experienced a 17 percent increase in calls to its hotline in 2006, and the number of visitors to its website has nearly doubled from a year ago this month, with significant increases occurring since the partnership formed.

Ludacris and Roberta Shields, president of The Ludacris Foundation, will be presented with the Spirit of Youth awards on Thursday, November 1, 2007, in Chicago.

The National Runaway Switchboard, established in 1971, serves as the federally-designated national communication system for homeless and runaway youth. Recognized as the oldest hotline of its kind in the world, NRS, with the support of more than 150 volunteers, handles an average of 100,000 calls annually -- more than 3 million calls since the organization's inception. NRS provides crisis intervention, referrals to local resources, and education and prevention services to youth, families and community members throughout the country 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Over 10,000 youth have been reunited with their families through NRS' Home Free program done in collaboration with Greyhound Lines, Inc. The NRS crisis hotline is 1-800-RUNAWAY. For more information, visit http://www.1800runaway.org/.

Web site: http://www.1800runaway.org/

-- Xenon Pictures has announced today the March 13, 2007 DVD re-release of THE DA VINCI HOAX, a documentary debunking author Dan Brown's fictional theories on the relationship between Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene, the beginnings of Christianity, and the Catholic Church. This thought-provoking film, hosted by best-selling authors Carl E. Olson and Sandra Miesel, as well as Jesuit biblical scholar Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S.J., exposes the inaccuracies and falsehoods of the popular novel, The Da Vinci Code. The re-release of THE DA VINCI HOAX coincides with the Easter/Passover season, bringing audiences a documentary on an important theological and cultural subject through hard facts and scholarly research.

THE DA VINCI HOAX also contains a special feature, "Debunking the Gospel of Judas" by Father Mitch Pacwa, S.J., along with a 12-page color booklet and study guide. Other special features include deleted scenes and subtitle options in both Spanish and French. THE DA VINCI HOAX will be available at all major retail and online stores for $14.99 (SRP).

Xenon Pictures will also be re-releasing three additional DVD titles on March 13, 2007: RAY CHARLES: SOUL OF THE HOLY LAND, starring the legendary Grammy(R)-winning musician in a 1973 concert performance from Israel; a documentary on gospel icon Mahalia Jackson, MAHALIA JACKSON: THE POWER AND THE GLORY; and THERESE, the biographical drama on the life of St. Therese of Lisieux. All three titles offer families wholesome and inspirational entertainment.

A testament to a great man and a great artist, RAY CHARLES: SOUL OF THE HOLY LAND is a recently discovered documentary of Ray Charles' 1973 tour of Israel, including his sold-out concert in Tel Aviv. The DVD features unforgettable performances that serve as a collectible and lasting memorial to this phenomenal entertainer.

MAHALIA JACKSON: THE POWER AND THE GLORY traces the life of the world's greatest gospel singer, from her beginnings in a New Orleans ghetto to her acclaimed performances at Carnagie Hall and other stages throughout the world. The film features interviews with Rev. Jesse Jackson, author Studs Terkel and Brother John Sellers, and includes an additional two hours of rare television footage of Mahalia singing many of the immortal songs that are the foundation of gospel music.

Known as the "Little Flower," St. Therese of Lisieux, a French Carmelite nun whose personal writings were published posthumously as Story of a Soul, is the subject of the biographical drama, THERESE. Produced by Luke Films, THERESE was the first-ever feature length film to receive an official Vatican endorsement prior to its theatrical release. Based on his popular play about St. Therese, director Leonardo Defilippis adapted, directed and costarred in the film version, with Lindsay Younce in the title role. It is rated PG-13 for mild thematic elements.

Xenon Pictures is offering RAY CHARLES: SOUL OF THE HOLY LAND at the suggested retail price of $19.98; MAHALIA JACKSON: THE POWER AND THE GLORY at $14.99; and THERESE, in a deluxe package that's loaded with extras, at $24.99.

Source: Xenon Pictures

XM, the nation's leading satellite radio service, in collaboration with Knitting Factory Entertainment (KFE), the leading authority on live emerging music, today announced the alternative music performance series "Live From The Knitting Factory on XMU" will premiere on March 2. Co-created and co-produced by KFE and XMU, XM's indie/college music channel (XM 43), the weekly concert series will feature performances from both up-and-coming and established alternative bands recorded at Knitting Factory clubs in New York and Los Angeles.

Each "Live From The Knitting Factory on XMU" performance will capture the spontaneity and eclectic energy that has been the signature of Knitting Factory concerts, while spotlighting emerging artists across multiple genres. Art Brut, Beauty Pill, Chin Up Chin Up, Georgie James and Portastatic, among others, will be featured during the first season of the series.

The British duo, The Boy Least Likely To, will kick off the new series March 2 during its regular timeslot, Fridays at 10 p.m. ET on XMU (XM 43). The upcoming broadcast schedule for "Live From The Knitting Factory on XMU" also includes:

March 9 - ART BRUT

March 16 - MAZARIN

March 23 - THE BROKEN WEST

March 30 - PORTASTATIC

To coincide with the launch of "Live From The Knitting Factory on XMU," music fans will have access to XMU throughout March on the AOL Radio Network featuring XM. To access XMU or any of the 20 XM channels offered free through AOL's leading web radio service, visit http://www.aolradio.com/ (click on XMU channel 43 beginning March 1).

About XM

XM (NASDAQ:XMSR) is America's number one satellite radio company with more than 7.6 million subscribers. Broadcasting live daily from studios in Washington, DC, New York City, Chicago, the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Toronto and Montreal, XM's 2007 lineup includes more than 170 digital channels of choice from coast to coast: commercial-free music, premier sports, news, talk radio, comedy, children's and entertainment programming; and the most advanced traffic and weather information.

XM, the leader in satellite-delivered entertainment and data services for the automobile market through partnerships with General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Porsche, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota is available in 140 different vehicle models for 2007. XM's industry-leading products are available at consumer electronics retailers nationwide. For more information about XM hardware, programming and partnerships, please visit http://www.xmradio.com/.

About Knitting Factory Entertainment

Founded in 1987, Knitting Factory Entertainment is America's most prolific presenter of new and emerging musical talent. With more than 5,000 live music performances each year at its multi-stage New York and Hollywood venues, this treasured New York cultural icon has been transformed into a leading national arbiter and filter of 'what's next' in the emerging music scene. Rising stars such as M.I.A., The Arcade Fire, Fall Out Boy, and Sufjan Stevens have all appeared on Knitting Factory stages, as have some of today's best-known artists, such as Beck, PJ Harvey and Death Cab for Cutie, early in their careers.

With a focus on the creation of a national platform with direct, demonstrable contact with the urban active demographic, the Knitting Factory is actively creating a next-generation music venue by developing a presence in the digital content space through unique media partnerships that harness KFE's power as an aggregator of exclusive live performance content.

KFE's Bravo Entertainment division is a leading regional concert promoter with operations across 18 states and wholly owned venues in Boise, Idaho, and Spokane, Wash.

For more information, please visit http://www.knittingfactory.com/.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements in this press release include demand for XM Satellite Radio's service, the Company's dependence on technology and third party vendors, its potential need for additional financing, as well as other risks described in XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc.'s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 3-9-06. Copies of the filing are available upon request from XM Radio's Investor Relations Department.

Source: XM Satellite Radio

Web site: http://www.xmradio.com/
http://www.aolradio.com/
http://www.knittingfactory.com/

-- The critically acclaimed, multi-Oscar(R)-nominated "Children of Men," a riveting action thriller of astonishing power and impact set against a backdrop of deception and suspense, comes to DVD and HD-DVD on March 27, 2007 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Award-winning director Alfonso Cuaron's ("Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," "Y Tu Mama Tambien") powerful depiction of a world threatened by extinction stars Academy Award(R) nominees Clive Owen ("Inside Man," "Closer") and Julianne Moore ("The Forgotten," "Far from Heaven"). The supporting cast includes Academy Award(R) winner Sir Michael Caine ("The Prestige," "Batman Begins"), Chiwetel Ejiofor ("Inside Man") and Charlie Hunnam ("Cold Mountain"). With a dazzling array of exclusive bonus features that takes viewers deep inside its fascinating and explosive world, the "Children of Men" DVD is priced at $29.98 SRP. Pre-order close is February 20, 2007.

Adapted from the novel by P.D. James, "Children of Men" brilliantly imagines London in 2027, a world in which humankind has lost the ability to reproduce and one man is asked to risk everything for the survival of the human race. Theo Faron (Clive Owen) believes his activist days are behind him until he is asked to take on a dangerous mission that may save the future of the human race. "Children of Men" also stars Julianne Moore as the leader of the underground opposition group that enlists Theo's help, as well as veteran actor Michael Caine in a witty and wily portrayal of a lapsed idealist trapped in a nightmarish world.

CRITICS HAIL CHILDREN OF MEN

Critics agree "Children of Men" is an extraordinary film. Scott Mantz of "Access Hollywood" declares "Children of Men" as "Powerful, provocative and absolutely brilliant!" The film is packed with "Exhilarating action" according to Peter Travers of Rolling Stone. It is "Magnificent ... a unique and totally original vision," says Pete Hammond, Maxim.

BONUS FEATURES GO BEHIND THE SCENES

The "Children of Men" DVD and HD-DVD include exclusive looks behind-the-scenes with the critically acclaimed film's creators and actors including:

-- Deleted Scenes!

-- Possibility of Hope -- A chilling documentary features the world's

leading futurists and philosophers examining social and economic

shifts that find expression in "Children of Men."

-- Theo and Julian -- In exclusive on-set interviews, actors Clive Owen

and Julianne Moore offer up insights and secrets about the complex and

compelling characters they have created in "Children of Men."

-- Futuristic Designs -- Director Alfonso Cuaron created an original and

dynamic vision of the future for this film. Follow his vision as it

goes from concept to seething cinematic life in this featurette.

-- Visual Effects: Creating the Baby -- Uncover the incredible visual

effects used to create a life-like baby in the film.

-- Men Under Attack -- Children of Men features amazingly realistic

scenes of the chaos and violence and groundbreaking, Oscar(R)-

nominated cinematography by Emmanuel Lubezki, called by Rolling

Stone's Peter Travers "a weaver of visual miracles." This

mini-documentary breaks down two of the most terrifying scenes in the

film -- the cafe explosion and a car under violent attack from all

sides -- to show how the filmmakers created sequences in which "You

don't just watch the scene, you live inside it, ducking each fresh,

ferocious assault."

The HD-DVD version of "Children of Men" will also feature U-CONTROL, Picture in Picture and ADS & PROPAGANDA (Title TBD)

SYNOPSIS

No children. No future. No hope.

In the year 2027, eighteen years since the last baby was born, disillusioned Theo (Clive Owen) becomes an unlikely champion of the human race when he is asked by his former lover (Julianne Moore) to escort a young pregnant woman out of the country as quickly as possible. In a thrilling race against time, Theo will risk everything to deliver the miracle the whole world has been waiting for. Co-starring Michael Caine, filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron's "Children of Men" is the powerful film Pete Hammond of Maxim calls "magnificent ... a unique and totally original vision."

For more information please visit: www.childrenofmen.net

CAST AND FILMMAKERS

Director: Alfonso Cuaron

Written By: Alfonso Cuaron, Timothy J. Sexton, David Arata, Mark Fergus,

Hawk Ostby

Based on the Novel By: P.D. James

Produced By: Marc Abraham, Eric Newman, Hilary Shor, Tony Smith,

Iain Smith

Director of Photography: Emmanuel Lubezki

Production Designers: Geoffrey Kirkland, Jim Clay

Film Editors: Alex Rodriguez, Alfonso Cuaron

Costume Designer: Jany Temime

Music By: John Taverner

Cast: Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Michael Caine, Clare-Hope Ashitey,

Chiwetel Ejiofor, Charlie Hunnam, Danny Huston

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

DVD

Street Date: March 27, 2007

Pre-Order Close: February 20, 2007

Copyright: 2007 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Price: $29.98

Selection Number: 61032513 widescreen, 61032514 full frame

Running Time: 1 Hour 50 Minutes

Layers: Dual Layer

Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1

Rating: R

Technical Info:

* English, Spanish, French Dolby Digital 5.1

* Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French

Universal Studios Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is a part of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% owned by Vivendi.

* Writing, Adapted Screenplay; Film Editing; Cinematography

www.childrenofmen.net

Web site: http://www.ushepublicity.com/

Web site: http://www.universalstudios.com/

Web site: http://www.childrenofmen.net/

-- The 79th Academy Awards have been handed out to the winners, the best and worst dressed have been anointed, and an analysis of Oscar advertisers and marketers exposes which select advertisers turned 30 seconds of TV time, their websites, strategic search engine marketing as well as red carpet product placement opportunities into big wins.

SendTec, Inc. (BULLETIN BOARD: SNDN) , a progressive full service direct marketing agency, encourages marketers to not only reach out to consumers via television campaigns but to closely align these campaigns with online tactics.

"Consumer behaviors are changing, as evidenced by the ongoing push of Oscar's backstage persona Chris Connelly to visit Oscar.com," extends Eric Obeck, President of SendTec, Inc. "The mainstream television 'experience' now includes website and search engine interaction during programming, and very few events drive this better than the Oscars." So, if the general viewing public was being pushed online by the award ceremony's producers, did advertisers take advantage? SendTec opens the envelope on the big advertising winners and losers of the night:

The Award Goes To:

-- Microsoft - For its trio of "WOW" ads, Windows Vista intermingled

together after the Best Supporting Actress award. Curious and

intriguing, for a moment you had no idea what was being sold during

the first two spots. Microsoft then pulled it all together with the

final spot, pushing the viewer online to find out more by integrating

one-two knockout punch. Even more compelling, Microsoft backed up its

campaign with a terrific paid search campaign, wherein if you actually

searched on the keyword phrase "WOW" you received the proper follow-up

communication.

-- Dove - Dove carried on the "user generated" concept employed by

Doritos during the Super Bowl. Integrating an interactive campaign by

encouraging its loyal users to submit their amateur ad, Dove continues

to be the brand of real women. The commercial, showcasing Grey's

Anatomy's "real woman" Sara Ramirez, ended with a call-to-action push

samples of the new product and register for the chance to take part in

Dove's next ad campaign -- allowing Dove to collect valuable consumer

information and research. In addition to the tied-in website, Dove

launched an integrated paid search campaign as well as showing up

within branded organic search results.

-- MasterCard - The "Priceless" campaign is back and it delivers again.

With two spots, the Zookeeper and the Free-Spirited Shopper,

MasterCard effectively reached the viewers with a sentimental approach

building an emotional bond between the brand and its target consumer.

Once again, MasterCard understood it's not all about branding; it is

also about getting new cardholders, while getting current members to

even stepped in the world of user-generated content by allowing

visitors to submit their "Priceless Picks." Of course, to submit your

pick, you must submit your personal contact information.

-- Cadillac - Cadillac featured Andy Garcia and urged viewers to go to

Searching the term "Cadillac Story" and "Andy Garcia" shows that the

company paid close attention to both paid search and organic search

campaigns.

Going Home Without a Golden Statue:

-- Kodak - Its Oscar campaign focused on communicating its improved and

growing Kodak Kiosk program for on-demand picture printing. However,

if you can't find where this kiosk is in your local area, the

advertisement is worthless. Searching for "Kodak" on Google nothing

is found in the organic results. It will appear in the results for a

paid search, but it will take users a minute to find it buried in the

site navigation.

-- Discovery Channel - They created a beautifully produced commercial, a

terrifically designed mini-site, but nobody will find it. The "Planet

Earth" mini-series promotion is a terrific example of an advertiser

thinking that if you flash a website URL on the screen that people

will actually remember it. If you don't have TiVo, the URL was

string. Searches for "planet earth," "discovery channel," "discovery

channel planet earth" or "planet earth mini-series" come up empty.

It's a shame that one of the best micro-websites will remain unseen

... unless they launch a paid search campaign.

-- Apple - Without question, Apple dropped the ball on Oscar night, along

with approximately $5.1 million of ad time promoting the word "Hello."

Was the one second frame that flashed the Apple logo enough to make

sure the audience actually knew the ad was from Apple? By the third

time the ad aired and viewers figured out that it was Apple, they were

left scratching their head on what the product was. And if they went

long as you had QuickTime installed to view it. Hello?

-- Cold Water Creek - The commercial that featured a woman picking up a

bouquet of flowers and putting them in a vase left the viewers

confused about what the ad was for. Without any mention of a website

for this unfamiliar brand, Oscar viewers could not distinguish if we

were looking for a clothing designer or a flower company.

"Outside of seeing Martin Scorsese finally win his much deserved Oscar, it was a disappointing night of viewing for the Ad executive," shares Tim Daly, SVP of Marketing Strategy at SendTec. "Some advertisers still aren't giving proper consideration to the lost opportunity and even the negative perceptions of consumers when they cannot seamlessly go to a website or a search engine to quickly connect with more information on exactly what was featured in a TV spot."

Going one step further, some big name designers did not need to shell out the $1.7 million ad tag to get attention. Product placement was the name of the game on the red carpet, with Armani, Christian Lacroix, Vera Wang and Valentino making headway by nominees and presenters who carried their gowns. Unfortunately, those designers savvy enough to gain product placement did not take the next step of placing their paid search ads in context of relevant key words like celebrity names.

Armani ruled the red carpet with Cate Blanchett's metallic Armani Label dress and Beyonce's green Armani dress prompted the "who are you wearing" question from all the interviewers. Calvin Klein got prime attention when the interviewer on E! Entertainment told supporting actor nominee Djimon Hounsou that she knew what kind of underwear he was wearing thanks to a text message she received from Calvin Klein's publicist. Prompted by this, E! correspondent Ryan Seacrest showed his briefs, announcing that he is also wearing Calvin Klein. This was followed by an interview on ABC 7 with Emily Blunt, accompanied by a caption promoting her sparkling blue Calvin Klein gown. Valentino also had a strong presence with Anne Hathaway and Kate Winslet. Van Cleef jewelry got a mention by Hathaway who said that "she wanted to wear every diamond available" as this was her first ever Oscars. Vogue's Andre Leon Ralley doing fashion reviews on ABC gave thumbs up for Jada Pinkett Smith's golden Caroline Herrera gown, giving great exposure for this designer.

"In future years, we anticipate that the smartest brands will be better prepared when a fashion minded person goes directly to a search engine after watching the Oscars red carpet show to try to find out who was wearing what," said Obeck.

About SendTec

SendTec, Inc. (BULLETIN BOARD: SNDN) , is a seasoned leader in providing innovative technology solutions and a full complement of agency services to ROI-minded advertisers. SendTec is widely recognized for effectively integrating and optimizing online and offline marketing campaigns, most of which leverage SendTec's expertise in search engine marketing and/or direct response television. SendTec is headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida with offices in New York City and Chicago. Clients include Intuit, Toyota, Orkin, RealNetworks and Conde Nast. http://www.sendtec.com/

Web site: http://www.sendtec.com/

MovieTickets.com (www.movietickets.com) has opened a virtual movie theater within Second Life(R) designed to offer residents real world ticketing, movie-related content and participation in various promotional programs. By building on a ticket-shaped island within the popular Second Life, MovieTickets.com, the most powerful online ticketing provider, becomes the first to offer ties to a real time movie ticketing option within such a virtual world.

"Within the virtual theater, possibilities are endless. We hope that the MovieTickets.com island will help stimulate the convergence of virtual and real world movie-going experiences through ecommerce and a community spirit," said Joel Cohen Vice President, Business Development, MovieTickets.com. "Movie-going serves as one of the most popular entertainment commerce categories, and we expect to answer this demand with a compelling and creative entertainment destination."

While on the island, Second Life residents can view trailers of the top 10 movies at the box office, interact and share thoughts with other viewers and purchase real world movie tickets - all courtesy of MovieTickets.com. MovieTickets.com will also provide a dynamic environment by updating trailers and content on a regular basis, as well as building consumer-driven promotions with movie studios and media providers.

Additional MovieTickets.com plans include using the MovieTickets.com island to conduct research within this unique test environment. These possibilities include administering interactive polling or even simulating innovative theater concepts for the exhibition industry.

MovieTickets.com will also develop compelling promotional programs specifically for this audience. For a limited time, the new MovieTickets.com island is offering free MovieTickets.com T-shirts, popcorn and 3D glasses to visitors.

Second Life is a registered trademark of Linden Research.

MovieTickets.com exhibitors currently include:

Academy 8 Theaters, Access Digital Theatres, All Star Entertainment, AMC Theatres, Amherst Cinema Art Center, Arena Grand Theatre, Ashbrie Cinemas, Atlantic Theaters, Atlas Cinemas, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Bryn Mawr Movie Theatre Co., Camera Cinemas, Celebrity Theatres, Channelside Cinemas, Cinema Centers, Cinema Four-Quad, Cinemagic Movies, Cinemall, Classic Cinemas, Clearview Cinemas, Cleveland Cinemas, Consolidated Theatres, Cornelius Cinemas, Crown Theatres, Dickinson Theatres, Drexel Theatres, Eastern Shores, Emagine Entertainment, Entertainment Retail (Hollywood Hits), Famous Players, Film Forum, Fine Arts Theatre - Beverly Hills, Fox Bay Cinema Grill, Foxmoor Movies, Greater Huntington Theatres, Greenville Cinemas, Hallett Cinemas, Harkins Theatres, HLB Entertainment, Hollywood Cinema 9, Hollywood Premier Cinemas, IFC Center, Kew Gardens (Cobble Hill), Krikorian Premiere Theatres, Landmark Theatres, M Park 4, Main Street Cinemas, Malco Theatres, Mann Theatres, Marcus Theatres, Marquee Cinemas, Metropolitan Theatres, MJR Theatres, MnM Theatres, MovieMax Theatres, Narberth Theatre, National Amusements, Nelsonville Movies 10, Oasis Cinema, Omniplex Theatre Group, O'Neil Theatres, Pacific Theatres, Paris Theater, Penn Cinema, Phoenix Theatres (MI), Phoenix Theatres (TN), Pickwick Theatres, Premiere Cinemas, Rave Motion Pictures, Reading Cinemas USA (City Cinemas), Rio Entertainment, Ritz Theatres, Riviera Cinemas, Roxy Theatres, Santikos Theaters, Sayville Theatre, Sea Turtle Cinemas, Silver Screen Cinemas, Spotlight Theatres, Studio Movie Grill, Sunrise Cinemas, Tango Theaters, Trans-Lux Cinemas, UltraStar Cinemas, Watson Theatre, Wellfleet Cinemas, and Westates Theatres.

About MovieTickets.com

MovieTickets.com, the most powerful Internet movie ticketing service, provides consumers with the ease of a virtual box office from the convenience of their home or office. Formed in the spring of 2000, MovieTickets.com is a joint venture between AMC Entertainment, Hollywood Media Corp, National Amusements, Famous Players, Marcus Theatres, Viacom, and AOL, thus allowing the company to effectively leverage the collective exhibitor expertise to deliver consumers a premium movie ticketing experience. MovieTickets.com enables consumers to buy tickets online for movie screens across the United States and Canada, and in the U.K. Its elite collection of partner theaters consistently represents over 50% of the top 50 and over 50% of the top 100 grossing theaters in North America on any given weekend. The MovieTickets.com Exhibitor group, which includes nearly 90 theater chains, is more than triple the amount of its nearest competitor.

Web site: http://www.movietickets.com/

Wentworth Gallery () is pleased to announce that rock icon Grace Slick will bring her latest art collection to Garden City making two special appearances at Wentworth Gallery located at Roosevelt Field Mall on April 14-15.

With microphone in hand, Grace Slick once took to the stage and defined a generation. Her soulful, powerful voice resonated with a specific time - the 1960s - and place - San Francisco -- like few other performers in rock and roll history.

In fact, with Slick front and center, Jefferson Airplane made history again in 1996 when the group was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.

Over the next 20 years, Slick maintained her iconic rock and roll status, recording countless classic songs with Jefferson Airplane & Starship.

But in 1989, Slick put down her microphone and picked up a paintbrush and has now made a new name for herself as an accomplished artist. Creating an incredible collection of original paintings and limited editions, Slick presents a range of subjects including portraits of legendary musicians Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Mick Jagger, Jerry Garcia, to name a few. The exhibit also features "The Wonderland Suite."

Today, Slick lives and works in Malibu, CA

Web site: http://www.wentworthgallery.com/

Treat Williams ("Brothers & Sisters," "Everwood"), Samaire Armstrong ("Entourage," "The O.C.") and Kevin Pollak ("The Usual Suspects") star in the Lifetime Original Movie, "The Staircase Murders," a provocative drama based on the actual events of the famed murder case involving Michael Peterson, the novelist accused of killing his socialite wife in their North Carolina home. Production is underway in Louisiana. Produced by Lionsgate, "The Staircase Murders" premieres Sunday, April 15, at 8PM ET/PT, with a special encore airing on Monday, April 16, at 9PM ET/PT, on Lifetime Television.

In "The Staircase Murders," loving father, aspiring politician and successful New York Times best-selling novelist Michael Peterson (Williams) was the picture perfect husband to his wife Kathleen. But when a panic- stricken Michael frantically calls 911 to report Kathleen has accidentally fallen down the stairs, investigators arrive at their home to discover several suspicious findings at the crime scene and soon begin to question the truth about Kathleen's death.

Michael's children, biological sons Todd and Clayton from a previous marriage, adopted daughters Margaret and Martha and step-daughter Caitlin (Armstrong), quickly rally to their father's defense until autopsy findings reveal Kathleen's injuries could not have been sustained by a fall. Shocked and betrayed by her accused step-father's actions, Caitlin breaks rank with the family to publicly accuse Michael of murder.

All the while, Michael consistently maintains his innocence, even going so far as to allow cameras into his home to document his legal team's defense strategies. But as the trial looms, shocking discoveries about Michael's sexuality, previous marriage, war service and the mysteriously similar circumstances of an old friend's death are revealed, making even his own lawyer, David Rudolf (Pollak), question his client.

"The Staircase Murders" is produced by Lionsgate for Lifetime Television. Judy Polone ("Widow on the Hill," "Infidelity") serves as executive producer and Judy Cairo ("One Day") produces. Aphrodite Jones ("American Justice"), who wrote the book, A Perfect Husband, on which this movie is based, serves as co- producer. Tom McLoughlin (Lifetime Television's "Odd Girl Out," "Murder in Greenwich") directed and Donald Martin ("The Amber Frey Story," "Family Sins") wrote the screenplay.

Lionsgate (NYSE:LGF) is the leading independent filmed entertainment studio, winning last year's Best Picture Academy Award(R) for CRASH, generating two consecutive years of $300 million-plus domestic theatrical box office, operating a $500 million-plus home entertainment business and producing a broad slate of primetime television series for fiscal 2007. It is a premier producer and distributor of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment, and video-on-demand content. Its prestigious and prolific library is a valuable source of stable, recurring revenue and a foundation for the growth of the Company's core business. The Lionsgate brand is synonymous with original, daring quality entertainment in markets around the world.

Lifetime is the leader in women's television and one of the top-rated basic cable television networks. A diverse, multi-media company, Lifetime is committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information programming, and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. Lifetime Television, LMN, Lifetime Real Women, Lifetime Home Entertainment and Lifetime Online (http://www.lifetimetv.com/) are part of Lifetime Entertainment Services, a 50/50 joint venture of The Hearst Corporation and The Walt Disney Company.

Web site: http://www.lifetimetv.com/
http://www.lifetimepress.com/

Designed to make photo-viewing crystal clear, Sony today announced a new line of digital cameras featuring a high-definition component output. These new Cyber-shot(R) W-series cameras offer direct connection to an HDTV, which is ideal for integrating full 1080 HD photo-viewing into a home theater.

At the top of the line is the DSC-W200 camera, the most compact 12-megapixel camera in the industry. It is followed by the 8-megapixel DSC-W90 unit and the 7.2-megapixel DSC-W80 model. All sport Carl Zeiss(R) 3x optical zoom lenses; traditional, eye-level viewfinders; and large, 2.5-inch LCD screens wrapped in sleek metal bodies.

Seeing Is Believing in High Definition

"As HDTV becomes more pervasive in American households, it is only natural to want to view all of your content in high definition, including photos," said Phil Lubell, director for digital cameras at Sony Electronics. "Our new cameras support a shift in customer behavior -- from viewing digital photos on a PC to having a full entertainment experience in the living room."

Sony is offering three accessory options to begin enjoying high-definition photo viewing. The new cameras are compatible with the Sony VMC-MHC1 high-definition component cable for simple connection to an HDTV set.

The cameras can also be used with the new Sony CSS-HD1 high-definition Cyber-shot Station(R), which comes with the component cable. You can connect the cameras to the station just one time, and it will also work as a charger for the camera.

For complete integration into your home theater system, there is the DSC-W80HDPR kit, which bundles a DSC-W80 camera and Sony's DPP-FPHD1 printer package. This package consists of the VMC-MHC1 high-definition component cable, a Cyber-shot cradle, a remote commander, and a digital photo printer with high-definition component output.

This new printer lets you print photos on the spot in about 45 seconds. Designed to complement any living room, it comes in elegant black and can be positioned horizontally or vertically.

All of the new cameras feature a built-in slide show function. You can play back your images with pans, fades and wipe transitions set to your choice of music clips.

Reduce Your Chances of Taking Bad Photos

With these cameras, you can be more confident in your ability to take properly-exposed, sharp photos. All incorporate Sony's new face detection technology, which can identify up to eight faces in the camera's LCD frame, and automatically adjust white balance and flash as well as focus and exposure.

If you decide that the flower arrangement should be in the picture as well, the new multi-point auto focus (AF) feature can automatically determine the right focus of up to nine points in the camera frame, rather than focusing on what is in the middle of the frame.

You can easily knock out blurry photos, especially in challenging low-light conditions. The cameras incorporate Super Steady Shot(R) optical image stabilization to safeguard against blur caused by camera shake. Their high sensitivity (up to ISO3200) settings can help to fight blur associated with fast-moving subjects. Sony's Clear RAW (TM) noise reduction technology will minimize picture noise common to images shot at high ISO levels.

Edit On The Fly

The new W-series models incorporate selectable in-camera editing functions that can save you from hours of post-editing time at the computer. Equipped with Sony's Dynamic Range Optimizer, the cameras can analyze captured image data and instantly determine the best exposure and tonality of each picture before JPEG compression.

Other helpful in-camera functions include red-eye correction and retouching effects. You can create artistic photos with the soft edge filter that emphasizes a focused subject by blurring the background. The partial color filter highlights the subject by letting it remain in color while making the background black-and-white. Photos can be enhanced with the cross filter that adds four-point star effects to the light in an image, and enlivened with the fish-eye filter for an amusing fishbowl effect.

Shoot At The Speed of Life

All of the new cameras are powered by the Bionz(TM) processing engine, first used in Sony's Alpha digital SLR camera system. This newly-added circuitry delivers the fast image processing speeds needed to produce color rich, detailed pictures for true high-definition photo viewing.

The Bionz engine also helps to speed up the cameras' response times and extend battery life. On a full chare, the W90 camera can shoot up to 350 shots, the W80 model up to 340 shots and the W200 unit up to 270 shots.

The silver W200 camera will ship in May for about $400. The W90 camera will be available in March for about $300 in black and silver. The W80 model will be hit stores in March for about $250 in pink, white, black and silver. Options will include batteries, travel chargers, lenses, filters, sports packs and cases. The DSC-W80HDPR kit will be available for about $400 in April. All products can be purchased online at sonystyle.com, at Sony Style(R) retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail), and at authorized dealers nationwide. Pre-orders begin on Feb. 28 at www.sonystyle.com/newcameras.

Web site: http://www.sonystyle.com/retail

Web site: http://www.sonystyle.com/newcameras

Web site: http://www.sonystyle.com/

-- In "The Lushan Addiction" (now available through AuthorHouse), author Warren Shulman weaves a saga of intrigue, espionage and revenge that includes a fallen agent's return to the fold, his love of two women and the vengeance of his sworn enemy.

In an exciting tale spanning three decades and two continents, retired CIA operative, West Lambert returns to help the agency discover the secret behind a cutting-edge computer chip which could change the economic balance of power in the world. Traveling to Hong Kong, Lambert meets and enlists the aid of a beautiful martial arts master, Ching Ping. They discover that a revolutionary drug, "Joss," developed by Shih Liping, Lambert's nemesis from his early days in Laos, is responsible for the industry-changing success and could be a catalyst for dramatic increases in American productivity.

The CIA seeks to gain control of Joss and hatches a plot wherein Lambert is covertly dropped into Lushan with the task of stealing the formula. There, he is betrayed by Ping with whom he has become romantically involved. Lambert is devastated when Shih reveals that he deliberately inserted Joss into American culture because he has the ability to alter its molecular structure, thereby rendering it highly addictive. Shih boasts that, years earlier, he staged an explosion to make it appear that Lambert's first love, Bergita, perished. In reality, Shih took Bergita captive, raped her and conceived Ping. In a rage, Ping attacks and mortally wounds Shih. She and Lambert destroy the Joss manufacturing plant before escaping to America with the prized secret formula.

In the dramatic conclusion, Lambert and Ping share a night of tenderness and passion in an effort to rekindle their romance. Ping hears Lambert call out Bergita's name in his sleep and decides that their relationship can never work. As she stands over her lover, with the power to slay him, she must make a heart-wrenching decision that will forever alter her life.

Shulman is a graduate of the University of Georgia law school. Early in his career, he was a distinguished covert operations officer with the CIA. At the height of the Vietnam War and China's cultural revolution, he served in Hong Kong, running clandestine operations into China and North Vietnam. After leaving the CIA, Shulman became a prominent trial attorney and also served as CEO of two multi-million-dollar companies. He recently retired from practicing law, but serves as a mediator/special master on a part-time basis in Atlanta, where he is currently writing his second novel.

AuthorHouse is the premier publishing house for emerging authors and new voices in literature.
jrensink@authorhouse.com

Web site: http://www.authorhouse.com/

Metal fans have spoken, so get ready to turn the volume up to "11" as Sidewinder Music and VH1 Classic Records will be releasing VH1 Classic Metal Mania Stripped Volume 3, on Tuesday, March 6th.

The new CD release will once again feature rare and never before heard acoustic versions of some of metal's greatest songs by some of the genre's biggest names.

This is the fourth release in the successful Stripped series (Volume I: The Ballads and Volume 2: The Anthems, along with the Metal Mania Stripped Across America Live! DVD).

Just like the others that preceded it, Metal Mania Stripped Volume 3 is another acoustic collection of some of metal's biggest hits, all of which have proudly stood the test of time.

All in all, fifteen unforgettable tracks, ten of which have never been heard before!

Those returning to the Stripped series with an appearance on Volume 3 include such artists as Poison, Queensryche, Tesla, Slaughter, Dokken and Firehouse along with Tom Kiefer of Cinderella, Jani Lane (former lead singer and songwriter of Warrant) and Winger.

New artists to the Metal Mania "scene" include Accept, Autograph, Kix, Eric Martin from Mr. Big, RATT and Shaw*Blades. The latter duo, featuring Tommy Shaw of Styx and Jack Blades of Night Ranger fame, come at you full force with an entirely new unplugged version of "High Enough," a huge hit song (reaching #3 on the Billboard charts) from their collaboration in the super group Damn Yankees.

Other well-known hits on the forthcoming Metal Mania Stripped Volume 3 disc include Cinderella's "Nobody's Fool" (the premiere power balled from their '86 release, Night Songs), Tesla's "Signs" (their 1991 remake of the early 70's hit from the Five Man Electrical Band), Firehouse's "When I Look Into Your Eyes" (a Top Ten single spawned from their sophomore effort, Hold Your Fire), Slaughter's "Up All Night" (a Top 40 single from their 1990 debut album, Stick It To Ya, recorded at the Key Club in Los Angeles), Warrant's "Heaven" (an unexpected smash hit from '89's Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich that reached #2 on the singles charts) performed by original Warrant lead vocalist Jani Lane, and "Don't Close Your Eyes," the breakthrough power ballad for Kix that would hit #11 on the Billboard charts.

Tesla's "Signs" practically launched the "unplugged" movement as it was one of the first acoustic hits of the 90's. "'Signs' will always be one of my all-time favorites," states Tesla's lead singer, Jeff Keith. "It has such a powerful message that a lot of people can relate to, including myself. Even stripped down to acoustic guitars, this one still comes out a winner."

In addition to those tracks, other hits performed acoustically include "Balls to the Wall" (Accept), "In My Dreams" (Dokken), "Just Take My Heart" (performed by Eric Martin of Mr. Big), "Turn Up The Radio" (Autograph) and Winger's "Headed for a Heartbreak," along with three previously unreleased MTV Unplugged recordings by Poison ("Unskinny Bop"), Queensryche ("The Killing Words") and RATT ("Way Cool Jr.").

Although original RATT vocalist Stephen Pearcy provided an acoustic rendition of "Round and Round" for Metal Mania Stripped Volume 2: The Anthems, he's featured with his RATT band mates -- Warren DeMartini, Juan Croucier and Bobby Blotzer -- for an acoustic version of the band's hit, "Way Cool Jr.," from MTV Unplugged.

"I remember messing with the idea for 'Way Cool Jr.,' as RATT were in a very grueling situation for that record," remembers Pearcy. "I liked the idea and the whole swing element about the song. So Warren and I started talking about who is "Way Cool" and what does he like to groove to... The end result surprised us and it came out great! Thoroughly nasty with a great groove. It's been a fan favorite in concert ever since it came out... The tune simply rocks unplugged, which is why we included it in our MTV Unplugged set... We're glad it's being released on the Metal Mania CD for all RATT fans to enjoy."

VH1 Classic Metal Mania Stripped Volume 3 promises to rock metal maniacs everywhere!

Launched in May 2000, VH1 Classic is a 24-hour network that presents videos, concerts and music specials all day long, featuring the best of rock, soul and pop artists from the 60s, 70s, 80s and early 90s, including The Beatles, The Stones, Tina Turner, Led Zeppelin, Marvin Gaye, The Who, Stevie Wonder, The Police and many more. Learn more at www.vh1classic.com.

Please include your address in your response when requesting the CD.

www.metalmaniastripped.com

www.sidewinder-music.com

www.vh1classic.com

Track Listing (not in sequential order)

"Balls To The Wall" Accept

"Turn Up The Radio" Autograph

"Nobody's Fool" Tom Kiefer (Cinderella)

"In My Dreams" Dokken

"When I Look Into Your Eyes" Firehouse

"Don't Close Your Eyes" Kix

"Just Take My Heart" Eric Martin (Mr. Big)

"Unskinny Bop" Poison (MTV Unplugged)

"The Killing Words" Queensryche (MTV Unplugged)

"Way Cool Jr." RATT (MTV Unplugged)

"High Enough" Shaw*Blades

"Up All Night" Slaughter

"Signs" Tesla

"Heaven" Jani Lane(formerly of Warrant)

"Headed For A Heartbreak" Winger

Web site: http://www.vh1.com/
http://www.metalmaniastripped.com/
http://www.sidewinder-music.com/
http://www.vh1classic.com/

Feb 26

BitTorrent, Inc. Launches the BitTorrent Entertainment Network

MGM Is Latest Hollywood Studio to Join the BitTorrent Network, Which Offers Thousands of Movies, TV Shows, Music and Games

 Feb. 26, 2007 BitTorrent, the global standard for delivering high-quality media over the Internet, today announced the launch of the BitTorrent Entertainment Network at BitTorrent.com. The new network features the most comprehensive library of downloadable digital entertainment ever amassed on the Web, including content from 20th Century Fox, Lions Gate, MTV Networks, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and BitTorrent's newest partner, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Inc. (MGM). The BitTorrent community will have the flexibility to rent movies, purchase television shows and music videos, and even publish and share their own high-quality content to be displayed alongside titles from the world's largest studios.

"The BitTorrent Entertainment Network is created by and for the BitTorrent Generation, which has a vast appetite for high-quality, on-demand entertainment," said Ashwin Navin, President and Co-founder of BitTorrent. "BitTorrent.com engages our community to contribute in profound ways -- whether it's by evangelizing their favorite titles; by submitting content they've created; or by contributing their bandwidth to enable faster downloads and an improved entertainment experience. Our uniqueness lies in the strength of our community, delivery technology, and the industry's most comprehensive catalog of digital content."

"As a leading entertainment content supplier across all media platforms, MGM is pleased to have such a significant role in launching BitTorrent's groundbreaking and valuable online consumer destination," said Rick Sands, COO, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Inc. "MGM's library, the world's largest modern library of high quality film and television entertainment programming, appeals to a wide range of consumers and should drive significant traffic to the new BitTorrent Entertainment Network."

BitTorrent's newest entertainment network partner is MGM, the legendary Hollywood studio and owner of the world's largest modern film library. With a roster of over 35 content partners, BitTorrent is offering a breadth and depth of content not found in any other download service. At launch, the network at BitTorrent.com will feature over 5,000 titles of movies, TV shows, PC games and music content, as well as over 40 hours of high-definition (HD) programming. Consumers will be able to enjoy both new releases and catalog movie titles such as "Superman Returns," "Mission: Impossible III," "World Trade Center," "Jackass: Number Two," "An Inconvenient Truth," "Napoleon Dynamite," "Sideways," and "Thomas Crown Affair." TV programming will include hits such as "24" and "Prison Break" from 20th Century Fox; "My Super Sweet Sixteen" from MTV: Music Television; "Celebrity Deathmatch" from MTV2; "Muscle Car" and "Xtreme 4x4" from Spike TV; Emmy and Peabody-Award winning "South Park" and "Mind of Mencia" from COMEDY CENTRAL; "Hogan Knows Best" and "Breaking Bonaduce" from VH1; "SpongeBob SquarePants" and "Avatar: The Last Airbender" from Nickelodeon; "Skyland" from Nicktoons Network

"BitTorrent has the infrastructure, technology and established user base to significantly move the needle on digital distribution with quick, easy and affordable delivery," said Thomas Lesinski, President, Paramount Pictures Digital Entertainment. "The final piece of the puzzle is a wide array of content and Paramount is very pleased to be providing a vast selection of filmed entertainment to the site."

"MTV Networks is constantly seeking new avenues for our consumers to access our content and to deliver it to them across multiple platforms," said Mika Salmi, President, Global Digital Media, MTV Networks. "With BitTorrent's new entertainment network, our content gains another high-quality, user-friendly touchpoint to connect audiences with their favorite programming."

BitTorrent's entertainment network can also be utilized as a distribution platform for independent content creators. Be it film, TV programming, music or podcasts, BitTorrent's self-publishing capability offers artists an instant global audience through a personalized BitTorrent URL and online presence. "We're leveling the playing field for independent artists who have been turned away by publishers who are traditionally bound by scarce distribution alternatives and limited shelf space. Our entertainment network is a true marketplace that embraces and welcomes contribution from the independents, allowing them to reach a vast user base with their high-quality creative expression," said Navin.

Despite the breadth and depth of BitTorrent's entertainment library, consumers can expect a very simple and straightforward pricing model. The site offers content for free, for rent and for purchase. Movie rentals are $3.99 and $2.99 for new release and catalog titles, respectively. TV shows and music videos are download-to-own at $1.99 each. There will also be a significant collection of HD titles available. Furthermore, a wide variety of entertainment content will be offered for free and without digital rights management (DRM), designed to be distributed across all platforms.

"Digital distribution represents a significant new revenue stream for the entertainment industry, but up until now, it has been hindered by the combination of long download times and the lack of good content for people to download," said Rob Enderle, Principal Analyst for the Enderle Group. "BitTorrent has aggressively addressed both problems; first with their unique technology, which moves content closer to the customer and dramatically lowers the amount of time it takes to acquire it, and second with their unusually strong content library. In addition, the fact that they start with 135 million existing clients is incredibly powerful and makes them, at launch, a real force to be reckoned with in this market."

About BitTorrent

BitTorrent is the global standard for delivering high-quality files over the Internet. Millions of users worldwide are using BitTorrent's leading peer-assisted content delivery platform to publish, discover and download digital entertainment content quickly, easily and securely. Founded in 2004, BitTorrent is a privately held company backed by venture capital firms, Accel and DCM (formerly known as Doll Capital Management). The company is headquartered in San Francisco, California. For more information, visit http://www.bittorrent.com.

BitTorrent is a trademark of BitTorrent, Inc

IBM Report Indicates Hundreds of Billions Up for Grabs in Media and Entertainment Industry

IBM (NYSE: IBM) Global Business Services unveiled its new report, "Navigating the Media Divide: Innovating and Enabling New Business Models," which offers a list of actions that companies can take to navigate the conflict threatening traditional content owners and media distributors. IBM calls this conflict the "Media Divide."

To examine the inherent tension between new and traditional media and explore future industry scenarios, IBM conducted a comprehensive study that included interviews with leaders of media companies and an in-depth analysis of the factors that are shaping the industry outlook. The IBM report shows that new forms of media will grow at 23 percent compound annual rate in the next four years, nearly five times that of traditional media businesses. The report also estimates that the music industry lost between $90-160 Billion in its transition to digital and finds that future implications are even greater for television and film if companies do not systematically navigate the media divide.

"The current clash between traditional and new media has reached a fevered pitch. Industry incumbents are responding -- but perhaps not quickly or completely enough," said Steven Abraham, Global Industry Leader, IBM Media & Entertainment. "Now is the time to determine changes in business models, innovate and re-evaluate partnerships. Content owners and media distributors must take action before it's too late."

IBM sees a clear delineation between the old and new worlds of media. In the traditional world, content produced by professionals and distributed through proprietary platforms still dominates. But in the new world, content is often user-created and accessed through open platforms. These polarized tendencies mark the clear and present conflict between incumbents and new entrants. A second conflict is emerging among existing players -- between traditional content owners (studios, game publishers and music labels) and media distributors (television affiliates, retailers, motion picture exhibitors, cable and satellite providers). This media divide is pitting partner against partner in a struggle for growth.

As a result, IBM is releasing ten specific recommendations that are designed to help companies address the immediate challenge of reinvention for the new media world. But they are also meant to help navigate the media divide that could send them in a totally different direction from where their traditional partners are headed. The recommendations guide entertainment companies on (1) Innovation for Consumers (2) Innovation with Business Models and (3) Flexible Business Infrastructure. An extensive guide and the ten specific recommendations for navigating the media divide can be found at: http://www-935.ibm.com/services/us/index.wss/ibvstudy/gbs/a1026258?cntxt=a1000401

The study consisted of primary research and analysis as well as supplementary secondary research. IBM conducted one-hour interviews with more than 75 senior media executives, industry analysts, economists and technology visionaries and also worked with the Economist Intelligence Unit to survey another 125 executives from media, Internet portal and telecommunications companies.

About IBM

With 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate, IBM is the world's largest information technology and services company. IBM's Global Business Services division provides thought leadership, consulting, systems integration and outsourcing to the world's leading companies. IBM has a strong global focus on the media and entertainment industry across all of its services and products, serving all the major industry segments -- entertainment, publishing, information providers, media networks and advertising. IBM's Institute for Business Value supports Global Business Services by developing fact-based strategic insights for senior business executives around critical industry-specific and cross-industry issues, part of an ongoing commitment to provide analysis and viewpoints that help our clients realize business value. For more information on IBM, please visit: http://www.ibm.com

Oscar Night Stylebook Available Now on ShopStyle.com.

Fashion Search Website Enables Users to Recreate Sizzling
Styles from the Red Carpet
Roll out the red carpet:
ShopStyle.com today unveiled its Oscar Night(R) Stylebook,
outfit ideas inspired by Academy Awards(R) style. From
dresses to shoes to jewelry, the Oscar Night Stylebook
spotlights "hot picks" from the red carpet and gives fashion
lovers ideas for recreating celebrity glamour. Items
included are from 38-and-counting fashion retailers ranging
from Nordstrom to Bluefly to Yoox to Intermix to J. Crew.
The first and only search engine devoted to fashion,
ShopStyle.com allows consumers to shop fashion, build
outfits and looks and share ideas with friends and family.

"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and ShopStyle's
Oscar Stylebook allows the average consumer to flatter the
heck out of A-list celebs," said Kevin Sanders,
ShopStyle.com Celebrity Stylist. "At the Oscars celebrities
don dresses and jewelry that often cost more than a small
country; ShopStyle helps everyday shoppers find looks for
their own 'red carpet' from all over the web. It's a fashion
shopper's best friend and first stop on the Internet."

One simple search on ShopStyle.com yields the designers and
brands the fashion-forward consumer is hungry for, with
clothes, shoes, jewelry and accessories from hundreds of
trusted online retailers. Shopping fashion on ShopStyle is
simple:

1. Enter the item in question, like "Badgley Mischka dress"
   or "gold shoes"
2. Browse through results and hover over favorites for size
   and color information, without having to leave the site
3. Add favorites to My Stylebook, group into outfits to see
   what items look like together, and share with family and
   friends for style opinions
4. Click through to buy

"ShopStyle is the only fashion search site that not only
compiles items from all the fashionable online retailers,
but also lets you see what those items look like as part of
an outfit," said Andy Moss, ShopStyle.com CEO. "Fashion is
about more than one item: The whole look is what counts.
ShopStyle gives consumers the whole picture before buying."

By creating a Stylebook, ShopStyle users can save any
combination of items from their searches and organize them
into outfits, ensembles or collections. These looks remain
in the user's Stylebook until deleted, and like any other
item may be purchased by simply clicking through to the
retailer.

Beyond the Oscar Night Stylebook, ShopStyle features the
following Stylebook categories to help shoppers find new
looks:

-- Body Type Stylebooks: Outfit inspirations by body shape
-- Celebrity Stylebooks: Everyday A-list looks with style
   recommendations  for every price point
-- Featured Stylists: Ideas from Danica Lo, fashion writer
   and author of the book "How Not to Look Fat," and Kevin
   Sanders, celebrity stylist who has worked with names like
   Jamie Foxx for his 2005 Oscar-winning look
-- Cool Looks: Site users' own creations rival the heavy
   hitters and feature looks for any occasion whether it's a
   night on the town, Sunday brunch or casual Friday at the
   office

About ShopStyle

ShopStyle is a search engine and social network that is 100%
focused on shopping for fashion. ShopStyle.com aggregates
items from the online racks of legendary fashion retailers
and trend-setting virtual boutiques. Its breakthrough Web
2.0 user interface makes browsing clothing, shoes and
accessories a highly visual experience. The ability to
create and share personal Stylebooks and shopping profiles
enables a highly customized shopping experience, and allows
users to easily exchange ideas and follow the fashion
trends.

For more information, visit http://www.shopstyle.com

ACADEMY AWARD(S)(R), OSCAR(S)(R), and OSCAR NIGHT(R) are the
registered trademarks and service marks, and the OSCAR(R)
statuette the copyrighted property, of the Academy of Motion
Picture Arts and Sciences.

NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL ''GREENS'' THE OSCARS

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) made history tonight by partnering with the producers of the 79th Annual Academy Awards to significantly reduce the impact the telecast and related events had on the environment, setting a powerful example for the production's estimated 40 million viewers.

The Academy Award's first-ever greening initiative - which included a range of energy-saving solutions - was led by NRDC, the nation's leading environmental research and advocacy organization, and Oscar producer Laura Ziskin.

Leonardo DiCaprio, an NRDC trustee and nominee for Best Actor, announced the landmark initiative with former Vice President Al Gore during the live Oscar telecast.

This innovative project targeted ecologically significant impacts, including global warming pollution and energy use, paper products, set design, transportation, and food service, at the pre-show, red carpet event, telecast, and Governor's Ball. A major goal of NRDC's collaboration on this project is to advance environmentally intelligent production and consumption by other mainstream businesses and organizations.

"By announcing this initiative from such a legendary and respected stage, the Academy is reaching tens-of-millions of people across the world with a message that cleaner, more sensible energy choices and a simple commitment to environmental stewardship are Oscar-worthy endeavors for everyone," said Frances Beinecke, NRDC President.

"The NRDC salutes Oscar producer Laura Ziskin who worked to reduce the environmental impact of this production by making the Academy Awards carbon neutral, cutting waste and choosing environmentally preferable materials."

The initiative included:

-- Energy audit of Kodak Theatre by Los Angeles Department of Water & Power; efficiency plan and recommendations.

-- Renewable energy credits purchased from Bonneville Environmental Foundation to offset carbon emissions from events.

-- Use of ecologically superior paper for materials such as nomination ballots, envelopes, press materials, programs, and invitations.

-- Hybrid vehicle transportation provided for presenters and staff.

-- Comprehensive recycling system instituted for event waste.

-- Crew meals and craft services included reusable service materials, post-consumer tissue products, and biodegradable dishware.

-- Governors' Ball menu featured organic and environmentally-friendly food, including seafood, dairy, produce, and even the large chocolate Oscar.

-- Left-over Governor's Ball food donated to Angel Harvest.

Collectively, these impacts enabled selected events of the Academy Awards to be "carbon neutral," a coveted environmental designation which means the event reduced or prevented the accumulation of global warming gases in the atmosphere to make up for the gases that it has emitted.

"The amount that we accomplished during this inaugural effort exceeded our expectations," said Allen Hershkowitz, a senior scientist at NRDC who managed the greening effort. "We hope viewers will come away with an understanding that environmental change can be achieved through a series of deliberate, but relatively simple first steps."

The Natural Resources Defense Council is a national, nonprofit organization of scientists, lawyers and environmental specialists dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. Founded in 1970, NRDC has 1.2 million members and online activists nationwide, served from offices in New York, Washington, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and Beijing. For more information on how to green an event or organization, go to http://www.nrdc.org.

Academy Award(R)-Winner Forest Whitaker Stars in the Powerful and Shocking Drama The Last King of Scotland

A Visceral and Brilliant Thriller on DVD April 17, 2007 from Fox Home Entertainment, with Audio Commentaries, Deleted Scenes, Casting Sessions and More

Feb. 26, 2007 Charming. Magnetic. Murderous. Under the mad dictatorship of Idi Amin - phenomenally portrayed by Oscar(R)-winner Forest Whitaker(a) in The Last King of Scotland - Africa experienced one of its most horrific reigns of terror. Now Amin's gripping tale of ambition and corruption will captivate audiences when The Last King of Scotland debuts on DVD April 17 from Fox Home Entertainment. Based on Giles Foden's award-winning debut novel of the same name and featuring "one of the greatest performances of modern movie history," (Wall Street Journal), The Last King of Scotland stars Academy Award(R)-winner Forest Whitaker (Ghost Dog: The Way Of The Samurai, Panic Room), who has received multiple accolades - including Best Actor wins at the Golden Globe(R), Screen Actors Guild, National Board of Review(R) and International Press Academy(R) Awards - for his total embodiment of the charismatic, yet psychopathic Ugandan dictator.

Based on chilling, actual events, The Last King of Scotland follows Amin's rise to power and subsequent fall from grace chronicled from the perspective of his personal physician, a young Scotsman blinded by Amin's charisma and who ultimately must confront both the reality of Amin and face the consequences of his own actions. Boasting gritty and realistic direction from documentary filmmaker Kevin MacDonald (Touching The Void, Being Mick) and a versatile supporting cast that includes James McAvoy (The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe), Gillian Anderson ("The X-Files") and Kerry Washington (Fantastic Four), The Last King of Scotland is "an intelligent thriller that keeps the audience on the edge of its seat" (Newsweek).

Loaded with powerful special features, The Last King of Scotland DVD includes audio commentary by MacDonald, seven deleted scenes with optional director commentary, a "Capturing Idi Amin" documentary, a Forest Whitaker featurette and much more. Available in both full screen and widescreen versions, The Last King Of Scotland will be available for the suggested retail price of $29.98 U.S./$43.48 Canada.

(a) 2007, The Last King Of Scotland, Winner, Best Actor in a Leading Role

The Last King Of Scotland Synopsis:

As Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, Forest Whitaker gives "one of the greatest performances of modern movie history" (Wall Street Journal), one that Premiere calls "the most high-voltage performance of his career." This is Amin's incredible story as seen through the eyes of Nicholas Garrigan (James McAvoy), a young Scotsman who became the volatile leader's personal physician through an unlikely twist of fate. Seduced by Amin's charisma and blinded by decadence, the doctor's dream life becomes a waking nightmare of betrayal and madness from which there is no escape. Inspired by real people and events, The Last King of Scotland is a gripping, suspenseful stunner filled with performances you will never forget.

The Last King Of Scotland DVD:

The Last King Of Scotland DVD is available in both full screen and widescreen versions, and features English Dolby Surround 5.1 as well as Spanish and French Dolby Surround and English, Spanish and French subtitles. Bonus materials include:

-- Audio Commentary By Director Kevin MacDonald

-- Seven Deleted Scenes With Optional Audio Commentary By Director Kevin MacDonald

-- "Capturing Idi Amin" Documentary

-- Forest Whitaker On Portraying Idi Amin Featurette

-- "Fox Movie Channel Presents: Casting Session - The Last King Of Scotland"

-- Theatrical Trailer

-- International Trailer

Styled by the Emmy winning Queen of Fashion Patricia Field, who had everyone following the fashions of Sex and the City, an electric group of global designers were commissioned to create their own ultimate catwalk jewelry. Prior to the show beginning, we had the privilege of speaking with some who helped to create the show.

MBN: What inspires you?

JG: “The entirety of art history inspires me. I love reinventing baroque into the modern concept, with the emphasis on intricate handwork and detailing. I think Swarvoski’s materials are great for that.”

MBN: Had Giunta ever considered using man made diamonds instead of Swarvoski crystals?

JG: “The idea of value in a finished piece is not about the sum of the materials, it’s about the overall proposition of the piece. In all of my work for Subversive Jewelry, we emphasize that they’re one of a kind compositions that are created out of inoucous material throught in time and space and culture that culminate in together to make a one of a kind compositions that outshine any diamond or emerald economically placed around the neck. So no, I’m not interested in diamonds or emeralds at this moment. I’ll stick with the Swarvoski for now.”

Each of the designers received the same briefing to create their interpretation of the ultimate catwalk jewelry piece, with Swarvoski crystals.

MBN: Were there other guidelines?

“(There are) 350,000 different variations of the uses of crystals between shapes, sizes and color. I think the exhibition demonstrates versatility and multifaceticity of crystal.”

Swarvoski, admits that technology helps to keep them at the forefront. Not to mention that “the designers keep us on our toes, we try very hard to develop new things every year, two times a year.”

MBN: How does Swarvoski fit with Hollywood and the silver screen?

NS: “I think we help a little bit with that sparkle. If it hadn’t been for the vision and the creativity of the costume designers,our product wouldn’t have meant anything either. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship, Swarovksi with its craftsmanship and the designers with their creativity.”

Just yesterday we launched a new store, an Armani Swarovksi store, a collaboration between my father and Mr. Armani, announced at the Armani show in Milan . The last time that kind of collaboration took place was with my grandfather and Christian Dior.

MBN: Do you have some announcements to make with designers?

NS: “We have to wait 6 months for that to come out. The next designers are ready, yes. Stay tuned, in 6 months, Swarvoski has new announcements.”

MBN: Tell me about Swarovski and the upcoming Oscars®.

NS: “You will see Swarovksi on stage at the Oscars, namely the big crystal curtain. It weighs one ton. It contains 65, 000 crystals, 35 feet long, 20 feet wide.” How long did it take to make? “5 weeks. We’re very proud of it. It’s so amazing.”

CA: “Perhaps because I am a costume designer, I wanted a dress that was somewhere between reality and fantasy… I wanted something that would push the envelope but be something you could come up to me and say, if I had a special occasion, Kate…”

MBN: (We started talking about the process of working on her Swarvoski Runway Rocks creation.) Did you feel like you were in toyland?

CA: They were like the best chocolate shop, and I love chocolates. They just dance, and they have a light and a life of their own. It was just spectacular.”

MBN: Are we going to start seeing more crystals on Desperate Housewives?

CA: When appropriate. There’s an upcoming episode with Gabrielle…”

MBN: How do you like working on Desperate Housewives?

CA: “It’s the most magical extraordinary journey.”

MBN: What else is happening?

CA: “I have a new line of handbags at Kitson.com”

VDP: “Patricia Fields is the most dynamic person since Miami Rhapsody and what she did with Sarah Jessica (Parker) and Antonio Banderas to this day. You’re just amazing for film, tv and the runway.”

PF: Well thank you. It’s step by step. Miami Rhapsody…”

VDP: Everything you did with the Devil Wears Prada was so visionary and so amazing. It’s because of you, we have fashion, really.”

PF: Thank you, I just wanted the Devil Wears Prada, the film, to be something that all the audience enjoyed… It’s for the entire world to enjoy… I didn’t want a fashion documentary, I just wanted to make it fashion entertainment.”

MBN: About the show, can you give us a preview of what we’re going to see? What was your inspiration?

PF: Theatrics and glamour, for a change. These are 20 different designers, each with a piece. So this presentation, is in some ways to bring together a presentation without unfocusing and losing focus on each separate piece, one having nothing to do with another except that it was made of Swarovski, so that was the challenge.

MBN: Last time I’d seen you, you were at Gen Art with the model wearing a beautiful black and white dress.

NV: Somebody loved that dress so much that now I’m designing it for Miss California for the Miss USA pageant. So she’s going to be wearing that gown, for the Miss USA . Yes, next month at the Kodak Theatre, Donald Trump, Tara ..

MBN: Have you met her?

NV: “No, but I did meet Tomiko. I was right there with Tomiko, her first runner up. She was getting ready to go, but they didn’t know whether or not whether she was going to continue being Miss USA . I was right there with Tomiko, thinking she was going to go to.”

MBN: Was she on pins and needles?

NV: Literally she had her bags packed. That’s how close, No one knew what was going on.

Because I was good friends with her, I was like, what’s going on? What’s going on?

She was like, “I have my bags packed. I’m just waiting for the word.”

MBN: What have you been up to lately?

NV: I just launched a line for Windsor dresses. It’s like an Isaac Mizrahi for Target. Windsor has 50 stores throughout the country.

MBN: What’s the name?

NV: It’s going to be Nick Verreos for Windsor . It’s a prom dress line for the prom market. I designed 10 dresses, it’s going to launch next month. That’s the market, that’s who watches the show.

I’m launching my fall line and I’m getting ready to travel all around the country for Windsor , to do promotions. and I just signed a deal with FIDM to be their spokesperson for their next year, of the Fashion Institute.

MBN: Project Runway has been good to you.

NV: “Tim Dunn? just signed a deal with Liz Claiborne but I go back to school.”

MBN: So what are you looking forward to seeing?

NV: “Lots of crystal. Lots of beautiful dreses. Gorgeous gorgeous Austrian crystal. I’m such a fan of Swarvoski crystals. I’ve bedazzled too many t-shirts.”

MBN: Do they know?

NV: “I just bedazzled my Brittney Spears t-shirt, and was about to wear it, but thought it might be a little low brow. Just in lieu of her rehab moments. I’m a Brittney fan…I can help her.”

If you’d like to discover more about Swarvoski Runway Rocks, click on the link below

http://www.montebubbles.net/blog10/2007/02/runway_rocks.html

``Little Miss Sunshine'' Pulls Up to Take the Crown at 2007 Film Independent's Spirit Awards

 The hit independent film Little Miss Sunshine won the top prize for Best Feature at the 2007 Film Independent's Spirit Awards. The winner for Best First Feature went to Sweet Land, which marks the first time in the history of the Spirit Awards that a film without a distributor has won this prize. (Note: Through a unique partnership with the online movie rental service Netflix, Film Independent members are provided access to participating Spirit Award-nominated films.)

The 2007 Film Independent's Spirit Awards were held Saturday, February 24, in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica. The Spirit Awards is a celebration honoring films made by filmmakers who embody independence and who dare to challenge the status quo. This annual event, which began as a small grassroots program, has grown into one of the most anticipated events of the film year.

This year's major category winners were Fox Searchlight Pictures' Little Miss Sunshine, which won Best Feature, Best Directors (Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris), Best Supporting Male (Alan Arkin), and Best First Screenplay (Michael Arndt), and Thank You For Smoking for Best Screenplay (Jason Reitman); ThinkFilm's Half Nelson, which won Best Male Lead (Ryan Gosling), and Best Female Lead (Shareeka Epps); Sony Pictures Classics' Quinceanera which won the John Cassavetes Award, and Friends With Money which won Best Supporting Female (Frances McDormand).

Howard Gertler and Tim Perell, producers of Shortbus and Pizza, received the tenth annual Axium Producers Award, which honors emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources, demonstrate the creativity, tenacity, and vision required to produce quality, independent films. The winner of the Producers Award receives an unrestricted grant of $50,000 funded by Axium International.

Julia Loktev, director of Day Night Day Night, won the thirteenth annual IFC/Acura Someone To Watch Award, a $50,000 unrestricted grant created to honor a talented filmmaker of singular vision who has not yet received appropriate recognition. The award is funded by IFC and Acura.

Adele Horne, director of The Tailenders, won the eleventh annual Axium Truer Than Fiction Award, presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received significant attention. The award is accompanied by a $50,000 unrestricted grant funded by Axium International.

David Lynch and Laura Dern received a Special Distinction Award for their collaborative work. The late director Robert Altman received an Honorary Spirit Award for his lifelong commitment to independent filmmaking.

As previously announced, a new Spirit Award - The Robert Altman Award - was created in the director's name, to be given out for the first time at the 2008 Spirit Awards to one film's director and ensemble cast.

This year's ceremony is sponsored by Premier Sponsors IFC, Netflix, Axium International, ELLE; and by Principal Sponsors Acura, and Pop Secret. On 3 Productions produced the Official 2007 Spirit Awards General Attendee Gift Bag and Presenter Gift Lounge. Casa Del Mar, Sheraton Delfina, Shutters on the Beach, and Viceroy, are the Official Host Hotels; and WireImage is the Official Photographer of the Film Independent Spirit Awards. American Airlines is the Official Airline Partner of Film Independent.

The ceremony aired live on IFC (Independent Film Channel), beginning at 2:00 pm PST, and was preceded by an exclusive half-hour red carpet show on WE: Women's Entertainment at 1:30 pm PST. An edited re-broadcast will air later this evening on AMC at 10:00 pm EST/PST.

Actor/Comedian Sarah Silverman served as Master of Ceremonies. Maggie Gyllenhaal and Terrence Howard served as Honorary Co-Chairs. Music was by The Crystal Method. Diana Zahn-Storey produced the 2007 Film Independent's Spirit Awards for the thirteenth year.

The following is a complete list of the winners: -0-

Best Feature                      Fox Searchlight Pictures Little Miss Sunshine

              Producers: Marc Turtletaub,                                   

David T. Friendly, Peter Saraf,                                   

Albert Berger & Ron Yerxa  Best Director                     

Fox Searchlight Pictures Jonathon Dayton & Valerie Faris   

Little Miss Sunshine  Best Screenplay                   

Fox Searchlight Pictures Jason Reitman                     

Thank You For Smoking  Best First Feature                

No Distributor Sweet Land                        

Director: Ali Selim                                   

Producers: Alan Cumming,                                   

James Bigham, Ali Selim  Best First Screenplay             

Fox Searchlight Pictures Michael Arndt                     

Little Miss Sunshine  John Cassavetes Award             

Sony Pictures Classics (For the Best Feature             

Writer/Directors: Richard Glatzer made for under $500,000)          

& Wash Westmoreland Quinceanera                       

Producer: Anne Clements  Best Supporting Female            

Sony Pictures Classics Frances McDormand                 

Friends with Money  Best Supporting Male              

Fox Searchlight Pictures Alan Arkin                        

Little Miss Sunshine  Best Female Lead                  

ThinkFilm Shareeka Epps                     

Half Nelson  Best Male Lead                    

ThinkFilm Ryan Gosling                      

Half Nelson  Best Cinematography               

Picturehouse Guillermo Navarro                 

Pan's Labyrinth  Best Foreign Film                 

Sony Pictures Classics The Lives of Others               

Director: Florian Henckel von                                   

Donnersmarck  Best Documentary                  

Roadside Attractions The Road to Guantanamo            

Directors: Michael Winterbottom                                   

and Mat Whitecross 

-0-

2007 FILM INDEPENDENT'S SPIRIT AWARD WINNERS BY 

DISTRIBUTOR  FOX SEARCHLIGHT PICTURES                              

5 SONY PICTURES CLASSICS                                

3 THINKFILM                                             

2 PICTUREHOUSE                                          

1 ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS                                  

1 NO DISTRIBUTOR                                        

1 

This year's nominees for Best Feature were American Gun, The Dead Girl, Half Nelson, Little Miss Sunshine, and Pan Labyrinth. Best First Feature nominees were Day Night Day Night, Man Push Cart, The Motel, Sweet Land, and Wristcutters: A Love Story.

ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT'S SPIRIT AWARDS

Film Independent's Spirit Awards is a celebration honoring films made by filmmakers who embody independence and who dare to challenge the status quo. Televised in millions of homes and covered internationally by the press, the Spirit Awards has become the vanguard event in independent film, recognizing the achievements of independent filmmakers and promoting independent film to a wider audience.

Selected from more than 250 submissions, awards are given in the following categories: Best Feature, Best First Feature, Best First Screenplay, Best Director, Best Screenplay, John Cassavetes Award (given to the best feature made for a budget under $500,000), Best Male Lead, Best Female Lead, Best Supporting Male, Best Supporting Female, Best Cinematography, Best Foreign Film, and Best Documentary.

The Spirit Awards Nominating Committees apply the following guidelines in making its selections:

1. Uniqueness of vision

2. Original, provocative subject matter

3. Economy of means (with particular attention paid to total production cost and individual compensation)

4. Percentage of financing from independent sources

Eligible films must be at least 70 minutes long, and the cost of the completed film, including post-production, must be under $20 million. Films must have been shown in a commercial theater for at least one week between January 1 and December 31, 2006 or shown at one of the following festivals in 2006: Film Independent's Los Angeles Film Festival, New Directors/New Films, New York, Sundance, Telluride, or Toronto.

After the committees select the nominees, the members of Film Independent, as well as the members of IFP, cast the final votes. Voters attend nominee screenings and view nominated films through Netflix before selecting the winners.

Last year's Spirit Award winners included Brokeback Mountain, which won Best Feature and Best Director (Ang Lee), Capote for Best Screenplay and Best Male Lead (Philip Seymour Hoffman); Crash for Best First Feature and Best Supporting Male (Matt Dillon); Transamerica for Best Female Lead (Felicity Huffman) and Best First Screenplay; and Junebug for Best Supporting Female (Amy Adams).

ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT

Film Independent is a non-profit membership organization that champions independent film and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation, and uniqueness of vision. Film Independent helps filmmakers make their movies, builds the audience for their projects, and works to diversify the film industry. Anyone passionate about film can become a member, whether you are a filmmaker, film industry leader, or a film lover.

With more than 250 annual screenings and events, Film Independent provides access to a network of like-minded artists who are driving creativity in the film industry. Film Independent also offers free Filmmaker Labs for selected writers, directors, and producers; provides cut-rate services for filmmakers; and presents year-round networking opportunities. Film Independent's mentorship and job placement program, Project:Involve, pairs emerging culturally-diverse filmmakers with film industry professionals.

Film Independent produces the Los Angeles Film Festival, celebrating the best of American and international cinema, and the Spirit Awards, a celebration honoring films and filmmakers that embody independence and dare to challenge the status quo.

For more information or to become a member, visit FilmIndependent.org

ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS, FASHION & TECHNOLOGY

Posted by Bill at 08:29 PM | Permalink

options

Feb 25

(C) MBN 2007 Joyce Chow

Joyce Chow attended this Oscar viewing party and here is their guest list and later today pictures.

Night of 100” Stars Celebrity Guest List For Press

Posted by Bill at 01:24 AM | Permalink

options

Feb 25 2007

And the winners are

The Happy Feet Penguins opened the Red Red Carpet part of the show show with Cars and Little Miss Sunshine and Borat.

Show opened with the nominee's poking fun at themselves.  Then all on stage, a record 177 gathered.

Ellen DeGeneres hosts the show in red tux suit joking about winning and losing and a gospel group comes out singing celebration of you.

Daniel Craig and Nicole Kidman present the first award. Art Direction

PAN’S LABYRINTH

CATEGORY: ACHIEVEMENT IN ART DIRECTION
AWARD RECIPIENTS: EUGENIO CABALLERO AND PILAR REVUELTA
FILM: PAN'S LABYRINTH

Thank you. We want to thank, first of all to the Academy for this dream
come true. It's an honor for us. Thank you to our crew, they made a
wonderful job. To Picturehouse, to all of our producers, they've been
tremendously supportive. To Guillermo Navarro for his beautiful light. To
Guillermo Del Toro for guiding us through this labyrinth. I want to
thank my wife and my family for their support. And I want to dedicate this
to the memory of my mother and all the filmmakers of my country.

CATEGORY: ACHIEVEMENT IN ART DIRECTION
INTERVIEW WITH: EUGENIO CABALLERO AND PILAR REVUELTA
FILM: "PAN'S LABYRINTH"

Q. Eugenio -- (Spanish)?
A. (Spanish).

Q. Eugenio?
A. Spanish.

Q. I don't know if you speak English.
A. Yes.

Q. To get all the other as well.  Please, not only what it means, but
what it means for this movie in particular.  It was a little movie and
so far two awards. How do you see -- I mean, are we going to get six of
them?  How do you see from a little movie to what has begun?
A. I don't know what is going to happen, but I'm very happy about
what's happening with this movie.  It's -- I think it's important because in
this movie, there -- there is -- in this cruel world right now, there's
a good chance for -- it's important to give a chance to fantasy, and
that fantasy find some hope, and I think this is a movie about hope, and
that's -- that's why I think it's -- it's been a lucky, lucky year for
us.  This movie have a very, like, bright stars in the very beginning,
and the star had been guiding us through this labyrinth.  All right.
A. Yes, as more movie, but I think it's good that, you know, this is
co-production that we made is Spanish people and Mexican people that, you
know, we can for -- at least for my country, they see that there's
technician that they can work everywhere, and you know, there's no limit of
the small or big movies.

Q. (Spanish)?
A. (Spanish).

Q. (Spanish)?
A. (Spanish).

Q. (Spanish)?
A. (Spanish).

Q. (Spanish)?
A. Art directors guild -- (Spanish).

Q. (Spanish)?
A. (Spanish).

Q. (Spanish)?
A. (Spanish).

Q. (Spanish)?
A. (Spanish).

Q. (Spanish)?
A. (Spanish).

Maggie Gyllenhaal  

 Tech awards speech

Will Ferrell sings with Jack Black and John C. Reilly about comedians and the Oscar coming home with them.Then they present

Make-up winners

PAN’S LABYRINTH

CATEGORY: ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKEUP
AWARD RECIPIENT: MARTÍ AND MONTSE RIBÉ
FILM: “PAN’S LABYRINTH”



Montse Ribé: It's very heavy. Thank you very much to the Academy.
Thank you. Thank you very much to Guillermo Del Toro. You're a very special
person and very talented. Thank you very much to Picturehouse and
Picasso and Tequila Gang.

David Martí: OK. Where are you Guillermo? Thank you very much,
Guillermo. This is for you. Thank you very much for this.

CATEGORY: ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKEUP
INTERVIEW WITH: DAVID MARTÍ & MONTSE RIBÉ
FILM: "PAN'S LABYRINTH"



Q. (In Spanish)?
A. (In Spanish).

Q. (In Spanish)?
A. (In Spanish).

Q. This movie has been so embraced by audiences and the industry, I'm
wondering when you began to know that you were working on something
special and what told you that?
A. Well, I think it was always with Guillermo, everything was on the
restaurant, and when he told us the story about Pan's Labyrinth, we were
thinking this is an amazing story.  We want to be on that movie for
sure.  And that's the beginning. On the restaurant, always Guillermo on
the restaurant and a good idea is something to think of.

Q. What kind of restaurant?
A. It was -- actually, it was a Japanese restaurant.

Q. (In Spanish)?
A. (In Spanish).
A. (In Spanish).

Q. (In Spanish)?
A. (In Spanish).
A. (In Spanish).

Q. (In Spanish)?
A. (In Spanish).
A. (In Spanish).

Q. (In Spanish)?
A. (In Spanish).

Q. Thank you very much and congratulations.
A. Thank you.

Ellen DeGeneres backstage fooling around.

Then David Smith and Abigail Breslin Present Animated Short and short film live action.

The Danish Poet

CATEGORY: BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM
AWARD RECIPIENT: TORILL KOVE
FILM: THE DANISH POET



Thank you. First I have to apologize to Tom Hanks because I did bring a
list just in case. But I want to thank the Academy for this wonderful
award, it's such an honor and also for continuing to support this
animated short category. That really means a lot to us.

I want to thank the National Film Board of Canada and all the funders
and supporters in Norway for helping us make this film. My producers
Marcy Page and Lise Fearnley of Mikrofilm in Norway. I want to thank Liv
Ullmann for just her beautiful narration. It was really amazing of her
to participate in this. And for everyone else who helped make me this
film, I just want to say thank you, thank you, thank you. You know who
you are, I know who you are and I know that without you I wouldn't be
standing here with this little guy. Thank you very much.

CATEGORY: BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM
INTERVIEW WITH: TORILL KOVE
FILM: "THE DANISH POET"



Q. Torill Kove here.  Congratulations on your win.
A. Thank you very much.

Q. You've been traditionally involved in 2-D animation for a long time. 
After your experience this past week seeing all the studios, any
features you're intending in which to work on or maybe connecting with
studios and even changing the mediums you'd like to work in?
A. I think mostly my experience this week in L.A. is that I've met a
lot of really, really great animators so I've gotten to know all the
other nominees fairly well, we spent the better part of a week together,
and that has been really inspiring.  And as far as medium is concerned
and length of film, I'm still quite attached to the short film format. 
And I like to draw, you know, so I'll probably keep doing that for a
while longer.


Q. Bruce Kirlkland from the Toronto Sun?
A. Hi.


Q. Congratulations.
A. Thank you.


Q. I wonder if you can expand on what you said about thanking the
Academy specifically because we know that animation and all short films were
an endangered species at one point.
A. Uh-huh.


Q. And obviously it's been saved at least for the time being so could
you expand on the need for the recognition of these kinds of films in
this kind of format?
A. Well, I don't actually think that any animated shorts are an
endangered species, I think they're doing really, really well at the moment,
but I think what the Oscars do and what the Academy is doing for
animators is they're bringing the animated short forum out to -- I mean, I
hate to call it the mainstream because that sounds maybe a bit
condescending, that isn't what I mean but I think the animated short community,
it's a wonderful eclectic, inclusive community, but it is a little bit
insular and I think to have the Academy recognize this film. forum every
year by having a category included in the awards, it's really really
wonderful, and I think -- I mean, all the films are now available and
i-Tunes some -- and I don't know about the other films but mine has been
shown all across the states and all across Canada in movie theaters
which is unheard of these days so I think it's tremendously important.  And
like I said, I think what the Academy is doing for us is really
important and we're really grateful for it.


Q. Congratulations.
A. On my left, okay.


Q. Hi, how are you?
A. Hi.


Q. They often say that making a short can be a liberating experience. 
What is a liberating experience for you and what did you learn and what
can you apply to the next one?
A. Liberating, I don't know, I felt pretty liberated before actually so
I don't know about that, but it's a really rewarding experience, and I
say you could say in terms of sort of creative urges and desires, it is
liberating to be able to do what I do and I really just -- I just
really want to do it again, I'm completely hooked on it, it's wonderful.


Q. Thank you and congratulations?
A. Thank you very much.

WEST BANK STORY

CATEGORY: BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM
AWARD RECIPIENT: ARI SANDEL
FILM: “WEST BANK STORY”


And on another note, I know a lot of people in America are probably
watching and asking, "What are the short films?" Well, a lot of them are
made by directors who are trying to get noticed and I think in a lot of
ways we represent the little guy because we don't have big studios
behind us or big name actors or a lot of times the budgets we need and it
relies on perseverance and stick-to-it-iveness and hustle and dedication
and loyalty from a cast and crew who are doing it for pennies if not
for nothing, so I'd be remiss if I were to take this award and not thank
my co-writer Kim Ray, my producers Pascal Vaguelsy, Amy Kim, Ashley
Jordan, Ravi Malhotra and my composer Yuval Ron.

And last but not least, the two people who never doubted me even when I
doubted myself, my mother who's here in the audience, Kathy and my
father Dan, who's watching. I love you. Thank you.

CATEGORY: BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM
INTERVIEW WITH:  ARI SANDEL
FILM: "WEST BANK STORY"



Q. How you doing, congratulations.
A. I am good.  Who is talking to me?

Q. From Variety.
A. Please.

Q. Hi, so you have a film here which sort of takes a light-hearted
approach to what is a serious subject.  I'm wondering what are your
thoughts and whether treating something like this with some laughs can
actually make a difference in the world? 
A. You know, I think when I initially intended to make the movie wanted
to make it evenhanded and to be a movie that was hopeful and pro-peace. 
And whether it's going to make a difference, I don't know. 

The intention was I wanted to make a movie that Israeli and Jews would
watch and finds themselves liking the Arab characters at that Arabs
would watch and liking the Israeli characters and to feel, equally, fairly
represented.  And I think in doing so, the response from Jews and
Arabs, Palestinians, Israelis specifically, has been really overwhelmingly
positive.  So, I think in that sense it was a success.  If it's going to
change the world or do anything else, probably not.  But, you know, if
you can change a few minds, I get letters and e-mails from people all
over the world, Israeli soldiers, professors from the University of
Qatar, Palestinians who ask for DVD and talk about how much the movie means
to them.  That there is somebody making something that's hopeful
because there's just a sea of negativity out there.

Q. John Young from USC Daily Trojan.  Just wondering, being a graduate,
what steps can did you take from going from graduating film school to
now ultimately holding an Oscar in your hand?
A. I don't have the slightest damn idea.  You know, the film was a
student film I made for my masters thesis and really my goal was to take it
to Sundance, and we did that.  That was really a dream come true.  I
never in my wildest dreams thought to even say my goal is the Oscars. 
That's absurd.  So, the fact that it happened was a surprise.  That fact
that I was nominated is unbelievable.  The fact that I'm sitting in the
room and watching Ellen Degeneres and even hearing my name called is
phenomenal.  The rest is all gravy.  You know.

Q. Thank you?
A. 94.  Hold on.  I'm going to milk it.  Go ahead.

Q. I'm from the home town of your star Ben Newmark, and I just wanted
to get a shout to out to him. I thought your cast was really great.  Can
you tell us what's next for you?
A. I have a movie with Vince Vaughn coming out -- the Vince Vaughn Wild
West Comedy Show.  It is a feature-length documentary that premiered at
the Toronto Film Festival in September.  And it's supposed to have wide
release, in, I think, in September.  Stars Vince Vaughn and four
comics.  They travel the country, and it's a documentary about being a comic
and traveling America.  Anyone else?  Thank you very much.

Q. (Inaudible)
A. I would like to say one more thing.  I know because of the nature of
the topic of this film, I got a lot of phone calls from people in the
Arabic world and lots from Israeli people in the government and various
peace organizations who really wanted know say something on-stage that
talked about certain people on both sides who want peace and I was
going to do it any ways, but I hope that because I think this is the first
time for me to get an Oscar, to get an Oscar, to deal with this subject
matter, I hope that you guys will put it in the paper and talk about
the fact that there are people making hopeful movies and want people who
want peace.  Thanks a lot.

First Best Picture shown  LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA

Ellen DeGeneres salutes sound and cinema with  the Hollywood sounds effects choir.

Steve Corell Sound Editing

LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA

CATEGORY: ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND EDITING
AWARD RECIPIENTS: ALAN ROBERT MURRAY AND BUB ASMAN
FILM: "LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA"



Alan Robert Murray: Well, first of all I'd like to thank the Academy,
our distinguished director Clint Eastwood, producer Steven Spielberg,
Paul Haggis and Rob Lorenz, the incredible support from everyone in the
Malpaso family, Warner Bros. and Dreamworks, support from the United
States Marine Corps, to our wives and children for their continued support
and understanding, our exceptional picture and sound editors on Letters
and the mix team of Gregg Rudloff, John Reitz and Dave Campbell.

And finally, thank you to my father and all the brave, honorable men
and women in uniform, who in a time of crisis have all made that decision
to defend their personal freedom and liberty no matter what the
sacrifice.

CATEGORY: ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND EDITING
INTERVIEW WITH: ALAN ROBERT VURRAY & BUB ASMAN
FILM: "LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA"


Q. (INAUDIBLE.)

A. Letters was more claustrophobic and pounding and inside the caves
and always a threat on the outside but never seeing the war.  So, yeah. 
I think we are different.

A. We were pretty much finished with Flags before we even saw Letters. 
So we deliberately wanted to make them be different.  It was a
different war from both sides, and we tried like crazy to make it feel, like,
it was pretty scary for everybody there and pretty scary for us.

Q. Any other questions?   Thank you very much, and congratulations.
A. Thank you.

Jessica Biel and James McAvoy Sound Mixing

DREAMGIRLS

CATEGORY: ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND MIXING
AWARD RECIPIENTS: MICHAEL MINKLER, BOB BEEMER AND WILLIE BURTON
FILM: "DREAMGIRLS"


Michael Minkler: There's no way I'm going to be able to do this by
memory, so first of all, we congratulate Bill Condon, thank you so much.
You crafted a film that was filled with dazzling performances,
unforgettable songs from Henry Krieger, stylish effects from Richard Yawn,
electrifying editing from Virginia Katz and some smokin' sound.

In the end, you thanked us for helping you make your dream; it's really
the other way around. Bob, Willie and I are so honored by this award
and we thank all of those who collaborated with us on the mix, and we
extend our love and appreciation to those in our family who bring us
harmony in our lives.

Willie Burton: I'd like to thank our producing team, our cast and crew,
also my loving wife Jackie for her support, and mom, thank you. God
bless you all.

Bob Beemer: I'd like to thank Cindy, Jessie, Amy, L.G. and the guys in
the backroom.

CATEGORY: ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND MIXING
INTERVIEW WITH: MICHAEL MINKLER, BOB BEEMER, WILLIE BURTON
FILM: "DREAMGIRLS"



Q. Hi, guys.  David Cohen from Variety.  I understand that with a
project like this you're working with just an enormous number of tracks and
an enormous complexity putting the music and everything else together,
so I'm wondering at what point do you start to say to yourself, when
are we just going to get this done?  Were you ever wondering, is this
going to be too much?
A. No.  The studio provided us the correct amount of time.  We had a
very patient director and it was a dream experience, no pun intended.  It
was just the best.

Q. Mr. Barton, right here, Stephanie Fredrick with the Los Angeles
Sentinel.  We spoke earlier this week.
A. Hi, Stephanie.

Q. You're now holding your Oscar.  You sounded like you wanted to say
more on stage as well, so I wanted to give you an opportunity to finish.
A. Right, on stage.  I didn't get the chance to thank Bill Condon our
director who hired me, who believed in me, and also Laurence Mark our
producers and Patty Whitcher, our producer and Leann Stonebreaker; I
mean, they were fighting for me to get the job, and I really appreciate all
the effort that they put into for me to be hired.  And also my
production crew that I never forget, Marvin Lewis, my boom man, Gary Theard, my
boom man, and my go-to guy Mark Agostino.  What a wonderful team I
have.  And we're able to do a great job for Mike Minkler, and Bob Beemer
for post production to make the sound all perfect, and that's why we have
the Oscar.

Q. You're holding that right now?
A. Right.  This is Oscar right here.

Q. Your feelings about holding Oscar?
A. Oh, my feelings are great, I mean, this is my second Oscar.  I feel
a little bit better about it than my first Oscar.  I almost passed out,
I think.  But this one I feel much better and also they're not going to
take it back.  My first Oscar, I thought they would take back my Oscar
once I came into the media.  And now I have this one and I feel that
it's for me.

Q. Martina Christen, Jet magazine.  Hi, congratulations.  Could you
first identify yourselves, and also I wanted to find out, 25 years after
the original Broadway production, you guys were able to bring something
to the silver screen in a fantastic way.  The music was wonderful. 
What are your thoughts about that?
A. Well, we didn't have a lot to do with bringing the music to the
screen, there were Randy Spendlove and Matt Sullivan who were the
supervisors, the music supervisors on the show, who hired their production,
music production people and the arrangers and the composers and Paul
Rabjohns, they spent almost two years or something putting this thing
together.  We are just the recipients of their brilliance.  We get all these
cases and we try to make something out of it, but it was really their
task in doing this.  And with the direction of Bill Condon, Bill watched
and listened to every note and every frame, and everything in this
movie is Bill Condon.

Q. I'm sorry, could you also identify yourselves?
A. I'm Mike Minkler.

Q. Can each of you say your names, please?
A. Yeah, I'm Willie Burton.  The most important thing with our job is
to make it sound great, and that's why this team here,
that's what we do, we made it sound great.
A. I'm Bob Beemer.  Another part of the illusion is it's not all
singing you hear, it's lip synched, post-done, prerecorded, everything, and a
big part of what our illusion is to pull off the natural performance of
the throat, just match every single little nuance.  I thought that came
out very well, because in the beginning we weren't sure how well we
were going to do and in the end, Bill had the patience and the
perseverence to make sure we could have the time to make it right and it came out
well.

Q. Each one of you has won an Oscar before tonight.  One of your other
nominees, Kevin O'Connell, has never won in 19 tries now.  Do you have
anything to say to him?
A. I kind of figured this question was going to come up, so they said
if it does come up, go ahead and say something.  I think Kevin should
just like maybe just go away with 19 wins and just call it a record and
that would be the end of it.  We work really, really hard at what we do,
all of us do in our craft.  And if we, you know, stumble upon an award
like this, somebody is willing to honor us with something like this, we
are so grateful.  And I just wonder what Kevin's trying to do out there
by trying to get an award by using sympathy.  And Kevin's an okay mixer
but enough's enough about Kevin.

Q. You think he should take his name out of consideration?
A. No, no, I just think that he should take up another line of work.
A. I would say for Kevin is that, you know, that's like the Susan Lucci
nomination.  But Kevin, I would just say hang in there, your time is
coming.  I think Kevin just needs to relax and his time will come and he
will get his chance just like we did tonight.  One thing I'd like to
add is on the other hand, what he's accomplished is almost mind-boggling,
it's hard to even fathom the amount of recognition and just the
perseverence over the years, what we do is so hard and time consuming mentally
and it's an amazing accomplishment to be nominated that many times, it
must be terrifically frustrating for him.  Like Willie said, eventually
his day needs to come up, six times by now already but that's a tough
karmic thing he has right now.

Q. Thank you and congratulations.

Rachel Weisz  Best Supporting Actor

Allan Arkin

CATEGORY: PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
AWARD RECIPIENT: ALAN ARKIN
FILM: "LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE"


I know you're not supposed to read but I'd be totally incoherent if I
didn't. It's handwritten, it's short. More than anything, I am deeply
moved by the open-hearted appreciation our small film has received. Which
in these fragmented times speak so openly speak of the possibility of
innocence, growth and connection.

Acting for me has always been and always will be a team sport. I cannot
work at all unless I feel a spirit of unity around me. So my main sense
of gratitude goes to the entire cast and crew and production team of
Little Miss Sunshine for creating the same sense of joy and trust and
community that the film speaks about. I'd like to thank the Academy, Fox
Searchlight, my wife Suzanne, my sons Adam, Matthew and Tony for their
endless support. My representation Estelle, Lee, Frank and Melody, and
for the great teachers I've had throughout my life, both in and out of
the profession. Thank you very much.

CATEGORY: PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
INTERVIEW WITH: ALAN ARKIN
FILM: "LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE"

======BEGIN TRANSCRIPTION======

A. Good evening.  What? Are we auctioning something? I'm not an
auctioneer.  I have a thing.  What? What am I supposed to do here?

Q. Mr. Arkin, over here.  Mr. Arkin, when you saw the billboards for
Norbid around town, did you think your Oscar shot was going up?
A. Look.  I don't keep score.  It's not about furlongs.  I feel in a
sense like a hypocrite because I don't believe in competitions between
art activities.  I think it's insane. This is a fun kind of insanity but
who is to say who is better? I mean, who has the authority to say who
is better? Just -- I felt for a long time that if 100 people say one
person is a better actor and 50 people say somebody else is a better
actor, why do the 100 people have the vote? The 50 people may have been more
deeply moved by another performance.  What's the criteria? The criteria
is very shadowy.  I don't keep score. I mean, I'm happy to have this. 
It's very nice, but I don't keep score, yeah.

Q. Mr. Arkin, hello.  Over here on your right.  Chris Stanley with KNX
Radio. At the time that you won the award at the SAG ensemble, you made
a very moving and persuasive speech about ensemble acting, and you
talked about it as a ball and keeps rolling and no part should stick out. 
So whether you like it or not, you stuck out on this ensemble.  And one
wonders, are you willing to revise your thinking about that?
A. Not at all.  I think it's because of my age.  Everyone thinks I'm
going to keel over in a year or two, give me a little bonus.

Q. Why do you think the Academy gave you this award then?
A. I haven't got a clue.  I have no idea.  Anything I say would be
conjecture.  This is no way of knowing.  I don't really know.

Q. Haven't you given it any thought at all?
A. None.

Q. Are you going to now?
A. No.

Q. Mr. Arkin.
A. Hi.

Q. You had a very tender relationship with the little girl.  I wanted
to find out what it was like working with her and also how often you had
to practice to get -- jump into the van when it was moving?
A. How long do I practice?

Q. Yeah.  How did you do that?
A. It was a little harry.  We started at a very, very slow speed and
kept increasing it till we reached the point when we knew that was it. 
If we went any faster, we'd have to have a stunt man or a whole bunch of
stunt people, and we couldn't afford that.  They couldn't afford to
lose us.  That was the criteria. And working with Abigail was a sheer
delight.  She is a lovely, delightful, charming child.  And her parents are
with her all the time.  It was like working with a -- with a woman of
40 year's experience.  We were locked in the van for hours and it was 95
degrees out, no air conditioning.  And she was just one of the group. 
She demanded no special attention.  She busied herself with her music
and writing things and was talking to us.  I'm crazy about her.

Q. Hi, Alan Arkin.  Congratulations.
A. Thank you.

Q. From what I understand, you have now tied Helen Hayes record in
Academy Awards history, 38 years between your last nomination and this,
this win.
A. Sure.

Q. What was it like 38 years ago at your last nomination and did you
ever think it would come around again?
A. In God's truth, I don't spend a lot of time thinking about it. I do
my work.  My main concern is being in projects where I can be excited
about something.  I don't -- most of the actors I know don't spend a lot
of time projecting into the Awards, blah, blah, blah.  Most of the
actors are doing it because they want to work in something they feel is
substantial, something they can have fun with, something they can be
excited about for one reason or another.

Q. Was having a nomination back in, what was it, 1969?
A. I'm sorry.  Say that again.

Q. Was the nomination back then were the Academy Awards a whole
different beast than they are now?
A. I think so.  I don't remember.  I'm 72.  I don't remember anything
anymore, and I'm proud of it, both.

Q. Hello.  I have seen you in so many wonderful independent films these
past several years, just wonderful.  How do you choose the films that
you do and is that a priority to you to do smaller ensemble films?

A. Yes. My preference is to do small films where I make absolutely no
money whatsoever.  It's mostly of concern to me what -- what the Anthony
is going to be like.  The part is very important to me, but I also want
to know what the film is about, who the other actors are going to be,
whether they are going to be a joy to work with, who the director is.  I
care about the entity.  That's my deepest concern.  I consider myself
very much a team player and I want to be with something that has some
kind of integrity as a group effort.  That's the real joy I get out of my
work.

Q. I think back to some of the portions that move me, and I remember
very clearly wait until dark and climbing into my parent's bed every
night for two weeks after that.  Here we are all the years later and
another bag of heroin undoes you again? You talk about the ensemble.  You
really were a believable family.  I think everyone of us sat around
Thanksgiving fought with our relatives relate to this.  Talk about creating
that chemistry, the bonding created in this picture.
A. Well, I think it mainly had to do with Jonathan and Valerie's
brilliant casting.  They casted very carefully, and I think either
unconscious or subliminally on that part they had a sense the people they were
casting were going to be team players, number one.  And, number two, we
had a week beforehand getting together riding around in the van having
lunch together, playing tag.  We played all kinds of games for days and
days.  We went bowling.  I won.  I did very well. And that, I think,
did something to create some of the atmosphere.  And I think it was
mainly the fact that they hired a bunch of actors who were team players that
weren't elbowing each other out of the way.  And that's it.  Thank you.

Q. Thank you very much and congratulations.

Ellen DeGeneres out in the audience talking to people.

Departed Best Picture shown next. 

“Our Town” – CARS  with James Taylor and Randy Newman

Melissa Etheridge “I Need to Wake Up”– AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH

Al Gore and Leonardo DiCaprio announce show has gone green.Music off for Gore

Ellen DeGeneres recycles jokes to salute green.

Cameron Diaz   Best Animated Feature

HAPPY FEET

CATEGORY: BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM OF THE YEAR
AWARD RECIPIENT: GEORGE MILLER
FILM: "HAPPY FEET"


Oh, gosh. I asked my kids, "What should I say?" They said, "Thank all
the men for wearing penguin suits." They gave me a lucky coin, a lucky
penguin, but my real good luck was to work with hundreds and hundreds of
amazing people, that wonderful cast, great artists, computer wizards,
studios that were passionate, people who cut trailers, dubbed the movie,
got it into the theaters. And on their behalf, I thank the Academy for
this. Thank you.

CATEGORY: BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM OF THE YEAR

FILM: "HAPPY FEET"

INTERVIEW WITH: GEORGE MILLER

Q.

For Happy Feet, I understand you started this way before March

of the Penguins?

A.

A long time before. But Happy Feet did arise From

a

documentary, specifically, Life in the Freezer done by the BBC

and National Geographic, similar to March of the Penguins, but

it started long before.

Q.

And where did you go after Penguins?

A.

I am going back to live action actors for a while, but I'm

hooked on animation, and it's going to be in whatever movies

I

get to make. So, I guess we will keep doing --we will keep

doing animation. This new digital age is so significant,

I

think we will keep --we will keep working in it, and it's

fantastic. I'm so lucky to be working in film at the time when

it's available.

Q.

George, four nominations, and you finally landed one of those

little guys. What are your emotions, and did you feel at all

the underdog? And do you feel in any way vindicated?

A.

Well, you know, my whole life --I started off making action

movies and doing live action. I never thought that I would be

holding an Oscar for an animation. I honestly --I honestly,

this is true --I can say I didn't expect to win; sitting next

to John Lasseter, who I thought would win and has won Oscars

before, and it's really nice. And it got given to me by

Cameron Diaz, who is someone I got a photograph with. Except

when I'm standing next to George Clooney, I've never felt the

intensity of those cameras, with those flashing cameras. So,

I

feel pretty good.

Q.

Another year, another win for Australia, congratulations.

A.

Yeah.

Q.

What do you think this says about the talent that's coming out

of Australia right now?

A.

Well, when --it's not the talent coming out of Australia, it's

coming out of Mexico right now. I mean, I'm just blown away

with what's happening out there. I mean, a few years ago,

maybe decade or so ago, there was that talent coming out of

Australia. We're a pretty new country. Cinema is as old as

the country, so there's always a lot of talent. We are not

making enough movies, but it's amazing, amazing people,

particularly the actors. I think what it is, is that they have

to --Australian actors and cinematographers, and so on, have

to work across the board. They are very, very well trained.

Two smaller countries that do just one thing, number one. And

number two, I think they are pretty relaxed, have a relaxed way

of working, and everyone likes working with them.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

You approached Happy Feet as a live action film, and I assume

when you go into the next one, you will do the same. But talk

a little bit about what you learned about animation and that

you'll be able to improve and make easier for yourself the next

time around.

I mean, having had some experience with the big movies, I did

sort of understand a little bit what was happening, but I had

no idea what kind of tsunami of learning I had when I got into

animation. The basic principles of story telling are very,

very similar, but you can deconstruct everything. You can work

a great deal on everything. I learned to be very painstaking.

I'm worried when I get to a live action set that I won't have

a

virtual camera or I can change a performance by asking an

animator to just, you know, hold a blink an extra frame or two.

But I look so much about if I am making because it didn't just

come from the gut (sic). I mean, I think there's also

a

convergence between animation and what we call basic, regular

film making. I think we are starting to see that in all the

visual effects movies, and once we start to conquer the visual

effects, it will be just normal for every kind of movie you get

into. I --you know, when you look at something like Gollum

from Lord of the Rings, he was essentially animated performance

captured. That's in most of the movies now. It's an

interesting new age we are working in. I'm very happy to be

part of it.

You've gotten incredible performances out of animated animals.

And you will be working in animation again. How do you feel

about animated movies that you --that are portraying people?

And secondly, what would you recommend to other live-action

directors should they make a move towards animation?

Well, great questions. We didn't have the courage to do people

in Happy Feet. As you know, the humans that appear at the end

of the movie are live-action humans. I think that's --that's

in generations to come. There's something about the subtlety

of the human being which you really can't capture unless they

stylize them in the way that it was done, say, in The

Incredibles or so on. That's not to say that Disney didn't do

great work in Pinnochio and all of those sorts of things.

I

think every single director, live-action director, now has to

take into account animation. I think, as I said, there's

a

convergence between them. And you talk to most of those kind

of big kind of film makers, the Jim Camerons, and the

Spielbergs, and the Jacksons and whatever. They are are doing

that. They are all into it because it's part of our language

now, it's part of our repertoire, so I think it's --we have

all got to learn it and it's a great way to play. And everyone

is so young, it's such a great opportunity, everyone is so

young. The average age on this film was 26. And I'm an old

fart, and working with them was fantastic. Thank you.

Ben Affleck  looks at Screen writing on the screen

Helen Mirren and Tom Hanks present adapted screenplay

THE DEPARTED

CATEGORY: ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
AWARD RECIPIENT: WILLIAM MONAHAN
FILM: "THE DEPARTED"



There's no place to put this down, huh? Valium does work. Anyway, I was
going to cut off the beginning of this speech and make it brief, but
I'm gonna leave it back in and say, you know, the movie that made me
wanna be a screenwriter was Robert Bolt's Lawrence of Arabia. And I don't
know what could've happened in the universe to end up with the same
Oscars as Peter O'Toole, you know, so it's crazy. He's here, I've seen him.

So anyway, thanks to the Academy, to Warner Bros., everybody at Warner
Bros., Alan Mak and Felix Chong who wrote Infernal Affairs, the
producers present and not present, the agents, everybody who made The Departed
such a success. Thanks to Marty and Leo for reading the script and
calling each other and saying, "Let's make it." And Thelma.

You know, everyone who worked on The Departed was, you know, it's easy
to say was at the top of their game before they started, and under
Marty's direction it only got higher after that. Thank you very much

CATEGORY: ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
INTERVIEW WITH: WILLIAM MONAHAN
FILM: "THE DEPARTED"



Q. Congratulations on your Oscar.
A. Thank you very much.

Q. How important was getting to Boston to transform this Hong Kong
story?
A. Well --

Q. And because Scorsese is so famous for improvising, how much of your
script actually stayed in the movie?
A. I was on set and on location through the entire showing and, I don't
imagine they would be paying me if there was going to be a whole lot of
improv.

Q. Hi.  Jeannie Wolf.  How much did the actors transform what you
thought this movie would be and make you make changes on the set even if it
was an improv?
A. Well, actually, Jack, you know, I had written Jack's character
originally, as a sort of standard issue, 68 year-old Boston Irish Catholic
murderer.  And, you know, 68 year-old Irish Catholics in my experience
are not so much for sexual prosthesis and cocaine, but Jack wanted to
sexualize his character and he did a great, great job.

Q. And the other actors and their characters?
A. Just about the same.

Q. Can you be specific?
A. Well, it was a written script.  Okay.  Thanks.

Q. Hi.  Right here.
A. Okay.  I don't have my glasses on.  I don't know what's going
on.

Q. Down to your right.
A. Hi.

Q. How are you?
A. Fairly well, thank you.

Q. Better than me right now, I hope.
A. Doing all right.

Q. How did you manage to capture the character of Boston so well
because that's why I think the movie was so successful,especially in
Boston?A. Well, I'm from there and you know we have never really been well
represented, you know, and I remember when I was a kid watching television,
you know, you'd see people supposed to be from Boston and they would be
out there talking like with the Kennedy's, and the Pepperidge Farm man. 
We are another country.  You know, we are another little civilization
and very northern, very dark, sometimes very self denying and you know,
that's kind of what I wanted to get into after having spent so much
time trying to get out of it.

Q. Congratulations.  We have a whole Boston contingent here.  I was a
reporter there back in the days when Whitey Bulger, and all of those
others guys were doing their thing?
A. Congratulations on surviving.

Q. You are so right about that; people look at this movie and oh this
is very real.  But thinking about that, there was a lot of realism in
this story.  Did you think about some of those days, the Whitey Bulger
days?
A. Very much so.  When I started thinking about adapting the Chinese
story, it slid into Boston very well because of the existence of that
known, you know, that known Whitey Bulger, the corruption, you know.  So
it just -- the stuff in the Chinese story was actually far less gothic
than what was going on in Boston at the time, as you know.

Q. Question, leading out of the Whitey Bulger, do you think he's
watching the Oscars somewhere and rooting for the film in some sort of
perverted way?
A. I wouldn't wanted to call it perverted if he's watching.  No. I
don't know.  Nobody knows where he is.  As a matter of fact, you know, the
character wasn't really based on him.  It was just the fact that
somebody like him existed, you know.

Q. And the follow-up question to that is how important was it to you to
truly Americanize and root this film in the Boston milieu, given that
it is, you know, a Hong Kong story.
A. Well, I mean, almost every story can happen anywhere, you know. It's
just you know you flip it around a little bit and, you know, The
Departed is pretty steeped in a very particular society.  Internal affairs
had a lot to do with Buddhism and that sort of thing and we had a lot to
do, you know, with The Departed.

Q. Thank you very much and congratulations?
A. Thank you very much.  I'm sorry I couldn't see anybody.

Oscar Cam backstage breakdown of winners.

Ellen DeGeneres  comes out with a device to hold a Oscar

Emily Blunt and Ann Hathaway present best Costume design

MARIE ANTOINETTE

CATEGORY: ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN
AWARD RECIPIENT: MILENA CANONERO
FILM: "MARIE ANTOINETTE"



Well, I'm very happy to be here but it's also very frightening to be
here, so in one way I wanted to get this doll [pats the Oscar] and
another I was frightened. But thank you so, thank you very, very much. I want
to thank Frances, first of all, for introducing me to Sofia when we
were doing Cotton Club. And she was this [motions to her height as a
girl], and now she's my director. I think she did a wonderful movie. The
movie is like a poem and she inspired me. I haven't prepared this speech
so I have to hurry up because Marshall my husband said I have to get out
of here quickly. So I want to thank everybody who had anything to do
with this movie. Without them I wouldn't be here. It's a communal effort,
therefore I thank everybody very, very much. I want to dedicate this
award first of all to momma, then Hugh Hudson and Stanley Kubrick, my
great master. Without them, I wouldn't be here.

CATEGORY: ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN
INTERVIEW WITH:  MILENA CANONERO
FILM: "MARIE ANTOINETTE"


Q. (In Italian)
A. (In Italian)

Q. Hello.  Congratulations.  I'm Andrea from E Channel.  The costumes
in Marie Antoinette were beautiful and detailed.  And I'd love to know,
what was the process like for you?  Was it overwhelming at times?  Was
it fun?
A. Overwhelming most of the time because we were running against time
and quantity and quality, and therefore -- and budget. Therefore, it was
at times stressful.  Sophia was always available, though, and extremely
nice about everything, and frankly, she gave me a lot of input with our
vision.  The vision was very poetic, and that's what helped me to go in
a certain direction.

Q. (In Italian)
A. (In Italian)

Q. (In Italian)
A. Stanley Kubrick.

Q. Hi, Justin from Daily Variety.  You dedicated your award to Stanley
Kubrick.  Of course, you won your first award for Barry Lyndon.  What
lesson did he teach you that stayed with you the longest, and how did
you apply that to Marie Antoinette in particular?
A. Well, Stanley Kubrick was a lesson not about costume, it was a
lesson about film making and what we can give to each movie that is not
academic or repetitive, but also to have his support and to have had this
opportunity to work with a master like him.  It's a great -- you know,
it's a great gift, and he put me there.  I was nobody.  But people here
are English, are Americans, so I speak English, and let's leave it at
that.  I like to speak with the audience in English.

Q. Fashion and cinema are more and more near, not always for your work
but for the profession, fashion, or something different. Can you tell
us something about that?
A. Well, throughout history, fashion has been influenced by cinema. 
But nowadays fashion is very -- is very much there. So fashion sometimes
influences cinema as well, so it's an exchange, a continuous exchange. 
And as Stanley used to say, "You get your experience from all sorts of
sources, and fashion can be one of those, even if you do a period
movie, in a way." But you must never remember you're doing a period movie,
it should be believable. 

In Marie Antoinette, our director, Sophia Coppola, didn't want to make
it academic and didn't want to make it, on the other hand,
unbelievable.  So we went in a certain direction which was what -- you know, the
art you see. So every time you could do the same period, you can do it in
so many different ways.  The director's vision is the most important
thing in a movie.

Q. I was wondering what -- it was very interesting to see Al Gore and
Leonardo DiCaprio talk about an Oscar that can make a difference.  And
I'm wondering, what are your feelings about the involvement of all of
the -- including the entertainment community, to go towards environmental
causes?
A. Well, a long time ago, when I got my first Oscar for Barry Lyndon
with Soderlund, I had no idea what the Oscars were about.  In fact, I was
in India.  Nowadays Oscars are a big thing.  It's all over the world,
it's televised, so it's a big thing.  So especially for actors and
producers and directors, I think Oscars are very important. 

For us, people who are behind the scenes, they are a very flattering
"thank you" kind of acknowledgement of our work.  But sometimes it
doesn't make any difference from a professional point of view.  For some of
the other people in the industry it can make a big difference, and
therefore, they really care a lot to get an Oscar.  But there are many
people who are very, very talented who never had an Oscar.  Stanley Kubrick
never had an Oscar.  And so, you know, what does it all mean in a way? 
But I think it's fantastic and I'm really, really happy.  I didn't
think I was going to win tonight, I thought other people had a better
chance because I really had this luck, and therfore, maybe I thought China,
you know, I thought of all sorts of things.  And instead it went to me. 
And, of course, I'm very grateful, very, very happy.

Q. Thank you very much, and congratulations Ms. Canonero.
 

Tom Cruise presents Jean Hersholt award  

Sherry Lansing

CATEGORY: JEAN HERSHOLT HUMANITARIAN AWARD
AWARD RECIPIENT: SHERRY LANSING


I am deeply honored and very grateful to receive this award, but I also
must admit that it feels a little strange to be singled out. So many of
you have causes that you are equally passionate about. That is really
what is so wonderful about the movie industry -- not only do we get to
make films that matter, but we also work in a culture where we are
encouraged to speak out. We may not always agree, but we do always care.

Through my work, I have met scientists who struggle every day to find
cures for diseases.  They do so quietly -- without glamour or attention,
but always with passion and conviction. I have met school teachers who
are battling against insurmountable odds, and yet they never stop
trying to reach our children. To me, they are the real heroes, and tonight I
share this honor with all of them.

On a personal note, I want to thank my husband Billy and our two boys
Cedric and Jack, whose unconditional love gives me the courage to fight
every day for what I believe in. And a special thank you to the members
of the Academy for this extraordinary honor. I promise to spend the
rest of my life trying to live up to it.

CATEGORY: JEAN HERSHOLT -HUMANITARIAN AWARD

INTERVIEW WITH: SHERRY LANSING

Q.

Congratulations. Hi, Sherry.

A.

Hi. Nice to see you.

A.

Thank you.

Q.

You were presented with your award by Tom Cruise, who did many,

many movies during your career at Paramount. What did he

whisper in your ear? Was it words of wisdom addressing the

crowd?

A.

First of all, it was a secret. So I kept asking who was going

to be giving me this award and Laura Ziskin kept saying, I'm

not going to tell you. It's a surprise. So I had no idea who

was going to be giving me the award. And I didn't see Tom

through, you know, all the pre-events. So I was sure it wasn't

him. And, as a matter of fact, I had seen him at an Oscar

party a few days before and he was sort of cold to me and

I

went, God, you know. And so he whispered in my ear, this is an

honor, I really wanted to do this. You know how much I love

you and when I saw you at the party I couldn't say anything to

you. So I didn't know until I walked out and it was extremely

emotional for me because I've known Tom since he was 19 years

old. I know his mom and his dad and I almost started to cry,

because it just brought back a flood of memories going back to

"Taps" at 20th Century Fox and continuing through our

friendship today. So it's a long answer but it's the truth.

Q.

ABC, in Chicago. Your Midwestern roots do you think that

really led you to where you are today and especially your

humanitarian efforts?

A.

Yes. Chicago is one of the greatest cities in the world to be

from and to live in. It's just spectacular. And when you grow

up in the Midwest you learn a sense of values and you learn to

give back. And I have to say I learned that from being in

Chicago but I learned it from my mother. My mother never

turned away from anybody that was in need and she raised me to

never turn away. And even if she didn't have a lot of money,

she always tried to help. She always tried to --to offer

somebody things. So I think part of midwestern values is

giving back, not being pretentious, learning that there's more

important things in the world than yourself and my mother

exemplified that. And I was also not able to see the film.

This whole thing was a surprise. I know that's hard to believe

but that's our Laura Ziskin planned it. And so when I saw the

picture of my mother as I was standing outside, I also started

to cry, so I was sort of a wreck when I was standing out there.

There's a lot of things changing in the studios, especially

with Paramount after your departure, which is your opinion

about the future of the studios and the cinema producer, the

private studios?

Well, first of all, I left the business two and a half years

ago and it changes fast and I can tell you probably more about

stem cell research than I could today about the movie industry,

because that's really where my heart is. I still go to movies

all the time and root my friends on. I think that what is

really about to change is the distribution of film. As we all

know as we watch our children, they are watching them on cell

phones and they are watching films on their iPod and they're

watching them on their computers, but the distribution will

change. People will still go to the theatres but they will

also want movies any way, any time at their convenience that

they can get them. But the good news is the one thing that

will not change is the content. So anybody that can make

a

movie is really lucky, because they are going to continue to

want them to make them.

Hi, Sherry, congratulations. Ted, from E.

Thanks.

What would be your career tips to Tom Cruise at this point and

what did you think of Sumner Redstone's chastising comments to

Tom?

First of all, I don't think Tom Cruise needs any career tips.

I think Tom Cruise is one of the singularly most talented

actors I have worked with in my entire life and one of the

singularly best producers I have ever worked with in my entire

life and he doesn't need any career tips. He will continue to

do great movies. He now has a studio, United Artists with his

partner, Paula Wagner, and he will be here winning an Oscar,

not just for acting but I believe some day for producing and

directing within the next five years. It's very hard for me to

comment. I'm very, very close friends with Sumner Redstone and

this all happened, what, two and a half years after I left, so

I have no idea what went on, other than what I read in the

paper.

Hi, Andrea. Congratulations. With all the wonderful work you

have done and you are holding your little gold man in your

hand?

I'm holding this.

Yes. How does it make you feel when you look back at your

career now with this wonderful award?

Well, I feel very blessed and very lucky to have had the career

that I have. I loved every moment of it. Obviously there are

days that were harder than others. I look back at my time in

the movie business with nothing but positive energy, but,

I guess maybe it's strange to say this today, but there's

a

season for everything, and as I turn 60, my desire to give back

became stronger than my desire to make movies. The highs

weren't as high. The lows weren't as low and I wanted to start

this foundation that I have. So I think the best way to put it

is that there is a season for everything and I have been doing

this now for two years. I'm 62. And I say this is the

happiest time of my life.

You look fabulous.

Thank you. But someone said to me when I was running the

studio you said that was the happiest time of your life and it

was then. Now this is the happiest time and the work that the

foundation is doing and I'm sure at the Academy Awards that's

not what you want to hear about, but it is extremely exciting

and there's a season for everything. I guess that's the best

way to put it.

Hi Sherry, Tanya Hart. Good to see you. Congratulations in

all your work.

Thank you.

This year everybody has been talking about diversity in films.

I would like to hear your comment on that. You certainly

brought diversity, and Dawn Steel many many years ago if you

can comment on that, please?

Well, I think that our industry is certainly becoming gender

blocked. That's for sure. Because when I left, I believe, you

can check this, there were more woman running studios than men.

That's not true today but that's just cyclical, you know. The

diversity in our acting pool, directing pool, what is it five

African-American actors were nominated, Latino directors.

I

mean, we really are finally becoming gender, racial, national

blind, because we are becoming a global industry and if you

become a global industry, then you appeal to everybody. And

talent knows no gender or race. And, to me, I always felt that

way. People would say to me, well, yes and I would say

I

pickup a screenplay. I don't know who wrote it until after

it's over. Do you know, we were hiring woman directors to do

action movies and I think it's not a perfect world and I do not

mean to say that it is, but what encourages me the most is our

kids are truly color blind. They really are. So the movie

industry I think is --who just won? Who just won?

UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Al Gore. Al Gore.

Okay. I will get to hear it on tape. But anyway, I'm sorry

they cut him off. But, at any rate, I just want to say that

I

think it's not a perfect world, but we are getting there.

Thank you and congratulations.

A. Thank you. It's nice to talk to all of you.

Ellen DeGeneres with Clint Eastwood has Steven Spielberg shoot it.

Gyniss Paltrow  presents cinematography award

PAN’S LABYRINTH

CATEGORY: ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY
AWARD RECIPIENT: GUILLERMO NAVARRO
FILM: "PAN’S LABYRINTH"


Thank you, thank you so much to the Academy. This is a great honor. I
want to congratulate my fellow nominees. It's a great honor to be among
you.

This award is a recognition for the collective effort to support the
vision of the genius of Guillermo Del Toro.

Pan's Labyrinth is the result of this narrative that add up to finding
the look of the movie, and the narrative to continue into this
incredible story that unfolds. The creative freedom that was needed to tell the
story, to preserve the integrity of the story and the point of view is
what was more important for us in this movie.

To my children, to my wife for giving me wings. Thank you very much.

CATEGORY: ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY
INTERVIEW WITH: GUILLERMO NAVARRO
FILM: "PAN'S LABYRINTH"



Q. Spanish?
A. Spanish.

Q. Spanish?
A. Spanish.

Q. Spanish?
A. Spanish.

Q. Spanish?
A. Spanish.

Q. Spanish?
A. Spanish.

Q. Spanish?
A. Spanish.

Q. Spanish?
A. Spanish.

Q. Spanish?
A. Spanish.

Q. What did it feel like to be standing off the stage and to see Pan's
Labyrinth not win Best Foreign Language film?
A. It was hard because the foreign language film that really represents
-- that it's the work of all of us.  It's the adding of all these
pieces, and it's where -- where everybody is represented there.  And we feel
that we did a very, very powerful movie, and we are mega-proud of it. 
So I was hoping for that.  I was really, really hoping for that.  I
agree that the German movie is a very good movie.  Don't get me wrong.


Q. Spanish?
A. Spanish.


Q. Spanish?
A. Spanish.

Q. Spanish?
A. Spanish.

Q. Spanish?
A. Spanish.

Q. Thank you.  Congratulations.

Robert Downey Jr. and Namoi Watts present visual effects.

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN:DEAD MAN’S CHEST

CATEGORY:  ACHIEVEMENT IN VISUAL EFFECTS
AWARD RECIPIENTS: JOHN KNOLL, HAL HICKEL, CHARLES GIBSON AND ALLEN HALL
FILM: "PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN’S CHEST"


John Knoll: You know the naysayers said that four blind kids from the
Bronx couldn't make it in visual effects, but here we are. First, I got
to thank Jerry Bruckheimer for entrusting us with this great, big
project. Thanks to Gore Verbinski, your vast imagination, your humor, your
tireless work ethic, and that's why we're up here. Thank you.

Bill Nighy, thanks for being such a wonderful partner in creating this
character. Sorry about the deeply embarrassing computer pajamas, but we
think it was worth it. And thanks to the crew.

Hal Hickel: My son Lex Addison. The pinkie promise worked. OK, bud.
Thanks very much. I love you.

CATEGORY: ACHIEVEMENT IN VISUAL EFFECTS
AWARD RECIPIENTS: JOHN KNOLL, HAL HICKEL, CHARLES GIBSON, ALLEN HALL
FILM: “PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN”



Q.Hi guys, David Cohen from Daily Variety.
A.Hi.

Q.So you just won the Oscar for this and you've got to be in the middle
of doing it all over again.  How are you going to top it for the next
picture?
A.You're correct.  We have a meeting with the director early tomorrow
morning to go over a lot of work we're doing on Pirates 3.  How are we
topping it?  Pirates 2, where we ended up on Pirates 2 is sort of the
starting point of where we're going in 3.  Big battle scene we're working
on right now.

I'm Charles Gibson.  The third movie is very, very different than the
second movie and to the writer's credit, we're not really doing more of
the same things.  It's a lot of new invention, mostly in John's camp. 
That I think will be pretty compelling.

Q.Hi guys, over here.  Congratulations, John.
A.Thank you.

Q.Al, Bill Wesser with Effects World.  Given that it is different and
you'll be working on some other things, what sort of new breakthroughs
can we look forward to that are making your life easier?
A.Well, probably the thing we're working on right now is just making
our life difficult and miserable.  It's a lot of very tough
computer-generated water.  It was hard.  It was hard for the Poseidon guys, it was
hard for Superman, it's hard for us too, and we're doing some work
that's very demanding in that area.

I'm Charlie Gibson.  Also, just the amount of work in the film is
pretty staggering.  We're pretty close to 2,000 shots, which is pretty -- is
really about as many shots as were in the first two films combined with
a dramatically shortened schedule.

Q.Andrea Reels Channel, congratulations.  Now, the visual effects in
Pirates of the Caribbean really bring all the characters to life.  Was it
like kids in a candy store for you guys working on this film?
Hal Hickel, animation supervisor.  Yeah, I mean, the characters were
really exciting to work on from Davey Jones to Wagner, the old character
crusted into the side of the ship.  We just had a really cool cast of
characters, designer Crash McCreary and our own art director, Aaron
McBride has a really cool and weird, extremely weird imagination and so it
was a real pleasure to work on this film and bring the characters to
life with the tentacles and walking tidepools is what they were.  This
was really fun.  Thank you very much and congratulations.

Catherine Deneuve and Ken Watanabe talk about foreign films.

Clive Owens and Cate Blanchett best foreighn Language film.

The Lives of Others

CATEGORY: BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM OF THE YEAR
AWARD RECIPIENT: GERMANY
FILM: "THE LIVES OF OTHERS"


I thank you Academy members from the bottom of my heart for this honor.
And I thank Michael and Tom from Sony Classics for choosing The Lives
of Others and bringing it to you. I thank Germany and Bavaria for making
this film possible. My great department heads for making this film with
me.

Schwarzenegger for teaching me that the words "I can't" should be
stricken from my vocabulary. And my entire crew. I thank my producers,
commissioning editors, distributors, financiers. I thank my brother
Sebastian for helping with this script and for "Baumba" for believing in me.
But most of all I thank my actors, especially Ulrich and Sebastian,
you're the greatest artists and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Finally, my wife Christiane. No, I have to say that one more thing.
Just that one more thing: Christiane, I love you.

 CATEGORY: BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM OF THE YEAR
INTERVIEW WITH: FLORIAN HENCHEL von DONNERSMARCK
FILM: "THE LIVES OF OTHERS" - GERMANY



Q. (German)?
A. (German)

Q. (German)?
A. (German)

Q. (German)?
A. (German)

Q. Hello?
A. Hi.

Q. Just wanted to know what did it feel -- answer in German, please. 
What did it feel like up on stage receiving your award and what does
this mean for your career in the German film industry?
A. (German).

A. Any English language questions?

Q. Can you see me?
A. I can see you very well.

Q. Congratulations.  I loved the film.
A. Thank you.

Q. I would like to know -- we have witness, and we know the history
repeats itself.  Do you think the techniques used by the Secret Service in
East Germany, in the former East Germany are being used now by the
Cheney-Bush Homeland Security?  Need to create paranoia and hatred in the
world and in the U.S.?
A. Well, you know, the thing is, I can see where you are heading, and I
sometimes marvel:  What could the Stasi have done with the kind of
equipment that's around today.  But if we were really in something like
1984 East Berlin, and you had asked this question here and now, I would be
trying to call you tomorrow, and somehow no one would know where you
were.  And see, the thing is as long as we have freedom of speech, as
long as you guys can do the job the way you are doing it, I don't think we
have that much to worry about.  That's the most important thing. There
will always be injustice as long as there are people.  There will
always be abuse of power as long as there is power.  As long as we have the
rightto speak up against it and fight against it, I am okay with that.

Q. Hello?
A. Hello.

Q. (German)?
A. (German)

Q. (German)?
A. (German)

Q. Straight ahead of you.
A. I see you.

Q. I told you last week when we had lunch you were going to win
tonight.
A. You are a prophet.

Q. Were you, personally, surprised?  And in a larger sense, do you
think this speaks well for the quality of international films? Can you talk
about a little bit about what a good year it was for international
films?
A. Oh, yes; oh, yes.  The thing is, you know, Guillermo, I think he
deserved every single one of those awards.  And I agree with the things
that people say in there.  He is -- he is a genius. And you know, I think
people often see him as this kind of monster guy.  I see him as someone
who has so much "amor" in him.  And so, I must say -- we said to each
other before then -- I said, look, if you win, I'm happy with it.  And
he said, you know, same to you.  And so, I, of course, you know, it
feels great to have people there who are just so -- who you respect so
much, you know.  Then it just feels even better winning, so, in a way I'm
sad for Guillermo, but not that sad.

Q. I think you might have answered this question in German, but can you
tell us a little bit about your relationship with Arnold
Schwarzenegger, our beloved governor, and why you mentioned him tonight?
A. I just mentioned it because he just seems to me like the ultimate
embodiment of the fact you can just achieve anything that you dream of. 
I mean, you dream different things than him but I still hope I have
that same power.  He really inspired me as a child, I remember the first
time that I saw a picture of "Conan the Barbarian," and it was a
drawing, like a painted cover of a -- in a video store.  And I thought, oh my
God, isn't that terrible that people can only look like that in
paintings.  And I went into that video store.  We didn't have a video player
and I looked at the back of it and there was a real picture in the
photograph and he looked even more amazing than that painting, and I
thought, I've always been fascinated with him, and it's just more the whole
thing that the sheer determination, the fact that you can just achieve
anything you want. 
That's what I see embodied in him, almost more than anyone else. 
That's what it meant.  I hope you understood that the right way and not as
an endorsement of the death penalty or something.

Q. Question in English?
A. Yes, go ahead.

Q. After your film came out and released in Germany was there an
increase in interest in former East Germans to see if they had a Stasi file?
A. That's a have good question.  Actually, yes.  I was told by my young
(inaudible) -- the lady who heads that office that the numbers had
actually doubled because as an explanation,  maybe, to those of you who
don't know so much, in Germany you have the right to see the files, see
what the Stasi researched on you during those years of abuse of power. 
And it's a really incredible empowerment of the individual that you can
go there and find out everything the secret service has on you. Fewer
than 10 percent of those files have been claimed and read. People are
hesitant to want to see their own past and I'm glad my film made them go
for that a little bit more.

Q. (German)?
A. (German)

Q. (German)?
A. (German).

Q. (German)?
A. (German).

Q. Hello again.  Even I understand Superman and kryptonite.  So you
have to tell us what you said about that.  And how much did American films
influence you?
A. American films influenced me quite a lot.  I think someone like Elia
Kazan is incredibly important to me as a director.  Robert Zemeckis, I
think someone you critics don't treat well enough. I think he's a
major, major genius.  And I was in Chicago and one journalist told me he was
from Chicago and I said, well look, you guys should build a monument to
him.  This is the guy who gave us some of the deepest moments in film. 
And just because it's presented in this perfect way people think that
must come easy. He's certainly been a great influence on me. And you
know, many of the directors who have Coppola, of course is someone I
greatly admire, but also some of the directors who are from Europe or from
other continents and have come to the U.S.  I mean, the Hitchcock films
are mostly American, they have influenced me greatly.  As have the
films of Peter Weir, for example, those I think are -- would be like my
main influences.  Sydney Pollack is also someone I really love.

Q. Superman, kryptonite:  What did you mean?
A. I just said that it's almost like this is almost like some kind of
-- I was told that if you have an Oscar, you can just get into any party
as if the people shrink away like from the -- the bodyguards at the
door shrink away from the Oscar like Superman does from kryptonite.  That
was it.

Q. What did you say before about Schwarzenegger?
A. Yeah.  But I said that in English, right, didn't I? I said it in
German? No, I just said, to me he's just the embodiment of somehow,
willpower, you know, and that is something which I just admire.  You can
achieve, you can achieve anything.

Q. Thank you so much.  And congratulations.
A. Thank you very much.

Ellen DeGeneres playing with shadow box then back onstage.

George Clooney presents best supporting actor

Jennifer Hudson

CATEGORY: PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
AWARD RECIPIENT: JENNIFER HUDSON
FILM: "DREAMGIRLS"



Oh my God. I have to just take this moment in. I cannot believe this.
Look what God can do. If my grandmother& I didn't think I was going to
win but, wow, if my grandmother was here to see me now. She was my
biggest inspiration for everything because she was a singer and she had the
passion for it but she never had the chance. And that was the thing
that pushed me forward to continue. But I'm so grateful to have my mother
here celebrating with me. My boyfriend, my sisters and my brothers back
home, and then I've got two of them here. Thank you all for being here,
and supporting me. I'd also like to thank Bill Condon, our director,
who's a genius. Wow. Oh my God. Unbelievable cast. I'd like to thank the
Academy. Definitely have to thank God again. I can't believe this. Wow,
I don't know what to say but I thank you all for helping me keep the
faith even when I didn't believe. Thank you and God bless you all.
Jennifer Holliday, too.

CATEGORY: PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

INTERVIEW WITH: JENNIFER HUDSON

FILM: "DREAMGIRLS"

Q.

Jennifer, Joel Ryan for E Online. Jennifer, you've been

considered the front runner in this race for a long time. When

you were sitting there tonight, Eddie Murphy did not win, were

you starting to think things were shifting in another way?

A.

I mean, you can never be too sure, you never know. It was just

like, I didn't know, it could go either way.

Q.

Hi, Jennifer straight here, Steven Shafer, Boston Herald,

congratulations.

A.

Thank you.

Q.

So to have this incredible kind of Cinderalla story, you seem

so overwhelmed and you thanked God to start. How did it feel?

What was going through your head when you heard your name?

A.

I couldn't believe it. I'm still in shock, like, did I really

just win? Like I say, you never know, you can never be too

sure, and it's a surprise and it still is. It's going to take

awhile to get used to this.

Q.

Hi, Jennifer, congratulations.

A.

Thank you.

Q.

Liz from Us Weekly. What do you think about the rumors of

tension on the set with you and the other cast members like

Beyoncé?

A.

Well, it's not true, so it's not much to think about it. How

about that?

Q.

Jennifer, Janet Davies from Chicago.

A.

How are you?

Q.

How are you doing?

A.

I'm good.

Q.

Congratulations, we are so proud of you in Chicago.

A.

Thank you.

Q.

Tell me, how are you going to stay that same sweet girl who

sang in the Chicago church choir?

A.

I always go back home and still sing in that church choir in

Chicago. That's my reality and that's what keeps my grounded.

Q.

Jennifer, Bill also from Chicago from Chicago Sun Times and

CBS. Hi, over here.

A.

Hey.

Q.

Congratulations.

A.

Thank you.

Q.

We've watched your whole journey. What is it --you've often

talked about your faith, you've also talked about your Chicago

roots. What is it about that you think you brought to the

role?

A.

You know, the emotion, you know, being able to be connected and

making it real because that's what I started doing. Where

I

learned of the emotion is in church and singing from the heart,

and thank God I had that because I was able to draw from it and

use it with this character.

Q.

Hi, Jennifer.

A.

Hello.

Q.

Congratulations. I'm sure it's been a very magical night for

you. Other than the winning the Oscar, what will you remember

most from tonight?

A.

Oh, my God, performing at the Oscars. I mean, this is my first

one, and to be here for one and then to be nominated and then

to win and then to perform.

Q.

Hi, Jennifer.

A.

Hi.

Q.

You look very gorgeous. You mentioned about --I'm from Voice

of America from Indonesian Service. And you mentioned about

your grandma as your inspiration. Tell me more about her.

A.

Well, she's led over a hundred solos in our church choir, and

I

come from a singing background. And she never wanted to go

professional, and she said, because you have to sing and work

when you don't want to, and she just wanted to sing in church

for the Lord. And my theory is I have her voice, and had she

went professional, I wouldn't exist. So my duty and my goal

and my dream is to be able to do this for her because I felt

like I had a voice that should have been heard by the world.

Q.

Hi, Jennifer. Jean from Jet magazine. We love you.

A.

I see you. I love you too.

Q.

I wanted to find out from you, in addition to receiving some

advice from Felicia P. Fields, did you have an acting coach?

And then also, I noticed that you gave a shout out to Jennifer

Holliday.

A.

Yes.

Q.

Fantastic.

A.

Yes. Well, first off, Ms. Holliday. Her and the other Dreams,

the original Dreamgirls, they paved the way for us to be here

today to make the film. Had they not done that unbelievable

job, there would not have been the Dreamgirls made, so how can

you not thank them for that? As far as the acting coach, yes,

I did talk to Felicia Fields, but I did have an acting coach,

Richard Lyons, who coached me through Dreamgirls.

Q.

Right here by the camera, Jennifer. Stephanie Fredricks, Los

Angeles Sentinel. How will you celebrate tonight?

A.

Well, I'm going to go to the Vanity Fair party and the

Governors' Ball.

Q.

What else?

A.

What else? That'll be it; I'm not a partier, but I'll just

have to sit down and enjoy it with myself, you know, and just

have my own private party.

Q.

Jennifer, right here, congratulations.

A.

Thank you.

Q.

Greg Hanes, Daily News. Sat with you at the Oscar lunch.

A.

All right.

Q.

We shared the sushi. After Hattie McDaniel and Whoopi

Goldberg, you're only the third African American actress to win

an Oscar. What are your thoughts on that?

A.

It's a little odd, I think, because I keep being the third of

everything. Let's see, I was the third to be on the cover of

Vogue, I believe, and now I'm the third at what, supporting

actress, I don't know exactly what it is. But it's an honor,

and I'm just glad to be able to hold the statue in my hand.

Q.

Do you think it's overdue?

A.

What was that?

Q.

Do you think it's overdue, that there was only three out of 80

years or so of Oscars?

A.

I mean, I'm sure there were other unbelievable performances,

but, you know, there's a step and there's a process to

everything, and this represents change and a difference.

Q.

Scott with hollywood.com. Now, is winning this Oscar, does

that in some way give you even more to prove to Hollywood to

remind them that yes, even though I got it out of the gate,

I

deserve it?

A.

God, it definitely adds pressure, I know that much. But what

I

look at it as is the only --I cannot express in words how much

this award means to me, but all I can do is show it in my work

to come and continue to make the Academy proud, not because

I

got nominated tonight, but just because I have to constantly

represent them in the best way possible.

Q.

Hi Jennifer, back in the back here.

A.

Hey.

Q.

I told you you was going to win, girl.

A.

Thank you.

Q.

I told you you was going to win. What are you going to do with

that trophy? What is next for you?

A.

Well, I just bought my new place back home in Chicago, so I'm

going to put it in my house along with my Golden Globe and my

SAG award and everything else, near my bathtub. And next is my

album that I'll start recording, and possibly another film.

Q.

TV Guide Channel. So to start out on American Idol in TV, on

a

reality show, and to get an Oscar in your first film right out

of the gate, I mean, what does that say about that show and

what it did for your career?

A.

Well, it says that American Idol is a great platform. Thank

God there is such a thing as Idol. There's many other talents

that came before that didn't have a platform to sing but they

allowed us that platform and for that we can say thank you.

Q.

Hi Jennifer. Congratulations.

A.

Thank you.

Q.

I'm excited for you.

A.

Thank you.

Q.

I know you said before you see yourself as a singer first and

actor second, but now that you have an Oscar in your hand.

A.

Thank you. Thank you again. I don't ever want to have to

choose between the two, and I want to be able to continue to do

them both and just do them justice. And I don't want to ever

have to choose, so hopefully I don't have to put them first or

second.

Q.

Hollywood has been full of extensively trained actors and

actresses that have honed their craft film after film. What do

you think your film says about the true difficulty of acting?

A.

Can you rephrase that? What do I think -

-

Q.

You don't have the training that a lot of actors have. Do you

think that that says it's really not as difficult as some

people say?

A.

I don't know. It's different strokes for different folks, you

know, and it comes a different way, but I think it's all about

your passion for what you do and what your craft is, more so

than anything.

Q.

I've got to ask about this outfit and who designed it. And is

it a coincidence it's golden like the Oscar?

A.

Actually, I don't think it's a coincidence. It just turned out

to be a fabulous distress and a Roberto Cavalli.

Q.

First of all, everybody thought you were the front runner to

win. Obviously, I'm sure you heard that. Were you scared that

Eddie Murphy didn't win, because he was also a front runner,

and how did you feel when he didn't win?

A.

I was definitely shocked and of course it makes you a little

more nervous, but I was already nervous. But once again, you

can never be too sure, it can go any way, because I've been

through pretty much every award event this year. And at first

every face became familiar, I remember them, I remember them,

but there's so many faces and I don't know them, so it shows

the change. And once again, it's unpredictable.

Q.

Jennifer, along those same lines, with Eddie not winning

tonight, he's got a strong background in comedy and been very

successful in that area. Do you think that that affected

thoughts in voters' minds that he's a funny guy, and funny guys

don't win Oscars?

A.

I don't know. I just know that he did an unbelievable job, and

I feel like at this point, just being a nominee, we're all

winners.

Q.

Hi. Jeff Cornell with MTV. I want to talk music, talk about

what people can expect from your album. When are you going to

record it? Give us all the information you have, please.

A.

I'm about to find out now that this is over. I'll get started

next month in March, and maybe this time next month I'll be

able to answer that question. But I will have the album out by

fall of this year, that's the only thing I can tell you for

sure right now.

Q.

Congratulations.

A.

Thank you.

Q.

Great. You know, you've learned a lot during this process.

What have you learned about what it takes to really be the

best? You've had to concentrate on the way you look, you've

had to concentrate on speeches, you've had to --is it a bigger

responsibility than you expected?

A.

It's definitely the biggest responsibility I have ever had in

my life. Just giving it your all, you know, in anything that

you do, and that to me was the truth of it, or it is, and just

completely dedicating yourself. I have never dedicated myself

to anything the way I did with this, so I think it's

dedication.

Q.

Everybody said this is absolutely must be an amazing

experience. I'm sure it is. You've been in a relationship for

eight years, and suddenly this fame must be overwhelming. Have

you talked and sat down and said, no matter what, because you

know Hollywood sometimes can be cruel on relationships.

A.

We haven't really talked about it because he's not really -

-

he's not in Hollywood, you know, he's a regular guy, and

I

think I'm a regular girl. At least I was. So it balances out,

you know. So we really don't talk about it or think of it that

way.

Q.

And starting out in music and having success already, and now

in films, are you going to try and balance both, or are you

just going to concentrate on one?

A.

Well, I want to balance them both, but while I'm doing one

I

want to focus on just that one. Like when I filmed Dreamgirls,

I didn't perform, I didn't sing, I just focused on that.

That's what I mean by dedication and complete focus. And when

I'm doing the album, I want to just focus on that. Because

I

want to be able to give it every bit of my all to whatever I'm

doing because they both deserve that and I love them and

respect them just the same.

Q.

Hey, Jennifer, Ted. Congratulations.

A.

Thank you.

Q.

Why is it so often called with men, on and off camera,

competitiveness, but with women it's called cat-fighting, but

also as a great survivor, as a singer in the spotlight, what do

you think Britney Spears should do right now?

A.

Okay, wait a minute. Let me get the first half of the question

together. What was it, the first half?

Q.

Men are called competitive, women are called cat-fighters.

A.

Why is that?

Q.

Yeah, so often?

A.

I don't know, I guess half the time because we're cat-fighting,

huh? No, it's just, I guess, part of our nature, but it's not

always like that, you know, and it doesn't always have to be

said like that. But I think by men it's looked at like that

and that's where it comes from. And Britney..

.

Q.

She needs your help.

A.

All I can do is pray for her, that's the best I can do.

I

don't know what's going on and it ain't my business.

Q.

Congratulations.

Babel shown next.

Eva Green presents Best Documentary Short subject

THE BLOOD OF YINGZHOU DISTRICT

CATEGORY: BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT
AWARD RECIPIENT: RUBY YANG AND THOMAS LENNON
FILM: "THE BLOOD OF YINGZHOU DISTRICT"



Thank you, everyone. A treacherous profession -- documentary film --
one part of our hearts with remote villages in Anhui, China, the other
part burning to get here, Beverly Hills. Complicated. Quite complicated. Our thanks to and Jing Jun and Lee Shi Wan, Joan Ganz Cooney, our Chinese-American supporters, the Star Foundation, Sheila Nevins at HBO, Ju Good, Chung Ma, the whole Chinese crew. And most importantly, Jian Ying who let us film her work.

CATEGORY: BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT
INTERVIEW WITH: RUBY YANG & THOMAS LENNON
FILM: "BLOOD OF YINGZHOU DISTRICT"



Q. Thomas, over here.  Congratulations.
A. Thank you.

Q. You know, tell me, does winning the Oscar make any difference in
fighting AIDS in China, and how?
A. It is because the film is being recognized and it will help send the
message out about stigma, discrimination against children affected by
AIDS and it will help our other works, our other PSA work in China.
A. And we hope also that it will -- the attention given to the film may
help sustain the number of very brave and significant organizations
that are working hard now to support orphans in China affected by AIDS.

Q. My question is, what's the most difficult thing when you made the
movie, and another question is, what's your next project?
A. There are a couple of things that are difficult because it's a very
emotional journey for me and for Tom.  And, also, in China's culture,
it's very difficult to open one's self to talk about their inner
feelings.  So that was a very difficult during filming.  And, also, in the
editing room, we have a very hard time, you know, editing because it was
so many sad parts. And Tom and I have many shouting matches about, you
know, what to let go and what to put in.  And the next project, Tom.
A. We have been doing a lot of public service announcement work in
China.  We have been working with the Ministry of Health and getting public
service, anti-stigma messages out to viewers within China, and we want
to push forward and do more of that kind of work and I think this Oscar
might help us do that.  And we also are looking to take on other public
health messages in China.  We hope we will get the support of the
Ministry of Health to do that, including tobacco.

Q. Hi, David Cohen from Daily Variety.  The Chinese government has been
so sensitive in the past about such public health issues. I wonder what
kind of response you have for them and what they would say about you
winning the Oscar?
A. I think it's very important to note that the atmosphere in China, in
relationship to AIDS, has changed absolutely enormously over the last
four years and the Chinese government has been much more active, much
more open, much more transparent, and we have been working with the
Chinese Ministry of Health, and we certainly hope and expect that that will
continue.  Thank you.

Q. Thank you very much, and congratulations.

Jerry Seinfield presents best documentary film to Al Gore

AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH

CATEGORY: BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
AWARD RECIPIENTS: DAVIS GUGGENHEIM AND AL GORE
FILM: "AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH"


Davis Guggenheim: Wow. I made this movie for my children, and my father
taught me to make great movies. My beautiful wife [points to her in
audience]. All of us who made this film, Laurie, Lawrence, Scott and
Lesley. We did so because we were moved to act by this man [gestures to Al
Gore]. Jeff Skoll funded it. John Lesher released it so beautifully, but
all of us were inspired by his fight for 30 years to tell this Truth to
all of us. Thank you, Al. We are so inspired. We share this with you.

Al Gore: Thank you. I want to thank Tipper and my family, thank the
Academy and everyone on this amazing team. My fellow Americans, people all
over the world, we need to solve the climate crisis. It's not a
political issue, it's a moral issue. We have everything we need to get
started, with the possible exception of the will to act, that's a renewable
resource. Let's renew it.

CATEGORY: BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

FILM: "AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH"

INTERVIEW WITH: AL GORE, DAVIS GUGGENHEIM, LAWRENCE BENDER,

LAURIE DAVID

Everybody, congratulations. Mr. President? Mr. President?

I'm so sorry.

I was president of the Senate, so it's not improper.

For you and, of course, anybody who would like to.

(Inaudible.) Now that people will perhaps be more willing to go

see it, if they were assuming earlier that you may have done it

for any other reason, I think by this time they think, they are

sincere and why you care so much. What would you say to the

people who would now give this film a try and just before they

would be looking at it?

Thank you. Thank you. This is not a --it's not a political

issue, it's not a political movie. Some of the solutions will

have to be worked out within the political sphere, but it

really should be bipartisan, and it should be seen as a moral

issue where we all have the same stake. It is the overriding

moral challenge of our time and we have to find a way to

rebuild a bipartisan and nonpartisan way of talking to one

another about how to solve the climate crisis. And I really

hope the decision by the Academy to honor the work of Davis

Guggenheim and these fantastic producers and the team that have

supported them will convince people who did not go to see it

before. And the many that did, we're grateful to them, but

I

hope that this honor will convince many others to go see the

movie and learn about the climate crisis and then become a part

of the solution to it.

Mr. Vice President, I'm wondering --well, first of all, there

was some music that came up and we couldn't hear the end of -

-

You mean the first time I was on stage? Grazi.

Are you concerned at all that the issue, as important as it is,

may generate some fatigue as it becomes used politically,

perhaps, or just because people feel it is in fashion or it

must be done?

I don't think it's suffering from overuse politically. Most

candidates have not used it or talked about it. I hope that it

will become a focus of competition among leaders in all

political parties who compete to offer genuinely meaningful

solutions. In places like the United Kingdom, that is already

the case. Thirty years ago the environment was a bipartisan

issue here in the United States. I hope it can become so

again. I think it will become so again because so much is at

stake. I want to invite my colleagues here who really made the

movie to join in responding to any of this.

Hi, Mr. President. I'm sorry, right here in front of you, in

the back, right in front of you.

I'm sorry, thank you. The lights. Go ahead.

Yes. This year many of the nominees used hybrids instead of

regular limousines, ate organic food, and many other changes

that apparently you have a lot to do with them. The first

question is, what else do you think Hollywood can do to help in

this fight? And second, still no chance of you running?

Thank you for both questions. The Academy has gone green this

year, and this industry has been among the real leaders in

American society in stepping up to the responsibility to

confront this crisis. And, you know, Laurie David and Lawrence

Bender and Scott Burns and Leslie Chilcott and Davis Guggenheim

and I are really proud to have worked with an industry that is

stepping up to their responsibility, and these individuals here

I will single out for doing that.

And on your second question, I do not have plans to become

a candidate for office again. I am involved in a different

kind of campaign that I will continue to try to persuade people

all over the world, and especially here in my own country, to

successfully solve the climate crisis.

Everyone, first of all, congratulations, I'm Scott Rosenberg

with Monsters and Critics out of London. Vice President Gore,

Davis, I am based in a part of the world in Asia where there's

still not enough awareness of the issue of green gases, banned

emissions, whatever. I'm nervous, more nervous than you all

were up on the stage. My question is, the first week in

October we are having a film festival on the island of Phuket,

which, of course, was devastated by the tsunami about two and

a

half years ago. The movie --and it can be only in truth shown

in two theaters in Bangkok. We are showing it at the film

festival. Would you be able to come?

Davis?

The first week in October.

We'll try to find a way to come, thank you.

Mr. Gore, hi, (inaudible) Times of India. My question is sort

of related to that, coming from the Indian press. And India

and other countries in the developing world are really seen as

contributing to the climate crisis. How has the film been

received in India?

We've gotten good reactions, and it is crucial that India and

China and other powerhouses in the emerging markets of the

world join the world's efforts to solve the climate crisis and

India, for example, the Ganges River, the Indris River, the

Brahmaputra, are all being affected by the melting of the ice

on the Tibetan Plateau due to the climate crisis in China. The

Yangtse River and the Yellow River similarly are being

dramatically affected. It is true that the United States must

go first and join the world community's efforts. That is going

to happen, I hope sooner rather than later, but as we move in

that direction, it's very important for India and China to also

join. And I hope that the Academy's decision again to honor

the work of these movie makers will lead to a bigger audience

in India and in China and elsewhere in the world for An

Inconvenient Truth.

Q.

Documentaries are more and more important from movies

(inaudible) went all around the world. What do you think about

the future of the documentaries? Do you think that more and

more of the documentaries will be political or attached to

reality?

A.

I'm Davis Guggenheim. I think it's the most exciting time for

documentaries because documentaries now are filling a hole.

For instance, in global warming, I think some parts of the

media were slow to respond to what was real about global

warming, and a film like our film sort of jumped the divide.

And I think that's true. The two films tonight nominated about

the Iraqi war and documentary films are becoming more dramatic,

they're becoming more engaging, and so I can't imagine a better

time for documentaries.

Q.

Hi, this is for Mrs. David. It's Andy Fix with Bloomberg News

way in the back waving the sign. I was wondering, there's been

a lot of talk recently and a lot written about the competition

between Hillary Clinton, and I'm just wondering if there's been

a lot of talk about the fundraising. Are you raising money for

anybody? Are you supporting the candidate for president at

this point?

A.

Right now I'm really focusing, I have all my attention on

global warming. And also, I personally think it's very early

in the race, and I'm going to hang around a little bit to see

who else might enter. You never know.

Q.

The competition for the money, though, is that a bad effect?

What kind of effect is that having on the campaign?

A.

Well, I mean, they have to raise money. I mean, that's, you

know, a reality, so maybe something should change about that.

I think maybe Davis should take that on for a documentary film;

maybe we can change that too.

Q.

Mr. Gore, you were in all this week presenting community truth.

How do you think the movie and the issue was received in

Quebec? I know you were hailed as a rock star, that's what the

Global Mail said anyway. How did you feel about the reception,

the Canadian and Quebec reception?

William Hung was a rock star; I just have a slide show, but

thank you. Merci beaucoup.

William Hung.

I loved the reception that I had both in Montreal and in

Toronto. And, of course, elections have just been called in

Quebec, and Quebec is in some ways, given the political

configuration in Canada, the pivot for Canada's future

direction. And the people of Canada care a lot about the

climate crisis, the people of Quebec even more so. So in this

particular point in time it is especially important for the

people of Quebec to express their views loudly and clearly, and

I hope the movie has played a role in helping to galvanize

public opinion so that Canada will come back onto the path that

people around the world come to expect a candidate to take,

a

path of moral leadership.

Davis, over here in the center, your father was an

Oscar-winning documentary film making in his own right from

St. Louis, our hometown. Can you tell us what you learned from

that great socially conscious filmmaker?

I'm so happy you asked that question. My father taught me

pretty much everything, and I had, before I left my house

tonight, I got one of his --he passed away --one of his

Academy Awards from 1968 on Robert Kennedy. You think about

his leadership at that time. But the thing that struck me when

we started this project in terms of how do you turn a film into

a slide show, all this data and all this very complicated

stuff. I went back to, my father always said, always, always,

always, "Every movie is personal; every single movie is

personal no matter what it is." And I went back and said, how

do I make this film personal? And we figured out that, you

know, Al's story. You know, his story, learning about global

warming as a young man and fighting for 30 years to tell this

story, and his courage to speak out when it was not politically

advantageous, and his fight to continuing doing so, that's

a

pretty great story. And by personalizing it, I was stealing

right from my dad's handbook or playbook. So thank you. Thank

you for asking that.

Question for both Mr. Gore and Mr. Guggenheim. It's Bruce

Kirkland from the Toronto Sun. When I talked to each of you

gentlemen, Mr. Gore, a year ago, Mr. Guggenheim more recently,

one of the questions on the table was, can a film change

anything, change the world? And in fact, you were dubious, but

now it's remarkable that a film can make real change. So what

else could be done with film on this subject involving the two

of you or any of the other people in this particular august

group that can carry on this kind of campaign through the

medium of film?

A.

Well, thank you for giving so much credit to the movie. The

credit belongs to these film makers. We have had a big ally:

reality. And people throughout the world are asking for more

information about this climate crisis now. Mother Nature has

spoken very loudly. And if this movie has been able to help

people connect the dots more quickly, then that makes me very

happy and even prouder of Davis and these producers for doing

such a spectacular job. As for other projects in the future,

it took me 30 years in order to get my slide show to a point

where anybody said, let's make a movie about it, and maybe 30

years from now or maybe sooner, we can get to something else.

Davis?

A.

I'm committed to making a film about every 30 years. First of

all, you know when you make a documentary, you dream of

something like this happening, and this has far surpassed that.

It's been a miracle. I'm starting to believe in miracles. But

a company like Participant, Jeff Skoll founded, they made

Syriana; Good Night, and Good Luck; North Country; all films

that are about something serious and about making change. And

I feel very optimistic that there will be more films like that,

and I want to stay on that train. So thank you for asking that

question. Thank you all very much.

Clint Eastwood presents honorary award to Ennio Morricone.

Céline Dion sings I know I love you.

CATEGORY:  HONORARY AWARD
AWARD RECIPIENT: ENNIO MORRICONE



Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much.

[He then speaks in Italian. Clint Eastwood translates.]

Yes. I will tell you what he's saying. Ennio wants to thank the Academy
and all the people who really truly wanted him to have this great
honor.

His deep gratitude goes to all the directors who had faith in him.
Without them he says he wouldn't be here today.

His thoughts go out to the artists who have never received this honor.
And even though they work with enormous commitment and talent, to all
of them he wishes that their work would be recognized as his is tonight.

He says this Oscar is not a point of arrival but a starting point to
continue writing with the same passion and dedication he's had since the
very beginning on the screen.

He dedicates this Oscar to his wife Maria who has always been there
with him all these years with enormous commitment and love, which he feels
the same for her. Maria.

CATEGORY: HONORARY AWARD
INTERVIEW WITH: ENNIO MORRICONE


Q. (Italian).
A. (Italian).

Q. I just would like to hear the translated answer, because I think my
question is similar. 
A. The Italian journalist asked Mr. Morricone how he felt when he was
going on the stage, and Maestro Morricone replied that after he was very
moved and so therefore, the initial moments when he was on the stage
were very full of emotion for him.

Q. Thank you.

Q. Maestro Morricone, why was it important for you to ask Celine to
sing and pay respect?
A. (Italian).  Translation:  We really actually I didn't ask Celine
Dion to sing, but she is in this particular moment on a record which has
just come out world-wide, which is kind of like they have made it a
tribute to me, and she on this record is singing the theme from Once Upon a
Time in America.  So, I think the Academy asked her if she would come
and perform this song tonight.  And of course, it gave me incredible
enormous pleasure.  And before when she -- just before she came to sing, I
-- she came over to me and she said, "I don't know if I'm going to be
capable because I'm feeling very moved myself, and I've also seen the
Maestro."  So, that's really how it came about.

Q. Mr. Morricone, I would like to ask you, out of the hundreds and
hundreds of films that you've scored -- out of the hundreds of films that
you scored, are there any in particular that stand out that you are
particularly proud of?
A. (Italian).  Translation:  Well, you know it's almost like asking a
father if he has a favorite child.  So, I never answer that question. 
But if I had to answer that, I would say it's music from a very good --
from a very good film.  I can't remember the name.  And so, I'm just
going pretend that they are all my favorites.

Q. (Italian).
A. (Italian).

Q. Congratulations on your award.  I wanted to ask you if you are aware
that you've influenced some rock bands -- over here -- that you've
influenced some rock bands, mainly a band name Field of the Netherland that
were popular back in the nineties; you are aware your compositions have
influenced bands out there?
A. (Italian).  Translation: INTERPRETER:  Sorry.  I didn't hear the
name of the band.

Q. Field of the Netherland from England. INTERPRETER:  Sorry?

Q. Field of the Nefferland.
A. (Italian).  Translation:  Well, actually, yes, I was aware some of
these bands used to come and see me in Rome, and they used to play the
things for me and ask me my permission if they could record some of my
music.  And of course, I was very delighted, and I kind of realized my
music was capable of being transferred to electric guitars with no
problem whatsoever. So that was a good thing maybe, and that's probably why
all these rock groups, you know, are being influenced by all my music
and playing it, too.  Thank you very much.

Q. Thank you, congratulations.

Hugh Jackman and Penolope Cruz  best musical score

BABEL

CATEGORY: ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC WRITTEN FOR MOTION PICTURES (ORIGINAL
SCORE)
AWARD RECIPIENT: GUSTAVO SANTAOLALLA
FILM: "BABEL"


Thank you so much, members of the Academy. In our soul rests, I think,
our own true identity, beyond languages, countries, races and
religions. I'm so proud to work in Babel, a film that helped us understand
better who we are and why and what are we here for. A few thanks: I want to
thank John Lesher, Brad Grey, Jon Kilik, Steve Golin, Robert Messinger,
Lynn Fainchtein, Anibal Kerpel, my wife Alejandra, my kids Anna, Luna,
Don Juan, my mother; the man, my mentor, director and friend, mi amigo,
Alejandro González Iñárritu. And last but not least, I want to
dedicate this to my dad, para el Viejo, para Argentina, and once again, para
todos Latinos. Gracias.

CATEGORY: ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC WRITTEN FOR MOTION PICTURES (ORIGINAL
SCORE)
INTERVIEW WITH: GUSTAVO SANTAOLALLA
FILM: "BABEL"



Q. (In Spanish)?
A. (In Spanish).  That's part of the secret, relating to great
projects, associating myself with great directors and great stories.

Q. (In Spanish)?
A. (In Spanish).  Working with Alejandro is a great experience because
I always learned working with him.  I have done three films with
Alejandro, and I feel blessed that I have the opportunity to keep on working
with him.  We have a code, sort of, a way of approaching things in
music that I think is, I don't know.  It works, you know.

Q. Congratulations on your second consecutive Oscar.
A. Thank you so much.

Q. This movie is very complicated.
A. Uh-huh.

Q. And the music also has, like, four different -- it seems like it
would be four different composers.  How did you manage to do it?
A. Well, you know, I think the challenge and the music of this film is
that we wanted to make it global, and, you know, scored, but at the
same time we didn't want it to sound like a National Geographic magazine
documentary.  So we had to have something was common to everywhere but,
at the same time, you know, that it wouldn't be, like, a postcard from
a particular place, you know, so that was the challenge.  And I work
with lots of different instruments, but there was one instrument that
really became like my friend in the scored and that was the oude and I use
that quite a bit in this SCORE.

Q. Gustavo.  Can you repeat the instrument?
A. Yes.  The instrument is the oude, it's an instrument of Arabic
origin, but it's actually the ancestor of the lute, therefore the guitar, so
I found the connection between the Moroccan story and the Mexican story
and also the way I play the instrument because I play myself in this
SCORE, I play in a kind of unconventional way, (inaudible) I play with my
fingers. I also heard some echoes of the koto, which is a Japanese
instrument, so that was really my companion in this SCORE, you know, the
oude.

Q. My question is second Oscar for you but second year in the row that
you are competing with Spaniard; that they are the two of you together
but also second time in a row that you beat the Spaniard?
A. It's not about beating anybody.  It's about having the opportunity
to connect with people.  I love Javier Navarette's SCORE and I love
Alberto Iglesias' bulk of work which I'm familiar with.  I think that all
of the composers that were nominated are as good or even better than I
am.  I think you know it's just a matter of connecting with the music
and the right movie and I had that chance and I'm very grateful for it.

Q. Last time you told us you were happy to win as Argentine and also
what is it like to win as an Argentine and Latin American?
A. You talk about your block or your house or your neighborhood or, you
know, I think, you know, Argentina, it's part of the neighborhood, you
know.  That's where I was born and where I was raised, but I am and I
come from that generation of the sixties.  I did the music for
Motorcycle Diaries, you know, with that trip of that great man Ernesto Guevarra
and I feel like a Latin-American all my life.  I felt like that since I
was a kid.  So for me being Argentinian and Latin-American issomehow
the same thing, you know.

Q. (In Spanish) now that you are a two-time Oscar winner, will you be
working with any more rock en Español bands?
A. I'm about to start the next Juanes record, and the next Cafe Tecuba
record so I'm doing that, too, you know.

Q. Thank you very much.
A. And somebody there?

Q. We have to move on.  Sorry.  Thank you so much. Congratulations.
A. Thank you.  Thank you so much.

Ellen DeGeneres & Sidney Ganis in one minute

Kristen Dunst and Tobey Maguire present best screenplay

LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE

CATEGORY: ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
AWARD RECIPIENT: MICHAEL ARNDT
FILM: "LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE"

Thank you very much. You'll have to forgive me, my voice is really
shot. A writer is only as good as the people that he works with, so I have
to share this will Bill Weinstein and Tom Strickler who read this
script when no one else wanted to read it. My producers, Albert, Ron, Marc,
David, Peter and Jeb, who made this movie when no one else wanted to
make it. With Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette, Steve Carell, Paul Dano, Alan
Arkin and Abigail Breslin, who collectively saved my life. And
especially with Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris the true authors of this
movie, who took words on a page and turned them into a work of art. And
finally, when I was a kid, my family drove 600 miles in a VW bus with a
broken clutch. So, it ended up being the funnest things we did together,
so to my brothers, Chan, Dave and Chris, to my mom who's here tonight,
and to my dad who's with us in the spirit. This is for you. Thank you.

CATEGORY: ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

INTERVIEW WITH: MICHAEL ARNDT

FILM: LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE

Q.

Hi, Michael, Sam River. How are you?

A.

Quite well.

Q.

Congratulations to you.

A.

Thank you very much.

Q.

You made reference to the fact that the directors in the making

of this movie saved your life. What do you mean by that?

A.

No. Actually, I was referring to the actors, not the directors

but the actors. What I said, I think, is completely true, that

the writer's work is only as good as the people that he

collaborates with. In this case, I wrote a bunch of very,

I

think, demanding roles, and I needed to have incredibly

talented people to fill those roles. And if we hadn't had, you

know, this amazing cast, Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette, Steve

Carrell, Alan Arkin and Abigail Breslin, the whole movie

wouldn't have worked. And, you know, I was unemployed when

I

wrote this script and I didn't have an agent and I hadn't

produced anything else, so I feel like this is my first big

shot. And the fact that they did such an amazing job in

bringing these characters to life and making them

three-dimensional people really, you know, saved my life.

Q.

Hi Michael, congratulations.

A.

Thank you.

Q.

From Visual Effects. I understand you're writing the script

for Toy Story 3?

A.

Yes.

Q.

How did you get that and what is that process like, working in

animation?

A.

I was hired by Pixar, I started meeting with Pixar in the

summer of 2005 when Little Miss Sunshine was being filmed, and

they had read the script, really liked it, but they didn't even

really know it was being made. But they liked it enough that

they flew me up, and I had a couple interviews. And they hired

me to work on another project, I was at the studio, but after

the merger took place between Disney and Pixar, they decided

they were going to ramp up Toy Story 3, and I sort of got

sidelined into that job. And it's been an incredibly great

experience for me to work at Pixar. When I was starting out

I

just wrote alone, you know, in my apartment, and it gets to be

very sort of boring and depressing, you know, to just be in

your apartment all day long. And Pixar is an incredibly great,

creative place, collaborative, and also they're all such

incredibly smart guys, and I really decided that one of the

great pleasures in life is being in a room full of really smart

people, and I've had the good fortune to do that at Pixar for

a

year and a half now.

Mike, I'd like to get your reaction to the fact that this small

picture, relatively small picture, the reception it's been

getting from the Oscars and from the public compared to all the

big blockbusters.

Well, it hasn't actually been getting that huge a success.

It's had a very high profile. In terms of the box office we

made --you know, we were just domestically poking up around 60

million, and that's the opening number for a lot of big

blockbusters. But in terms of the film having staying power,

it stayed around for weeks and weeks, and I think Fox

Searchlight just told me that it had run longer than any other

film in the company's history. And I think that's because

there's an emotional connection there, that people connected

emotionally to the characters.

But I also wanted to get your reaction to the fact that here is

a small picture winning an Oscar too. What's your reaction to

winning the Oscar?

Well, the Academy actually has been extremely supportive of

lower budget or independent films in the category of best

original screenplay, so you go back to Sideways or Eternal

Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, all those great movies were not

huge budgets, and I'm very, very grateful to the Academy for

recognizing comedy and recognizing lower budget work in the

category of Best Original Screenplay.

Hi, Sarah from CBS.

Hi.

Hello. I'm wondering how you took such a traditional structure

of a family road trip and made it so kooky and delightful.

What was that like?

I think the main thing was that I wasn't writing the movie

basing it on other movies, you know, that it was going to be

another reiteration of the road movie genre. It was really

based on sort of the experiences growing up in a family and we

had a VW bus in our family, and everything that happened in the

movie to the VW bus happened to our bus. So yeah, I think that

if you base something sort of on real life rather than just

recycling other movies, I mean, you know, obviously the road

trip is a genre. Obviously, there's certain set pieces within

a specific genre, but I think that I really put all of myself

into this movie and these characters. I mean, each character

is really a part of me. So I think that that's --you know,

and I did in a sense to myself also having Duane being this

Nietzsche reading, my old silence guy, you know, or Frank being

the Proust scholar. I mean, those are things that are kind of

wild, but they amuse me, and I guess they amuse other people as

well.

Q.

Hi, Michael. David Cohen from Variety. Congratulations, go

ahead. Good to see you again.

A.

Good to see you.

Q.

So you won an Oscar and you're working up in Pixar and tonight

they didn't. So I'm wondering will there be any teasing in the

office when you get back up there?

A.

There's always teasing in the office up at Pixar. They're

a

pretty merciless bunch when it comes to teasing. Actually

I

was joking with my family that working at Pixar, after I got

nominated --it's sort of the one place in the world where you

can get an Oscar nomination and you're coming to work and

people are like hey, great, you got one, all right. Nobody is

all that impressed because they've won so many Oscars up there

already. So all the people up there in the office that I work

in, you know, have a bunch of Oscars. I work right across the

hall from Gary Rydstrom who has won seven Oscars and been

nominated 14 times. So I'm sure I will get a lot of ribbing

when I get back up to Pixar.

Q.

Andrea, Reel Channel. Congratulations?

A.

Thank you.

Q.

Now, you mentioned that you wrote this sitting in your

apartment. The next time you're sitting in your apartment

about to start writing, is there going to be added pressure

with the gold statue sitting next to you or is it going to be

enthusiasm with the gold statue sitting next to you?

A.

A little bit of both, clearly. But I think that I was very

determined, you know, with Little Miss Sunshine to write the

best screenplay that I could, and I think that even if you're

just starting out, you know, you want to make your script

absolutely 100 percent as good as it can be, because if it is

good, you know, and I think the story of Little Miss Sunshine

proves this.

You know, even if you're pretty much an outsider, if you don't

have any contacts, if you get your script at the right desk at

the right time, it'll just go right up through the bureaucracy

and end up getting made. So I think that --excuse me, my

voice is all shot. And if you --I just I want to hold myself

to a very, very high standard. And I think that in the end you

have to please yourself before you please anybody else, so

I'm --I was very happy to make Little Miss Sunshine and I'm

not going to send any other new script unless I'm very happy

with it. So thank you.

Q. Thank you very much and congratulations.

The Thank You Cam

Jennifer Lopez intoduces song with DreamGirl cast.

John Trovolta and Queen Latifah present best song

“I Need to Wake Up”– AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH

CATEGORY: ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC WRITTEN FOR MOTION PICTURES (ORIGINAL
SONG)
AWARD RECIPIENT: “I NEED TO WAKE UP” - MUSIC AND LYRIC BY MELISSA
ETHERIDGE
FILM: "AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH"



Wow, that feels as good as you think it does. I have to thank my
incredible wife Tammy and our four children, Beckett and Bailey and Johnnie
Rose and Miller. And everyone I've ever worked with. Just thank you, I
love you, you know. And all the incredible people that worked on this
film and gave so much. But mostly, I have to thank Al Gore for inspiring
us, inspiring me, showing that caring about the Earth is not Republican
or Democrat. It's not red or blue, we are all green. This is our job.
Now we can become the greatest generation, the generation that changed,
the generation that woke up and did something and changed. I love you
all. Thank you Academy, this is great. Thank you.

CATEGORY: ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC -ORIGINAL SONG

FILM: "I NEED TO WAKE UP"

from "AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH"

INTERVIEW WITH: MELISSA ETHERIDGE

Ted from E. Congratulations. Forgive me for making this

first, but I must ask you if you were to write a song for

Isaiah Washington, what would it be called?

You are a bad man. No, that's not what it would have been

called. It would be called... it would be... you know what,

it's like... I don't know. I just blanked, blanked

completely. So, next.

Hi --from WBX in Boston. I'm testing your memory. I have

a

couple for you. First of all, your reaction to Ellen Degeneres

hosting, how this compares to all the other awards in musical

success, and I don't know if you are going to the governors

ball, but if you will be playing with Dave Koz --a little

impromptu song?

That would be interesting. No plans to do that. I am so proud

for Ellen. This truly is something she is wanted to do all her

life. And being old friends with Ellen, you know, old,

whatever, but being friends with her for so long it's great to

see her do this. And it's fun to be involved in this when she

is hosting it. And I forgot your other question.

Your reaction to this award compared to others?

Oh, this. There's no comparison. Awards are --awards are

sweet. What's so nice about this, is that it's for being

involved with this project with An Inconvenient Truth. It's

just --it goes beyond sort of the award place, and I love that

we are able to draw attention to the matter at hand. And I am

just, you know, grateful for that.

So I just have a fashion question. Who are you wearing and

what made you go with this?

Domenico Bacca [sic], who is an Italian designer. I have

a

great stylist. It was her idea, Penny Lovell who, of course,

I

looked at her and I have said I don't think I'm going to wear

a

gown, and she said well then let's go for a nice dark blue

tuxedo and I went with that.

Secondly, how did it feel to be able to thank your wife and,

with Ellen hosting tonight, what do you think this says for

America?

Well, I think the Oscars are like, it's like a gay holiday.

So, so it's ... No, really. So, it was really, really

meaningful that it doesn't --that Ellen or myself or that

there's no token gay here. It's kind of we're a part of this

whole mix. It's a real mix of lots of different diversities

here tonight. And I'm grateful to be part of that, and I know

maybe someone at home is going to say, "Did she say wife?

"

But, you know, it's part of the world, and so that's where I'm

at.

Q.

I think even more significant than you thanking Tammy Lynn as

your wife was that you kissed her on screen on the show just

very special and, you know, I think still, uhm, you know it's

happened in previous Oscar telecasts, but I think it's still

kind of raises eyebrows a little bit. If, as out as you are,

as much of a gay icon as you are, is it still something you

have to think about for a moment, am I going do this?

A.

We talked about it beforehand. I have not been one to kiss my

partner in public just for sensationalism. I don't think

I

ever have, but she was so important to me; especially, with

this project. She was the one who said, just write what you

feel. When I was going: well, how do you write about global

warming? What am I going to write about global warming? She

said, "Just write what you feel." And she meant so much to me,

and she saved my life. I was kissing her because that's what

you do. You kiss your loved one when you win an Oscar.

Q.

Al Gore --we were back here when Al Gore finished walking off

the dais, and he stopped to watch you on the monitor, winning,

he let out a big hoot. And what is it like to share

a

friendship with someone like that?

A.

With an individual who is a hero, who is a leader, who changes

the world, I'm --I'm so honored that he called me just you

know I have to start there. And then for the man for his

friendship is just above and beyond, and it's something I'm

very, very proud of.

Q.

Dreamgirls received three nominations and you walked away with

the honor. Were you surprised?

A.

Yeah. Yes. Dreamgirls is what music and movies is about.

It's a musical. It's what I grew up loving. And you know had

there not been three songs, there might have been one, you

might be talking to a different person here, but that's the way

it goes, I guess. I was --you know, afterward you think about

the people that you want to thank, and I wanted to say how -

-

how honored I was to be in the same category with such great

song writers Randy Newman and the whole Dreamgirls people, and

I just loved that they were involved and there was three

nominations for them and I got this. Whatever.

Q.

Congratulations to you.

A.

Thank you.

Q.

On a lighter note, where is this going to go in the house? And

do the kids have a chance maybe to play with it?

A.

First of all, this is the only naked man that will ever be in

my bedroom. But I made Ted laugh. And second, you know,

I

think this is going to stay out of the way of the kids for

a

while. You know, just put it up in a special place and look at

it for a while before anyone gets to play with it.

Q.

Do the older kids have any idea how big this is?

A.

You know, my kids, I don't, expose them to a lot of media, and

they really didn't know and I said, oh I'm up for this award.

And they are like again? No, no, this is very, very special.

And I tried to explain it was the Super Bowl of award shows and

they kind of got it.

Q.

Congratulations.

A.

Thank you so much.

Q.

Congratulations.

A.

Thank you.

Q.

We say Oscar's becoming green now, you know, a lot of people

are celebrities are trying to be aware of this. Did you come

in a hybrid?

A.

I came in a vehicle that had flex fuel, but at home, I drive

a

huge SUV, a big Ford Excursion, and it's diesel, and I run it

on bio-diesel. Any diesel engine can run on bio-diesel.

Q.

What about, you know, celebrities, you know, driving electric

cars and using a private jet they're waiting for an hour or

two?

A.

The minute there's a bio-diesel private jet, I'm on that. And

I hope that those companies who do fly us around, which I love

me some private jets, yes, we know there's a problem there.

Absolutely. And I try to do my best in every part I can. And

I urge the jet industry to look for alternative ways of fueling

their jets.

Q.

Thank you very much. Congratulations.

Little Miss Sunshine best picture shown

Ellen DeGeneres introduces Will Smith gives look at America trheru movies.

Kate Winslet best film editing

THE DEPARTED

CATEGORY: ACHIEVEMENT IN FILM EDITING
AWARD RECIPIENT: THELMA SCHOONMAKER
FILM: “THE DEPARTED”

Thank you. Thank you so much. This is the third film you've given the
Oscar to that was made by Martin Scorsese, and believe me I know I
wouldn't be standing here if it wasn't for him. You can understand what it
was like to be given a film directed the way he directed this movie with
a wonderful script by Bill Monahan, the fantastic panoply of actors who
were just so magnificent. Working with Marty is quite something. It's
tumultuous, passionate, funny and it's like being in the best film
school in the world. I'm so grateful to you and to my two pillars in the
editing room, Scott Brock, Joel Hirsch and Rob Legato and Ron Ames for
putting their arms around us and doing the visual effects and supporting
us throughout. And to you, members of the Academy. I feel very honored.
Thank you so much.

CATEGORY: ACHIEVEMENT IN FILM EDITING

FILM "THE DEPARTED"

INTERVIEW WITH: THELMA SCHOONMAKER

Q.

Hello. You mentioned that you went to school with Marty and

Martin Scorsese. What are the things they taught you about

films, loving films?

A.

Really, everything. It's a little hard to pin it down: to be

truthful; to be brave; to never give up fighting for what you

believe in; and just so much about style and humanity in his

movies.

Q.

Thelma, congratulations.

A.

Thank you. Thank you.

Q.

What did you learn on this one, because this one is

a

particular challenge with a lot of plotting as well as

characterization.

A.

Yes. Because it was a thriller, a remake of a thriller, we had

to keep in mind that in spite of all the wonderful characters,

humor, dialogue that we had that we had to still keep it

a

thriller. So it was very hard, actually, and it took a long

time to work out the right mix. And we restructured a lot and

moved things around and, actually, reshot a few scenes, but it

was the first time I had ever done a thriller. Cape Fear was

a

thriller but in a different way. So it was really just

a

struggle to keep all that fantastic new stuff, to keep it into

the movie and still keep it a thriller.

Q.

Great. Thank you. Congratulations.

A.

Thank you.

Jodie Foster honors those lost last year.

Ellen DeGeneres making fun about show running long

Phillip Seymoor Hoffman presents best actress.

Helen Mirren

CATEGORY: PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
AWARD RECIPIENT: HELEN MIRREN
FILM: "THE QUEEN"



I've got my purse in one hand, my earring in the other. Thank you,
Academy. Thank you so much. Huge honor. You know, my sister told me that
all kids love to get gold stars, and this is the biggest and the best
gold star that I have ever had in my life. I want to share my gold star
with my fellow nominees, those brilliant, brilliant actresses who gave
such amazing performances this year. I also share my gold star with the
filmmakers, with Stephen Frears, with Peter Morgan, with Andy Harries
and all the producers and all the filmmakers and the cast. Thank you.

Now you know for 50 years and more, Elizabeth Windsor has maintained
her dignity, her sense of duty, and her hairstyle. She's had her feet
planted firmly on the ground, her hat on her head, her handbag on her arm
and she's weathered many, many storms, and I salute her courage and her
consistency. And I thank her because if it wasn't for her, I most, most
certainly would not be here. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you The
Queen. Thank you. Thank you very much.

CATEGORY: PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

INTERVIEW WITH: HELEN MIRREN

FILM: "THE QUEEN"

Q.

Lovely as always.

A.

Hi.

Q.

Listen, forgive me. You did a couple of Elizabeths. One of

them ended up on public television.

A.

No, HBO.

Q.

HBO. Prime Suspect is very much public television. Tell me,

if you will, about the importance of doing roles outside of

film that then get you things, something like The Queen, if you

will.

A.

Well, that was a great year's work, but I have to say that

I

think the roles that really bring you to this point for me are

probably the theater work that I do. But I had an amazing year

where I did Elizabeth I, I had two weeks off and then I did

Elizabeth II and had about a month off and then I did Prime

Suspect. So that was really an incredible year, and I have to

say I'm reaping the rewards right now. It's fantastic.

Q.

First we want to know what's in the drink.

A.

Vodka. Rose's Lime, you know, very British.

Q.

And secondly, can you tell me just about the dress and why you

picked this one for tonight?

A.

I'm wearing a dress by Christian Lacroix and it was made for me

and built for me, and I have to say it's the most comfortable

thing I've ever worn. It's as beautiful on the inside as it is

on the outside, and I really do feel like a queen or fairy

princess or fairy godmother, really. I love it.

Q.

How are you going to celebrate?

A.

I'm going to be with my husband --all my family. I've got

a

big posse with me; all my nephews and their wives and my sister

and, of course, my beloved, beloved husband who has made it all

possible for me, honestly.

Q.

Way in the back here, Helen. Way to your right.

A.

I don't know my right from my left. My right. See you,

darling, thank you.

Q.

Clear Channel, congratulations. And which is more difficult in

terms of a role, a fictional one that you create or a real-life

person upon whom you might be compared?

A.

Well, you know, they each have their challenges, that's for

sure. I mean, playing a real-life person that everybody is so

familiar with and yet doesn't know at all was very

intimidating. I was very, very nervous before I started

filming. Once I started filming I was fine, but the idea of it

was very intimidating. I mean, there are other real-life

people I've played that people know but don't quite know. But

Elizabeth, Queen of England, is such a familiar person to the

world, so identifiable, it was a very intimidating prospect.

Q.

But so well done.

A.

Thank you.

Q.

Hi. For weeks people have been saying that it's pretty much

a

shoo-in you were going to win tonight. What were you feeling

going in tonight?

A.

I felt quite calm. I mean, I felt quite calm because it's not

to say I didn't care, I cared very much, but I did --

I

honestly felt so deeply honored to be nominated in a year where

there were great performances from women. And that's not

always the case, not in the sense that they're not great

actresses out there, but they're very often not the great roles

for the great actresses to play, and therefore, it's quite

difficult to find a leading actress nomination. This year,

though, there were wonderful performances in beautifully

written roles. So to be nominated amongst those was a huge

honor and I just --just to be here, honestly, was everything

for me. To win, it's --win, it's just such a silly word, you

know. We're not athletes. It is great, but the best thing is

just to be here.

Q.

But did you think you were going to win?

A.

I didn't allow that thought, no. I didn't go there. I didn't

go there.

Q.

Congratulations. (In French)

?

A.

(In French)

Q.

(In French)

?

A.

(In French)

Q.

(In French)

?

A.

(In French)

Q.

Dame Mirren, congratulations to you.

A.

Where are you, darling?

Q.

How do you do? After so many fantastic British nominations and

previous best actress for BAFTA, how are you feeling being

a

really big winner?

A.

I don't think I'm our only big winner. I think we won big time

this year, the British talent, but --in their recognition.

For all of us to be here is amazing; it is amazing. And who

walks away with this, you know, it's wonderful, but it's not

the most important thing. What is incredibly important, and

I

think very generous of the American Film Academy --of the

Academy and of the American people is recognizing us,

recognizing the Spanish and the Mexican film makers tonight.

The recognition of film is getting more global, and I think

that's an amazing thing.

Q.

Hi.

A.

Hi there.

Q.

Congratulations.

A.

Yeah, isn't it great?

Q.

That's right.

A.

Do you like the dress?

Q.

Hey, it's pretty good. Tell me this. It's a great triumph for

you personally and for the film. Are you expecting a call from

Her Majesty from Buckingham Palace? And also, tell me how

you're going to celebrate and what your tipple of choice is.

A.

My tipple of choice is the one I've got right here, a vodka

gimlet. And no, I'm not expecting a call from Her Majesty and

not ever, and I wouldn't expect it, I wouldn't desire it.

I

think it's wonderful that I live in a country that allows us to

make a film like this, and there's many countries in the world

that one would not be allowed to make this film. And I think

it's generous of the royal family and Her Majesty the Queen to

sit back and not interfere, and I think it's very gracious and

very noble of her. And I do believe she is a noble person in

the best possible sense of the word, which is nothing to do

with class but is all to do with spirit.

The Thank You Cam

Ellen DeGeneres cleaning the floor.

Reece Witherspoon presents best actor

Forest Whitaker

CATEGORY: PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
AWARD RECIPIENT: FOREST WHITAKER
FILM: THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND



Thank you. Thank you. Just a second, just a second. OK. Take it. OK. I
wrote something down, because I thought if it would happen that I would
be a little overwhelmed and I am. So, OK. When I was a kid, the only
way that I saw movies was from the backseat of my family's car. At the
drive-in. And, it wasn't my reality to think I would be acting in movies,
so receiving this honor tonight tells me that it's possible. It is
possible for a kid from east Texas, raised in South Central L.A. in Carson,
who believes in his dreams, commits himself to them with his heart, to
touch them, and to have them happen.

Because when I first started acting, it was because of my desire to
connect to everyone. To that thing inside each of us. That light that I
believe exists in all of us. Because acting for me is about believing in
that connection and it's a connection so strong, it's a connection so
deep, that we feel it. And through our combined belief, we can create a
new reality. So I want to thank my fellow believers in The Last King of
Scotland. I want to thank Peter, Jeremy, Andrea, Lisa, Charles, Kevin,
James McAvoy, Kerry, Stephen, Fox, DNA, Channel Four. I want to thank
the people of Uganda, who helped this film have a spirit. And finally, I
want to thank my mom and my dad. I want to thank my wife Keisha, my
children, my ancestors, who continue to guide my steps. And God, God who
believes in us all. And who's given me this moment, in this lifetime,
that I will hopefully carry to the end of my lifetime into the next
lifetime. Thank you.

CATEGORY: PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

INTERVIEW WITH: FOREST WHITAKER

FILM: "THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND"

Q.

Hi, Forest, congratulations.

A.

Thank you.

Q.

So this is a magical night, we all heard your wonderful,

wonderful acceptance speech. Can you tell me that there's

anything fun that happened while you were at the show that we

didn't get to see?

A.

Wow. I don't know. It was mostly just sitting and being

excited with the show. Nothing really crazy happened. I think

Will started dancing a little bit when they were playing one of

their songs; it was kind of low high. That was the most

exciting moment.

Q.

Forest, hi. Good to see you.

A.

Good to see you.

Q.

Listen, you told me when I interviewed you about this, you

needed to find a core of humanity about him and you spent

a

great deal of time thinking about that. You were playing

a

dictator, a ruthless dictator, a killer of many people. Talk

about how you went to find a person inside of all of that?

A.

Well, I went back to the source and I went to talk to his

brothers and sisters, and I tried to understand what happened

when he was a kid. He was working on the sugar cane

plantation. His dad left him. We just started figuring out

all these different moments in his life. And you start

covering them up with the darker things, sure, but you start

off, like, with this little child who, like, you are trying to

figure out and you are making choices and you are going along,

and slowly, slowly it gets covered up with all the monstrous

things that people think about him, but in the beginning, he

was just a little kid running around at the plantation trying

to pick sugar cane. So.

Q.

Hi Forest. Right here, right here.

A.

Hi.

Q.

Congratulations.

A.

Thank you.

Q.

I wanted to find out you are a humble, soft-spoken man, but you

were so good at being bad. Did portraying this hauntingly

brutal character haunt you in any way, in bringing him to life?

A.

You know, it wasn't like the character that was driving me

crazy or anything like that. I was staying with him all the

time, but sometimes when you play characters that are, like,

I

played like drug addicts before and like Bird and different

things like that and waking up with that energy everyday,

that's kind of tough because there are characters I played that

didn't want to live, and Idi Amin did want to live, so, it was

it was different in that way. Those were tougher. Those

characters were tough to live with and wake up in the morning,

and you think I don't feel like doing this. You know what

I

mean? But this was so much intensity it was some ways at times

did...

Congratulations. You were just in Africa premiering the film

in Uganda. Would you talk about that experience and what the

response to it was there?

I was there about three days ago, four days ago. We showed it

to the cast and crew, and we showed it to the president and

president of Tanzania and to many of his generals and different

people. And the people really, really, accepted the movie and

were really behind it. In fact, President Mosembi (???) said

that from now on, he would point to this movie when they asked

him about that period, to talk about what happened, at least

the spirit of what happened during that time. So it was

extremely well received. They talked about it was one of the

biggest events that had happened in Uganda in a long time.

You've made the point frequently to thank your ancestors in

your speeches, and I would just like to elaborate on what that

means to you to consider them and acknowledge them whenever you

have a triumph like tonight.

I wasn't sure it was going to happen tonight, but I thought

something magic was going to happen because I could feel the

breath on my neck, the tingling in my body. For me, that's my

ancestors speaking to me. We are with you. We are walking

with you. And it's something that helps me in all my work.

It's not something --I'm not going into alone. I'm standing

up with shoulders before me. I stand up on people's shoulders

that guided me to that position, and at times, I'm trying to

figure it out. I'm directing and acting and stuff. I stand

still and I listen and I just hope that one of them is going to

whisper in my year. So because they always inspire me, I feel

it's important to acknowledge them too.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

I want to ask where you are going to store your Oscar?

Well, just, like, shelf as you go down the stairs, you will see

to the living area. And that's where I will put it. And so,

when we go down, the kids can see it and stuff like that.

Yeah.

Hi, Forest. Congratulations?

Thank you.

Now, two questions. First, when you think back in your first

film, Fast Times at Ridgemont High all the way to The Last King

of Scotland, now you are holding your own Oscar, how does this

all, your whole career, how do you feel right now?

This is great night. This is amazing. I mean, this --it's

like a magical, magical moment. You can never like, you know,

really, I don't think I never really imagined completely until

it actually happened. So, I don't know. I mean, from then

until now, at that point when I was really young, it was so

idealistic. I really wasn't even sure if I should continue

acting. I would like try and figure out if I could be good

enough to do it. It was like 10 or 12 years into my career

before I felt like maybe I can do it. It was such a different

time than now.

This is definitely a high note. We know you're a operatic

tenor. Is there a note that represents how you feel right now

that you can give us?

Can you say that again? No, thank you. No. It's a high C,

I

guess.

Can we hear it?

No, I can't do it anymore, when you get out of practice, you

lose it. You got to keep working on it, keep working on it.

The other day, I was working in New York. I was doing SNL, and

they asked me to sing, and I didn't realize I could sing at

all. It's kind of cool and now I'll start working on it and

get it back.

Brother you've worked a long, long time for that piece of metal

in your hands right there. Talk about what it's been like for

you, the journey to this date now when you first got into

acting?

Immediately, in the beginning, it's a lot of a lot of doubts

and worries, you know, wondering. I think sometimes I was

working before I was ready to work. I mean, I started working

when I was in college right away. And then, I wasn't sure if

I

was good enough. And then later, I --I --it was like trying

to make a part out of something that wasn't there. You would

look on the page and try to create something, hopefully

special. So it's really great when you get to play a character

that's like on the page, when I was in Bird, it was on the

page. And you know, it was you on the page. So, I get to

elevate that. So that's the movement to move even better and

better material because I got to work with some amazing

directors so far, amazing, amazing people. But I think it's

just that opportunity to really to do my work.

Congratulations. I wanted to know what your thoughts were

about this year's diversity representative at the Academy

Awards?

It's an amazing statement I hope what's going on. I think we

have to be connected as a planet. When you see this year, you

see people from all over the world, and you know, from Spain,

from Germany, from Mexico, you know, artists from Japan, you

know what I mean. Stories that are like you know, reflecting

the diversity of humanity, and I think right now, we need that,

because we need to understand that this over here is connected

to this over here. And it's so that's what --that's what this

has done for me. And that's why it's happening because we have

to pay attention. We have to pay attention and understand that

I affect you and you affect me.

First of all; congratulations, that was an amazing speech. It

was probably the best speech of the night. How long did you

work on it and were you --do you feel confident that it was

the best? Did it come out right like you wanted it to?

I don't really know because when you are caught up in the

moment, you don't really --you can't assess it, you know.

I

started --I was really working on it like last night. Before,

I was kind of coming up with ideas. I was talking about those,

and then last night, I just started like trying to figure it

out. And then I was hoping it wasn't going get too self

indulgent and boring. Trying my best. Or presumptuous because

you really don't know. I really didn't. Whatever everybody

says.

First of all, congratulations. Second, what will winning, what

will it mean to Uganda for you who have won this Oscar tonight.

And the second question is what will you tell your children

when you get home tomorrow about this night?

I'm going to talk to my kids right now. They have been calling

already. And I can't wait to get to a phone. My wife told me

they called. Uganda, they already told me when I was in

Uganda, that the movie was really important to them because

it's starting to make people think about the place they saw,

how beautiful the place was, and bringing attention to a space

that people have been avoiding. And so, hopefully, you know,

when people understand that the beauty of that place is, it

will bring more people there, bring more attention what it is,

bring more attention to what occurs when people are stepping

into those places and forcing is things to happen. So many

different things, but I know for a fact because they told me

over and over and over again, that this movie was very

important to them as a people to tell this part of history.

Thank you so much. I appreciate it.

George Lucas,Francis Ford Coppola , Steven Spielberg present best director award

Martin Scorsese

CATEGORY: ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING
AWARD RECIPIENT: MARTIN SCORSESE
FILM: "THE DEPARTED"


Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Rick. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Please, please. Thank you.
Thank you. Could you double-check the envelope, please? I mean, I'm
overwhelmed with this honor from the Academy and also the honor of being
presented by my old, old friends. We go back 37 years. I'm so moved, so
moved.

I've got thank Warner Bros.' Alan Horn and Dan and Jeff and I've got to
thank our producers Brad Grey and Graham King and Mac Brown and my old
friend Joe Reidy, we're working for 20 years. And Rick Yorn and John
Lesher and Chris Donnelly and Ari Emanuel. And that crazy script by Bill
Monahan that got me in all this trouble in the first place. And Andrew
Lau's original film from Hong Kong, the wonderful Asian cinema. And
Michael Ballhaus on camera. And Howard Shore's wonderful score. And my
old, good friend Thelma Schoonmaker. Ellen Lewis for her casting.

And so much of this belongs to the cast, I can't tell you. Jack
Nicholson for his courage and his inspiration. Leo DiCaprio, six-and-a-half
year's work we've done together. I hope another 12, another 15. Mark
Wahlberg, Matt Damon, Alec Baldwin, Ray Winstone and Vera Farmiga and Marty
Sheen.

I just want to say too that so many people over the years have been
wishing this for me. Strangers. You know, I went walking in the street,
people say something to me. I go in a doctor's office, I go in a
whatever. Elevators, people saying, "You should win one, you should win one." I
go for an X-Ray, "you should win one." I'm saying, "thank you." Friends
of mine over the years and friends who are here tonight are wishing
this for me and my family, I thank you. This is for you.

And I also want to thank my daughter Cathy, who is here tonight, who
worked on the film. And Domenica, my wife Helen, and our little
Francesca, who's seven years old who's watching right now. Francesca, stay up
for another 10 minutes but then jump up and down and make a lot of noise
at the hotel. Okay. I'll see you in the morning. Thank you

CATEGORY: ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING

FILM: "THE DEPARTED"

INTERVIEW WITH: MARTIN SCORSESE

Q.

There were a lot of people pulling for you when your name was

called out and here, there was an eruption of applause. What

is your reaction to finally getting it and did you feel like

this was your year and also being from Boston, there was a big

response in our city. What does that mean to you?

A.

I, I mean, it was overwhelming, overwhelming, overwhelming

moment for me. I must say I didn't know when people say, it's

your year, your year, thank God we have been able to make so

many films over the past 36 years without winning awards, but

we have been able to get the pictures made. So this comes as

an --I'm so glad to have --this comes as an extraordinary

surprise and quite honestly surprised for best picture, too.

Bigger surprise. I was very surprised when I won the Directors

Guild of America, and you know, I've been used to not winning

it. So, just make the movies, guys. That's what it's about.

Making the films, right. It's not about winning the stuff.

But in the meantime, you win something, that means they

appreciate it, and I have to be grateful for it. You know, and

I'm really thankful for the people in Boston who really did

a

great job, that great group, the Dropkick Murphys, who did

Shipping Out to Boston, which Robbie Robertson gave me to put

in the opening credits of the picture.

Q.

I was going to ask you the same question if in the bottom of

your heart you thought this was your year, and also, what did

it feel like to have your friends -

A.

That was on extraordinary moment when the three of them came

out and give me a look. Francis Coppola and George Lucas and

Steven Spielberg. We go back, Steven and I go back to '68,

'69. Francis Coppola, 1970. George, 1970. So we have --

I

just went up to San Francisco to see Francis and his new film

which is quite wonderful at George's new theatre on Thursday.

So they have influenced me. Francis has been like a big

brother in my life. Spielberg and George Lucas and I have -

particularly in that first 10 or 12 years in the '70s, early

'80s, worked together, really worked together, and helped each

other with each other's films and really --their main --it's

almost like a private little film school. And to see the three

of them walk out and give me a look before they opened the

envelope, I was very, I was very surprised. Very surprised.

Q.

We all in this room know you are a fantastic director. What

most of us may not know is that you are also a great proponent

of film preservation and film archiving. I come from a part of

the world in Asia where there's an emphasis on new technology,

on going to digital and moving away from film.

Yeah.

Can you say something here tonight before the press of the

world?

That's a very good pint. I'm going to try to continue with the

Film Foundation, of which Steven and George and Francis are

members, to continue to try to --and we do every year -

restore older films, classic films, and maybe not-so-classic

films but we restore them on celluloid. It's very important.

We don't know what new technology is coming down the line.

Digital also fades. We have to be very careful. I mean, it

gets to a point where there's so much film and you have to make

a choice and there's certain points, and you have to make

a

choice with two or three titles. Already that's a problem

because 10 years from now, those titles might not be as

important as the other ones, but the other titles that are

around or newsreels, if the only thing you can do is transfer

them to digital, you may have to do that, you see, just to hold

them out for the new technology. But it's so important to try

and restore these films on celluloid. For example, the

Hollywood Foreign Press has given us money every year for

certain films. This year, they gave us money for The Red

Shoes, Michael Powell and Emeric Pressberger's film, to restore

the actual three-strip negative, you know, and that's going to

be very important. You have to go back to the original.

How, though, do you justify this? In an economy where I come

from, in Asia, where their concentration is on saving money for

their film or their budgets are very small and also a rush to

the new technology, the digital, which is a lot cheaper to film

on than film itself?

That's going to be a serious problem. There are so many Asian

countries --I'm beginning to learn now, and many people are,

Korea, South Korea, the real, real, film history --and

actually, and we hope --we may announce it in Cannes, but we

are hoping to pull together a group that might begin to help

films from places like South Korea, Ethiopia, et cetera, to do

some archival work whereas they might not be able to get to do

it in any other way. But it's important, I mean, at a certain

point, even if it has to go digital, it has to be, I'm afraid.

How can we contact you about what you are going to do in Asia?

Well, myself, my --my public relations person. Leslee Dart

right here.

Congratulations again.

Thank you.

You are known from having such an encyclopedic knowledge of

film history and I know in The Departed, you reference Howard

Hawks of all of the shots of the (inaudible)

?

Yes. That's for fun, though. That's for reference. For those

who know, know. That's it.

Was there anyone else or any references you are drawing off of

when you want to make this film?

I think the overall, the pervading mood of the picture, written

in Bill's script, the ending of the picture. Where everyone is

shot, I mean, basically, Bill Monahan's script had that in the

original, but I'll never forget watching William A. Wellman's

Public Enemy with Jimmy Cagney when I was 10 years old in the

theatre on a re-release. I mean, the brutal honesty of that

film, the street honesty of it always stayed with me. That's

a

mark I always --I always aimed towards. And that this film

had that kinds of attitude towards it.

The last time we spoke was on the red carpet of The Departed in

New York City and you said you were going to be shooting soon

in Montreal. Can you tell me more about that?

I'm not so sure now. I'm not so sure. We are trying to find

a

way back to get back to Montreal. We shot some of The Aviator

there and we would like to get back up there. The shooting

facilities are fantastic.

I think that --I think, what a couple of journalists are

trying to get out of you is, when your name was called, was the

word "finally" what popped into your mind?

It's a good question, finally, it, uhm, I kept saying I told

Leslee outside, good thing I didn't get it before. That it's

a

good thing I waited and good thing, yeah, because maybe it

would have changed the kind of movies I made or something.

I

couldn't trust myself. I don't know if I was strong enough

before quite honestly. And I am glad it went this way and when

I saw that smile on his face Steven's face, I said something's

up, but I'm glad it's taken this long. It's been worth it.

Congratulations to you. The Departed has done very well and

there were rumors out there obviously about prequel or sequel

being made I was wondering what your involvement would be in

there and whether you would be looking forward to one of your

sequel.

We were talking about it the night the picture opened. So I am

interested in the possibility of doing a prequel. Or a sequel.

You know. I don't know if I would direct, but depends on how

the script turns out.

How about the the rumors that Mr. De Niro would be a part of

this as well?

A.

I don't know about those, but that's not a bad idea.

Q.

Marty, I understand that you told the studio when it came time

for campaigning, not to bother to do any campaigning?

A.

Yeah.

Q.

On the films we have.

A.

Yeah.

Q.

Is that reflective?

A.

Not for me, for the film. Not for me.

Q.

For you?

A.

I was really trying to concentrate on the filmmaking and

ultimately, if it wasn't meant in the cards, if this wasn't

meant in the cards, and that's life, the incredible thing is

I

got to make these movies, I really wanted to make. Mean

Streets, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull through Bob De Niro's pushing

and it got made. Last Temptation of Christ and Goodfellas, who

can complain. I thought it was Gangs of New York. It was an

old, old love of mine. It still is. I had to go out and there

also for The Aviator, it was a film I enjoyed. But I said on

this one, from now on let's relax, let's make as good film as

we can. Really.

Q.

So, I guess what I'm saying is in a sense, was that your saying

I don't care if I win anymore, I've lost so many times?

A.

No. I think it's not a matter of not caring. It's the first

time I've been standing here with this. It's good I'm standing

here with this. I'm could not complain, the work is what's

important. I mean trying to get these films financed and cast,

and I mean if I was able to do a film and write it myself, and

photograph it myself and act in it myself, that's something

else, but I can't.

Q.

Would the critical and commercial success of The Departed, is

it even sweeter that this Oscar you have in your hands isn't

the career achievement Oscar? It feels fully earned to you?

A.

It does. I do admire the career achievement. I saw Howard

Hawks get a career achievement award and Hitchcock and so many

others who were never awarded the award for one particular film

so it's a very special award, like Robert Altman, but it is

a

different feeling having been chosen for the year.

Q.

Hi, at the DGA awards, backstage, they were asking you, did you

think it was your year yet. Well, do you think it's your year

yet? And how much --this may be tough to delve into, but how

much did this create an insecurity factor in your own head,

after all these years to have done all these great films and to

have not been recognized by your peers, and finally it's not

the word finally, it's like so there. Didn't this make you

insecure over time?

A.

I must say the insecurity is always there. It's not an issue

of not winning an award to feel insecure. I mean I always

question when I do --I have very strong collaborators.

I

Michael Balhaus on camera and Joe Reidy on this picture after

all and they know me and question everything I do. But there

are certain things I feel very strongly about and I know I am

not going to win any awards, not going to win the Academy

Awards. I am going to keep making pictures. That's the key

thing. It didn't really make me lose confidence in the kind of

picture I wanted to make. Let me put it that way. I don't

know how to make a picture that's fashioned to win me an

Academy Award. I don't know how to do it. Is there a formula

for that? I don't think there is.

Q.

So it was just a mystery to you?

A.

Total mystery. The only thing --certainly you get

disappointed but then you get up and go back into the ring.

What are you going to do?

Q.

You are going to win one?

A.

Maybe. The winning for me is making the pictures, getting them

released and some people see them and maybe over the years

I

got to tell you some people see them 10 years later too, which

isn't bad.

Q.

I would like to ask you your opinion about the provision of the

results of second world war in Estonia I mean the intent of the

parliament to pass a bill to remove the monuments to liberate

a

soldier?

A.

I'm sorry, I don't think I'm qualified to answer that. Sorry.

I don't think I'm qualified to answer that. I wish I was.

Queen best picture ran.

Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton present best picture award. 

The Departed

CATEGORY: BEST MOTION PICTURE OF THE YEAR
AWARD RECIPIENT: GRAHAM KING
FILM: "THE DEPARTED"



To be standing here where the Queen of England just stood... Idi Amin,
is pretty incredible. To be standing here where Martin Scorsese won his
Oscar is such a joy, such a joy. Now, I have to read something. I want
to thank Warner Bros., amazing guys to work with, Alan Horn, Jeff
Robinov, Dan Lin, a huge thanks to Kevin McCormick, who takes my 15 calls a
day, everyday. All the cast and crew that Marty just mentioned. You
know, I've been lucky enough to work with this guy four times now, and
last year, I was lucky enough to produce two movies, The Departed and
Blood Diamond. I just want to tell you, from the bottom of my heart, that
to me, Mr. Leonardo DiCaprio, what amazing performances he does every
single time. Every time. I love you, man.

I can't really stand here and not thank Jack. To watch Marty direct
Jack... we'll talk about that later. I want to thank all my family, all my
friends, Bill Monahan, what a great screenplay. What a great
screenplay. Rick, you've been there for years, every one. My kids, who're at the
back there, Hayley and Sammie, you're awesome. My family and my sister,
Erica, a lot of patience for me, thank you so much. And I just want to
say to everyone that knows me, Colin, my business counter, Denis, who
spent every day on set with me. I know I drove you nuts. Thank you.
Thanks to everyone. Thank you so much.

CATEGORY: BEST MOTION PICTURE OF THE YEAR
INTERVIEW WITH: GRAHAM KING
FILM: "THE DEPARTED"



Q. Could you address the controversy in terms of Brad's credits, or the
lack thereof?
A. The P G A makes rules and we fill out our forms and, you know, they
came back and they denied Brad's credits and in fact, Marti and I
appealed, on behalf of Brad's credits, and I will say that now I think he
deserved the credit on the film.  He did so much for the picture but I
don't make the rules and their decision is their decision.

Q. So The Departed is a lot about rats.  I don't know if you saw the
footage of the real rats in a Taco Bell restaurant a couple days ago.  I
don't know if you saw that and took that as a sign this would be a good
sign for your move at all?
A. No.  I actually didn't see that.  I would like to, though.

Q. What was the greatest win for you tonight for the movie, The
Departed or the --
A. No doubt, Martin Scorsese.  When that was given out, my nerves went
down because if we didn't win for picture, Martin, I worked with the
guy for three pictures now and I love him to bits and I wanted to see him
bring it home.  The other two are pretty good as well.

Q. And how will you celebrate tonight?
A. I'm sure we will go out and have a drink or two.  We will see.

Q. Hi.  Congratulations.  Was it driving you crazy when your own team
was saying, well, this movie really isn't an academy movie.  We don't
want to build it up too much.  Weren't you, like, get up and cheer, of
course it is?
A. No.  I was actually the one being involved in gangs in New York and
producing the Aviator which really did need nominations to drive to box
office.  This one, every day, there wasn't a day onset that we
mentioned the all season.  We never mentioned this picture for the awards.  We
never thought about it.  There was a scene where Jack was coming out of
the bar and has blood all over his hands and he tells Billy to go home
and I turned around to somebody onset and said can you imagine me
showing this to the golden globes? They are going to lynch me and we didn't
think about awards on this.

Q. The importance of shooting this movie in Boston for the
authenticity?
A. Very important.  Whenever Martin shoots a movie he's so authentic in
his way of shooting.  If we can't shoot in the actual city we want to
we go out and build and working in Boston was wonderful and hope we go
back there very soon.

Q. In the film you have such an all star cast.  Did you ever think for
a second that the story would get lost amongst all that star power?
A. Not with Marti behind it, no.  I definitely wouldn't and everyone
was fabulous to work with, they really were.  There were change made here
and there and Jack put some additions to his character and a producer,
it's a tough film to make with everyone's schedule and dealing with the
additional props, let's say, in the movie.  But, you know, at the end
of the day, when you are dealing with the lives of score cease and Jack
Nicholson and Leo and Matt, you kind of sit back and let them do their
thing and that's what I did.

Q. Hi.  Congratulations?
A. Thank you.

Q. First of all, first thing that popped into your head when you heard
your name?
A. Such a sur real moment.  I didn't think they were going to say me. 
It's funny.  Don King was reading out the nominees and I'm the only
producer they are not going to call one producer out and it must be
another picture and I just looked at Jack interest his lips moved and said
the The Departed and the rest is a blank.

Q. Now, you talked about how great it is to work with Martin Scorsese. 
Talk about that magic he seems to have with everybody that he works
with.
A. You now, it's something when he's onset directing a film, first of
all, there's known in this world that respects film loves film and is a
historian of film like Marti is and every day on the set we talk about
other movies and we talk about what other movies we can make and movies
in the past and he's the King. When he's on a set directinging a cast
of anything, whether it be Aviator or this or gangs, he's just amazing. 
He's a collaborator with access and invites me into his world, and he
listens to them if they have an idea and everything is done on a very
easy going way, easy going basis and it's just so natural to him.  And,
for me, watching him make this movie and like I said on the stage
before, watching him direct Jack Nicholson for the first time and watching
his camera angles and how he jumps from character to dialogue it's just
phenomenal. It's the greatest.

Q. Hi.  Don't you think that there is a kind of gap in between the
choice of the academy and the audience of the public in America than to
some other movies? And do you think The Departed is a kind of movie that
tried to combine the politics as the French critic say and the kind of
cinema able to arrive to all the type of public but perhaps is not of
the most inspired movie by Martin Scorsese? It's a very good movie, but
someone wrote it is not the most personal movie directed by Scorsese.
A. Only thing I can answer to that is he just won his first Academy
Award and we won four out of five Oscars tonight.  When Marti gets a movie
and gets a script, he puts his stamp on it every time and whether it's
a deep meaningful movie, gangs in New York or story of Howard Hughes or
whether it's a group of gangsters in vacation, whatever he does he puts
his mark on it and he did this with the movie tonight on The Departed
and he's the only person I have spoken to who hasn't enjoyed the value
of the again a Scorsese film.

Q. Thank you very much and congratulations.
A. Thank you.

Ellen DeGeneres ends the show.

®the oscars®

Sunday February 25, 2007 5PT/8ET

ACTOR -- LEADING

Leonardo DiCaprio – BLOOD DIAMOND

Ryan Gosling – HALF NELSON

Peter O’Toole – VENUS

Will Smith – THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS

Forest Whitaker – THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND

ACTOR -- SUPPORTING

Alan Arkin – LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE

Jackie Earle Haley – LITTLE CHILDREN

Djimon Hounsou – BLOOD DIAMOND

Eddie Murphy – DREAMGIRLS

Mark Wahlberg – THE DEPARTED

ACTRESS -- LEADING

Penélope Cruz – VOLVER

Judi Dench – NOTES ON A SCANDAL

Helen Mirren – THE QUEEN

Meryl Streep – THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA

Kate Winslet – LITTLE CHILDREN

ACTRESS -- SUPPORTING

Adriana Barraza – BABEL

Cate Blanchett – NOTES ON A SCANDAL

Abigail Breslin – LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE

Jennifer Hudson – DREAMGIRLS

Rinko Kikuchi – BABEL

ANIMATED FEATURE

CARS

HAPPY FEET

MONSTER HOUSE

ART DIRECTION

DREAMGIRLS

THE GOOD SHEPHERD

PAN’S LABYRINTH

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN’S CHEST

THE PRESTIGE

CINEMATOGRAPHY

THE BLACK DAHLIA

CHILDREN OF MEN

THE ILLUSIONIST

PAN’S LABYRINTH

THE PRESTIGE

COSTUME DESIGN

CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA

DREAMGIRLS

MARIE ANTOINETTE

THE QUEEN

DIRECTING

BABEL

THE DEPARTED

LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA

THE QUEEN

UNITED 93

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

DELIVER US FROM EVIL

AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH

IRAQ IN FRAGMENTS

JESUS CAMP

MY COUNTRY, MY COUNTRY

DOCUMENTARY SHORT

THE BLOOD OF YINGZHOU DISTRICT

RECYCLED LIFE

REHEARSING A DREAM

TWO HANDS

FILM EDITING

BABEL

BLOOD DIAMOND

CHILDREN OF MEN

THE DEPARTED

UNITED 93

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

AFTER THE WEDDING

DAYS OF GLORY (INDIGÈNES)

THE LIVES OF OTHERS

PAN’S LABYRINTH

WATER

MAKEUP

APOCALYPTO

CLICK

PAN’S LABYRINTH

ORIGINAL SCORE

BABEL

THE GOOD GERMAN

NOTES ON A SCANDAL

PAN’S LABYRINTH

THE QUEEN

ORIGINAL SONG

“I Need to Wake Up”– AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH

“Listen” – DREAMGIRLS

“Love You I Do” – DREAMGIRLS

“Our Town” – CARS

“Patience” – DREAMGIRLS

BEST PICTURE

BABEL

THE DEPARTED

LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA

LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE

THE QUEEN

SHORT FILM -- ANIMATED

THE DANISH POET

LIFTED

THE LITTLE MATCHGIRL

MAESTRO

NO TIME FOR NUTS

SHORT FILM -- LIVE ACTION

BINTA AND THE GREAT IDEA

(BINTA Y LA GRAN IDEA)

ÉRAMOS POCOS (ONE TOO MANY)

HELMER & SON

THE SAVIOUR

WEST BANK STORY

SOUND EDITING

APOCALYPTO

BLOOD DIAMOND

FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS

LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN:DEAD MAN’S CHEST

SOUND MIXING

APOCALYPTO

BLOOD DIAMOND

DREAMGIRLS

FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN’S CHEST

VISUAL EFFECTS

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN:DEAD MAN’S CHEST

POSEIDON

SUPERMAN RETURNS

SCREENPLAY -- ADAPTED

BORAT CULTURAL LEARNINGS OF AMERICA FOR MAKE BENEFIT GLORIOUS NATION OF KAZAKHSTAN

CHILDREN OF MEN

THE DEPARTED

LITTLE CHILDREN

NOTES ON A SCANDAL

SCREENPLAY -- ORIGINAL

BABEL

LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA

LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE

PAN’S LABYRINTH

THE QUEEN

ADEMY AWARD(S)®, OSCAR(S)®, OSCAR NIGHT® and OSCAR® statuette design mark are the registered trademarks and service marks, and the

OSCAR® statuette the copyrighted property, of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

©2007 The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences & ABC, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The Official Academy Awards web site is produced by ABC.com in partnership with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Posted by Bill at 04:42 PM | Permalink

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Feb 25

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2006 will be presented on Sunday, February 25, 2007, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®.  

(C) ACADEMY AWARDS (R)

Posted by Bill at 08:20 PM | Permalink

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Feb 24

One day till the awards and still much to get done. 

MBN would like to thank:

- the Academy of Motion Pictures and their media relations staff for allowing MBN to cover the 79^th Academy Awards and providing press information and communications

- ABS by Allen Schwartz for the stunning gown that caught everyone’s attention

- Swarovski for the exquisite crystal drop pendant

- House of Taylor for the classics of pearls

- Ed Hardy Watches for helping to keep time in even dimly lit areas

- Roland (USA) for the Edirol digital recorder to record events

- AmeriBag for keeping the essentials close in a small footprint during press coverage

(c) ACADEMY AWARDS®  all rights reserved

(C) MBN 2007 William Hoehne

Posted by Bill at 05:28 PM | Permalink

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Feb 23

The Academy has worked harder then ever this year to get the message out that there is a awards show.

The Oscars won't be given out until Sunday night, but show producer Laura Ziskin noted Friday that there's already been a winner — diversity.

Ziskin, along with academy president Sid Ganis and show director Louis J. Horvitz, spoke with reporters from the Kodak Theatre's red carpet (protected by a clear plastic rain tent) about what's in store for this year's Oscar show.

Expect a sunny day Sunday, Ganis in a clearly jovial mood said: "The forecast, knock wood, is splendid."

And get ready for a festive vibe, said Ziskin: "We hope, at the end of the night, people will say — win or lose — `That was one of the best parties I've ever been to.'"

And, expect to see film celebrated in a way that highlights the diversity of the nominees and the unifying power of movies.

"The very, very best (this year) included this amazing, diverse group of men and women artists," Ganis said. "It's ultra-important because movies aren't an American art form. They're a worldwide art form."

That could, of course, make pronouncing some of the nominees' names a little challenging. But Horvitz is on it: "Every name is spelled phonetically."

Also, expect a diverse bunch of presenters — familiar and unfamiliar, Ziskin said.

"We try to balance between big, big Hollywood star power and try to mix it up a little bit differently than the 12 awards shows that have preceded us," she said.

Borat, aka Sacha Baron Cohen, declined an invitation to present but plans to attend the show, Ziskin said.

The last time Ziskin produced the Academy Awards, in 2002, the telecast spanned a record four hours and 23 minutes. So how long will this year's show be?

"It'll be over by Monday morning," she said.

To which Ganis replied, "Remember that in some time zones it will be Monday."

©A.M.P.A.S.®   All rights reserved

(C) MBN 2007 William Hoehne

Posted by Bill at 06:38 PM | Permalink

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Feb 24

Explosive films that dealt with tough issues were nominated in the Foreign Language Film Awards category for the 79^th ©Academy Awards® from Algeria , Canada , Denmark , Germany and Mexico . The Foreign Language Film Award Nominees Symposium was held earlier today at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills .

Now in its 50^th year for this category, the field began with 300 films from 61 countires, narrowed to a group of 15, then 9, and finally a smaller committee selected the final 5 nominees.

Mark Johnson, the Foreign Language Film Award (FLFA) Executive Committee Chair, noted the commonalities of the nominated foreign films. Each film had a common use of a secret, a fundamental and self eroding secret, a family unit, and a triumph through characters as unique and indelible as any in recent history.

Clips from each of the 5 nominated films were played -

Algeria , “Days of Glory (Indigés)”, Rachid Bouchareb, director

Canada , “Water”, Deepa Mehta, director, on DVD
Denmark, “After the Wedding”, Susanne Bier, director, March 13 release

Germany , “The Lives of Others,” Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, director, playing

Mexico , “Pan’s Labyrinth, Guillermo del Toro, director, playing in theatres

Johnson moderated the symposium with four of the five directors. The Algerian director for “Days of Glory” was unfortunately delayed after being nominated for 9 César awards last night in France .

Guillermo del Toro’s “Pan’s Labyrinth” was developed as a companion film for “Devil’s Backbone”. It is an emotionally charged adult surreal fairytale featuring Doug Jones of del Toro’s “Hellboy”. Joined by friend, Alfonso Cuarón, director of “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”, it is a visual fantasy.

Susanne Bier’s “After the Wedding” uses her quite distinctive trademark of extreme closeups. Admittedly an obsession of hers, her closeups are so abstract it’s similar to a wideshot. One such closeup, focused on a single eye of two different people responding as you heard dialogue.

Deepa Mehta’s “Water” about the House of Widows in India , had a rocky beginning and 2 starts. After being initially approved for filming in India , protestors closed the filming after effigies burned. The second start was in Sri Lanka . In 1938 India , “Water” portrayed the idea that without men, the widows they left behind were half dead.

Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, towering above at 6’9”, had a dream team in his head to create “The Lives of Others” and according to him, “enough immodesty to get his perfect cast”. Amazingly the film cost only $2 million to make and the cast followed through with the film even though no distributor had been found.

After audience and press questions were received, a spirited discussion about the use of subtitles vs. dubbing insued. The philosophy of more accurate subtitles to relay a truer picture vs. shorter subtitles so you could enjoy the image more without having to read as much vs. dubbing English so audiences don’t need to read and can then enjoy the film images more. The answer? To be more like Spain and offer both.

While watching snippets of each of these films, we were drawn into the stories as only master story tellers can weave, then abruptly brought into reality as we realized it was only a clip. All of the nominated foreign films are currently playing or on DVD except for “After the Wedding” which is set to release on March 13^th.

Feb 23

©A.M.P.A.S.® All rights reserved for all material above

(C) MBN 2007 William Hoehne

Posted by Bill at 02:11 PM | Permalink

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Mar 29