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March 31, 2007
OMMA Hollywood 07
Mar 31
Pictures from Omma Hollywood
(C) MBN 2007 William Hoehne
Fall Fashion Market 07
Mar 30
MAYOR ANTONIO VILLARAIGOSA TO ANNOUNCE ECONOMIC GOALS AND RECEIVE KEY TO FASHION DISTRICT AT LA FASHION MARKET GRAND OPENING PARTY
Los Angeles, CA (3/15/07) – On March 23, 2007 the LA Fashion District Business Improvement District (BID), Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and thousands of industry heavyweights and celebrities will ban together for the first-ever combined grand opening party for the LA Fashion Market. Special guest Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will make a historic announcement regarding the economic impact of the fashion industry to Los Angeles businesses and receive a key to the LA Fashion District from Rosanne Karmes, designer of Sydney Evan jewelry at 6:00 p.m. The high profile event will entertain thousands of guests and famous Los Angeles designers such as Chip and Pepper, Adriano Goldschmeid, Tarina Tarantino, Trina Turk, Robert Rodriguez, Paul Guez (Yanuk Denim, Antik Denim), Walter, Dick Cantrell (Hard Tail), Pamela Protzel (Ella Moss), Yana K, Diane Levin (Poleci), LeeJay Mitz (Iron), Sheri Bodell, Yael Alfalo (YA YA), Glenn Kay (Mandalay), Carilyn Vaile and Allen Schwartz (ABS), who will be available for a photo opportunity with the mayor at 5:50 p.m. The event will be located in the California Market Center’s front patio and main lobby and run from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
“California already leads the nation in apparel manufacturing and with the combined efforts of the government and LA Fashion District, we are able to raise the profile of Los Angeles as the premier resource for apparel,” says Kent Smith, Executive Director of LA Fashion District Business Improvement District (BID). “The idea of joining forces for a major event has been a longtime goal for the Intersection and we are looking to continue and expand the concept even further with the October LA Fashion Market.”
The party will feature live music by Lemon Sun who is touring with The Killers, cocktails and food by Tiara Café. Event sponsors include: LA Fashion District, The Intersection and California Market Center, with support from Downtown Center Business Improvement District and Santee Village.
(C) MBN 2007 William Hoehne
March 30, 2007
Monte's Cool Things
Mar 30
RipStik puts the excitement of surfing and snowboarding on 2 wheels
The ultimate carving machine allows you to twist and turn a 360 on 2 wheels.
$99.95 (#RZ525) from Sharper Image, www.sharperimage.com
Spi-dog™ as Spider-Man!
This puppy's dressed for Spider-Man 3 with his face lit up, ears wagging and head tilting in sync with the beat of music, plus a built-i speaker for playing your iPod®
$39.95 (#HB407) from Sharper Image, www.sharperimage.com
March 29, 2007
California Mandatory Spay/Neuter Bill Assigned to Committee - Speak Out Now!
Mar 29
California Mandatory Spay/Neuter Bill Assigned to Committee - Speak Out Now! California Assembly Bill 1634, known as the California Healthy Pets Act, was assigned to the Assembly Business and Professions Committee on Monday, March 26. It seeks to require the mandatory spaying or neutering of all dogs or cats over four months of age, unless the owner acquires an intact animal permit. It is imperative that breeders and concerned dog owners contact their Assembly member and the committee chairman to express their opposition.
The American Kennel Club strongly supports reasonable and enforceable laws that protect the welfare and health of purebred dogs and do not restrict the rights of breeders and owners who take their responsibilities seriously. We oppose the concept of mandatory spay/neuter provisions as provided by AB 1634, which:
Makes it a civil violation for any person to possess a dog or cat over four months of age that has not been spayed or neutered.
Requires owners of unaltered purebred dogs to annually acquire an intact animal permit from their local jurisdiction. The cost of the intact permit would be determined by the locality. Responsible dog owners could be required to pay unreasonable and punitive fees, possibly amounting to hundreds of dollars.
Does not provide exemptions for dogs temporarily entering California for show, competition, or exhibition.
WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW:
:Contact your representative in the California State Assembly.
Contact the members of the California Assembly Business and Professions Committee who will consider this bill.
Assemblyman Mike Eng, ChairState Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0049
(916) 319-2049
Assemblymember.Eng@asm.ca.gov
When writing to Assemblyman Eng,
Please forward a copy to the Assembly Business and Professions Committee ATTN: Tracy Rhine, Committee Consultant, 1020 N Street, Room 124, Sacramento, CA 94249. FAX: (916) 319-3306. This will ensure that your opposition is included in the official bill analysis.
Assemblyman Bill Emmerson, Vice Chair
(916) 319-2063 ~ FAX (916) 319-2163
Assemblymember.emmerson@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblywoman Karen Bass
(916) 319-2047 ~ FAX (916) 319-2147
Assemblymember.Bass@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblywoman Wilmer Amina Carter
(916) 319-2062 ~ FAX (916) 319-2162
Assemblymember.Carter@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi
(916) 319-2018 ~ FAX (916) 319-2118
Assemblymember.Hayashi@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblyman Edward P. Hernandez
(916) 319-2057 ~ FAX (916) 319-2157
Assemblymember.Hernandez@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblywoman Shirley Horton
(916) 319-2078 ~ FAX (916) 319-2178
Assemblymember.Shirley.Horton@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblyman Bill Maze
(916) 319-2034 ~ FAX (916) 319-2134
Assemblymember.maze@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblyman Curren D. Price., Jr.
(916) 319-2051 ~ FAX (916) 319-2151
Assemblymember.Price@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblyman Alberto Torrico
(916) 319-2020 ~ FAX (916) 319-2120
Assemblymember.torrico@assembly.ca.gov
For more information, contact AKC's Canine Legislation Department at (919) 816-3720, or e-mail doglaw@akc.org
This will ensure that your opposition is included in the official bill analysis. (916) 319-2063 ~ FAX (916) 319-2163 (916) 319-2047 ~ FAX (916) 319-2147 (916) 319-2062 ~ FAX (916) 319-2162 (916) 319-2018 ~ FAX (916) 319-2118 (916) 319-2057 ~ FAX (916) 319-2157 (916) 319-2078 ~ FAX (916) 319-2178 (916) 319-2034 ~ FAX (916) 319-2134 (916) 319-2051 ~ FAX (916) 319-2151 (916) 319-2020 ~ FAX (916) 319-2120 For more information, contact AKC's Canine Legislation Department at (919) 816-3720, or e-mail doglaw@akc.org
This will ensure that your opposition is included in the official bill analysis. (916) 319-2063 ~ FAX (916) 319-2163 (916) 319-2047 ~ FAX (916) 319-2147 (916) 319-2062 ~ FAX (916) 319-2162 (916) 319-2018 ~ FAX (916) 319-2118 (916) 319-2057 ~ FAX (916) 319-2157 (916) 319-2078 ~ FAX (916) 319-2178 (916) 319-2034 ~ FAX (916) 319-2134 (916) 319-2051 ~ FAX (916) 319-2151 (916) 319-2020 ~ FAX (916) 319-2120 For more information, contact AKC's Canine Legislation Department at (919) 816-3720, or e-mail -mail doglaw@akc.org
Joyce Chow A Photographers Dream
Mar 29
To see why our junior editor photographer is such a darling of the photographers look here also
Sexy Legs, Legs More Legs & A Smile
Night of 100 Stars
Gibson Guitars Hosts DeHoghton Denim Fall Collection 2007 LA Fashion Week – Day 2
Night of 100 Stars
Dinner with Gene Simmons to Launch New Clothing Line – Moneybags
ABC TONIGHT
April 2
PG. 2 BRANDI CARLILE SONG “STORY” HAS BROADCAST DEBUT ON GREY’S ANATOMY
PG. 3 ABC LAUNCHES DO YOU JIMMY AD CAMPAIGN
PG. 4-5 FAST FACTS OVERNIGHT RATINGS (FOR 4/1)
ADDITIONALLY:
PG. 6 DANCING WITH THE STARS THE RESULTS SHOW (4/3)
PG. 7 AMERICA’S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS (4/15)
PG. 8 EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION (4/15)
PG. 9 DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (4/15)
PG. 10 BROTHERS & SISTERS (4/15)
PG. 11 GEORGE LOPEZ (4/17)
PG. 12 ACCORDING TO JIM (4/17)
PG. 13 BOSTON LEGAL (4/17)
PG. 14 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY (4/18; SEASON FINALE)PG. 15 LOST (4/18)
PG. 16 UGLY BETTY (4/19)
PG. 17 GREY’S ANATOMY (4/19)
PG. 18 SIX DEGREES (4/20)
PG. 19 HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE (4/21)
PG. 20-21 CORRECTION/UPDATE
ONE-HOUR SPECIAL, “GREY’S ANATOMY: EVERY MOMENT COUNTS,” TO DEBUT
WORLD BROADCAST PREMIERE OF “GREY’S ANATOMY” MUSIC VIDEO
SET TO “THE STORY,” THE HIT SONG BY COLUMBIA RECORDS
RECORDING ARTIST BRANDI CARLILE
Special Premieres Thursday, April 12
The one-hour special, “Grey’s Anatomy: Every Moment Counts,” premiering THURSDAY, APRIL 12 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET), will debut the world broadcast premiere of a music video combining scenes from the hit series and singer/songwriter Brandi Carlile’s title track video from her new album, “The Story.“
The special, which highlights some of the most memorable moments from the last three seasons, will be hosted by actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan, loved by “Grey’s Anatomy” fans for his role as Denny on the series.
On her new album, “The Story,” Brandi Carlile opens up her heart, soul and psyche in a series of memorable songs that invite you into her world. To her growing community of fans, it’s Carlile’s revelatory imagery, stark emotive vocals and finely-detailed songs which provide the keys to who she is, where she’s been and where’s she’s going. The title track provides a perfect backdrop for the drama and intensity of the experiences of the characters on “Grey’s Anatomy.”
About “Grey’s Anatomy”
“Grey’s Anatomy” stars Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey, Patrick Dempsey as Derek Shepherd, Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang, Isaiah Washington as Preston Burke, Katherine Heigl as Isobel “Izzie” Stevens, Justin Chambers as Alex Karev, T.R. Knight as George O’Malley, Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey, James Pickens, Jr. as Richard Webber, Kate Walsh as Addison Shepherd, Sara Ramirez as Callie Torres and Eric Dane as Mark Sloan.
Shonda Rhimes (“Introducing Dorothy Dandridge”) is creator and executive producer. Betsy Beers (“Casanova”), Mark Gordon (“Saving Private Ryan”) and Krista Vernoff (“Law & Order”) are executive producers. “Grey’s Anatomy” is an ABC Television Studio Production.
About Brandi Carlile
Shortly after the release of her critically acclaimed self-titled debut (Rolling Stone named her one of the magazine’s “10 Artists to Watch in 2005”), Carlile left her home in Seattle and set out with twin brothers Tim (guitar) and Phil (bass) Hanseroth, with whom she’d worked on her earliest recordings and independent regional tours. The tightly knit trio, which forms the core of her band today, spent the better part of two years on the road. By the end of 2006, Carlile had embarked on several headlining tours and supported a variety of artists, including The Fray, Ray LaMontagne, Chris Isaak, Tori Amos and Shawn Colvin. Her new album, “The Story,” will be in stores and online April 3.
DO YOU JIMMY?
ABC Announces Largest New Ad Campaign for “Jimmy Kimmel Live” Since the Launch of the Show
Dedicated Site Launches at www.DoYouJimmy.com
Starting today, ABC is launching a ground-breaking branding campaign for the hit late-night talk show “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” including outdoor, wild postings, spot cable, radio buys and a college targeted component. The campaign was teased on-air beginning March 26.
Based on Jimmy Kimmel’s name, the campaign is a call to action, asking the public to “Jimmy” to generate awareness and excitement about the show. A dedicated site at www.DoYouJimmy.com is also launching and will feature video with Uncle Frank, Aunt Chippy, Guillermo and everyday fans talking about how they “Jimmy.”
Now in its fifth season and posting the most growth in Total Viewers for any late-night entertainment talk show, ABC is going to thirty college campuses across the country and to college newspapers, postering and providing removable mirror clings and door hangers that could potentially reach over one million students. Messages will include “Real Men Jimmy” and “Nice Girls Jimmy Too” on the clings for bathroom mirrors and “Come in and We’ll Jimmy Together” or “Keep Out, I’m Gonna Jimmy Alone” on the door hangers. In addition, T-shirts will be distributed that read “The More I Jimmy the Better I Feel,” and a special two-minute trailer will be screened at college movie theatres. The “Do You Jimmy” shirt will also be available for purchase at www.abc.com.
Additional outdoor exposure includes wild postings, taxi tops, bus sides and LCD panels at subway entrances in New York, with messages such as “For a Better Tomorrow… Jimmy Tonight” and “Jimmy 5 Nights a Week.”
About “Jimmy Kimmel Live”
Emmy-winner Jimmy Kimmel serves as host and executive producer of “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” the ABC Television Network’s distinctive late-night talk show, now in its fifth season. The show features a diverse lineup of guests, including celebrities, athletes, comedians, politicians and human interest subjects.
Jimmy Kimmel and Jill Leiderman serve as executive producers and Jason Schrift and Douglas DeLuca as co-executive producers. “Jimmy Kimmel Live” is shot live in front of a studio audience and produced by Jackhole Industries in association with ABC Television Studio.
April 2, 2007
Fast Facts for Sunday, April 1, 2007 (Based on Fast Affiliate Ratings)
Although 1/2 of its Lineup is Rebroadcast Programming Against Mostly
Originals Series on the Other Nets, ABC Dominates Sunday in Adults 18-49
ABC’s “America’s Funniest Home Videos” Wins the 7 O’clock Hour Across
The Key Adult Demographics, as well as Among Teens 12-17 and Kids 2-11
ABC’s Repeat “Home Edition” is No. 1 at 8pm in Viewers and Young Adults
ABC’s “Desperate Housewives: The Juiciest Bites” Clip Show Wins the 9 O’clock
Hour in Adults 18-49, Tying as the No. 1 TV Show of the Night in the Key Sales Demo
ABC’s “Brothers & Sisters” Wins the 10 O’clock Hour Among Adults 18-34
And Young Women, Ranking as Sunday’s No. 1 TV Program in Women 18-49
Sunday Primetime (7:00-11:00 p.m.)
Although its middle 2-hours were comprised of rebroadcast programming against mostly original series on the other networks, ABC dominated Sunday night among Adults 18-49. During Sunday’s primetime, ABC (3.3/9) beat out second-place CBS by 18% (2.8/8), third-place Fox by 27% (2.6/7) and fourth-place NBC by 50% (2.2/6).
In Total Viewers (9.4 million) and Adults 18-49 (3.3/9), the Network posted its strongest Sunday in 4 weeks – since 3/4/07.
“America’s Funniest Home Videos” (7:00-8:00 p.m.)
ABC’s “America’s Funniest Home Videos” won the 7 o’clock hour in Adults 18-49, beating its nearest competitor by 35% among Adults 18-49 (2.7/9 vs. 2.0/7 – CBS’ “60 Minutes”). The venerable ABC video clip show also ranked No. 1 in the hour among Adults 25-54 (3.2/10), Adults 18-34 (2.0/7), Teens 12-17 (1.6/6) and Kids 2-11 (2.2/9).
(2.7/9 vs. 2.0/7 – CBS’ “60 Minutes”). The (3.2/10), (2.0/7), (1.6/6) (2.2/9).
“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (8:00-9:00 p.m.)
A rebroadcast installment of ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” won the 8 o’clock hour in viewers and young adults. “Home Edition” bested its closest competition by 9% in Total Viewers (9.8 million vs. 9.0 million – NBC’s “Dateline”) and by 10% in Adults 18-49 (3.4/9 vs. 3.1/9 – Fox’s “The Simpsons”/”King of the Hill”). ABC’s replay of broad skewing “Home Edition” was the No. 1 TV show of the evening with Kids 2-11 (2.7/10).
“Home Edition” (9.8 million vs. 9.0 million – NBC’s “Dateline”) (3.4/9 vs. 3.1/9 – Fox’s “The Simpsons”/”King of the Hill”). (2.7/10).
“Desperate Housewives: The Juiciest Bites” (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
ABC’s special clip show, “Desperate Housewives: The Juiciest Bites,” led Sunday’s 9 o’clock hour in Adults 18-49 (3.5/9), also qualifying as the No. 1 TV show of the night in the key young adult sales demo (tied w/CBS’ “Cold Case” at 10:00 p.m.). The “Housewives” season recap special also won its time slot and ranked as Sunday’s No. 1 television show with Women 18-34 (4.0/11) and Women 18-49 (4.7/11).
(3.5/9),in the key young adult sales demo (tied w/CBS’ “Cold Case” at 10:00 p.m.). The “Housewives” season recap special (4.0/11) (4.7/11).
“Brothers & Sisters” (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
ABC’s “Brother’s Sisters” took second place in the 10 o’clock hour among Total Viewers (9.1 million) and Adults 18-49 (3.3/9), while ranking No. 1 with Adults 18-34 (2.5/7-tie), Women 18-49 (4.7/12) and Women 18-34 (3.4/9). “Brothers & Sisters” tied “Desperate Housewives: The Juiciest Bites” to rank as Sunday’s No. 1 TV show among Women 18-49.
took second place in the 10 o’clock hour among Total Viewers (9.1 million) and Adults 18-49 (3.3/9), while ranking (2.5/7-tie), (4.7/12) (3.4/9). .During Sunday’s primetime, ABC (3.3/9) (2.8/8),(2.6/7) (2.2/6).(2.7/9 vs. 2.0/7 – CBS’ “60 Minutes”). The (3.2/10), (2.0/7), (1.6/6) (2.2/9). “Home Edition” (9.8 million vs. 9.0 million – NBC’s “Dateline”) (3.4/9 vs. 3.1/9 – Fox’s “The Simpsons”/”King of the Hill”). (2.7/10). (3.5/9),in the key young adult sales demo (tied w/CBS’ “Cold Case” at 10:00 p.m.). The “Housewives” season recap special (4.0/11) (4.7/11).took second place in the 10 o’clock hour among Total Viewers (9.1 million) and Adults 18-49 (3.3/9), while ranking (2.5/7-tie), (4.7/12) (3.4/9). .
Source: Nielsen Media Research (Fast Affiliate Ratings, Live+SD), 4/1/07
THE SECOND COUPLE TO BE ELIMINATED FROM THE COMPETITION IS REVEALED,
ON ABC’S “DANCING WITH THE STARS THE RESULTS SHOW”
Ciara, Josh Groban and Survivor Perform
“Episode 403A” – The second couple will be dismissed on “Dancing with the Stars the Results Show,” TUESDAY, APRIL 3 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. Grammy-winning recording artist Ciara takes to the stage to perform her hit, “Like a Boy.” Music sensation Josh Groban will then sing “So She Dances,” as Tony Dovolani and Julianne Hough perform. In addition, the rock band Survivor will perform the classic “Eye of the Tiger” as the professionals do a group Paso Doble.
Late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel (“Jimmy Kimmel Live”) will also be featured in his weekly segment entitled “Dance Along at Home with Jimmy Kimmel.” Each week Jimmy will offer up his parking lot security guard, Guillermo, to hilariously demonstrate a ballroom dancing technique.
By evening’s end, the couple with the lowest composite score will be eliminated, as determined by a combination of the judges’ scores and viewers’ votes. Who among the following ten teams will be dismissed from the competition?
Laila Ali (undefeated world boxing champion) and partner Maksim ChmerkovskiyBilly Ray Cyrus (actor & singer on Disney Channel’s “Hannah Montana”) and partner Karina SmirnoffClyde Drexler
(actor & singer on Disney Channel’s “Hannah Montana”) and partner (NBA Hall of Famer) and partner Elena GrinenkoJoey Fatone (*NSYNC star) and partner Kym JohnsonShandi Finnessey
(*NSYNC star) and partner (Miss USA 2004) and partner Brian FortunaLeeza Gibbons (talk show host) and partner Tony Dovolani
(talk show host) and partner Heather Mills (charity activist & campaigner) and partner Jonathan RobertsApolo Anton Ohno (Olympic speed skating gold medalist) and partner Julianne Hough John Ratzenberger
(Olympic speed skating gold medalist) and partner (actor & author) and partner Edyta SliwinskaIan Ziering (TV & Broadway star) and partner Cheryl Burke
(TV & Broadway star) and partner
“Dancing with the Stars” is the U.S. version of the international smash hit series, “Strictly Come Dancing.” This version is produced in America by BBC Worldwide Productions. Conrad Green is executive producer and Izzie Pick is co-executive producer. Rob Wade and Matilda Zoltowski are supervising producers. Alex Rudzinski directs.
“Dancing with the Stars” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish audio via SAP. This program carries a TV-PG parental guideline.
(undefeated world boxing champion) and partner (actor & singer on Disney Channel’s “Hannah Montana”) and partner (NBA Hall of Famer) and partner (*NSYNC star) and partner (Miss USA 2004) and partner (talk show host) and partner (charity activist & campaigner) and partner (Olympic speed skating gold medalist) and partner (actor & author) and partner (TV & Broadway star) and partner
PRACTICAL JOKES AND A DOG GONE WILD,
ON ABC’S “AMERICA’S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS”
“Episode No. 1720” – Clip highlights include practical jokes, with one man scaring his wife by putting a rubber bird in the freezer; a man getting a pistachio nut stuck to his lip; and a dog that makes a really big mess of the yard, on “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” SUNDAY, APRIL 15 (7:00-8:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.
Tom Bergeron hosts.
In its 17 seasons to date, “America’s Funniest Home Videos” has given away over $9 million in prize money and evaluated more than half a million videotapes from home viewers. Viewers wishing to submit home videos to “America’s Funniest Home Videos” should visit www.abc.com for details.
Vin Di Bona is executive producer, with Todd Thicke and Michele Nasraway serving as co-executive producers. “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” which premiered on January 14, 1990 and is from Vin Di Bona Productions, airs with Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning.
This program carries a TV-PG parental guideline.
“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” FULFILLS THE DYING WISH OF A FATHER
WHO RECENTLY SUCCUMBED TO CANCER AND WANTED NOTHING MORE than
TO provide a happy and safe home for THE family HE LEFT BEHIND
“Koepke Family” -- Ty and the gang builds a new and renovated home for the Koepke (pronounced kep-key) family of Campbellsport, WI, who recently lost their loving father, Matthew, to cancer, on “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” SUNDAY, APRIL 15 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (Rebroadcast. OAD 11/19/06)
At the age of 41, Matthew was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma in April 2006. Once the doctors became aware of the disease, the cancer had already spread from his left arm to his brain. He was expected to live another five years, but passed away only a few short months later, on August 21, 2006, leaving behind mother Christine and children Derek, Jayna, Mitchell and Johanna.
In addition to being a loving father, Matthew was an active community member who played a huge role in initiating and leading several local projects. Matt’s greatest achievement was the initial restoration of the old town Mill into an historical landmark that today is the center of community gatherings and the “heart” of the town. In addition to his work on the Mill Park, Matt was the President of Dundee Mill Park and helped build the Sportsman’s Lodge and baseball park.
Matt had dreams of renovating his home and finishing the renovations on the town Mill, but those plans were put on hold once he was diagnosed. He will be missed but never forgotten. Before Matt died, he had a chance to ask EMHE for one wish -- to take care of his family and give them the home they deserved.
While the Ty and the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” design team, local builder Monarch Homes, contractors and hundreds of workers and volunteers remember Matt’s dreams and work together to transform the Koepke house into a dream home in a remarkable seven days, the family will go on vacation to San Diego.
The design team for this episode of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” will feature team leader Ty Pennington, as well as Michael Moloney, Ed Sanders, Paige Hemmis and Preston Sharp.
“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” which has won back-to-back Emmy Awards as Best Reality Program (non-competitive), is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. Denise Cramsey is the executive producer. David Goldberg is the president of Endemol USA.
“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” is broadcast with Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning. This program carries a TV-PG parental guideline.
A WISTERIA LANE NEIGHBOR’S DARKEST SECRET IS REVEALED,
ON ABC’S “DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES”
“Liaisons” – Tom feels threatened by the interest a new Scavo’s Pizzeria employee shows in Lynette, Susan considers moving from Wisteria Lane and a neighbor’s darkest secret is revealed, on “Desperate Housewives,” SUNDAY, APRIL 15 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.
“Desperate Housewives” stars Teri Hatcher as Susan Mayer, Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo, Marcia Cross as Bree Van De Kamp, Eva Longoria as Gabrielle Solis, Nicollette Sheridan as Edie Britt, Brenda Strong as Mary Alice Young, James Denton as Mike Delfino, Doug Savant as Tom Scavo, Ricardo Antonio Chavira as Carlos Solis, Kyle MacLachlan as Orson Hodge, Andrea Bowen as Julie Mayer, Shawn Pyfrom as Andrew Van De Kamp, Joy Lauren as Danielle Van De Kamp, Josh Henderson as Austin Britt, Rachel Fox as Kayla Huntington and Brent and Shane Kinsman as Porter and Preston Scavo.
Guest starring are John Slattery as Victor Lang, Dougray Scott as Ian Hainsworth, Jake Cherry as Travers McLain, Jason Gedrick as Rick Coletti, Kathryn Joosten as Mrs. McCluskey, Corey Mendell Parker as doctor, Kenneth Kimmins as Mayor Johnson, Mel Fair as moderator, Kylie Sparks as Kim, Pat Asanti as Arnold, Pat Crawford Brown as Ida Greenberg, Michael Guarnera as Toby, Thomas Crawford as campaign rally introducer, Ron Rogge as middle-aged man, John Harnagel as Gilbert McCluskey and Wayne Lopez as Clyde.
“Liaisons” was directed by David Grossman and written by Alexandra Cunningham & Jenna Bans.
”Desperate Housewives” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish audio via SAP.
A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to airdate.
THE WALKER FAMILY LITERALLY TRIES TO KEEP UP WITH THE JONESES
IN A WILD GAME NIGHT REMATCH, ON ABC’S “BROTHERS & SISTERS”
Jenna Elfman, Susan Sullivan (“Dharma & Greg”) and
Eric Winter (“Days of Our Lives”) Guest Star
“Game Night” – The Walkers challenge their all-too-perfect lifelong nemesis family, the Jones (guest starring Susan Sullivan as Miranda Jones and Jenna Elfman as Lizzie Jones-Baker), to a long overdue game night rematch and cautiously begin to embrace Rebecca as their sister. Meanwhile, Kitty soon regrets introducing Kevin to the Senator’s brother (guest starring Eric Winter as Jason McCallister), on “Brothers & Sisters,” SUNDAY, APRIL 15 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.
“Brothers & Sisters” stars Calista Flockhart as Kitty, Rachel Griffiths as Sarah, Sally Field as Nora Holden, Ron Rifkin as Saul Holden, Patricia Wettig as Holly, Balthazar Getty as Thomas, Dave Annable as Justin, Matthew Rhys as Kevin, John Pyper-Ferguson as Joe, Sarah Jane Morris as Julia, Emily VanCamp as Rebecca Harper and Kerris Lilla Dorsey as Paige.
Guest starring are Rob Lowe as Senator McCallister, Maxwell Perry Cotton as Cooper Whedon, Eric Winter as Jason McCallister, Paul Cassell as Gary Morris, Perry King as Curtis Jones, Susan Sullivan as Miranda Jones, Jenna Elfman as Lizzie Jones-Baker, Elina Madison as Stephanie Jones-Reed, Kim Murphy Zandell as Donna Jones, Duffy Dibley as Doug Jones, Clint Carmichael as Ken Baker, Bryan Krasner as Roger Jones, James Ritz as Wallace, Jack Ritter as Ken Junior and Darcy Rose Byrnes as Gwyneth.
The story for “Game Night” is by Peter Calloway and Cliff Olin and the script written by Molly Newman. The episode was directed by Matt Shakman.
“Brothers & Sisters” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning.
A TV parental guideline will be posted closer to airdate.
ENTERTAINMENT
April 2, 2007
ANGIE’S ABSENT BROTHER RETURNS TO TOWN LOOKING TO
MAKE AMENDS, ON ABC’S “GEORGE LOPEZ”
Andy Garcia (“Oceans Eleven”) Guest Stars
“George Doesn’t’ Trustee Angie’s Brother” – Angie’s scam artist brother, Ray (guest starring Andy Garcia as Ray), reappears after a long absence looking to make amends with his estranged daughter, Veronica, and the Lopez family. But George is the first to see through Ray’s transparent scheme when TUESDAY, APRIL 17 (8:00-8:30 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (Rebroadcast. OAD 3/1/06)
“George Lopez” stars George Lopez as George, Constance Marie as Angie, Valente Rodriguez as Ernie, Masiela Lusha as Carmen, Luis Armand Garcia as Max, Belita Moreno as Benny and Emiliano Díez as Vic Palmero.
Guest starring are Andy Garcia as Ray and Aimee Garcia as Veronica.
”George Doesn’t Trustee Angie’s Brother” was written by Paul A. Kaplan & Mark Torgove, and directed by Sheldon Epps.
“George Lopez” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish audio via SAP.
This program carries a TV-PG parental guideline.
ENTERTAINMENT
April 2, 2007
JIM, ANDY AND RYAN SNEAK THE KIDS INTO THE DINOSAUR EXHIBIT
AFTER HOURS, ON ABC’S “ACCORDING TO JIM”
“Dino-Mite” – Dana and Cheryl hesitantly entrust Ryan and Jim to watch the kids and baby Tanner while they have a girls’ night out. But Jim sneaks the brood into the museum after hours to see the dinosaur exhibit, and their shenanigans result in the destruction of the Tyrannosaurus Rex display, on “According to Jim,” TUESDAY, APRIL 17 (8:30-9:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (Rebroadcast. OAD 2/28/07)
“According to Jim” stars Jim Belushi as Jim, Courtney Thorne-Smith as Cheryl, Kimberly Williams-Paisley as Dana, Larry Joe Campbell as Andy, Taylor Atelian as Ruby, Billi Bruno as Gracie and Conner Rayburn as Kyle.
Guest-starring is Mitch Rouse as Ryan.
“Dino-Mite” is written by Hayes Jackson and directed by James Widdoes.
“According to Jim” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning.
This program carries a TV-PG parental guideline.
ENTERTAINMENT
April 2, 2007
ALAN SHORE GOES UP AGAINST JERRY ESPENSON WHEN A DEPARTMENT STORE IS
ACCUSED OF SELLING RACY DOLLS TO CHILDREN, DENNY CRANE’S POLITICALLY
INCORRECT STATEMENT TO AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN JOB APPLICANT COULD COST
HIM HIS JOB, AND DENISE BEGINS TO RE-THINK HER FUTURE WITH BRAD,
ON ABC’S “BOSTON LEGAL”
“Guise ‘n Dolls” – Alan Shore finds himself pitted against old friend Jerry Espenson in a case of a woman suing a department store for selling “pornographic” dolls to kids. Meanwhile, Shirley Schmidt and Paul Lewiston must decide the fate of Denny Crane after he makes a politically incorrect statement to an African-American under consideration for employment at the firm, and a colleague’s valued opinion causes Denise Bauer to re-think her future with Brad, on “Boston Legal,” TUESDAY, APRIL 17 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.
“Boston Legal” stars James Spader as Alan Shore, Julie Bowen as Denise Bauer, Mark Valley as Brad Chase, Rene Auberjonois as Paul Lewiston, Constance Zimmer as Claire Simms and Gary Anthony Williams as Clarence/Clarice Bell, with Candice Bergen as Shirley Schmidt and William Shatner as Denny Crane.
Guest starring are Christian Clemenson as Jerry Espenson, Gail O’Grady as Judge Gloria Weldon, Jaleel White as Kevin Givens, Kate Hodge as Kaye Kent, Michael Bofshever as Charles Costello and Jim Jansen as Marshall Kennedy.
“Guise ‘n Dolls” was written by Sanford Golden & Karen Wyscarver & David E. Kelley and directed by John Terlesky.
“Boston Legal” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning.
A TV parental guideline will be posted closer to airdate.
ENTERTAINMENT
April 2, 2007
SEASON FINALE
HARRY AND MAUREEN TRY GETTING BACK TOGETHER, JOANNA DISCOVERS
A HIDDEN ATTACHMENT TO JASON, AND SHERMAN’S BOOK GOES #1
IN JAPAN, ON THE SEASON FINALE OF ABC’S “IN CASE OF EMERGENCY”
“The Picture” – Harry and Maureen try their hand at getting back together. Meanshile Joanna discovers a hidden attachment to Jason, and Sherman’s book goes #1 in Japan -- making him a celebrity again -- on the Season Finale of “In Case of Emergency,” WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18 (9:30-10:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.
“In Case of Emergency” stars David Arquette as Jason Ventress, Jonathan Silverman as Harry Kennison, Greg Germann as Sherman Yablonsky, Kelly Hu as Kelly Lee, Jackson Bond as Dylan and Lori Loughlin as Joanna.
Guest-starring Leigh Allyn Baker as Maureen, Arabella Field as Stephanie, Natsuko Ohama as Madam and David Norona as Paul.
“The Picture” is written by Rosalind Moore & Howard J. Morris and directed by Linda Mendoza.
“In Case of Emergency” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound and Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning.
This program carries a TV-PG,D parental guideline.
ENTERTAINMENT
April 2, 2007
CHARLIE QUESTIONS WHETHER DESMOND HAS HAD ANOTHER “FLASH”
FORESHADOWING HIS DEATH WHEN COAXED INTO JOINING A TREK
ACROSS THE JUNGLE, AND JEALOUSY MOTIVATES KATE TO TURN TO
AN UNSUSPECTING SAWYER, ON ABC’S “LOST”
“Catch-22” – Desmond coaxes Charlie, Hurley and Jin on a trek across the jungle after experiencing one of his future-prophesizing “flashes” -- but is he purposely placing Charlie’s life in harm’s way? Meanwhile, Kate turns to an unwitting Sawyer after seeing Jack alone with Juliet, on “Lost,” WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.
“Lost” stars Naveen Andrews as Sayid, Henry Ian Cusick as Desmond, Emilie de Ravin as Claire, Michael Emerson as Ben, Matthew Fox as Jack, Jorge Garcia as Hurley, Josh Holloway as Sawyer, Daniel Dae Kim as Jin, Yunjin Kim as Sun, Evangeline Lilly as Kate, Elizabeth Mitchell as Juliet, Dominic Monaghan as Charlie and Terry O’Quinn as Locke.
Guest starring are Sonia Walger as Penny Widmore, Jack Maxwell as Derek, Joanna Bool as Ruth, Andrew Connolly as Brother Campbell, Andrew Trask as older monk and Marsha Thomason as parachutist.
“Catch-22” was written by Jeff Pinkner & Brian K. Vaughan and directed by Stephen Williams.
”Lost” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish audio via SAP.
A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to airdate.
BETTY STRUGGLES TO KEEP DANIEL ON THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW
AS A TABLOID WRITER STALKS THE MEADE FAMILY, ON ABC’S “UGLY BETTY”
“Punch Out” – Betty frantically tries to keep Daniel focused on work as he reverts to his old hard-partying ways, including romancing a multitude of stunning models. Things go from bad to worse when a tell-all writer (Emmy winner Leslie Jordan, “Will & Grace,” “Boston Legal”) in possession of Fey Sommer’s diaries starts stalking the Meades. Another Suarez, Ignacio, feels the heat when Immigration caseworker Constance (guest star Octavia Spencer) pressures him to make their relationship a romantic one, and Wilhelmina and Alexis both try to get their hands on Fey’s diaries -- but for different reasons -- on “Ugly Betty,” THURSDAY, APRIL 19 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. Bond girl Ivana Milicevic (“Casino Royale”) guest stars as Lena.
“Ugly Betty” stars America Ferrera as Betty Suarez, Eric Mabius as Daniel Meade, Alan Dale as Bradford Meade, Tony Plana as Ignacio, Ana Ortiz as Hilda, Ashley Jensen as Christina, Becki Newton as Amanda, Mark Indelicato as Justin, Michael Urie as Marc, Kevin Sussman as Walter, Rebecca Romijn as Alexis Meade and Vanessa Williams as Wilhelmina Slater.
Guest stars include Leslie Jordan as Quincy Combs, Ivana Milicevic as Lena, Annalynne McCord as Petra, Eric Edelstein as Ben, Jeff Meacham as Kevin, Max Greenfield as Nick Pepper, Bailey Chase as Becks and Octavia Spencer as Constance.
“Punch Out,” was written by Oliver Goldstick, and directed by Miguel Arteta.
”Ugly Betty” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish audio via SAP.
A TV parental guideline will be posted closer to airdate.
IZZIE FACES HER PAINFUL PAST WITH GEORGE BY HER SIDE,
DEREK AND MEREDITH QUESTION THEIR RELATIONSHIP,
AND ALEX GROWS INCREASINGLY ATTACHED TO HIS PATIENT,
ON ABC’S “GREY’S ANATOMY”
Mare Winningham Returns as Susan Grey
Elizabeth Reaser (“Sweet Land”) and Roger Rees (“The Prestige”)
Return as Jane Doe and Dr. Colin Marlow
“Time After Time” – Izzie faces her past and finds comfort in George, while Alex becomes more attached to Jane Doe (Elizabeth Reaser), Meredith and Derek question their own status, and Cristina resolves to fight for her relationship with Burke -- despite her past with Colin Marlow (Roger Rees) -- on “Grey’s Anatomy,” THURSDAY, APRIL 19 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.
Editors note: This program will repeat Friday, April 20 (8:00-9:01 p.m., ET).
“Grey’s Anatomy” stars Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey, Patrick Dempsey as Derek Shepherd, Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang, Isaiah Washington as Preston Burke, Katherine Heigl as Isobel “Izzie” Stevens, Justin Chambers as Alex Karev, T.R. Knight as George O’Malley, Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey, James Pickens, Jr. as Richard Webber, Kate Walsh as Addison Shepherd, Sara Ramirez as Callie Torres and Eric Dane as Mark Sloan.
Guest starring Elizabeth Reaser as Jane Doe, Roger Rees as Dr. Colin Marlowe, Dee Wallace as Joan Waring, Brent Jennings as Charles, Suzanne Cryer as Caroline Klein, Tim Hopper as Dustin Klein, Marc Vann as hematologist, Steven W. Bailey as Joe, with Mare Winningham as Susan Grey
“Time After Time” was written by Stacy McKee and directed by Christopher Misiano.
“Grey’s Anatomy” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish audio via SAP.
A TV parental guideline will be posted closer to airdate.
CASEMAN WORKS ON A PROJECT WITH LAURA AND SPARKS FLY,
BUT RAY THINKS WHITNEY IS ALSO INTERESTED IN CASEMAN,
ON ABC’S “SIX DEGREES” FRIDAY, APRIL 20
“Surstromming or a Slice” – Ray hires Laura and Caseman to decorate his new office space, and while working together, they figure out that they have chemistry. However Ray learns that Caseman means more to Whitney than he originally thought. Meanwhile Damien goes to work for Ray and uses his boss’ name to pull a favor for Carlos, who lands a new job, and Mae finds out about a woman who may be her mother while babysitting for Laura and Caseman, on “Six Degrees,” FRIDAY, APRIL 20 (9:01-10:00 p.m. ET) on the ABC Television Network.
“Six Degrees” stars Jay Hernandez as Carlos, Bridget Moynahan as Whitney, Erika Christensen as Mae, Dorian Missick as Damian, with Campbell Scott as Steven Caseman and Hope Davis as Laura.
Guest starring Josh Charles as Ray Jones, Caroline Lagerfelt as JT Zeff, Deborah Craig as Melanie, Jill Flint as Lisa, Ben Livingston as Arne Bengston, J. Smith-Cameron as Maggie Newton, John Ventimiglia as Jimmy, Samantha Buck as Susan Clayman, Mark La Mura as partner and Miles Chandler as Max.
“Surstromming or a Slice” is written by Ken Biller and Peter Elkoff and directed by David Petrarca.
”Six Degrees” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning.
This program carries a TV-PG,D,S parental guideline.
“HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE” TO AIR IN HIGH DEFINITION
TELEVISION AS THE “ABC SATURDAY MOVIE OF THE WEEK,” APRIL 21
“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” a magical adventure tale nominated for three Academy Awards, will air as a presentation of “ABC Saturday Movie of the Week,” APRIL 21 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET). The feature will be broadcast in HDTV format with 5.1-channel surround sound and with Spanish audio. (Rebroadcast. OAD: 5/9/04)
Based on the first of J.K. Rowling’s popular children’s novels about Harry Potter, the live action family adventure film “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” tells the story of a boy who learns on his 11th birthday that he is the orphaned son of two powerful wizards and possesses unique magical powers of his own. Invited to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry embarks on the adventure of a lifetime and finds the home and the family he has never had.
“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” stars Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, Emma Watson as Hermione Granger, Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley, John Cleese as Nearly Headless Nick, Robbie Coltrane as Rubeus Hagrid, Warwick Davis as Professor Flitwick, Richard Griffiths as Uncle Vernon, Richard Harris as Professor Albus Dumbledore, Ian Hart as Professor Quirrell, John Hurt as Mr. Ollivander, Alan Rickman as Professor Snape, Fiona Shaw as Aunt Petunia,Maggie Smith as Professor Minerva McGonagall and Julie Walters as Mrs. Weasley.
“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” released in 2001, was directed by Chris Columbus (“Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,” “Home Alone” series, “Mrs. Doubtfire”) and the screenplay was written by Steven Kloves (“The Wonder Boys,” “Harry Potter” series) based on the novel by J.K. Rowling. The film is produced by David Heyman. The executive producers are Mark Radcliffe, Michael Barnathan and Duncan Henderson. “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” is a production of 1492 Pictures, Heyday Films and Warner Bros. Pictures. (CLOSED-CAPTIONED) (Broadcast in stereo where available)
“HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE” IN HDTV:
The ABC Television Network’s HDTV broadcast of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” will air in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format and 5.1-channel surround sound and with Spanish audio.
This film carries a TV-PG,V parental guideline.
C
ORRECTION/UPDATE
As of MONDAY, APRIL 2 (all times ET unless noted)
MONDAY, APRIL 16 (8:00 – 9:30 PM)
SCHEDULED Tonight’s program is “DANCING WITH THE STARS: 405” -- Program information to come. (TV-PG) (HD/5.1; Spanish audio via SAP) (CC)
(9:30 – 11:00 PM)
SCHEDULED Tonight’s program is “THE BACHELOR: OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN: 1003” -- Program information/TV parental guideline to come. (CC; Spanish subtitles via secondary CC).
TUESDAY, APRIL 17 (9:00 – 10:00 PM)
SCHEDULED Tonight’s program is “DANCING WITH THE STARS THE RESULTS SHOW: 405A” -- Program information to come. (TV-PG) (HD/5.1; Spanish audio via SAP) (CC)
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18 (8:00 – 9:00 PM)
SCHEDULED Tonight’s program is TBA.
(9:00 – 9:30 PM)
SCHEDULED Tonight’s program is “ACCORDING TO JIM: The Grill II” -- Program information/TV parental guideline to come. (HD/5.1) (CC; Spanish subtitles via secondary CC)
THURSDAY, APRIL 19 (10:01 – 11:00 PM)
SCHEDULED Tonight’s program is “Notes from the Underbelly” -- Episodes TBA. Program information/TV parental guideline to come. (HD/5.1) (CC; Spanish subtitles via secondary CC)
FRIDAY, APRIL 20 (8:00 – 9:01 PM)
SCHEDULED Tonight’s program is “GREY’S ANATOMY: Time After Time” (OAD: 4/19/07) -- TV parental guideline to come. (HD/5.1; Spanish audio via SAP) (CC)
(10:00 – 11:00 PM)
SCHEDULED Tonight’s program is “20/20” – Information to come. (CC)
Mar 30
Notes from the Underbelly
(premieres Thursday, April 12; two back to back episodes Thursdays, 10:00-11:00 p.m., ET)
Director/producer Barry Sonnenfeld and producers Kim and Eric Tannenbaum (“Two and a Half Men”) bring a comic take on life’s greatest adventure – parenthood. This ensemble comedy proves that surviving the politics of pregnancy and maintaining your relationships with family and friends can be just as demanding as raising a child.
Andrew (Peter Cambor) and Lauren (Jennifer Westfeldt, “Kissing Jessica Stein”) have just found out they're going to have a baby, and they’re having a difficult time following rule number one – keeping it a secret. Suddenly switching to decaf, becoming a teetotaler at cocktail parties, and going to the OBGYN are all difficult to keep from family and close friends.
Surrounding Andrew and Lauren as they embark on their journey is a close-knit circle of friends -- all of whom have varying opinions, experience and advice on starting a family. Julie (Melanie Paxson) and Eric (Sunkrish Bala), also in the family way for the first time, are the overly excited, slightly obnoxious expectant parents that Andrew and Lauren never want to become. Lauren’s best friend, Cooper (Rachael Harris), is a divorce attorney and career woman who is skeptical of marriage altogether, and will do her best to keep Lauren from becoming another member of the “mommy cult.” Andrew’s buddy, Danny (Michael Weaver), is an immature child in his own right, whose chief concern is meeting hot women. Can Andrew and Lauren juggle the freedom and spontaneity of their old lives and the responsibility of their new ones? Will they be able to straddle the worlds of their carefree single friends and the ever-changing world of their married ones?
Andrew will narrate each episode, giving his wry and often sarcastic interpretation of the events that are going on around him. Lauren may be getting the stretch marks, but Andrew has to pretend that he doesn’t notice them. Through it all, Andrew and Lauren come to learn that what's best for the child could be the easiest part... maintaining your relationships with family and friends might be the real challenge.
“Notes from the Underbelly” stars Jennifer Westfeldt as Lauren, Peter Cambor as Andrew, Michael Weaver as Danny, Rachael Harris as Cooper, Melanie Paxson as Julie and Sunkrish Bala as Eric
Based on Risa Green’s novel of the same name, “Notes from the Underbelly” was created by Stacy Traub (“Kitchen Confidential.”) Traub, Barry Sonnenfeld, Kim Tannenbaum and Eric Tannenbaum serve as executive producers. The series is from The Tannenbaum Company, Hill Three Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television.
Mar 29
March 29, 2007
DILIP BALA PROMOTED TO VICE PRESIDENT, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT,
ABC ENTERTAINMENT AND ABC TELEVISION STUDIO
Dilip Bala has been promoted to vice president, Business Development, ABC Entertainment and ABC Television Studio, it was announced today by Bruce Gersh, senior vice president, Business Development, ABC Entertainment and ABC Television Studio, to whom he reports.
In his new role Mr. Bala is responsible for mobile and e-commerce new media business development related to ABC and ABC Television Studio for the Disney-ABC Television Group’s digital media team. This includes projects for ABC Entertainment’s Daytime, Primetime and Late Night, as well as ABC Television Studio around the world.
“Dilip has made significant contributions towards developing our wireless and digital media initiatives,” said Mr. Gersh. “Under his direction, ABC-related mobile content continues to raise the bar in the industry, and I am confident that he will add leadership and more value to the company in his new role.“
Specifically Mr. Bala oversees production and distribution of all mobile content, including video, personalization products and games. He also manages e-commerce activities for ABC. He is charged with developing and managing mobile initiatives related to ABC’s annual broadcast of the Academy Awards; and this year marked the first time Oscar content was available on mobile for the 79th Academy Awards show.
Employed by ABC since 2004, Mr. Bala most recently served as director, Business Development, ABC Entertainment and ABC Television Studio. Prior to joining ABC, he headed up operations for a direct marketing start-up and was previously with The Walt Disney Company for over six years in various finance and planning roles. He began his career at Ernst & Young, where he earned his CPA credentials.
Mr. Bala resides in Los Angeles with his wife and two children.
Disney-ABC Television Group is home to all of The Walt Disney Company’s worldwide entertainment and news television properties. The Group includes the ABC Television Network, Disney Channel’s worldwide portfolio of kids’ channels, ABC Family and SOAPnet; as well as television production and syndication divisions ABC Television Studio, Walt Disney Television Animation, Buena Vista Worldwide Television and Walt Disney Television International. Disney-ABC Television Group also manages the Radio Disney Network in addition to the Company’s equity interest in Lifetime Entertainment Services and A&E Television Networks.
Media Contact: Marlene Zakovich (818) 460-6355
-- DISNEY-ABC TELEVISION GROUP --
NEWSMarch 29, 2007
IS YOUR PHARMACY ERROR-PROOF, OR IS IT A PRESCRIPTION FOR DISASTER? A BRIAN ROSS EXCLUSIVE INVESTIGATION, ON ABC NEWS’ “20/20,” FRIDAY, MARCH 30
Also: Barbara Walters Interviews Presidential Candidate Rudy Giuliani’s Wife,
Judith Giuliani; Former Mayor Joins Interview
After reports from around the country of devastating prescription errors, ABC News’ “20/20” embarked on a four-month investigation led by ABC News Chief Investigative Correspondent Brian Ross to examine what some industry experts fear is an unreported epidemic of pharmacy errors at the country’s fast growing chain drug stores. As Ross reports, overworked pharmacists are pushed to fill prescriptions at a fast pace and frequently rely on pharmacy technicians -- who often are just high school students -- to actually fill the prescriptions. “20/20” cameras go undercover to investigate the rate of error and find a widespread failure to spot potentially dangerous drug interactions, and customers signing away their right to get information on the drugs they are taking without realizing it. The exclusive report airs on “20/20” on FRIDAY, MARCH 30 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.
Mary Ann Wagner, senior vice president of the Washington, DC trade group representing the big drug store chains, said huge sums of money are being spent in new training and high tech programs that help prevent errors in the billions of prescriptions filled by the chains each year, and that “patient safety is our number one concern.” But she cannot answer Ross’ question -- “how can you say this industry is taking serious steps to prevent errors if they don’t even know how big the problem is?” -- because, in all but four states, the industry is not required to report pharmacy errors, even those resulting in serious injury or death.
Ross also reports on cases in which pharmacy errors led to a devastating brain injury for a four-month-old baby in suburban Chicago and a crippling stroke for a mother of three from Florida who was given a dosage 10 times higher than what her doctor prescribed.
Plus: Barbara Walters interviews Judith Giuliani, wife of presidential candidate and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. This is her first in-depth television interview since becoming Mrs. Giuliani, and she responds to numerous questions, including whether she was responsible for the break-up of her husband’s second marriage, her relationship with her step children, the role she will play in her husband’s campaign and what kind of First Lady she would be. Former Mayor Giuliani also joins in the far-reaching interview and addresses these and other topics.
Also: Should cops be held accountable when innocent bystanders are killed during high speed police chases? Bill Ritter reports on a tragic accident in New Jersey last September that took the lives of two teenage sisters when a State Trooper ran a stop sign at high speed, hitting the girls in their car.
“20/20” is anchored by Elizabeth Vargas and John Stossel. David Sloan is executive producer.
-- ABC --
March 29, 2007
Fringe Ratings Report: ABC Daytime Programming LIVE +SD data
Week of March 19-25, 2007
ABC DAYTIME’S FULL AND DRAMA LINEUPS RANKED NO. 1 FOR THE WEEK
(BOTH ABC LINEUPS HAVE RANKED NO. 1 FOR 26 OUT OF 27 WEEKS
THIS SEASON AMONG WOMEN 18-49)
ABC DAYTIME’S FULL AND DRAMA LINEUPS ALSO RANKED NO. 1
FOR THE 7th WEEK IN A ROW AMONG WOMEN 18-34
ABC’S FULL AND DRAMA LINEUPS RANK NO.1 SEASON TO DATE AMONG WOMEN 18-49
ABC’S FULL LINEUP IS UP 3% SEASON TO DATE AMONG TOTAL VIEWERS (MOST GROWTH), AND IS ALSO UP 1% AMONG WOMEN 18-34, MAKING ABC THE ONLY NETWORK UP
AMONG WOMEN 18-34
“GENERAL HOSPITAL” RANKED NO. 1 AMONG BOTH WOMEN 18-49 AND FEMALE TEENS, MARKING THE SEVENTH WEEK IN A ROW THAT “GH” HAS RANKED NO. 1
WITH BOTH DEMOS IN RATING
“GENERAL HOSPITAL” IS THE ONLY DAYTIME DRAMA TO SHOW SEASON-TO-DATE GROWTH
IN WOMEN 18-34
“THE VIEW” RANKED IN THE TOP 5 DAYTIME PROGRAMS AMONG WOMEN 18-49
FOR THE 26TH STRAIGHT WEEK, AND IS UP SEASON TO DATE AMONG WOMEN 18-49,
WOMEN 18-34 AND TOTAL VIEWERS
ABC WON THE COMMON 1-3 P.M. TIME PERIOD FOR THE WEEK,
OUTPERFORMING NBC BY 29% AND CBS BY 5% AMONG WOMEN 18-49
Week of March 19, 2007
ABC’s daytime Drama lineup was No. 1 for the week among Women 18-49, with a 1.6 rating and a 10 share, delivering 1.1 million Women 18-49 for the week of March 19, 2007. The lineup outperformed CBS by 16% and NBC by 40%. Among Women 18-34, the lineup was also No.1 for the week, with a 1.2 rating and an 8 share, delivering 396,000 women 18-34.
ABC’s Full daytime schedule was No. 1 for the week among Women 18-49, with a 1.6 rating and a 10 share, delivering an average audience of 1.02 million Women 18-49. The lineup outperformed CBS by 14% and NBC by 35% among Women 18-49. Among Women 18-34, the lineup was also No. 1 for the week, with a 1.1 rating and an 8 share, delivering 380,000 Women 18-34. The Full lineup is up 1% season to date, making ABC the only network to show season-to-date growth among women 18-34. Among Total Viewers, the Full lineup is up 3% season to date (more than any other network).
This week marks the seventh week in a row that both ABC’s Full and Drama lineups ranked
No. 1 among Women 18-49 and Women 18-34.
ABC won three of its four time periods and delivered three out of the top five shows in Women 18-49:
“The View” was the No. 4*-ranked program of the week (tied with “All My Children” and “The Price Is Right 2” in rating), with a 1.4 rating and a 10 share, delivering an average audience of 901,000 Women 18-49. The program was up 18% vs. the same week last year (the only daytime program up) among Women 18-49. “The View” beat the average of the combined half-hours of “the Price is Right” by 8%, “As the World Turns” by 14% and “Guiding Light” by 26% among Women 18-49. Season to date, “The View” is up 21% among Women 18-49. Among Women 18-34, it was up 38% vs. the same week last year and is up 23% season to date.
Among Total Viewers, “The View” had a 1.2 rating and a 9 share, delivering 3.5 million Total Viewers for the week. It was up 34% vs. the same week last year, and is up 18% season to date.
“General Hospital” was the No. 1-ranked program for the 8th straight week, with a 1.9 rating (tied with Y&R) and a 12 share, delivering 1.23 million Women 18-49. “GH” beat “Days of Our Lives” by 40% among Women 18-49. Additionally, “General Hospital” beat its time period rival, “Guiding Light,” by 71% for the week among Women 18-49.
Among Women 18-34, “GH” was No.2 for the week, with a 1.4 rating and a 9 share, delivering 470,000 Women 18-34. “GH” is up 5% season to date among Women 18-34 (the only daytime drama up among women 18-34.) Among Female Teens, “GH” was the No. 1 ranked program for the week, and was up 23% vs. the prior week and up 42% versus the same week last year. Also, “GH” outperformed “Days” by 118% among Female Teens. Among Total Viewers, “General Hospital” is up 1% season to date. This week marks the seventh week in a row “GH” has ranked No. 1 in both Women 18-49 and Female Teens.
“One Life to Live” was the No. 3*-ranked program of the week, with a 1.5 rating and a 10 share, delivering 1.01million Women 18-49. “OLTL” outperformed time period competitors “As the World Turns” by 27% and “Passions” by 57% for the week. “One Life to Live” was also up 4% versus last week among Female Teens.
“All My Children” was the No. 4*-ranked program of the week (tied in rating with “The View” and “The Price is Right 2”), with a 1.4 rating a 10 share, delivering 947,000 Women 18-49. The “AMC” advantage over time period competitor “Days” was 8% among Women 18-49.
Season to date, ABC Daytime’s drama lineup ranks No. 1, with a 1.7 rating and an 11 share, delivering 1.1 million Women 18-49 – outperforming CBS by 18% and NBC by 16% in actuals. In the Full lineup, ABC Daytime is No. 1, with a 1.7 rating and an 11 share, delivering 1.1 million Women 18-49, outperforming CBS by 20% and NBC 15% in actuals.
Following are the Daytime drama and full Daytime ratings averages for the week:
DAYTIME DRAMAS: TOTAL VIEWERS WOMEN 18-49
No. 1 CBS 3,689,000 No. 1 ABC 1.6/10No. 2 ABC 3,140,000 No. 2 CBS 1.4/9
No. 2CBS 1.4/9No. 3 NBC 2,230,000 No. 3 NBC 1.2/8FULL DAYTIME: TOTAL VIEWERS WOMEN 18-49
No. 1 CBS 4,021,000 No. 1 ABC 1.6/10No. 2 ABC 3,224,000 No. 2 CBS 1.4/9
No. 2 CBS 1.4/9No. 3 NBC 2,230,000 No. 2 NBC 1.2/8
No. 1 CBS 3,689,000 No. 2CBS 1.4/9No. 1 CBS 4,021,000 No. 2 CBS 1.4/9
*All information is based on Live + Same Day data.Monday 3/19/07
Price Is Right 1 was preempted in New York (6.616%)
Price is Right 2 was interrupted in all east coast and central markets from 11:30am-11:45am EST
The View was interrupted in all east coast and central markets from 11:30am-11:45am ESTWednesday 3/21/07
Bold & The Beautiful was preempted in San Antonio (.696%)
Days of Our Lives was interrupted from 12pm-12:30pm in San Antonio (.696%)Thursday 3/22/07
All My Children was interrupted from 11:15am-11:30am in Dallas (2.136%), Cleveland (1.381%), San Antonio (.696%), Louisville (0.582%), Oklahoma City (0.595%)
Guiding Light was preempted in San Diego (0.925%) due to NCAA BB Tournament and ran late night in entiretyFriday 3/23/07
Guiding Light was preempted in San Diego (0.925%) due to NCAA BB Tournament and ran late night in entirety
-- ABC --
-- ABC --
CORRECTION/UPDATE
As of THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2007 (all times ET unless noted)
MARCH 29
TIME CHANGE “GREY’S ANATOMY: From a Whisper to a Scream” now scheduled 9:00-10:02 p.m.
Originally was 9:00-10:01 p.m.
TIME CHANGE “OCTOBER ROAD: Tomorrow’s So Far Away” now scheduled 10:02-11:00 p.m.Originally was 10:01-11:00 p.m.
THURSDAY, APRIL 12 (10:01 –11:00 PM)
CORRECTION “NOTES FROM THE UNDERBELLY” will air episodes (TBA) seamlessly as a one-hour telecast in the 10:01-11:00 p.m. hour. (HD/5.1) (CC; Spanish subtitles via secondary CC)
March 26, 2007
News & News In Spanish
April 2
High Court rebukes Bush on car pollution
The Supreme Court rebuked the Bush administration Monday for its inaction on global warming in a decision that could lead to more fuel-efficient cars as early as next year.
The court, in a 5-4 ruling in its first case on climate change, declared that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are air pollutants under the Clean Air Act.
The Environmental Protection Agency has the authority to regulate those emissions from new cars and trucks under the landmark environment law, and the "laundry list" of reasons it has given for declining to do so are insufficient, the court said.
"A reduction in domestic emissions would slow the pace of global emissions increases, no matter what happens elsewhere," Justice John Paul Stevens said in the majority opinion. "EPA has offered no reasoned explanation for its refusal to decide whether greenhouse gases cause or contribute to climate change."
The politics of global warming have changed dramatically since the court agreed last year to hear its first case on the subject, with many Republicans as well as Democrats now pressing for action. However, the administration has argued for a voluntary approach rather than new regulation.
The reasoning in the court's ruling also appears to apply to EPA's decision not to impose controls on global warming pollution from power plants, a decision that has been challenged separately in court, several environmental lawyers said.
In the short term, the decision boosts California's and 10 other states' prospects for gaining EPA approval of their own program to limit tailpipe emissions, beginning with the 2009 model year. Those cars begin appearing in showrooms next year. Emission limits would become stricter each year until 2016.
Mar 30
Ferramenta de renderização de 3D MascotCapsule(R) da HI ultrapassa a marca de 200 milhões de integrações em dispositivos móveis em todo o mundo
Integrações de operadoras e fabricantes internacionais também ultrapassam o total de 100 milhões de unidades
A HI CORPORATION (Sede: Meguro-ku, Tóquio; Presidente e CEO: Kazuo Kawabata, a partir de agora "HI") divulgou hoje que a sua ferramenta de renderização de 3D MascotCapsule(R) alcançou o total de 230 milhões de integrações em dispositivos móveis até o final do quarto trimestre (outubro-dezembro) de 2006.
O MascotCapsule(R) tem sido amplamente adotado em todo o mundo por ser integrado aos aparelhos portáteis de 4 dos 5 principais fabricantes internacionais. Mais de 100 milhões de aparelhos portáteis com a ferramenta foram integrados em todo o mundo até o final do trimestre. (Estas integrações no Japão ultrapassaram o total de 100 milhões de unidades no terceiro trimestre (julho-setembro) de 2006).
O MascotCapsule(R) bateu o recorde de integração em outros dispositivos além dos telefones móveis no final do quarto trimestre, alcançando um total de 2 milhões de dispositivos.
"Estamos muito empolgados com o fato do nosso principal produto, o MascotCapsule(R) já ter sido utilizado em mais de 200 milhões de dispositivos móveis. Sabemos que existe uma forte procura por gráficos em 3D para telefones móveis em todo o mundo. Estamos cultivando o mercado e constantemente atualizando os nossos produtos para atender às demandas do mercado. Continuaremos com o nosso trabalho de desenvolvimento de soluções e serviços de interface com computador "mais confortáveis e divertidas" para vários dispositivos móveis, incluindo a contínua promoção do MascotCapsule(R), para que os usuários possam aproveitar as novas funções trazidas pela mais recente tecnologia sem estresse nem maior gasto de tempo com o aprendizado destas funções", disse Kazuo Kawabata, Presidente e CEO da HI.
* MascotCapule(R) é uma marca comercial registrada da HI Corporation. * Os nomes de outros produtos e companhias mencionados neste documento podem ser marcas comerciais ou marcas comerciais registradas de seus respectivos proprietários.
HI CORPORATION
Criada em 1989, a HI é a principal desenvolvedora e fornecedora de middleware para dispositivos integrados. O principal produto da companhia, o "MascotCapsule(R)" é uma ferramenta de renderização em 3D em tempo real adotada pelas quatro operadoras do Japão e operadoras dos EUA, Coréia e China. A maioria dos fabricantes de aparelhos portáteis do Japão e do exterior tem uma licença global da HI.
Desde o seu lançamento, centenas de conteúdo e UIS em 3D de qualidade para jogos que usam o MascotCapsule(R) foram lançados por diversas redes sem fio. Para mais informação, acesse http://www.hicorp.co.jp/
Mar 29
Remarks by the President at Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony Honoring the Tuskegee Airmen-- Following are remarks
by President George W. Bush at a congressional gold medal ceremony honoring
the Tuskegee airmen:
United States Capitol
2:23 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. Please be seated. Thank you. Madam
Speaker, Mr. Leader, members of Congress, Secretary Powell, distinguished
guests: You know, the Speaker and I had the honor of having our picture
taken with you, and as I walked into the rotunda, a place that occasionally
I get invited up here and I walk into, I was impressed by the fact that I
wasn't amongst heroes who were statues. I was impressed that I was amongst
heroes who still live. (Applause.) I thank you for the honor you have
brought to our country. And the medal you're about to receive means our
country honors you, and rightly so.
I want to thank Senator Carl Levin and Sergeant Rangel. (Laughter.)
Excuse me, Mr. Chairman. (Applause.) I thank you for your leadership on
this issue. I have a strong interest in World War II airmen. I was raised
by one. He flew with a group of brave young men who endured difficult times
in the defense of our country. Yet for all they sacrificed and all they
lost, in a way, they were very fortunate, because they never had the burden
of having their every mission, their every success, their every failure
viewed through the color of their skin. Nobody told them they were a credit
to their race. Nobody refused to return their salutes. Nobody expected them
to bear the daily humiliations while wearing the uniform of their country.
It was different for the men in this room. When America entered World
War II, it might have been easy for them to do little for our country.
After all, the country didn't do much for them. Even the Nazis asked why
African American men would fight for a country that treated them so
unfairly. Yet the Tuskegee airmen were eager to join up.
You know, I'm interested in the story about a young man who was so
worried that the Army might change its mind about allowing him to fly, that
he drove immediately to the train station. He left his car, as well as
$1,000 worth of photography equipment. He never saw his car, he never saw
his camera, but he became a flyer.
These men in our presence felt a special sense of urgency. They were
fighting two wars: One was in Europe, and the other took place in the
hearts and minds of our citizens. That's why we're here. The white
commander of the Tuskegee airfield was once asked -- with all seriousness
-- how do African Americans fly? -- reflecting the ignorance of the times,
they said, how do African Americans fly? He said, "Oh, they fly just like
everybody else flies -- stick and rudder." Soon, Americans in their
kitchens and living rooms were reading the headlines. You probably didn't
realize it at the time, but you were making headlines at home, headlines
that spoke about daring pilots winning a common battle.
And little by little, every victory at war was translated to a victory
here in the United States. And we're in the presence of men who are earning
those victories, important victories, leaders who pierced the unquestioned
prejudices of a different society. You gave African Americans a sense of
pride and possibility.
You saw that pride and awe, I'm sure you remember, in the faces of
young children who came up to you right after the war and tugged and your
uniforms and said, "Mister, can you really fly an airplane?" Some of you
have been in Germany and Iraq, and you still see that sense of pride.
I appreciate your going. I appreciate the fact that one of our young
soldiers today took pictures for -- of you for a scrapbook for his
children. I appreciate the fact that one of our soldiers today said, "It's
not often that you get a chance to meet the guys who have paved the path
for you." (Applause.)
The Tuskegee Airmen helped win a war, and you helped change our nation
for the better. Yours is the story of the human spirit, and it ends like
all great stories do -- with wisdom and lessons and hope for tomorrow. And
the medal that we confer today means that we're doing a small part to
ensure that your story will be told and honored for generations to come.
(Applause.)
And I would like to offer a gesture to help atone for all the
unreturned salutes and unforgivable indignities. And so, on behalf of the
office I hold, and a country that honors you, I salute you for the service
to the United States of America. (Applause.)
(The Congressional Gold Medal is conferred.) (Applause.)
END 2:34 P.M. EDT
SOURCE White House Press Office
News story mischaracterized ministry founder's views on possible presidential candidates
Focus on the Family issued the following statement today regarding a story that appeared Wednesday on the U.S. News & World Report Web site quoting the ministry's founder and chairman, James C. Dobson, Ph.D: "We welcome the opportunity to clarify Dr. Dobson's remarks that were first reported in Dan Gilgoff's online article titled 'Dobson Offers Insight on 2008 Republican Hopefuls: Focus on the Family Founder Snubs Thompson, Praises Gingrich.' At the outset, it's important to note that this headline is an outright mischaracterization of the views Dr. Dobson expressed. His words weren't intended to represent either an endorsement of former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich or a disparagement of former Sen. Fred Thompson. Dr. Dobson appreciates Sen. Thompson's solid, pro-family voting record and his position that Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided. "In his conversation with Mr. Gilgoff, Dr. Dobson was attempting to highlight that to the best of his knowledge, Sen. Thompson hadn't clearly communicated his religious faith, and many evangelical Christians might find this a barrier to supporting him. Dr. Dobson told Mr. Gilgoff he had never met Sen. Thompson and wasn't certain that his understanding of the former senator's religious convictions was accurate. Unfortunately, these qualifiers weren't reported by Mr. Gilgoff. We were, however, pleased to learn from his spokesperson that Sen. Thompson professes to be a believer. "With regard to Mr. Gingrich, while Dr. Dobson spoke positively about his intelligence and his ability to articulate conservative values, he expressed concern about the former speaker's past moral failures. You may be aware that Mr. Gingrich recently appeared on a Focus on the Family broadcast to discuss America's Christian heritage and the threat posed by radical Islam. Prior to the interview, Dr. Dobson asked Mr. Gingrich if he'd be willing to talk about his family life on the air because he felt our friends deserved an explanation. Those who listened to the exchange heard nothing indicating that Dr. Dobson excused Mr. Gingrich's past indiscretions. The former speaker was offered a chance to address the subject openly and honestly, and he did so, stating, 'I have turned to God and have gotten on my knees ... and sought God's forgiveness.' Dr. Dobson firmly believes that Scripture teaches there is redemption available through Christ for those who confess their sins -- were it not so, we'd all be in a world of trouble. Of course, only the Lord knows the condition of individual hearts. "In conclusion, we would caution friends of our ministry not to believe what they read about Dr. Dobson in the secular media today. Never in the 30-year history of this ministry has there been more misreporting and outright distortion of his beliefs and teachings. It is apparent that those who represent a liberal worldview seek to marginalize him and confuse our friends. Anyone who ever has a question concerning what they read about Dr. Dobson or Focus on the Family is encouraged to contact us for clarification. The chances are they have been misinformed."
Consumers who have purchased raw milk from the dairy of Charles Bartels in Meshoppen, Wyoming County, any time after March 1, 2007 should discard it immediately
due to the risk of Listeria monocytogenes contamination, Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff said today. "During routine inspection, a preliminary test showed the presence of Listeria bacteria in some of the raw milk samples taken from the Bartels farm," said Wolff. "If consumers have raw milk from this dairy, they should discard it immediately." There have been no illnesses reported because of the potential contamination, but if individuals who consumed the raw milk become ill, they are advised to consult their physician. Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized or homogenized. The Department of Agriculture has suspended sales of raw milk at the dairy and is ensuring that corrective action is taken. Multiple laboratory samples must come back negative before sales can resume. Symptoms of Listeriosis are fever, muscle aches, and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea. If infection spreads to the nervous system, symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance or convulsions can occur. Infected pregnant women may experience only a mild, flu-like illness, but infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth. Symptoms of Listeriosis can appear in four days to three weeks.
FDA Confirms Dry Pet Food Complaints; PETA Calls for Emergency Expansion of Recall to Include Dry Products
PETA News Conference Urges Consumers to Boycott Iams Over Possible Recall
Delay and History of Cruelty to Cats and Dogs
WASHINGTON, March 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With the FDA now
confirming that consumers suspect dry pet food may have sickened or killed
their companion animals, PETA will hold an emergency news conference on
Friday and call on the FDA to immediately expand the pet food recall to
include all dry varieties subject to complaints until they are chemically
tested for safety. PETA will also ask the FDA to investigate Iams in order
to find out if the company knew about the contaminated food before calling
for a recall. Pennsylvania resident Yvette Faulkner - whose cat Sassafras
suffered kidney failure and had to be euthanized and who states that
Sassafras ate only Iams' dry food - will speak at the news conference.
Date: Friday, March 30
Time: 12 noon
Place: National Press Club, 529 14th St. N.W., Murrow Room
PETA will also explain its call for an investigation into whether Iams
may have known about the contaminated food. Reports indicate that Menu
Foods, Iams' manufacturer, may have known about the contaminated food as
early as February 20. The recall did not go into effect until March 16.
Iams has a history of causing animal suffering. During a 2002 to 2003
undercover investigation of an animal-testing laboratory contracted by
Iams, a PETA investigator documented that terrified animals were confined
to cramped, unsanitary cages in dilapidated rooms; that dogs had chunks of
muscle cut from their thighs; and other acts of cruelty. The investigator
also documented that at least 27 dogs were deliberately killed. An ensuing
investigation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed many of
PETA's findings and resulted in the issue of 40 violations of the Animal
Welfare Act. PETA will show video footage of its investigation at the news
conference.
"Nearly a month elapsed between the first reports of illness and death
from contaminated products and the recall-time during which countless cats
and dogs may have been sickened and died," says PETA Vice President Bruce
Friedrich. "We're calling on Iams and other companies not to gamble with
animals' lives and to recall all dry food products that are the subject of
complaints immediately."
For more information and to see a list of dog and cat food
manufacturers that don't test on animals, please visit PETA's Web site
http://www.PETA.org.
Mar 26
Fifty Percent of U.S. Adults Would Not Vote for Hillary Clinton as the Democratic Candidate for President
Twenty-one percent of Democrats also say they would not vote for the United States Senator
-- Senator Hillary Clinton is still the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States according to recent polls, even as Senator Barack Obama gains ground on her in the race.(1) However, according to a new Harris Poll, half of U.S. adults say they would not vote for Senator Clinton if she was the Democratic candidate, while only 36 percent say they would, with 11 percent unsure. Her own party is not unanimously behind her either, as 21 percent of Democrats say they would not vote for her. In the all-important contest for Independents, 48 percent say they would not vote for Senator Clinton, while 37 percent say they would.
Gender also plays an important role. While one would expect that women would be more likely than men to lean towards Senator Clinton, this is not the case as 38 percent of women and 34 percent of men both say they would vote for her. Even among women there is a divide as four in 10 (41%) single women say they would vote for Senator Clinton, compared to 36 percent of married women. Over half of both men (56%) and married women (52%) say they would not vote for her for president.
These are just some of the results of a Harris Poll of 2,223 U.S. adults conducted online between March 6 and 14, 2007 by Harris Interactive(R).
Clinton's track record, political opinion and personality
In looking deeper, a picture begins to emerge as to what critics dislike about Hillary Clinton. When asked about her track record as First Lady, just under half (48%) say they like her track record, while 41 percent say they do not. Four in 10 (42%) like her track record as a U.S. Senator, while 38 percent dislike it. Moving from the offices to the personal, the dislikes edge out the likes -- by a 45 percent to 44 percent margin, adults dislike Hillary Clinton as a person and by a 45 percent to 42 percent margin, they dislike her political opinions.
Unsurprisingly, Republicans and Conservatives are much more likely than Democrats and Liberals to dislike Senator Clinton on these issues. Men are also more likely than women to dislike her on these issues. There is also a large generational gap. Those who are "Matures" (aged 62 and older) are, across the board, more likely to dislike Hillary Clinton. Over half (54%) dislike her track record as a U.S. Senator and 60 percent feel the same about her track record as First Lady. But, two-thirds (65%) of matures say they dislike Hillary Clinton's personal opinions and 61 percent dislike her as a person. Among the generations, Generation X (31-42) is the age group which provides her the most support. This is also seen in the 44 percent of Gen Xers who would vote for her, compared to 23 percent of Matures.
Other personal assets and liabilities
Besides her track records and politics, there are other reasons why so many people do not like Senator Clinton. Fully half (52%) agree that she does not appear to connect with people on a personal level, and this number is even higher among married women (53%), men (56%), Matures (68%), and, of course, Republicans (73%). This may be her big problem.
There is also an issue with things that happened during the Bill Clinton presidency. A plurality (45%) agrees that it is difficult to trust her because of Whitewater and other scandals in the Clinton White House, while 42 percent disagree. Similar numbers (44%) agree that her handling of health care in the White House raises questions about her ability and 34 percent disagree.
Nevertheless, the news is not all bad for Senator Clinton. Three-quarters of adults (76%) agree that she is a very intelligent person and this is the sentiment across the board. Even 65 percent of Republicans agree. Just over half (52%) of adults agree that Hillary Clinton understands family and children's issues, while 44 percent say she inspires confidence personally. When it comes to her experience, 39 percent say she lacks experience and is unqualified to be president, but 49 percent of adults disagree with that statement.
Additionally, Senator Clinton's supposed liberalism is not a major liability. One area that the Senator has had to deal with has been her perceived inconsistencies on issues and claims that she has moved from liberal to the middle and back to liberal again. When asked about her political philosophy, one-third (31%) say Hillary Clinton is too liberal and 41 percent say she is neither too liberal nor too conservative. Just four percent say she is too conservative, but among liberals that number rises to 11 percent. What the Clinton campaign may have to address is the 25 percent who say they are not sure, including 22 percent of their own party. This could be a plus or it could be a minus.
While the first votes are still many months away, there are a few groups that Senator Clinton and her team need to target. First, married women are consistently more likely to have negative feelings toward the Senator than single women. Second, those over age 62 have some of the highest negatives for her -- behind only Republicans and Conservatives. Since this is the age group that votes in the highest numbers, there is work to be done here. Finally, the Clinton campaign may not want to use the slogan "a vote for Hill is one for Bill." Only just over one-third (37%) feel it would be good to have both Hillary and Bill Clinton back in the White House.
TABLE 1
VOTING FOR HILLARY CLINTON "If Hillary Clinton was the Democratic nominee for President, which is closest
to the way you think?"
Base: All adults
Total Gender Gender/Marital Status
Single Married
Male Female Women Women
% % % % %
Would vote for her (NET) 36 34 38 41 36
I definitely would vote for
her 15 13 17 19 14
I probably would vote for her 22 22 21 22 22
Would not vote for her (NET) 50 56 45 42 52
I probably would not vote for
her 11 11 10 11 10
I definitely would not vote for
her 39 44 35 31 42
I wouldn't vote at all 3 2 3 4 2
Not sure 11 8 13 13 10
Note: Percentages may not add up to exactly 100% due to rounding
TABLE 2
VOTING FOR HILLARY CLINTON - BY GENERATION AND POLITICAL PARTY "If Hillary Clinton was the Democratic nominee for President, which is closest
to the way you think?"
Base: All adults
Generation Political Party
Echo Baby
Boomers Gen X Boomers Matures
Total (18-30) (31-42) (43-61) (62+) Rep. Dem. Ind.
% % % % % % % %
Would vote
for her
(NET) 36 34 44 39 23 5 68 37
I definitely
would vote
for her 15 11 15 19 10 1 33 11
I probably
would vote
for her 22 23 29 21 13 4 35 26
Would not
vote for
her (NET) 50 46 40 49 69 91 21 48
I probably
would not
vote for
her 11 12 11 12 9 10 10 13
I definitely
would not
vote for her 39 35 29 38 60 81 11 35
I wouldn't
vote at all 3 4 2 3 1 1 1 3
Not sure 11 15 14 9 6 2 10 12
Note: Percentages may not add up to exactly 100% due to rounding
TABLE 3
OPINION OF HILLARY CLINTON "Looking at the list of attributes, please indicate how you feel about each."
Base: All adults
Like Strongly Somewhat Dislike Somewhat Strongly Not
(NET) like like (NET) dislike dislike sure
% % % % % % %
Hillary
Clinton's
track record
as First Lady 48 23 25 41 14 27 12
Hillary Clinton
as a person 44 19 26 45 15 29 11
Hillary
Clinton's
track record
as a U.S.
Senator 42 19 23 38 14 24 20
Hillary
Clinton's
political
opinions 42 15 27 45 13 31 14
Note: Percentages may not add up to exactly 100% due to rounding.
TABLE 4
OPINION OF HILLARY CLINTON - BY GENERATION AND GENDER "Looking at the list of attributes, please indicate how you feel about each."
Those saying "Somewhat/Strongly Dislike"
Base: All adults
Gender/Marital
Generation Gender Status
Echo Baby
Total Boomers Gen X Boomers Matures Single Married
Dislike (18-30) (31-42) (43-61) (62+) Male Female Women Women
% % % % % % % % %
Hillary
Clinton's
political
opinions 45 42 31 43 65 52 38 34 46
Hillary
Clinton
as a
person 45 43 36 42 61 50 40 36 46
Hillary
Clinton's
track
record as
First
Lady 41 35 34 39 60 45 37 33 44
Hillary
Clinton's
track
record as
a U.S.
Senator 38 36 28 38 54 45 32 27 39
Note: Percentages may not add up to exactly 100% due to rounding
TABLE 5
OPINION OF HILLARY CLINTON - BY POLITICAL PARTY AND PHILOSOPHY "Looking at the list of attributes, please indicate how you feel about each."
Those saying "Somewhat/Strongly Dislike"
Base: All adults
Total Political party Political philosophy
Dislike Rep. Dem. Ind. Cons. Mod. Lib.
% % % % % % %
Hillary Clinton's
political opinions 45 84 17 43 72 39 19
Hillary Clinton as
a person 45 81 17 44 72 39 20
Hillary Clinton's
track record as
First Lady 41 77 15 39 68 35 16
Hillary Clinton's
track record as a
U.S. Senator 38 75 15 33 65 32 17
Note: Percentages may not add up to exactly 100% due to rounding
TABLE 6
ATTITUDES TOWARD HILLARY CLINTON
"Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statements
about Hillary Clinton."
Base: All adults
Total Total
Agree Strongly Somewhat disagree Somewhat Strongly Not
(NET) agree agree (NET) disagree disagree sure
% % % % % % %
She is a very
intelligent
person. 76 47 29 14 6 8 11
She does not
appear to
connect with
people on a
personal level. 52 27 26 34 21 13 14
She understands
family and
children's issues. 52 24 28 34 15 19 14
It's difficult to
trust her because
of Whitewater and
other scandals in
the Clinton White
House. 45 28 17 42 18 24 13
She inspires
confidence
personally. 44 18 27 43 15 27 13
Her handling of
health care
reform in the
White House
raises questions
about her ability. 44 24 20 34 19 14 22
She lacks
experience and
is unqualified to
be president. 39 23 16 49 23 26 11
It would be good
to have both her
and Bill Clinton
in the White House
again. 37 19 18 50 10 40 13
Note: Percentages may not add up to exactly 100% due to rounding.
TABLE 7
ATTITUDES TOWARD HILLARY CLINTON - BY GENERATION AND POLITICAL PARTY
"Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statements
about Hillary Clinton."
Those saying "Somewhat/Strongly Agree"
Base: All adults
Generation Political Party
Total Echo Baby
Agree Boomers Gen X Boomers Matures
(NET) (18-30) (31-42) (43-61) (62+) Rep. Dem. Ind.
% % % % % % % %
She is a very
intelligent
person. 76 66 79 79 78 65 90 79
She does not
appear to
connect with
people on a
personal level. 52 42 51 51 68 73 41 52
She understands
family and
children's issues. 52 45 53 56 50 28 78 53
It's difficult
to trust her
because of
Whitewater and
other scandals in
the Clinton White
House. 45 36 46 43 57 74 23 44
She inspires
confidence
personally. 44 37 50 51 35 19 72 45
Her handling of
health care
reform in the
White House
raises questions
about her ability. 44 36 43 43 57 67 29 43
She lacks
experience and
is unqualified to
be president. 39 34 35 38 54 66 23 38
It would be good
to have both her
and Bill Clinton
in the White House
again. 37 36 38 43 27 9 67 36
Note: Percentages may not add up to exactly 100% due to rounding.
TABLE 8
ATTITUDES TOWARD HILLARY CLINTON - BY GENERATION AND POLITICAL PARTY
"Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statements
about Hillary Clinton."
Those saying "Somewhat/Strongly Agree"
Base: All adults
Gender/Marital
Gender Status
Total
Agree Single Married
(NET) Male Female Women Women
% % % % %
She is a very intelligent person. 76 75 77 78 76
She does not appear to connect with
people on a personal level. 52 56 49 45 53
She understands family and children's
issues. 52 49 55 57 52
It's difficult to trust her because
of Whitewater and other scandals in
the Clinton White House. 45 49 41 39 46
She inspires confidence personally. 44 39 50 52 49
Her handling of health care reform in
the White House raises questions
about her ability. 44 50 38 35 44
She lacks experience and is
unqualified to be president. 39 45 35 35 38
It would be good to have both her and
Bill Clinton in the White House
again. 37 35 39 43 34
Note: Percentages may not add up to exactly 100% due to rounding.
TABLE 9
HILLARY CLINTON'S POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY
"Do you think Hillary Clinton ... ?"
Base: All adults
Political
Total Party Philosophy
Rep. Dem. Ind. Cons. Mod. Lib.
% % % % % % %
Is too liberal 31 68 7 26 66 23 2
Is neither too liberal nor
too conservative 41 13 67 44 13 46 66
Is too conservative 4 2 5 4 * 3 11
Not sure 25 17 22 26 20 28 21
Note: Percentages may not add up to exactly 100% due to rounding.
Note: *less than 0.5%
Methodology
This Harris Poll(R) was conducted online within the United States between March 6 and 14, 2007, among 2,223 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for age, sex, race, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.
All surveys are subject to several sources of error. These include: sampling error (because only a sample of a population is interviewed); measurement error due to question wording and/or question order, deliberately or unintentionally inaccurate responses, nonresponse (including refusals), interviewer effects (when live interviewers are used) and weighting.
With one exception (sampling error) the magnitude of the errors that result cannot be estimated. There is, therefore, no way to calculate a finite "margin of error" for any survey and the use of these words should be avoided.
With pure probability samples, with 100 percent response rates, it is possible to calculate the probability that the sampling error (but not other sources of error) is not greater than some number. With a pure probability sample of 2,223 adults one could say with a ninety-five percent probability that the overall results would have a sampling error of +/- two percentage points. However that does not take other sources of error into account. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no theoretical sampling error can be calculated.
These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.
J29950
Q705, 710, 715, 720
The Harris Poll (R)#28, March 27, 2007
By Regina Corso, Director, The Harris Poll
About Harris Interactive
Harris Interactive is the 12th largest and fastest-growing market research firm in the world. The company provides innovative research, insights and strategic advice to help its clients make more confident decisions which lead to measurable and enduring improvements in performance. Harris Interactive is widely known for The Harris Poll, one of the longest running, independent opinion polls and for pioneering online market research methods. The company has built what it believes to be the world's largest panel of survey respondents, the Harris Poll Online. Harris Interactive serves clients worldwide through its United States, Europe and Asia offices, its wholly-owned subsidiary Novatris in France and through a global network of independent market research firms. The service bureau, HISB, provides its market research industry clients with mixed-mode data collection, panel development services as well as syndicated and tracking research consultation. More information about Harris Interactive may be obtained at http://www.harrisinteractive.com/.
To become a member of the Harris Poll Online and be invited to participate in online surveys, register at http://www.harrispollonline.com/.
Source: Harris Interactive
Web site: http://www.harrisinteractive.com/
Gameloft et NBC Universal signent un accord mondial de license pour le jeu mobile inspiré de la célèbre série Heroes
- Le premier éditeur mondial de jeux vidéo pour mobiles obtient une licence exclusive pour le développement et l'édition de ce nouveau jeu baptisé << Heroes : le jeu >>
Gameloft, leader du jeu vidéo pour téléphones mobiles, vient d'annoncer aujourd'hui la signature d'un contrat de licence exclusif de portée mondiale avec NBC Universal pour le développement et l'édition de Heroes : Le jeu.
Véritable phénomène télévisuel de l'année 2007, la série télévisée << Heroes >>, diffusée par la chaîne américaine NBC, raconte la vie de personnes ordinaires qui se découvrent des dons extraordinaires et qui s'avèrent être destinés à sauver le monde. Cette série immensément populaire a récemment reçu le titre de << Meilleure nouvelle série TV dramatique >> lors de la remise des People's Choice Awards.
<< La série Heroes a su drainer derrière elle une foule d'inconditionnels et nous sommes ravis de pouvoir leur offrir ainsi qu'aux joueurs du monde entier, un jeu reproduisant fidèlement toute la dynamique et l'intrigue de cette série dramatique incontournable diffusée par NBC >> a déclaré Gonzague de Vallois, Vice President Publishing de Gameloft, avant d'ajouter << Grâce à son casting international et à la rapidité avec laquelle se propage son succès dans le monde entier, la série Heroes a su conquérir un public mondial et Gameloft est certainement l'éditeur le mieux placé pour obtenir un succès d'une même ampleur avec Heroes : Le jeu >>
<< La qualité intransigeante de tous leurs jeux, le nombre impressionnant de très grandes séries télévisés à leur actif, et leur réseau de distribution sans égal font de Gameloft le meilleur partenaire pmossible pour Heroes: Le jeu >> a dit Jeremy Laws, Senior Vice President, Universal Mobile Entertainment.
A propos de Heroes : le jeu
Heroes : Le jeu permettra aux fans de la série et aux joueurs occasionnels d'expérimenter pleinement les sensations grisantes que procurent les capacités surhumaines dont sont dotés les héros de la série. L'action du jeu se fondra sur les évènements qui ont marqué les phases les plus électrisantes de la première saison ainsi que sur ceux de la prochaine saison que tout le monde attend avec impatience, les auteurs du script étant les mêmes que ceux qui ont écrit la série. Que ce soit sous les traits d'un voyageur à travers le temps dénommé Hiro Nakamura, de la superbe mais redoutable Niki Sanders, du flic télépathique Matt Parkman ou de l'énigmatique Peter Petrelli, les joueurs ne manqueront pas d'apprécier les styles de jeu spécifiques reflétant les pouvoirs bien particuliers de ces différents personnages.
About Heroes
From creator/writer Tim Kring (NBC's "Crossing Jordan") comes the Golden Globe nominated "Heroes," an epic drama that chronicles the lives of ordinary people who discover they possess extraordinary abilities. As a total eclipse casts its shadow across the globe, a genetics professor (Sendhil Ramamurthy, "Blind Guy Driving") in India is led by father's disappearance to uncover a secret theory -- there are people with super powers living among us. A young dreamer (Milo Ventimiglia, "Gilmore Girls") tries to convince his politician brother (Adrian Pasdar, "Judging Amy") that he can fly. A high school cheerleader (Hayden Panettiere, "Ice Princess") learns that she is totally indestructible while trying to relate to her father (Jack Coleman, "Dynasty") who has a keen interest in people with special abilities. A Las Vegas single mother (Ali Larter, "Final Destination"), struggles to make ends meet to support her young son (Noah Gray-Cabey, "My Wife & Kids") and discovers that her mirror image has a secret. A fugitive from justice (Leonard Roberts, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer") continues to baffle authorities who twice have been unable to contain him. A gifted artist (Santiago Cabrera, "Empire"), whose drug addiction is destroying his life and relationship with his girlfriend (Tawny Cypress, NBC's "Third Watch"), can paint the future. A down-on-his-luck Los Angeles beat cop (Greg Grunberg, "Alias") can hear people's thoughts, which puts him on the trail of an elusive serial killer. In Japan, a young man (Masi Oka, NBC's "Scrubs") develops a way to stop time through sheer will power. Their ultimate destiny is nothing less than saving the world. Joining Kring as executive producer are Dennis Hammer (NBC's "Crossing Jordan") and Allan Arkush (NBC's "Crossing Jordan"). The drama is produced by NBC Universal Television Studio in association with Tailwind Productions.
A propos de Gameloft
Gameloft est un éditeur et un développeur international de jeux vidéo pour téléphones mobiles.
Fondé en 1999 et aujourd'hui leader dans son domaine, Gameloft conçoit des jeux pour les téléphones incluant les technologies Java, Brew ou Symbian, dont le parc installé devrait dépasser deux milliards d'unités en 2008.( source Arc Group)
Des accords de partenariat avec de grands détenteurs de droits comme Ubisoft Entertainment, Universal Pictures, Endemol, Viacom, Sony Pictures, Paris Hilton Ent., FifPro, Lamborghini, FHM, l'Equipe, Lleyton Hewitt ou Patrick Vierra, permettent à Gameloft d'associer de très fortes marques internationales à ses jeux. En plus de ces marques, Gameloft possède ses propres marques comme Block Breaker Deluxe, Asphalt: Urban GT ou New York Nights.
Grâce à des accords avec l'ensemble des principaux opérateurs télécom, des fabricants de téléphones, des distributeurs spécialisés ainsi que sa boutique www.gameloft.com, Gameloft distribue ses jeux dans 75 pays.
Gameloft est présent à New York, San Francisco, Kansas City, Seattle, Montréal, Mexico, Buenos Aires, Paris, Londres, Düsseldorf, Copenhague, Milan, Madrid, New Dehli, Beijing, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Séoul et Sydney. Gameloft est cotée au Compartiment B de la bourse de Paris (ISIN: FR0000079600, Bloomberg: GFT FP, Reuters: GLFT.PA).
Pour plus d'informations, visitez www.gameloft.com
About Universal Mobile Entertainment
Universal Mobile Entertainment (UME) generates revenues and enhances brand awareness for NBC Universal's motion picture and television properties through licensing agreements with top-tier publishers. UME oversees the creation of high-quality mobile application services that include games, ringtones, wallpapers, MMS, SMS services and audiovisual services, and ensures ubiquitous distribution through mobile operators and portals worldwide. With offices in Los Angeles, London and Tokyo the team has been aggressive in the mobile content market since 2000 and currently has hundreds of mobile products that are available to consumers in every major territory of the world.
About NBC Universal
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 and 20% owned by Vivendi.
Mar 26
U.S. Charges David Stockman, Former CEO of Auto Parks Maker, and Other Former Executives With Securities Fraud
-- An indictment was
unsealed today revealing charges against David A. Stockman, the former
President and CEO of Collins and Aikman Corporation (C&A), and seven other
former members of C&A's management, U.S. Attorney Michael J. Garcia for the
Southern District of New York, and Ron Walker, Inspector-in-Charge of the
New York Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), announced
today. The indictment unsealed in federal court in Manhattan charges
Stockman with conspiracy, securities fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, and
obstruction of an agency proceeding, in connection with his participation,
from December 2001 through May 2005, in a scheme to conceal from investors
and lenders the truth about C&A's declining operating performance and
financial results. The indictment also charges former C&A Chief Financial
Officer J. Michael Stepp; former Controller David R. Cosgrove; and former
Director of Purchasing Paul C. Barnaba. Four felony informations, filed
today and last week, charge other C&A executives with related crimes.
Mr. Garcia also announced a non-prosecution agreement between his
Office and Collins & Aikman Corporation.
Summary of the Fraudulent Scheme
The indictment alleges that starting in December 2001, Stockman, Stepp
and others knew that C&A's true operating performance and financial results
were not meeting internal and external expectations. Rather than reveal
C&A's true condition, which might trigger default on the financial
covenants governing C&A's credit facilities and impede C&A's ability to
raise additional capital in the debt markets, Stockman, Cosgrove, Stepp,
Barnaba and others joined in a scheme to defraud C&A's investors, banks and
creditors by manipulating C&A's reported earnings.
From December 2001 through 2004, Stockman, Stepp, Cosgrove, Barnaba,
and their co-conspirators schemed to misrepresent C&A's true operating
performance and financial results by causing C&A's reported figures for
EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization),
operating income, and other financial metrics to be falsely and
fraudulently inflated through the systematic premature recognition of cost
reductions based on supplier rebates.
According to the indictment, to further the scheme and conceal the
fraud, Stockman, Stepp, Cosgrove, Barnaba, and their co-conspirators caused
C&A to file financial statements with the U.S. Securities & Exchange
Commission (SEC) that presented a misleading picture of C&A's operating
performance and financial results, including quarterly and annual reports
that misrepresented C&A's expenses, operating income, and earnings per
share.
At the end of 2004 and the beginning of 2005, C&A's true operating
results substantially deteriorated, causing an unprecedented liquidity
crisis. The indictment charges that Stockman directed a scheme to further
defraud C&A's creditors by, among other things, misrepresenting to General
Electric Capital Corporation (GECC) the nature of C&A's portfolio of
accounts receivable, against which GECC was permitting C&A to borrow over a
$100 million dollars on a daily basis. Also in the beginning of 2005, as
C&A's improper rebate accounting practices came under scrutiny from its
auditors, Stockman directed a scheme to further defraud C&A's investors and
creditors by making numerous false statements to the public and to C&A's
creditors concerning: (a) C&A's current liquidity situation, (b) C&A's
forecasted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2005, and (c) the scope of the
improper rebate recognition practices that C&A's outside auditors and Audit
Committee were beginning to examine.
In early April 2005, Stockman repeated many of these false assurances
to Credit Suisse First Boston (Credit Suisse), in order to secure $75
million in additional financing. These additional funds, however, were not
sufficient to meet C&A's needs and were depleted by late April 2005,
according to the indictment.
In May 2005, the Board of Directors discovered that C&A had run out of
cash and had, at Stockman's direction, misled C&A's investors about C&A's
true operating performance. When the truth about C&A's operations and
finances was revealed, C&A went into bankruptcy, its common stock became
nearly worthless, and the value of its bonds plummeted, resulting in
hundreds of millions of dollars in investor and creditor losses.
Charges
The eight-count indictment charges Stockman, Stepp, Cosgrove, and
Barnaba each with one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, make
false filings with the SEC, falsify books and records of C&A, commit wire
fraud, commit bank fraud, and obstruct justice, and with three counts of
securities fraud. Stockman alone is charged with two counts of bank fraud
(arising from fraud on GECC and JP Morgan Chase) and one count of wire
fraud. Stockman and Stepp together are charged with obstruction of an
agency proceeding.
The conspiracy charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in
prison and a fine of the greater of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or
loss resulting from the offense. Each of the securities fraud counts
carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of the greater
of $5 million, or twice the gross gain or loss resulting from the offense.
Each of the bank fraud counts carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in
prison and a fine of the greater of $1 million, or twice the gross gain or
loss resulting from the offense. The wire fraud count carries a maximum
sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of the greater of $250,000, or
twice the gross gain or loss resulting from the offense. Finally, the
obstruction of an agency proceeding count carries a maximum sentence of
five years in prison and a fine of the greater of $250,000, or twice the
gross gain or loss resulting from the offense.
Non-Prosecution Agreement With C&A
In light of C&A's cooperation with the government's investigation and
the current financial situation of C&A, among other factors, the government
has entered into a non-prosecution agreement with C&A. C&A will continue to
cooperate with the government as a condition of that agreement.
U.S. Attorney Garcia, a member of the President's Corporate Fraud Task
Force, praised the efforts of the USPIS and thanked the SEC for its
assistance in the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Helen V. Cantwell is in charge of the
prosecution.
The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the
defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
SOURCE U.S. Department of Justice
Senators Kennedy & Boxer, Reps. Maloney & Nadler Begin New Push for Women's Equality Amendment
Women Still Have No Guarantee of Equal Rights in the Constitution
-- Senator Ted Kennedy (D-
MA), Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Rep.
Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), and Ellie Smeal, President of the Feminist Majority
and strong leader on the fight for women's equality will announce the
reintroduction of the Women's Equality Amendment on Tuesday. An amendment
to guarantee equal rights to women has still never been ratified and added
to the U.S. Constitution, even though it was first introduced in 1923. The
ERA passed Congress in 1972 but lapsed in 1982 when it fell three states
short of ratification. This year, there are more than 190 original
co-sponsors of the Women's Equality Amendment (ERA).
The Members will also announce the plans for forthcoming hearings on
the Women's Equality Amendment in the House Judiciary Committee's
Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, Chaired
by Rep. Nadler.
The Senators and Members will be joined by leading women's rights
groups for the reintroduction with the hopes that in the 110th Congress,
women will finally achieve official equality in America.
WHAT: Announcement of the Women's Equality Amendment
WHO: Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA)
Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA)
Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY)
Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-CA)
Rep. John Dingell (D-MI)
Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA)
Eleanor Smeal, Feminist Majority
WHEN: TUESDAY, March 27, 2:30 pm
WHERE: 485 Russell Senate Office Building (Indian Affairs hearing room)
Washington, DC
Conflict Over Alberto Gonzales Not Likely to Reach Courts: Vanderbilt Expert -- If Alberto
Gonzales survives a growing loss of support on Capitol Hill, the standoff
between the executive branch and Congress over whether to require sworn
testimony from Bush aides is not likely to reach the courts, according to
Vanderbilt University judicial expert Stefanie Lindquist.
''These conflicts about executive privilege are often settled by
negotiation,'' said Lindquist. ''Congress and the White House are playing a
game of chicken right now because neither side wants to risk having the
courts set new precedent about the issue of executive privilege.''
Gonzales, the U.S. attorney general and longtime Bush adviser, is
facing harsh criticism from Congress over the dismissal of eight U.S.
attorneys. Gonzales has said that he did not take part in the discussions
over the firings.
Lindquist noted that the U.S. attorneys are always political appointees
who are expected to follow the president's agenda and to be evaluated on
that basis. On the other hand, the public should be reasonably concerned
about prosecutorial discretion and whether any inappropriate pressure was
put on that discretion by the White House.
Lindquist is a professor of political science and law and co-author of
the book "Judging on a Collegial Court: Influences on Appellate Court
Decision Making."
FDA Tells House Committee that Scientific Expertise Exists for Review of Biogenerics
-- The following is a statement
from Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA) President and CEO Kathleen
Jaeger on today's House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
hearing on biogenerics:
"Countless patients seeking safe, effective and affordable biogenerics
received good news today with the FDA stating that the science exists and,
furthermore, it has the scientific expertise to review these life-saving
medicines. The Agency and witnesses confirmed that the same scientific
principles that apply to the review of changes made to brand products after
approval would also be the underpinning for the review of biogenerics.
Moreover, FDA Deputy Commissioner Janet Woodcock noted that the Agency
needs flexibility in its ability to review products on a case-by-case basis
and that this flexibility is in the best interest of the public and the
Agency. This flexibility and authority are specifically granted in the
Access to Life-Saving Medicine Act.
"The statement by Dr. Woodcock echoed those by former FDA officials who
also testified at today's hearing that the Agency has the scientific
expertise to review biogenerics. Moreover, Dr. Woodcock and the former
officials stated that clinical trials are not always the most sensitive
means in analyzing safety and efficacy and that the Agency has an array of
analytical tools to best determine safety and efficacy for intended use.
Dr. Woodcock also noted that most post-approval product changes, such as
cell line change, are not supported by clinical outcome studies. In fact,
Dr. Woodcock stated that about one in 50 post-approval changes are
supported by such trials. As Congressman Waxman stated, the Access to
Life-Saving Medicine Act would give the FDA the authority it needs to ask
for any tests it deems necessary to ensure safety and efficacy, including
clinical trials.
"Today's hearing also proved that the claim by PhRMA and BIO that the
legislation will restrict FDA's ability to require testing is simply FALSE.
As they did in 1984 during the Hatch-Waxman Act debate, brand companies are
playing the safety scare card to maintain their monopolies. And, as
Congressman Waxman said, 'They were wrong then ... and they are wrong now.'
"As the patients testifying at today's hearing so eloquently stated,
the need is there for biogenerics. And, as the FDA stated, the scientific
expertise is there. Now we need Congress to act. Safety will always be
priority number one and the Access to Life-Saving Medicine Act will make
certain that safety is ensured. The FDA, Congress and our industry will
accept nothing less.
"Finally, on the issue of immunogenicity, the Committee heard that both
brand and generic biologic products share the same concern of
immunogenicity and that FDA has the ability to assess that risk. While
immunogenicity is an important consideration for both brands and
biogenerics, it is not an obstacle to their development.
"We thank Chairman Waxman for holding this important hearing today and
for his leadership, along with the leadership of Representative Jo Ann
Emerson and other members from both sides of the aisle who are sponsoring
this critical legislation to bring safe, effective and affordable
biogenerics to consumers."
GPhA represents the manufacturers and distributors of finished generic
pharmaceuticals, manufacturers and distributors of bulk active
pharmaceutical chemicals, and suppliers of other goods and services to the
generic drug industry. Unbranded and branded generics represent 63% of the
total prescriptions dispensed in the United States, but only 20% of all
dollars spent on prescription drugs. For more information about the
industry, visit http://www.gphaonline.org.
DNC: Swift Boat Fundraiser Shows Romney's Campaign Checklist Includes Shameful GOP Tactics
The following was
released today by the Democratic National Committee:
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney brings his campaign to
smooth talk primary voters into ignoring his real record to Texas today,
where he will join former Swift Boat Veterans for Truth backer Bob Perry
for a fundraiser in Dallas. Today's visit comes on the same day the
Associated Press highlighted Romney's "checklist" approach to winning the
Republican nomination by hiding his complete lack of "national and
international political experience."
As the report notes, Romney has tried to check "foreign policy
credentials" off his campaign checklist by staging "one-day visits to Iraq,
Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Check, check, check." He has also
tried to gloss over his previous support for gun control by recently
becoming a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association. "Check
again." [Associated Press, 3/26/07]
Today in Texas, Romney will check the most disturbing box in his quest
for the White House. By adding Bob Perry to an already troubling campaign
team, Romney is showing his willingness to resort to some of the GOP's most
shameful political tactics. Perry donated more than $4.5 million to the
Swift Boat Veterans for Truth's 2004 campaign to distort John Kerry's war
record and is a leading backer of the College Republican groups running
divisive anti- immigrant games on college campuses across the country. His
contributions have caused some to call him a "corrosive" force in politics.
[AP, 11/2/03] Perry joins Romney's national finance co-chair, John Rakolta,
who financed a Michigan group that ran despicable ads comparing leading
Democrats to Hitler. And Romney's leading media strategist is Alex
Castellanos, who has been called the "father of the modern attack ad"
because of his reputation for producing vicious, irresponsible, and
racially divisive ads. [Detroit Free Press, 3/15/07; http://Salon.com,
3/15/04]
"Today's fundraiser with Bob Perry and his refusal to distance himself
from the John Rakolta-Alex Castellanos brand of political attack ads shows
that Romney's campaign checklist includes some of the most shameful
political tactics in decades," said Democratic National Committee spokesman
Damien LaVera. "Mitt Romney is in big trouble in Big D if he thinks
flip-flops, photo-ops, and nasty campaign tactics will be enough to smooth
talk the voters into ignoring his real record."
The following is a fact sheet on Romney's inner circle:
The Mitt Romney Campaign All-Stars
In his quest to deflect attention from his lack of experience and all
his flop-flops, smooth talking Mitt Romney has built an inner circle filled
with characters that have played a disgusting and corrosive role in
American politics. From questioning the service of a highly decorated
Vietnam veteran, to funding ads that compare Democratic presidents to
Hitler, to producing some of the most racially charged ads in memory,
Romney's campaign includes some of the shadiest characters in modern
politics.
ROMNEY FUNDRAISER BANKROLLED SWIFT VETERANS FOR TRUTH
Swift Boat Money Man Bob Perry Signed to Romney's Texas Fundraising Team.
Bob Perry, a Texas homebuilder and one of the primary funders of the
Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, has signed on to raise money for the
presidential campaign of former Governor Mitt Romney. An invite to the
Dallas fundraiser for Romney on March 26 includes Perry's name as a member
of the governor's "Texas Leadership Team." [The Fix, Washington Post,
3/16/07]
Bob Perry Was Chief Backer of Swift Boat Group, Gave $4.5 Million.
Bob Perry, who owns Houston-based builder Perry Homes, is a Republican
Party financial donor who gained notoriety as the chief financial backer of
Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, whose ads criticized the Vietnam War record
of Senator John F. Kerry. [The Washington Post, 8/9/05] Perry gave $4.5
million to Swift Boat Veterans for Truth's campaign in 2004 to distort John
Kerry's military record. [Washington Post, 3/17/07]
Bush Friend Bankrolled Anti-Kerry Vet Group During Campaign.
IRS records show that the Texas Anti-Kerry group is being bankrolled by
Bob Perry, a good friend of George Bush & Karl Rove. Perry is one of the
largest Republican donors in Texas, having given "hundreds of thousands of
dollars" in campaign contributions to state and national Republican
parties, local and federal Republican candidates and President Bush's
campaign. [IRS records, 4/23/04-6/30/04]
Bob Perry's Massive Contributions a "Corrosive" Force in Politics.
"Critics say the 71-year-old donor has introduced a level of giving
that is corrosive in politics." [AP, 11/2/03]
Perry is top Donor to College Republican Club Criticized for Racist,
Anti-
Immigrant Activities.
Bob Perry is the fourth largest donor to the College Republicans 527
organization. The group has come under fire lately for sponsoring
activities including:
-- Offering a dinner for two at a local Mexican restaurant for the winner
of a 'food stamp drawing' that required climbing through a hole in a
chain link fence and offering fake identification.
-- Sponsoring a game called 'Catch the Illegal Immigrant'. Under the
game's rules, according to one student Republican, players were to
search on campus for the student chosen to wear a name tag saying
'illegal immigrant.' [New York Times, 2/23/07]
-- Advocating events like 'Fun with Guns,' in which young Republicans
would use a BB gun or paintball gun to shoot cardboard cut-outs of
Democratic leaders such as Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Sen. John
Kerry (D-Mass.)" [The Michigan Daily, 9/12/06]
Perry gave the group $200,000 on October 24, 2006.
ROMNEY NATIONAL FINANCE CO-CHAIR FUNDED GROUP THAT PRODUCED ADS COMPARING
DEMOCRATS TO HITLER
John Rakolta Named as National Finance Co-Chair for the Romney Campaign.
Romney named John Rakolta, Jr., as his National Finance Co-Chair.
Rakolta also serves on Romney's Florida statewide Finance Steering
Committee. [Romney Press Release, 2/22/07; Associated Press, 1/5/07; Boston
Globe, 9/24/05]
Rakolta Family Gave Voice the Vote One-Third Its Total Budget.
Detroit political consultant Adolph Mongo solicited contributions from
the families of John Rakolta and Peter Cummings to fund Voice the Vote
political action committee. John Rakolta and his wife each donated $5,000
to Voice the Vote. The $10,000 Rakolta and his wife gave Voice the Vote
accounts for more than one-third of the $29,000 the group raised. [Detroit
Free Press, 3/15/07]
Voice the Vote PAC Produced Ad Comparing Democrats to Adolf Hitler.
In 2006, the Detroit-based political action committee Voice the Vote
ran an ad in the Michigan Chronicle newspaper that featured photographs of
Hitler alongside Governor Granholm and five former Democratic presidents.
[Detroit Free Press, 3/15/07]
ROMNEY HIRED RACE BAITING AD PRODUCER AS MEDIA STRATEGIST
Alex Castellanos is Known for Producing Vicious and Irresponsible Attack
Ads.
Castellanos is "father of the modern attack ad." He is known as
"vicious [and] irresponsible." [http://Salon.com, 3/15/04]Castellanos Produced Racially Divisive Ad Blasting Black Senate
Challenger.
In 1990, Castellanos produced a racially divisive ad blasting Jessie
Helms's challenger, Harvey Gantt, a black man, for his support of racial
quotas. "The ad depicted a pair of white hands ripping up a rejection
letter from an employer. 'You needed that job and you were the best
qualified, but they had to give it to a minority,' the narrator says."
2000: Castellanos Used Subliminal Messages in Derogatory Ad.
In 2000, Castellanos produced an infamous television ad for George W.
Bush against Vice President Al Gore's prescription drug plan. In the ad,
the word "RATS" flashes for a split second. Democrats accused Castellanos
of using subliminal derogatory messages. [Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
2/4/07; Boston Globe, 11/16/06]
Jeb Bush Fired Castellanos Because of Vicious Ad.
"In a 1994 spot for Jeb Bush, who was challenging Chiles for Florida
governor, Castellanos tried to paint Chiles as soft on crime for refusing
to sign a death warrant for the murderer of a 10-year-old girl. But it
turned out that Florida courts were still hearing the killer's appeal, and
some observers believe the backlash from the ad helped Chiles eke out a
victory. Four years later, Bush ran a successful campaign with a different
ad man." [Boston Globe, 11/16/06]
Paid for and authorized by the Democratic National Committee,
http://www.democrats.org. This communication is not authorized by anycandidate or candidate's committee.
SOURCE Democratic National Committee
Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS) se complace en anunciar importantes mejoras en su portafolio de propiedades de Internet, incluyendo el relanzamiento de su portal de entretenimiento líder: Lamusica.com., así como el cambio de nombre de todos los websites de las estaciones radiales asociadas a la empresa. Estas iniciativas son parte de la actual estrategia de Internet de SBS e incluye retoques en el look de los websites que promoverán una experiencia más entretenida y completa para los usuarios de sus servicios de Internet.
Lamusica.com es un destino líder en términos de noticias actualizadas en el campo de la información de entretenimiento. El sitio web ha sido totalmente renovado con modernas gráficas, nuevos enlaces y lo ultimo de la interactividad para deleite de los fanáticos de la buena música y del Internet. También se ha modernizado el video player, lo que forma parte de la nueva dinámica de enganche entre el website y sus usuarios. En consonancia con el deseo de mantener esta nueva línea, SBS ha contratado los servicios de quien fuera la editora fotográfica de la revista “Mira”, Gabriela Ordóñez, quien liderará el departamento de fotografía de Lamusica.com.
Además, tomando en cuenta que el centro de la estrategia de Internet de SBS reside en el desarrollo de contenidos atractivos para sus usuarios, Lamusica.com presenta una moderna diagramación de prensa, videos y contenidos musicales que lograrán transmitir más efectivamente la programación de SBS en radio y TV. Liderando el esfuerzo renovador estará el ex editor de la Revista “Mira”, René Solorio. René cuenta con una vasta experiencia en el campo del periodismo de entretenimiento, con una larga trayectoria tanto en su patria México como en los Estados Unidos. En su nuevo rol contribuirá también como colaborador editorial para la estación de TV de SBS en Miami, Mega TV Canal 22.
Paralelamente, los websites de las estaciones de radio de SBS han sido relanzados, como parte del permanente esfuerzo de brindar lo mejor de la información musical a sus fieles audiencias a lo largo de los Estados Unidos. SBS mantiene el portafolio líder de la industria en estaciones radiales hispanas, incrustadas en los más largos mercados hispanos como Nueva York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, San Francisco y Puerto Rico. Las radioemisoras de la empresa se encuentran entre las más escuchadas del ámbito hispano en el país, y los websites de éstas han evolucionado hasta convertirse en destinos prioritarios para quienes buscan música y entretenimiento. Lamusica.com proveerá a sus seguidores de noticias y primicias -tanto en inglés como en español-, actualizadas con regularidad a lo largo del día. Los fanáticos de la música tendrán la posibilidad de darle una mirada a sus estrellas favoritas siendo entrevistadas por La musica.com, gracias a la división de noticias de entretenimiento. Una lista de las estaciones de radio y sus respectivos websites puede ser consultada al final de esta nota.
A propósito de este anuncio, Cynthia Hudson Fernández, Vice Presidenta Ejecutiva y Directora General Creativa de SBS comentó que “El relanzamiento de nuestra plataforma de Internet es el siguiente paso en el desarrollo de nuestra estrategia online. Hemos hecho modernizaciones significativas tanto en los contenidos como en el diseño de nuestros websites, mejorando e introduciendo modificaciones que posibilitan un acceso más interactivo, comunal y amigable a nuestros destinos de noticias y entretenimiento. Nuestros websites se encuentran entre los más visitados en el mundo a nivel hispano y el anuncio de hoy confirma, precisamente, nuestro compromiso creciente en proyectar más el valor y el atractivo de nuestros sitios de Internet, tanto para las audiencias como para los anunciantes.”
“Quiero asimismo aprovechar esta oportunidad para darle la bienvenida a René Solorio y a Gabriela Ordóñez al dinámico equipo de SBS. Sus reconocidas trayectorias en los medios hispanos serán claves para la ejecución exitosa de nuestra estrategia de Internet ”, concluyó Cynthia Hudson Fernández.
Web sites de las estaciones de radio de SBS:
Nueva York:
Mega 97.9 (WSKQ-97.9) http://www.lamega.com
Amor 93.1 (WPAT-93.1 FM) http://www.931amor.com
Los Ángeles:
Latino 96.3 (KXOL 96.3 FM) http://www.latino963.com
La Raza 97.9 (KLAX-97.9 FM) http://www.979laraza.com
Miami:
Romance 106.7 (WRMA-106.7 FM) http://www.romance106fm.com
El Zol 95.7 (WXDJ-95.7) http://www.elzol.com
Clásica 92.3 (WCMQ-FM) http://www.clasica92fm.com
WSBS - Mega TV Channel 22 – http://www.mega.tv
Chicago:
La Ley 107.9 (WLEY 107.9 FM) http://www.laley1079.com
San Francisco:
La Raza 93.3 (KRZZ FM) http://www.yosoyraza.com
Puerto Rico:
Romance 96.5 (WCMA-96.5 FM) Web: prontamente.
Estereotempo (WIOA 99.9 FM/WIOB 97.5 FM/ WIOC 105.1 FM) Web: prontamente.
La Mega (WMEG-FM/WEGM-FM-La Mega 106.9 FM/95.1) http://www.lamega.fm
Reggaeton 94 (WODA-94.7 FM) Web: prontamente.
La Zeta (WZNT-93.7 FM/WZMT 93.3 FM/ WZET) Web: prontamente.
Sobre Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc.
Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. es la mayor empresa del mundo del espectáculo y de medios de comunicación de los EE.UU., la cual es controlada por hispanos, y figura en la bolsa de valores. SBS es propietaria y operadora de 20 radioemisoras situadas en los principales mercados hispanos de Nueva York, Los Ángeles, Miami, Chicago, San Francisco y Puerto Rico, incluyendo WSKQ-FM, de la ciudad de Nueva York, la radioemisora hispanohablante que ocupa el primer lugar de los EE.UU., al igual que 3 de las 4 radioemisoras catalogadas como las lideres a nivel nacional con programaciones tropical, regional mexicana, contemporánea para adultos hispanos y “Hurban”. Así mismo, esta compañía posee los niveles más altos de facturación, de empresas con formato latino, en los tres mercados hispanos más grandes de los EE.UU. SBS, también propietaria de Mega TV-una estación televisiva que proporciona servicio al Sur de la Florida-, produce conciertos en vivo y eventos en los Estados Unidos y Puerto Rico. La empresa además opera http://www.lamusica.com, un portal de Internet con contenido en inglés y español relacionado con música latina, espectáculos, noticias y cultura. La página Web corporativa de la empresa se puede visitar en http://www.spanishbroadcasting.com
La Cámara de Comercio Hispana de los Estados Unidos (USHCC, por sus siglas en inglés), principal defensora de los más de dos millones de negocios de propiedad hispana en la nación, ha emitido la siguiente declaración con respecto a la próxima audiencia en la que comparecerá ante el Senado el Secretario de Justicia de los Estados Unidos, Alberto Gonzales:
“El reciente despido de varios fiscales de los Estados Unidos ha atraído un significativo interés por parte del Congreso, y ha hecho surgir preguntas y acusaciones provenientes de varios líderes de opinión”, expresó David C. Lizárraga, Presidente de la Junta Directiva de USHCC. “Es vital que se reúnan todos los hechos antes de que los medios de comunicación o nuestros líderes políticos emitan sus opiniones acerca del Secretario de Justicia Gonzales”.
El Secretario de Justicia Gonzales ha servido fielmente a nuestro país, con el beneplácito del Presidente, desde el comienzo de esta administración, por lo que les imploramos a los líderes del Congreso a tener en cuenta que tal servicio no merece juicios apresurados. Si es necesaria una evaluación e investigación exhaustivas, las mismas deben ejecutarse y realizarse en forma oportuna y justa.
“La USHCC elogia al Secretario de Justicia Gonzales por su servicio devoto y patriótico a la justicia, la equidad judicial y la administración de nuestras leyes en los Estados Unidos”, patentizó Michael L. Barrera, Presidente y Director Ejecutivo de USHCC. “El Secretario de Justicia Gonzales es un ejemplo fehaciente de servicio leal y dedicación competente al sistema jurídico de los Estados Unidos. Su ética de trabajo y los resultados que la misma ha logrado son una representación positiva de la creciente influencia que está teniendo la comunidad hispana en los Estados Unidos y en todo el mundo”.
Los hispanos, particularmente los miembros de la comunidad comercial, están llevando a cabo contribuciones potentes e influyentes a esta gran nación, y seguirán haciéndolo. Comprendemos los numerosos desafíos que confrontará la comunidad hispana en la medida que vaya creciendo en alcance y éxito, pero también sabemos que el esfuerzo y los resultados consistentes serán sinónimos de éxito y expansión continuos. Esas cualidades se reflejan en los dos millones de negocios de propiedad hispana de los Estados Unidos, y en las más de 200 cámaras de comercio que representamos en los Estados Unidos, México, Canadá y Puerto Rico. El Secretario de Justicia Gonzales es también un reflejo de esas cualidades, así como un líder firme, no sólo para la comunidad hispana, sino también para toda la nación.
Por estas razones, reiteramos nuestra exhortación al Congreso para que despliegue una iniciativa exhaustiva y bipartidista a la hora de revisar los hechos que han conducido a la actual situación.
Boeing News
April 1
Boeing [NYSE: BA] and LCAL today announced the leasing company placed an order for one additional 787-9 Dreamliner, expanding its fleet to 15 of the advanced-technology aircraft.
The deal is worth $183 million at list prices. This order was allocated to an unidentified customer on Boeing's Orders and Deliveries website in 2006.
LCAL established itself in 2005 as an aircraft leasing company providing lease services exclusively with the 787 Dreamliner. The company was the first leasing company to order 787s, making a commitment to purchase six 787-8s in May 2005, remaining unidentified until November of the same year.
At the end of 2005, LCAL ordered an additional eight 787s worth another $1.2 billion at list prices. The second order was for the 787-9, establishing LCAL as the first leasing customer for this variant.
"This latest addition to our fleet is further confirmation of our unwavering confidence in the 787 program," said Clive Joy, chairman and founder of LCAL.
"The technological benefits that the 787 brings will set the new standard in operator and passenger preference for decades to come, while taking a significant step to address the environmental issue," said LCAL Chief Operating Officer and President Steve Clarke.
"Today's commitment by LCAL reinforces the remarkable market success of the Boeing 787 among a wide variety of customers and business models," said John Feren, vice president of Sales - Leasing and Asset Management, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "With its dedicated and growing Dreamliner fleet, LCAL is offering its airline customers exclusively an airplane that delivers breakthrough technology, best-in-class fuel efficiency and lower operating costs."
LCAL has selected Rolls-Royce's Trent 1000 engine for a number of its 787s, and is negotiating with GE to equip some of its fleet with GEnx engines.
The technologically advanced 787 Dreamliner will use 20 percent less fuel than today's airplanes of comparable size, provide airlines with up to 45 percent more cargo revenue capacity, and will present passengers with innovations including a new interior environment with higher humidity, wider seats and aisles, larger windows and other conveniences. The Dreamliner will allow airlines to offer more of the comfortable point-to-point travel that passengers want.
Since the 787's launch in April 2004, 39 customers have booked 491 orders, making it one of the fastest-selling commercial airplanes in aviation history.
Additional information about LCAL is available at www.lcal.com.
The world's longest-range commercial jetliner, the Boeing [NYSE: BA] 777-200LR Worldliner (Longer Range), marks its first year in revenue service this month. With several airlines scheduled to take delivery of new Worldliners this year, the newest 777 to enter service is set to change how passengers travel by offering airlines more flexibility to serve the nonstop routes that passengers demand.
Pakistan International Airlines was the first customer to put the 777-200LR into service, taking delivery of the first two airplanes built. Other airlines taking delivery of new 777-200LRs this year include Air India, Emirates and Air Canada.
"The Boeing 777-200LR supports our business plan to grow Emirates' route structure to include new nonstop flights to destinations worldwide, including the West Coast of the United States and South America," said Emirates Chairman H.E. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum. "The 777-200LR will complement our existing fleet of 777 jetliners, soon to be the world's largest, and offer our passengers the exceptional level of service and comfort they've come to expect from Emirates."
One of the routes Emirates plans to open with a 777-200LR is a nonstop flight between Sao Paulo and Dubai, making it the first time an airline has offered nonstop service between the Middle East and South America. Air India plans to open a new nonstop route between Mumbai and New York. To date, the 777-200LR has won 40 orders from seven customers.
"The 777-200LR is changing the way airlines fly passengers around the world by opening more direct, nonstop routes that fly passengers directly to where they want to go," said Lars Andersen, vice president-program manger, 777 Program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
The 777-200LR is capable of flying up to 9,450 nautical miles (17,500 km), enabling the airplane to connect virtually any two cities around the world nonstop, carrying 301 passengers in a typical three-class configuration. Also, the 777-200LR can carry a full cargo load on routes where other airplanes are payload limited. This gives airlines the capability to carry the same number of passengers farther, and with additional revenue-generating cargo.
In its first year in service, the 777-200LR amassed a 99.7 percent average schedule reliability rate and is in line with 777's best-in-class schedule reliability. The 777-200LR is equipped with the GE90-110B1L, a re-rated version of the world's most powerful commercial jet engine - the GE90-115B.
"The GE90-110B1L engine has performed exceptionally well on the Boeing 777-200LR airplane," said Tom Wygle, general manager of the GE90 program at GE Aviation. "Based on the proven technologies of the GE90 engine family, the engine has demonstrated an outstanding reliability record, fuel efficiency and low cost of ownership."
The 777 family of airplanes is the market leader in the 300 to 400-seat segment, capturing more than 65 percent of that market. To date, 48 customers have placed 918 orders for the efficient, reliable and passenger-pleasing 777 jetliner. Boeing continues to enhance the 777 family with the recent introduction of two new longer-range models and a freighter version currently in development.
Boeing Integrated Materials Management Opens Asia Regional Center
-- Boeing [NYSE: BA] has opened a new Integrated Materials Management (IMM) Asia Regional Center in Singapore.
-- Boeing [NYSE: BA] has opened a new Integrated Materials Management (IMM) Asia Regional Center in Singapore.Boeing's Integrated Materials Management helps maintain and manage an airline's spare parts inventory, providing items to the airline mechanic as needed. The IMM team manages supplier-owned inventory at airline maintenance locations which results in reduced inventory holding and other supply-chain management costs at the airline.
The opening of the regional center enhances the current support of on-site teams throughout the globe and improves communications and visibility of inventory within the IMM network which directly benefits the customer. The center will provide around-the-clock support to all IMM customers and network suppliers.
"We are very excited to enlarge our footprint in the Asia region," said, Joe Brummitt, director of Integrated Materials Management for Boeing. "We have a strong base of customers in the region and our center in Singapore positions us well to better support this important customer base. It's also the next logical step in our strategy to efficiently connect all suppliers and customers in our network."
The IMM Asia Regional Center was developed using Lean principles to standardize processes and reduce the variation in inventory planning. Utilizing Lean within the center's operation will increase productivity, improve communications and enhance demand visibility. This will enable suppliers to better support the IMM supply-chain requirements. The new regional center also postures IMM to support the 787 Dreamliner and the GoldCare service solutions.
The Asia Regional Center will be based at Schenker Singapore's Megahub facility in the Airport Logistics Park of Singapore (ALPS), where Boeing currently maintains a regional distribution center through its lead logistics service provider. This further leverages Boeing's use of these facilities and continues the expansion of a longstanding and mutually beneficial relationship in the country of Singapore.
"We congratulate The Boeing Company on the IMM Asia Regional Center," said Manohar Khiatani, assistant managing director for Industry Development, Singapore Economic Development Board. "We are glad that Boeing continues to grow its activities in Singapore, leveraging on our strengths as the leading aviation and logistics hub in the region. The IMM Asia Regional Centre underlines Singapore's attractiveness as a location for the logistics and supply-chain management activities of global companies."
The IMM Asia Regional Center will also serve as a model as IMM looks at centers in other locations around the globe to support the current and expanding IMM customer base. Current customers for IMM include Air Tran, All Nippon Airways, Delta Airlines, Japan Airlines, KLM, Japan Transocean Air and Singapore Airlines. Network supplier partners include Honeywell, UFC Aerospace, Satair, Hamilton Sundstrand, Avio-Diepen, and the recently acquired Boeing subsidiary, Aviall.
Boeing Submits Bid to Design AMF JTRS Radio System
An industry team led by Boeing [NYSE: BA] submitted its bid this week to design and develop the Airborne and Maritime/Fixed Station Joint Tactical Radio System (AMF JTRS) for the U.S. Department of Defense.
An industry team led by Boeing [NYSE: BA] submitted its bid this week to design and develop the Airborne and Maritime/Fixed Station Joint Tactical Radio System (AMF JTRS) for the U.S. Department of Defense.Boeing's best-of-industry team offers a low-cost, low-risk solution based on successful demonstrations that showcased interoperability between JTRS radios and radios currently used by joint forces. The demonstrations also validated the porting of key waveforms and successfully tested a 200-node network that featured self-forming and self-healing capabilities.
Boeing's teammates -- Harris, L-3 Communications, Rockwell Collins, BBN Technologies, Milcom Systems Corporation and Northrop Grumman -- have supported the AMF JTRS pre-system design and development phase since 2004. Contract award is anticipated third/fourth quarter 2007.
"Our design meets the government's requirements for a low-risk, low-cost solution that takes the joint services to the next level in networked communications," said Leo Conboy, Boeing AMF JTRS program manager. "By leveraging our market-leading experience in network-centric technologies, we've demonstrated transformational networking capability and interoperability with the key legacy radio waveforms needed by the warfighter."
Numerous pre-system design and development demonstrations validated the system's ability to support hundreds of user nodes that serve as routers, allowing warfighters to create self-forming and self-healing mobile, ad-hoc networks that can speed the flow of information across the battlespace.
A key risk reduction demonstration featured five airborne prototype radios running both legacy voice communications and the Wideband Networking Waveform, which enables Internet-like capabilities. The team provided multi-node networking simulations using virtual and hardware-based radios, featuring Boeing's Heterogeneous Networking capability with legacy datalinks and low latency edge networking using Rockwell's Tactical Targeting Networking Technologies. Communications effects models have been developed to demonstrate network performance in a virtual environment, providing the capability to fly various scenarios to demonstrate system improvements.
Boeing's AMF JTRS communications system will provide warfighters with software-defined radios that feature Internet-like capabilities, allowing air, land and sea assets to communicate in a network-centric environment. The battlespace networking capability supports real-time text, voice and multi-media information, including the ability to stream live audio and video, share maps and real-time collaboration and use Voiceover Internet Protocol.
The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and partner Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) [NYSE: SAI], acting as the Lead Systems Integrator for the U.S. Army's Future Combat Systems (FCS) program, today announced the selection of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Grand Prairie, Texas, as provider of the FCS Centralized Controller device.
The Centralized Controller is a single, hand-held device that will allow soldiers to command and control FCS Class I unmanned aerial vehicles and their sensor payloads; unmanned ground vehicles and their sensor and weapon payloads; unattended ground sensors; manned ground vehicle functions; and enable superior situational awareness, training, logistics and medical functions.
"The Centralized Controller is a key component of our FCS capability, and we are pleased that Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control will be leading the effort on this new Tier I contract," said Dennis Muilenburg, Boeing vice president-general manager, Combat Systems, and Future Combat Systems program manager. "The controller will consolidate what traditionally would be numerous disparate controllers into a single controller, which will simplify logistics and empower the soldier while reducing his load. Overall, it will allow a Centralized Controller-equipped soldier to remotely control one or more of the nearly 750 systems within each brigade at any particular time."
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control was selected as the Centralized Controller provider based on technical merit, schedule integration, management approach, past performance and cost after a best-value evaluation process by the Lead Systems Integrator team and its government partners. The potential value of the Centralized Controller contract, which will be finalized shortly and will run through 2014, is in excess of $35 million.
SAIC is a leading provider of scientific, engineering, systems integration and technical services and solutions to all branches of the U.S. military, Department of Defense agencies, the intelligence community, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and other U.S. Government civil agencies, as well as to customers in selected commercial markets. With more than 43,000 employees in over 150 cities worldwide, SAIC engineers and scientists solve complex technical challenges requiring innovative solutions for customers' mission-critical functions. SAIC had annual revenues of $7.8 billion for its fiscal year ended January 31, 2006. SAIC: FROM SCIENCE TO SOLUTIONS.
Mar 29
Boeing, Avianca Airlines Announce Order for 10 787 Dreamliners
The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and Avianca Airlines, Colombia's flagship air carrier, today announced the airline has ordered 10 787s, making it the first South American carrier to order the 787 and marking the largest 787 order to date for Latin America.
The order, worth approximately $1.5 billion at list prices, was previously credited to an unidentified customer on Boeing's Orders and Deliveries Web site. Today's order also includes purchase rights for an additional 10 787s.
Avianca made the announcement at an event attended by German Efromovich, President of the Synergy group which owns Avianca, Avianca President Fabio Villegas and some 400 dignitaries including Colombian Vice President Francisco Santos Calderon, United States Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Milton Drucker, regional country representatives and Avianca and Boeing employees.
"This order reaffirms the enduring relationship Boeing has maintained with this historic airline for 70 years," said John Wojick, vice president, Sales, Latin America and the Caribbean -- Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "With the 787, Avianca will be able to provide its passengers with the very best in long-range air travel including larger windows, higher cabin humidity, more space and a lower cabin altitude."
"Today's purchase ratifies our commitment to transform Avianca into the leading airline in Latin America," Efromovich said. "We will be the first to offer passengers in our market the most advanced technology guaranteeing more comfortable and pleasurable flights."
Avianca is Colombia's largest airline and the second oldest commercial airline in the world.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, scheduled for entry into service in 2008, provides passengers with a better flying experience and operators with a more efficient commercial jetliner. Thirty-nine airlines have logged 491 orders worth more than $75 billion at current list prices since the 787 launch in April 2004, making the Dreamliner the most successful commercial airplane launch in history.
With the 787 Dreamliner, Boeing continues its leadership and innovation with a mostly composite airplane that consumes 20 percent less fuel, provides airlines with up to 45 percent more cargo revenue capacity and offers passengers a better flying experience.
Mar 27
Boeing Prepares Fuel Cell Demonstrator Airplane for Ground and Flight Testing
In an effort to develop environmentally progressive technologies for aerospace applications, Boeing [NYSE: BA] researchers and industry partners throughout Europe plan to conduct experimental flight tests this year of a manned airplane powered only by a fuel cell and lightweight batteries.
The systems integration phase of the Fuel Cell Demonstrator Airplane research project, under way since 2003 at Boeing Research and Technology -- Europe (BR&TE), was completed recently. Thorough systems integration testing is now under way in preparation for upcoming ground and flight testing.
"Given the efficiency and environmental benefits of emerging fuel cell technology, Boeing wants to be on the forefront of developing and applying it to aerospace products," said Francisco Escarti, BR&TE managing director. "The Fuel Cell Demonstrator Airplane project is an important step in that direction."
A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that converts hydrogen directly into electricity and heat without combustion. Fuel cells are emission-free and quieter than hydrocarbon fuel-powered engines. They save fuel and are cleaner for the environment.
The Boeing demonstrator uses a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell/lithium-ion battery hybrid system to power an electric motor, which is coupled to a conventional propeller. The fuel cell provides all power for the cruise phase of flight. During takeoff and climb, the flight segment that requires the most power, the system draws on lightweight lithium-ion batteries.
Flight tests, which will take place in Spain, will demonstrate for the first time that a manned airplane can maintain a straight level flight with fuel cells as the only power source.
"While Boeing does not envision that fuel cells will provide primary power for future commercial passenger airplanes, demonstrations like this help pave the way for potentially using this technology in small manned and unmanned air vehicles," Escarti said. "It also gives us hands-on experience to complement other fuel-cell studies being carried out throughout the company."
Boeing researchers see promise in other types of fuel cell technology as well as the PEM system. An example is a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell that could be applied to secondary power-generating systems, such as auxiliary power units. This technology could be mature enough in 10 to 15 years for potential use in commercial aviation.
BR&TE, part of the Boeing Phantom Works advanced R&D unit, which is chartered to provide innovative technology and system solutions to meet future aerospace needs, has worked closely with its colleagues in Boeing Commercial Airplanes, its Spanish partners, and with companies in Austria, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States to design and assemble the experimental airplane.
The PEM fuel-cell system used on the flight demonstrator, for instance, was designed and built by the UK-based firm Intelligent Energy.
The demonstrator aircraft is a Dimona motor glider, built by Diamond Aircraft Industries of Austria, which also performed major structural modifications to the aircraft. With a wing span of 16.3 meters (53.5 feet), the airplane will be able to cruise at approximately 100 kilometers per hour (62 miles per hour) using fuel cell-provided power.
The Madrid-based avionics group Aerlyper performed airframe modifications, as well as the mounting and wiring of all components; SAFT France designed and assembled the auxiliary batteries and the backup battery; Air Liquide Spain performed the detailed design and assembly of the onboard fuel system and the refueling station; the Electronic Engineering Division of the Polytechnic University of Madrid (School of Industrial Engineering) collaborated in the design and construction of the power management and distribution box; post-integration bench testing is being conducted in a facility that belongs to the Polytechnic University of Madrid (INSIA); and SENASA (Spain) will provide a test pilot and facilities for flight tests.
Other suppliers for the Fuel Cell Demonstrator Airplane include UQM Technologies Inc. (United States), MT Propeller (Germany), Tecnicas Aeronauticas de Madrid (Spain), Ingenieria de Instrumentacion y Control (Spain), GORE (Germany), Indra (Spain) and Inventia (Spain).
Mar 26
Wheelchair-accessible lavatories on the all-new Boeing [NYSE:BA] 787 Dreamliner will be significantly enhanced. The airline-selectable 56-inch longitudinal lavatory features improvements for passengers by offering more usable space and easer access to facilities, including a fold-down assist bar for independent transfers (shown here in the fold-down position).
When Boeing's [NYSE:BA] newest airplane, the all-new 787 Dreamliner, enters service in 2008, passengers will experience a more comfortable flight because of enhanced accessibility features.
"We analyzed accessibility issues passengers face on today's airplanes and incorporated advancements to better accommodate passengers of all ages and capabilities," said Mike Bair, vice president and general manager of the 787 program. "These advancements, coupled with the Dreamliner's larger windows, bigger carry-on bins, lower cabin altitude and cleaner air, will ensure that everyone enjoys a better flying experience on the 787."
Boeing partnered with the National Center for Accessible Transportation at Oregon State University to research accessibility improvements. As part of the research, Boeing engineers who design interiors were placed in simulated environments to better understand accessibility issues faced by persons with mobility, sensory and cognitive disabilities. In addition, the team worked with individuals with these disabilities to verify improvements.
Virtually all aspects of the Dreamliner's interior enhance passenger comfort. For example, all lavatories aboard the 787 Dreamliner feature universally designed interior and exterior door handles that are more intuitive and enable easier access by passengers with limited hand agility. Assist-handles installed in all lavatories are easier to grip and offer passengers better stability through improved design and location. "Touchless" features including faucets, toilet flushing and waste flaps can be activated by infrared sensors in addition to their traditional mechanical operation, making them easier to use.
Boeing is offering two wheelchair-accessible lavatories on the Dreamliner, each with significant advancements. The 56-inch longitudinal lavatory repositions the entryway door and toilet to provide extra usable space and makes it easier for passengers to reach and use the facilities.
A 56-inch by 57-inch convertible lavatory includes a movable center wall that allows two separate lavatories to become one large, wheelchair-accessible facility.
Other wheelchair-accessible lavatory improvements include an additional toilet flush button on the sink cabinet and a fold-down assist bar to aid independent transfers.
Additional enhancements are sprinkled throughout the airplane. Exterior assist handles are better positioned to accommodate passengers of all heights and levels of mobility. Overhead stowage bins are easier to reach, and latches work whether they are pushed or pulled, eliminating uncertainty. Bigger closets are offered that enable personal wheelchair stowage in the passenger cabin, while special closet features will better secure the wheelchair. As on current airplanes, aisle seats will have movable arm rests that offer passengers with disabilities easier access to their seats.
"Boeing is making an ongoing effort to identify opportunities to improve the flying experience," said Bair. "The 787 Dreamliner will set a new industry standard for accessibility on airplanes."
Boeing 787 Dreamliner
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, scheduled for delivery beginning in 2008, provides passengers with a better flying experience and operators with a more efficient commercial jetliner. Using 20 percent less fuel per passenger than similarly sized airplanes, the 787 is designed for the environment with lower emissions and quieter takeoffs and landings. Inside the airplane, passengers will find cleaner air, bigger windows, more stowage space and improved lighting. Thirty-eight airlines have logged 490 firm orders since the 787 launch in April 2004, making the Dreamliner the most successful commercial airplane launch in history.
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United Nations News
April 2
DESPITE FEWER OUTBREAKS THIS YEAR, UN AGENCY WARNS BIRD FLU STILL THREATENS LIVES
New York, Apr 2 2007 9:00AM Although there have been fewer outbreaks of the deadly H5N1 avian influenza virus this year, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) today warned that the disease continues to spread to new areas in countries where it has not been contained, threatening the lives of those working around poultry and hurting farm economies. Worldwide, "there have been fewer cases of the disease this year than last year at the same time, indicating that there is a reduction in overall viral load," said Joseph Domenech, Chief Veterinanry Officer of the FAO. Last year, 53 countries reported H5N1 outbreaks while this year, only 17 countries have been affected. Dr. Domenech said that surveillance and reporting of the virus has improved, and also he noted that the presence of H5N1 in wild birds is less this year. Last year, avian flu was believed largely to have been transmitted through the migration of contaminated birds. This season, the poultry trade is seen as main route by which the disease spreads, and the greatest threat the virus poses is that every instance a person contracts H5N1 from poultry offers a new possibility for mutation into a form which could spread rapidly between people. "The risk of a pandemic will be with us for the foreseeable future," Dr. Domenech said. "This situation is a constant call to increase global efforts to contain this disease before it has an opportunity to mutate into a form that can threaten the world with a human pandemic." Although Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam have been generally successful in controlling the virus, FAO experts say that Egypt, Indonesia and Nigeria have not been able to contain it, making them reservoirs of the disease for possible introduction to other countries. In Egpyt, 24 human cases of the virus have been reported since mid-February, of which 13 were fatal. Outbreaks have occurred on four commercial farms and 13 cases originated in backy the beginning of last month. The country has been hindered in curbing the disease for several reasons, including the lack compensation for farmers who lose poultry due to culling. Egypt is currently revising its plan for controlling the disease with the help of FAO and other international partners. Since the avian flu first surfaced in 2003, Indonesia has seen the highest death toll of any country, with 66 fatalities out of 171 worldwide. Only three of the 33 Indonesian provinces are bird flu free, and the virus remains endemic in Java, Sumatra, Bali and South Sulawesi, according to FAO. Disease surveillance is being bolstered by FAO's village-based Participatory Disease Surveillance system now functional in 130 of the 444 districts in the country, but more comprehensive information on nationwide outbreaks will remain spotty until surveillance coverage is increased. Containing the disease in Indonesia has been hampered by its large size and geography with 17,000 islands spread over three time zones, a weak national veterinary service and insufficient global and national financing of prevention and control. In Nigeria, authorities have not been able to control the movement of poultry and poultry products in infected areas, causing the disease to spread in many parts of the country. FAO also cautions of the spread of H5N1 to new countries. Last month, the virus was detected in Bangladesh for the first time, and the agency said that this is not a surprising development since the disease is circulating in the wider region and transmission by contaminated migrating birds cannot be rule out. 2007-04-02 00:00:00.000
UN SENDS AID, EXPERTS TO SOLOMON ISLANDS IN RESPONSE TO PACIFIC TSUNAMI
New York, Apr 2 2007 9:00AM The United Nations Children's Fund has pre-positioned emergency medical supplies to help thousands of people in the Solomon Islands while experts from the world body are poised to travel to the region in response to an earthquake and resulting tsunami which shook the region earlier today. An earthquake measuring 8.1 struck 345 kilometres northwest of the Solomon Islands' capital, Honiara, causing a tsunami, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which cited reports of damage in the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. Media reports put the number of deaths in the Solomon Islands at eight, though numbers are expected to increase. Some reports are claiming that villages have been "completely wiped out," OCHA said in its first situation report on the emergency. UNICEF has pre-positioned emergency medical supplies in the Solomon Islands for up to 10,000 people including 10 emergency kits, 5 'school in a box' kits and 3 recreation kits. The UNICEF Pacific Emergency Focal Point -- a member of the UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination Team -- will travel to the Islands tomorrow. The Government of the Solomon Islands is expected to make a request for international assistance, OCHA said. 2007-04-02 00:00:00.000
April 1
UN'S NEPAL ENVOY WELCOMES ESTABLISHMENT OF INTERIM GOVERNMENT
New York, Apr 1 2007 3:00PM The senior United Nations envoy to Nepal today hailed the establishment of the country's interim Government, while emphasizing that many challenges lie ahead as preparations continue for elections aimed at cementing the democratic transition in the Himalayan country. "I welcome the establishment of the new interim government as a key moment for the consolidation of Nepal's peace process, and I congratulate the leaders of the eight political parties on their willingness to share responsibilities in this transitional period," Ian Martin, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Special Representative said in a statement. He pointed out that a unified Government should be in a stronger position to face the challenges ahead, including "creating conditions for a credible Constituent Assembly election, addressing the legitimate demands of groups in Nepalese society calling for more inclusive democracy, establishing effective law enforcement across the country, and providing for the future of former combatants and a wider reform of the security sector." Mr. Martin pledged the UN's help in ensuring full compliance with the commitments made by the parties to the Agreement on the Monitoring of the Management of Arms and Armies, as well as to support and monitor the electoral process. "The challenges ahead cannot be overemphasized," Mr. Martin said, welcoming "the renewed commitments intended to create a conducive environment for polls and to provide for more effective monitoring of agreements, which will be crucial in transforming conditions throughout the districts and which the United Nations is committed to assist." He added that success will require effective law enforcement that respects international standards, accountability for violations of citizens' rights, and ending breaches of the commitments under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The Security Council established UNMIN in January to assist with the follow-up to the Nepa planned elections in the impoverished Himalayan country where 10 years of civil war killed around 15,000 people and displaced over 100,000 others. 2007-04-01 00:00:00.000
UN'S KOSOVO ENVOY VOICES CONCERN AT APPARENT ATTACK ON MONASTERY
New York, Mar 31 2007 9:00PM The senior United Nations envoy to Kosovo has voiced concern about a recent apparent attack on the Deçan/Deæani monastery, which he said holds great value for the province's Serb community, currently outnumbered nine to one by the ethnic Albanian majority. On Friday afternoon, a grenade launcher was found on the hillside overlooking the monastery, and a rocket engine was discovered lodged in one of its outer walls, according to the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). This follows reports of two explosive noises heard by the monks on Friday. The Police and KFOR international forces "are investigating what exactly happened yesterday," said Joachim Rücker, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Kosovo. "Violence, especially directed at minority communities, is intolerable and impermissible and has no place in Kosovo," he declared. "The Deæani monastery is a place of immense spiritual importance for the Kosovo Serb community and a treasure for the people of Kosovo and beyond. I expect quick results from the ongoing investigation." The province has been run by the UN since Western forces drove out Yugoslav troops in 1999 amid fighting and ethnic abuses. A UN envoy on Kosovo's status, Martti Ahtisaari, has presented a report to the Security Council which says that independence is the only option that will foster a politically stable and economically viable Kosovo. 2007-03-31 00:00:00.000
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: MILITARY ABUSES WILL BE PROBED, LEADER TELLS UN OFFICIAL
New York, Mar 31 2007 9:00PM In the Central African Republic (CAR), where civilians have been caught in the crossfire as rebels fight government troops, the United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator today said the country's president said any military abuses will be investigated. "The President and I held useful talks on a range of issues, from the urgent and immediate humanitarian needs, to the problems caused by under-development," said Under-Secretary-General John Holmes following his meeting with President François Bozizé in Bangui, the capital. "I emphasized my concern about reports of abuses by all parties against civilians, including the people in the bush with whom I had spoken. President Bozizé told me that any Government military abuses would be investigated and dealt with promptly and correctly." Mr. Holmes was wrapping up a ten-day mission to three countries, including also Chad and Sudan. While in the Central African Republic, the Under-Secretary-General visited several of the worst-affected areas in the country's northwest where civilians have been caught in the midst of the ongoing conflict between government and rebel forces. In the towns of Pendé and Paoua, he saw torched homes and entire deserted villages, and met with some of the thousands of men, women and children who are living in the bush, out of reach of basic amenities such as clean water, medicines, food and proper shelter, because they are too afraid to return to their villages. Roughly 285,000 people in the Central African Republic have been forced to flee from their homes, 150,000 in the last six months alone, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). "There is an urgent need for humanitarian assistance, and the international community must increase its financial support for aid agencies providing emergency relief," Mr. Holmes said, pledging also to work towards development in CAR. "The United Nations challenges. But we also recognize that humanitarian action cannot be a substitute for a political solution, which is why I urged the government to step up their efforts aimed at political dialogue." The Emergency Relief Coordinator, who took up his post at the beginning of this month, started his first official mission on 21 March in Sudan. After continuing on to Chad and finally the Central African Republic, he travels back to New York today and is expected to brief the Security Council on Thursday. 2007-03-31 00:00:00.000
IN SOUTH LEBANON, BAN KI-MOON STRESSES NEED FOR EVENTUAL PERMANENT CEASEFIRE
New York, Mar 31 2007 3:00PM United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today visited South Lebanon, where he voiced hope that a cessation of hostilities in place since the end of last year's 34-day war between Israel and Hizbollah could be transformed into a permanent ceasefire. Responding to questions at a press conference in Naqoura, Mr. Ban said both Israel and Lebanon showed interested in this goal. "It is important that the current cessation of hostilities could be transferred and developed into a permanent ceasefire. I know that Lebanese Government is very much interested. "When I visited Israel, the Israeli Government also expressed such hope, that the current cessation of hostilities could be developed into an agreement of permanent ceasefire, and we are working for that," he said. "This area, Lebanon, unfortunately has been suffering from decades-long wars, and we hope that the Lebanese people and Government will be able to enjoy genuine freedom in a secure and peaceful land," he said. "The United Nations is fully committed to support such efforts by the Lebanese people." He stressed the importance of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) engaging in "close cooperation with the Lebanese Armed forces" and having a "harmonious and cooperative relationship" with the local community. Asked about challenges facing the mission, he acknowledged that there are "some potential threats" adding that in response "UNIFIL members will have to be continuously vigilant." At the same time, he noted that situation is generally calm. "We hope that, with the increased and enhanced capacity of the Lebanese Armed Forces and close coordination with UNIFIL, we'll be seeing continuing peace and security here." Mr. Ban said in his meetings in recent days with Lebanese as well as Israeli officials, he was struck by their commitment to Security Council resolution 1701, which mandated an end to the war between Israel and Hizbollah and conside "I was encouraged by the strong commitment of the Lebanese Government to fully comply with this resolution. When I visited Israel, I also urged the Israeli Government to fully comply with this resolution." He also voiced concern about reports of arms smuggling across the border. "I hope and urge that the parties concerned will fully comply with the Security Council resolution, and there needs to be an enhanced maritime capacity of the Lebanese Armed Forces to ensure that there will be no such smuggling activities," he said. "We are grateful to some members of the international community, particularly the German government who offered such assistance, and as Secretary-General I am going to discuss this matter with other member of the international community who may contribute such assistance." Mr. Ban also paid tribute to the blue helmets operating in the area. "I am very much impressed and moved by all what UNIFIL officers, men and women, have been contributing to preserve peace and security in Lebanon," he said, emphasizing that this is critical also to the stability of the region and the world. 2007-03-31 00:00:00.000
Mar 30
BAN KI-MOON URGES LEBANON'S LEADERS TO SEEK NATIONAL RECONCILIATION THROUGH DIALOGUE
New York, Mar 30 2007 11:00AM United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on Lebanon's leaders to engage in dialogue to promote national reconciliation as he continued his first visit to the Middle East as the world's top diplomat. "I know that you are going through a very difficult process for national reconstruction," he said after conferring with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in Beirut. "The international community, the United Nations, and I, as Secretary-General will always be fully supportive of such efforts and I need also to see some improvements in that regard." While in Lebanon, Mr. Ban is scheduled to visit the enhanced UN peacekeeping mission sent to the country to monitor the cessation of hostilities after last year's 34-day war between Israel and Hizbollah. TheInterim Force is now close to its maximum strength of 15,000, with nearly 13,000 troops and sailors from some 30 countries patrolling on land and sea. Since the adoption of Security Council resolution 1701 last August, the peacekeepers have played a key role in monitoring the Israeli withdrawal and in assisting the Lebanese army in deploying in southern Lebanon. UNIFIL also helped the army in establishing an area between the Blue Line, separating Lebanon and Israel, and the Litani River that is free of any armed personnel, assets and weapons other than those of the Government and UNIFIL. In addition to its core military mandate, UNIFIL de-miners have destroyed more than 25,000 explosive devices, including rockets, grenades, cluster bombs, anti-tank and anti-personnel mines. UNIFIL peacekeepers have continued to provide humanitarian aid to the local population, including medical and dental aid, providing several thousand free health checks and medicine from bases and mobile clinics. UNIFIL, first created by the Security Council in 1978 to confirm an Israeli withdrawal from an ea August following the latest conflict. Mr. Ban discussed the mission with Mr. Berri. "We agreed on the importance of UNIFIL and the excellent cooperation maintained so far with the Lebanese Armed Forces and the people of south Lebanon," he said. The two also discussed "the Tribunal of an international character" to prosecute the suspected killers of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, on which the UN and Lebanon signed an agreement in February. At the time Mr. Ban voiced hope that the Government would ratify it in line with the country's constitutional requirements. "I welcome Lebanese national consensus on the tribunal but stress the importance of moving forward on this issue," he said today. "I urged the parties to find a quick solution to this issue while respecting Lebanon's constitutional procedures." Mr. Hariri's murder is being investigated by the International Independent Investigation Commission, established by the Security Council in 2005 after an earlier UN mission found Lebanon's own probe was seriously flawed and that Syria was primarily responsible for the political tensions that preceded the assassination. 2007-03-30 00:00:00.000
SIX MILLION CHILDREN IMMUNIZED AGAINST MEASLES IN DPR KOREA IN UN-BACKED CAMPAIGN
New York, Mar 30 2007 10:00AM Six million children in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) aged six months to 15 years have been immunized in the first phase of a United Nations-backed emergency campaign targeting more than 16 million of the country’s 22 million people following a recent outbreak of the sometimes deadly disease. The UN Children’s Fund flew a consignment of vaccine to the DPRK within 14 days of the Government’s declaration of a nationwide measles outbreak in support of the massive campaign earlier this month. The huge undertaking comes in response to a recent outbreak that affected more than 3,500 people, most of them children. Two infants and two adults died and more than 1,000 people were hospitalized, according to reports. The second phase of the campaign, in which the UN World Health Organization (WHO) is also participating, is set to start on 10 April and will aim to reach an additional 10.2 million people between 16 and 45 years of age, UNICEF's Chief of Health and Nutrition in the DPRK Majeed Ezatullah said. Measles, one of the most contagious diseases known, remains a leading cause of death among young children worldwide, despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine for the past 40 years. An estimated 345,000 people, the majority of them children, died from the disease in 2005, the latest year for which figures are available.
THOUSANDS OF DISPLACED CHADIANS RUNNING OUT OF FOOD DUE TO FUNDING SHORTFALL – UN
New York, Mar 30 2007 10:00AM Scores of thousands of displaced Chadians are running out of food in the eastern border region with Sudan and face a desperate struggle to survive absent new donations to meet the needs of a rising tide of people uprooted by continuing conflict, the United Nations World Food Programme warned today. “This is not a sustainable situation,” WFP Chad Country Director Felix Bamezon said, noting that even before the latest increase in displaced people the agency’s $85-million Emergency Operation to assist Sudanese refugees, internally displaced people, host communities and refugee-affected local people in eastern Chad from January 2007 until June 2008 had received only $39 million, leaving a 54 per cent shortfall. “Life in eastern Chad has always been precarious, but now tens of thousands of Chadians are being pushed to the breaking point. There is simply not enough food to go around,” he added of the “race against time” to pre-position as much food as possible before the rainy season starts in late June, making most roads impassable. WFP had planned to feed 50,000 displaced Chadians, but it now estimates that an additional 80,000 displaced people are in urgent need of aid, requiring 7,500 metric tons of food at a cost of $7.5 for the next six months. The agency already feeds 225,000 Sudanese refugees in Chad who have fled nearly four years of fighting between the Government, allied militias and rebels seeking greater autonomy in Sudan’s Darfur region, as well as more than 45,000 refugees in southern Chad who have fled fighting and in security in the neighbouring. But then a flood of internal displacements added to the crisis in eastern Chad, fuelled by a series of bloody inter-ethnic attacks, competition for scarce water, grazing land and other resources, reflecting a spill-over of violence from Darfur with armed, mainly Arab attackers on horseback and camels burning African villages, destroying crops, stealing cattle, terrorizing villagers and killing people. “These people were forced to leave their homes with nothing but the clothes on their backs,” Mr. Bamezon said. “They are completely dependent on host communities who can barely feed themselves, and their living conditions are going from bad to worse.” A recent WFP-led assessment found nearly 130,000 displaced people living on the outskirts of villages – almost three times the number expected – the vast majority living in flimsy shelters patched together from straw or millet stalks that will not survive the rains. One in five families does not even have a roof. Few have access to potable water or latrines, and local health services cannot handle the unexpected flood of new patients. With so many new mouths to feed, local host communities are being forced to kill off their livestock, and WFP fears that soon seed stores will start to be consumed as hunger and rising cereal prices take their toll. 2007-03-30 00:00:00.000
Mar 29
FRESH FIGHTING IN SOMALIA SWELLS EXODUS FROM CAPITAL TO 57,000 SINCE FEBRUARY
– UN New York, Mar 29 2007 10:00AM Over 12,000 people have fled Somalia’s strife-torn capital, Mogadishu, in just the last week when escalated fighting left at least 24 people dead, bringing the total since the beginning of February to 57,000, according to the latest update from the United Nations refugee agency. “They are hungry and face harassment from thugs, while the mothers worry about their children not being able to go to school,” the UN High Commissioner for Refugees said in a news release. “Those who can afford it are looking for a house to rent, but most shelter under trees.” Violence in the capital has increased since the Transitional Federal Government (TFG), backed by Ethiopian forces, dislodged the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) from Mogadishu and much of the rest of the country at the end of last year. Mortar rounds and other fire have since killed many civilians in residential areas and settlements housing 250,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs). UNHCR’s local partners said they saw hundreds of people waiting anxiously during the weekend in crowded bus stations or searching for truck drivers to take them out of the city. Others packed their meagre belongings onto donkey-drawn carts and headed for safety. The TFG told civilians to leave certain areas, apparently so that it could step up its offensive against the insurgents. Most people have headed south to the neighbouring Shabelle Hoose (Lower Shabelle) region, according to UNHCR’s local partners. Many are destitute women and children who lack clan support and access to humanitarian aid, including treatment for prevalent health problems such as diarrhoea. Since the beginning of March, 2,250 people have travelled more than 700 kilometres north-east to Galkayo, where UNHCR has a presence. Most reach the town in the autonomous region of Puntland after a jarring truck ride of up to five days. “These people remain at risk even after leaving Mogadishu,” a UNHCR partner said. “They have to travel through illegal road blocks, knowing that their belongings might attract thugs and fearing that they might be killed or see their teenage children be raped or abducted.” In Galkayo, UNHCR Protection Officer Alexander Tyler said most of the new arrivals were women and children with relatives or clan links in the town, where they either stayed with family or moved to one of 14 IDP settlements. Those moving to the settlements arrived with only the most basic household items and depended on other people to support them. “They have to live in the shelters of other IDPs and to ask them for food, which puts further pressure on the limited capacity of Galkayo to cope with already up to 25,000 IDPs,” he added. There are currently an estimated 400,000 IDPs in Somalia, which has been torn apart by factional fighting and has not a functioning central government since 1991. Thousands of others have fled to neighbouring countries. 2007-03-29 00:00:00.000
BUILDING SECTOR CAN PLAY KEY ROLE IN COMBATING GLOBAL WARMING, UN REPORT SAYS
New York, Mar 29 2007 10:00AM The right mix of appropriate government regulation, greater use of energy saving technologies and behavioural change can substantially reduce global-warming carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the building sector, which accounts for 30 to 40 per cent of total energy use, according to a United Nations reported released today. “The savings that can be made right now are potentially huge and the costs to implement them relatively low if sufficient numbers of Governments, industries, businesses and consumers act,” UN Environment Programme Executive Director Achim Steiner said of the measures that range from revamping ventilation systems to replacing the traditional incandescent light bulb. “By some conservative estimates, the building sector worldwide could deliver emission reductions of 1.8 billion tonnes of C02. A more aggressive energy efficiency policy might deliver over 2 billion tonnes or close to three times the amount scheduled to be reduced under the Kyoto Protocol,” he added, referring to the pact setting legally binding emission reduction targets for 35 industrialized countries in the 2008-2012 period. The report – Buildings and Climate Change: Status, Challenges and Opportunities – produced by UNEP’s Sustainable Construction and Building Initiative (SBCI), pushes for greater use of existing technologies like thermal insulation, solar shading and more efficient lighting and electrical appliances. In the lifetime of an average building most energy is consumed not for construction but for heating, cooling, lighting, cooking and ventilation. Typically more than 80 per cent of total energy consumption occurs during use and less than 20 per cent during construction. Citing the example of Europe, the report says more than one fifth of present energy consumption and up to 45 million tonnes of CO2 per year could be saved by 2010 by applying more ambitious standards to new and existing buildings. “Energy efficiency, along with cleaner and renewable forms of energy generation, is one of the pillars upon which a de-carbonized world will stand or fall,” Mr. Steiner said, noting that several countries, including Australia, Cuba and the European Union, are looking to phase out or ban the traditional incandescent light bulb that has been around for well over a century in various forms. The International Energy Agency estimates that a total global switch to compact fluorescent bulbs would, in 2010, deliver C02 savings of 470 million tonnes, or slightly over half of the Kyoto reductions. “We have to ask what the hurdles are, if any, to achieving such positive low cost change and set about decisively and swiftly to overcome them, if they exist at all,” Mr. Steiner said. SBCI Chairman Olivier Luneau added that advanced and expensive high-tech solutions were often not needed. “Simple solutions can include sun shading and natural ventilation, improved insulation of the building envelope, use of recycled building materials, adoption of the size and form of the building to its intended use, etc,” he said. “Of course you can achieve even better results if more sustainable construction system solutions are used, such as intelligent lighting and ventilation systems, low temperature heating and cooling systems and energy saving household appliances.” The report stresses the importance of appropriate government policies on building codes, energy pricing and financial incentives that encourage reductions in energy consumption. In developed countries the main challenge is to achieve emission reduction among mostly existing buildings, and this can largely be done by reducing the use of energy. In other parts of the world, especially places like China where almost 2 billion square meters of new building space is added every year, the challenge is to leapfrog directly to more energy efficient building solutions, the report says. 2007-03-29 00:00:00.000
Mar 28
INDONESIA, UN REACH ACCORD ON BIRD FLU VIRUS SAMPLES AND VACCINE ACCESS
New York, Mar 28 2007 12:00PM Indonesia will immediately resume supplying the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) with viruses from its bird flu outbreak, a vital tool in tracking possible mutations into a deadly human pandemic and producing vaccines, while the agency will seek to ensure access for developing countries to any such commercially developed vaccines. “We have struck a balance between the need to continue the sharing of influenza viruses for risk assessment and for vaccine development, and the need to help ensure that developing countries benefit from sharing without compromising global public health security,” WHO Assistant Director-General for Communicable Diseases David Heymann said after a two-day meeting in Jakarta, the Indonesian capital. Indonesia, which has suffered more human bird flu fatalities, 63 out of 81 cases, than any other country, had been concerned that developing countries have supplied H5N1 virus to WHO Collaborating Centres for analysis and preparation for vaccine production, but that the resulting vaccines produced by commercial companies are likely to be unavailable to developing countries such as Indonesia. Health Minister Siti Fadilah Supari called this system “unfair” and Dr. Heymann said Indonesia had raised “an issue that is very important.” Other attendees at the meeting included experts from some 20 countries which have had animal or human outbreaks, senior scientists and potential funders, including representatives from the Asian Development Bank and the Gates Foundation. The meeting endorsed WHO activities to increase safe and effective pandemic vaccine access, including mobilizing financial support to develop a vaccine stockpile with guidelines for equitable distribution, strengthening national laboratory capacity, and linking vaccine manufacturers in developed and developing countries to speed the transfer of vaccine manufacturing technology. “WHO’s best practices for influenza virus sharing were developed for seasonal influenza vaccine, which only has a market in the developed countries and a few of the developing countries,” Dr. Heymann said. “H5N1 vaccines are a totally different issue. We will now modify our best practices to ensure that they are transparent to the developing countries which are providing samples, and which have requested to share in the benefits resulting from those viruses.” There have so far been 284 confirmed human cases worldwide, 169 of them fatal, the vast majority in South-East Asia. UN officials have been on constant alert to detect any mutation that could make the disease more easily transmissible in humans. Nearly all human cases so far have been traced to contact with infected birds. The so-called Spanish flu pandemic of 1918-1920, which also originated from birds, is estimated to have killed from 20 million to 40 million people worldwide. More than 200 million birds have died from either the virus or preventive culling in the current outbreak. 2007-03-28 00:00:00.000
MYANMAR: UN HUMAN RIGHTS EXPERT CALLS FOR RELEASE OF PRIZE-WINNING JOURNALIST AND POET
New York, Mar 28 2007 12:00PM The United Nations independent expert on the situation of human rights in Myanmar appealed to the Government to release the distinguished poet and journalist U Win Tin who is the country’s longest serving political prisoner, having been jailed for nearly 18 years and all other political prisoners. “The path to which the Government has committed itself is one in which there is no place for political prisoners,” the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro said in a statement yesterday. “Rather, processes of national reconciliation and democratic transition are invariably facilitated by the release of all political prisoners.” U Win Tin, who earlier this month spent his 77th birthday in a prison cell in Yangon, is a Laureate of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Press Freedom Award, among other international accolades. He is a “human rights defender and democracy advocate whose commitment to the cause of democracy, freedom of speech and human rights have earned him the support and respect of people around the world striving to promote and protect these values,” Mr. Pinheiro said. Since he was originally imprisoned in 1989, U Win Tin has been sentenced three times, each time while behind bars. Currently, he is serving a seven year sentence following a letter he wrote to the UN about the ill treatment and poor conditions of political prisoners. There are over 1,200 political prisoners in Myanmar, several of whom are now elderly or in poor health and in urgent need of medical attention, according to the statement. U Win Tin, who has been held for extended periods of time in solitary confinement, is one of many detainees whose state of health has deteriorated partly due to detention conditions and who should be freed on humanitarian grounds alone. 2007-03-28 00:00:00.000
MALE CIRCUMCISION IS IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL STEP IN CUTTING HIV INFECTION
– UN New York, Mar 28 2007 11:00AM Male circumcision should be recognized as an additional important step in curbing heterosexually acquired HIV in men after trials showed that the procedure cut the risk of infection by up to 60 per cent, the United Nations health agency said today. Modelling studies suggest that male circumcision in sub-Saharan Africa could prevent 5.7 million new HIV cases and 3 million deaths over 20 years, the UN World Health Organization WHO) added, summarizing the findings of an experts meeting it convened earlier this month together with the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS UNAIDS). But circumcision should only be considered as part of a comprehensive prevention package that includes treatment for sexually transmitted infections, promotion of safer sex practices and provision and correct use of male and female condoms. “The recommendations represent a significant step forward in HIV prevention,” Kevin De Cock, Director of WHO’s HIV/AIDS Department, said. “Countries with high rates of heterosexual HIV infection and low rates of male circumcision now have an additional intervention which can reduce the risk of HIV infection in heterosexual men. “Scaling up male circumcision in such countries will result in immediate benefit to individuals. However, it will be a number of years before we can expect to see an impact on the epidemic from such investment,” he added. Three randomized controlled trials in Kenya, Uganda and South Africa provide strong evidence that male circumcision cuts the risk of heterosexually acquired HIV infection in men by about 60 per cent, supporting numerous observational studies showing that the correlation between lower HIV prevalence and high rates of male circumcision in some countries in Africa is, at least in part, a causal association. Currently 665 million men, or 30 per cent of men worldwide, are estimated to be circumcised. But counselling of men and their sexual partners is necessary to prevent them from developing a false sense of security and engaging in high-risk behaviours that could undermine the partial protection provided by circumcision, WHO stressed. “Being able to recommend an additional HIV prevention method is a significant step towards getting ahead of this epidemic,” Catherine Hankins, Associate Director of UNAIDS Department of Policy, Evidence and Partnerships, said. “However, we must be clear: male circumcision does not provide complete protection against HIV. “Men and women who consider male circumcision as an HIV preventive method must continue to use other forms of protection such as male and female condoms, delaying sexual debut and reducing the number of sexual partners,” she added. The risks involved in male circumcision are generally low, but can be serious if it is undertaken in unhygienic settings by poorly trained providers or with inadequate instruments. Wherever the service is offered, training and certification of providers as well as careful evaluation of programmes will be needed. A significant public health impact is likely to occur most rapidly if male circumcision is first provided where the incidence of heterosexually acquired HIV is high, and countries with generalized heterosexual HIV epidemics but low male circumcision rates should consider urgently scaling up access to the procedure. In view of the large potential public health benefit, countries should also consider providing the services free of charge or at the lowest possible cost to the client. The experts’ meeting, held 6-8 March in Montreux, Switzerland, was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including governments, civil society, researchers, human rights and women’s health advocates, young people, funding agencies and implementing partners. 2007-03-28 00:00:00.000
PROVINCIAL HAITIAN HOSPITAL TO HAVE YEAR-ROUND CLEAN WATER THANKS TO UN PROJECT
New York, Mar 28 2007 11:00AM A provincial hospital in Haiti near the country’s border with the Dominican Republic will now enjoy a continual supply of clean water thanks to the United Nations peacekeeping mission, just one of the 300 so-called Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) it has financed in the past three years to improve life in the impoverished Caribbean country. Every year the Sainte Thérèse hospital in Hinche has faced a shortage during the dry season while floods during the rainy season can contaminate drinking water supplies. But no longer. The UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) has funded a project to build a reservoir with wells to stock underground water and a series of gutters on the hospital’s roof to gather rainwater. The project is the third such QIP related to water that MINUSTAH has financed in Hinche. Overall 68 of the 300 QIPs in the country have been water-related, for a total amount of more than $620,000. QIPs are widely viewed as being among the most effective tools used by UN missions around the world to help local communities at ground level and at low cost, from repairing leaking roofs in schools in Georgia to opening a vocational centre in Liberia to refurbishing sanitation facilities in Burundi. In Haiti, MINUSTAH, set up in 2004 to help re-establish peace after an insurgency forced President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to go into exile, has focused on a wide range of such projects, from resurrecting a provincial library in the in Fort-Liberté, the main town in the north-east, to rehabilitating schools and laying out sports fields in formerly violence-ridden neighbourhoods it has helped rid of armed criminal gangs. 2007-03-28 00:00:00.000
CONCERNED AT FOOD SHORTFALL IN DPR KOREA, UN AGENCY SEEKS TO INCREASE AID
New York, Mar 28 2007 10:00AM Facing a huge shortfall in the $102 million it has already sought to feed up to 1.9 million especially vulnerable people in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), the United Nations World Food Programme today appealed for an immediate increase in funding from donor nations just to avert a further deterioration of the situation. “We are losing ground in the struggle against hunger in the DPRK,” WFP Asia Regional Director Tony Banbury said at the end of six-day visit during which Government officials indicated that the country faced a shortfall of 1 million metric tons of food. “Last year’s harvest was smaller due in part to summer flooding and that, combined with major reductions in international assistance, has left millions of North Koreans more vulnerable to food insecurity. People are going hungry as we head into the lean season. It’s time for WFP and the donors to respond,” he added. Despite steady improvements after the famine years of the mid to late 1990s, having enough to eat is still a daily struggle for one-third to one-half of the 23 million North Koreans. In 2006, the situation again started to deteriorate because of June and August flooding of critical cropland and major reductions in WFP and bilateral food aid. WFP ended 10 years of emergency aid during which it mobilized more than 4 million tons of food valued at $1.7 billion in 2005 after the Government, citing better harvests and concerns about the emergence of a dependency culture and the intrusiveness of monitoring, said it would accept only aid addressing medium- and long-term needs. But last May WFP reached an agreement with the Government on new working arrangements, including some on-site monitoring, for the $102-million two-year deal. But to date, donations amount to less than 20 per cent of that amount. “The Government officials I met indicated a new openness toward an increase of food assistance for the DPRK through WFP,” Mr. Banbury said on his return to Beijing from Pyongyang, the DPRK capital. “I am concerned about the well-being of the people we are supposed to be helping but are not able to reach due to lack of resources, and I am concerned about millions more who need our help, who struggle to feed themselves day in and day out. Increased WFP food assistance would help address the pressing needs of the children and pregnant and nursing women that WFP is trying to help, but only if we get much-needed contributions soon,” he added. During visit Mr. Banbury spent three days in North Phyongan province and visited 12 WFP food delivery sites, an orphanage, a child centre, a paediatric hospital and a boarding school. 2007-03-28 00:00:00.000
Mar 26
PRESIDENT ABBAS IS READY FOR MIDDLE EAST PEACE, BAN KI-MOON SAYS IN RAMALLAH
New York, Mar 25 2007 3:00PM United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today in Ramallah offered full support for plans by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for achieving Statehood, and stressed that the current critical juncture opens a window of opportunity for peace in the region. "President Abbas, you have shown an unwavering commitment to achieving the self-determination and an independent State for the Palestinian people," Mr. Ban said at a joint press conference given by the two men. "Today, you have explained to me your plans for advancing this goal: unity among Palestinians; negotiations with Israel; a two-State solution; a permanent settlement of all of the issues, including Jerusalem, refugees, borders, and settlements; an end to the conflict with Israel; comprehensive peace between Israel and all Arab countries." Mr. Ban told reporters that he had offered President Abbas support for these endeavors. "His vision of peace is consistent with the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council. I welcomed President Abbas' commitment to the Road Map, and his desire to advance its implementation," the Secretary-General said, referring to an outline peace plan put forward by the diplomatic Quartet -- the UN, Russian Federation, United States and European Union -- for achieving a two-State solution with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace. "I encourage this new Government, and I very much hope that its actions will show a genuine commitment to the basic principles not only of the Quartet, but of peace," Mr. Ban said. "Its immediate priorities should be to stabilize the situation in Gaza through releasing the captured Israeli soldier, consolidating the ceasefire, and bringing law and order back to the streets. Such steps would address vital Palestinian interests, and would be strongly welcomed by the international community." The Secretary-General said he and President Abbas "also discussed the importance o revenue, ease the closure and checkpoints, freeze all settlement activity, remove outposts, and cease construction of the barrier in occupied Palestinian territory." He added that he would be encouraging Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on those issues during their scheduled talks tomorrow, "as well as hearing his concerns and plans." "Above all, President Abbas and I agreed on the importance of this moment," the Secretary-General said, citing a unity government that supports President Abbas negotiating with Israel; renewed dynamism in the Arab world based on the Arab Peace Initiative; and the efforts of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to advance dialogue. The Secretary-General acknowledged the difficulties while voicing cautious optimism. "Progress will be very hard. The obstacles are enormous. Achieving peace will require all parties to go further than they have before. But it can and must be done. And my message to Israel and to the world from here in Ramallah is that I am convinced that President Abbas is ready." Addressing himself to the Palestinian people, Mr. Ban pledged the UN's continued support. "I have seen for myself the challenges that the Palestinian people face every day, and I have been moved by what I have seen this morning," he said. "My determination to ensure that we continue our support to the Palestinian people has been fortified. So has my conviction that we must find a political solution to this painful conflict. As Secretary-General of the United Nations, I will work tirelessly in that cause." 2007-03-25 00:00:00.000
SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS ON IRAN TO COMPLY WITH SECURITY COUNCIL DEMANDS ON NUCLEAR FILE
New York, Mar 25 2007 3:00PM One day after the Security Council tightened the sanctions it has imposed against Iran over its uranium-enrichment activities, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for the country to take steps to restore trust that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes. In a statement released by his spokesperson in New York, the Secretary-General noted "with satisfaction" that the Council had acted unanimously in adopting Resolution 1747, which imposed a ban on arms sales and expanded the assets freeze against Iran. He called on the Iran "to fully implement the resolution's provisions and to urgently take the necessary steps to restore the international community's trust that its nuclear programme is peaceful in nature," according to the statement. "The Secretary-General believes that a negotiated solution would strengthen the international non-proliferation regime and hopes that dialogue will resume on this issue of paramount importance." Iran's nuclear programme has been a matter of international concern ever since the discovery in 2003 that it had concealed its nuclear activities for 18 years in breach of its obligations under the NPT. At yesterday's Security Council meeting, Iran's Foreign Minister, Manouchehr Mottaki, rejected the resolution as a politically motivated scheme to deprive the country's people of their rights.
COUNTRIES MUST RATIFY ANTI-DOPING PACT IF THEY WANT TO HOST OLYMPIC GAMES – UNESCO
New York, Mar 26 2007 11:00AM The head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) today hailed a call by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to render cities in countries that have not ratified the UN anti-doping treaty ineligible to host the Olympic Games. “I heartily welcome the IOC’s proposition, which UNESCO will completely support,” agency Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura in a statement, calling on the international community to speed up ratification of the Convention Against Doping in Sport, which promotes no-advance-notice, out-of-competition and in-competition testing. “It is already remarkable that the next three Olympic Games – Beijing in 2008, Vancouver in 2010 and London in 2012 – will be held in countries that have ratified the Convention,” he added. The treaty, the first binding and universal legal instrument seeking to eliminate doping in sport, came into force last month after receiving its 30th ratification, following its unanimous adoption by the UNESCO’s General Conference in October 2005. It imposes uniform rules, tests and sanctions worldwide and gives fresh emphasis to raising public awareness of the scourge. To date, 48 countries have ratified it. “This mobilization must be pursued, and all efforts must be made to ensure that the ideals of the Olympic movement are supported by the aspirations expressed in UNESCO’s Convention against Doping in Sport, especially ahead of the Games of 2014 and 2016,” Mr. Matsuura said. He also welcomed the present process of reviewing the World Anti-Doping Code with the aim of linking the organization of any international sporting event to the ratification of UNESCO’s Convention. “This measure bears witness to the strong backing the world of sport is lending to the fight against doping and to the effective implementation of the principles of harmonization and cooperation that are at the heart of the Convention,” he added. 2007-03-26 00:00:00.000
March 25, 2007
DUB LA PHOTOS
Mar 25
DUB Show Kicks Off It’s 2007 Tour in Los Angeles
The DUB Show kicked off its 2007 US 16 city tour in Los Angeles , a hop skip and a jump from DUB’s Southern California headquarters with 30,000 attendees and the hottest custom rides seen in the past year of any car show.
Promoted as The World’s Largest Custom Auto Show and Concert Tour, we would have to agree. With the concert portion to that, and the possibility to see all-star performances with Ludacris amongst other musical performances for the cost of entry and it’s no mystery why there were crowds standing outside in excess of an hour, if they were lucky enough to get in, and parking escalated to $40 a car.
The overall customization of most of the rides were far superior to any car show attended, whether it was the SEMA show in Las Vegas, Hot Import Nights, the Los Angeles Auto Show amongst others.
Customized rides included DUB’s Alpine Imprint Mercedes RLS unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas , celebrity cars, sponsored cars, and cars from car clubs so customized that they are art on wheels. Two owners, we’d spoken with which had been awarded first place in their categories, had spent 2-1\2 years customizing their rides and an investment 2-3 times the initial price of the car.
Hot on the customized show gloss rides were airbrushing, custom upholstery with many Coach details, plenty of monitors, gullwing doors, and hoods that opened with a zig zag clamshell.
DUB’s next tour stop in on April 29th in Phoenix , Arizona . Our advice, go early,
For a closer look at Alpine’s Imprint Mercedes RLS with Dick from DUB, see MBN’s newsvideos at www.newsvideoweb.com.
DUB’s LOS ANGELES SHOW RECAP
The tour kick-off this past Sunday March18th set the perfect tone for the 2007 show series with DUB Magazine's largest show in it's seven year history. More than 30,000 attendees crammed into the Los Angeles Convention Center to see a collection of the nation's hottest custom rides and the all star concert performances. It was the largest automotive event to ever hit Los Angeles !
With more than $15 million worth of exotic cars, luxury sedans, sport compacts, 4x4's, and motorcycles on display, the DUB show in L.A. was the only place to see such a diversity in customs under one roof. Highlights included Alpine's debut of the $1 million Imprint Mercedes RLS, as well as a huge roster of exotics including the Mercedes Benz SLR, McLaren 722, Ferrari Enzo, and dozens of vehicles from Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Bentley and many others. Also on display were the new line-up of DUB Edition customs such as the Dodge Nitro and Caliber, Chrysler Aspen, Chevy Tahoe, and the hot new Wrangler Unlimited on 30-inch TIS:M wheels. Another DUB show staple is the celebrity car showcase which this time featured rides from Gwen Stefani, Matt Leinart, and Danity Kane just to name a few.
The all-star concert lit up the convention center capacity crowd with performances from the LAX Boys, Baby Bash, Jim Jones, Bone Thugs 'n Harmony, Hot Dollar with Guerilla Black, Mike Jones, and Ludacris, with a special unannounced performance from Chris Brown! Among the many celebrities roaming the show floor were football stars Matt Leinart & Smush Parker, Vida Guerra, Chris Brown, Sergio Mora, Will I Am, Bernard Hopkins, Rampage, and Korn's Fieldy.
Our sincerest apologies to those who waited outside of the convention hall and were turned away when the show was announced as sold out in the early afternoon. In the effort to produce an even better show for 2008, next year's L.A. show will be pre-sale tickets only, to ensure a smoother experience to those who wish to attend.
Hot cars, hot music, hot models and our own Joyce Chow all on display.
(C) MBN 2007 William Hoehne
March 24, 2007
TMNT Photos
Mar 24
(C) Warners Brothers all rights reserved
Montes Food Reviews and Recipes
April 1
Selction from Burger King Dollar Menu
Coca Cola® (Small)
French Fries - salted (Small)
Side Garden Salad *
WHOPPER JR.® with Cheese
Calories
410
140
230
15
795
Senior Cost was $3.79. You should always use the senior menu if possible when out eating, for pennies, nickles and dimes mout up over a month.
It is also always best to eat in rather then use the drive thru. You can take your time, refill your drink and eat not swallow the meal.
The burger once again was about as could be expected, the fries not as good as Burger King but the salad with Garlic Parmesan Croutons, and Ranch Dressing were a great addition.
The lowest cost item on the menu was a Whopper Jr. medium fries and a medium drink at $3.99.
As you can see the individual pricing is a bargin.
Mar 24
Selection from Jack in the Box Value Menu.
Junior Bacon Cheeseburger
SM Fanta® Strawberry
Natural Cut Fries - small
TOTAL 649.8 of weight
846.8 calories per serving
The food was about what you could expect in a fast food business, it was fast.
The strawberry drink was the best drink on the menu. The burger was slightly filling if not the best tasting burger I have ever ate. The French Fries were of natural cut and bland compared to current McDonald's fries.
The cost of what I chose from the value menu came to a total cost of $3.65 at the store I ate at. When compared to a value meal it was more then $1.30 cheaper then the least expensive meal which would have been of medium size meaning you get slightly larger portions but not enough to really make a difference or to justify the extra cost.
They have a 99-cent Big Cheeseburger, which features a jumbo beef patty and two kinds of melting cheese. The Big Cheeseburger joins a variety of items priced under a dollar on the chain's Value Menu, including the Jumbo Jack® hamburger, Jack's Western Cheeseburger, Chicken Sandwich, two tacos and Breakfast Jack® sandwich, to name a few.
The main thing about fast food is that it is meant to be fast food. If you want more nutritious meals and slower cooked then you should go to a full service restaurant not a fast food.
Jack in the Box Inc. (NYSE:JBX), based in San Diego, is a restaurant company that operates and franchises Jack in the Box restaurants, one of the nation's largest hamburger chains, with more than 2,000 restaurants in 17 states. The company also operates a proprietary chain of convenience stores called Quick Stuff , with more than 50 locations, each built adjacent to a full-size Jack in the Box restaurant and including a major-brand fuel station. Additionally, through a wholly owned subsidiary, the company operates and franchises Qdoba Mexican Grill , an emerging leader in fast-casual dining, with more than 300 restaurants in 40 states. For more information, visit www.jackinthebox.com.
At the time of writing shares are up 10% to $71.39 with over 1.2 million in volume. This momentum comes as Jack in the Box Inc. (NYSE:JBX) reported record earnings for the first quarter ended Jan. 21, 2007, which increased to $37.4 million, or $1.03 per diluted share, compared with $25.2 million, or 70 cents per diluted share, in the same quarter a year ago.
MarketGainer.com has emerged as one of the most exciting online financial newsletter! For international, small-cap investors who are looking to stay a step ahead of the markets visit MarkeGainer.com.
First quarter earnings exceeded the high end of the range previously forecast by the company and analysts' First Call consensus estimate of 81 cents. The improvement was due primarily to the following, in approximate amounts:
+17 cents from higher sales and restaurant operating margin at Jack in the Box.
+4 cents from a lower tax rate.
+4 cents due to the rollout of new employee uniforms, which was originally anticipated to be completed in the first quarter and instead began in the second quarter.
-3 cents from financing costs related to retiring the company's previous credit facility.
"The outstanding first-quarter performance reflects continued execution of our strategic initiatives to profitably grow the company, expand franchising and reinvent the Jack in the Box brand," said Linda A. Lang, chairman and chief executive officer.
First quarter financial highlights
Same-store sales at Jack in the Box company restaurants increased 5.6 percent in the first quarter, with an increase in both average check and transactions, compared with a year-ago increase of 5.5 percent. System same-store sales at Qdoba Mexican Grill increased 4.1 percent in the first quarter on top of a 7.9 percent increase in the first quarter of 2006.
Restaurant operating margin improved to 18.4 percent of sales in the first quarter compared with 16.4 percent a year ago, due primarily to higher sales in 2007 and lower food costs - principally beef, chicken, cheese and produce - as well as expense control, lower utility costs and fixed-cost leverage on same-store sales growth.
SG&A expense rate in the first quarter decreased to 10.4 percent of revenues compared with 11.0 percent last year, which included approximately 30 basis points related to the settlement of a legal matter.
Ten company and franchised Jack in the Box restaurants opened in the first quarter, along with 2 new Quick Stuff convenience stores, compared with 4 new restaurants and 2 Quick Stuff sites opened in the same quarter a year ago. Qdoba opened 29 company and franchised restaurants in the first quarter compared with 23 locations opened in the same quarter a year ago. At Jan. 21, the company's system total comprised 2,088 company and franchised Jack in the Box restaurants, including 57 with Quick Stuff convenience stores, and 344 company and franchised Qdoba restaurants.
Gains on sale of company-operated restaurants were $7.2 million in the first quarter from the sale of 15 Jack in the Box company restaurants to franchisees. In the first quarter of fiscal 2006, gains on sale of company-operated restaurants totaled $6.7 million from the sale of 17 Jack in the Box company restaurants to franchisees. The difference in average gains is related to the specific sales and cash flows of restaurants sold. Beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2007, and as noted in the attached consolidated statements of earnings, the company is reporting gains as a discrete line item, reclassified within operating costs and expenses rather than within other revenues, as previously presented. Last year's gains on sale of company-operated restaurants to franchisees have also been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation.
The effective tax rate in the first quarter was 35.6 percent versus 37.0 percent a year ago, with the decrease due primarily to the retroactive reinstatement of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) program.
Capital expenditures, including capital lease obligations, were $40.1 million in the quarter compared with $40.3 million in fiscal 2006.
First quarter initiatives
Jack in the Box continues to execute its strategy to holistically reinvent the Jack in the Box brand through major changes to its menu, restaurant environment and guest service.
Menu additions in the first quarter included the following products:
Sirloin Steak 'n' Cheddar Ciabatta Sandwich, which features tender, marinated, 100-percent sirloin steak on toasted ciabatta bread with cheddar cheese, red onions, tomatoes and green leaf lettuce topped with a creamy peppercorn mayo.
Bacon Breakfast Jack(TM), which combines a fried egg, American cheese and crispy bacon on a soft bun.
Mozzarella Cheese Sticks, which feature mozzarella cheese coated in crunchy, herb-and-spice breading and served with a side of zesty marinara sauce.
Chocolate Oreo Cookie Shake, which blends bits of Oreo cookies with real vanilla ice cream and bittersweet chocolate syrup.
"While we continue to offer great product variety at a tremendous value, Jack in the Box is also a leader in menu innovation and quality with new products like our Steak 'n' Cheddar Ciabatta Sandwich and Mozzarella Cheese Sticks," Lang said. "When combined with our guest-service initiatives and restaurant re-image program, Jack in the Box is a much more compelling brand than it was just a few years ago."
In the first quarter, Jack in the Box became the first major quick-serve chain to install contactless credit card readers at all company restaurants. With this new technology, guests at the service counters and drive-thru windows can pay simply by holding their MasterCard PayPass(TM), Visa Contactless, American Express or Discover Network card in front of a small device, which processes the transaction via radio frequency.
Jack in the Box expanded its reloadable Jack Ca$h(TM) card program in the first quarter to include a retail component: The cards are now available at grocery chains such as Safeway, Albertsons, Randalls and Tom Thumb stores.
Also in the first quarter, the company continued re-imaging its Jack in the Box restaurants with a comprehensive program that includes a complete redesign of the dining room and common areas. Interior finishes include ceramic tile floors, a mix of seating styles ranging from booths and bars to high-top round tables, decorative pendant lighting, and graphics and wall collages. The program also includes music, uniforms, menu boards and packaging, along with new paint schemes, landscaping and other exterior enhancements. The company remains on track to re-image 150-200 restaurants in fiscal 2007 and expects to complete the program in 4-5 years.
March 22, 2007
TMNT Credits and Production Notes
Mar 22
WARNER BROS. PICTURES and THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY Present
An IMAGI ANIMATION STUDIOS Production
CAST
Casey ........................................................................ Chris Evans
April O’Neil..................................................... Sarah Michelle Gellar
Splinter .............................................................................. Mako
Diner Cook..................................................................Kevin Smith
Winters.................................................................. Patrick Stewart
Karai ............................................................................Ziyi Zhang
Narrated by...................................................... Laurence Fishburne
Donatello.............................................................Mitchell Whitfield
Leonardo ........................................................ James Arnold Taylor
Michelangelo .............................................................. Mikey Kelley
Raphael / Nightwatcher.................................................Nolan North
Colonel Santino........................................................ John DiMaggio
General Serpiente ......................................................Paula Mattioli
General Aguila .......................................... Kevin Michael Richardson
General Gato..........................................................Fred Tatasciore
ADDITIONAL VOICES
Dee Baker Jess Harnell
Greg Baldwin Phil LaMarr
Jeff Bennett Kevin Michael Richardson
Jim Cummings Paul Michael Robinson
Grey Delisle Tara Strong
Chris Edgerly Fred Tatasciore
Kim Mai Guest Billy West
Jennifer Hale Mitchell Whitfield
BACKGROUND VOICES (Wallah)
Jason Broad Tracy Metro
Willow Geer David Michie
Andy Hirsch David J. Randolph
Barbara Iley Vernon Scott
Terry Maratos Andreana Weiner
Jeremy Maxwell
FILMMAKERS
Written and Directed by ..............................................Kevin Munroe
Produced by .......................................................... Thomas K. Gray
H. Galen Walker
Paul Wang
Executive Producers ..................................................... Francis Kao
Peter Laird
Gary Richardson
Frederick U. Fierst
Co-Producer ...................................................................... Felix Ip
Line Producer ....................................................... Michael J. Arnold
Based on Characters Created by...................................... Peter Laird
Kevin Eastman
Music by .................................................................... Klaus Badelt
Music Supervisor.....................................................Julianne Jordan
Editor ................................................................John Damien Ryan
Production Designer .................................................. Simon Murton
Visual Effects Supervisor ..................................................... Kith Ng
Supervising Animator......................................................... Kim Ooi
Casting by.....................................................Dawn Hershey, C.S.A.
Creative Consultant....................................................... Peter Laird
Assistant Director........................................................ Tom Tanaka
Director of Photography ..............................................Steve Lumley
Additional Animation Supervisor ......................................Colin Brady
STORY
STORYBOARD ARTISTS
Trevor Goring Sean Song
Anson Jew Simeon Wilkins
Chris Rutkowski Chap Yaep
David Schwartz
Production Coordinator .............................................Vahe Kallibjian
ART DEPARTMENT
Production Supervisors ............Leung Shuk Fan, Will Maurer, Kris Zhai
Assistant to Art Director..............................................Greg Bartkus
CHARACTER DESIGN
Lead Designer ............................................................ Jeff Matsuda
CHARACTER DESIGN ARTISTS
Jose Lopez Rhoydon Shishido
Kevin Munroe Tom Tanaka
Thomas N. Perkins Dave Wilkins
ENVIRONMENT DESIGN ARTISTS
James Alles Ben Proctor
Julian Ashby Spencer Shum
Augusto Barranco Terry Sit
Andy Chung Dawn Snyder
Jeff Julian Alex Tavoularis
Steve Jung Francis Tsai
William Law Feng Zhu
Eric Mahady
PROP DESIGN ARTISTS
Julian Ashby Byron Penaranda
Augusto Barranco Thomas N. Perkins
COLOR DESIGN ARTISTS
Brian Beppu Dave McCaig
Steve Jung Anthony Washington
Graffiti Design Artist ..................................................... Seth Wilder
Graphic Design Artist..................................................Adam Tankell
Matte Painting .............................................................. Steve Jung
Production Coordinators...Jonathan Christopher Carlos, Joseph Shamel
Production Assistants........ Carlos Jacinto, Robert Royds, Mark Sullivan
U.S. LAYOUT
Layout Supervisor ..................................................... Adam Holmes
Production Supervisor................................Emerald Wong, Jojo Chuk
LAYOUT ARTISTS
Joshua Gunther Ira Shain
Earl Hibbert Tim Soman
Edmund Kozin Charles Trebino
Samir Patel Sammy Wong
Donald Reich
POST PRODUCTION
Post Production Supervisor ....................................... Brad Arensman
1st Assistant Editor ...................................................Brett McCarthy
Production Assistant......................................................Sean Coyle
Sound Editorial and Re-Recording by
Warner Bros. Studio Facilities
SOUND DESIGN AND SUPERVISION
Cameron Frankley
Re-Recording Mixers............................... Ron Bartlett, D.M. Hemphill
Recordist ................................................................. Eric Flickinger
First Assistant Sound Editor .......................................... Jon Michaels
Sound Designers................................Ai-Ling Lee, Jason W. Jennings
Randall Kelley, Doug Jackson
Dialogue Director .................................................. Jamie Thomason
Supervising ADR Editor .................................................. Petra Bach
ADR Editors................................... David V. Butler, Russell Farmarco
ADR Mixer....................................................... Thomas J. O’Connell
ADR Recordist.............................................................. Rick Canelli
Supervising Foley Editor...........................................Ryan B. Juggler
Sound Effects Recording........................................... John Paul Fasal
Foley Artists ...... John Roesch, Alyson Moore, David Fein, Hilda Hodges
Foley Mixer .............................................. Mary Jo Lang, David Jobe
Foley Recordists...................................... Scott Morgan, Eric Hosmer
Additional ADR Recorded at ....................... LA Studios, Margarita Mix
Additional ADR Recording Engineers......................... Carlos Sotolongo
Wouter VanHerwerden, David Atherton
Casting Associate.........................................................Dave Lieber
Group Wallah Casting by ........................................... Barbara Harris
MUSIC
Score Co-Produced by......................................... Christopher Brooks
Music Editor ...............................................................Curtis Roush
Score Recorded and Mixed by ........................................Joel Iwataki
Score Recorded at...................Eastwood Scoring Stage, Warner Bros.
Additional Recording at ............................................ Groovemasters
Orchestra Conductor....................................................William Ross
Additional Recording Engineer.................................Nathaniel Kunkel
Assistant Engineer........................................ Christopher Carmichael
Orchestration / Music Preparation by...............................Robert Elhai
Orchestrators .............................Jeff Toyne, Brad Warnaar, Dana Niu
Additional Orchestrators.............................Kyle Batter, Kevin Kleisch
Synth Orchestration, Arranging ............ Ian Honeyman, Andrew Raiher
and Programming John Ashton Thomas, Tobias Marberger
Music Contractors.............................Sandy De Crescent, Peter Rotter
Music Preparation by ................................................ Eric Stonerook
Featured Drums....................................................... Russell Kunkel
Featured Guitar.......................................................George Doering
Featured Shakuhachi ........................................Masakazu Yoshizawa
Featured Erhu................................................................Karen Han
Assistant to Klaus Badelt..........................................Jamie Bukowski
Technical Advisor .............................................. Alexander Reumers
Music Clearances.................................................. Christine Bergren
Digital Intermediate and Opticals by
Technicolor Digital Intermediates
Digital Film Colorist ......................................................Tony Dustin
Digital Intermediate Producer ...................................... Allyse Manoff
Imaging Technicians..........Steve Hodge, Kevin Schwab, John Herndon
Digital QC .........Wilson Tang, LaNelle Mason, Brad Sutton, Erin Nelson
Color Timer ...............................................................Terry Claborn
Continuity Script...................................Susan Bliss, Spot-On Scripts
Unit Photographers.................................... Justin Lubin, Sam Urdank
Production Accounting ............. Solomon Sebastian, Stephan Rothman
Production Office Manager.................................... Sharon Thompson
Assistant to the Producers .............................................. Howard Ho
SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
Digital Supervisor...................................................... Adam Holmes
Technical Support ..............................David McClure, Kenneth Wilder
Hong Kong Studio
Head of Studio............................................................. Edward Lee
Head of Production.............................................................Mo Mou
Senior Studio Advisors ..................................................... Terry Tse
Raymond Yip
Production Managers ....................................................Justine Lam
Jojo Chuk
CREATIVE & ART (HK)
Art Directors............................................. Mon Cheung, Ahtam Tam
Assistant Art Directors ........................... Chan Chi Fai, Spencer Shum
SENIOR CONCEPT ARTISTS
Spencer Shum Chan Chi Fai
Lau Yun Sang Yiu Chi Shing
CONCEPT ARTISTS
Lau Yun Sang
Harley Cheung
Law Kwong Wing
Yiu Chi Shing
Cathy Leung
Li Tin Lun
Den Mark Wong
Jack Lee
Chan Chi Fai
Harley Cheung
Chu Pok Man
Karis Lau
MATTE PAINTERS
Lee Wai Sum
Jack Lee
Den Mark Wong
Production Coordinators ......... Chan Ka Chun, Hui Kai Man, Cherie Mak
CHARACTER MODELING & RIGGING
Department Supervisors........................Chow Kin Man, Stephen Tong
Yip Wai Kit, German Cheung
Production Supervisors ..........................Ricardo Leung, Carson Wong
SENIOR MODELERS
Alphen Cham Lee Yin Lun
Chan Shi Chiu Lee Shing Pan
Steve Chan Man Kwok Chu
Kevin Lau Loafer Sham
MODELERS
Chan Chi Chung Lee Shu Shing
Jerffy Chan Leung Wan Ching
Chan Yam Jun Jason Li
Chan Chi Kit Lo Pui Kwan
David Chau Ngan Wing Yu
Chong Hai Ling Sy Chin Pang
Leo Fok Joseph Wong
Yip Ka Ho Wong Tsang Keung
Dave Kwok Wong Yiu Hong
Lam Tai Hang Aries Wu
Lau Ho Lun Raymond Yip
Sinna Law Yip Ka Ho
Dennis Lee
Production Coordinator ...................................................Anita Poon
MODELING – BACKGROUND & PROPS (HK)
Department Supervisor......................................... Wong Kwok Yuen
Production Supervisor.................................................Yuen Wing Fa
SENIOR MODELERS
Chu Chi Leong Shum Ping Shun
Ben Lau Wong Chung Wai
Mansz Man
MODELERS
Ho Yiu Fung Lo Lai Yi
Ho Yu Fung Matt Lo
Ho Yeuk Yu Terry Sit
Jovi Kwan Tsang Shin Dai
Lee Wai Cheung Wong Pak Kin
Cyril Li Yeung Chi Hang
Technical Director .................................................. Cheng Hei Chun
Production Coordinator .................................................. Lorraine Ip
CHARACTER SURFACING
Department Supervisor ................................................ Lau Chi Ping
Production Supervisors ..........................Ricardo Leung, Carson Wong
SENIOR SURFACERS
Cheung Hoi Lam Bonnie Tang
Lomeo Cheung Ng Hoi Tong
Sandy Poon Wong Lai Shan
SURFACERS
Ankoe Chan Nick Li
Yuki Chan Canny Sheh
Ho Chun Fai Sin Chun Sing
Annie Kwok Alice Tang
Lee Ning Andy Tse
Yoko Lee
Technical Director ...................................................... Ip Weng Hon
Production Coordinator .....................................................Jet Wong
BACKGROUND & PROPS SURFACING
Department Supervisor .................................................Herbert Law
Production Supervisor.................................................Yuen Wing Fa
SENIOR BACKGROUND SURFACERS
Lee Kam Shing Wong Chi Wai
Shiu Wai Hang Samuel Yeung
Andy Wong
BACKGROUND SURFACERS
Chan Po Yuen Lo Lok Kin
Annisa Chan Steven Shum
Tommy Chan Tang Kwok Wai
Chau Sze Heung Tse Wing Fai
Cheung Ngai Wong Sau Ming
Chow Kei Yin Yau Wai Hung
Chung Ting Yip Tin Hang
Lam Ching Yee Yip Yuen Wai
Lee Hiu Yu Yip Ho Bun
Anthony Lee Venus Yung
Technical Director .......................................................... Wan Shun
Production Coordinator ............................................. Wong Yuk Nga
ADDITIONAL LAYOUT
Department Supervisor ...................................................... Kim Ooi
Consultant ...............................................................Wong Kin Man
SENIOR ANIMATORS
Matthew Chan Tse Chi Lun
Chang Kwok Chuen Wong Man Cho
Hsu Kin Ting Yeung Lok Kan
Law Lok Kei
ANIMATORS
Chau Yun Ai Wong Cheuk Yin
Cheng Yin Hong Yung Siu Lung
Choy Wing Tao
FINAL LAYOUT
Department Supervisor....................................... Cheung Tak Keung
Production Supervisors ......................Sandy Chan, Leung Cheuk Wah
SENIOR ANIMATORS
Li Ping Kwan Yu Ho Kei
ANIMATORS
Simon Cheung Clement Ma
Olive Chu Ngan Hiu Laam
Chung Ka Wing Tsang Kin Fung
Hung Tak Hing Wong Sing Long
Kelvin Ip Wong Kin Keung
Kwan Shuk Ching Wong Pui Wah
Lam Ka Wan Raymond Wong
Jenny Lo
Technical Director ............................................................. Jebb Ng
Production Coordinator ............................................Tam Man Ching
ANIMATION
Directing Animators.............................Chau Lai Lok, Wong Chin Chiu
Production Supervisor............................................... Josephine Chu
SENIOR ANIMATORS
Matthew Chan Leung Hung Fai
Chan Chi Kai Luk Wing Chung
Chan Chi Ho Ma Kam Fai
Chang Kwok Chuen Mak Ching Lok
Chau Pui Hing Seen Yuk Tong
Cheung Chi Kin Shut Kai Kwong
Cho Chun Wai Szeto Fai
Choi Kit Ying Tse Chi Shing
Fung Wan Fung Tse Chi Lun
Hsu Kin Ting Phoenix Wong
Ko Man Bun Wong Ka Hong
Kwan Cho Fai Wong Kin Man
Law Lok Kei Wong Man Cho
Leung Kwun Ping Yeung Lok Kan
ANIMATORS
Ao Jun Kit Ng Ka Cheong
Chan Kin Hei Ng Cheuk Ki
Chan Man Hin Siu Kwok Cheong
Chau Yun Ai Siu Wai Cheung
Chau Kin Nam Eric Suen
Cheng Yin Hong Sung Sze Yu
Chow Cheuk Fai Tsang Pak Hung
Mona Chow Tsoi Kim Hung
Choy Wing Tao Wong Cheuk Yin
Fung Pak Sum Mark Wong
Lam Yung Ting Yam Wing Lam
Lau Kai Chung Suki Yeung
Lau Wai Ming Yu Yuen Ki
Lee Hin Yiu Yung Siu Lung
Pinky Ng
Technical Director ...................................................Chan Kwok San
Production Coordinators ............ Peggy Leung, Bonnie Lin, SaSa Tsang
SIMULATION
Department Supervisor...........................................Lui Chin Cheung
Production Supervisors ..........................Ricardo Leung, Carson Wong
SENIOR ANIMATORS
Chan Wai May Leung Ho Chun
ANIMATORS
Chan Cheung Yeung Lam Wai Ming
Chan Ka Fai Lai Pui Yin
Chan Yuk Ting Lam Siu Pong
Chan Ka Chun Lam Ting Yin
Chan Chun San Law Chi Hong
Chen Cheong Ho Law Long Chung
Ko Chun Lap Leung Chin Fung
Kwok Wai Ting Tam Ki Lam
Lai Pui Yin Yeung Kai Ho
Lam Nga Man Yin Hoi Kuen
Technical Director ....................................................Wong Chi Ming
Production Coordinator .....................................................Carrie Lu
LIGHTING
Department Supervisors.....................Lau Wai Ming, Leung Man Hong
Chow Chung Kwok, Miles Cheng
Production Supervisor...............................................Cheung Wai To
Associate Production Supervisor ...................................Lam Sze Wan
SENIOR LIGHTERS
Chan Ho Pong Sze Sze
ChinSin Yu Michell Tam
Chiang Cho Leuk Tam Ching Ho
Chow Wai Kit Wong Cheuk Yan
Choy So Ching Yeung Pak Man
Lo Wai Lun
LIGHTERS
Chan Kwok Wing Lo Siu Wing
Chan Ming To Lui Yuen Ting
Chan Kwun Lam Ma Siu Fu
Chan Shu Ming Ng Yip Fung
Chan Wing Yan Ng Pui Shan
Chan Ka Wa Po Wah Shan
Cheng Cho Wing Shih Man Yeung
Cheng Pui Shan Sin Chi Kwong
Cheung Ka Ho Siu Wing Sze
Ching Cheung Lam Tai Man Kwong
Choi Tang Yik Tam Ching Keung
Choi Sau Ling Tang Chun Man
Choi Ping Nam Tsang Chun Fung
Fong Chi Yung Tse Ka Yung
Ho Pui Kuen Tse Kwok Fai
Ho Yuen Man Tung Wai Chun
Lai Po Lam Wong Chi Cheong
Lam Hiu Kwan Wong Wing Chi
Lam Tsz Him Yam Kwok Kei
Lee Yuen Ting Yau Kiu Fung
Leung Wai Lap Yeung Sai Pong
Li Wing Kit Yeung Sheung Leung
Li Kai Chung Yim Kwok Kit
Li Yun Man Yu Hoi Sun
Lo Man Tung Yu Ka Hing
Technical Directors..............................Lo Wai Kwong, Tse Wing Sum
Production Coordinators ...........................Chan Mei Fung, Cherie Mak
Lighting Consultant .....................................................Sherry Hsieh
EFFECTS
Department Supervisor...........................................Lui Chin Cheung
Production Supervisors ..........................Ricardo Leung, Carson Wong
SENIOR ANIMATORS
Choi Siu Yin Ng Ka Ho
Chui Chung Yan Yau Kar Yin
Cecilia Lee Yip Pak Ho
ANIMATORS
Au Hoi Cheuk Leung Yin Lai
Chan Ho Man Mak Pui Chi
Chan Yik Ping So Tze Man
Chong Kam Ho To Wai Ting
Lam Yip Shing Tsang Man Fung
Lee Mei Yan
Technical Directors....................................................Tsang Siu Fan
Production Coordinator .....................................................Carrie Lu
COMPOSITING
Department Supervisor.............................................Mak Tsz Yeung
Production Supervisor.....................................................Yvonne Au
Senior Compositors .............Lee Chi Shun, Liu Yuk Fai, Wong Chun Kit
COMPOSITORS
Cheung Chun Yu Leung Tak Chi
Fong Shuk Yan Tang Kit Ying
Kwok Ting Kei Ting Cheuk Yin
Lau Ho Yau Tong Yan Yan
Law Lai Ha Wong Man Ho
Leung Yiu Kwong Yan Kwun Ming
Leung Chung Hei Yuen Shing Tin
Technical Director ........................................................Yip Chi Choi
Production Coordinator ............................................... Yung Wai Kei
ADDITIONAL EDITORIAL
Associate Editor ............................................................... Brian Ng
Editorial Production Supervisor....................................... Enoch Chan
TECHNICAL DIRECTION
Digital Supervisor.................................................... Desmond Chan
Technical Directors.....................Fanny Chan, Ng Wai Tat, Wesley Sin
Sunny Tang, Dong Wong
Software Developers............................... Keaven Law, Wing Ting Yan
ANIMATION TECHNOLOGY
Head of Animation Technology ....................................... Johnny Mak
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Department Supervisor..................................................Travis Shin
SENIOR PROGRAMMERS
Chow Wai For Lam Kin Ting
Chan Chun Ming Ken Lee
Ho Tsun Chuen
PROGRAMMERS
Chong Man Shun Christopher Justin Lo
Bartholomew Iu Ma Wing Kit
Dominic Kwan Wong Chi Man
Elton Lau Yeung Hon Tung
Lau Koon Chung
Production Assistant .................................................. Yiu Yuen Hing
SYSTEMS & ENGINEERING (HK)
MIS Manager................................................................ Peter Pang
Senior Systems Engineers ............... Anthony Chung, Wong Chi Chung
Systems Engineers..........Kenneth Chan, Lam Yat Pang, Yu Hau Chong
Senior Computer Operator..................................................Li Yip To
Computer Operators....................................Franco Ho, Ng Tze Hong
Erik Shek, Henry Shut
Technical Support .................................. Vincent Lee, Tam Kwok Yee
Department Secretary .............................................. Mak Wing Man
Studio Accounting
Assistant Financial Controller ...........................................Winnie Hui
Accounting.................................Emily Seen, Patrick Ting, May Wong
Production Office Adminstration
Production Office Administration Manager ......................... Lemon Lee
ADMINISTRATION TEAM
Wicky Cheng Sally So
Stephanie Cheung So Hei
Ho Kwai Hing Jessie Yeung
Lee Kwok Yam
Titles and Prologue Animation by................ Pacific Title and Art Studio
Title Design by......................................................... Bruce Schluter
ADDITONAL CHARACTER ANIMATION BY
REEL FX CREATIVE STUDIOS
Executive Producers ................................................... Dale Carman
Steve O’Brien
Producer....................................................................... Kyle Clark
Production Manager..............................................Shanna Bassinger
Production Coordinator ................................................Cassie Fauss
Technical Supervisors ................Harry Michelakeas, George De Chiara
Animation Director .......................................................Ken Duncan
Animation Supervisor.................................................Bryan Engram
CHARACTER ANIMATORS
Drew Adams Shaun Freeman
Paul Allen Lionel Gallat
John Berry Tim Hatcher
Ray chase Jim Hull
Mark Donald Todd Wilbur
Sean Ermey
SPECIAL THANKS
Michael Kao Douglas E. Glen
Harvey Weinstein Jeff Robinov
Michael Cole Dan Fellman
Eric Robinson Dan Lin
Rachel Levy Matt Reilly
Matt Landon Darren Higman
Alan Grodin, Esq. Marc Solomon
Kathy Sarreal Barbara Galbo
Yvonne Shapiro Jussi Tegelman
Wayne Kazan, Esq. Nika Futterman
Alan Kirios, Esq. Quinton Flynn
New York City Police Department Weissmann, Wolff, Bergmann,
Coleman, Grodin & Evall LLP
CineFinance Insurance Services, LLC City National Bank
Aon/Albert G. Ruben Insurance Services, Inc. David Goyer
Blue Yonder Group
SOUNDTRACK AVAILABLE ON ATLANTIC RECORDS
SONGS
Cumbia
Written by Jose Agote and Adrian Buono
Performed by Los Pinguos
Courtesy of Pinguos Records
Red Flag
Written by Billy Talent
Performed by Billy Talent
Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp.
By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing
Rip It Up
Written by Christopher Cester and Nicholas Cester
Performed by Jet
Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp.
By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing
Bring Me Along
Written by Bret Bollinger, Kaleo Wassman and Yesod Williams
Performed by Pepper
Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp.
By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing
NJ News
Written by Neil Jason and Ali Theodore
Performed by Argonaut Seven
Courtesy of DeeTown Entertainment by arrangement with format
Youth Like Tigers
Written by Ryan Furlott, Adam Brazie and Matt Szklarz
Performed by Ever We Fall
Courtesy of Hopeless Records
By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing
Roses
Written by Meg Frampton and Dia Frampton
Performed by Meg and Dia
Courtesy of Doghouse Records
Walking on Water
Written by Dan Young, Phil Cobrea, Gavin Phillips and Ryan Tapert
Performed by This Providence
Courtesy of Ramen/Atlantic Recording Corp.
By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing
Fall Back Into My Life
Written by William Nutter
Performed by Amber Pacific
Courtesy of Hopeless Records
By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing
Black Betty
Written by Huddie Ledbetter
Performed by Big City Rock
Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp.
By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing
There’s a Class For This
Written by Shaant Hackiyan, Jeff Czum, Tom Falcone and Fred Cimato
Performed by Cute Is What We Aim For
Courtesy of Fueled by Ramen/Atlantic Recording Corp.
By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing
Lights Out (Chris Vrenna Remix)
Written by Paul Sandoval, Noah Bernardo, Jr., Mark Daniels and Jason Truby
Performed by P.O.D.
Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp.
By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing
Awww Dip
Written by Gabe Saporta, Alex Suarez, Ryland Blackinton and Nate Novarro
Performed by Cobra Starship
Courtesy of Decaydance/Fueled by Ramen/Atlantic Recording Corp.
By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing
Shell Shock
Written by Travis McCoy, Matt McGinley, Disashi Lumumba-Kasongo, Sam Hollander,
Dave Katz and Patrick Stump
Performed by Gym Class Heroes
Courtesy of Decaydance/Fueled by Ramen/Atlantic Recording Corp.
By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing
Prints by TECHNICOLOR ®
KODAK Motion Picture Products FUJIFILM Motion Picture Products
Dolby Digital (Logo) SDDS (Logo)
DTS (Logo) MPAA (Logo) No. 43348
This Motion Picture © 2007 Imagi Production Limited
Screenplay © 2005 Imagi Production Limited
Original Score © 2007 Golden Fling Music
The NYPD™ name, logos, and insignia are trademarks of the City of New York and
are used with the City’s permission.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles®, Donatello™, Leonardo™, Michelangelo™, Raphael™
,
Shredder™, Splinter™, April O’Neil™ and related characters, logos, names and
distinctive likenesses thereof are trademarks of, and copyrighted by, Mirage Studios,
Inc. unless otherwise noted. All Rights Reserved.
MIRAGE
In Memoriam
Mako Iwamatsu
German Cheung
A Film Distributed by Warner Bros. Domestic Distribution
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles return to the big screen as never
before in an all-new CGI action adventure, written and directed by Kevin
Munroe.
After the defeat of their old arch nemesis, The Shredder, the Turtles
have grown apart as a family. Struggling to keep them together, their rat
sensei, Splinter (Mako), becomes worried when strange things begin to brew
in New York City. Tech-industrialist Maximillian J. Winters (Patrick Stewart)
is raising up an army of ancient monsters, and only one super-ninja fighting
team can stop them—Leonardo (James Arnold Taylor), Michelangelo (Mikey
Kelley), Donatello (Mitchell Whitfield) and Raphael (Nolan North)! With the
help of old allies April O’Neil (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Casey Jones (Chris
Evans), the Turtles are in for the fight of their lives as they once again must
face the mysterious Foot Clan, who have put their own ninja skills behind
Winters’ endeavors.
Making this new incarnation of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles truly
cutting-edge, the film was created entirely with state-of-the-art CG
animation, giving them a completely new look for the 21st century.
Warner Bros. Pictures and The Weinstein Company present an Imagi
Animation Studios Production, “TMNT,” featuring the voices of Chris Evans,
Sarah Michelle Gellar, Mako, Kevin Smith, Patrick Stewart, Ziyi Zhang, and
narrated by Laurence Fishburne. Kevin Munroe wrote and directed the film,
which is produced by Thomas K. Gray, H. Galen Walker and Paul Wang. The
executive producers are Francis Kao, Peter Laird, Gary Richardson and
Frederick U. Fierst, with Felix Ip serving as co-producer. The music is by
Klaus Badelt.
Opening nationwide on March 23, “TMNT” will be distributed
domestically and in select international territories by Warner Bros. Pictures, a
Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. The Weinstein Company will
distribute the film in other international territories.
“TMNT” has been rated “PG” by the MPAA for “animated action
violence, some scary cartoon images and mild language.”
www.tmnt.com
“Let’s make a movie, dude.”
- Peter Laird, TMNT co-creator
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were created in 1984 by Peter Laird
and Kevin Eastman. “TMNT” writer-director Kevin Munroe reveals, “They did
it to spoof the world of superhero characters. The original comic book was
published in black-and-white and only 3,000 copies were printed, which,
much to everyone’s surprise, sold out right away.”
Within a year, Laird and Eastman were approached with a toy license,
which was followed by a cartoon television series and three live-action
feature films over the course of nine years. The live-action films, released in
the early 1990s, provided a brand-new TMNT experience for audiences
around the world with state-of-the-art animatronics and expert martial arts
choreography.
Producer Thomas K. Gray, who also served as producer on all three
previous TMNT films, notes, “We wanted to take the Turtles to another level
in film and do something we hadn’t done before. For more than 20 years,
they have been one of the most popular toys sold in several parts of the U.S.
as well as Europe, Australia and in some Asian-Pacific countries. With the
syndicated cartoon series doing great, and the comic book enjoying cult
status, we wanted to give the fans something new.”
2
Even with the perennial success of the TMNT franchise, the film’s
producers still had the task of convincing the creators to grant them the
rights to bring their heroic, sewer-dwelling bipeds back to the big screen.
Producer H. Galen Walker offers that in an early meeting with Peter
Laird to pitch the idea for the new TMNT feature, “I was nervous, because
Peter didn’t really know me, and everybody from the company was waiting
for an answer. So there we were, walking along, and as I was about to ask
the big question, he puts his hand across my chest to stop me and says,
‘turtle.’ I looked down, and saw this little turtle crossing our path!”
But, in spite of witnessing such serendipity, Walker didn’t know that he
had Laird’s formal blessing until, he recalls, “I was on the airplane flying
back, and I opened the book that Peter autographed for me. On the first
page he wrote, ‘Let’s make a movie, dude.’”
To re-imagine “TMNT” for a new generation, the producers turned to
up-and-coming animation filmmaker Kevin Munroe. Gray comments, “Kevin
came in and designed a great trailer for us. It was obvious that he loved the
Turtles and we really liked his ideas. It turned out to be a beautiful fit.”
Daring to go where no Turtles have gone before...
Production of “TMNT” took place over roughly 28 months, in two very
different locations: Sherman Oaks in sunny Southern California and on the
other side of the Pacific Ocean in Hong Kong. More than 300 artists were
employed in Hong Kong and nearly 70 artists in Los Angeles. With the
production offices separated by 7,000-plus miles, a project like this would
have been almost inconceivable in the pre-high speed internet era.
However, with access to advanced video teleconferencing and high-
speed point-to-point data transfers, Munroe says, “It felt like the Hong Kong
office was just a click away. Also, because of the time difference, we could
work around the clock. When it’s five in the afternoon in LA, it’s nine in the
morning in Hong Kong, so we could teleconference at the end of our day,
while they were just starting theirs.”
3
Walker notes, “Having a 24-hour production schedule allowed us to
move faster. But, you know, not everyone in LA got to go home at the end
of the day, since there would be issues from Hong Kong that needed to be
addressed during their working hours—also known as our middle of the night.
It was extremely taxing, but Kevin and the team handled it wonderfully, and
the animators in Hong Kong were amazing.”
However, there were some barriers that were not so easily overcome
by modern technology.
Producer Paul Wang notes that the Hong Kong crew were given a crash
course in Americanisms, “Kevin speaks with a lot of slang, so it took a few
meetings for them to accept that when Kevin said ‘cool,’ he wasn’t referring
to temperature, but that he meant ‘it’s approved.’”
Munroe remarks, “It was interesting to work with so many of the
artists in Hong Kong because they have such a deep appreciation for martial
arts, which complemented the style of the film. These are guys in their
twenties who’ve been raised on Kung Fu action flicks, and when I would say
things like, ‘Okay, I want you to make your own Kung Fu movie in this
scene,’ they’d just go nuts over it.”
In establishing a fresh storyline for the all-new CGI version of “TMNT,”
the director states, “We didn’t want to go back and remake the original, so
we decided to start a new chapter in the Turtles’ lives. We wanted to focus
on each of the Turtles more by emphasizing their family relationship and how
it’s evolved since the last time we saw them.”
Drawing inspiration from modern-day family dynamics, Munroe chose
to begin his story with a rift in the close-knit team. He expounds, “Splinter
has sent Leonardo away on a worldwide training mission; and he has become
even more protective of the remaining Turtles by discouraging them from
fighting crime without Leonardo.”
As a result, the remaining Turtles’ sense of purpose has become
somewhat derailed in the humdrum of their day-to-day lives. Tech-guru
Donatello has been reduced to providing computer technical support over the
phone, and fun-loving Michelangelo has resorted to entertaining kids at
4
birthday parties as “Cowabunga Carl,” a clown-for-hire in a “fake” turtle suit.
Hot-headed Raphael, whose burning quest for justice doesn’t wait for
anyone, has assumed the secret persona of a solo crime-fighting vigilante,
known to the outside world only as “The Nightwatcher.”
Providing the voices for the Turtles are veteran voice-over artists:
James Arnold Taylor as Leonardo; Mikey Kelley as Michelangelo; Nolan North
as Raphael; and Mitchell Whitfield as Donatello. Once again representing the
wise father figure in the Turtle Lair is Splinter, voiced by the late Oscar-
nominated, Japanese-American actor Mako.
Munroe offers, “Splinter’s biggest concern is the unity of their family.
When Leonardo comes home from training, we see Raphael showing a little
resentment towards Leo—kind of like a kid who’s envious of his brother who
went to college while he stayed at home to work in the family business.”
Raphael’s frustration becomes more apparent as the well-disciplined
and perhaps a tad self-righteous Leonardo openly condemns the latest
triumph of The Nightwatcher. Brotherhood and egos are put to the test
when Leonardo catches the rogue crime-fighter in action, setting the two on
a collision course that brings forth a never-before-seen face-off between
Leonardo and Raphael.
With trouble brewing at home, even bigger problems lay on the
horizon. “We continued the storyline that The Shredder has been defeated
and, as a result, the Turtles’ other nemeses, Karai and the Foot Clan, have
basically become muscle for hire, acting as a private army for anybody who’s
willing to pay the price,” reveals Munroe.
Karai, the de facto leader of the Foot Clan, is voiced by the martial
arts-trained Chinese actress Ziyi Zhang, who first caught the world’s
attention in Ang Lee’s “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” and more recently
received multiple award nominations for her leading role in Rob Marshall’s
“Memoirs of a Geisha.”
Munroe continues, “One of the clients Karai and the Foot Clan end up
working for is the enigmatic Maximillian J. Winters, a very powerful multi-
billionaire who lives in a monolithic tower and collects ancient artifacts from
5
around the world. He’s a very mysterious guy and, as the movie goes on, we
realize that he’s collecting monsters. As a result, really strange things start
happening in New York City fueled by Winters’ secret plan.”
Winters is voiced by award-winning actor Patrick Stewart, who already
has experience in the mutant superhero milieu as Professor Charles Xavier
from the “X-Men” films. Stewart recalls being familiar with the Turtles
franchise 20 years ago when his son was a fan and, now, is proud to
introduce the exciting world of half-shelled heroism to his grandchildren.
Describing his character, Stewart offers, “Max is not what he seems.
He may look like a healthy, vigorous and modern individual, but, as his
character unfolds, we see why he is such an anomaly in today’s world.”
Caught in the middle of Winters’ plot is the Turtles’ friend and ally April
O’Neil, an archaeologist who collects rare treasures and artifacts for wealthy
individuals.
“When April returns from her latest overseas expedition, she
unwittingly brings a relic home that could be the catalyst for possible
Armageddon,” says the director. “Of course, she’s completely in the dark
about its true origin because she’s just doing a job for her client...Max
Winters.”
April O’Neil is voiced by Sarah Michelle Gellar, who has portrayed
something of a superhero in her own right on the hit television series “Buffy
the Vampire Slayer,” and more recently starred in the horror thrillers “The
Grudge” and “The Grudge 2.”
A fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon series herself, Gellar
recalls seeing the program for the first time in the late ‘80s. “I remember
sitting at home, flipping through TV Guide when I saw a listing for a show
called ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.’ It’s a household name now, but when
I first saw it, I thought it was the strangest combination of words. And I
remember laughing and thinking, ‘This is great, I am definitely watching
this!’”
Original TMNT fans may also remember the baseball bat-wielding,
hockey mask-wearing vigilante Casey Jones. Another Turtle ally and
6
boyfriend of April O’Neil, Casey is voiced by actor Chris Evans. Evans also
has experience in the superhero realm, having recently played Johnny Storm
in the action adventure film “Fantastic Four,” based on the comic book series
of the same name.
Munroe offers, “Casey is just a guy who misses the good old days of
vigilante crime-fighting with the Turtles. In this film, Casey and April are
now an item, but April doesn’t like the whole hockey-mask vigilante thing, so
they’re at a crossroads and aren’t getting along the way they used to.”
With tension abounding, the tone of the all-new TMNT film “is very
different from the TV series and previous films,” says the director.
“Stylistically, it’s more like the comics. The action’s more intense, and the
threat to the world is more intense, as are the emotions of the main
characters.”
Also lending his voice talents to the film is Laurence Fishburne, who
provides narration for critical flashback scenes that take us back 3,000 years
where the story begins.
Additionally, longtime TMNT fan and writer-director-actor Kevin Smith
serves up a cameo role as the Diner Cook, who faces one of Winters’ unruly
monsters.
Designing “TMNT”
To bring his vision for the latest incarnation of TMNT to life, Munroe
sought the talents of veteran art director/concept illustrator Simon Murton.
With more than 25 years of experience in film concept illustration and design,
Murton counts among his recent film credits “Charlie and the Chocolate
Factory,” “I, Robot,” “Van Helsing” and “The Matrix Revolutions.”
Munroe says, “This was Simon’s first all-CGI project and, to me, that’s
the most exciting thing about it because he had a different take on design
coming from live action. I told him that, when we’re done, I want to be able
to go through this movie, and pull any frame of the film and put it into a
comic book...in widescreen, of course.”
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“We began with cinematic cues from certain black-and-white films
from the 1940s and ‘50s,” notes Murton. “I really wanted to push the
lighting and the environments to create the look and feel of an alternate
reality.”
With most of the story set in New York City, Murton stylized the
familiar Manhattan skyline and urban landscapes to make them appear
uniquely “TMNT.”
For an action sequence early in the film where Michelangelo turns the
sewers into his personal, extreme skate park, Murton describes, “I found
excellent examples from waterworks projects in Hong Kong and Japan. Pipes
in those places have to serve such dense populations that they make for
some very interesting designs and shapes, which, in Mikey’s mind, are
perfect for ollies and railslides.”
The look of Winters’ monolithic tower was inspired by architectural
illustrations from 1920s New York and Chicago.
The art director offers, “Max Winters is a very successful man with the
world at his fingertips. We gave him a huge, round office that also worked
as an encased, glass elevator, so he can access any floor at the push of a
button. The elevator office became the defining exterior feature of the
Winters Tower.”
Three basic levels of the city were designed to juxtapose Turtle “safe”
zones against human zones. Particular attention was paid to how a ninja
would move stealthily through the city.
“A ninja would use shadows, rooftops and sewers to get around and
remain undetected. To indicate Turtle ‘safe’ zones we made the sewers
warmer-looking, with rich browns and reds, versus the surface streets, which
are lit with bright neon signs that seem very alienating to the Turtles,” notes
Munroe. “The rooftops are also a safe zone for them, warmly lit by the night
sky and the lights below. Like the sewers, it’s a quiet place for the Turtles to
look at the world from extreme vantage points.”
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Digitally Outfitted Heroes
Half the battle in creating believable, CG-animated lean green crime-
fighting machines was fought by digital artists who were responsible for
researching and developing the Turtles’ overall musculature, along with such
details as the translucency of their skin and each of the characters’ defining
traits.
“We designed full-on muscle systems for the Turtles because they’re
essentially wearing nothing but a sash and a half-shell,” Munroe explains.
“We also gave them unique characteristics. For example, on Raphael, he
actually has veins that pop out whenever he flexes, and Michelangelo has
freckles.”
Apart from the reptilian crime-fighters, Splinter, a human-sized,
mutated sewer rat, presented the animators with another challenge. Munroe
describes, “Not only is Splinter furry, but he wears a robe. So we fully
rendered and animated the robe as well as his fur to show the effects of
movement and outside elements.”
Exterior structures ranging from muscles to shells to tentacles also had
to be designed and animated for Winters’ monsters—all 13 of them.
“A few of Max’s monsters are based on those in popular folklore. We
also created some monsters that are slightly off the beaten path like a little
guy we jokingly dubbed ‘The Jersey Devil Monster,’ which is a little
crustacean-like creature who’s basically a freakishly strong koala bear with a
bad temper,” jokes the director.
Beyond attention to the aesthetic quality of the backgrounds and
characters, much effort was spent on choreographing the fight sequences for
maximum impact.
Working closely with Munroe, animation director Kim Ooi was
responsible for overseeing the execution of anything that moves on screen.
Ooi offers, “The Turtles’ fighting style is derived from Chinese and Japanese-
style martial arts. Many of the fight sequences were inspired by Hong Kong
action films, but because we’re doing CGI, we can push and stylize beyond
the limits of live action.”
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Movement for each of the Turtles was also scrutinized to enhance their
individual characteristics. Ooi explains, “For Leonardo, he’s very confident
because he’s the oldest and the leader, so he walks very tall and has good
posture. Raphael’s the rebel, so he’s got a bit of a swagger. Michelangelo is
the more childlike one, so he’s jumpy and restless. And Donatello’s
movements are more subdued because he’s the intellectual one and
characterized by more polite gestures.”
In tackling one of the most action-packed sequences in the film, Ooi
says, “There’s a sequence where three Turtles, together with April, Casey
and Splinter, are trying to rescue Leonardo. They have to go through tons of
foot ninjas to get into the tower, and it was the most challenging of
sequences because there are so many things happening at once.”
Perhaps the most important challenge was staying true to TMNT fans
while creating a completely new look for a new generation. Tom Gray
attests, “We wanted to stay true to the concept while taking the Turtles in a
new direction. We went back to the original comic book, which is actually
grittier than the previous films. We think this will be a fun experience for
core fans and new fans alike.”
Munroe concludes, “We’ve done everything possible in this film to fill it
with wall-to-wall action and classic TMNT humor. At the end of the day, this
is a story about a typical American family,” smiles the director, “that is, if
your family lives underground and saves the world battling countless ninjas
and big bad monsters!”
# # #
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ABOUT THE CAST
CHRIS EVANS (Casey) has emerged in recent years as one of the
busiest young actors in Hollywood. In addition to “TMNT,” he has three films
upcoming in 2007, beginning with the sci-fi thriller “Sunshine,” for director
Danny Boyle, followed by “The Nanny Diaries,” opposite Scarlett Johansson.
This summer, he stars in “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer,” in which
he reprises the role of Johnny Storm, a.k.a. The Human Torch.
Raised in Massachusetts, Evans began acting in regional theatre before
moving to New York, where he studied at the Lee Strasberg Institute. He
made a few guest appearances on television series before landing his first
feature film starring role in the comedy spoof “Not Another Teen Movie.” His
next film was the crime comedy “The Perfect Score,” in which he starred with
Scarlett Johansson and Erika Christensen. Switching gears, he starred with
Kim Basinger, William H. Macy and Jessica Biel in the thriller “Cellular,”
playing a young man who is drawn into a kidnapping plot.
In 2005, Evans starred in four feature films, including the summer
action hit “Fantastic Four,” in which he joined Jessica Alba, Michael Chiklis
and Ioan Gruffudd as a group of astronauts who gain individual super powers
after they are exposed to cosmic radiation. Also that year, Evans starred in
the independent features “The Orphan King,” opposite Alexis Bledel; “Fierce
People,” with Diane Lane and Donald Sutherland; and, most recently, the
romantic drama “London,” opposite Jessica Biel.
SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR (April O’Neil) is an award-winning actress
who is well known to both film and television audiences. She stars in four
upcoming independent features to be released in 2007, including the
romantic comedy/drama “The Girl’s Guide to Hunting and Fishing,” opposite
Alec Baldwin; “The Air I Breathe,” with Forest Whitaker, Kevin Bacon, Andy
Garcia, Emile Hirsch and Brendan Fraser; “Addicted,” in which she plays a
woman whose life is thrown into chaos after a freak car accident; and
“Southland Tales,” an ensemble piece set in Los Angeles of the not-too
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distant future as it stands on the brink of social, economic and environmental
disaster. Gellar stars opposite The Rock and Seann William Scott in the film,
which premiered at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival.
Her previous film credits include “The Grudge” and its recent sequel
“The Grudge 2”; “Scooby-Doo” and its sequel “Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters
Unleashed”; “Harvard Man”; “Cruel Intentions”; “Scream 2”; and “I Know
What You Did Last Summer.” She most recently lent her voice to the
animated feature “Happily N’Ever After.”
Gellar is perhaps best known for her role on the long-running series
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” in which she starred as the title character.
During the show’s seven-season run, she earned a Golden Globe nomination
for Best Actress in a Drama Series. Earlier in her career, Gellar won an
Emmy Award and earned another Emmy nomination for her work on the
popular ABC daytime drama “All My Children.”
Apart from her acting work, Gellar is involved in a wide range of
charitable organizations, including Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the Make-a-
Wish Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Project Angel Food and the Starlight
Starbright Children’s Foundation.
MAKO (Splinter) had a successful career that spanned five decades
and encompassed more than 50 features and more than 100 television
appearances. In 1967, he was honored with Academy Award and Golden
Globe nominations for his major feature film debut performance in Robert
Wise’s “The Sand Pebbles.” His subsequent film credits included “The
Hawaiians,” “Conan the Barbarian,” “Tucker: The Man and His Dream,”
“Pacific Heights,” “Rising Sun,” “Seven Years in Tibet,” “Pearl Harbor” and,
most recently, “Memoirs of a Geisha,” to name only a portion.
On television, he was seen in guest roles on series dating back to the
mid-1960s, and more recently including “The West Wing,” “Monk,”
“Charmed” and “7th Heaven.” His television credits also included such
telefilms as “When Hell Was in Session,” Columbo: Murder Under Glass,”
“Farewell to Manzanar” and “If Tomorrow Comes.”
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Mako also worked on the stage, most notably in the Broadway musical
“Pacific Overtures,” for which he received a Tony Award nomination in 1976.
He was also the first artistic director of the nation’s premier Asian American
theatre organization, East West Players, based in Los Angeles, and was later
named Artistic Director Emeritus of the company.
KEVIN SMITH (Diner Cook) has seen it all—from the surprise critical
and commercial success he received for his debut film “Clerks,” to the
disappointing critical and commercial drubbing he took on his second outing,
“Mallrats.” He caught a break on his third film, the critically hailed “Chasing
Amy,” managed not to get killed by religious zealots over his fourth film, the
comedic meditation “Dogma,” and made a very profitable ninety-five minute
in-joke with “Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back.” The joke, however, was on
him once “Jersey Girl” hit screens. Mercifully, there was the made-classywith-
Roman-Numerals “Clerks II” to the rescue, the film that offered a
second visit with both the characters (Dante and Randal) and the accolades
(an eight-minute standing ovation in Cannes and the Audience Award at the
Edinburgh Film Festival) that launched his career.
Along the way, Smith has also found time to make himself a nuisance
by smearing his name all over John Pierson’s indie-film bible, Spike, Mike,
Slackers and Dykes. He’s published the screenplays to six of his films,
written comic books featuring not only his own characters (the multiple-
printed Clerks and Jay and Silent Bob), but also legendary mainstays of the
superhero world (the award-winning Daredevil and Spider-Man and the Black
Cat at Marvel Comics, and the award-winning Green Arrow at DC Comics),
and written a monthly column for UK based Arena Magazine – the lion’s
share of which were reprinted in the best-selling book Silent Bob Speaks.
With his View Askew partner, Scott Mosier, he’s also executive-produced four
low-budget, first-film efforts (including Bryan Johnson’s “Vulgar”), one large-
budget, multiple Academy Award winner (“Good Will Hunting”), and a pair of
Sundance-selected documentaries (“Reel Paradise” and “Small Town Gay
Bar”).
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Besides “Mallrats” and “Jersey Girl,” however, Smith has survived
other humbling “creative” experiences that he’s inexplicably failed to
suppress—including his animated series version of “Clerks,” which was
unceremoniously aired only twice.
Smith was one of the first filmmakers to venture into cyberspace,
establishing the insanely popular View Askewniverse website
(www.viewaskew.com) in the mid-nineties, which in turn spawned a bevy of
other Smith-centric sites, including his online diary entitled “My Boring-Ass
Life,” found at www.silentbobspeaks.com. And if the film thing doesn’t pan
out, there’s always retail: Smith owns two comic book stores, both named
Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash (one in Red Bank, New Jersey and the
other in Westwood, Los Angeles).
As for the hood ornaments he’s collected, there’s plenty of tin to go
around: the Filmmaker’s Trophy at Sundance for “Clerks,” the Prix de la
Jeunesse and the International Critic’s Week Award at the Cannes Film
Festival, also for “Clerks,” the Independent Spirit Award for Best Screenplay
for “Chasing Amy,” and a Humanitas Award for “Good Will Hunting.”
Smith also received the Defender of Democracy Award from Norman
Lear’s People for the American Way for his production of “Dogma.” For his
writing in the comics field, Smith has received a Harvey Award, a Wizard Fan
Award, and an Eagle Award; in addition, Green Arrow: Quiver was named as
one of 2003’s Best Books for Young Adults by the American Library
Association’s Young Adult Library Service. In the fall of 2002, the town of
Paulsboro, New Jersey named a street after him: Kevin Smith Way. In 2004,
the Video Software Dealers Association gave Smith the DVD Visionary Award,
and, in 2005, he collected the Independent Spirit Award from Britain’s
Empire Magazine. Most recently, in April of 2006, he was given UCLA’s Jack
Benny Award for Comedy, joining a prestigious list of previous honorees that
includes Johnny Carson, John Belushi, David Letterman, John Cleese, and
Adam Sandler.
Smith most recently starred in the romantic comedy/drama “Catch and
Release,” with Jennifer Garner.
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At the end of the day, the two titles Smith touts most proudly are
“husband” and “father.” He married wife Jennifer in April 1999 and
celebrated the birth of their daughter, Harley Quinn, in June of that same
year (you do the math).
PATRICK STEWART (Winters) is an internationally respected actor,
known for successfully bridging the gap between the worlds of classical
theatre and contemporary film and television. Stewart most recently
starred in “X-Men: The Last Stand,” the third installment of the blockbuster
“X-Men” films, in which he reprised the role of Professor Charles Xavier.
He also starred in four installments of another successful movie
franchise, the “Star Trek” features, bringing the character of Captain Jean-
Luc Picard to the big screen in “Star Trek: Generations,” “Star Trek: First
Contact,” “Star Trek: Insurrection” and “Star Trek: Nemesis.” For his
portrayal of Captain Picard on the television show “Star Trek: The Next
Generation,” Stewart received a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award
nomination for Best Actor in a Drama Series in 1995. In addition to starring
on the series for seven seasons, Stewart also directed several episodes.
Stewart earned another SAG Award nomination for his performance
as Ebenezer Scrooge in TNT’s 1999 presentation of Charles Dickens’ “A
Christmas Carol,” which he also executive produced. The television
adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” continued Stewart’s cherished association
with the Dickens classic. In 1991, he introduced his widely acclaimed solo
presentation of “A Christmas Carol,” in which he plays all of the story’s
more than 40 characters. Opening the show on Broadway, he went on to
win a Drama Desk Award for Best Solo Performance. When Stewart took
the play to London in 1993, he garnered an Olivier Award for Best Solo
Performance and another Olivier Award nomination for Best Actor. He has
since performed “A Christmas Carol” for rapt theatre audiences throughout
the United States and England.
Bringing another literary classic to television, Stewart starred as
Captain Ahab in the USA Network’s 1998 presentation of “Moby Dick,”
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earning Emmy and Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Actor in a
Miniseries or Movie. He more recently received a Golden Globe nomination
for his performance in Showtime’s remake of “A Lion in Winter.”
Additionally, Stewart gained an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Made for
Television Movie for his work as an executive producer on that project.
Stewart most recently starred in the Granada television series
“Eleventh Hour.” His long list of television credits also includes such
longform projects as “King of Texas,” “Animal Farm,” “The Canterville
Ghost,” “In Search of Dr. Seuss,” “The Devil’s Disciple,” “Smiley’s People,”
“Hamlet, Prince of Denmark,” “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy,” “I, Claudius,”
“North and South” and “The Gathering Storm.”
His additional film credits include “Excalibur,” “Dune,” “Lifeforce,”
“Lady Jane,” “L.A. Story,” “Robin Hood: Men in Tights,” “Gunmen,”
“Jeffrey,” “Conspiracy Theory,” “Masterminds,” “Dad Savage” and “Safe
House.” He has also lent his distinctive voice to such animated features as
“Prince of Egypt,” “Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius,” “Chicken Little” and
“Bambi II,” among others.
One of the most distinguished theatre actors of our time, Stewart has
continued to return to the stage throughout his career. His extensive
theatre repertoire encompasses numerous plays on Broadway and in
London’s West End, as well as the stages of major cities in the U.S. and his
native England. He also has a longstanding relationship with the Royal
Shakespeare Company, which spans more than forty years and includes
dozens of productions, both classical and contemporary.
On the 2001 New Year’s Honours list, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
conferred on Stewart the order of the Officer of the British Empire (O.B.E.).
ZIYI ZHANG (Karai) made her English-language film debut in Rob
Marshall’s award-winning drama “Memoirs of a Geisha.” For her role, Zhang
received Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild and BAFTA Award nominations
for Best Actress. She is currently filming “Horsemen,” a psychological
thriller, in which she stars with Dennis Quaid.
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Zhang was previously recognized for her role in Ang Lee’s Oscar-
winning action drama “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” winning an
Independent Spirit Award and a Toronto Film Critics Association Award for
Best Supporting Actress, as well as gaining a BAFTA Award nomination in the
same category. She received another BAFTA Award nomination for her work
in Zhang Yimou’s “House of Flying Daggers,” for which she also won the
Huabiao Film Award, one of China’s premiere film accolades.
Zhang also starred in Wong Kar-Wai’s acclaimed film “2046,” for which
she was named Best Actress by the Hong Kong Film Critics Society and won
a Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actress. She most recently starred in Feng
Xiaogang’s “The Banquet,” for which she was nominated for Best Actress at
the 2007 Asian Film Festival.
Zhang’s other film credits include the Cannes Film Festival selection
“Princess Raccoon,” for director Seijun Suzuki; Yong Hou’s “Jasmine Flower,”
for which Zhang received a Golden Rooster for Best Actress; Lou Ye’s “Purple
Butterfly,” which was a Palme d’Or selection at the 2003 Cannes Film
Festival; and Zhang Yimou’s martial arts actioner “Hero,” which earned
Oscar, Golden Globe and BAFTA Award nominations for Best Foreign
Language Film.
Zhang attended China’s most prestigious drama school, the Central
Drama College in Beijing. She made her film debut in Zhang Yimou’s award-
winning film “The Road Home,” which later screened at the 2001 Sundance
Film Festival.
In May of 2006, Zhang became the youngest person to serve on the
jury of the Cannes Film Festival.
LAURENCE FISHBURNE (Narrator) has been honored for his work on
both the stage and screen. In 1994, he earned an Academy Award nomination
for his searing portrayal of Ike Turner in the hit biopic “What’s Love Got to Do
with It.” He more recently shared in two Screen Actors Guild Award
nominations for Outstanding Motion Picture Cast: one in 2004 for his role in
Clint Eastwood’s “Mystic River,” and another this year as a member of the
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ensemble cast of the acclaimed historical feature “Bobby.”
Fishburne, who began acting at the age of 10, was only 15 years old
when he won a starring role in Francis Ford Coppola’s Vietnam War epic
“Apocalypse Now.” He went on to work with Coppola on “Rumble Fish,”
“Gardens of Stone” and “The Cotton Club.” In addition, Fishburne has
collaborated twice with noted director John Singleton, on “Boyz ‘N the Hood”
and “Higher Learning,” earning an NAACP Image Award for Best Actor for the
latter. He also starred as the enigmatic Morpheus in the three installments of
the groundbreaking “Matrix” franchise: “The Matrix,” “The Matrix Reloaded”
and “The Matrix Revolutions.”
In 2000, Fishburne made his feature film directorial debut “Once in the
Life,” which he also starred in, produced and wrote, based on his own one-act
play “Riff Raff.” Fishburne more recently starred in and produced the inspiring
drama “Akeelah and the Bee.” His other film credits include “Mission:
Impossible III,” “Assault on Precinct 13,” “Hoodlum,” “Event Horizon,”
“Othello,” “Just Cause,” “Bad Company,” “Searching for Bobby Fischer,” “Deep
Cover,” “Class Action,” “King of New York,” “Red Heat,” Spike Lee’s “School
Daze” and Steven Spielberg’s “The Color Purple.”
On the small screen, Fishburne starred in and executive produced the
acclaimed telefilm “Miss Evers’ Boys,” for which he won an Emmy for
Outstanding Made for Television Movie and earned an Emmy nomination for
Outstanding Lead Actor. He had previously garnered Emmy and Golden Globe
Award nominations and won an NAACP Image Award for his performance in
the HBO movie “The Tuskegee Airmen.” He also won an Emmy Award for his
role in the premiere episode of Robert De Niro’s series “Tribeca.” His television
work also includes the HBO movie “Always Outnumbered,” and the telefilms “A
Rumor of War,” “For Us the Living” and “Decoration Day.”
In 1992, Fishburne won a Tony Award, a Drama Desk Award, an Outer
Critics Circle Award and a Theatre World Award for his work in the Broadway
production of August Wilson’s “Two Trains Running,” in which he reprised the
role of Sterling Johnson, which he originated at the Yale Repertory Theatre. In
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1999, he returned to the Broadway stage to star opposite Stockard Channing
in “The Lion in Winter.”
MITCHELL WHITFIELD (Donatello) counts “TMNT” as his first
animated feature film, although he has appeared on stage, screen and
television. Starting his career on the New York stage, Whitfield starred in
productions of Neil Simon’s “Brighton Beach Memoirs” and “Biloxi Blues,”
before making his major motion picture debut in “Reversal of Fortune.” His
subsequent credits include “Dogfight,” “My Cousin Vinny,” “Sergeant Bilko,”
“I Love You, Don’t Touch Me!,” “Best Men” and “Lost & Found.”
On television, Whitfield is perhaps best known for his recurring role as
Barry the orthodontist on “Friends,” opposite Jennifer Aniston. His other
credits include starring roles on the series “Minor Adjustments” and “Head
Over Heels,” as well as guest starring roles on such shows as “Curb Your
Enthusiasm” and “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.”
Whitfield has also been a top voice-over artist in recent years, and has
been heard in commercials for Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Comcast, American
Express, Burger King and Blockbuster Video, to name only a few. He can
also be heard weekly as one of the stars of the hit ABC cartoon series
“W.I.T.C.H.”
JAMES ARNOLD TAYLOR (Leonardo) has enjoyed success as a voice-
over actor in every facet of the industry, from animated films to television
cartoons, and from commercials to video games. On television, he can
currently be heard as the voice of the title character on the CW cartoon
series “Johnny Test,” as well as the voices of Wooldoor Sockbat on Comedy
Central’s “Drawn Together,” Axel on Toon Disney’s “A.T.O.M.: Alpha Teens
on Machines,” and Obi-Wan Kenobi on the Cartoon Network’s “Star Wars:
Clone Wars.” He considers his greatest honor to be taking over the voice of
Fred Flintstone in recent cartoons and commercials.
Taylor’s direct-to-video projects include “The Animatrix” and “Atlantis:
Milo’s Return.” He has also lent his voice to more than 50 recent video game
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titles, including “Marvel: Ultimate Alliance,” the “Syphon Filter” series, and
the “Final Fantasy X” series, as well as the games for such blockbuster films
as “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “X-Men,” “Spider-Man,” “Shrek” and “The Lord
of the Rings.”
In addition to creating original voices, Taylor is often called upon to recreate
actors’ voices when taking over a role for video games, direct-to-video
project or commercial. He also keeps busy from his home studio with regular
promo work for Fox, Spike, G4, and Game Show Network, among others.
MIKEY KELLEY (Michelangelo) is a veteran voice-over actor who has
lent his talent to a wide range of film and television animated projects,
including “Scooby-Doo and the Cyber Chase,” “Rugrats: All Grown Up,” “Ben
10,” “Loonatics Unleashed,” “Rocket Power” and “The Land Before Time,”
among others. Kelley has also been featured in a variety of video games,
including “Tony Hawk’s Underground,” “Full Spectrum Warrior,” “Metal Gear
Solid,” and the upcoming “Spider-Man 3.”
A native of Quincy, Massachusetts, Kelley is a graduate of Boston’s
Emerson College. Shortly after relocating to Los Angeles, he landed his first
major animation role when he was cast as the lead in “Invasion America” for
The WB Network. The show became the first dramatic animated series to air
in primetime on network television.
NOLAN NORTH (Raphael / Nightwatcher) is perhaps best known for
his long-running role as Dr. Chris Ramsey on the daytime drama “Port
Charles.” He has more recently appeared in guest roles on such series as
“Ugly Betty,” “Big Love,” “NCIS,” “JAG” and “Six Feet Under.” In addition,
his voice has been heard in the animated feature “The Wild,” the videos
“Ultimate Avengers” and “Ultimate Avengers II,” and on episodes of the
cartoon series “Ben 10” and “The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy.” He
will also voice the character of Cyclops in the new animated series “Wolverine
and the X-Men.”
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North has also done voice-over work for numerous video games,
including “Lost Planet: Extreme Condition,” “Agatha Christie: Murder on the
Orient Express,” “Titan Quest,” “Cars,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Legend
of Jack Sparrow,” “Final Fantasy XII,” “The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for
Middle-Earth,” “24: The Game,” “50 Cent: Bulletproof,” “Dungeons &
Dragons: Dragonshard” and “Evil Dead: Regeneration,” among many others.
ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS
KEVIN MUNROE (Director/Writer) has spent the last decade in the
animation industry, working on television shows, feature films, comic books
and video games. “TMNT” marks his feature film directorial debut, although
his experience in the animation arena ranges from screenplays to production
design to direction.
He has worked as a writer, artist and director for such companies as
Walt Disney Studios, Warner Bros., Cartoon Network, Fox, The Jim Henson
Company, Stan Winston Studios and Nickelodeon. He also wrote the
critically acclaimed comic book series El Zombo Fantasma, which he cocreated
with Dave Wilkins for Dark Horse Comics, and Olympus Heights from
IDW Publishing.
Munroe also created, scripted and produced the international
Christmas special “Donner” for ABC Family and TV-Loonland.
Cited by Animation Magazine as one of the “Rising Stars of CGI,”
Munroe is currently writing the screenplay for Imagi Studios’ next CG-
animated motion picture, based on Japan’s popular “Gatchaman” anime
franchise, which he will also direct for a 2008 release.
THOMAS K. GRAY (Producer) currently serves as the President and
CEO of Imagi USA.
Previously, as the head of production for Golden Harvest, Gray was the
architect of the original “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” film franchise.
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Released in the early 1990s, the TMNT film trilogy collectively earned more
than $256 million domestically. The first, 1990’s “Teenage Mutant Ninja
Turtles,” held the record for the highest-grossing independent movie for
seven years. During his tenure at Golden Harvest, Gray was also involved in
several internationally successful Jackie Chan films, including “The Protector.”
Gray has had over 30 years of experience, encompassing production,
marketing and distribution in the global motion picture industry. Over the
course of his career, he has also held management positions with United
Artists, Warner Bros. and CIC (Paramount/Universal partnership). He was
named President and Chief Executive Officer of Imagi USA in 2004.
In addition to producing “TMNT,” Gray was a producer on Imagi’s new
“Highlander: The Search for Vengeance,” an anime movie from acclaimed
Japanese director Yoshiaki Kawajiri, which is scheduled for release in June
2007.
Imagi USA is currently developing two CG-animated superhero
properties: a feature film based on “Gatchaman,” the long-running Japanese
anime franchise for release in 2008; and a feature film version of “Astro
Boy,” which follows the adventures of the cartoon character who was first
introduced as manga in the 1950s and gained international popularity on
television in the 1960s.
H. GALEN WALKER (Producer) is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of
Imagi USA.
Prior to entering the film industry, Walker spent a decade as a studio
and touring lead guitarist, performing with such artists as Kingdom Come,
The Runaways and Cellmates. Segueing to motion pictures, Walker
established himself as a sound designer and post-production sound
supervisor. His credits include Sofia Coppola’s “The Virgin Suicides,” and
“Blind Horizon,” starring Val Kilmer, to name only a few.
Walker went on to open his own independent post-production sound
company and subsequently developed a joint venture known as Pacifica
Media Affiliates (PMA), consisting of five Hollywood sound studio facilities.
22
Following the successful acquisition of PMA by Technicolor, Walker joined
Imagi USA in 2004 as its COO.
“TMNT” marks Walker’s first film as a producer. He is also a producer
on Imagi’s “Highlander: The Search for Vengeance,” directed by acclaimed
anime director Yoshiaki Kawajiri, who brings his distinctive visual style to the
immortal Colin MacLeod’s quest for revenge in the future. The film is slated
for release in June 2007.
PAUL WANG (Producer) has been involved in filmmaking and
computer graphics for the last 20 years. After running Four-D, his own
boutique animation house in New York, Wang entered the computer-
generated visual effects industry, where he created FX for such movies as
“Batman Forever” and “The Peacemaker.”
Wang later joined PDI/DreamWorks where, for almost a decade, he
worked on such groundbreaking animated features as the company’s first
animated feature, “Antz,” the Oscar-winning “Shrek,” and the more recent hit
“Madagascar.” He also worked on the theme park ride “Shrek 4D,” and
DreamWorks Television’s computer animated series “Father of the Pride.”
Wang joined Imagi Studios in 2005 as Chief Creative Officer and Chief
Technical Officer.
He holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Communications Design from
the Pratt Institute and a Bachelors Degree from the University of California,
Berkeley.
FRANCIS KAO (Executive Producer) founded Imagi Studios in 2000.
In addition to his roles as Deputy Chairman & Co-Chief Executive Officer, he
is responsible for the company’s overall creative vision and strategy.
Kao’s additional credits as an executive producer include Imagi’s CG-
animated television series “Zentrix” (2002), the 2005 CG feature film “Digital
Monster X-Evolution,” and the upcoming anime film “Highlander: The Search
for Vengeance,” due out in June 2007. His future projects include CG-
animated feature films based on “Gatchaman” and “Astro Boy.”
23
Kao was born and raised in Hong Kong, where Imagi is headquartered.
He graduated from California State University, Sacramento, where he studied
business and finance.
PETER LAIRD (Executive Producer), sole owner of Mirage Studios,
Inc., co-created the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in 1984 and, since the
dissolution of the partnership with co-creator Kevin Eastman in 2000, has
been the major creative force behind the revival of the TMNT property in
television, film and merchandise.
In addition to executive producing the TMNT movie, Mr. Laird was a
key creative consultant on the script and all the major character designs for
the film.
GARY RICHARDSON (Executive Producer) is CEO of the Mirage
Group, the group of companies that, for the last 20 years, have managed,
nurtured and protected the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles property, one of
the most successful and respected children’s entertainment and
merchandising properties of all time.
FREDERICK U. FIERST (Executive Producer) has represented Mirage
Studios and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles property for the past 20 years.
In addition, he represents numerous high profile clients and properties
in the toy, television, interactive, film and licensing industries. His specialties
include packaging and structuring television and film projects, and
negotiating agreements for video game development and distribution, as well
as for toys, comic books, home video and other merchandising activities. He
also coordinates worldwide intellectual property registration and protection
activities for a number of his clients.
FELIX IP (Co-Producer) has been with Imagi Studios since it was set
up in 2000. Based in Hong Kong, Ip served as director and art director on
the company’s first production, the prize-winning television series “Zentrix,”
24
which was aired in Europe and Asia. He subsequently worked at Imagi as the
Hong Kong creative director on DreamWorks Television’s “Father of the
Pride,” the first network primetime fully computer-animated series, which
premiered on NBC in August 2004.
Currently, Ip is Imagi’s Creative Director and Head of Development in
Asia. Prior to joining the group, he had over 10 years of experience in
graphic design, multimedia development and games production.
Ip has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Design from Hong Kong
Polytechnic University.
MICHAEL J. ARNOLD (Line Producer) has been part of the
independent film community for several years. Most notably, he has worked
with Golden Harvest Films and Rim Film Distributors. “TMNT” marks his first
producer credit.
KLAUS BADELT (Composer) has composed the scores for a wide
range of films, from mainstream hits to smaller independent releases. His
recent film credits include Wolfgang Petersen’s “Poseidon”; Kurt Wimmer’s
“Ultraviolet”; Richard Donner’s “16 Blocks”; China’s Golden Globe-nominated
feature “The Promise”; “Constantine,” starring Keanu Reeves; and the
blockbuster “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,” for
director Gore Verbinski.
Badelt began composing for films in his native Germany and built his
Hollywood career though collaborations with such composers as Hans
Zimmer and Michael Kamen. His first American feature as a sole composer
was Sean Penn’s “The Pledge,” starring Jack Nicholson. His other early film
credits included Werner Herzog’s “Invincible”; Kathryn Bigelow’s “K-19: The
Widowmaker,” starring Harrison Ford; Kurt Wimmer’s “Equilibrium”; Roger
Donaldson’s “The Recruit,” teaming Al Pacino and Colin Farrell; “Ned Kelly,”
starring Heath Ledger and Orlando Bloom; and “Basic,” starring John
Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson.
In addition, Badelt has composed additional score music for such films
as “Gladiator,” “Mission: Impossible II” “Hannibal” and “Pearl Harbor.”
25
JOHN DAMIEN RYAN (Editor) counts “TMNT” as his first feature film
as an editor. He previously worked as an assistant editor on the direct-tovideo
release “The Lion King 1½.” He also served as an assistant visual
effects editor on the films “Kangaroo Jack” and “Reign of Fire.”
Ryan began his animation career as a production assistant on such
films as “Mulan” and “Atlantis: The Lost Empire.”
SIMON MURTON (Production Designer) has worked in the art
department on more than 30 live-action features. “TMNT” marks his first
animated film credit.
He served as the art director on Alex Proyas’ action thriller “The Crow”
and the sci-fi actioner “Fortress,” and as the assistant art director on “Super
Mario Bros.” Murton’s additional credits include “Charlie and the Chocolate
Factory,” “The Island,” “I, Robot,” “The Matrix Revolutions,” “Pearl Harbor,”
“Galaxy Quest,” “Sleepy Hollow,” “What Dreams May Come” and “Stargate.”
KITH NG (Visual Effects Supervisor) began his career in Japan a
decade ago as a freelance CG animator. Over the past eight years, he has
worked on more than 60 television spots for such major companies as
Procter & Gamble, Coca-Cola and McDonald’s. The Chinese Coca-Cola
commercial entitled “Clay Dolls,” on which Ng served as a senior animator,
was selected to screen at Siggraph 2001.
Ng has also worked as a CG supervisor on the Stephen Chow-directed
feature “Kung Fu Hustle,” as well as several games, including Ubisoft’s
“Splinter Cell” and “Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow.”
KIM OOI (Supervising Animator) has worked in animation in such far-
flung locations as Vancouver, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Los Angeles.
A graduate of Vancouver Film School, Ooi began his animation career
in local commercials, as well as children’s cartoons. He subsequently created
storyboards for commercials at major advertising agencies in Shanghai and
26
Hong Kong. He also supervised TV cartoons at an animation house in
Hangzhou, China.
Ooi served as animation director on Imagi’s 3D-animated television
series “Zentrix.” Working at Imagi in Hong Kong, he was also an animation
supervisor on DreamWorks Television’s “Father of the Pride,” the first fully
CG-animated primetime series.
# # #
27
Las Tortugas ninja (The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
“TMNT”
) vuelven a la
pantalla grande como nunca antes, con ilustraciones y animaciones tridimensionales
creadas por computadora (CGI), bajo la dirección de Kevin Munroe.
Tras haber vencido a su archienemigo, el Shredder, la familia de las Tortugas se
fue separando.
Por su lado, Splinter (Mako), la gigante rata maestra (o sensei) de las Tortugas,
está preocupada. Cosas raras han comenzado a suceder en la ciudad de Nueva York. El
industrial de tecnología Maximillian J. Winters (Patrick Stewart) está formando un
ejército de monstruos antiguos. Sólo el grupo de Tortugas luchadoras súper-ninjas podría
detenerlos: ¡Leonardo (James Arnold Taylor), Michelangelo (Mikey Kelley), Donatello
(Mitchell Whitfield) y Raphael (Nolan North)! Con la ayuda de sus antiguos aliados,
April O’Neil (Sarah Michelle Gellar) y Casey Jones (Chris Evans), las Tortugas deberán
enfrentarse a una gran pelea, cuando una vez más se encuentren con el misterioso Clan
del Pié. Ellos también son ninjas, y están dirigidos por el industrial Winters.
En esta nueva película de las Tortugas mutantes, se utilizó la más alta tecnología
de vanguardia, con animación tridimensional creada por computadoras, lo que da al film
el aspecto perfecto para el siglo XXI.
Warner Bros. Pictures y The Weinstein Company presentan una producción de
Imagi Animation Studios,
“TMNT”
, con las voces de Chris Evans, Sarah Michelle
Gellar, Mako, Kevin Smith, Patrick Stewart, Ziyi Zhang, y la narración de Laurence
Fishburne. Kevin Munroe escribió y dirigió la película, la cual fue producida por Thomas
K. Gray, H. Galen Walker y Paul Wang. Los productores ejecutivos fueron Francis Kao,
Peter Laird, Gary Richardson y Frederick U. Fierst. Felix Ip fue co-productor. Música de
Klaus Badelt.
“TMNT”
se estrenará nacionalmente el 23 de Marzo, y será distribuida dentro de
los Estados Unidos y en territorios selectos por Warner Bros. Pictures, una compañía de
Warner Bros. Entertainment. La compañía Weinstein distribuirá la película en otros
territorios internacionales.
www.tmnt.com
“¡Hagamos una película, amigo!”
- Peter Laird, co-creador de
“TMNT”
Las Tortugas Mutantes Adolescentes Ninjas (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)
fueron creadas en el año 1984 por Peter Laird y Kevin Eastman. El director/ escritor de
“TMNT”
, Kevin Munroe dice reveladoramente: -“Lo hicieron para burlarse del mundo
de los personajes súper héroes. El libro de cómics original se publicó en blanco y negro,
con una tirada de sólo 3.000 ejemplares. Para sorpresa de todos, se vendieron
inmediatamente”.
En el término de un año, Laird e Eastman recibieron ofertas para fabricar juguetes
licenciados, realizar una serie de televisión y tres películas de acción con actores a lo
largo de nueve años. Las películas de acción se estrenaron al principio de la década de los
’90, y brindaron a los fanáticos de las
“TMNT”
de todo el mundo, una nueva experiencia
con animatronics (robots controlados por medio de computadoras), y coreografías
realizadas por expertos en artes marciales.
El productor Thomas K. Gray, quien también había sido productor de las otras
tres películas de
“TMNT”
, comenta: -“Queríamos llegar a un nuevo nivel de filmación
con las Tortugas, hacer algo que no habíamos hecho antes. Durante más de 20 años, las
Tortugas han sido unos de los juguetes más populares vendidos en varios lugares de los
Estados Unidos, de Europa, Australia y otros países de Asia y el Pacífico. La serie de
dibujos animados es todo un éxito y se distribuye nacionalmente, y las revistas de cómic
de las Tortugas han llegado a tener un nivel de culto, todo por lo cual queríamos darle a
los seguidores de las Tortugas algo nuevo y diferente”.
Aunque la franquicia de
“TMNT”
tiene un éxito que no decae, los productores de
la película debieron convencer a los creadores de las Tortugas, para que les otorgaran los
derechos de volver a llevar a la gran pantalla a las heroicas y bípedas Tortugas, que viven
en el sistema cloacal de la ciudad.
El productor H. Galen Walker, cuenta sobre las primeras reuniones con Peter
Laird, para tratar de convencerlo de la idea de una nueva película de
“TMNT”
y dice: “
Yo estaba nervioso, porque en realidad Peter no me conocía, y todos en la compañía
estaban a la espera de su respuesta. Así que allí estábamos caminando juntos, y yo ya le
iba a hacer la pregunta clave, cuando de repente Laird levanta su brazo y frenando mi
paso me dice: ¡Tortuga! Y al mirar al suelo, ¡veo una tortuga que estaba cruzando nuestro
camino!”
Pese a la increíble casualidad, Walter aún no sabía que ya tenían la bendición
formal de Laird hasta que: -“Estaba en el avión de vuelta, y abrí el libro que Peter me
había autografiado. En la primera página había escrito: “¡Hagamos una película, amigo!”
Para crear una nueva imagen de las Tortugas para la nueva generación, los
productores confiaron en las artes del animador Kevin Munroe. Gray comenta: -“Kevin
diseñó un trailer de muestra para nosotros. Era obvio que amaba a las Tortugas, y a
nosotros nos encantaron sus ideas. Resultó ser la perfecta elección”.
Atreviéndose a ir a donde ninguna Tortuga fue antes
La producción de la película
“TMNT”
duró aproximadamente 28 meses. Todo se
creó en dos distintos lugares: Sherman Oaks en la soleada California del sur, y en la otra
costa del Océano Pacífico, en Hong Kong.
En China se emplearon más de 300 artistas para la tarea, y en Los Angeles cerca
de 70. Al existir más de 7 mil millas de distancia entre ambos estudios, en épocas
pasadas, cuando aún no existía Internet de alta velocidad, esta producción hubiera sido
imposible de realizar. Hoy las cosas son distintas, y contando con video conferencias y
transmisiones de alta velocidad:-“Fue como si Hong Kong estuviera a la vuelta de la
esquina”- dice Munroe –“Especialmente porque gracias a la diferencia horaria, podíamos
trabajar ‘el día entero’. Cuando en Los Angeles son las 5 de la tarde, en Hong Kong son
las 9 de la mañana, y eso resultaba perfecto para hablar con el otro estudio al final de
nuestro día, cuando ellos recién comenzaban el suyo”.
Walker agrega: -“Tener 24 horas diarias para trabajar nos permitió movernos muy
rápido. Sin embargo, no todo el mundo en Los Angeles se iba a su casa al fin del día,
porque surgían cosas en Hong Kong que debían ser resueltas durante su horario laboral.
Claro, para nosotros era ‘el medio de la noche’. Eso a veces era extremadamente
cansador, pero Kevin y su equipo lo llevaron magníficamente, y los animadores de Hong
Kong fueron fantásticos”.
Sin embargo hubo barreras no tan fáciles de superar con pura tecnología. El
productor Paul Wang cuenta que el equipo de Hong Kong tomó cursos rápidos de
americanismos. -“Kevin habla con mucha jerga, así que tomó varias sesiones para que
ellos se dieran cuenta que cuando Kevin decía ‘cool’, no se refería a la temperatura, sino
que quería decir ‘aprobado’”.
Munroe destaca que: -“Fue interesante trabajar con tantos distintos artistas de
Hong Kong, porque ellos aprecian realmente las artes marciales, lo cual complementó el
estilo de la película. Por ejemplo, yo les decía cosas como: ‘bueno, para esta escena
puedes incluír algo de tu propio Kung Fu’ y ellos se volvían locos de alegría”.
Esta es una nueva y fresca historia de
“TMNT”
con imágenes creadas por
computadora, comenta el director: -“No queríamos hacer una nueva versión de la película
original, por lo que decidimos comenzar un nuevo capítulo en la vida de las Tortugas.
Nos enfocamos en cada una de las Tortugas, enfatizamos su relación de familia, y lo que
sucedió en su vida desde la última vez que las vimos".
Inspirándose en la moderna dinámica de las familias de hoy, Munroe eligió
comenzar su historia con la familia separada por la distancia. -“Splinter envió a Leonardo
en una misión de entrenamiento alrededor del mundo, y el maestro, tratando de proteger
al resto de las Tortugas, trató de disuadirlos de pelear contra el crimen durante la ausencia
de Leonardo”.
Eso llevó a que el resto de las Tortugas ya no se centraran en su propósito contra
el mal, y se dedicaran en vez a simples y comunes quehaceres diarios. Donatello, un
experto en tecnología, se dedicó a proveer servicio técnico telefónico para computadoras,
el divertido Michelangelo se dedicó a realizar actos de entretenimiento en fiestas de
niños, con su personaje “Cowabunga Carl”, un payaso con un traje de tortuga “falso”. El
testarudo Raphael - con un gran sentido de la justicia- creó para él una nueva
personalidad, el “Nightwatcher” (Centinela), un justiciero solitario que lucha contra el
crimen.
Los actores que prestan su voz a las Tortugas, son ya veteranos del doblaje: James
Arnold Taylor es Leonardo; Mikey Kelley es Michelangelo; Nolan North es Raphael; y
Mitchell Whitfield es Donatello. Hablando a través de la sabia figura paternal del mundo
de las Tortugas, está el actor americano-japonés Mako, nominado para el Oscar.
El director Munroe dice: -“La preocupación más grande de Splinter es mantener
unida a la familia. Cuando Leonardo vuelve al hogar, es obvio que Raphael tiene cierto
recelo hacia él, una especie de envidia, como la que siente un muchacho cuando su
hermano mayor se va a la universidad, pero él debe quedarse a trabajar en el negocio de
la familia”.
La frustración de Raphael se va volviendo cada vez más evidente, especialmente
cuando el muy disciplinado y tal vez un tanto pretencioso Leonardo, abiertamente juzga
mal el último triunfo del Nightwatcher/ Raphael. Los egos y la hermandad se ponen a
prueba cuando Leonardo encuentra al solitario justiciero en acción, y ambos hermanos se
enfrentan, como nunca sucedió antes.
Hay problemas familiares, pero se vislumbran problemas aún más grandes en el
horizonte. –“En la última película el Shredder había sido vencido. Nosotros continuamos
la historia desde ahí. La consecuencia de la ausencia del Shredder, fue que los otros
enemigos de las Tortugas - Karai y el Clan del Pié - prácticamente trabajaran a sueldo.
Ahora actúan como un ejército privado para cualquiera que pueda pagar el precio”-
revela Munroe.
Karai, el líder de facto del Clan del Pié, tiene la voz de la actriz china Ziyi Zhang,
entrenada en artes marciales. Ella pasó a ser conocida a través de la película de Ang Lee,
“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”. Más recientemente fue nominada para varios
premios, por su actuación como el personaje principal de la película de Rob Marshall,
“Memoirs of a Geisha”.
Munroe continúa diciendo: -“Uno de los clientes de Karai y el Clan del Pié es el
enigmático Maximillian J. Winters, un poderoso multimillonario que vive en una torre
monolítica, y colecciona antiguos artefactos de todo el mundo. El es un tipo muy
misterioso, y luego en la película nos damos cuenta que lo que él en realidad colecciona,
son monstruos. Como resultado de ello, cosas extrañas empiezan a suceder en Nueva
York, y eso en realidad es parte el plan secreto de Winters”.
La voz de Winters es la del premiado actor Patrick Stewart. El ya había prestado
su voz en el mundo de los superhéroes mutantes, como el profesor Charles Xavier, en las
películas “X-Men”. Stewart conoce el mundo de las Tortugas desde hace unos 20 años,
porque su hijo era fanático de ellas. Ahora, está orgulloso de presentar el heroísmo del los
héroes de caparazón a sus nietos.
Al describir a su personaje, Stewart dice: -“Max no es lo que parece. Su aspecto
es el de un individuo moderno, saludable, lleno de vigor. Pero poco a poco, uno va
descubriendo porqué su personaje es anormal en el día de hoy”.
Entre medio del complot de Winters, está la amiga y aliada de las Tortugas, la
arqueóloga April O’Neil. Ella consigue tesoros y artefactos raros para coleccionistas muy
ricos.
-“Cuando April retorna de su última expedición por el mundo, sin saberlo trae con
ella una reliquia que podría ser la causante de un gran caos”- comenta el director - “Claro
que April no conoce el oscuro origen de la pieza. Sólo está haciendo un trabajo para un
cliente…...Max Winters”.
La voz de April O’Neil es la de la actriz Sarah Michelle Gellar, quien ya
interpretó a una súper heroína en la serie de televisión “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, en la
cual ella era la protagonista. Recientemente Gellar protagonizó las películas de terror
“The Grudge” y “The Grudge 2”.
Cuando niña, Gellar misma era fanática de las Tortugas mutantes, y recuerda ver
el programa por primera vez a fines de los años ’80. –“Recuerdo estar en casa y mirar el
TV Guide, y ver anunciado un show de nombre ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’. Hoy ese
es un nombre muy conocido, pero la primera vez que yo lo ví, pensé que era una
combinación de palabras muy extraña. Recuerdo que me reí y pensé ‘¡qué bueno! ¡voy a
mirar este programa!’”.
Los seguidores de las Tortugas desde sus inicios, seguramente recordarán al
enmascarado justiciero Casey Jones, que blandía un bate de béisbol y un palo de hockey.
Casey es aliado de las Tortugas y novio de April O’Neil. Su voz es la del actor Chris
Evans. Evans ya está familiarizado con el mundo de los superhéroes, ya que
recientemente interpretó a Johnny Storm, en la película de acción “Fantastic Four”, que
se basaba en la serie de libros de cómic del mismo nombre.
Munroe comenta: -“Casey es un tipo que añora sus buenas épocas de justiciero,
cuando combatía el crimen junto a las Tortugas. En esta película, Casey y April están
juntos, pero a April no le gusta todo eso de la máscara y el que Casey sea un justiciero.
Por eso no se llevan tan bien como antes”.
La nueva película
“TMNT”
tiene varios momentos de tensión, -“es muy diferente
de la serie de televisión y de las películas de cine anteriores”- aclara el director –“El
estilo es el de las revistas de cómics. La acción es más intensa, al igual que las emociones
de los personajes principales”.
En la película también se escucha la voz de Laurence Fishburne, quien narra las
escenas del pasado, sucedidas hace más de 3.000 años atrás, que es cuando esta historia
comienza.
El escritor/ director/ actor Kevin Smith, es un viejo admirador de las Tortugas, y
se incluyó en el film a través de un cameo, en el personaje del cocinero del restaurante
Diner. El deberá enfrentarse con uno de los agresivos monstruos de Winters.
El diseño de
“TMNT”
Para llevar a cabo la idea de
“TMNT”
que Munroe tenía en su mente, y para
poder plasmarla en la película, el director contó con el talento del ya veterano director de
arte e ilustrador de concepto Simon Murton. Entre las películas más recientes que
muestran el arte de Murton - más de 25 años de experiencia en ilustración de concepto de
películas y diseño – cabe mencionar “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, “I, Robot”,
“Van Helsing” y “The Matrix Revolutions”.
Munroe, el director, dice: -“Este fue el primer trabajo completamente realizado
con ilustraciones creadas por computadoras (CGI) de Simon, y para mí eso fue lo bueno
de todo esto. Porque Simon, habiendo trabajado en películas con actores, tiene una idea
de diseño distinta. Yo le dije: ‘Cuando hayamos terminado, quiero que sea posible ver
esta película, y tomar cualquier cuadro de ella y que sirva para ilustrar una revista de
cómics…pero en pantalla grande, claro’”.
-“Comenzamos por tomar ideas cinematográficas de películas en blanco y negro
de 1940 y 1950”- detalla Murton -“Yo quería llevar las luces y el entorno a sus extremos
totales, para crear el aspecto y la sensación realidad alternativa”.
La mayor parte de la historia sucede en la ciudad de Nueva York, por eso Murton
diseñó entornos reconocibles de Manhattan, sus edificios y parques, pero a la manera del
estilo único de
“TMNT”
.
Murton describe una de las primeras escenas de acción dentro de las cloacas de la
ciudad, en donde Michelangelo estableció su pista personal para ir con su patineta a todo
dar: -“Encontré excelentes ejemplos de trabajos de albañales en Hong Kong y Japón. Los
caños en esos lugares reciben el agua de poblaciones muy densas, y tienen diseños y
formas muy interesantes, los cuales en la mente de la Tortuga Mike, son perfectos para
saltar y hacer piruetas con la patineta”.
Ilustraciones arquitectónicas de la década de 1920 de Nueva York y Chicago,
inspiraron la imagen de la torre monolítica de Winters.
El director de arte explica: -“Max Winters es un hombre de gran éxito, que tiene
el mundo a sus pies. Creamos para él una enorme oficina redonda, que a la vez era un
elevador de cristal encajonado. De esta manera, él podía ir a cualquier piso con tan solo
apretar un botón. La oficina/ ascensor fue lo que definió el aspecto exterior de la Torre
Winters”.
Tres niveles básicos de la ciudad designaban las ‘zonas a salvo de humanos” para
las Tortugas. Se prestó particular atención a cómo se movería un ninja secretamente a
través de la ciudad.
-“Un ninja usaría sombras, tejados y albañales para moverse por la ciudad y pasar
desapercibido. Para que se destacaran mejor cuáles zonas eran seguras para las Tortugas,
les dimos un aspecto acogedor, coloreando el entorno con colores cálidos, por eso las
cloacas las hicimos con ricos marrones y rojos. Todo lo contrario, para el mundo
‘humano’ de la superficie, utilizamos colores fríos, las calles están iluminadas con luces
de neón brillantes - cosa que parece alienar a las Tortugas”- describe Munroe -“Los
tejados también son lugares seguros para las Tortugas, y están iluminados otra vez con
colores templados, por la luz de la noche o por los faroles de las calles. Al igual que las
cloacas, los tejados son un lugar ventajoso para las Tortugas, porque desde allí pueden
mirar lo que sucede en el mundo, a salvo y desde puntos estratégicos”.
Héroes vestidos digitalmente
Uno de los grandes desafíos para los artistas de animación digital, fue crear
Tortugas/ máquinas anti-crimen creíbles, con muy buena musculatura, y con detalles
como piel traslúcida, y rasgos personales que las distinguieran entre sí.
-“Diseñamos músculos para las Tortugas, porque esencialmente ellos no usan
nada más que un cinturón y la caparazón” - explica Munroe -“También les dimos
características únicas. Por ejemplo, Raphael tiene venas que se hinchan cuando hace
flexiones y Michelangelo tiene pecas”.
Además de los héroes reptiles, Splinter, la rata mutante de tamaño humano que
vive en las cloacas, presentó sus propios retos a los animadores. Munroe lo cuenta así: “
Splinter no sólo es peludo sino que además usa una robe. Por eso tuvimos que dibujar y
animar la robe tanto como a sus pelos, para que de esa manera pudieran verse los efectos
de los movimientos y del medio ambiente sobre ellos”.
Las estructuras exteriores de los 13 monstruos de Winters, también tuvieron que
ser diseñadas y animadas: desde los músculos, a las caparazones a los tentáculos.
-“Algunos de los monstruos de Max se basan en el folklore popular. También
creamos unos monstruos ya un poco trillados, como al que dimos en llamar ‘El monstruo
demonio de Jersey’, que es una criatura parecida a un crustáceo pero que básicamente es
un koala extrañamente forzudo con un pésimo temperamento”- dice bromeando el
director.
Se prestó mucha atención a la calidad estética de los fondos y a la de los
personajes. También se pusieron muchos esfuerzos en la coreografía de las escenas de
peleas, para que ofrecieran el máximo impacto visual.
Trabajando lado a lado con Munroe, estuvo el director de animación Kim Ooi,
quien fue el responsable de supervisar la ejecución de todas las cosas que se mueven en la
película. Ooi dice: -“El estilo de lucha de las Tortugas deriva de artes marciales chinas y
japonesas. Muchas de las escenas se inspiraron en películas de acción de Hong Kong,
pero como estábamos haciendo animación por computadora, la creatividad podía ir
mucho más lejos de los límites que impone la acción en vivo”.
Cada movimiento de las Tortugas fue detalladamente observado para realzar sus
características. Ooi sigue explicando: -“Leonardo, tiene mucha confianza en sí mismo,
porque es el mayor de las Tortugas y el líder, por eso él camina bien erguido y tiene muy
buena postura. Raphael es el rebelde, y se balancea un tanto. Michelangelo es un poco
chiquilín, inquieto y se mueve todo el tiempo. Por su lado, los movimientos de Donatello
son más suaves, porque él es un intelectual, y se caracteriza por sus gestos de cortesía”.
Al hablar de una de las escenas de más acción de la película, Ooi dice: -“Hay una
secuencia en la cual tres de las Tortugas están junto a April, Casey y Splinter, tratando de
rescatar a Leonardo. Ellos tiene que abrirse paso a través de un montón de ninjas del Pié
para poder entrar en la torre. Esa fue una de las partes más difíciles de lograr, porque
suceden un montón de pequeñas cosas al mismo tiempo”.
Tal vez el desafío por excelencia haya sido no decepcionar a los fanáticos de las
Tortugas y al mismo tiempo lograr una imagen fresca y renovada para la nueva
generación.
Tom Gray da fé de ello y agrega: -“Quisimos ser fieles al concepto de
“TMNT”
y
al mismo tiempo, llevar a las Tortugas hacia una nueva dirección. Volvimos a consultar
al libro de cómics original que tiene más garra que las películas anteriores. Pienso que
esta película será divertida tanto para los viejos fanáticos de las Tortugas como para los
nuevos”.
Munroe concluye diciendo: -“Hicimos todo lo posible para llenar esta película
con acción de punta a punta y para darle el clásico sentido del humor de los
“TMNT”
.
Después de todo, esta es la historia de una típica familia norteamericana– dice sonriendo
el director – ¡digo, si la familia vive bajo la tierra y salva al mundo teniendo incontables
peleas ninja y con monstruos!”.
# # #
SOBRE LOS ACTORES
CHRIS EVANS (Casey) poco a poco ha llegado a ser un muy requerido actor de
Hollywood. Además de en
“TMNT”
, él actuó en otras tres películas que se estrenarán en
el 2007: el thriller de ciencia-ficción “Sunshine”, del director Danny Boyle, “The Nanny
Diaries”, en donde actúa junto a Scarlett Johansson; y “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver
Surfer”, en la cual él vuelve a ser el personaje Johnny Storm, alias The Human Torch
(Antorcha Humana). Esta última película se estrenará este verano. Evans nació y se crió
en Massachusetts, y comenzó a actuar en teatro regionales. Luego se mudó a Nueva York
en donde estudió en el Instituto de actuación de Lee Strasberg. Fue actor invitado en
varias series de televisión, y poco después obtuvo su primer papel principal en una
película de cine: la parodia cómica “Not Another Teen Movie”. A eso siguió una
comedia de crimen, “The Perfect Score”, en donde las co-protagonistas eran Scarlett
Johansson y Erika Christensen. Cambió el tema de comedias luego, y pasó a actuar en la
película policial “Cellular”, en donde también actuaban Kim Basinger, William H. Macy
y Jessica Biel. En ella hacía el papel principal del hombre que a través de su teléfono
celular, se encuentra envuelto en el drama de un secuestro.
En el año 2005, Evans fue protagonista de cuatro películas para cine: la película
de acción de verano “Fantastic Four”, en la que actuó junto a Jessica Alba, Michael
Chiklis y Ioan Gruffudd. Todos ellos eran un grupo de astronautas que cobraban súper
poderes al ser expuestos a radiación cósmica. Ese mismo año Evans protagonizó las
películas independientes “The Orphan King”, junto a Alexis Bledel; “Fierce People” con
Diane Lane y Donald Sutherland; y más recientemente el drama romántico “London”,
junto a Jessica Biel.
SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR (April O’Neil) ha ganado premios por su
actuación y ha llegado a ser conocida por sus trabajos tanto en cine como en televisión.
Hay cuatro películas independientes nuevas en las que ella actúa, que se estrenarán en el
2007: la comedia melodramática “The Girl’s Guide to Hunting and Fishing”, junto a Alec
Baldwin; “The Air I Breathe”, como parte del gran reparto de actores que son Forest
Whitaker, Kevin Bacon, Andy Garcia, Emile Hirsch y Brendan Fraser; “Addicted”,
película en la que ella interpreta a una mujer cuya vida se vuelve un infierno a partir de
un accidente de auto; y “Southland Tales”, la cual sucede en Los Angeles del futuro
próximo, en donde los habitantes del lugar están al borde de un desastre social,
económico y ecológico. En la película – que se estrenó en el Festival de Cine de Cannes
2006 - Gellar actúa junto a The Rock y a Seann William Scott.
Entre sus trabajos anteriores cabe mencionar: “The Grudge” y su reciente secuela
“The Grudge 2”; “Scooby-Doo” y su segunda película “Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters
Unleashed”; “Harvard Man”; “Cruel Intentions”; “Scream 2”; y “I Know What You Did
Last Summer”. Además, su voz fue una de las que se escucharon en la reciente película
animada “Happily N’Ever After”.
Gellar comenzó a ser conocida a través de su personaje en la serie televisiva
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, que duró varios años, y en la cual ella era el personaje
principal. A través de sus siete temporadas Gellar fue propuesta para el premio Globo de
Oro a la Mejor Actriz en una Serie Dramática. Al comienzo de su carrera, ya había
ganado un premio Emmy y había sido postulada para otro Emmy, por su actuación en la
popular serie del canal ABC, el drama “All My Children”.
Además de ser actriz, Gellar se dedica a una diversa variedad de obras de caridad,
como las fundaciones Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Make-a-Wish, Habitat for
Humanity, Starlight Starbright para los niños y el proyecto Angel Food.
MAKO (Splinter) hizo una gran carrera a lo largo de cinco décadas, realizando
más de 50 películas y actuando en más de 100 programas en televisión. En 1967, fue
propuesto para un premio de la Academia y un Globo de Oro, por su actuación debut en
una gran película de cine, en “The Sand Pebbles” del director Robert Wise. Las películas
que siguieron fueron “The Hawaiians”, “Conan the Barbarian”, “Tucker: The Man and
His Dream”, “Pacific Heights”, “Rising Sun”, “Seven Years in Tibet”, “Pearl Harbor” y
más recientemente “Memoirs of a Geisha”, entre otras.
En televisión, actuó como actor invitado en distintas series desde 1960 hasta hace
poco. Entre ellas están “The West Wing”, “Monk”, “Charmed” y “7th Heaven”. Mako
también actuó en telefilms como “When Hell Was in Session”, “Columbo: Murder Under
Glass”, “Farewell to Manzanar” y “If Tomorrow Comes”.
El actor también trabajó en teatro, la obra más notable fue en Broadway, en el
musical “Pacific Overtures”. Con ella fue postulado para el premio Tony en el año 1976.
Mako fue también el primer director artístico del primer teatro asiático-americano, East
West Players, ubicado en Los Angeles, y más tarde fue nombrado Director Artístico
Emérito de la compañía.
KEVIN SMITH (cocinero de Diner) ha pasado por todo: desde la emoción ante
el sorpresivo éxito comercial y aceptación de la crítica, por su debut en la película
“Clerks”, a soportar la terrible paliza de la crítica y el decepcionante resultado comercial
de su segunda película, “Mallrats”. Tuvo un respiro con su tercer film, cuando la crítica
aprobó “Chasing Amy”, y se las arregló para no morir en manos de fanáticos religiosos al
presentar su cuarta película, “Dogma”. Luego, tuvo provechosas ganancias con la
graciosa película de 95 minutos “Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back”. Las cosas no fueron
tan graciosas sin embargo, al estrenar “Jersey Girl”. Por suerte al ponerle números
romanos que dieron clase a “Clerks II” las cosas comenzaron a ir mejor. La película
volvía a presentar a los personajes Dante y Randal, que arrancaron una ovación del
público de pié en el Festival de Cine de Cannes, y obtuvieron el premio de la Audiencia
en el Festival de Cine de Edimburgo. Con ello su carrera tomó envión.
Mientras tanto, Smith encontró tiempo para trabajar en la película independiente
de John Pierson, Spike, Mike, Slackers and Dykes. También publicó los guiones de seis
de sus películas, escribió libros de cómic con sus propios personajes (los ya publicados
varias veces Clerks y Jay and Silent Bob), y los personajes pilares del mundo de súper
héroes (el premiado Daredevil, Spider-Man, y Black Cat en Marvel Comics, y el
premiado Green Arrow de DC Comics). También escribió una columna mensual para la
británica publicación Arena Magazine – algunas de las cuales fueron vueltas a publicar
en el libro superventas Silent Bob Speaks. Junto con su socio Scott Mosier, en la empresa
productora View Askew, ambos fueron productores ejecutivos de cuatro primeras
películas de bajo presupuesto (incluyendo la de Bryan Jonson, “Vulgar”), una de gran
presupuesto, una que ganó el Premio de la Academia (“Good Will Hunting”), y un par de
documentales seleccionados en el Festival de Cine de Sundance (“Reel Paradise” y
“Small Town Gay Bar”).
Al margen de “Mallrats” y “Jersey Girl”, Smith sobrevivió otras humildes
experiencias “creativas”, que él inexplicablemente no pudo suprimir, entre ellas la
versión animada de la serie “Clerks”, la cual sin muchas ceremonias se transmitió sólo
dos veces.
Smith fue uno de los primeros cineastas que se aventuró en el mundo cibernético
al idear el sitio web insanamente popular View Askewniverse (www.viewaskew.com), a
mediados de los años noventa. De allí salieron varios otros “sitios Smith”, entre ellos su
diario online llamado “My Boring-Ass Life”, en la dirección www.silentbobspeaks.com.
Si las películasde Smith no fueran taquilleras, él siempre puede salvarse con la
venta de cómics, ya que él posee dos negocios del ramo. Ambos establecimientos se
llaman “Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash” (uno queda en Red Bank, New Jersey y el
otro en Westwood, Los Angeles).
En cuanto a los honores recibidos, hay varios: el Trofeo de los Cineastas , por
“Clerks”, el Premio Prix de la Jeunesse de la Semana de la Crítica Internacional del
Festival de Cannes, también por “Clerks”, el Premio Independent Spirit al Mejor Guión ,
por “Chasing Amy”, y el Premio Humanitas por “Good Will Hunting”.
Smith también recibió el Premio Defensor de la Democracia de Norman Lear de
People for the American Way, por su producción de “Dogma”. En cuanto a la creatividad
de sus cómics, Smith recibió los Premios Harvey Award, Wizard Fan, e Eagle; además,
Green Arrow: Quiver fue nombrado uno de los Mejores Libros para Jóvenes en el 2003,
por el servicio de la Asociación de Bibliotecarios para la Juventud. Durante el otoño del
2002, la ciudad de Paulsboro, en New Jersey, puso su nombre a una de sus calles: Kevin
Smith Way. En el año 2004, la Asociación de Comerciantes de Programas de Video,
otorgó a Smith el Premio DVD Visionario, y en el 2005, Smith recibió el Premio
Independent Spirit de la revista Britain’s Empire. Más recientemente, en Abril del 2006,
la Universidad de California en Los Angeles (UCLA) otorgó a Smith su premio Jack
Benny a la Comedia, el cual fue recibido anteriormente por una lista de prestigiosos
hombres del espectáculo, como Johnny Carson, John Belushi, David Letterman, John
Cleese, y Adam Sandler.
Hace poco Smith actuó en la comedia romántica/ dramática “Catch and Release”,
junto a Jennifer Garner.
Sin embargo, los títulos que Smith lleva con más orgullo son los de “marido” y
“padre”. El se casó con Jennifer en Abril de 1999, y celebró junto a ella el nacimiento de
su hija Harley Quinn, en Junio de ese mismo año (si, saque la cuenta).
PATRICK STEWART (Winters) es un actor internacionalmente respetado,
conocido por haber pasado con gracia el abismo entre el teatro clásico, la televisión y el
cine contemporáneos. Recientemente Stewart trabajó en las películas “X-Men: The Last
Stand”, y en la tercera de la exitosa serie “X-Men”, en la cual continúa haciendo el papel
del profesor Charles Xavier.
Stewart también actuó en cuatro capítulos de otra muy famosa serie televisiva,
“Star Trek”, y llevó asimismo a su personaje, el capitán Jean-Luc Picard a la pantalla
grande en las películas “Star Trek: Generations”, “Star Trek: First Contact”, “Star Trek:
Insurrection” y “Star Trek: Nemesis”. Por su interpretación del capitán Picard en el
programa de televisión “Star Trek: The Next Generation”, Stewart fue postulado para el
premio del Gremio de Actores de Cine (SAG) al Mejor Actor en una Serie Dramática en
el año 1995. Además de actuar en la serie durante siete temporadas, Stewart dirigió varios
episodios.
En 1999, Stewart fue postulado para otro premio de la SAG por su interpretación
de Ebenezer Scrooge, para la película versión televisiva de la obra de Charles Dickens “A
Christmas Carol”, del canal TNT. Stewart quien anteriormente había realizado otras
interpretaciones de la obra clásica, fue también productor ejecutivo de la misma. En el
año 1991, presentó la muy aclamada versión de “A Christmas Carol”, en la que él solo
actuaba todos los cuarenta personajes de la obra. Cuando el show abrió en Broadway,
Stewart ganó el premio Drama Desk a la Mejor Actuación en Solo. Al llevar la obra a
Londres en 1993, Stewart ganó el Premio Olivier a la Mejor Actuación en Solo, y fue
postulado a otro premio Olivier al Mejor Actor. Desde entonces, el actor ha presentado la
misma obra “A Christmas Carol”, para variadas audiencias a lo largo de todos los
Estados Unidos y de Inglaterra.
En 1998, Stewart llevó aún otra obra clásica a la televisión, “Moby Dick”, en la
cual interpretaba el papel del capitán Ahab, para la cadena USA. Por ello fue postulado
para los premios Emmy y Globo de Oro al Mejor Actor en una Miniserie o Película.
Luego, volvió a ser candidato al premio Globo de Oro por su actuación en la nueva
versión del clásico “A Lion in Winter”, del canal Showtime. Además, el actor fue
propuesto para el premio Emmy en la categoría Película Televisiva Sobresaliente por su
trabajo como productor ejecutivo en la misma obra.
Hace poco fue protagonista de la serie de televisión “Eleventh Hour” para
Granada. Entre sus muchas interpretaciones para la pantalla chica, cabe mencionar las
realizadas para las películas: “King of Texas”, “Animal Farm”, “The Canterville Ghost”,
“In Search of Dr. Seuss”, “The Devil’s Disciple”, “Smiley’s People”, “Hamlet, Prince of
Denmark”, “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy”, “I, Claudius”, “North and South” y “The
Gathering Storm”.
Stewart también interpretó diversos personajes en “Excalibur”, “Dune”,
“Lifeforce”, “Lady Jane”, “L.A. Story”, “Robin Hood: Men in Tights”, “Gunmen”,
“Jeffrey”, “Conspiracy Theory”, “Masterminds”, “Dad Savage” y “Safe House”. El
intérprete, prestó el especial timbre de su voz para las películas animadas “Prince of
Egypt”, “Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius”, “Chicken Little” y “Bambi II”, entre otras.
Stewart es uno de los más distinguidos actores teatrales de nuestro tiempo, y ha
interpretado diversos personajes a través de su carrera. Su extenso repertorio fue
mostrado en los escenarios de teatros de Broadway y del londinense West End, y en otros
teatros menores de los Estados Unidos y de su nativa Inglaterra. A través de su larga
asociación de más de cuarenta años con la compañía teatral Royal Shakespeare, Stewart
trabajó en gran cantidad de producciones, tanto clásicas como contemporáneas.
En la Lista de Honores otorgados por su Majestad, la Reina Isabel II de Inglaterra,
se otorgó a Stewart en el año 2001 la orden de Oficial del Imperio Británico (O.B.E.).
ZIYI ZHANG (Karai) su primera película en inglés fue el drama de Rob
Marshall, “Memoirs of a Geisha”. Su actuación allí le valió nominaciones a varios
premios a la Mejor Actriz, entre ellos al Globo de Oro, al del Gremio de Actores de Cine
(SAG) y al de la BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts). En este
momento la actriz está filmando “Horsemen”, una película de suspenso de tema
psicológico, en el que también actúa Dennis Quaid.
Las artes de actuación de Zhang ya habían sido reconocidas previamente, en la
película dramática de acción de Ang Lee, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”, ganadora
del Oscar, del premio Independent Spirit, y del premio a la Mejor Actriz Secundaria,
otorgado por la Asociación de Críticos de Cine de Toronto. Otro honor por el mismo
trabajo, fue la postulación al premio de la BAFTA en la misma categoría. Volvió a ser
nominada para el premio de la BAFTA por su actuación en la película de Zhang Yimou,
“House of Flying Daggers”, con la cual ganó el Premio Huabiao Film, uno de los premios
más importantes en el mundo de cine de China.
Zhang fue protagonista en el aclamado filme de Wong Kar-Wai, “2046”, por el
cual ganó el premio a la Mejor Actriz otorgado por la Sociedad de Críticos de Cine de
Hong Kong, y ganó también el premio Hong Kong Film a la Mejor Actriz. Hace poco
Zhang fue protagonista en “The Banquet”, del director Feng Xiaogang, papel por el que
fue candidata al premio a la Mejor Actriz en el Festival de Cine de Asia 2007.
Entre otros trabajos de Zhang en películas, cabe mencionar: “Princess Raccoon”
del director Seijun Suzuki, la cual fue seleccionada para el Festival de Cine de Cannes;
“Jasmine Flower” de Yong Hou, con la cual Zhang recibió el Premio Gallo de Oro a la
Mejor Actriz; “Purple Butterfly” de Lou, que fue parte de la selección a las Palmas de
Oro del Festival de Cine de Cannes 2003; y la muy nominada película de artes marciales
de Zhang Yimou “Hero”, que estuvo en las listas para los premios a la Mejor Película
Extranjera del Oscar, del Globo de Oro, y de la BAFTA.
Zhang estudió actuación en la prestigiosa escuela de artes dramáticas Central
Drama, en Pekín, China. Debutó en la pantalla grande con la premiada película del
director Zhang Yimou, The Road Home”, que luego se pasó en el Festival de Cine de
Sundance 2001.
En Mayo del 2006, Zhang fue la persona más joven que tomó lugar entre el jurado
del Festival de Cine de Cannes.
LAURENCE FISHBURNE (Narrador) ha sido honrado tanto por su trabajo en
teatro como en cine. En 1994, fue postulado para el premio de la Academia por su
impresionante interpretación de Ike Turner, en la película biográfica “What’s Love Got to
Do with It”. Más recientemente compartió dos nominaciones al premio del Gremio de
Actores de Cine, en la categoría Reparto Sobresaliente de una Película de Cine: uno en el
año 2004, por su papel en la película de Clint Eastwood, “Mystic River”; y el segundo
este año, como miembro del reparto de la aclamada película “Bobby”.
Fishburne comenzó a actuar a los 10 años, y sólo tenía 15 cuando tuvo un papel
protagónico, en la película épica de la guerra de Vietnam de Francis Ford Coppola,
“Apocalypse Now”. Volvió a trabajar con Coppola en “Rumble Fish”, “Gardens of
Stone” y “The Cotton Club”. Además, Fishburne trabajó dos veces con el notable director
John Singleton, una en “Boyz ‘N the Hood”, y otra en “Higher Learning”, y con esta
última ganó el premio Image Award al Mejor Actor, otorgado por la Asociación Nacional
para el Avance de la Gente de Color (NAACP). Fishburne fue también el enigmático
Morpheus, en las tres películas de la franquicia “Matrix”: “The Matrix”, “The Matrix
Reloaded” y “The Matrix Revolutions”.
En el año 2000, Fishburne debutó como director con la película “Once in the
Life”, la cual también escribió, produjo y protagonizó. El film se basaba en su propia
obra de un solo acto “Riff Raff”. Hace poco tiempo, Fishburne protagonizó y produjo el
inspirador drama “Akeelah and the Bee”. Otras de sus actuaciones en películas, pudieron
verse en: “Mission: Impossible III”, “Assault on Precinct 13”, “Hoodlum”, “Event
Horizon”, “Othello”, “Just Cause”, “Bad Company”, “Searching for Bobby Fischer”,
“Deep Cover”, “Class Action”, “King of New York”, “Red Heat”, “School Daze” del
director Spike Lee, y “The Color Purple” de Steven Spielberg.
En la pantalla chica, Fishburne fue protagonista y productor ejecutivo del
aclamado telefilm “Miss Evers’ Boys”, con el cual ganó un Premio Emmy a la Película
para Televisión Sobresaliente, y recibió una postulación también al Emmy como Actor
Principal Sobresaliente. Previamente había sido nominado para los premios Emmy y
Globo de Oro, y ganó el Premio Image de la NAACP, por su actuación en la película
“The Tuskegee Airmen” del canal HBO. Fishburne también ganó un Premio Emmy, por
su papel en el episodio première de la serie “Tribeca” de Robert De Niro. En televisión,
el actor también trabajó en la película “Always Outnumbered” del canal HBO, y en los
telefilms “A Rumor of War”, “For Us the Living” y “Decoration Day”.
En 1992, Fishburne ganó los Premios: Tony, Drama Desk, el del Círculo Outer
Critics y el Theatre World, por su actuación en la producción de Broadway, de la obra de
August Wilson, “Two Trains Running”. En ella Fishburne volvía a retomar su papel de
Sterling Johnson, el cual ya había interpretado en el teatro Yale Repertory. En 1999, el
actor volvió a los escenarios de Broadway, para actuar junto a Stockard Channing en
“The Lion in Winter”.
Para MITCHELL WHITFIELD (Donatello),
“TMNT”
es su primera película
animada en la pantalla grande, si bien él ya había actuado anteriormente en teatro, cine y
televisión. Whitfield comenzó su carrera de actor en los escenarios de Nueva York, en las
producciones de Neil Simon “Brighton Beach Memoirs” y “Biloxi Blues”. Más tarde
debutó en cine con la película “Reversal of Fortune”. A continuación tuvo papeles en las
películas “Dogfight”, “My Cousin Vinny”, “Sergeant Bilko”, “I Love You, Don’t Touch
Me”, “Best Men” y “Lost and Found”.
En televisión Whitfield es conocido por su papel recurrente en la serie “Friends”,
en donde hacía el papel de Barry, un dentista de ortodoncia, que interactuaba con Jennifer
Aniston. El actor también interpretó papeles principales en las series “Minor
Adjustments” y “Heads Over Heels”, y fue artista invitado en otras series, como “Curb
Your Entusiasm” y “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”.
Whitfield hizo doblajes de voz en años recientes, y es a él a quien se escucha en
los comerciales de Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Comcast, American Express, Burger King y
Blockbuster Video, entre otros. También es su voz la que habla a través de uno de los
personajes de dibujos animados de la serie "W.I.T.C.H", del canal ABC.
JAMES ARNOLD TAYLOR (Leonardo) ha tenido mucho éxito como actor de
doblajes para cada faceta de la industria: dibujos animados para televisión, comerciales y
juegos de video. En television se puede escuchar su voz tras el personaje principal de la
serie “Johnny Test”, del canal CW. También es la voz de Wooldoor Sockbat en “Drawn
Together”, de Comedy Central; es Axel en “A.T.O.M.: Alpha Teens on Machines” de
Toon Disney, y también es la voz de Obi-Wan Kenobi en “Star Wars: Clone Wars” del
canal Cartoon Network. Para Taylor, es un gran honor haber realizado el doblaje de voz
de Fred Flintstone en recientes dibujos animados y comerciales de televisión.
Taylor también realizó doblajes en los videos “The Animatrix” y “Atlantis:
Milo’s Return”. Su voz se escucha en más de 50 video juegos recientes, tales como
“Marvel: Ultimate Alliance”, la serie “Syphon Filter”, y la serie “Final Fantasy X”.
También prestó su voz para video juegos de películas súper populares, como “Pirates of
the Caribbean”, “X-Men”, “Spider-Man”, “Shrek” y “The Lord of the Rings”.
Además de grabar voces originales, Taylor es llamado muchas veces para recrear
las voces de actores al realizar video juegos, videos o comerciales. En su casa tiene un
estudio en donde trabaja regularmente realizando promociones para Fox, Spike, G4, y
Game Show Network, entre muchos otros.
MIKEY KELLEY (Michelangelo) es un actor veterano en el doblaje de voces.
Su voz es la que se escucha en una gran cantidad de programas televisivos animados.
Entre ellos, cabe destacar: “Scooby-Doo and the Cyber Chase”, “Rugrats: All Grown
Up”, “Ben 10”, “Loonatics Unleashed”, “Rocket Power” y “The Land Before Time”,
entre otros. Kelley también prestó su voz para una variedad de juegos de video, entre
ellos: “Tony Hawk’s Underground”, “Full Spectrum Warrior”, “Metal Gear Solid”, y el
por salir “Spider-Man 3”.
Kelley nació en Quincy, Massachusetts, estudió y se graduó del colegio Boston’s
Emerson. A poco tiempo de mudarse a Los Angeles, tuvo la oportunidad de grabar para
su primera película animada, en el papel principal de “Invasion America” para la red The
WB. El show fue la primera serie animada dramática que se emitió en la red televisiva en
horario de mayor audiencia.
NOLAN NORTH (Raphael/ Nightwatcher) tal vez sea más conocido por su
papel de hace ya años, como el Dr. Chris Ramsey, en el drama televisivo “Port Charles”.
Más recientemente fue actor invitado en las series “Ugly Betty”, “Big Love”, “NCIS”,
“JAG” y “Six Feet Under”. También fue su voz la que se escuchó tras algunos de los
personajes de la película animada “The Wild”, los videos “Ultimate Avengers” y
“Ultimate Avengers II”, y en algunos episodios de la serie de dibujos animados “Ben 10”
y “The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy”. North también será la voz de Cyclops, en
la nueva serie televisiva animada “Wolverine and the X-Men”.
North dio su voz a numerosos juegos de video, entre ellos “Lost Planet: Extreme
Condition”, “Agatha Christie: Murder on the Orient Express”, “Titan Quest”, “Cars”,
“Pirates of the Caribbean: The Legend of Jack Sparrow”, “Final Fantasy XII”, “The Lord
of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-Earth”, “24: The Game”, “50 Cent: Bulletproof”,
“Dungeons & Dragons: Dragonshard” y “Evil Dead: Regeneration”, entre muchos otros.
SOBRE LOS REALIZADORES
KEVIN MUNROE (Director/Escritor) ha trabajado en la industria de la
animación por más de diez años, tanto para películas para televisión, como para cine y
juegos de video. También realizó ilustraciones en revistas de cómic. Con esta película de
“TMNT”
, Munroe debuta como director, si bien tiene amplia experiencia en las arenas de
animación, escritura de guiones y diseño de producción.
Munroe trabajó como escritor, artista y director para compañías como Walt
Disney Studios, Warner Bros., Cartoon Network, Fox, The Jim Henson Company, Stan
Winston Studios y Nickelodeon. El también escribió la serie de libros de cómic “El
Zombo Fantasma”, muy aclamados por la crítica, los cuales co-creó junto a Dave Wilkins
para la casa editora Dark Horse Comics, y “Olympus Heights” para ediciones IDW.
Munroe creó, escribió el guión y produjo el especial internacional de Navidad
“Donner”, para el canal ABC Family y TV-Loonland.
La revista “Animation” menciona a Munroe como “estrella de animación por
computadora en ascenso”. En este momento, él está escribiendo el guión de la próxima
película para cine animada por computadora, de Imagi Studios. La historia se basa en la
popular franquicia de la animación japonesa Gatchaman. Munroe también dirigirá la
película, la cual se estrenará en el año 2008.
THOMAS K. GRAY (Productor) es el Presidente y uno de los ejecutivos de la
compañía Imagi USA.
Anteriormente había sido el jefe de producción en el estudio Golden Harvest.
Gray fue el arquitecto de la primera película original y ahora franquicia “TeenageMutant
Ninja Turtles”. La película se estrenó al principio de 1990, y el total de sus tres películas
recaudó conjuntamente $256 millones de dólares dentro de los Estados Unidos. La
primera de las películas “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” en 1990, fue el filme
independiente que más ganancia dio a lo largo de siete años. Durante sus años de trabajo
en Golden Harvest, Gray también participó en varias de las internacionalmente exitosas
películas de Jackie Chan, entre ellas “The Protector”.
Gray tiene más de 30 años de experiencia en producción, marketing y distribución
global en el mundo de las películas para cine. A lo largo de su carrera tuvo varias
posiciones como Gerente en United Artists, Warner Bros. y CIC (de la sociedad
Paramount/Universal). En el año 2004 Gray pasó a ser presidente y ejecutivo de Imagi
USA.
Además de haber producido
“TMNT
Gray también produjo la venidera
“Highlander: The Search for Vengeance”, la nueva película con animación de Imagi,
dirigida por el aclamado director japonés Yoshiaki Kawajiri. Dicha película se estrenará
en Junio del 2007.
En este momento Imagi USA está desarrollando dos nuevas películas animadas
por computadora. Ambas están basadas en héroes ya muy conocidos: una es
“Gatchaman”, una franquicia japonesa que tiene ya varios años en el mercado, y que se
estrenará en el 2008; y la versión para cine de “Astro Boy”, las aventuras del personaje
de dibujos animados, que comenzó como manga en 1950. Las películas de Astroboy
cobraron fama internacional, al ser pasadas por televisión en la década de 1960.
H. GALEN WALKER (Productor) es el Presidente Ejecutivo (COO) de Imagi
USA. Antes de entrar en la industria del cine, durante toda una década Walker fue
guitarrista de estudios y para giras, lo que le dio la oportunidad de tocar con grupos como
Kingdom Come, The Runaways y Cellmates. Al entrar en el mundo del cine, Walker
comenzó a trabajar como diseñador de sonido y supervisor de sonido de postproducción.
Así, trabajó en su especialidad en películas como “The Virgin Suicides”, de
Sofia Coppola; y “Blind Horizon”, en la que actuaba Val Kilmer.
Más tarde Walker abrió su propia compañía de post-producción de sonido, y
luego hizo una sociedad junto con cinco estudios de sonido de Hollywood, conocida
como Pacifica Media Affiliates (PMA). Technicolor compró al tiempo PMA, y fue
entonces que Walker comenzó a trabajar en Imagi USA, en el 2004 como Jefe de
Operaciones.
“TMNT”
, es su primera película como productor. Walker fue también productor
en otra de las películas de Imagi: “Highlander: The Search for Vengeance”, dirigida por
el aclamado director de películas animadas, Yoshiaki Kawajiri, quien dio su especial
toque visual al inmortal Colin MacLeod, en su búsqueda de venganza en tiempos futuros.
La película se estrenará en Junio del 2007.
PAUL WANG (Productor) durante los últimos 20 años trabajó en filmación y
gráficos por computadora. Wang tenía su propia empresa de animación en Nueva York,
llamada Four-D. Con ella, entró en la industria de efectos visuales creados por
computadoras, y creó los de las películas “Batman Forever” y “The Peacemaker”.
Luego Wang pasó a trabajar para PDI/ DreamWorks en donde, a lo largo de una
década trabajó en grandes películas animadas como “Antz”, la cual fue la primera
película animada para la empresa, la ganadora del Oscar “Shrek”, y más recientemente en
“Madagascar”. El también trabajó en el diseño del juego para parques de diversiones
“Shrek 4D”, y en la serie animada de DreamWorks Television, “Father of the Pride”.
Wang comenzó a trabajar en Imagi Studios en el año 2005 como jefe creativo, y
jefe técnico.
El estudió arte en el Instituto Pratt, Con especialización en Diseño de
Comunicaciones. También estudió en la Universidad de California en Berkeley.
FRANCIS KAO (Productor Ejecutivo) fundó Imagi Studios en el año 2000.
Además de ser Vice-Presidente y Co- Jefe Ejecutivo de la empresa, Kao es el responsable
de la visión creativa y estrategias generales de la misma.
En el año 2002, Kao también fue el productor ejecutivo para la creación de la
serie televisiva, animada por medio de computadoras (CG) “Zentrix”, creada por Imagi.
Asimismo lo fue en el 2005, para la película para cine “Digital Monster X-Evolution”, y
para el filme animado “Highlander: The Search for Vengeance”, que se estrenará en
Junio del 2007. Dos de sus futuras películas animadas por computadora serán las basadas
en “Gatchaman” y “Astro Boy”.
Kao nació y se crió en Hong Kong, donde hoy está la oficina central de Imagi.
Kao estudió administración de negocios y finanzas en la Universidad Estatal de
California.
PETER LAIRD (Productor Ejecutivo), es el dueño único de Mirage Studios,
Inc., que co-creó a las ahora famosas Tortugas Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (
“TMNT”
)
en el año 1984. En el año 2000 la sociedad entre Kevin Eastman y Laird - ambos
creadores de las Tortugas - se disolvió. Laird se convirtió en la fuerza creativa de los
estudios y fue quien se ocupó de la constante presencia de las Tortugas, y de sus derechos
tanto para televisión, cine y productos.
En la producción de esta nueva película de las
“TMNT”
, el señor Laird no sólo
fue productor ejecutivo, sino uno de los asesores creativos claves para hacer el guión, y
para diseñar los personajes más importantes del film.
GARY RICHARDSON (Productor ejecutivo) es el Presidente de Mirage Group,
un grupo de compañías que durante los últimos 20 años manejó, mejoró y protegió la
propiedad de Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (
“TMNT”
), una de las más famosas y
exitosas películas para niños, y lo mismo hizo para todas sus propiedades de
entretenimiento y mercadeo de productos.
FREDERICK U. FIERST (Productor ejecutivo) ha sido el representante de
Mirage Studios y la propiedad de Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (
“TMNT”
) por los
últimos 20 años.
Fierst es además representante de muchos clientes de alto perfil y sus derechos y
propiedades en los campos de juguetes, televisión, interactivo y películas.
Su especialidad es armar la producción y vender programas de televisión y
películas para cine, negociar los contratos para el desarrollo de juegos de video y su
distribución, y lo mismo para el campo de juguetes, libros de cómic, videos para el hogar
y otras mercaderías.
Fierst también coordina el registro de propiedad intelectual y protege las
actividades de numerosos clientes.
FELIX IP (Co-Productor) ha trabajado para la empresa Imagi Studios desde su
fundación en el año 2000. La empresa quedaba en Hong Kong, y allí Ip era director y
director de arte de la primera producción de la empresa, la serie televisiva que luego ganó
varios premios “Zentrix”. El programa se pasó también en Europa y Asia. Luego Ip pasó
a trabajar en los estudios Imagi de Hong Kong, como director creativo del programa en
serie “Father of the Pride”, para la cadena DreamWorks de Televisión. “Father of the
Pride” fue la primera serie que se pasó en televisión en horario de mayor audiencia.
Completamente animada por medio de ordenadores. Se estrenó en el canal NBC en
Agosto del 2004.
En este momento IP es el Director Creativo y Jefe de Desarrollo en Asia de Imagi.
Previamente a su trabajo en Imagi, Ip había trabajado por más de 10 años en los
campos de diseño gráfico, desarrollo de multimedia y producción de juegos.
El artista estudió diseño gráfico en la Universidad Politécnica de Hong Kong.
MICHAEL J. ARNOLD (Productor activo) ha sido parte de la comunidad de
cine independiente por muchos años. El trabajó en Golden Harvest Films y en la
distribuidora Rim Film.
“TMNT”
es su primer trabajo como productor.
KLAUS BADELT (Compositor) creó la música para una gran variedad de
películas, tanto para grandes éxitos de taquilla como para películas independientes de
bajo presupuesto. Entre las películas más recientes que llevan sus música están:
“Poseidon” de Wolfgang Petersen; “Ultraviolet” de Kurt Wimmer; “16 Blocks” de
Richard Donner; la película china postulada para los Globos de Oro “The Promise”;
“Constantine”, protagonizada por Keanu Reeves; y el super éxito “Pirates of the
Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl”, del director Gore Verbinski.
Badelt comenzó a componer música para películas en su nativa Alemania. En
Hollywood, inició su carrera colaborando con compositores como Hans Zimmer y
Michael Kamen. La primera película en la que él fue el único compositor fue la del actor/
director Sean Penn, “The Pledge”, protagonizada por Jack Nicholson. Otras de sus
primeras composiciones, se escucharon en las películas: “Invincible” de Werner Herzog;
“K-19: The Widowmaker” de Kathryn Bigelow, en la que era estrella Harrison Ford;
“Equilibrium” de Kurt Wimmer; “The Recruit” de Roger Donaldson, con los primeros
actores Al Pacino y Colin Farrell; “Ned Kelly”, con Heath Ledger y Orlando Bloom;
“Basic”, protagonizada por John Travolta y Samuel L. Jackson.
Badelt también compuso la música original de “Gladiator”, “Mission: Impossible
II” “Hannibal” y “Pearl Harbor”.
Para JOHN DAMIEN RYAN (Montaje)
“TMNT”
es su primer trabajo de
montaje de una película animada. Anteriormente había trabajado como asistente de
montaje, en el video para el hogar de la película “The Lion King 1½”. Ryan fue asistente
del editor de efectos visuales para las películas “Kangaroo Jack” y “Reign of Fire”.
Comenzó su carrera en animación como asistente de producción en filmes como
“Mulan” y “Atlantis: The Lost Empire”.
SIMON MURTON (Director de Arte) trabajó en el departamento de arte de la
producción de más de 30 películas con actores en vivo.
“TMNT”
es su primer película
animada.
Murton fue el director de arte para la película de suspenso y acción de Alex
Proyas, “The Crow”, y en la de ciencia-ficción “Fortress”. Fue asistente del director de
arte para “Super Mario Bros”. Otros de los trabajos de Murton fueron las películas
“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, “The Island”, “I, Robot”, “The Matrix
Revolutions”, “Pearl Harbor”, “Galaxy Quest”, “Sleepy Hollow”, “What Dreams May
Come” y “Stargate”.
KITH NG (Supervisor de Efectos Visuales) Comenzó su carrera hace diez años
atrás en Japón, trabajando como animador de gráficos por computadora (CG) freelance.
En los últimos ocho años, NG ha trabajado en más de 60 cortos publicitarios, para
compañías como Procter &Gamble, Coca-Cola y McDonald’s. La publicidad de Coca-
Cola en China, titulada “Clay Dolls” fue seleccionada para ser pasada en Siggraph 2001.
NG había sido uno de los animadores principales de la misma. Ng ha trabajado también
como supervisor de gráficos por computadora en la película dirigida por Stephen Chow,
“Kung Fu Hustle”, y en varios juegos, como “Splinter Cell” y “SplinterCell: Pandora
Tomorrow” de Ubisoft.
KIM OOI (Supervisor de animación) ha trabajado en animación en lugares tan
diversos como Vancouver, Shangai, Hong Kong y Los Angeles.
Ooi estudió y se graduó de la escuela de Filmación de Vancouver, y comenzó su
carrera de animación con comerciales, y dibujos animados para niños. Más tarde creó
storyboards para comerciales en grandes empresas de publicidad de Shangai y Hong
Kong. Supervisó la realización de dibujos animados para televisión en una casa de
animación en Hangzhou, China.
Ooi fue director de animación en Imagi, para la serie tridimensional televisiva
“Zentrix”. Mientras que trabajaba en Imagi en Hong Kong, también fue supervisor de
animación para la primera película de la serie totalmente animada por computadora de
Dreamworks Television, que se pasó en horario de mayor audiencia.
Perfect Stranger Credits
Mar 22
In English and Spanish
Revolution Studios Presents
“PERFECT STRANGER”
Directed By
James Foley
Screenplay by Todd Komarnicki
Story by Jon Bokenkamp
Produced by
Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas
Executive Producers
Ron Bozman
Deborah Schindler
Charles Newirth
Director of Photography
Anastas Michos, ASC
Production Designer
Bill Groom
Edited by
Christopher Tellefsen, A.C.E.
Music by
Antonio Pinto
Halle Berry
Bruce Willis
Giovanni Ribisi
Gary Dourdan
Richard Portnow
Patti D’Arbanville
Clea Lewis
Casting by
Todd Thaler
Co-Producers
Stephanie Langhoff
Daniel A. Thomas
Music Supervisor
Denise Luiso
Costume Designer
Renée Ehrlich Kalfus
A Film by James Foley
Unit Production Manager
Harvey Waldman
Unit Production Manager
Ron Bozman
First Assistant Director
Glen Trotiner
Second Assistant Director
ddie Micallef
Associate Producer
Stephen Eads
Cast
Rowena Halle Berry
Harrison Hill Bruce Willis
Miles Giovanni Ribisi
Narron Richard Portnow
Cameron Gary Dourdan
Lieutenant Tejada Florencia Lozano
Grace Nicki Aycox
Elizabeth Clayton Kathleen Chalfant
Senator Sachs Gordon MacDonald
Josie Daniella Van Graas
Mia Hill Paula Miranda
Esmeralda Patti D’Arbanville
Gina Clea Lewis
Bethany Tamara Feldman
Jon Kirshenbaum Gerry Becker
Kenneth Phelps Jared Burke
Jesse Drake Jay Wilkison
Gunnar Hope Aaron Nauta
Toni Jane Bradbury
Capital Policeman Jeffrey Bellamy
Coroner Charles Thomas
Bill Patel Jason Antoon
As Herself Heidi Klum
District Attorney Daniel A. Thomas
Defense Attorney Jack Menz
Jury Foreman Liliane Thomas
CSI Witness Todd Komarnicki
CSI Guy Daniel Cheswick
CSI Analyst James Mazzola
Donna Emma Heming
Carol Whittier Kristy Hinze
Banker Jay Coyle
Photographer’s Assistant Stephen Eads
Judge Michael Tolan
Ro’s Mother Yvonna Kopacz
Ro’s Mother (Older) Jacqueline Cannon
Ro’s Father Vincent Lamberti
9-Year-Old Ro Maya N. Blake
9-Year-Old Grace Nadine Jacobson
Reebok Executives Jonathan Ave
Thomas Sullivan
Human Resources Woman Pat Pritchett Lewis
Newsstand Vendor Gaetano Lisi
Coffee Stand Vendor Brandhyze Stanley
Security Guard Maurice Ballard
Man On Elevator Justin Ritson
Clients Lauren Potter
Robert L. Haber
Mitch Giannunzio
NYPD Computer Tech John Heinlein
Man In Bar Mike O’Brien
Hill’s Doorman Joe Paparone
Singer James “D-Train” Williams
Stunt Coordinators George Aguilar
John Cenatiempo
Stunts Anthony VincentHelicopter Pilot Al Cerullo
Art Director Charley Beal
Set Decorator Susan Tyson
Property Master Jim Mazzola
Script Supervisor Massoumeh Emami
Location Manager Maria T. Bierniak
Production Coordinator Anne Nevin
Production Accountant Mike Phillips
“A” Camera Operator Patrick Capone
First Assistant “A” Camera Heather Norton
Second Assistant “A” Camera Ed Nessen
“B” Camera Operator/Steadicam Operator Will Arnot
First Assistant “B” Camera Geb Byers
Second Assistant “B” Camera Amanda Hudson
Film Loader Pierson Silver
Assistant Costume Designer Richard Schurkamp
Costume Supervisors M.J. McGrath
Thomas Stokes
Key Costumers Jennifer M. Moore
Rhonney GreeneDresser for Ms. Berry Nina Johnston
Dresser for Mr. Willis Michelle Teague
Costume Shop Supervisor Joni M. Huth
Department Head Hair Wayne Herndon
Key Hair Stylist Diana Sikes
Hair Stylist for Ms. Berry Barbara LorenzHair Stylist for Mr. Willis Linda Arnold
Co-Key and Makeup Artist for Mr. Willis Richard Dean
Co-Key Makeup Artist Leslie Fuller
Makeup Artist for Ms. Berry Norma Hill-Patton
Makeup Artist Frances A. Kolar
Gaffer Andrew Day
Best Boy Electric Ralph Crowley
Lighting Board Operator Kelly Britt
Lamp Operators David Baney
Peter Russell
Bill Almeida
Michael Hunold
William MacGhee
Joshua Van Praag
Jamie Gallagher
Rigging Gaffer Charles Grubbs
Best Boy Rigging Electric William Hines
Key Grip Tommy Prate
Best Boy Grip Chris Kilduff
Dolly Grips Matt Blades
Gregory Cahill
Grips Tony Arnaud
Balint Pinczehelyi
Gerald Gloster
William Moran
Key Rigging Grip Kevin W. Flynn
Best Boy Rigging Grip Franz J. Yeich
Sound Mixer Allan Byer
Boom Operators Alfredo Viteri
John Gutierrez
Video Assist Brian Carmichael
Joe Trammell
24 Frame Video Supervisor James Domorski
Special Effects Coordinator Mark Bero
Special Effects Foreman Bob Scupp
Assistant Location Managers Ian MacGregor
Guy Efrat
Kip Davis Myers
Parking Coordinators Maurice Cabrera
Mike Fermin
Assistant Production Coordinator Meegan Neeb
Production Secretary Betsy Davis
Assistant Accountants Theresa L. Marsh
Deborah A. Becker
Payroll Accountant Darryl A. Smith
Accounting Clerks Katherine DeJesus
Jennie Myers
Construction Coordinator Raymond M. Samitz
Key Shopcraftsman Gerard Furey
Shopcraft Foremen Charles Romanello
Brian Becker
Key Construction Grips Todd MacNicholl
Rolf H. BortnerBest Boy Construction Grip Vincent J. Biscaino
Stage Manager Jan Claire Tynes
Master Scenic Artist Robert Topol
Camera Scenic Artist M. Tony Trotta
Scenic Foreman Lyvan A. Munlyn
Scenic Foreperson Maggie Ryan
Scenic Artists Rand Angelicola
Diane RichStephen Caldwell
Assistant Art Directors Emily Beck
Michael Auszura
Heesoo Kim
Assistant Art Director/Graphics Mark Pollard
Graphic Artist Kevin L. Raper
Storyboard Artist Steven Glazman
Art Department Coordinator Judith L. Buckley
Assistant Set Decorator Alyssa Winter
Leadman Bruce Lee Gross
2nd Set Dresser D. Scott Gagnon
On-Set Dressers Ruth A. Deleon
Steve Brennan
Set Dressers Hank LiebeskindJason A. Brown
James Whelan
Assistant Property Masters Vinny Mazzarella
Dave Schanker
Tonero Williams
Unit Publicist Eric Myers
Still Photographer Barry Wetcher
Second 2nd Assistant Director Chris DeAngelis
DGA Trainee Matt McLoota
Assistant to Mr. Foley Lindsay Jaeger
Assistants to Ms. Goldsmith-Thomas Brooke Schaiberger
Sean Dooley
Assistant to Mr. Bozman Gabrielle Cran
Assistant to Ms. Schindler Jessica Kantor
Assistant to Mr. Newirth Dawn Clounch
Assistant to Ms. Langhoff Brian Cruey
Assistant to Mr. Thomas Michelle Vicidomini
Production Assistants
Adam Bernard Filipe Bessa
Antonio Bonilla Natalie S. Brown
Kate Carcaterra Brian ChangGlenn Ferrara Danielle Goldsmith
Amir Khan Kendra LevenbergSiddeeqah Malik Jeremy Mohler
Matthew S. Pratt-Hewitt Justin Ritson
Aton Roberts Chris RodriguezKatie Ryan Roth Omar Vaid
Ryan Westphal Zach Wolf
John Wu Zachary Zirlin
Casting Assistant Philip Huffman
Background Casting Lee Genick
Catering Tomkats
Chef John Edmunds
Craft Service Wilson Rivas
Angel RivasMarcia Rivas
Security Wayne Petrucelli
Security for Ms. Berry G.S.I.S.
Set Medic Kathleen Cossu
Transportation Captain James P. Whalen, Jr.
Transportation Co-Captain Timothy J. Shannon
Drivers
Mike Buckman Joseph J. Buonocore, Jr.
Dan Connolly Telly Davis
Bob Dwyer William Featherstone
Roy Fortier Brian Hogan
Joseph J. Parvis Timothy J. Shannon
Donald Yeager
POST PRODUCTION
1st Assistant Editor/VFX Editor Kent Blocher
Assistant Editor/VFX Production John Sosnovsky
Post Production Supervisor Paul A. Levin
Post Production Coordinator Ann Gray
Supervising Sound Editor Ron Bochar
Dialogue Editor Branka Mrkic-tana
Supervising ADR Editor Gina R. Alfano
ADR Editors Marissa Littlefield
Mary Ellen Porto
Sound Effects Editor Heather Gross
Foley Editor Kam Chan
Assistant Sound Editors Alexa Zimmerman
Chad Birmingham
Apprentice Sound Editors Lidia Tamplenizza
Serge Stanley
Foley Engineer George A. Lara
Foley Artist Leslie Bloom
Voice Casting by Sondra James
Re-recording Mixers Ron Bochar
Michael Barry
Re-Recording Engineer Eric Hirsch
Post Services Provided by C5, Inc.
Sound One N.Y.
Music Editors Mick Gormaley
Nic Ratner
Orchestrator Ed Côrtes
Scoring Mixer John J. Kurlander
Conductor Bruce Fowler
Music Contractor Sandra Park
Copyist Tony Finno
Programmer Gui Amabis
Score Coordinator Marilia Franco
End Titles Nina Saxon Design
Scarlet Letters
Digital Intermediate by Technicolor
Digital Colorist Joe Gawler
D.I. Producer Dana Bloder
D.I. Engineering Mike Whipple
Emery Anderson
D.I. Editor Jesse Morrow
Lab Color Timer Chris Regan
Dailies Advisor Joey Violante
Visual Effects and Main Title Design by rhinofx
New York City
Visual Effects Supervisor/Art Director Arman Matin
Visual Effects Producer Karen Bianca Bisignano
Design Lead Chris DiFiore
Compositors Nitant Karnik
Rodrigo de la Parra
Lead TD Vadim Turchin
Animation Lead Jeff Lopez
Visual Effects Coordinator Elena Casanova
Visual Effects Associate Producer Mitchell Ferm
Visual Effects Executive Producer Camille Geier
Additional Visual Effects by & Company
Special Makeup Effects by KNB Efx Group
Soundtrack on Lakeshore Records
MUSIC
“Steady Baby”
Written by James Small, Cedric Lindsey and Anthony Carl Nollie
Performed by Dukes Of Daville
Courtesy of Hell Ya! Records
“These Arms Of Mine”
Written and Performed by Otis Redding
Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp.
By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing
“Don’t Cry Baby”
Written by Saul Bernie, James Johnson and Stella Unger
Performed by Etta James
Courtesy of Geffen Records
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises
“Can’t Get You Out Of My Mind”
Written and Performed by Sonya Kitchell
Courtesy of Velour Music Group
By arrangement with Music For The Masses
“Feel Good Inc.”
Written by Damon Albarn, Jamie Hewlett,
Brian Burton and David Jolicoeur
Performed by Gorillaz
Courtesy of EMI Records Ltd.
Under license from EMI Film & Television Music
“You Sexy Thing”
Written by Errol Brown
Produced by Matt Chiaravalle
Performed by James “D-Train” Williams
“My Funny Valentine”
Written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart
Produced by Matt Chiaravalle
Performed by James “D-Train” Williams
“Stir It Up”
Written and Performed by Bob Marley
Courtesy of The Island Def Jam Music Group
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises
“Like A Star”
Written and Performed by Corinne Bailey Rae
Courtesy of Capitol Records
Under license from EMI Film & Television Music
“Nausea”
Written by Beck Hansen
Performed by Beck
Courtesy of Interscope Records
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises
“Walk On By” (S&K Remix)
Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David
Performed by Seal
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records Inc.
By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing
“I Put A Spell On You”
Written by Jay Hawkins
Performed by Nina Simone
Courtesy of The Verve Music Group
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises
“A Transa”
Written by Antonio Pinto and Ed Côrtes
Performed by Antonio Pinto, Ed Côrtes & Band
Courtesy of 02 Filmes Curtos Ltda. and Hank Levine Film GmbH
Under license from Milan Entertainment, Inc.
“White Flag”
Written by Dido Armstrong, Rollo Armstrong and Rick Nowels
Performed by Dido
Courtesy of Arista Records, Inc. /
SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT (UK) Limited
By arrangement with SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
“The Lie”
Written and Performed by James Newton Howard
Courtesy of Revolution Studios Distribution Company LLC
Under license from Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc.
“Troubled Waters”
Written by Sam Coslow and Arthur Johnston
Performed by Cat Power
Courtesy of Matador Records
© 2007 Revolution Studios Distribution Company, LLC
All Rights Reserved
Revolution Studios Distribution Company, LLC is the author of this film (motion
picture) for the purpose of copyright and other laws.
BlackTail® , Leg Show®, Juggs® and Oriental Dolls®
are registered trademarks of Mavety Media Group Ltd.
NY1 News logo used with permission.
© William Klein
Courtesy Howard Greenberg Gallery, NYC
Special Thanks to
The New York City Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting
The New York City Police Film And Television Unit
The New York State Governor’s Office for Motion Picture & Television Development
Larry A. Silverstein
7 World Trade Center, LLC
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority and MTA Bridges and Tunnels
MADE IN NY
ESFPC NY LOVE FILM
Filmed with
PANAVISION®
Cameras & Lenses
Color by Technicolor ®
This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and locations portrayed and the names herein are fictitious, and any similarity to or identification with the location, name, character or history of any person, product or entity is entirely coincidental and unintentional.
This motion picture photoplay is protected pursuant to the provisions of the laws of the United States of America and other countries. Any unauthorized duplication and/or distribution of this photoplay may result in civil liability and criminal prosecution.
RELEASED BY
COLUMBIA PICTURES
A SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY
This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and locations portrayed and the names herein are fictitious, and any similarity to or identification with the location, name, character or history of any person, product or entity is entirely coincidental and unintentional.
This motion picture photoplay is protected pursuant to the provisions of the laws of the United States of America and other countries. Any unauthorized duplication and/or distribution of this photoplay may result in civil liability and criminal prosecution.
RELEASED BY
COLUMBIA PICTURES
A SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY
Revolution Studios Presenta
“PERFECT STRANGER”
Dirigida por
James Foley
Guión de Todd Komarnicki
Historia por Jon Bokenkamp
Producida por
Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas
Productores Ejecutivos
Ron Bozman
Deborah Schindler
Charles Newirth
Director de Fotografía
Anastas Michos, ASC
Diseñador de Producción
Bill Groom
Editada por
Christopher Tellefsen, A.C.E.
Música de
Antonio Pinto
Halle Berry
Bruce Willis
Giovanni Ribisi
Gary Dourdan
Richard Portnow
Patti D’Arbanville
Clea Lewis
Casting por
Todd Thaler
Co-Productores
Stephanie Langhoff
Daniel A. Thomas
Supervisora Musical
Denise Luiso
Diseñadora de Vestuario
Renée Ehrlich Kalfus
Una Película de James Foley
Gerente Unidad de Producción
Harvey Waldman
Gerente Unidad de Producción
Ron Bozman
Primer Asistente al Director
Glen Trotiner
Segundo Asistente al Director
ddie Micallef
Productor Asociado
Stephen Eads
Elenco
Rowena Halle Berry
Harrison Hill Bruce Willis
Miles Giovanni Ribisi
Narron Richard Portnow
Cameron Gary Dourdan
Teniente Tejada Florencia Lozano
Grace Nicki Aycox
Elizabeth Clayton Kathleen Chalfant
Senador Sachs Gordon MacDonald
Josie Daniella Van Graas
Mia Hill Paula Miranda
Esmeralda Patti D’Arbanville
Gina Clea Lewis
Bethany Tamara Feldman
Jon Kirshenbaum Gerry Becker
Kenneth Phelps Jared Burke
Jesse Drake Jay Wilkison
Gunnar Hope Aaron Nauta
Toni Jane Bradbury
Policía de Capital Jeffrey Bellamy
Coronel Charles Thomas
Bill Patel Jason Antoon
Como Ella Misma Heidi Klum
Fiscal de Distrito Daniel A. Thomas
Abogado Defensor Jack Menz
Jury Foreman Liliane Thomas
Testigo De CSI Todd Komarnicki
Tipo De CSI Daniel Cheswick
Analista De CSI James Mazzola
Donna Emma Heming
Carol Whittier Kristy Hinze
Banquero Jay Coyle
Asistente del Fotógrafo Stephen Eads
Juez Michael Tolan
Mamá De Ro Yvonna Kopacz
Mamá De Ro (Mayor) Jacqueline Cannon
Papá De Ro Vincent Lamberti
Ro a los 9 Años Maya N. Blake
Grace a los 9 Años Nadine Jacobson
Ejecutivos De Reebok Jonathan Ave
Thomas Sullivan
Mujer de Recursos Humanos Pat Pritchett Lewis
Vendedor De Puesto De Diarios Gaetano Lisi
Vendedor De Puesto De Café Brandhyze Stanley
Guardia De Seguridad Maurice Ballard
Hombre En Elevador Justin Ritson
Clientes Lauren Potter
Robert L. Haber
Mitch Giannunzio
Técnico De Computadoras De NYPD John Heinlein
Hombre En Bar Mike O’Brien
Portero De Hill Joe Paparone
Cantante James “D-Train” Williams
Coordinadores de Dobles George Aguilar
John Cenatiempo
Dobles Anthony VincentPiloto De Helicóptero Al Cerullo
Director de Arte Charley Beal
Decorador de Sets Susan Tyson
Encargado de Ubicar Objetos en el Set Jim Mazzola
Supervisor de Guión Massoumeh Emami
Gerente de Locaciones Maria T. Bierniak
Coordinador de Producción Anne Nevin
Contador de Producción Mike Phillips
Operador Cámara “A” Patrick Capone
Primer Asistente Cámara “A” Heather Norton
Segundo Asistente Cámara “A” Ed Nessen
Operador Cámara “B”/Operador Steadicam Will Arnot
Primer Asistente Cámara “B” Geb Byers
Segundo Asistente Cámara “B” Amanda Hudson
Recargador de Cámara Pierson Silver
Diseñador de Vestuario Asistente Richard Schurkamp
Supervisores de vestuario M.J. McGrath
Thomas Stokes
Vestuaristas Principales Jennifer M. Moore
Rhonney GreeneVestuarista para la Sra. Berry Nina Johnston
Vestuarista para el Sr. Willis Michelle Teague
Supervisor de Compra de Vestuario Joni M. Huth
Cabeza Departamento de Peinados Wayne Herndon
Estilista Principal Diana Sikes
Estilista para la Sra. Berry Barbara LorenzEstilista para el Sr. Willis Linda Arnold
Artista de Maquillaje Co-Principal para el Sr. Willis Richard Dean
Artista de Maquillaje Co-Principal Leslie Fuller
Artista de Maquillaje para la Sra. Berry Norma Hill-Patton
Artista de Maquillaje Frances A. Kolar
Electricidad Andrew Day
Ayudante de Electricidad Ralph Crowley
Operador Consola de Luces Kelly Britt
Operadores de Focos David Baney
Peter Russell
Bill Almeida
Michael Hunold
William MacGhee
Joshua Van Praag
Jamie Gallagher
Electricidad Principal Charles Grubbs
Ayudante de la Electricidad Principal William Hines
Coordinador del Personal de Producción Tommy Prate
Ayudante del Coordinador del Personal
de Producción Chris Kilduff
Personal de Producción a Cargo del
Movimiento de Cámara Matt Blades
Gregory Cahill
Personal de Producción Tony Arnaud
Balint Pinczehelyi
Gerald Gloster
William Moran
Coordinador Principal del Personal de Producción Kevin W. Flynn
Ayudante del Coordinador Princip